Let me put my biscuits and gravy credentials on the table: There was a time I seriously considered writing a coffee table book about this classic dish. With this in mind, believe me when I say that Mr T's Family Cafe in Mount Vernon has some of Washington's best biscuits and gravy.

My partner is from the East Coast, and while he's adapted fairly well to most aspects of PNW culture (for instance, he now understands what Washingtonians mean when they say "maybe" to plans) there are times he longs for classic diner fare. Indeed, though Washington is home to pilgrimage-worthy breakfast joints, it can sometimes feel like greasy spoons have been lost to a tide of elevated brunch.

Businesses like Mr T's are safe harbors for diners craving breakfasts that put one right back to sleep. Since 1984, this local gem has been the go-to purveyor of stick-to-your-ribs goodness in Skagit County. Regulars don't just return for the menu. They return for an atmosphere where old-fashioned hospitality is alive and well, and attentive waitstaff remember guests' names and orders.

But even if Mr T's servers greeted you with a kick in the pants, the merits of their kitchen might still lure breakfast lovers back. No one's messing with tradition here, and while I might occasionally wish to indulge in a miso-mushroom biscuits and gravy experience, such vogue items are nowhere in sight and I don't find I miss them.

My mother— a pancake connoisseur— gave the pancakes a thumbs up. And, in my personal experience, when reviewers measure portion sizes with their arms, you can bet you're getting your bang for your buck.

But it was the biscuits and gravy that stopped my show. At Mr T's Family Cafe, their composition is simple: the platonic ideal of a biscuit is covered by the platonic ideal of a sausage gravy. The marriage of these breakfast staples is iconic for a reason, and the kitchen here knows that the only thing necessary to take the combo from drab to fab is an inflection of indulgence.

If there's one quality that feels synonymous with Mr T's, it's attention to detail. There's nowhere to hide with down-to-earth breakfast, which is perhaps why so many nouveau brunch spots hide behind frills and gimmicks. But this Mt. Vernon institution has attained lasting power by committing to quality every step of the way, serving a reliable breakfast that will keep you and your family running back for more.

If you're visiting from out of town, consider adding Mr T's Family Cafe to your dining itinerary. Mount Vernon is easily one of Washington's most underrated small towns, and while we're drawing closer to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, it's worth exploring before the droves of tourists descend in April.

Visit Mr T's Family Cafe in picturesque Mount Vernon for a breakfast you won't forget and some of Washington's best biscuits and gravy.

What are some of your favorite greasy spoons?