Tucked just off campus on West University Drive, Harlow’s Cafe is the kind of Tempe staple you stumble into once and then crave forever. The wood paneled walls, old photos, and smiling staff make every morning feel like a hometown return. Portions are huge, prices are friendly, and the biscuits and gravy have an almost mythic reputation with students after a long night. Come hungry, leave happy, and probably carry a muffin for later.
Biscuits & Gravy, The Campus Legend
You hear about the biscuits and gravy long before you taste them, and then the legend makes sense. Flaky biscuits arrive blanketed in rich, peppery sausage gravy that clings to every edge. One forkful and you understand why students swear it rescues any rough morning.
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The portion is generous, the price is kind, and the plate just feels comforting. You can add eggs or bacon if you want extra heft, but the classic stands tall. Pace yourself, because the last bite is as satisfying as the first.
Ask for hot sauce or house jam to play with sweet and heat. Sip strong coffee between bites and watch the dining room buzz. This is hangover help and pure nostalgia.
Ollie’s Breakfast With French Toast
Ollie’s breakfast is a greatest hits album on one plate. Thick French toast wears a snow of powdered sugar, eggs shine sunny side up, and bacon crackles with crisp edges. It is the perfect mix of sweet and savory that keeps conversations cheerful.
You can swap in scrambled or over easy eggs, but the runny yolk is magic with syrup. Portions are serious, yet balanced enough that you will want every bite. Bring a friend if you plan to add hash browns.
The French toast has that custardy middle and caramelized crust that signals griddle mastery. Pair it with coffee or a light mimosa. By the final slice, you are plotting a repeat visit.
Blueberry Pancakes That Win Smiles
These pancakes arrive fluffy, freckled with berries that burst like warm jam. Butter melts into the edges while syrup trickles down the stack. Each bite balances vanilla sweetness with blueberry tartness, and it is hard not to grin.
Students call them an instant good mood, and I agree. Order a side of hash browns if you want some crunch alongside. The pancakes hold up to syrup without getting soggy, which is a quiet flex.
Ask for extra berries if you love a fruit packed forkful. The griddle leaves a golden crust that lightly caramelizes the edges. You might plan to share, but you will not want to surrender the last bite.
Parisian Omelette With Sausage Gravy
Classic omelette technique meets indulgence when sausage gravy takes the crown. The Parisian omelette folds soft and custardy, then gets a savory blanket that drips down the sides. It is rich, peppery, and deeply comforting.
Ask for wheat toast to swipe the plate clean, or go biscuit if you are feeling bold. Hash browns add crispy contrast and soak up whatever gravy remains. This order satisfies both protein cravings and comfort food needs.
If you like heat, add a dash of hot sauce to the gravy. Coffee balances the richness with a roasty bite. You will leave full, content, and maybe thinking about a small walk around campus afterward.
Heaping Hash Browns, Home Style
These home style hash browns are all about contrast, crispy outside and tender inside. They come in a generous mound that dares you to finish. Salt, pepper, and a little patience on the griddle make the magic.
Ask for them extra crispy if you like a deeper crunch. They pair perfectly with eggs, gravy, or a swipe through runny yolk. Every forkful feels like diner heaven: simple, hot, and satisfying.
Ketchup is classic, but try hot sauce for a nudge. You can even tuck them inside a burrito if you are feeling creative. However you riff, the portion delivers big value for a student budget.
Three of Clubs Sandwich, Towering Bite
This triple decker club assembles turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato into a skyscraper. The toast is sturdy but not hard, and the bacon brings that essential crunch. You will need two hands and possibly a strategy.
Fries arrive hot and crispy, ideal for dipping in ranch or ketchup. The portion is huge, so splitting works if you have breakfast plans later. Still, it disappears faster than expected because each bite lands.
Ask for extra pickles for brightness. If you are post morning marathon, add a side of gravy for dipping and thank me later. It is diner fun, flavorful and unapologetically generous.
Patty Melt With Golden Fries
The patty melt channels pure comfort on grilled rye. Caramelized onions mingle with melted Swiss, turning every bite slightly sweet and deeply savory. Fries arrive golden and crisp, the kind you sneak before photos.
The burger patty stays juicy thanks to careful griddle work. A little mustard or thousand island adds tang without overpowering the cheese. It is the kind of lunch that makes afternoon classes feel manageable.
Grab a seat by the window and watch the steady flow of regulars. Dip fries in ketchup, ranch, or even a bit of gravy. You will walk out content, with a satisfied rye scented smile.
Bloody Marys And Mimosas
Brunch here sometimes starts with a tall Bloody Mary that hits savory, not too spicy. Garnishes like olives and celery make it playful without going overboard. Mimosas are bright and easy, perfect alongside pancakes or a club sandwich.
These sips set an unhurried tone and make weekend mornings feel like a small celebration. You will find friendly staff keeping refills flowing and smiles easy. It is relaxed, social, and never fussy.
Pair a Bloody with biscuits and gravy for a perfect recovery combo. Or keep it light with blueberry pancakes and a mimosa. Either way, the vibe says linger a little longer and enjoy your company.
Blueberry Muffins, Baked With Love
Hot blueberry muffins often make surprise cameos, and they taste like home. The crumb is tender, berries are abundant, and butter melts into every nook. Sometimes the owner shares them with a grin that brightens the room.
They pair beautifully with coffee or as a sweet finish after something savory. You can take one for later, though resisting a warm bite now is tough. The aroma alone is a memory trigger.
If you love texture, ask for a little butter on the side to swipe. These muffins embody the friendly spirit that keeps regulars returning. Simple, generous, and totally heartwarming.
Eggs And Bacon Plate, Done Right
Sometimes you just want the basics cooked perfectly. Two eggs your way arrive next to bacon that shatters lightly with each bite. Toast waits to catch yolk or a swipe of jam, and everything lands hot.
Add a side of gravy like locals do, and the plate becomes indulgent. Coffee is strong enough to cut through richness without bitterness. It is a reliable, satisfying start that never tries too hard.
Sit in a booth and let the wood paneled calm sink in. Watch staff share smiles while the line moves smoothly. You will leave fueled and ready for whatever Tempe throws at you.
Hash Brown & Bacon Burrito
This burrito is a handheld answer to busy mornings. Home style hash browns, bacon, and eggs tuck into a warm tortilla with melty cheese. Each bite is hearty, salty, and deeply satisfying.
Ask for salsa or hot sauce to add a bright kick. It holds together well, which makes it easy to grab and go. Perfect before class, a hike, or a long drive.
If you are extra hungry, pair it with a muffin or small side of fruit. The portion is generous for the price, a real student friendly win. You will think about it again the next morning.
Pancakes And Hash Browns Combo
Sweet meets crispy in this classic duo. A short stack provides cloud like comfort while the hash browns bring crunch. Syrup drips, butter melts, and your fork keeps bouncing between plates.
It is balanced enough for those mornings when you cannot pick a lane. Add bacon for extra savory notes or keep it simple and let textures shine. Coffee ties everything together with roasty backbone.
Grab napkins because syrup finds every corner. The staff keeps refills coming so you can linger and chat. By the time the plates clear, you will feel restored and smiling.
Cozy Wood Paneled Vibes
The room feels like a midwestern basement in the best way, warm and nostalgic. Wood paneling, old photos, and a lively hum make mornings feel neighborly. You settle in and forget about your to do list.
Servers move with practiced grace, joking with regulars and guiding first timers. Even when the place is busy, the energy stays kind and efficient. It is the hospitality that turns breakfast into ritual.
Grab a booth or sit at the counter to watch plates fly by. The space invites conversation and second cups. Before you know it, Harlow’s becomes your Tempe tradition.
Owner Hospitality And Fast Service
From the first hello, you feel welcome. The owner often works the floor, refilling waters, chatting, and checking on plates. It sets a tone of care that ripples through the whole team.
Despite the constant buzz, food lands quicker than you expect. Orders stay accurate, coffee stays hot, and you feel looked after. That warmth turns a simple breakfast into a bright spot in your week.
Ask for suggestions if you are undecided, because staff know the menu by heart. They will steer you toward winners. You leave full, appreciated, and already planning the next visit.
Student Friendly Prices And Portions
Harlow’s understands hungry students and tight wallets. Plates are big, prices sit comfortably in the ten to twenty dollar range, and quality never slips. You truly feel like your money is well spent.
Sharing works beautifully if you want to sample more of the menu. A muffin to go stretches the experience into the afternoon. That value explains the loyal crowd even on weekday mornings.
Tip well if you can, because the service shines. Then stroll the neighborhood and let breakfast settle under the sun. It is the kind of local spot you recommend without hesitation.
Know Before You Go: Hours & Flow
Harlow’s runs early and wraps by mid afternoon. Doors open at 8 AM and close at 2 PM, with Tuesday as the rest day. Expect a lively rush on weekends, but the line moves with friendly efficiency.
Come early if you want a booth and extra time to linger. Parking is straightforward, and the location near campus keeps the vibe upbeat. Bring patience and an appetite, and the team takes care of the rest.
Check the website for any holiday changes. If you are traveling, plan breakfast before flights for a comforting sendoff. It is worth arranging your morning around these hours.
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