9 enticing Monday brunch spots for Labor Day

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Photo courtesy of Cafeteria 15L

It’s no secret we’re big fans of brunch around here, and Labor Day weekend gives us an extra day to indulge. Here are nine Monday brunch spots to fill up on everything from chocolate banana waffles to beef jerky bloody Marys.

Awful Annie’s

Both the Lincoln and Auburn outposts of this popular family-owned restaurant will be serving up an extensive selection of homemade breakfast dishes for Monday brunch. Choose from 11 “Awful Waffles & Pancakes,” including the banana-pecan waffles and the chocolate chip pancakes with freshly whipped cream. For something more savory, start your meal with an assorted flight of crispy bacon strips—the popular appetizer that graced the cover of our April/May bacon issue. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 160 Sacramento St. Auburn. 530-888-9857. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 490 Lincoln Blvd. Lincoln. 645-9766. awfulannies.com

Bistro 33

Take a seat at this Davis restaurant’s expansive front patio and settle in with a cup of locally brewed Naked Coffee for an early afternoon brunch with classic scrambles, French toast and pancakes. Fill up on the breakfast burrito stuffed with spicy chorizo, scrambled eggs and Spanish rice, or try a fresh cinnamon roll with fluffy cream cheese frosting. Gluten-free options are available for meat lovers and vegetarians alike, ranging from country ham steak to fresh fruit with orange-flavored whipped cream. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 226 F St. Davis. 530-756-4556. bistro33davis.com

The pecan waffle at Cafe Bernardo

Cafe Bernardo

Head to any of the five Cafe Bernardo locations this Monday for bloody Mary and mimosa specials, along with dishes like the chicken apple sausage scramble with scallions and smoked mozzarella or the yeast-raised pecan waffle with maple syrup and salted butter. On the lighter side, Cafe Bernardo offers a healthy brunch selection of fresh fruit, house-made honey granola, and oatmeal with brown sugar and bananas. All locations: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. cafebernardo.com

Cafeteria 15L

At this buzzing downtown brunch spot, you can feed your sweet tooth with the Valrhona chocolate waffles topped with sliced bananas and slathered in salted caramel sauce and maple cream; or dig into a scramble of tater tots, chicken apple sausage and fontina cheese, served in a hot skillet. Wash it all down with cocktails like the popular Morning Glory made with hibiscus liqueur. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1116 15th St. 492-1960. cafeteria15l.com

De Vere’s Irish Pub

Irish eyes will be smiling and stomachs will be full during Monday brunch at De Vere’s Sacramento and Davis locations. Sip mimosas and indulge in the Irish bacon Benedict with grilled cheddar-scallion biscuits or the egg-topped Granny's Shepherd's Pie with toasted mashed potatoes. Veggie-lovers can also chow down on the huevos ahogados (poached eggs with salsa verde) or a spinach and mushroom scramble. 9 a.m.-2p.m. 1521 L St. 231-9947. 217 E St. Davis. 530-204-5533. deverespub.com

The Granny's Shepherd's Pie at De Vere's

Iron Horse Tavern

The Wong family’s R street restaurant will be serving up an assortment of delectable brunch specialties, from spicy Korean fried chicken with kimchi to a croque madame with black forest ham. Order the beef jerky bloody Mary and dig into the Spanish frittata with chorizo and guacamole, the irresistible cinnamon roll pancakes with cream cheese frosting, or the fluffy buttermilk biscuits with house-made jams and butter. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 1800 15th St. 448-4488. ironhorsetavern.net

The Porch Restaurant & Bar

The Porch will serve up a heavy dose of Southern comfort in midtown for Labor Day brunch. Savor the inventive chicken and waffle dish with chicken strips and bacon over a malted milk waffle, or try the lighter pesto scramble with fresh mozzarella and grilled organic squash. Even the sides—like Cajun fried beets, candied yams and sweet potato tots—add some jazz to any classic low-country meal. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1815 K St. 444-2423. theporchsacramento.com

The hibiscus-coconut mojito at Tower Café

Roxy

Farm-to-fork flair takes center stage at this Western-themed Arden-Arcade restaurant, which uses beef and produce from Lucky Dog Ranch in Dixon. Choose from the Farmer’s Omelet with cherry tomatoes and jack cheese or the Smoked LDR Beef Benedict with portions of shaved roast beef and cheddar grit cakes. If you’re especially hungry, try the Marathoner’s Breakfast, an assortment of French toast, eggs and bacon, and pair your meal with a Cowboy Mary with chili-infused vodka. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2381 Fair Oaks Blvd. 489-2000. roxyrestaurantandbar.com

Tower Café

This historic hot spot on Broadway has one of the best brunches in town. Choose from staples like the storied custard-soaked French toast, or go for other international dishes like the Greek pita scramble or the Thai steak and eggs. If you’re looking for brunch that’s more like lunch, wait until 10 a.m. to order a burger or sandwich, and don’t forget to spice up your meal with specialty cocktails like the minty hibiscus-coconut mojito or the raspberry jalapeño lemon drop. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 1518 Broadway. 441-0222. towercafe.com

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