If I could magically blend the best elements of all my best breakfasts into one giant meal, this is what I would sit down to (the links go to my reviews, when available).
[Last updated 2/21/11.]
Best Regular Coffee: Yeah, Me Too (Columbus, OH)
Best Espresso: Ninth Street Espresso (New York, NY)
Best Tea: Little Africa (Grand Rapids, MI)
Best Juice: Northstar Cafe orange juice (Columbus, OH)
Best Eggs: Nancy’s Home Cooking (Columbus, OH)
Best Toast: San Chez Cafe (Grand Rapids, MI)
Best Potatoes: Real Food Cafe (Grand Rapids, MI)
Best Bacon: Cafe Corner‘s sweet/spicy bacon (Columbus, OH)
Best Sausage Links: Hardwick House sausages (Stratford-upon-Avon, England)
Best Sausage Patties: Kitchenette (New York, NY)
Best Ham: Jon Hamm’s John Ham
Best French Toast: Blue Sky Cafe Banana Bourbon French Toast (Bethlehem, PA)
Best Waffle: The Breakfast Club Belgian Waffle (Tybee Island, GA)
Best Regular Pancakes: Northstar Cafe Cloud 9 Pancakes (Columbus, OH)
Best Flavored Pancakes: Winchell’s Restaurant Blue & White Pancakes (blueberries & white chocolate) (Lexington, KY)
Best Burrito: Northstar Cafe Big Burrito (Columbus, OH) (Also awarded the Best Single Breakfast Item Award.)
Best Oatmeal: Gravy‘s Oatmeal Brulee (Portland, OR)
Best Plain Grits: Aretha Frankenstein’s (Chattanooga, TN)
Best Flavored Grits: Banana Bean Cafe Cedar Key Shrimp & Grits (Columbus, OH)
Best Hash: Gravy‘s Smoked Salmon Hash & Eggs (Portland, OR)
Best Biscuits with Sausage Gravy: Tasi Cafe (Columbus, OH)
Best Steak & Eggs: Spagio Restaurant (Columbus, OH)
Best Country Fried Steak: The Best Breakfast & Sandwiches (Westerville, OH)
Best Eggs Benedict: Real Food Cafe (Grand Rapids, MI)
Best Seafood: Banana Bean Cafe Eggs del Mar (Columbus, OH)
Best “All-Inclusive” Breakfast: TIE between Jack & Benny’s Gutbuster and DK Diner DK All the Way
Best Donut: Lindsey’s Bakery pumpkin donuts (Circleville, OH)
Best Pastry: Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe apple ugly (Buxton, NC)
My fave Columbus bacon would have to be Das Kaffe Haus in German Village. They do that press thing so it's not all curly.
What??? Starliner Diner doesn't make the list at all?
I know, I know, CC! I haven't visited yet. It's at the top of my list.
Nick, most the places listed are east of the Miss. River. You need to travel west of the Miss. River and do some testing and tasting! I think BIG is the word that would come to mind for me.
wait just a minute.. Marshalls in Grandview is the best greasiest spoon around.. The eggs big and delicious and they how to make em whichever way you prefer. Redskin potato home fries.. delish.. and pancakes as big as a dinner plate. Seriously good stuff. And.. Easy Street Cafe in German Village.. gyro meat as a side instead of bacon.. yum!, and these things that I think are called pig sticks, which are sausage links dipped in cinnamon pancake batter and fried.. try it!
2 KY recommendations. 1. Doodles in Lexington. LOVE that place. My family and I are regulars. Don't miss the oatmeal brûlée…yum. Tell 'em Erika sent you;)2. Wild Eggs in Louisville. Whoa. Tasty. Grub. Love the surfer girl omelet, their signature everything muffin, and ridiculous varieties of creatively flavored grits.
You should try Pamela's in Pittsburgh. Have the pancakes…but not the regular pancakes…the crepe style pancakes. My favorite by far!