Melanie's on Howard — Restaurant in Boone

Went for breakfast, two adults and two kids, 11 and 8. I'll start with the good. Very cool spot with great service. The server was pleasant and gave good recommendations. The spot has a chill vibe, and is cozy and comfy. I wouldn't come with a large group (more than 5 or 6) if it's cold enough to force you inside, it'll be cramped. I do think they have a patio (it was hella cold when we were there though) which looked like it would work for a larger party.

I had the breakfast burrito with sausage. It was really good, nicely seasoned, good sized, and the salsa was delicious.

My wife had the pimento cheese grits. The flavor was perfect on these, but unfortunately even though her dish was brought out at the same time as mine, it was not piping hot, I'd call it verging on cool. I wouldn't call them cold exactly, but they would've been better if they had been warmer.

On the bad side, both kids had pancakes, one asked for chocolate chips, and the other asked for chocolate chips with strawberries on top. To be clear these were pancakes ordered off the adult menu, not the kids pancakes. The server asked if they wanted whipped cream and both said yes. When their plates came out, they were also very cool. Not warm enough to melt the butter even. They were also the darkest you could make a pancake before calling it burnt, neither came out with whipped cream on them, and no strawberries. However, when we cut into the one that was supposed to have strawberries, turns out they were mixed into the batter. Interesting, it even surprised the server since she said that was not how she ordered them. When the server checked back in on us she was apologetic and got us fresh strawberries to put on top and got a big bowl of whipped cream which they said they had to make fresh (which is a nice touch). Overall though, the pancakes were a bit of a miss.

That said, they did remove the pancakes from the bill, and again, the service was stellar. I will absolutely give this place another try. There are lots of delicious sounding things to pick from on the menu and having vegan options is nice for those that want it. The prices were on par with what sit down breakfasts are costing nowadays, Next time, we'll probably skip the pancakes and try the...

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 We are visiting Boone for the next few weeks and decided to check out some of the local restaurants, which landed us on Kings St. for a casual morning. There are a lot of options for breakfast and lunch spots, but we eventually picked this restaurant because of the local reviews and the menu. As an experienced traveler, having explored 68 countries and 36 states, I approach restaurant reviews with clear criteria: Taste, Presentation, and Service. My goal is to provide an unbiased perspective, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. The restaurant has both an indoor and outdoor space, providing options to patrons depending on their preferences. Bring some patience. This is a very popular place, for good reason, so be prepared to wait for a table and have a casual, non-rushed lunch. Enjoy time with friends, family, and partners. The food is well worth everything. We ordered 3 dishes: Southern Chicken Salad, Bacon Avocado Burger, and Western Omelet. Southern Chicken Salad – Made from scratch in-house, it was phenomenal. The perfect mix of flavors with fresh chicken, cranberries, onion nuts, and various spices creates the perfect mix of savory and sweet sitting on top of a bed of greens accompanied by Melanie’s famous toast and fruit. Bacon Avocado Burger (forgot to take a picture) – with this dish, we substituted the beef patty for a veggie patty, topped with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, lettuce and tomato – rounded off with a garlic and herb aioli and, in this case, goat cheese (optional) to bring together a rich and flavorful experience. The dish was accompanied by Melanie’s homefries, which were perfectly seasoned and delicious with every bite. Western Omelet – served with a mix of Canadian bacon, onion green peppers, sweet tomatoes, and a sharp cheddar cheese, creating a fluffy egg omelet with rich and creamy flavors – it was well-balanced and delicious with every bite. This was served with Melanie’s homemade grits topped with pimento cheese (optional) and a side of Melanie’s toast. Overall, this was the best brunch spot to kick off a day of shopping and touring around the...

Today's restaurant is Melanie's

Located in Boone, NC.

The pictures shown in order are:

Pecan Waffle:

The pecan waffle at Melanie's is a popular choice, but I found it to be a bit dry. The homemade whipped cream was a pleasant surprise, as it helped to balance out the dryness of the waffle.

Fresh Fruit and Granola:

The fresh fruit and granola at Melanie's is a great way to start the day. The fruit is fresh and flavorful, and the granola is crunchy and satisfying. However, I found the honey to be a bit too sweet. I would have preferred a less sweet granola or a smaller amount of honey.

Bacon Avocado Burger:

The bacon avocado burger at Melanie's is a delicious and satisfying option. The burger is cooked to properly, the bacon is crispy, and the avocado is creamy. The southwest aïoli adds a nice touch of spice and complements very nice the melted cheese.

What do we think of Melanie's?

On a first impression, Melanie's seems to be the go-to breakfast spot in Boone. It's located on King Street, which is a great location for a lot of foot traffic.

The wait time isn't terrible most days. You can join the wait list and then go for a stroll around the little shops nearby. (Be aware of weekends or special events such as graduations.)

The service is quick and attentive. They do their best to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, which is always appreciated.

Their menu does offer a variety of food items. You can taste the quality and the freshness of the different dishes, as it seems that they use fresh ingredients. Be on the lookout for their special board, as it does change frequently.

One can happily eat here most days of the week and not get tired of the menu. The space inside is a bit tight, but if you get one of the individual round tables next to the window, you will enjoy the best of Melanie's.

The Homefries seem to be a popular pick as well. I've tried them multiple times, and although they seem to be spiced or seasoned, I never really get to taste much other than potatoes. It's like you expect something that just isn't there.

Rating: IV out...