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Fabulous Food Foto (# 016)

The Ole Plate, from The Train Depot, in Fresno, CA.

At 4 1/2 stars on Yelp, I figured we just had to try out The Train Depot for breakfast on a recent trip to California's San Joaquin Valley. Yelp did not lead us astray. As soon as you walk in the door of this unassuming little cafe you know you're in for a treat. I had the Ole Plate, which pits 3 scrambled eggs with chili sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and bell peppers thrown in to boot. It normally comes with potatoes, hashbrowns or "home style", and the waitress informed me that I could split the potatoes into beans and potatoes. It's got a bit of a kick, but nothing you can't handle. Along with a side of toast, their homemade salsa, and some joe, and you're set.

Enjoy!

- image © 2012 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 015)

The breakfast burrito at Fantastic Cafe, in El Segundo, CA.

Near LAX, and near the ocean, Fantastic Cafe offers up a great breakfast burrito for a very reasonable price. I asked for the bacon version and was pleased to find out that the standard breakfast burrito composition here is to combin bacon, sausage, and ham! Yowser! Also, lots of potatoes and cheese (and, as you can see, it's a healthy proportion). Pico de Gallo, and house green hot sauce, on the side.

Enjoy!

 

- image © 2012 AR Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 014)

The Oklahoma Skillet, from Flappy Jack's Pancake House, in Orange, CA.

The foundation of this monster breakfast is a thick layer of fried potatoes, followed by a heapin' helpin' of bacon, cheese, and scrambled eggs. The best way to attack this bad boy is from the top down - that way, after you've filled up, and you still have lots of potatoes left, you simply take them home.

Enjoy!

- image © 2012 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 013)

The Breakfast Burrito, from Troy's Drive-In, in Orange, CA.

Another round with a breakfast burrito from Troy's. Classic, just classic. This puppy has the right mix of potatoes, egg, cheese, and meat (this case was bacon). The tortilla, in this instance, was a bit chewy - but I'm used to homemade tortillas, so there. The special green sauce is killer and, unless you like it a bit hot, order it on the side.

Enjoy!

- image © 2012 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 012)

The Danish Pancakes, from Ellen's Danish Pancake House, in Buellton, CA.

I like breakfast. But one thing I don't care for at most restaurants are thick, thick pancakes. Too much expansive mass makes for a full stomach after only a few bites. Now Danish pancakes are very thin and not heavy handed in the least. At Ellen's Danish Pancake House they serve up some delightful pancakes, generously sprinkled with powdered sugar, and a couple of slices of bacon to boot. Very nice change of pace (once in awhile) from the savory breakfasts I usually get. Mind you, while tasty, the plates are pricey here.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 011)

The Mark Twain Breakfast plate at the River Belle Terrace, in Disneyland.

The Mark Twain breakfast includes scrambled eggs, homestyle potatoes, bacon, and a biscuit. It's an excellent start to the day, whether the day will include hiking all over Disneyland, or simply stopping by for a taste of familiar sights. 

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 010)

The Breakfast Burrito, from Charlie's Chili, in Newport Beach, CA.

After a PhotoWalk on and near the Newport Beach pier, we had a great breakfast at Charlie's Chili. The breakfast burrito is a large offering of egg, potato, bacon (or sausage), cheese, and salsa, served with fried potatoes. This order will set you back almost $10, but you'll be set for the rest of the day!

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 009)

Diced Ham and Scrambled Eggs, from Paula's Pancake House, in Solvang, CA. Yes, I know, ordering ham and eggs at a Danish pancake house in the middle of the Danish-themed town of Solvang might be considered an unpardonable act - but I prefer breakfasts with more savory substance that help carry me through a day of sightseeing.

I first tried the diced ham (or bacon) and scrambled eggs plate last December and really enjoyed it. I tend to go for hashbrowns and wheat toast (unless the establishment has killer biscuits) along with my eggs. Cheese is also mixed in this scramble, which helps bind the whole conglomeration together. A bit over-priced, in my opinion, but just about everything in this locale (wine country near Santa Barbara, CA) is.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 008)

Breakfast burrito, with chorizo, in La Puente, CA.

A simple rendition, done near homemade style (if the tortillas were homemade, then this would be The Bomb). Just outside the football field at La Puente High School, the El Rey Farms distribution of New Mexico Green Chiles takes place every year (from late summer into early autumn). If you get there early, then the local sports boosters are serving up some breakfast items - of which we never pass up the chorizo breakfast burritos! Not oozily dripping grease, like nearly every other chorizo burrito out there, but very well made, with the right mix of chorizo (Mexican sausage), scrambled egg, and potatoes.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

 

 

Fabulous Food Foto (# 007)

The Missouri Skillet, from Flappy Jack's Pancake House, in Orange, CA.

A Route 66 roadhouse that is off of Route 55... oh well. The Missouri Skillet combines loads of potatoes, two eggs, ham, bacon, tomatoes and onions topped with Monterey jack and cheddar cheese. Yowser! Toast or pancakes side, and I always add some coffee. A very tasty combination of savory breakfast flavors in this dish. Be forewarned, however, you'll have leftover potatoes for the family!

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 006)

The Monte Cristo Sandwich at the Cafe Orleans, in Disneyland.

The Monte Cristo is described as "Sliced Turkey, Ham, and Swiss fried in a light batter and served with Berry Purée dusted with Powdered Sugar." Wow! This is an awesome sandwich and is a definite "I gotta take the rest home" serving. Living close to Disneyland, my wife and I like to occasionally have a dinner at the Cafe Orleans, enjoying the sights and sounds of the faux New Orleans ambiance (without the humidity, I might add).

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 005)

Blue Corn Enchiladas, courtesy of The Range Cafe, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What, you say? Blue Corn? Yes, there is a variety of blue corn.

New Mexico-style enchiladas are served flat, with cheese and meat (optional) spread inbetween the tortilla layers. The enchiladas on this plate were topped with white cheese, but true New Mexico-style enchiladas also have a fried egg topping them! Sides include pinto beans and arroz verde (green rice). Chile can be spread over the enchiladas or served on the side (as shown below), and you always have the choice of "green" or "red" chile (green, in this case). This is a killer meal and scrumptious to behold, especially after a long day of traveling and sightseeing.

Enjoy!

- image © 2010 A. R. Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 004)

I recently watched Rebel Without a Cause, for the first time, and decided to highlight a breakfast in Paso Robles because of it. Why Paso Robles? It's near the spot where James Dean crashed his Porsche and died.

Vic's Cafe is a little spot nestled away in the old town section of Paso Robles, a community with a rich cattle heritage that now also sports an upscale wine industry. The simple plate of bacon and eggs comes with hash browns and toast. Add the requisite coffee and you're set!

Enjoy!

- image © AR Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 003)

Breakfast Burrito at Pepe's, in Fullerton, CA.

We discovered this little gem about a year ago, after a photowalk at the Fullerton Arboretum. In my opinion, this is one of the best breakfast burritos in Orange County. A healthy mix of egg, along with potatoes, cheese, beans, bacon, and sauce / salsa. I usually hold the beans as I think they can overpower the handhold-ability of the burrito. And I typically order the salsa on the side. I really like the fact that these puppies have a generous amount of egg, not attempting to pass off a potatoe filled burrito as your breakfast. Also, the bacon is crisp and very evident.

Enjoy!

- image © 2010 AR Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 002)

A Tri-Tip Sandwich, with a "side" of fries, at Firestone Grill, in San Luis Obispo, CA. Don't know what Tri-Tip is? Go here. For those of us who have any exposure at all to California's Central Coast, we've long known about the ecstasy of Santa Maria Tri-Tip. Seasoned with only garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then cooked slowly (~ 1 1/2 hours typically) over oak embers, it is sliced cross-grain, and sometimes mixed with a sweet-tangy barbecue sauce, and served on a slightly toasted french roll. As you can see, at Firestone's, the serving size assumes you're a linebacker. Similarly, the "side" of fries is monstrous, and sprinkled with a paprika-laced seasoning.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 A R Lopez

Fabulous Food Foto (# 001)

Formerly known as Friday Food Foto, I have too much of a backlog of pics to limit posting to just Fridays! So this post launches the new title, Fabulous Food Foto (yes, I know, my alliteration skills are not Lincoln-esque by any stretch of the imagination).

Let's start off with the classic Breakfast Burrito at The Filling Station, in Orange, California. Set near the "historic" and "old" downtown, where some scenes from Tom Hanks' movie That Thing You Do were filmed, this former gas station serves up excellent breakfasts. The breakfast burrito is no exception and in it we find a healthy portion of eggs, onions, black beans, cheese, potatoes, and bell peppers, with a meat addition optional (bacon, in this example). Guacamole and salsa are served on the side. I really like this burrito, although I'd substitute pinto beans for the black beans. The serving size is large and, even though it's big, it's not so wet that it falls apart (in my opinion, burritos are designed to be handheld!).

Inside or patio dining is available. Get there early if you don't want to wait for a table!

Enjoy!

- image © 2010 A R Lopez

Friday Food Foto (v. 34)

The ground beef, spinach and green onion scramble, at Carla's Country Kitchen, in Morro Bay (yeah, another central coast selection). With a side of home-style potatoes, and biscuits. Carla's is not much to look at when you drive by, indeed, you might not even realize there's a restaurant there... but the morning food is great and the place is always filled with locals.

This is a departure from the typical bacon and eggs or breakfast burrito I get at Carla's. A nice change of pace. Not really impressed with the biscuits, though... next time I'll order the wheat toast.

Enjoy!

- image © A R Lopez

Friday Food Foto (v. 33)

Fish & Chips, right on the waterfront, in a small California coastal community... doesn't get any better than Giovanni's in Morro Bay.

A hefty portion (although it seems to have shrunk as of late) of Icelandic Cod, deep fried, with another hefty portion of french fries. Unless you're ravenously hungry, split one order with two people.

Although they have outdoor seating, but because seagulls can be one of the most annoying creatures on earth, I recommend eating in your car. If you're lucky, you can park with a killer view of Morro Rock!

Enjoy!

Friday Food Foto (v. 32)

The Migas Plate, at La Casita, in Orange, CA. Scrambled eggs mixed with fried corn tortilla strips, served with rice and beans (sprinkled with cheese), along with a couple of homemade flour tortillas.

Oh yeah.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 AR Lopez

Friday Food Foto (v. 31)

Friday mornings and... breakfast burritos. They surely must have been made for each other.

This baby comes to us via Johnnie's Jr., in Orange, CA. Standard innards - including egg, potato, and meat (ham, in this case). Add some salsa on the side, and you're set.

Enjoy!

- image © 2011 AR Lopez