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The Breakfast Club is more than just a beloved ’80s film with an outstanding cast and a beautifully written (and partially improvised) script. Newly opened in Des Moines, The Breakfast Club USA is a brunch restaurant in the East Village with a flavor-filled menu, creative cocktails and an eye-catching atmosphere.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is charismatic and inviting. To my surprise, the aesthetic was less John Hughes and more mid-century modern. A huge part of the 1950s was the Pop Art Movement. The walls of The Breakfast Club are covered with this type of artwork, and the rest of the restaurant matches perfectly. The walls are painted bright orange, the tables and booths are bright blue and the chairs are neon yellow. The wall behind the bar is lined with vintage thermoses and metal lunchboxes. The only hint of the ‘80s was the overhead music. They played music from popular artists like Wham!, Tears For Fears, and of course Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me).”

Although there are a few modern touches throughout like exposed brick, high ceilings and big windows, the Breakfast Club is flooded with 50s flair even down to the font in the menu. It’s written in the classic Remachine Script font, complete with the diamond shapes that are typical of the era. 

Aside from the font, the menu options are unique and flavorful. While I was there with a few friends, we tried a few different brunch drinks on the list.

 First were the mimosas. The standard signature brunch cocktail gets revamped with flavors like creamsicle, bahama and mango habanero. The creamsicle mimosa was my favorite. It took me back to childhood of eating orange creamsicle ice cream push-up pops.

The other drink we tried was The Breakfast Club Bloody, a classic take on a brunch favorite. It’s made with Tito’s vodka and house-made bloody Mary mix, and garnished with a pickle, olive and lime. Personally, I would have liked the mix to be a bit thicker, but it was delicious nonetheless. It tasted exactly how a bloody Mary is supposed to taste. There was nothing about it that stood out to me, but that’s kind of the point, right? It was just what I wanted: a good, classic bloody Mary. If you’re more adventurous, try some of the other unique bloody Marys on their menu. They even have a mango flavored one.

Moving on from the liquid breakfast, the actual food menu is eccentric. We chose four different items to try: S’more Donut Holes, Chicken and Waffle, Notorious B&G and the Bloody Mary Burger. 

Starting off with an appetizer, the S’more Donut Holes did not disappoint. The donut holes were fried golden brown, dusted with cinnamon sugar, drizzled with marshmallow cream and chocolate sauce, and topped with graham cracker crumbles. The outside was crispy and the insides were warm and soft, much like biting into a s’more. 

Next was the main course. We ordered the Chicken & Waffle, Notorious B&G and The Bloody Mary Burger. My personal favorite was the Chicken & Waffle. This thing was huge. My eyes were much bigger than my stomach when ordering this meal, but that didn’t stop me from digging in. First, the smell had my mouth watering. The combination of the syrup on top of a buttermilk fried chicken was to die for. I was already hooked after the first bite. The chicken was fried to a crisp, enough so that the syrup didn’t make the breading soggy but not enough for me to chip a tooth. The chicken itself was juicy and tender. The other half of the meal, the waffle, was equally as good. The outside was crispy, and the middle was warm and soft. The two paired together are a match made in heaven. 

Next was the Notorious B&G. This was the most interesting of the three meals, in my opinion. Another twist on a classic, this biscuits and gravy recipe is not for the faint of heart. The meal comes with two jalapeño cheddar biscuits, “ULTIMATE” gravy, topped with a fried egg and two strips of bacon. The biscuits are warm and soft, like they’re made fresh with every order. The jalapeños give them quite a bit of kick, so be wary if you aren’t into spicy food. The “ULTIMATE” gravy is unlike any other breakfast gravy I’ve tried before. To be completely honest, I’m not so sure what’s in the gravy. It wasn’t the typical sausage gravy that’s usually served in this dish, but it was still delicious. The runny, golden yolk of the fried egg added a richness to the meal, and the greasy bacon added a salty element that helped bring the whole dish together. 

Last, we tried something on the lunch side of the brunch menu, the Bloody Mary burger. What says brunch more than combining the two ends of the spectrum? The burger comes topped with pepper jack cheese, hash browns, bacon, pickles, a fried egg and bloody Mary sauce served on a challah bun. Obviously, the bloody Mary sauce makes the burger. Different than putting ketchup on a burger, this tomato-based condiment was much more tangy than sweet. It also added a little spice but not an overwhelming amount. Although very tasty, it also made the bun a bit soggy. To be fair, it could have been due to the fact that I didn’t try this one right away. The sauce had time to soak into the bun, which isn’t anybody’s fault. I think that if I were to try this one again fresh out of the kitchen, I would have a different opinion.

Overall, my experience at The Breakfast Club USA was mouthwatering and satisfying. The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was lively. This place has innovative ideas about how brunch should be served, and it’s impressing many in the Des Moines area, including me.