If you crave old school breakfast done right, Matt’s Big Breakfast in downtown Phoenix is your happy place. The griddle sizzles, the coffee flows, and the line out the door proves locals know what’s good. You will wait, but that first bite makes the morning feel brand new. Here is exactly what to order, when to go, and how to make every plate worth the hype.
The Hog & Chick
Two eggs your way, crisp thick-cut bacon, and hash browns that arrive shattering at the edges make The Hog & Chick irresistible. The yolks glow, the whites are tender, and the bacon leans smoky without going greasy. Add sourdough or rye toast to mop every golden streak.
You will taste why locals line up before 7 AM. It is a crash course in balance: salt, fat, crunch, and comfort. Ask for a side of house jam for a sweet finish that keeps the plate lively.
Pro tip: order the eggs over medium for optimum toast-dipping joy. Pair with hot coffee and do not overthink it. Classics win here, every time.
Blueberry Griddlecakes
These griddlecakes are tall, tender, and studded with bursting blueberries that stain the batter in the best way. Butter slides into every crevice, and warm maple syrup pools at the edges like liquid amber. Each forkful tastes light yet indulgent, never gummy or over-sweet.
You can smell the griddle before the plates arrive, a promise of caramelized edges and soft centers. Order a short stack if you have eggs coming, but do not skip them. They are comfort in pancake form.
Ask for extra butter if you like a glossy finish. Shareable? Maybe. Realistically, you will not want to. Pair with bacon for salty contrast and balance your morning perfectly.
The Five Spot Skillet
The Five Spot Skillet brings heat, sizzle, and layers. Potatoes go crisp on the bottom while onions, peppers, and your choice of meat mingle up top. Eggs finish the deal, their runny yolks turning everything into a sauce.
It lands at the table steaming, so let it rest a beat and breathe in the peppery aroma. Spoon from the edges to catch the best crust. Each bite swings savory, sweet, and smoky with satisfying heft.
You will want toast for scooping. Rye holds up best and adds a welcome bite. It is the kind of dish that eats like brunch fuel and keeps you happy all afternoon.
Waffles with Real Maple Syrup
This waffle arrives golden, airy, and crispy at the rim, with a custardy interior that stays tender to the last bite. Real maple syrup brings woody sweetness without heavy corn syrup notes. A pat of butter melts into the pockets like little flavor reservoirs.
It is simple breakfast engineering, executed perfectly. You will hear the gentle crunch as your fork breaks through. Add fruit if you like, but the waffle stands strong on its own.
Want to go big? Pair with a side of bacon for contrast, or order a single egg for extra richness. Coffee plus waffle equals instant good mood, especially after an early line.
The Breakfast Sandwich
Built on toasted bread that stays sturdy, this sandwich layers a fried egg, melted cheddar, and thick bacon in ideal proportions. The yolk runs just enough to sauce each bite. A swipe of house mayo or butter keeps things lush without slipping into messy territory.
It is grab-and-go friendly yet diner-level satisfying. You will finish it faster than planned. The textures do the work: crisp bacon, gooey cheese, and tender egg.
Add a side of fruit for brightness or hash browns if you want a classic duo. Ask for hot sauce to wake it up. It is the kind of breakfast that turns a hectic morning calm.
Pork Chop and Eggs
A thick, bone-in pork chop anchors this plate, seared with deep caramel lines and seasoned simply. Two eggs ride shotgun, ready to share their rich yolks across every slice. Hash browns bring crackle and comfort, creating a satisfying trifecta.
You will taste honest cooking with nothing to hide. The chop stays juicy, never dry, because the kitchen respects timing. Toast makes a friendly fourth element, catching drippings and stray potatoes.
Order eggs over easy for the gloss you want on that pork. A little hot sauce brightens the richness. It is hearty without being heavy, and perfect when you arrive extra hungry after the wait.
Chorizo Scramble
This scramble blooms with chorizo spice, smoky and warm, never overwhelming. Eggs stay soft, folded gently around peppers and onions for sweet crunch. Each bite hums with paprika and a whisper of garlic.
It is comfort with personality. You will want an extra napkin and some toast to chase the flavorful juices. Hash browns or fruit both make smart sidekicks, depending on your morning mood.
Ask for salsa if you like a kick. The scramble holds up to heat beautifully. Pair it with black coffee and enjoy how the spices wake you up without shouting.
Cheddar Cheese Omelet
Sometimes simple is perfect, and this cheddar omelet proves it. The eggs are tender and gently set, not browned or rubbery. Cheddar melts to a creamy pull, offering sharp tang that keeps the bite lively.
You can add extras, but it hardly needs them. Toast and hash browns round out the plate, giving crunch and structure. You will keep cutting small bites to stretch the joy longer.
Try a dash of black pepper and a dab of hot sauce. The omelet remains the star. It is a steady, unfussy comfort that never disappoints, especially when the morning feels rushed.
Biscuits and Gravy
These biscuits arrive tall, flaky, and warm enough to send curls of steam into the morning light. Sausage gravy blankets everything, creamy and peppery with a pleasant snap of spice. The texture hits that sweet spot between spoonable and clingy.
You will want to linger over each bite. The gravy does not drown the biscuit, it hugs it. Add an egg on top if you crave extra richness and watch it meld beautifully.
This is the plate to share when comfort is the mission. Coffee cuts the richness nicely. It is a hug in bowl form that pairs perfectly with a slow weekend.
Hash Browns Done Right
Hash browns should crackle at the fork, and these do. The outer crust goes caramel brown while the interior stays soft and steamy. Salted just enough, they invite ketchup, hot sauce, or nothing at all.
You will find yourself chasing the crisp edges. They make a perfect side for eggs, waffles, or anything rich. The contrast keeps plates balanced and your palate engaged.
Order a double if you love potatoes. Ask for well done for extra crunch without dryness. It is a small detail that turns a good breakfast into a great one, bite after bite.
Thick-Cut Bacon
This bacon is the real deal, thick slices that strike a perfect line between crisp and chewy. Smoke and maple notes whisper rather than shout, so it enhances every plate. You can taste the quality in the clean finish.
It is practically a side and a seasoning. Crumble it over griddlecakes or tuck into a sandwich. You will not regret ordering extra, because it disappears fast.
Pair with black coffee or fresh orange juice for contrast. If you like a snappier bite, ask for extra crisp. Either way, it delivers the kind of satisfaction only great bacon can.
Freshly Brewed Coffee
The coffee at Matt’s arrives hot, aromatic, and refreshingly straightforward. No gimmicks, just a balanced cup with nutty sweetness and light cocoa in the background. It stands up to syrupy bites and salty bacon alike.
You will get refills with a smile, which matters when the dining room hums. The mug feels substantial and warms your hands while you wait on plates. It is the companion every breakfast deserves.
If you take cream, go easy so the roast still shines. A little sugar works, but it is smooth enough black. Sip, breathe, and watch the morning wake up around you.
Seasonal Fruit Side
When you need brightness, the seasonal fruit side hits refresh. Expect ripe melon, berries, or citrus, chosen for peak flavor rather than filler. It brings crunch and juice that cleanse the palate between richer bites.
You will appreciate how it lightens a heavy plate. Order it alongside biscuits and gravy or a skillet for balance. The colors alone make breakfast feel celebratory and fresh.
Ask what is best that day and go with it. A squeeze of lime over melon is a tiny upgrade. It is simple, honest, and the ideal counterpoint to salty breakfast stars.
Downtown Phoenix Vibes
Half the charm is the setting: downtown streets waking up, sun sliding between buildings, and a friendly line forming early. You feel part of a tradition as conversations spark and coffee cups steam. The energy builds appetite in the best way.
Inside, the room hums with griddle sounds and clinking mugs. Service is efficient yet warm, never rushed. You will sit, exhale, and let the morning find its rhythm.
It is a neighborhood handshake disguised as breakfast. Plan for the wait and embrace it. The vibe, combined with great food, makes this spot feel like Phoenix distilled onto a plate.
Best Time To Go
If you want speed, arrive just before doors open at 7 AM. The early crowd moves quickly, and you will be sipping coffee minutes after seating. Weekdays are gentler, while weekends bring long, friendly lines.
You will wait either way, but it feels social rather than frustrating. Bring a friend, or scroll through the menu while you inch forward. The smell of bacon helps, trust me.
Late morning can work if you are flexible, especially near closing. Add your name and explore the block. However you time it, the payoff consistently justifies the plan.
Essential Details
Address is 817 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, right in the Roosevelt Row orbit. Hours run 7 AM to 2 PM daily, so plan for daytime cravings only. The price point sits comfortably at $$ with generous portions.
Call (602) 254-1074 for quick questions or check the website for updates. It is a brunch restaurant at heart, but classic breakfast rules the menu. You will find burgers and sandwiches if eggs are not your mood.
Parking varies, so arrive a bit early. The rating sits strong at 4.5 stars with thousands of reviews. That many locals cannot be wrong about morning happiness.