Sweet Maple Cafe

Sweet Maple Cafe is a breakfast and lunch spot known for homemade sweet milk biscuits, buttermilk pancakes served with pure Vermont maple syrup, and a long list of scrambles, omelets and tacos. Laurene Hynson opened the cafe in 1999 in a modest storefront, and the menu leans on family recipes cooked the old-fashioned way. Dr. Glenn's Scramble, with ham, Cheddar and spinach, is one of the newer dishes.

The cafe sits on West Taylor Street in Chicago and draws a mix of regulars, students, professors and visitors. Hot Steel-Cut Oatmeal, Good-Ole-Fashioned Pancakes and the Sweet Maple Special are popular starting points. Ordering is available online, and the coffee is Seattle's Best.