Benedict's La Strata vs Cafe Olympic
It’s not a Competition it’s just a Choice
I’ve lived in Crystal Lake for about two years now. In that time I’ve tried almost every restaurant we have. There are many options for breakfast here, but if you’re going downtown there’s really only two choices - Benedict’s La Strata or Cafe Olympic. Only two blocks separate them from each other on the same street, and they each stay packed with hungry customers. They both have a regularly updated specials menu and multiple mimosas, but they each have their own individual aesthetic.
Open only until 3pm, La Strata is the place where you take your in-laws when they’re in town. The food is served on fiestaware and given an extra flare of presentation. The mimosa flight has its own rack to carry the glasses. With more tables and a bigger kitchen La Strata keeps up with your group no matter how particular you each want to be. In addition to food specials, you can also find seasonal cocktails. Everything is fresh and balanced.
[Breakfast Spread at La Strata: Stuffed Cherry French Toast, Sweet Chili Candied Bacon, Caprese Avocado Toast, Mimosa Flight (Orange Juice, Pomegranate Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Strawberry Orange Juice)]
Often I find myself dining alone and land at Cafe Olympic, where they slide you mimosas in mason jars and the gravy flows heavy. On good weather days they take advantage of the sidewalk to set up an impromptu patio, but they really only have six booths that hold a cramped six top and 12 coveted counter seats. I usually walk in at the end of lunch rush to snag a solo seat, my favorite being the one behind the coffee maker. There’s nothing as good as tucking into a good book and a good omelet on toast. Sometimes I show up just for a bowl of their chicken rice soup, offered only on the weekends.
[Chicken Rice Soup at Cafe Olympic]
The menu at Cafe Olympic is classic greasy spoon. Eggs, Pancakes, Double Stacked Breakfast Sandwiches. Choice of Potatoes. Toast for everyone. LaStrata offers the same midwestern fare, but offers a wider selection of individual takes on the classics. Each one is staffed with friendly energetic people who will go out of their way to remember you and your preferences should you care to make yourself a generous regular.
[View from my favorite seat at Cafe Olympic]
I must confess I never paid attention to what music plays at LaStrata. I’m usually deep in conversation with the people I brought downtown with me that week. Exactly the opposite, I bop along to the soundtrack at Cafe Olympic often enough that I created a spotify playlist of tunes grabbed from the overhead speakers.
There’s plenty of similarities but when you’re craving one there is no substituting the other. Each one is worth the wait on busy days. No matter which block you choose you’ll leave satisfied.