Let’s face it, in terms of food, there’s nothing better than a good, hearty breakfast to start the day.

One late Sunday morning, my husband and I ventured to Mary’s Gold Miner Café on East Bidwell. Apparently we are the last to discover this Folsom gem. Luckily, we were seated right away and even more impressive – at least in my book – our waitress greeted us with a fresh pot of coffee. The café was packed with regulars eager to order their “usuals” or try something new from the vast menu.

Although the menu was quite large, it didn’t take us long to figure out our cravings. My husband selected the Chile Verde Omelet served with hash browns and toast, and I went with the Alexandra’s Eggs Benedict. The omelet arrived piping hot with tender pork, juicy sauce and fluffy eggs topped with sour cream. My husband, a self-proclaimed pork connoisseur, coined this pork-filled omelet one of the best he’s ever had. My selection, a California-take on the traditional Eggs Benedict, was a generous helping of a toasted English muffin layered with avocado, tomato, bacon, two eggs and, of course, Hollandaise sauce. I loved this combination of flavors, which took the traditional Benedict up a notch. Overall, the food, while filling, was a satisfying hit.

Mary’s Gold Miner Café offers a no-nonsense setting, friendly service, an impressive selection of traditional breakfast and brunch favorites, plus authentic flavors from Greece courtesy of owners Mary and Dino Masouris. Can you think of a better way to start your day?