Written & Photographed by Colby Smith

The Breakfast Klub Review

When most people consider The Breakfast Klub — spelled however you may please—they undoubtedly think of the 80’s brat-pack film featuring five angsty teenage stereotypes who spend their Saturday detention overcoming their differences in the name of friendship. If someone were to mention TBK two years ago, I myself would of immediately recollected the moment when Judd Nelson stood up defiantly¹ on his desk and dared Paul Gleason to eat his shorts. But after my first visit to The Breakfast Klub, a southern-style home cooking restaurant located in the heart of midtown district in Houston, Texas, I would no longer think of eating shorts, but of eating food. Gooood food.

Since my first visit, it has been established as a tradition between my friends and I to dine in at The Breakfast Klub every morning after a night of bar hopping. On this occasion we strolled in on a sunny Monday afternoon for no particular reason other than to eat a good, satisfactory breakfast. When we arrived it was 10:30 and the line was the shortest I’d ever seen it. Sometimes, especially on weekends and Sunday mornings, the line can get pretty long—the secret is out, people!—but even then, the line shrinks quicker than you would imagine.

We are inside within minutes and take our order. I usually order the Breakfast Special, an invigorated version of the classic breakfast plate. It includes a helping of fluffy scrambled eggs, your choice of sausage, turkey, ham, or bacon, heavenly potatoes—or grits and a big ol’ buttery biscuit—or toast if it suits your fancy. It is the single greatest breakfast that I have ever had, but on this day I felt the urge to try something new. Instead, I conceded to the insistent recommendations of regulars and staff and order one their signature breakfast dishes: Wings & Waffle.

Despite the city’s unanimous case of The Mondays, the Klub is lively with customers and friendly faces. We take a seat by a window and wait for our meal. By the time it arrives, I’ve taken only two sips of my coffee. My plate looks like something out of a southern Christmas card: a crispy golden Belgium waffle frosted over with powdered sugar, surrounded by six fried chicken wings and a strawberry on top.

Chicken and Waffle fans of Houston and surrounding areas: THIS DISH IS A MUST. The waffle is as good as it gets—crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside—but As C & W aficionados know, what distinguishes the quality of this meal comes down to the chicken. And let me tell you, The Breakfast Klub does their chicken right. The wings come out hot and are thick, succulent, and fried in a shell of spices that give it a pure, righteous flavor. Tear off a bite and pair it with a sample of waffle and your mouth will discover a level of complimentary tastes beyond the likes of any other combination of foods—step aside, peanut butter and jelly!

My counterparts have ordered The Breakfast Special, as well as a custom plate of pancakes, sausage, and eggs. The Special is as good as it has ever been. Fluffy eggs, crisp bacon, a big doughy biscuit, and those immaculate potatoes. What stands out to me the most on this plate are these potatoes. They are cooked to perfection. I repeat, PERFECTION! I  With a thin crunchy layer on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, these potatoes have a divine texture with a robust taste. Their pancakes come out as three giant flapjacks that are cloud-soft, incredibly tasty, and dissolve in your mouth with a drizzle of sweet maple syrup; pairing them with a side of sausage is advised.

In addition to breakfast, The Klub offers lunch which includes a selection of sandwiches and salads. Every single menu item that I have tried at TBK has been the best of its kind so I could only imagine these dishes worthy of a taste.

The menu prices average around the 14 dollar mark, but I think it’s safe to say that every cent of that dollar will be put to good use. In the food, in the service, and in the friendly communal atmosphere that it fosters, The Breakfast Klub is a dining experience that borders on the spiritual; it is a soulful experience that will leave you feeling above all, kontent.

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¹ Judd Nelson didn’t actually stand up on his desk, I remembered that part incorrectly. I probably mixed it up with The Dead Poets Society.