Good folks at Good Yolk doing breakfast with a difference for local diners
The brick building resting at the intersection of Knapp St and Ninth Avenue seemed forever vacant, but not anymore. The space has been resurrected into a cozy, inviting brunch restaurant, featuring astonishing flavors and a vast menu. The interior is welcoming, yet modern, and guests are certain to be greeted with a smiling face. It’s time to get egg-cited about Good Yolk, a tasteful addition to the Oshkosh community.
Restaurant owner, Muli Hajdini, and his family have embraced the busy lifestyle that comes with managing a restaurant. However, all the hustle and bustle has proved well worth the reward.
“I’ve been in the restaurant industry for 25 years,” he said. “We used to have a family restaurant over ten years ago on Main Street so we wanted to bring that back.”
According to Arta Hajdini, Muli’s sister, the family was excited to have a fresh start and add a twist to the average breakfasts for locals.
“The process of bringing Good Yolk to life began in May of last year. My brother actually owns the restaurant, but it’s a family business, so everyone helps out,” she said. “We wanted to bring something new and fresh, something different to Oshkosh. We tried to go for something calm and modern, and not necessarily healthy but definitely mindful. We have farm fresh eggs, and fresh squeezed orange juice, and foods that have a little bit more flavor than normal breakfast places, so it’s just something a little bit more modern.”
From the salmon benedict to granola berry crepes, there is something for everyone on Good Yolk’s menu. Additionally, they serve vegetarian and vegan omelets, as well as gluten free pancakes to appeal to a wide variety of dietary needs.
Freshman Genna Blustin enjoyed the buttermilk pancakes.
“They were very delicious, fluffy, and topped with butter,” she said. “They’re so much better than other pancakes I’ve ordered at restaurants, where the pancakes are dense and not as fluffy and light.”
While the pancakes satisfied Blustin’s tastebuds, the scenery caught her attention and calmed her mind.
“It has a very homey vibe. The people there make the environment so welcoming,” she said. “I think that everyone should go there; it’s a calming environment where you can have a calming breakfast to start your day.”
Another West student, junior Lucy Whitcomb, gave Good Yolk’s avocado toast a try.
“I really liked it, I always thought that I didn’t like avocado toast, but I gave it a try and I thought it tasted really good,” she said. “It was really fresh, and it didn’t taste processed at all.”
The biggest drawback was deciding what to order amongst the diverse options. New or familiar, sweet or savory, the menu is expansive with mouth-watering choices.
“I would definitely go back,” Whitcomb said. “I was struggling to come up with what I wanted to order because there were so many good options, like I really wanted to try the belgian waffle or a breakfast sandwich.”
The current staff has charmed customers with their easy-going and kind nature, however, Muli stresses that they can never have enough help.
“Staffing and finding help has been the biggest challenge,” he said.
Current waitress, Danialle Zwicky, has had a very positive experience thus far.
“It’s been amazing. The people are great, and the customers are great,” she said.
Arta added that the breakfast hours are an additional perk to working at the restaurant; they aren’t quite as exhausting as late nights at dinner eateries.
Despite needing extra staff, the Hajdini family has been satisfied with Good Yolk’s impact on the community. They start days sunny side up, which is evident as good reviews rain in and customers leave with full bellies and big smiles.
“Everybody has loved it so far; we’ve received good compliments and we’ve been happy,” Muli said.“I want to thank the community, and everybody who’s been coming out and supporting the business. Everybody who likes it will hopefully continue to like it, and we can’t do it without the support of the community.”
Arta adds that the community is the family’s primary focus. They truly cherish every face who enters the vibrant spot.
“We’re hoping to keep improving, so we definitely welcome feedback,” she said. “We really just wanted to bring something fun and new to Oshkosh so that the citizens can enjoy it.”
By Jazmine Blustin
Published January 29 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue IV