By Hana Nobel, News Staff
Challenge: best breakfast
Budget: under $9
Experts say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I say it’s the most delicious. And while many college students are pinching their pennies, Boston is home to numerous restaurants that serve up a scrumptious breakfast at a student-friendly price. For a week I scoured Boston for tasty breakfast options less than $9. Don’t worry about breaking the bank – in this case you can have your pancakes and eat them too.
Coming from New Jersey, I can confidently say: I know diners. I’m accustomed to the ubiquitous 24-hour diner, but it seems Boston doesn’t quite understand 3 a.m. pancake cravings like Jersey does. First I gave Mike’s City Diner at 1714 Washington St. a shot, despite its strange 3 p.m. closing time. What did remind me of Jersey were the friendly waitresses addressing us as “honey” and “sweetie” who never let my roommate’s coffee dwindle below the halfway mark. A stack of three large chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes, $4.95, was enough to fill me for breakfast and well into lunch.
My second stop was Mike and Patty’s at 12 Church St. It’s one of those off-the-beaten-path places that you actually think you’ve discovered until you stumble across that number one rating on Yelp. The fantasy vanishes, but the food’s still great. I was happy to find that their breakfast menu veered away from the classic bacon, eggs and pancakes and instead consisted of 11 breakfast sandwiches, donuts, pastries, oatmeal and yogurt. If you’re lucky enough to snag one of the six seats inside the dining area (Mike and Patty’s is smaller than my studio apartment) you will inevitably hear legend of the Bacon and Egg Fancy. This epic sandwich comes with cheddar cheese, avocado, red onion and house mayonnaise served on toasted multigrain, $7.25. I decided to follow the crowd and order one (sub tomato for bacon, please), and I must say, it was certainly exquisite. Equally as delicious was the Green Madame – a spin-off of a croque monsieur with gruyere, collard greens, Dijon crème fraiche and a fried egg on pain de mie, $8.25. For a sweeter start to the day, the grilled banana sandwich, sort of like a French toast sandwich, comes with cinnamon honey butter on pain de mie ($6.50). Delicious. Wonderful. Just like everything at Mike and Patty’s.
My third breakfast stop was Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe, at 429 Columbus Ave. a place that looks as though it’s been forgotten by time since its grand opening in 1927. I thought I would outsmart the crowds that I usually see gathered outside and head over at 9 a.m. on a Saturday, but there was already a line out the door. Luckily, I was dining solo and was seated at the counter allowing me to skip the line. Charlie’s most famous dish is the turkey hash, served with two eggs and toast, $7.85. I opted instead for a giant spinach and feta omelet that comes with home fries, toast and a salad, $8.95. It’s too much food, but much too good to waste.
For my last stop, I trekked all the way out to Allston. I love the movie “The Breakfast Club,” so when I heard that there was a diner at 207 Western Ave. with the same name, I knew it would be my final breakfast spot of the week. My favorite part of The Breakfast Club’s menu was a section called “Library Specials,” with dishes inspired by the movie’s characters: The Dork, The Criminal, The Jock and The Princess – all served in what seemed like the perfect portion – sufficient, but not overwhelming. A friend ordered The Janitor – two eggs over corned beef hash, home fries and toast, $6.29. The day’s special: French Toast stuffed with banana and Nutella, was basically dessert for breakfast, $7.99. I don’t usually like French toast but I couldn’t get enough. My roommate’s spinocotta omelet, $7.49, was stuffed with spinach, ham, tomato and ricotta and came with some of the best home fries I’ve ever had. But ultimately, it’s the ambiance that makes TBC unforgettable – the walls are covered in ’80s movie posters and vintage lunchboxes; customers sit at the counter drinking milkshakes, watching their bacon sizzle on the grill.
As for the best breakfast in Boston less than $9, judging by portion size, taste and overall value, The Breakfast Club reigns supreme. From the perfect portions, to the funky ’80s feel, it’s the breakfast joint to hit for a meal you won’t forget.
