French Toast – Road Warrior Dining

Jack’s

Jack’s in Pleasant Hill, CA is a destination restaurant. They have a diverse menu, that’s sure to please.

I have to admit Jack’s was not on my radar when I went to California a couple of weeks ago. Even though I have been there countless times, I had other restaurants in mind prior to my arrival. What a pleasant surprised when the hotel I checked into was less than a block from Jack’s in Pleasant Hill. I tend to not promote a chain restaurant, in the case of Jack’s I’m not certain if you can call them a chain restaurant. Jack’s is family owned. When I was eating there on a regular basis, they had two restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, now they have four. Their web-site touts their dinner menu as Greek-American inspired. You will find everything from burgers to salmon on the menu.

Jack's Zuchini Cakes — Jack’s Zucchini Cakes

Zucchini Cakes have to be one of my favorite appetizers. Jack’s Zucchini Cakes are made with feta cheese, tzatziki, and cucumber-tomato relish. Even though they are deep fried, they are surprisingly light. Jack’s has made it a little harder to share. They used to serve three cakes and now they serve two. Adding to my disappointment, they used to be a little larger. I chalk this up to inflation, trying to keep cost down. Even still, Zucchini cakes are an excellent way to start a meal.

Jack's Fish and Chips — Jack’s Fish and Chips

I have a new favorite Fish and Chips. No need to find an Irish pub if you live within driving distance from Jack’s. The portion size was surprising. Jack’s serves three large fillets of Alaskan Cod dipped in their beer batter. The cod was light and flaky. They serve it with lemon and vinegar or tarter sauce. I found I didn’t need either. I’m not certain my picture does this meal justice, but their Fish and Chips now tops my list.

Jack's Buffalo Chicken Salad — Jack’s Buffalo Chicken Salad

Given that Jack’s was so close, I actually ate their, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One of my favorites in their salad section of their menu is their Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad. There is no need for an appetizer. I’m certain you will not walk away hungry. The Buffalo Chicken has just enough heat for those of us that like it spicy. But it’s not too spicy, for those that can’t take the heat. I would highly recommend this for anyone who likes chicken wings and looking for a hearty lunch.

Jack's French Toast — Jack’s French Toast

The French Toast breakfast was just ok. Nothing to write home about. Maybe it’s because I have been spoiled by restaurants back home. My first complaint was that the scrambled eggs did not seem fresh. They appear to come out of a premixed container. The French Toast was good, but they have served better. Brunch used to be more of an event at Jack’s. Now it is good, but if I still lived their, I would look for another breakfast spot. Don’t get me wrong, if you are looking for a family breakfast, Jack’s should be on the list.

With four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, it should be easy to find a Jack’s to visit. I was impressed with the quality of the food and that they have kept the cost down. If I make another journey to the Bay Area, Jack’s will be on my list. Have you been to Jack’s? What is your opinion? Leave me a comment.

Hub City Diner

The spark for this trip came from listening to Fox and Friends. They went to the Hub City Diner in Hagerstown Maryland for a segment they call Breakfast with Friends. So the question becomes, what was the host raving about when it comes to Hub City Diner, is the food really as good as they say it is? I decided to drive the long route there, which took me through a section of Maryland and Pennsylvania I have never seen. I was captivated by rural Maryland and the beauty of the rolling corn fields. The drive definitely help set my expectations for my breakfast to come.

Deep Fried French Toast! With my love of French Toast, I had to try it. Deep Fried anything has to be good, right? To complete my breakfast I ordered scrambled eggs and bacon on the side. I have spoken in the past about eating with your eyes, so when my breakfast arrived, I wasn’t overly impress. I give them an ‘E’ for effort when it came to plating. Still my hope was bite into the French Toast and have a crispy exterior with a moist, tender center. Unfortunately, it was OK, but not to my expectation. For the most part the French Toast was dry. Honestly, cooking the French Toast the standard method might have made it more appetizing.

Scrabbles eggs, so easy to prepare, so hard to screw up. That is unless you serve them cold. Enough said. The best part of my meal was the peppered bacon. The bacon was cooked just right. I like bacon on the thicker side. Their bacon was just that, plus it wasn’t over cooked or dripping with grease. It was a pleasure to eat and saved breakfast for me.

In the case of Hub City Diner it was the drive not the destination. Was I led astray by Fox and Friends, I don’t know. Hub City Diner could have put on one hell of a show and then went back to their standard way of doing business. Having one meal is not the best way to past judgement, but I will not return for a second. I say this because I saw what the other diners were being served and nothing said to me you have to come back and try that. I leave it up to you whether you want to visit Hub City Diner or not.

Firehouse Grill

If you want a true taste of Americana, visit the Firehouse Grill in Littlestown PA.

In my opening statement about Road Warrior Dining, I talk about hidden gems, Firehouse Grill is just that. Firehouse Grill doesn’t really standout on the street. The restaurant is flanked by an antique shop on the right and a pawn shop on the left. So what makes Firehouse Grill special; it is because it is Americana. Go to The Firehouse Grill at 6:15 A.M and you will experience Americana firsthand. By 6:30 in the morning the coffee is flowing, and the restaurant is packed. The old timers are drinking coffee and swapping stories. Firehouse Grill is a restaurant that makes you feel like you are partaking in an extended family meal. First thing in the morning the clientele is predominantly farmers getting ready to start their day.

FH Int 3 — Firehouse Grill Interior, Littlestown, PA

It says a lot about a restaurant that has a line of people waiting at their door at 6:00 A.M. on a Saturday. The Firehouse Grill has a steady crowd all day long. Just as with breakfast, lunch has its regulars. As people come through the door the waitresses ask them if they are having their usual. Along with the standard lunch fare, they have daily specials. My favorite is the meatloaf. One thing about the Firehouse Grill, they do not serve dinner, they are open 6:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M, six days a week. They are closed on Mondays.

firehouse-grill-breakfast-rev — Firehouse Grill Littlestown, PA

Looking for a hearty breakfast, Try a Firehouse Grill omelet with sliced potatoes. The selection of omelets isn’t much different than most diners, the difference comes in how they are prepared. They do not scrimp on ingredients. My preference when it comes to omelets is their sausage link with American cheese. I can’t say enough about the slice potatoes. I’m not a fan of home-style potatoes; I actually prefer shredded. The way the Firehouse Grill prepares their sliced potatoes, has me rethinking my feelings towards home-style potatoes. The potatoes are sliced about a quarter inch think and fried to golden crispy brown. They are seasoned just right; I didn’t have to add salt.

French Toast 2 — Firehouse Grill French Toast

As much as I enjoy their omelets, I equally enjoy their French Toast. No thin slices of bread here. The bread is thick with a delicious eggy center, grilled to perfection. Even though I enjoy maple syrup, it’s not needed with Firehouse Grill’s French toast. One of my biggest complaints when I eat breakfast out is usually the bacon. It is hard to find a place that actually serves something other than a limp, greasy slice of bacon. Firehouse Grill’s bacon is thick and crispy; again, I have nothing but praise. If omelets or French Toast is not your thing, Firehouse grill has a full breakfast menu.

Americana has a home in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, it is called the Firehouse Grill. If you want a good meal. that gives you feeling of home cooking, go to the Firehouse Grill. There is a reason people line up at 6:00 A.M; come experience it for yourself. Have you been to the Firehouse Grill or have a favorite breakfast place? Share your thoughts below.