Three Scrumptious Breakfast Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio

Tried &and true breakfast joints like Bob Evans and Denny's have their merits, one perk being that a diner has a good idea what to expect no matter which city they happen to be in when they pay a visit to one of these classic establishments. However, when one is in the mood for a more distinctive breakfast dining experience, a better fit might be an independent eatery that is unique to a particular city. Columbus Ohio is a city that offers several such extra-special, one-of-a-kind breakfast restaurant delights for the discerning diner. Here are three of my favorites.

--Jack & Benny's-A family owned, independent, diner-style restaurant, Jack & Benny's is good, greasy, old-fashioned fun. In addition to booth seating, individual stools are planted at the counter, in plain view of the house cooks who swiftly prepare your sizzling hot and hearty breakfast fare. This breakfast joint has a hustling & bustling vibe and is popular with both the college crowd and older regulars; arrive bright & early if you don't want to wait on seating. The wait staff is friendly, accommodating, and skilled at working in the midst of fast-paced hubbub. The breakfast menu is pretty extensive, offering plenty of old-school standards, some new twists, and a few specialties. If you're counting your calories, you might want to avoid such specialties as the Jack Buster, which is a hot mess of hash browns, eggs cooked any way, bacon, and ham, all layered into a mound and liberally ladled with white gravy. For those in the mood to indulge in an occasional gut-busting, greasy spoon style breakfast, options like the Jack Buster don't scrimp on portion size or yummy taste. More standard menu items include a variety of omelets and pancakes, sundry sides from home fries to corned beef hash, and much more. Several dishes also offer a touch of Mexican flavor from chorizo sausage as an omelet ingredient to the Huevos Rancheros. Basically, if you're having a hankering for a one-of-a-kind greasy spoon style platter of hearty breakfast goodness and don't mind some brouhaha on the side, the Jack & Benny's experience is a good bet for you.

Jack & Benny's is located in the North Campus area, at 2563 North High Street, Columbus Ohio. Open for breakfast and lunch only, hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 AM-3PM and Saturday and Sunday 8 AM-3 PM. General price range is $3.00-$7.00.

--Katzinger's Delicatessen-The menu items at this distinctively delicious deli tend to be a bit more on the pricey side (at least for my lean budget), so scoring breakfast here is a rare treat for me, but what a scrumptious treat it is. When my husband & I opt for a Katzinger's breakfast, we usually pick up carryout and we can't seem to get enough of the niftily named 'Here's Jeanne Again', which consists of a bagel flavor of one's choice absolutely heaped with cream cheese, fresh smoked salmon, thick slices of fresh tomato, and sweet red onion. I prefer a salt bagel or a garlic bagel as the base for this taste sensation. At $9.50 per (or you can get a special price of $8.50 before 10:30 A.M. Monday-Saturday and all the way up until 2:00 P.M. Sunday), this special breakfast treat is not exactly cheap, but it is pretty spectacular tasting, as well as quite filling. If you're not totally ravenous and a light or moderate breakfast would suit you just fine, then you could certainly split one of these yummy babies with a partner or friend. They also offer a variation called Twin's Peekin', made with smoked whitefish. Some of Katzinger's other breakfast delights include specialty versions of egg salad, BLTs, and blintzes-and for those with a breakfast sweet tooth, their Sticky Buns are to die for!

Katzinger's Deli is located in between downtown Columbus and the German Village neighborhood, at 475 South Third Street. Open 8:30 AM -8:30 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM-8:30 PM Saturday and Sunday. General price range is $5.00-$12.00.

--Tommy's Diner-A retro-style diner in downtown Columbus, Ohio, this breakfast restaurant has the black & white checkerboard tile floor, the glittery red vinyl booths, and an entire roster of delectable breakfast faves from old standby platters to specialty dishes, such as Greek flair added to omelets. For the most part, this restaurant serves up traditional diner favorites at reasonable prices in a busy but fun atmosphere. Pancakes, waffles, steak & eggs, and much more-plus breakfast is served all day, catering to both the early birds and the sleeper inners.

Tommy's Diner is located in downtown Columbus at 914 West Broad Street. Open 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 7:00AM to 2:00 PM Sunday. General price range is $3.00-$7.00.

Happy Breakfast eating and bring me a sticky bun, pretty please!