"We can't pinpoint exactly when breakfast turned from something you eat to something you do, but it's likely around the time brunch brought us champagne flights and in-house DJs. Murry & Paul's may not serve bottomless mimosas and fruit parfait with gold flakes, but what they do offer is the hearty, classic American breakfast you've been longing for. The Brookland spot is the definition of an old-school diner. A faded menu hangs on the wall, plates are stacked against brown linoleum walls, and squeeze bottles of hot sauce stand on every table. It's a cash-only restaurant, where you can still get $7 omelets and $8 breakfast specials. Toss in the slow service, thanks to the sheer number of carry-out orders the staff is juggling at any given time, and you’ve got a hit on your hands. And that's abundantly clear by the size of the crowd that comes here on weekends. Between 6am and 2pm, it's a spectacle watching people contort themselves against the restaurant’s well-worn bar and wobbly stools while waiting for a table. Bring your friends along, and you’ll find yourself saying things like “they don’t make them like this no more” while drenching your golden-brown pancakes in a heap of butter and syrup. The home fries—mishmashed potatoes tossed in peppers and onions—are a must order, just like the eggs over-easy and sausage. And while it's the kind of meal you could easily whip up at home, there's something about being amidst the hustle and bustle with a cup of black coffee in hand. Some people like to do cold plunges to start their day off right, we go here. No music, just the hum of conversations and the sizzle of bacon. It's no wonder Murry and Paul's have been a Brookland favorite for 60 years. They give the people what they want, and sometimes all people want is a satisfying breakfast, without the bullsh*t on the side. Food Rundown photo credit: Nina Palazzolo Pancake In the french toast versus pancake breakfast war, the pancakes win out by a long shot at Murry & Paul’s. They’re thick, buttery, and soak up syrup incredibly well for a sweet and scrumptious bite. photo credit: Nina Palazzolo Eggs and Bacon While everyone has their go-to breakfast order, whether that’s a country fried steak or loaded veggie omelet, the mark of any good breakfast diner is how they nail the basics. The eggs and bacon, which come served with your choice of pancake and french toast, do just that. A glorious runny yolk and salty strip of bacon unite in holy matrimony. Cheese Omelet Special Murry & Paul's cheese omelet keeps it straightforward. Eggs are snugly wrapped in a hunk of gooey, salty cheddar cheese and goes hand-in-hand with a side grits (a win for the “grits should be savory, not sweet” community). Home Fries Don't skip the home fries! Crispy golden potatoes tossed with onions and peppers are the ultimate breakfast side. Just be sure to have the salt packs ready to flavor as you see fit (we go heavy on the salt)." - Omnia Saed
