Best chain restaurant for breakfast?
#41
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
original pancake house in Grosse Pointe. Is my all time number Uno pick. Dutch Baby, apple pancake, great coffee with heavy cream, fresh OJ, properly cooked bacon with no grease. The best.
In Florida, SW Florida that is, I like Skillets (they have a great whole wheat pancake and excellent coffee), and I am hoping to nominate Mimi's Cafe shortly. I am looking forward to their opening in Fort Myers. Everyone here also love First Watch. I like the "eggcrepes" but their pancakes leave a lot to desire and they use pretty cheap bacon.
LMF
In Florida, SW Florida that is, I like Skillets (they have a great whole wheat pancake and excellent coffee), and I am hoping to nominate Mimi's Cafe shortly. I am looking forward to their opening in Fort Myers. Everyone here also love First Watch. I like the "eggcrepes" but their pancakes leave a lot to desire and they use pretty cheap bacon.
LMF
#45
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 0
We have Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, IHOP, Perkins and Dennys close by where we live, but go to Bob Evans. Greatly prefer the food. But if there was a Coco's or a Tippins nearby, like the ones I grew up near, Bob would be further back in the pack.
#51
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 0
We tried Perkins last weekend - after waiting over a half hour for our food we told the manager it was ridiculous and walked out. Don't think we'll return any time soon. I'd take Bob Evans biscuits and gravy over Cracker Barrel any day, but that's just me I suppose.
#52
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
I previously posted about our trip from MA to Columbia, SC. We traveled with 7 people in the trusty mini-van. Left MA at 6:00 pm. Drove straight through (except for a short stop at the NJ Tiger Mart) to Columbia. We arrived at 8:00 am. Could not check into our hotel. This might have been the worst moment of my life. Clerk told us that we could come back at 10:00 or 11:00. We drove around again until we found a restaurant. That Shoney's breakfast was the best meal that I have ever eaten, hands down. I guess everything is relative.
#53
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,130
Likes: 0
Wow, I'm really surprised that Shoney's is still around. Their breakfast buffet really hit the spot at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning after being out all night (back when I could stay up that late
). However, they started going downhill fast in the Houston area before they all closed up. I'm glad to hear they are still alive and well in other areas, and good on top of that.
). However, they started going downhill fast in the Houston area before they all closed up. I'm glad to hear they are still alive and well in other areas, and good on top of that.
#54
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
Statia-
They have only been good that one time for us. All circumstance. My husband has stopped there on trips south and found out that they were terrible. He insisted to friends that we stop because the food was so wonderful. Turned out that everything was white.
They have only been good that one time for us. All circumstance. My husband has stopped there on trips south and found out that they were terrible. He insisted to friends that we stop because the food was so wonderful. Turned out that everything was white.
#55
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Phoenix - Mimi's
Calif. chain. Great breakfasts. All pastries freshly made in house, eggs to order, corned beef hash made fresh everyday. Orange juice, fresh squeezed, and the coffee is good too.
Pretty good quality all around.
Calif. chain. Great breakfasts. All pastries freshly made in house, eggs to order, corned beef hash made fresh everyday. Orange juice, fresh squeezed, and the coffee is good too.
Pretty good quality all around.
#56
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Our Shoney's in Naples closed about a year ago, despite the fact people lined out the door for that buffet. I understand it got closed too many times for health violations and finally had to close.
LilMsFoodie, let me know when you're in Naples early some morning, and I'll be happy to join you at Skillets. So good.
LilMsFoodie, let me know when you're in Naples early some morning, and I'll be happy to join you at Skillets. So good.
#58
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
I had one of the best breakfasts ever at Mimi's Cafe which recently opened in Fort Myers and I am not one to rave about chains, etc.
I had what I consider a variation on the traditional New Orleans Egg Sardou which was poached eggs on english muffin with spinach, bacon and Bearnaise sauce. It was properly made, eggs were poached and still runny but not raw, the bacon was well done, the Bearnaise sauce did not separate and it was served hot, which is often not my experience with this kind of dish.
I had a nice Mimosa with this and it was very inexpensive considering the quality. LMF
I had what I consider a variation on the traditional New Orleans Egg Sardou which was poached eggs on english muffin with spinach, bacon and Bearnaise sauce. It was properly made, eggs were poached and still runny but not raw, the bacon was well done, the Bearnaise sauce did not separate and it was served hot, which is often not my experience with this kind of dish.
I had a nice Mimosa with this and it was very inexpensive considering the quality. LMF

