Heavenly Roadside Cafe

Hello and we're back! It's been forever since a new review, but I had a yummy breakfast last weekend and found some time to write about it. No guarantees for many more coming up, but you never know - a man's got to eat!

Heavenly Roadside Cafe (Yelp page)

After a dump run (thanks Russ!), we were two tired, hungry hombres. This roadside cafe was right on the way back and we stopped for much needed fuel.

There was a bodacious menu of all good things to eat for breakfast and lunch. It was around 11am, so we felt we could go either way. The onion rings looked like a nice starter - did I mention we were starved??

Aw yah! This is what I'm talking about - they were huge! Lots of crunchy batter - maybe double-dipped? The sauce was cool and slightly spicy and was a perfect complement to the hot, crispy rings.

Russell got the Avocado Benedict with fruit on the side. How great does that look? He was one happy puppy has he devoured his meal. I was going to ask how he liked it, but already knew the answer.

I was feeling like some avo as well and got the California Omelette. It had cheddar cheese and bacon inside. It was very tasty, but the eggs were a bit overdone. That didn't stop me from finishing off the plate!

Heavenly is a great spot for a morning or lunchtime meal. They had burgers and salads on the menu as well. The service was friendly and efficient. Inside is nice and sunny. We will be back even without a dump run.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 7
Service: 6
Atmosphere: 6
Value for price: 7
Overall: 6.5 very good

Dharma's Capitola

Meeting my brother for lunch and he suggested we cruise out to Capitola for a little Dharma's. A vegetarian place? Well, there's a first time for everything. Not sure about this "no meat" thing. Will I have to turn in my BBQ membership card?

Dharma's - Good for you, good for the world.

The three of us (daughter included) walked in and the place was packed - a good sign. You have to order at the register and then pick up your food at another counter to the right. No waitstaff keeps the prices down? We'll see.

Cool vibes inside with hanging plants and lots of sunshine from the many windows. We liked the artwork hanging on the walls. Even a cool, bubbling fountain in the front corner. We grabbed a menu and ordered.

Mike got the Indian Curry Plate ($14.95) and a vanilla milkshake ($7.50). It came with brown rice and papadam, chutney and raita (yogurt) sauce. You can also get other condiments and water at a counter in the middle of the place. We loaded up on hot sauces, wheat germ, onions and spices.

So fresh and delish, he really liked his meal. Hearty veggies and tofu all in a savory and spicy curry sauce. It was a huge portion and had some to take home. He shared the milkshake and we all thought it was great.

The kiddo went pasta (big surprise) - Pasta Con Pesto ($12.95) and was happy to see an abundant plate of noodles and four toasts. She could only eat half, so again, another take home meal was done. You can get the to-go boxes over by where you drop of your dishes. She said it was some of the best pestos she has ever had.

It also came with a green salad with homemade vinaigrette. Not spectacular, but good and fresh and it made this a value order.

I went with the potstickers ($6.50) and a bowl of their "famous" chili ($6.95) and I was also very pleased. The chili was hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind and was huge. The stickers were okay, but kind of rubbery. The sweet plum and spicy mustard sauces were nice on the side.

As a bonus, dear readers, we came back another time that week and ate again. Here's what I got the on the second visit - the Burrito Bueno ($6.95). Filled with beans, brown rice, cheese and sour cream, this thing was gigantic! The salad again was a nice touch, but maybe chips instead next time. Their menu is huge and this is one of the best deals I think. It fills you up!

Started in 1981, Dharma's was built to last. Feeding the hungry masses with healthy, flavorful foods is what it does best. Maybe not your cheapest place in town, but if you care what goes in, you can't go wrong here.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 9
Service: n/a
Atmosphere: 8
Value for price: 7
Overall: 8

DeLaveaga Lodge Restaurant

Nestled up above it all, in the woods north of Branciforte, is the DeLaveaga Golf Course. This is where I spent my youth searching for golf balls and getting poison oak. Well, not my whole youth, but one fateful day that I won't soon forget. But what does this have to do with food? There's also a restaurant upstairs above the Pro Shop.

DeLaveaga Golf & Lodge

I met my folks one Saturday morning, up at the DLGC for breakfast. The parking lot was full of hopeful birdie players and many golf carts were zipping around. I didn't see a sign clearly stating the restaurant upstairs, but just take the steps up and you're there. It was mostly full at 9am on Saturday, but we found a table. You could also eat at the bar.

The coffees were filled quickly and the menu is good-sized with pancakes, omelettes and waffles. Yes, the oatmeals and cereals are there too, but who gets that at a restaurant? I scanned the list and chose a personal fave.

The Chili Omelette with hash browns was served with a side cup of sour cream.  Looks good, right? It was good, but my surprise was that the omelette had just cheese inside. The only chili was scooped on top. Psych! It was still good to eat, not greasy and filling. But c'mon man! Where's my chili?

Dad got the Scrabbled Egg Whites and Chicken Apple Sausage. It think that's applesauce in the little cup above. It's his stand-by and enjoys it very much. Not sure why his hash browns were flattened compared to mine.

Mom got the French Toast with a side of bacon. "Want some, honey?" Aren't moms the best? It was crispy and chewy - always a sign of a cook who knows his way around a kitchen. This is also her stand-by and was happy.

You know the theme song to the TV show "Cheers"? Where everybody knows your name... My folks knew like five people hanging out up there. And they don't golf! So, if you are looking for a causal breakfast joint with fairway views, you could do a lot worse than DLGC.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 7
Service: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Value for price: 7
What can I say? Solid 7s - better than average. Not as good as Pebble Beach!

Buttercup Pantry (Placerville, CA)

On the way to South Lake Tahoe (from Santa Cruz) is a great place to stop and grab some grub. It's in Placerville (formerly Hangtown) on Highway 50 called Buttercup Pantry.

Yelp webpage for Buttercup

We stopped there for breakfast and found the place very charming. Many old-time trinkets adorn the walls and their bakery display was crazy. Pies, cakes, apple turnovers - all mouth-watering. (I didn't get a picture to show you, dear readers, but please take my word for it. Or check out the pics on Yelp.) You can wait to be seated or eat at the counter like we did. That way you can watch the cooks do their thing.

They have old vending machines in the lobby and fun signs all around from days gone by. A big plus for kids and cultural historians. You get a real sense of an country store at this place. Let's see if their food is a good as the decor.

She wanted biscuits and gravy and they came with sausage patties, eggs and potatoes ($9.89). She switched the taters for fresh sliced to'maters. She liked the thick, creamy gravy, but the sausage was sort of plain. That is a crime in the world of sausage! At least the portions were generous.

I ordered the Ham and Eggs ($10.95) and kept the home fries and biscuits & gravy. I was thinking the ham would be diced, but I got a ham steak as you can see. Not disappointed! It was flavorful and slightly salty, but not too much. Just right with the savory, fried potatoes and eggs. The coffee was strong and hot and the servers were friendly.

Breakfast was good! Next time, we will come by later to enjoy their massive salad and soup bar. And maybe some dessert too! It's very close to the freeway exit and is worth a stop. So much better than Denny's!

Scores out of 10:
Food: 7
Atmosphere: 8 homey!
Service: 8
Value for price: 7
Overall: 7.5

Auntie Mame's SV

Breakfast in Scotts Valley gives you several options. Only a few, however, give you biscuits and gravy. Auntie Mame's has that and we were hungry. Let's see how the old gal does...

Auntie Mame's website (Yelp)

Located at the corner of Mt. Hermon and SV Drive, Mame's has been serving the city for decades. They have a menu on the wall from the early 70's. It's cozy inside with barstools and tables.

My guest hadn't been here before, but I had and I love their biscuits. Topped with the Santa Barbara Pepper Sauce (at each table), it's a real winner. 

I ordered the basic two eggs, potatoes with B&G ($6.75). Little pools of butter were on the overeasy eggs and the fries were half crispy. The star was the biscuits of course, with a thick creamy gravy on top. I asked the waitress what was in it and she said bacon and sausage. Mmm!

My guest got the same dish but with bacon ($8.25). It was cooked well and crispy. She said her potatoes were too salty, so I tried them. Mine were the same, so I guess I didn't mind it as much. To each their own!

I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a hearty breakfast. They have fruit instead of potatoes, if you're going the healthy route. But why would you do that?

Scores out of 10:

Food: 7

Service: 7

Atmosphere: 7

Value for price: 7

Overall: 7

Silver Spur

Howdy pardner, saddle up and hitch a wagon to the Silver Spur restaurant for a rootin', tootin' breakfast! This place is a Santa Cruz favorite and has been here a long time. I was meeting the folks last week for some morning eats - let's see how we liked it.

Website
Closed on Sundays.

Every Saturday, there's a line out the door, so be warned. They are one of the nice places that put out cups and coffee while you wait. Just add your name to the list inside the front door. But Mon-Fri is a lot better and we got a table lickity-split.

The inside has many old west images, which gives it a homey feel. The menu is extensive with scrambles, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and more. They also have a sizable lunch selection if you are so inclined. They also run different specials every day. We got coffee ($2.50) as soon as we sat down, which is always nice. Our server came quick even though the place was busy. Thank you!

I ordered the Pesto Scramble ($10.50) with tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese. It came with toast and home fries. It was rich in flavor and tasty. The potatoes could have been more browned for me, but they were cooked through, so I just added hot sauce. A big plate of food!

Mom got the French Toast half order ($6.50), which had two slices. Plenty for a filling meal. She said they were good - light and fluffy. I forgot to ask for a bite since I was enjoying mine so much.

Dad got his custom scramble ($10.50) with egg whites, cheese, mushrooms and green onions. Add a fruit cup and you are eating healthy! He was all smiles - he gets this every time and it's a winner.

Things I look for at breakfast places: variety, good portions and delicious food. Silver Spur delivers on all three. No wonder this place is always packed. Santa Cruz is lucky to have this and Zach's downtown. It will get you ready for that dusty trail of a day ahead of you...

Scores out of 10:
Food: 8
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Value for price: 8
Overall: Solid 8

Zachary's Downtown

Santa Cruz... what does it bring to mind? The Boardwalk? The redwoods? Hippies in the streets? Well, if you are a lover of breakfast, then it certainly conjures up Zachary's downtown. It's a morning institution. It's been there for decades and it's top quality food. They bake their own bread. The coffee's strong. And the sourdough pancakes are thin.

Kelly and I met the grandparents there last Saturday for a 9am breakfast. The place was jumping, but finding a seat didn't take long. Much better than Sunday. There's a sign-in sheet in the back corner.

As soon as you sit down, a server with a coffee pot rushes over. Three coffees and a cocoa please! The coffee is hot and strong, just the way I like it. The cocoa comes it a little chrome pot with a small bowl of whipped cream.

The decor has a definite Santa Cruz feel - plants hang from above, red bricks outside, the rustic wooden furniture, pictures of the Boardwalk on the walls. Big windows facing the Pacific Garden Mall allow sunlight to fill the place.

I ordered the basic breakfast ($6.95), which is supremely satisfying. The home fries have potatoes and onions sautéed on butter. They are just too good. My toast was oatmeal-molasses and was just slightly sweet to go well with the savory potatoes. The eggs were over easy and were perfect.

Kelly got her usual - eggs, bacon and pancakes ($9.50). What's not to love? The pancakes are thin but flavorful. The bacon was well cooked - none of those too chewy bits that are hard to tackle. The eggs are light and fluffy. I wish I could make them like that at home.

No review of Zachary's would be complete without mentioning the Mike's Mess ($11.25). A giant scramble of eggs, bacon, home fries, mushrooms, onions and cheese topped with green onions, chopped tomatoes and sour cream. You are not ready for this jelly. It also can be ordered has a half-portion ($9.25), which will still make you full. This pic is from Yelp since I did not get it this time. My brain can only handle this much breakfast greatness a few times a year. You can substitute other ingredients like garlic or avocado ($0.75 each). You can tell who is enjoying this meal by the moans of pleasure across the restaurant.

Zachary's is quite crowded on the weekends, so get there early. There's usually a coupon in the weekly local papers for during the work week. They also serve a fantastic lunch menu with burgers, soups and salads, but that's a review for another time.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 9
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Value for price: 8
Overall: 8.25