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The griddle at Florida Avenue Grill
The griddle at Florida Avenue Grill
R. Lopez

Where to Get Breakfast Under $10 in D.C.

Morning food shouldn't break the bank.

by Travis Mitchell
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The griddle at Florida Avenue Grill
| R. Lopez
by Travis Mitchell

D.C.'s love of decadent buffets, bottomless mimosas, and high-class brunches has elevated morning fare to new heights. Those high standards also mean that prices have ballooned, making it challenging to find a decently-priced breakfast.

Filling up on a plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon doesn't (and shouldn't) have to be expensive. A number of excellent bakeries, diners, and greasy spoons are prepared with hearty, satisfying breakfasts that won't bust budgets. Here are a dozen spots around the region that fit the mold.

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a baked joint

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Snag a freshly-baked goat cheese and herb biscuit for $3.50. For something more substantial, try the oatmeal with smoked ham, kale, caramelized onion, pecorino cheese, and a poached egg for $6.50.

440 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-6985
(202) 408-6985
Olivia A./Yelp

Bayou Bakery

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Grab some napkins and dig into a plate of hot and sugary fried beignets. They come three to an order for just $3. Available at both locations.

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-2410
(703) 243-2410
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Bullfrog Bagels

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Bagel sandwiches at this heralded local shop range from $5 to $7 and a bialy or bagel with cream cheese is $3.

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Hannah H./Yelp

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Florida Avenue Grill

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In business since 1944, the Florida Avenue Grill has an extensive, soul food inspired breakfast with hotcakes, half smokes, and eggs among the options. On the weekends the restaurant also serves buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy.

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-1586
(202) 265-1586
R. Lopez

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Lincoln's Waffle Shop

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At this downtown restaurant, tourists and locals alike can take part in the namesake waffle breakfast. Score a waffle with two eggs with a side of meat for under $10.

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
(202) 638-4009
(202) 638-4009
Domingo O./Yelp

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Parkway Deli & Restaurant

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Out in Silver Spring, the Parkway Deli puts out breakfast plates like three eggs with a side and toast or bagel for under $7. Or try an omelet for around $9 complete with a side and bagel and cream cheese.

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-1427
(301) 587-1427
Danny G./Yelp

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Pete's Diner

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A stone's throw from the Capitol, Pete's is the neighborhood breakfast go-to. Egg platters are around $8, while and egg, cheese, and meat sandwich is about $5.

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543
(202) 544-7335
(202) 544-7335
Diddy K./Yelp

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Red Apron Butchery

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Red Apron's Penn Quarter location features budget-friendly Italian tigelle, which are basically round flatbread sandwiches. The $4.50 Aristocrat is made with ricotta cheese, honey, smoked pine nuts, and apple. Pick from meat and egg options for just a buck more.

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 524-5244
(202) 524-5244
Sarah S./Yelp

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Shake Shack

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Shake Shack's Union Station location serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sausage or bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches cost $4.97 with one egg or $5.99 with two. Meatless sandwiches cost a dollar less.

50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 684-2428
(202) 684-2428
Mary Kate M./Yelp

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Taco Bamba

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Victor Albisu's taco operation serves breakfast all day starting at 8:30 a.m. including black bean enchiladas for $7, huevos rancheros for $7, and a tinga tostada for $6.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 639-0505
(703) 639-0505
Gerry Suchy/Eater.com

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The Diner

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With biscuits and gravy and challah French toast, this Adams Morgan mainstay offers some plates for under $10.

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-8800
(202) 232-8800
p.g./Yelp

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Waffle Shop

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This hole-in-the-wall is open 24 hours a day, ready to churn out waffles on the cheap along with a selection of breakfast sandwiches, eggs, and other dishes. Most omelets, for example, are in the $7-$9 range.

3864 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

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a baked joint

440 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Snag a freshly-baked goat cheese and herb biscuit for $3.50. For something more substantial, try the oatmeal with smoked ham, kale, caramelized onion, pecorino cheese, and a poached egg for $6.50.

440 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-6985
(202) 408-6985
Olivia A./Yelp

Bayou Bakery

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

Grab some napkins and dig into a plate of hot and sugary fried beignets. They come three to an order for just $3. Available at both locations.

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-2410
(703) 243-2410
Facebook

Bullfrog Bagels

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Bagel sandwiches at this heralded local shop range from $5 to $7 and a bialy or bagel with cream cheese is $3.

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Hannah H./Yelp

Florida Avenue Grill

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

In business since 1944, the Florida Avenue Grill has an extensive, soul food inspired breakfast with hotcakes, half smokes, and eggs among the options. On the weekends the restaurant also serves buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy.

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-1586
(202) 265-1586
R. Lopez

Lincoln's Waffle Shop

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004

At this downtown restaurant, tourists and locals alike can take part in the namesake waffle breakfast. Score a waffle with two eggs with a side of meat for under $10.

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
(202) 638-4009
(202) 638-4009
Domingo O./Yelp

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Out in Silver Spring, the Parkway Deli puts out breakfast plates like three eggs with a side and toast or bagel for under $7. Or try an omelet for around $9 complete with a side and bagel and cream cheese.

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-1427
(301) 587-1427
Danny G./Yelp

Pete's Diner

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543

A stone's throw from the Capitol, Pete's is the neighborhood breakfast go-to. Egg platters are around $8, while and egg, cheese, and meat sandwich is about $5.

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543
(202) 544-7335
(202) 544-7335
Diddy K./Yelp

Red Apron Butchery

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Red Apron's Penn Quarter location features budget-friendly Italian tigelle, which are basically round flatbread sandwiches. The $4.50 Aristocrat is made with ricotta cheese, honey, smoked pine nuts, and apple. Pick from meat and egg options for just a buck more.

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 524-5244
(202) 524-5244
Sarah S./Yelp

Shake Shack

50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.

Shake Shack's Union Station location serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sausage or bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches cost $4.97 with one egg or $5.99 with two. Meatless sandwiches cost a dollar less.

50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 684-2428
(202) 684-2428
Mary Kate M./Yelp

Taco Bamba

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043

Victor Albisu's taco operation serves breakfast all day starting at 8:30 a.m. including black bean enchiladas for $7, huevos rancheros for $7, and a tinga tostada for $6.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 639-0505
(703) 639-0505
Gerry Suchy/Eater.com

The Diner

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

With biscuits and gravy and challah French toast, this Adams Morgan mainstay offers some plates for under $10.

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-8800
(202) 232-8800
p.g./Yelp

Waffle Shop

3864 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

This hole-in-the-wall is open 24 hours a day, ready to churn out waffles on the cheap along with a selection of breakfast sandwiches, eggs, and other dishes. Most omelets, for example, are in the $7-$9 range.

3864 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

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