Brunch-the mid-morning ritual used to either nurse your hangover or impress parents and in-laws. At its worst, brunch can be an unfortunate combination of the two, where you try to maintain some sense of normalcy. Nothing emphasizes the nausea that follows a night of debauchery like a depressed looking piece of french toast or luke warm homefries. Instead of leaving the guess work up to you and your rapidly diminishing brain cells, here's a list of our favorite places to stagger into, hold our heads in our hands, and on rare occasions, actually celebrate the fact that we've made it to a breakfast that doesn't just consist of quickly scarfing down a bagel and coffee.

Mama's
You've probably heard of it, you've probably avoided it, and at first take, you'd probably be right. But there's more to Mama's then just long lines and out-of-towners. The place may be crawling with fannypack clad tourists, but there's a reason they line up outside, only to walk right into another line to order inside. Mama's won a best breakfast award from Zagat in 2008, largely in part to their killer french toast and the excellent hollandaise on their eggs benedict. If you're planning on going to Mama's, sleep in late, straggle over to North Beach, and bring your incredibly patient visiting guests along. You'll probably have missed the worst of the rush if you wait long enough, and you can enjoy the well-flavored selections without the jostling crowds. Also, make sure to bring some spare cash, as their debit machine tends to be just as cranky as you are in the early mornings.

Mamma's Brunch: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday, with specials on the weekends @ 1701 Stockton St., San Francisco 94133

Absinthe Restaurant and Bar
Fans of Bravo's Top Chef may flock to Absinthe to catch a peak of head chef Jamie Lauren, a contestant on the show's 5th cycle, but the real reason to stop by the restaurant is for its brunch. The best part? You can order early morning cocktails without a reproachful look from your waiter. Their drinks include a large number of amazing reinvented cocktails, most with original recipes dating back to the '30s. For those of you not looking for a strictly liquid diet, the drinks aren't the only reason to stop by Absinthe for brunch. Their dishes all have a distinctive French flair, without straying to far from your brunch favorites. Some of the standouts include their biscuits and gravy, as well as their fluffy pancakes. Although a little pricier than some of the other places on this list, Absinthe combines an atmosphere dripping with high-class attitude, without a drop of pretentiousness in the service, making it a worthwhile stop when you've got some extra cash to throw around.

Absinthe Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ 398 Hayes St., San Francisco 94102

2223 Restaurant
Smartly named after its address (because who can keep numbers straight in that early morning mental fog?), 2223 Restaurant is a hip and bright little brunch spot in the Castro. While the giant flower paintings on the wall may be a bit too cheery for those of us who aren't morning people, it's hard to find something to complain about with their brunch menu. The small menu means they put thought into each dish and how it is prepared, so your favorite brunch option is destined to remain high on your list. The corned beef hash is expertly seasoned to avoid excess saltiness, and the giant cinnamon rolls are perfect for sharing. Another major plus is the service. The whole atmosphere is laid back and unhurried, especially when compared to the club atmosphere of nearby Lime. You can feel trendy without exerting too much energy

2223 Brunch: Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. @ 2223 Market St., San Francisco, 94114

Pork Store Cafe
Pork Store Cafe is what you'd expect from brunch in Haight-Ashbury. Quirky and no frills, the small restaurant features good prices, big portions and quick service. Ambiance isn't the goal, and you may feel a little twinge of guilt as you dig into your bacon while a painted cartoon pig grins at you from the wall. But then again, he'll get the last laugh as he's clogging your arteries. Although insanely tasty, Pork Store Cafe isn't exactly the healthiest joint in town, and they've embraced their greasy spoon image. The fresh-flowing coffee and frequent refills are a small but much needed plus as well.

Pork Store Cafe Brunch: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sat & Sun, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ 1451 Haight St., San Francisco 94117

Foreign Cinema
You know that day you were going to spend slouched in front of your T.V.? Drag your lazy butt to Foreign Cinema instead. If you haven't heard of it, the general gist is that a movie plays outside on the patio as you enjoy your meal. You can class it up with the oyster bar, or shell out the big bucks for local Dungeness crab. Like the snacks at the concession stands, the food isn't cheap. But hey, neither is dinner and a movie, so you might as well spice it up and try a brunch version of that date staple. Your significant other will be impressed by the airy outside patio, and the carefully selected movies are often unique and usually enjoyable.

Foreign Cinema Brunch: Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. @ 2534 Mission St., San Francisco, 94110

The Butler and The Chef Bistro
At The Butler and The Chef, you can feel good about eating good food. They've been named one of the top ten greenest restaurants in the Bay Area, and put an emphasis on using mostly organic dairy and produce. You can taste the organic difference in their brunch offerings. Although technically on the lunch menu, the onion soup and quiche of the day are fantastic. If you're still more breakfast-minded, the pain perdu is a delicious take on french toast. The bistro has a quaint, Parisian vibe, and its location overlooking the park in SOMA is perfect for a lazy weekend brunch.

Butler and the Chef Bistro Brunch: Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ 155a South Park St., San Francisco, 94107

Slow Club
No reservations and a painfully self-aware hipster tinge aren't the only thing Slow Club has to offer. The brunch menu doesn't offer a huge selection, but the dishes are all flavored well, with fresh ingredients and clean flavors. The Bourbon french toast is perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth, dripping in syrup. The grilled flatbread is worth checking out if you lean more to the savory side. The combination of bacon, onion, asparagus and egg make a pizza-like breakfast bite that's uniquely Slow Club. The decor is minimalist and industrial, and the dim interior means you don't have to fight off those early morning rays with a huge pair of shades. There's also ample street parking and little to no wait, so you can get in, eat, and get out without a huge fuss.

Slow Club Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. @ 2501 Mariposa St., San Francisco, 94110