breakfast joints

After the recent closure of the Epicure, the state of Kingston's breakfast scene is a little bit depressing. There are, however, still a few great places where you can fill up on grease without spending too much of your hard earned beer money.

Denny’s: There are two Denny’s in Kingston, one near the 401 and another on Gardiners road. Either one has the same food, but what we’ve found is that the Denny’s on Gardiners is the best to visit late at night when you’re drunk (and you have a sober designated driver, of course) the service is great. In the morning, go to the 401 location- it’s big and bright, and the staff is friendly. There is truly no better food for the hungover than greasy hashbrowns. When your stomach stops trembling, you’ll be golden.

Morrisons: For no nonsense diner fare at rock bottom prices then Morrison's Restaurant on Kingston Street has got you covered. The decor is lacklucker and they make no bones about serving up your grease with a side of attitude, but on a cold winter day their eggs, ham, pancake, and french toast meal always hits the spot.

Pan Chancho: Pan Chancho is technically a bakery, but in the back they have a nice cafe that serves food and devastatingly great coffee. Their lattes are cheap and enourmous, they also come with a little biscotti on the side. I can't think of a better place to go for an early cup of java, on a rainy spring morning. On the weekends it can be quite busy, but if you are willing to brave the crowds it's well worth it for the three egg torta.

The Right Spot: This spot is also darn cheap. How cheap? Well, it’s impossible to find an item on the breakfast menu for over $3, and they don’t scrimp on the portions. They do charge you extra if you want home-fries with your breakfast, but we suggest you splurge.

Sleepless Goat: Located at 91 Princess Street, the Sleepless Goat, or just 'the goat' as regulars call it, is a workers cooperative coffee house serving up not only affordable fair trade coffees but also desserts and vegan fare. They have some tremendously great breakfasts, the portions are huge and the prices are decent.

The Toucan & Kirkpatricks: Breakfasts on weekends here are fantastically cheap – including tip, 5 bucks should get you coffee, toast, eggs beans and fries. There are few better ways to cure a hangover. With the recent closure of the Epicure, this now reigns supreme as the ultimate bastion of breakfastness.

Windmills: Windmills Cafe on Princess is one of the classic and classier places for breakfast, and they are known for serving up the best weekend brunch in town. They have incredible pancakes and french toast and it's a great place to beg the parental units to take you when they are in town.

Coffey's Cafe: Coffey's Cafe is the kind of place you have walked by a million times and have never gone in. It looks kind of sterile and foreboding from the outside. Upon further inspection it's not all that bad, but it's not all that good either. Their big breakfast is kind of paltry and the Western Sandwich is just plain gross. That said, they do have some decent sandwiches on the menu and the location can't be beat.

Serves You Right: They serve cheap all day breakfast, offer reasonable lunch specials, they cater, they deliver, and more importantly they really do Serve You Right. The service is friendly and prompt, and it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable sitting, munching, and reading the paper for hours.

Above: Morrisn's on King Street is a long standing Kingston staple.

Above: The Toucan is by far one of my favourite breakfasts joints in town. Where else can you get beans for breakfast? You really can't go wrong with a little fibre in the morning.

Above: The breakfast at Morrison's.