Annie G’s Pie and Pancake restaurant

Rating: B+

Annie G’s Pie and Pancake Restaurant, 131 Annie Glidden Road, has big shoes -and pie crusts – to fill after Baker’s Square closed-up and left town. Will it triumph and become a landmark like The Junction, 816 W. Lincoln Highway, or will it fall faster than Detox, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway?

ATMOSPHERE

Not much has changed in this pie sanctuary since Baker’s Square occupied it. Annie G’s manages to create the same kind of good ol’ Midwestern ambience complete with plaid and checkered fabric that can swallow you whole if you’re not careful. With a name paying tribute to one of DeKalb’s most recognized figures, this pie shop missed an opportunity to incorporate more of a local theme into its decor. Why not let the empty walls tell the story of our town’s rich history?

SERVICE

Only being open a week, Annie G’s has seemingly mastered the cordial rules of a restaurant. Everyone is friendly, polite, talks while smiling and the food is served immediately. Kudos.

FOOD

Okay, let’s get right down to it; Yes, the pie is mind blowing. Boasting everything from coconut cream to tiramisu to the classic apple, Annie G’s runs the pie gamut in marathon mode. I had one bite of the French Silk and was overwhelmed with whipped ecstasy. If you have the will power not to press your nose up against the trophy pie case and drool in awe, there’s also plenty of breakfast and dinner items on the roster. Pancakes and skillets offer many variations to please the most fickle eater, but the breakfast menu belongs to the four meat-filled Annie G’s Favorite Omelette. On the other side of deliciousness is an array of sandwiches, burgers and miscellaneous dinner dishes. Just don’t go with high expectations for the honey mustard chicken.

PRICES

For a dinner including two drinks, two dinners and two slices of pie, the damage clocked in at just about $25. Although it’s not as cheap as a romantic night through the drive-thru of McDonald’s, the price is still fair and in line with most other places out there.

OVERALL

It’s too early to be that critical of this infantile eatery. On the surface, there is nothing really that wrong; the food is good, the people were nice and the prices affordable; what more could you want? However, Annie G’s has the opportunity to capitalize on the legacy of DeKalb and make it a tourist attraction and eating establishment. By offering even a simplistic look into the past and present of our town, that Baker’s Square familiarity will be replaced by a totally unique look into our town, past and present. Or, at least a Barbed Wire burger.