The Breakfast Joint brings creative comfort food to Holland’s waterfront

By Kelsey Smith

What could be better than sipping on mimosas while watching the waves crash against the marina? That’s exactly what Michael Barber had in mind when opening up his new restaurant, The Breakfast Joint.

Located in Holland, in the same building as Lolo’s Bar & Grill, The Breakfast Joint will specialize in all things comfort.

“I’m very excited about this place — we really wanted to do something different and we just thought this area needed another breakfast spot,” said Tina LaFave, general manager. “It’s a beautiful spot on the water — you couldn’t ask for anything better. When you walk in, you get a bit of that vintage feel with the broken-down pingpong tables and blue AstroTurf — it’s just very comfortable and relaxing, especially with the large windows overlooking the water.”

The Breakfast Joint has plans to open in early November, and it will serve from-scratch breakfast, coffee and cocktails year-round.

“Everything is homemade, right down to the fresh-squeezed juices,” LaFave said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun — we’re going to do craft cocktails, mimosa flights, coffee drinks and bloody marys.”

The menu is far from ordinary. Mimosa French toast — egg custard-battered and grilled thick-cut bread topped with champagne-vanilla crème anglaise, candied orange compote and maple syrup — is just one of the creative combos worth trying. 

Stuffed hash browns, made with scrambled eggs, roasted sweet onions, white cheddar and maple bacon also grace the menu. 

“The food is just going to be amazing,” LaFave said. “And who doesn’t want that?”

Aside from serving up crafty cocktails and unique dishes, The Breakfast Joint ultimately wants guests to feel at home.

“You can get your laptop out and work here,” LaFave said. “You can chill with friends and family. You can be in a hurry, or you don’t have to be. We want it to be just like home — it’s going to be your cozy, neighborhood place.”

The Breakfast Joint
1862 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland