Rise and shine! From classic diners to hip coffee shops and restaurants with international flair, Forest Park has a bevy of breakfasts to start your day. Make the most of your next morning meal and carryout from five notable restaurants in Forest Park.
For years, Patrick O’Brien of Scratch Restaurant Group would ask himself why he didn’t have a breakfast-focused restaurant in the fold. Known for whipping up burgers, mac and cheese and woodfired pizzas, O’Brien opened Lathrop House Cafe mid-pandemic, at 26 Lathrop Ave., and began slinging egg sandwiches, fluffy omelets and even colorful chilaquiles to satisfy local breakfast cravings.
Adventurous breakfast lovers will clamor for innovative items like fried biscuits and gravy or chilaquiles — made with fresh tortilla chips simmered in salsa roja. Traditionalists will appreciate the Denver omelet brimming with ham, onion, pepper, and mushroom.
Looking to take a drive-thru detour? For many people coffee is an essential part of every morning, but savvy folks know a perfect cup of fresh coffee is hard to come by. Thankfully Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St., air-roasts beans on site and consistently brews a clean tasting cup of joe.
Kribi Coffee is offering a holiday coffee blend of Columbian, Costa Rican and Sumatran beans. “Cheers Holiday Blend” brings notes of blackberry, cantaloupe, and chocolate pudding to this festive time of year. Pair a memorable cup of Kribi Coffee with a hot breakfast sandwich for just five dollars. Sandwiches come with a choice of meat and bread and vegan options are available.
Coffee not your thing? Check out Kribi’s London Fog Tea Latte. A perfect pick-me-up on a gloomy winter day, the warming drink features Earl Grey tea with vanilla syrup
Cactus Grill, 315 Harlem Ave., is known for churning out burritos, tacos and menudo and has recently enhanced their menu to include nacho fries, churros and house made horchata. Few folks, however, know Cactus Grill also serves a vibrant array of Mexican breakfast items.
DIY-inclined customers will appreciate the huevos a la Mexicana. A pepper-spiked egg scramble served with rice, beans, and corn tortillas provides a perfect opportunity to assemble your own breakfast. Cactus Grill also turns out confident chilaquiles verde with eggs cooked to order.
Louie’s Grill, 7422 Madison St., has been around for more than 20 years. The tried and true dine-in establishment was not set up for carryout business but has adapted in the face of need. Today breakfast packages are flying out the door bringing retro diner vibes to family tables in the community.
You cannot go wrong with a classic breakfast from Louie’s Grill. Even after a brief ride in the car, the classic combo remained picture perfect and satisfying. Do not overlook the French toast — served with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, the dish will make anyone feel like a kid again.
“Our Oreo pancakes were featured on Chicago’s Best,” said Marigo Doulas, co-owner of Madison Park Kitchen, 7525 Madison St. “Everyone loves this use of a classic cookie. We use chocolate pancakes and a sweet cream cheese icing.”
Doulas has shared ownership of MPK for seven years with her cousin Niko Doulas and both remain passionate about their family business being an integral part of the Forest Park community.
The diner, known for serving notable morning fare like fluffy pancakes and crispy waffles, also brings a brunch vibe to their namesake burger. The MPK burger, cooked to order, comes appropriately topped with bacon and egg! Who says you can’t have a burger for breakfast?
*All food credited to Melissa Elsmo was ordered via carryout and plated at home
