Great coffee is just the start of a meal at Moondance Diner in Westmont. It’s only open for breakfast and lunch, so don’t show up after 3 p.m. And make sure that you’re hungry before you go; Moondance serves generous portions filled with fresh ingredients.
The whimsical decor features pastel moons and neon accents, giving the restaurant a welcoming, airy feel.
We ordered breakfast and were pleased to find a delicious brew of coffee waiting at the table as well as a pitcher of ice water with floating lemon slices. The waitress was pleasant and efficient, immediately providing us with a booster chair for our 3-year-old companion.
Start out with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice ($2.50 large, $1.50 small), which comes with a fresh orange slice decorating the rim. The small size should be plenty for most adults.
The pancakes, made from scratch, combine wheat and white flour and come in nine varieties. The delightful cashew blue pancakes ($5.50) boast an interesting texture, courtesy of whole cashews and blueberries. The three enormous, light 8-inch pancakes arrive with a warm blueberry compote on the side and a large dollop of butter on top. You may want to think of splitting this treat with a friend.
If omelets are what you’re looking for, you have 13 to choose from, each served with a toasted English muffin and cubed, golden pan-fried potatoes. The Barnburner omelet ($6.75), filled with grilled Cajun chicken breast, mushrooms, onions and jack cheese, comes with a flour tortilla and Cajun sauce on the side. The tender chicken proved flavorful. However, if you’re looking for heat, you may want to ask for additional ground red pepper in the omelet as well as the creamy sauce.
Another omelet, the Chuckwagon ($6.95), gets its hearty flavor from bacon, sausage, onions, potatoes and cheese–all covered with a sausage gravy. It’s also very salty.
Egg dishes can be made with Egg Beaters (for an additional 49 cents) and fresh fruit may be substituted for the pan-fried potatoes (also 49 cents extra) for those concerned about fat.
Scrambled eggs as well as Belgian waffles and French toast provide other breakfast options, with prices from $4.50 to $7.
The extensive menu includes a children’s menu; all items cost $3.50. The child-size pancake breakfast comes with one large, fluffy 8-inch pancake and two strips of crisp bacon.
Lunch options include 11 salads ($6.50 to $8), about 20 varieties of sandwiches and burgers ($6.50 to $8) and pizzas made with a lavosh cracker crust ($7 to $8).
To avoid a wait, call ahead for a table. By the time you reach the restaurant your name should be at the top of the list. Just notify the host when you arrive. Or fax your order in for fast takeout (630-655-1842).
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Moondance Diner
(3 forks)
844 Ogden Ave., Westmont
630-655-1840
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
Credit cards: A, M, V
RATINGS KEY: 4 forks: Top of the class 3 forks: Better than most 2 forks: Very good fare 1 fork: Middle of the road
