When I was a little girl, I begged my mom for a Barbie Jeep. You know, the pink one. I really wanted one so I ccould cruise down the sidewalk of my New Orleans East neighborhood and feel the humid wind in my hair. But because I was a child, I didn’t really have the negotiation skills I have at 29 and was promptly denied.
https://giphy.com/gifs/honda-jeep-toledo-KMNeE2MkBNJNC
I bet you’re wondering a few things:
- Why I’m still bitter about not getting the Barbie Jeep
- What this has to do with brunch
Well, fam, I went to a place for brunch that reminded me of Little Angie and her childhood and all the toys she had and all the toys she wanted (Barbie Jeep, that’s you!). This quaint, ’80s and ’90s time capsule of a restaurant goes by the name of Molly’s Rise and Shine, and it’s located on the corner of Magazine and First Street.
It’s a new spot on my list, but after a lovely Saturday mid-morning brunch with my girls (one who had a hangover so bad, she said she felt like she got hit with paint cans a` la “Home Alone”), it’s got a spot on my list now.
Molly’s Rise and Shine has an overall style is one that I can get with – perfectly arranged articles of nostalgia like old Wheaties boxes, a statue of E.T., and Disney movies on VHS tapes, just to name a few. We pointed out all the games we used to play and all the toys we wanted as kids as we waited in line to place our order, and that’s when I discovered that the same hungover/paint can friend also still remembered the Crossfire game theme song!
https://giphy.com/gifs/90s-crossfire-games-3n44tffPAW62s
We got our trophies adorned with chalkboards with our order number written on it and found a table, where we patiently waited for our meal.
Around the table, we ordered a few things: the Grand Slam McMuffin, which is exactly what you think it is – a McDonald’s-style hash brown, sage sausage, American cheese (or as they call it, fromage americain), ketchup and onions all on an English muffin; a collard greens, grits, eggs and sausage combo plate; deviled egg tostada; and the piece de resistance – a sweet potato sticky bun topped with peanuts. It’s a BYOB brunch spot – and I forgot to bring a bottle of champagne to go with their mixers – but that didn’t stop us from guzzling down a few cups of coffee and tea and sodas.
One thing I regret not getting was the bagel bite tray, complete with tomato cream cheese, pepperoni, and basil…SERVED ON A CAFETERIA TRAY. Fret not, I’ll be back for that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brc-i9ylA9T/
Between talking about our childhood and how hangovers get worse as we get older, we stopped for moments to take bites and say, “Oh, this is GOOD.” With each bite, a new and small spark of joy would appear, even if it was in the form of a perfectly greasy hash brown or a cup of coffee.
“I finally feel like a human again,” my friend said gleefully as she took another bite of her Grand Slam McMuffin.
She felt like a human and I felt like a kid again, living my best life in the ’90s.
https://giphy.com/gifs/sgswHaZw5yklq
In 2019, I told myself I would try new things — at least once — to say I tried them, and I’m glad I started that trend with Molly’s Rise and Shine, a brunch spot I never knew existed.
So, the next time you’re looking for some high quality #TBT moments on the weekend, head on over to Molly’s Rise and Shine and take a break from being an adult for just a moment.
