Getting a Jump on the Day with Breakfast’s Best

Let’s face it, we all know that mornings can be brutal, especially if you’re waking up before the sun. So why not make it a little easier knowing that you have some temptingly delicious breakfast options awaiting you?

Breakfast is the one meal that many ignore, and yet it remains key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Even I admit to skipping a hearty breakfast from time to time due to a hectic schedule. So what is a busy person to do?

Well, guess what, foodies? We’re in luck. There are many “Ono, You Know” establishments that offer up some incredible selections when it comes to that most important meal of the day — leaving us with no excuses for not having breakfast.

So, rise and shine! Go ahead and rub that last bit of sleep from your eyes and read on because it’s bound to be a great day!

Wailana Coffee House

Breakfast lovers rejoice! The Waikiki landmark known as Wailana Coffee House is open at all hours of the day and night, serving up just what you need when that pang of hunger hits at 2 a.m. And, it’s been satisfying customers since 1969.

Like music to my ears, I just couldn’t resist feasting on the Irish Breakfast ($11.15), or what general manager Kenton Tom calls the most filling breakfast of the bunch. The Irish Breakfast features a three-egg omelet filled to the max with corned beef hash topped with Cheddar cheese, complete with a butter-grilled fresh pineapple spear, hash brown potatoes, toast, coffee and your choice of juice. Really, is there any better way to start your day?

“I would say we probably sell more omelettes because it’s your complete breakfast from start to finish,” Tom says. “You really can’t beat it.”

And if you’re wide awake at 3 a.m. — or noon, for that matter — and can’t control your sweet tooth, opt for the mouth-watering Belgian Waffle with my favorite strawberries and whipped cream topping. For only $8, it’s delish! Even more, you get your pick of a variety of syrups, including maple, coconut and boysenberry.

“Customers can also change up the waffle if they want,” Tom says. “In place of strawberries, we also have a peach topping, but they must ask for it specifically.”

When I want to treat myself to a sinful indulgence, it’s the Belgian Waffle with ice cream and hot fudge ($8.95) that warms both my tummy and my soul.

Kit n Kitchen

Early risers are in for a treat, as Kit Yiu and his wife, May, recently began serving up a New England-style breakfast at their University Avenue eatery. With a wide selection of options to choose from, breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday through Monday.

“Our breakfast menu has been doing great,” says May. “Our portions are generous and the ingredients are fresh.”

Now, I’ve always been a fan of Kit’s Eurasian cuisine, and as a breakfast lover on top of that, it really can’t get much better than this! But oh, it does. Think Huevos Rancheros, Frittata, and Strawberries crepes — just a few of many items that help guarantee that I start my day off with a smile.

The Huevos Rancheros ($9.50) features lightly grilled tortillas topped with two fried eggs and your choice of grilled chicken or Portuguese sausage with baked beans, olives and roasted potatoes topped off with guacamole, sour cream and chunky tomato sauce.

Now, for my personal favorite, the Frittata ($9.95), served in a cast-iron pan, is a rich and creamy dish, baked with garden-fresh zucchini, green peppers, onion, cheese and your choice of bacon, chicken, Portuguese sausage or ham in a bed of eggs and tomato sauce. Trust me, this hearty meal is just what you need to get your day off to a perfect start.

Finally, wake yourself from the sweetest of dreams with the Strawberries Crepes ($6.95), a sweeter choice in which the French-style pancakes are topped with fresh strawberries, lightly sweetened strawberry jam, whipped cream and cream cheese.

“The crepes are refreshing and light,” May says. “We also have Banana Crepes ($6.95), with fresh banana paired with lightly sweetened chocolate syrup and whipped cream, as well as the Fresh Mixed Fruit Crepes ($7.95) with seasonal mixed fruit with a light touch of whipped cream.”

Zippy’s Restaurants

Next stop Zippy’s, especially after rolling out of bed first thing in the morning. As a kamaaina favorite, Zippy’s ono breakfast options are the way to go.

For starters, the Zippy’s Omelette is your perfect omelet, complete with a mix of customer’s favorites, like generous amounts of Cheddar cheese, ham, Portuguese sausage, chopped onions, bell peppers, celery and tomato. Created in the late 1960s, this local favorite is available at the restaurant for $7.70.

Yet, I personally cannot get enough of corned beef hash, so little thinking is required in the early morning hours — it’s a quick and easy choice — everything points to Zippy’s Corned Beef Hash and Eggs ($6.65, restaurant). Made from the restaurant’s personal recipe, the pairing of its delicious, homemade corned beef hash with two island fresh eggs is a match made in heaven.

Finally, the Hot Cake Sandwich ($7.25, restaurant) is a tough one to beat. Consisting of two fluffy hot cakes with an island fresh egg and your choice of ham, bacon, Spam, homemade corned beef hash, Portuguese or link sausage, it’s a delightful array of all your breakfast favorites at an affordable price.

So, the next time you hit up Zippy’s, know that you’ll be in for some ono grinds!