Some places are worth waking up early for, and Ann Sather on Belmont is one of them. In Illinois, its cinnamon rolls have earned near-mythic status, soft, oversized spirals crowned with icing that melts into every fold.
The dining room carries the easy rhythm of a neighborhood morning: mugs refilled without asking, plates arriving hot, conversations lingering over a second cup. Regulars talk about the rolls the way others talk about hometown landmarks, with equal parts pride and appetite.
The menu stretches well beyond sweets, but the bakery case sets the tone before a seat is even taken. Lines form for good reason, and patience pays off quickly…