Rolling out of bed on the weekend after snoozing the habitual weekday morning alarm has an added perk––the chance to feast on eggs, toast, potatoes and omelets galore while sipping on bottomless mimosas or freshly percolated coffee at brunch. This intermittent meal is not just for Mother’s Day, but is a perfect excuse for a Saturday or Sunday funday. Long Beach has some great places that will make you happy you combined breakfast and lunch into one meal. Here’s 5:
Gallagher’s Pub and Grill
If you like your brunch mostly cold and liquid, Gallagher’s will give you your dose of the hair of the dog and make you feel the Irish spirit. When in Ireland–or an Irish bar–try the corn beef and hash brunch. With football season almost in full swing they show sports games regularly, making this place a favorite for monitoring your fantasy football team. They have a digital countdown until the next St. Patrick’s day, but until then brunches give you the chance to have your fill of Guinness and divey pub charm.
Gallagher’s is located at 2751 E Broadway, (562) 856-8000, gallagherslongbeach.com
Nothing feels more festive on a Sunday than watching drag queens “lip sync for their lives.” Ample entertainment, bloody marys and an overall fun vibe make Sunday more of a congregation of party goers than a day of worship––though there is a hallelujah to raining men courtesy of the entertainers in drag. They have an all you can eat brunch special, filling you to the brim with the typical pancake, hash browns and omelet offerings. The show doesn’t start until noon so a late post-hangover wakeup requires nothing more than wearing yesterday’s makeup or throwing on a concealing pair of sunglasses. The joint is moving to Downtown Long Beach and will soon find a new home on Pine Ave.
740 East Broadway (soon to be 330 Pine Ave.), (562) 436-7900, hamburgermarys.com/longbeach
The Attic serves up a brunch that is a bit more decadent, perfect to bring your family staying in the LBC for a weekend or to enjoy with fellow foodie friends before the next daunting work week. Try The Berkey –$10 Soft Scramble or Omelette with Soy Chorizo, Spinach, Parmesan Cheese, Tomatoes, & Mushrooms, topped with Green Onions, served with Potatoes & your choice of Fruit or Toast. Their café ole is home brewed and gives you the extra jolt for a productive Sunday.
The Attic is located at 3441 E Broadway, (562) 433-0153, theatticonbroadway.com
Brunch foods are filling comfort foods that can bring back memories of mom’s morning cooking with a twist. Blackbird Café has that cozy feel, a homey aesthetic well-suited for its menu offerings. They serve mostly breakfast foods and close a few hours after noon, leaving plenty of time for late risers to get their waffle or eggs benedict fix. Try their uber-rich peanut butter pancakes or locally famous eggs benedict and spicy bloody mary. They have their eggs down to a science, cooking them sunny side up, scrambled and to any level of consistency to your exact specifications so nit-picky eaters rest assured. If you want to spend the day with your four-legged friend, their outdoor patio allows dogs and features a friendly staff happy to bring your pup a water bowl.
Blackbird Cafe is located at 3405 Orange Ave., (562) 490-2473
Riley’s Pub and Grill
Orange juice, mango juice and guava juice–oh my! Riley’s spices up the typical mimosa with a bevvy of mixer options for $9. Unlike most places that serve up endless mimosas Riley’s wait staff tops off your champagne frequently and is known to leave a bottle or two of extra champagne on the table mere minutes before 1PM. Riley’s knows Long Beachers love deals so they frequently have good Groupon deals. Their patio and location, positioned in the mid-way through Second Street, is a prime location for people watching on a sunny day with ample room for bikes.
Riley’s is located at 5331 E Second St., (562) 856-1612
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