It’s not hard to find a nice restaurant for dinner, but how does one go about finding a nice place for breakfast? If you live in the Belleville, IL. area (or St. Louis metro area), one of the following would be a good place to start your search. All are down-home and affordable, perfect for a quick breakfast or a sit-down meal with loved ones.
The Pie Pantry is a Belleville legend, tucked away in the heart of downtown Belleville. While pies are certainly their specialty (hence the name), the Pie Pantry has a full breakfast menu and a magnificent Sunday brunch. Fresh fruit is available for those who prefer something lighter. The wait staff is excellent in their full-service capacity, and pies are made fresh on the premises daily – over 30 varieties, even some sugar-free. Stop by for a nice, solid breakfast and leave with a tempting pie for dinner that evening … the Pie Pantry is located at 310 East Main Street in Belleville, IL., in the Old Towne Mall building. Prices are affordable, under $15 for most menu items.
Just down the road from the Pie Pantry is the Saint Louis Bread Company, at 113 East Main Street. The Saint Louis Bread Company offers a wide variety of yummy coffee drinks, fresh baked breads, bagels with flavored cream cheese spreads, muffins, artisan pastries, scones, sweet rolls, and other baked goods. Want something a little more substantial? Try a yummy soufflé, breakfast sandwich, granola parfait, or even a smoothie. Prices are consistent with Panera Bread Company’s standard pricing.
If you aren’t native to the area, the Hy-Ho might not strike you as a particularly interesting restaurant – in all reality, it most resembles a grungy, hole-in-the-wall diner … outwardly. Inside, though, you’ll find the best home-style breakfasts available. Service is friendly and prompt, fresh cream is on every table, coffee is steaming, and the food is piping hot. Stepping into the Hy-Ho is like taking a step back in time, where the customers are all friends, the wait staff knows everyone’s signature order, and your food hasn’t come from a box or freezer bag. Breakfast is served 24 hours, so no need to wake up early to get a stack of pancakes dripping in syrup with a side of scrambled eggs and strips of crispy bacon. The Hy-Ho is located at 20 South Belt West in Belleville. A full breakfast will generally run under $10 a person.
Mallos Bakery, located at 17 North 47th Street, is 51 years old and counting, still family-owned and operated, too. Want a dozen doughnuts? They’ve got them, in all the most popular varieties. Is coffee cake more your speed? They’ve got it – fresh and delicious and topped with oodles of crumblies. More in the mood for a gooey butter roll, danish, or cinnamon roll? Yep, they’ve got you covered. Mallos even offers customized cakes for special occasions. Prices vary depending on item and are consistent with regular bakery prices.
Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day. Make it something really special by visiting one of these restaurants next time you’re in the Belleville or Saint Louis area.
