Driving down South Marietta Parkway, it’s easy to overlook The Red Eyed Mule. Operating in a former Huddle House location and surrounded by an assortment of body shops, used car lots and nondescript commercial buildings, the small restaurant is out of sight in the blink of an eye.
So, be on the lookout for this tiny and terrific dining spot, especially if you’re in the mood for great biscuits, a variety of breakfast options, and a lunch menu focused on outstanding burgers.
We stopped in to Red Eyed Mule on a busy weekend morning. The parking lot was nearly full and a constant flow of hungry folks were stopping in for carryout orders. We were lucky, timing our arrival to catch the last parking spot. Then we snagged a table right away as several small parties finished and left simultaneously.
Order Up at Red Eyed Mule
Our luck continued with an outstanding and filling breakfast, perfect for starting off our busy weekend activities. While one of us saved our table, the other ordered up the goods. Our order: a smoked and grilled pork tenderloin breakfast biscuit topped with fried egg and tomato, a BLT, and accompanying sides of grits and sweet potato fried.
Even while the place was packed, our food arrived quickly, fresh off the grill. When my biscuit basket was placed on the table, the expansive biscuit and bigger pork tenderloin nearly covered the entire surface. OK, that’s a slight exaggeration, but they were seriously HUGE!
But while size matters to me at breakfast, the flavor really was the highlight. The smokey grilled pork tenderloin blended perfectly with the fried egg atop the fluffy biscuit. I was worried about the tomato, concerned that the acidity might not work with the breakfast dish. But I was wrong, as it blended wonderfully with the breakfast bite.
Across the table, my wife refused to speak to me! But only because she was so busy devouring the BLT and the hot, perfect potato fries. When I reached for a few potatoes, I nearly lost a hand! That’s how possessive and protective she was for the tasty orange strings.
More Than Breakfast
Now, Red Eyed Mule is a breakfast-and-lunch-only restaurant, closing at 2 pm each day. And we’ve only visited for breakfast. Among the other popular breakfast items the Southern Breakfast Burrito and Chicken and Waffles top the list. Both are hearty breakfast options.
The burrito features a flour tortilla filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, savory sausage or bacon, and melted cheese. A side of salsa or creamy hollandaise sauce accompanies the dish. The chicken and waffles are a classic breakfast favorite. The Mule’s crispy fried chicken is paired with fluffy Belgian waffles, topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
For us, it’s the biscuits that bring us back. Light, fluffy, and buttery, with a perfectly golden exterior, they practically melt in your mouth. And the generous sizes make a satisfying breakfast or brunch accompaniment, even if you carry half a biscuit home with you.
For those seeking a lighter breakfast option, the Avocado Toast at Red Eye Mule is a standout choice.
A lunchtime return is high on our list. We can’t wait to try the Mule Burger, a true crowd-pleaser based on word-of-mouth and reviews. It features a juicy, hand-formed beef patty topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, tangy pickles, and a special house sauce.
Also tempting: the fried chicken sandwich, accompanied by house-made slaw, pickles, and a zesty sauce, which sounds like a satisfying balance of crunchy and tangy elements.
Pimento Cheese Fries!
Whatever we order as a main, it will be accompanied by the pimento cheese fries. A Mule-regular favorite the crispy, golden fries come generously topped with a creamy and cheesy pimento sauce that adds a bold and savory twist to this classic dish.
Of course, you can order anything on the menu anytime, so you don’t have to be bound by our conventional meal selections. You do you. But just don’t miss the Red Eyed Mule when you’re in the area.
And, one more note. There’s an outdoor eating area that’s perfect in the morning for enjoying breakfast and coffee. And even though it was in the low 60s when we enjoyed our breakfast, there were quite a few folks who chose one of the outdoor tables with their families and pets.
