The Good Egg Cafe - Portland, Maine

The mixture of punk rock and new wave pop music playing in the background set the mood for our casual breakfast at The Good Egg Cafe (at the Pepperclub Restaurant on Middle Street in Portland).

By the time we arrived (11-ish), they had sold out of their Cinnamon Rolls, not at all surprising since they are known to be amazing. I struck out again when I attempted to order a Cappuccino, which they don't serve. Instead we settled for orange juice (not freshly squeezed) and Coffee By Design coffee.

My husband was disappointed not to see Eggs Benedict on the menu. Instead he ordered the Eggs From Hell, The Good Egg Cafe's version of Huevos Rancheros. A soft herbed tortilla shell was served with scrambled eggs, a generous portion of black beans topped with sour cream and a smoky chipotle salsa on the side. The herbed tortilla shell lent an odd, though not aversive taste to the dish; it might have been better with a plain shell. The griddle used to cook his side of Red Potato homefries needed to be scraped down, as evidenced by the charred flecks on the plate. Aside from that, the homefries were perfectly cooked, soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. They lacked seasoning and were considerably tastier when scooped up on the fork with some of the black beans, sour cream and salsa. Next time I would order them with the cheddar, salsa and sour cream, a variation they offer on the menu.

I was pleased with my choice of Vegetable Hash and Eggs. Just a touch too oily, the mixture of baked potato, onion, carrots, spinach, broccoli, parsley and tempeh had a nutty taste; the charred broccoli gave this dish wonderful flavor. I ponied up the extra $0.25 for an "Everything" Spelt Right bagel, promoted on the menu as "easy to digest." It was surprisingly soft - not at all chewy - more like a thick piece of bread. While I enjoyed it, I still prefer the bagels at Scratch Bakery.

The service at The Good Egg Cafe is friendly, though not quite attentive enough. Once our initial orders of coffee and orange juice were consumed (before our breakfast arrived), we were not offered any additional beverages. The waitstaff tends to "drop and run" - quickly delivering the food and running off to the next table, so if you need things like ketchup or water, you need to speak quickly. If they hear you, they will cheerfully bring you whatever you requested.

This is a true breakfast - not brunch - spot. Opening early (7 am during the week and 8 am on the weekends), they serve hearty portions of breakfast fare. Think pancakes and eggs, not Cappuccino and Eggs Benedict. This vegetarian-friendly version of Becky's delivers the diner experience with an alternative vibe. Though not a spot I'd meet a client for breakfast, it fits the bill for a casual and affordable breakfast spot with friends.