Everything’s bigger in Texas—including the hangovers. A spicy plate of huevos rancheros and a beer is the city’s traditional overindulgent breakfast, but if you’re looking for more than the hair of the dog, pick yourself up by the bootstraps with these larger-than-life breakfasts.
By Nancy Nichols
The Kozy Kitchen
4433 McKinney Ave.
Head here to start your day with a big “O”: This chef-driven spot is dedicated to breakfasts done right with quality, often organic ingredients. Start with freshly squeezed orange juice (perfect if you’ve got a nipper of vodka left in your flask) and follow with a #9, a stiff two-shot latte with milk, heavy cream, agave nectar and coconut oil. The kitchen’s Hangover Helper, a grass-fed buffalo steak with mushrooms and spinach layered with eggs, guacamole and salsa, will clear the remaining cobwebs out of your head. Lighter fare includes gluten-free pancakes or French toast and a killer breakfast BLT with eggs on challah bread. Free WiFi makes it easy to reconnect with the folks you lost track of the night before.
Smoke
901 Fort Worth Ave.
We recommend Smoke for two reasons: One, Smoke is located at the Hotel Belmont, Dallas’ hippest stay with stellar skyline views. Two, Smoke is a haute smokehouse known for hardwood-smoked ham, fennel seed beef sausage and thick-cut bacon—all essential sides to a big, rib-sticking breakfast. The brisket hash and drop biscuits slathered in sausage gravy and a Dr. Pepper reduction is one of the most celebrated dishes in Dallas. Or maybe it’s the ricotta pancakes topped with Texas blueberries. Or the pulled whole-hog BBQ eggs Benedict with goat cheese potato cakes. No matter what grabs your bleary eyes, just don’t forget the bacon.
La Duni [pictured]
4264 Oak Lawn Ave.
It isn’t just the flavors of Latin America that draw an early set through the doors; La Duni offers more than 20 caffeinated pick-me-ups from the espresso bar. And, for those who blur the line between nighttime and daylight, the bar’s also open. Try a Bloody Mary with house- made roasted tomato juice or a white peach Bellini prepared by blending fresh peach puree with Cava and peach Schnapps—or, just stick to suds with Peruvian lagers like Cusqueña and Cristal. Award-winning pastries from the kitchen of owner/baker Dunia Borgia include a flaky guava and cheese Gloria and a cinnamon brioche, while her husband Taco’s menu includes spicy salsa-baked eggs, a ham and Gruyère scramble, and breakfast tacos.
LATE-NIGHT NOSH: When the music is over, tipplers seek a post-2 a.m. layover at Metro Diner (3309 Gaston Ave., 214.828.2190) before slinking home. They don’t have to go far; the Metro, open 24 hours, is just minutes from the clubby Deep Ellum area near downtown Dallas. Here, you’ll find a complete cross-section of Dallas nightlifers—goth kids from the Lizard Lounge, night shifters from Baylor Hospital across the street and music freaks fresh from a concert at Trees, where Kurt Cobain’s infamous fight with a bouncer took place. All come to unscramble their heads with eggs, pancakes, crispy bacon and assertively strong coffee. The great rock ‘n’ roll jukebox is a big plus.