There are no illusions at the Mass Avenue Restaurant. The location is in the name, and the menu items tell it like it is, from "one large fresh egg" ($3.75) to "quarter-pound hot dog with French fries" ($2.95). The prices might seem skimpy, but the guys working the grill in the morning don’t skimp on much. Take a seat at the counter and witness the heaping scoop of whipped butter accompanying the thick buttermilk pancakes ($2.50), or the chunks of cheese scattered in the tomato-and-feta omelet ($5.50).

Most egg dishes come with a choice of toast, pancakes, or English muffin, each arriving with its own generous slathering of butter. Omelets are also complemented by chunky home fries cooked with a mild seasoned salt. Three eggs strong, the omelets vary to please every palate; corned-beef hash ($5.50) or ham, sausage, and cheese ($5.95) should satisfy most carnivorous appetites, while vegetarians can seek out the vegetable-and-cheese combos ($5.50–$5.95) or the farmer's omelet ($5.95).

On the sweet side, those basic buttermilk pancakes can be jazzed up with cranberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or strawberries ($2.95–$4.95). The French toast is dipped in (what else?) butter before it hits the grill, and can be had Cape Cod–style with a cranberry glaze ($4.25). Wash it all down with a bottomless cup of coffee, trade pleasantries with the friendly folks behind the counter, and be welcomed back to this neighborhood joint where hearty breakfast is served all day.

Mass Avenue Restaurant, located at 906 Mass Ave, in Cambridge, is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (617) 864-5301.