Flaky biscuits, eggs cooked to perfection at this all-day breakfast eatery in Colorado Springs | Dining Review
This cozy, westside breakfast and brunch spot serves up classic diner fare at reasonable prices.
Except for the contemporary tunes coming through a few small speakers, Susie’s Westside Café is like taking a step back in time when it comes to friendly service, large portions of classic diner fare and reasonable prices.
Breakfast is served all day and that’s where our taste buds directed us. Initially, the breakfast skillets caught our attention. With four choices (prices range from $10.79 to $11.79), all include two eggs cooked to order and home fries. They can be combined with a choice of chicken-fried steak, or a mix of sausage, bacon and ham, or a breakfast meat with tomato, avocado and spinach.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) “Sunrise Breakfast Skillet and Hobo Scramble with Pancakes” Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
The skillets have a menu of their own and rate descriptions that fill a wipe board on a wall.
Ultimately, we went in a more traditional direction with the Classic Egg Breakfast ($11.79) with eggs over easy and directions to break the yolk to cook all the way through. It’s a rare place that gets this right the first time, but Susie’s gets kudos for perfection.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) “Sunrise Breakfast Skillet” Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
The eggs are served with sausage, ham or bacon. I suggest the sausage for its subtle sage flavor. Another required decision is whether to go with hash browns or home fries. I think we erred by not ordering the latter. The hash browns arrived as a thin rectangle golden brown on one side for crunch, but lacked the creaminess that counters the crispiness.
For an additional $1.99, Susie’s “special recipe” pancakes may be subbed for toast. Unless it’s some kind of special bread, toast is usually nothing special, but fluffy pancakes are.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) “Hobo Scramble with Pancakes” Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
The Hobo Scramble ($11.99) is similar to the skillets noted above, except it’s a jumble of eggs with onions, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes and cheese.
Hobo Scramble at Susie’s Westside Cafe.
For the egg averse, the Chopper Deluxe ($8.29) is a tasty alternative. All of the above veggies and cheese are mixed with hash browns. For an extra $3, add sausage or bacon.
It’s a given I’ll order biscuits (two for $2.99) if they’re identified as homemade. Susie’s are not just flaky; they practically melt in your mouth. Yes, there’s an option for biscuits and gravy, but that typically highlights the latter more than the former. It’s hard to beat a truly airy biscuit and I was not disappointed here.
Susie’s Westside Café is perched at the top of 21st Street just south of U.S. 24. It’s a quasi A-frame structure that’s hard to miss.
There are only seven tables and some barstools inside, but plenty of outdoor seating is available — when higher temperatures make an appearance.
Meanwhile, it’s plenty cozy indoors. Dozens and dozens of coffee mugs sit on shelves or hang from hooks. I wondered if they were for regulars, but was told they’re souvenirs from around the world — something Susie and her daughters have collected for years. I’d like to be a regular, even without one of those cups.
Susie’s Westside Cafe
Diner fare for dining in or carryout
Location: 1686 S. 21st St.
Contact: 719-442-0090
Prices: $3.99 to $15.99
Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily
Details: Credit cards accepted. Outdoor dining. Wi-Fi.
Favorite dishes: Biscuits. Hobo Scramble.
Other: Limited gluten-free options available.
Sunrise Breakfast Skillet and Hobo Scramble with pancakes at Susie’s Westside Cafe.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) “Pancakes” Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) “Sunrise Breakfast Skillet” Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
Susie’s Westside Cafe (Located at: 1686 S 21st St.) Thursday February 1, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
