Food & Drink

5 min read

All-Day Breakfast Bliss: Top Spots for Pancakes at 3 PM

Craving pancakes at 3 PM? Discover a world where breakfast never stops, and your taste buds are always on vacation!

Tobi Miles
September 10, 2022

Something about eggs, bacon, potatoes, waffles, and pancakes is comforting. Breakfast at any time of the day is also so satisfying. Whether you are rushing to work or school, sitting at your desk to realize breakfast and lunch have passed or heading home after a late night out, it's a relief to know which fast food joints serve breakfast all day long.

Modern fast food restaurants provide customers with technology to accommodate breakfast orders on a given notice. These restaurants have the resources to quickly cook or heat up and serve a breakfast sandwich at any hour.

Fast foodies are loyal customers. Because fast food is accessible, economical, and served quickly, it's an easy pick for folks who lack time and are often on the road. Burger fast food hot spots and coffee and donut shops are in the all-day breakfast game. They also provide unique dietary options, including gluten-free and menu vegetarian items.

Check out this list of nationwide and regional fast food restaurants with palatable wraps, sandwiches, waffles, and more. You can always count on these epic fast food restaurants that serve breakfast around the clock.

1. Starbucks

Credit NBC

Address: Find a Location | Phone number: (800-782-7282)

When Starbucks began popping up on street corners in the 90s, the coffee world changed, making it possible to grab a coffee anywhere, anytime. Today not only does Starbucks rule the place to get your double shot light foam nonfat grande latte, but the fast food coffee joint also serves easy grab-and-go breakfast all day long.

What to Eat at Starbucks: Savory egg sandwiches such as double-smoked, bacon, cheddar, egg sandwich to the spinach feta, and egg white wrap hit the spot. Vegetarians prefer an Impossible breakfast sandwich or one of Starbucks sous vide egg bites (red pepper egg white). And hot oatmeal, yogurt parfait, and overnight oats are also great options.

Why should you eat here? Starbucks is a household name; boy, this restaurant makes it easy to get breakfast. Before school or work, mid-day, or if you are just in the mood for eggs late in the day, customers can count on Starbucks. Healthier choices such as any of the egg white items and vegetarian options are also available.

·   Yelp Rating: 3 stars

·     Cost: $$

·     Specialty Dish: Sous Vide egg bites 

·     Cuisine: Coffee

2. Jack in the Box

Credit: Youtube

Address: Find a Location  | Phone number: (858-522-4716)

Since 1951 diners have recognized Jack in the Box for its iconic clown mascot. Jack initiated its breakfast menu over 20 years ago, breaking from traditional fast food restaurants. With the mission of sating breakfast cravings round the clock, Jack's eggy burritos and sandwiches are delicious and perfect for any meal.

What to Eat at Jack in the Box: The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich or Loaded Breakfast Sandwich are full meals. Ultimate is a 2-2-2 (eggs, cheese, bacon, ham, sausage, and cheese. The Meat Lovers Breakfast Burrito is tasty with Jack's fire-roasted salsa. Those who prefer a sweeter breakfast must try the mini pancakes and the French Toast Sticks, which recently returned to the menu.

Why should you eat here: When you want breakfast, 24/7 diners can visit Jack in the Box. Its all-day breakfast menu is known for its quality food and diverse menu of items. The Jack experience is a breakfast force.

·   Yelp Rating: 2.5

·     Cost: $

·     Specialty Dish: Loaded Breakfast Sandwich

·     Cuisine: Burgers

Related Read: The 15 Best Breakfast Restaurants In America

3. Dunkin' Donuts

Credit: Boston Magazine

Address: Find a Location | Phone number: (781) 737-3000

Dunkin' Donuts is a number one coffee-donut shop chain. Founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, the donut shop makes its famous coffee and donuts available across the county. As all-day breakfast menus exploded in the fast food industry, Dunkin' Donuts hopped on the bandwagon in 2007. Today, visitors can order tasty Dunkin' breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and bagels, starting at 5 a.m. until closing.

What to eat at Dunkin Donuts: Guests absolutely love a Dunkin' Wake-Up Wrap, a low-cal high-protein breakfast with egg, cheese, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or turkey sausage. Other Dunkin' sandwiches also hit the spot, including the Egg, Bacon, and Cheese on a bagel, Sourdough Egg Sandwich with Bacon, and the Beyond Sausage Sandwich.

Why should you eat here: Obviously, a glazed or chocolate frosted donut with an iced coffee is the reason to eat at Dunkin' Donuts. But if you seek something more substantial, you'll have several breakfast choices. Choose one of the restaurant's sides (gratifying snacks), such as stuffed mini bagels, hash browns, or bacon.

·   Yelp Rating: 3 stars

·     Cost: $$

·     Specialty Dish: Wake-Up Wrap

·     Cuisine: Donuts and coffee

4. McDonald's

Credit: Los Angeles Times

Address: Find a Location | Phone number: (800) 244-6227

McDonald's is bringing its beloved breakfast menu to an all-day option. After an enormous response on Twitter to bring back all-day breakfast, McDonald's heard its customers. Beginning October 2022, it will offer breakfast outside of traditional breakfast hours. At 10:30 a.m., a new limited menu (determined by locations) will present McMuffin or Biscuit sandwiches.

What to eat at McDonald's: An Egg McMuffin is the classic go-to breakfast menu item. This sandwich, available with sausage, is a solid choice before or after 10:30 a.m. Each Biscuit combination (sausage, bacon, egg, or cheese) is tasty. Complement your order with a side of crispy hash browns or golden French fries.

Why should you eat here: Likely, you already know this brand. An egg McMuffin or Biscuit sandwich is the perfect late-afternoon nosh. With over tens of thousands of locations, the quintessential golden arches are easy to find.

·   Yelp Rating: 2.5

·     Cost: $

·     Specialty Dish: Egg McMuffin

·     Cuisine: Burgers and fries

Related Read: 15 Best & Most Popular Buffet Restaurants in America

5. Au Bon Pain

Credit: Eat This, Not That

Address: Find a LocationPhone number: (800) 825-5227

Au Bon Pain opened in the 70s originally as a fresh bread bakery in Boston. This fast food cafe started providing its customers with pastries, croissants, and baguettes. Today it has more than 250 cafes worldwide with an expanded menu, including all-day breakfast.

What to eat at Au Bon Pain: For the calorie-conscious, the Skinny Wheat Bagel with Egg Whites and Cheddar is a healthy choice and satisfying. When calories are not an issue Au Bon Pain's Power Protein Wrap with two eggs, turkey sausage, cheddar cheese, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes is tasty dressed with herb aioli.

Why should you eat here: ABP uses fresh produce such as avocado, arugula, tomatoes, spinach, lemon, and jalapeno to enhance their breakfast sandwiches and wraps. Many customers visit ABP for its use of these ingredients and egg whites for a healthier and nourishing fast food option.

·   Yelp Rating: 4

·     Cost: $

·     Specialty Dish: Egg Whites, Cheddar & Avocado on Skinny Wheat Bagel 

·     Cuisine: Cafe

6. Sonic Drive-In

Credit: Brand Eating

Address: Find a LocationPhone number: (866) 657-6642

The tiny root beer walk-up in Oklahoma in the 1950s eventually grew and became what is known today as Sonic Drive-In. The burgers and fries diner employed the mission of serving its food hot and fast. Sonic Drive-In was the first fast food restaurant to implement drive-in dining. Some locations offer car hop service.

What to eat at Sonic Drive-In: Hands down, the SuperSONIC Breakfast Burrito achieves high marks in the breakfast fast food arena. Scrambled eggs, sausage, cheddar cheese, tater tots, fresh tomatoes, and jalapenos are rolled up in a flour tortilla. Don't skip Sonic's Bacon Breakfast Toaster, made with buttery grilled Texas toast, or the Ultimate Meat & Cheese Breakfast Burrito.

Why you should eat here: Sonic is where you want to park for your classic American breakfast grub. Its old-school drive-in diner atmosphere offers customers plenty of space to park and eat in their cars or take a seat on the patio. You also won't be able to resist the Cinnabon cinnamon-filled Cinnasnacks for your breakfast dessert. It's a thing.

·   Yelp Rating: 2.5

·     Cost: $

·     Specialty Dish: SuperSONIC Breakfast Burrito

·     Cuisine: Burgers

7. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Credit: Outerbanks

Address: Find a Location | Phone number: (855) 966-2563

Smoothies make a great, healthy, satisfying breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up, or post-workout nourishment. Tropical Smoothie Cafe blends fresh vegetables and fruit smoothies made to order. This fast food cafe has a small but mighty breakfast menu available all day.

What to eat at Tropical Smoothie Cafe: If a smoothie is calling to you, the favorites at Tropical smoothie are Acai Berry Boost tied with Detox Island Green. When you are feeling like something sweeter, check out Peanut Butter Cup or Mocha Madness. Pair your smoothie with the Peanut Butter Banana Crunch Flatbread or the Southwest Wrap.

Why you should eat here: A smoothie is a nice break from traditional fast foods. Plus, fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier and good to have any time of day. You can add supplements such as collagen, fat burner, multivitamin, pea protein, and more, and fresh add-ins like chia seeds, ginger, flax seed, and a mix of spinach and kale.

·   Yelp Rating: 4

·     Cost: $$

·     Specialty Dish: Acai Berry Boost, Detox Island Green, Peanut Butter Banana Crunch Flatbread

·     Cuisine: Smoothies

Related Read: 15 BEST Mexican Restaurants Chains in the US

8. Bojangles' Famous Chicken' n Biscuits

Credit: Business Insider

Address: Find a LocationPhone number: (704) 527-2675

Anything biscuits you can find at Bojangles'. Since 1977, the North Carolina-based fast food Southern chicken and biscuits restaurant has been baking fresh fluffy biscuits every morning. Mainly in the greater areas of southeast USA, Bojangles' also has a few locations as northeast as Pennsylvania.

What to eat at Bojangles: Since biscuits are housemade, they are served hot and buttery fresh. You must taste the Bo salty and smoky Country Ham, Egg, Cheese Biscuit, and Pimento Cheese Biscuit. The homespun Pimento Cheese has seasoned spicy flavor notes. Sate your sweet craving with a Bo-Berry Biscuit filled with blueberries and topped with a sweet glaze layer.

Why you should eat here: For the best fresh biscuits at a fast food chain, Bojangles' is it. The all-day breakfast menu works nicely with a gravy pairing on any one of the eggy sandwiches. Each biscuit is a little bit of heaven. If you aren't fortunate enough to have a Bojangles' near you, do a Google search to see all the copycat DIY Bo Biscuit recipes.

·    Yelp Rating: 3.5

·     Cost: $

·     Specialty Dish: Any breakfast on a biscuit. Don't skimp on the gravy.

·     Cuisine: Southern waffles and chicken

9. Einstein Bros. Bagels

Credit: San Antonio Current

Address: Find a Location | Phone number: (800) 224-3563

Einstein Bagels is more than an onion bagel, lox, and shmear. The bagel and a coffee specialty fast food shop national but has that neighborhood feel to it. The Einstein Bagel crew shows up Monday to Sunday at 2 a.m. to bake fresh bagels. Individual stores have their own set of unique hours. Check your local shop.

What to eat at Einstein Bros. Bagels: Any one of these bagel sandwiches works well for any mealtime. A Farmhouse Breakfast is an egg, thick-cut bacon, cheese, and smoked ham on a Cheesy Hash Brown bagel finished with a peppery shmear. The Classic Applewood Bacon & Cheddar doesn't disappoint. And for a more intense meal, check out the Texas Briskey Egg Sandwich with a slow-cooked smoked beef brisket, cheddar cheese, and a smoky chipotle aioli spread on the jalapeno bacon bagel.

Why should you eat here: You won't be disappointed if you love bagels. Most of the breakfast bagel sandwiches are classic. However, Einstein's enticing shmear spreads can change the nature of your breakfast. This fast food bagel shop's commitment to serving the perfect bagel sandwich is incredible.

·   Yelp Rating: 3 stars

·    Cost: $

·    Specialty Dish: Farmhouse Breakfast Bagel

·     Cuisine: Bagels and coffee

10. Caribou Coffee

Address: Find a Location Phone number: (888) 227-4268

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Caribou Coffee was founded in 1992 after the founders backpacked in Alaska. After an exhilarating mountain climb and seeing wild caribou, they were inspired to create gathering spaces for local neighborhoods. Today, Caribou Coffee is a leader in the coffee world, and they have expanded the menu to serve interesting breakfast items to complement their gourmet coffee.

What to eat at Caribou Coffee: the Waffle Sandwich created with a fried egg, chicken gouda sausage, gouda cheese, and maple waffles is a fall favorite. A Chicken Chorizo Burrito is a meal in one wrapped in a red pepper tortilla with chicken chorizo, Swiss and Jack cheese, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and green chiles. Lastly, the coffee shop's Blueberry Almond Oatmeal is a warm and healthy option. Top yours with honey-roasted almonds and fresh blueberries.

Why should you eat here: In addition to the delicious pumpkin loaf and apple fritter, the heartier breakfast choices also stand up. Caribou offers flavorful gluten-free breakfast options (gluten-free Bacon & Gouda Souffle and gluten-free Spinach, Artichoke, Egg & Provolone on a gluten-free English muffin.

·   Yelp Rating: 3 stars

·    Cost: $

·    Specialty Dish: Waffle Breakfast Sandwich

·    Cuisine: Coffee

Related Read: 15 BEST Boozy Bottomless Brunch in Chicago

11. White Castle

Credit: Insider

White Castle, born in Kansas over 100 years ago, was the originator of the slider as we know it today. In 1921 this little white castle-like burger joint building sold small square-shaped burgers for 5 cents. When the US government rationed beef during World War II, White Castle came up with the idea to add eggs to its menu. Thus, the fast food breakfast menu arrived.

Address: Find a LocationPhone number: (800) 843-2728

White Castle, born in Kansas over 100 years ago, was the originator of the slider as we know it today. In 1921 this little white castle-like burger joint building sold small square-shaped burgers for 5 cents. When the US government rationed beef during World War II, White Castle came up with the idea to add eggs to its menu. Thus, the fast food breakfast menu arrived.

What to eat at White Castle: Order the Original Slider Egg and Cheese when you want the authentic White Castle experience. Each slider is assembled with beef that is steam-grilled, onions, over easy egg, and finished with American, jalapeno, or smoked cheddar. For a savory/sweet entree, the Breakfast Belgian Waffle Slider does the trick.

Why should you eat here: The all-day breakfast menu is glorious. Other than a few exceptions, breakfast sandwiches are slider size and feature the White Castle signature bun.

·   Yelp Rating: 3 stars

·    Cost: $

·    Specialty Dish: Original Slider Egg and Cheese

·    Cuisine: Burgers

12. Tim Hortons

Credit: Daily Hive

Address: Find a LocationPhone number: (800) 843-2728

Calling NHL hockey fans. Tim Hortons, self-named for the hockey legend Tim Horton is a Canadian-based hub for fast food. In 1964 he opened his first shop charging 10 cents for a coffee and donuts. Tim's full breakfast menu is typically available through Noon, with a limited menu available until 5 p.m.

What to eat at Tim Hortons: A relatively new addition to the menu, a Canadian Angus Steak and Eggs Breakfast Sandwich is hearty and flavorsome. But the Loaded Breakfast Wrap wins. A grilled tortilla holds eggs, sausage, two pieces of bacon, and American cheese. Delicious.

Why should you eat here: Sleepyheads who missed traditional breakfast hours can visit a Tim Hortons by late afternoon to enjoy eggs. New items on the menu include Avocado Toast, served with sourdough bread and bagel seasoning. No matter the hour, you can always order an apple fritter to go with any menu item.

·   Yelp Rating: 4 stars

·    Cost: $

·    Specialty Dish: Loaded Breakfast Wrap

·    Cuisine: Donuts and coffee

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
January 5, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
Find me on Twitter

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