Angels in the Morning

Where to find the best damn breakfasts on the go


Who serves the best damn breakfast-to-go in town?
That's the question we asked after one too many Egg McMuffins on our daily commute downtown. Our mission was to go beyond the ubiquitous chains - no Busken's or Servatii's pastries, no Krispy Kreme donuts or Panera bearclaws and, God help us, no Perkins or Bob Evans.

We wanted a hot breakfast that we could proudly cart to our desk, a tasty and substantial - if not nutritional - start on the day.

So we've rounded up 13 unique breakfast eateries that promise a really hearty, and hot, morning meal on the fly. (And, yes, at most of these establishments you can choose table service as well. But who has that kind of time?)

Generally, at all of the following, you can order ahead by phone for quick pickup:

 

Little Place Restaurant, 2971 Washington St., Burlington, 859-586-9421

For the best deal at Little Place, which opens at 6 a.m., order the "Crow's Nest to Go." This is the house favorite of the regulars: two eggs with ham, bacon or sausage, topped with melted cheese on a nest of hash browns, with a cup of coffee on the side, for $5.

 

Anna's, 4633 Montgomery Road, Norwood, 513-731-1100

Just $2.99 gets you a to-go container heaping with scrambled eggs, goetta, thin-cut home fries and toast. Opens at 6:30 a.m.

 

Choo Choo's, 7701 Railroad Ave., Madeira, 513-272-2466

Located inside Madeira's former train depot, Choo Choo's is famous for its French toast. Dipped in vanilla and cinnamon egg batter, it's served with three pieces of bacon and real maple syrup. Opens at 9 a.m.

 

Sugar 'N' Spice Restaurant, 4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills, 513-242-3521

Locals salivate for the thin pancakes and fluffy omelets, served here since 1941. Opens at 7 a.m.

 

Pepper Pod Restaurant, 703 Monmouth St., Newport, 859-431-7455

Newport residents swear by the pork chop breakfast. Open 24 hours.

 

Gourmet Room, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 15 W. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-381-4000

Yes, it's a buffet style breakfast and, yes, you're allowed to take a to-go container and load up on the Eggs Benedict, French toast and fresh fruit. The restaurant is on the 20th floor. Opens at 6 a.m.

 

Original Pancake House, 9977 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-745-0555

Drive off the Ronald Reagan Highway or I-275 and dash into the Original Pancake House, where the Granny Apple Pancakes and Dutch Baby German Pancakes are packaged to go. Crepes, Belgian waffles and omelets are also on the menu. Opens at 7 a.m.

Jon Kell, co-owner of Wildflour

 

Wildflour, 308 Greenup St., Covington, 859-581-1000

Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon hollandaise, a wild mushroom crepe and the sausage hash all come heavily recommended. Wildflour serves hot breakfasts to go on Saturdays and Sundays only. Opens at 9 a.m.

 

The European Cafe, 9450 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-891-4551

Try the $2.45 house favorite, "The Special," which includes scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. The cafe also packages biscuits with gravy, blueberry pancakes, omelets and more to go. Opens at 7:30 a.m.

 

Hyde Park Hitching Post, 2715 Madison Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-9201

Omelets, pancakes, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, the works. Will they package all this to go? "Anything on the menu has feet" is their motto. Opens 8:30 a.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. weekends.

 

Kellogg Country House, 3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-321-0919

The Country Giant breakfast, the pork chop breakfast and the French toast are all touted here. Opens at 7:30 a.m.

 

Anchor Grill, 438 Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498

Go here if you passionately desire a goetta and cheese omelet, one of the house specials. Open 24 hours.

 

Chili Company, 811 W. Eighth St., Queensgate, 513-721-8900

The sugar powdered French toast is a winner here. Open 24 hours.

Click here for this week's issue of CityBeat