Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it needs to hit just right. Although most people just fly right through it, there's nothing better than a nice big breakfast when you're out with family, catching up with old friends, or want to take things a little easy. Grand Forks, North Dakota, does everything grand, including breakfast. Read on to see our list of the four best local breakfast spots in Grand Forks and to see if your favorite made the list.
The North Side Cafe
When you visit North Side Cafe and Family Restaurant in Grand Forks, make sure you go with a healthy appetite. It is a humble-looking establishment that lets you know their focus is on the true homestyle food they offer. Walk in and it's like you're stepping into your aunt's home after being gone for so long. The folks are very welcoming, and you feel a genuine connection right away. Once you sit down, the enticing aromas of Saturday morning breakfast hits you. Bacon sizzling, eggs frying, and bread toasting take you back to mom's kitchen and suddenly, you're 8 years old.
Because the North Side Cafe is known so well for its bountiful breakfasts, you'll have your choice of tasty options. They have daily breakfast specials you can select from, including options like two eggs and toast, or a bowl of oatmeal. You'll typically choose these on a day when you have lots of errands to run and not lots of time. For those other relaxed days, there's everything from skillet pancakes to rib-eye and eggs. If you're really hungry, get the Northside Skillet, which is a breakfast platter of homemade hash browns topped with sausage, bacon, ham, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, co-jack cheese with two eggs cooked any way you like on top. It comes with your choice of potato and toast or pancakes. We definitely suggest you get those skillet pancakes.
One item you can't leave without trying is their stuffed hash browns. You have two options, and each is a meal on its own. The Country Stuffed Hash Browns begins with layers of crispy hash browns fried to perfection with country-fried steak, country gravy, two scrambled eggs, co-jack cheese, and another layer of hash browns on top. It's served alongside your choice of pancakes or toast. The Southern Stuffed Hash Browns have a healthy serving of hash browns and a baking powder biscuit smothered in country gravy, topped with co-jack cheese, two scrambled eggs, and covered with a blanket of more crunchy hash browns. A side of pancakes completes your meal.
They also serve lunch and dinner, so your breakfast can overlap with other meals. It is a small restaurant, but they always find room for patrons to sit comfortably. If you like to have breakfast in peace at home, consider ordering their family-style breakfast available on Sundays. You'll have a comfortable breakfast at home without the hot kitchen and dirty dishes.
Darcy's Cafe
Darcy's Cafe brags that they have the best breakfast in Grand Forks, and they are definitely in the top four! The website claims their food is "better than your grandma's, as good as your mom's." And with a kitchen that serves breakfast all day long, you'll feel right at home. They offer anything from sweet dishes like cinnamon roll pancakes to salty and savory piggy burgers. For a mix of scrumptious flavors, try Dave's Special. You can choose either hash browns or American fries topped with bacon, sausage, ham, onions, green peppers, cheddar cheese, and two eggs cooked any style. Toast or pancakes come as a side, but with their healthy serving sizes, you'll likely need a to-go box. If you're feeling for something more classic, try the biscuits and gravy. They serve you a jumbo biscuit smothered in country gravy, two eggs, and your choice of hash browns or American fries.
For a lighter alternative, try an omelet. The Veggie has freshly chopped green peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and cheddar nestled within the egg. Darcy's Cafe welcomes dine-in customers, or you can call ahead to place an order. Make sure you try a slice of their homemade pie with your meal. You'll be glad you did!
French Taste
To grab some breakfast and cure your sweet tooth, head over to French Taste for some French country food done right! The owner, Warren, hails from Paris and is on a mission to share all that is French with Grand Forks. He's using food as a gateway to teach others about the kind people and culture. There's a food truck that pops up throughout town periodically, or you can go right in at the Ferguson Bookstore and order a crepe or two. From sweet to savory, you can choose what you want to chow on as you drink a nice warm cup of French Taste Espresso or a cafe Americano.
Bully Brew Coffee
Sometimes there's no time for a sit-down meal. If you're on the run and need an energy fix, head over to Bully Brew Coffee. As the official coffee of the North Dakota Athletics, you can trust that Bully Brew will give you the caffeine fix you need to get over the afternoon slump. They offer freshly roasted coffee beans and even have K-cups, so you can brew some energy at home. They support local and have some quick menu bites you can grab along with your coffee. A quick bagel or a turkey sandwich will help keep you going throughout the day.
For days when you don't have to rush through your morning, and even for those that you do, stop by the North Side Cafe and Family Restaurant, drop in on Darcy's, eat like the French, or perk up at Bully Brew Coffee. These local establishments help put the "grand" in Grand Forks and are something to be proud of.
Whether you were born and raised here, just moved, or are visiting, these breakfast or brunch experiences will make memories and full bellies. After breakfast, come visit Rydell Auto Group at one of our two locations on South Washington Street. We have a similarly friendly atmosphere and offer an easy, no-haggle car buying experience. Even if you're not in the market for a new automobile now, come by and let us know what you thought about our list of breakfast spots in Grand Forks. Did we miss your favorite? Contact us and we'll be happy to add it to our list.
