Foothill Flavors

Patio Offers Traditional Breakfast Favourites

By Antoinette May Herndon

Do I ever have egg on my face! Last week I wrote with the calm confidence of one who knows it all that Country Cliff’s was the only breakfast restaurant in San Andreas.

Somebody—in fact, a lot of somebodys—knew better. I was way wrong. The Patio Drive In has been a San Andreas mainstay for more than 30 years. Its present owner, Sopheazy Bredenberg, has been there for seven of them. She took over in 2003.

Admittedly, August and September have been my months for mistakes. The worst personal one was that Charles and I had a large party and somehow managed to omit a few of our closest friends. How do you explain that kind of blunder?

Maybe you can’t. I certainly couldn’t.

I thought nothing could be worse than that, but then the professional screw-ups began. First I spelled Susan Komure’s name wrong in this column and then Sam Chastain’s. Sorry Susan. Sorry Sam. At least let it be known that you have lots of vocal friends out there who were more than eager to set the record straight. Again, mea culpa.

Now, getting back to The Patio Drive In—how could I have missed it! The breakfast bistro is right on the main drag. It has, I understand, a loyal following

who have been starting the day there for lo these many years.

Who was it that said, “Seeing is believing”? Charles and I needed to check this place out.

First of all, we were delighted to find a convenient private parking lot right next door, but a large sign forewarned us: DON’T PARK HERE UNLESS YOU ARE EATING IN THE RESTAURANT. VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.

Phew! I was glad we were going to the restaurant and not the mortuary next door. Apparently frantic mourners desperate to get to the sermon on time have been known to sneak their cars into the Patio’s lot hoping to get lucky. (Don’t count on it.)

Once inside, more signs confronted us: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE. Then: NO CREDIT CARDS. And finally NO CHECKS.

Clearly The Patio Drive In is a restaurant that knows how to establish boundaries. Nothing vague about it. Customers know exactly where they stand right from the start.

Beyond the signs are a pretty used brick service bar where you can place your order and a white trellis threaded with leafy vines.

I like that inside-outside look. The eatery’s interior is a melange of flower garden colors: purple, blue and muted red. Tiny, cosy tables look out at busy St. Charles Street. It’s fun to watch

the cars whizzing by. People are going places, doing things in bustling San Andreas.

A wall menu lists all the traditional breakfast favourites. And Charles is such a traditionalist. He went with the Big 2--two eggs, two pancakes, and two slices of bacon ($5.75) with coffee ($1.50) but found his bacon a bit on the skinny side.

The variety of omelettes appealed to me. All the traditional ones to choose from along with a few exotic variations. I chose the Ortega sausage blended with cheese ($6.75) along with a the giant size glass of ice tea ($3).

Now that Charles and I have at last “discovered” The Patio Inn, we’ve heard that the eatery’s true specialties are burgers cooked just right and a variety of milkshakes in yummy flavours.

We’ll definitely go back to check them out. Maybe we’ll see you there. I hope so, but be sure and spell your name for me. Very carefully.

VITALS: The Patio Drive In. 284 West St. Charles. San Andraes. Phone: 754:9375. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m; Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5. Cash only. amherndon@sierralodestar.com

Pictures:

The Patio Drive In is a familiar sight to many.

The Patio Drive In’s interior has a pleasant indoor-outdoor feeling.