Blast from the past

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly remember something from the past? Such was the case when we were looking for restaurants to review and Nancy woke up screaming about a Baker’s Square her and her girlfriend Sharon used to frequent when she was a travel agent. This brought back memories of the best pie in the world, the chemically enhanced, sugar laden, 790 calories per slice bomb known as the Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme. Never fear loyal readers, there are some Baker’s Square restaurants still around. We hopped into the “way back machine” and sped off to Village Inn/Baker’s Square in Palatine.

The interior layout was exactly as we remembered it. The first thing you see when you walk in is their glass case chock full of decadent pies. To the left is the dining area which has been given a lighter, brighter upgrade.

The restaurant was filled to capacity, and we were quite surprised since it was the middle of the week. The reason became clear to us when we learned it was “free slice of pie Wednesday.” The food gods were smiling down on us.

Jim loves breakfast, so he of course ordered the Ultimate Breakfast ($14.25). This was two bacon strips, two pork sausage links, a grilled ham steak, hashbrowns, and two eggs with your choice of one side: toast, pancakes, or English muffin. He went with the pancakes. The breakfast was ultimate and the stars of the entrée were the huge thick ham steak and the delicious fluffy pancakes.

Nancy prefers lunch, and she ordered the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese (12.50). This was parmesan crusted bread, American, cheddar, Monterey jack, and mozzarella cheeses topped with bacon and grilled tomato slices. She had a choice of five sides: seasoned fries, coleslaw, fruit, a side salad, or a cup of soup. Of course, she didn’t want any of those and asked for hashbrowns instead. She also asked them to leave off the grilled tomatoes. She said the sandwich hit the spot.

Now for the real reason to go to this restaurant, the pies. Driving to the restaurant, we had a great debate if we should buy a whole pie. Since it was “Free Slice of Pie Wednesday”, and we are seniors, we quickly nixed that idea. Memories of the Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme made Nancy’s mouth water and she had to have it. I had the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup pie. Mine was really good, but Nancy was disappointed in her slice. They changed the pecan filling which had pecans that you could see and now the pecans were made into a paste instead. I guess it’s true what they say, “you can never go back.”

In conclusion, Jim’s breakfast was a deal and the free slice of pie made it all the better.

FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.

The price for our “blast from the past” was $37.19. Driving 31 miles one-way for a free slice of pie, priceless…

Jim’s take: My breakfast was tasty and you can’t beat a free slice of pie.

Nancy’s take: My grilled cheese sounded better on the menu. I was expecting a thicker, cheesier sandwich. A free slice of pie made it a deal since it costs around $5.

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com

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