The Diane, Legal Grounds’ buttermilk oatmeal pancake. Photo by Mark Davis
At 1 p.m. on a Tuesday, Legal Grounds was operating at a slow simmer. An occasional customer or two trickled in, most with laptops slung over their shoulders. During the morning, you’re lucky to find an available seat, much less a table, at the cozy breakfast nook off Abrams. But that’s the beauty of Legal Grounds; it seems to suit just about anyone — from high school sports teams to businessmen in suits, students studying, moms on lunch dates, or study groups for various religions — everyone has a place here. Manager Matt Bebee suspects that’s why Legal Grounds is such a landmark melting pot for Lakewood. “I think it’s unique, like Lakewood,” Bebee muses. That’s also the reason why current owner Eric Johnson bought the place two and a half years ago when it was on the verge of going under, to keep a place with such rich Lakewood history and irreplaceable atmosphere from being lost. But, neighborhood feel aside, the crave-worthy breakfast foods speak for themselves. The Diane, their buttermilk oatmeal pancake, is insanely good and so dense you won’t need lunch, or dinner for that matter. If you’re looking for something meatier, the Suzanne is the “bigger, meaner big sister,” as Bebee calls it. It comes with bacon and eggs and the works. Or, if you wander in some lazy Tuesday, settle down with a bold coffee or a loose-leaf tea and a muffin top or scone.
Legal Grounds, 2015 Abrams, 214.824.5800
Ambiance: Café
Price range: $1-$10
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| more Breakfast spots |
1 BuzzBrews
Not only does the atmosphere of the restaurant make you feel like you’re the star in a TV show, their griddle toast will put you in the best sugar coma you’ve ever experienced. Plus, they’re open 24 hours for late-night snackers.
4154 N. Central Expressway, 214.826.7100, buzzbrews.com
2 Gold Rush Café
No fluff and no frills, just fast service and friendly, familiar faces. If you’re not going just to catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip, try their steak and egg breakfast. You’ll be glad you did.
1913 Skillman, 214.823.6923
3 The Mecca
The Mecca’s cinnamon rolls are the best things since … well, since ever. That’s it. That’s all there is to it.
5815 Live Oak, 214.352.0051
