Whether you're the eggs and bacon type, team pancakes or team waffles, an early riser or a breakfast-for-dinner kind of person, you're sure to find your cup of tea (or orange juice, apple juice or coffee) here in Wisconsin.
Check out a few of our favorite breakfast stops:
Mickie's Dairy Bar, Madison
There are two major reasons Mickie's Dairy Bar has been one of the most iconic stops in Madison since 1946: Its breakfasts and its mom-and-pop diner feel. If you're going on a Saturday, though, plan to wait in line - the loaded Scrambler has crowds lined up around the block, and it is well worth the wait.
Delta Diner, Delta
Another diner with an old-school feel, this Northwoods gem serves up the American roadside diner experience, complete with classic breakfast options, such as French toast, two eggs with bacon and toast, a New York breakfast sandwich and Norwegian Cakes. You'll feel like you're starring in Grease.
Frank's Diner, Kenosha
Frank's has been voted the Best Diner in Kenosha County for seven straight years, and it's the home of gigantic buttermilk pancakes, fluffy omelets, Garbage Plates (known elsewhere as scramblers or skillets) and breakfast specials every weekend.
The Wooden Chair, Stevens Point
The Wooden Chair was a regular stop for me during my college days. Its assortment of cute, eclectic wooden chairs and, more importantly, its famous breakfasts, make it a local favorite. Choices like the huevos rancheros omelet, corned beef omelet, Greek omelet, banana walnut pancakes and Belgian waffles make The Wooden Chair a must.
Short Stack Eatery, Madison
With a motto like "All breakfast. All the time," it's safe to assume their breakfast is pretty darn good. Choose something sweet, like a chocolate chip stack, sweet potato oatmeal pancakes and pecan streusel French toast, or go the savory route with Cajun biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash or pulled pork with cheesy grits.
South Fork Cafe, River Falls
This local favorite, housed in a historic downtown building, features both classic and one-of-a-kind breakfast dishes, such as sirloin steak and eggs, breakfast pizza, eggs benedict, the cinnamon roll French toast and the Hawaiian omelet.
Norske Nook, Osseo, DeForest, Rice Lake, Hayward
Their pies are incredible, but we're here to talk about breakfast. They channel traditional Norwegian cooking and tie in modern American favorites to create things like the Lefse Wrap (classic breakfast fixings wrapped inside the Norwegian potato pancake and drizzled in hollandaise sauce). It is to die for.
Wherever you find yourself in your Wisconsin travels, you're surely not far from a delicious breakfast. What are some of your favorite early-morning stops? Share with us on social media using #discoverwisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
Check out a few of our favorite breakfast stops:
Mickie's Dairy Bar, Madison
There are two major reasons Mickie's Dairy Bar has been one of the most iconic stops in Madison since 1946: Its breakfasts and its mom-and-pop diner feel. If you're going on a Saturday, though, plan to wait in line - the loaded Scrambler has crowds lined up around the block, and it is well worth the wait.
Delta Diner, Delta
Another diner with an old-school feel, this Northwoods gem serves up the American roadside diner experience, complete with classic breakfast options, such as French toast, two eggs with bacon and toast, a New York breakfast sandwich and Norwegian Cakes. You'll feel like you're starring in Grease.
Frank's Diner, Kenosha
Frank's has been voted the Best Diner in Kenosha County for seven straight years, and it's the home of gigantic buttermilk pancakes, fluffy omelets, Garbage Plates (known elsewhere as scramblers or skillets) and breakfast specials every weekend.
The Wooden Chair, Stevens Point
The Wooden Chair was a regular stop for me during my college days. Its assortment of cute, eclectic wooden chairs and, more importantly, its famous breakfasts, make it a local favorite. Choices like the huevos rancheros omelet, corned beef omelet, Greek omelet, banana walnut pancakes and Belgian waffles make The Wooden Chair a must.
Short Stack Eatery, Madison
With a motto like "All breakfast. All the time," it's safe to assume their breakfast is pretty darn good. Choose something sweet, like a chocolate chip stack, sweet potato oatmeal pancakes and pecan streusel French toast, or go the savory route with Cajun biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash or pulled pork with cheesy grits.
South Fork Cafe, River Falls
This local favorite, housed in a historic downtown building, features both classic and one-of-a-kind breakfast dishes, such as sirloin steak and eggs, breakfast pizza, eggs benedict, the cinnamon roll French toast and the Hawaiian omelet.
Norske Nook, Osseo, DeForest, Rice Lake, Hayward
Their pies are incredible, but we're here to talk about breakfast. They channel traditional Norwegian cooking and tie in modern American favorites to create things like the Lefse Wrap (classic breakfast fixings wrapped inside the Norwegian potato pancake and drizzled in hollandaise sauce). It is to die for.
Wherever you find yourself in your Wisconsin travels, you're surely not far from a delicious breakfast. What are some of your favorite early-morning stops? Share with us on social media using #discoverwisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.