Where to celebrate National Biscuits and Gravy Day

I grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut, land of commuting Wall Streeters, prep school attendees and breakfast orders that rarely ventured beyond a bagel and an iced — never hot — coffee, even in the middle of winter. 

For the first two decades of my life, biscuits and gravy might as well have been the title of a country song, not an actual breakfast food. It wasn’t until I was attending college in Athens, Ohio, that I first heard someone order the dish. Even then, I had no idea what they were talking about.

When I traveled south of the Appalachians, I finally met the real deal of buttery biscuits smothered with a dreamy, pepper-speckled blanket of sausage gravy. It took just one look, a whiff and a quick bite, to suddenly realize that my Nutmegger State DNA didn’t stand a chance against this unbeatable Southern dish.

Now? After a night with one too many martinis or on a morning when I need a break from my usual bagel routine, I order biscuits and gravy. Somewhere between Connecticut and Florida, I developed a full-on hankering — a phrase I never thought I’d say — for the most comforting Southern staple of them all.

When National Biscuits and Gravy Day rolls around on Dec. 14, you'll find me at one or more of the following places.

The Toasted Yolk

3750 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-444-0049; 6562 University Pkwy Suite 150, Sarasota; 941-210-4105; 5502 Cortez Road W, Bradenton; 941-242-1590; TheToastedYolk.com

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Smothered and Covered: I can't wait for my mom and our family dog Zoey to come down in the new year so we can continue making so many morning memories here. No only is their menu stacked, but they have a dog menu too. I won't share the biscuit and gravy ($10.29 and up) with my pup, but she can stare at the two buttermilk biscuits smothered in that gorgeous country sausage gravy all she wants.

Let’s Get This Gravy: Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought to bite into the Southern fried Arnold ($16.89) but when my husband ordered it, I needed a taste. Two biscuits topped with two hand-battered chicken tenders, two poached eggs and covered in that one-of-a-kind gravy.

Food + Beer

4804 14th St. W, Bradenton, 941-751-2675; 5446 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-444-7823; 6529 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 941-952-3361; 1525 Fourth St. Unit B, Sarasota, 941-444-1101; and 301 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 941-867-3780; EatFoodDrinkBeer.com

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Smothered and Covered: Craving an out-of-this-world brunch? I found it with a slew of sausage gravy options. The original biscuit and gravy dish ($8) is served with two Southern-style biscuits with homemade sausage gravy. Get crazy and add pepper jelly for $1 or dine on the dish, "Drop It Like It's Hot Benny" ($14) with Nashville hot chicken, pickles, sausage gravy, sunny-side-up eggs and biscuit.

Let’s Get This Gravy: Don't hop off the gravy train yet, foodies. The epic brunch burger ($11) calls for stretchy pants and an appetite. Made with ground beef and topped with American cheese, bacon, a fried egg, sausage gravy, sriracha syrup and sandwiched within a biscuit, this entrée is a whole lot of flavor — especially with the side of Cajun potatoes.

The Breakfast House

1817 Fruitville Road, Sarasota; 941-366-6860; SarasotaBreakfastHouse.com

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Smothered and Covered: Owner Wendy Lee opened up this breakfast spot in a colorful cottage in December 2009. Nearly 16 years later, the number of patrons has tripled but the sensational flavors of the restaurant's plates remains. Their take on biscuits and gravy ($9.99) comes with grilled biscuits topped with sausage gravy. Might I say *chef's kiss!*

Let’s Get This Gravy: I'd be remiss not to mention that there are at least eight varieties of pancakes to choose from in the pancake parlor. From lemon lavender ($15.49) to candied bacon-pecan ($13.99), your sweet tooth will thank you later.

Sage Biscuit Cafe

6656 Cortez Road W., Bradenton; 941-405-4744; SageBiscuitBradenton.com

Smothered and Covered: This eatery's house specialties include smoked salmon ($13.99), which my sister and our late dad would order in a heartbeat. But today we're here for the gravy, baby. Sage biscuits and gravy ($10.99) are smothered in Chef Joe's awesome sausage gravy and served with potatoes, grits (yes, please) or fruit. 

Let’s Get This Gravy: Becca's chicken biscuit ($12.99) takes the biscuit game to the next level. Hand-breaded chicken topped with pickles, American cheese and served on Sage's own bun-sized biscuit with "helleer sauce" (spicy bourbon) or honey mustard. Add bacon or jalapeño bacon for $2.

Buttermilk Handcrafted Food

5520 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota; 941-487-8949; Instagram.com/ButtermilkHandCraftedFood

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Smothered and Covered: This hot spot was one of the first hits on my mission to find a biscuit unlike anything I had ever tasted before — you know, the real deal, and this is it. Nearly a decade ago, I found this biscuit oasis when I moved to Sarasota for what I thought was going to be a short stint and surprise — I'm still here, making memories and finding new foodie favorites. Order a buttermilk biscuit with bacon, sausage gravy and baked egg ($9.15) and thank me later.

Let’s Get This Gravy: At Buttermilk, there is something for everyone on the menu. Keep it simple with biscuits and Florida honey sandwiches ($5) or stray from the rest of this article and stay healthy with yogurt, fresh fruit and granola ($6) and add chia if you'd like for a $1.