The Return

Chicago-style pizza that I bring back.  This year, I made a switch.  There's a small and hugely popular chain in Chicago and Northern Illinois -- Walker Bros. Original Pancake House.  (They're part of a larger national chain that's just The Original Pancake House, rather than teamed up with the local Walker Bros. folks.)  They make great breakfasty-type things, but are known for two gems: the glorious Apple Pancake (which is more like a cross between an apple souffle and apple fritter than a pancake, with melted brown sugar bubbling on top), and the German Pancake.  People in Chicago fight over their preference.  Mine is clear: I've never had the latter, and have only eaten the former there for the past several decades.  I should note, for those arguing for the German Pancake -- which is paper thin and shaped like bowl, dusted with powered sugar and dripped with lemon juice) -- that on the menu they have a little icon next to "Walker Bros. Favorites"...and there's one next to the Apple Pancake, but not the German Pancake, though in fairness it's given equal billing at the top of the menu.

But it's the Apple Pancake that is, for me, near-heaven.  And easily deserving of its "Walker Bros. Favorites" badge of honor.  

I only get the Apple Pancake, not just because it's so amazingly delicious, but also because I only get to Chicago a few times a year, and when you only have so few opportunities to have an Apple Pancake, you shouldn't waste them.  I've noticed that for the past few years the menu says that you can buy a frozen one to take home, but I never have -- but this year I figured I'll give it a try.  So, it joined my frozen pizza in my carry-on.  We'll see how it turns out.

Anyway, I'm largely up to speed -- I'm one of those who likes to unpack as soon as he gets back from a trip.  So, there's only a little more to catch up on.  And then...the beloved Cubs are on ESPN tonight -- what a lovely welcome home gift -- against the hated St. Louis Cardinals.  Who the Cubs beat yesterday in both ends of a double-header.  This is something that doesn't happen often.  I don't mean beating the Cardinals in both games of a double-header, I mean -- for the past decade or so -- simply beating them, period.  So, you relish it whenever you can...