Rainbow Restaurant is a welcome breakfast addition

Editor’s Note: Our columnist is not a trained or paid professional, nor does he get complimentary meals from the restaurants visited. He and his party arrive unannounced and do not reveal that they will be doing a review. Comments or questions may be sent to Sam Geati, greengeezer9@comcast.net.

There’s a pot of good food “over the Rainbow”!

This week, I’m writing about a new Algonquin eatery called Rainbow Restaurant & Pancake House. The restaurant is located in Algonquin on Rt. 31 about a mile south of Algonquin Rd. Took me about 23 minutes to get there, and it was worth the drive. Entering this new place, you will be greeted by either owner Nick Dimitrelis or his daughter Kelly. These are two of the warmest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’ve been there twice, once to sample breakfast and again for lunch. So this review is a “two-fer.” Also, Sun Day readers receive a 10 percent discount, so be sure you mention that you are a SC resident and read about Rainbow here.

This is Rainbow 2, actually. Nick’s family has been in the restaurant business in Elmhurst for over 30 years. Currently, the restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch only, but that may change eventually. I heard about Rainbow from reader Louis Schmitt, who previously lived in the Elmhurst area and was a frequent customer at the Rainbow restaurant. When he heard that Nick was opening in Algonquin, he was thrilled to see Nick and his family chose the nearby site.

My first visit was with wife Judy for breakfast; we were immediately impressed with being greeted like regulars. No sooner were we seated, we were treated to complimentary fresh OJ. One thing is obvious about the service here: servers don’t play favorites. If they have a pot of coffee in hand, they will find cups to fill. It doesn’t matter if it’s their table assignment or not. They work together efficiently, an indication of good training and teamwork. As for the menu, all I can say is, if you can’t find a breakfast choice that pleases you, it probably doesn’t exist. There are so many traditional choices plus many of their own originals. Frittatas, omelets, skillet meals, meat dishes, benedicts – you name it, it’s on the menu. Judy ordered the Cinnamon-Apple Belgian Waffle. She was impressed with the ample quantity of fresh apple slices that were sautéed in butter and cinnamon. She also liked the quality and flavor of the waffle that was priced at $6.45. I ordered two eggs with ham off the bone at $6.75, served with hash browns or fresh fruit and choice of two buttermilk pancakes or toast or English muffin. We were also served hot, fresh-baked muffins at no charge. After this meal, neither of us needed lunch.

Speaking of lunch, I returned about a week later with Mike and Boyd, two tennis buddies, for an after-tennis meal. Since it was noon, we went for a mixed bag of breakfast and lunch dishes. From a long list of sandwiches, Boyd ordered an Angus half-pound burger that was juicy and included two slices of tomato, lettuce, and pickles, along with French fries and a cup of soup. His tab was $7.25, plus $1.75 for coffee. Mike had something unusual: banana nut bread French toast topped with perfectly ripe banana slices and pecans, also $7.25. He cleaned his plate. I went for the Texas Skillet, a combination of chunks of tender and tasty sautéed skirt steak, onions, mushrooms, and green peppers topped with hash browns and two eggs. Did I forget something? Oh, yes, there was cheddar cheese mixed in, plus I had a choice of two pancakes or toast. I opted for the toast, as I’m on a diet. The dish was so ample that I needed a take-home box for half of my lunch, which was $8.75.

So, what else can I say about the Rainbow Restaurant but grab some relatives or friends and get out there. My way of getting there from SC: take Freeman Rd., turn right on Galligan and left on Binnie Rd. to Randall. Turn left on Randall and a quick right on Miller. Take Miller to Rt. 31 and turn left. Rainbow will be on the right about one-and-a-half miles from Miller. You won’t be disappointed.

Rainbow Restaurant & Pancake House – 1229 S. Main St. (Rt. 31), Algonquin, IL 60102. Open every day for breakfast and lunch. 224-678-9526. Groups welcome. Separate checks available.

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