The homestyle dishes touted on the menu at Zander’s Cafe go way beyond what one would considered “homestyle.” Herbs are fresh, vegetables are cooked to crisp-tenderness instead of mush, and nothing is scrimped on.
In a strip mall on the corner of Maple and Belmont Avenues in Downers Grove, the cafe offers casual gourmet dining at affordable prices.
Before ordering from the menu, take a look at the specials. Not that the specials are necessarily better than those from the regular menu, but it’s fun to see the many different options. Portions are large, and if you’re like us, you’ll definitely need to take home a doggie bag.
One of the special appetizers teams chicken skewers with peanut sauce ($4.50). Large, tender chunks of char-grilled breast meat rest on a bed of tender snow peas, sliced green onions, shredded carrots and red cabbage. The peanut sauce on the side has a well-rounded flavor that does not overpower the meat.
The roasted vegetable quesadilla ($4.50) is filled with fresh vegetables. Ours included artichoke hearts, bell peppers and tomatoes. Pepper cheese provides a little heat and cilantro rounds out the flavors. A must for quesadilla lovers.
One of the entree specials, whitefish with artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes ($9.95), comes grilled to perfectionmoist, tender and flavorful. It is accompanied by an appealing array of sliced carrots, mushrooms, red bell peppers, corn on the cob and new potatoes.
If chicken is what you’re craving, you won’t be disappointed with chicken Vienna ($7.50). Marinated breast meat is matched with dried tomatoes, olive-oil-roasted peppers, mushrooms and artichokes and served over al dente angel hair pasta.
Spring macaroni pasta consists of spinach cavatappi with fresh spinach and a light cream sauce ($7.50). A large bowl arrives with bright green, wilted spinach leaves woven through the spiral pasta.
Entrees come with a choice of homemade soup or salad. The vegetable soup is distinguished by chunks of vegetables and a well-seasoned broth. The house salad is disappointing: ordinary greens, mostly iceberg and a little romaine, a slice of tomato and cucumber, and shredded carrots. The dressing arrives in a packet, which takes away from the presentation of the other foods.
Save room for dessert. Bananas Foster ($3.50), another special, is worth every calorie. The bananas are sauteed in a mixture of rum and brown sugar and served warm over vanilla ice cream. The trick to this dish is getting the bananas soft but not mushy, and Zander’s succeeds.
The cakes, from an outside supplier, are wonderful. Tender, moist and not too sweet describes the carrot cake ($2.75). The cream cheese frosting tastes fresh, a blend of cream cheese, cream and vanilla.
The well-balanced, not too strong coffee ($1), regular, decaf or flavored, offers a simpler way to end the meal. A menu for kids ages 10 and under offers grilled cheese with fries, pasta with marinara sauce, chicken fingers with fries and a hamburger with fries ($2.50 each). A small drink is included.
Beer and wine also are available.
Zander’s atmosphere is welcoming. The waitresses are friendly and helpful with any questions regarding the menu. The interior is simple yet cozy with green plants. Space between tables gives you a feeling of privacy. Most of the tables are placed against two walls of windows. The open kitchen faces diners, but noise is kept to a minimum.
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Zander’s Cafe
(Four forks)
2241 Maple Ave., Downers Grove
630-435-9520
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
Closed Sun.
Credit cards: A,M,V
Wheelchair accessible
Ratings: 4 forks: Top of the class
3 forks: Better than most
2 forks: Very good fare
1 fork: Middle of the road
Reviews are based on anonymous visits by Tribune staff members. The meals are paid for by the Tribune.
