The sun is just beginning to rise over the nearby mountains as diners shuffle into Egg Works, suppressing yawns, stretching their arms, and sleepily greeting friends and family. Once they find their seat, though, the energy of the restaurant seeps into their mood. Waitresses swing by to flood their cups with steaming coffee and crowd tables with plates of cheesy omelets, spicy mexican breakfasts, and the sweet and savory crepes lauded by Rachael Ray. Others bring mason jars filled with bloody marys made with Habla Diablo hot sauce and bowls of Hawaiian-style sticky-rice breakfasts. As the sun clambers up the sky, breakfast favorites accept the stomach-filling aid of burgers, sandwiches, and the chefs' renowned Cincinnati-style chili—a hearty combination of chili, oyster crackers, and spaghetti.

Diners linger over third cups of coffee at the counters and cushy green booths of the casual dining room, watching flat-screen TVs mounted to walls where hand-painted murals from local artist Mike Miller stretch out. These paintings depict classic countryside scenes, from verdant fields to rolling mountains and New York City tour groups looking very lost.