This article was updated to reflect that 2nd place winner The Valley Cafe has closed its Merriman Valley location — it remains open in Wadsworth.

The Eye Opener

1688 W. Market St., Wallhaven
330-867-1114
Open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Website: https://www.akroneyeopener.com/

This category is sponsored by The Mustard Seed, winner of the 2024 Best of the City for best vegan/vegetarian.

For the second year in a row, The Eye Opener (and its breakfasts) has won over Akron residents. 

Regular diners return a few times a week or weekly to the Wallhaven restaurant to order their favorite dishes paired with coffee or a mixed alcoholic drink. The Eye Opener was one of the first brunch spots to serve alcoholic beverages with breakfast, said owner Elizabeth “Liz” Keener, and it offers more than 10 options, including Bloody Marys served four ways. 

The favorite brunch spot gets its name from downing a Bloody Mary in the morning (after a long night out) to wake up. A Curry Mary or The Works Bloody Mary (with horseradish) can be paired with popular dishes like the restaurant’s in-house roasted Red Eye Hash, Morning Sunshine omelets or pancakes.   

Inside the breakfast spot, the sound of forks scraping almost-finished plates is layered with country pop music and light chatter. First-time and repeat diners are seated in red and yellow booths or at black tables throughout the restaurant. 

Diners are surrounded by nods to Akron and its history. There are enlarged post cards of Summit Lake, airplane views of Akron and a Goodyear blimp, along with other elements recalling Akron’s early years. 

On the weekend, chefs mix it up to create “innovative and interesting” breakfast combinations. Blueberry cornmeal pancakes, smoked Gouda mac ‘n cheese with fried crawfish and a cheddar cheese omelet with homemade chilli on top are all examples of dishes and ingredients that have graced the specials menu. 

Be prepared to wait on the weekends, since it is first come, first served. Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday. 

The Eye Opener's dish The Opener, seen here with scrambled eggs, pork sausage links, potato browns and white toast.
The Eye Opener’s dish The Opener, seen here with scrambled eggs, pork sausage links, potato browns and white toast. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Bouncing back after the pandemic 

Despite the challenges that emerged and then lingered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Eye Opener celebrated 15 years this summer. Keener, who has been in the restaurant industry for 30 years, has seen changes in the business, specifically in the last five years.

“Business has changed quite a bit, but it’s fun,” she said. 

2nd Place:

The Valley Cafe

Merriman Valley location is now closed, reopened as the Towpath Grille; Wadsworth location is still open at 101 High St.
330-331-7555
Website: https://www.valley-cafe.com/ 

Donald Spencer of Fred’s Diner in Akron
Donald Spencer, manager of Fred’s Diner and son of owner Fred Spencer, places ready-to-serve orders in the window before ringing the bell to notify the servers June 28, 2024, in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

3rd Place: 

Fred’s Diner (2024 winner of best hidden gem)

930 Home Ave., North Hill
330-535-3733
Website: https://fredsdiner.net/

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Culture and Arts Reporter (she/her)
Kelsei centers arts and culture, food and identity in her storytelling. She uses her professional experience and editorial skills to focus a community-first mindset and a strategic approach to her reporting. Kelsei’s previous reporting experiences include food, community and culture coverage at 225 Magazine in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kelsei is a recent alumna of Northwestern University and a 2023 graduate of Jackson State University.