I'll be burning the midnight oil to get to Ely, and "the plan" is to roll into town early, get breakfast before/after picking up the rental canoe. I checked subway....doesn't open until 9 am. By then I hope to be putting in at Lake One and underway. What is there in town where I can grab something to eat early in the morning?

Brittons opens at 6 am, they serve one hell of a breakfast...

Brittons is, without question, the best place for breakfast where I've eaten. Plan my trips around that breakfast opportunity. Ground ham and cheese stuffed hashbrowns are fricken ridiculous.

If you really want something from Subway, get one the day before and keep in your cooler. No doubt you’ll pass several on the way.

For me, there is only one place for breakfast in Ely... Britton's. They will start their summer hours this weekend, I think. Open at 5:30am.

Echoing everyone else... Britton’s. Did my first trip last year and was told to eat there. I'll guarantee you that I’ll eat there every time I’m in Ely.

Northern Grounds has good breakfast. They open at 7:00. Quick service, quality food.

Britton's is good, but it's kind of a gut bomb and can result in a few "pit stops" along the way on your first travel day.

BigCurrent: "Northern Grounds has good breakfast. They open at 7:00. Quick service, quality food.

Britton's is good, but it's kind of a gut bomb and can result in a few "pit stops" along the way on your first travel day."

Northern Grounds is more coffee shop and bar than breakfast spot. They have decent coffee and baked goods, but not really a breakfast spot.

MUCH lighter than Britton's, we've enjoyed a bite at A Taste of Ely in the morning.

+1 for Britton's. Just beware of the attack waitress, lol.

Agree on Brittons, but as I recall, they do not take credit cards. Not a complaint, just something to be aware of and plan for accordingly.

ParkerMag: "MUCH lighter than Britton's, we've enjoyed a bite at A Taste of Ely in the morning."

A Taste of Ely is no longer with us, has closed.

My first trip into BWCA/Q was in 1978 and from the Charles L Sommers Canoe Base on Moose Lake, so breakfast there... Every BWCA/Q trip from Ely since then began with breakfast at Britton's. And our return commute starts at Britton's, too.

TZ

+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful.

Banksiana: "

BigCurrent: "Northern Grounds has good breakfast. They open at 7:00. Quick service, quality food.

Britton's is good, but it's kind of a gut bomb and can result in a few "pit stops" along the way on your first travel day."

Northern Grounds is more coffee shop and bar than breakfast spot. They have decent coffee and baked goods, but not really a breakfast spot."

My bad, I meant to say Taste of Ely, sadly it sounds like they have closed. Bummer.

Correct. Britton's!

Brittons early. a 10+ year tradition here. Never went away hungry or dissatified!

Brittons

Britton's for Our group as well.

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)

Thanks for the heads up- cash only. Opens at 6AM.....and they serve you a mountain of food....PERFECT!!!! In the old days back in the 80's and 90's we stopped at Hardees before heading out. I was a teenager back then and we (our scout troop) would buy a pile of biscuit sandwiches- what we didn't eat there was squirreled away and eaten as we paddled out to Basswood Lake that morning (we were teenagers with bottomless stomachs then). Coming out...we hit up Pizza Hut. It's sad both places are gone, but I now end my trip with a Bucky Burger at the Steakhouse.....now I gotta go see about these stuffed hash browns people are raving about, haha.

old_salt: "If you really want something from Subway, get one the day before and keep in your cooler. No doubt you’ll pass several on the way."

One of my traditions on any hiking or canoe trip is to have a Subway sandwich for either lunch/dinner depending on when I head in. I'll probably pick one up the day before here at home, haul it up and have it for lunch while I'm out paddling to base camp.

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

No worries......I use a french press when camping- the coffee I brew up would wake the dead. Most restaurants make weaker coffee for a wider audience, haha.

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

If it's got cream & sugar, it isn't coffee.

K52: "

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

If it's got cream & sugar, it isn't coffee."

I know, could never understand why they put that stuff (cream & sugar) in coffee. I prefer the kind that allows the spoon to stand straight up in the middle of the cup if left unattended!!!
Now that's coffee!!! :)

brittons, ate this this am, delisch!

The Great Outdoors: "

K52: "

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

If it's got cream & sugar, it isn't coffee."

I know, could never understand why they put that stuff (cream & sugar) in coffee. I prefer the kind that allows the spoon to stand straight up in the middle of the cup if left unattended!!!
Now that's coffee!!! :)"

Hey, last time I was in town when my outfitter heard we were going to Brittons on our way out of town they passed me some instant nescafe to add so the coffee wasn't so weak. Personally, I don't do cream but I'll take sugar if it's there. When I'm not camping I'm usually a tea drinker.

Just wanted to warn those who were interested, the place in town known for their huge and awesome breakfasts is usually lacking in the coffee department.

Interesting. Where to eat breakfast in Ely garners more agreement, near perfect unanimity, among members of this forum than any other topic ever discussed.

I too love Brittons.

Jaywalker: "Interesting. Where to eat breakfast in Ely garners more agreement, near perfect unanimity, among members of this forum than any other topic ever discussed."

What if I ask about bringing my guitar to Brittons? Will we still be a happy, unanimous group?

andym: "

Jaywalker: "Interesting. Where to eat breakfast in Ely garners more agreement, near perfect unanimity, among members of this forum than any other topic ever discussed."

What if I ask about bringing my guitar to Brittons? Will we still be a happy, unanimous group?"

If you ask to play your guitar for the breakfast crowd, I'll bet they 86 you. So I guess the answer to your question is yes :-).

I'll keep that in mind. Of course, I don't play guitar. So, I'm safe.

I've been going to Brittons most trips unless I can't get a table which has happened twice. In fall of 2016 I was solo and headed there after a 12 night Quetico trip. The only seat open was at the bar so I pulled in next to an old timer.

I had a great time as he told me stories of working in the nearby mine back in the day. I think he said he arrived in Ely when he was 17 and never left. His name is Milton if I remember. He stops by Brittons most every day for a cup of coffee and some chit chat. Well, he made my day.

andym: "I'll keep that in mind. Of course, I don't play guitar. So, I'm safe."

Sure got stares when I brought my banjo though.
My new think for coffee is maple syrup... haha. I bring a little 4oz bottle everywhere.

Jaywalker: I'll bet they 86 you. :-). "

I take it you've worked in the restaurant industry.

I've always thought it's interesting, that they would name a furniture store...

"Dock 86"...

So uh, you're out of everything? lol.

Love Brittons, buy a Brittons coffee cup , set on your deck at home and pretend you are headed out as soon as the wind lays.

Agree with everyone, Britton's is a great breakfast place. Their coffee is a good brand - same as they provide in the VNO bunkhouse, I made some there and it was fantastic - except Britton's must use double the amount of water they should. So it comes out weak.

As another option, Insula opens at 7:30 (except Mondays, I think). I went to Britton's on a Sunday morning back in October and they were closed. So I asked a local friend about Insula, wound up going there and had a fantastic, filling breakfast with pretty good coffee and a nice atmosphere.

Britton's wait staff are friendly, and some really good to look at, especially after a few days out in the bush!
Plus there is a general good vibe among fellow paddlers.
Of course, in Ely, there are few breakfast options!

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

Honestly, I drink my coffee black, and their coffee must have come a long way in the past 3 years because I've enjoyed it every time.

I'm a HUGE fan of their "hashbrown omlette" I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but it's AMAZING!

MN_Lindsey: "

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

Honestly, I drink my coffee black, and their coffee must have come a long way in the past 3 years because I've enjoyed it every time.


I'm a HUGE fan of their "hashbrown omlette" I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but it's AMAZING!"

Stuffed hash browns? The entree that could feed a family of 4.

Heck, that's just an hors d'oeuvres!!!! :)

Brittons is part of the trip routine! The breakfast will fuel you for a good while.

MN_Lindsey: "

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

Honestly, I drink my coffee black, and their coffee must have come a long way in the past 3 years because I've enjoyed it every time.


I'm a HUGE fan of their "hashbrown omlette" I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but it's AMAZING!"

Ok, last time I was thru Ely was 2015 so I can hope the coffee has improved since then.

Stuffed hash browns are amazeballs!

So I followed everyone's suggestion and went to Britton's. I am now a Britton's JUNKIE....so much I ate there twice while I was in the area. I ate there Friday morning before heading in.....the pancakes are "uncle buck" sized...I had to peer back into the kitchen to make sure the cook wasn't using a snow shovel to flip them!!! Then I went back on Monday for brunchie munchies and had the stuffed hashbrowns...they really should hand out white flags when serving their food, my inner 25 year old was in competition with my outer 45 year old self...I was starting too look like cool hand luke after he ate 50 eggs, and I only finished half my plate, haha. I loved the atmosphere in that place and hearing all the Minnesotans chit chatting around me (in Minnesota-talk). I learned that Ely has townie bears that have been raiding bird feeders and running amok in town...and down here in Iowa we thought we had problems, haha. I'll definitely be adding Britton's to my "to do" list along with Ely Steakhouse, a stop at Zup's, a hike at Kawishiwi falls, and Sir G's Pizza as part of my repetoire on trips to the Boundary Waters!

PapaBear1975: "So I followed everyone's suggestion and went to Britton's. I am now a Britton's JUNKIE....so much I ate there twice while I was in the area. I ate there Friday morning before heading in.....the pancakes are "uncle buck" sized...I had to peer back into the kitchen to make sure the cook wasn't using a snow shovel to flip them!!! Then I went back on Monday for brunchie munchies and had the stuffed hashbrowns...they really should hand out white flags when serving their food, my inner 25 year old was in competition with my outer 45 year old self...I was starting too look like cool hand luke after he ate 50 eggs, and I only finished half my plate, haha. I loved the atmosphere in that place and hearing all the Minnesotans chit chatting around me (in Minnesota-talk). I learned that Ely has townie bears that have been raiding bird feeders and running amok in town...and down here in Iowa we thought we had problems, haha. I'll definitely be adding Britton's to my "to do" list along with Ely Steakhouse, a stop at Zup's, a hike at Kawishiwi falls, and Sir G's Pizza as part of my repetoire on trips to the Boundary Waters! "

Next trip stop in for a beer at Zaveral's to complete the Ely experience.

HowardSprague: "Agree with everyone, Britton's is a great breakfast place. Their coffee is a good brand - same as they provide in the VNO bunkhouse, I made some there and it was fantastic - except Britton's must use double the amount of water they should. So it comes out weak.


As another option, Insula opens at 7:30 (except Mondays, I think). I went to Britton's on a Sunday morning back in October and they were closed. So I asked a local friend about Insula, wound up going there and had a fantastic, filling breakfast with pretty good coffee and a nice atmosphere.
"

+1 for Insula if you've got party members with gluten problems. My husband's got Celiac disease, and he was able to get a hot breakfast without worrying about it making him sick. The rest of us enjoyed our meals as well.

For decades, Vertin's was the place. It's location is something totally different now.

mirth: "

MN_Lindsey: "

The Great Outdoors: "

mirth: "+1 Brittons. Be advised, their coffee isn't so hot. Bring along some instant to pitch in with cream/sugar to make it useful."

Oh man, another "coffee snob"!!!
Just order a Coke instead!!! Bwahahahahaha :)"

Honestly, I drink my coffee black, and their coffee must have come a long way in the past 3 years because I've enjoyed it every time.

I'm a HUGE fan of their "hashbrown omlette" I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but it's AMAZING!"

Ok, last time I was thru Ely was 2015 so I can hope the coffee has improved since then.
Stuffed hash browns are amazeballs!"

I can update this for 2019/2020 as our Venturing crew had breakfast at Britton's recently before going to the Scout base on Moose Lake. No complaints about the coffee, so I retract my previous comment.

The stuffed hash browns were as awesome as always. And our one Scout who didn't order the hashies but instead with dinner plate sized pancakes was equally satisfied.

Looking forward to pre-trip breakfast in July 2020!

Britton's will serve up as much as you dare order, but I've found that a ginormous meal just before entering the woods is not in my best interest. It's open early, so it will always be our go-to, but I usually just have my usual eggs and toast or bacon and toast.

Here's one of our group member's reaction to his first Britton's breakfast.

Britton's Stuffed Hash Browns:



Insula breakfast:


Front Porch, quiche - not bad either, and pretty quick:


And finally,...Shrimp & Grits from Poogan's Porch in Charleston, SC:


All these meals made me happy.

I can update this for 2019/2020 as our Venturing crew had breakfast at Britton's recently before going to the Scout base on Moose Lake. No complaints about the coffee, so I retract my previous comment.


The stuffed hash browns were as awesome as always. And our one Scout who didn't order the hashies but instead with dinner plate sized pancakes was equally satisfied.


Looking forward to pre-trip breakfast in July 2020!"

I guess I know where our troop is eating breakfast at on Sunday morning before we paddle away from LaTourell's. Since they dont serve breakfast at the outfitter I figure a 6:00am trip into town beats cooking ourselves at the outfitters.

Has anyone picked up takeout from Britton's? Thought about just one person running in to grab breakfast while evryone else is prepparing to disembark.

When Steve and I were there in Sept. 2021 Brittons was closed for customers.
They were busy making up food for Fire Fighters.
Larry

Driver42 - I love Britons but I think you'll be frustrated with a group of Scouts trying for an early departure. While I gave up on spending a night in Ely and early departures - just fine entering in afternoon when we got there - I recommend planning a cold breakfast wherever you're bunking and getting on the water asap. Save Brittons for the start of your drive home.

WHendrix: "Agree on Brittons, but as I recall, they do not take credit cards. Not a complaint, just something to be aware of and plan for accordingly."

+1. No CC. Bring cash.

Brittons is definitely a legend for breakfast and I have eaten there dozens of times. A couple of years ago, at the suggestion of one of our esteemed Outfitters, we tried the Grand Ely Lodge restaurant. It was excellent! I don't believe they open as early as Brittons, but the food and service was outstanding! And cost comparable to Brittons.

I'll add a vote for Brittons. If I want a lighter breakfast for good coffee and croissants, then I head to Front Porch Coffee. There are a couple of other good places in town such as Chocolate Moose to get something.

woodsandwater: "Brittons is definitely a legend for breakfast and I have eaten there dozens of times. A couple of years ago, at the suggestion of one of our esteemed Outfitters, we tried the Grand Ely Lodge restaurant. It was excellent! I don't believe they open as early as Brittons, but the food and service was outstanding! And cost comparable to Brittons."

I agree breakfast at Grand Ely Lodge is excellent, I did that one morning this past year and was very happy with it.

I believe you can still get a breakfast at Snowbank Lodge IF you let them know the day before - at least that's how they did it when it was Smitty's. Worth checking, if you go out of Snowbank or even Lake One or Moose.
**update***I looked at the site, and they do not even mention the dining room so I'm not sure***

woodsandwater: "Brittons is definitely a legend for breakfast and I have eaten there dozens of times. A couple of years ago, at the suggestion of one of our esteemed Outfitters, we tried the Grand Ely Lodge restaurant. It was excellent! I don't believe they open as early as Brittons, but the food and service was outstanding! And cost comparable to Brittons."

Brittons is definitely legendary. My wife and I did day trips out of Ely one summer and started our day with breakfast at Brittons for a week. Put on 10 pounds ........

Please stop talking about breakfast at Brittons, I am starting to drool . May need to make a trip up there for the Winter Festival. Guess where I will eat breakfast.

Carl