Breakfast rec's Downtown, please

Hello! We are coming home to visit (yeah!) on 12/29 and staying at the Allegro (Randolph, btwn LaSalle & Wells). 4 kids, ages 5-12. DS #1 (7) will probably only eat pancakes (he's so fun to take to restaurants). Any suggestions, walking distance or on the way to the Field Musuem?
Thanks!!!
Caryn

You might consider:

Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
565 W Jackson Blvd
(312) 939-3111

Hammond

Petro's is right across the street from Allegro.

Admittedly, not in Lou Mitchell's league, but Greek run diner food at its plainest.

We hit that place during lent for pancakes and french toast for lunch on Fridays.

Kids might be happy (and you might) because its pretty fast from order to table.

Lou Mitchell's is slightly out of your way if you are traveling between the Allegro and the Field Museum, but it's well worth the small detour. If it were me, I'd head there for sure. Breakfast at Lou Mitchell's (especially if you're a visitor staying downtown) is a must.

Orange, on Harrison near Clark, fits the bill. I think it's the best breakfast place in Chicago. They have very creative offerings such as jelly donut pancakes and a pancake flight that offers pancakes served in a 4-segment plate with differing presentations that fit a common theme. It's not that far from the Field Museum.

Harry's hot dogs is just a block and a half from your hotel (west on Randolph to Franklin--northwest corner). It's even been the site of an LTH breakfast event. There's a brief review here with links to more.

I'd go to Cellars Market in the basement of the Board of Trade building at Jackson and LaSalle.
It's cafeteria style with very good breakfast, dozens of choices and inexpensive. If you wanted to be waited on, the same owners run Ceres Cafe in the lobby also quite reasonably priced.

Cellars Market
Ceres Cafe
141 W. Jackson
Chicago

Bongo Room -- which specializes in breakfast -- at Roosevelt & Wabash is on the way to the Field Museum. Innovative pancake menu (some almost desserts). A little pricey but no more so than Orange. Crowded on weekends.

I second DBiggs rec and while you are at the BOT take the kids to see some trading or a least the showroom and a short video.

I recommend Mondays..a few in the south loop..one in DePaul building on Jackson also Emils on Wacker
pancakes as well as my favorite Ggreek egg dish done right..Kayana

just pancakes? then go to one of the marquette inn's (very cheap, but ok)
nearsest to you would be:

Marquette Inn Restaurant
(312) 236-1111


135 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60602

Cross Street:
Near intersection of W Madison St and S La Salle St

lotsa more upscale places tho.