Pat’s Cafe

http://patscafesf.com/

For my first breakfastary visit in 2013, I wanted to try someplace new (well, new to me) so I went to Pat's Cafe, which is located somewhere in the North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Russian Hill triangle; they are on Taylor Street, just off of Columbus Avenue and up one block from the Cable Car turnaround. Pat's Cafe is a fun-looking, friendly neighborhoody spot with lots of seating, plus two sidewalk tables with two seats each. I am surprised I had never been there yet. And in keeping with my New Year's Resolution (which I am sure I will break before the end of the month) to only eat at places that open before 10:00am, I am happy to state that they open up at 7:30am every day.

Pat's Cafe standard breakfast menu offers a nice line of omelettes, crêpes, pancakes, and other standards; and their weekend "Brunch" menu has several Eggs Benedict dishes from which to choose. I ordered Pecan (not a nut) Pumpkin (a real berry) Spice Pancakes and a side of homefries (which they have as two words, but I let it slide). They serve Mr. Espresso®, but I didn't really feel like a cuppa coffee this morning and am enjoying a cuppa Bettys Tearoom Blend tea instead while typing this out; this was a new Christmas gift and I am just trying it out now (Thanks, Cindy!)

http://www.bettys.co.uk/product/Bettys-Tea-Room-Blend-Tea-Bags,19201,27.aspx

There was no pumpkin in the pancakes, just pumpkin pie spices (probably cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, etc.); but there were plenty of pecans. These were two very good, medium-sized pancakes and the homefries were very good, too. I think that I probably would have liked these even more if they had actually included pumpkin in the pancake batter somehow.

Pat's Cafe has for condimentary supplementation both Tabasco® Brand Pepper (a real berry) Sauce (the standard red) and Tapatío® . I had come with some of my own hot sauces and used some of my new Spicymonkey Raspberry (not a real berry) Chipotle (a real berry) Ketchup (Thanks again, Cindy!) on three quarters of the potatoes and a little Big Papi En Fuego Hot Sauce Off The Wall Triple Hot (Thanks, Kerry!) on the rest of the potatoes. I just used some of the provided (probably maple) syrup on the pancakes.

I thought this was very interesting. As the couple at the next table was leaving, the server asked if they'd like a "refill of coffee to go". Now that gets extra points in my (wee li'l) book.


Glen Bacon Scale Rating: Pecan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes ~ 6.5