By Carl Dombek
For me, no visit to my home town of Chicago is complete unless I’ve done two things: eaten some Polish food (preferred: pierogi) and made a pilgrimage to Ann Sather.
On my last day in the Windy City, I hopped aboard the Red Line “L” train just outside my hotel in River North and headed to the Belmont station, then walked about a half-block east through snow flurries to my favorite Ann Sather location at 909 W. Belmont. There are also two other locations: on Broadway and Granville.
Walking in, I was seated immediately and brought water and a menu. My server was right over to ask if I knew what I wanted or needed a minute. I took the time to peruse the specials, then decided the sampler plate would be just the thing.
It came with one Swedish pancake with lingonberries, one egg, a Swedish meatball, a link of Swedish potato sausage, home fries and not one but TWO cinnamon rolls! Over the years, I’ve referred people to Ann Sather with the quip that they have “Cinnamon rolls as big as your head!” Perhaps they’ve scaled things down – they don’t seem to be as big as I remember them – but they are just as tasty.
The food came out quickly and was hot and delicious. My server brought a grainy mustard that he said would go “really well” with the potato sausage, and he was spot on.
I couldn’t finish half of any of the generous portions but if my wife had been with me, it would have been more than enough for the two of us. They do charge $2 to split an order but that’s better than ordering two meals, then wasting perfectly good food.
At the end of the meal, my server asked if I’d like a box. I declined, explaining that I was flying home, to which he asked where "home" was. When I responded, “Seattle,” he shared his thoughts on the upcoming Big Game, saying “I hope the ‘Hawks win; we don’t like New England around here.”
We shall see; hope springs eternal. One thing that one doesn’t have to hope for, as it’s practically guaranteed, is good Swedish food at Ann Sather.
If you aren’t familiar, I encourage you to check it out. If you just haven’t yet tried it, I ask: “What’s stopping you?”
If nothing else, go for the cinnamon rolls.
On my last day in the Windy City, I hopped aboard the Red Line “L” train just outside my hotel in River North and headed to the Belmont station, then walked about a half-block east through snow flurries to my favorite Ann Sather location at 909 W. Belmont. There are also two other locations: on Broadway and Granville.
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| Ann Sather location on Belmont |
Walking in, I was seated immediately and brought water and a menu. My server was right over to ask if I knew what I wanted or needed a minute. I took the time to peruse the specials, then decided the sampler plate would be just the thing.
 |
| Warm, welcoming interior |
It came with one Swedish pancake with lingonberries, one egg, a Swedish meatball, a link of Swedish potato sausage, home fries and not one but TWO cinnamon rolls! Over the years, I’ve referred people to Ann Sather with the quip that they have “Cinnamon rolls as big as your head!” Perhaps they’ve scaled things down – they don’t seem to be as big as I remember them – but they are just as tasty.
 |
| A hearty breakfast on a snowy day |
The food came out quickly and was hot and delicious. My server brought a grainy mustard that he said would go “really well” with the potato sausage, and he was spot on.
I couldn’t finish half of any of the generous portions but if my wife had been with me, it would have been more than enough for the two of us. They do charge $2 to split an order but that’s better than ordering two meals, then wasting perfectly good food.
At the end of the meal, my server asked if I’d like a box. I declined, explaining that I was flying home, to which he asked where "home" was. When I responded, “Seattle,” he shared his thoughts on the upcoming Big Game, saying “I hope the ‘Hawks win; we don’t like New England around here.”
We shall see; hope springs eternal. One thing that one doesn’t have to hope for, as it’s practically guaranteed, is good Swedish food at Ann Sather.
If you aren’t familiar, I encourage you to check it out. If you just haven’t yet tried it, I ask: “What’s stopping you?”
 |
| Luscious cinnamon rolls with lots of gooey glaze |
If nothing else, go for the cinnamon rolls.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
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