Jeremy Malanka is a simple man in search of breakfast foods
LIKE Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, I am a simple man – I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast foods. While it would seem these two things would also go hand in hand, breakfast in West Chester is not always that simple – it can be decadent and luxurious.
Nudy’s Cafe, located on the corner of Market and New, is a haven for pancakes and French toast. My favorite is the Melba, a double stack of French toast with a creamy raspberry sauce, fresh fruit and whipped cream. It seems like more of a desert, but one bite will have you returning every day for your breakfast fix. There are multiple other combinations of fruit and pancakes, but one for this season is the pumpkin spice pancakes sprinkled with cinnamon.
A hop, skip and a jump down Market Street is Market Street Grill. The head chef is a woman after my own heart, because Darla’s breakfast is one of my favorite things about West Chester. Her Eggs Benedict stand out, particularly the cornbread and avocado Benedict, and the Donny Benny. The Donny is named after High Street Caffé owner Donny Syracuse, and it consists of a classic Benedict of poached eggs and ham over an English muffin, smothered in cream chipped beef – truly a breakfast of champions. My favorite is the grilled cheese benny: grilled cheese with tomato and bacon topped with poached eggs and hollandaise. I’ll stop in at Market Street once a week to enjoy this, all washed down with West Chester’s own Lamont Café Blend coffee.
Penns’s Table is located in the heart of the downtown of West Chester. It’s a classic spot that is always loud and busy. It has all the breakfast classics from pancakes to homefries, Benedicts to French toast. However, at this spot it’s not the food, but the atmosphere that I love. When you walk in you can feel history exuding from the walls. There are photos of local and national celebrities, as well as locals like you and me that have visited the breakfast spot and made it what it is today. With outdoor seating, this is the place to start your day in the downtown when the sun is out.
Every town needs a bagel spot, and West Chester’s is Country Bagel. They offer over a dozen types of bagels as well as fantastic cream cheese blends. I love the jalapeño cheddar bagel with a chive spread. If you’re in a hurry their breakfast sandwiches are great and quick, but get there early, because this place is popular and the line can reach the front door. The staff is welcoming and accommodating and deal with crowds efficiently.
If Ron Swanson made a visit to our town, I believe he would appreciate it like you and I do. There’s a breakfast for the simple man with a thing for brunettes, and a dish or two for the blonde in need of something extravagant.
