Breakfast(s) of champions in the Midlands

Breakfast is big in Columbia and gaining steam as new restaurants open around the Midlands. New offerings came to the market last year, adding to the palette of menus that have been available for years aiming to please your palate each morning. Here’s a sampling of what’s available, new and old, in the Midlands:

Original Pancake House

4840 Forest Drive, Columbia

Year opened: 1990

Year started serving breakfast: 1990

Specialty: German-style, oven-baked pancakes; apple pancakes; Dutch Baby dish

Best-sellers: Buttermilk pancakes; bacon, eggs, grits and omelet

Average ticket price: $8.50

Number of seats: 145

On breakfast: We think breakfast is wonderful ... at any time of the day. Some people prefer breakfast meals at night, and we stay open to accommodate them.

Café Strudel

300 State St., West Columbia

Year opened: 1997

Year started serving breakfast: 2001

Specialty: Hangover hash browns

Best sellers: Specialty sandwiches, such as the turkey cranberry baguette

Average ticket price: $8-$10

Number of seats: 98 inside; 30 outside

On breakfast: We serve it all the time. Our customers urged us to open on Sundays for breakfast, and our Sunday brunch is our most popular time.

Eggs Up Grill

2930 Devine St., Columbia

Year opened: 2014

Year started serving breakfast: 2014

Specialty: Corned-beef hash, waffles

Best seller: Classic two-egg breakfast with bacon and grits

Average ticket price: $10

Number of seats: Up to 110

On breakfast: It’s the meal that gets us up and energized for the day.

Lizard’s Thicket

16 locations around the Midlands

Year opened: 1977

Year started serving breakfast: 1977

Specialty: Meat and three vegetables

Best sellers: Fried chicken; traditional country breakfast

Average ticket price: Under $10

Number of seats: 150 average

On breakfast: That’s how you get your day started; how you fuel your system.

Mathias Sandwich Shop

7235 St. Andrews Road, Irmo

Year opened: 1946

Year started serving breakfast: 1946

Specialty: Salads, pimento cheese finger sandwiches

Best sellers: Chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches

Average ticket price: $9-$10

Number of seats: 80

On breakfast: It gets you started on the right foot. We offer a breakfast buffet on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Breakfast(s) of champions in the Midlands."