Rainy days during childhood meant board games, puddle-jumping, and—best of all—pancakes for dinner. Yep, you read that right. When stormy skies rolled in, my mom would pull out the griddle and make mounds of fluffy flapjacks (with generous pats of butter and swirls of maple syrup, of course), alongside crispy bacon and fresh fruit. It was the only time vegetables weren’t on the dinner menu (after all, pancakes and peas aren’t the most palatable pairing)—and I enjoyed every bite. 

 These days, the “breakfast for dinner” tradition continues with my daughters, who know that wet weather likely means waffles are on the way. Luckily, they love the ritual as much as me—and how could they not? Whether sweet, savory, simple, or extravagant, breakfast food is a consistent crowd-pleaser, a meal that should be enjoyed morning, noon, and night. In this month’s feature story, we highlight 25 of the best breakfasts found ’round town, from eggcellent benedicts and fresh-baked bagels to buttery pastries, haute hotcakes, and more. “Flip” to page 56 and dig in! 

—Megan
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@meggoeggowaffle