It’s no secret that Southern chefs love Waffle House whether it’s the break of dawn or midnight—and they’ve got expert advice for the ultimate order advice to prove it. But when it comes to the ultimate breakfast, there’s something to be said for a local joint in the community. The breakfast hours might be more limited, but the memories—and flavors—are not.
We talked to three chefs based in Kentucky, Alabama, and Texas about their favorite Southern breakfast spots, and they all had a sweet, sentimental connection to one that you might not have heard of otherwise.
Country Foodly
Gainesville, FL
“I remember the first time I stepped foot into the tiny hole-in-the-wall on the outskirts of town in an old strip mall. You walk into a pretty typical country diner, but the secret is in the menu. The family who runs the diner is from Korea and offers some Korean-inspired dishes. My go-to every time is the bulgogi omelette with Swiss cheese, rice kimchi, and home fries.
A true love letter to their heritage, and working in diners as their first jobs when they came to America. They also serve very traditional American fare, but the Korean fusion breakfasts are my favorite.” – Noam Bilitzer, MeeshMeesh, Louisville, KY
Fife’s Restaurant
Birmingham, AL
In 2022, Chanah Willis opened Last Call Baking Co., serving traditional French pastries and butter croissants. Just around the corner is Fife’s, a classic diner and eatery that opened in 1959 and has been a Birmingham staple ever since. For Willis, who is a 2024 James Beard semi-finalist, it doesn’t get better than Fife’s for a Monday morning diner breakfast…