Over Easy isn’t just a way to cook eggs, it’s a local breakfast cafe serving up tasty dishes and good vibes. There are 10 locations of this local chain throughout the Valley with three new locations opening this year, but I recently visited the Surprise location to check out the seasonal menu. Upon entering, I was greeted by bright yellow and blue hues and a happy atmosphere that could help anyone start their day on the right foot. As if my experience couldn’t get any more delightful, my server’s name was literally Sunshine.
The restaurant has a retro diner feel with friendly staff and stools at the bar. It made me want to share a milkshake with someone at the counter as they did in the 1950s but swap that milkshake for an espresso martini or mimosa. The menu includes ordinary breakfast meals like omelets, pancakes and French toast for those who like to keep it simple. It also offers a variety of sandwiches and salads for those who prefer brunching and lunching. The menu items that really set this place apart include those featured on Food Network and TLC.
Over Easy’s banana nut French toast was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives in 2010 and the golden waffle dogs were featured on TLC’s Best Thing I Ever Ate in 2011.
Among the televised items were the banana nut French toast and golden waffle dogs which I tried and loved. The banana nut French toast made with brioche bread and topped with bananas, pecans and caramel was soft and sweet, but I loved the crunch the pecans added. I was worried the caramel syrup would be too thick and overpowering, but it was the perfect sweetness and had a thinner texture that allowed it to really soak into the bread. The golden waffle dogs are essentially corndogs with a breakfast twist. They’re made with sausage links and fried in vanilla waffle batter and can be dipped in maple syrup. I didn’t expect to like them as much as I did because I’m not usually a big sausage fan. However, I’m a big fan of anything fried that can be eaten off a stick and I enjoyed the balance of savory and sweet.
Over Easy offers seasonal menu items each quarter. Items from quarter one include the cinnamon apple corncakes (three cakes topped with cinnamon butter, agave nectar, apple chutney and vanilla granola), the JohnJay burrito bowl (three eggs any style over Cajun chicken, chorizo verde, avocado, white rice, quinoa, with black bean corn salsa, lime and cilantro) and the spicy mango margarita (Arcadia Jalapeño Vodka, Exotico Blanco Tequila, mango purée, lime juice and an Old Bay rim).
To drink, I got the cold brew provided by local roaster Press Coffee. Founded in Phoenix in 2008, Press Coffee now has 12 locations Valleywide. A lot of cold brews I’ve tried have been way too bitter, but I loved the smooth taste of this cold brew with French vanilla creamer. I also got the Brunch Mule with Pearl vodka, fresh squeezed orange juice, aromatic bitters and ginger beer. I usually opt for a mimosa, but this was just as refreshing. For better or worse, I couldn’t taste the alcohol with how potent and flavorful the orange juice was.
Conceived by chef Aaron May in 2008, Over Easy aims to evoke the feeling of getting brunch with friends and laughing over mimosas.
“Remember the thrill you had as a kid when you got breakfast for dinner, and it kind of felt like life just threw you a bone?” says Brian Terpay, COO of Over Easy. “That’s the kind of vibe we deliver here. We want to start you off the right way: a healthy mix of easy-going, positive vibes, and an upbeat, energizing attitude.”
Over Easy is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and provides a comfy space where breakfast runs into lunch and there are always enough good vibes to go around no matter what day it is. Everyone at the restaurant seemed happy and the energy from fellow brunchgoers was contagious. I left with a full stomach and a good mood.
10 Valley locations, eatatovereasy.com
