Locals ceded this decade-old woodsy diner with huge portions to lines of tourists long ago—who wants to wait an hour or more for middling gravy? But somewhere in the past few years the homey spot upped its game—the sausage gravy got spicier and silkier, the platter-size hash browns now boast a perfect ratio of crisp-to-creamy spud bits. The plates are still overwhelming: the Monte Cristo, with its XXL slabs of cinnamony challah French toast heaped with griddled ham, turkey, and Swiss is a prime example of the “Food As Dare” trend that will not die. But it also tastes damn good; the kind of thing you want to share with a friend (or three) over a lazy weekday breakfast fueled by bottomless mugs of Cellar Door Coffee. Insider tip: Wednesdays and Thursdays are slowest, if you can squeeze in a midweek meal.