The Battle for Brunch (talking about Fight Club)

Everybody in San Francisco knows what a struggle it is to find a good brunch where you’re not standing in line forever. Honestly people, if you’re from somewhere else you have no idea. It’s hell. All you want is some coffee and pancakes but it’s hella* long lines. So we all have this (mostly failed) strategy of not talking about where we go for brunch lest we encourage our erstwhile friends and acquaintances to become part of our Sunday morning problem.

Dottie’s

Some 17 years ago I strolled down the hill from my apartment on Jones street and found Dottie’s True Blue Café. The place is very very good. They bake their own pastries and bread. Everything is really fresh. They’ve got the standard items you at least want to have as options. Then they go way beyond. Anyone who can make bean cakes taste great to a full-on omnivore is doing something right. The problem of course is Dottie’s has a line down the street and you can easily wait an hour.

This morning when I dropped Michelle off at the airport super early I was able to get there around opening and there were a few parties in line. On my way from the car I passed through a group of junkies who were breaking up a morning conference and headed off into different directions. Just past them a young tourist couple tried not to look worried. After a time, scenes like this can provide a sense of romance about this city. They carry a certain charm. Being alone I snuck into a seat at the counter. Thick ghetto bacon, blueberry cornbread cakes, coffee and the Sunday Times, mmmmm I was in heaven. But most of the time you can’t do this. Brunch is usually a social meal. So the search for alternatives is on.

Brenda’s http://www.frenchsoulfood.com/

Cajun in the tenderloin, Brenda’s is better than just the plan b. Like Dottie’s, the place is tiny. Go with no more than 4 people and really you should go in twos. The Beignets are really nice. The Granny Smith Apple Beignets are my favorite. Every culture has their fried dough and this one is not to be missed. That being said, I have yet to go the Crawfish route. Doesn’t seem quite right in the morning.

This could be heresy against Dottie’s but I think Brenda’s Grillades and Grits may be the single best brunch item I’ve ever had. Full stop. It’s spicy. Normally you may not want to go big beef for breakfast but this is the best excuse I’ve seen. It’s got this thick gravy and tender slow cooked beef that explains in a complex blend of flavors why we do things that are bad for us. You should go to their website just to look at their biscuits. They’re tender and steamy. Such a good way to live. Of course there’s a line here too.

So what you’re really reading here is also an order of driving. Go past Dottie’s. Confirm the line is as long as it always is. Pass Brenda’s and confirm that the line is there too. Maybe roll the dice on Boogaloos since the Mission crowd is likely still sleeping it off. (http://www.boogaloossf.com/) They do great home fries with a little turmeric.

But most often we have a place we like where there is often parking, there is seldom a wait, and they have fresh made little scones and muffins they serve with a thick fresh pear puree. They just arrive at your table as you’re seated. It’s so relaxed in there. Often bustling but not like the other places.

Of course I can’t tell you where that is. Sorry. Those are the rules.

*Hella. Five years of working with middle school kids here convinced me that this is worthy slang. Suffice to say, I am not the demographic where this word finds it's most common expression. But I like it. If you want to keep it clean for all audiences, say hecka.