Just moved to the area - whats the best place for breakfast?
The Fox is the stalworth. I also like Whiteway Deli(Ander special: egg white and tabouli in a pita). If you just want something quick, you can ALWAYS find coupons for Einsteins Bagels. I routinely get a free bagel sandwhich with drink purchase(about 1.34 total).
Derby House in Five Points is ok(pretty decent catfish and grits special), but I prefer The Fox in Avondale.
I like the Fox too but their staff can sometimes be a little shaky. Not the friendliest of people. Biscotti's is also good for brunch.
For an alternative to The Fox, check out the Cool Moose at Park and King.
There are a few upscale options besides Biscotti's. I haven't been to The Row lately for breakfast (on Riverside between Memorial Park and the Cummer), but from what I remember it was very good.
Close to Riverside Avondale, i.e. in Murray Hill, I'd also look into the Edgewood Bakery and the Crazy Egg. These two places are both on S. Edgewood. The Crazy Egg is where Dave's Diner used to be.
Cool Moose is tops. Kickbacks has good breakfast as well but their coffee stinks.
The Fox or Cool Moose are my regular Sunday morning stomping grounds. Both can get pretty busy, as seating is hard to come by in the a.m. at both locations.
The Row restaurant has been closed for some months now.
Derby House is always good solid diner food. No surprises, no disappointments. Good coffee.
I think Uptown Market and Metro Diner are better than anything in Avondale/Riverside and worth the quick drive out.
The operative word there is "drive." I'd prefer to walk, esp on weekends.
Best breakfast in the entire core is The Fox, Cool Moose, Einstein's, Metro Diner, & Tommy's in Springfield. Stick to any of those & you're gonna be allllright.
Cool Moose or The Fox by far!
For best brunch, my fave is Blue Fish... 5 dollar unlimited mimosas/bloody marys? Yes, please!
Quote from: RiversideLoki on April 02, 2011, 05:20:32 PM
Cool Moose or The Fox by far!
For best brunch, my fave is Blue Fish... 5 dollar unlimited mimosas/bloody marys? Yes, please!
UNLIMITED?!? What? What?
You heard it right - Awesome unlimited Bloody Mary bar or bottomless Mimosas for FIVE BUCKS!!!
And I do love me some breakfast at The Fox!
Quote from: acme54321 on April 02, 2011, 04:54:19 PM
I think Uptown Market and Metro Diner are better than anything in Avondale/Riverside and worth the quick drive out.
The only thing that I don't like about the Metro Diner is that it is such a cluster f--k what with all of the crowds.
Besides, I thought that this thread was about the best place for breakfast in Riverside/Avondale. This would be like having a Bite by Bite edition of Folio, but all of the reviews detailing the best restaurants in Atlanta... LOL
The Fox hands down. If you want to avoid crowds though, Michael's Deli (across from St. Vincents on Barrs) has great home fries and delicious breakfasts in a sack.
The Fox has a charm that keeps me going back there. I have been to Biscotti's and Blue Fish for Sunday brunch and I like their food and service as well... Cool Moose has great coffee and I enjoy their crab cake Benedict.
Gotta go with Biscotti's. The breakfast burrito is top notch as is the breakfast sandwhich with smoked Gouda. good stuff. Enjoy!
Best
Quote from: Jaxson on April 02, 2011, 07:01:47 PM
You heard it right - Awesome unlimited Bloody Mary bar or bottomless Mimosas for FIVE BUCKS!!!
I will drink that place out of business.
Kickbacks.
Crazy Egg is great for a low-key sit-down breakfast (but crazy crowded on the weekends). The Fox is more expensive, but quick, efficient, and definitely a good people-watching scene. Pinegrove Deli has an awesome breakfast--french toast, huge egg platters, protein load-- but NOT a quick in-and-out--no pre-cooking here; personally, I love the egg white/banana pepper/tomato and onion in a pita wrap. Whiteway is also the bomb. Really, an embarrassment of riches here in RA!
We tried to go to Crazy Egg one day ,but it had already closed for the day.. but the food sounds yummy :)
Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up trying the Brick - pretty good (Fox was going to be too much of a wait). Definitely need to try Blue Fish for those mimosas and bloody marys!
How did we all miss (the) Brick ???
Because the Brick is really inconsistent, terribly overpriced, and more of a place to be seen than it is to actually eat in any reasonable amount of time for any reasonable amount of money.
Don't get me wrong, I've eaten there before and I have had some good food. To me, the best thing on their brunch menu is the biscuits and gravy (which is both cheap and a large portion.) But I can't justify spending that much money on brunch or breakfast due to the times I've gone and the service has been horrible, the food cold, or the seasoning just being whacky. I could go on and on, and (if you search a bit) we actually HAVE gone on and on in another thread IIRC. But I won't.
Quote from: 904Scars on April 02, 2011, 12:07:43 PM
The Fox or Cool Moose are my regular Sunday morning stomping grounds. Both can get pretty busy, as seating is hard to come by in the a.m. at both locations.
My votes... try them both
BTW, for an upscale Brunch, be sure to check Town and Orsay!
Quote from: Yossarianlives on April 02, 2011, 07:50:57 PM
Gotta go with Biscotti's.
+1
Don't be lured in by the empty promises of the Brick! I'll second (or third) Biscotti's just across the street--you gotta try their creme brulee French toast with a side of smoked cheddar cheese grits. Yum! And unlike a lot of places around that might only give you a bit of orange or half a banana sliced up, they actually offer a decent selection of fruit (assortment of berries, melon, pineapple, etc) as a side for us non-bacon munchers. And they serve locally roasted Martin coffee. Best bang for the buck IMO.
Orsay is
always an excellent choice too for breakfast/brunch or any other meal for that matter.
I *love* Biscottis.. but their menu is a bit too sugar laden for my taste. I treat them as a once in a blue moon thing otherwise I fear I'll go into a diabetic coma (and I'm not even diabetic!) :D
Gotta give a shout out to Pinegrove Deli. Terrific french toast, fluffy pancakes, and my regular favorite--egg whites, banana peppers, tomatoes, & onions in a wrap--make this the neighborhood stealth favorite.
Me and a buddy went to Blue Fish for brunch for the first time this Sunday. First, what a great space! I'd love to see them put a martini bar or something into the patio/building in the back. Second, service was great. Food was pretty good. My friend got the chicken and waffles, I tried a bite, I look forward to getting it next time. The unlimited bloody marys were a great cure for a hangover, hair of the dog.
Quote from: grimss on April 04, 2011, 09:46:14 PM
Gotta give a shout out to Pinegrove Deli. Terrific french toast, fluffy pancakes, and my regular favorite--egg whites, banana peppers, tomatoes, & onions in a wrap--make this the neighborhood stealth favorite.
I like Pinegrove as well but I really wish they would refrain from airing Faux News while I'm trying to eat. I really don't understand why these businesses insist on alienating half of their potential customers. Couldn't they find something else just a little less polarizing?
They could do the ESPN thing, but then one should always monitor news and propaganda from opposing sources.
JMHO
Why does the dude behind the cash register at Pinegrove Deli always have such a puss on? I like the food, but the Jerk Attitude isn't very appetizing. And visually, the place has all the charm of a skin rash.
Quote from: hillary supporter on April 03, 2011, 11:12:05 PM
Quote from: 904Scars on April 02, 2011, 12:07:43 PM
The Fox or Cool Moose are my regular Sunday morning stomping grounds. Both can get pretty busy, as seating is hard to come by in the a.m. at both locations.
My votes... try them both
These get my votes as well. #1: The Fox, #2: Cool Moose
Both do really good breakfast/brunch ...
The Brick... well... Its ok, but not worth the money you are going to end up paying in my opinion... and their orange juice always tastes funny whenever I get it... meh...
Quote from: A-Finnius on April 02, 2011, 11:28:43 AM
Cool Moose is tops. Kickbacks has good breakfast as well but their coffee stinks.
I can imagine their coffee would stink, because there's no point to order it. They have hundreds of other delicious beverages that I'd rather try!! Next time, try a coffee stout instead.
Pinegrove Deli and Biscotti's are my places of choice.
.................. I really wish they would refrain from airing Faux News while I'm trying to eat. I really don't understand why these businesses insist on alienating half of their potential customers. Couldn't they find something else just a little less polarizing?
[/quote]
For me,I simply steer clear of such Faux News places.
(although the sight of a bored Ortega Silver Spoon Trust Baby on endless lunch break pontificating over 'newsworthy' events can be entertaining.Recall KC BBQ on San Juan Ave basked it's patrons in Fox news screen glow and broadcast trepidation while serving "Right Wing" chicken wings only.)
It's official- the public exhibits 'taste' for certain news format just as they do with food stuffs.
I have found that the less likely an establishment leans towards Junk News the less likely there will be emphasis on junkier,less healthy offerings.Even the patrons look healthier,wiser.
It's just plain discernment,discrimination....and taste.The wallet speaks.Come to think of it (or even if you don't)-KC 'closed' some time ago.......
Well if they ran Chicken Noodle News all the time they would alienate the other half of their customers.
Quote from: Atari007 on April 05, 2011, 09:51:32 AM
and their orange juice always tastes funny whenever I get it... meh...
There is a high chance that the orange juice came from frozen juice cans / water - powder mix.-Josh
Another vote for Cool Moose--great self serve coffee and if you (and your fellow diners) are fond of garlic, try their Hello: a toasted bagel with cream cheese, sliced tomato, coarse ground salt and pepper, and lots of chopped up fresh garlic. Hello! You can also order it with smoked salmon, it's perfect with a side order of their latkes hot out of the pan.
The coffee at Cool Moose is awesome! Love the Fox. I second the upscale eating at The Town and Orsay. The Town made us this awesome vegan dish and grits the other day that rocked and they have a bottomless mimosa as well. Biscotti's is also a great spot too.
I keep reading about 'bottomless' mimosas and bloody mary's, and it makes me shudder just a little. Don't get me wrong, I like a good buzz in the morning probably a little more than the next guy, but how can you go from charging $5-$6 bucks a drink to unlimited for how much $15, $20? I think that tells me one of two things: a.) You're serving me Brut & OJ from a Box or Skol and Re-claimed Tomato Juice or b.)You're dicking me with the price of these drinks the other 6 days a week. It doesn't make sense, at least to me.
Here's an idea - don't use gimmicks. Serve quality food and bev, charge appropriately & maintain your dignity.
What's going to happen to your regulars if a couple groups of 7 or 8 from my side of town, the westside, camp out at your tables with their wife-beaters, mullets and prison tats while getting shit-faced on free alcohol and ordering toast?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on April 05, 2011, 05:33:48 PM
I keep reading about 'bottomless' mimosas and bloody mary's, and it makes me shudder just a little. Don't get me wrong, I like a good buzz in the morning probably a little more than the next guy, but how can you go from charging $5-$6 bucks a drink to unlimited for how much $15, $20? I think that tells me one of two things: a.) You're serving me Brut & OJ from a Box or Skol and Re-claimed Tomato Juice or b.)You're dicking me with the price of these drinks the other 6 days a week. It doesn't make sense, at least to me.
Here's an idea - don't use gimmicks. Serve quality food and bev, charge appropriately & maintain your dignity.
What's going to happen to your regulars if a couple groups of 7 or 8 from my side of town, the westside, camp out at your tables with their wife-beaters, mullets and prison tats while getting shit-faced on free alcohol and ordering toast?
While the bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys might sound 'gimmicky,' let's remember the law of averages. There will be some people who stop at one, a few more who may imbibe two or three, but only a rare breed that gets all Foster Brooks on you.
As for ripping people off with prices that would not be charged during the week, I seem to recall that Sunday brunch was simply an effort by eateries to dump their inventory before new stuff arrived at the beginning of the week. The allure of 'brunch' is just a jazzy way of convincing folks to come in...
Rednecks getting 'faced on mimosas while they nibble on toast? First of all, I have never seen a redneck say that they must take advantage of the cheap mimosas in Avondale. Second, I do not think that there are many cheap items to be tried in the Avondale Sunday brunch spots. Famous Amos or Denny's will do for them!
I don't think it's to dump inventory. How many eggs and hollandaise does a restaurant need to get rid of after a busy week? Inventory dumping - that's what nightly specials are for.
I guess I'm just not a big fan. If you want bottomless drinks, then hit up the nearest college bar on a friday night.
Alcohol is under-priced.
and over-valued.
The simple fact is that most people will stop at 3 or 4 at the most. God knows I don't want to be trashed on a Sunday before I have to clean the house and do yard work. If you're at BF you're probably there with some other Avondale or Ortega friends, and not likely to get out of control. And I have to say that I've never had a problem with the quality of their drinks. The ones you order as a single drink are just as good as the ones you order for the deal. Is it cheap champagne? Probably. But if it tastes good what's the problem?
If I would have to spend 2 to 3 dollars on sodas or coffee why wouldn't I have a few drinks for a couple of dollars more? You seem to not realize the actual amount of champagne that goes into a mimosa. It's not a lot.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on April 05, 2011, 05:57:32 PM
I don't think it's to dump inventory. How many eggs and hollandaise does a restaurant need to get rid of after a busy week? Inventory dumping - that's what nightly specials are for.
I guess I'm just not a big fan. If you want bottomless drinks, then hit up the nearest college bar on a friday night.
It's not about the eggs and condiments. Fresh fish comes in each week. So other perishables that have to go one way or another. The restaurants are able to dress up some crab meat that they need to get rid of and call it something nice like crab cake Benedict...
As for getting trashed, you sound like a Baptist. Perhaps there are some people who imbibe because they like to relax with a drink or two, not because they are about to go mud bogging and need to numb their nerves with PBR... There is nothing wrong, in my opinion, about giving a nice deal during this recession... LOL!
One of my coworkers moved back here from Austin, TX last year. She raves about 'breakfast tacos' that were a huge hit and ubiquitous among Austin breakfast providers. Apparently they had eggs, skillet potatoes, beans, chorizo, cilantro, cheese, and salsa on the side. They sound delicious, and I can see them being successful here.
Is there anywhere that already offers this on their breakfast menu??
Biscottis would be the closest thing that I know of.
Huevos Rancheros on tostada Two fried eggs, beans, avocados, tomatillo salsa and cheddar on crispy flour tortillas 6.50
Breakfast Burrito Eggs, chorizo, home fries, cheddar and fresh tomatillo salsa wrapped in a flour tortilla 6.25
Served with Maple syrup and butter Breakfast Specialties Huevos Con Jamon Two poached eggs on toasted country bread with Jamon Serrano and Hollandaise 8.95
omelet ~ Spanish Chorizo 6.95
UPTOWN MARKET
All the way - the best!!
Sounds like a venture into Springfield for breakfast.....
QuoteHuevos Rancheros on tostada Two fried eggs, beans, avocados, tomatillo salsa and cheddar on crispy flour tortillas 6.50
Sold.
I might take my date with me for breakfast in Springfield! A great start for the day... starting at Springfield.
-Josh
Ok, so I've been obsessing about Breakfast Tacos for the past hour. My search has made me incredibly hungry. One article I came across was from Fine Austin Living. Read the paragraphs below
QuoteIn Austin, there’s a cultural phenomenon surrounding the perfect breakfast taco. You know, those tortillas stuffed with eggs, and your choice of additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, beans and other vegetables, potatoes, salsas and other taste-bud tantalizers. Rarely will two people agree on the same ingredients or even the same restaurant!
To whet your appetite, or to fuel your GPS, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites around town, and invite you to send us YOUR favorites…and we’ll add them to a list. This is one of the many Fine things we like to give relocating buyers who are coming to Austin, to help them get acquainted with our Fine city, and the many wonderful eating establishments we have.
This is the kind of things we need to do in Jax. So many of the things in Jax go uncelebrated and even unnoticed. We have a number of great things here, but 70% of the city doesn't know they exist.
Also, check out http://www.torchystacos.com/food/tacos/
I'd like to open one of these on King Street or in the Avondale Strip.
QuoteIt's not about the eggs and condiments. Fresh fish comes in each week.
Ehh, if you're only getting a fresh fish delivery once a week, you either need to stop serving fish or stop ordering so much at one time! Every purveyor I know delivers every day of the week except Sunday, so if you know what you're doing and you order appropriately, you're serving Saturday's delivery on Sunday...
The Fox used to make a wonderful southwest omelet.
Quote from: buckethead on April 05, 2011, 07:44:14 AM
They could do the ESPN thing, but then one should always monitor news and propaganda from opposing sources.
JMHO
Every time I have been it it has been ESPN
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 06, 2011, 07:23:56 PM
The Fox used to make a wonderful southwest omelet.
The Fox used to make a lot of great stuff, before the current owner bought it and it got all weird. They cut the menu down to 1 page, took most of the cool stuff off the walls, painted over the 1960s wood paneling (that made the place!) and now you get a heapin' helpin' of snotty attitude and right-wing politics with your eggs. I don't go there anymore, which seems fine, since they are always packed without me.
Anybody remember The Affair breakfast sandwich? Yum...
I don't know about everyone else, but The Fox has been nice to me. I usually see the owner walking around and bantering with the customers. He asks about how they are enjoying their meals and asks if they need a refill.
I do agree that some 'popular' establishments end up leaving their staff with big heads about themselves, though. The wait staff often act like they don't need to be bothered with stupid crap like customer service because "there are ten customers ready to come in take that table."
Chris
I never get into politics but Ian at the Fox is soooo far left he is off the map. I love the outsider art. That stuff is worth some money if you know the market.
The old Fox was unbearable to watch the short order cook eat off the grill, smoke his cigarette that was hangin' off the prep table, wipe his hands on his dirty jeans and then that hand went straight to the hash browns to be used as a spatula to get it to the plate - no kidding. ;D
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on April 07, 2011, 09:47:45 AM
Chris
I never get into politics but Ian at the Fox is soooo far left he is off the map. I love the outsider art. That stuff is worth some money if you know the market.
The old Fox was unbearable to watch the short order cook eat off the grill, smoke his cigarette that was hangin' off the prep table, wipe his hands on his dirty jeans and then that hand went straight to the hash browns to be used as a spatula to get it to the plate - no kidding. ;D
IMHO, I think it is neat that The Fox gives the little ones a showcase for their fox drawings. Nice touch. I am too young to remember The Fox before Ian, but he is a great guy who runs a great place. I never knew him to be openly political...
The Fox is fine it is just my fourth choice in the area behind Kickbacks, Cool Moose and Crazy Egg.
I love Cool Moose, too! Never been to Kickbacks for brunch, JeffreyS, but thanks for the heads up --- and same goes for Crazy Egg!
Quote from: stephendare on April 07, 2011, 10:29:00 AM
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on April 07, 2011, 09:47:45 AM
Chris
I never get into politics but Ian at the Fox is soooo far left he is off the map. I love the outsider art. That stuff is worth some money if you know the market.
The old Fox was unbearable to watch the short order cook eat off the grill, smoke his cigarette that was hangin' off the prep table, wipe his hands on his dirty jeans and then that hand went straight to the hash browns to be used as a spatula to get it to the plate - no kidding. ;D
+1
I love the place. May May Chase, Ian, and my cousin Erik. Great stuff!
And Jackie too-I believe she is even pre Ian.
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on April 07, 2011, 09:47:45 AM
Chris
I never get into politics but Ian at the Fox is soooo far left he is off the map. I love the outsider art. That stuff is worth some money if you know the market.
The old Fox was unbearable to watch the short order cook eat off the grill, smoke his cigarette that was hangin' off the prep table, wipe his hands on his dirty jeans and then that hand went straight to the hash browns to be used as a spatula to get it to the plate - no kidding. ;D
I wasn't referring to Ian so much as to the customer base, although he is often very rude and nasty to his customers, without reason. In my book, that scratches the place off the list. About the "outsider art" (if you want to call it that) I'm not lamenting it, I'm missing the 80% of the stuff on the walls that he took down when he bought the place and painted the walls grey, including the old memorabilia, etc. And value has never really impressed me if I don't like the underlying aesthetic, not sure where you're going with that. Value is a subjective thing anyway, the phrase "one man's trash is another's treasure" wasn't coined without reason.
But with that said, if I had a buck for every time since I moved to Jacksonville that someone tried to point out some kitschy thing or some questionable painting and tell me it was worth a pile of money, I'd be set for life. I don't know why that seems to be endemic here. If you like a piece, then great, I can certainly appreciate it on that basis. But I'm not wholly unfamiliar with the market, and I wish people would stop bullshitting the bullshitters on prices, that is one reason there are so few direct sales locally. I guess there's always a sucker, but most folks halfway interested will either get the auction reports or have an artprice.net subscription, and when they go look it up and these local artists whose every work is somehow allegedly worth $50k have all their recent sales showing up under <$2k and current listings available in the same price range, then they just buy from out of town or (more likely) they just don't buy at all. It's really cutting off the nose to spite the face.
Back to the Fox, I do agree the greasy/unwashed looking chef may have been gross, but the food was 10X better then than it is now, and since it's a restaurant, to me at least, that tends to be the whole point. These days I go to Crazy Egg if a weekday, or Biscottis/Brick/etc. on a weekend. FYC also does a decent brunch. I used to go to Metro Diner, but since they got on T.V. you have to wait an hour to get in now, so that's off my list until the hoopla dies down.
The quality of breakfast food in Jacksonville is really pretty horrible generally, with only 2 or 3 exceptions. It's overly greasy, not innovative, and bland. I guess I got spoiled in south Florida, even that 4am greasy hungover trip to la carretta beats the best thing you'd get at the Fox, Derby House, etc. If I am going out to a restaurant, I'd ideally like my meal not to be something I could have made myself in less time from common ingredients in my kitchen, for free. Which is unfortunately the entire Fox menu these days.
Take Biscottis for example, the breakfast pizzas with peppers etc., I probably wouldn't think to make myself. The breakfast burrito with eggs, peppers, black beans, tobasco, etc., I wouldn't have thought to make at home. Pretty much anything on Orsay's menu I wouldn't have thought of making at home. The old Fox menu was like that, I would have never thought of making a breakfast club sandwich at home (The Affair), it was really pretty innovative. At the Crazy Egg they get real Andouille sausage and make omelettes out of it. That's not something I normally have at home. Metro Diner does homemade fried chicken and waffles, I'm definitely not frying my own chicken at home. So I'm willing to go out for that. But the Fox, come on, there's nothing on their menu that I couldn't make from the common household stuff in my kitchen right now, in 10 minutes and for free. Doesn't take much thought to slap two eggs and some flaccid bacon on a plate, or open a can of condensed gravy and dump it on grands biscuits.
The Fox is my favorite place to people watch - such a mixed bag on a Sunday morning. People fresh out of church mashed up with all of the hung-overs.....
Quotesuch a mixed bag on a Sunday morning.
Try every morning. I love the fact that I can walk 4 blocks to the Fox. Get there by 8 and no lines, no waiting.
Went to the Fox years ago. Made a face at the dishwater coffee. The owner asked me what was wrong and when I said the coffee was watery, he got in my face and growled, "People love our coffee." We left and have never been back.
You want a different breakfast try the whole catfish with grits at the Derby House.
Quote from: Dog Walker on April 08, 2011, 08:17:44 AM
Went to the Fox years ago. Made a face at the dishwater coffee. The owner asked me what was wrong and when I said the coffee was watery, he got in my face and growled, "People love our coffee." We left and have never been back.
You want a different breakfast try the whole catfish with grits at the Derby House.
That wasn't Ian who growled at you, was it? I cannot picture him doing that to anyone...
That wasn't Ian who growled at you, was it? I cannot picture him doing that to anyone...
[/quote]
I beg to differ. My co-worker had a run in with Ian just recently. He was very rude to her. I witnessed it and was astonished a business owner was acting like such an ass. No Fox for us.
My partner and I love Einsteins near the Publix on Riverside Avenue. We go there nearly every weekend. Very relaxing atmosphere and great view looking out over Memorial Park and the St. Johns river.
ChrisUF- if it's in your kitchen, it's not free. You bought it. Unless you have a magic kitchen, in which case I'm jealous. And I have to believe you would've thought of making a breakfast burrito... ;D
As for the Fox, steak and eggs with biscuits and sausage gravy. There I said it. Not cutting edge cuisine, but it's a diner, so expect diner food. Also, diners are supposed to have grumpy, snarling owners..it's part of the charm. I like a sarcastic waitress for good measure as well. It's all in the Diner Operational Handbook (D'Oh!), chapter 3 - The Customer Is Never Right.
Smile people. Breakfast is supposed to be fun. Be pissed off at dinner.
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
Judging from some of the posts in this thread, the do a cease and desist of patronage.
Another great Riverside/Avondale breakfast location:
Just offshore........the breakfast table being your small craft hand launched at Ortega bridge.
Quote from: Dog Walker on April 08, 2011, 08:17:44 AM
Went to the Fox years ago. Made a face at the dishwater coffee. The owner asked me what was wrong and when I said the coffee was watery, he got in my face and growled, "People love our coffee." We left and have never been back.
Yup...that's Ian for you.
Quote from: exnewsman on April 08, 2011, 09:40:03 AM
I beg to differ. My co-worker had a run in with Ian just recently. He was very rude to her. I witnessed it and was astonished a business owner was acting like such an ass. No Fox for us.
+1
QuoteI remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's.
Really? I went to Col Mustards at the beach a couple weeks ago and the staff couldn't have been nicer. I actually remarked to a number of people how friendly they were. Maybe I just have that effect on people ;)
I'd kind of like a place that was intentionally mean on the superficial level. Those places are fun and the staff are usually happy that they get to joke around. Staff who are actually in a bad mood stink.
Quote from: RockStar on April 08, 2011, 10:26:18 AM
ChrisUF- if it's in your kitchen, it's not free. You bought it. Unless you have a magic kitchen, in which case I'm jealous. And I have to believe you would've thought of making a breakfast burrito... ;D
As for the Fox, steak and eggs with biscuits and sausage gravy. There I said it. Not cutting edge cuisine, but it's a diner, so expect diner food. Also, diners are supposed to have grumpy, snarling owners..it's part of the charm. I like a sarcastic waitress for good measure as well. It's all in the Diner Operational Handbook (D'Oh!), chapter 3 - The Customer Is Never Right.
Smile people. Breakfast is supposed to be fun. Be pissed off at dinner.
A whole carton of eggs is $3. A container of grands biscuits is $2. Gravy stock is $.40 a can. A whole pound of bacon is $4. For the price of one trip to the Fox you could literally have breakfast every day for weeks. And the food wouldn't be any different. I'd rather pay $70 and go to Orsay for brunch, or $50 and go to Biscottis. I can't make their food myself in 10 minutes at home. Surely you see my point? It's not that I mind paying for food. I just want to get some kind of value for the money.
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
There's a big difference between a curmudgeon with character or smart-aleck banter and some twerpy douche snapping at people for no reason. The managers and owner at the Brick give me crap for fun, the staff at the yacht club screw with me all the time, and I gladly suffer through Faux News at pinegrove, knowing they know I'm a liberal, I don't expect anyone to change their personality or their tv set for me. The kickbacks guy screw with me all the time. That's all in good fun, and it's not the same thing. You know the difference as well as I do.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 08, 2011, 11:31:01 AM
I'd kind of like a place that was intentionally mean on the superficial level. Those places are fun and the staff are usually happy that they get to joke around. Staff who are actually in a bad mood stink.
Exactly.
Quote from: stephendare on April 07, 2011, 10:29:00 AM
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on April 07, 2011, 09:47:45 AM
Chris
I never get into politics but Ian at the Fox is soooo far left he is off the map. I love the outsider art. That stuff is worth some money if you know the market.
The old Fox was unbearable to watch the short order cook eat off the grill, smoke his cigarette that was hangin' off the prep table, wipe his hands on his dirty jeans and then that hand went straight to the hash browns to be used as a spatula to get it to the plate - no kidding. ;D
+1
I love the place. May May Chase, Ian, and my cousin Erik. Great stuff!
Yes, as good as any in town...... actually my favorite in the world!
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 08, 2011, 12:41:54 PM
Quote from: RockStar on April 08, 2011, 10:26:18 AM
ChrisUF- if it's in your kitchen, it's not free. You bought it. Unless you have a magic kitchen, in which case I'm jealous. And I have to believe you would've thought of making a breakfast burrito... ;D
As for the Fox, steak and eggs with biscuits and sausage gravy. There I said it. Not cutting edge cuisine, but it's a diner, so expect diner food. Also, diners are supposed to have grumpy, snarling owners..it's part of the charm. I like a sarcastic waitress for good measure as well. It's all in the Diner Operational Handbook (D'Oh!), chapter 3 - The Customer Is Never Right.
Smile people. Breakfast is supposed to be fun. Be pissed off at dinner.
A whole carton of eggs is $3. A container of grands biscuits is $2. Gravy stock is $.40 a can. A whole pound of bacon is $4. For the price of one trip to the Fox you could literally have breakfast every day for weeks. And the food wouldn't be any different. I'd rather pay $70 and go to Orsay for brunch, or $50 and go to Biscottis. I can't make their food myself in 10 minutes at home. Surely you see my point? It's not that I mind paying for food. I just want to get some kind of value for the money.
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
There's a big difference between a curmudgeon with character or smart-aleck banter and some twerpy douche snapping at people for no reason. The managers and owner at the Brick give me crap for fun, the staff at the yacht club screw with me all the time, and I gladly suffer through Faux News at pinegrove, knowing they know I'm a liberal, I don't expect anyone to change their personality or their tv set for me. The kickbacks guy screw with me all the time. That's all in good fun, and it's not the same thing. You know the difference as well as I do.
Chris --- Speaking of snapping, I don't know why you are ripping into me. My question was not meant to justify the jack-knobs who are rude for no real reason but to be nasty, but was thinking aloud about whether we have those kind of places. Yes, I do know the difference, but thanks for taking the time to berate me. Have a nice day!
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 12:46:36 PM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 08, 2011, 12:41:54 PM
Quote from: RockStar on April 08, 2011, 10:26:18 AM
ChrisUF- if it's in your kitchen, it's not free. You bought it. Unless you have a magic kitchen, in which case I'm jealous. And I have to believe you would've thought of making a breakfast burrito... ;D
As for the Fox, steak and eggs with biscuits and sausage gravy. There I said it. Not cutting edge cuisine, but it's a diner, so expect diner food. Also, diners are supposed to have grumpy, snarling owners..it's part of the charm. I like a sarcastic waitress for good measure as well. It's all in the Diner Operational Handbook (D'Oh!), chapter 3 - The Customer Is Never Right.
Smile people. Breakfast is supposed to be fun. Be pissed off at dinner.
A whole carton of eggs is $3. A container of grands biscuits is $2. Gravy stock is $.40 a can. A whole pound of bacon is $4. For the price of one trip to the Fox you could literally have breakfast every day for weeks. And the food wouldn't be any different. I'd rather pay $70 and go to Orsay for brunch, or $50 and go to Biscottis. I can't make their food myself in 10 minutes at home. Surely you see my point? It's not that I mind paying for food. I just want to get some kind of value for the money.
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
There's a big difference between a curmudgeon with character or smart-aleck banter and some twerpy douche snapping at people for no reason. The managers and owner at the Brick give me crap for fun, the staff at the yacht club screw with me all the time, and I gladly suffer through Faux News at pinegrove, knowing they know I'm a liberal, I don't expect anyone to change their personality or their tv set for me. The kickbacks guy screw with me all the time. That's all in good fun, and it's not the same thing. You know the difference as well as I do.
Chris --- Speaking of snapping, I don't know why you are ripping into me. My question was not meant to justify the jack-knobs who are rude for no real reason but to be nasty, but was thinking aloud about whether we have those kind of places. Yes, I do know the difference, but thanks for taking the time to berate me. Have a nice day!
I didn't snap at you. I didn't berate you. Nor was I rude to you.
QuoteThat's all in good fun, and it's not the same thing. You know the difference as well as I do.
It irked me that you seemed to assert that I was saying something that I wasn't.
I am partial to Derby House myself.
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 01:01:03 PM
QuoteThat's all in good fun, and it's not the same thing. You know the difference as well as I do.
It irked me that you seemed to assert that I was saying something that I wasn't.
I was only responding to what you wrote here;
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
And to this reply to it;
Quote from: buckethead on April 08, 2011, 10:58:05 AM
Judging from some of the posts in this thread, the do a cease and desist of patronage.
These posts appeared imply or wonder whether the negative experiences several people reported with Ian's foul attitude and rudeness towards customers at the Fox were just the result of them being "uninitiated" (your word) to colorful personalities. And my response was to point out that everybody knows the difference between a smart aleck or a wisecracking curmudgeon vs. a douche who snaps off at his own paying customers for no reason.
Nothing I said was rude to you, let alone would qualify as "ripping into you" or "berating" you.
If Ian was being a douche, I don't think it was a gimmick ala Colonel Mustard. No worries. I understand what you are saying now...
I actually posted earlier about how much I like Fox, and I do. But I do have to agree, that it isn't very innovative and I have to be honest...it isn't where I'd take visitors if I was trying to impress them. It is very simple, and is for the most part stuff I could fix at home.
Places like Metro Diner, Blue Fish, and Brick are more "Brunchy" and less "Breakfasty" than Fox.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 08, 2011, 12:41:54 PM
A whole carton of eggs is $3. A container of grands biscuits is $2. Gravy stock is $.40 a can. A whole pound of bacon is $4. For the price of one trip to the Fox you could literally have breakfast every day for weeks. And the food wouldn't be any different. I'd rather pay $70 and go to Orsay for brunch, or $50 and go to Biscottis. I can't make their food myself in 10 minutes at home. Surely you see my point? It's not that I mind paying for food. I just want to get some kind of value for the money.
Understandable, but sometimes its nice to walk a couple of blocks to get some good old fashioned regular breakfast food that i could make at home... without having to make anything at home.... (and especially without the mess!) I dont mind paying for that service.
I also want to throw in that Ian has always been insanely nice to myself, my family and all (that i know of) my friends. Even my kids think he's great. I just hate hearing everyone bash on him. :)
Well I hope you never have the displeasure of dealing with him on one of his "off" days, then. He can be a real dick. And often is, from what I've witnessed. It would certainly change your viewpoint.
Perhaps he is in the wrong business. I never met the guy.
They ran off my favorite server from the Fox. Now she's at the Crazy Egg. Says she's happier.
Crazy egg is good, sounds like I have a plan for tomorrow.
Quote from: Jimmy on April 11, 2011, 06:08:24 PM
They ran off my favorite server from the Fox. Now she's at the Crazy Egg. Says she's happier.
Same girl I'm thinking of that used to be at Cool Moose? Her and her partner live in R'side?
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 11, 2011, 07:34:28 PM
Crazy egg is good, sounds like I have a plan for tomorrow.
Crazy Egg is grrrrrreat!
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 11, 2011, 09:10:52 PM
Same girl I'm thinking of that used to be at Cool Moose? Her and her partner live in R'side?
I'm so bad with names. The lady I'm thinking of is a little older, heavier set. Glasses, long brown hair. She was the only one at the Fox who didn't serve food with a side of needless hipster attitude. (Which is tolerable at times; I do like the Fox.)
Crazy Egg is a huge upgrade over Dave's diner. I was in there on opening day and the were running Faux News. I asked them to switch it and have only seen CNN there since. ;)
And the mini-muffins are delightful. When they haven't run out of them by 11AM. Aside from that...
I believe her name is Jackie.
I think her name IS Jackie. Thanks, Steve.
And, to be fair, Kickbacks has some of the best breakfast food in the historic district. And you can get it anytime, which is a massive win in my book. Sometimes breakfast for dinner can't be beat.
Hey, Steve is finally here!
Soul Food Bistro has a killer Saturday morning breakfast. It's hard to go wrong with chicken, waffles, and some of the creamiest grits in town. It's behind the Winn-Dixie on Normandy, sooo not technically in Riverside/Avondale... but neither is Crazy Egg.
Quote from: Jaxson on April 08, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Are there any urban core eateries that are best known for their grumpy management? I remember that this was the appeal of places like Colonel Mustard's. For regular customers of those kind of places, it must be a fun way to get a bite to eat. I wonder, however, how do the uninitiated respond to this kind of service/treatment?
I was at casa dora downtown waiting for a pizza. The uy that owns the place laid into one of his staff till the guy was in tears and walked out. Wasn't very pleasant.
The guy from Col Mustards was the best.
Quote from: Jimmy on April 11, 2011, 11:19:29 PM
I think her name IS Jackie. Thanks, Steve.
And, to be fair, Kickbacks has some of the best breakfast food in the historic district. And you can get it anytime, which is a massive win in my book. Sometimes breakfast for dinner can't be beat.
Gotta give props to any place that serves breakfast all day!
QuoteSoul Food Bistro has a killer Saturday morning breakfast. It's hard to go wrong with chicken, waffles, and some of the creamiest grits in town.
I'll second that recommendation!
Every time I go into City Kidz, I beg for them to bring back their chicken and waffles.
I've eaten at Kickbacks maybe 5 million times, but have never eaten breakfast their. I just never think Kickbacks and breakfast... maybe b/c I don't want to be tempted to drink a beer at 8AM. ;D
Quote from: fieldafm on April 12, 2011, 01:31:53 PM
I've eaten at Kickbacks maybe 5 million times, but have never eaten breakfast their. I just never think Kickbacks and breakfast... maybe b/c I don't want to be tempted to drink a beer at 8AM. ;D
Same here. haha
Finally tried Cool Moose for breakfast Sunday.
It was ok. Nothing spectacular. I think I'll continue to go to the Fox, Derby House(catfish and grits), Pinegrove(shrimp and grits), Whiteway(Ander special) and Einsteins(where I always eat for under $2 with coupons).
Cool Moose has gone downhill last year or two, I commented on it in another thread. I don't go there anymore either.
Ehh. I like their coffee. And the omelets are decent. (At Cool Moose.)
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 22, 2011, 11:18:06 AM
Cool Moose has gone downhill last year or two, I commented on it in another thread. I don't go there anymore either.
Really? Just ate breakfast there. Had the traditional eggs Benedict and for less than six dollars it was outstanding. How do you feel it has gone downhill? Curious because i have yet to have had a bad breakfast there since I started frequenting the establishment about a year ago.
Cool Moose was shut down after a food inspection back in 2009, but it would appear from the latest DBPR reports that they are getting better and better. They are probably close to a new inspection since the last one was in October.
Quote from: A-Finnius on April 23, 2011, 09:53:25 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 22, 2011, 11:18:06 AM
Cool Moose has gone downhill last year or two, I commented on it in another thread. I don't go there anymore either.
Really? Just ate breakfast there. Had the traditional eggs Benedict and for less than six dollars it was outstanding. How do you feel it has gone downhill? Curious because i have yet to have had a bad breakfast there since I started frequenting the establishment about a year ago.
I had been going there nearly 10 years, it's gone downhill. Owner's attitude mainly. Food is greasy as well.
Let me see if I can find my post about my exact issue I had with them. A picture is worth a thousand words.