First Watch is a full service breakfast hot spot that includes the requisite bacon and eggs.

If you listen to your doctor, a healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day — the best time to fuel up and jump start your metabolism. The bests breakfast spots in Dayton don't always serve up the fare your doctor would prescribe, but don't you find that's often true of many of the tastier options to tempt you when dining out?

1. Tank's Bar & Grill

• Basics: 2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton [Map]
  Call (937) 252-2249
• Why it rates: Tank's is a full service bar with terrific food, which, depending on the day and time, includes a breakfast that edges out the competition. And this particular morning menu is just the stuff your doctor warned you about. Deliciously dangerous, it would leave you wanting more of the hearty, buttery eggs, cheese, potatoes or whatever else you're having, if the portions weren't already so large to begin with. The omelets here come in regular and girlie. Our advice — stick with the girlie, it's sure to fill you up every time. If you're feeling particularly celebratory, order up a Mimosa and really get the day started off with a bang.
• Your take: Rate this restaurant or write a review

2. First Watch

• Basics: 4105 E Town and Country Rd., Kettering [Map]
  Call (937) 643-4077
  2824 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Miamisburg [Map]
  Call (937) 435-3127
  2614 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn [Map]
  Call (937) 431-9150
• Why it rates: This is a full service breakfast hot spot that includes the requisite bacon and eggs, but also extends itself with a selection of healthy, low-fat items including the tri-athlete omelet made with egg whites. The menu also features a broad selection of Crepeggs, Omelets and the highlight — the Chickichanga, made with whipped eggs, spicy chicken, homemade chorizo, green chilies, cheese, onion and avocado rolled in a crispy flour tortilla and topped with Vera Cruz sauce and sour cream. It's every bit as good as it sounds.
• Your take: Rate these restaurants or write a review

3. Golden Nugget Pancake House

• Basics: 2932 S. Dixie Dr., Kettering [Map]
  Call (937) 298-0138
• Why it rates: The new and improved Golden Nugget, re-opened after a serious kitchen fire in 2005 with a fresh, fancy exterior and open, bright interior that can seat more than 200. It serves breakfast and lunch, but with Pancake in the title it's should be clear which of the two they specialize in. An average meal will leave you feeling full and satisfied for around $6. We'll let the line out the door (a fairly common occurrence) speak for itself.
• Your take: Rate this restaurant or write a review

4. Mimi's Cafe

• Basics: 4402 Walnut St. [Map]
  Call (937) 426-9153
• Why it rates: Part of the Bob Evans restaurant family, Mimi's does a mean quiche backed from scratch. If you're looking for something more off the beaten path, the Huevos y Papas for $7.99 is a dish you won't soon forget … crispy potato cakes topped with salsa, green chile, cheese, eggs cooked to order and tomatillo sauce. The crab cake benedict has to be one of the most decadent ways to start off the morning.
• Your take: Rate this restaurant or write a review

5. Original Pancake House

• Basics: 1516 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton [Map]
  Call (937) 438-5720
• Why it rates: Sourdough, Buttermilk, Buckwheat, Potato, Swedish, Blueberry, Bacon, Banana, Hawaiian, Georgia Pecan, Coconut … this is the place to go when you're looking for carbs served up from a griddle in a tall, golden, delicious stack.
• Your take: Rate this restaurant or write a review

Honorable mention:

• Bob Evans (all area locations)
• No self-respecting breakfast list would be complete without a Bobbie E's shout-out and since we don't know anyone not familiar with this family restaurant chain, we'll defer to your individual description only saying it's dependable enough to set your watch by.
• Your take: Rate these restaurants or write a review

Compiled by Alexis Larsen, staff writer