Mystery Diner in Batavia: Lumes well practiced in breakfast, lunch dishes

Waking up to thoughts of a fluffy omelette filled with some of my favorite tidbits led us to try Lumes Pancake House and Restaurant in Batavia for carryout.

Ordering by phone was a cinch, although the popular family restaurant also has an online option that details the menu items. We arranged for a late morning pickup, and my dining companion found our food hot and waiting for him on a table inside the entrance, near the register where he paid. He was back in a couple minutes, and we drove home with the aromas amping up our appetites.

Unlike my fellow diner, I stuck with my original plan for a big breakfast, and chose the Spartan listed under Lumes’ “fluffy” omelettes. Living up to its description, the egg mixture was light and delicate. The Spartan enfolded fresh spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and a generous amount of creamy imported feta lending tang to the melding flavors. The menu also offers flattop grill omelettes, something to try next time.

Lumes notes its omelettes are prepared with five eggs, and offer sides of potatoes or grits plus two buttermilk pancakes or toast in 11 varieties including gluten-free.

I’d already spied the gluten-free pancakes on the menu, and asked for those as my substitute side, offered for a nominal up-charge. Boy howdy, I’m glad I did. My last pancakes have to predate the pandemic, and these were wonderful, with a subtle hint of vanilla enhanced by the provided syrup and quick-to-melt whipped butter.

There also are Belgian waffles, crepes and specialty pancakes including the intriguing, oven-baked Junior Apple Pancake, which serves two and takes 40 minutes. It features crispy fresh apples baked with Lumes’ homemade pancake batter. Or check out “A Little Bit of France French Toast,” with three pieces of cinnamon French toast coated with egg batter, grilled golden brown, topped with sauteed cinnamon apples, plump raisins, and Georgia pecans. It’s dusted with powdered sugar and served with butter and syrup.

My fellow diner let the breakfast and lunch worlds collide with his “Signature Burger,” a tasty, half-pound, Midwestern Angus beef patty, served up with avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and Monterey jack cheese, and then topped with an over-easy, double-yolk egg.

The large takeout container was full to the top between the burger and the outstanding, well-seasoned waffle fries.

The meal comes with the soup of the day, which was a classic chicken and noodle.

The restaurant also features additional breakfast specialties, sandwiches, panini, salads and an extensive kids menu.

Delicious food in generous portions at a good value is a winning combination at Lumes near the southeast corner of Fabyan Parkway and Randall Road.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Lumes Pancake House and Restaurant

WHERE: 1902 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia

PHONE: 630-761-9676

INFORMATION: lumescafe.com