A reader named Gypsy sent me this via email:

“If you’re ever going through Momence, stop at Yanni’s on Washington (where Simpson’s used to be). Home cooking, good sized portions, reasonable prices. From the biscuits and gravy to skillets in the a.m. to pork chop dinners and homemade ravioli in p.m. with different specials every day. They’re open until 8 p.m. Thur., Fri., and Sat. evenings. Then go a couple doors down to the Stage Door Sweet Shoppe for the most delectable ice creams like Belgian Chocolate, Amaretto Cherry, and Tennessee Toffee!”

I had never been to Yanni’s, but this prompted me to make a trip out there for lunch. I had the Yanni’s Skillet, which is described on their menu as “Golden country home fries blended with chopped spinach, bacon, tomato, onions and topped with feta cheese and 2 eggs any style.” I love a good breakfast skillet and have tried them many places, and that was one of the best I’ve had. The salty feta cheese was a perfect compliment to the other ingredients.

The skillet also came with a side of pancakes, which I normally don’t bother eating. These, however, were also fantastic. They gave me new insight into the phrase “light and fluffy”, and I now know what pancakes SHOULD taste like. To top it off, they came with a little glass of syrup that was so good I was almost tempted to drink it like a shot. (Don’t worry, I didn’t. But it really was that good.)

Yanni’s is at 102 W. Washington. Hours are 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Phone is (815) 472-4600. They offer a large menu, and breakfast is available any time. All menu items are available for carryout.

After my carb-loaded lunch I walked two doors down to Stage Door and managed to consume even more calories. Read my separate post about what I found there.

The "Yanni's Skillet" at Yanni's on Washington in Momence.

An update from Paula at PJ’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Manteno:

“Exciting news here at PJ’s: We again have new ice cream flavors. Fall is on the way. We have pumpkin ice cream and frosted gingerbread cookie ice cream. Put a little caramel and whipped cream on either the pumpkin or the gingerbread and oh my, it is wonderful!! Come on in for a taste of the best ice cream around.”

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. in Manteno. Summer hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday; and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 468-8680.

I drove out to Momence on Aug. 4 to chase a tip about a good ice cream parlor. By sheer coincidence (or maybe my cosmic connection to all things edible?), I happened to find them on their one-year anniversary and they were giving out free cones. Talk about having a lucky day!

Stage Door Sweet Shoppe is at 110 E. Washington in Momence. Ice cream is their primary commodity (Ashby’s Ice Cream, to be exact), and they offer 24 flavors on any given day, with seasonal flavors regularly rotating through the mix.

“It’s the best ice cream in the world,” said one loyal patron I talked to. I only tried one flavor, Amaretto Cherry, but I can confirm it was very, very good.

If an ice cream headache is your idea of a good time, may I recommend the Momence Mountain — seven scoops of ice cream surrounded by brownies, smothered in chocolate and caramel sauce, and topped with a marshmallow, whipped cream and a sparkler. No one has yet been able to eat all of it solo, but photos of those who have found friends and family to help can be seen on the store’s wall of fame. (The wall of shame is reserved for anyone who might manage to consume all those calories by him or herself.)

For smaller appetites, there’s also the Redskin Pile Up (five scoops and all the toppings) and the Kiddy Pile Up (three scoops and all the toppings).

In addition to cones, sundaes, malts and shakes, Stage Door sells nuts, candies (including licorice imported from Australia), and imported coffee and tea. Also, the handiwork of area artists appear throughout the store and are available for purchase.

Stage Door owner Mark Noller oversaw all the restorations that were necessary to turn the ground floor of the 138-year-old building into an ice cream parlor. It was a lengthy and costly process and included a battle with the former mayor and city council over enforcement of a modern building code that Noller argued should not apply to a historic building. Noller prevailed, and finally, on Aug. 4, 2008, he saw his vision for a family-friendly hangout in the downtown area come to fruition.

Today, patrons can enjoy movies on Wednesday nights and open mic night on Friday nights. For groups needing their own space, Stage Door also offers a private dining room for luncheons.

Stage Door is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Call ahead to order pints or quarts. Their phone is (815) 472-4280.

News from Paula at PJ’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Manteno:

“Just a few things going on here at PJ’S I want to let you and your readers know about. On Sundays we offer cows in a blanket. Yes, cows in a blanket. A big scoop of your favorite ice cream on top of a warm pancake drizzled with flavored syrup.

Also, with school starting I have decided on Aug 25th I will open at 8:00 in the morning. Mothers sending the first or last child to school can come and visit over Door County Coffee.”

Thanks, Paula!

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. in Manteno. Summer hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday; and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 468-8680.

A reader named Rick sent me this tip this morning via email. What a great day for ice cream …

“PJ’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Manteno has a new, custom flavor made exclusively for them.  It is Pink Grapefruit Gelato.  Sweet, tart, smooth, and extremely refreshing.  Just in time for the heat of summer.”

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. in Manteno. Summer hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday; and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 468-8680.

PJ’s Ice Cream and Coffee in Manteno will begin offering seven new flavors on Tuesday, including dark chocolate, maple walnut and sugar-free apple pie. This is in addition to the more than 50 flavors of ice cream, Sherbet, frozen yogurt and Italian ice that PJ’s already offers.

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. Winter hours are noon-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-10 p.m. Saturday; and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. They’re closed on Monday.

Summer hours, which will kick in around April, are available here.

(Thanks to Paula for sending me that information.)