Breakfast is always better when you don’t have to cook it yourself. And as much as I enjoy making my own morning meals, I love going out for breakfast much, much more.

The Harbor House Cafe in Dana Point is one of those places where you can dine after just rolling out of bed, matted hair, rumpled pajamas and all. The waitstaff won’t even bat an eyelash to your disheveled appearance (trust me, they’ve seen everything), and will give you all the time you need to wake up and pore over the tome that is the cafe’s eclectic menu.

Come at any time during the day or night (the restaurant is open 24 hours a day all year, with not a single pause for holidays) and you’ll most likely find its tables and booths packed, just likes its walls and ceilings are of movie posters and celebrity shots. It’s a favorite of locals both young and old, who laud the dishes for their behemoth portions. Pancakes (try the banana nut hotcakes, served with a mammoth-sized dollop of whipped cream) and french toast are served as fluffy as they come, while a chicken fried steak smothered with gravy is as comforting as it is tasty. Biscuits and sausage gravy surprisingly have some color to them (some of these b & g dishes I’ve seen look about as appetizing as hospital food), and are lovely as a side dish to any of the restaurant’s 29 omelettes or egg plates.

I would also choose Harbor House’s coffee over anything offered at Starbucks.

Information: Harbor House Cafe, 34157 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949-496-9270. www.harborhousecafe.com There’s also a location in Sunset Beach, open 24 hours: 16341 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach. 562-592-5404.

- Cynthia Furey

Posted in: American • Restaurants by price: $0-$14 |

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