Golden Nugget Pancake House
2932 S Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH, 45409
Golden Nugget Pancake House Menu
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Address :
2932 S Dixie Dr
Dayton, OH, 45409 - Phone (937) 298-0138
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Becky G.
The food and service here is awesome! Enjoy! Only open til 3pm daily. High quality food at the right price. Friendly and family owned & operated.
(5)Steve V.
If waffles, pancakes, blintzes or potato pancakes ring your bell...you should try this place. Like many Dayton institutions, it is a throwback to a past era. The quality is consistent, the food is plentiful, but you will use the salt and pepper. I come here a few times a year and leave happy.
(3)Big Baby Jesus C.
Best place in town for breakfast, hands down. Expect to wait in line to get a table on weekend mornings, or during the week at lunch a lot of the time. They also serve good stuff for lunch too. I am pretty sure they don't take reservations, and they close at 3PM (I think they stay open till 3:30 PM on weekends). A great value whatever time of day you go. The waitresses are always really sweet. A lot of them have worked there for years. I don't think I have ever seen the bottom of my coffee cup out of all the times I have ate there either. Check it out when you are on the South side of town.
(5)Sarah W.
For a breakfast diner, I had no complaints about the Golden Nugget. It had all the elements I expect from someplace that does breakfast right: excessive amounts of food, enough butter on the side to bake a cake, and bottomless coffee that gets refilled after every sip from a coffee refiller walking around. I tried the French toast with eggs on the side and it was tasty (though not unique at all and just on regular bread). To give you an idea of the portion sizes, when my boyfriend asked if he could just have one pancake with his meal, they said one was the same as three.. haha The service was continuously smiling and very friendly. We did have to wait in a big roller coaster-esque line for like 15 minutes beforehand, but it didn't bother me much. I would rate this 3 1/2 stars, but I'm marking it at 4 for its classic diner appeal.
(4)Ryan W.
Best breakfast in Dayton by far. Great service.
(5)Brian C.
It's been a ling time since I've been to the Golden Nugget and I thought it was high time for my wife and I to check it out, so Sunday morning we headed out toward Moraine. We arrived at about 1230 just in time for the Sunday brunch / after Church crowd, there was a line of about 20 people in front of us to be seated but moved along pretty well and we were seated within about 20 minutes, so really pretty fast. Our waitress was right there with amazing coffee and was ready to take our order, the service was perfectly fast given the busy time of the day for them. The menu is a little overwhelming, for a place that only does breakfast and lunch (only open until 3:30) I can't believe they crammed as much as they did into two pages! Our food arrived very quickly and was perfictly cooked and tasted like it came right out of someones kitchen (who really knows how to cook!), very fresh and tasty! In my opinion this is the best breakfast in Dayton, well worth the wait. If you haven't tried the Golden Nugget. check it out!
(5)Kristen A.
The best! You need to get there early if you don't want to wait however the food is worth the wait
(5)Tim B.
Open from 9am-3pm in the week and 9am-3:30pm on the weekend, this is Dayton's best breakfast place-superb eggs, pancakes, grits, coffee--the works!! It is so good, there is always a line outside the building early in the morning--so rise and shine very early. The staff have been with the Nugget for years; they are wonderful. The business had a jolt a year or so ago when the old restaurant was damaged by a serious kitchen fire. Thankfully the owners decided to rebuild and after a long period the Nugget opened again in April 2007. The new building is spectacular. See you there!
(5)Kees v.
My wife and I recently visited this locally owned restaurant (Dec. 2010) for breakfast. My food was excellent (scrambled egg/ham & pancakes) while my wife's (vegetable omelet & muffins) was so so. Her primary issue with her food was that the cheese in the omelet was more like Velveeta rather than real cheese. Our waitress was very attentive (always there to refresh our coffees) but not over bearing.
(3)Kelly Z.
The long lines every weekend morning are proof that this is the best breakfast place in Dayton! But don't let the long lines scare you. Even if the line is out the door into the round shaped foyer, the wait from there is only 15 minutes. Awesome breakfast food and decent lunch food. Great coffee. Great service!
(5)John M.
Had a late breakfast today, first time we've been back since the fire that destroyed the place a year or two back. Much nicer and more modern, and the menu is exactly the same. Staff are friendly and there is always someone around to bring you more coffee. Food was good, nothing exceptional but all tasty and arrived very quickly considering the place was totally packed (waited about 20 minutes to get in - this is the rule rather than the exception). Some downsides are that you can't order single pancakes (3 or 5) and they don't have any meat substitutes for the veggies (thanks Christopher's!). Otherwise, quick once you're in and pretty good overall. This is a place where everyone in line can tell you about how they've been coming there since they were kids, hence the willingness to wait in line for 30 minutes to have an omelet and some pancakes. Another Dayton institution, right up there with Marion's.
(3)Tracy H.
Ate here during winter '08. Long wait. Nice building. Very friendly staff. Excellent service. Had the Southern Pecan pancakes and sausage. Very tasty.
(4)Su W.
french toast rules! Love this place!
(5)Jenny D.
The servers are friendly. Some times are busy some are not. The grits with cheese is good.
(5)J R.
Been a couple years since I had been here. Thought to give it another go. After waiting a few minutes to be seated on a Thursday morning, I was greeted with a question " How many are you?" No smile, no welcome, no good morning. As soon as I answered she turned around grabbed a menu and she began walking quickly toward the dining room, so I quickly tried to follow. By the time I arrived, she was heading back for another victim. After 2 or 3 minutes, a server emerged to get my order. Again, no pleasantries, and did seem in a hurry. The food came quickly and was fresh. Just not a fan of the pancakes. No flavor. And syrup is just as generic. Ham and cheese omelet was hot and fresh as were the potatoes. Very light on ham in the omelet in my opinion. The server did check on me and did bring my check timely. At the checkout, the lady there was the only person that I saw who had any personality. She was nice. Overall it was fine. Price point was great. I received "service", just not pleasant/happy service. Food was good enough, not memorable.
(2)Bianca D.
There is always a line in this place. I mean, always. And the building looks so classy and like you would need to dress up for breakfast. However our breakfast was served on plasticware and so was our water. The servers were in really casual attire. It didn't really match what you would expect from the outside. That being said, the food was good. However it lacked a certain wow factor. It was good, and that's as much as I could say. Good, not great. Honestly it's a great old breakfast standby, but is it spectacular? not really. Our service was good too!
(4)Kate S.
A Dayton staple for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon are always great.
(4)Rhonda W.
My favorite local place for breakfast. They have a huge selection including blitzes. .there Canadian bacon is thick and amazing. I'm a bacon snob has to be crispy and they always get it right. They aren't open for dinner and there is usually a line but it moves fast. Love this place !!!
(5)Abbey H.
It's not Christopher's. Yes, the service was excellent but it's beyond me why people wait on a kind like that for the quality of the food. I had the veggie omelet and it srsly didn't taste better than something you'd get at waffle house. Also had the blueberry pancakes, not a fan of the pancake/ compote style pancakes myself, but if that's your thing they were alright. Also tried the potato wedges, they were super crispy and hot. I really liked them but the ranch that came with them was meh. All in all I'm glad I saw what the long lines were about but I don't see myself ever going back.
(3)Robert C.
Wife and I have been coming here to eat for over 20 years and the food and service has always been great. I wish that all you people who complain and whine and only rate a 1 or 2 stars would go somewhere else to eat because all you do is make the wait longer for me to get in and enjoy the great food.
(5)Hunter C.
I came in with job corps today to tour the kitchen and get a little bit of hands on experience. ALL of the staff is wonderful & the food is some of the best I've ever had I love that they've kept the menu over the years the same as they say in the kitchen if it ain't broke don't fix it & if they love it no reason to change or would love to go back again.
(5)Jessica B.
After hearing about the Golden Nugget right here on Yelp, we decided to venture out for breakfast to see what all the fuss was about! Well, Dayton? You were right, this place was worth the drive. The building was a fusion of decidedly modern and typical pancake house, especially comfy for a greasy spoon type breakfast place, which we thought was neat and it's unique curb appeal made it easy to find. Parking was a cinch. On a Thursday morning, we had no wait to be seated. After our pleasant experience today, I can say we would gladly wait up to 15 minutes or so to dine here. Busier mornings need not apply, however decent the food was. I would say this place is best left for weekday mornings and avoid the rush. Coffee and water were ready and waiting when we sat down. Off to a decent start! Hubby ordered the biscuits and gravy (I forgot to warn him of the reviews suggesting it was bland, oops!) along with bacon, sausage patties and a belgian waffle that was not on the menu (just ask). Little one ordered a kid's clown waffle, and I ordered a plain oatmeal. Yeah, very imaginative of me eh? Anyhow, of all this, the waffles were reported as "quite decent but not Original Pancake House good" despite the children's waffle being decorated up in an interesting fun way any kid would appreciate. Hubby had also reported they came out cold. We pressed on though, as everything else had been quite nice. It happens! The sausage and bacon were what you would expect of a decent diner, greasy but good, typical thin bacon but cooked just right. Hubby's biscuits and gravy were exactly as prior reviews suggested (good biscuits and bland gravy) and my oatmeal was really, really good! Seriously, plain oatmeal. With honey that I added. Prior to ordering, I asked if it had sugar, salt, oil or dairy in it and they swore it was just oats and water. Pretty amazing stuff. Either they lied to me (hehe) or they are oatmeal alchemists! Either way, I'll be back and keep ordering it until they tell me otherwise! Lastly, their coffee and service were great and exactly what one would expect from a place with the reputation they seem to have for being a "Dayton Institution" of the breakfasty type! On top of all that the prices were quite reasonable. Thanks Yelp! Lots of love for sending us their way, and to those of you who have yet to discover this place, may you go now in confidence (preferably on a weekday morning!) and enjoy the warmth that awaits.
(4)T S.
Food was decent, not amazing. Prices were cheap. Portions were large. Wait was ridiculous. I had read the reviews before going and knew that a wait was probably in my future. Therefore, we went at 7:30am on a Sunday. The wait should not be bad that early, right? The wait for a table really wasn't so bad, it went rather quickly. The wait for the food was a whole different story. Thirty five minutes to get our pancakes and omelettes. It didn't help that we had a two year old with us, who was hungry and impatient. All in all, I probably won't go back on my own.
(2)Andy K.
This is a difficult review for me to write. I'm aware of the Golden Nugget's status as a Dayton breakfast/brunch mainstay, as well as its status as an institution in the Dayton area. However, my first trip to the Golden Nugget was decidedly...'meh'. Jules and I hit the Golden Nugget on a Sunday morning and, even between the church crowds, there was still a massive line for entrance. Never before have I see a restaurant use a 'rope maze' to line up customers; I felt like I was waiting for a roller coaster! However, the line moved fairly quickly and we were seated within 20 minutes. I was shocked to see, however, that a huge line was still there even as we were leaving, despite the fact that easily 1/3 of the tables in the restaurants were open. Service-wise, there was nothing to scream about. While our waitress was friendly enough, it took nearly 10-15 minute for her even to come by to take our drink orders. I'd understand it if the restaurant were truly 'crowded', but as I mentioned: there were numerous empty tables, leading me to think that the Golden Nugget wasn't quite as busy as they'd like people to believe. In terms of food? I wasn't really impressed. Jules got the pancakes, which were light and fluffy, but nothing really mind-blowing. My platter included 2 eggs, bacon, and home fries, as well as sausage gravy and biscuits. My eggs were done quite well, but there simply wasn't much of them--I have a hard time believing that they were, in fact, two eggs. The bacon wasn't as crispy as I generally liked, though the home fries were pretty good. The Heights Cafe's home fries, though, are significantly better. My real disappointment was with the sausage gravy. The gravy was decidedly under-seasoned , lacking any real flavor or taste. I usually expect some kind of 'umami' meatiness, but this was nothing. The biscuits were toothsome and buttery on their own, but the sausage gravy's blandness drowned them out utterly. Further, the gravy had a thick skin on it, as if it was the first thing plated on our order, then left to sit beneath a heat lamp and congeal. Oh, and this is a piddling complaint, but I'm going to indulge in it anyway: the coffee cups are too damn small. They're maybe one step above espresso cups, holding *maybe* 6 ounces of coffee. The coffee's tasty, but I ended up getting something like 4-5 refills throughout my meal, simply because the cups were so small! My kingdom for a properly-sized coffee mug! I really want to like the Golden Nugget--their reputation as a Dayton institution is built on a legacy of serving customers for decades. In reality, though, I kept comparing them in my mind to the great diner's I've been to back in the Pittsburgh area or our recent trip to The Heights Cafe. And, really? The Golden Nugget doesn't hold up to those standards.
(3)Justin M.
Its not that the food is eccentric or out of this world but its really all about consistency. The food, the service, & the people have been consistent for 60+ years. All my life! My faves are potato pancakes and cornmeal mush. Oh Yeah Baby!
(5)Jason K.
Let me start by saying, those complaining about there always being a line don't get it. They work through the line fast, and it is obviously worth waiting. I visit here every week, and try to change up my order. Never have I been disappointed, or left hungry. The coffee is excellent, and always full. I love the Eggs Benedict, and anything else they put the hollandaise sauce on. The pancakes are wonderful, and fluffy. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Ian F.
Great price, but nothing memorable. Like going there over chain breakfast places but just normal breakfast food. Service above average and good atmosphere.
(4)Amy M.
This is our favorite by far. There's always a line, don't let it ever deter you as they move it through quickly! The coffee is my favorite EVER. You MUST have it if you are a coffee drinker. The omelets are always huge & are just great. Make sure to check on their muffin selection; there really are no bad choices (but the chocolate is my fav) The potato wedges are another family fav. My favorite pancake there is the cinnamon pancakes... Sooooo good! For lunch I love the Reuben. The staff is super great & friendly, and your coffee cup will never be empty, unless you want it to be. :)
(5)Nick D.
I love Golden Nugget Pancake House! I remember coming here when I was a young sprightly kid in the old building before it burned down and rebuilt. They have some of the best coffee I have ever had in my life. The pancakes are really the star of the brunch hot-spot, however my favorite item is the Spinach and Feta omelette! CAUTION: This place gets BUSY! Luckily, the line moves rather quickly, but the later you go the more crowded it gets! That is my only caution. 5/5 stars
(5)Tiffany H.
Really really really good. We came around 9:30 on a cold, rainy morning - had to wait maybe 15 minutes for a table - the line was longer when we left, but it was also a really cold and raining out, which might have kept the crowds down. The server was fantastic - always keeping my coffee filled, and great with our daughter. The food was so good - we had regular french toast with bacon, peach pancakes with pecans, and apple cinnamon french toast and all loved ours. Totally worth the wait.
(5)Cassie H.
I know this is a local staple, but I always find the dining experience here to be underwhelming. Service is always just fine, there is usually a wait. I don't mind waiting for something special, but when I wait for a table here I always wonder, ugh why? The food is alright, typical breakfast/diner food. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad spot, I just never leave thinking, "wow, that was amazing!".
(3)Alex M.
My grandfather had been coming to this place for 60 years. He was here the morning of my mother's birth and my birth. The buttermilk pancakes are some of the best. The service is quite sweet, and will always take care of you, so long as you're polite. The worst thing here is the wait, but what can you do when people are lined out of the door?
(5)N B.
I was very happy to finally see the restaurant open again, but very disappointed they changed the recipe of their pasta soup. The original was to die for. The soup now is good, but nothing as good as the original. Why change something that everyone loved.
(3)Vijay Vardhan R.
In recent years, I don't think I ever had breakfast that tasted this good. I tried German pancakes and omelette, both were exceptionally good. Definitely go back.
(5)Karen D.
The Golden Nugget a Dayton tradition for breakfast! Their omelets are huge and they always have a few on special which come with home fries or grits and toast or english muffin. I've enjoyed a few veggie and spinach and feta omelets here through the years. If you're a coffee drinker servers are always coming around to refill your cup so you won't go without some hot coffee. You will find a line wrapping to the outside of the building most late weekend mornings. If you're in the mood for lunch, they also have a variety of sandwiches and great soups. Stop on by The Golden Nugget during your next visit to Dayton.
(5)Glenn W.
Great place for breakfast, but if you don't want the wait Christopher's is excellent.
(4)Tracy W.
GN is a great place for breakfast or lunch...I recommend their potato soup it's the best. .. but then again everything on the menu is pretty great. .. the line for seating is usually long. . But worth the wait. The staff is super friendly and very personable.
(5)Munik P.
I am a pretty good cook and I know what good food is, but this place does not match the reviews. The food is below average as well as the service. Rude hostess and sub par wait staff. Definitely treated better if you elderly and white. Not going back.
(1)Al H.
This is old school breakfast at its best. Yes I said old school. The Golden Nugget has been a staple of Dayton dining since way before I was born. They've been serving pancakes, waffles, eggs, and all the trimmings for so long, and quality has never been sacrificed. The coffee is awesome too. The only con, you have to have your entire party present before they'll seat you. This is because the place has a great repuatation and is always jammed for breakfast. Thinking of going on a Sunday morning? Think again unless you like roller coaster style lines!
(4)Dustin G.
Really great for a breakfast place. My server was always filling up my coffee and the pancakes couldn't get any better. 4/5
(4)Tracie F.
We rolled upon this joint at the suggestion of our fellow yelpers. They got great reviews so we decided that we had to give this place a try. As usual my fellow yelp buddies did not disappoint. The food was great as was the service. I had eggs, bacon, a biscuit and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. I did not like the eggs. They don't do egg whites there which is a disappointment. They are so common now days (back when I was a young un egg whites were not the norm) that I can't understand why all places don't serve them. Everything else was tasty. Peanut butter chocolate pancakes use semi-sweet chocolate which may be a little strong for the little ones but tasty nonetheless. I think I am going to go for the cinnamon pancakes next time. My husband had muffins which were delicious! The cinnamon apple was by far my favorite. He also had the Canadian bacon which was thickly huge and fabulously delicious. We both left happy and full. We will definitely be back. Portions were huge, prices reasonable and best of all everything (except the eggs) was delicious!
(4)Mighty M.
An amazing family atmosphere with excellent service, great value for the money, and good quality. Our server spent time with us, welcomed us to the restaurant and the area, explained the history behind the family and restaurant. My daughter had chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes and I had a Mexican omelet. Excellent portion size (that means not too much or too little...does not mean enough to graze for hours on) We had to try the sausage gravy and glad we did. It was a bit spicy which was great. I loved it.
(5)Amy P.
We went for breakfast on a Saturday morning. We got there around 10, and thankfully, just missed the crowd. Our wait was only about 15 minutes. The staff here is so friendly, always offering to fill your coffee when they walk by. They also get you in and out in a timely manner. I had the pecan pancakes. They were super good and filling. Stop by if you're in the area.
(4)Jamie P.
This place was fantastic. My father in law got an omelette which I sampled, it was the best omelette I've ever eaten. We went on a Thursday morning and it was still busy, which is a good sign. Our waitress was so attentive, my coffee cup never went below 3/4 full
(5)Timothy W.
If you're in Dayton, and it's breakfast time, get yourself to the nugget stat! You just cannot go wrong with the menu. Don't pass on the muffins and sample the house-made syrup. Getting an omelette? Order the side of pancakes and fight the 2-front breakfast war!!!! You may fail to achieve victory, but the journey will be delicious.
(5)Libby V.
I hate standing in line for food, being crammed in like sardines, and that the average age is 75, But it's all worth it for a plate of the best potato pancakes ever, They come with sour cream or applesauce, and because I can't make up my mind I usually get both and alternate. Really, these pancakes are so good they will blow your mind. This place has been here forever (except for when it burned down and was rebuilt), and there's a bunch of regulars. I'm not a regular cause I don't have time to be in the brunch club, and still the servers - who have worked here for 20+ years - always remember me. That's the way it is...sorta of like a Cheers episode. There's lots of other really, really good food here. I just can't move beyond my potato pancakes. Why mess with perfection?
(4)Cobra K.
Had a sausage with egg combination with a side of bacon and three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing special. The total was around $11 and I could have made everything myself at home. Make me a breakfast that I'll have difficulty making myself and you'll earn another star. Make a breakfast better than anyone else can do it and you'll get five stars from me. What's the deal? Eggs...had two eggs over easy. These eggs appeared to be maybe medium in size. Not large and definitely not extra large. Also, the side of bacon states that you'll get 5 pieces of bacon...however, the bacon is only about 4 inches in length. Sausages were okay, eggs were okay, pancakes were good and service was great. Three stars.
(3)Annie S.
So this place is MUCH fancier outside than inside. As long as you just consider it a breakfast diner you will be pleased. They do not take call ahead seating or reservations. They are VERY busy on weekends and their food was good enough. Coffee was fresh and we had potato pancakes, pecan pancakes (which mean pancakes with some chopped pecans sprinkled on them) and some biscuits and gravy which did not taste like they were out of a can so that was good. I will go back when it isn't busy if I don't feel like cooking breakfast for myself.
(4)Dennis S.
The cynic could find flaws. There's better coffee. The sausage might have sat on the grill a little longer than perfect. But what a classic old school pancake house; God bless that there are still places like this. Clean, friendly, good food. Come stand in line. Get your pancake on.
(5)Liz S.
This is a great Dayton establishment. It has a rich history. I'm happy to support this family business. The pancakes I ordered last time I went were delicious. My friend ordered this amazing french toast. It's a must stop in Dayton.
(4)Gisel C.
Great breakfast place! I love their daily specials :)
(4)Tom C.
This is a 3.5. Long, sometimes confusing, lines. Mediocre pricing for the quality in food. Waitresses, hostesses, and services are always very nice and accommodating, though. I would return, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Brooklyn G.
It's diner food no matter how you spin it. YES It's a classic venue and the food is just ok, but I must say after waiting an hour for Sunday brunch to find the same ole thing ... I was disappointed a little. definitely something to experience for yourselves
(2)Dan O.
Great food for a reasonable price. As a bonus, I don't normally drink coffee u fee any circumstances, but even I enjoy the coffee here. Atmosphere is classic diner style, the only thing keeping me from giving a fifth star was the service was ok, but not great, but certainly no reason to avoid the place.
(4)Jay M.
Long lines! Pancakes Galore! A local stop for those seeking breakfast! OVERALL: This place is definitely an IHOP like restaurant with its own flare. The service was a 5, but the food was just ok and the atmosphere gets a similar mark. FOOD: Coffee is fantastic for a breakfast place. Our table had a variety of breakfast entrees, hence the review. Denver omelet, it was good. The bacon, tomatoes and cheese made it a hearty breakfast. No sides come with the eggs dishes, so I ordered their hash browns. The potatoes were tasteless, very bland, very disappointing. Buttermilk pancakes were ok, but nothing to Yelp! The waffle arrived over cooked... a theme lately in visiting several local restaurants. SERVICE: Plenty of coffee and a friendly smile! This is the reason I think the masses come to this breakfast mecca. PRICE: It was a bit pricey for breakfast, 4 people and a $60 tab is excessive, especially when sides are not included.
(3)Jared R.
Never had a bad food experience here. Very well-honed recipes, sizable portions. I always get the country omlette, no onions. And pancakes with chocolate chips. Under $10, never can finish it all.
(5)David S.
Great breakfast place! Usually a wait, but it's worth it. Not your diet fare here but totally worth the splurge. I love their country omelette, nom nom nom!
(4)Dominick M.
Typical diner food at an ok price. nothing special.
(2)Tony G.
We really miss the original building, if only because my Grandfather started eating their decades ago, and don't mind the wait. Probably my favorite, old school Dayton breakfast place. Good, strong coffee and ridiculously large pancake orders.
(4)Kevan C.
My wife and I decided to stop in. We had to wait in line, as it looks like that is typical for this place. Food was what I would expected. Nothing more or less. I wanted to try a pancake but didn't want to eat a huge mound of them. I did try my wife's pancakes. Not bad. Nothing to phone a friend over either. Have heard rave things about this place for years but don't see what all the fuss was about. Many people willing to wait 30 or more minutes to get seated. I could just as well keep driving.
(3)Matthew H.
Huge wait and huge hype for a crowded environment with not very good food. Not sure why anyone would come here.
(1)Matthew K.
Holy breakfast goodness Batman! Golden Nugget was the perfect choice for a cold snowy Sunday breakfast (well it was noonish but that's neither here nor there). Even though the parking lot was packed there was still plenty of seating and my group got seated right away. After browsing the menu and specials and going back and forth between all of the great sounding options. My girl and and I settled on the country omelet and my friend got the potato pancakes. The country omelet is a 3 egg omelet with sausage potatoes and onions and then comes with sausage gravy,which makes everything amazing and healthy right? The omelet was fluiffy and tasty and the potatoes you could tell were fresh and not some frozen bag of hash brown type stuff. The pancakes I got with my omelet were good and fluffy (I actually like mine a bit thinner but I'll live I'm sure) My girl and friend also loved their food. The service was great and our cups never went empty even after our plates were cleared and we sat around talking and passing the time since none of us wanted to brave the cold. I know I will be back to Golden Nugget and look forward to trying more of the dishes.
(4)Evalyn C.
I'm really not a fan of pancakes 98% of the time but I can't help but love the ones that Golden Nugget churns out. I adore the cinnamon, whole wheat, and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. They are like tasty heaven in your mouth. The omelettes are always great. The grits are spot on. Though the line can be quite long and the hours are a bit "weird," it is totally worth visiting here when I am in town.
(4)Aaron H.
I'll never forget the day my mom called me at school to tell me the Nugget had burned down. Dayton hadn't seen such a tragedy since the 1913 flood. But while we waited for them to rebuild, I was really happy to see that they gave a lot of their displaced staff jobs at the other location, and when the new place opened, once I got over the lack of mauve booths and mirrors on the wall, I felt right at home again. The wait staff are breakfast time gurus, the prices are more than reasonable, the portions are about twice what you need for breakfast (but you'll eat it anyway), and the taste is pretty much perfect comfort food. The coffee is habit forming. And there are often Saturday mornings when I wake up and wish I could afford a flight home for the farmers omelette special with pancakes. Only go with people you like--you'll want a good conversation partner for the line.
(5)Ralph H.
No Egg Whites...! Are you serious. The menu is filled with so many nice options, and to hear the waitress say, "they don't do Egg Whites" I thought she was joking! A big menu usually means I can have food just about any way I can imagine it, Except for Egg Whites, at Golden Nugget! Otherwise, I'll eat here for breakfast, everytime I find myself working in Dayton. It's a very clean and busy place. Be prepared to wait in line on weekends.
(3)Joel H.
Great peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes. The prices are good and volume of food is what you would expect at a great breakfast joint.
(5)Colleen M.
If I go to a breakfast place at 11:30 on a Sunday, I expect to wait for a table, so I wasn't surprised by the long wait. I was less than thrilled with the long wait after we had been seated. We saw other tables order and receive their food before our waitress even came by to get our drink order. The pancakes truly were delicious. The french toast was ok, and my husband's country omelet was delicious if you like an omelet made out of velveeta and sausage with gravy on top (which he does--but if you are looking for a more elevated omelet, this is not the place). Once we were finally able to order, our food came out quickly and hot. I just didn't love the atmosphere or the service, and aside from the pancakes, I didn't feel like the food was anything I couldn't have made at home.
(3)Roger B.
Was in Dayton visiting our daughter at University of Dayton and did a search for a good breakfast place and this place came up at the top of the list. We arrived on a Sunday morning before 10 and the line was out the door. At first the kids were in no mood to wait but we were told it should take about 1/2 hour and boy were we glad we staying. A huge selection of breakfast items to choose from no matter what your mood is and yes the pancakes are great. Terrific service and really have nothing bad to say except the soaked the toast my kids ordered with two much butter and both kids mentioned it to me. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. The wait is worth it.
(5)Amy C.
Pretty good and pleasantly surprised. Food was amazing though they didn't have exactly what I was waiting for. They do not take reservations, and there is about a 15-20 mninute wait on a Sunday around 1PM. Service could be slow but they didn't hurry us through our meal to move tables either. I reco pumpkin pancakes! Overall a good place to go.
(3)Kate S.
A Dayton staple for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon are always great.
(4)Jenny D.
The servers are friendly. Some times are busy some are not. The grits with cheese is good.
(5)J R.
Been a couple years since I had been here. Thought to give it another go. After waiting a few minutes to be seated on a Thursday morning, I was greeted with a question " How many are you?" No smile, no welcome, no good morning. As soon as I answered she turned around grabbed a menu and she began walking quickly toward the dining room, so I quickly tried to follow. By the time I arrived, she was heading back for another victim. After 2 or 3 minutes, a server emerged to get my order. Again, no pleasantries, and did seem in a hurry. The food came quickly and was fresh. Just not a fan of the pancakes. No flavor. And syrup is just as generic. Ham and cheese omelet was hot and fresh as were the potatoes. Very light on ham in the omelet in my opinion. The server did check on me and did bring my check timely. At the checkout, the lady there was the only person that I saw who had any personality. She was nice. Overall it was fine. Price point was great. I received "service", just not pleasant/happy service. Food was good enough, not memorable.
(2)Bianca D.
There is always a line in this place. I mean, always. And the building looks so classy and like you would need to dress up for breakfast. However our breakfast was served on plasticware and so was our water. The servers were in really casual attire. It didn't really match what you would expect from the outside. That being said, the food was good. However it lacked a certain wow factor. It was good, and that's as much as I could say. Good, not great. Honestly it's a great old breakfast standby, but is it spectacular? not really. Our service was good too!
(4)Rhonda W.
My favorite local place for breakfast. They have a huge selection including blitzes. .there Canadian bacon is thick and amazing. I'm a bacon snob has to be crispy and they always get it right. They aren't open for dinner and there is usually a line but it moves fast. Love this place !!!
(5)Abbey H.
It's not Christopher's. Yes, the service was excellent but it's beyond me why people wait on a kind like that for the quality of the food. I had the veggie omelet and it srsly didn't taste better than something you'd get at waffle house. Also had the blueberry pancakes, not a fan of the pancake/ compote style pancakes myself, but if that's your thing they were alright. Also tried the potato wedges, they were super crispy and hot. I really liked them but the ranch that came with them was meh. All in all I'm glad I saw what the long lines were about but I don't see myself ever going back.
(3)Robert C.
Wife and I have been coming here to eat for over 20 years and the food and service has always been great. I wish that all you people who complain and whine and only rate a 1 or 2 stars would go somewhere else to eat because all you do is make the wait longer for me to get in and enjoy the great food.
(5)Hunter C.
I came in with job corps today to tour the kitchen and get a little bit of hands on experience. ALL of the staff is wonderful & the food is some of the best I've ever had I love that they've kept the menu over the years the same as they say in the kitchen if it ain't broke don't fix it & if they love it no reason to change or would love to go back again.
(5)Jessica B.
After hearing about the Golden Nugget right here on Yelp, we decided to venture out for breakfast to see what all the fuss was about! Well, Dayton? You were right, this place was worth the drive. The building was a fusion of decidedly modern and typical pancake house, especially comfy for a greasy spoon type breakfast place, which we thought was neat and it's unique curb appeal made it easy to find. Parking was a cinch. On a Thursday morning, we had no wait to be seated. After our pleasant experience today, I can say we would gladly wait up to 15 minutes or so to dine here. Busier mornings need not apply, however decent the food was. I would say this place is best left for weekday mornings and avoid the rush. Coffee and water were ready and waiting when we sat down. Off to a decent start! Hubby ordered the biscuits and gravy (I forgot to warn him of the reviews suggesting it was bland, oops!) along with bacon, sausage patties and a belgian waffle that was not on the menu (just ask). Little one ordered a kid's clown waffle, and I ordered a plain oatmeal. Yeah, very imaginative of me eh? Anyhow, of all this, the waffles were reported as "quite decent but not Original Pancake House good" despite the children's waffle being decorated up in an interesting fun way any kid would appreciate. Hubby had also reported they came out cold. We pressed on though, as everything else had been quite nice. It happens! The sausage and bacon were what you would expect of a decent diner, greasy but good, typical thin bacon but cooked just right. Hubby's biscuits and gravy were exactly as prior reviews suggested (good biscuits and bland gravy) and my oatmeal was really, really good! Seriously, plain oatmeal. With honey that I added. Prior to ordering, I asked if it had sugar, salt, oil or dairy in it and they swore it was just oats and water. Pretty amazing stuff. Either they lied to me (hehe) or they are oatmeal alchemists! Either way, I'll be back and keep ordering it until they tell me otherwise! Lastly, their coffee and service were great and exactly what one would expect from a place with the reputation they seem to have for being a "Dayton Institution" of the breakfasty type! On top of all that the prices were quite reasonable. Thanks Yelp! Lots of love for sending us their way, and to those of you who have yet to discover this place, may you go now in confidence (preferably on a weekday morning!) and enjoy the warmth that awaits.
(4)T S.
Food was decent, not amazing. Prices were cheap. Portions were large. Wait was ridiculous. I had read the reviews before going and knew that a wait was probably in my future. Therefore, we went at 7:30am on a Sunday. The wait should not be bad that early, right? The wait for a table really wasn't so bad, it went rather quickly. The wait for the food was a whole different story. Thirty five minutes to get our pancakes and omelettes. It didn't help that we had a two year old with us, who was hungry and impatient. All in all, I probably won't go back on my own.
(2)Andy K.
This is a difficult review for me to write. I'm aware of the Golden Nugget's status as a Dayton breakfast/brunch mainstay, as well as its status as an institution in the Dayton area. However, my first trip to the Golden Nugget was decidedly...'meh'. Jules and I hit the Golden Nugget on a Sunday morning and, even between the church crowds, there was still a massive line for entrance. Never before have I see a restaurant use a 'rope maze' to line up customers; I felt like I was waiting for a roller coaster! However, the line moved fairly quickly and we were seated within 20 minutes. I was shocked to see, however, that a huge line was still there even as we were leaving, despite the fact that easily 1/3 of the tables in the restaurants were open. Service-wise, there was nothing to scream about. While our waitress was friendly enough, it took nearly 10-15 minute for her even to come by to take our drink orders. I'd understand it if the restaurant were truly 'crowded', but as I mentioned: there were numerous empty tables, leading me to think that the Golden Nugget wasn't quite as busy as they'd like people to believe. In terms of food? I wasn't really impressed. Jules got the pancakes, which were light and fluffy, but nothing really mind-blowing. My platter included 2 eggs, bacon, and home fries, as well as sausage gravy and biscuits. My eggs were done quite well, but there simply wasn't much of them--I have a hard time believing that they were, in fact, two eggs. The bacon wasn't as crispy as I generally liked, though the home fries were pretty good. The Heights Cafe's home fries, though, are significantly better. My real disappointment was with the sausage gravy. The gravy was decidedly under-seasoned , lacking any real flavor or taste. I usually expect some kind of 'umami' meatiness, but this was nothing. The biscuits were toothsome and buttery on their own, but the sausage gravy's blandness drowned them out utterly. Further, the gravy had a thick skin on it, as if it was the first thing plated on our order, then left to sit beneath a heat lamp and congeal. Oh, and this is a piddling complaint, but I'm going to indulge in it anyway: the coffee cups are too damn small. They're maybe one step above espresso cups, holding *maybe* 6 ounces of coffee. The coffee's tasty, but I ended up getting something like 4-5 refills throughout my meal, simply because the cups were so small! My kingdom for a properly-sized coffee mug! I really want to like the Golden Nugget--their reputation as a Dayton institution is built on a legacy of serving customers for decades. In reality, though, I kept comparing them in my mind to the great diner's I've been to back in the Pittsburgh area or our recent trip to The Heights Cafe. And, really? The Golden Nugget doesn't hold up to those standards.
(3)Justin M.
Its not that the food is eccentric or out of this world but its really all about consistency. The food, the service, & the people have been consistent for 60+ years. All my life! My faves are potato pancakes and cornmeal mush. Oh Yeah Baby!
(5)Jason K.
Let me start by saying, those complaining about there always being a line don't get it. They work through the line fast, and it is obviously worth waiting. I visit here every week, and try to change up my order. Never have I been disappointed, or left hungry. The coffee is excellent, and always full. I love the Eggs Benedict, and anything else they put the hollandaise sauce on. The pancakes are wonderful, and fluffy. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Ian F.
Great price, but nothing memorable. Like going there over chain breakfast places but just normal breakfast food. Service above average and good atmosphere.
(4)Amy M.
This is our favorite by far. There's always a line, don't let it ever deter you as they move it through quickly! The coffee is my favorite EVER. You MUST have it if you are a coffee drinker. The omelets are always huge & are just great. Make sure to check on their muffin selection; there really are no bad choices (but the chocolate is my fav) The potato wedges are another family fav. My favorite pancake there is the cinnamon pancakes... Sooooo good! For lunch I love the Reuben. The staff is super great & friendly, and your coffee cup will never be empty, unless you want it to be. :)
(5)Nick D.
I love Golden Nugget Pancake House! I remember coming here when I was a young sprightly kid in the old building before it burned down and rebuilt. They have some of the best coffee I have ever had in my life. The pancakes are really the star of the brunch hot-spot, however my favorite item is the Spinach and Feta omelette! CAUTION: This place gets BUSY! Luckily, the line moves rather quickly, but the later you go the more crowded it gets! That is my only caution. 5/5 stars
(5)Tiffany H.
Really really really good. We came around 9:30 on a cold, rainy morning - had to wait maybe 15 minutes for a table - the line was longer when we left, but it was also a really cold and raining out, which might have kept the crowds down. The server was fantastic - always keeping my coffee filled, and great with our daughter. The food was so good - we had regular french toast with bacon, peach pancakes with pecans, and apple cinnamon french toast and all loved ours. Totally worth the wait.
(5)Cassie H.
I know this is a local staple, but I always find the dining experience here to be underwhelming. Service is always just fine, there is usually a wait. I don't mind waiting for something special, but when I wait for a table here I always wonder, ugh why? The food is alright, typical breakfast/diner food. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad spot, I just never leave thinking, "wow, that was amazing!".
(3)Alex M.
My grandfather had been coming to this place for 60 years. He was here the morning of my mother's birth and my birth. The buttermilk pancakes are some of the best. The service is quite sweet, and will always take care of you, so long as you're polite. The worst thing here is the wait, but what can you do when people are lined out of the door?
(5)N B.
I was very happy to finally see the restaurant open again, but very disappointed they changed the recipe of their pasta soup. The original was to die for. The soup now is good, but nothing as good as the original. Why change something that everyone loved.
(3)Vijay Vardhan R.
In recent years, I don't think I ever had breakfast that tasted this good. I tried German pancakes and omelette, both were exceptionally good. Definitely go back.
(5)Karen D.
The Golden Nugget a Dayton tradition for breakfast! Their omelets are huge and they always have a few on special which come with home fries or grits and toast or english muffin. I've enjoyed a few veggie and spinach and feta omelets here through the years. If you're a coffee drinker servers are always coming around to refill your cup so you won't go without some hot coffee. You will find a line wrapping to the outside of the building most late weekend mornings. If you're in the mood for lunch, they also have a variety of sandwiches and great soups. Stop on by The Golden Nugget during your next visit to Dayton.
(5)Glenn W.
Great place for breakfast, but if you don't want the wait Christopher's is excellent.
(4)Tracy W.
GN is a great place for breakfast or lunch...I recommend their potato soup it's the best. .. but then again everything on the menu is pretty great. .. the line for seating is usually long. . But worth the wait. The staff is super friendly and very personable.
(5)Munik P.
I am a pretty good cook and I know what good food is, but this place does not match the reviews. The food is below average as well as the service. Rude hostess and sub par wait staff. Definitely treated better if you elderly and white. Not going back.
(1)Tracie F.
We rolled upon this joint at the suggestion of our fellow yelpers. They got great reviews so we decided that we had to give this place a try. As usual my fellow yelp buddies did not disappoint. The food was great as was the service. I had eggs, bacon, a biscuit and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. I did not like the eggs. They don't do egg whites there which is a disappointment. They are so common now days (back when I was a young un egg whites were not the norm) that I can't understand why all places don't serve them. Everything else was tasty. Peanut butter chocolate pancakes use semi-sweet chocolate which may be a little strong for the little ones but tasty nonetheless. I think I am going to go for the cinnamon pancakes next time. My husband had muffins which were delicious! The cinnamon apple was by far my favorite. He also had the Canadian bacon which was thickly huge and fabulously delicious. We both left happy and full. We will definitely be back. Portions were huge, prices reasonable and best of all everything (except the eggs) was delicious!
(4)Su W.
french toast rules! Love this place!
(5)Jared R.
Never had a bad food experience here. Very well-honed recipes, sizable portions. I always get the country omlette, no onions. And pancakes with chocolate chips. Under $10, never can finish it all.
(5)Mighty M.
An amazing family atmosphere with excellent service, great value for the money, and good quality. Our server spent time with us, welcomed us to the restaurant and the area, explained the history behind the family and restaurant. My daughter had chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes and I had a Mexican omelet. Excellent portion size (that means not too much or too little...does not mean enough to graze for hours on) We had to try the sausage gravy and glad we did. It was a bit spicy which was great. I loved it.
(5)Amy P.
We went for breakfast on a Saturday morning. We got there around 10, and thankfully, just missed the crowd. Our wait was only about 15 minutes. The staff here is so friendly, always offering to fill your coffee when they walk by. They also get you in and out in a timely manner. I had the pecan pancakes. They were super good and filling. Stop by if you're in the area.
(4)Jamie P.
This place was fantastic. My father in law got an omelette which I sampled, it was the best omelette I've ever eaten. We went on a Thursday morning and it was still busy, which is a good sign. Our waitress was so attentive, my coffee cup never went below 3/4 full
(5)Timothy W.
If you're in Dayton, and it's breakfast time, get yourself to the nugget stat! You just cannot go wrong with the menu. Don't pass on the muffins and sample the house-made syrup. Getting an omelette? Order the side of pancakes and fight the 2-front breakfast war!!!! You may fail to achieve victory, but the journey will be delicious.
(5)Libby V.
I hate standing in line for food, being crammed in like sardines, and that the average age is 75, But it's all worth it for a plate of the best potato pancakes ever, They come with sour cream or applesauce, and because I can't make up my mind I usually get both and alternate. Really, these pancakes are so good they will blow your mind. This place has been here forever (except for when it burned down and was rebuilt), and there's a bunch of regulars. I'm not a regular cause I don't have time to be in the brunch club, and still the servers - who have worked here for 20+ years - always remember me. That's the way it is...sorta of like a Cheers episode. There's lots of other really, really good food here. I just can't move beyond my potato pancakes. Why mess with perfection?
(4)Cobra K.
Had a sausage with egg combination with a side of bacon and three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing special. The total was around $11 and I could have made everything myself at home. Make me a breakfast that I'll have difficulty making myself and you'll earn another star. Make a breakfast better than anyone else can do it and you'll get five stars from me. What's the deal? Eggs...had two eggs over easy. These eggs appeared to be maybe medium in size. Not large and definitely not extra large. Also, the side of bacon states that you'll get 5 pieces of bacon...however, the bacon is only about 4 inches in length. Sausages were okay, eggs were okay, pancakes were good and service was great. Three stars.
(3)Annie S.
So this place is MUCH fancier outside than inside. As long as you just consider it a breakfast diner you will be pleased. They do not take call ahead seating or reservations. They are VERY busy on weekends and their food was good enough. Coffee was fresh and we had potato pancakes, pecan pancakes (which mean pancakes with some chopped pecans sprinkled on them) and some biscuits and gravy which did not taste like they were out of a can so that was good. I will go back when it isn't busy if I don't feel like cooking breakfast for myself.
(4)Dennis S.
The cynic could find flaws. There's better coffee. The sausage might have sat on the grill a little longer than perfect. But what a classic old school pancake house; God bless that there are still places like this. Clean, friendly, good food. Come stand in line. Get your pancake on.
(5)Liz S.
This is a great Dayton establishment. It has a rich history. I'm happy to support this family business. The pancakes I ordered last time I went were delicious. My friend ordered this amazing french toast. It's a must stop in Dayton.
(4)Gisel C.
Great breakfast place! I love their daily specials :)
(4)Al H.
This is old school breakfast at its best. Yes I said old school. The Golden Nugget has been a staple of Dayton dining since way before I was born. They've been serving pancakes, waffles, eggs, and all the trimmings for so long, and quality has never been sacrificed. The coffee is awesome too. The only con, you have to have your entire party present before they'll seat you. This is because the place has a great repuatation and is always jammed for breakfast. Thinking of going on a Sunday morning? Think again unless you like roller coaster style lines!
(4)Dustin G.
Really great for a breakfast place. My server was always filling up my coffee and the pancakes couldn't get any better. 4/5
(4)Tom C.
This is a 3.5. Long, sometimes confusing, lines. Mediocre pricing for the quality in food. Waitresses, hostesses, and services are always very nice and accommodating, though. I would return, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Brooklyn G.
It's diner food no matter how you spin it. YES It's a classic venue and the food is just ok, but I must say after waiting an hour for Sunday brunch to find the same ole thing ... I was disappointed a little. definitely something to experience for yourselves
(2)Dan O.
Great food for a reasonable price. As a bonus, I don't normally drink coffee u fee any circumstances, but even I enjoy the coffee here. Atmosphere is classic diner style, the only thing keeping me from giving a fifth star was the service was ok, but not great, but certainly no reason to avoid the place.
(4)Jay M.
Long lines! Pancakes Galore! A local stop for those seeking breakfast! OVERALL: This place is definitely an IHOP like restaurant with its own flare. The service was a 5, but the food was just ok and the atmosphere gets a similar mark. FOOD: Coffee is fantastic for a breakfast place. Our table had a variety of breakfast entrees, hence the review. Denver omelet, it was good. The bacon, tomatoes and cheese made it a hearty breakfast. No sides come with the eggs dishes, so I ordered their hash browns. The potatoes were tasteless, very bland, very disappointing. Buttermilk pancakes were ok, but nothing to Yelp! The waffle arrived over cooked... a theme lately in visiting several local restaurants. SERVICE: Plenty of coffee and a friendly smile! This is the reason I think the masses come to this breakfast mecca. PRICE: It was a bit pricey for breakfast, 4 people and a $60 tab is excessive, especially when sides are not included.
(3)David S.
Great breakfast place! Usually a wait, but it's worth it. Not your diet fare here but totally worth the splurge. I love their country omelette, nom nom nom!
(4)Dominick M.
Typical diner food at an ok price. nothing special.
(2)Tony G.
We really miss the original building, if only because my Grandfather started eating their decades ago, and don't mind the wait. Probably my favorite, old school Dayton breakfast place. Good, strong coffee and ridiculously large pancake orders.
(4)Matthew K.
Holy breakfast goodness Batman! Golden Nugget was the perfect choice for a cold snowy Sunday breakfast (well it was noonish but that's neither here nor there). Even though the parking lot was packed there was still plenty of seating and my group got seated right away. After browsing the menu and specials and going back and forth between all of the great sounding options. My girl and and I settled on the country omelet and my friend got the potato pancakes. The country omelet is a 3 egg omelet with sausage potatoes and onions and then comes with sausage gravy,which makes everything amazing and healthy right? The omelet was fluiffy and tasty and the potatoes you could tell were fresh and not some frozen bag of hash brown type stuff. The pancakes I got with my omelet were good and fluffy (I actually like mine a bit thinner but I'll live I'm sure) My girl and friend also loved their food. The service was great and our cups never went empty even after our plates were cleared and we sat around talking and passing the time since none of us wanted to brave the cold. I know I will be back to Golden Nugget and look forward to trying more of the dishes.
(4)Evalyn C.
I'm really not a fan of pancakes 98% of the time but I can't help but love the ones that Golden Nugget churns out. I adore the cinnamon, whole wheat, and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. They are like tasty heaven in your mouth. The omelettes are always great. The grits are spot on. Though the line can be quite long and the hours are a bit "weird," it is totally worth visiting here when I am in town.
(4)Aaron H.
I'll never forget the day my mom called me at school to tell me the Nugget had burned down. Dayton hadn't seen such a tragedy since the 1913 flood. But while we waited for them to rebuild, I was really happy to see that they gave a lot of their displaced staff jobs at the other location, and when the new place opened, once I got over the lack of mauve booths and mirrors on the wall, I felt right at home again. The wait staff are breakfast time gurus, the prices are more than reasonable, the portions are about twice what you need for breakfast (but you'll eat it anyway), and the taste is pretty much perfect comfort food. The coffee is habit forming. And there are often Saturday mornings when I wake up and wish I could afford a flight home for the farmers omelette special with pancakes. Only go with people you like--you'll want a good conversation partner for the line.
(5)Ralph H.
No Egg Whites...! Are you serious. The menu is filled with so many nice options, and to hear the waitress say, "they don't do Egg Whites" I thought she was joking! A big menu usually means I can have food just about any way I can imagine it, Except for Egg Whites, at Golden Nugget! Otherwise, I'll eat here for breakfast, everytime I find myself working in Dayton. It's a very clean and busy place. Be prepared to wait in line on weekends.
(3)Kevan C.
My wife and I decided to stop in. We had to wait in line, as it looks like that is typical for this place. Food was what I would expected. Nothing more or less. I wanted to try a pancake but didn't want to eat a huge mound of them. I did try my wife's pancakes. Not bad. Nothing to phone a friend over either. Have heard rave things about this place for years but don't see what all the fuss was about. Many people willing to wait 30 or more minutes to get seated. I could just as well keep driving.
(3)Matthew H.
Huge wait and huge hype for a crowded environment with not very good food. Not sure why anyone would come here.
(1)Joel H.
Great peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes. The prices are good and volume of food is what you would expect at a great breakfast joint.
(5)Colleen M.
If I go to a breakfast place at 11:30 on a Sunday, I expect to wait for a table, so I wasn't surprised by the long wait. I was less than thrilled with the long wait after we had been seated. We saw other tables order and receive their food before our waitress even came by to get our drink order. The pancakes truly were delicious. The french toast was ok, and my husband's country omelet was delicious if you like an omelet made out of velveeta and sausage with gravy on top (which he does--but if you are looking for a more elevated omelet, this is not the place). Once we were finally able to order, our food came out quickly and hot. I just didn't love the atmosphere or the service, and aside from the pancakes, I didn't feel like the food was anything I couldn't have made at home.
(3)Roger B.
Was in Dayton visiting our daughter at University of Dayton and did a search for a good breakfast place and this place came up at the top of the list. We arrived on a Sunday morning before 10 and the line was out the door. At first the kids were in no mood to wait but we were told it should take about 1/2 hour and boy were we glad we staying. A huge selection of breakfast items to choose from no matter what your mood is and yes the pancakes are great. Terrific service and really have nothing bad to say except the soaked the toast my kids ordered with two much butter and both kids mentioned it to me. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. The wait is worth it.
(5)Becky G.
The food and service here is awesome! Enjoy! Only open til 3pm daily. High quality food at the right price. Friendly and family owned & operated.
(5)Steve V.
If waffles, pancakes, blintzes or potato pancakes ring your bell...you should try this place. Like many Dayton institutions, it is a throwback to a past era. The quality is consistent, the food is plentiful, but you will use the salt and pepper. I come here a few times a year and leave happy.
(3)Tracie F.
We rolled upon this joint at the suggestion of our fellow yelpers. They got great reviews so we decided that we had to give this place a try. As usual my fellow yelp buddies did not disappoint. The food was great as was the service. I had eggs, bacon, a biscuit and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. I did not like the eggs. They don't do egg whites there which is a disappointment. They are so common now days (back when I was a young un egg whites were not the norm) that I can't understand why all places don't serve them. Everything else was tasty. Peanut butter chocolate pancakes use semi-sweet chocolate which may be a little strong for the little ones but tasty nonetheless. I think I am going to go for the cinnamon pancakes next time. My husband had muffins which were delicious! The cinnamon apple was by far my favorite. He also had the Canadian bacon which was thickly huge and fabulously delicious. We both left happy and full. We will definitely be back. Portions were huge, prices reasonable and best of all everything (except the eggs) was delicious!
(4)Su W.
french toast rules! Love this place!
(5)Jared R.
Never had a bad food experience here. Very well-honed recipes, sizable portions. I always get the country omlette, no onions. And pancakes with chocolate chips. Under $10, never can finish it all.
(5)Mighty M.
An amazing family atmosphere with excellent service, great value for the money, and good quality. Our server spent time with us, welcomed us to the restaurant and the area, explained the history behind the family and restaurant. My daughter had chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes and I had a Mexican omelet. Excellent portion size (that means not too much or too little...does not mean enough to graze for hours on) We had to try the sausage gravy and glad we did. It was a bit spicy which was great. I loved it.
(5)Amy P.
We went for breakfast on a Saturday morning. We got there around 10, and thankfully, just missed the crowd. Our wait was only about 15 minutes. The staff here is so friendly, always offering to fill your coffee when they walk by. They also get you in and out in a timely manner. I had the pecan pancakes. They were super good and filling. Stop by if you're in the area.
(4)Jamie P.
This place was fantastic. My father in law got an omelette which I sampled, it was the best omelette I've ever eaten. We went on a Thursday morning and it was still busy, which is a good sign. Our waitress was so attentive, my coffee cup never went below 3/4 full
(5)Timothy W.
If you're in Dayton, and it's breakfast time, get yourself to the nugget stat! You just cannot go wrong with the menu. Don't pass on the muffins and sample the house-made syrup. Getting an omelette? Order the side of pancakes and fight the 2-front breakfast war!!!! You may fail to achieve victory, but the journey will be delicious.
(5)Jenny D.
The servers are friendly. Some times are busy some are not. The grits with cheese is good.
(5)J R.
Been a couple years since I had been here. Thought to give it another go. After waiting a few minutes to be seated on a Thursday morning, I was greeted with a question " How many are you?" No smile, no welcome, no good morning. As soon as I answered she turned around grabbed a menu and she began walking quickly toward the dining room, so I quickly tried to follow. By the time I arrived, she was heading back for another victim. After 2 or 3 minutes, a server emerged to get my order. Again, no pleasantries, and did seem in a hurry. The food came quickly and was fresh. Just not a fan of the pancakes. No flavor. And syrup is just as generic. Ham and cheese omelet was hot and fresh as were the potatoes. Very light on ham in the omelet in my opinion. The server did check on me and did bring my check timely. At the checkout, the lady there was the only person that I saw who had any personality. She was nice. Overall it was fine. Price point was great. I received "service", just not pleasant/happy service. Food was good enough, not memorable.
(2)Bianca D.
There is always a line in this place. I mean, always. And the building looks so classy and like you would need to dress up for breakfast. However our breakfast was served on plasticware and so was our water. The servers were in really casual attire. It didn't really match what you would expect from the outside. That being said, the food was good. However it lacked a certain wow factor. It was good, and that's as much as I could say. Good, not great. Honestly it's a great old breakfast standby, but is it spectacular? not really. Our service was good too!
(4)Kate S.
A Dayton staple for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon are always great.
(4)Rhonda W.
My favorite local place for breakfast. They have a huge selection including blitzes. .there Canadian bacon is thick and amazing. I'm a bacon snob has to be crispy and they always get it right. They aren't open for dinner and there is usually a line but it moves fast. Love this place !!!
(5)Abbey H.
It's not Christopher's. Yes, the service was excellent but it's beyond me why people wait on a kind like that for the quality of the food. I had the veggie omelet and it srsly didn't taste better than something you'd get at waffle house. Also had the blueberry pancakes, not a fan of the pancake/ compote style pancakes myself, but if that's your thing they were alright. Also tried the potato wedges, they were super crispy and hot. I really liked them but the ranch that came with them was meh. All in all I'm glad I saw what the long lines were about but I don't see myself ever going back.
(3)Jessica B.
After hearing about the Golden Nugget right here on Yelp, we decided to venture out for breakfast to see what all the fuss was about! Well, Dayton? You were right, this place was worth the drive. The building was a fusion of decidedly modern and typical pancake house, especially comfy for a greasy spoon type breakfast place, which we thought was neat and it's unique curb appeal made it easy to find. Parking was a cinch. On a Thursday morning, we had no wait to be seated. After our pleasant experience today, I can say we would gladly wait up to 15 minutes or so to dine here. Busier mornings need not apply, however decent the food was. I would say this place is best left for weekday mornings and avoid the rush. Coffee and water were ready and waiting when we sat down. Off to a decent start! Hubby ordered the biscuits and gravy (I forgot to warn him of the reviews suggesting it was bland, oops!) along with bacon, sausage patties and a belgian waffle that was not on the menu (just ask). Little one ordered a kid's clown waffle, and I ordered a plain oatmeal. Yeah, very imaginative of me eh? Anyhow, of all this, the waffles were reported as "quite decent but not Original Pancake House good" despite the children's waffle being decorated up in an interesting fun way any kid would appreciate. Hubby had also reported they came out cold. We pressed on though, as everything else had been quite nice. It happens! The sausage and bacon were what you would expect of a decent diner, greasy but good, typical thin bacon but cooked just right. Hubby's biscuits and gravy were exactly as prior reviews suggested (good biscuits and bland gravy) and my oatmeal was really, really good! Seriously, plain oatmeal. With honey that I added. Prior to ordering, I asked if it had sugar, salt, oil or dairy in it and they swore it was just oats and water. Pretty amazing stuff. Either they lied to me (hehe) or they are oatmeal alchemists! Either way, I'll be back and keep ordering it until they tell me otherwise! Lastly, their coffee and service were great and exactly what one would expect from a place with the reputation they seem to have for being a "Dayton Institution" of the breakfasty type! On top of all that the prices were quite reasonable. Thanks Yelp! Lots of love for sending us their way, and to those of you who have yet to discover this place, may you go now in confidence (preferably on a weekday morning!) and enjoy the warmth that awaits.
(4)T S.
Food was decent, not amazing. Prices were cheap. Portions were large. Wait was ridiculous. I had read the reviews before going and knew that a wait was probably in my future. Therefore, we went at 7:30am on a Sunday. The wait should not be bad that early, right? The wait for a table really wasn't so bad, it went rather quickly. The wait for the food was a whole different story. Thirty five minutes to get our pancakes and omelettes. It didn't help that we had a two year old with us, who was hungry and impatient. All in all, I probably won't go back on my own.
(2)Robert C.
Wife and I have been coming here to eat for over 20 years and the food and service has always been great. I wish that all you people who complain and whine and only rate a 1 or 2 stars would go somewhere else to eat because all you do is make the wait longer for me to get in and enjoy the great food.
(5)Hunter C.
I came in with job corps today to tour the kitchen and get a little bit of hands on experience. ALL of the staff is wonderful & the food is some of the best I've ever had I love that they've kept the menu over the years the same as they say in the kitchen if it ain't broke don't fix it & if they love it no reason to change or would love to go back again.
(5)Ian F.
Great price, but nothing memorable. Like going there over chain breakfast places but just normal breakfast food. Service above average and good atmosphere.
(4)Alex M.
My grandfather had been coming to this place for 60 years. He was here the morning of my mother's birth and my birth. The buttermilk pancakes are some of the best. The service is quite sweet, and will always take care of you, so long as you're polite. The worst thing here is the wait, but what can you do when people are lined out of the door?
(5)N B.
I was very happy to finally see the restaurant open again, but very disappointed they changed the recipe of their pasta soup. The original was to die for. The soup now is good, but nothing as good as the original. Why change something that everyone loved.
(3)Vijay Vardhan R.
In recent years, I don't think I ever had breakfast that tasted this good. I tried German pancakes and omelette, both were exceptionally good. Definitely go back.
(5)Amy M.
This is our favorite by far. There's always a line, don't let it ever deter you as they move it through quickly! The coffee is my favorite EVER. You MUST have it if you are a coffee drinker. The omelets are always huge & are just great. Make sure to check on their muffin selection; there really are no bad choices (but the chocolate is my fav) The potato wedges are another family fav. My favorite pancake there is the cinnamon pancakes... Sooooo good! For lunch I love the Reuben. The staff is super great & friendly, and your coffee cup will never be empty, unless you want it to be. :)
(5)Nick D.
I love Golden Nugget Pancake House! I remember coming here when I was a young sprightly kid in the old building before it burned down and rebuilt. They have some of the best coffee I have ever had in my life. The pancakes are really the star of the brunch hot-spot, however my favorite item is the Spinach and Feta omelette! CAUTION: This place gets BUSY! Luckily, the line moves rather quickly, but the later you go the more crowded it gets! That is my only caution. 5/5 stars
(5)Tiffany H.
Really really really good. We came around 9:30 on a cold, rainy morning - had to wait maybe 15 minutes for a table - the line was longer when we left, but it was also a really cold and raining out, which might have kept the crowds down. The server was fantastic - always keeping my coffee filled, and great with our daughter. The food was so good - we had regular french toast with bacon, peach pancakes with pecans, and apple cinnamon french toast and all loved ours. Totally worth the wait.
(5)Cassie H.
I know this is a local staple, but I always find the dining experience here to be underwhelming. Service is always just fine, there is usually a wait. I don't mind waiting for something special, but when I wait for a table here I always wonder, ugh why? The food is alright, typical breakfast/diner food. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad spot, I just never leave thinking, "wow, that was amazing!".
(3)Andy K.
This is a difficult review for me to write. I'm aware of the Golden Nugget's status as a Dayton breakfast/brunch mainstay, as well as its status as an institution in the Dayton area. However, my first trip to the Golden Nugget was decidedly...'meh'. Jules and I hit the Golden Nugget on a Sunday morning and, even between the church crowds, there was still a massive line for entrance. Never before have I see a restaurant use a 'rope maze' to line up customers; I felt like I was waiting for a roller coaster! However, the line moved fairly quickly and we were seated within 20 minutes. I was shocked to see, however, that a huge line was still there even as we were leaving, despite the fact that easily 1/3 of the tables in the restaurants were open. Service-wise, there was nothing to scream about. While our waitress was friendly enough, it took nearly 10-15 minute for her even to come by to take our drink orders. I'd understand it if the restaurant were truly 'crowded', but as I mentioned: there were numerous empty tables, leading me to think that the Golden Nugget wasn't quite as busy as they'd like people to believe. In terms of food? I wasn't really impressed. Jules got the pancakes, which were light and fluffy, but nothing really mind-blowing. My platter included 2 eggs, bacon, and home fries, as well as sausage gravy and biscuits. My eggs were done quite well, but there simply wasn't much of them--I have a hard time believing that they were, in fact, two eggs. The bacon wasn't as crispy as I generally liked, though the home fries were pretty good. The Heights Cafe's home fries, though, are significantly better. My real disappointment was with the sausage gravy. The gravy was decidedly under-seasoned , lacking any real flavor or taste. I usually expect some kind of 'umami' meatiness, but this was nothing. The biscuits were toothsome and buttery on their own, but the sausage gravy's blandness drowned them out utterly. Further, the gravy had a thick skin on it, as if it was the first thing plated on our order, then left to sit beneath a heat lamp and congeal. Oh, and this is a piddling complaint, but I'm going to indulge in it anyway: the coffee cups are too damn small. They're maybe one step above espresso cups, holding *maybe* 6 ounces of coffee. The coffee's tasty, but I ended up getting something like 4-5 refills throughout my meal, simply because the cups were so small! My kingdom for a properly-sized coffee mug! I really want to like the Golden Nugget--their reputation as a Dayton institution is built on a legacy of serving customers for decades. In reality, though, I kept comparing them in my mind to the great diner's I've been to back in the Pittsburgh area or our recent trip to The Heights Cafe. And, really? The Golden Nugget doesn't hold up to those standards.
(3)Justin M.
Its not that the food is eccentric or out of this world but its really all about consistency. The food, the service, & the people have been consistent for 60+ years. All my life! My faves are potato pancakes and cornmeal mush. Oh Yeah Baby!
(5)Jason K.
Let me start by saying, those complaining about there always being a line don't get it. They work through the line fast, and it is obviously worth waiting. I visit here every week, and try to change up my order. Never have I been disappointed, or left hungry. The coffee is excellent, and always full. I love the Eggs Benedict, and anything else they put the hollandaise sauce on. The pancakes are wonderful, and fluffy. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Karen D.
The Golden Nugget a Dayton tradition for breakfast! Their omelets are huge and they always have a few on special which come with home fries or grits and toast or english muffin. I've enjoyed a few veggie and spinach and feta omelets here through the years. If you're a coffee drinker servers are always coming around to refill your cup so you won't go without some hot coffee. You will find a line wrapping to the outside of the building most late weekend mornings. If you're in the mood for lunch, they also have a variety of sandwiches and great soups. Stop on by The Golden Nugget during your next visit to Dayton.
(5)Glenn W.
Great place for breakfast, but if you don't want the wait Christopher's is excellent.
(4)Tracy W.
GN is a great place for breakfast or lunch...I recommend their potato soup it's the best. .. but then again everything on the menu is pretty great. .. the line for seating is usually long. . But worth the wait. The staff is super friendly and very personable.
(5)Munik P.
I am a pretty good cook and I know what good food is, but this place does not match the reviews. The food is below average as well as the service. Rude hostess and sub par wait staff. Definitely treated better if you elderly and white. Not going back.
(1)Al H.
This is old school breakfast at its best. Yes I said old school. The Golden Nugget has been a staple of Dayton dining since way before I was born. They've been serving pancakes, waffles, eggs, and all the trimmings for so long, and quality has never been sacrificed. The coffee is awesome too. The only con, you have to have your entire party present before they'll seat you. This is because the place has a great repuatation and is always jammed for breakfast. Thinking of going on a Sunday morning? Think again unless you like roller coaster style lines!
(4)Dustin G.
Really great for a breakfast place. My server was always filling up my coffee and the pancakes couldn't get any better. 4/5
(4)Libby V.
I hate standing in line for food, being crammed in like sardines, and that the average age is 75, But it's all worth it for a plate of the best potato pancakes ever, They come with sour cream or applesauce, and because I can't make up my mind I usually get both and alternate. Really, these pancakes are so good they will blow your mind. This place has been here forever (except for when it burned down and was rebuilt), and there's a bunch of regulars. I'm not a regular cause I don't have time to be in the brunch club, and still the servers - who have worked here for 20+ years - always remember me. That's the way it is...sorta of like a Cheers episode. There's lots of other really, really good food here. I just can't move beyond my potato pancakes. Why mess with perfection?
(4)Cobra K.
Had a sausage with egg combination with a side of bacon and three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing special. The total was around $11 and I could have made everything myself at home. Make me a breakfast that I'll have difficulty making myself and you'll earn another star. Make a breakfast better than anyone else can do it and you'll get five stars from me. What's the deal? Eggs...had two eggs over easy. These eggs appeared to be maybe medium in size. Not large and definitely not extra large. Also, the side of bacon states that you'll get 5 pieces of bacon...however, the bacon is only about 4 inches in length. Sausages were okay, eggs were okay, pancakes were good and service was great. Three stars.
(3)Annie S.
So this place is MUCH fancier outside than inside. As long as you just consider it a breakfast diner you will be pleased. They do not take call ahead seating or reservations. They are VERY busy on weekends and their food was good enough. Coffee was fresh and we had potato pancakes, pecan pancakes (which mean pancakes with some chopped pecans sprinkled on them) and some biscuits and gravy which did not taste like they were out of a can so that was good. I will go back when it isn't busy if I don't feel like cooking breakfast for myself.
(4)Dennis S.
The cynic could find flaws. There's better coffee. The sausage might have sat on the grill a little longer than perfect. But what a classic old school pancake house; God bless that there are still places like this. Clean, friendly, good food. Come stand in line. Get your pancake on.
(5)Liz S.
This is a great Dayton establishment. It has a rich history. I'm happy to support this family business. The pancakes I ordered last time I went were delicious. My friend ordered this amazing french toast. It's a must stop in Dayton.
(4)Gisel C.
Great breakfast place! I love their daily specials :)
(4)Tom C.
This is a 3.5. Long, sometimes confusing, lines. Mediocre pricing for the quality in food. Waitresses, hostesses, and services are always very nice and accommodating, though. I would return, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Brooklyn G.
It's diner food no matter how you spin it. YES It's a classic venue and the food is just ok, but I must say after waiting an hour for Sunday brunch to find the same ole thing ... I was disappointed a little. definitely something to experience for yourselves
(2)Dan O.
Great food for a reasonable price. As a bonus, I don't normally drink coffee u fee any circumstances, but even I enjoy the coffee here. Atmosphere is classic diner style, the only thing keeping me from giving a fifth star was the service was ok, but not great, but certainly no reason to avoid the place.
(4)Jay M.
Long lines! Pancakes Galore! A local stop for those seeking breakfast! OVERALL: This place is definitely an IHOP like restaurant with its own flare. The service was a 5, but the food was just ok and the atmosphere gets a similar mark. FOOD: Coffee is fantastic for a breakfast place. Our table had a variety of breakfast entrees, hence the review. Denver omelet, it was good. The bacon, tomatoes and cheese made it a hearty breakfast. No sides come with the eggs dishes, so I ordered their hash browns. The potatoes were tasteless, very bland, very disappointing. Buttermilk pancakes were ok, but nothing to Yelp! The waffle arrived over cooked... a theme lately in visiting several local restaurants. SERVICE: Plenty of coffee and a friendly smile! This is the reason I think the masses come to this breakfast mecca. PRICE: It was a bit pricey for breakfast, 4 people and a $60 tab is excessive, especially when sides are not included.
(3)David S.
Great breakfast place! Usually a wait, but it's worth it. Not your diet fare here but totally worth the splurge. I love their country omelette, nom nom nom!
(4)Dominick M.
Typical diner food at an ok price. nothing special.
(2)Tony G.
We really miss the original building, if only because my Grandfather started eating their decades ago, and don't mind the wait. Probably my favorite, old school Dayton breakfast place. Good, strong coffee and ridiculously large pancake orders.
(4)Kevan C.
My wife and I decided to stop in. We had to wait in line, as it looks like that is typical for this place. Food was what I would expected. Nothing more or less. I wanted to try a pancake but didn't want to eat a huge mound of them. I did try my wife's pancakes. Not bad. Nothing to phone a friend over either. Have heard rave things about this place for years but don't see what all the fuss was about. Many people willing to wait 30 or more minutes to get seated. I could just as well keep driving.
(3)Matthew H.
Huge wait and huge hype for a crowded environment with not very good food. Not sure why anyone would come here.
(1)Aaron H.
I'll never forget the day my mom called me at school to tell me the Nugget had burned down. Dayton hadn't seen such a tragedy since the 1913 flood. But while we waited for them to rebuild, I was really happy to see that they gave a lot of their displaced staff jobs at the other location, and when the new place opened, once I got over the lack of mauve booths and mirrors on the wall, I felt right at home again. The wait staff are breakfast time gurus, the prices are more than reasonable, the portions are about twice what you need for breakfast (but you'll eat it anyway), and the taste is pretty much perfect comfort food. The coffee is habit forming. And there are often Saturday mornings when I wake up and wish I could afford a flight home for the farmers omelette special with pancakes. Only go with people you like--you'll want a good conversation partner for the line.
(5)Ralph H.
No Egg Whites...! Are you serious. The menu is filled with so many nice options, and to hear the waitress say, "they don't do Egg Whites" I thought she was joking! A big menu usually means I can have food just about any way I can imagine it, Except for Egg Whites, at Golden Nugget! Otherwise, I'll eat here for breakfast, everytime I find myself working in Dayton. It's a very clean and busy place. Be prepared to wait in line on weekends.
(3)Joel H.
Great peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes. The prices are good and volume of food is what you would expect at a great breakfast joint.
(5)Colleen M.
If I go to a breakfast place at 11:30 on a Sunday, I expect to wait for a table, so I wasn't surprised by the long wait. I was less than thrilled with the long wait after we had been seated. We saw other tables order and receive their food before our waitress even came by to get our drink order. The pancakes truly were delicious. The french toast was ok, and my husband's country omelet was delicious if you like an omelet made out of velveeta and sausage with gravy on top (which he does--but if you are looking for a more elevated omelet, this is not the place). Once we were finally able to order, our food came out quickly and hot. I just didn't love the atmosphere or the service, and aside from the pancakes, I didn't feel like the food was anything I couldn't have made at home.
(3)John M.
Had a late breakfast today, first time we've been back since the fire that destroyed the place a year or two back. Much nicer and more modern, and the menu is exactly the same. Staff are friendly and there is always someone around to bring you more coffee. Food was good, nothing exceptional but all tasty and arrived very quickly considering the place was totally packed (waited about 20 minutes to get in - this is the rule rather than the exception). Some downsides are that you can't order single pancakes (3 or 5) and they don't have any meat substitutes for the veggies (thanks Christopher's!). Otherwise, quick once you're in and pretty good overall. This is a place where everyone in line can tell you about how they've been coming there since they were kids, hence the willingness to wait in line for 30 minutes to have an omelet and some pancakes. Another Dayton institution, right up there with Marion's.
(3)Tracy H.
Ate here during winter '08. Long wait. Nice building. Very friendly staff. Excellent service. Had the Southern Pecan pancakes and sausage. Very tasty.
(4)Matthew K.
Holy breakfast goodness Batman! Golden Nugget was the perfect choice for a cold snowy Sunday breakfast (well it was noonish but that's neither here nor there). Even though the parking lot was packed there was still plenty of seating and my group got seated right away. After browsing the menu and specials and going back and forth between all of the great sounding options. My girl and and I settled on the country omelet and my friend got the potato pancakes. The country omelet is a 3 egg omelet with sausage potatoes and onions and then comes with sausage gravy,which makes everything amazing and healthy right? The omelet was fluiffy and tasty and the potatoes you could tell were fresh and not some frozen bag of hash brown type stuff. The pancakes I got with my omelet were good and fluffy (I actually like mine a bit thinner but I'll live I'm sure) My girl and friend also loved their food. The service was great and our cups never went empty even after our plates were cleared and we sat around talking and passing the time since none of us wanted to brave the cold. I know I will be back to Golden Nugget and look forward to trying more of the dishes.
(4)Evalyn C.
I'm really not a fan of pancakes 98% of the time but I can't help but love the ones that Golden Nugget churns out. I adore the cinnamon, whole wheat, and peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. They are like tasty heaven in your mouth. The omelettes are always great. The grits are spot on. Though the line can be quite long and the hours are a bit "weird," it is totally worth visiting here when I am in town.
(4)Roger B.
Was in Dayton visiting our daughter at University of Dayton and did a search for a good breakfast place and this place came up at the top of the list. We arrived on a Sunday morning before 10 and the line was out the door. At first the kids were in no mood to wait but we were told it should take about 1/2 hour and boy were we glad we staying. A huge selection of breakfast items to choose from no matter what your mood is and yes the pancakes are great. Terrific service and really have nothing bad to say except the soaked the toast my kids ordered with two much butter and both kids mentioned it to me. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. The wait is worth it.
(5)Becky G.
The food and service here is awesome! Enjoy! Only open til 3pm daily. High quality food at the right price. Friendly and family owned & operated.
(5)Steve V.
If waffles, pancakes, blintzes or potato pancakes ring your bell...you should try this place. Like many Dayton institutions, it is a throwback to a past era. The quality is consistent, the food is plentiful, but you will use the salt and pepper. I come here a few times a year and leave happy.
(3)Amy C.
Pretty good and pleasantly surprised. Food was amazing though they didn't have exactly what I was waiting for. They do not take reservations, and there is about a 15-20 mninute wait on a Sunday around 1PM. Service could be slow but they didn't hurry us through our meal to move tables either. I reco pumpkin pancakes! Overall a good place to go.
(3)Big Baby Jesus C.
Best place in town for breakfast, hands down. Expect to wait in line to get a table on weekend mornings, or during the week at lunch a lot of the time. They also serve good stuff for lunch too. I am pretty sure they don't take reservations, and they close at 3PM (I think they stay open till 3:30 PM on weekends). A great value whatever time of day you go. The waitresses are always really sweet. A lot of them have worked there for years. I don't think I have ever seen the bottom of my coffee cup out of all the times I have ate there either. Check it out when you are on the South side of town.
(5)Sarah W.
For a breakfast diner, I had no complaints about the Golden Nugget. It had all the elements I expect from someplace that does breakfast right: excessive amounts of food, enough butter on the side to bake a cake, and bottomless coffee that gets refilled after every sip from a coffee refiller walking around. I tried the French toast with eggs on the side and it was tasty (though not unique at all and just on regular bread). To give you an idea of the portion sizes, when my boyfriend asked if he could just have one pancake with his meal, they said one was the same as three.. haha The service was continuously smiling and very friendly. We did have to wait in a big roller coaster-esque line for like 15 minutes beforehand, but it didn't bother me much. I would rate this 3 1/2 stars, but I'm marking it at 4 for its classic diner appeal.
(4)Ryan W.
Best breakfast in Dayton by far. Great service.
(5)Brian C.
It's been a ling time since I've been to the Golden Nugget and I thought it was high time for my wife and I to check it out, so Sunday morning we headed out toward Moraine. We arrived at about 1230 just in time for the Sunday brunch / after Church crowd, there was a line of about 20 people in front of us to be seated but moved along pretty well and we were seated within about 20 minutes, so really pretty fast. Our waitress was right there with amazing coffee and was ready to take our order, the service was perfectly fast given the busy time of the day for them. The menu is a little overwhelming, for a place that only does breakfast and lunch (only open until 3:30) I can't believe they crammed as much as they did into two pages! Our food arrived very quickly and was perfictly cooked and tasted like it came right out of someones kitchen (who really knows how to cook!), very fresh and tasty! In my opinion this is the best breakfast in Dayton, well worth the wait. If you haven't tried the Golden Nugget. check it out!
(5)Kristen A.
The best! You need to get there early if you don't want to wait however the food is worth the wait
(5)Tim B.
Open from 9am-3pm in the week and 9am-3:30pm on the weekend, this is Dayton's best breakfast place-superb eggs, pancakes, grits, coffee--the works!! It is so good, there is always a line outside the building early in the morning--so rise and shine very early. The staff have been with the Nugget for years; they are wonderful. The business had a jolt a year or so ago when the old restaurant was damaged by a serious kitchen fire. Thankfully the owners decided to rebuild and after a long period the Nugget opened again in April 2007. The new building is spectacular. See you there!
(5)Kees v.
My wife and I recently visited this locally owned restaurant (Dec. 2010) for breakfast. My food was excellent (scrambled egg/ham & pancakes) while my wife's (vegetable omelet & muffins) was so so. Her primary issue with her food was that the cheese in the omelet was more like Velveeta rather than real cheese. Our waitress was very attentive (always there to refresh our coffees) but not over bearing.
(3)Kelly Z.
The long lines every weekend morning are proof that this is the best breakfast place in Dayton! But don't let the long lines scare you. Even if the line is out the door into the round shaped foyer, the wait from there is only 15 minutes. Awesome breakfast food and decent lunch food. Great coffee. Great service!
(5)