By Mariah Bennett | Staff Writer
Nutritionally, the perfect breakfast is a whole egg omelet with avocado and spinach, says registered holistic nutritionist Peggy Kostopoulos. However, the “perfect breakfast” for students, specifically in a Waco restaurant, can be a bit more complex; it includes not only taste but also atmosphere.
Willis sophomore Ali McNew said the perfect breakfast has to have both sweet and savory aspects. Locally, she has visited places like World Cup Cafe and Fair Trade Market, Our Breakfast Place, Cafe Cappuccino and Magnolia Table.
McNew said her favorite item at Magnolia Table was Jo’s buttermilk biscuits with strawberry butter.
“I thought I wouldn’t like it, but it turned out to be my favorite,” McNew said. “Every time we go there, we always order biscuits for the table.”
McNew said she also enjoyed the French toast crunch — French toast coated with a homemade caramel cornflake crunch.
“It’s the perfect amount of sweetness,” McNew said. “It’s also super unique. You don’t see that at a lot of places.”
McNew said that overall, she likes restaurants that are unique to Waco because of their local feel.
“You just have to have that local feel in order for the breakfast to taste good,” McNew said. “If it feels local and homey and the breakfast is in there, it will taste better. A perfect breakfast for Waco would definitely be more of a classic style. When I’m looking for that homey feel … I tend to gravitate toward those classic breakfasts.”
Honolulu junior Brianna Tancinco said the perfect breakfast restaurant would feature a friendly community. Locally, she has visited Lula Jane’s — the first farm-to-table restaurant in McLennan County.
Tancinco said her favorite item at Lula Jane’s is the sweet roll, which is a version of a cinnamon roll. She said it tasted like it was made with a sweet bread — more hearty, filling and wholesome than a pastry from Pillsbury.
“It definitely has that homemade taste to it,” Tancinco said. “It tastes like it was made with lots of care.”
Tancinco said she enjoys the atmosphere of Lula Jane’s because of its separation from the large businesses of downtown Waco.
“They have their own little space,” Tancinco said. “I really liked the vibe there.”
Tancinco said she enjoys establishments that have a similar local feel, describing World Cup Cafe as a hidden gem in Waco. She said that at World Cup Cafe, she built her own omelet — which included ham, spinach and pico de gallo — and ordered a pancake on the side.
“I think both Lula Jane’s and World Cup Cafe have that sort of feeling, kind of like it could be someone’s house,” Tancinco said. “A very nice, family-owned local business — and I love those in Waco.”
