My Man at Heinemann's

"Actually, it’s a pretty spry crowd here," The Man stated, as we were seated at Heinemann’s. "What’s your definition of ‘spry’?" I asked. "No walkers," he replied. That about sums up the clientele, including The Man and me, who were attracted to this classic Milwaukee spot for breakfast on Sunday morning.

You can see why Heinemann’s has such a good reputation. The menu is extensive, the food is reminiscent of Mom’s in the 50's (at least it’s what we wish hers was), the prices are reasonable, the place is cheerful and the service is very good. I noticed that our waitress was telling some of her customers about her new dorm room at college and how much she misses her parents. Smart girl. We would all leave a Big Tip after being told we are missed.

What a huge menu just for breakfast! I counted 6 different homemade pancakes, 10 egg items, plus 7 different omelets, 8 ‘healthy’ items and 6 French toasts and waffles. I would like to try them all. Let’s see - that would be 37 days of going out for breakfast. Dream on, woman.

I have ordered the baked oatmeal when I’ve come here for breakfast previously (with friends). It’s a great recipe. I’ve also enjoyed the "energy breakfast." I actually called Heinemann's and got the recipe years ago. It is dry oatmeal that’s mixed with vanilla yogurt and applesauce, refrigerated overnight, and then layered with granola and fruit. However, I was disappointed with it the last time I ordered it, because the fruit they chose was canteloupe, which doesn’t blend as well with oatmeal as berries or even pieces of apples or pears. Heinemann’s own cinnamon coffee cake is delicious too, and, made into French toast, it’s like having dessert in the morning.

But I have been desperate for eggs. Well.... okay. Not desperate. Hungry for an egg. We have eggs seldom when I am cooking, but now that I can’t cook, an egg seems like such a treat. That’s why I had to drag The Man Who Would Rather Not Waste Valuable Lawn Mowing Time going out to a restaurant for breakfast. I ordered ‘Susie’s Breakfast’ - a fried egg topped with cheese (that magic word), served on a patty of turkey breakfast sausage and toast. I wouldn’t rave about it. Boring white, unbuttered toast was the base of the pile. Perched on was a huge chunk of sausage, then the egg and cheese. But after I disassembled the pile, the egg with the slice of real cheese melted on it was just what I craved. The 50's Man ordered Heinemann’s Special: a mountain of eggs scrambled with bits of ham, lots of good, hot hash browns and 2 slices of whole wheat toast. Quite a meal.

"So, this is your kind of place: good cheap food," I commented. He popped up with, "Are you kidding? Seven bucks for breakfast?" Obviously this is not HIS idea of cheap. Isn’t it interesting that he wouldn’t have a clue how much a dozen of eggs costs in a grocery store, nor does he know, or care, that I buy the expensive, cage-free, organic eggs. Or that I’d have to buy a chunk of ham to make this breakfast, and we won’t even go into the inexpensive, but lots-of-work hash browned potatoes. The Man never complains that I’m spending too much on groceries. But give that money to a restaurant – now that’s a different kettle of fish. So I reminded him, oh, so gently (of course), of those costs. He then agreed, grudgingly, that this meal was probably worth it. "So are you actually willing to go out for breakfast occasionally even after I have a kitchen?" I asked, pushing him just a tad. The Man replied, "Maybe if we’re out of power – or it’s your birthday."

I made sure he saw me write that down.

Kitchenless in Brookfield