Brekki Brekki–To those of us who were around in the mid 70s, those two words might dredge up recollections of the citizens band (CB) radio vernacular. Maybe even the Chuck Norris movie “Breaker! Breaker!” with its perfunctory butt-kicking. Though I pride myself on having a sesquipedalian vocabulary, I had never heard the term “brekki” used as slang for breakfast” until watching the Irish television series “Jack Taylor.” My research revealed “brekki” is not an Irish term for breakfast, but is in Iceland. Yes, Iceland. Jack Taylor’s backstory didn’t involve a stint in Iceland. So, where did the Irish detective pick up the term. Closer to home, why would a Duke City restaurant specializing in breakfast name itself “Brekki Brekki?”
Paula, our delightful server didn’t know. She believes the term is Italian for breakfast, but verifiable evidence doesn’t seem to exist on the omniscient internet. It’s conceivable the restaurant’s name is meant as a mnemonic, a word pattern designed to help people remember it. At the very least, it’s a cutesy term. Owner Robert Punya, who also founded and owns Poki Poki Cevicheria seems to like duplicated names. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Robert, you’re undoubtedly acquainted with his restaurant empire. In addition to owning Poki Poki Cevicheria, he owns The Sweet Cup (scratch-made desserts, boba tea and espresso) and is the operations manager of Sushi King and Thai Boran. Robert’s mother Kathy Punya has launched several successful restaurant concepts throughout Albuquerque over the past two decades.
Whatever the reason for the name “Brekki Brkeki,” both the name and the concept seems to be working. Our inaugural visit took place on a Saturday at just past 2PM. Both the parking lot and the restaurant were near capacity and so was the expansive patio during an uncharacteristically warm October day. Brekki Brekki is not especially commodious, but such is the cacophanous din that only at a Lobos basketball game is the atmosphere comparable. This is not a restaurant in which normal conversational tones are possible. Okay, maybe I’m just showing my advanced geriatric progression. It’s only loud if you’re old and cranky. Brekki Brekki is a place where you’re practically guaranteed to have fun while enjoying a very good breakfast or lunch. You’ll be well served by a very friendly, energetic (and very attractive) staff.
Contrary to its name, Brekki Brkeki’s motto is “This ain’t just breakfast.” The menu elaborates: “Nestled in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights with a stunning garden patio, Brekki Brekki is the perfect spot to start your day or relax with friends. We offer a cozy blend of breakfast joint and lively bar, ideal for any occasion. Enjoy a light brunch, a hearty meal, or a refreshing drink, including locally brewed beer and cider from Cantina Craftworks. Discover why Brekki Brekki is fast becoming Albuquerque’s favorite brunch spot. Visit us today and elevate your breakfast experience!”
Brekki Brekki offers a comprehensive menu of breakfast, brunch and any-time-of-day favorites. A lucky thirteen categories of items is a delight to peruse: sandwiches, burgers, flat breads, salads, hash, French toast, crepe, waffles, kids, sides, benny, traditional and biscuits. Only the “sides” and “traditional” categories list more than five items. A handful of New Mexican breakfast favorites is also available: green chile cheeseburger, breakfast burrito, brekki chilaquiles, vegan burrito and pozole are available for those of us who like to start the day off with chile.
In addition to studying the menu and asking Paula for her recommendations (most of which she deemed “awesome,” we asked a young and in-love couple on an adjacent table what they enjoyed most at Breki Breki. Unlike some Generation Alpha youth, they didn’t look at us like we have the “cooties.” Nor were they so immersed in their smart phones that they didn’t even converse with one another. It made us hopeful for America’s future. After we chatted them up, we ordered biscuits with butter and Brekki Brekki’s signature jam, a composite of various berries. The biscuits were neither fluffy nor tall. In fact, they were rather reminiscent of English muffins, both in texture and in flavor. Not that we cared that much. Once slathered with butter and jam, they were quite good.
Taking my cue from the young lady at the adjacent table, I ordered the pork belly benny from the “Benny” section of the menu. As you’ve undoubtedly deduced, “benny” is a hypocorism, a shortened form of a word or name for “Eggs Benedict.” There are four bennys on the menu: traditional (eggs benedict with poached eggs, pecan wood ham, and hollandaise on an English muffin. Served with pickled kale salad and smash potatoes), crab (chorizo remoulade, celery twist, and old bay), brisket (12 hour smoked brisket) and pork belly. The pork belly benny featured two open-face biscuits, each topped with crispy, fatty pork belly (though not quite enough of it) and a poached egg dusted with mild red chile. The biscuits are slathered with a red pepper glaze which imparts sweet notes and very little (if any) heat. Also on the plate was a pile of addictive roasted potatoes and a small kale salad. Save for a penurious portion of pork belly, the pork belly benny was a hit.
My sweet-toothed bride also struck gold with her order, a cinnamon crepe filled with caramel, slathered with caramel and with a side of caramel. Two picture-perfect golden crepes topped with whipped cream and a cinnamon breakfast cereal (which Jerry Seinfeld could probably name) looked almost too good to eat. My Kim could manage only one of the two crepes (with a tiny assist from her husband), but the crepe showed itself just as good the following day. There are four crepes on the menu, all sweet. If they’re all as rich and delicious as the cinnamon crepe, Brekki Brekki may make crepes competitive with New Mexico’s sacrosanct breakfast burrito.
On those rare days in which chile-laden breakfast isn’t what you’re craving, Brekki Brekki offers wonderful alternatives that make getting up in the morning (or afternoon) something to look forward to.
Brekki Brekki
8338 Comanche, N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 308-8771
Website | Facebook Page
LATEST VISIT: 26 October 2024
# OF VISITS: 1
RATING: N/R
COST: $$
BEST BET: Pork Belly Benny, Cinnamon Crepe, Biscuits with Butter and Jam, Coffee
REVIEW #1429
For what it’s worth, I was under the impression that brekkie originated Down Under. I first heard the term in an Australian sitcom series many moons ago. The series told stories of folks working the land and cattle stations. This was before the ubiquitous availability of closed captioning, and I’ve always wondered whether this call to eat was spelled “brekie,” “breaki” or some other variation. It doesn’t matter as I only use the word to call my cats for their first meal of the day.
I got a chuckle out of “delight to peruse: […] waffles, kids, sides […]” 🤣