I am not a morning person. I hate all things related to that time of day. I especially don't like breakfast and the smell of fried eggs are enough to send my stomach into convulsions. It may be deep rooted in the fact that breakfast was mandatory when I was growing up. My mother cared less about causing clogged arteries, than she did about going to school with an empty stomach. I tried to convince her that greasy fried eggs, bacon and sausage were not the healthiest way to start the day, and I would much rather have the leftover pizza instead. Since morning wasn't the best time of day for her either, we spoke as little as possible, avoiding conflict that would put in me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. I just learned to eat at the last minute, fill my mouth as full as I possibly could, then spit it out as soon as I got outside. I loved it when there was snow on the ground, cause I could hide the evidence a lot quicker.
I was not real excited when my daughters and son-in-law suggested we stop for breakfast before we went on a hike. Especially when they suggested Patrick's Roadhouse, the quintessential hole in the wall and eyesore, that graces Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. I have driven past this neon green landmark for as long as I can remember, never once having the urge to eat there. You can imagine my surprise when we went inside and I saw it was like eating in a funky antique shop, complete with framed memorabilia, knickknacks, and furniture that takes you back to garage sales, 50 years ago. It was something you would find in the middle of Washington State, not a stone's throw away from the beach in Malibu, California.
We chose to eat outside to enjoy the beautiful day, the ocean view and the air pollutants from the traffic on Pacific Coast Highway. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy, with locals reading the newspaper, and using the many board games lying around. I don't want to say the service is slow, but you could take in a whole game of Monopoly before your breakfast arrives. There were tributes to Arnold Schwarzenegger everywhere, who was a regular before becoming Governator of California. He has a table with his name on it, along with his special breakfast on the menu. Speaking of the menu, it was a - never met a carb I didn't like - kind of menu, with everything from sun dried tomato omelets, to caviar topped cheeseburgers. It was a little chaotic, not unlike the decor, but there was something for everyone and a lot more appealing that I would have imagined. The atmosphere is so casual, you could show up in your robe and slippers, and no one would blink an eye.
We didn't see anyone famous this time, but I hear it is a hang out for celebrities who love the eccentric atmosphere. Suffice it to stay, I still hate breakfast, but I can eat a bowl of fresh fruit, followed by a single multi-grain pancake, when I have to.
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