We originally wanted to have breakfast at Al’s on Sunday, but we arrived 15 minutes before opening, and counted 13 people in line. With only 14 stools, that meant having to wait until the first customers finished and left, which I wasn’t so keen on doing on this first day of the season that wouldn’t top a freezing temp.

So, we headed over to Jay’s Café, which is off right off University and 280 on Raymond, just down the street from Keys.

First, we were happy to learn that it opens at 8:00, even on Sundays. We're on kind of a quest for early weekend breakfast places close to our neighborhood. (For example, Moose & Sadie's, our casual favorite and very close to home, opens early during the week but not til 9:00 on weekends). While South Minneapolis and Uptown have no lack of true ‘breakfast’ places (not Sunday brunch spots, but ones that actually open early) we have yet to find a favorite in NE. It sounds like a tall order, unless you have kids, in which case if you can’t be eating between 8:00 and 9:00, then going out for breakfast just isn’t happening.

Anyway, we were only the second table to arrive, and while I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy blueberry walnut pancakes and eggs Bennie from Al’s, the menu, though small and not as traditional (i.e. no pancakes or basic eggs and bacon) looked pretty good.

We got the pork hash, made with Fischer Farms pork, which was basically like having pot roast for breakfast, except with two perfectly poached eggs on top (seriously, they were perfect).

We also ordered caramel apple French toast. Sweet tooth that I am, I’m not always that discerning about my sweet breakfast dishes, but even my husband who is the egg guy was devouring the battered, griddled ciabatta topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

So, the next time you are looking for breakfast in the SE/NE/St. Paul Midway area and either don’t want to wait in line at Al’s or just want to try something different, make it Jay’s. It was cozy and warm and laidback and seasonal and the service was friendly. By the time we left, there were solo diners hanging out with the newspaper and people that were on more of a breakfast mission. 

There was also a breakfast pasty special that sounded really good and there's a waffle of the day made with seasonal ingredients.