The restaurant space located at the Taylor and King crossroads in Loomis has seen some changes over the last 20 years. As a waitress, Linda Lawrence witnessed the transition from Ham n’ Eggs to the Harvest Grill. At a crossroads herself, Lawrence took over ownership of the space in June of 2008, quickly turning the renamed Ugly Mug Café into a local institution. I visited the breakfast and lunch spot on a recent Sunday morning with my mother and one-year-old son. The place was packed with patrons that seemed to be on familiar terms with both the friendly wait staff and one another. The café takes advantage of locally grown ingredients, with more than 30 hearty and healthy signature plates to choose from—many named after the patrons Linda served during the space’s previous incarnations. I went with Diana’s Delight: a fluffy omelet stuffed with sprouts, avocado, cream cheese and turkey, topped with sour cream and chives. My mom chose the Del Oro omelet, jam-packed with tomatoes, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, onions, broccoli and feta cheese, then drizzled with pesto. Both were spectacular. The Ugly Mug also offers an extensive lunch menu and beverages—ranging from lattes to Bloody Mary’s. No matter what you choose, like the café itself, I bet you’ll want to stay a while. Ugly Mug Café, 3589 Taylor Road, Unit H, Loomis. 916-652-5241, uglymugloomis.com.