5 Great Breakfast Joints

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

By Ann and Michael Martini, GoLocalProv Food Editors

Somewhere in between authentic diners and upscale farm-to-table brunches is the classic breakfast place. They’re simple, inexpensive and unpretentious. We saunter into one of our favorites every Sunday morning with family in tow and chow down in preparation for the week ahead. Here are some favorites.

Louis Family Restaurant, Providence

Excuse us? You haven’t been to Louis? Well, we’re ashamed to say we hadn’t either, until the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives” featured it last year. Now, well, we’re not regulars, but we love the neighborhood feel (it’s tucked into the Fox Point section of the East Side), the huge portions, and the fact that everything is super-fresh and super-good. While this family joint that’s been around since World War II serves breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, breakfast is the star here, and it’s served all day long. We love the pancakes – the sweet and substantial granola pancakes, the savory pumpkin, and the fruit (every variety!). The corned beef hash omelet is a big hit, as is the Italian omelet, which has meatballs. Mangia! 286 Brook St, 861-5225. www.louisrestaurant.org

J.P. Spoonem’s, Cranston

This neighborhood joint near Roger Williams Park is known for its super-friendly service, more than half a dozen kinds of eggs Benedict, and freshly-made corned beef hash. Pancakes, omelets and standard breakfast platters abound, too, and everyone has their favorite – ask a waitress if you can’t decide (though she’ll often suggest the hash). Kids love the chocolate waffles and we love that they serve authentic jonnycakes – you know, the Rhode Island original take on the pancake, made with cornmeal. We like ours simple with butter and maple syrup. 1678 Broad St, Cranston, 941-3550.

Donick’s Wicked Good Grub, Newport

This totally fab breakfast, lunch and late-night place on funky Broadway is a throwback to the 1980s. Posters for “Back to the Future” and “Footloose” line the walls, and there’s a constant loop of 80s movies on the TV, from “Fletch” to “The Breakfast Club.” While the vibe is fun and kitschy, the food is seriously tasty. “Uncle Buck” pancakes are on the top of our list – a gigantic portion that will feel the whole family (just like John Candy made in the movie of the same name). Tons of yummy egg sandwiches, omelets of every order, and sweet treats will have you forming a breakfast club of your own. 26 Broadway, 619-3676.

Cozy Grill, Coventry and Warwick

The line out the door and people milling about in the parking lot tells you all you need to know about this classic, old-school breakfast place. Not a fancy thing about it – everything inside is non-descript, except for the food. Eggs, toast, bacon, and homefries in every imaginable combination, plus pancakes, French toast and good, basic coffee that is refilled before you ever see the bottom of the cup. No crazy concoctions or gigantic portions – Cozy Grill is

gimmick-free. Both locations seat lots and lots of people, so the wait is never terribly long. 473 Tiogue Ave, Coventry, 821-340; 440 Warwick Ave, Warwick, 941-9088.

T’s, East Greenwich and Cranston

Oh, where to begin? No, really…it may take you 20 minutes to read through and decide what to order at this classic local institution. Eggs served a dozen ways plus 10 varieties of omelets, waffles, pancakes, French toast and something called Ooey Gooey French Toast, which appears to be French toast made with cinnamon buns instead of bread (we’ve never had the chutzpah to order it). We often stick with omelets as they’re made with three eggs and a great variety of fillings, from spinach to olives to portabellas or cheese steak. 5600 Post Rd, East Greenwich, 398-7877; 1059 Park Ave, Cranston, 946-5900. www.Tsrestaurantri.com

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