Many nutritionists consider breakfast the most important meal of the day, but most students do not have time to cook or get breakfast before classes during the week. This makes weekend breakfast trips a necessary treat. With so many options, though, picking the perfect breakfast spot can be overwhelming. Here are four budget-friendly places to help make that decision easier.
Nudy’s Cafe
Location: 11 Cricket Ave., Ardmore
Order: Cinnamon bun pancakes, $7.79
Nudy’s Cafe offers a large selection of dishes that range from sweet to savory. With close to 30 options for eggs and a number of specialty french toast and pancake options, Nudy’s Cafe has something for everyone. They also have a gluten-free pancake option.
The atmosphere is light and airy, with minimalist decor and quotes on the wall. It is a great option when you’re looking to catch up with friends or roommates over a casual breakfast date.
Erin Zahner ’25 is a server and host there and said she sees a good number of St. Joe’s students at Nudy’s for breakfast.
“It is pretty affordable for breakfast,” Zahner said. “It has everything you want.”
The cinnamon bun pancakes provided enough to take home and enjoy for two days. The prices range from $3.59 for a single pancake to $14.99 for their jumbo lump crabmeat and tomato omelet.
Nudy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturday and Sunday.
The Gold Standard Cafe
Location: 4800 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia
Order: Three-egg omelet with spinach, bacon and cheese, $9.50
The Gold Standard Cafe is within a mile of the University City campus and offers a quirky atmosphere that is sure to help you start your morning with a smile. From a collection of glass animals on a fireplace mantel to abstract art pieces on the wall, The Gold Standard Cafe’s decor gives it a homey atmosphere that is perfect for a cozy breakfast.
The food is rich and flavorful with moderate prices, ranging from $6 to $16. Each ingredient in the cafe’s three-egg omelet tasted fresh and it was enjoyable to the last bite. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available. They offer a vegan egg sandwich, vegan burrito and vegan pancakes.
The Gold Standard Cafe is open Monday, and Wednesday through Friday 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Saturday and Sunday their hours are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m and are closed on Tuesdays.
Greg’s Kitchen
Location: 4460 Main St., Philadelphia
Order: Pancakes with strawberries, $8
Greg’s Kitchen, a three time Best of Manayunk winner for their breakfast, brunch and brunch dishes, offers a smaller and more quaint option for your next breakfast outing.
The menu is simple, straight-forward and will not overwhelm you when deciding what to order. However, they offer many options that allow you to customize your dish.
The prices range from a base price of $5 to $9 with add-ins costing extra, and the portion size and quality justify the cost. The pancakes were fluffy and light, topped with strawberries that tasted like they were picked just seconds before.
Greg’s Kitchen is a great option for a more intimate breakfast when you need to recharge after a long week.
Their hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.
Overbrook Market
Location: 2123 N 63rd St., Philadelphia
Order: Bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, $4.99
Overbrook Market is a great take-out option close to Hawk Hill. Customers can call and order ahead or order in person.
Although the menu is straightforward, there are a number of ways to customize your breakfast to your liking by adding condiments, meat or hashbrowns to your meal.
Prices fall within the $5 to $10 range, and their food is perfectly cooked, with the crunch of bacon and a bagel pairing perfectly with a light and fluffy egg.
Kevin Hoban ’24 said that when he first moved to Philadelphia from New England, he struggled to find breakfast that met his standards until he tried the Overbrook Market.
“I live in Merion Gardens, and I walked across the street to see what this place had,” Hoban said. “It was absolutely delicious.”
Hoban usually orders bacon, egg and cheese on a kaiser roll, adding hash browns to it as well.
Overbrook Market is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
