Original Sunrise Café
Coffee and Water
Snow Caps – Butter fried bagel slices, cinnamon sugar
The Ultimate – Texas Toast soaked in English Toffee Batter, topped with Pecans, Caramel, and Powdered Sugar
Homerun French Toast – Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Sandwiches dipped in Reese’s Peanut Butter Batter topped with Bananas, Powdered Sugar, and Grape Jelly Reduction
Banana Cream Pancakes – Pancakes infused with banana syrup and bananas, topped with pecans and served with dulce de leche whipped cream butter
Located just off the 215 in the southeast part of town I’d long been looking for a reason to visit Original Sunrise Café and with the Art Festival of Henderson scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend I finally decided to make the trek, my reward a good meal at a fair price with sterling service from beginning to end. As much a “mom n’ pop” spot as any in Las Vegas it was 7:05am when I walked in the café door and with smiley greetings amidst the sunbathed room I quickly found a seat, a full view of the kitchen plus the NFL Draft my amusement as I navigated the two-page laminated menu with the first of several cups of coffee in hand. Always trending sweet over savory it was with gluttony followed by glee that I inquired about half-portions or short-stacks and informed that both could be accommodated it was a quartet that comprised my order, the signature “Snow Caps” of sliced bagels fried in butter under a dusting of cinnamon sugar soon delighting me in its simplicity as I watched the restaurant fill. Ever gracious in service as java flowed free a pair of pancakes arrived next and although improved by creamy dulce de leche the cakes themselves lacked, a mistake thankfully not replicated in either of the French Toasts, The Ultimate a more traditional version with buttery bread soaked in toffee and caramel while the Homerun can best be described as a battered after-school snack griddled to soft and topped with fresh bananas plus grape jam – a concept as simple as the Snow Caps and every bit as worth getting out of bed early for.
THREE AND A HALF STARS: One of many pleasant little independent breakfast/brunch/lunch spots speckling the valley I love the service and the vibe at Original Sunrise and would recommend locals check it out. Not exactly a ‘destination’ breakfast but far better than Rise and Shine or others in the Southeast Valley there is nothing here you can’t make at home for less but with such lovely service why not let someone else do it for you?
RECOMMENDED: Snow Caps, Homerun French Toast
AVOID: Pancakes proved a bit doughy and without syrup would also be too dry; an option for pure maple syrup at a surcharge would be welcomed.
TIP: Get there before 8:00am on weekends or be prepared to wait and be sure to take them up on the free coffee refill in a to-go cup when your meal is done; always a nice touch.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
