Jillian T

Breakfast Diners in Moscow, Idaho

(845 words)

            Although numerous restaurants in Moscow, Idaho offer dishes of countless varieties, there is nothing like a great diner to enjoy a warm breakfast on a Sunday morning.  Most breakfast joints host the usual patrons–senior citizens enjoying a quiet morning with friends and church goers taking their children to Sunday brunch.  However, places like The Breakfast Club and the Sandpiper Grill in Moscow also cater to the over-slept college student, joining friends for a meal to heal from the successful previous night out.  Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or just a great cup of coffee, breakfast diners in Moscow offer an abundance of choice for a meal in the early morning until mid-afternoon.

The Breakfast Club, 501 S. Main Street, (208) 882-6481

            The Breakfast Club, a local favorite, has limited hours, remaining open from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  From delicious zucchini bread with honey cream cheese, to a traditional pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast, every craving can be fixed here.  And, for those who like a lighter meal, the spinach plate with curry chicken salad is unique and tasty.  Prices range from $6 to $15.  Yet, the most inviting aspect of The Breakfast Club remains its local spirit, enthusiastic customers, and cheerful staff.

The Sandpiper Grill, 436 N. Main Street, (208) 882-0848

            The Sandpiper Grill and Bar, the love of many Moscow locals for the food, serve from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.  At The Sandpiper, you can have drinks with friends until 2:00 a.m. and return at noon for some pancakes and a Bloody Mary.  The Sandpiper offers a laid back atmosphere, with a deck and barbecue outside for sunny summer days.  And for the long Moscow winters?  Inside, The Sandpiper is adorn with island birds, beach scenes, and tropical flowers to offer the island feel even in the middle of December.  Prices at The Sandpiper are slightly cheaper than the Breakfast Club, but the menu items are classic diner eats.  Chicken fried steaks, hash browns, club sandwiches, and specialty burgers, such as the “One-Eyed Jack” (a burger with ham, bacon, cheese, and a fried on egg on top), are all delicious at the Sandpiper.  It is a gathering place for friends, especially on late weekend mornings.

The Pantry, 1516 Pullman Road, (208) 882-0550

            Similar to the Sandpiper, The Pantry, located in the Best Western University Inn, offers diner food, but at elevated prices.  However, The Pantry’s steak and eggs breakfast is tasty and affordable at $11.50.  The Pantry’s coffee is also the best in town.  Service is friendly and each booth offers privacy for your dining group.  Convenient for visitors staying at the University Inn, The Pantry offers counter seating for lone diners as well.  A full-service coffee shop and bar are within the hotel as well, offering The Pantry customers even more choices for their mornings.  Open from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., The Pantry serves breakfast all day. 

Shari’s, 121 Warbonnet Drive, (208) 882-1971     

For a more streamline dining experience, the chain restaurant, Shari’s, is available in Moscow as well.  This diner offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner 24 hours a day, along with specialty pies, whole or by the slice.  Pancakes are amazing at the Moscow Shari’s, as are the eggs, meat, hash browns, and toast that come along with it.  And while Shari’s not only offers giant breakfasts at any hour, the restaurant’s prices are moderate to low. 

Moscow Bagel and Deli, 310 S. Main Street, (208) 882-5242       

Speaking of breakfast at any time, do not miss your chance to stop by the Moscow Bagel & Deli in downtown Moscow.  Frequented the most between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., the “Bagel Shop,” as deemed by most residents, offers custom bagel sandwiches, steamed to perfection, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m.  Employees of the bagel shop are laid back, friendly people who work hard to make bagels for the dozens of people who line the counter, shouting their orders during the late evening rush.  Located in historic downtown, amidst bars, local shops, and the site of the seasonal Farmer’s Market, Moscow Bagel & Deli is true local favorite.  Although you will usually find a crowd here, mingling is part of the fun.  And, the food is completely worth the wait.  Whether you’d like your breakfast on a bagel (try “The Puck”: Canadian bacon, egg, and cheese) or want to try the deli’s unique and flavorful chicken salad on an everything bagel, the “Bagel Shop” offers a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere with amazing food.

              So, no matter your cravings on weekend mornings or late night dining excursions, Moscow, Idaho offers every type of taste available for breakfast.  Even those patrons who just don’t feel like bacon and eggs can find something to feed their lunch appetite.  Either way, breakfast dining has never been so diverse and delicious in Moscow.