Not to be confused with those empty political statements, Sound Bites will fill you up with cheap, fast, tasty breakfasts and lunches. " Sound means good, so good bites, " explains owner Yasser Mirza.

Good is what you get, and in large portions. Though the menu calls the cheese omelet ($5.89) " small, " it’s got plenty of eggs, American cheese, and bacon, plus home fries and a grilled blueberry muffin. Select from more than 20 other egg dishes, ranging from eggs Benedict ($6.89) to Moroccan eggs ($5.89) to eggs perched on corned-beef hash ($6.89). Sound Bites also serves up breakfast sandwiches ($1.69–$2.89), challah French toast ($4.99–$6.99), waffles ($3.89–$6.89), and pancakes ($3.69–$6.39). Almost everything is homemade and cooked to order, including the " NoPlaceLikeHomeFries " ($1.50), fried with a mixture of mashed potatoes, roasted fresh garlic, olive oil, sour cream, and margarine. Even the vegetarian grape leaves ($3.75) are made from scratch, with tomato, onion, rice, and spices rolled up inside.

Which leads us to lunch, and the most luscious hummus ($3.99) in a roll-up sandwich. You’ll also find Middle Eastern plates and kebabs ($5.49–$7.59) served with salad and pita bread, plus American food: " Grand Sandwiches " ($3.50–$5.99), garden and beef burgers ($5.75–$6.89), soups ($2.25–$5.99), and salads ($1.95–$6.39).

Sound Bites, long known for hearty breakfasts and lengthy lines on the weekends, attracts nearby Tufts students and Somerville natives, along with the rest of us. Stop in for some good bites.

Sound Bites, located at 708 Broadway, in Somerville, is open daily for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Call (617) 623-8338.