First Place: Over Easy At The Depot
Over Easy At The Depot, providing a laid back atmosphere for breakfast and lunch, was voted as having the best breakfast in town.
Rayanne Henson, the owner’s daughter and manager, is “the brains behind the bar and the whole restaurant,” working alongside her best friend, Henson said.
Over Easy at the Depot is a family owned and operated restaurant, located right near the railroad tracks, as Henson’s stepdad worked on the railroad for many years. She describes her family as “train enthusiasts.”
“We really thrive in making sure that the customer, when they walk in, has the best experience possible,” Henson said. “We really like to make sure that people feel at home here. Coming in the doors and feeling like family and becoming a regular is what we really take pride in.”
The diner’s most popular breakfast staples are the chicken & waffles and the pancakes that come out to 13 inches, according to Henson.
Being recognized by the Kent community is special to Henson, as that community is what makes up the Over Easy family.
“We love being a part of the community,” she said. “We love that the community recognizes us and supports us every day, as we love serving them every day.”
Over Easy can be found at 152 Franklin Ave., and it’s open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Tuesdays.
Second Place: Mike’s Place
Mike’s Place was placed second best breakfast spot in Kent due to its casual dining atmosphere having everything from Jimmy Buffett tropical, to tiki huts and a spot called “Mr. Bilbo’s room.”
Cody Kostensky, an owner at Mike’s Place and Kent State alumnus, said being located in a college town is always “lively.”
“Everyone comes in here, really energetic, unless it’s like Sunday morning, when they’re all a little tired from partying,” he said. “It’s just an awesome community.”
Some of the restaurant’s most popular breakfast items include the homemade sweet rolls, omelets and “Sir Chadwick’s Overstuffed Biscuit,” which is made with hash browns, topped with an open-faced toasted biscuit, sausage from a local butcher, bacon, eggs and topped off with sausage gravy and cheddar cheese.
With summer just around the corner, Mike’s Place caters to the season.
“We have a big tropical patio with a waterfall and a lot of music and all that stuff,” Kostensky said.
Mike’s place can be found at 1700 S Water St. and is open all week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Third Place: Wild Goats Cafe
Wild Goats Cafe is Kent’s third favorite breakfast spot, located just down the bridge from downtown. Justin Rogers, the owner of Wild Goats Cafe, said the restaurant has a “very laid back, very chill atmosphere.” It’s been open for 15 years in Kent and was formerly known as “Dancing Goats.”
Rogers describes the business as community driven, as Wild Goats participates in local benefits.
“We try to donate to kids’ social services every month, whether that is monetary donations or I personally bring them just car fulls of food just to keep their pantries filled,” Rogers said.
Being located in a college town, the restaurant accommodates its audience. This includes the “Buck Buck special” on Thursdays.
“[It’s] really popular with the college kids because it’s discounted breakfast items,” Rogers said. “We have all of our breakfast items at just $2 each, whether it’s pancakes or eggs or bacon or sausage or hash browns or toast.”
Rogers emphasizes that being recognized by the Kent community is a great feeling. Rogers said the restaurant values giving people the best quality breakfast, even if that means spending extra money on products.
“It’s nice being recognized for all the hard work that not only me, but my staff puts in,” he said. “We take pride in our products and our cooking. We try to put out the best breakfast that we possibly can.”
Wild Goats Cafe can be found at 319 W. Main St., and it’s open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Claire Duber is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Joe Malbin is a KSTV reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
