Most important meal of the day at Apple Villa

Fresh is all they know at Apple Villa Pancake House & Restaurant.

Owners Andy and Peter Spentzos, who opened their first Apple Villa restaurant in 2002 in Batavia and the second in 2005 in Hoffman Estates, have made fresh food the order of the day. From the fresh orange and grapefruit juices squeezed every morning, to the array of homemade soups and the hash browns, which are boiled and shredded fresh every day, the Spentzos brothers believe their gourmet breakfasts are a great start to any day.

"Breakfast is the best meal of the day, any time of day," Andy Spentzos said.

Spentzos said the restaurant business is in his blood.

"My father was in this business for 30 years. We worked with him, we took his concepts and put (these restaurants) together," he said.

The Hoffman Estates location seats about 200 people, and the Batavia site offers seating for 250 with a private banquet room for an additional 60 people.

At Apple Villa, the fresh ingredients are combined to make a selection of breakfast and lunch items. Gourmet burgers range from $8.25 for the Apple Villa Burger with sauteed mushrooms, fresh avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese, to the Big Daddy, which comes with "everything but the kitchen sink" and sells for $9.45.

Other sandwiches include the chicken and tuna salads, the French dip, the Reuben and the New York strip, to name a few. There also are a variety of fresh wraps.

Prices range from $7.45 to $13.95 for lunch items.

While the quality and freshness of the lunch menu can't be beat, the signature fare at Apple Villa are the specialty pancakes, waffles and crepes made from scratch daily.

Made with German, Swedish and Dutch batters, these plate-filling delights are made with an array of fresh fruits and unique combinations of flavors and textures.

Waffle dishes range from $6.95 to $8.25. Crepe dishes go for $6.95 to $8.25, and pancake orders range from $5.95 to $8.25.

In addition to the regular menu, Apple Villa prepares as many as 12 special items daily.

And, Apple Villa offers a gourmet Hawaiian Kona bean coffee that can be purchased by the cup or sold by the bag.