Poppies is unapologetically a Greek diner, with retail items at the counter that include Greek honey, olives, stuffed grape leaves and pistachio or almond halvah. Moussaka, layered eggplant and meat; Spanakopita, spinach and cheese pie in phyllo; and a dessert favorite of ours, Galaktaboureko, a flaky phyllo and custard pastry in honey sauce are a few of the traditional item on the menu. And, with its Jersey-Greek diner pedigree, Poppies offers the classic après-clubbing fave, crispy Disco Fries, drenched in melted mozzarella and brown gravy.
A Diner begins its day at 7 a.m., however. The Monday-Friday $8 breakfast special until 11: two jumbo eggs, any two sides and coffee. Sides go beyond hash browns and tomato slices to cottage cheese, buttermilk pancakes or a potato pancake. International Specialties include a Gyro Breakfast, which adds slices of lamb Gyro and Tzatziki sauce to a classic egg breakfast; Eggs Quesadilla, a flour tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon or ham, tomatoes, peppers and onions, with hash browns, guacamole and salsa; and Avocado Toast on challah with tomato, red onion and aioli, with two eggs any style.
“Old School’ breakfast classics include Matzoh Brei, plain or with Nova and onions; Fried Kippers and Eggs; Steak & Eggs; and an infinite number of omelets like Spanish with spicy Creole sauce and Poppies’ Deli Omelet with pastrami, salami and corned beef.
