That hike to the highway every morning could now include a stopover for a hot breakfast. The new George's Grill and BBQ on Canton Road has its kitchen in high gear by 6:30 each morning to serve a succinct menu of traditional breakfast favorites.

But by lunchtime, owner George Nunez swings into high barbecue mode, dishing up plates of ribs, brisket and pork with a choice of sauces. The idea of his own place where he'd serve breakfast and barbecue brought Nunez out of retirement after 38 years in the restaurant business.

Renee Brock/AJC special (ENLARGE)
George's Grill & BBQ serves beloved standbys such as thick, rich Brunswick stew. It opens early so you can tuck into a seriously hearty breakfast, too.
Renee Brock/AJC special (ENLARGE)
Brisket with black beans, potato salad and bread.
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"I had three Mexican restaurants at one time, but that market got too crowded," said Nunez. "My last job was with Sam and Dave's [barbecue], but after a few years of being retired, I decided I wanted to do it again. And I know how to do barbecue."

It starts with breakfast

For the breakfast portion of the menu, diners can start with a full country order of two eggs, grits or hash browns, biscuits or toast and bacon, sausage, sugar cured or country ham or pork tenderloin. The three-egg, haven't-eaten-for-days platter is piled with grits, gravy, biscuits, French toast or pancakes and a meat of choice. Three-egg omelets can be stuffed with a range of meats and cheeses. Biscuit sandwiches are filled with bacon, sausage, ham or pork and can be topped with an egg, cheese or gravy.

By lunchtime, the focus shifts to barbecue. The stars are the ribs, served with either a vinegar- or tomato-based sauce. Pork, chicken and brisket are also cooked over hickory wood in a barbecue pit behind the restaurant. Can't decide? Have a platter of all three.

The midday menu features sandwiches or salads made with barbecued pork, brisket or chicken or grilled chicken. Entrees of fried chicken and meatloaf are dished up with two sides of favorites — okra, collard greens, mac and cheese, baked beans, slaw and more. Hamburgers, cheesesteaks, chicken fingers and chili dogs round out the offerings.

Nunez also prepares a daily special, usually priced around $5.95, that could be pasta or pork loin, depending on the chef's preferences. And there's a different selection of desserts each day.

Kids have their own menu of grilled cheese, chicken fingers and burgers. The small, full-service eatery has room for just 50 diners, but tables turn quickly in the mornings.

From the bar

It's all soft at George's, with sodas, lemonade, root beer, tea, coffee and hot chocolate making up the main beverage list.