The Maryland area experienced yet another squall of winter weather – today was filled with ice and snow. For most of us Marylander’s – one of the things that we love about our state is the climate change. We love the fact that we experience all four seasons and get a switch-up at about the time that we’re tired of whatever season we’re currently in. Well, today is another example of how we’re all just ready for spring and summer. Everyone that I talk to couldn’t be more ready for warmer weather and flip flops; can’t wait.

Prior to the weather event, my lifelong friend and I headed over to one of Pasadena’s classic spots; Johnny’s Family Restaurant.

Nestled in one of the Dena’s oldest shopping centers, Johnny’s is the place you go when you don’t feel like making a homemade meal and want nothing but comfort food. My family eats at Johnny’s regularly and it’s definitely something that makes Pasadena my favorite place to live (yes, it really is, I love it here!).

As we walk in to this diner-esq restaurant, we enter in through the “dining room” seating door. The aromatic smells of coffee and the griddle fill the air and we happily are directed to seat ourselves. Before we’re given our menus, we’re given a reminder that Johnny’s is deeply rooted in Pasadena and supports small and local businesses in the area; our placemat is a billboard!

When our server came over and handed us our menus, she happily greeted us with a “Good Morning and Welcome to Johnny’s  this fine day!” It immediately helps you relax and feel like home.

We ordered coffees and waters for drinks and caught up on our busy lives.

My friend is currently in two school programs and is quite the medical professional. She’s nonstop and we seem to bond over the fact that our core goal is to be ambitiously successful.

When our comfort meals arrived, we were not disappointed! We both are into healthy eating, but on this cold day (and the fact that I’m starting a 10 Day Cleanse tomorrow) we went for carbs and butter 🙂

She ordered sausage gravy biscuits and I ordered chipped beef.

My chipped beef was amazing. The type they make there is the essence of the chipped beef that I grew up on. With a butter flour base, salted and peppered to perfection, with salty beef resting on top of a white toast, I had no complaints! It came with breakfast potatoes that I ordered extra crispy; again no disappointment! This was the perfect comfort meal before this cleanse.

My friend loved her sausage gravy biscuits as well! With the hints of sage of pepper, it was again, a prime example of a classic comfort breakfast.

For only $8.99 each you are basically given a double portion meal. We both left eating less than half of our plates.

As we ventured back into the cold and ice, I couldn’t help but think that we’d be doing this type of breakfast even in our 80s. We’ve been friends for over 20 years and although life gets in the way, a simple talk, or text can make our friendship as comforting as a home-cooked meal.

Happy Sunday and I hope everyone has a great week.

#SpenceDoesBreakfast