Breakfast Worth the Drive

Your hotel may offer breakfast, and sometimes convenience wins, especially before an early faceoff. We’ve also heard good things about breakfast at Plough inside the Lancaster Marriott, although we haven’t tried it recently enough to offer an official Dips Local ruling.

But when your schedule allows for something a little more memorable, head about 20 minutes east of the city to Gracie’s on West Main in Leola.

The drive gives you a small taste of Lancaster County beyond downtown. You’ll pass rolling farmland, small Amish and non-Amish family farms and, quite possibly, a horse and buggy or two. Just remember that passing one requires a little patience, and that no breakfast destination is worth becoming the subject of a Lancaster County driving story.

What to Order

According to Owen, Gracie’s makes the best French toast anywhere. I have tried, and repeatedly failed, to recreate it at home. Gracie’s uses thick sourdough with its signature batter and whipped cinnamon-honey butter, and the restaurant maintains that it is good enough to eat without syrup. Owen would probably agree.

The bacon sampler is also a must, particularly for first-timers. Depending on which version you order, you may encounter double-smoked bacon, caramelized bacon, Irish bacon, whiskey-black-pepper bacon, bacon jam and the rotating bacon of the month. It is less of a side dish and more of a Lancaster County breakfast experience.

For anyone who prefers breakfast with a little heat, look for a chorizo item. The current menu includes a spicy chorizo hash with house-made Mexican chorizo, chipotle-lime aioli, queso fresco and eggs, along with several other chorizo options.

And be sure to ask for the homemade strawberry basil jam. Gracie’s makes its jams, sauces and dressings from scratch, and the jam deserves considerably more attention than the average breakfast condiment. (Gracies On West Main)

When to Go

Gracie’s opens at 8:00 a.m. every day, and breakfast is available all day. The restaurant currently stays open until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. (Gracies On West Main)

The restaurant has expanded considerably over the years, but you may still encounter a wait during peak breakfast and brunch hours. Lancaster Countians tend to eat breakfast between approximately 8:00 and 10:00—based on our entirely unscientific but extensive local research—so arrive early or a little later when the lacrosse schedule permits.

Before You Leave

Take a few minutes to read the inspirational, sentimental and occasionally funny sayings written throughout the restaurant. Vote on your family favorite and feel free to borrow one or two for your next Facebook post. We won’t tell.

We’ll share plenty of other Lancaster breakfast options, including several much closer to campus. But for a breakfast that gives you good food, local flavor and a glimpse of the countryside, Gracie’s is a clear winner.