BERWICK — When I moved to Berwick last winter, I emailed friends and acquaintances who live in the area to ask about local recreation areas, favorite bars and where to go to eat.

To a person, everyone said that I had to go to Mayo’s Family Restaurant.

MAYO’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

WHERE: 43 Route 236, Berwick; 715-0320

HOURS: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, 4 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

WAIT: Weekends are very busy, but we were seated without a wait and our food arrived within 10 minutes

PARKING: Plenty of parking in the lot

HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes

Additional Photos

Server Sue Roberge shows off chocolate chip pancakes and a farmer’s omelette at Mayo’s Family Restaurant in Berwick. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Last week, I finally followed their advice.

Mayo’s is everybody’s favorite spot for breakfast. It opens at 4 a.m. every day, and it’s busy whenever I drive by. Which is often, because it shares a building and parking lot with the post office. Whenever I pick up mail, I see people coming and going from Mayo’s. Now I understand why.

Mayo’s serves big, hearty breakfasts.

We stopped in last Friday at 8 a.m., and it was hopping. The atmosphere felt welcoming. As you walk in, the first thing you see is a huge glass case filled with freshly baked goods – sweet rolls, muffins and other sugary, luscious things that we somehow managed to resist but not without considering their temptations.

In addition to a very large counter with country-style chairs, the dining area is quite spacious. A group of about a dozen older men gathered at one large table. My companion suggested it might have been a VFW meeting, and I think she was right.

Older couples were scattered about, and there were a few tables of women. By the time we left, another table full of men had filled in.

On the walls hung Boston sports banners, photos and memorabilia. A nice touch.

We found a booth by the window, which looked out on a beautiful crab apple tree and the parking lot beyond.

Our waitress showed up within a minute of our seating ourselves and quickly brought us coffee. Moments later, she was back to take our order.

I asked for a Mayo scramble, which included eggs, sausage, onions and cheese, all scrambled together and served over a bed of home fries, with toast ($6.50). My partner ordered Irish Benedict, which included a pair of poached eggs with hollandaise sauce, served with hash on a split English muffin ($7.50). She got home fries on the side.

And 4-year-old Luke had a scrambled egg with bacon, and chocolate milk.

Everything was great. What I appreciated most about my scramble were the tiny bits of sausage, which were plentiful, and the melted cheese. The cheese held everything together, and there was enough of it that I had a nice portion with each forkful. I finished everything, but did not want for more.

The Irish Benedict was equally appealing. The eggs yolks were nice and runny, and blended with the yellow hollandaise sauce. The hash might have been from a can, which was fine with us. The muffins were not soggy, but could be cut with a fork. Very nice.

Luke barely touched his egg, but he wasn’t feeling great and was happy just staring out the window.

Mayo’s also serves lunch, but this is very much a breakfast place. Breakfast is served “all day,” but that must be explained. The restaurant is open until 2 p.m. weekdays, and 11:30 a.m. weekends.

We’ll be back. The menu is large and varied, and one of those sweet rolls was calling my name.

Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or:

bkeyes@pressherald.com

Twitter: pphbkeyes

The staff of GO samples meals for about $10.

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