Diners, Dives, and Bagels: The Five Best Breakfasts in Charlotte

I love eating out, and breakfast is my favorite meal to eat away from home.

In fact, my love for breakfast is so great that I am writing a book featuring the best breakfast restaurants in the Carolinas.

Unfortunately, much more hand-to-mouth research is required prior to
publication.

Whether you're visiting from out of town or if you're a local who needs more than a Bojangle's biscuit or a bowl of cereal to start your day, hopefully this will point you in the right direction.

Here are a handful of my "go-to" breakfast recommendations for the Queen City.

1.  Stacks Kitchen, Waxhaw and Matthews, NC

Stacks' slogan is "Good Food and Plenty of It."

With stores in Waxhaw and Matthews, this local neighborhood spot has the right formula and never disappoints...provided you keep it simple.

The menu has quite a bit of variety, but simple is what Stacks does best.

And they do it better than just about everyone.

2.  Famous Toastery, formerly Toast Cafe, Blakeney, Charlotte among other locations  

"Toast Cafe" recently changed its name to "Famous Toastery," and I understand it has something to do with franchising beyond North Carolina.

What's in a name change?

I frequent the Blakeney / Ballantyne location -- one of six in the Charlotte area, including their newest addition in Tega Cay, South Carolina -- for the excellent service and the best bacon, egg & cheese biscuit and creamy cheese grits in Charlotte.

Famous Toastery has ambitious plans to expand as far away as Texas and up and down the East Coast.

So, if you're thinking about opening a franchise...

3.  The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, Ballantyne, Charlotte

When I say, "I'm going to Brooklyn," nine times out of ten, I mean I'm going to The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, though that's much too long of a name to say out loud.

Everyone says bagels are all about the water, and BKWB has a proprietary water filtration system that emulates the water flowing out of Brooklyn taps from Park Slope to Williamsburg which they use to boil the perfect bagel.

Well, as close to a perfect bagel as you can get in the South.  If only "Brooklyn" served bialys, I'd be in Heaven.

4.  The Original Pancake House, Southpark and Midtown

Do not confuse TOPH with IHOP or any other "pancake houses" claiming to be "the original."

Look for the Logo to know
you're at "The Original."

If you are in the Queen City and have a hankering for the tastiest pancake in town, then queue up for a table at The Original Pancake House at Southpark or Midtown.

They also serve a mean French toast and portions are generous.

5.  Terrace Cafe, Southpark and Ballantyne

Terrace Cafe has a creative menu, ingredients are always fresh, and everything is made from scratch.

Tastiest corn beef hash I have eaten in my entire life.  Even the eggs here taste more like...well, eggs...than anywhere else.

Breakfast is served daily until 2:30PM and they're even open for dinner.  So you could eat all of your meals here if you really wanted to.

The Others

Charlotte has so many great breakfast restaurants that I inevitably left several off of this list.

A few of my other favorite local spots include:  The Big View Diner, Cafe Bliss, Di Dee's Diner, Java's Brewing Bakery & Cafe, Eddie's Place, Leroy Fox, Tupelo Honey Cafe (their Asheville location will be in the book), and Flying Biscuit Cafe.

I also hear great things about Flipside Cafe in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if you feel I left a great breakfast joint off the list or if you're not too fond of one of my favorites.

About the Author:
Jimmy Grappone is a Virginia native living in Charlotte for nearly a decade. His hobbies include fishing, playing golf, walking the dog, and writing articles about things that interest him. Jimmy sells real estate for a living in North and South Carolina and is passionate about helping his clients find shelter and having a good time along the way.  

Contact the Author:
Social Media: @jimmygrappone
Website: www.jimmygrappone.com
Email:  Jimmy.Grappone@AllenTate.com
Phone:  980-298-9385