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
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.
