Wayside Cafe

Fallbrook is not exactly bustling with great restaurants, we have a few really good ones and Robert's Le Bistro can be great at times, although decidedly old school and you have to know how to handle Chef Robert.

The Wayside Cafe is under new ownership or at least relatively new and I have to tell you that the new owner Lindsay (Lindsey?) is really turning things around. The Wayside (long known as the Gayside) is a burger and sandwich place, and a really good breakfast place, with by far the best grill surface in town. They always had the best potatoes and they still do.

I went in a few months ago and a doctor I know, Chip, who likes good food that doesn't cost an arm and a leg was sitting at the counter and bought me lunch. Good, not totally memorable, maybe I had a reuben or something.

I am not a big breakfast guy. A microscopic roll in the morning with my joe. But I woke up one day about two months ago just jonesing for hash browns. I don't go into that other place anymore so the Wayside was my only real non Denny's alternative.

I ordered the Wayside omelette, replete with chicken and avocado and swiss. It was freaking amazing. And beautiful. Who the hell puts chicken in an omelette? Sort of barbaric when you think about it, decimating both sides of the matrilineal link. You never get chicken in an omelette and this was just sublime. Perfectly moist, a culinary rembrandt! I looked over the counter and wanted to get a look at the cook. Who the hell was this guy? Looked rather ordinary but mega serious chops.

Robert's was closed and I cajoled my brunch group to try the Wayside a few sundays ago. Wouldn't you know it, okay but not great, a pesky fly flying around, this was cold, blah, blah, blah, the problem of eating on a busy sunday. But I knew how good the place could be.

I went back today and thought that I would try on a burger. I ordered the garlic feta burger, medium rare. It was served with a balsamic laden spring mix, with a generous heap of sautéed mushrooms, crisp tomato, on a legitimate bun.

I enjoyed watching the two professional countermen dance around each other, skilled pirouettes, artfully keeping out of each others space and zone in the small space. I was presented my lunch over the counter, the hefty plate steadied by both hands, a hand crafted burger that stood with the giants. I motioned to the quiet chef, Jeff and asked him his thoughts about putting mayo on his gorgeous concoction. Over my shoulder I heard the owner, fresh from sparring with favorite foil Carl, "Doesn't need it, don't do it, that's my favorite burger." She was right of course, the feta did its job perfectly. It was an exceptional burger.

We all started talking food and I told them that I was impressed with the two pickle spread, the slices of bread and butter pickle contrasting sharply with and complimenting the underlying dill. Fries were good as well. Whole spread set me back about ten bucks with tip, the standard rate for getting lunch these days in these parts.

I know that these people are committed to good food, I can see it in their attitude and by talking to them, go in and try it, it has changed. Tell them I sent you, let's keep this place around, I have been really impressed. This ain't the ritz, it's clubs and burgers and omelettes but there is something different going on here that should be checked out.