If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then brunch is the most important meal of the week.

Whether it’s to recover from a night out or to socialize after the morning’s worship, brunch is a momentous weekend fixture. And it’s a gastronomic genre in which Burlington really excels.

For me, brunch is very nostalgic.  When I was growing up, my father would drag me out of bed every Sunday morning to go to church. I’m not exactly the staunchest Catholic, but perhaps the biggest motivation to go was the brunch with family and friends afterward.

Brunch is a unique meal — it's the only true hybrid out there in our established eating times. It provides a diverse range of options thanks to this adjunction. It’s nice for the eater to have those options, but it’s a real strain on the kitchen, who must be ready for anything from an omelet to a burger.

Food aside, brunch’s great significance is in the social aspect. It’s a time to review the events of the past week and recharge for the events in the upcoming week.

The following restaurants are ranked based on the quality of the brunching experience, in which characteristics of food and atmosphere are taken into consideration.

3. Burlington Diner

The atmosphere at the Burlington Diner is weak. Plain and strangely spacious, the interior feels more like a convention center. With improvements, it could compete with the other two. The atmosphere alone places it lower.

Its food, on the other hand, is impressive. The diner provides a large selection fit for any brunch occasion. They do corned beef-hash right, with the correct corned beef-to-potato proportion, and the cook gives it a nice crisp from the pan. The homefries, pan-fried smashed-potatoes, were dense and crispy. With the egg yolk mixed in, the homefries were my favorite part of the meal.

2. Pano’s

Pano’s is a quaint roadside diner. It’ll surprise you in its tiny size,  but once sitting in a booth or at the bar, it will hook you with its charm. You feel important here, and the service really caters to you. It’s  great for a non-morning person.

Though the menu is simple, the kitchen does it right. Omelets are the house’s specialty. I’d recommend the classic bacon and cheese omelet. I found the grits to be the best of all three restaurants. Creamy and rich. Don’t be afraid, Northerners. Give them a try. They won’t bite.

1. Grill Worx 

Grill Worx is everything I ever want in my brunch experience. The friendly old people included. The exterior isn’t much to look at, but once inside, you get the feeling that this is how brunch is supposed to be. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to Paula Deen’s table.

And it only gets better with the food. Indulge, and get something hearty. You’ve got all day to work it off. The country-fried steak with eggs over easy will stick to your ribs. This is a true Dixie-land delight.