The Early Bird (Round 2)

We always recommend The Early Bird, and always take people there when they visit. My brother was in town this weekend, so naturally we took him for breakfast Saturday morning. I ordered the Fat Elvis, and ended up taking a large part of it home. I love the panko fried bananas and thick bacon in between the monstrous slices of french toast. My only complaint with toasts this large is that the bread in the center is pretty dry, and there's no additional syrup provided. If I had dreams of eating the whole thing, I would have asked for more, but as it turns out I wouldn't be needing extra.

The Fat Elvis - House smoked bacon, panko fried bananas, smooth peanut butter and honey, served in a French toast sandwich, topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar

Scott went for the Chicken N' Waffles, which houses his most prized restaurant item - the bacon jam. He was excited the first time he tried it, that it got replicated at home almost immediately. It is so savoury and delicious, that we each couldn't stop stealing some off his plate. The chicken and waffles themselves are also really good, but that bacon jam is the real winner.

Chicken N' Waffles - Sweet tea brined crispy fried chicken, stacked and layered between house made waffles, topped with bacon jam, duck gravy and crispy onions

My brother decided on the weekly special eggs Benedict. Never had we been disappointed before, but he cut into a poached egg expecting the oozy goodness that usually results, and found nothing but pasty overcooked yolk. I was embarrassed, Scott was embarrassed. We have obviously talked up this place way too much, and easily had our hearts broken by a single overcooked egg. We will live to eat again, but not without a little more reserve towards this restaurant. The search for flawlessness continues. Otherwise, it looked and tasted pretty good.

Benny Special -  cornbread crusted chicken, topped with balsamic spinach and poached eggs, with a side of potato and onion hash with tomatoes and feta (and probably more details I can't remember)

So here we are, no longer passing out perfect reviews for The Early Bird to everyone crossing our paths. It is obviously still a beloved breakfast place that we will definitely revisit. The service was also a little slower than I remember, but it was very busy. I still love the decor, which I lovingly refer to as Queens of the Stone Age / Day of the Dead Breakfast - skulls, concert posters, records and pop art cover bright pink walls. Bright paper flowers pack the ceiling over the taco bar, and the bathrooms are light with black light.

Likes: The portions are enormous, and the food is delicious. Dishes seem to be well-balanced.

Dislikes: That overcooked poached egg! Ruining their perfection...

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4/5

Would I go again?: Yes, I have hope. My food was great, Scott's food was great. My brother loved everything else about his food.