Slice of toast and America. Everyday I wake up and go to a desk job in a heated or air-conditioned office. Not exactly a job where a hearty breakfast is necessary to get me through the day. Mike's is the kind of place where I wish I needed an excuse to visit every morning. The day I visited turned out to be a great one, and Mike's is a big reason why.

My visit started in the parking lot with a variety of big orange road construction trucks, pick up trucks with so-and-so electric or construction painted on the doors and sedans of every make in-between. Upon going inside, I quickly realized that this is the kind of place that is what it is - in decor, service and food. It is an American restaurant, and for me, one of the most comfortable places I have been.

I sat down at the bar, yes an actual breakfast bar like every diner you have ever been to. I was greeted with a warm 'hello' only because they didn't know my name. For others at the bar it was "Hi Joe" or "Hi Mike, how are you." One gentleman sat down at the bar and a waitress made a bee-line outside with some steak and sausage scraps for a waiting dog, a regular just like his owner. What a great way to start the day...

A ceramic cup was placed in front of me that had to have been from the 60s or even earlier, and I realized something after a while. I think this cup was scientifically formulated - it held the perfect amount of coffee to be sweetened by a sugar packet and stay warm until it was done. Don't worry about refills, the staff here will not let you go without for very long.

The menu is vast, but I stuck to the classics on my first visit - ham & cheese omelette, hash browns and toast. My order was written on a ticket and placed on a circular wheel for the kitchen, something I just realized will confuse my son who is sure to wonder why a computer could not make this easier. This wheel, just like my cup, is perfect for its purpose. It holds the exact number of tickets for the two waitresses and their never ending string of orders. Tickets come on and are pulled off in a constant flow as the waitresses pile 5, 6 and 7 plates at a time on their arms.

Back to my food - it was good. The salted ham chunks and cheddar cheese flowing out the sides of my omelette. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside hash browns and toast which always seems to taste better than at home. Next time I am going to try some of the mexican food, I saw some plates with green chile that I can't wait to taste. Also they have a steak and eggs special on weekdays, I am usually not a big fan but so many orders were coming in, I have to give it a try.

Jeans? Baseball caps? Don't worry, you are welcome here no matter what you are wearing and be ready to say 'hello' to more than just the staff. People are not coming here to huddle, work on their laptops or be seen. They are coming for a good meal and friendly faces. Who could not use a little more of that in their lives?

See you there on my next visit.

Oh man. The omelette smothered in their homemade chili was amazing. They were busy when I went to pick up my order. They do practice social distancing and and have outdoor seating.