It’s Sunday morning. The sun rises, church bells toll, your neighbor’s annoying rooster crows, and you stay in bed. When you finally rise, the numbers on your alarm clock induce a deep rumble in your stomach — you’ve slept through breakfast.
Enter brunch. The portmanteau of breakfast and lunch, this hearty meal typically is consumed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and often accompanied by an alcoholic beverage. In pop culture, brunch has become a social extravaganza for weekend mornings. In the Tri-State, it’s an opportunity to try distinctive dishes made just for the day.
Amy’s on Franklin
Brunch is about socializing as much as it is about the food. At Amy’s on Franklin, diners get the best of both worlds with an intimate, Instagram-worthy setting and upscale versions of savory benedicts, specialty sandwiches, and regional favorites.
Paired nicely with their mimosa flight, the Pork Carnitas Benedict starts simple with a freshly made English muffin. Piled high with poached eggs, lime slaw, and house pork carnitas, this dish is topped off with a house Creole mustard hollandaise sauce made fresh each morning.
1418 West Franklin St. • amysonfranklin.com
The Hornet’s Nest
If you’re looking for a more traditional take on Sunday’s midday meal, look no further than The Hornet’s Nest in Earle, operating north of Evansville on a site that’s been a gathering place for locals since the mid-1800s.
Mostly known for bold takes on standard tavern food, the Hornet’s Nest also boasts a weekend brunch menu. One of its featured plates, the Monte Cristo Sandwich, is packed with a mix of sweet and savory flavors. Served with your choice of two sides, the dish starts with two crunchy halves of French toast stuffed with turkey, ham, and American cheese, and drizzled with strawberry glaze.
11845 Petersburg Road • hornetsnestrestaurant.com
The Rooftop
Brunch has a reputation for being a morning-after-partying event. The Rooftop in Downtown Evansville has taken that reputation in full stride with a lively energy perfect for brunch-goers who want to reignite the fun.
In its best-selling Hangover Tacos, fried chicken strips are layered with scrambled eggs and potatoes smothered in breakfast gravy, and everything is folded into three soft tortilla tacos. The dish derives from a similar option of the same name — minus the tacos — served over waffles. The bar also offers drink specials during Sunday brunch.
112 N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. • therooftopevv.com
Nellie’s Restaurant
Making a name for itself in the breakfast scene since 2017, Nellie’s Restaurant in Newburgh, Indiana, offers classics such as skillets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, omelets, and French toast as part of its American-fare menu. A family-friendly atmosphere makes Nellie’s a brunch spot for all ages and palates.
Among its From the Griddle options, the Fried Chicken & Waffle is a simplistic breakfast tradition you can’t pass up. A thick Belgian waffle is topped with three crispy chicken strips, dusted with powdered sugar, and finished with whipped butter and warm maple syrup.
8566 Ruffian Lane, Newburgh, IN • nelliesnewburgh.com
R’z Cafe & Catering
R’z Cafe & Catering in Fort Branch, Indiana, offers a generous brunch menu with witty names and some surprising options. The Alive & Well drink list is where the fun begins, especially with a strawberry mimosa. Served in an 18-ounce fishbowl and garnished with fruit, it’s a cool companion to any hot meal.
104 N. Main St., Fort Branch, IN • rzcafeandcatering.com
Lamasco Bar and Grill
Known to some as the breakfast drink of champions, the famous Bloody Mary’s mix of vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and tangy toppings is a staple morning cocktail. At Lamasco Bar and Grill you can order the meal-in-a-cup along with their breakfast menu all day, every day.
1331 W. Franklin St. • lamascobarandgrill.com