Breakfast all day? Here’s the best Lexington restaurants serving bacon, eggs and more
For those of us who are not “morning people,” few things are more comforting and “craveable” than eating breakfast for dinner. In addition, a delicious breakfast eaten in a restaurant can be a real treat when dining out.
Eggs and bacon at 3 p.m.? Chicken and waffles at 9 p.m.? An overstuffed breakfast burrito at 4 a.m.? Where do you go when you want to order a delicious “most important meal of the day” during non-traditional breakfast hours in Lexington? Or anytime of the day?
There are several restaurants in Lexington that dish up a hot and satisfying breakfast menu from sun-up to sundown.
They do breakfast right, no matter the time of day.
True breakfast lovers know that there is nothing wrong with having an omelet or heaping plate of pancakes at 9 p.m. if the sudden urge strikes. Use this guide and list to help you find the best local and chain restaurants serving breakfast all-day, anytime of the day in Lexington.
Bob Evans
2566 Richmond Road, 859-269-1003 bobevans.com
Hours: Monday-Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Lexington’s first and now only Bob Evans opened on Richmond Road more than 25 years ago.
The signature breakfast item is the Original Farmer’s Choice (choice of sausage links or patties, hardwood-smoked bacon, hickory-smoked ham, or turkey sausage links, two fresh-cracked eggs cooked-to-order, and hash browns or home fries. Served with three hotcakes or two slices of Brioche French toast), $10.29. Don’t miss the Banana Berry Farmer (choice of premium breakfast meat with two fresh-cracked eggs cooked-to-order and your choice of hash browns, home fries or fresh-cut fruit. Served with three blueberry hotcakes topped with fresh bananas), $11.89.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
2220 Elkhorn Road; 859-293-2555, and 1927 Stanton Way; 859-233-7684 crackerbarrel.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The first Cracker Barrel restaurant opened in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. Today, Cracker Barrel operates more that 600 restaurants in 45 states, including two locations here in Lexington.
For heartier appetites, there is the Country Boy Breakfast (three eggs, grits, fried apples, hashbrown casserole, plus choice of sirloin steak, sugar cured or country ham and biscuits and gravy) $11.49. Not that hungry? Try Grandma’s Sampler (two pancakes, two eggs, a sampling of bacon, sausage, and sugar cured or country ham plus choice of fried apples or hashbrown casserole), $9.99. There is something for everyone on the menu.
Frisch’s Big Boy
1927 Harrodsburg Road; 859-278-6002 and 1849 Alysheba Way; 859-264-0292 frischs.com
Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. (Harrodsburg Road). 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Alysheba Way).
“Home of Burgers, Breakfast, and Big Boy,” the Frisch’s Big Boy chain traces its roots to Cincinnati, 1939. From their Breakfast Big Boy (1/4 of lb. sausage with cheese, pickle, fried egg, bacon, and Frisch’s Original tartar Sauce on a double-decker bun), $6.29; to their Hog Heaven Burrito (bacon, sausage, egg, cheese, and hash browns), $4.99; to their Farmers Omelet (tomatoes, ham, potatoes, and onions, topped with cheese), $8.59, Frisch’s all day breakfast menu offers a variety of omelets, biscuit sandwiches, burritos, and traditional breakfast fare items.
IHOP
2380 Norman Lane; 859-277-7029; and 2306 Palumbo Dr.; 859-269-0844 ihop.com
Hours: 6 a.m.-midnight. Sunday-Thursday. Open 24 hours Friday-Saturday at Norman Lane. Open 24-hours at Palumbo Drive.
For 60 years, IHOP has served world-famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast dishes.
Favorites include the Mexican Tres Leches Pancakes (four buttermilk pancakes layered with vanilla sauce, dulce de leche caramel sauce, and crowned with whipped topping), $8.99; Bacon Temptation Omelet (omelet stuffed with cured hickory-smoked bacon, Jack and Cheddar cheese blend, and a white cheese sauce, topped with tomatoes and more bacon), $9.99; Spicy Poblano Fajita Burrito or Bowl (shredded beef, scrambled eggs, Poblano and Serrano peppers, red peppers and onions, shredded Jack & Cheddar cheese, avocado and hash browns all wrapped up in a flour tortilla or scrambled in a bowl. Served with poblano queso and choice of side), $8.99. There is also a variety of gluten-free items available.
Minglewood
159 N. Limestone, 859-523-1236. minglewoodlex.com
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon-10 p.m.
This downtown night spot has a brunch menu available anytime in the evening as well as on weekend afternoons. Besides specials, there are four options: French Toasts, Texas Toast dipped in egg, cinnamon and nutmeg topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh berries, $9; Fried Egg Tostada, two crispy tostadas topped with black beans, salsa verde, two fried eggs, queso fresca and hot sauce, $13 (with green chili pulled pork for $4 more); Eggs Your Way, three eggs with three pieces of bacon, house potatoes and half French Toasts, $13; and Tomato and Bacon Grilled Cheese with Dijon, $10 (add a cup of soup or a fried egg for $2 each.)
Ramsey’s Diner
3090 Helmsdale Place, 859-264-9396; 4391 Old Harrodsburg Road, 859-219-1626; 4053 Tates Creek Centre Dr., 859-271-2638; and 151 West Zandale Dr., 859-259-2708. ramseysdiners.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
In April of 1989, Rob Ramsey opened the first Ramsey’s Diner at the corner of Woodland and High Street. Today, there are four locations in town. The original location closed in 2014.
A no-fuss, family-friendly setting, the breakfast menu here is quite simple.
The Traditional Ramsey’s Breakfast (up to five eggs, your choice of any or all of the following: bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, pancakes, and toast), $12.95; Steak & Eggs, $15.95; Chops & Eggs, $15.95; or an Omelet (choice of three items and one cheese), $12.95.
Rosemont Station
222 Rosemont Garden; 859-368-7501 rosemontstation.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days per week.
The new kid on the block in Lexington serving breakfast all day, Rosemont Garden’s “Brunchy Kinda Stuff” portion of the menu includes a 2 Egg Breakfast (choice of bacon or sausage, toast, and waffle), $7; Chicken & Waffle, $13; Steak & Waffle, $15; Shrimp & Waffle, $15; and the Bentley Breakfast Board (includes beignets, waffle, and chocolate waffle, served with cheese, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, and various dipping sauces), $15. An order of beignets is also available a la carte for $8.
Tolly-Ho
606 South Broadway; 859-253-2007 TollyHo.com
Hours: Open 24/7 beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesdays through 3 a.m. on Mondays. Closed Mondays.
A no-frills Lexington dining tradition since 1971, breakfast is available around the clock. Best known for their Tolly-Ho family of burgers, the breakfast menu holds its own.
Craving banana pancakes in the middle of the night? You will find it here.
From the Hot Mess Sandwich (two strips of bacon, two sausage patties, two eggs, hashbrowns, and a slice of American cheese on buttered Texas toast), $5.99; to the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Omelet (three egg omelet, choice of cheese, and five pieces of bacon crumbled inside), $6.49; to the Everything Omelet (four egg omelet with ham, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and two slices of cheese), $9.39; as far as late-night breakfast cheap eats goes, Tolly-Ho can’t be beat.
Honorable Mentions
In addition, while they do not serve breakfast late in the evening, there are a number of places in Lexington that each serve breakfast up until they close around mid-afternoon. (Hours vary.)
▪ Doodle’s, 262 North Limestone St.; 859-317-8507. doodleslex.com
▪ DV8 Kitchen, 867 South Broadway and 594 East Third St.; 859-955-0388. dv8kitchen.com
▪ First Watch, 1080 South Broadway, 859-252-2226; 119 West Reynolds Road, 859-785-4689; 2894 Richmond Road, 859-899-3447; and 2251 War Admiral Way, 859-263-4737. firstwatch.com
▪ Great Bagel, 396 Woodland Ave., and 3650 Boston Road; 859-258-2210. eatgreatbagel.com
▪ Josie’s, 821 Chevy Chase Place; 859-523-8328. josiesky.com
▪ Minton’s at 760, 760 N. Limestone; 859-948-1874. mintonsat760.com
▪ Southland Bagel, 428 Southland Drive; 859-309-2286. SouthlandBagel.com
▪ Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St.; 859-255-3354. StellasKentuckyDeli.com
▪ Tack House Pub, 4401 Harrodsburg Road; 859-224-0099. tackhousepub.com
▪ Tudor’s Biscuit World, 757 East New Circle Road; 859-368-0900. tudorsbiscuitworld.com
▪ Wild Eggs, 1925 Justice Dr., 859-543-0532; and 3735 Palomar Center Drive, 859-277-0402. wildeggs.com
Due to staffing challenges, restaurant open hours and service may differ and change. Contact any restaurant directly for current hours of operation.
This story was originally published September 20, 2021 at 6:00 AM.