So... I'm wondering if there is anyone who hasn't eaten at the Broken Yolk yet. I've been there a few times now, and particularly on weekends, this little spot gets cozy pretty fast. For those who aren't familiar, the Broken Yolk is a friendly new eatery in Powderhouse Circle, in the space formerly occupied by What's Cookin.' And from what I've been told, the Yolk is a huge improvement.
Weekday breakfast and lunch specials are perfect for the cash-strapped student. Between 7 and 11 a.m., you can buy a coffee or tea for under $2 and get a free muffin or bagel with cream cheese. Lunch specials - you can choose from one of three sandwiches daily - are a similar steal at around $5. And thanks to the generous portion sizes, you won't leave hungry.
Daily menu items feature the typical breakfast fare: omelettes, French toast, pancakes and breakfast sausages. (You can even build your own omelette - they've got some good veggie ingredients - and egg whites are available at no extra charge.) For lunch, there are plenty of options: sandwiches, wraps, hamburgers, grilled subs, salads and specialty wraps. The Greek salad wrap is a good choice for the health conscious, although it is roughly the size of a football, which makes portion control difficult.
While the menu at first glance seems a bit heavy and slightly lacking in the fruit and vegetable department, with some common sense you can navigate toward the more healthful fare. The Broken Yolk offers a variety of grilled chicken options (salads, sandwiches or wraps) that are generally good options, plus a grilled veggie wrap that sounds amazing. You can also ask for sandwiches to be made on whole wheat bread, and there are a handful of salads, too.
The big turn off for me: food arrives on Styrofoam plates, killing not only the environment, but also the atmosphere. Hopefully, this is temporary while they settle in; in the meantime, if you bring your own mug at least you can save a cup. Also, be forewarned - there is no clearly defined seating process, so get there early to avoid hovering over other diners for their seats.
The bottom line: the weekday specials and proximity to campus might get you in the door initially, but the friendly staff and the good food are worth going back for.
The Broken Yolk is located at 136 College Avenue in Somerville.
Julia McDonald is a graduate student at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is majoring in food policy and applied nutrition.
