The best breakfast in Atlanta?
AJC Staff
My recent column about Thumbs Up Diner got a number of people asking: Where do you go for breakfast in Atlanta?
Personally, I do like Thumbs Up a lot — but not the one in Decatur as much as the older branch on Edgewood Ave. in the Old Fourth Ward. Why? Because the dishes I like come out just the way I like them. The tofu and veggies are big, sloppy and steamy enough to wilt their bed of raw spinach. The omelettes are fluffy and (usually) free of brown spots. The sunny side up eggs have that edge of crisp brown lace. The biscuits are whole-wheat rocks, but in a good way.
Lots of people love Ria’s Bluebird on Memorial Drive for its pancakes and poached eggs served with slow-cooked brisket. (Ria’s, along with Thumbs Up, were both recently named as two of the “59 Best Breakfast Places in America” by Esquire Magazine.) Others swear by the Social House on Howell Mill Road for its ginormous platters of fish and grits and variations on Eggs Benedict. And then there’s Waffle House. It may all be about the eggs.
Hillary Clinton tells the best scrambled egg story, which goes something like this. Soon after her family moved into the White House, Chelsea woke up in the middle of the night, scared. Clinton did what she always does for her kid: went into the kitchen, took out a pan and started scrambling eggs. The sleepy, bathrobe-wearing staff went into high alert, and soon a cook appeared to whisk the pan out of her hand. Clinton had to explain, “You don’t understand. I’m her mother. I have to scramble the eggs.”
Indeed. The person who cooks your eggs — whether a short-order diner cook or your mom — does a lot for your soul.
So, where are the great breakfasts around Atlanta?
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161 comments Add your comment
djf
March 29th, 2009
9:54 am
Original House of Pancakes on Memorial Drive………fast and cheap, but also great food
Robert
March 29th, 2009
10:01 am
The Pot’n Pan on Cheshire Bridge is the best place for a good, reasonably priced breakfast. Attentive staff and great management.
Charles H
March 29th, 2009
10:35 am
Souper Jenny is fantastic, but doesn’t open until brunch.
Thumbs Up is tasty but nowhere near worth the wait. Expect 45 minutes to an hour to sit down on weekends. Their food isn’t worth that kind of delay just to sit.
zeke
March 29th, 2009
10:47 am
The Original Pancake House beats all hands down! Only problem, NOT IN ATLANTA! Theose in Atlanta cannot come close to the ones in Miami, Columbia or Charlotte!!!
Shawn
March 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Thumbs up , catfish and eggs, without a doubt!
Rachel
March 29th, 2009
11:01 am
If you’re ever out in Athens, Mama’s Boy (just past downtown off Oconee Street) has amazing breakfast and brunch options. Their cheese grits are incredible, and the biscuits are easily the best ones this side of 316.
Jon
March 29th, 2009
11:59 am
Every weekend, I wake up missing the late, lamented Three Bears Cafe on Marietta Square, which was another casualty of last year’s economic downturn. I didn’t mind eating healthy at that place. Now, I guess it’s Waffle House for me – there’s just nothing else decent on this side of town any more.
Devildog
March 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
Pastries a Go Go in beautiful Downtown Decatur is our favorite.
Only went to Crescent Moon onces. Biscuits were cold, grits were like that paste you use in elementary school (only didn’t taste as good) and service was awful.
Funny isn’t it, how many people a bad wait crew can run off and the restaurant owner doesn’t even know it.
Devildog
March 29th, 2009
12:09 pm
Not trying to take over, but I just saw a question about bakeries. Try the Village Corner German Restaurant & Bakery. Great weekend brunch and the German fare is outstanding. And don’t miss that German beer. Very unique place. We’ve gone there for over 30 years.
david Bernk
March 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
no debate. Sunshine in my Belly. great food. great prices. good service
Dave
March 29th, 2009
12:58 pm
**JR’s – Norcross**
astsat
March 29th, 2009
1:15 pm
Loren’s cafe in Alpharetta, Bob the owner his breakfast combinations are to die for. Everything is cooked to order. Such as The Usual, The Contractor, The Ocee Park or The Contractor. plenty of fresh hot coffee. the Homemade herb potatoes are excellent, i eat there almost everyday, excellent prices and great company await you
Alabamastan
March 29th, 2009
1:24 pm
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Evan’s Fine Foods on N. Decatur and Clairemont! They aren’t open Sundays which is a drawback, But many Saturdays got a great start there when we lived in Decatur. Eggs prefect every time, decent grits, good panckes and the no-frills diner coffee. MMMmmm….
boomer1ga
March 29th, 2009
1:37 pm
The best breakfast in Atlanta is at The Red Hen in Alpharetta! http://www.theredhencafe.com/
JP
March 29th, 2009
1:40 pm
Elliott Street’s breakfast, on those rare Sundays when they open up, is unrivaled.
Kim
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
Thumbs Up Diner in East Point is the answer to my breakfast question every Sunday.
Beth
March 29th, 2009
5:24 pm
I went to Radial on Dekalb Ave just today and it was not my idea of good food however service was excellant. I ordered Eggs Benedict. Eggs were almost hard boiled and there was no sause.
Thumbs Up (Decatur), Sweet Mellisa’s , Pastries A Go Go all good places to eat. J.R. Christopher’s (Decatur) I have had some orders not done correctly.
RiceChrispies
March 30th, 2009
9:57 am
Broadway Diner in Stockbridge on 138 (for all you northsiders). Biscuits and gravy – divine! Eggs Benedict – three on a plate!
LAH
March 30th, 2009
11:54 am
Definitely The Flying Biscuit! The Southern Scramble is amazing!
John Jacobs
March 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
I like the one in East Point … Excellent customer service… Great!!!
FCM
March 30th, 2009
5:36 pm
I miss la peep too. Hickory House used to be good and I just found one in Dunwoody I will try again. Hate J Chris, though its a fav of my children and parents. Marietta Diner is good anytime (especially cake time—cake for breakfast works too!).
IHOP and Waffle House do rule for somethings. (don’t judge me either)
paulp
March 30th, 2009
8:27 pm
No one has mentioned World Peace Cafe in Sandy Springs. We’ve enjoyed it for dinner on a few occasions, went for breakfast yesterday for the first time. It was yum–orange cranberry pancakes for me were better than the pancakes I had last time I went to the Flying Biscuit (in Norcross), and my wife had an omelet with zucchini and other vegetables, it was nice and fluffy. The music is soothing, the staff are friendly, and the menu makes us want to come back for more.
John
March 30th, 2009
8:31 pm
Loretta’s in Oakwood. Best sausage gravy in history.
Adam
March 30th, 2009
8:38 pm
FLYING BISCUIT CAFE! Without a doubt. The original, or the new one at Peachtree & Piedmont.
Bill Berry
March 30th, 2009
8:43 pm
Best breakfast by far is at D.J.’s on Brown Bridge Road in Covington. There biscuits are to die for. They absolutely can not be beat! Waffle Houses, etc. cannot touch the breakfasts here.
Patty
March 30th, 2009
8:46 pm
I like Thumbs Up on Edgewood but Ria’s had me at the fried eggs on a blue corn tortilla with salsa verde. Ai yi yi!
Professor
March 30th, 2009
9:20 pm
The best breakfast in Atlanta is served at The Original Pancake House on Memorial Drive. Their heavy cream makes their coffee wonderful. Oatmeal is served with cream, brown sugar, raisins… mmmmm; pancakes are excellent… service by Cookie compares to any five star resturant!
Joseph
March 30th, 2009
9:24 pm
The Unity on MLK Jr. Dr. across the street from the cemetery over there. It is right next to the casket store. No joke. . . this place has the most amazing breakfast. The grits here are an amazing treat. Take some cash and enjoy yourself.
Charlie
March 30th, 2009
11:26 pm
John, the cover image of the French Toast with berries got my attention. Great image! I see no mention of the restaurant. Did I miss something? Thanks for the articles.
From ajc “best of” I discovered Barkers Red Hots are being served again in town. Stopped by the Windy Hill location for two chargrilled original dogs. Heavenly. Kudos to the ajc staff.
Elizabeth
March 30th, 2009
11:57 pm
Douceur de France and Sugar Cakes Patisserie in Marietta. YUMMY!
grrtch
March 31st, 2009
12:23 am
I’m an Athenian seconding the plug for Mama’s Boy. I’m lucky it’s a short stroll from my home. favorite dish – the salmon benedict – a poached egg over a very fleshy salmon croquet.
when in Atlanta, Stone Soup is yummy, easy, comfy, and very accommodating regarding my gluten intolerance.
Ria’s is all about great food, but can be a bit of a scene – as in, you’ll see folks there who will know you’re still wearing last night’s duds! that walk of shame can be brutal!
The Porter in L5P has a scrumptious salmon scramble and an extensive menu from which one can select their hair of the dog.
a Mexican place on Highland somewhere between Boulevard and Elizabeth St. (name???) has dynamite, sublime migas, a rare treat outside of Tejas.
Marty
March 31st, 2009
1:08 am
Duh!! Marietta Diner.
Henry C
March 31st, 2009
3:00 am
It would be The Flying Bisquit on McClendon and the one on 10th St. and Thumbs Up on Edgewood and on Marietta st. They are the best. But then there is also the Sunday brunch at the Waverly.
suzy Q
March 31st, 2009
3:37 am
THE SOCIAL HOUSE ON HOWELL MILL HANDS DOWN.
Second place is Highland bakery.
Third place is Thumbs up.
Gary Bradford
March 31st, 2009
4:02 am
Silver Skillet is the best. A little hard to get to with the bridge construction, however, always worth the trip.
Jerald
March 31st, 2009
5:49 am
Curt’s buffet at the Oakwood Exit in Gainesville. Great tenderloin and gravy biscuits.
Diana
March 31st, 2009
6:33 am
The brunch buffet at Ray’s Killer Creek in Alpharetta.
Tim P
March 31st, 2009
6:41 am
Marty said it — Marietta Diner! Their french toast is the best.
HJones
March 31st, 2009
6:49 am
I still dream of Melvin’s on Northside Drive from the 70’s. People used to have his biscuits overnighted to NYC. Here is an AJC link to the picture from 1979:
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/70s-scenes/38.html
Dana
March 31st, 2009
7:14 am
You aren’t southern if you don’t say Waffle House!!! But as far as homemade good southern, Rexall in Duluth!
beckyboo
March 31st, 2009
7:30 am
Evans Fine Foods in Decatur has very good pancakes; Rise & Dine just down N. Decatur Road has sweet potato pancakes from heaven. But the best overall breakfast for food and value is Old Hickory House at Northlake. The eggs, biscuits, gravy & creamy grits can’t be beat. Great pancakes & French toast, also.
ELIZABETH
March 31st, 2009
7:31 am
THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE ON CHESHIRE BRIDGE!! THEY HAVE AWESOME BREAKFAST!!! STAWBERRY PANCAKES, HOME FRIES, BACON, CRAPES, OMLETS OH THAT HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS!!!!
lauren
March 31st, 2009
10:32 am
The blueberry pancakes at social house rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
david herman
March 31st, 2009
10:44 am
the flying biscuit on peachtree parkway…turkey bacon and eggs,with oatmeal panckes are the best…then there are the bean cakes…glad they came to my area in Norcross…midtown in the “burbs”…
Lissa
March 31st, 2009
1:13 pm
For breakfast to go – love Chic-Fil-A chicken biscuits. Yum! Even better, the Saturday breakfast buffet at the Dwarf House is awesome. KC – there’s a Dwarf House on 92 close to 575.
BeezieB
April 2nd, 2009
8:11 am
I’d like to second the Gato Bizco love. No pretense, just good food. Their tofu scramble is the best vegan breakfast I know of. I miss Bakers Cafe in Little 5; the French toast was fantastic!
bmac
April 4th, 2009
12:39 pm
Flying Biscuit has the best grits ever fool!
Steve O
April 4th, 2009
12:40 pm
There is only one place for me- Flying Biscuit baby
Mayor of Midtown
April 4th, 2009
5:42 pm
My Saturday consists of $3 Mango Mimosas and killer Biscuits & Gravy (cause this southern boy knows his B & G) at the 10th and Piedmont Flying Biscuit and a lazy afternoon in Piedmont Park. Get right!
Allen
April 4th, 2009
9:40 pm
The new Flying Biscuit in Sandy Springs is my new FAVORITE breakfast place. The food is amazing (especially their organic oatmeal pancakes – YUM!), the decor is really hip & cool, and the service has been terrific. And, to top it all off, their general mgr is an absolute sweetheart.