This Quirky New Hampshire Cafe Serves French Toast That Feels Like A Full Brunch Adventure

A breakfast plate called the French Toast Monster Breakfast exists, and my brain refuses to think about anything else. Brioche French toast, two eggs, breakfast meat, home fries, and real maple syrup all share one table.

That’s not a meal. That’s a group project.

The room around it sounds just as bold. Old board games, Kewpie dolls, vintage Orange Crush ads, and red walls compete for attention.

My guess is the decor wants a seat at your table too.

I love that this New Hampshire spot leans fully into being a little odd. Mismatched plates?

Sure. Weird old toys watching you eat?

Why not.

It also happens to be the original home of a breakfast brand that grew across New England. So how did one funky little cafe turn French toast into a full brunch adventure?

The Monster Breakfast Earns Its Dramatic Name

Some breakfasts whisper good morning. The French Toast Monster Breakfast at The Friendly Toast basically kicks the door open and announces itself.

Here’s what lands in front of you. Brioche French toast arrives with powdered sugar and whipped butter on top.

Then come two eggs cooked any style you like. You also pick a breakfast meat, and home fries round out the plate.

Real maple syrup finishes the job, which matters in New England. Fake syrup around here would feel like a small crime.

Prefer pancakes instead? The Monster Breakfast lets you swap the French toast for pancakes, so nobody gets left out.

My favorite part is how it solves the oldest brunch argument. Sweet or savory?

With this plate, you simply say yes to both.

A smart move is to show up hungry but not starving. Starving people order extra sides, and this plate already covers a lot of ground.

Sharing is also an option if you want room for something else. Honestly, though, I can’t imagine handing over the French toast without a fight.

Smaller French Toast Orders Still Count As A Win

Not every morning calls for a monster. Sometimes you just want French toast without eggs, meat, and potatoes crowding the plate.

Good news, because the menu has you covered. You can order Two Brioche French Toast or One Brioche French Toast instead.

That flexibility is handy in a few ways. The single order works nicely as a sweet side next to a savory plate.

Picture a Benedict on one side and one slice of French toast on the other. That’s what I’d call a balanced breakfast, at least in spirit.

Brioche is a rich, soft bread, which makes it a classic choice for French toast. It soaks up the good stuff without falling apart.

Families can use the smaller orders well too. Splitting a couple of slices among the table lets everyone try a bite.

My advice is to think about your whole plan before ordering. Want to sample several dishes?

Go small on the French toast and wide on everything else.

Either way, you still get that brioche moment. And that moment seems like the whole point of coming here.

Kewpie Dolls And Orange Crush Ads Are Watching You Eat

Red walls set the tone right away. Then the details start piling up, and your eyes get very busy.

The decor at The Friendly Toast mixes old board games, vintage Orange Crush ads, and Kewpie dolls. There are weird old toys and some slightly creepy pictures too.

It all adds up to a 1950s diner feel with a kitschy twist. The look lands somewhere between cool and a little spooky, in the fun way.

Mismatched plates and cutlery add to the charm. Your coffee mug might not match your neighbor’s, and that’s kind of the point.

I like how the room gives you something to talk about. Waiting for food feels shorter when a vintage doll is staring at you from a shelf.

Kids will probably love scanning the walls for odd finds. Adults might spot old ads or games they remember from childhood.

Bring a phone with some battery left. Odds are good you’ll want photos of the strangest thing you spot.

Just don’t blame me if one of the creepy pictures follows you home in your dreams.

The Rest Of The Menu Refuses To Play Second Fiddle

French toast may be the headliner, but the opening acts are loud. The menu is big, bold, and made from scratch.

Chicken and waffles sit near the top of the list for many fans. The Crispy Pimento Bowl brings buttermilk-brined chicken, smashed potatoes, house pimento cheese, and Calabrian hot honey sauce.

Creative Benedicts are another strong lane. You’ll also find breakfast plates, bowls, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and salads.

That range helps when your group can’t agree. One person wants pancakes while another wants a burger at 9 a.m., and everyone wins.

Breakfast is served all day, which feels like a small gift. Late risers deserve eggs too.

Seasonal specials pop up as well. Pumpkin Pancakes with caramelized cinnamon, vanilla cream cheese icing, and cinnamon whip have appeared in the fall.

My tip is simple. Check for a special before you lock in your usual order.

Specials don’t stick around forever. Missing a pumpkin pancake season would sting a little.

Nobody Gets Stuck Ordering Plain Toast

Dietary needs can make brunch tricky. Here, the menu actually plans for them instead of shrugging.

You’ll find gluten-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free choices on the menu. Staff can also help guide you through allergy needs.

That’s a big deal for mixed groups. One friend eats everything, another skips dairy, and nobody has to settle for a sad side salad.

Vegan options get plenty of attention at this location. Avocado toast shows up as a popular pick too.

My advice is to speak up early when you order. Let your server know about allergies so they can point you in the right direction.

Asking questions isn’t being difficult. It’s being smart about your meal and your safety.

The same goes for swaps on familiar dishes. Small changes can turn a plate into something that fits your needs better.

Honestly, it’s refreshing when a quirky place takes food needs seriously. Fun decor is great, but feeling cared for matters even more.

Coffee Drinks Show Up With Their Own Personality

A big breakfast deserves a solid sidekick. At The Friendly Toast, the drink list holds its own.

Coffee and espresso drinks cover the caffeine side of things. You can also choose from flavored iced coffees and cold brews, including a strawberries-and-cream cold brew.

Not a coffee fan? The menu includes zero-proof sips, so you still get something fun in your glass.

Strawberry lemonade is one drink worth keeping in mind. It sounds like a sunny pairing for sweet French toast.

Here’s a little strategy for you. Pick a bold drink if your plate is sweet, and something bright if your plate is rich.

Kids can grab simpler options too. Milk or juice makes sense next to a stack of pancakes.

However you sip it, the drink can turn breakfast into more of an event. And events are kind of this place’s whole thing.

Getting In Line Online Is Your Secret Weapon

Weekends get busy here, and that shouldn’t shock anyone. A place this fun doesn’t stay quiet for long.

The good news? You can get on the list for a table online before you arrive.

That one step can save you a lot of standing around. It’s like reserving your spot in the brunch adventure ahead of time.

Hours run from 7:30 a.m. daily. Weekdays wrap up at 2:30 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday stretch until 4 p.m.

Early birds have a real edge. Showing up near opening is usually a smart move on busy days.

Families will find it welcoming too. There’s a kids’ menu, and the playful setting keeps little ones entertained.

One practical note for groups: plan bathroom breaks wisely. There are only two restrooms, so a short line can happen.

Planning ahead won’t remove all the bustle. But it does turn a possible wait into a smoother morning, and that’s worth a lot.

A Little Cafe With A Surprisingly Big Backstory

Back in 1994, The Friendly Toast started out in Dover on Chapel Street. It then hopped briefly to Kittery, Maine, before landing in Portsmouth less than a year later.

That makes the Portsmouth spot the original flagship. Everything else grew from here.

Founders Melissa and Robert Jasper opened a second location in Cambridge, Massachusetts, around 2009 or 2010. Later, the business changed hands.

Eric Goodwin took ownership in 2014. Since then, the brand has grown from two locations to 14 across New England.

Pretty impressive for a place decorated with Kewpie dolls. Clearly, quirky sells.

Recognition followed the growth. Esquire Magazine named it one of the best breakfast places in America.

It also ranked 4th in Good Morning America’s Best Breakfast in America contest. That’s national attention for a New Hampshire original.

I love knowing a spot’s roots before I visit. Eating at the flagship feels a bit like seeing a band in the town where they started.

Walk Off That French Toast In Downtown Portsmouth

Breakfast is done, your plate is empty, and now you need to move. Luckily, the location makes that easy.

You’ll find The Friendly Toast at 113 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801. It sits right in the heart of downtown.

Market Square is just a short walk away. Shops, art galleries, and historic streets are all close by.

The waterfront is also within easy reach. A stroll by the water sounds like the perfect follow-up to a monster breakfast.

My plan would be simple. Eat first, then wander until the syrup wears off.

Portsmouth is one of New Hampshire’s most walkable downtowns, which helps a lot. You can park once and explore on foot.

Got visitors from out of town? This makes a great half-day plan with zero stress.

Start with French toast and kitschy decor, then browse local shops and galleries. By lunchtime, you might even be hungry again, and honestly, no one would judge you for heading back.