If there’s one thing you should do this weekend, you should go to Costa Mesa’s Rooster Cafe for breakfast. I know I’ll be there if I can fit it into my schedule.

I wound up there one morning a few weeks ago because I needed a quick bite, and because an Egg McMuffin really never sounds appetizing. I ended up staying for a week.

Every morning for five days, including a Saturday stop with Fiancee Nadia, I enjoyed the delicious and cheap food, friendly staff and great music (Van Morrison, Johnny Cash and Tom Waits anyone?).

Jeff didn’t get the point, saying something cynical like “breakfast is always cheap Pirani.” But what sets Rooster apart from the others is the quality of the food, and the quantity for that matter, for the $5-$6 you’re going to pay.

My first meal was the Hearty Scramble ($4.99, above). Packed with bacon and sausage and ham, then covered in cheese, the fluffy, salty eggs were a great way to start the morning. The hashbrowns are good too, and on both occasions that I’ve had them, they weren’t too greasy like Denny’s. 

The Portuguese Scramble is another favorite. Two eggs mixed with sweet, chewy Portuguese sausage and served with two scoops of white rice is a light way to start the morning. Add some hot sauce drops and you’ll be in heaven. 

Two other plates we tried were the breakfast burrito and the French toast.

I’m going to start by saying that I’m not a huge French toast advocate, but that being said, Rooster definitely does its savory better than it does its sweet.

You should try this one for yourself, but I thought it was just average.

If you prefer your breakfast in a tortilla, Rooster’s breakfast burrito is the way to go.

Just look at that thing! Meaty, cheesy, potato-y … what more could you want in life? The salsa that’s served with it is pretty awesome too.

I should also add that purchasing a drink at Rooster is pretty unnecessary. The water that owner Jack doles out is infused with cucumber, and possibly orange, and I could pretty much drink it by the gallon.

If you are going to buy a drink though, I recommend the Mexican Hot Chocolate. Growing up with a Mexican stepdad, he used to make this comforting drink that comes full of spices including cinnamon. It was maybe $3, but you get a big cup.

In all honesty, writing this has made me a little hungry and I’ve still got an hour or so before I need to be on a story. I might try to squeeze in a stop real quick right now. I’m outta here.

Rooster Cafe
750 Saint Claire St.
Costa Mesa
714-754-1944

Posted in: Restaurants by price: $0-$14 • American • Breakfast • Costa Mesa • Rooster Cafe |

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