There's something comforting about knowing that Jim's Restaurants (multiple locations, jimsrestaurants.com) exist, and that you can visit most of the locations at any time. The diner is a beacon of basic breakfast, available at dawn, noon, midnight or any point in between.
There are 16 San Antonio-area Jim's, 13 of which are open 24 hours a day. The other three open at 6 a.m. The fare is precisely what you'd expect: steak and egg plates, an array of omelettes (Western, ham and cheese, and Spanish varieties all make an appearance), as well as migas and huevos rancheros. Pancakes and waffles are also available, as are platters in seemingly endless combinations of ham, sausage, hash browns, bacon, grits and biscuits.
There are no surprises. There are no risks involved. And in the early morning — after the drunks have filtered out, but before the pre-work crowd shows up — sometimes that's just what you need. Endless coffee, a booth to yourself and a hearty breakfast you'll never tell your doctor about.
