Best New Breakfast | Eat Out Awards 2012

Best New Breakfast Waffles Fluffy yet sturdy, with ample pockets for syrup, waffles are the perfect breakfast food. Yet pancakes hog Chicago’s attention, dominating brunch menus with fancy batters and toppings. Waffles taps the full potential of its namesake dish with unexpected combinations, such as green-tea waffles with lemon-ginger Chantilly cream and a Mexican chocolate version with orange anglaise cream. The kitchen even distinguishes between a Brussels waffle (thick, crispy and yeast-leavened) and a Liège waffle (caramelized and chewy). Waffling about a sweet-versus-savory breakfast? This South Loop spot also has the latter, from omelettes and scrambles to coffee-braised short ribs and meatballs­—served over waffles, naturally. 1400 S Michigan Ave (312-854-8572). Other nominees 2Sparrows, Jam, Jam ’n Honey, Kingsbury Street Cafe