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In an effort to make mom proud, Chow Bella’s taking a good, hard look at the most important meal of the day in the form of Scrambled, a weekly review of local breakfast spots.
Fast-food is never the answer — not even when you’re running late. No matter how many times we press snooze, we always try to find time for a nutritious start to the day. Here’s our guide to getting a quick breakfast without missing out on taste
What are our favorite speedy breakfast spots? Find out after the jump.
5. El Norteno
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Notice the lack of “bertos” anywhere in the name — take it as a good thing. El Norteno is a small burrito shack with some major bite. The food here is good quality, cheap and fast. For a more mobile breakfast, try a bacon, egg, and cheese burrito for only $3.45. If you have enough time take a seat, enjoy the Huevos Rancheros or Chilaquiles with egg (both $5.25,) while nestling up in the no-frills patio with the charm of a high school cafeteria. It’s not the healthiest option, but you will be sure to get your appetite’s worth.
Hours: Monday through Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m to 8 p.m. Where: 1002 North 7th Avenue.
4. Brosenbrus
If you can make it through the mob of ASU students, then Brosenbrus is your place for a quick, healthy breakfast. The hip, urban joint uses fresh ingredients and healthy recipes offering a nutritious alternative to the typical greasy, morning fare. At $5.50 the wholesome Early Bird includes turkey, egg, mayo, melted provolone, and spinach on toasted wheat bread. Or for something a bit more unique, The Greek is a nutritious breakfast burrito consisting of gyro meat, feta, onions and tomatoes. Wash it down with freshly brewed Cartel coffee.
Hours: Monday thru Friday: 7 a.m to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. Where: 922 East Apache Boulevard in Tempe.
This Tempe spot offers almost two dozen “flavors” of bagels along with ten different homemade flavors of cream cheese. Do the math — that’s a lot of bagely-goodness options. The standard walk-up, build-your-bagel assembly line ensures this will be a quick stop. Our favorite bagel combinations are the banana walnut with plain cream cheese or the jalapeno bagel topped with cheddar cream cheese. For the extra-hungry, the Breakfast Egg Western offers a satisfying stack of ham, green bell peppers, red onions and cheddar on your choice of bagel. All breakfast sandwiches are under five bucks.
Hours: Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday through Sunday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: 1628 East Southern Avenue Suite 2 in Tempe.
There is nothing wrong with dessert for breakfast — once in a while. That is why God created donuts. Rainbow Donuts makes their donuts from scratch every single day, and boy are they delicious. Open by 4 a.m., the 7th Street location is the best bet for extra-early risers. However if you wait until 6 a.m., the Deer Valley location offers a full menu including breakfast sandwiches and pastries. For $3.99, try the Rainbow Deluxe: ham, bacon, sausage, fried egg, and Swiss cheese on a buttery croissant. Top it off with a frosted and sprinkled donut for only 89 cents.
Hours at the Dunlap location: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily; Hours at the Deer Valley location: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Where: 8714 North 7th Street and 2040 West Deer Valley Road.
1. Buzzberry
Not everyone wants a 10-pound breakfast, and that’s why we love Buzzberry. The drive-through coffee and smoothie shop offers fresh smoothies made from 100% crushed fruit. Try the tangerine/peach smoothie with a cup of oatmeal for a vitamin-packed morning. For a quick stop spot, the coffee is a smooth and flavorful and the breakfast menu offers a variety of sandwiches and wraps.
Hours: Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: 6 a.m to 6 p.m. Where: 5959 N Granite Reef Road in Scottsdale.
