A welcoming smile and a carafe of hot coffee greet customers as they walk in the door at Eggsperience in Elmwood Park, 16 Conti Parkway.
The menu is bursting with old favorites and new cravings. Want something cold to drink? An iced chai latte tickles the tongue and cools the mouth. Mimosas and Bloody Marys can do that with a kick too.
When it comes to the food, owners Tom and Helen Sakoufakis take pride in their offerings. Skillets with a variety of meats and veggies top the list in popularity. French toast is a customer favorite as well, especially the tres leches French toast covered in fresh fruit. Corned beef hash served with potatoes and toast couldn’t be more traditional or beloved.
“My husband, he don’t believe in no cans at all. If you go back in the kitchen, you’re not going to find one thing in a can. He really believes in fresh. Fresh everything,” said Helen Sakoufakis.
Helen has been in the restaurant business since she started working in her family’s place when she was 16. Eventually she met Tom, who was also in the business. The two formed a formidable team.
“Our whole life is with the restaurants. We opened quite a few,” Sakoufakis said. They had as many as 16 locations, with some open 24-hours a day, “but 20 years back, we decide to do just breakfast and lunch. That was the best thing. Time to be with our family.”
Today there are four Eggsperience locations, run by the Sakoufakis’ sons.
Peter Sakoufakis is at the helm of the Elmwood Park location. And his parents have learned to listen to the new generation.
All of the regular diner favorites are on the breakfast menu, such as omelettes made seven different ways or build you own. Pancakes, egg sandwiches, Benedict options get the mouth watering. Oatmeal and yogurt parfaits round out the options.
But with a new generation, some additions have made it onto the menu.
“I was like, who’s gonna order avocado toast? And my younger son said, it’s becoming very popular, so we accept that the kids know,” said Sakoufakis.
Indeed, three Tex Mex breakfasts have found their place on the menu. Breakfast burritos, tacos and one of their biggest sellers: chilaquiles. The homemade corn tortilla chips are cooked with green salsa and topped with queso fresco and eggs cooked any style.
Breakfast and lunch are served daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Burgers, salads, soups and a variety of other sandwiches satisfy the lunchtime appetite. Chicken sandwiches come three ways: grilled with avocado, Buffalo style, and crispy.
Helen and Tom live minutes away from the Elmwood Park location. And they still keep a hand in the business.
“Me and my husband, we come and help the kids a little. Because it’s close to our house and it give us something to do. Honestly, because we love to be with people,” said Sakoufakis.
Good to Know
• eggsperiencecafe.com/locations/elmwood-park
• 16 Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park
• Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.