A Great Breakfast Stop After a Hike in Auburn!
We came here…read morefor breakfast during the week after a hike in Auburn. We had just finished the Lake Clementine/Dam hike and were very hungry afterward, so we headed into town and ended up at Mario's.
First of all, Mario's is a very pretty space. I loved the black-and-white aesthetic and the simple but thoughtful décor. There's bar seating, booths, and tables both inside and outside. Parking is plentiful, so that's definitely not an issue.
I started with a regular latte, while my cousin ordered a chai latte. My latte was beautiful and served in a very original, deep, low cup that I absolutely loved. It was delicious and just perfect. Unfortunately, the chai latte wasn't really to our liking. It didn't taste much like chai to us--it had a strong cinnamon flavor and a combination of flavors that made it difficult to tell exactly what we were drinking. So, the chai was definitely not our favorite.
For breakfast, I ordered what I would call their breakfast sampler, with eggs, bacon, and hash browns, which also came with a portion of French toast. My cousin ordered their Monte Cristo sandwich.
My eggs and hash browns were amazing, and there was plenty of bacon! I chose all bacon, and it was thick-cut, smoky, and cooked to perfection. The plates here are HUGE, and the portions are definitely abundant.
My cousin's Monte Cristo was their lighter take on the classic. Instead of being deep-fried, their version is dipped in batter and cooked, which makes it a little less heavy. It looked beautiful and had plenty of ingredients inside, but for us, it was just okay. We've definitely had better Monte Cristo sandwiches.
Now, the French toast... WOW.
This was easily my favorite part of the meal. The bread had this delicious cinnamon-sugar coating on top that took it to another level. Add the soft, fluffy butter and maple syrup, and it was absolutely superb. That French toast alone would bring me back!
I also appreciated the nice, cold ice water that was kept at our table throughout the meal.
Service was super nice and pretty quick, especially considering how busy they were. I also loved how many options they give you to customize your meal. I could choose between different types of bacon, sausage, or turkey, and my cousin was able to customize her sandwich and ended up choosing cottage cheese to go with a healthier, higher-protein option. They also have sweet potato fries, regular fries, and plenty of other sides that you can substitute depending on what you're looking for.
The ambiance was great, everything was clean and well maintained, and even the bathrooms were in good condition.
Overall, this was a very good breakfast experience. Not everything was a home run for us, but the service, atmosphere, generous portions, customization options, and especially that French toast made it a place I'd definitely recommend if you're in the area.
And after a hike? Even better!