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Carman's colorfully decorated exterior

With spring in the air, it’s time to shake up old routines and mix in the new and exciting. Based on its nutritional and social value, brunch should be no exception. So, if you’re in the market for entertainment to go along with your impeccably-cooked challah French toast, then look no further than Carman’s Country Kitchen in South Philadelphia.

With four to five unique seasonal options, owner and cook Carman keeps her menu simple, and it works. The Kitchen generally includes one pancake, one French toast, one omelette and one fish option, with suggested sides to go along if you’d like.

Based on the decor, however, you would be hard-pressed to call Carman a minimalist. Its colorful and kitschy decor both inside and out are as energetic as the servers themselves, and definitely will not be found anywhere else in the city. It seems like they’ve managed to fit everything but the kitchen sink into the decorating of the 1-room, corner locale.

A delicious breakfast at Carman's

Carman’s Kitchen is daring for sure (her menu’s even been home to a side of turtle before). But with all the sweet fruit toppings and the bacon (oh, the bacon!), it’s hard for a glutton to pass up this mealtime opportunity.

Carman’s Country Kitchen
1301 S. 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 339-9613

photo courtesy of Marigold Kitchen

In my opinion, there’s no better weekend indulgence than brunch. What other meal offers you the opportunity to consume sweet and savory as well as alcoholic and caffeinated, all at the same time? Philly is awash in great brunch places (my very favorite is the lox and bagel platter at Day by Day), although I find that I often fall into a brunch rut, visiting the same spots over and over again. If you’ve got a similar problem, make sure to check out some of our new (and classic) favorites over the coming weeks!

• The Loft District’s sleek Café Lift specializes in European style delicacies like a banana and chocolate hazelnut crespelle and a pesto and tomato frittata with thick home fries. 428 N. 13th Street.
• A South Philly institution, the quirky, tiny Carman’s Country Kitchen features an exotic and unpredictable brunch lineup that might easily include alligator tail or mincemeat waffles. 1301 S. 11th Street.
• Savor the city’s only traditional Irish breakfast with rashers, beans, pudding and potato bread in the sunny rooms of Ida Mae’s Bruncherie. 2302 E. Norris Street.
• The lines out the door never lie: Sam’s Morning Glory Diner is a favorite for its homemade ketchup and creative pancake specials served with a side of hot biscuits and greasy-spoon attitude. 735 S. 10th Street.
• With an emphasis on fresh, local fare, the former University City drugstore-turned eatery RX turns out classics like eggs benedict and huevos rancheros with the freshest ingredients. 4443 Spruce Street.

More brunch bets after the jump!

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