Archive for the ‘breakfast’ Category

Their claim states “There ain’t no better breakfast” and BOY are they right.  While I was in L. A. this June I was told by  fellow food blogger and BBQ dude, Tony Morales that I should definitely check out The Serving Spoon.  He knew I had an affinity for soul food and simply said it was the best ever.  How could I pass that up?  Also, it was merely a 15 minute drive from my hotel.

I went on a Saturday morning and it was packed…a line of people waiting outside as well as people waiting  on chairs inside.  I had to be back to my hotel at a certain time to get to my event so I was wondering if I would even have time to get breakfast?  The food smelled so good in there, I wasn’t leaving without at least putting my name on the list and giving my all.  I told the hostess it was just a party of one and I got seated  up at the breakfast bar right away, no waiting!  I really felt bad because there must have been about 20 people or more waiting for tables, but that’s just how they roll and I was happy.

I already knew what I was going to get, crazy I know. However, I had read a ton of Yelp reviews on this place and saw many pictures and decided from there what I would have. I think the server was a little shocked that I ordered right away, so I explained I had come from Arizona and was prepared.  I didn’t know when I would ever be coming back here again, the old adage, “go big or go home” came to mind so I obliged.  I ordered the “Raphael Saadiq” good morning breakfast which came with 2 eggs over medium,  grits, wing drumettes, and cornbread which I passed on since I was getting a waffle as well.  In retrospect, I totally should have gotten the cornbread that came with the meal, to try a bite.  I just didn’t want to appear too overzealous.

Im in breakfast heaven

Talk about some perfect grits…these were it.  Loved that they used margarine as a topping instead of butter. I seriously felt like I was sitting down in in my grandma’s kitchen instead of a restaurant.  It was really great.  The wings were unlike any I have ever eaten.  I liked that they were simply breaded, no sauce.  The breading was super crunchy and perfectly seasoned and you could tell it was a homemade batter.  My waffle was a whole other magnificent story.  It was soft and slightly chewy with a light crunch around the outside of the waffle. The sprinkle of cinnamon on top totally rocked it, with a dab of margarine and warm maple syrup…OH MY!

whoa, what a waffle

Before I paid my bill I was running over the weekend plans in my mind to figure out when I could get back here again?  What an amazing, homemade, and delicious meal.  Unfortunately, too much vodka that same evening made it near impossible to return the next day However, I will be back Serving Spoon, mark my words. If you’re in West Hollywood, type their address into your GPS and just go, no excuses or you’re missing out.

Wow!! There’s not much more you can say about a place that’s been on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” , “Chef vs. City”, and “Man Vs. Food”.  I’m pretty sure if over 3 major food shows loves this place, the Food Tramp is gonna be ALL about it too!  Hash House a Go-Go has three locations, the first in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, one on Sahara Blvd. in Las Vegas, and a third located right inside Imperial Palace smack dab in the middle of the Las Vegas Blvd. strip!  They have an amazing menu and also a full bar filled with skilled bartenders who make fabulous bloody mary’s, mimosas or whatever will ale you after a big night of drinking!

In Late May I got a chance to visit some of my favorite friends in San Diego and we decided to hit Hash House up for a little late Saturday breakfast.  My best friend, Jake mentioned that they had tried to go before but it was a very long wait.  I told them wait or no wait, we need to check this place out!  Well, Hash House in San Diego is only open for breakfast till 2:30pm then is closes for a few hours, then re-opens for dinner.  We got there around 12:45 pm and we had a forty-five minute wait.  Waiting for me is no big deal, especially when I’m pretty sure it’s going to be delicious food.  When we saw how many people were gathered in troths outside waiting, we were sure we were in for a treat!  Also, waiting at Hash House is no big deal, the area (Hillcrest) is just beautiful and it’s fun to people watch.  Forty-five minutes went by like nothing at all!   We also had the MENU while we were waiting.  I already knew I was goin’ big or goin’ home!

I opted for the Andy’s sage fried chicken farm benedict ($15.95) .  This breakfast of champions was just amazing.  The combination of a split biscuit, 2 eggs over easy, homemade smashed potatoes, bacon, melted fresh mozzarella cheese, crispy fried chicken and a chipotle cream sauce was enough to give me coronary blockage just looking at it.  It easily could have fed all four of us.  It was an unforgettable combo of some of my favorite breakfast items (biscuit, eggs, bacon, gravy) and dinner items (fried chicken, mashed taters, gooey melted cheese)  all on one huge ass platter.  I got thru about 1/5 of it, then had to request a take away box.

sage fried chicken benedict

The boys were all craving something sweet for breakfast so they all got different pancakes in the form of a “Tractor Driver Combo” ($13.95) which came with two eggs, choice of meat and one ginormous flapjack of their choice..  Jake got Apple Cinnamon , Tim got Brown Sugar Banana,  and Mike got Blackberry Granola.  Now these are not your ordinary pancakes.  They are about as big as a tire and chalked full of fresh yummy ingredients.  Jake’s apple cinnamon flapjack had HUGE slices of granny smith apples and cinnamon galore, it smelled divine!!  How can I lie, they all looked amazing and you know I tried a bite of every one!!

brown sugar banana tractor combo

up close Apple Cinnamon- check out those granny smiths!!

I usually get to visit my San Diego besties twice a year and when I do, I hope I don’t have to beg to come back here.  Although, I’m pretty sure they won’t say no, they were  really diggin those flapjacks!!  Hash House a Go-Go  undoubtedly gets the FOOD-TRAMP-STAMP OF APPROVAL!!