The mystery of the Continental breakfast.

[WDWHound]

I was in Fort Worth for a few days earlier this week to attend the annual Methodist district conference. While there, I stayed at a Days Inn which offered “Continental Breakfast”. This wondrous breakfast repast consisted of mini blueberry muffins (most of which were too small to hold more than one blueberry), mini chocolate doughnuts (freshly unwrapped from the shelf at 7/11 where they were undoubtedly purchased) and Fruit Loops. Not a bowl of fruit loops mind you, but 3 actual Fruit Loops. The cereal dispenser was never refilled during my stay, as if to suggest that three pieces of cereal were more than sufficient. To drink, the choices were “Tropico” fruit punch (what continental breakfast is complete with out that tropical feel that only a fine fruit punch can add?) and milk.

That was it. That was the entire “continental” breakfast. I’m not sure what continent it came from, but wherever it is, its inhabitants must not eat very well. It got me to thinking. I have never been to a hotel or motel where the term Continental Breakfast does not really mean “stuff we threw together on the cheap that we don’t really expect you to eat”. And how did the term “Continental” get assigned to these things? I have yet to walk away from one of these breakfasts thinking “Wow, that was a darned good Fruit Loop. I feel so continental”.

Oh well, when you are paying $41 a night (my church was covering my expenses, so I stayed at the cheapest place I could find), I suppose one can not really expect a very continental experience from their breakfast buffet. I’ll probably end up staying there again in 2 years when the conference returns to Fort Worth. Who knows, by then they may have splurged and purchased a 4th Fruit Loop!

 

[kamgen]

If you want that 4th Fruit Loop, I am sure the rate will go up to $43 a night.....heck, tell them you will pay $48 a night if they throw in burnt toast....LOL!!!

Sorry you had a bad experience, but your story was great!
And yeah, what is "continental" anyway??

Kamy

 

[delikado]

When I think of a continental breakfast, I think of an assortment of breads/pastries and coffee or tea. No meats, no eggs, not even cereal (so you were actually lucky to get the three divine Fruit Loops!). Of course the quality of the assortment varies from place to place, that's usually about it. Strange how they call it continental, though... Maybe because practically anyone will eat it, no matter what your preferences or origin (or even CONTINENT)? It should probably be called the PC breakfast!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

wow, WDWHound, 3 Fruit Loops? that was some breakfast.

"continental" refers to the type of breakfast generally served "on the Continent", i.e., Europe. when my parents were served "Continental breakfast" in their Paris hotel, it generally consisted of bread/pastries, fruit and yogurt, but no cooked foods.

 

[WDWHound]

Thanks for the info Briar Rose. I guess the Days Inn version of Continental Breakfast technically fits this definition. Creatainly nothing they offered was cooked. There was a microwave oven there, but I'm not sure why. Perhaps some people prefer their fruit punch served hot.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

I have had many a continental breakfast on my travels and I have never had muffins, doughnuts or fruit punch, think that must be an American twist!!!

They usually consist of the following:

Assortment of Croissants
Assortment of Rolls/Bread
Toast
Tea, Coffee and Fresh Juice
Hams, Cheeses, Boiled Eggs
Cereals
Jam and Marmalade
Yoghurts

I like continental breakfasts!

 

[Emmyfaye]

During the time I describe as "before we had kids, and when we used to have money", DH and I travelled to Europe on several occasions. In continental Europe (excluding England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland)- at least at the small inns and hotels where we stayed - generally a light breakfast was included in the cost of accommodation. There it ranged from terrible cafe au lait and hard as rock bread in Paris to a bountiful selection of cold meats and cheeses, hard boiled eggs, pastries, breads and rolls in the Netherlands - and everything in between. (In Great Britain, the breakfast was also included and generally consisted of eggs, bacon, toast, etc....however, in some instances it was cool, runny eggs, flabby bacon, cold toast - which made the Parisian breakfast look good in comparison!)

For a quite good continental breakfast in North America, try staying at a Country Inns and Suites or a Holiday Inn Express - in our experience, both always include several cereals, bagels, muffins, toast, yogurt, fresh fruit and juices and great coffee and tea.

We have experienced the 3 Froot Loops breakfasts at other establishments, and wonder why they bother to advertise a breakfast if they're not going to provide one...

 

[alabamaalan]

If it is a continental breakfast, I usually grab a tray and bring cereal and bagels back to the room. It's easier than bringing the kids there.

I've lucked out a few times and gotten rooms at places that offered breakfast bars so I got to have my grits, eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, waffles, etc.

All the things breakfast is supposed to be!

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by Emmyfaye
In Great Britain, the breakfast was also included and generally consisted of eggs, bacon, toast, etc....however, in some instances it was cool, runny eggs, flabby bacon, cold toast)

..... that's a cooked English Breakfast not a continental one! ...you can get some nice ones too!

 

[lazarru]

Stayed at Holiday Inn Express last weekend. Cont breakfast included cerals, muffins, fruit, stickey buns, bagels and english muffins.

 

[nativetxn]

The "continental" breakfasts I've come across at hotels usually is just sugary high carbohydrate foods.

Donuts, juice and coffee.

I take the coffee

 

[2luvbugs4disney]

I very strongly suggest Embassy Suites. Wife and I stay there whenever possible when traveling. Breakfast is cooked to order. I don't think that is contintal. Probably not. Oh well, just my tiny input.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

It's not CONTINENTAL, it's content nil. This of course refers to the nutrition level and/or taste level of the breakfast they are serving you.

 

[JOC]

We stayed at a Hampton Inn last weekend and their continental breakfast consisted of several cereals, oatmeal, biscuits and sausage gravy, boiled eggs, several different types of donuts and danishes, bagels, blueberry and banana nut muffins, variety of breads for toasting, french toast, yogurt, applesauce, fresh whole fruits, apple and orange juices, coffee and tea. Not too bad!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

On our last trip we stayed at a Drury Inn. They have a free Quick Start breakfast. It consists of hot waffles or pancakes (they have a waffle iron and they make them for you right on the spot) they also had cerials, muffins, beagles (with cream cheese and jellies) yougurt and an assortment of juices, coffee and sodas and milk. It was pretty cool and it was free! I too had expected stale donuts and stuff so I was surprised to see all this hot, fresh food. We'll be going back there when we go to Austin next month. I highly reccomend this place. Oh, and my husband's favorite feature was the free high speed internet connection in every room

 

[Eileen janice]

Let us know if they still only have 3 fruit loops when go again in two years.