despite popular opinion, there was a time when honey’s bistro and bakery was not the encinitas mainstay that it has since become. yes, shock! horror! north countians were forced to live in a world without its coffee bar and homemade granola, delicious baked goods and huevos rancheros. but after marvelous muffins (yes, that was its name) went out of business in the early 90’s, a humble hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch spot moved into its place. and for the past umpteen years, the restaurant with the small interior and the brown awning has been turning out big breakfasts for big appetites and earning the loyalty from the beach city crowd (myself included) along the way. i realize there are plenty of spots along 101 that i could choose to fuel myself post studio barre workout on any given weekend, but to me, there’s really no question where i would choose to spend my saturday morning. and that’s not just because i can suicide my coffee flavor selections and caesar knows me by name (well maybe it’s a little because of that).

so today i am thankful for honey’s. for their myriad of coffee flavors and sidewalk seating and for caesar, its flirtatious yet endearing general manager. i am thankful for its delicious acai bowl (which i easily devour and lick the bowl clean) and the fact that i run into no less than eight people i know when i enjoy my morning meal within its walls. i am thankful for a place where the employees know my face and my order and that i can bring friends new and old here for a hearty meal and a side of childhood nostalgia. honey’s will forever be my go-to breakfast spot, no matter the craving or the company in tow. and for that, i’m so grateful that it moved into that empty storefront over fifteen years ago.

honey’s is #1 in my book.