KNOW GOOD EATS

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★★

Coffee shop with artisan baked goods, toasts, and breakfast sandwiches

Perfect For: Baked Goods; Lunch; Casual Dining; Breakfast/Brunch

Standout Dishes: Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich; Scramble Toast; Sausage Breakfast Puff

Most coffee shops offer food of some kind, but the eats tend to pale in comparison to the lattes and cold brews. These shops understandably prioritize the coffee first and foremost, so food is either brought in from an outside source or made by people who didn’t originally aspire to be bakers.

That’s why it was so exciting when it was announced that Archetype Coffee and Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, widely recognized as one of Omaha’s best (if not the best) bakeries, were partnering to form Know Good Eats. But rather than simply import scones, knots, and donuts from Sweet Magnolias, owner Katina Talley and her team would create products specifically for Archetype.

That’s especially true at the 13th St (Little Bohemia) location of Archetype, which offers hot breakfast alongside an ever-changing line of breakfast goodies. There you’ll find artisanal toasts (both sweet and savory), breakfast sandwiches, and creative twists on breakfast baked goods that any bakery would be proud to serve.

To be very clear, Archetype is worth a visit for the coffee alone. Owner Isaiah Sheese has instilled a culture with a high attention to accuracy and detail that leads to high-quality roasts from beans all over the world. But if you need something to go with your coffee, whether it’s on the run or enjoyed in Archetype’s relaxed, modern space, Know Good Eats has you covered.

I had no doubt that Know Good Eats would nail the baking portion of the business; Sweet Mags’ accomplishments ensured that. But could it also master the savory side and execute elite cooking to go alongside the baking?

One bite of the Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich answers that question with a resounding “yes.”

The biscuit is, to no surprise, spectacular. It’s firm enough to serve as the base for the sandwich, yet still provides layers so delicate and flaky you can feel your teeth passing through them. Baked to a golden hue, the square biscuit is running with butter, ensuring it stays tender and has air pockets to help maintain its integrity.

In between the biscuit halves lie fluffy, wiggly eggs drenched in a blanket of melted cheddar cheese, and a schmear of sriracha aioli sriracha aioli is lightly applied to add some creaminess. I’d recommend adding a thick, juicy sausage patty for a brilliant punch.

That savory sausage makes another appearance in the Sausage Breakfast Puff, Know Good Eats’ take on a breakfast hand pie. It’s basically a Pop-Tart, but it’s been crafted by an elite baker and stuffed with housemade sausage, gooey cheese, and creamy, rich scrambled eggs.

If you have time to sit down and hang out at Archetype, the toasts are an excellent option. The savory option is the Scramble Toast, which mounts buttery soft scrambled eggs, peppery arugula, and sun-dried tomatoes on a bed of tangy goat cheese spread. The soft scrambled eggs are a revelation—they’re so soft, creamy, and indulgent that you’ll find yourself craving a skillet full of them.

On the sweet side is the Strawberry +Burrata Toast. Rich, spongey, and slightly sweet challah bread is slathered with rich, milky burrata cheese, then topped with bright, sweet roasted strawberries and a sweet balsamic drizzle.

The baked goods counter at Archetype is always going to have a rotating assortment of baked goods, most of which have a fun twist on the classic. Take the Sweet Corn Coffee Cake, which adds a bit of texture and natural sweetness of corn to the traditional cinnamon-forward coffee cake.

Or the Arugula Parmesan Scone, a buttery, rich pastry laced with nutty, sharp cheese and acidic sun-dried tomatoes.

The counter is continually stocked with updated takes on strata (a layered casserole brunch dish), banana bread, donuts, scones, bars, brownies, and rolls. Whenever you visit, there’s always something new to pair with your coffee.

The salty, fatty, greasy Hash Brown Patty is a great addition to any breakfast, craveable in the most sinful way. Or if you’re OK having dessert in the AM, finish off your meal with a Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie. Thick and crispy on the outside, it remains tender and buttery within and features massive chocolate chunks. Some bites are a bit salty, but that’s a minor complaint.

Know Good Eats allows you to combine the best of both worlds: awesome coffee alongside upper-echelon breakfast, either sweet or savory. It’s unique to see a partnership like this, and that’s why you simply must experience it.