Progress is being made on a Sandwich storefront that was once a restaurant.
Southern Belle’s Pancake House is officially occupying the former Dearborn’s Cafe space at 220 Indian Springs Drive in Sandwich. The company that owns Southern Belle’s, Fotos Restaurant Group, will be opening the concept as “Little Belle’s.” Co-owner Anthony Malamis told What Now Chicago the new location will debut after Mother’s Day, May 10.
The owners currently have restaurants other than the Southern Belle’s name in Yorkville, Plainfield, Barrington and Carpentersville. The brand was started in the late 1980s, and has since been serving breakfast and lunch staples at their locations. Malamis said he and the team have been planning the new concept since September.
For the Sandwich menu, referring to the location, Southern Belle’s will cook up many of the same favorites, with an emphasis on “hardy meals.” The breakfast menus feature pancakes, skillets, omelettes, and benedicts. For lunch, club sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads are options.
“We don’t have the capacity at this location to do a full menu and full kitchen,” Malamis said.
Dearborn’s Cafe was in the area for around 10 years, and formally closed in October 2025. The restaurant . The closure was due to owners Bob and Debbie Dearborn retiring. The Dearborns also ran Bridge Street Cafe in Yorkville for 20 years.
The upcoming Sandwich location will be on the south side of E Church Street, just east of the city’s downtown. A McDonald’s is in the plaza, as well as a Dollar General. As it gets closer to the opening date, the owners will be updating the community on the business’s Instagram @southernbellespancakes.
