Houston's Best Breakfast 2008

The breakfast mavens at this Midtown marvel cook up belly-filling soul food that’s worth the wait.

Reviews:

• “A novelty perhaps worth an occasional visit where the food is good and the staff is nice.”
• “YUM!!”
• “Waffles and Wings – so GOOD”
• “DO believe the hype!”
• “Tasty Southern Breakfast”

Tips: The restaurant gets busy during peak times, so get there early to avoid a line.

The Breakfast Klub

This small chain and its traditional breakfasts have earned a local following.

Reviews:

• “Excellent food, value, and service!”
• “Forget Denny’s!!”
• “Best Breakfast in Houston”
• “Great “safe” breakfast spot"
• “warm and cozy”

Tips: Most adults will like the carafe of coffee left on the table.

Le Peep-Shepherd Plaza or email Le Peep-Shepherd Plaza

Tanglewood favorite for all-day breakfasts and juicy hamburgers.

Reviews:

• “OK But I rather walk down to CLIFFS”
• “like a small-town diner; but in the middle of big city”
• “BEST SOUTHERN BREAKFAST IN TOWN!!! Addicted to this place”
• “Watch out for the double dippers”
• “Great breakfast spot!”

Tips: If you’re not in the mood for a fresh OJ or coffee with your meal, opt for one of the decadently thick malts or milkshakes served in a frosted mug. You may even find yourself polishing off the second serving in the blender cup.

Fountain View Cafe or email Fountain View Cafe

With old-fashioned cooking techniques, this Fourth Ward joint attracts hamburger lovers from all over town.

Reviews:

• “Best place for a burger in Houston”
• “Not the Best Burger in Town”
• “Just dissapointing”
• “don’t believe the hype”
• “Lankford …more like Plankford”

Lankford Grocery & Market

This breakfast and lunch nook dishes out generously portioned egg dishes, skillets, crepes and sandwiches.

Reviews:

• “good breakfast hotspot in rice village”
• “Great neighborhood Restaurant”
• “Wonderful”

Tips: Le Peep offers a variety of catering options including deli, vegetable or fruit trays plus full meals with a variety of entree choices. Catering is available for dine-in or takeout.

Le Peep or email Le Peep

Start the day right with breakfast at this cafe or end it on a homey note with dinner.

Reviews:

• “yum”
• “Customers are second to employees”
• “Decent food but annoying experience…”
• “Best Breakfast in Houston!! Period!!”
• “Filthy restaurant, you smell like grease, and the food tastes absolutely horrible”

Tips: The cinnamon coffee has somewhat of a cult following.

Buffalo Grille

This breakfast and lunch nook dishes out generously portioned egg dishes, skillets, crepes and sandwiches.

Reviews:

• “Great Food, Friendly People, Cozy Atmosphere – it’s the place to be!”
• “My favorite breakfast spot”

Tips: Le Peep offers a variety of catering options including deli, vegetable or fruit trays plus full meals with a variety of entree choices. Catering is available for dine-in or takeout.

Le Peep or email Le Peep

Only breakfast, only in Montrose.

Reviews:

• “Favorite place for breakfast”
• “Wonderful!! Great Service!”
• “I love this place!”
• “BAD BABY BARNABY SERVICE”
• “Pancakes for Breakfast New Concept”

Baby Barnaby’s

Once-gritty Montrose grotto now boasts a funky, yet friendly vibe, with good food and great desserts.

Reviews:

• “Average food, poor service, great ambiance”
• “Great brunch spot”
• “These people can make a drink!”
• “Houston classic”
• “Good pasta, delicious cakes, strong mojitos…nice afternoon hangout”

Tips: Long lines are common along the counter, but they go fast.

Empire Cafe

Longstanding River Oaks diner for hearty all-day breakfasts and classic blue plate specials.

Reviews:

• “great breakfast, great people watching”
• “FIrst time customer, last time customer…bland food and service”
• “Great reputation but food quality and service is lacking”
• “Best breakfast I’ve ever had!”
• “Best Diner!”

Tips: Don’t miss the fresh squeezed lemon or limeade served in the mixing can. Perfect for quenching a summer thirst.

Avalon Diner

When it’s three in the morning and you must have pie, turn to this egalitarian River Oaks hangout.

Reviews:

• “Cross Dresser”
• “Everything you always hope a diner will be”
• “Plenty of Pies, Some Improvements Possible”
• “Best 24 hour restaurant in HOUSTON!”
• “Poor customer service!”

Tips: Two other locations, one in Spring Branch, the other in the Galleria area, offer the same menu fare but not the same atmosphere.

House of Pies

This breakfast and lunch nook dishes out generously portioned egg dishes, skillets, crepes and sandwiches.

Reviews:

• “Worst service ever! Never go to this restaurant!!”
• “Best breakfast in Houston”
• “Sunny Mornings”
• “Great Food Great Service”
• “The Best Breakfast”

Tips: Le Peep offers a variety of catering options including deli, vegetable or fruit trays plus full meals with a variety of entree choices. Catering is available for dine-in or takeout.

Le Peep or email Le Peep

Reviews:

• “Best Breakfast in Houston!! Period!!”
• “Great Breakfast & convenient to my gym”
• “Excellent; Quick Lunch”
• “Best Breaksfast In Town!”
• “Just as good as the original”

Buffalo Grille

Four Seasons restaurant features fashionable Italian dining in Euro-sleek style.

Reviews:

• “Very Nice but Food is…”
• “Young professionals are welcome”
• “Worst service ever! "
• “Excellent Italian American Food in Beautiful Setting”
• “A great night!”

Tips: This downtown restaurant gets busy at lunch. Avoid the two-hour business lunch by letting the waitstaff know that you’re on a schedule.

Quattro at Four Seasons Houston

An aging luncheonette has been slicked up and spread out, but the food’s still good and cheap.

Reviews:

• “Great Breakfast and Lunch!!!!”
• “Full in every aspect "
• “good breakfast”
• “Luke warm food”
• “VERY reasonable prices”

Tips: Remnants of the “original” Harry’s have been put on display in the back dining room for the nostalgic.

Harry’s Restaurant

This Goode idea serves up two top Texas food groups under one roadside roof.

Reviews:

• “Best Burger In Texas”
• “Awesome Fajita & Eggs”
• “Best Breakfast in Houston”
• “Good(e) Quality food!”
• “BEST mesquite burgers”

Tips: Ranch-style weekend breakfasts including comforting tacos, migas and huevos rancheros are worth waking up for and the lemonade and cinnamon shakes are just the tip of the big taco in the sky.

Goode Company Hamburgers & Taqueria

Freshness and ambience are noted draws for this bistro in the historic district.

Reviews:

• “Friendly with great food.”
• “Good veggie food in a world of mediocre seafood.”
• “Originality at its best!”
• “Vegetarian Haven!”
• “Fresh and great tasting!”

Tips: Order and pay at the counter; food will be delivered to your table. Sit on the charming patio when the weather is nice.

Mosquito Cafe

Bountiful Tex-Mex favorites are the specialty at this upbeat happy-hour favorite.

Reviews:

• “Awesome Tex-Mex food…my favorite in Houston”
• “Trashy, low class, horrible atmosphere‎ "
• “I enjoyed it”
• “Waaayyy Overpriced!!”
• “Great Patio”

Tips: Try the weekend breakfasts, which are fit for a king.

El Tiempo Cantina

Reviews:

• “Lot of Eats for Cheap”
• “Breakfast to die for!!!”
• “Quick! Call Marvin Zindler!”
• “Awesome Eats!!”
• “INEXENSIVE, WONDERFUL FOOD!!”

Frank’s Grill

A focus on the food and a spartan approach to advertising make this little Mexican joint a hidden treat.

Reviews:

• “Disappointed”
• “WORST DRIVE THRU SERVICE AND WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TOWN..”
• “Watch out for the 7.5% inflation surcharge!”
• “Will not return for average food and bad service!”
• “Drive in quick!”

Tips: Choose between a cavernous room with a Tejano jukebox and an outdoor patio that faces a menagerie of topiary woodland creatures.

Chacho’s Mexican Restaurant