


Mama’s inclusion of Spam hasn’t gone anywhere. That means the menu remains enormous and eclectic, with diner basics as well as breakfast burritos, croque madames, and intriguing farm-to-table specials that change every week. The sale should officially happen any day now, and the new owners don’t plan on making any significant changes soon. Fortunately, the notorious breakfast spot continues to thrive as it has since 1974. Last year, longtime owner George Marino announced his intention to sell Mama’s Royal Cafe. Bready brunch items like banana coconut pancakes and cinnamon-swirl French toast are lovely, but you also shouldn’t miss the simple currant scone paired with lemon curd.Ĩ11 San Pablo Ave., Albany, 51, The Albany brunch favorite opened in 1973 and feels like a true neighborhood staple, with its hormone-free chicken, organic tofu, and house-smoked bacon. Royal Cafe manages to balance kitsch with taste, showcasing all kinds of vintage memorabilia: a jukebox, a typewriter, ’60s Coca Cola ads, and even old kitchen appliances. Even without Lois, the place continues to churn out wonderful pecan waffles, fried chicken, and other Southern brunch favorites - all of which recently nabbed a shout-out on Action Bronson’s show Fuck, That’s Delicious. Lois the Pie Queen has since moved to North Oakland, and these days, her son Chris runs the show. Lois Davis started making pies for her church, which proved so popular that she opened up a brick-and-mortar in Berkeley. This institution’s story goes back to 1951.
FIRESIDE PIES BRUNCH PRO
Pro tip: The morning wait times are intense, but Ole’s serves breakfast all day.ġ507 Park St., Alameda, 51, /oleswaffleshop Now you can buy Ole’s coffee, Ole’s waffle mix, and even an Ole’s version of Dutch stroopwafels. The classic American diner menu has barely budged over the years, though the owners have gotten on the branding bandwagon recently. With its neon signage, brown leather booths, and old-fashioned friendliness, the downtown Alameda spot is most fun for offering a charming time warp all the way back to 1927. Ole’s doesn’t make the best waffles in the Bay Area, but people line up down the block for them every day anyway. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of our favorites, listed in chronological order. Perhaps it’s tied up in nostalgia or our American identity or whatever, but these restaurants have lasted for a good reason and remain as popular as ever.

There are a lot of brunch spots in the East Bay that have been around for decades. Or maybe it’s that we hate deciding between coffee and booze, and brunch is a prime excuse to order both at the same time. Maybe it’s the long lines, a testament to our persevering spirit. Maybe it’s the enormous portions: the pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns piled onto one plate. Chris Davis took over Lois the Pie Queen from his legendary mother.īrunch is one of those meals that feels obscenely American.
