Great Breakfast Restuarants in Akron
In our house, the A.M. is a blur of backpacks and sneakers and car keys so, for us, breakfast-for-dinner is more common than breakfast at breakfast.
After a long day, I’ve been known to whip up a huge omelet for all of us to share or one of my childhood favorites, Toad in the Hole. (Cut a hole in a slice of bread, and lay it in a buttered pan. Crack an egg into the hole, and fry it up, baby!)
My whole family loves breakfast food. Myself included.
As a service to all us breakfast fans out there, I searched far and wide for interesting, tasty area breakfasts (and consumed more eggs than should be allowed by law). And some even serve breakfast all day long.
The “Oh So Akron”
The Blimp at Akron Family Restaurant (Akron): With cheery terracotta-painted walls, lots of tables, super-fast service and servers who call you “Honey,” it’s no wonder this place is so popular. The Blimp (served all day!) includes two eggs, hash browns, two hot cakes or French toast, and bacon, sausage links or ham. Whether it’s named in honor of our local zeppelin or describes how you feel after you eat it, it’s a hearty way to start the day. 250 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44303, 330-376-0600
The Chocoholic
Oreo Flap Jacks at Mike’s Place (Kent): Don’t let the whipped cream rosettes fool you, this is no girly meal. When we went for dinner, my husband eagerly accepted my challenge to try these three fluffy buttermilk pancakes speckled with chunks of crunchy Oreo cookies. There were a lot of flap jacks on that plate, but my husband — being a food humanitarian — insisted on eating it all because “pancakes don’t reheat well.” And then he talked about them all the way home and the next morning. In addition to a hilarious menu, a full-size replica of a Star Wars X-wing fighter out front and a burger bar with all the toppings (if you’re not in a breakfast-y mood), the restaurant also has tables inside a fishing boat and a bus. 1700 S. Water St., Kent, OH 44240, 330-673-6501
The K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)
The Basic Breakfast at Yours Truly (Hudson): This uncomplicated meal includes two eggs, toast, and cups and cups of fresh coffee — for under $4. 36 S. Main St., Hudson, OH 44236, 330-650-2900
The Man. V. (Breakfast) Food
The Bubba at Twig’s Diner (Barberton): How many servers does it take to deliver The Bubba to a patron at Twig’s? Four — one to carry the pizza pan loaded with food, one to honk a horn, one to clang a bell and one to get patrons psyched about the gastronomic challenge about to be attempted. For $15.99 (plus a sharing charge if two people tackle it), the meal includes biscuits with sausage gravy, French toast, pancakes, two strips of bacon, sausage links, four eggs, home fries and toast. The only consolation: It’s not timed. The Bubba gets ordered several times a week, and those who clear their tray get their photos taken and displayed as a challenge (or, perhaps, a warning) to other patrons. If you’re lucky, Twig will cook it up for you herself, regaling you with stories about being named Mrs. Summit County U.S. six years ago. 334 31st St. NW, Barberton, OH 44203, 330-825-1016
The Powerbroker
Lobster and Shrimp Benedict at Hudson’s Restaurant (Hudson): Traditional Eggs Benedict goes upscale with poached eggs covered with a lobster and shrimp sauce, served atop a Wolferman’s English muffin with a side of home fries. 80 N. Main St., Hudson, OH 44236, 330-650-1955
The “Every Day Is Christmas”
Egg Strata with Mystic Potatoes at the Enchanted Café (Barberton): When my family and I visited this café over the summer, we immediately noticed the Christmas tree in the front window. We’ve all got neighbors who don’t take down their decorations till spring (or ever), so we wondered, is that what’s happening here? Once we got to our table, the proverbial light bulb went off as we realized the tree complements the owner’s collection of elves that frolic throughout the restaurant (statues on the counter, murals on the walls and a few hiding on the rafters, along with a couple of fairies). The restaurant’s “grandma” soon brought us a plate with two small diamonds of baklava for me and my husband and two Tootsie Roll Pops for our kids to have “after they eat a good meal.” And it was a good meal. The Egg Strata with Mystic Potatoes is a 3-inch-tall egg and sausage casserole that’s light and fluffy on the inside, golden brown and crunchy on the outside (I was lucky enough to get an “edge”), with creamy potatoes that have a crispy cornflake topping. 559 Norton Ave., Barberton, OH 44203, 330-753-5837
The “Popeye”
The Mushroom and Spinach Crêpe at The Crêperie (Akron): Every menu item here is under $5, and after you order a sweet or savory crêpe (we loved the mushroom and spinach!) or a breakfast sandwich, you can watch them being made by the chef. Parking in the deck next door is free for the first hour, and with free Wi-Fi and locally-created art on the walls, this restaurant fills a much-needed niche in the heart of downtown. 76 E. Mill St., Greystone Hall, Akron, OH 44308, 330-374-7621
The “Who Knew They’d Taste Good Together?”
The Somethin’ Somethin’ at Wild Goats Café (Kent): This meal combines peanut butter, blueberries and house-made granola, sandwiched between two pancakes and sprinkled with more blueberries, granola and powdered sugar. Owner Charlie Ciborek says it has been a consistent favorite since being introduced last year, despite its 630 calories and 30 grams of fat. And if you add syrup, “that’s another 100 to 150 calories,” says Ciborek. When he
originally added it to the menu, he typed “Somethin’ Somethin’ ” as a place holder, where the real name was supposed to go. “When it came time to publish the menu, we still didn’t have a name,” he says. “So we decided to just leave it.” 319 W. Main St., Kent, OH 44240, 330-677-2326
The “Drive By”
Kiflis Bakery (Cuyahoga Falls): At the Kiflis’ drive-thru window, you can order a cup of joe to go, Hungarian pastry, burek (a Turkish-style rolled filo dough creation filled with sweet or savory ingredients), poppy seed or walnut strudel, and breakfast sandwiches. 526 Graham Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, 330-926-1999
The “Hair of the Dog”
A Bloody Mary at The Eye Opener (Akron): Why suffer through a hangover when you can keep drinking? Cocktails are served at The Eye Opener Monday through Saturday, as early as 6:30 a.m. The mixed drink menu includes four kinds of Bloody Mary: a classic version, one with extra horseradish, another with Indian Curry and a spicy one with ABSOLUT Peppar. There are also tropical breezes, screwdrivers, rum drivers, Irish coffee and a Mexican drink made with Kahlua. Oh yeah, there’s a breakfast menu, too. 1688 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313, 330-867-1114
The “Very Vegan”
Organic spelt waffles at Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (Akron): These waffles can be purchased frozen and made at home, or you can eat them hot at the restaurant. Made without white flour and white sugar, the waffles come in eight flavors: blueberry, apple cinnamon, cornbread, peach, gingerbread, banana pecan, chocolate chip and strawberry. After work one night, I picked up four packages. Later at home, my family eagerly sat down to taste test, and although my son was partial to blueberry, our hands-down favorite was the sweet, gooey chocolate chip waffles. 1809 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44301, 330-819-3834
The “Fruit & Veggie Lover”
The Better Day Waffle at Wally Waffle (Akron): In 1975, John Mazzola and his brother, Russ, opened the first Wally Waffle. John’s grandsons/current co-owners Josh and Justin Miletti say that before opening, their grandfather experimented with all sorts of crazy waffle batters. “Most of them were awful, according to my grandmother Rosina,” says Josh. “But one day in his home kitchen, he added his oat bran and raisin batter to another batter he’d been working on, and it was an instant hit with the whole family.” Rosina told her husband that compared to the previous day’s concoctions, he was having a much “better day” — so that’s what he named the waffle, which is made with carrots, apples, raisins, pecans, coconut and pineapple and topped with banana. “Of course, the implication is that our customer will have a better day after enjoying the waffle,” Josh says. “And it usually works.” 338 Locust St., Akron, OH 44302, 330-762-3388
The “Go Wild”
Breakfast with the Animals at the Akron Zoo (Akron): If you think you’re a bear first thing in the morning, why not eat breakfast with the real thing? This special breakfast event is held several times a year, and after you enjoy a breakfast buffet of pancakes, bagels and fresh fruit, you can tour the zoo and watch the animals munch on their morning meal (corn-based pellets, primate biscuits and fresh bamboo).
500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, OH 44307, 330-375-2550
The Hangover
Anything from Fred’s Diner (Akron): If you’ve got a hankering for a greasy-spoon-type breakfast after a night of debauchery, swing by Fred’s. Reminiscent of Mel’s Diner from the show, “Alice,” this place has everything you need to survive the day: bottomless cups of coffee, huge portions of biscuits and sausage gravy, and waitresses who, for the most part, are the very antithesis of perky. (They wear baseball shirts bearing Fred’s slogan, “Eat. Pay. Get Out.”) A piece of advice? Don’t sit at the end of the counter near the kitchen; every time the cook rings the bell for an “order up,” your head will explode. 930 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310, 330-535-3733
The “Flashback”
Breakfast Pizza at the StowNut Donut and Diner (Stow): As you slide into a vinyl booth and Paul Anka’s voice floats through the air singing “Diana,” you’re tempted to grab a coonskin cap and a letter sweater for this trip back to Fiftiesville. Enjoy another flashback (to your college days this time, when munching on leftover pizza in the a.m. was the norm) by ordering the Breakfast Pizza — topped with scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage and mozzarella cheese on homemade pizza dough. 3055 Graham Rd., Stow, OH 44224, 330-676-1300
The “Meal on Wheels”
The Breakfast Burrito at El Paso Taco Truck (Akron): This food truck opened in late April and serves a delicious breakfast burrito for $5. Weighing in at a hearty one pound, 4.5 ounces, it’s filled with eggs, your choice of meat (shredded beef, cured flank steak, grilled ground beef, shepherd-style pork, barbecue chicken, grilled chicken, grilled tongue or Mexican chorizo), beans, rice, cheese, onions and fresh cilantro, and it’s wrapped in a grilled, 12-inch flour tortilla with slices of radish, cucumber and lime on the side. The chorizo has a great flavor profile with just enough spice to give it a kick. And ask for extra tomatillo sauce (it’s so good)! Wash it down with BOING!, a Mexican fruit juice, in flavors like guava, tamarind, strawberry, apple, grape or orange. 1813 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44301, 234-788-9135
The “Kid Friendly, Mother Approved”
Pancakes at the Valley Café (Akron): I took my kids here and ordered one pancake for them to split because our server described them as “enormous.” When it arrived at our table, looking like a huge flapjack version of Mickey Mouse, my son stood up on his chair and yelled (much to my horror — and to the amusement of the other patrons), “I don’t want to share!” 1212 Weathervane Lane, Akron, OH 44313, 330-865-0101
The Deliciously Decadent
Absolutely anything from Blue Door Café and Bakery, formerly the Golden Goose Bakery (Cuyahoga Falls): Retired Marine Corps infantry officer Michael Bruno brings European-style pastries to State Road with his made-from-scratch delicacies. He uses only the highest-quality organic ingredients to create breads, quiches, croissants, brioche, scones, Danishes, pain aux raisin, muffins, sticky buns and granola. There aren’t even words to describe how good his creations are. Be sure to stop by early because when these goodies are gone, they’re gone. 1970 State Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, 330-926-9774
The “Gimme Some Comfort Food”
The Mac’n’Cheese Omelet at Sweet Pea Café (Fairlawn): Owner/chef Josh Thornton says this omelet was created when Sweet Pea waitress Kasey challenged Chef Justin to surprise her with an omelet. He combined mac and cheese, chorizo, onions, mushrooms, basil and tomatoes, and ran it as a special for a week — though it soon became a menu mainstay. “It has one million calories in it, but the good, comfort-foody kind of calories,” says Thornton. “People have ordered it made with egg whites, but that’s like ordering a double banana split with no cherry.” The omelet also gained recent notoriety when featured in an article on The Huffington Post, “10 Things to Do with Mac ‘n’ Cheese Before You Die.” 117 Merz Blvd., Fairlawn, OH 44333, 330-794-7952