Theresa was not compensated in any way for this blog, this is her unique experience, yours may differ.
I am a huge fan of breakfast/brunch. Give me a good omelet or stack of pancakes and I am in heaven. I frequently get together with friends and love trying new unique breakfast spots. Here is a list of some of my go-to spots to satisfy my craving. *They are all kid friendly unless otherwise noted*
1. Breakfast Club in Madison Heights:
30600 West John R Road, Madison Heights, 48071 (Also a location in Commerce)
7am-2pm Seven Days a week
Some of my favorite menu items are: Veggie Omelet, Breakfast Quesadilla & the Oven Baked French Toast. I also love to substitute the tomatoes au gratin instead of the hashbrowns. The english muffin toast is also very good. With every order they give you a chocolate covered strawberry for each guest; bonus! Because every time I’ve left happy, The Breakfast Club is usually my first choice for where to go for breakfast. *Kid Friendly-but it is a smaller/quieter restaurant so I prefer to go when I do not have my boys*
203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009 (Also a location in Ferndale)
Opens at 7am M-F and 8am Sat & Sun
Some of my go-to items on the menu are: Huevos Rancheros, the Parisian Omelet and Strawberry Shortcake Waffles. They have a specialty toast each day as well or muffin, that is always worth trying. The atmosphere is eclectic and kitschy, lots of fun stuff to look at. So far nothing I’ve ordered has let me down, I love to go in and order something new as everything seems to catch my eye. This is a place I love to take friends when we are looking for something more than an “average” breakfast experience.
1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48226
8am-3pm M-F, 8am-4pm Sat & Sun
Don’t be leery of heading downtown for breakfast, Hudson Cafe has easily accessible parking directly across the street on Woodward in a parking garage and around the block with parking meters. This trendy, fun breakfast spot is worth the wait to get into on busier days. Red Velvet pancakes, Monte Cristo French Toast, Baja Cali Omelet and the Veggie Crepe are all dishes I’ve thoroughly enjoyed! The atmosphere is that of a trendy diner, but with dishes that are truly individual.
4. Fly Trap in Ferndale
22950 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, 48220
Open 8am Tues-Sun, Closed Mondays
The Fly Trap has some more eclectic menu items that kept me from trying it initially, but was glad I took the plunge a few months back. There menu is smaller, with mostly egg dishes, the Huevos Rancheros stands out in memory and was delicious. There’s lots of fun egg dishes: B.L.A.T.+C (bacon, spinach, avocado, tomato & cheddar) omelet, Green Eggs & Ham and the Forager (mushrooms, herbs, gouda and greens on top of eggs). If you are more of a pancakes or waffles person this isn’t your place, as there’s only one waffle choice. *Smaller, but Kid Friendly*
5. The Original Pancake House in Birmingham
33703 Woodward, Birmingham 48009 (Also locations in Southfield & Grosse Pointe Woods)
6:30am-9am Seven Days a Week
The pancake house has not only amazing pancakes, but awesome omelets and crepes as well! The Cherry Kijafa Crepes are my favorite, along with the chocolate chip pancakes and the mushroom omelet. The Pancake House has a huge menu which looks to have something for everyone from simple to unique. If you go with a friend, I recommend sharing a savory dish and a sweet treat.
15433 Hall Road, Macomb 48044
7am-4pm Mon-Fri, 7-3 Sat and 8-3 Sun
They have a huge menu and so many great options including a daily special board which I recommend trying something from. Honestly Le Andos is one place where the sweeter dishes are superior- Reese PB Stuffed French Toast, Nutella Stuffed Pancakes and they have a “LuLu Lemon” French Toast drizzled with raspberry sauce on special now and again that is fantastic. I do also enjoy their eggs; this is another place that if you are going with a friend, I recommend sharing sweet and savory dishes. There’s plenty to try if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
7. The Chocolate Gallery in Warren
3672 Chicago Rd, Warren 48092
8am-2pm Thurs-Sun
The Chocolate Gallery has a nice mix of sweet and savory dishes. Strawberry stuffed french toast on the sweet side or a Western Omelet for savory. There are always unique daily specials, if it has chocolate, I’d recommend ordering it! Their long-time famous waitress Peggy will be sure to treat you well, she has a memorable friendly disposition. They also have sweet desserts you can take home. Since The Chocolate Gallery is smaller and quieter, I prefer to not take my kids.
8. The Pantry in Washington Township
58884 Van Dyke Road, Washington 48094 (Also locations in Clinton Township and Sterling Hghts)
6am-4pm Seven Days a Week
Don’t think I’ve ever had a bad dish here! From Dutch Baby German Pancake to Raspberry Crepes to Chocolate Chip Pancakes or the Oven Baked Farmers Omelet everything is scrumptious. Portions are very generous and I love that you get a side of pancakes even with your eggs, although I generally take mine home as I’m stuffed. They have general good home-style cooking breakfasts that are sure to please most anyone. Please note- for those with allergies, The Pantry uses peanut oil while cooking.
28750 Utica Road, Roseville 48066
6am-5pm Mon-Fri, Sat. 8am-2pm, Closed Sundays
Just Scones is a pleasant Victorian Tea Room to visit if you enjoy tea and scones. There’s a large selection of fresh scones to choose from daily; some of my favorites are the lemon, cherry almond, raspberry and cinnamon or pumpkin when in season. The Devonshire cream and lemon curd are topping perfection. They also have a at least 25 tea flavors/brands to choose from. Besides tea and scones they have an Early Bird Special which includes a piece of quiche along with tea and scones. Everything I’ve had has been very fresh and you can taste the homemade quality. Because of the breakables on the table and the delicate tea cups and saucers I’d say Just Scones is a great ladies morning out without the kids. Or a fun place to take an older girl who wants to “do tea”.
4916 John R, Troy, 48085
8am-3pm Seven Days a Week
Johnny Cakes is another restaurant that puts their personal spin on traditional breakfast entrees like Eggs Benedict, Crepes, Pancakes, Omelets and Skillets. Examples are the Thanksgiving Omelet (filled with turkey, onion/pepper and topped with cranberries) and The St. Patricks Crepe (corn beef, sauerkraut and swiss). Me being more of a traditional breakfast girl my typical choice are the Western Skillet (ham, onion, green pepper and cheese), Veggie Crepe or the Greek Omelet. Johnny Cakes has a large menu with a lot of yummy options to choose from.
11. Coco Fairfield’s in Berkley
2959 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, 48072
7am-3pm Sun-Tues, Closed Mondays
A great aspect of Coco’s is they support local business, with coffee from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and syrup and jams from Doodles Sugarbush in Blanchard. The jam is very good, by the way! Their menu may be on the smaller side, but if you’re looking for traditional omelets, pancakes or french toast, Coco’s fits the bill. They do have a yummy Breakfast Club Sandwich and Pastrami Hash.
12. The Jagged Fork in Grosse Pointe Farms
18480 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms 48236
8am-3pm Seven Days a Week
Items like the Breakfast Tamales, S’mores Pancakes and a Pesto Benny are exhibits of their fun, flavorful menu. Other out of the ordinary items include an Olive Harvest Crepe, PB&J Oatmeal and the Oreo pancakes. What I enjoy about The Jagged Fork is that no matter what my taste buds are craving, there is something sure to satisfy.
Happy Eating! If you have a favorite spot that isn’t included on this list, please post in the comments section! I’d love to check it out.
Theresa is a wife and stay at home mother of 2 boys, David (13) and Aiden (10). Her hobbies include traveling, reading, running, cooking and volunteering at MI Humane Society with the adoptable cats. She also spends her free time serving as PTO President at her son’s elementary school. She enjoys being active and is proud to have completed 4 marathons. She loves to share her passion for health and fitness with others.