Haight Street for Breakfast Pigs Like Me
Jan 19 '02 (Updated Feb 02 '02)
The Bottom Line Yum.
My two favorite breakfast eateries as of late happen to be across the street from each other on Haight Street. The Pork Store Cafe v. All You Knead. My friends tend to opt for The Pork Store Cafe so I see more of that place, but both are winners for brunch (or 'brench' as user ATOM suggests, equally using three letters from both breakfast and lunch) - especially big fat lazy brenches after a long night.
Contender One 1451 Haight St (breakfast served all day)
The Pork Store Cafe either evokes quizzical smiles or very eager nods, depending on whether or not people have been there before. Despite its funny name, this is a tried and true favorite.
Like all good brench joints, expect an unbearably long wait, especially on the weekends. You'll really work up your appetite waiting for a seat and your tummy will start to grumble and complain, but it's OK because they fill you up on coffee while you're waiting, and they have Paul Bunyan sized-servings to make up for the wait.
The best cure for a hangover at the Pork Store Cafe is a giant feta cheese and sun dried tomato omelette with killer hash browns, toast and a glass of OJ. You can also opt for the Pork Store Special (around $7.00), featuring two pork chops, two eggs, two crumbly biscuits and more killer hash browns. I sometimes get the tasty Piggy Special (a mere $4.50) with a slice o' ham, some eggs and super good blueberry pancakes which keeps me stuffed until dinner time. You can also order Mickey Mouse pancakes, complete with chocolate sauce for any grumpy kids with you.
The Pork Store Cafe is small - as in the kitchen is in the restuarant small - which is OK on cold days; besides the short order cooks provide entertainment with their spatula flipping. There are black and white pictures on the walls of the Pork Store back in the day when it was still a real pork store, or butcher shop. The service is fun, flexible and efficient - all this lends to a cozy yet busy atmosphere.
And In This Corner... 1466 Haight Street (breakfast served until 4:45 on weekends)
Just across the street from The Pork Store Cafe, All You Knead is another great spot for jumbo brunch yummies like crepes, pancakes, blintzes, and omlettes. Friends are always administering hangover remedies by saying this place is "all you need" to nurse a hangover. (groan)
They have something for everyone here, starting with every breakfast combination possible: pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes. Eggs Benedict. In the mood for something sweeter? Fruity crepes, macadamia nut pancakes and sweet blintzes with a side of potatoes. My all-time brunch favorite from All You Knead is simple - eggs, pancakes, and their homefries. It's probably the most familiar breakfast plate... a combination that everybody has had and everyone can relate to. If you're goofy or vegan - they have tofu crepes and omelettes. Oh boy.
It's slightly airier and bigger so you won't have to wait as long; yet there is some entertainment value in the restaurant's attempt at decor - linoleum floors, 70's naugehyde (sp), fishies to look at, and plants if you do have to wait. It's got a little old, grimey, and dusty feel to the place, but don't let that deter your quest for brunch.
The service is a little apathetic, but you'll get you fat omelette lickety split.
And there you have it - my two spots for brunch on Haight.
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