East County Times Dining Guide

- Article & photo by Allison H. McAlister -

A community favorite, JAD's Caddyshack has been serving up delicious lunches and dinners to their hungry customers for more than 20 years. Now, as owners John and Diane Lake usher in a new year, the renowned Essex restaurant has begun serving breakfast as well. As of Dec. 27, 2010, JAD's Caddyshack now offers breakfast seven days a week, from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. The extensive breakfast menu includes everything from made-to-order omelets to Belgian waffles to Johns famous chipped beef and gravy. Although Diane mentioned she was still working on the permanent breakfast menu (rumored to include crepes!), two coworkers and I headed down one morning last week for brunch to sample the newest offerings from JAD's. Although there were lots of tempting options from which to choose - steak & eggs, pancakes, breakfast quesadillas, those Belgian waffles - we all opted for one of the specialty omelets. I went with the Eastern Omelet, which included green pepper, tomato & onion. One coworker got the All-American Omelet, which consists of ham and cheese, while the other opted for the Crabby Omelet, a unique creation featuring crab meat, mozzarella cheese and Old Bay topped with Cream of Crab - a breakfast for true Baltimoreans. Omelets are served with potatoes and toast, although two of us opted for the grits instead of the potatoes. (Yes, we are both from the South.) The omelets were very tasty, and the vegetables in mine were so fresh and crispy, not mushy. The grits were simply delicious. I added just a tad of butter to them, and they were so creamy and yummy. Even the buttery wheat toast was really good and cooked just right. An omelet with cream of crab on top, who would've thought? mused my coworker Packed with delectable crab meat, the omelet was superb and not too rich, like one might expect. Its a wonderful breakfast treat. My coworker also loved the home fries that were served alongside. Made fresh, Diane explained they steam the potatoes, cut them up and then doctor them up with spices. They've been a hit, as have the omelets and the chipped beef, which is served over biscuit, potatoes, toast or English muffin. In fact, another of our coworkers had enjoyed the chipped beef at JAD's just a few days before and raved about it. Were pretty excited about opening up for breakfast, Diane acknowledged. Business is picking up each day, and a lot of the regulars now come down for breakfast. Family-owned and operated, Diane and John have many of their family members working at the restaurant, as well as their JAD's Caddyshack Express location in Dundalk. Its clear the restaurant business is a labor of love for the Lake family and they are happy to be able to now serve breakfast to the community that has continued to support them all these years. If you've enjoyed going to JAD's for lunch or dinner, you must give them a try for breakfast. With great food at such reasonable prices, you'll be glad you did. My coworkers loved it so much, they went back the next day and took two other coworkers with them! JAD's Caddyshack Restaurant is located at 137 Back River Neck Road in Essex. The restaurant is open seven days a week and now serves breakfast daily from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. A senior menu, as well as Keno, is available. For more information, call 410-686-2816 or visit www.JADscaddyshack.com.