This best-kept secret breakfast spot is tucked away in Towson!

Tucked away just off Washington Avenue, behind the hum of Towson’s bustling business district, lies one of the area’s most charming hidden gems, The Sassy Skillet Café and Juice Bar.

Despite its address at 502 Washington Avenue, Suite 105, you’d never stumble upon it unless you were in the know. Ironically this cozy breakfast haven is just down the street and around the corner from the breakfast location everyone knows, THB Bagelry & Deli. But once you do find it, you’ll understand why its growing fan base swears it’s worth every step off the beaten path.

Owner Glen Spurlock likes to describe himself as the “Willy Wonka of breakfast,” and it’s not hard to see why. The Sassy Skillet’s menu is full of imaginative twists on breakfast classics; hearty three-egg omelets, over-the-top shakes, and stuffed French toasts that would make anyone rethink their morning routine. But behind the creativity is a deeper philosophy that defines the Skillet: freshness, craft, and true hospitality.

Before opening The Sassy Skillet, Glen spent years managing the corporate owned coffee shops we all know as Starbucks. On the surface, he says, those companies preach customer service, but at scale, it becomes impossible to truly connect. That’s where his dream for a one-of-a-kind, independent breakfast spot began.

“I wanted the freedom to serve people the way I thought they deserved to be served,” he explains. “When you strip away the corporate rules you can adapt your approach daily based on what your customers tell you, and just focus on people.”

He credits much of his restaurant’s philosophy to southern hospitality and a family-first mindset. “When I hire, I look for three things: people who can communicate, give great customer service, and show up,” he says. “I can train anyone on the grill, but you can’t teach someone to care.”

The Sassy Skillet feels like an extension of Glen’s own home, and in many ways, it is. His wife and five daughters, who range in age from two to twenty-one are all part of the business. Even his four-year-old pitches in, chatting up guests and flipping pancakes on weekends. “We’re a family-run business in every sense,” Glen says.

The Sassy Skillet’s menu, available on getsassyinmaryland.com, features familiar breakfast staples alongside bold, creative takes. The Philly Banger Omelet is a standout, a slow-cooked trio of eggs filled with steak, green peppers, mushrooms, and melted provolone, served with perfectly seasoned breakfast potatoes. The Avocado Smash, a customer favorite, combines scrambled eggs, cheddar, avocado mash, tomatoes, and red onions dusted with everything bagel seasoning.

Then there’s Grandma’s Apple Pie French Toast, a three-layer masterpiece of cinnamon-sugar French toast stuffed with apple pie filling and topped with crumbly streusel, sweet cream cheese drizzle, and powdered sugar. It’s the kind of dish that feels like dessert at breakfast time, and no one here complains.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the “Do You Dare?” challenge is a local legend. For $25, Glen will surprise you with a chef’s choice trio of French toast or pancake creations, some on the menu, others top secret. “We get about four or five people a week who take the Dare,” Glen says. “Usually it’s couples. The guy orders it trying to impress his date while she laughs because he can’t finish it.”

What truly separates The Sassy Skillet from the crowd is its connection to its customers. There are no online orders here as Glen insists that it requires a phone call to tailor each order exactly right. And though the café doesn’t spend a dime on advertising, word-of-mouth has been its greatest marketing engine. “We get about a fifty-fifty split of new and returning customers each day,” Glen says proudly.

That personal attention extends into catering as well. The café offers made-to-order omelet bars for corporate events, holiday brunch packages, and even private after-hours celebrations like birthdays and small weddings. Groups of 10 to 12 can easily be accommodated with a reservation, and Glen personally works with each host to design the right menu.

Weekend crowds pour in between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, so calling ahead is wise. Street parking is available on Washigton Ave, or just across the street next to Banditos. Parking is allowed in the alley itself on weekends.

Glen is already dreaming bigger, hinting at a possible larger location in Towson to serve more customers while keeping the same intimate feel. He also envisions expanding The Sassy Skillet’s brand through online storytelling, sharing recipes, behind-the-scenes videos, and family moments that reflect the heart behind the food.

“The goal is always to make people feel as cared for as they did in their grandma’s kitchen,” Glen says. “That’s all I want this place to be real food, real people, and a place that feels like home.”

So the next time you’re in Towson and craving breakfast that’s a little bit sassy and a lot more soulful, skip the chain drive-thru. Head down that tucked-away alley instead, and discover why The Sassy Skillet Café and Juice Bar just might be Towson’s best-kept secret… at least for now.