For nearly two decades, diners have found their thrill at Blueberry Hill, a family-owned breakfast and lunch cafe tucked in a strip mall at 405 N. Eola Road on Aurora’s east side.
“Blueberry Hill is a place where people can come to enjoy great food and great service in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere,” said Sandra Chionis, who owns the Aurora spot along with her brother and another business partner. “I have been here for 18 years and I am not kidding when I say I have watched kids go from the car carriers to high school; they would come in with their parents and now they come in with friends.”
Chionis said she loves that the cafe is a true “neighborhood spot,” and over the years she and her team have really gotten to know those who dine at Blueberry Hill.
“We care about them and they care about us,” she said. “I love that.”
Here’s the dish on this local favorite.
What’s on the menu? Generous home cooked meals “like mom would make” pack the menu of this comfortable breakfast and lunch cafe. A variety of pancakes, crepes, omelets and skillets are available as well as sandwiches, wraps, entree salads and made from scratch soups.
About the owners: Naperville resident Sandra Chionis is the working partner at the helm of the Aurora location which she owns with her brother, Steve Zervakis, and business partner, George Nikolopoulos. There are also other Blueberry Hill locations in Darien, Homer Glen, Plainfield, Midlothian, LaGrange, Homewood and Oak Brook.
A mission statement or philosophy? At Blueberry Hill, they “strive to provide you with generous, home cooked meals in a warm friendly atmosphere, just like Mom’s.”
What’s the decor like? Chionis said the restaurant is in the process of getting a makeover, which will include hues of light blue and gray, dark wood shiplap floors and new booths and chairs. Stay tuned.
Food specialties? Substantial omelets come with homemade hash browns and your choice of pancakes or toast. The country omelet is a fan favorite, and includes ham, tomato, bacon, onion, American cheese topped with creamy sausage gravy, as is the Captain Crunch French toast, which is topped with the breakfast cereal. Popular lunchtime options include the four different club sandwiches or the entree salads like the chicken Cobb salad. Don’t forget the made from scratch soups that are featured each day, like the hearty cream of chicken with rice or the split pea.
We’re different because: “I think that what makes us different from any other restaurant is the consistency. When you come here, it’s always going to be the same. The dish is never going to look different; the quality of the food is consistent,” Chinois said.
Extras: Carry out and catering are available. They do not have a private party room but they can reserve an area of the restaurant for gatherings.
Price range: Pancakes and French toast are in the $7-$8 range, and omelets are $8-$9. Sandwiches and wraps are $8-$9 and come with complementary soup, coleslaw and a choice of fries, homemade chips, vegetable or fruit. Entree salads are $8-$9 and come with bread. Soup of the day is under $3.
Logistics: Blueberry Hill is located at 405 N. Eola Road (just north of E. New York Street) in Aurora. They are open every day from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 630-499-1500 or go to www.blueberrybreakfastcafe.com.
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
