![[Stuffed french toast is a delicious hit with strawberries, blueberries and a cream cheese filling at Lily's Cafe in Lombard.]
LOMBARD – If you're looking for a cozy cafe with wonderful service and an atmosphere that feels like home, you'll want to try Lily's Cafe in Lombard.
Lily's Cafe might easily be overlooked by a casual passerby, because it's tucked in the middle of a strip mall. But overlooking it would be a mistake.
Charming decor is another expression of the warmth of the place, featuring a display of adorable canvas illustration prints and figurines along the walls.](61fb8611-214c-4204-9866-d7e2da5e714d/image-pv_web.jpg)
[Stuffed french toast is a delicious hit with strawberries, blueberries and a cream cheese filling at Lily's Cafe in Lombard.]
LOMBARD – If you're looking for a cozy cafe with wonderful service and an atmosphere that feels like home, you'll want to try Lily's Cafe in Lombard.
Lily's Cafe might easily be overlooked by a casual passerby, because it's tucked in the middle of a strip mall. But overlooking it would be a mistake.
Charming decor is another expression of the warmth of the place, featuring a display of adorable canvas illustration prints and figurines along the walls.
Both booths and tables are available for diners. And, as one would expect at a popular dining establishment, those booths and tables were all full when my friend and I paid a visit to the cafe.
Busy as it was, we were seated shortly after we arrived. And our food was served quickly.
We decided to split a half order of biscuits and gravy in addition to our individual breakfast selections, as it had been quite a while since either of us had eaten it. The biscuits were fluffy and the meat was tender. I'm glad we didn't pass the dish up.
[A comfort food option is this half order of biscuits and gravy at Lily's Cafe, which arrived with a fluffy biscuit and tender meat.]
For the main portion of her meal, my friend considered a breakfast sandwich. The cafe serves four different ones, each with a choice of hash browns or fruit and an optional upgrade to a bagel or pretzel bun. The menu also offers a wide array of salads, as well as sandwiches and from-scratch soups, including vegetable-based soups that are vegan.
But my companion wanted to try something new and opted for the chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast dish prepared with a wake-up touch of chili peppers. She selected the chilaquiles rojos [red], which the server said were less spicy than the chilaquiles verdes [green].
My friend said her chilaquiles were pretty spicy, but admitted she is a lightweight on the hot meter. The dish also features onions, cheese and tortillas chips. My friend opted for over-easy eggs on top. The server said diners not only choose how they want their eggs prepared, but also can customize the crispness of the tortilla chips.
[Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish prepared with a wake-up touch of chili peppers. Shown is the milder red version at Lily's Cafe.]
As for me, I loved the stuffed french toast. The dish included strawberries and blueberries, and the filling was a delicious cream cheese.
Both main orders were generous portions, and my friend was unable to finish her meal at the restaurant, so she asked for a box.
Upon providing the takeout container to my friend, the server gave her specific advice on how to reheat the leftovers, which is rare, impressive service. In fact, my friend said it was the first time she had ever received that advice from restaurant staff after years of dining out.
The front cover of the menu includes a quote from Robert A. Heinlein: "One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast."
I'd say Lily's Cafe more than measures up.
If you go
WHAT: Lily's Cafe
WHERE: 415 Crescent Blvd., Lombard
HOURS: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
INFO: lilys-cafe-restaurant.business.site, www.facebook.com/lilyscafe15, 630-620-7755