I’m never awake early enough to eat breakfast during the established morning hours, but I’d feel weird if the first thing I consumed on a daily basis was somewhere along the lines of pizza or a sandwich. This is why brunch is my favorite meal of the day. Whoever invented this fabulous combination of breakfast and lunch, I owe you a delicious plate of eggs, bacon and hash browns sometime in the afternoon hours.

There are countless restaurants where one can enjoy a decent brunch in Milwaukee, but if you’re looking for some delicious Midwestern comfort food, I’ve got just the place for you.

Honeypie Café, 2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., has only been around since May 2009 and is arguably one of the best brunch joints in town. The only downside is that their special brunch menu is only offered Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., not all week long.

This menu includes options like The Contender ($9.50), “sausage, sweet potatoes, bell pepper relish, eggs and cheese rolled into a tortilla topped with salsa, sour cream and cilantro;” Southern Gentleham ($13), “Chicken-fried pork chop atop breakfast potatoes smothered in sausage gravy with two eggs and toast on the side;” and Farmers Breakfast ($10), “Two eggs, sausage, potatoes, one slice of French toast, real Wisconsin maple syrup and a side of gravy.”

Sound tasty? There’s a lot more where that came from.

Tragically, my personal favorite, bacon pecan French toast (in which even the syrup has bacon in it), is no longer on the menu. I am supremely disappointed, but I guess their classic French toast alternative will have to do.

If for some strange reason brunch isn’t your thing, the café also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and has an impressive selection of pies and cakes, all made from scratch. Not only does Honeypie have great food, but it offers a fully stocked bar as well.

Since the word has spread about this tasty café, there is almost always a line at the door, especially on the weekends. Don’t let that discourage you; the food is definitely worth the wait.

For those living on Marquette’s campus, all you have to do is get yourself to Water Street and hop on the 15 bus going south to Bay View. When you see the smiling pig painted on a storefront window, you’ll know you’re at the right place.

Honeypie is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to around midnight and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Food service ends at 10 p.m. weeknights. For more information, call (414) 489-7437.