Fallbrook Caf

Remember the words of Jesus as quoted in the Bible? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This scripture came to life recently for the owner of the Fallbrook Café.

On Thanksgiving Day 2004 owner Chris Ioannidis served complimentary dinners to approximately 275 patrons. His goal was to thank the patrons who have faithfully supported him. He was also interested in providing meals to those who were alone during the holiday. One of the waitresses, Lori, explained it even further: “When he was raised in Greece during the war there wasn’t much to eat and this was something he always wanted to do.”

Just a month after Ioannidis kindly blessed his customers, a mysterious benefactor appeared at about noon on Christmas Eve and paid the bill for the restaurant patrons. Ioannidis said that the total gift came to “between 300 and 400 dollars.” No one knew who the woman was, but after she paid the large tab, she also gave each employee a gift of about $20. And then… in a flash… the lone benefactor was gone.

The Fallbrook Café has been serving hearty food with a heart for four years. “Homestyle Cooking at its Best!” reads the menu. The décor is homey with a country bent. Customers who sit at either the counter or a cozy booth will find ruffled curtains, antique cracker tins, painted saws and a vintage coffee pot collection. The waitresses are very solicitous to their senior customers and the café also offers an extensive senior dinner menu for those patrons age 62 and over.

The Fallbrook Café Special ($5.25) is served on two plates, it is such a generous meal! The first plate is brim-full of egg, a choice of bacon or sausage and a choice of Potatoes O’Brien, hash browns or a potato pancake. The second plate is served with either toast, biscuits and gravy, an English muffin or a buttermilk pancake. A hot beverage is also included.

As a side, I chose the Potatoes O’Brien, which are first boiled, then cubed, then flavored with spices and grilled with white and green onions. The result is a tender and flavorful potato dish. Fallbrook Café also serves a spicy and delicious breakfast sausage.

From rim to rim, the buttermilk pancakes fill the plate and are fluffy and delicious. You’ll never have to bother the wait staff for extra butter or syrup — the pancakes are served with plenty of both.

This corner café at 739 East Mission Road at Brandon Street is open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.