Wow- just highlights This place bookmark and do whatever you can to go and eat your way through the menu! I am so very happy we decided to stop in this for brunch after leaving 4-winds casino The food, incredible Biscuit n gravy redefined Gravy is a mushroom mornay sauce with crispy shallots- heaven The biscuit was so good- I am dreaming of this dish! The poutine was excellent but very heavy - Rex gravy on the side Corned beef has was fried potatoes instead of mushy which was great, the chunks of beef cooked to perfection Not to mention the amazing drinks! So good My mouth is watering re-living this brunch read more

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We were fortunate to snag a table for two on a Saturday morning, but I would recommend reservations, as they were hopping. We had friendly and attentive service and the food came out hot and quickly. There is a small patio out front on the sidewalk with three or four tables. My husband said he is going to be dreaming about the peaches and cream French toast for days to come. I also enjoyed the BAART, a riff on the BLT with avocado and arugula. Would definitely return. read more

I've been traveling to the Bend for about a year now. Why has it taken me so long to find this place? Finally a coffee shop that actually has great coffee. (Sorry Gen Z an Americano is not the same as a drip coffee). And the food. Just amazing. Had their version of a blt. Had avacado, arugula and some other things. Was superb. And they got me done quickly with great service and gave me a coffee to go as well. This will be my regular coffee shop from now on! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Blt - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

The food is always good every time we go! The lattes are always excellent, and the service is quick.

Great food, excellent coffee, helpful waitstaff. The entryway was a little chaotic, in part because it was a while before we were greeted. Turned out there were several people without reservations in a queue which was initially not clear, nor where/what those of us with reservations should go/do versus those waiting in the queue. Other than this, it was a very nice experience overall. read more

Great service, great food, cozy seating. The broccoli and mushroom omelette with loaded home fries was delicious! I had an umami hot chocolate for the first time and it was so rich and full of depth! Would definitely order again! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - had a broccoli and mushroom omelette with loaded potatoes. Delicious! The umami hot chocolate was so rich and full of depth! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

We stopped in from out of town for breakfast on a recent Saturday! We almost always choose Yelp to help us pick a spot when we are visiting a town we don't know well! This place was bustling!! It seems like a very popular spot! We just had the two of us and were seated at a small two person table between two other close tables - located alongside a long booth bench against the wall that breaks up into individual seating spots. This was totally fine for our breakfast that morning but it's not something I'd prefer if you like your privacy in conversation or otherwise. ;) The service was slow to start but after our waitress came she was mostly attentive the rest of our meal. We ordered 2 coffees. These were stronger and much more delicious than your average "diner cup"!! The staff offered a couple of refills throughout our time. I really loved the simplicity of the menu! There are options with a great variety, but it's still concise and not overwhelming!! Our dishes came out within 10 minutes of ordering, extremely fast and was surprising! My husband ordered the Huevos Rancheros with chorizo and he enjoyed it! The flavors were bold and the plate was pleasing to the eyes except for the avocado which was looked like it was quickly turning. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and had super high expectations for this entree!! It looked so beautiful upon arrival but when I began eating I quickly realized the dish was quite cool! My first half came with a well done poached egg which was disappointing. The second piece was cooked perfectly but was also just not very warm. The hollandaise sauce had wonderful flavor, but again, just wasn't warm - it seemed like the dish had maybe been sitting. I think this dish could be outstanding at the right temperature!! The potatoes that accompany this entree were a little dry for my liking but my husband thought they were good!! :) We noticed other tables with special lattes and several parties being served decadent looking sweet breakfast options - those all looked delicious!! There was a super kind and outgoing waitress serving nearby tables, explaining all kinds of special choices, like lovely latte options that were being offered that morning. The way she so kindly described everything sounded delicious but unfortunately our waitress didn't welcome our table with that same level of hospitality. What we saw being ordered by those nearby was met with great happiness when it arrived to them!! :) read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Huevos Rancheros, after a couple of bites ;) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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I visited Early Bird Eatery on a busy Sunday and ordered the étouffée poutine. The étouffée itself was the highlight -- the roux was well‑made, the crawfish were cooked properly and seasoned nicely, and the scrambled eggs were done exactly as they should be. Unfortunately, the poutine portion of the dish didn't work. The curds didn't complement the étouffée, and the potatoes were barely edible. The two people with me ordered the Early Bird Breakfast (eggs, toast, and potatoes). Their potatoes were the same as mine, and they only ate enough to try them. Overall, the food was subpar and would have landed around 4 stars if not for the wait. The wait, however, killed the experience. We were told 30 minutes and added to the pager system. Five minutes later, the pager updated the wait to 35-45 minutes. At 50 minutes, I asked and was told we were second in line. From check‑in to food on the table, it was roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes. That part alone was a 1‑star experience. I always recommend eating local, but this is not the place I'd suggest. read more

It's always a great experience at The Early Bird Eatery! Highly recommend making reservations, especially on the weekends. For our latest visit, we couldn't pass up the Summer Restaurant week specials of the Blackberry Sparkler, Key Lime Pancakes and Carnitas Benedict. The pancakes were massive, perfectly cooked and loaded with key lime curd and whipped cream. The Benedict had flavorful pork on sopes, perfectly poached eggs and a chipotle hollandaise with a nice little kick. The restaurant week specials include coffee or iced tea, but every time we've gone, they have charged us (always easily fixed...server even admitted they always forget). Definitely one of our go to brunch spots! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Massive key lime pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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Great menu with lots of different foods than you find at a breakfast plate. We were happy with everything we had.

Very good southern style food. The portions were huge, the wait staff very friendly and the food worth driving for.

Food was excellent. The service was great and the ambiance was great. My family recommended this restaurant. We made a reservation which you need on weekends. Great breakfast. read more

5* Would give it more if I could! We drove over from Elkhart where we were visiting and am SO glad we did. Would go back anytime! We couldn't decide what to order so we got three things. The Crawfish Etouffee Poutine seemed "risky" since we are from the South and wondered what kind of etouffee it would be. It was amazing. The andouille sausage and crawfish were perfect with just the right amount of heat! We also got the Peaches and Cream French Toast and the Crab Cakes Benedict. It was all delicious. We couldn't eat it all but what we ate made us glad we ordered it all. Don't miss it! Shannon was a great server. Gave us plenty of time to look over the menu. Decor is simple local diner vibe - very clean and nice. Totally enjoyed! read more

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We tried this little gem purely on yelp reviews! We took advise and reserved a table ahead, and we are very happy we did! This place is very busy on Saturday morning! The ambience is very light and brunchy and the over aesthetic is classic diner. We were seated after a short wait, we had a nice younger waiter who was very friendly and suggested his favorites to us as new customers. My latte was served hot with a beautiful design on top. Their espresso choice was very smooth and delicious! Our waiter stated they make their own syrup and I was very impressed with the quality of the vanilla flavor. 10/10 on my latte! Husband ordered biscuits and gravy with eggs on top. He was not overly impressed with the different take on the traditional biscuits and gravy however he said it was a preference not quality issue for him. The biscuits were good. He loved the potatoes loaded! Oh man- the peaches and cream French toast!!! What angel is working in that kitchen? I was blown away by this meal. The caramelized butter and peaches and French toast and cinnamon oh my goodness. I could not stop....literally lol We will be back absolutely, hubby wants to try the smash burgers that were suggested and I will eat their french toast for the rest of my life lol read more

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We decided to get brunch for Labor Day. While it was very busy, we still felt like we got our food served at a decent time after ordering. I was really surprised by how good everything was. The corned beef hash was delicious. I'm not the biggest fan of meats but this was so good, melted in my mouth. The potatoes were also to die for. The peaches and cream French toast was also really delicious. Our meals came out warm and delicious. I would love to go back and try some of the eggs Benedict and the coffee! Great place and location to walk downtown afterwards. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Corned Beef Hash side Cheesy Grits Peaches & Cream French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Absolutely lovely experiance, the atmosphere is so calm and peaceful, and the food! Oh the food! We ordered pancakes and where expecting pretty standard cakes... but they came out so big and fluffy! Ive never not needed syrup with my cakes! They where TOO GOOD FOR SYRUP! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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Food was super yummy! Customer service was decent, could be slightly friendlier but I'm not a morning person either so I get it! read more

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We went for a little birthday brunch, and the food was absolutely delicious. I also really enjoyed my coffee-- I got the specialty golden latte. My friend and I split an omelette and the blueberry lemon pancakes, which I think was the way to go because both were incredible. It also meant I got a little bit of sweet, little bit of savory The cafe is well decorated and very clean, and our server was extremely kind and helpful. We'll be back for sure! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Golden Milk Latte, Blueberry Lemon Pancakes, Spinach Feta omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Had a nice breakfast here. Food was good, waiter was great and made good suggestions. If you are thinking about giving it a try, go ahead and do it. Interesting menu. Went to Peggs the next day- different vibe- also good, but not as interesting as this place. read more

Such a fun breakfast spot in a super good location when you're visiting. We were sat immediately at 10 am on a Friday. Ordered the best latte - Golden Milk was super unique and our server cautioned me against it (spicy like a chai), I have a new favorite morning indulgence. Kids got the biscuits and gravy and French toast. Both were fabulous and nice to have sweet and savory options. Hubby was craving a sandwich so he asked for a breakfast version and they met his desire! So nice of them to make something special for him. We loved this place - come hungry! read more

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If you're in South Bend and looking for a good little breakfast spot, I would highly suggest Early Bird! We got there about an hour after they opened and there was still plenty of seating but it filled up quick. The wait staff was friendly and responsive to any questions or concerns. Most of all... the food was fantastic. I had the crab cake eggs benedict. The hollandaise was made perfectly and complimented the dish well. The crab cake was thick and cooked to perfection. Great choice. My wife had the peaches and cream French toast. The French toast itself was delicious and the candied pecans made the dish in my opinion. Her only criticism was that the peaches were not hot. Not a detriment to the composition of the dish in my opinion but it caught her off guard. Again... still delicious, just cautioning those are considering trying it when you eat at the early bird. My son got the corned beef hash. Very savory and delectable. The over easy eggs on top were slightly overcooked but was still a great dish. He cleaned his plate. And if you're an orange juice fan, it was some of the best I've had. Overall a great experience and priced appropriately. I look forward to returning next time I'm in South Bend and trying more of the excellent looking options on the menu. Specifically the biscuits and mushroom gravy. I almost went for it this time but it's hard to pass up a good benedict. Great job Early Bird! Yum!!! read more

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We are in South Bend, Indiana for our daughter's graduation from Notre Dame. We looked up breakfast places in South Bend and found the early bird eatery. I highly recommend this restaurant. The ingredients are fresh and the bread is homemade. The bread is full grain or sourdough. My husband had the breakfast special and I had the Montecristo sandwich. We both had the loaded home fries. They were cooked to perfection, but the best part is the fact that they clearly take pride in the ingredients they used to make their food. Hard to find these days. If you're in South Bend, give it a try. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

The food was amazing and the service was wonderful. Highly recommend the little gem!!!

Were very accommodating by allowing our service dog inside to eat. Outside tables were available bit is was too warm for her. Mila was outstanding and very attentive and had great suggestions. I ordered a chi latte (hot) and my husband had a small latte (cortina?) Both were spot on. Entries were crabcake Benedict for me and spinach/? Benedict. Both came with home fries that were cooked perfectly and both Benedict were excellent. Stella was served a nice bowl 9f water. Highly recommend and good for kids as well. read more

Good food, good coffee. Service was just ok. I had the pork green chili poutine. An interesting fusion that was tasty but wouldn't be my first choice again. Coffee latte was very good. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Pork green chili poutine and latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

We enjoyed our brunch here, great food with both breakfast and lunch options. Prices are on the higher side, and I was a little disappointed to get a canned soda instead of a fountain drink. The quality is solid, but it does feel like they nickel and dime you. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Lemon blueberry pancakes were just overly rich and soggy. The lemon curd or whatever was just everywhere and it all kinda melted into this big pile of overly sweet slop. My omelette was decent but kinda small for the price. You can get an omelette twice the size for less at a local diner. For the price you can get better food elsewhere imo Service was just ok. Nothing against our waitress she was nice but food took a while to come out and the check took longer as well read more

We arrived just before our reservation but was told they would seat us to get us started but they wouldn't be able to take our order until 9 which was our reservation. Was seated and waited for someone to offer us water or coffee which was not. Two other customers were seated after us and was promptly waited on to place their drink orders and to our surprise their food order. All before 9 am. We were very disappointed and excused us from the establishment to never visit again. read more

My significant other and I moved to town a couple months ago and have been eyeballing this restaurant. Despite the fact that they were very busy, we were still sat in a timely manner, our server was patient with us, the staff we interacted with was kind and we love the toasted marshmallow hot chocolate! read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Toasted marshmallow hot chocolate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

The food here is delicious and the service stands out. If you don't mind waiting for a table, you're in for a treat. A nice perk is there's free parking in the parking structure right next door. The one thing of note is that it can get warm inside, and it's always quite loud, because it's usually full. Go for the food, and not the conversation! read more

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A must stop everytime in south bend! Food is great! Never a bad breakfast/brunch. Service always friendly! And the space is open and inviting.. read more

I think this is my third time going here, and every experience lives up to or exceeds the preceding ones! This time around I got the Blueberry Lemon Pancakes with a side of home fries and it was delicious! The portions are generous, so you definitely get bang for your buck. We sat outside this time, we were initially worried about the sun, but there are umbrellas that practically shade the entire outdoor seating area! Traffic noise isn't an issue at all! The service was fast, and while the indoor seating was taken it seems like if you sit outside you can get seated faster! Overall would highly recommend! read more

Don't go here anymore. Not as good as it used to be a couple of years ago. Now when they used to be in the old building in Michigan, it was pretty tasty. It's just like they hired new people and they care less about the food and the quality expensive but tasteless. read more

We had a wonderful breakfast at The Early Bird Eatery! They turn tables quick so we got right in, our server Shannon was great and the food was excellent. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Cauliflower Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Ever since they opened, Early Bird has been my fav breakfast/brunch spot in town!! Food is always fire, no matter what you get you won't be disappointed here. Their barista drinks? Killer. I gotta say I miss the vibes of the old Dainty Maid location, but it's still a cool space read more

Extremely amazing services they provided. i love their food, that filled my tummy but not my heart. highly recommended. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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busy place but we joined the waitlist and were seated promptly. bright interior. potatoes were a little dry and needed sauce. the eggs benedict was good but the two tiny pieces of asparagus felt very sparse read more

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Came here for a quick trip to South Bend and enjoyed our time. Place was very packed, which makes sense for a Sunday morning. Our waiter was very attentive and got our orders in quickly. Food was very tasty and the portion size was quite large. Would highly recommend putting your name on the waitlist instead of doing a walk in as the place is very popular and there isn't a lot of seating. Would come back again! read more

It's great for breakfast! 5 stars if it opened earlier during the week and we could meet there before work.

I have been coming here for a few years and it has become one of my favorite places to eat. Their lemon blueberry pancakes are out of this world, and I often order the crab cake eggs Benedict as well. The potatoes and home fries are the best I have ever had, and their lattes are also delicious. There is nothing bad to say about this place. Sometimes it gets busy and a little loud, but when that happens I just place a takeout order. I definitely recommend it. read more

The Early Bird Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - South Bend, Indiana