The Lighter Side portion of Joni’s menu: two French toasts and bacon for $5.50.

NEW ULM -Joni’s in downtown New Ulm has a simple breakfast menu composed of omelets, sunrise platters, a lighter side, breakfast specials, and favorites.

The prices are affordable, the portions are large, and the atmosphere is mostly sunshine, quiet chatter, and the smell of bacon in the little diner. All of this simplicity and charm make Joni’s the 2025 Reader’s Choice best breakfast in New Ulm.

“We’re not changing anything. We’re not reinventing the wheel when it comes to breakfast. It’s just breakfast,” said owner, Joel Braun.

And that means breakfast for a good price, too. Most everything on the “Lighter Side” portion of the menu, which has food for, “when you’re not so hungry,” is under $7.50. The massive omelets, filled with all sorts of goodies from veggies to ham and cheese are all around $12.

“That’s the one thing we try to do–my goal is to try to be the best price in town with good quality good food,” Braun said. “A lot of our clientele drive that; it’s seniors with a fixed income. We like the older crowd. I mean, we’d like younger folks in here, too, but you tend to notice that anywhere in town that has coffee there’s always a handful of guys drinking it and maybe having a piece of toast, killing a good hour and a half just talking.”

Joni’s is definitely the type of place where regulars are welcome. In addition to the good food and noteworthy prices, there’s also friendly service.

“I’m glad for all of our employees. We’ve had the same staff for some time now. It’s nice to keep a crew of stable people,” said Braun who was glad to have won the award.

“It’s cool that we’ve been acknowledged that we’re good. We always thought we were pretty good, so it’s nice to know that people are recognizing it I guess,” said Braun.

Joni’s is located at 24 N Minnesota St, New Ulm. Ph (507) 359-2018 is open 7 am Tuesday through Saturday, and 8 am Sunday (but closed Mondays).