#71: Sunrise Cafe

Tomorrow marks one of the most revered days in the shopping calendar: Black Friday.  While there are the young upstarts of "Cyber Monday", "Small Business Saturday", and most terrible of all, those soul-less stores that are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday reigns supreme.  To get your morning started, I recommend stopping by the South Bend Chocolate Company for free coffee, or if you'd like more than liquid fuel, the Sunrise Cafe on Lincolnway.

Small building, big portions...

The Sunrise Cafe is found in a teeny-tiny house on the main thoroughfare between downtown and the airport, a perfect place to stop on your way to/from Chicago or the Michigan City outlets.  The menu features standard breakfast and lunch fare, all at reasonable prices, and the two-person wait staff is as friendly as can be.  When I went, I had an asparagus and swiss cheese omelet (under $5), which was good, but I really enjoyed the accompanying raisin bread that was dripping with butter.  My friend's egg scramble was a tasty mess and came in a huge portion.  Make sure to check out the whiteboard by the door for the morning specials.

Their mug collection is conversation-worthy

The down-to-earth service and intimate space of this place is a world away from what you'll find in stores on Black Friday, but it's a perfect spot to start your morning right.

Where: 1805 Lincoln Way West
When: Open early - 2pm
Tip: As with most local diners in the area, the Sunrise Cafe offers some fantastic workweek breakfast specials (my choice: 2 pancakes + 2 eggs for $3.95).  Order a bottomless cup of coffee, and you will be ready to go for Black Friday, all for the price of one venti Caramel Brulee latte at Starbucks.