Mr. A's filling breakfast and lunch specialties sate hungry appetites
Check the menu from any restaurant focusing on breakfast and it's a given you'll find similarities.
But diners get more than standard-issue fare at Mr. A's Restaurant, a short walk from the Metra stop in Roselle. It covers all the bases: from omelettes and skillet dishes to eggs Benedict and hot-off-the-griddle pancakes.
The spacious 165-seat venue is owned by Andy Spentzos, a veteran restaurateur.
Customers appreciate the broad selection and attentive service. They also like the wallet-friendly prices. With a couple of exceptions (skirt steak and eggs goes for $15.50), no entree is higher than $10.
An added bonus is the generous portions Mr. A's serves while managing to maintain quality.
Breakfast is served all day, from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
The kitchen also offers gluten-free options (waffles, pancakes and French toast), plus a special menu for those eating on the lighter side (for example, the Iron Man is made with three egg whites, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and avocado).
Fifteen specialty sandwiches lead the lunch menu, including the Monte Cristo, Reuben, Cajun chicken and Tuscan turkey melt. Freshly ground, never frozen eight-ounce burgers round out the menu, along with assorted salads and wraps.
Beverage service features bottomless servings of coffee or tea. Also available are fruit juices, soft drinks, hot chocolate and milkshakes.
During a recent meal at Mr. A's, I noshed on the Fiesta skillet, a small mountain of tasty food. Even though I asked the kitchen to cut back and serve the dish with two eggs over easy (instead of four eggs!), I left the premises stuffed, carrying leftovers boxed for another breakfast.
My dish captured the flavors and scents of chorizo sausage, fried onions, cheddar and green peppers. A mild salsa added extra oomph.
Side dishes are part of the package. The made-to-order pancakes made a positive impression. Next time I am in the neighborhood I may stop at Mr. A's to see if there's a stack of banana pecan pancakes with my name on it.
Mr. A's tasty four-egg Denver omelette won a nod of approval from my dining partner, and I seconded the motion. This classic dish brought together ham, onions and green peppers. It was filled with American cheese and topped with another slice for good measure. The dish was accompanied by American fries. A sizable portion also left the restaurant in a box.
Ham, hand-cut off the bone, is a popular dish appearing on both the breakfast and lunch sides of the menu. Customers also can order a whole ham or ham by the pound. The meat's tenderness and underlying sweetness keeps admirers coming back for more.
<i>Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.</i>
Mr. A's Restaurant
609 E. Irving Park Road, Roselle, (630) 980-7000,
Cuisine: Breakfast and lunch
Setting: A cheerful storefront space ideal for a casual meal
Entrees: $6.50 to $9.95
Hours: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily