Karol & Bill's Breakfast aka Breakfast PLAZA Lunch

207 NE 16th Ave

5 thumbs up

I've lived in Gainesville for 10 years. I've never eaten at Karol & Bill's until today. That means I haven't really lived in Gainesville until today. I've often driven by the little diner in the bizarre, tiny strip mall just east of Main street on NE 16th Ave, but never though much of going in. Perhaps it's because they always seemed to be closed when I drove by. Perhaps it's because it looks a little sketchy. Who knows? Well, luckily for me, today was my first venture in what will surely be a long series of lunches and breakfasts to come.

Imagine if there was a Mom and Pop Waffle House. Imagine if there was a no pretenses, old-timey diner where they haven't done a single thing to update the decor since the 50's. Imagine if you could get solid greasy spoon food at a great price right around the corner. Imagine no more. That's exactly what Karol & Bill's is.


Grab an ass-worn stool at the counter top and order yourself some goodness. I opted for the veggie omelet with American cheese spinach mushrooms tomatoes and onions with grits and rye toast all of which were EXCELLENT! (they don't use commas on their menu, so get used to it.) I honestly can say that this omelet was one of the best I've had. Look at it! No pretenses whatsoever. If there was a worldwide food presentation contest, there is no doubt that this place would come in dead last. But it didn't matter. Think back to my recent review of the Flying Biscuit. The Flying Biscuit WISHES they were Karol & Bill's. Their corporate board members spent millions on research and development to try to emulate a Karol & Bill's, yet make it fancier. That's how they failed. You can't gussy up a down home, greasy spoon, breakfast & lunch counter. Its beauty is in its simplicity.

One of my dining partners ordered the BLT with Chicken and Rice Soup. Is there anything more beautiful than a simply done BLT? The soup looked like someone's grandma made it and needed salt and pepper, but it was just right. Our other eating companions ordered bowls of oatmeal, which came out half full and with nothing visually appealing about them whatsoever. They were quite reminiscent of the gruel served in the musical Oliver, but were just fine to eat.

There is hardly a more authentic place in town. You'll surely see an old timer sitting at the counter all by himself, drinking coffee and eating a simple plate of simple food as he's surely been doing for decades. But it's simply good. I really feel like a schmuck for not having gone here before, and as I said earlier, will certainly be back again and again.