Breakfast Republic Reigns as San Diego’s Breakfast King

By Michelle Stansbury | August 10, 2019

Breakfast Republic is bringing breakfast back with playful irreverence and nostalgia, now with eight locations across San Diego. Their newest, in Mission Valley, sits unpretentiously in a strip mall, knowing that as a breakfast destination, people will come to them. 

The menu captures hearts and Instagrams with dishes like Oreo Cookie Pancakes and Breakfast Hot Dogs. At first, I was afraid the overload of tongue-in-cheek puns and quirky details would mean the food would come second. But after tasting several items from the menu, I can assure you that the dishes deliver. 

Breakfast Republic is poised for world domination. In addition to being the most prolific (non-franchised) breakfast concept in San Diego, they also have their own brand of hot sauce, prosecco, and custom dishware. Most of the dishes are fairly decadent, but they offer tons of gluten-free and vegan options, all clearly marked on the menu. Sweet dishes include Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes, S’mores French Toast, and Cinnamon-Ginger Coffee Cake. Savory options include a Mashed Potato Omlet, Jurassic Pork Benedict, Breakfast Bacon Mac ‘N’ Cheese. Lighter dishes are few and far between, but this is worth the calorie splurge!

I love their Cluck Madame Benedict, their version of a classic croquet monsieur, with ham, gruyere cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce. When they ask if you want to upgrade your potatoes, say yes without hesitation. This throws them with parmesan cheese, brussels sprouts, bacon, balsamic, and onion. In their own signature dish, the Shrimp & Grits are worth the fanfare. The gouda cheese infused grits are topped with tons of fresh sweet corn and shrimp, plus chives served with three eggs any style (over easy, for me!).

To drink, you have lots of options from specialty lattes, brimming over branded mugs, to cold brew, Bloody Marys, and mimosas, as well as kombucha and beer, served on tap. 

There are no reservations, but you won’t mind as you sit in Breakfast Republic’s egg-shaped waiting room chairs. Hours of operation: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.