Big Bad Breakfast - Durham

We had a large party for a birthday and they were more than accommodating. The staff was very friendly and the food was great as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I found this place when visiting in November and came back today in February when we came back for another event. The service and food is always so good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is good, biscuit is the best. Service is excellent! Faith welcomed us with a very warm smile, very good service, and we will come back soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flapjacks

February 2026 – excellent “Jack” Benny and blackberry jelly. Friendly fabulous service from Giada!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went yesterday, location was nice and server was awesome but that’s about as good as the experience got for me. I ordered my meal with no jalapenos and no tomato. The FIRST time it was brought out with jalapenos, I said it was fine and that I would eat it, until I noticed something that looked like a hair fried into my food, without making a big deal, I brought it to my servers attention and she said they would remake it, and they did but this time with the tomatoes. She stated the hairlike thing that was in my food was a bristle from a grill brush. In short, my food was made incorrectly twice, and a foreign object found in food and nothing was even offered for those inconveniences. Not even a 10% off, or an offer for a next dining experience (although I won’t be back). I found that extremely unprofessional for a restaurant. Really wanted to have a new brunch option, unfortunately this wasn’t the place for me. They are also somehow hiding reviews because I don’t even see this when I’m not on my account that I made the review on.

I got the poached eggs and they weren’t great. Hubby got shrimp po boy. Mediocre at best but I did love the atmosphere. And our waitress was great!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

If you visit Duke University or Duke University Hospital, you have to stop and grab a bite!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice location, good service but the food doesn't measure up to the business name. The waitress said the biscuits were homemade, but they looked and tasted mass produced - dry and hard. The portions were small for the price and the food was average at best.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Excellent food, atmosphere and customer service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went today with my son and was seated and given menus. We sat for 25 minutes waiting for someone to at least get us a drink. We watched the same person that seated us bring other people in and immediately get their drink order. He walked by our table at least 10 times from 9:55am to 10:20am. He ignored us completely. We finally decided to get up and leave. I mentioned to another hostess what had happened and she did apologize and offered to get the manager. She said that maybe he didn’t see us. What?? I feel as though we were being profiled for our political affiliation based on how we looked. I didn’t even get to try a drop of coffee. Very disappointing.

Service: 1

mother of all biscuits - best chicken biscuit sandwich I’ve had

Order the Big Bad Skillet with a side of Sausage Gravy. Skillet was cold and greasy horrible! Side of gravy was cold, biscuit was hard and crumbly. Nothing at all was good!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3

My husband and I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. We have frequented BBB for a while as our daughter is at Duke Hospital. BBB is conveniently located about 4 blocks away from Duke University Hospital, making it the perfect place to get a bite before visiting our daughter.

The staff are attentive and kind, always taking amazing care of us. The food is so delicious! My favorite meals are the chicken and waffles and the French toast. Trust me, once you have their French toast all other French toast will be ruined for you! My husband loves the Cat Head Sandwich. You HAVE to try it with an egg, it elevates the sandwich to a whole other level.

You will not be disappointed with anything you order off the menu. We highly recommend them!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Big Bad Breakfast in Durham crushed the Shrimp & Grits. The sautéed Gulf shrimp were perfectly cooked, the bacon and tomatoes added a smoky-sweet bite, and the Carolina Grit Co. grits were rich and creamy. The red-eye gravy and tomato broth brought big, savory flavor, and the fried egg on top made it next-level comfort food. If you’re debating what to order—this is it. Our waitress Faith was excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Omgsh,Everything was absolutely delicious. You have to try the tomato gravy. The brulee grapefruit sounds awesome,will definitely try next time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5