At the Monterey Historics last year friend of mine insisted that we head over to Seaside for breakfast at a place called The Breakfast Club. I was hungry and needed coffee pretty bad, and the place where we were staying (in Salinas!) already had a perfectly serviceable coffee shop right in the corner of its damn parking lot. Sure, it had a different name on it almost every time that I visited, but that was part of the charm, wasn’t it?

But then the slimy son-of-a-shoesalesman – he made me THE offer that no journalist can turn down. He sneakily offered to pay for breakfast!! In other words he was waving FREE FOOD in front of a confirmed automotive writer*, knowing that I would forego almost any hardship, use more gasoline, and even pay for parking (if I had to) for the grail.

In retrospect I would have paid double, and crawled there on my hands and knees had I known how good The Breakfast Club in Seaside is. Located in a standard-issue 1960’s shopping center, it might be easy to miss if it weren’t for my buddy’s insistence.

And I love the guy for it.

Everything on the extensive menu is served steaming hot and delicious. My Ortega chili/Swiss cheese omelet was even better than to write home about; it was to make plans (actually a blood oath) to be back for another even earlier the next morning before departing for LA!

This is coffee like that’s, you know, well, better than that fancy coffee place coffee. The real thing, rich, flavorful, and drinkable anyway you please from straight to Boston and anywhere in between.

And the hired help… Let’s see, how does young, energetic, clean, crisp, sweet, fun, scrubbed, bright, and friendly sound to you? Most of the wait staff are young high school or college kids who actually seem to like working at this place. Smiles go good with any good breakfast and the grins were wall-to-wall when we were there on a VERY busy, VERY demanding week-end full of car-snobs who were in town, being ultra-snobby.

It’s another one of those places that I’ll go out of my way to visit; or dream up some rational-sounding-to-me excuse to be in the vicinity of in the early morning hours, which takes some doing since I live East of LA in Duarte, California.

As it turns out this is not one of the most unique names for an eatery in the lexicon so I suggest that those who want the above to go to 1130 Freemont Street in Seaside (831) 349-3238. They don’t seem to have a website but they do sell coffee cups (One of which I’ve been using while writing this note).

Doug Stokes (Hey! thanks for making me go Mike!)

*our motto (and rallying cry), coined by the great Tim Considine is: “Eat Free or Die!”

Map to the Breakfast Club

Luckily this joint is far away from where we live and work, or my wife and I would simply pitch a tent in their parking lot and camp out there so that we could be first in line for breakfast when they opened each day.

I know that this site is supposed to be about great breakfast places, (and respectfully) you might as well shut it down after you publish this one.  The remarkably simple Hays Street Café in Bridgeport, California is THE BEST BREAKFAST PLACE that there is gang.

Maybe it’s the altitude, Bridgeport is the gateway to the Eastern Sierras.  More likely its the fanatic dedication to getting every plate of food, no matter how prosaic the name (like “scrambled eggs and sourdough toast”), exactly right and tasting like the first time that you ever enjoyed a beautifully simple dish of fluffy cooked eggs and electrically-seared bread.

And, that first sip of their coffee is like your second time making love (much, much better, smoother, still very exciting, but relaxing, releasing, confident).  I don’t need to know the brand (but I did buy a souvenir Hays Street coffee mug) of coffee to know perfection in brewing.

Service?  Did your mother ever take better care of you at the kitchen table?  I doubt it.  These people genuinely love what they’re doing.  Bustling, cheery, but never frantic, the service is just that.  In fact, it exactly matches the food both in quality and “flavor”.

Lunch?  I’m sure that it is every bit as great as breakfast, but we’ve never “done” it there.  Breakfast is just too damn good.

21 Hayes Street  (760) 932-7141   www.haysstreetcafe.com
Summer hours:  6am – 2pm   Winter hours: 7am – 1pm

THANKS!
Doug and Dede Stokes
Duarte, Calif.

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The Country Deli is located in Chatsworth California at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Lassen Street. I don’t know how long it’s been there, but it is a favorite amongst the Chatsworth locals. It certainly ranks high on our list!

It’s our first stop on Saturday morning. They open at 7 and we are often the first patrons in the door. Our weekend kickoff. We don’t need a menu
(and it’s extensive), just an appetite. The portions are large and the
service comes with a smile. We’ve been there often enough that all the
Saturday morning servers know what we drink (black coffee for Larry and a
Diet Coke for Deb) and it usually arrives at the table about the same time
we do. From 7 to 8:30ish it’s quiet, but by 9:30 the place is packed and
with the usual clanking of silverware, dishes and conversation, it can get
quite noisy. Extra bonus for us is that they have a couple of TV’s, always
on ESPN.

They have a Hearty Breakfast Combo on the menu that is a splendid combination of items. A suggestion here – choose the waffle. I mean, whatever other choices you make, choose the waffle.

The interior of the restaurant is covered with hand painted murals of scenes from western movies. I’ve never asked, but I believe it is an homage to the fact that many early westerns were shot in the Chatsworth area.

They have a small counter for those who like the counter and outdoor seating
for those that have not yet quit smoking.

They are open all day and also offer a full lunch and dinner menu. It’s a
Chatsworth favorite. Everyone in the area knows it and we run into people
we know quite often.

Country Deli
9901 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Chatsworth, CA

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Henri’s is located in Canoga Park, California, on the main drag of Sherman Way. Henri’s has a devoted local following. Besides breakfast, they also sport a bar section that features live music once or twice a week. Any place that supports live music gets a big thumbs up from me.

There is a wall in the front area of the restaurant that is plastered with certificates from the city testifying to Henri’s good food and good standing in the community.

The menu has lots of breakfast options. I like the fact that sausage is a choice between links and patties. The food is good, service fine, sometimes leisurely.

Henri’s deserves it’s loyal following.
Henri’s
21601 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303

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Bobby’s is on the north side of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills California, just west of Fallbrook. Bobby’s has been a San Fernando Valley icon for decades.

I have a friend who swears that Bobby’s was better years ago, and maybe it was. But on any given morning, the parking lot will full of contractor’s pickups stopping off for morning sustenance before a day of hard labor. It’s a sign of good coffee and bacon.

There’s a retro feel to the place. Large special boards on the wall, a counter running the length of the one large room, tables and chairs where nothing is bolted to the floor. Service and food are utilitarian.

Bobby’s Coffee Shop
22821 Ventura Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA

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