By Jen Merrill
Six Eggs-travagant Places to Brunch in the Midstate.
Brunch has become one of the coolest meals of the week.
Though it’s primarily served only on Sundays here in Central Pennsylvania, it gives you something to look forward to with mouth-watering anticipation and offers an excuse to drink while your watch still says “a.m.” Harrisburg Magazine celebrates the local brunch scene by pointing out six of the best places to crack an egg or sip a mimosa right here in the midstate.
Café Bruges
16 N. Pitt Street | Carlisle
Brunch Served: Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you’re going to a Belgian restaurant for brunch, you’ve got to try the waffles. Café Bruges has two waffle options: the Brussels-style option, topped with fresh fruit compote, whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar and served with a side of decadent 72 percent Belgian dark chocolate sauce, and the savory option, topped with gruyere cheese, ham and a poached egg.
If you’re a fan of eggs Benedict, they’ve got four delicious variations for you to choose from, each served with a side of crispy Parisian potatoes. And don’t forget about the amazing beer selection; from pale ales to wheat beers, saisons to lambics, Café Bruges can offer the perfect carbonated complement to your Belgian brunch.
Devon
27 W. Chocolate Avenue | Hershey
Brunch Served: Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This Hershey hotspot offers some delicious brunch options with unique touches that make them all their own. As a place that’s known for their seafood, Devon offers the smoked salmon and potato latke, featuring a crisp potato pancake topped with smoked salmon, capers, red onion, watercress and sour cream.
And they’ve got the quiche down to a science with their quiche Lorraine, a leek, bacon and white cheddar quiche served with mixed greens drizzled with honey balsamic vinaigrette. They have a thorough wine menu and delicious cocktails to pair perfectly with your breakfast fare.
El Sol Mexican Restaurant
18 South Third Street | Harrisburg
Brunch Served: Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mexican-inspired brunch dishes and a make-your-own Bloody “Maria” bar? See you there! From Enchiladas Nortenas (two flour tortillas stuffed with eggs and chorizo, one topped with salsa ranchera and the other topped with salsa verde) to Mexican Toast (their take on French toast, featuring Mexican sweet bread doused in egg, cocoa, cinnamon and sugar, then cooked until golden brown and served with homemade hibiscus sauce whipped cream) El Sol offers a wide range of delicious breakfast treats.
Back to that Bloody “Maria” bar: El Sol gives you all the tools to create your ideal Bloody Mary, including house-made tomato juice, the Mexican “Sangrita” (tomato juice, fresh squeezed lime and lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, jalapenos, cucumbers and salt), hot sauces, spices and garnishes galore. You better make yourself a few to be sure you’ve definitely perfected the recipe.
Home 231
231 North Street | Harrisburg
Brunch Served: Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Home 231 describes itself as serving “seasonal American food inspired by the farm and garden,” and the brunch options certainly adhere to that delicious idea. On the savory side of things, there’s the Huevos Rancheros, which is two eggs on a crispy tortilla topped with chorizo, ranchero sauce and sliced avocado.
If you’re craving something sweeter, try the ginormous stuffed French toast, which comes complete with a vanilla cream filling, fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. Make sure to grab a Bloody Mary, made with pepper-infused vodka that’s concocted right there behind the bar. Beyond their standard menu, Home 231 also offers a variety of unique specials each and every week, including a quiche of the day and veggie and eggs entrée of the day.
Mangia Qui
272 North Street | Harrisburg
Brunch Served: Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A staple of the Harrisburg brunch scene, Mangia Qui is known for their amazing “Benny Collection,” eggs Benedict offered in a variety of delicious styles including a classic option, one featuring delicious lump crab meat, a juicy filet option, a little bit of everything in the surf-and-turf possibility and a smoked salmon selection.
Each is served with house-made hollandaise sauce and potatoes. But the menu goes far beyond the Bennys. The Italian breakfast features pecan raisin sweet bread dipped in egg and sautéed, then served with mascarpone and peppered bacon for the perfect sweet and salty combination.
Mangia Qui makes some delicious cocktails – known as Brunchtails – and their numerous mimosa offerings will make it difficult for you to choose just one. Look for different features each and every Sunday.
The Sturges Speakeasy
400 Forster Street | Harrisburg
Brunch Served: Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during football season and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the rest of the year.
Benedict lovers, rejoice! The Sturges Speakeasy offers a variety of poached egg perfections all utilizing their fresh-made biscuits and creamy hollandaise sauce. Chose from the Easy Benedict, the classic option with thick-cut ham; the Surf & Turf Benedict, with a 6-ounce rib-eye steak and lump crab meat; and the BBQ Pork Belly Benedict, which comes with succulent barbecue braised pork belly, of course. And who says you can’t have an appetizer with your breakfast food?
For only $4, try the homemade lemon berry muffins, which are served with warm almond butter. The Speakeasy boasts an extensive drink menu, an always-changing craft beer list and 16 beers on tap.