BEST BREAKFAST

Charlie Parker’s Diner

700 North Street, 241-2104 With Charlie Parker’s receiving both local and national accolades, area residents and visitors alike often pack the quonset-style structure to consume the best breakfast in town. Even Mitt Romney made a visit. Not only are diners treated to delicious meals to start their day, the prices keep them coming back for more. One voter says Charlie Parker’s is “the greatest post-10-mile-run place ever.” Another writes, “it’s one of the only places in town that you can walk into at 5 a.m., covered in paint, and order a waffle as big as your head with bacon in it.” During our recent visit, we decided to deviate from our normal bacon and eggs and ordered French toast stuffed with strawberries and the St. Louis Supreme omelet – choice of meat with onion, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, cheese and (get this) barbecue sauce. The French toast was delicious. We were a bit apprehensive about the omelet. After all, barbecue sauce is not usually a morning condiment. Surprisingly, the sauce ended up adding a bit of pizzazz to what would have been an otherwise traditional dish. Each visit we hope to be able to witness a brave soul willing to take on the diner’s pancake challenge, which entails consuming four 16-inch pancakes. (For those who are struggling to envision the challenge, imagine a pancake about the size of a steering wheel.) The victorious ones have their meal paid for.

Runner-up: D & J Cafe