Favorite Picks for ‘National Hot Breakfast Month’
By Frank Sabatini Jr.
The origin of National Hot Breakfast Month every February is one of those culinary observations that can’t be traced. Although by some accounts, it was declared in the 1970s by the Jimmy Dean Meat Company. It has been said that shortly after the namesake farmer started the business in 1969, he instructed his marketing team to entice the public into eating hot breakfasts instead of cold cereals every morning.
We’re not sure if Dean’s message increased his sales or caused a significant shift in American eating habits. But we do know the aromas that waft from griddles and waffle irons, when in nose shot, are not going to make us adhere to bowls of cornflakes.
Below are some recommended breakfast spots to visit after rolling out of bed.
520 Front St., Downtown
(Other locations in La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad) 619-231-7777; richardwalkers.com
tune of steak-n-eggs, biscuits with sausage-spiked gravy, and some decent half-pound burgers if your appetite can’t wait for lunch. The familiar retro-look of the place still presides with fishbowl windows and movie-studio theme.
Kensington Cafe
4141 Adams Ave., Kensington
619-640-0494; kensingtoncafesd.com
Nestled in the heart of Kensington, some of San Diego’s best egg scrambles reside here. The vegetarian “Tree Hugger,” for example, satisfies with a mix of spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and feta cheese. We’re also partial to the pulled pork scramble with spiced potatoes and crema. The relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere also gives way to breakfast bowls and burritos, plus inventively topped pancakes.
Perry’s Cafe
4610 Pacific Highway,
Loma Portal 619-291-7121;
www.perryscafesd.com
The Cottage La Jolla
7702 Fay Ave., La Jolla
858-454-8409, cottagelajolla.com
The cinnamon-swirl pancakes and soy chorizo hash are heart stealers at this breakfast bungalow, which greets with a breezy Cape Cod feel. Creative omelets and Benedicts flaunting proteins such as mahi mahi and braised beef are some of the other dishes that have kept customers flocking here for the past 30-plus years. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
619-500-3344, snoozeeatery.com
From diced ham and eggs to Danish cherry crepes made with Kijafa wine, this Midwest mini chain has been wooing bleary-eyed locals since 2006, when it opened its first local location downtown. Egg choices abound. Ditto for the selection of hotcakes, which includes the musttry baked German pancake. The puffy creation is massive and comes with lemon and powdered sugar, which turns into a delectable glaze when you deflate the pancake of its hot air. It should also be noted that the corned beef hash is made in-house.
The Original Pancake House
3906 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa;
and 160 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas
858-565-1740; ophsd.com
No San Diego breakfast guide would be complete without the ever-popular Original Pancake House. Numerous styles of hotcakes fly off these griddles daily: German, Swedish, potato, chocolate chip, strawberry, buckwheat, gluten-free, and plain buttermilk. When the urge strikes for French food, the cherry crepes deliver a delightful outcome. The menu also features 10 different types of omelets and plenty of other soul-warming egg dishes.
Studio Diner
4701 Ruffin Road, Kearny Mesa
858-715-6400; studiodiner.com
Just when it seemed we lost this cherished East Coast-style diner to the pandemic, new ownership took over and reopened it to the
Perry’s has been something of an urban truck stop ever since the late Constantine Georgakopoulos founded the two-room restaurant in 1985. Located at the lip of Old Town, it has also become a destination for nearby office workers and hipsters seeking anti-trendy food served in brisk, generous fashion. The three-egg frittatas, listed as “fancy omelets” are a draw. Technically, they are open-face omelets that don’t get folded over. We’re also fond of the corned beef hash, the crispy hash browns, and the banana pancakes.
Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe
10755 Scripps Poway Parkway, Scripps Ranch
12640 Sabre Springs Pkwy., Sabre Springs
858-486-8863, nutmegsd.com
From vegan Buddha bowls and “OMG! French toast” to breakfast pot pies and heaping egg scrambles, the menu covers all bases—and with a full bar to boot, Snooze has been eliminating our early-day hunger pangs for more than a decade with homespun dishes served within an architecturally stunning space marked by towering ceilings and lots of natural light.
Broken Yolk Cafe
884 Eastlake Pkwy., Chula Vista
619-216-1144, thebrokenyolkcafe.com
Chula Vista is among several areas in San Diego County where you’ll find Broken Yolk Cafe, a national chain founded in Pacific Beach in 1979. Lines at this location tend to move faster compared to others. Parking is easier too. An expansive menu encompasses several categories that include “skillets,” “breakfast craves,” “south of the border” and more. From the French toast section, the shareable tiki toast is a toothsome creation featuring thick slices of battered Hawaiian sweet bread topped with caramel sauce, shredded coconut and fresh berries.
Breakfast Republic
2730 University Ave., North Park
(Multiple locations throughout San Diego County) 619-642-0299; breakfastrepublic.com
Take it from Food Network’s Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, that the cafe’s bananas Foster French toast is a winner. It was one of the dishes that Fieri recently highlighted when filming a segment on Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe. As he discovered (and we did long ago), the menu features many scratch-made dishes extending also to muffins, croissants, scones, Florentine-style omelets, dreamy quiche, and a commendable egg scramble with goat cheese
This ever-growing local chain chalks up its success on whimsical décor and a plethora of unique and hearty breakfast choices that include pistachio-infused baklava pancakes (a winter special), turkey meatloaf hash, linguisa sausage scrambles, mashed potato omelets, and the popular shrimp and grits served with three eggs. On the more traditional side of things, you’ll find exquisite eggs Benedict, chilaquiles, and an obliging selection of vegan dishes.
: (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)
The fabulous baked German pancake at Richard Walker’s Pancake House
(Facebook)
The Studio Diner is up and running again.
(By Frank Sabatini Jr.)
A generous corned beef hash breakfast at Perry’s
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Bananas Foster French toast at Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe
(Snooze, an A.M. Eatery) Breakfast from a Hillcrest hot spot.
(By Frank Sabatini Jr.) Breakfast Republic’s eggs Benedict
