Dairy free pancakes near Elgin

Question

Hello, we've been on holiday in Chicago and Wisconsin for two weeks and have struggled quite a bit getting suitable food for our youngest who has a dairy allergy. We have our last few days in Elgin and really want him to be able to get pancakes. Does anyone know of anywhere within 20 ish minutes of Elgin that does dairy free pancakes/crepes/French toast or waffles? He's able to have eggs and gluten, just not dairy.

Also any recommendations for any other good restaurants with dairy free options would be great. We have really struggled!

Thanks for any help.

Answer

Finding dairy-free options around Elgin can be a bit challenging, but there are several places within a 20-minute drive that should accommodate your youngest’s needs, especially for breakfast items like pancakes, crepes, French toast, or waffles.

Breakfast and Brunch Spots with Dairy-Free Options:

Egg Harbor Café (Schaumburg or nearby Naperville locations) – They often have pancakes, waffles, and French toast that can be made dairy-free upon request. They are familiar with dietary restrictions, and the staff is usually helpful about substitutions.
Sweet Maple Café (Elgin) – Known for breakfast items and sometimes offers vegan/dairy-free milk substitutes; can often modify pancakes or waffles to be dairy-free if asked.
First Watch (Schaumburg/Elgin area) – A chain breakfast/brunch spot with a menu that clearly identifies dairy-free options. They can make pancakes or French toast dairy-free and offer non-dairy milk.
Wildberry Pancakes and Café (Naperville, ~20 min drive) – They offer some dairy-free substitutions and have a reputation for accommodating allergies. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm they can handle dairy-free pancakes.

Other Restaurants with Dairy-Free Options:

Panera Bread – Offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and soups with dairy-free options, including non-dairy milk for beverages.
Chipotle – Fully customizable bowls and tacos; dairy-free options are easy to navigate.
Portillo’s – While known for hot dogs, they can often customize menu items without cheese or butter, and fries are typically dairy-free.
True Food Kitchen (Schaumburg, ~20 min drive) – Focuses on dietary restrictions; many options are dairy-free and vegetarian/vegan-friendly.

Tips:

Call ahead to confirm dairy-free availability, as menu options can change seasonally.
Ask for non-dairy milk (soy, almond, oat) for pancakes, crepes, or beverages.
When in doubt, many smaller diners are happy to substitute or omit butter and milk if you explain the allergy.

With these options, your youngest should be able to enjoy breakfast without worry, and you can also find a few lunch/dinner spots nearby that accommodate dairy-free diets.