Stop and smell the spices at Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café

When I walked into Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café the morning after Valentine’s Day and saw a line from wall to wall, I wasn’t daunted or angry.

Instead, I thought, “Everyone here has great taste in brunch foods.”

Tucked away in the Northeast Heights, Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café is a place I go to in times of distress, frustration or when I need a good meal to make my day. When I used to work around the corner, I would sit myself on one of the swing chairs inside the café and read a book while the world moved around me.

I was willing to wait nearly 45 minutes to enjoy what I believe is one of the best brunch meals in the city, and I wasn’t disappointed. Despite the long line and hustle and bustle of the restaurant, each meal looks handcrafted and tastes like it was made just for you, and my favorite meal — The Hercules — still came out incredibly.

The Hercules ($12) has all the makings of a classic breakfast, with eggs, potatoes and a selection of red or green chile (the correct choice is always Christmas). What makes The Hercules special is the Greek twist on a traditional breakfast.

The tzatziki sauce that comes with each order adds a burst of a tangy but sweet flavor that lightens up what would otherwise be a hefty meal. Over easy eggs ooze over seasoned potatoes and soft lamb meat fills the plate, making the meal so warm and filling you only need one order to fill up for the day.

Soft, crumbled feta cheese tops the chile and eggs, adding a delectable texture that melts in your mouth to cooldown the spicy chile.

I was able to dip my three pieces of soft pita bread into the remaining chile and tzatziki sauce to end my meal. The Hercules will fill you up and leave you satisfied.

The B & E ($11), also known as bacon and eggs, came with two pieces of bacon that were cooked just right, soft seasoned potatoes and eggs that had a nice and fluffy texture that remind me of a classic country breakfast.

With a choice of toast, tortilla or an English muffin (I chose toast that came with a deliciously sweet jam), the breakfast is elevated enough to make the trek to the Heights worth it.

I added an iced Toffee Crunch ($6.25) to top off my meal. Though I usually love the sweet coffee loaded with whipped cream with a crunchy topping, the chocolate drizzle was more bitter than I remember, and the sharp contrast didn’t blend as well as I had hoped.

For fun, I added a sugar cookie ($1.25) because to its core, Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café specializes in breakfast foods and pastries. Though I’m usually not a fan of sugar cookies, the treat had a soft and crumbly texture and a white chocolate ganache that I loved.

A small part of why I go to the breakfast spot any chance I get isn’t just the food, but the atmosphere. With modern decor like bright neon lights and a full-sized skeleton that sits dutifully at one of the corner tables without fail, Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café has a way of making a busy, popular place feel like Grandma’s kitchen. For an added bonus, the restaurant occasionally hosts cooking classes, so patrons can learn to make some of their favorite meals from home.

Stop and smell the spices at Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café

When I go to Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café, I’m not just enjoying a great meal. I get a reminder to slow down, smell the spices and remember that life can truly have sugar, spice and everything nice if you take a second to look for it.