Going out to restaurants for brunch is a popular pastime for many people. Typically served from morning until midday, brunch menus often feature rise-and-shine staples as well as lunch fare, cocktails, and desserts. Although the hybrid of breakfast and lunch seems like a fairly recent invention, it has a rich history worth exploring below. 

Two Common Origin Stories

The roots of modern-day brunch vary, depending on who you ask. It could be the evolution of feasts served after hunts in 19th Century England. The spread featured eggs, bacon, and other savory breakfast foods served alongside fruit and other sugary treats. Catholics also enjoyed a hearty midday meal on Sundays after fasting, which could also be considered a precursor to brunch. 

Brunch Was First Written About in the 19th Century

A combination of the words “breakfast” and “lunch,” the term brunch was coined by British writer Guy Beringer in 1895 in his essay "Brunch: A Plea." It urged churchgoers to forgo heavier fare after services in favor of light meals. He noted brunch would encourage people to socialize and raise their spirits, which is still true today.

Brunch Became Popular Stateside in Chicago

Although restaurants across the country offer brunch service, the meal first gained popularity in Chicago in the late 1920s. In the early 20th Century, the city was a hub for train travel. Passengers would eat brunch in Chicago before making connections to other cities. Celebrities, including Clark Gable and John Barrymore, would often dine at the Ambassador Hotel’s Pump Room on Sunday. The meal gained popularity as the perfect pick-me-up on a sleepy Sunday morning.

If reading about the history of brunch has your stomach rumbling, satisfy your cravings at Ted’s Bakery in Haleiwa, HI. The family-owned and -operated restaurant offers hearty breakfast sandwiches, omelets, cakes, pies, and Hawaiian favorites like loco moco and mahi-mahi, served up against the beautiful backdrop of Oahu’s North Shore. To learn more about the selection, call (808) 638-8207, or check out the menu online. You can also connect with the restaurant on Facebook to see photos of the cuisine.