A line outside a restaurant of people waiting for a table can either be a bad sign suggesting the kitchen and service are slow or a good indication the place is justifiably popular.

The queue at The Omelette Parlor meant the latter.

The large restaurant, with a homey ambiance, was once the residence of Ruth Etting, a popular singer from the 1920s and ’30s. Information about her and photos of the city’s bygone days decorate the walls. It’s a place where patrons have come to expect well-prepared classic breakfast and lunch fare along with good service. The morning meal was a recent focus.

True to its name, there is a large selection of omelettes, including create your own options. With a few exceptions, the list of available choices reference aspects of Colorado Springs and southern Colorado.

We selected the Cadet ($12.49), a fluffy, three-egg omelette stuffed with fresh spinach, sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. This was a hearty serving that included a mound of “O.P. potatoes” and a buttered, whole-wheat English muffin. This, as with everything we ordered, was a substantial plateful of food. Bits of spinach peeked out from the folded egg creation. The filling to egg ratio was exactly right.

We added a side of the house-made green chili, which added more flavor and just the right amount of piquancy to the omelette and potatoes. The spuds, by the way, are sliced long ways so they’re oblong rather than round. Some were crispy, some were creamy; all were very good — especially with that chili!

For even more of the chili, chock full of diced pork, tomatoes and, of course, diced chiles, we chose the huevos rancheros ($11.99). This came with a choice of flour or corn tortilla (we opted for the former) and those O.P. potatoes. For an extra 99 cents, you can get refried beans.

The over-easy egg was well-hidden beneath the chili, shredded cheddar and diced green onions. It was too runny for my liking; thank goodness for the chili.

For something different, chicken and waffles ($13.99) hit the spot. Two pieces of boneless chicken breast were fried to a crispy bronze color and sat on top of a thick, golden buttermilk waffle. With the addition of maple syrup, this was a sweet, savory and satisfying meal that covered the entire dish. Juicy meat within a crunchy coating was just what was hoped for.

The Colorado Breakfast ($10.99) provided a chance to try the sausage and biscuits, along with two eggs, sausage and bacon — often there’s a choice of only one of the other. The gravy was thick and creamy with bits of sausage; we were disappointed to learn the biscuits were not made in house, but the gravy more than compensated.

The place was hopping, which seemed to be the norm given the way staff handed everything with apparent ease. Coffee cups were kept full and our view of the kitchen confirmed no one was slacking off. We were amused by the small sign on the table that requested diners limit their time to an hour and a half. Then we remembered the line outside.

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The Omelette Parlor

Classic breakfast and lunch fare

Location: 900 E. Fillmore St.

Contact: 719-633-7770; omeletteparlorcs.com

Prices: $3.49 to $16.99

Hours: 6 a.m.-12:50 p.m. weekdays; 6 a.m.-1:50 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m.-1:50 p.m. Sunday

Details: Credit cards accepted. Alcohol.

Favorite dishes: Chicken and waffles and house-made green chili,

Other: Gluten-free and limited vegan options available.