Top o' the Morning

> Hob Nob Hill, Downtown
Open for over 50 years for good reason: this homey place is a return to the good ol' days when no one cared about cholesterol and calories didn't count. Cozy into a booth with a batch of flapjacks, corned beef hash with scrambled eggs, or a basket of just-made muffins. Banter with the good-natured waitresses and enjoy a perfect start to your day.

> Jimmy Carter's Café, Hillcrest
Not affiliated with the former prez, but still famous in its own righ tfor bounteous breakfasts and more. This corner café draws a mostly local crowd with American comfort food - corned beef hash, fried eggs, omelets, waffles and pancakes - and international breakfasts like Indian crepes and Mexican tortilla casserole.

> The Mission (downtown, North Park, Mission Beach)
Breakfast sparkles at these hip and whimsical cafes run by a trio of talented restaurateurs. Along with eye-opening espresso drinks and sensational fruit smoothies, best bets include specialty pancakes, cinnamon french toast and Mexican-style dishes such as breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros. Expect long waits on the weekends.

> Original Pancake House, Kearny Mesa
Saturdays and Sundays, it seems like everyone in town is lined up awaiting a table at this family-friendly eatery. It's mostly about pancakes -buttermilk, chocolate chip, sourdough, apple-stuffed, strawberry, you name it - but other items such as waffles, omelets and bacon and eggs are popular as well.

> Pearl Chinese Cuisine, Rancho Bernardo
Looking for divine dim sum? Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, servers push carts laden with these Chinese delicacies through the spacious dining room for customers to pick and choose. From savory (barbecued beef buns, potstickers, shrimp dumplings) to sweet (custards, sesame balls, mango pudding), Pearl offers excellence and variety for dim sum fans and novices alike