John Ski's House of Breakfast... If it's Breakfast it's Huuuge

Regular readers of You Belong in Punta Gorda know I am a breakfast fanatic... regularly visiting local eateries for the best done eggs, omelets, pancakes and other morning fare.  Therefore, I was taken aback in learning  that a new "House of Breakfast" had quietly moved into town at 502 King St. and was getting rave reviews from overheards, friends, and neighbors alike.  Today, we had to discover the place for ourselves.  The cavernous eatery with high ceilings and exposed beams, comfortable leather booths sits right next to Big John's Barbecue.   The immediate impact when you walk in is bright, clean, open and cheerful -- a good start.

And there is no doubt that Gordon Bower's article in the Herald a week or so ago said it all "come hungry."  John Ski's House of Breakfast does not do small.   Biscuits come heavy and hearty, big portions of large slices of nicely fried potatoes accompany most dishes, no plates looked to be for the dainty eater.  Perhaps one of the more intriguing dishes I have ever seen on a breakfast menu is really "huuuge," John's "Home Made Crab Cake Benedict," described as two pan-fried crab cakes made with jumbo lump crabmeat on a grilled English muffin, topped with two poached eggs smothered in homemade hollandaise sauce serviced with your choice of grits or potatoes.

While I didn't try the crab benedict myself, opting for a bagel special which was delicious, a friend who did indulge in this crabmeat wonder said it was unbelievable.   Well what would you expect from a chef/owner who hails from Chesapeake, Virginia, and takes personal pride in creating crab cakes with mostly whole lump crab.   I've also heard great things about the Hash and eggs.  In addition to a full gauntlet of standard fare, John also serves up some other diet-busters including  "Fat boy's Delight" with country potatoes topped with a sausage patty, bacon and sausage gravy and cheese...


John Ski is John Cwikowski, and he has been working as a paid cook since he was 15 years old. Most recently he was general manager for the Bob Evans in Port Charlotte.  In addition to breakfast, which is served all day, the restaurant serves lunch (all day as well) including home made soups (crab soup is one of them), home made crab cake sandwiches, corned beef reubens, clubs, a variety of hamburgers, fresh made salads, and many more selections.  There are also daily blackboard specials for both breakfast and lunch.

John Ski in front of open kitchen at House of Breakfast

John Ski's also caters.  For more information about the restaurant call 941-347-7645.