By Butch Blasingame

If you’re like a lot of us, breakfast is your favorite meal. On a cool day – or a hot day – nothing beats getting a good start to the day with your favorite. Just what that favorite is may vary, but breakfast is what makes these places very popular here on the Emerald Coast.

1. Harbor Docks – Whether you’re a fisherman getting ready to head out to catch that big one or a seasonal visitor, you can’t match Harbor Docks for atmosphere. This place is a part of Destin’s history. The crew that used to be at the Silver Sands Restaurant – an establishment that was demolished in a past hurricane – serves breakfast here. The menu items are traditional, and everything is well prepared. Do not miss the cheese grits and county ham, especially if you like salty dishes. The homemade biscuits and gravy are also just about all you would need for a meal. You can even get the fried chicken that Silver Sands was famous for. Get to Harbor Docks early unless you want to search for a parking place and then have to wait in line. 538 E Hwy 98, Destin – 837-2506
2. Waffle House – There are many of these along the Emerald Coast. Some of you from outside the South may not be familiar with this Atlanta-based chain. From the number of cars you see in their lots on Saturday and Sunday mornings, you know these places are popular. They have, of course, the namesake waffles, which are available in plain, pecan, and the new chocolate chip (for a limited time). You can also get the bacon and eggs style breakfast along with their famous hash browns, which they will prepare multitudinous ways. Scattered, smothered, diced, chunked, peppered, covered… the list goes on forever. If you get them all, a double order would be all you need for the day – except maybe for some Alka-Seltzer. Several locations on the Emerald Coast on US 98.
3. IHOP – The International House of Pancakes or IHOP as it is known can be found in few location here. The pancakes here rule. You can get them with everything, although you can be a “traitor” and get hash browns. They have featured special, the most recent one featuring cinnamon flavored pancakes or French toast that was about as “cinnamony” as anybody would ever want. One tip here is to order that featured combo – it’s the best deal and you can get it with the pancakes or French toast plain or the toppings on the side. In the old days, the International House of Pancakes used to have more of an international flavor, with flags of the world flying from the ceiling. Maybe some of you older folks remember that.  10859 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin – 650-1777 and 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Fort Walton Beach 243-9333
4. Another Broken Egg – This place has three locations, one in Baytowne Wharf and the others in Destin and on 30-A in Seagrove Beach. It’s the Cadillac of breakfasts. The quality is top notch and many items are award winning. The skillet dishes provide you with enough to take some home, pancakes use the freshest of fruit mixed in, and the Banana’s Foster breakfast is incredibly tasty. This place isn’t cheap – excuse me, inexpensive – but as the saying goes, here you get what you pay for. Be sure to come early because after 8 a.m., you’ll probably have to wait a while. 9100 Baytowne Wharf Blvd – 622-2050, 104 E Hwy 98 Destin 650-0499, 51 Uptown Grayton Cir Santa Rosa Beach - 231-7835
5. O’Charley’s – This really isn’t a breakfast place, but it has a Sunday brunch that you’re sure to like. In the mood for prime rib and blueberry muffins? Like traditional fare like omelets and waffles? Real, we mean real, steak and eggs? You can get it here. There are other brunches in town to consider, but to this reviewer, you won’t go wrong here, but you’ll probably have to wait in line. Serving starts at 10:30 a.m. 34906 Emerald Coast Pkwy Destin – 654-3888