Monday, October 10, 2016

Halloween and Pancakes:Windhill Pancake Parlor


Tucked away in northeast Illinois is the sleepy river town of McHenry, Illinois located on the picturesque Fox River. One of our favorite places to venture for breakfast is Windhill Pancake Parlor a block away from the river. It's one of those wonderful family places, filled with antiques, collectibles, teacup chandeliers and a bank teller's cage for a checkout. 


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
Looks pretty standard and even this century with a new digital sign. 
But let me say, this place has a long history of celebrating holidays. 
***Major*** celebrating holidays.



http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

In the vestibule next to the candy machines---Look who greets you with a severed 
head on a tray. He looks real...and like he knows a secret. 
If you want to know the history about Windhill, look here.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

First of all, the food is fabulous...they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and we have never been disappointed in thirty some years. From pancakes to Fish Frys and Fish boils, all in the midwest tradition of hearty farm food. Fresh and tasty!

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

Escorted back toward the scarier part of the 'parlor', we passed a whimsical ladder of pumpkins beckoning you on.


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
OOOOOHHHHH!

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

Zombie window...and spiders everywhere! Brains  and creatures hanging from the ceilings.

A cast of 69 employees and volunteers decorate the entire restaurant. And it is different every year.
Two deep windows at the back of the parlor are staged ---spooky-scarey!
Creative Mondays


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
One in a skull boneyard theme.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

We were there in the middle of a week day so thankfully not all the motion sensors were on.



http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
This signature "Windhill" mirror, was inhabited by Dracula...and a bloody message.
Everything is almost full-size.
My Picture of the Zombie wall was out of focus---or was it???

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

The beverage bar was a hoot!


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
There's cute too---along with the Holly Hobby plates, some sweet scarecrows.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

Bats or are they flying monkeys? Mixed in the Wizard of Oz corner? And of course a Wicked Witch!

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
Even during non-holidays, this place is adorable.



http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
Lights everywhere, pumpkins, pumpkins pumpkins!

 C
http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

The front window suitable for younger folk, smiling jack-o-lanterns and kitties. 
http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
The mantel...with jester halloween scarf. So colorful and cuteness!

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
Rats and bats...and Boo! sign. 
Under the table was a motion sensitive rat in a potato chip bag that wiggled, my pic didn't turn out---so sorry...he was a hoot!


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
All year-round is the Choo-Choo that delivers ice-cream treats at the back of the ice-cream parlor. This is so much fun for kids of all ages.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
More spiders in the Oz corner!
Windhill is full of memorabilia of days gone by on a daily basis, along with great home cooking and the most fabulous pancakes.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
The Dorothy table. 


http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

This was last friday---everyone needs a countdown to Halloween!



http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

This pumpkin guy was just so dang happy,  I have to make one.

"Good-bye"--we hope to bring the Grand next week!

Hope you enjoyed the tour...there was tons more----you almost have to spend the day...looking and our late breakfast was delicious. 



Thanks always for visiting. 
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

Sandi





13 comments:

  1. Wow! That looks so neat! I am sure it was a lot of fun. I am sure it is a big draw for Chicagoland.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never heard of this place but you can bet we will be making a visit. Off to look it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you can, it's worth the trip and there are a few antique/junque stores in the area also. Sandi

      Delete
  3. The Fox River sounds so evocative! What a wonderful name. Conjurs up the idea of wonderful old tales. My people would just love this place! Right down to the pancakes. What a wonderful tradition. So nice to have a visit from you! Makes my day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This would be a little fun and scary, but definitely memorable.

    ReplyDelete
  5. They have the scary stuff zoned, basically so small kids can be saved from the really scary stuff. Somehow all the kitschy country items are still there underneath, LOL. Thanks for stopping, Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooh what a fun place to visit, Sandi! There's so much to see and enjoy around every corner.
    Also, your pumpkin pastries in your previous post look so delish! I love Fall flavors!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a spooky and pretty place ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. I will have to post it sometime, when it looks like the country pancake house it is. Sandi

      Delete
  8. Hey Sandi! What a cool place. Wish I lived close enough to go. Thanks for joining our Halloween Blog Hop!

    ReplyDelete
  9. They look like they enjoy decorating for Halloween. Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 168 for All Things Halloween. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is fabulous...going to go for breakfast again, soon!

      Delete

Thank you for any and all comments. I will be happy to answer any questions or comments in replies or email! HUGS!