
America’s 10 best breakfasts
Two years ago, author Lee Brian Schrager introduced hungry readers to America’s best fried chicken with his book “Fried & True.”
Now Schrager — who founded both the South Beach and New York Wine & Food festivals — is back with a follow-up, “America’s Best Breakfasts: Favorite Local Recipes From Coast to Coast” (out April 5, $23, Clarkson Potter).
Part guidebook, part cookbook, the tome highlights the best spots nationwide to indulge in the most important meal of the day.
Here are 10 of Schrager’s American must-tries.
Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles
Evan SungWhen it comes to pizza, nobody does it better than chef Nancy Silverton — who co-owns this now-renowned eatery with Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. Set just off of Melrose Avenue, Mozza’s rustic Breakfast Pie stands out as an all-time favorite. The crust, an expertly balanced combination of shattering crispiness and doughy elasticity, becomes the perfect canvas for salted whipped cream, buttery potatoes, smoky bacon and a blanket of piquant cheeses.
Evan SungFried Egg I’m In Love, Portland, Ore.
This now-iconic food truck keeps it simple — strong coffee, tasty mimosas and perfect breakfast sandwiches.
The Yolko Ono is among their most popular sandwiches — a thick piece of crusty bread with a homemade pork sausage patty, nutty basil pesto and a fried egg.
Almost everything is locally sourced and dishes come topped with their secret spicy “magic egg dust.”
Koko Head Café, Honolulu
Evan SungThe Hawaiian staple Koko Moco is given new life by Lee Anne Wong — a Culinary Institute of America grad who opened this breakfast-and-brunch-only spot in 2013. Here Koko Moco is intensely savory — a flavor-packed beef patty atop a delicately crunchy bed of rice sauced with rich, earthy mushroom gravy. The cherry on top comes in the form of a fried egg, which oozes its sunny yolk throughout the dish.
Prasino, St. Charles, Mo.
Evan SungPrasino means “green” in Greek — a mantra taken very seriously at this farm-to-table modern-American spot. Though open all day, Prasino’s best-bet breakfast is clearly the Pretzel Croissant French Toast — whose coveted balance of sweet and salty makes the dish so satisfying, Think decadent French toast with an airy, buttery croissant capped by simple (yet sublime) white chocolate and caramel sauces.
Jack Flaps, Cleveland
Evan SungNo campfire required for groovy Jack Flaps’ nostalgic take on breakfast classics. Their menu is a carb-lover’s paradise — pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and, yes, vanilla bean rice pudding. But it’s the Graham Cracker Waffles that shine above the rest. Accessorized with graham crackers, marshmallows and a Nutella-based sauce, the waffles are perfectly crisp thanks to a dash of corn starch in the batter.
Ann Sather, Chicago
The Bacon-Cheddar-Potato Pancakes at Ann Sather — a local Swedish icon — couldn’t be simpler. Combine the deeply satisfying flavors of a loaded baked potato with the crispy texture of a fried corn cake and you get morning nirvana. Set in the historic Lakeview District, Sather is also beloved for its indulgent cinnamon rolls.
Joule, Raleigh, NC
Evan SungThey say that the good things in life come in threes, but the mile-high BLT Deluxe from this casual all-day cafe proves otherwise. Overseen by the supremely talented Ashley Christensen, the sandwich heaves with butter lettuce, salty bacon, cool avocado and juicy tomato — all piled between two slices of crusty sourdough. Don’t forget Joule’s secret component: creamy malt aioli, which cranks up the volume on this brunch favorite.
Evan SungBlacksmith, Houston
Leave it to Texas to find a way to take a breakfast classic — biscuits with country ham and redeye gravy — to a whole new level (see left). The gravy, in particular, is a perfect pick-me-up no matter what you did last night. Layers of flavor make this gravy train a smooth ride of everyone’s taste buds.
Barbounia, New York
One of the best things about Shakshuka is its versatility, and Barbounia’s farmers market Shakshuka is no exception. It boasts a regal green color and tasty combination of spices to create almost soothing levels of heat in this light-filled Flatiron District eatery. Barbounia’s secret is understanding the foundation of building the sauce, whose tomato and pepper base works well with baked eggs to create a one-pot wonder you’ll never want to run out of.
Buena Vista Deli, Miami
Evan SungSet in the heart of the Miami Design District, this cozy deli knows how to do breakfast right. Case in point: their quiche lorraine. Much like the Design District itself, this delectable treat screams both elegance, with its homemade crust and a familiar simplicity with its fluffy comfy filling.


