Breakfast at The Wellsburger

A few mornings ago, my sisters, brother, and I decided to take the approximately five-mile bike ride to Wellsburg, Iowa to stop at The Wellsburger for breakfast.

Now that the Wellsburger has been open for two years, we decided it was high time to visit.  In any case, the fact that it's still in business in a small town like Wellsburg proves that the proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Roder, must be doing something right.

We were greeted by the chef, Lee Gelder (second from left below), and a group of good-natured local gentlemen eating breakfast and drinking coffee, who asked us how our garden was growing, about our concrete business, etc.  It's nice to live in a small town!

The Wellsburger, is of course, most famous for its burgers (which we should return to try some time), but for breakfast I ordered two pancakes and an egg.  Pancakes are $1.25 a piece, and an egg is a dollar.  Also on the menu are bacon, sausage, side pork, ham, toast, muffins, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, and breakfast specials that are combinations of the above.

I don't eat out often for breakfast, and when I do, my order is usually a sausage egg McMuffin, so describing exactly how I wanted my egg cooked was rather difficult...but the egg was perfect--just how I like it; I guess it's called "over hard."

My pancakes were just right as well, though my brother remarked later that he would have liked his a little more well done.  Mr. Gelder cooked himself a pancake afterwards that was almost crispy--just right in his book--I think we may have to request one like that next time.  Charity ordered French toast (see below).

The decor throughout the room was interesting.  Every few ceiling panels was covered with a couple t-shirts, some advertising other local businesses, and others with witty sayings.  There was a flag on the wall for the Iowa Hawkeyes, one for the Iowa State Cyclones, and a bumper sticker for the UNI Panthers, but I suspect the proprietors are partial to the Hawkeyes, since there was a lot more Hawkeye decor throughout the room.  

Old magazine covers, posters, and signs decorate the walls.  One sign says, "Attitude is everything: pick a good one."  My favorite is, "Don't talk about yourself...we'll do that after you leave!"  It's a fun environment.

If you're ever in or near Wellsburg, which is just off Highway 20, be sure to stop at the Wellsburger for a good meal.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 6:30 to 3:00.  Wednesday and Thursday 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 6:30 to 11:00 a.m.