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Restaurateurs find peace in Eggshells
Some of the donuts at Eggshells in Lake Zurich on Tuesday, Aug. 14th. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: August 28, 2012 8:24AM
When Eggshells Café opened on Main Street three years ago, it did not take long for it to become popular in Lake Zurich and nearby towns.
“It was a lot of word of mouth,” said Max Decker, co-owner of Eggshells, which serves breakfast and lunch. “We didn’t do much advertising.”
Decker worked at a bar and restaurant in Libertyville before he and his business partner, Craig Greenlee, opened Eggshells in 2009. Frustrated with his job in customer service, Greenlee came up with the name for the restaurant when he told his bosses that he was “tired of walking on egg shells.”
The restaurant has proved a refreshing change for Decker, too.
To make it work, both business partners committed to only quality ingredients. Omelets and pancakes are among the most popular items on the menu.
“Everything we make here, we make ourselves,” Decker said. “We also have a couple of signature sandwiches.”
With competition in the area, like a nearby Panera Bread, Decker and Greenlee work hard to offer quality ingredients, like ham on the bone.
While weekends are their busiest time, Decker said they get plenty of business during the week as well.
“We have a steady flow all day long,” he said.
Decker said the only problem is the restaurant’s small size. The cafe’s tables are situated in a way to make it as easy as possible for customers to move around.
Those customers, Decker reported, come from Long Grove, Kildeer, Barrington and several other neighboring towns.
“We come from Palatine,” said Sue Bisskner, who was enjoying breakfast with friends at the restaurant. “We really enjoy coming here. It’s friendly and the service is good.”
Bisskner also highlighted the coffee, donuts and bagels at Eggshells.
The cafe’s kitchen staff makes all their own donuts, which they supply to area businesses and country clubs as well as various fund-raisers.
Customer satisfaction, Decker said, is what he likes most about being a co-owner of Eggshells. He said numerous customers over the years have complimented him on the quality of the food. People from all walks of life, he said, come into Eggshells.
Decker grew up in Chicago, but he and his wife have lived in Deerfield for many years. He said he likes Lake Zurich as a location for the restaurant.
“It’s a good area,” he said. “Lots of hardworking people.”
