Concord full breakfast?

[skylark938]

Is there a greasy spoon on main street near where all the shops are? I need something right in the center that is open by 7am and serves the whole nine yards. Thank you.

[bear]

Helen's would work. It used to be a Brighams and still has that feel. You could also try the Market St. (Main St.?) Cafe right in the center. Is opens early and serves breakfast.

[Harp00n]

Hi bear, haven't been to either of them nor the Club Car Cafe in W. Concord.
Any kind of ranking you could give strictly for a full American breaklfast?

TIA,
Harp

[bear]

Hey, Harp. Let me preface by saying that these are not places that I would travel to for breakfast, but all are serviceable if in the area.

Helen's is a solid, no-frills kind of place, and not too distant a cousin from Brigham's. The Main St. Cafe is cute, kind of quaint, and has decent omelets and baked goods if you're looking for sweets with your meal. I haven't been to the Club Car for a couple of years, so my info is not up to date. I heard that they renovated a bit. It used to be a place that only had table service on weekends, with counter service the rest of the time. Food was solid, generous portions and pretty standard, but nothing memorble. These all feel like quick options rather than places to kick back and linger over breakfast.

If I had to choose, it would probably depend on my mood, but I'd likely head to Main St. Cafe to get a pastry with breakfast.

I would avoid the Colonial Inn...especially the Saturday buffet. It's bee a long time, but it was really bad a few years ago. Stuff sitting on the steam table until it was inedible, etc.

[skylark938]

Hey Harp- Thought I'd chime in here. I went back to Helen's again this morning because of work. This place makes a great, basic American breakfast. The home fires are perfectly cooked red bliss potatoes w/onions and green peppers, and the sausages are some of the best I've had in a long time. Toast was hearty slices of wheat bread, a little thicker, and a lot higher quality and more flavorful than greasy spoon-type bread. A lot of attention to detail in purchasing and on the grill shines through. Service was great. My usual go-to places are Mike's and Charlie's in the South End, and Helen's was excellent. It is significantly better than Brigham's ever used to be. I would never drive to Helen's just for breakfast, but if you're traveling through Concord, it's a rock-solid recommendation. Thanks again Blumie. Bear, when is the last time you ate at Helen's?

[bear]

I have to admit it's been a while. We don't live too far away, and are always looking for a decent breakfast since we eat breakfast out once a week or so, so I guess it's time to head back. Thanks for the update.

[Harp00n]

Thanks to you both, Bear & skylark938, for your generous responses to my post. I'm generally looking for an All American style breakfast when I'm cutting cross-country getting to Rte.2 from Cochituate on the way to our cabin
in.Southern VT. It takes about 20-25 min. just to get to Rte.2 which makes me jealeous of Blumie's quick access from Lincoln.

We go to Nancy's Airfield Cafe in Stow a lot but that also adds additional time before the rubber meets the road. In short, or at least shorter, you've given me some other options to check-out along the way. BTW Bear,regarding the Colonial Inn, the only place you'll ever see me seated there in in their pub, which actually can be pretty decent.

Harp

[Blumie]

I hope for your sake that you don't have to end up at the Colonial Inn. Anyone know if Helen's serves breakfast?

Edited to add: According to TripAdvisor, Helen's may be exactly what you're looking for:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60...

[skylark938]

Thank you very much Blumie. I got your post at 6am this morning and was at Helen's by 7. You're right, it was exactly what I was looking for, and it was only a few doors down from my 8am meeting. Perfect suggestion.