Father-Son Team Opens New Breakfast Restaurant in Downers Grove

A new family restaurant has opened its doors in Downers Grove.

The Baked Apple Breakfast Co., 1224 Ogden Ave., opened in mid-December in the space formerly occupied by Dimitri's Pancake House, which closed in October 2011. 

The restaurant is owned by George Doulas and his two sons, Angelo and Nick. The family has been in the restaurant business for three decades. Their last venture, Archway Cafe near Midway Airport, was sold in 2001.

"We've been in the business forever, and were looking for a good opportunity to open something in this area," Angelo Doulas said. "Downers Grove and Ogden Avenue in particular is a great place for a family restaurant."

The Baked Apple offers an array of breakfast and lunch items, including a large selection of sandwiches, salads and "create your own" omelettes. The menu's "battery" section features nine varieties of pancakes, as well as several different waffles and french toast.

"We offer everything you'd find in a family restaurant—eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, soups—but we try to use a lot of fresh ingredients," Angelo Doulas said.

The restaurant's signature item is its baked apple pancake, but Doulas said they are also known for their crepes and egg skillets.

When it came time to put together the menu, the Doulases decided to take a creative approach and name most of the entrees. Customers can enjoy favorites like the "Curious George" (banana and walnut crepes), "Cousin Vinny" (Italian omelette), "Betsy Ross" (crepes topped with strawberries, blueberries and yogurt) and even the "Uncle Jesse" (omelette named after the Greek uncle on the sitcom Full House).

"My brother, Nick, is the creative one," Angelo Doulas said. "We wanted something that would set us apart, so we just tried to have some fun with the menu."

The Doulases said they hope to attract the loyal customers that frequented Dimitri's Pancake House before it closed. 

George Doulas said he knew Dimitri's Pancake owner Pete Chrysanthopoulos for years, and was sad to see the restaurant close following his death. However, he also saw it as a good opportunity to get back in the business.

"Downers Grove is a great community," he said. "We look forward to serving our new customers."

The Baked Apple Breakfast Co. is open every day from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit baked-apple.com or facebook.com/thebakedapple.

Looking for more Downers Grove business stories?

• 50 Shades of Downers Grove: Adult Boutique Opens on Ogden Avenue

• Omega Restaurant Owners Hope to Reopen this Winter

• Downers Grove Animal Shelter Receives Share of Lemont Man's $1.5 Million Trust

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