the best brunch

There are so many reasons to head out on Sunday morning (or afternoon) for brunch. From celebrating holidays to curing hangovers, mid-morning cocktails and eggs Benedict are always a good idea. We went in search of the best places serving Bloody Marys, mimosas, omelets, waffles, and our other must-have breakfast staples. Our conclusion? There’s no better way to greet the morning and conquer the day than enjoying these Sunday brunches!

South Bend Brew Werks

The Benny

216 S Michigan St
South Bend, IN 46601 
(574) 334-0356 

You simply can’t go wrong with brunch! Enjoy your brunch at South Bend Brew Werks and you’ve hit the jackpot! Now, I’m no newbie to this downtown South Bend hotspot, but it continues to charm me each time I visit with its perfect combination of old and new, and its undeniable ability to bring the community together. The Beer4Good program remains my favorite aspect with Brew Werks raising money one craft beer at a time for their three community partners (La Casa de Amistad, The Music Village and Neighborhood Resources Connection). And with the surge of interest in downtown South Bend, Brew Werks has served as the ideal spot to gather, give local support and of course, indulge.

Brew Werk’s special Sunday brunch menu boasts a variety of items including waffles, burritos, breakfast pizzas and sandwiches, along with the classic beverages of coffee and orange juice. If you’re feeling in the brunch spirit, try one of their Bloody Mary’s/Beery’s or a Beermosa! 

I opted for one of their signature dishes: The Benny. Forget syrup and everything you thought you knew about waffles. Topped with a poached egg, bacon and hollandaise, this waffle offers a little sweet and a whole lot of savory, or what I like to call the “best of both worlds.” The hollandaise is made fresh every Sunday morning and has a bit more spice than the traditional sauce. The waffle isn’t fluffy like you might think, but its texture provides contrast to the light and airy eggs that top it.

I paired my meal with an enticing Beermosa (two parts craft beer, one part orange juice), of which I selected Vandermill Cider as the base. My morning brew became an excellent addition to my entree as the crisp taste complemented the tangy waffle toppings perfectly. And just because, I ordered a Bloody Mary as well (let’s be honest, who can turn down a Bloody Mary?)! The homemade mix is blended with vodka from Journeyman Distillery and of course, garnished with a celery stick creating a spicy and delicious addition to any brunch meal.

-Kaitlyn Smale

Tippecanoe Place

Brunch Buffet
 

620 W Washington St
South Bend, IN 46601 
(574) 234-9077

If you are in search of an elegant restaurant with sumptuous food in an ambiance nestled in history, look no further than Tippecanoe Place. Located in the heart of South Bend on Washington Street, Tippecanoe is the perfect place to go if you are looking for a fancy setting with amazing breakfast eats. The Tippecanoe Place Mansion was built in 1886 by Clem Studebaker, president of the Studebaker Corporation which just so happens to be the largest wagon manufacturer in the world. The mansion boasts a luxurious atmosphere that transports you back in time as the estate has been immaculately preserved by owner Kristi Matteoni.

So about that brunch! Tippecanoe, lovingly nicknamed “Tippe” by the locals, features a custom omelet bar prepared to order by Chef Mark Lofton. Lofton has been serving up to-die-for brunch for over 20 years at Tippecanoe. A brunch must-try is the warm Belgian waffles with whipped sweet butter and warm maple syrup or the hand-carved smoked country ham. My personal favorite was the hand-carved tender roast beef. The spread also features an assortment of other hot breakfast and lunch items. Of course, I had to wash it down with my all-time favorite brunch beverage: a mimosa.

The beautiful property and restaurant isn’t only a go-to spot for brunch, but also serves up a wonderful lunch and dinner. Tippecanoe Place is also a popular venue for hosting weddings and corporate events. The atmosphere in this majestic castle-like setting is worth the trip alone, but the brunch is worthy of a repeat visit.

-Doug Elder

Le Peep

Brunch Menu

127 S Michigan St
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 288-7337

Nestled in the heart of South Bend, near the iconic State Theater and South Bend Chocolate Factory, lives the cornerstone of the perfect brunch: Le Peep South Bend. Le Peep offers the “pancake of the month,” amazing omelets and skillets, plentiful options for the health-minded customer, and an extensive menu for lunch, too! I’m particularly partial to Le Peep’s eggs Benedict paired with a mimosa that pours generously on the champagne. 

Le Peep South Bend comes with a customer-first approach and is led by Peg Dalton, a steward for servant leadership in the community. While there, don’t be surprised to rub elbows with famous Notre Dame athletes and coaches, or even Andrew Berlin, owner of the South Bend Cubs. Proof of famous patrons hangs on the walls of the restaurant. Le Peep has proven itself to be a local favorite when it comes to brunch.

-Doug Elder

Uptown Kitchen

Eggs Benedict with Steak & Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Hash

7225 Heritage Square Dr, Ste 208
Granger, IN 46530 
(574) 968-3030

Uptown Kitchen’s brunch is one of the best culinary experiences in the South Bend area. It is an upbeat and fun environment for every dining occasion. I visited on the weekend to sample their brunch menu.  With a line out the door, early indications were looking good that it was a popular spot! I was greeted with friendly service and a rather short wait. The staff mentioned that they do not use heat lamps, microwaves or a deep fryer in their cooking and that everything is organic—even the eggs are only allowed to sit for 48 hours! 

A server greeted me merely seconds after I sat down and was full of suggestions. First course was the “Uptown Eggs Benedict” with steak, which seriously was the best Eggs Benedict I have ever had. 

You can really taste the difference in the farm-to-table approach at this restaurant.Next was the “Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Hash” with two eggs and toast topped with jalapeno hollandaise, which made the southern girl inside me so happy! It was the perfect amount of spicy and savory to satisfy my southern comfort food cravings.

After the two entrees came the best Bloody Maria (yes, Maria!) with house infused habanero tequila, tomato juice, blend of herbs and spices, cilantro and olive.

With other enticing menu options awaiting, I can’t wait to bring visiting guests and family to this restaurant that lives by their motto – “Eat Well. Drink Well. Be Happy.”

-Caitlin Totty

Evil Czech Brewery

Brunch Buffet

3703 N Main St 
Mishawaka, IN 46545
(574) 855-3070

Ah, brunch, what I like to refer to as the world’s best invention. More than willing to accept the challenge of finding the most outstanding brunch around, we ventured to Evil Czech Brewery. Their brunch buffet is available every Sunday starting at 11a.m. and boasts a menu that varies week to week.

Needless to say, we were rather excited for this quest. I mean, where else can you eat omelets, buffalo chicken, waffles and pizza all at the same time? Throw in a Bloody Mary or a few beers and you’ve hit the jackpot. What could be better? Nothing. The answer is nothing.

One word of advice for anyone who plans to visit Evil Czech’s brunch: come hungry. The buffet selection was impressive to say the least. If you are someone that struggles to make a decision, or simply wants to try it all (and we mean ALL), then this brunch is for you! All dishes are served on small plates, making it easy (and oh so enjoyable) to taste everything.

Determined to sample all of the options presented, we started at the beginning of the line, grabbing one plate of each dish. Duck and Fig Pizza, Public House Mac & Cheese, Summer’s Fun Benedict and Fingerling Potatoes were just a few of the tasty selections! Although the items are called “small plates” and are meant to be a single serving, we enjoyed assembling them in a circle between us, sampling each dish before passing to the right. This method created a fun culinary experience that allowed us to save a bit room to try even more! Some of our favorites included the Fried Guacamole, warm Ricotta and Nutella Doughnut and the ever-so-addicting Green Bean Fries that kept us coming back for more!

Unfortunately, even with sharing each dish, we were unable to make it more than halfway through the line! Disappointed, but completely stuffed, we vowed to come back another Sunday to enjoy even more of the delicious dishes! 

-Kaitlyn Smale

Granite City

Brunch Buffet

6501 Grape Rd
Mishawaka, IN 46545 
(574) 243-0900

As someone who loves breakfast food, there is nothing better than a great Sunday brunch buffet. When I was asked if I was interested in the search for the area’s best brunch, there was no hesitation in accepting the offer! Due to my tendency to over indulge, I try to limit my buffet visits, but now I had a valid excuse. Three words: bring. it. on.

I visited Granite City Food & Brewery, located on the northeast side of University Park Mall. Inside, the restaurant features stylish décor with indoor and outdoor seating options. I met with Adam DeGiorgio, Granite City’s kitchen manager to get the lowdown on their brunch. The buffet is $14.95 for adults and $5.95 for children under 12. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. Popular buffet dishes include assorted chef’s pastries, fresh fruit, smoked salmon dip with bagel bites, biscuits and gravy, Reggiano cheesy hash browns, build-your-own waffle station, eggs benedict, Rumchata French toast, hand-carved prime rib, and numerous chef specials.

Now it was time to dig in. They start off by bringing a fresh baked cinnamon roll with caramel glaze directly to your table. And the rest is up to you. Unfortunately, I was unable to sample all of the available choices, but everything I did get my hands on was delicious, fresh and full of flavor. The assortment of food has something for everyone. Kids will especially enjoy the build-your-own stations, but I personally liked the Reggiano cheesy potatoes, the egg special (a bacon, mushroom, potato skillet), the prime rib and the Rumchata French toast. 

If you have any plans in the Grape Road area on a Sunday, there is no better way to start the day other than the Sunday brunch at Granite City Food & Brewery.

-Mark Wolf

Bar Louie

Hangover Helper

6501 Grape Rd, Ste 1100
Mishawaka, IN 46545 
(574) 277-9100

If you’ve ever had a fun-filled Saturday night and are in need of a Sunday morning pick-me-up, then Bar Louie’s Sunday morning brunch is the place to go. I headed there on a quiet morning and immediately noticed the laid-back atmosphere as the staff prepared the dining area for the day’s festivities. After I decided to dine in the main area (the other option is in the bar), I was quickly approached by the energetic waitstaff, given a brunch menu and left to decide between several enticing options. 

According to the Bar Louie menu, “brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast,” so of course I had to take a glance at their extensive drink menu. Options include mimosas, strawberry peach bellinis and of course, the Bar Louie version of the Bloody Mary. 

Rather than fill up on “booze for brunch,” I opted for the Hangover Helper, a Louie’s classic order of tator tots covered with onions, peppers, two eggs cooked to order, chorizo (crumbled bacon is another option)—all smothered in queso for $8.95. I personally ordered my eggs over easy and skipped the onions, but I can’t wait to try it with scrambled eggs.

-Jim Brow