15 York County breakfast spots for those who shun all-day drive-thru option

Fast-food bacon, egg and cheese lovers are rejoicing this week as McDonald’s started serving select breakfast menu items all day.

But some local breakfast and brunch fans have long-been skipping the drive-thru and heading to locally-owned eateries for their first meal of the day (or second or third meal, depending on when you like to eat your eggs and grits).

Around York County, there are plenty of places to find breakfast served late or even all day.

Listed below – in alphabetical order – are some non-chain breakfast/brunch places. The Herald compiled this sample list using results from Yelp and Google.

Amelie’s French Bakery – Rock Hill: Famous for their French Press coffee, a tempting dessert/pastry case, and some of the quirkiest restaurant decor around, Amelie’s arrived in downtown Rock Hill last year after many years of success in Charlotte. Breakfast/brunch options include fresh-baked croissants and sandwiches, with vegetarian choices. The Rock Hill location isn’t open 24/7 like Amelie’s NoDa, but many local fans are holding out hope.

Anna J’s – Rock Hill: Maybe the local breakfast spot located closest to a McDonald’s, you won’t find Anna J’s plate-sized omelets in a drive-thru menu. On Cherry Road across from Winthrop University, Anna J’s serves daily breakfast staples at reasonable prices.

Bagel Boat – Lake Wylie: Open daily, serving New York-style kosher bagels and fresh-brewed specialty coffee and teas, the Bagel Boat has eat-in service, a drive-thru and local delivery/catering service. Yelp reviews recommend the “everything bagel” with salmon cream cheese, the cinnamon raisin bagel, and cappuccinos. Located on Charlotte Highway, near the Buster Boyd Bridge.

Bistro 160 Cafe – Fort Mill: Also a catering company, the cafe is open every day with a full breakfast menu, including lighter, healthier options and guilty-pleasures like “The Godfather” omelet and syrupy French toast. Beverages include espresso, smoothies, and mimosas. Don’t miss Bistro 160’s specialty coffee flavors like salted caramel apple and peanut buttercup lattes. Look for special offers, like their Mother’s Day brunch.

Brenda’s Corner Cafe – Rock Hill: An all-day breakfast/fresh baked goods place, Brenda’s is newly-located on India Hook Road. The cafe serves fresh juice and smoothies and has specials on Saturday’s such as breakfast casseroles and biscuits and gravy. Tuesday to Saturday, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the cafe offers pancakes, “bacon cakes,” French toast, bagels, eggs, and more.

Five & Dine – Rock Hill: Breakfast served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends, Five & Dine in downtown Rock Hill serves eggs and bacon/sausage standards alongside special dishes like the “pulled pork Benedict” and Southwest-style omelet. Homemade, lunch-counter-style sodas are a big draw for customers, as well as their chicken and waffle plate, which you can order any day during lunch hours.

Flipside – Fort Mill and Rock Hill: The Flipside “cafe” is in downtown Fort Mill and the Flipside “restaurant” is in downtown Rock Hill, and the main difference you’ll care about is how and when they serve breakfast and brunch. Both locations open their doors every day of the week but you’ll only find breakfast on weekdays in Fort Mill. On the weekends, both serve brunch, starting at 9 a.m. Don’t miss the “Carolina grits” with pimento cheese and “bacon jam.” Eclectic menu options include a pistachio “crunch” waffle and a lobster omelet. Flipside locations use many locally-produced and locally-grown ingredients. Call for reservations.

Kinch’s – Rock Hill: This restaurant’s home-style decor complements its home-style cooking. Open Monday to Friday at 7 a.m. for breakfast, Kinch’s has been a downtown Rock Hill fixture for years. You can find a full breakfast here for $7 or less, with free coffee and tea refills from friendly servers. Breakfast possibilities include biscuits, omelets, pancakes and the option of country ham on the side of anything. Order at the counter and find a seat.

The Little Cafe – Rock Hill: This Cherry Road restaurant offers all-you-can-eat pancakes for 99 cents with drink purchase as well as a breakfast buffet. Customers on Yelp call it “down-home” and “homey.” Their breakfast service runs from 7 to 11 a.m., with biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, grits, fat back, and more. Their “15-foot-long” buffet bar is under $10 per person. Follow them on Facebook for specials and extended breakfast hour announcements.

Micheal’s Grille – Rock Hill: Serves weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations not required but recommended if you’re looking to try their Monte Cristo dipped in egg batter and “grilled golden” or Micheal’s cornbeef hash frittata, served with toast and grits. Micheal’s is located on Charlotte Avenue, within walking distance to Winthrop University.

Nishie G’s Cafe – Rock Hill: The Mt. Gallant Road location is open Monday to Friday, possibly serving the only breakfast in town with a gyro meat omelet option and a pita special. The Greek-style restaurant is well-known for its lunch and dinner menu but serves up full breakfast plates, too. Try the short stack of two pancakes or, if you’re really hungry, the “steak and egg special” with a 6 oz. ribeye.

Nova’s Bakery – Rock Hill: Mostly a place to buy coffee and fresh-made breads, Nova’s has comfy couches and friendly decor if you need a caffeine boost after a breakfast/brunch binge. Their Cherry Road bakery also has a drive-thru window.

Popes at the White House – York: Open daily until 2 p.m., except Sundays and Mondays, Popes is the local area’s favorite breakfast joint located directly across from York County’s prison (it’s the only one). Since 2010, the family-owned diner has been serving breakfast and lunch at the S.C. 5 location “conveniently located half way between Key West and New York City.” Yelp reviews recommend Popes’ “crispy bacon,” hashbrowns and three-egg omelets. True to Southern-style, you can even order your toasted egg sandwich with liver mush or bologna.

The Varsity – Rock Hill: This diner opened its doors long before teens and hipsters starting posting pictures of their brunch on Instagram. The Russell’s have ran The Varsity in downtown Rock Hill for more than 30 years. They serve a “full country breakfast” all day. Fair prices and friendly staff bring customers coming back for more, according to Yelp reviews. Visit The Varsity is closed Sundays.

The Yolk – Rock Hill: No longer a well-kept secret, many locals name The Yolk as their favorite breakfast/brunch spot. The restaurant – which bills itself as having “A Love Affair With Breakfast” – has picked up plenty of positive press locally and regionally since it opened in 2012. Last year, an overnight fire displaced owners Subrina and Greg Collier from their original Mt. Gallant Road location. They’ve since re-opened in Riverview Commons at 1912 Mt. Gallant Road. Check out their daily specials and customer favorites like Tennessee fries (the seasoning has its own Facebook fan page), pecan or sweet potato waffles, or specialty omelets like the Jane Fonda and “Everything but the kitchen sink.” The new location features a seat-yourself community table for those short on time.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 10:30 AM with the headline "15 York County breakfast spots for those who shun all-day drive-thru option."