HipCityVeg opens on Broad St., starts breakfast

The casual breakfast scene on Broad Street has been shaping up nicely of late.

Besides the Wawa at Broad and Walnut Street pumping out egg sandwiches, you now have HipCityVeg, the growing vegan fast-casual chain, open a half-block north in the North American Building (121 S. Broad St., 267-273-0603).

Its debut at 7 a.m. Dec. 15 will add plant-based breakfast fare.

New corporate chef Justin Petruce worked out a tofu scramble on a roll, a Southwest breakfast wrap, a maple peanut butter-and-banana sandwich served on warm Texas toast, and what may be Philly's tastiest breakfast sandwich (featuring tofu "egg," vegan mayo, and either a "sausage" or tempeh patty).

It's served till 11 a.m., when HCV's usual menu takes over till 7 p.m.

Owner Nicole Marquis says breakfast will be added to the other three locations - 18th Street in Rittenhouse, 40th Street in University City, and Chinatown in Washington, D.C.

The location in the North American Building, next door to Capital Grille steak house, is pretty much a counter with a kitchen tucked behind. Though it's geared toward takeout/delivery, there a some tables set up in the building lobby around the corner.