Lenny’s. The diner of choice for Phillies fans in Clearwater, and why not? The place is decked out with Phillies memorabilia and baseball memories. A banner across the box building exclaims Lenny’s as home of the world champions. They sell T-shirts inside depicting a greeting sticker: “Hello, my name is: Champion.” Cute. Lenny’s is quite cute.
The food, however? Cute ain’t the word. More like massive, excruciatingly delicious breakfast fare. The adage is “your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” No doubt they had Lenny’s helpings in mind when they coined it. There are plausible reasons you have to wait close to an hour to sit down: The fans are great, the help is nice, the decor is cool and the food is huge and tempting.
Rob Cowie and I waited for close to an hour, but the experience made it necessary. I ordered a large chocolate milk and small orange juice — staples at my diner breakfast experience. Next came a primer: the Danish basket. Filled with mini danishes, a brownie and — in preparation of the holiday — Irish soda bread, it gives you a good munch before the entree. But don’t fill up. Just don’t fill up.
About 10 minutes after ordering food, you receive your breakfast. Now, I love two breakfast meals more than anything: Eggs Benedict and biscuits and gravy. Thank the heavens Lenny’s actually combines those two meals with the Redneck Benedict. The picture is to the right; you may not know what the heck is going on there, but it’s poached eggs atop biscuits, all smothered by thick country sausage gravy. To the right is a side of home fries, cooked with onions.
Oh, and yes, I had fruit on the side. Have to keep it healthy, you know.
Here’s me taking a big bite of my beastly meal.
I finished more than half. And I actually stepped outside for air midway through; the thing was that imposing.
Our sojourn at Lenny’s ended with a bill under $30, two delicious and huge breakfasts (Rob had an American omelet). Good for me, I at least got to take home a doggy bag of the Danish basket. We walked out, enjoyed the warm air and carried large smiles … and even larger stomachs. Lenny’s is well worth the trip, and wait. Well worth it.
(There are more pictures, including a signed Von Hayes bat. We’ll post them later.)
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