Breadmen's is as iconic as the old well to the dyed in the wool tarheels. So much so that if you say red eye and Breadmens and pull an all nighter to anybody within a circumfrence of the old well they will very well have a shared experience and know what I'm talking about. But alas, a memory cannot stand the test of time. The diner vibe is there, but the quality of the food has been knocked down several notches. Which is sad. The pancakes were gummy, bacon average and hash browns had the shape and beckoning come hither color and that is wehre the joy ended. The taste of the potatoes were cheap and one note, as there were zero seasoning and well. Tht was the end of my trip down memory lane. The absolutely best thing though was our enthusiastic server. He was a really earnest fellow who I hope will go far. But the food was not at all as it once was. Oh yeah, the price....the prices on the menu were a blast from the past so this was pretty much why a 3 and not a 2 star review. You can still get buy for a lot less hurt on your wallet and perhaps that;s why the flavor and punch is missing. read more

I've driven by Breadmens on many occasions and was curious about it and finally made it in today with some friends from work. The place is really cute and it was very busy at 11:30 and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meal. I ordered two scrambled eggs with some bacon and this came with some sliced tomatoes. My breakfast was good. The eggs were cooked well, and that was without cheese added. I really like the bacon as it was crispy and cooked well and it was not too greasy. The iced tea was perfect the way I like it with just a splash of some sweet added, and overall the experience was great. We were not rushed or made to feel we had to give up our table and our server was super nice. read more

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Their chef's salad is a good as it gets and with the lemon tamari dressing, it's what dreams are made of. Seriously, that dressing is really what takes the whole thing right over the top. The service is always prompt and the servers are nice. You really can't go wrong whatever you order here. I'm so glad the new owners stuck with the original menu. Like the saying goes, if it ain't broke, why fix it! read more

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Was in the area and decided to give Breadman's a try. The wait was pretty long even though we thought we had gotten there fairly early for Sunday brunch. In my opinion, the food wasn't worth the wait and if you're from Raleigh/Durham/Cary, I don't think it's worth a trip out. The food was sadly very bland and unexciting. Plus, the menu was very basic to a point that I would rather go to IHOP or Denny's for a better version of breakfast. Sorry but this is definitely a one and done kind of place for me. read more

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Our party of 4 enjoyed really good service for breakfast. The food was good and a lot of depth to the menu. I enjoyed corned beef hash and eggs with a biscuit. Added a pecan waffle and it was ok. Not very sweet but loaded with pecans. All and all everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. read more

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Yum! My girlfriend and I had a great dinner a few days ago. The food was awesome and reasonably priced.

Service was outstanding (attentive and fast). We had breakfast and they had a large number of choices to pick from. The cost was very reasonable and the quality of the food was excellent. I will absolutely dine there again. read more

I followed my hotel's reference to Breadmen's as a local breakfast institution. Hometown atmosphere? Check! Friendly staff? Check. Tasty food? Swing and a miss! Scrambled eggs were OK, but the biscuit was a bready, stale lump (at least it was grilled) and the corned beef hash was flavorless and lacking in any texture. No crispy bits, nothing of interest. No salt. No seasoning. Just a pair of bland, mushy pucks of potato and hopefully corned beef. It was both my first and last visit. I wish I had checked Yelp reviews before wasting a meal here. This place earns all 2.9 stars of its yelp rating. read more

Tried a carryout breakfast from Breadmen's this morning -- nothing fancy, just eggs over easy with toast and home fries. I also ordered a side of bacon to go with that. The food was fine, but it's pretty hard to screw up bacon and eggs. The service was friendly and during the ten-odd minutes I sat in the place, I saw a relaxed and casual atmosphere with lots of UNC memorabilia on the walls. I had always though of Breadmen's as being a place that specialized in breakfast, but when reviewing the menu I saw that they also have lunch and dinner offerings that look pretty appealing (including a submenu for 'misplaced northerners' like myself). Nothing fancy, but I'm planning to try the place out again for a lunch and/or a dinner sometime soon. read more

I think people go to Breadman's because it's an institution. The kitchen here gets five stars - the service gets one star, so let's say three stars total. The food is consistently good diner food. But the servers are untrained, inattentive, and seem to be distracted, so the service is really slow. God forbid you'd like another cup of coffee or a water refill. It's a shame - if the front of the house were better, this place could be a great experience. read more

It would be nice if they posted on social media when they were going to be closed? This is the first time we have came here to eat and they are closed. read more

Wow.....My wife saw some good reviews and wanted to give it a try. That was a mistake. If I could go negative 1 on here I would. Showed up yesterday at about 1:30. They were mildly busy. Looked around, the place looked like a needed to be cleaned pretty badly. I was trying to be a good sport and kept my mouth shut. Wife asked for a table for 2, preferably a booth. Never greeted with a hi or a smile - just got an okay and told in an incredibly nasty tone to wait outside. It was very hot and no one was waiting inside or outside!!! Considering the lack of cleanliness inside along with the terrible attitude I finally spoke up and pulled the plug. Spoke with some local friends later in the day that said they stopped going there for a multitude of reasons that included some of what we shared. If you go, I wish you luck. We won't be doing that again. read more

We had a large group, so understandably, it took a while for our orders to come out. My egg white omelet with mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach was okay. The eggs were overcooked. Also, the omelet was a bit wet due to the veggies. Usually, diner food can be salty, but not here. The coffee is good. Our server was attentive, and she took good care of us. Overall it was a good breakfast place with affordable prices. I can see why it's a local favorite. read more

I used to love Breadmen's, and this was my first visit since they moved to their new location in Elliott. The service was great, and I ordered my old favorite: the vegetable plate with 4 sides. I got a side salad, vegetarian chili, Mac and cheese, and steamed broccoli. Came with a huge piece of cornbread! Everything was delicious and it was just such a comforting and healthy mix of items. It was a TON of food for the price too, what a bargain! My husband got blueberry pancakes and said they hit the spot. We were the only people in on a Saturday night, until a few other parties showed up. They had the Duke/UNC game playing (um, maybe why most people were someplace else watching the game ). I would definitely return if I was in the mood for diner comfort food. They have something for everyone! read more

Just don't go. Employees disheveled with appearance of poor hygiene. Unfriendly & unprofessional. Bathrooms absolutely filthy & no paper towels. Seats in booth all torn. Restaurant was dirty. Don't waste your money. I used to be a health inspector...place could have been shut down today if they'd been inspected. read more

Breadmen's is just the bomb! It's my go to any time someone asks where to meet for a meal ( breakfast, lunch, or dinner!). Their menu offers a great variety, and the have specials every day that are always yummy! Inside has the feeling of an old locals diner which is so cozy. The heated outdoor seating is also nice! I would give recommendations, but everything is good! Sometimes the service can be slow or a bit unenthusiastic, but they are so nice! read more

Bear in mind, I've been eating at Breadman's since 1980. I'm a longtime satisfied customer. The service is strong here, cheerful and fast. The food comes out of the kitchen swiftly, even when they're crowded (every weekend, and twice as bad on game days). I can recommend everything on the menu. You'll get diner pricing for better-than-diner food. Breadman's moved from a smaller location on Rosemary St to a larger storefront on Elliott some time ago, but the nicest upgrade is more, more parking. read more

I love this place. Thankful we live nearby. I had the 1/2 fried chicken w two sides under $11 - baked sweet potato and black eyed peas!! What a deal!! Perfect for a senior citizen budget. My husband got the 1/2 bbq chicken. We usually eat the breakfast but thought we would try one of many blue plate specials. The waiter was courteous and patient as we changed selection a few times. We had a good laugh!! We will be back for many of their different meals - open 7-9! read more

We went for lunch and found delicious food and perfect service. The burgers and fries are delicious and the breakfast food is great too as we were able to order breakfast all day. The Olympics was on TV and everyone in the restaurant was kind and polite. Classic Chapel Hill landmark with food better than ever. P.S. Try the scrumptious chocolate cake. read more

It's a diner and is gonna give you a pretty classic diner experience.  Not being a UNC student I don't have a deep nostalgia for Breadman's outside of eating there a few times as a kid. The new Breadman's location is smaller but it's still very much the same thing at its core. A no thrills diner that has a massive menu and delivers almost any comfort food you could want. I typically order breakfast food here and it's kind of the thing you want. A tall stack of hot blueberry pancakes with bacon, eggs and sausage. Their prices are very affordable. The service is fine. I like that Breadman's fills a niche that's surprisingly underserved in the Chapel Hill and Durham area. The service is quick and the staff is very no-nonsense. This is a place packed with regulars which I always find a comforting sign. This isn't a place looking to serve you a plate of food meant for instagram. It's a diner that services good food at an affordable price. read more

First time to New location last night. After reading reviews I ordered the cheeseburger and onions rings. Disappointed based on what they said in reviews. Burger dry, flavorless. Rings were greasy. My husband had hotdogs and fries. He said he didn't think he would order again. Chili tastes like canned Hormel. Staff never checked on us after food was served. Big discount on tips for that! read more

Went to Breadmans after a few years and what a change. Was not impressed at all with the wait staff. Almost seemed to rush me with my order and then the food was sub standard. Really difficult for me To go back there or even recommend it to friends. read more

This is a review for family's with kids (toddlers) I had high hopes for this location as when I arrived there were a lot of kids but seating is so limited and spilling over into outside seating that doesn't have as much cover from the sun. The staff seemed tired and maybe over worked or unmotivated. Slammed on a Sunday hopping for a family's friendly restaurant - it felt disappointing that there was not a quite positive attitude to kids being there by staff. On the plus side, the Pancakes were fluffy and served with hot maple syrup. Eggs were ok and the other meals were fine. Took a bit longer to come out. All in all I had been to this restaurant at its prior location and loved it and it's lost some of its charm in its transition into the new space. read more

Sigh ... in the new location near regular stores, it is also bad. I got some really bad coffee and a strikingly foolish omelet. Why? read more

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Great service, kept checking on our drinks. Delicious breakfast omelette and biscuits buttered and toasted. Grits very tasty too. Thanks for a great experience! read more

I was a Breaman's regular for many years at the previous locations. After waiting for a table at this one, we were "greeted" by a "waitperson" with no personality and a bit of an attitude. She was not alone, after noticing that none of the employees there know how to smile. Things got no better, but will not spend time with the volume of disappointments. If the food had not been less than mediocre (vegetables all seemed straight from a can), I might consider returning. That will not be happening. Sometimes it's best when a vintage Chapel Hill place closes. It's that time for Breadmen's. read more

Sadly the new-to-me location is convenient but lacks charm. The food and service were mediocre at best. I have never been served such watery grits, no butter for a biscuit, no coffee refill and very few smiles -- this used to be a place of Southern Tradition -- not anymore. read more

Good food and service! First time visitor today, I had an omelette and waffle and my wife had the BLT. Very good. Will come back again!

Breadmen's had NEVER been about the service, not at this new location of either of the previous locations. They do offer some unique sandwiches, try the Brass Key, and I've always enjoyed their French Fries (ask for Russian dressing to dip them in). They're food is fresh, fast and reliable diner fare. If you're seeking doting servers or a cheerful host, look elsewhere, they've never worked for Breadmen's! read more

I first went to Breadmen's in 1974. Great food, good vibe, friendly staff. Went dozens of times in the intervening years. This place is a shell of its former self. Sitting on 15-501 instead of West Rosemary, with inflated prices on the old menu. We were " greeted" by a sullen employee, told to wait although there were plenty of open tables, finally directed to a table, and ignored for ten minutes before getting a cup of coffee and a menu. Things got no better. Sometimes it's best when a vintage Chapel Hill place closes. It's that time for Breadmen's. read more

My family dropped by today for breakfast and what a disappointment. Im a New Yorker so I'm use to not warm and fuzzy but when I come down south, I look forward to the southern charm - don't expect that. We waited forever for breakfast (20+ mins), they dropped at the table, and the next time we saw the waitress was with the check. Food was crap. read more

This would have been three stars if it were only on food, service, environment. But it was NOISY; for me conversation was impossible. So two stars. I've been to Breadmen's twice since they moved, very rarely before the move. I find the food to be average for a diner; well below average for a restaurant in this area. The service is poor to adequate. The environment is meh, probably meh+ if you're a UNC fan. It's handy to us but we will not be rushing back. And, as someone pointed out, no masks on the service people. Wth. read more

Good diner food and good selection but the servers tend to disappear once they've taken your order read more

Breadmen's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

We had not dined at Breadman's in about 9 months and dropped in for supper after a late afternoon appointment. We arrived around 6:15 pm and the restaurant was about 50% capacity--to be expected with the large majority of UNC students gone for the summer. We were seated promptly and after a short interval the server took our drink order. The restaurant was clean, uncluttered, and very appealing. I have been a regular at Breadman's since my freshman year at UNC in 1980. I ordered the marinated chicken breast with broccoli and Lima beans as my sides and cornbread as my bread choice. My wife ordered ham steak, home fries, banana pudding (yes dessert can be a side), and a biscuit. Our supper arrived quicker than we expected and we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the portions. Our meals were well prepared and very tasty. My wife and I both took half our meals home with us due to the portions being so large. Our waitress was friendly, prompt, and very efficient. The prices were very reasonable and we will be dining at Breadman's again very soon. read more

Would give zero if could. There are 10 tables outside. We were the only people there entire time (huge hint). Tables dirty - most had food on them. All had grease. Chose least dirty table but it was a 6 top and we were told we had to move - repeat, NO ONE else there - and one person in our party was obviously handicapped and not easily movable. We moved hoping this was not the worst of it. We were wrong. Waitress nice enough with few words spoken but never checked on us. When she delivered food, it was barely warm. We asked for salt, pepper, butter - never came. One person from our party went inside to get it. Returned saying there was only one table being used inside and everyone encountered inside was rude. Never refilled our drinks. Got bottled drink from our car and used that. Waitress never came to table from time she delivered food to time she delivered check. Sat waiting for check. Eventually arrived. Miserable experience. read more

Can get busy during weekend brunch time. Food was a bit under seasoned. Attentive service, coffee was refilled quickly. Potatoes were very crispy! read more

Breadmen's - Biscuits and gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I was not impressed at all. We waited so long for a table. It was a mission just to get the hostess to write our name on the list. Then we placed our food order and the food came out for only half of the table. By the time the food came for the rest of our table our food was cold. I didn't get a water refill even though I asked for it. I ordered a side of bacon and it didn't come out with my food. I was almost done with my food by the time I got the bacon. This place needs more order and organization cause something is off. The taste of the food is also bland. I had eggs potatoes and biscuit with side order of bacon. The biscuit was great but that was the only thing I really liked. I won't be coming back here. That's a big no thank you. Definitely not worth the wait. You live and you learn. Our server only came twice. Once to place the order and then to ask for what we needed. I needed water and syrup and that didn't come... read more

Food is great, service is quick. Indoor and outdoor seating. Can get busy but moves quickly. Breakfast is amazing but lunches and dinners are great too read more

Great Food, Great Prices and Great Portions.....I Really Enjoyed It.....My First visit but Want be My Last...

Hadn't been to the old location in years, this was the 1st time at the new place. It's small, but we were only one of three occupied tables as we were there for an early Saturday dinner. Husband had the Ruben and absolutely loved it. I had the Big Breadmen's breakfast w french toast. The eggs, sausage and french toast were great. The bacon was burnt, but still edible. Service was very good, but like some have noted, the staff was about 50% masked. We were about an hour early for many of the entrees I was considering, but that just means we have to come back again as overall it was a good experience. read more