When breakfast is this good, people plan their whole morning around it. Matt’s Big Breakfast in downtown Phoenix has that magnetic pull, the kind that makes you set an early alarm and power through the line with a grin.
From crispy hash browns to fluffy griddlecakes, the kitchen nails the classics with honest ingredients and serious care. If you are hungry for a true Arizona favorite, this spot is worth the detour and the wait.
Why Matt’s Big Breakfast draws statewide crowds
You can feel the buzz the second you step in. The room hums with clinking coffee cups, quick hellos from the team, and that unmistakable scent of bacon and hot griddle.
It is not fancy, just confident, a place that knows exactly who it is and what breakfast should taste like.
People drive from across Arizona for the hits: steak and eggs on Sundays, thick-cut bacon, golden waffles, and those famous hash browns. The menu reads straightforward, yet each plate lands with care, from house strawberry preserves to fresh-squeezed orange juice.
You get warm service, quick refills, and an easy rhythm that keeps the line moving.
Prices sit in that sweet spot for quality and portion size. The portions are generous without feeling gimmicky, and there is comfort in knowing the kitchen respects basics.
It is old-school diner spirit with modern consistency, right in downtown Phoenix.
Expect a wait at peak hours, but also expect your patience to pay off. Come early, grab a seat inside or outside, and make room for jam on sourdough.
By the last bite, you will understand why locals bring out-of-town friends here first.
Essential details: hours, location, and vibe
Find Matt’s Big Breakfast at 817 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ, right in the Roosevelt Row area. It is open daily 7 AM to 2 PM, which means breakfast is the mission and midday is the cutoff.
The vibe hits bright and cheerful, a sunlit space where crews work as a team and tables turn fast.
Inside, you will catch the clatter of plates and fast friendly service. It can get loud, especially during weekend rushes, but there is energy to love and seats outside when weather cooperates.
Parking is limited, so consider rideshare or nearby garages if you are timing a prime hour visit.
Expect a wait on busy days, though weekday mornings can be surprisingly breezy. The staff communicates well and keeps the line moving with a team-service approach.
Once seated, coffee appears quickly and refills come without asking.
Prices hover in the mid range, great for quality and the portions you receive. Whether you sit solo at a counter-style spot or tuck into a table, the experience feels friendly and efficient.
Think classic American breakfast with a Phoenix heartbeat, and a room designed for hustle without losing warmth.
What to order first: the greatest hits
Start with the plates regulars rave about. Steak and eggs on Sunday is a ritual, cooked right and paired with crisp hash browns.
Thick-cut bacon walks that line between chewy and crisp, and it is easy to add a single griddlecake for a sweet finish.
The waffle is a sleeper favorite, especially with the house strawberry preserves. Sourdough toast with preserves is its own moment, too, especially when you want something simple and perfect.
If you love savory, the Chop and Chick pork chop and eggs is a fan pick that leans peppery and hearty.
Hash browns deserve their own spotlight. They arrive golden, crunchy at the edges, and tender inside, a true throwback to diner happiness.
Pair with eggs your way and you are set before lunch even starts.
If you are in a sweet mood, griddlecakes or blueberry pancakes hit that balance of fluffy and lightly sweet. Add bacon or sausage to round it out, and do not skip the orange juice.
It is fresh-squeezed and bright, the kind of sip that makes the whole spread sing.
Insider timing: beating the line and getting a table
Arrive right at opening if you want that easy, breezy seat. Weekdays at 7 to 8 AM are golden, with quick seating and your food landing fast.
On weekends, come early or closer to 1 PM to avoid peak waits.
Bring a small group if you can. Twos and solo diners usually slide in sooner than larger parties, especially during rushes.
The team-service style helps, but a packed room still means a short pause.
Check the day’s specials before you go, especially if you are eyeing steak and eggs on Sunday or the Wednesday corned beef hash. Knowing your order speeds things up and keeps your table flowing smoothly.
If there is a line, it tends to move steadily as the staff turns tables efficiently.
Parking can be tight downtown. Consider rideshare and stroll in with coffee-level patience.
Once seated, you will see why the pacing works: fast refills, quick check-ins, and an organized kitchen that keeps plates moving.
Hash browns, preserves, and the sides that make the meal
The sides here are not an afterthought. Those hash browns are textbook crispy, with a deep golden crust and a soft center that soaks up runny yolks.
You can taste intention in every forkful.
Sourdough toast lands thick and warm, turning into something special with house strawberry preserves. The preserves are bright, just sweet enough, and you will be tempted to ask for an extra ramekin.
Bacon fans will appreciate the thick-cut slices that deliver flavor without falling apart.
If you like to build your own plate, add eggs your way and a side of sausage or the chicken apple sausage when available. The balance of salty, tangy, and sweet keeps everything lively.
Pair with fresh-squeezed orange juice for a clean, citrus finish.
For a table to share, order a short stack of pancakes as a communal dessert. Split bites between savory and sweet and you will understand why regulars lean into sides.
They tie the whole breakfast together, turning a simple order into a complete experience.
Sunday steak and eggs and weekly specials
Sunday belongs to steak and eggs. The kitchen nails doneness, pairs it with a generous heap of hash browns, and keeps the plate honest.
No frills, just the seasoning and sear you want.
Watch for weekday specials, including the much-loved anniversary corned beef hash on Wednesdays. It is a limited-time star, and regulars plan their visits around it.
When it pops up, sourdough and preserves on the side make it sing.
If you are not into beef, aim for the waffle or pancakes and add bacon for crunch. You can always mix sweet and savory and still leave full.
Specials rotate, but they always feel connected to the core menu rather than fussy experiments.
Ask your server what is running that day and decide from there. They know the kitchen’s sweet spot and will steer you right.
Whether it is a hearty plate or a lighter combo, you will hit the table smiling by the second bite.
Service culture: team approach and consistency
One reason Matt’s works is the team-service model. Everyone checks on your table, so coffee stays topped off and questions get quick answers.
You feel looked after without waiting for a single server to return.
Even when the room is full, the system keeps plates moving. Hosts communicate with the floor, cooks fire in rhythm, and bussers reset seats in a flash.
The pace is brisk but never rushed, and that matters when you are hungry.
Most visits include friendly banter, clear menu guidance, and honest wait-time estimates. If something is not your favorite, say so, and the crew will try to make it right.
Guests regularly shout out servers by name because the attention feels genuine.
Noise can spike at peak hours, so consider a quieter weekday if that is important. Either way, you can count on consistency across visits.
It is that reliable hospitality that turns first-timers into regulars and keeps the line wrapped around the corner.
What locals say: reviews and real talk
Feedback leans enthusiastic, with praise for bacon, waffles, pancakes, and those famous hash browns. People love the fresh-squeezed orange juice and the house preserves on sourdough.
Service earns steady compliments for speed and teamwork.
On the flip side, some guests find certain items underseasoned or pancakes a bit dry without extra syrup. A few note longer waits on weekends and a loud dining room during rushes.
Pricing sits mid range, seen as fair for quality, though not bargain territory.
Steak and eggs on Sunday collects raves, and the Wednesday corned beef hash has a loyal following. The Chop and Chick is pepper-forward and hearty, which some adore and others find intense.
Avocado toast, omelets, and waffles get consistent nods from mixed groups.
Overall, the consensus is clear: food is good to outstanding, service is warm, and the vibe is bright. If you are sensitive to noise or pressed for time, come early on a weekday.
Otherwise, settle in, sip your coffee, and enjoy a breakfast that lives up to its reputation.
First-timer game plan: how to order like a regular
Walk in with a short wish list. If it is Sunday, consider steak and eggs and split a pancake on the side.
Any day, pair eggs with hash browns and thick-cut bacon, then add sourdough with preserves.
Crave something sweet-forward? Go waffle with preserves and a side of bacon for balance.
Want lighter? Try eggs with toast, add a small fruit or jam moment, and lean on fresh OJ for brightness.
You can always build with sides if you are extra hungry.
Ask the team about specials before deciding. They will tell you straight which dishes are shining that morning.
If a plate is not for you, they will steer you to a tested classic without fuss.
Time your visit early, especially on weekends, and expect efficient pacing. Keep your order simple and focused, which helps the kitchen deliver at its best.
When the check lands, you will feel like you just cracked the code for a perfect Phoenix morning.
Make it a downtown morning: nearby strolls after breakfast
After breakfast, stretch your legs around Roosevelt Row. Murals pop with color, and the morning light makes the neighborhood feel extra bright.
It is an easy walk that pairs well with a full belly and a second coffee.
If you are visiting, this is a great slice of downtown to explore without a packed itinerary. Duck into a nearby cafe for a to-go espresso or browse a small shop.
Street art and desert skies do the rest.
Keep an eye on the weather and bring water when heat ramps up. Phoenix mornings can be gentle, but midday turns fast.
That is why the 7 AM to 2 PM window at Matt’s fits the city so well.
Whether you are local or traveling through PHX, a slow post-breakfast stroll seals the experience. Snap a mural photo, people-watch, and file away that hash-brown memory.
It is the kind of morning that sets the tone for the whole day.
Final verdict: why this Phoenix icon is worth the trip
Matt’s Big Breakfast is the spot you recommend without hesitation. The food is dialed, the service is kind, and the setting feels like a cheerful morning ritual.
It is simple in the best way, with a focus on quality that holds steady.
You will wait sometimes, but the pace and teamwork keep things moving. Once seated, coffee finds you quickly, and plates land hot.
The menu is familiar, the execution confident, and the details make it special.
From hash browns to preserves, from waffles to steak and eggs, there is a lane for every appetite. Prices feel fair, portions satisfy, and the vibe invites a second visit.
Even picky eaters find a favorite by the second forkful.
If you are crossing Arizona, plan a stop downtown between 7 AM and 2 PM. Park smart, arrive early, and bring a friend to split something sweet.
You will leave full, happy, and already plotting the next morning you can make it back.