You've Got to Break a Few Eggs: Where is the Best Omelette in Lincoln-Way?

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In English, most of us rather arbitrarily use the French spelling for omelette (it probably has to do with the Norman Conquest). This tends to make us think that omelettes are a French invention, but actually, the omelette as a concept gained popularity all over Western Europe at pretty much the same time. Most European languages use a cognate of the word "omelette" to describe their version with a few exceptions, such as tortilla (Spanish) and frittata (Italian).

In the U.S., three main types of omelettes are popular: the folded omelette, the flat omelette, and the frittata, which is basically a flat omelette but served in slices like quiche. 

With the folded omelette, as the name implies, the egg mixture is partially cooked and then folded around often pre-cooked fillings so that its presentation on the plate is only egg and perhaps some cheese over the top. To make a flat omelette, ingredients are cooked partially in a skillet before the egg mixture is added, which creates a dish that resembles scrambled eggs with chunks.

Apparently in Lincoln-Way, flat omelettes are the rage. Have your own review? Click on the underlined name of the restaurants to write one in our business directory.

, New Lenox

The vegetarian omelette at Country Charm is a combination of flat and folded. The vegetables are combined with the eggs as in a flat omelette but the cheese is folded into the middle. The vegetables include tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms and onions. Omelettes are served with choice of cheese (I went with cheddar), hash browns and choice of toast. 

The good: Fast, friendly service and fresh veggies.

The bad: The eggs were overdone, which made for a dry, rubbery omelette.

, Frankfort

The menu at Lumes touts that five eggs are used in their omelette. Clearly I should have brought three or four friends. When it arrived, I was bummed at the brown outside but delighted at how fluffy it looked. The inside of the omelette was cooked perfectly and had all of the same vegetables as Country Charm's but also with broccoli. Omelettes are served with choice of cheese (I went with cheddar again), hash browns and choice of toast. 

The good: A fluffy omelette with fresh, tasty vegetables.

The bad: There was a crisp outer layer that was brown and very dry.

, Mokena

The vegetarian omelette at Golden Oak had all of the vegetables that Lumes's did plus spinach, which is a big plus. In addition, this was the only omelette of the three that was not overcooked. It is served with hash browns and choice of toast or pancakes, but I did not realize until the omelette arrived that it did not include cheese. 

The good: A nice variety of healthy, fresh vegetables in eggs that weren't overcooked.

The bad: No cheese! For me, an omelette without cheese is like Illinois summer without road construction; I just can't wrap my head around it. 

THE WINNER: Lumes Pancake House. Despite the browned exterior (which was easy to tear away), the fluffiness of this omelette over the other two won me over. Plus, cheddar cheese and broccoli added a tasty flavor combination. However, if Golden Oak had included cheese with its vegetarian omelette, I'm certain it would have won this Chowdown.

Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head  over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.

• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments

Next week we're trying fried rice. Which Chinese take-out in Lincoln-Way has the best fried rice?