I will never pass up a good home cooked breakfast, but some of these restaurants make me wonder if my grandma is the chef.

What better way to start your day than with a delicious meal? Breakfast is the most important meal because it fuels your day. Here goes my personal ranking, in order, of the best breakfast places in Auburn:

1. Byron’s

Byron’s has been highly recommended to me since my sophomore year of college, and it wasn’t until this past summer that I tried it for the first time. Byron’s “takes the cake” when it comes to breakfast. The atmosphere is fantastic with down-to-earth breakfast go-ers and the smell of home-cooked food. They have breakfast plates, biscuit sandwiches, grits, and more. My personal favorite is the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit with a side of grits. My meal was $4.58 and everything they have is $10 and under. I highly suggest adding Byron’s to your weekly routine.

2. Big Blue Bagel

Yes, it’s true, Big Blue Bagel lives up to its hype. I am a cheese grit connoisseur, and it doesn’t get much better than theirs. They have many options including bagel sandwiches, omelets, breakfast burritos, breakfast plates (my personal favorite), and bagels with cream cheese. An added bonus is the majority of their meals are $6 or less. There is always a line out the door, but it's worth the wait for sure.

3. The Hound

The Hound breakfast is phenomenal, but more expensive than the first two options. The Hound is great for an elevated brunch with friends and family, not just a casual, quick meal. My personal favorites are the bacon flight appetizer and The Hound Breaky, which is a classic American breakfast with eggs, potatoes, and toast. I like to keep it simple. My friends have ordered the hashbrown casserole, biscuits and gravy, and redneck benedict and their reviews were a ten out of ten. The breakfast entrees are anywhere from $12 to $21, but you get your money's worth.

4. Lucy’s

The Chicken and Waffle Bennie is to die for. Period. Lucy’s breakfast is on the more expensive side, and they have a small menu, but if you love all things southern chic, Lucy’s is the place to go. Their lemon ricotta pancakes melt in your mouth, and the big bad breakfast is a great way to start your day. You can't go wrong with any of their entrees. Their meals range from $14 to $18, and it never hurts to add their pepper jack grits to the side of your meal. The aesthetic at Lucy’s is number one on this list. If you’re looking for a place to have a birthday brunch with pictures, you should absolutely make the trip to Lucy’s.

As I said before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether your family is in town for a visit, it's your best friend's birthday, or you’re really just craving a delicious meal, you should absolutely hit these places up, and you can thank me later.

Eat like a tiger, and…

Be well, Auburn.