Bakeley’s (345 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407/645-5767, 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–midnight Fri.–Sat., main courses from $6) is a family-owned diner specializing in ample breakfast platters. Enormous omelets and thick French toast are the marquee dishes, but even more “simple” dishes like the Floridian manage to pile on exponentially larger servings of eggs, multiple meats, grits, and potatoes. The “skillet” breakfasts pile it all together in a cast-iron cooker, blending the flavors in a way that no Denny’s could ever hope to match. Lunch and dinner are standard diner fare with a few Greek touches.
Although they serve breakfast at the too-cute-for-words Briarpatch (252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407/628-8651, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun., main courses from $7), the early-morning meals are unremarkable, as are the lunches. However, the sidewalk seating along Park Avenue is a perfect setting to enjoy some of the rich cakes and homemade ice cream.