HO2007 - Dining - Best Breakfasts

Breakfast in Houston is a meal that should not be skipped.

At Buffalo Grill, the meal begins with placing your order at the counter, then grabbing a table and savoring some of the best pecan-smoked peppered bacon in the state. At The Breakfast Klub, order house specialties Katfish & Grits or Wings & Waffles.

For those on a budget, El Rey fits the bill. Its breakfast tacos and cinnamon coffee are delicious. In addition to a drive-through, this hidden gem has inside seating. No time to sit down? Dry Creek has breakfast burritos and muffin breakfast sandwiches ready to go.

For a more leisurely meal, Hugo's weekend gourmet Mexican brunch buffet is a near-religious experience.

Start Me Up — Top picks for tasty joe.

By Kristi Van Aken

• Artsy with a near-beatnik feel, Brasil caters to the afternoon/evening crowd.

• The Sumatra at Café Artiste stands out boldly at this Montrose-area fixture — and it's brewed right in your cup when you order.

• In Midtown, CoCo's serves a true-to-form café au lait that is a perfect balance of coffee and milk.

• Cricket's Creamery & Caffé fits right in on The Heights' 19th Street. Try the decadent peppermint mocha latte on a wintry day, or the chilly vanilla frappé to beat the heat.

• Diedrich Coffee offers a rich, chocolaty café mocha in one of two Houston branches.

• Greenberry's Coffee & Tea boasts about its roasts, and with good reason — the coffee of the day.

• Say "Aloha" to the Kona blend at the Maui Wowi drive-through.

• McCain's Market in The Heights peddles Katz's High Octane Blend, from Houston's hometown organic producer.

• Cappuccino served with almond biscotti makes for a frothy, cozy combination at Italian eatery Vincent's.