Pepper Pot

The chef made me a wonderful, tasty, fresh quesadilla on Friday. The crunch of his quesadilla was…read moreso good compared to just a warmed-up one in a microwave I've had elsewhere. The two cheeses plus a fresh tomato and lime were all that this large lunchtime meal needed to satisfy me. He is the lone staff, so be prepared to wait while you sit outside the restaurant in the open space with tables provided. He serves the meal himself. The vibe is a bit noisy at times as people walk through the dining area on their way to other venues in this old converted factory space. I thought it was a great idea to recycle old factory buildings along the Rails to Trails walkway in Southington. If you want an unconventional meal and like wandering around, popping into stores like the chocolate store or brewery, try it out.

The first time we ate here, the food was really great. I really appreciate an inspired menu and you…read morecan tell that the staff have a passion for what they are doing. We couldn't wait to come back. Several months later on our second visit, we arrived well before their posted closing time - 9pm. It was around 7:45pm, the lights were on, but the door was locked and the staff seemed to be cleaning up. One of them looked up, saw us standing at the door and then went back to doing whatever they were doing without bothering to engage with us. It was incredibly frustrating having driven almost an hour with the expectation of getting some delicious food, only to be ignored by staff at a time when they were supposed to be open. Many months later (giving them the benefit of the doubt that the early closure on our last visit was a fluke) we made the trip up again. We arrived to find the place was locked up and dark - again during a time when they were supposed to be open. Today I was with some friends and we stopped to have lunch at Smokin' With Chris next door. During our meal, I mentioned my past experiences with The Lab, but also said how good the food was. So, we walked over to look at the menu and possibly pick up dinner for later that evening. It was around 1:30pm, the lights were off and the door was locked. I double-checked their website, and they were supposed to be open at 11:30am. While I was on my phone, an employee came up, unlocked the door, turned on the lights and began his shift - two full hours after they were supposed to be open! WTF?! Apparently, the owners of The Lab seem to believe that their food is so epic that they can just operate their business whenever they like regardless of their posted hours. This total lack of consideration for their customers is beyond insulting. It's really too bad because the food is good, but not good enough to offset the unprofessional manner the owners are running (or in this case, not running) this place. There are way too many other great dining options available nearby that actually adhere to their posted hours to put up with this nonsense.

Street Corn Chowder in a Bread Bowl

See all

Ellie's Farmhouse

4.2(145 reviews)

1.9 mi

I was invited down to Southington to join good friends and have lunch at Ellie's Farmhouse…read more Parking was a breeze as I pulled into the restaurant, I swung around the back of the restaurant, and parked in the first space on the south side. So this is a great hack; park on the south side of the building or the right side. Lots of spaces over there. Upon entering, I was greeted warmly by the many staff, and I felt right at home, like going to a friends farmhouse. Jess, our server was already talking to my two friends as I took the seat in the comfortable farmhouse type booth. Jessgreeted me enthusiastically like she's known me forever, and she had a warm welcoming personality. On the table were some apple slices, covered in sugar and cinnamon. Of course, without even asking my friends if they had ordered these, I just reached over and grabbed one of the slices. My goodness, they were delicious, so seasonal, seasonally perfectly, just like they were recently sliced, and farm fresh I ordered the turkey wrap, which consisted of freshly sliced turkey, fresh raw spinach, chopped tomato, grated cheddar cheese, avocado spread, and a ranch dressing. On the side, my choice was onion strings. I also ordered an iced coffee. Almost immediately the iced coffee arrived, generously sized, with cream on the side. This coffee was strong, bold, fresh flavor, and just hit the spot. Probably some of the best iced coffee I've had in a long long time. If you were here and you drink iced coffee, don't miss this treat. The turkey avocado wrap arrived with the string onion rings, and pickle chips. One bite into that turkey avocado wrapped sent me into an immediate food coma. All the flavors just exploded, but that avocado spread was outstanding and was the star of the show. This would be a selection I would highly recommend if you don't know what to order, plus that avocado spread which I didn't know what it was at first, just exploded. The flavors , the presentation; Amazing. The accompanying onion strings were perfectly deep-fried, rightfully, portioned, and generously portioned, and I did add a little salt to them. The straws hit the spot I could've ordered another plate of them. Again, highly recommend these onion strings. One of my friends ordered the cheeseburger with regular bacon on it, well done with a side order of french fries, She polished off that cheeseburger like it was her last meal. My other friend ordered the Reuben, dressing on the side, with an order of onion shoe strings. She could only polish off half of her meal and took the other half home in a container. While we were enjoying our dinner dinners, Jess came to the table and dropped off an order of banana bread with nuts in it. Topped with soft butter. She said this was made an error and because we were having such a good time, enjoy it on the house. Such a great service such a great reason for wanting to come back! And that banana bread just hit the spot, if I wasn't so full, I probably would've ordered another one. The total bill for the three of us was $49 plus tip. This I think was a great bargain. I hope Ellie's Farmhouse survives here in Southington, and becomes a staple of the community. I look forward to coming back as I've heard breakfasts are the bomb! Excellent parking, clean restrooms, excellent vibe, excellent fresh food comfortable boots, and Jess made the experience much more enjoyable with her charm and width. She was also very knowledgeable of the menu. So thanks again Ellie's Farmhouse, you are so deserving of the five stars!

My wife and I have been here several times for both breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is clean…read moreand inviting. The staff is welcoming and friendly. We have always found the food to be very good. Served quickly. The portions are large enough, nothing crazy large, but filling. This time we my wife had the Rubin and I had the turkey club. Both sandwiches were tasty and the onion rings were OK. They lacked flavor and what I did pick up was the taste of uncooked flour. I like the coffee and wish I could have had a 2nd cup with my meal but our waitress must have been in the witness protection plan. After she took our order we didn't see her until we were finished with our meal. I did get a 2nd cup of coffee to drink while going over our bill and anguishing over her tip. Yes, we still left a tip. Yes we will still go back because the food is good. I'll get the fries next time.

Farmhouse Platter. French Toast Scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and tator tots, with bacon.

See all

The Carousel Coffee Shop LLC

4.6(26 reviews)

0.2 mi

My favorite breakfast place of all time. This is my home spot for comfort morning yumminess! The…read morecorned beef hash and Swiss omelette is gasp and the service is off the hook. Nothing fancy, in fact stuck in a time warp, but the prices are too which is a bonus! This is a wonderful place to catch up with old friends. It's like coming home.

This is an old school breakfast place , with basic food and decor that hasn't been updated in a…read morewhile, but the food was good and the prices were very reasonable. Please note that this place is cash only. The only problem with my meal was that the potatoes were quite undercooked for my taste. But that won't stop us from coming back.

Kielbasa omelette

2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 French toast special

See all

3 cheese omelette

Ani's Kitchen

4.5(25 reviews)

2.6 mi

I would give Ani's easily 6 Stars were that an option! This little place on Meriden Ave in…read moreSouthington is a real treasure...&, consequently, very popular with the locals. My choice during our Sunday noon visit was their Crepe with Berries & Cheesecake filling & Corned Beef Hash on the side. Speaking as a Corned Beef Hash fanatic, Ani's version is without peer in CT! Ani's Kitchen crew operate like a very well oiled machine. You won't regret the trip and wait...We'll be back!

This place is amazing, had the avocado toast truly a gourmet breakfasts! Super nice folks top notch…read moreservice an absolutely 10+!!!!AAA!!!

Nutella crepe

California blt wrap & chicken caesar wrap

See all

The Hangry Fork

4.2(35 reviews)

5.0 mi

Excellent food! Excellent service in this cute little establishment! The place is always clean…read moreand the food fresh, good quality and it comes out promptly. The server usually comes around after our food has been delivered to check on us to see if we need anything into refill our coffee. Very easy to do breakfast correctly and they nail it every time!

Love the food here, it's always tasty. Staff is super friendly. Cute to bring the kids or go on…read morebreakfast dates. Menu has so many great options!

Interior

Mac and Cheese ($11)

See all

Winter Spice Sangria

The Parkside Cafe

4.5(394 reviews)

6.2 mi

Haven't been here for a couple of years. The service was ok. I ordered a cheese omelet. I ate 3/4…read moreof it before finding any cheese. 1/2 of a slice of cheese doesn't make eggs and omelet.

What I enjoy about Parkside is the waitress staff. They are pleasant, friendly and have a sense of…read morehumor. Regarding the food, they have some unique specials that are very tasty. Looking forward to my next breakfast at Parkside Cafe. POLO

Inside

See all

View of open kitchen

Mama’s House

4.4(7 reviews)

1.9 mi

Really enjoyed this place. Everyone was in costume, which, on Halloween, was a nice touch. Open for…read morebreakfast and lunch, it was breakfast today. We had the special pumpkin pancakes and Mama's special, two eggs, two pancakes, bacon and kielbasa (which I substituted for sausage), and home fries. Eggs done perfectly over easy, home fries had a good seasoning, and the meat was (quite) a bit overdone. The pancakes were on the sweeter side but very good ( and "normal" size). The special pumpkin pancakes I'm told were very good. The space was spotless and very well appointed. Definitely will be back for another breakfast and want to try lunch, as well. I posted several pictures.

Extremely cozy ambiance the moment you walk in. Top notch cleanliness, great service. Breakfast was…read moreDELICIOUS! (Ordered the Corn beef hash)

Interior

Mamas sampler (one with fruit cup)

See all

Interior

The Crazy Pancake

3.6(17 reviews)

4.8 mi

This was my second visit to The Crazy Pancake and it was just as good as my first visit. They have…read morethe most unique breakfast menu that You'll ever see. So plan on trying something you have never experienced. It's a breath of fresh air. The restaurant ambiance is beautifully decorated to make any child love the place and have a good time. And the service has been on point for both my visits. I highly recommend trying the Crazy Pancake. oh won't be disappointed.

Went for brunch to the Plainville location about a month ago (forgot to post review). Service was…read morequick. Got seated right away. Nothing out of this world. I'd say it's your regular breakfast diner. Prices were ok. I had the almond coconut pancakes and wasn't too impressed by them. There wasn't much coconut flavor except for the shredded coconut on top. Not sure if it needed to be made with coconut milk or maybe a nice coconut glaze on top? I didn't care much for them. Home fries were ok. My mom had the eggs with avocado and she loved it. Overall it was a good spot. Family friendly and convenient location.

Seating available

See all

Hash Browns

Rob’s Kitchen

4.4(55 reviews)

4.3 mi

Food- 10 out of 10. I had green chilaquiles with chorizo and it's the best I've had since I've…read morelived in AZ. My wife had a RT 10 burrito and that was equally delicious. Service - 10 out of 10. Our server was attentive and my coffee never got cold or low. Ambiance is a bit deceiving. It's small but cozy. I like this because I can food gaze easier and see all the plates coming out of the kitchen.

The food is great and the service is friendly and great…read more Warning - the place is really small! Very limited seating, and it's tight. I went during the winter while it was still cold, and every time that door opened or closed, it was brutal! Now that it's warm, I'll have to return for a better experience. My friend and I shared an order of the strawberry and banana pancakes. They were fluffy and topped with sooo much fruit. I ordered the California Benedict. I loved it. She ordered an omelette. Both came with your choice of bread for toast and homefries. I really liked that the fries were not greasy at all! I heard that they have a patio during the warmer months, so that is nice to hear. If you enjoy typical diner food with a Mexican twist, I suggest you give this restaurant a try.

Interior

Breakfast Flautas special.

See all

Homemade Chorizo Omelette with Gluten Free Toast

Avventura Bakery & Deli

4.4(126 reviews)

3.2 mi

Great place for breakfast! Everything is clean, modern, and well-maintained. A special thank you to…read morethe staff for their outstanding customer service! Breakfast prices ranging from $8 to $15 are a pleasant surprise, especially after eating at the same old truck stops. Highly recommend this place! Definitely 5 stars! Thank you for a great experience!

I have been going to Avventura's for years. When I go in the morning, they know my order. The staff…read moreis super friendly. They know my name and talked to me about life. The food is delicious. I have been working my way through trying all of their desserts.

Vanilla Pasticiotti

See all

Cappuccino

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Chan N.

Elite 26 All-Star

174

948

2 years ago

If you're ever in Southington, make sure to stop by the Pepper Pot Diner on Center Street! It's a cozy, no-frills diner that serves up delicious, hearty breakfast options. Just a heads up: it's a cash-only place, so make sure to bring cash with you. If not, there's an M&T Bank conveniently located next door. Parking can be a bit tricky depending on the time of day, but there's a public lot just a short walk down the street on your left. When you walk in, you'll notice there's plenty of seating, and the sign encourages you to seat yourself, which I love because you can pick where you want to sit. Once you're settled, the waitress will promptly bring over a menu and take your drink order. The menu features classic breakfast staples, and for me, it's all about meat and potatoes. I always go for the Philly Cheese Steak Omelette, which is generously portioned and reasonably priced. The food comes out quickly, and they're great about refilling coffee throughout your meal. What I really like about the experience is that they don't rush you--once you're served, they'll leave the bill on your table, but you can take your time and enjoy your meal. Overall, it's a perfect spot to grab a filling breakfast and get your day started! read more

Matthew N.

13 years ago

Very busy, very popular breakfast place downtown in Southington. I've been here a number of times, and it's always packed. Be prepared to wait a bit, especially after the church crowd gets out on Sunday. Large menu here, almost any combination of anything you can think of. Definitely something for everyone, which is probably part of what brings the crowds. Unfortunately, the service is always just average, and the food never blows you away, but rarely disappoints either. My favorite dish here is the Mt. Pepper Pot, the weekend version of their corned beef hash dish that adds bacon and melted cheddar on top of a spicy-ish homefries, hash, and eggs. It's the one that's worth going back for. My wife really enjoys their french toast - today getting a version topped with bananas and pecans on top of strawberries. (Picture added) While both of these sound like great dishes, and they are ones you wouldn't find at your average breakfast place, their execution and ingredients keep them from the next level. Very small eggs and frozen strawberries, for example. Dishes are creative, but not fresh. read more

Vienna S.

4 years ago

Walked in at quarter past 11, and an older waitress had the nerve to try and kick me out before I even had a chance to order because the restaurant closes at noon. I was fuming! It's completely unacceptable to treat customers like that, especially when they're there well before closing time. Eventually, she let me order, and I decided to go for the Mt. Pepper Pot. But when it arrived, I was disappointed to find that the potatoes were undercooked. It completely ruined the dish for me. I also asked for no cheese on top but they didn't get that right either. Save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else where they know how to treat their customers and cook their food properly. One star. read more

Matt N.

15 years ago

My favorite breakfast place in Southington. Kind of your standard breakfast joint, but has a huge menu and enormous portions. It's hard to finish a plate. The place fills up on the weekends and there is always a wait for a table, but there are plenty of tables and they turn over pretty fast so the wait is never too long. The corned beef hash is legit home made stuff. Highly recommend that or the corned beef hash omelet. read more

ROBERT P.

11 years ago

We were the other couple Joe B. was waiting for. We pulled up minutes after and saw Mr. & Mrs. Joe B. standing outside. What kind of a place doesn't welcome new customers? The owners should take a Hospitality 101 course . We'll never return and will recommend to our family & friends that they to do the same ! read more

Mike P.

14 years ago

I had great service, corned beef hash, and a coffee. No complaints and good food, good service!

Nancy R.

Elite 15

161

15 years ago

cute little place in Southington. Probably won't go back, but it was okay.

Paige V.

12 years ago

Food was great and portions are huge!!!! Definetly going back ASAP!!

Carolyn M.

10 years ago

Food is pretty good, service is ok. Would likely come again.

H. S.

12 years ago

one of my favorite breakfast spots around!

Tara C.

14 years ago

Okay breakfast, friendly service.

Pepper Pot - breakfast_brunch - Updated November 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Restaurants near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Coffee near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Things to Do near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Lunch near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Desserts near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Parking near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Cocktail Bars near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Pancakes near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Shopping near Pepper Pot

BEST of Southington, Connecticut Thrift Stores near Pepper Pot

Best of Southington

Things to do in Southington

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Pepper Pot also viewed

The Parkside Cafe

4.5

(394 reviews)

Haven't been here for a couple of years. The service was ok. I ordered a cheese omelet. I ate 3/4…read moreof it before finding any cheese. 1/2 of a slice of cheese doesn't make eggs and omelet.

Cj's Restaurant

3.8

(53 reviews)

Love this place. It's quaint, always treated extremely well, and the food does not disappoint.read more

My waitress was excellent and food is always consistently good but the manager is definitely…read more snarky and always was any time I've had to deal with her....

Ellie's Farmhouse

4.2

(145 reviews)

Nina’s Kitchen

4.7

(53 reviews)

Another hidden gem in the Plainville area. Not in an area where many restaurants are located,…read moretherefore it can be easily missed. I was shocked to know that in such a small area there are such a wide variety of restaurant options. Today our google search recommend Nina's kitchen which was only a 3-minute drive from work. Menu options include breakfast, salads, pasta, baked goods as well as hot and cold sandwiches. Soft drinks, chips, coffee, and fruits are also available The dining area is very cozy, clean, and tidy. Our server who was also the cashier handed us a menu to review and was back to take our order in a few minutes. Service was very fast as our wait time was less than 5 minutes. I had the BLT and it was so good. At first, I thought the bacon was too crispy but combined with the lettuce tomato and Mayo it was the perfect texture and consistency. My friends both enjoy their ham and cheese grinder and the corn chowder with chicken parm sandwich. The menu had stated that they had banana bread but when I asked, he said it was out of stock and they are waiting for the bananas to ripe a bit more. It was a bummer but funny at the same time. Prices were very reasonable as I wasn't looking to spend more than 10 dollars on lunch today and my total was just$10.06 If you are looking for somewhere quiet for a quick bite then check out Nina's. You will not be disappointed.

First time visiting this highly rated neighborhood restaurant. Service is friendly. The atmosphere…read moreis comfortable. I kind of ordered strangely because I was hungry and my family decided on their orders before I did. I had decided on a meatball sandwich for my main thing. And then for some reason, chili for an app popped into my head. So I had double red meat and double red sauce. Both were pretty good, but didn't really stand out. 4 Stars

Ford News Diner

4.2

(69 reviews)

*They have weird hours so please check those ahead of time!* My husband & I went here today to have…read morebreakfast at noon, yup NOON! You can have breakfast anytime or you can have lunch. The owner, Kay, took our orders & I made chit chat with her. What an amazing woman! THE RESTAURANT: While it is pretty small in here (think if you sneeze walking by, you'll miss it!) the place is very laid back & warm feeling. I finally made it here. The owner, Kay, said after Covid, she cut back the diner's hours, things were slow to come back. THE FOOD: My husband got the #1-scrambled, with a pancake, coffee is included & here ordered an orange juice. I ordered the #2- over medium with sausage & rye toast, coffee is included. The food was delicious! As we sat at the counter, talking to Kay, I noticed that the seats were comfortable & not lumpy & bumpy like most counter seats. The coffee was Omar coffee but also good. Kay told us they make the pancakes from scratch daily. I watched her make the home fries, also from scratch. This place is definitely a must visit if you want to try a throw back from the days when you walked in and people were nice & kind & genuinely just wanted to be friendly. Prices are decent, too.

Ford News Diner is a solid spot for a quick, affordable bite, and the cheesesteak was definitely…read morethe highlight. My only real knock is that portion sizes felt a bit light, and it'd be nice if sandwiches came with a side rather than having to order everything à la carte. Still a great budget-friendly option when you need something fast.

Breakfast at Angelo’s

4.0

(123 reviews)

Came here for a later breakfast and they did not disappoint! The menu is pretty big so everyone can…read morefind something they like. Upscale diner food. The breakfast quesadillas were so filling and incredible, and nice that you can customize them. I wasn't the biggest fan of the home fries, but with sour cream or sauce they were good. The prices were very reasonable. The service was quick and friendly, and the restaurant has a very homey vibe. The one thing is you may leave smelling very strongly of breakfast foods.

My friend came from NY and was craving pancakes and of course in had to search on Yelp to find a…read morepancake place near by. I saw good reviews at Breakfast at Angelo's and we took a drive. Finding parking was an event as it was snowing and I couldn't see the parking lines. The GPS took us to an area where we had to walk through an ally to find the diner. Walking in the diner was small and cozy. We were greeted quickly and seated. Our waitress had a great personality. We order the Phat Boy Breakfast and she warn us it was a lot of food. When it came out she was right! Everything was good from the pancakes to bacon. I wasn't able to finished it all. Overall I would come back and happy I found another breakfast spot.

Daily Slate

4.1

(22 reviews)

Based on the previously posted reviews and the eclectic menu, we decided to have breakfast at the…read moreDaily Slate on a Tuesday morning. There were only two tables occupied on our arrival and our soon to be server told us to sit where ever we wished. My wife soon settled on bananas foster French toast while I found myself in a quandary, corned beef hash or Turkish eggs (Cilbir)? Decisions, decisions. I asked our server for her recommendation and with little hesitation she responded hash. The French toast proved to be a sizable portion, a pair of 3 inch slices of bread with grilled bruleed banana and warm rum caramel. Tasted good, but too much for my lady who failed to take even a nibble out of the second piece of toast. I also was amazed by the portion size of the corned beef hash that was served over seasoned arugula, topped with a trio of juicy eggs and 1/2 of an avocado along with a side of unneeded sourdough toast. I a barely able to finish half before crying out "no mas". I, known in many circles as Mr. Frugal, decided to take the remainder of mine home even though it was a bit too dry with minimal flavor. As it turned out, a tasting the next day proved to be quite good so I happily finished the remainder for lunch. Meanwhile my dining companion chose to depart empty handed due to caloric concerns. Service came with a smile.

Have gone a few times and we have enjoyed the food and service. Glad they offer gluten free bread…read moreand pancakes which is yummy too Our host, Iliana was a joy - Great service !

Bob's Coffee Shop

3.9

(93 reviews)

Solid local breakfast place. I've been here a few times and while nothing is going to make you…read morejump on instagram with photos, the food is solid. Most recent trip was French toast w side meat. Bacon crisped up well. Sausage links were solid. The French toast could have used a dash of salt to open the flavor but otherwise good. The coffee is decent and the service is quick and does follow up frequently. The place is a classic small diner and has the obligatory stools for quick service breakfast. One personal knock is that it's a Pepsi place and not Coke, but that is a personal preference which is not reflected in my rating. Prices are not bad for what you get. A solid option for breakfast in the area.

"I once knew a pirate named Bob B O B, Bob was a drunken old…read moreslob B O B, Bob, 'bout as dumb as a rock But Bob, he made it to the top" (Willie Nelson) I had a monthly Board of Director's meeting in Rocky Hill at 9:30 this morning. The meeting was exactly two minutes away from Bob's, so when I rolled into Bob's at a quarter to nine, saw a near empty dining room, I figured I'd have plenty of time to have a coffee, enjoy a bagel, and go through my meeting notes. Oops, that wasn't what happened. Truth be told, I made my meeting with seven minutes to spare. After I ordered, I waited for quite a while and looked up from my notes to see what was going on. I saw two servers and the manager engaged in a serious conversation about something. My server caught my eye and ran over to the kitchen, and I clearly heard her say something like "where's that egg on a bagel?". It was evident that the order hadn't even made its way to the kitchen yet. Eventually my breakfast sandwich did arrive, and the server offered some sort of an apology for the delay and communication breakdown. Now, as I said, Bob's was pretty empty today, so that made the service breakdown hard to understand. I certainly hope they do a better job on their busy weekends. Anyway, my server was pleasant, and I did appreciate her apology. The sandwich and coffee were fine, and the bill came to just $7. Will I be back next month? I doubt it.

Palma's Diner

3.9

(17 reviews)