North Phoenix
Sunshine Breakfast Bar
Get to Sunshine early or risk a 20-minute wait list to get a crack at its stellar sweet cream pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, chilaquiles and chicken-fried steak. Design your own mimosa flight for extra delight. 20811 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, 602-610-9655, sunshinebreakfastbar.com
Scottsdale
Butters Pancakes & Café
You’ll find arguably the Valley’s best pancakes at these bustling nouveau diners, but the waffles and crêpes are worth ordering, too. On the savory side, the skillets (the corned beef hash is our favorite) can’t be beat. Three locations, butterscafe.com
East Valley
The Gilbert House Restaurant
It’s a multigenerational family affair at this EV institution, which was started by an aunt and is now run by a niece. You’ll find the usual scrambles and omelets, but also dynamite quiche and scratch-made cinnamon and caramel rolls. 397 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-507-3383, gilberthouserestaurant.com
West Valley
The Cracked Egg
You gotta love a place with a menu section titled Eggs & Such. And where your bread options are toast, biscuit or tortilla. Indeed, the Mexican specialties (tamales, breakfast chimi, huevos rancheros) here go as hard as the American classics. 3422 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, 602-242-2288, thecrackedeggaz.com
