Olde North Pancake House, West Chicago

Boston's Old North Church is famous for being the site of the "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal that announced the English arrival during the Revolutionary War. If only everyone had sat down for a plate of blueberry pancakes, the whole thing might have been averted. Luckily, a Chicagoland building modeled after that famous locale stands ready to remedy that oversight. Despite its grand inspiration, the Olde North Pancake House feels more like a friend's living room than a historic church. Wood paneled walls enclose the cozy space, and a brick fireplace warms visitors as they sip the restaurant's signature coffee and dig into hearty comfort food.

True to its name, the Olde North Pancake House specializes in flavorful hotcakes. Those breakfast staples are cooked up from special buttermilk batter, which is poured onto the griddle on its own or filled with ingredients ranging from sweet blueberries to crunchy pecans. Other morning fare arrives in the form of delicate, jelly-filled crepes, or fresh biscuits topped with homemade sausage gravy. As the day goes on, the cooks shift their attention to lunch, serving half-pound burgers and soups. Dinner, meanwhile, brings all-you-can eat shrimp, steaks, and a special fish fry on Fridays.