Last weekend, I headed down to San Diego to visit friends and family. I had lunch plans with my childhood friend Glyn and was looking forward to our visit together. He had a house built in the town of Alpine, just east of San Diego not too long ago and invited me to check it out and grab lunch afterwards. Coming along for the ride was our friend Robert who I also haven't seen in ages. I was looking forward to our visit and checking out his new home.
I took an alternative route to San Diego instead of taking my usual route (heading down the 5 freeway) and got down there in a little over two hours. I stopped at my brother's house to drop my stuff off, say hello to my mom who was babysitting my two nieces and spent some time chatting with the girls before heading out. I met up with Glyn and Robert and we arrived at Glyn's new home in Alpine in less than a half an hour. Alpine is a quaint, charming little town. Not far from the city of San Diego, it has a neighborly feel to it and I really felt that I had gone out of town on a weekend getaway. After the tour, the talk turned to food and Glyn suggested that we eat at a local eatery called Janet's Montana Cafe.
Near the restaurant were shops and various other business catering to the town. The restaurant looked warm and inviting and despite the warm summer-like weather, it looked like a picture perfect Fall day. There was ample parking and I noted that there was also outdoor seating.
Janet's has a full menu and serves breakfast (all day), lunch and dinner. In addition to sodas and juice, they also serve beer and wine. It's a casual, friendly atmosphere and I felt as though I was dining in a rustic lodge in the mountains, complete with a moose head on the wall, and antlers in the light fixtures. Their cuisine is American and I noted a number of Mexican dishes on the menu as well as comfort food items. They also have an incredible selection of pies.
Glyn and I decided to have breakfast and Robert opted for a dinner entree. Glyn ordered the asparagus omlette with broccoli, cheese and tomato which came with potatoes and choice of pancakes, toast, muffin or fruit (he opted for the pancakes). I ordered the chicken fried steak with gravy which was accompanied by a generous serving of fresh fruit and I too also had a side choice--I also opted for the pancakes. Robert went with the turkey dinner. The serving portions were very generous. My chicken fried steak was perfect--perfectly cooked and seasoned. I hadn't intended to finish it off but I did. Pancakes were light and fluffy. Both Glyn and Robert enjoyed their meals as well.
Above: Asparagus Omlette with Potatoes
Above: Chicken Fried Steak, Eggs Over Easy and Fresh Fruit
Above: Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes
Above: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and Steamed Veggies
Let's move on to dessert. As full as we were, we had to try at least one of their pies and we opted for the Lemon Cream Cheese Pie. OMG--to die for! It was light, not too tart and it was a generous cut, The whip cream was freshly homemade. The cream cheese was whipped and folded into the lemon mixture which gave it a light, airy texture. Needless to say, the three of us finished it off with no problem.
Above: Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
I highly recommend that if you're ever in the Alpine area or visiting San Diego for that matter, stop in at Janet's for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And with the holidays coming up, you may want to pick up a pie or two.
JANET'S MONTANA CAFE
2506 Alpine Boulevard
Alpine, CA 92101
619.659.3874