Athens is home to many different locally owned restaurants that serve a variety of meals for locals and Ohio University students to enjoy. From a hefty, filling breakfast to a light meal with a cup of coffee, there are many options for a “Sunday scaries” pick-me-up. Some OU students shared their favorite places to enjoy breakfast in Athens.
Stephan Dyar, a freshman studying pre-medicine, said his favorite breakfast location in Athens is Union Street Diner, located at 70 W Union St.
“I’ve been (to Union Street Diner) a couple of times,” Dyar said. “It’s good (and has) good food.”
Dyar’s favorite meal to get at USD is a plate of eggs and bacon, which is served all day at the diner.
On the menu at USD, customers can select an egg breakfast with either one, two or three eggs served with hashbrowns and a choice of toast varying from $6.60 to $8.25 for the plate. Customers, like Dyar, can add meat to their meals with either bacon, ham or sausage to make a filling plate for an additional upcharge.
USD has a large breakfast menu for everyone to enjoy. The restaurant serves a range of omelets varying from $11.75 to $13.75, pancakes from $9 to $10, French toast from $9 to $10, breakfast sandwiches from $4.85 to $7.35 and breakfast specialty plates ranging in price. The diner is a welcoming location in Athens for a Sunday snack after a long weekend or for a filling breakfast before an exam.
Elise Wagner, a junior studying biology pre-med, said Casa Nueva is her favorite breakfast location.
“Casa has very good breakfast burritos,” Wagner said. “I'd say that they have a pretty wide variety. They have vegan options too. They have vegetarian options. I know they serve their breakfast burritos because I'm a kind of a fanatic of that.”
Casa Nueva, located at 6 W. State St., has a variety of breakfast meals on its menu. The menu includes items like seasonal scramblers, French toast, huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches.
For Wagner’s breakfast burrito meal, the plate would cost $14.50 but customers can add bacon, chorizo, tofu bacon or soysage for $4. The burrito comes with scrambled eggs or peanut soy tofu, Monterey Jack, onions, bell peppers and refried beans baked in a housemade flour tortilla with a choice of salsa.
The choices of salsa at Casa are mild, medium, hot, barbecue, black bean, verde, ranchera and a seasonal strawbanero. The plates served during breakfast at Casa are large portions and are filling meals.
“I would say Casa is more for a big, hefty breakfast,” Wagner said. “If you want something light and easy, I would maybe go to Brenen's or Donkey just for a pastry.”
Brenen’s Cafe, located at 38 S. Court St., serves pastries that are made in-house (minus turnovers) and breakfast sandwiches. Breakfast sandwiches can made on the customer’s choice of bagels, English muffins, croissants, tortillas or toast.
Donkey Coffee and Espresso, located at 17 W. Washington St., serves a range of coffee and tea in a comforting atmosphere for customers to enjoy their morning caffeine fix.
John Hill, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, said Miller’s Chicken is one of his favorite restaurants in Athens. Miller’s Chicken does serve breakfast, but to Hill, it is a great lunch location.
“(Miller’s Chicken) has hot wings and they have shrimp,” Hill said.
Miller’s Chicken, located at 235 W. State St., is considered a local mainstay that serves fried chicken and seafood with classic sides.
The menu is chicken and seafood-heavy but has breakfast served between 7-10 a.m. and is a small menu. Miller’s Chicken serves bacon, ham or sausage served on either a biscuit, English muffin or toast. Meat only is $3.25, but customers can add egg or cheese to their sandwiches for a small increase in price. The restaurant also serves hashbrowns for 99¢.
Other locations in Athens for breakfast goers are Hangover Easy, Fluff Bakery, Bagel Street Deli, IHOP and Bob Evans. Whether one prefers a hearty omelet, a cup of coffee or a stack of pancakes, there are many locations to best fit one’s morning routine for the perfect breakfast.
