Some years ago, Rob and I were in New York City, and in the mood for an authentic deli experience.
We were walking near Radio City Music Hall at the time. We came upon two delis next to each other. One had a very long line, and one had no line at all.
Ravishingly hungry, I headed toward the one that would have a table right away.
Rob wisely steered me away, though.
"Look at all the locals at this one. It must be good if everyone is lining up to go here."
I saw his point, and we joined the throngs of New Yorkers waiting to eat at the Blue Flowers Deli.
Rob's point was further proven when we got a table more quickly than we expected, and we were treated to a mile-high, mouthwatering pastrami sandwich, a fruit bar with blueberries the size of baseballs (slight exaggeration!), and a front-row seat of daily New York life.
This was early in our marriage, and since then, I have been a subscriber to Rob's belief that for good food, go where it's busy.
Nowhere in my travels have I seen this proven to the same degree as our Big Apple experience, than in our own San Antonio.
Magnolia Pancake Haus - darling with its black and white awning reminicient of a European restaurant - is seemingly out of place in a so-so strip mall next to a Laser Quest. But the telltale sign that there is something special there are all of the people waiting on the front porch to get in.
On the weekend, getting a seat may easily take you an hour. Weekdays in the late morning are a more ideal time to come. However, even on the weekend, you will wait as your appetite grows, and you won't mind, knowing that you are making room for just one more pancake....
When you finally get in, the inside is as charming as the outside. The waitstaff hustles and the patrons are buzzing with light conversation.
At last, you are seated, and settle in to reading the menu the way you might dive into a much-loved novel.
Do I order a big stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes? Or, do I choose a gourmet omlette, knowing that I can order a side of pancakes instead of toast? Do I wait an extra fifteen minutes for them to make the German Munchener Apfel Pfannekuchen, an apple pancake delight that is like having dessert for breakfast?
Personally, my eyes usually wander to the omlette page - eggs AND pancakes, the best of both worlds. I fall into my old bad habit - going with my favorite stand-by, rather than try something else. At Magnolia Haus, my favorite is the Bodega Bay Omlette - it has applewood smoked bacon, arugula, goat cheese, and is drizzled with creme fraiche. One bite makes me think that I am back in San Francisco, and that stepping outside would lead me to a view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge.
But, back to reality. Even the freshly squeezed orange juice added to my bill will remind me that I am in San Antonio, where the prices are more friendly to families than in the Bay Area, the reason that we moved here in the first place.
I am not alone in my praise for this Alamo City favorite. Texas Highways Magazine rated it "the best breakfast in Texas", and added, "Retire the trophy, these guys are the champs." They've also won nearly every "Best Breakfast" award possible locally.
My opinion of the breakfast here can be summed up by saying this: when I go somewhere, I am often inspired to write about it. I soak in the ambiance, collect details in my mind, and bring it home to my readers. I've been visiting the Magnolia Haus frequently, and have been intending to write about it. However, when I go there, I am so wrapped up in the deliciousness of the meal, that I am blinded to the details going on around me. This is why I haven't updated my blog in months, and thank you to the many people that have been asking for more!
All I can answer is that I have known that Magnolia Haus deserved to be the next place written about, but it's taken me this long to force myself to focus my attention away from my plate.
I hope that endorsement, along with the masses of people waiting on the porch on weekend mornings, will entice you to try it, and make it your own new favorite.
Magnolia Pancake Haus
606 Embassy Oak, San Antonio
210-496-0828
Visit the Magnolia Pancake Haus Website! (Log on just to enjoy reading the online menu!)
