Breakfast @ the Maitland Breakfast Club, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! Our waitress,…read moreCindy A., was as sweet as apple pie and made us feel right at home. On my first visit, I ordered the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes with link sausages and a glass of orange juice. The pancakes were delicious, the sausages hit the spot, and the orange juice was... well, you know... orange juice. It did its job! The atmosphere reminded me of a classic country diner--cozy, welcoming, and filled with an older crowd, which I honestly prefer. One thing I really appreciated was being able to seat myself. That's always a plus in my book. Sometimes being escorted to a table means ending up in that one awkward corner nobody wants... but I digress. Overall, I had a great experience and would happily come back. My significant other, however, wasn't nearly as impressed. Oh well--you win some, you lose some! Sometimes breakfast is just a pancake split decision.

Maitland Breakfast Club reminds me of why the diners are an ultimate American staple. Diners are a…read morecompletely American thing that started in America as a mobile eatery and has transformed into what it is now, which are stationary eateries that feature affordable, filling food that appeals to the blue collar man. Fun fact, diners were started in New England region of America in the 1850s. All this to say, I love a good diner. I mean the American diner has always been there for middle America. The closest one to me and honestly it's definitely hidden away is the Maitland Breakfast Club. It's pretty much situated on the boundary line of where the City of Altamonte Springs starts. They have large space that's casual and what you would expect for a diner. Anyone can walk in wearing their Sunday best to pajamas. The waitresses are very welcoming and exactly the kind of person I would expect to invite me into a diner. We had gone on a Saturday afternoon and they're not a diner that's open late, so more of a breakfast diner really. Now I got the eggs Benedict with bacon and hash browns. For me, there are three breakfast staples I believe all amazing must revisit breakfast places should have. A good cup of warm regular coffee, eggs Benedict, and good crispy hash browns. I mean some places have other things like lattes and hash brown bowls, and I'm not saying those aren't good. However, when you nail the basics, you can do anything else. The hollandaise sauce was great and didn't split and bacon was crispy. The hash browns were super crispy, which I loved, and I could tell it had been made on a flat top grill, which is another very classic American restaurant kitchen appliance. The cup of coffee was good, I mean they had the sugar packets and the creamers right there. Overall, I would rate it a 9/10 and it set us back about $15 for just my portion. I will be back (said menacingly), Maitland Breakfast Club.

I've been a fan of Jeff's Bagels for years, and it never disappoints! Every visit reminds me why…read moreit's one of my go-to breakfast spots. This time I tried the Bagel of the Day, a za'atar bagel with chive and onion cream cheese, and it was incredible. The za'atar added a savory, herby flavor that paired perfectly with the creamy, tangy spread. The bagel itself had that perfect combination of a chewy interior and a fresh, slightly crisp exterior. The staff is always welcoming, service is quick, and the quality is consistently excellent. If you see the za'atar bagel on the menu, don't think twice. It's absolutely worth ordering!!

So yummy love the bagels and all the smears…read more And all the flavors of bagels and they are fast

I visited Sourdough bread House back in the day when they were in Maitland and was pleasantly…read moresurprised by their new, larger space. The food was just as good as I remembered from a few years ago. It can be difficult to find consistency in restaurants these days, so I really appreciate that the quality hasn't changed. It's nice to have a spot like Sourdough to add variety to the rotation of mostly American breakfast spots. I ordered the Sourdough Bread Plate, which is a large portion. Even though it's listed on the lunch menu, I was still able to order it for breakfast. Their bread is incredible, and everything tasted so fresh! The ezme is a wonderful addition to add to the avocado and labneh toasts. I also tried the Turkish coffee, but as someone who doesn't drink black coffee, it wasn't quite for me. I would recommend it mainly to those who enjoy strong, black coffee, though it was a nice touch that it came with a Turkish delight! My only minor critique is that the staff weren't around very much. Our server checked in on us once, and after waiting a bit for someone to bring the check, we eventually just walked up to the counter to pay. Nonetheless, everyone was very friendly!

This place was so delicious! The sourdough bread was my favorite part, with the crunch of it and…read morethe fluff. The turkish coffee was also strong for how small the cup was, with a little turkish delight to take the edge off. The bacon was beef, which was nice. Overall, the food was delicious. However, the service wasn't the best, there was about 3 customers in the restaurant when I went, but the server left all of us when we had to pay, leaving all of us to stand in a line waiting to pay. For a weekday, that felt a little odd. I think the food definitely makes up for it.

I've been coming here since 2019, and all that's gone up (which is reasonable) is the prices…read more Because this place is the best of the best, when. It comes to service and food quality. I just came back to take my girl out for lunch, and the manager gave us amazing service. The ambiance is less fine dining but amazing for a casual date, I highly recommend this spot. As a matter of fact you have to come here.

The Crepevine is a charming spot if you're craving something different for lunch. They serve…read morebreakfast, dessert, and savory crepes, and there's definitely appeal in the novelty of it all. The crepes themselves are made fresh and arrive genuinely warm, which is half the battle. I ordered the buffalo chicken crepe and appreciated the good kick it had. The fillings were competent but unremarkable, nothing that made me think "I need to come back for that specific crepe." The chicken had a tendency to slide toward the bottom as I ate, which was a bit of a nuisance especially when your first 2-3 bites are all lettuce and tomato If you're looking for something easy and quick to grab for lunch, The Crepevine delivers. It's the kind of place where the experience is enjoyable partly because of what it is rather than it being exceptional at what it does. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it a good spot to pop in with friends or grab something on your way. If I'm in the area and want something a little different from the usual lunch routine, I'd happily return.

Last minute decisions make for a good night out. We decided to go to this New Orleans kitchen…read morebecause we wanted a Cajun taste. What a great choice. From the host to our server m, we couldn't ask for a better service encounter. It was busy and after 830p (they close at 10). I'm usually against late night dinning that close to closing because it's usually not a good experience. Glad to be proven wrong in this case. We got the boudin rolls to start to go along with The Jefferson and the Jackson Square Spritz (all pictured well most of the boudin got devoured). Word to the wise, if you getting the full portion Po Boys, you better be hungry cuz them things will feed an army. Food was delicious. We had the Fried catfish and crawfish basket, and the Walter's Spicy Southern Club, and the lil one had the fried shrimp and fries (she's a picky eater and she loved the shrimp). For dessert I had a Sazerac . Stop in and have yourself a taste of NOLA.

So I recently came here for the first time for a birthday celebration and I really enjoyed it! So I…read morehave been meaning to try out Tibby's for quite some time now.... as there are very few places that offer New Orleans southern cajun comfort food within the Central Florida area, and it surely did not disappoint. This restaurant is located in Altamonte, right within a strip mall, and has plenty of surrounding parking for easy access. Upon entering, we were greeted and seated immediately. The interior was so whimsical and made you feel like you were directly transported to the beautiful city of New Orleans, it was super cute and on theme. For food, we had ordered the fried gator bites and cajun shrimp appetizer. Both items were very tasty and a great size for sharing. Now when it came to my entree, I ordered the Rita's Chicken... which was the true star of the show. That dish was soo tasty, the chicken was nicely seasoned and tender, and the dirty rice was a great compliment to it. The dirty rice was a tad bit too soft for my own preference, but the flavor was definitely there! Now, we cannot forget about the drinks and beignets. For the drinks, I tried the signature old fashioned. It was nice and strong with notes of sweet praline. For dessert, we of course had to try the beignets... which were out of this world. It came out nice and warm, they were so delicious! As it pertains to the service... our server was so amazing. She was very patient and super attentive to our large party. We even had the assistant manager come by and introduce herself which I thought was very nice. I really enjoyed my first time at Tibby's and I will definitely be back soon to try the other things on the menu!

This was my very first time at this place we kind of ended up here cause we was looking for…read moresomewhere good to eat, and it was nearby the ambience when you walk in is definitely bar vibes, but you could see that it's very family oriented as well. My server was pretty nice. She checked on us like she was supposed to..but as far as the food goes. I got a burger the hat, avocado, jalapeños on it. It was really good also and, order wings, and a margarita and when I say everything was so good. Everything was so good. I will definitely be back.

My husband and I stopped by The Back Porch for a casual dinner and had a great time! I ordered the…read moreBuffalo Chicken Wrap with mac and cheese, and my husband got the Patty Melt with onion rings. We also ordered a side of fries to share which were piping hot and seemed like they came directly out of the fryer. Everything was tasty and very reasonably priced. The only downside was that my wrap was a little dry, and I wanted a side of ranch to go with it. Our server didn't come check on us for about 10 minutes after our food arrived, so I ended up having to ask the host to help me find her. Other than that, the service was good and we enjoyed our meal. The atmosphere is laid-back and has a fun sports bar vibe. We even mentioned coming back to watch the World Cup final here. Overall, The Back Porch is a solid spot for a casual meal, and we'll definitely be back!

My friend and I went to Briarpatch on a Saturday for brunch, which is always a gamble with wait…read moretimes. We walked in around 1 and there was a very short wait. We ended up sitting at the bar to avoid waiting for a table. The bar was really tight but we made it work. My friend ordered an espresso martini, and it was too milky. For our food, everything was excellent. The avocado toast was fresh and the eggs were perfectly over medium. The home fries were also perfectly crispy. My friend ordered the kale salad with chicken and we both agreed it was one of the best salads we've ever had. The kale was fresh, the chicken was very tender and the dressing was the perfect amount. Between the service and food, we had an excellent experience!

Stopped in at Briarpatch on Park Avenue for a weekday brunch to continue my birthday celebrations…read more Even for a standard weekday, the place was packed to the gills, which is par for the course here, though being seated right by the front door had its downsides. Our high-top caught the steady breeze of people cycling in and out, trading blasts of humid Florida air with AC, but it was manageable enough. Our server was solid and attentive, though the kitchen had a couple of operational hiccups. I ordered the fried green tomatoes to start, but they were forgotten until after our main plates had already landed on the table. When they arrived, the execution was decent. The batter didn't adhere well and slipped off the tomatoes, though the accompanying sauce carried the dish nicely. On the drink side, the virgin blackberry lemonade hit the mark completely: balanced, tart, and refreshing. The breakfast mains were where the kitchen redeemed itself. I built my meal around the bacon and mushroom omelette, which was formidable. It was fully loaded with bacon, cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms without feeling greasy or heavy. They had run out of biscuits, which was surprising for a brunch spot mid-shift, so I subbed in sourdough toast. The undisputed star of the meal was the side of cheese grits. I am notoriously particular about grits, restaurants almost always serve them under-salted, gluey, or watery, requiring a table-side overhaul of butter, salt, and pepper. These were dialed in straight from the kitchen. The texture, dairy integration, cheese ratio, and baseline seasoning were spot-on without needing a single touch of salt or pepper. Minor timing and stock quirks aside, BriarPatch remains a reliable staple. I left full, satisfied, and reminded why it is always worth keeping in the local Park Ave rotation.

UPDATE: manager gave me a code to use on my next visit…read more I ordered the same exact lunch to compare experiences BUT I went to a different location. This time I went to the Melbourne/Viera location and my food was delicious, hot, melty and I ate the entire meal. I will be back.

Food: the food was good. The waffle tasted cooked just right. I have had some that weren't cooked…read morelong enough. My husband enjoyed the pancakes. I wish I asked for crispy bacon but next time. I ordered my eggs over medium but they came out over easy. I wish they had flavored creamer for coffee though but that's me. French vanilla creamer would be perfect for me. Service: Our server was super nice and very tentative. While the place was busy, he was always helpful and asked if we needed anything. The food came out very quick.. like 5 minutes or so after ordering. Ambiance: typical diner. They have indoor and a small amount of outdoor. They had a section blocked off.

Well well well, we meet again. I had been tot this place before but ate all the delicious food so…read morefast I forgot to take pictures, and was so happy with the meal I forgot to leave a review. This place is a treat, great lighting, seating, decor and location. Really great service and quick to respond to requests and take ownership of their tables. The food made me think of my grandmothers biscuits and gravy, and so I couldn't help myself and had to get some, which they were the peak of excellent southern comfort food. I am from the Midwest, but my language of love is southern soul food and home cooked meals and this place didn't disappoint. Very very good, and I can't wait to return, high marks all around. And compliments to the chefs for comfort cooking done right.

I always love trying something new when I come to First Watch, but the one thing that always stays…read moreconsistent with my order is the Morning Meditation juice. It's a delicious mix of beet juice, citrus, and ginger. In my opinion, it's truly a great pairing with anything on the menu. My friends ordered iced coffees, and it came out looking like a glass of milk over ice, and it sadly also tasted like straight up milk. We weren't aware that the iced coffee is made with a coffee concentrate and if you want an iced coffee, you should order a cold brew and then milk or creamer on the side. My friends were apprehensive on letting our server know that they weren't satisfied with the beverage, but Mario ended up being very understanding and offered to bring them cold brews instead, and that ended up tasting 10x better. Shoutout Mario for that! In terms of food, I decided on the farmhouse hash with over easy eggs. I ordered this with no cheese, and added mushrooms. It was a 10/10. The flavors mixed all together so well. I also snagged a few bites of my friends cinnamon chip pancake which was UNREAL. It tasted like a cinnamon bun married a pancake. We were able to put our names on the waitlist about 10 minutes before we arrived, and with it being a busy Saturday morning, we showed up to a line of people waiting for a table. Luckily we only waited about 5-10 minutes upon arrival before we were seated at our table. Mario was great and the food and drinks were phenomenal. The bathrooms were clean and the layout of the restaurant was very spacious and it didn't feel too crowded. I loved that there was outside seating and lounge chairs as well!

Eggs Up Grill in Apopka is easily one of the best brunch spots I have been to in the area. I…read morestarted with the garlic grits, which were thick, creamy, and perfectly seasoned, with crispy bacon on top that added just the right amount of salt and texture. The crab Benedict was exceptional, featuring well-seasoned crab cakes paired with perfectly poached eggs and a light, flavorful hollandaise. Each bite was rich without being overwhelming. The Baja omelette was packed with savory chicken and complemented by fresh avocado that kept the dish bright and balanced. The lemon blueberry pancakes were a real standout. They were light, fluffy, and had a bright citrus flavor that paired beautifully with the sweetness of the blueberries. Everything felt fresh and carefully prepared. The brunch cocktails are also worth mentioning. The Peach Stand Mimosa was sweet but not too heavy, making it a perfect pairing for a late morning meal. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. This is the kind of place where you want to linger over your food and enjoy a relaxed brunch with friends or family.

Eggs Up Grill is one of my favorite places to enjoy a great breakfast. I love the food there. The…read moreservice is always great. On this day our server was Emme and she was so kind and friendly. The restaurant is always clean and the booths are very comfortable. The music is on in the background and is very enjoyable. I ordered eggs over easy with bacon,grits and a grilled blueberry muffin. My eggs were made perfectly and the side of grits were amazing. I really enjoyed my breakfast. My daughter ordered her favorite breakfast sandwich and she loved it. Eggs Up Grill was a perfect start to the day.