Top 15 breakfasts in Charlotte, from the tastiest biscuits to the best things to pour syrup over
Too often, breakfasts are relegated to whatever pre-packaged hardtack we can grab as we run out the door in the morning, consumed in haste as if on the way to battle rather than to just Wednesday.
By midday the cold, soggy lunch on your keyboard only widens the void in your soul and you remember what’s for dinner: leftovers. And you hated it the first time.
Tomorrow is a day for soul-comforting breakfast food. Here’s your guide to regaining your mojo, from local to regional to national options.
Best things to pour syrup over
WWIII ($11.49)
Where: The Yolk Cafe
Chef/owner Greg Collier spent time early in his career perfecting the art of the fried chicken wing while in Ching’s Hot Wings in Memphis. At his restaurant in Rock Hill (and soon at his new 7th Street Public Market spot!), three jumbo chicken wings are dredged in cornmeal before they’re fried and tossed with either Buffalo sauce or the chef’s own Tennessee seasoning (spice bottles are also for sale for $6.50 and will season your life) and rested atop a crusty, fluffy pecan waffle. When Collier’s father comes to town seeking comfort food, it’s all he wants from his son’s kitchen.
Ciabatta French Toast (2 for $6.95/4 for $8.95)
Where: Eddie’s Place
I have been frequenting this Cotswold neighborhood grill since high school (Where’s Danny?) but it wasn’t until this week when CharlotteFive reader and friend, Nicole Didier Bolen, revealed her comfort of asking for a croissant substitute in place of ciabatta. I recommend getting it normal first and experiencing the fluffiness that comes with the Italian bread. But, the decadence of a French laminated dough, soaked in sweetened custard, is too much to ignore, so you must return.
Pro-tip: Order a bowl of she crab soup ($6.95) to-go and freeze it. Before a cold night, grab crusty bread and enjoy the pair by a fire (or ‘faux-ire’ because it’s Charlotte).
49’er Flapjacks ($6.29)
Where: Original Pancake House
Headquartered in Portland, Original Pancake House has been many things to me over the years—from a spot where I take my mom for her favorite blueberry pancakes to the place where I cut class in high school to go drink coffee and pretend to be an adult (sorry, Mom). But throughout my career as a frequent customer of OPH, one menu item has been the center of my breakfast universe: the 49’er Flapjacks. Described on the menu as “plate sized, chewy, and tender,” in my experience, these thin, crepe-like pancakes are eggy, buttery, and the perfect vessel for syrup or jam.
Pro-tip: Leave no whipped butter remaining in the provided plastic ramekin as you apply it to your stack.
Best diner-style breakfast
All-Star Special ($8.33 tax included)
Where: Waffle House
I have enjoyed some of the most well-executed breakfast food at these ubiquitous 24-hour roadside diners over the years. (And no, they’re not Charlotte-based, but they are Southern, with headquarters in Georgia.) Their cooks have gotten me through heart-bending break-ups, late night adventures, and next day recoveries. I find solace in the All-Star Special that comes with a classic American breakfast of eggs, meat, and grits or hash browns with the added bonus of a soon-to-be slathered-in-butter waffle. People who mock Waffle House don’t understand good food. There is a reason Anthony Bourdain famously professed to Southern chef icon Sean Brock, “This is better than the French Laundry, man.”
Junkyard Plate ($6.75 on Thursdays)
Where: Coffey Creek Cafe
Make this place your Thursday morning breakfast spot and enjoy the Junkyard Plate daily special for $6.75. Sauteed peppers and onions, scrambled eggs, and your choice of meat and cheese are mixed with shredded hash browns for this kitchen sink of a platter.
Two-egg Early Bird Special ($4.39 Monday–Saturday, 6–10 a.m.)
Where: Carolina Family Restaurant
This family-owned restaurant still takes the time to respond to each and every review left on its Facebook page, which, to me, shows they care about their guest experience. The early bird special is about the best breakfast you can get for under $5 with 2 eggs any style; choice of meat; grits, home fries, or shredded hash browns; and homemade biscuits or toast. A classic breakfast at a classic local breakfast joint.
Best baked breakfast
Lox and all the fixins ($9.73 tax included) on an everything bagel
Where: Poppy’s Bagels
Marvel-superhero-alter-ego-sounding owner, Ronnie Rippner, makes true NY-style bagels that CharlotteFive writers proclaim are worth the long line. The house-cured lox is served alongside traditional accoutrements like chopped red onion, capers, and tomatoes on your choice of bagel with a cream cheese schmear. But try it on the everything bagel for a true NYC flavor experience.
(Related: Don’t live near the Cotswold location? Poppy’s is soon opening a second location in South End.)
Cinnamon Roll ($3.95)
Where: Sunflour Baking Company
Like my mom used to make but not out of a can or slightly burned. Actually, they’re nothing like mom used to make. Probably too much for one person so you should definitely share, with me. No, I’m not sharing mine. Get your own.
Avocado Toast ($7.75)
Where: Lincoln’s Haberdashery
With a 4000% increase in avocado toast representatives on Charlotte menus in the last decade (that figure may be accurate), it takes a special one to rise to the top. Lincoln’s Haberdashery’s version is on their yeasty, chewable artisan bread and garnished with baby arugula, shaved red onion and a bergamot extra virgin olive oil. Their spectacular bread is really the star of the dish with all other ingredients, including the avocado, as supporting cast.
Best substitute-for-a-hug biscuit
Biscuits and Gravy ($11)
Where: The Asbury
Charlotte has many worthy biscuit and gravy representatives, but there is a reason Chef Matthew Krenz’s kitchen has the hashtag, #bodybybiscuit. Ask for the gravy on the side if you doubt your ability to clean your plate, or if you just want to keep up appearances of self-control right up until you lick the gravy bowl clean.
Steak Biscuit with egg ($3.34 tax included)
Where: Bojangles’
Occasionally, my father would bring home Bojangles’ on Saturday morning. He would eat his sausage biscuit with grape jelly and at the time, I found it odd. During a recent visit, I was told that my biscuit would take four minutes, as they had to fry it fresh. No problem. That gives me plenty of time to gather my beloved strawberry jam and mustard that set this biscuit off. Thanks for the inspiration, Dad.
The Five and Dime ($10)
Where: Maple Street Biscuits
The Five is a fried chicken breast topped with bacon, cheddar, and sausage gravy. Adding an egg makes it a Five and Dime, and the last thing you need to eat until next week at 1,340 calories. But trust me when I say, it’s worth 1,341. They’re headquartered in Florida, but are a recent arrival to Charlotte.
Pro-tip: Hungry for breakfast dessert? Order the cinnamon pecan biscuit ($1.99/also available by the dozen for $12.99) with a sugary glaze. Order one for the table next to you for a chance to make lifelong friends.
Best non-traditional breakfast
The Royal ($8)
Where: Pasta & Provisions (Park Road and Mint Street locations)
This sandwich with capicola, provolone, LTO, mayo, oil and vinegar is not on a breakfast menu but it’s the griddled sweet sausage that makes me crave it on those days when it’s 11:30 in the morning and I haven’t consumed anything except the half and half in my coffee.
Savory Porridge ($10)
Where: Not Just Coffee
Co-owner James Yoder describes this dish as “the breakfast version of Japanese ramen.” Served at their Dilworth location, this unusual morning item is full of wonderful textures and flavors sure to wake up your soul. But to wake up your body and mind, make sure to order one of their top-notch espresso drinks. I recommend the cortado.
Breakfast Taco ($4.32 tax included)
Where: Earl’s Grocery
As Jessica Bentley pointed out in her ‘best biscuits in Charlotte’ list, the Lily White biscuits made at Earl’s Grocery are flaky and well-dressed. While I respect her choice of ham, Brie, and apricot jam on a biscuit, I go with the breakfast taco here with Korean BBQ pork belly, house kimchi, farm egg, TKO sauce (HOT!) in a corn tortilla. It’s a bold morning choice and one that will haunt all your future breakfast cravings.
This story was originally published October 24, 2018 at 12:00 AM.