Who serves Philly's favorite breakfast?

September 10, 2007 6:57 PM

Phillyfilter: What's the best breakfast place in the city center?

I've got some time in the morning before my presentation at the central library. I'd love to have an awesome breakfast at the kind of place that locals line up for on weekends. I'm staying right near the library, so someplace nearby would be great but something near the subway would be good too. Diners, breakfast only places, or even higher-end is all good. This is my only chance to have a cool local meal this trip. Any ideas?

posted by ulotrichous to travel & transportation (17 comments total)

this is a bit out of the way, around 9th and christian, but i couldn't just not mention it: sabrina's has the best breakfast in town, in my opinion.
posted by timory at 7:09 PM on September 10, 2007

How about Cereality by UPenn? It's a small chain and not your normal breakfast place, but it's a cool place if you like cereal. You can take the trolley to the 36th Street Station of the Frankford El to the 34th Street Station and walk a few blocks to Walnut Street.
posted by daninnj at 7:12 PM on September 10, 2007

of or
posted by daninnj at 7:14 PM on September 10, 2007

Sabrina's opened a sequel about a block from the library at 18th and Callowhill and it is on par with the original.
posted by The Straightener at 7:19 PM on September 10, 2007

There is only one cool local meal, and it is available 24/7: Pats
posted by caddis at 7:21 PM on September 10, 2007

Sabrina's and Morning Glory are my two favorites for breakfast. And after Sabrina's, wash it down with a (series) of cannolis from Isgro's which is a block a way. I make that a ritual now whenever I'm in Philly.

caddis: You do a disservice to a city which is filled to the brim with amazing foody options. And also, everyone knows that the best steaks are found outside of center city, you damn tourist. I recommend Appetito's in Folsom.
posted by drpynchon at 7:46 PM on September 10, 2007

OK, it's just about as far from the Central Library as you can get and still be in Center City, but Beau Monde has the best crepes ever. EVER!
posted by moonmilk at 7:52 PM on September 10, 2007

caddis beat me to it. Pat's 3 square meals a day.
posted by wile e at 7:52 PM on September 10, 2007

Oh and drpynchon, we're all tourists. Just with different starting points.
posted by wile e at 7:54 PM on September 10, 2007

And if you can't find something wonderful for breakfast at Reading Terminal Market you might as well not eat at all. It's pretty close to the library too.
posted by moonmilk at 7:56 PM on September 10, 2007

Cereality — it's fun, but I'd recommend against it. It's a cutesy chain thing that it's perhaps fun to go to once, but it's got all the genuine heart and soul of a McDonald's franchise. (Chicago's got one, too.)
posted by WCityMike at 8:11 PM on September 10, 2007

Answer is:
Honey's Sit 'n Eat.

Literally, one of the reviews says "Get there early on the weekends or face a line halfway to Fairmount (which would be well over a block."

p.s. If you think this is good...ask about pizza next time.
posted by filmgeek at 8:32 PM on September 10, 2007

Tenth Street Pour House. The eggs benedict are usually pretty good.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:34 AM on September 11, 2007

Seconding Beau Monde. It would be a hike from the library, but soooo worth it.
posted by shallowcenter at 2:24 AM on September 11, 2007

Second Honey's. Not easy to get to from where you'll be, but well worth it. All their breakfasts are simply extraordinary.
posted by scalefree at 6:12 AM on September 11, 2007

Thanks MeFi! Honey's does indeed sound like the best answer, but given the fact that it's raining and I'm schlepping luggage, I couldn't resist the location of the Callowhill Sabrina's a block from the Library. It was fantastic... I had their mammoth cream cheese and banana stuffed french toast. Here's a picture. I'm still hoping to make a pilgrimage to pat's before my flight if my stomach can return to its usual volume in time.

Thanks again, all!

And thanks as well for not making fun of me saying 'city center' instead of 'center city'.
posted by ulotrichous at 6:37 AM on September 11, 2007

Carman's Country Kitchen.
1301 S. 11th St.
posted by wildeepdotorg at 6:48 PM on September 11, 2007