Mmm, your best bets in the region for the most important meal of the day.
By Dawn Nolan
HQ 123 | AUTUMN 2023
You know what they say: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And whether you prefer the quick and easy route like a cup of coffee and a pastry or something more substantial like biscuits and gravy or an omelet, there are a number of local options available. Check out these eight eateries — listed here in alphabetical order — on your next morning out. And here’s a bonus tip: some offer certain menu items through midday or later.
Butter It Up!
The idea of adding butter to coffee might be more familiar to folks now, but it wasn’t when fitness enthusiasts Andrew Hines and Jeremy Mullins opened Butter It Up! (BIU) at Heritage Station in 2014. Luckily, the public responded positively to the concept, and after a few years, BIU relocated to The Market. “When we went looking for a breakfast place for The Market, they were the only people we looked at,” says real estate broker Jim Weiler. Customers can order the signature “Butter It Up” (a cup of light or dark roast with homemade butter), “The Bulletproof,” (which adds medium chain triglycerides oil) or several coffees named after friends and loved ones. BIU also serves iced drinks, tea, smoothies and protein shakes. The food menu focuses on healthier meals, all of which are gluten-free and use fresh, local ingredients. One of the most popular items is the avocado toast, made with two slices of ancient grain bread, two eggs your way, avocado, local bacon, local hydroponic tomatoes and goat cheese, which Weiler says is his girls’ favorite. As for him, he likes an omelet, coffee and, of course, the local bacon. “It’s the best in the world,” Weiler asserts. “It’s how you’re supposed to make it.”
Butteritip.com
809 Third Ave.
(inside The Market)
Mon-Thu: 6:45am-5:30pm
Fri: 6:45am-8:30pm
Sat: 8am-8:30pm
Sun: 8am-2pm
681-204-3510
Grindstone Coffeeology
Started by an Australian couple, Brendan and Helen Fenn, in 2016 as a food truck, Grindstone Coffeeology has since expanded to two brick-and-mortar locations on Eighth Street and in the Huntington Mall. “Grindstone is my go-to coffee place because it’s conveniently located, and it has a drive-thru,” says Gwen Clayton, an Ashland resident who works in Huntington. “The quality is always good, and the prices are decent. Pleasant staff, too.” The Grindstone staff roasts their own coffee beans to make their specialty brews like the flat white, an Australian take on a latte that is a blend of micro-foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso. Other drink options include teas, Italian sodas and fruit protein smoothies. Along with a selection of pastries, Grindstone has an all-day brunch menu featuring oatmeal, toasted bagels, quiches, seasonal bread pudding, breakfast burritos and croissants.
Grindstonecoffeeology.com
816 Eighth St.
Mon – Fri: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sat – Sun: 7 am – 5 pm
Huntington Mall
Mon – Sat: 10 am – 9 pm
Sun: 11 am – 6 pm
606-369-7529
Jolly Pirate Donuts
Jolly Pirate Donuts has been a Huntington staple for almost 50 years. The no-frills doughnut shop, which is headquartered in Columbus but owned locally by the Alexandropoulos family, offers a wide assortment of cake and yeast doughnuts made fresh twice a day. Trays of cream-filled, glazed, devil’s food and honey dipped doughnuts as well as crullers, bismarks (and Long Johns), eclairs and other mouthwatering morsels are up for the choosing. Add in seasonal varieties like fall’s pumpkin spice and other baked goods like cookies, muffins and turnovers, and you’re in for a difficult decision. “Say what you want about fancy breakfast spreads, but to me, just the simple sight of a dozen fresh-baked doughnuts nestled in a brown treasure-chest box makes me giddy with happiness-tinted nostalgia,” says Barboursville resident Holly Shivel. “A Long John, or two, from Jolly Pirate is my pure breakfast bliss. There’s a reason that this place is a local, not-so-hidden treasure. My dad used to work midnights, and we always knew he had a good night if that brown box came through the door, too!” The best part about Jolly Pirate, though? It’s open 24 hours a day, so you can always curb a craving.
Facebook.com/JollyPirateWV
4526 U.S. Route 60 East
Open 24 hours
304-736-6885
9th Street Diner
Less than a mile away from Marshall University’s campus is a fitting green and white brick building that houses one of the city’s newer breakfast options. 9th Street Diner opened in 2021 and is family-owned and -operated by Joel Hamilton, a culinary school graduate and former fine dining chef, and his father, Roger. At 9th Street, Hamilton and his team are cooking up classics with a twist. The menu is small, but everything from the buttered bread toast with jam to the biscuits and gravy is homemade. “I love their in-house made breads and country diner-style home cooking,” says Johnna Bailey. Take note: the diner itself is currently only open during the week, but you can often catch Joel doing pop-ups at events around town on the weekends.
534 9th Street
Mon – Thu: 11 am – 2 pm
Fri: 8 am – 3 pm
681-204-5919
Nomada Bakery
For a cozy cafe experience at any time of the day, local author Sheila Redling suggests Nomada Bakery. “They have all kinds of fresh croissants plus the best coffee and tea,” Redling says. “They put a little extra effort into everything.” Located inside the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau building at Heritage Station, Nomada’s menu is a showcase of the owners’ combined culinary experiences from around the world. Ariel Barcenas (who is from Panama) and Shawn Schulenberg (who is from Minnesota) met in Argentina and have traveled extensively to bring flavors and techniques that they have enjoyed back to the bakery that they opened together in 2019. Standouts include the empanadas (crescent-shaped pastries filled with savory ingredients), of which there are many varieties: honey, bacon, and egg white and cheddar; two vegetarian options (spinach and ricotta, Mexican street corn); and even a vegan option (lentil). Other baked goods, such as different flavors of alfajores (a delicate South American cornstarch shortbread cookie filled with dulce de leche) and 3-inch baby cakes, are also in the daily rotation. Enjoy a bite inside or on the patio, and pair it with a cup of coffee roasted locally by Hill Tree Roastery and The Old Village Roaster. There’s also hot chocolate, tea, juice and lemonade.
Nomadabakery.com
210 11th St. (Heritage Station)
Mon – Sat: 8 am – 6 pm
Sun: 8 am – 3 pm
681-204-5528
Oscar’s Breakfast, Burgers & Brews
If you have the word “breakfast” in your name, you’d better deliver; and if you ask around, Oscar’s definitely does. “Oscar’s has the best biscuits and gravy and the best breakfast menu in town,” says Adam Barraclough. “There are tons of options from breakfast sandwiches to omelets to chicken fried steak and chicken and waffles. It’s always fresh, and nearly the entire menu is available all day. They also serve one of the best mugs of coffee around.” Owner Jason Beter (read more about him on pg. 60) opened Oscar’s in 2017 in Barboursville’s River Place Plaza, and the restaurant amassed such a following that within two years it relocated to a significantly larger space in the plaza. The interior orange walls, decorated with some of Beter’s favorite art, music posters and baseball memorabilia, gives Oscar’s a casual, laid-back vibe, which Barraclough appreciates. “One of the things that I love most about it is that it is unpretentious,” he says. “From the menu to the atmosphere, it feels comfortable and unique without putting on airs.”
Oscarsbbb.com
6007 US Route 60 East
Mon – Thu: 8 am – 9 pm
Fri – Sat: 8 am – 10 pm
Sun: 9 am – 9 pm
304-948-6916
Shonet’s Country Café
While the steak hoagie from Shonet’s Country Cafe in Milton might be “hands-down the best sandwich in Cabell County” and the fried stuffing might be “the best thing ever cooked,” according to restaurant regular Pete McClung, the breakfast options are just as popular. Customers can pick from omelets, hotcakes, French toast, breakfast sandwiches and other homestyle classics. McClung’s recommendation? The steak and eggs. “It’s a real ribeye, three eggs, home fries and biscuits and gravy for $12.95,” he says. Shonet’s, which was originally Granny K’s but rebranded in the early 2000s, has been a part of Shonet Holley’s family and a small-town staple for over three decades. “The staff is great; we’ve known some of the ladies for 20 years,” says McClung. “The prices are still very reasonable compared to other restaurants. I suggest you go there a couple of times and enjoy the food and watch the customers. Most don’t even look at the menu. They know it by heart.” But be sure to get there early! Breakfast is only served until 10:30 am.
P.S., While they aren’t breakfast, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the homemade pies!
15 Perry Morris Square
Milton, West Virginia
Mon – Sat: 6 am – 8 pm
Sun: 7 am – 7 pm
304-743-4750
Tudor’s Biscuit World
“Start your day the homemade way.” Let’s be honest. You can’t talk about breakfast in Huntington — or, really, West Virginia — without someone mentioning the beloved Tudor’s Biscuit World. “Tudor’s is quintessentially West Virginian — wild and wonderful and affordable,” says Ona resident Connie Kinsey. “I’m addicted to the biscuits and gravy!” Founded in Charleston in 1980 by the Tudor family, the iconic biscuit chain now has more than 70 locations. Most are in West Virginia, but there are a few sprinkled in southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky as well as one in Panama City, Florida. Huntington Quarterly Editor Jack Houvouras says his favorite Tudor’s locations in Huntington are Hal Greer Boulevard, Adams Avenue and Route 60 across from Eastern Heights. From the classic Ron (sausage, egg and cheese) and Mary B (bacon, egg and cheese) to the Thundering Herd (sausage, potato, egg and cheese) and the Mountaineer (country ham, potato, egg and cheese), Tudor’s has more than a dozen varieties of biscuits available for order — not to mention breakfast wraps and platters. Even people who’ve left the area hold a soft spot for the eatery. “I dream of Tudor’s Biscuit World since leaving the area,” says Marshall alum Brian Christopher. “When I go to Huntington for a family event, eating at Tudor’s outranks seeing family.”
Tudorsbiscuitworld.com
Multiple locations
Let’s Do Brunch
We received so many responses about other restaurants that serve delicious weekend brunches that they couldn’t be ignored. So, to appease the masses, here’s eight more to add to your To-Eat List.
The Peddler
835 Third Ave.
Sun: 11 am – 3 pm
304-691-0415
The Grill on Third
1513 Third Ave.
Available 11 am – 3 pm on Sundays
304-529-4585
Davis’ Place Neighborhood Bar & Grill
803 Eighth St.
Available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm
304-522-9771
Christopher’s Eats
5340 US Route 60
Sun: 10:30 am – 3 pm
304-736-5520
Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar
833 Third Ave.
Sun: 11 am – 3 pm
304-241-2958
Le Bistro
905 Third Ave.
Sat – Sun: 10 am – 3 pm
304-523-2012
Black Sheep Burrito & Brews
279 Ninth St.
Sun: 11 am – 3 pm
304-523-1555
