Breakfast is as important to me as lunch or dinner. When prepared well, it can be your most memorable eating experience of the day. Breakfast is also one of the easiest of meals to prepare. All that it requires is quality ingredients simply prepared. With that said it is rare to find a restaurant that serves a great breakfast. The following restaurants serve the best breakfasts in Rochester. Of course, this list and these reviews only represent the restaurants at which I have dined. There may be others that are equal or better than the one's I have described. If you have a favorite breakfast restaurant, please share your recommendation at InfoRochester's online restaurant discussion: Rochester, NY restaurant review egroup.
I will be the first to admit that the Atlantic Family Restaurant doesn't have much curb appeal. From the road it looks a little shabby and dated. Had there not been so many cars in the parking lot, I might not have noticed or paid much attention to this Webster, NY restaurant.
Inside, it is homey, but you probably won't have time to notice. A hostess or waitress will greet you shortly after you close the door behind you and whisk you to your booth or table. Before you have a chance to settle in a waitress will ask you if you want coffee. I don't drink caffeinated coffee, but I can appreciate the needs of those who need caffeine first thing in the morning. This super alert ready-to-serve service is consistent and appreciated.
If you have out of town visitors, take them to the Atlantic Family Restaurant if for no other reason than to show them the menu. Your New York City guests will be shocked that they can order a whole breakfast for the cost of a bagel or a cup of coffee in the Big Apple.
My standard restaurant breakfast (don't tell my doctor about this) is two eggs scrambled, home fries, sausage, wheat toast, and decaf coffee. The Atlantic Family Restaurant prepares these items almost flawlessly. The eggs are fluffy, not too runny and not too browned. They taste like eggs and not like yesterday's oil. The home fries are a true test of a breakfast restaurant and here they are cooked just right. The potatoes are never raw tasting, burnt, or mushy. I don't like their link sausages because they are not the sage seasoned links that I grew up eating, but I can easily see why others would enjoy them. They are large plump and meaty. Instead, I order bacon which is of good quality and cooked just right. The bacon is never brittle and never tastes like it was cooked in a deep fryer. The toast is standard restaurant toast, no worse and no better. The coffee, is good; great when you consider the price and unlimited refills.
My wife likes restaurant hotcakes and the Atlantic Family Restaurant serves what she describes as some of the best in Rochester. They nearly cover the plate and are about a quarter inch thick and always a golden brown. The maple syrup is even good.
When you look around at the clientele you will see workmen, retired couples, business people, and families. This is, indeed, a family restaurant.
When you are finished eating, your plates will be promptly removed and replaced with your check. Unless you are a cynic, you will feel grateful that you have received so much for so little and double the usual 15% tip.
When you pay your check, expect to have an unusually familiar conversation with the hostess/cashier. You may be asked about your plans for the day, the weather, or something else. Just like when you arrived, you will be treated as a regular customer who deserves respect and courtesy. I've often thought that I would go back to the Atlantic Family Restaurant just for the hospitality even if there breakfasts were one of the best in Rochester.
Do you have a comment about Waldron's Restaurant or any other Rochester or Upstate, NY area restaurant? If you do, post it at: Rochester, NY restaurant review egroup.
