The Tahoe 10 - Basin's Best Breakfast

9) Firesign Cafe — West Shore: Staff kind of put this on the list begrudgingly. Here's why: It must be the thin air affecting the palette because, for whatever reason, folks turn off their tastebuds when they get above 6000'. No, it's true, look at some of the restaurants that have been doing business (GOOD business at that) for three-plus decades serving warmed-over freezer burn. At least for a spot whose business is brisk, Firesign is not one of the prior; and, if you go, the Eggs Benedict are worth the standard 20-min. wait.

...Everything tastes better prior to skiing — remember this, and tread lightly around the lunch menu.

8) Java Hut — Kings Beach: Skip the breakfast bagel unless you're starr-ving (it's the hard-till-toasted kind); but a white mocha and a chocolate croissant will get you goin' especially if it's the early a.m. Look out for the disaffected localish ...um... girls behind the counter. Remember: When you walk in with a 'Life is Good' shirt (you know, the one with the cartoon guy riding a bike or on a snowboard), what do you expect?!

7) Buckhorn Grill — Truckee; Wide Awake Conscious Cafe — SLT: Oh, that's right — they're both closed (boo). Only the good die young.

6) Keys Cafe — SLT: Keys Cafe gets a mention based on portion size alone. Big, fat, breakfast burritos — decent salsa and Tapatio on top (otherwise they're dry like banana). Hangover cure fo' sho'. (cue yawn).

5) Sierra Cafe at the Hyatt/Incline: As much as we hate plugging megalo-hotel, the brunch at the Sierra Cafe is way stacked (omlette station to generic Fruit Loops); it may be a Sysco nightmare — no Slow Foodies in this house ...but, you get a lotta food (buffet less than $20 for AYCE). ...So, whether you're planning intervals on Tunnel Creek or a marathon of Bloody's on the pier that day – this'll give you the best base coat for the buck in the Basin.

4) Tahoe House — West Shore: WiFi, cozy chairs, always bright, good staff, better coffee. Pastries OK, but cookies better. It's more for the camp-out-ifo-the-fire-look-at-the-snow thing.

3) Full Belly Deli — Truckee: Just for the Green Eggs and Ham. (We're sentimental – 'k).

2) Book & Bean — Truckee: Best. Coffee. In. The. Basin. ...And paperbacks too. If you have to meet someone, do it here. If you have to break up with someone, don't do it here. This place should connote good memories only.

1) Treat Box — Truckee: Homemade bagels (they don't advertise 'em, so don't go in asking for a dozen like you're at effin Noah's in Montclair). Bagel sandwich. That's all you get. Doughnut 'appetizers' while you wait. Real doughnuts — the mom's-going-out-do-get-'em-fresh-while-you-watch-Sat.-am-cartoons-feel-good kind. Two people can feast for under $10. ...And that's all you need to know.

Honorable mention: Wild Cherries — Truckee (see or be seen), Squeeze In — Truckee (biggest menu with most similar items... like Taco Bell), Brockway Bakery — Kings Beach (sentimental fave), Red Hut — SLT (best meet-up spot), Ernie's Int'l. Bakery — Incline (Hidden gem).