Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Potato Shack

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When Brandon and I first started dating, I would drive from Temecula to Encinitas to see him and I felt like every place he took me was somewhere magical. I had lived in Murrieta {the land of chain restaurants} for twenty three years and Encinitas seemed to proudly boast a unique, charming restaurant on every corner! I couldn't get enough. The first place I fell in love with was The Potato Shack. He mentioned it a few times before I was willing to go. To be honest, I don't normally want my food prepared in anything described as a shack {I have a phobia about food poisoning}. But he persisted and I relented. 
oh.
my.
 goodnesss.
 
It was love at first bite and five years later this hole in the wall is still my favorite place to eat breakfast, and one of the first places I ever want to take visiting guests. Now, if you promise not to judge me, I'll confess that I've only ever had two things to eat at the potato shack #1. The One Egg Plate which includes an egg prepared however you wish (scrambled, please), a giant heap of their famous potatoes (I get mine with pepper jack cheese and green onions) and your choice of toast or english muffin. This enormous plate of food is $4.95. Yes, you heard me right. $4.95
#2. The famous Man Hole Cover Pancakes. The first time Brandon recommended I order the chocolate chip pancakE (singular) I looked at him like he was nuts. ONE pancake? Let me tell you, one is enough. 
Waiting patiently for his chocolate chip pancake {singular}
Folding that bad boy over to eat it
Not to mention everyone who works there treats you like a regular. Their Motto:
Welcome to The Potato Shack. Please consider this your home and our staff as your family. Sit back and enjoy yourselves...
Now don't go expecting a beautiful, shiny new restaurant. It's old, and they have very strangely shaped wooden tables and booths. But we think it gives it character :-)
The only time we've ever seen this place not packed. It might have to do with how late we actually rolled out of bed and headed over there.
Even with my help, this is all the damage we were able to do
 If you're anywhere near Encinitas, I cannot recommend The Potato Shack enough.
And if you ever come to visit me, this is where I'll take you :-) 

Photobucket

32 comments:

Elle said...

Oh my gosh! That pancake is a monster! Looks yum :)

Anonymous said...

Holy crap! That's a pizza-sized pancake! Looks yummy, though! I'm jealous of how often ya'll get to eat out... :o)

Emery Scott said...

I love potato shack! One of my nephews always orders a man hole cover pancake.

The other place I love for breakfast in Encinitas is Pipes Cafe. Good breakfast, right near the beach. My little heaven.

Tammy @ Lemons, Avocados and the Bay said...

MUST. EAT. HERE.
Seriously I love me some brunch, old restaurants, and cheap good food haha =)

So happy you shared

Oliviaaa said...

we used to live in that area... and by we, I mean the boyfriend and I just hung around far too often. the point is.. hoooowwwww did I not know about this place!?!?!?

Unknown said...

holy cow, this place looks awesome!

Allie said...

Whaaat $4.95 for a monstrous plate of deliciousness?! That's cheaper than Denny's where you get craptastic food! And that pancake oh my god. I think I need to move to sam Diego. It's the land of the best food I'm convinced.

Jessica said...

I have been in LOVE with that place since I was little.. I am dying to go again. It is so yummy!!! sup I do hate that on the weekends it is tough to get in there unless your up super early but so worth it!!

xoxo
jessica

Ben & Cassie said...

ahhh what are you doing to me? I am still off carbs and the thing this whole 2 months that i have been craving is pancakes!? This place looks amazing, I need to move to California

Courtney said...

Omg! You're from Murrieta/Temecula! That's where I grew up my entire life until college...in which I only ventured as far as San Diego. So fun to find someone that's from where I'm from!!

Mandee said...

that looks amazing! And I agree, some of the best food comes from places that are a little rough around the edges!

Elana Elizabeth said...

I grew up in Arizona and we vacationed in Oceanside every year and this was the one place we all looked forward to going. As a small child I would down that giant chocolate chip pancake and then eat the rest of the pancakes my family didn't eat. Such a gem!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

That is one giant pancake!!! Looks amazing.

Katherine Krieg said...

this place looks awesome! wish i was closer to try it out!

Ruthie Hart said...

This is my kind of place and my kind of pancake!!!!!! lets go together k?

Unknown said...

My boyfriend and I love hole in the walls! Though this isn't really one, it's not a chain and that is good enough for me!

Danielle said...

WOW! That pancake & both your efforts eating it reminds me of the pancakes at The Griddle in LA! I will definitely check this place out next time I'm down south!! :) I love your reviews!

Amber T said...

While this post is adorable and I am also a devoted fan of the Potato Shack, I cannot ignore my favorite thing:

You know Temecula!

I was born and raised here, left for college in San Diego, only to move back with my husband! Yay for locals who love the red-neck town on the 15!

Ashley Slater said...

um, amazing!!!!!!! I want to go there!

xo,
ashley

Kelly { MessyDirtyHair } said...

wow! i love your photos! they have such cool detail!

xo Kelly

Danielle said...

I want to eat that chocolate chip pancake. Right. Now.

Melissa said...

Ok. That pancake looks amazing. And 4.95?! That is cheaper than fast food. Amazing.

henning love said...

ooooh so yummy!! and that pancake is massive and looks so so good!!

Emily @ Emmy June said...

Ahhh. I tried to eat there once and they were closing :( I've heard it's amazing. And now I'm completely sold on the chocolate chip pancake. Yum yum yum!

Kendall said...

Oh the shack...we used to ditch class in high school and get breakfast. And my high school boyfriends uncle owned the place so I ate for free all the time. Haven't been there in ages but it is so good ! I need to go eat there again soon ;)

Emily said...

that pancake is not real life and i need it in my body now

Lublyou said...

hahahahha! that's a pancake!!
ps: thanks for your congratulations! we are super happy! :-)
pps: and thanks for your blog, too - it's great!

JCline said...

I must here. I must I must!!! Such a good share

Rebecca said...

$4.95?!?! uh-MAZ-ing!!!!!!!!!!

sam&charlie said...

how funny- i was raised in murrieta as well!

Hollie Ann said...

WHOAAAAAAAAAA

i need to eat there. asap.

i might this weekend! i've been wanting to take jeff out for being so awesome and thoughtful lately while i've been a serious booger.

Laura said...

It looks truly like a pancake that dreams are made of ;)

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