Breakfast near Tyndall AFB before a shift, from Panama City

Big Mama's on the Bayou, 620 W Beach Dr in Panama City, is about 10 minutes from Tyndall AFB and opens at 6:30 on weekdays. Biscuits and gravy, country ham and cheese grits are on the menu, and most tickets are out in about ten minutes. Call (850) 784-6009 to confirm hours.

Is there breakfast near Tyndall AFB?

The honest answer is a short drive. Big Mama's on the Bayou is on the water in downtown Panama City, about 10 minutes from Tyndall AFB, not on the base. If you work a morning shift, that means leaving a little earlier than you would for a drive-through, and getting a hot plate or a biscuit sandwich in return.

Drive time depends on where you start and on traffic, so run the route once on a day off before you count on it for a shift. The lot out front is free, which takes one problem off the list.

What time can I get breakfast?

Weekday breakfast runs from 6:30 to 10:30 in the morning. Those are the posted hours and they are still being confirmed, so call (850) 784-6009 before you plan a whole schedule around them.

• Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 10:30: the breakfast menu.
• Monday through Friday, 11 to 2:30: the lunch menu, a meat and two sides.
• Saturday and Sunday from 9: brunch, with a weekend menu that is not published yet.

If your shift lets out mid-morning, watch the clock. After 10:30 on a weekday the kitchen is cooking lunch.

What travels well in the car?

Anything on a biscuit or toast. The biscuits are made by hand each morning. These are the handheld items on the printed breakfast menu:

• Chicken Biscuit, $6.99. One boneless chicken filet fried and served on a biscuit.
• Ham & Egg Biscuit, $7.25.
• Country Fried Steak & Gravy Biscuit, $7.99. The steak is stacked on a biscuit and smothered in sausage gravy, so bring napkins.
• Egg Sandwich, $5.25. Two eggs on buttered toast. Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion or jalapeño can be added for $0.99.

A whole biscuit and gravy is $7.99 and it is a fork plate. Eat that one at the table, with the sausage gravy made from scratch, never from a bag.

How do I get in and out fast?

Most breakfast tickets leave the kitchen in about ten minutes, even with a line. To skip the line, order ahead on Toast and pick up at the counter. Delivery options vary, so call and ask.

Credit cards carry a 3% surcharge that is printed on the menu. Cash avoids it.

What to order before a shift

If you have ten minutes to sit, order the Lil Mama's Special for $6.25: two eggs your way with grits and toast or a biscuit. Add country ham for $5.25, thinly sliced and cooked crisp on the flat top. Coffee is $2.99.

If you are driving straight on, take a Chicken Biscuit or a Ham & Egg Biscuit and eat it on the road. The full list is on the breakfast menu, with every price.

Big Mama's on the Bayou is at 620 W Beach Dr in Panama City. Hours are still being confirmed, so call (850) 784-6009 before you drive over.