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Best Breakfast

Frank's Restaurant
3843 E. Pima St.


READERS' PICK: This restaurant is hangover heaven, the perfect place to go when your swooning noggin craves simplicity, and your bloodshot eyes need something, anything, to focus on until your body regains equilibrium. At times like these, Frank's truly odd assortment of pet photos, bumper stickers, maps and other wall kitsch graduates from amusement to art. And the waitresses' no-nonsense, seen-it-all jadedness are revealed as the most sublime kind of charm. For years, Frank's has occupied an unpretentious building in the bland heart of Tucson, a beacon of familiarity calling out to the weathered, soul-sick masses with promises of eggs, home fries and chicken-fried steak cooked just right. Eating at Frank's is the next best thing to going home, especially if your mom had a couple screws loose and smoked cigarettes while yapping out of the side of her mouth.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: The Good Egg, 7219 E. Speedway

A REAL SCREAM: Whether you're looking for a cup of joe and a princess bagel (with cream cheese, tomatoes, red onions and cukes), or a snazzy grilled-veggie omelet with rosemary-potato home fries, the Cup Café, 308 E. 10th St., serves up one of the Old Pueblo's favorite morning fares. In addition to favorites like the fabulous foo-foo flapjacks--with blueberries, maple syrup and whipped cream--be sure to check out daily specials like the legendary French toast. Honorable mention also goes out to the homemade coffee cakes and scones, perfect for a light bite, early morning or late night.

Sit down on their sidewalk patio, or take a seat in the interior of this historic turn-of-the-century hotel. This is downtown's see-and-be-seen scene: Students, artists, on-the-road celebrities and local politicos all flock here.

A REAL SCREAM: There are times when a few eggs fried in butter, and loads of fully caffeinated beverages meet our indulgent Bacchanalian needs like no other breakfast food we know. When such an urge strikes, hightail it over to Gus Balon's Restaurant, 6027 E. 22nd St., where the cinnamon rolls are large and gooey, and bacon is always sizzling on the grill. The place is hopping at any hour, but there's a bustling turnover of satisfied customers, thanks to the efficiency of both the kitchen staff and the waitresses. If your ideal way to start the day or end a bender is to hear the soothing words, "Morning, hon. What can I get for you?"--always accompanied by a steaming mug of joe--go see Gus. It's all down-home goodness, and nothing here will set you back more than a five spot.

A REAL SCREAM: It's funky, it's vegetarian, and the potatoes are great. This converted little house on Speedway serves up friendly breakfast fare in a homey, casual environment. At The Garland, 119 E. Speedway, you can get true, 1970s style hippie vegetarian food--like granola and yogurt--or you can try one of the many wonderful egg dishes served with spicy, chunky potatoes that are greasy, but in a good way. And you can get salsa on anything. (Also see Best Vegetarian Fine Dining.)


Case History

1998 Winner: Bobo's Restaurant
1996 Winner: Frank's Restaurant
1995 Winner: The Blue Willow


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