One thing that is incredibly hard to find in San Antonio is a good American breakfast joint. We have an abundance of breakfast tacos, migas, and chilaquiles here in San Antone, but a good place for a flapjack or biscuits and gravy is difficult to find. Don’t believe me? Hop on google and type “San Antonio Breakfast” to see what I am talking about.
In fact, some friends were down from Austin and were tired of me taking them to get Mexican breakfast food; I only knew of places that they had either already been to or were marginal at best. Needless to say, we ended up eating chilaquiles (and there is nothing wrong with that by me!)! I decided to take it upon myself to find a spot for some good breakfast eats and stumbled upon Patty Lou’s.
Patty Lou’s is currently located off of Evers and the north side of 410 in a rundown shopping center. To be honest, if you didn’t know it was there, you would probably pass on by. This is a perfect case of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover; when you walk in the doors you are welcomed into a warm and inviting restaurant with yellow walls, high ceilings, and beautiful black and white pictures of jazz musicians taken by Ms. Patty Lou’s friend.
The friend/family feel seems to extend from the walls to the patrons – I got the feeling that many of them are regulars by the way that the wait staff interacted with them. The menu is a family affair too; be sure to check out the last page where Ms. Patty Lou explains how she got started and all the people who were instrumental in helping. It is just such a great atmosphere, and I felt at home even though I am a newbie.
In my only prior trip to Patty Lou’s I overheard a regular ask Ms. Patty Lou for an item that was not on the menu, jalapeño pancakes. Only in San Antonio would you find jalapeños making an appearance in pancakes. I made a mental note because I had to try this. I ended up going with the Sunday morning special of 2 eggs, 2 bacon, and 2 pancakes, upgrading the pancakes for a $1 to be the jalapeño variety.
The eggs and bacon were perfect. The bacon was crispy but had that right amount of fat that allows it to melt at the same time as having that little bit of crunch. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a golden goose, but they must have a golden chicken in the back because the eggs are gigantic and the yolk is super creamy, perfect for dipping the bacon in.
The pancakes were light and fluffy and big to boot. There were bona fide slices of jalapeños mixed in with the batter. They had the taste of being candied, but don’t let that fool you. Those bad boys still packed a punch and if you do not like spicy food DO NOT GET THIS. Stick with a blueberry pancake and be happy. If on the other hand you like food with heat and are feeling adventurous, spice up your breakfast and special order this item that still isn’t on the menu. The heat of the jalapeño is still there and the sweet/hot flavor is interesting. Plus you will look super cool ordering something that is not even on the menu.
NOTE: Towards the end of my breakfast I got to talk with Ms. Patty Lou herself. It turns out that the restaurant is going to moving across town to the Olmos Pharmacy off of Hildebrand and McCullough. I am super excited for them, because food this good doesn’t need to be hidden away. Apparently the move is going to take place on September 1, so be sure to go to the right location. @writeontime has confirmed that Patty Lou’s in currently in its new location at the Olmos Pharmacy.
ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: I love getting to meet the people who own the restaurant.
Value: 8/10 ($8 for two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon + $1 upgrade to add fruit/ jalapeños to your pancake; coffee comes in at $1.50; a little steep for breakfast, but it is a nicer sit down breakfast)
Atmosphere: 10/10 (You feel like you are at a close friends house and their mom is making breakfast. Really cool. I will update about the new place when I go there soon.)
Service: 10/10 (So friendly. Ms. Patty Lou will come out and visit each table even if they are slammed. The staff is equally nice and incredibly friendly and timely.)
Taste: 10/10 (The eggs and bacon are worthy of this rating alone. The pancakes make push the rating over the top.)
Here is the new location at the Olmos Pharmacy on Hildebrand (don’t go to the location off of 410 and Evers that Google has):
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