Best places to brunch before the boulevard

by Brooke Reagan
Email: breagan@smu.edu

We all know that tailgating is held to a different standard at SMU. We don’t tailgate, we boulevard, after all. To get the party started early, students, with cowboy boots in tow,  head to these hot brunch spots for a feast fit for champions.

Place at Perry’s

At Place at Perry’s, California girls typically order the California benedict. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser with turkey, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, avocado and pico de gallo on top of two English muffins.

If you’re more of a steak and eggs man, you can choose between the Dallas Style steak and eggs or the Fort Worth Style steak and eggs. But unless you’re a horned frog, a sadist in the eyes of the ‘Stangs, you’ll stick to the Dallas Style.

Other enticing options on the menu are the chicken and waffles and the legendary Place at Perry’s Belgian Waffle. Yes, the rumors really are true- the Belgian Waffle is covered in fruit, candied pecans, whipped cream andmaple syrup. Talk about heaven.

SMU senior and Place at Perry’s waitress Tara Tong believes the chicken and waffles is the most popular item on the menu.

“Who doesn’t like fried chicken and syrup?” Tong said.

If you’re 21 years old and in the mood for some bubbly, bottomless mimosas can be yours for $10. Students prepping for Mardi Gras will also love the Spicy Bourbon Street Bloody Mary. The Orange Sun and Morning Nectar are other popular options.

Place at Perry’s is located at 2680 Cedar Springs Boulevard. It’s open seven days a week including Monday-Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Penne Pomodoro

SMU junior Liz Glander and her Alpha Chi sorority sisters have made it a habit to go to Penne Pomodoro. Liz says the entire SMU student body is at Penne Pomodoro. The entire restaurant is a sea of red and blue on game days.

“It's perfect because it has an awesome menu and is so close to campus,” Glander said.

Chaney Clemmons, the manager at Penne Pomodoro, believes the $1 special on bloody marys, mimosas and Bellinis with the purchase of an entrée, is also a popular draw for SMU students.

 “You can’t beat our prices for brunch in the plaza or anywhere in Dallas,” she said.

The breakfast pizza is the most loved-item on the menu for SMU students, according to Clemmons. The pizza is topped with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, onions and tomatoes.

You don’t even have to drive. Penne Pomodoro is conveniently located at 6815 Snider Plaza. It’s open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.           

La Duni

SMU senior Pete Van Horn, his girlfriend and their friends like to brunch at La Duni before the boulevard for its great service and food.

“La Duni serves an actual meal, not a fluffy little omelet or ‘French-y’ food. I get potatoes and eggs to fill me up before the boulevard,” Van Horn said.

Cappuccino addicts will be pleased with La Duni’s separate coffee studio with Latin flavor. The studio has 22 different kinds of coffee available as well as an assortment of tea. The Viennese Truffle Iced Chocolate Milk is a fan favorite. Chocolate milk is no longer just for kids with melted Belgium chocolate, cocoa, half-and-half and whipped cream over crushed ice.

La Duni, located in NorthPark Center, is open seven days a week Monday- Friday from 9 a.m. to closing and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to closing.

Nick and Sam’s Grill

Nick and Sam’s Grill mouth-watering brunch menu is a heart attack waiting to happen, but in the best possible way. Its sticky buns and Captain Crunch French toast with warm maple syrup and cinnamon whipped cream are the talk of Dallas every Sunday and rightfully so. Sous Chef Kyle Bates believes Nick and Sam’s Grill offers the total package.

“What sets us apart is that we are very upbeat and relaxed. Our servers are awesome. The food is legendary and appeals to all generations,” Bates said.

Nick and Sam’s Grill is located at 2816 Fairmont Street. Its hours are Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Bread Winners Café and Bakery

SMU junior Mary Liz Tuttle is a fan of Bread Winners. She normally goes with friends or her parents. The bakery with 100 different desserts is a huge draw for Tuttle, as well as many SMU students. If you’re in need of a serious sugar fix, Bread Winners is the place to go before boulevards.

Tito’s Texas Sunrise is also a popular item that can’t be beat. The frozen Bellini never disappoints as well.

Bread Winners has two Dallas locations to choose from. In you live closer to Uptown, try its location at 3301 McKinney Avenue. If Inwood is more your neck of the woods, you can find Bread Winners at 5560 W. Lovers Lane. The Uptown location is open on Monday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday- Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Its working hours on Lovers are the same except it closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.