Found: The Best Breakfast Spot in Georgia Is Hiding in This College Town
Order the giant cinnamon roll for the table. Keep refills of the Jittery Joe’s house blend coffee coming. And for the love of all that is holy (Elvis Presley and SEC football and such), keep an eye on that squeeze bottle of jam at all times. People get handsy.
These are the commandments we—those of Athens, Georgia—tell anyone going to Mama’s Boy for the first time. It’s easy to think that a breakfast joint is a breakfast joint…is a breakfast joint. But every so often, there’s an exception.
This is not just a breakfast place; it’s the breakfast place. Put it up against any other college town “secret,” and it’ll come out on top. This is National Championship stuff.
Welcome to Mama’s Boy, where the fat and fluffy square-shaped buttermilk biscuit is basically a hometown hero.
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In a time when you can’t seem to find an unanimous opinion to save one’s bacon, we find comfort in one thing: Everyone loves Mama’s Boy. Even Mama, and she’s the biggest critic.
Lines of hungry brunchgoers happily put their name down at the legendary spot, sometimes waiting hours on a busy game weekend. Why? Because the biscuits and sausage gravy, of course—and the Georgia peach-filled French toast, and the pulled pork hash, and the “chocolate cake for breakfast.”
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Breakfast purists will order the Mill Town Breakfast Plate or bacon, egg, and cheese scrambler—with grits and a biscuit if you're smart. Brunch mavericks will go for the whole gosh-darn cinnamon bun (it's as big as your head), salmon cake Benedict, or tofu stir fry (add pineapple!).
Squeeze bottles of homemade jam sit at every table, and you’ll be passing it around like a game of telephone in order to squeeze some on every bite.
Perks of waking up early: Mama's Boy breakfast before church 🙌☕️
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First opened in 2006 just outside downtown Athens, Mama’s Boy has since expanded to one additional location nearby at The Falls of Oconee. We recommend hitting the downtown location for a taste of the Classic City.
But don’t expect to show up at 10 a.m. on a gameday and be seated; the dude waiting with his third cup of coffee will just laugh. Make like a rooster and get there early.
WATCH: 10 Sticky Sweet Cinnamon Rolls Recipes
Did someone say cinnamon rolls? We'll take two orders, stat. It’s the only way to start a Saturday in Athens.
