James' Breakfast and More

At James' Breakfast and More in Wrentham, customers have come to expect the unexpected.
Because at this comfortable neighborhood spot, there's nothing ordinary about the food, or the man who makes it.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "You sure my hair looks ok?"

That's James Arsenault, the unconventional owner of this unparalleled restaurant.  James graduated from Johnson and Wales and worked at plenty of other people's restaurants.  Now, along with his wife Coryn, has opened his own place, where he's able to cook whatever he likes, and dress however he wants.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "Everybody who looks at me the first time says, 'where's your Harley?'  I have a minivan, with a VHS player in it, That I drive to work everyday and I absolutely love."

James takes his cooking to the next level, because he thinks people are tired of eating the same old boring breakfast.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "Nobody wants to go to IHOP anymore, it's not that good.  Nobody wants to go to Denny's because it's generic, there's no flavor in the food.  Everybody wants something creative."

Like the Bennies with a Twist.  This fresh take on the breakfast classic features two griddled English Muffins, topped with grilled tomato, coconut crab cakes, a pair of over easy eggs, and homemade dill hollandaise.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "The combination of the extra fluffy English muffin, the grilled tomato adds acidity to the palate, the crab cake is just a totally different flavor than a normal one, and then with the over easy egg and the dill hollandaise, all of the flavors, they just really come together nicely."

Even something as simple as French Toast gets special attention here.  It's made with thick cut fresh baked cinnamon bread, topped with fresh berries, finished with homemade whipped cream, and served with warm maple syrup.

Coryn Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "It's nice to do something different, it's nice to have people come in and be like 'wow, this is amazing.'"

But nothing wow's 'em like the Cast Iron Killer.  James heats a skillet til it's red hot, then fills it with homefries mixed with peppers, onions, and Jamaican jerk seasoning, a mound of homemade corned beef hash, and a couple of butter fried eggs.  With some toast on the side and a little garnish on top, this dish is sent out of the kitchen while it's still sizzling, which always causes quite a scene.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "When it goes out the door and it's sizzling just like a fajita would, god it's just amazing.”

The restaurant is named James' Breakfast and More, and the 'more' means that they serve lunch here too.  Like the Steak Bomb with grilled steak, peppers, onions, and melted cheddar.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "It's just a juicy sloppy mess.  That's why we call it the bomb.  Because when it goes off, it's gonna make a mess."

For something a little less messy, order the Club.  And since James stuffs it with so much stuff, he only cuts it in half, not quarters, so that everything stays together and you can eat it the way a sandwich is supposed to be eaten.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "It's a sandwich, you should pick it up, and you should eat it like a sandwich.  So this turns into more of like a manwich.  And that's why we only cut it once."

Even the basic BLT gets a twist here, because you can order it three different ways.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "We call it the BLT, BLAT, BLOAT.  BLT B-L-T, simple.  BLAT, B-L-T with avocado added.  BLOAT, B-L-O-A-T which means onion and avocado added."

And no matter how you order it, since they're all made with thick cut bacon and the freshest veggies, you'll be in BLISS, B-L-I-S-S.

Desserts here are just as special as the rest of the food, because they're all made by one very special lady.

James Arsenault - James' Breakfast and More: "My mother in law.  She's the best.  Oh my goodness, I couldn't ask for a better mother in law.  I'm getting teared up here."

Teri Toubeau - James' Breakfast and More: "James is probably the best son in law anyone could ever have."

Their mutual affection is genuine, and their collaboration is delicious.  Teri does the baking, and James does the plating.  So the Double Fudge Coconut Cake tastes as good as it looks, and so does the Authentic Key Lime Pie.

Teri Toubeau - James' Breakfast and More: "The real key lime is the tart with a little bit, not too much sweet, because you got to get that mwah, that real pucker up taste with key lime, and it goes over really well here."

As does all the food, which turns first time customers into die hard regulars, at James' Breakfast and More, a Phantom Gourmet... Hidden Jewel.