(Photo: Carly Fisher)

Not that any of you care, but this takes precedent over brunch news: I would like to wish my grandma a happy 82nd birthday! You know, everyone says they love their grandmother’s cooking, but I have yet to find anyone that can beat her rugelach or prockus (stuffed cabbage rolls, gentiles). Seriously, grandmother of the year, this one.

Following tradition, I am ensuring everyone knows where to find brunch this weekend with the underlying theme of “Oldies, but Goodies.” Eat! Eat! You’re such a small bird!

The Original Alps Restaurant
(3637 W. Irving Park Rd.; 773.267.5112)
A blessing for the Irving Park neighborhood, this forty-year staple brunch restaurant-turned bank-turned brunch restaurant is back after a four-year sabbatical.  Owner Bob Theo must really love his ‘hood, because if bitches were all up in my face about getting up at 6:00 a.m. while I’m trying to retire, I would probably throw my newspaper and scream to get off my lawn. Instead, he reopens a restaurant. What a nice guy.

Tre Kronor
(5258 W. Foster Ave.; 773.267.9888)
Swedephiles and pancake purveyors Patty Rasmussen and Larry Anderson have been filling the mouths of hungry brunch-goers with salmon and lignon since 1992. Also, if you’re a muesli fiend like I am, this is one of the rare spots to find it.

Manny’s
(1141 S. Jefferson Ave.; 312.939.2855)
Manny’s doesn’t need gimmicky specials because it’s one of a handful of places that has mastered the Jewish deli. Corned beef? Lox? Yes, please. Just don’t try to hit this place for Sunday brunch — it’s only open Monday through Saturday.

— Carly Fisher