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Good Mexican morning at Brunchies
By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out
Wait: There was no wait for two at 11:30 a.m. on a Monday.
Service: Our unobtrusive, this-waitress-stuff-is-old-hat server brought a pitcher of ice water to our table moments after we sat down, promptly took and delivered our drink order and checked up on us after dropping off our bill with breakfast, hence dissolving any feelings of being rushed out.
What we liked: Brunchies is the breakfast version of the locally owned Serrano’s family of Mexican restaurants, so we took our morning munchies south of the border with a chorizo Mexican skillet and breakfast burro. The skillet was a delicately spiced, crumbled layer of sausage topped with large chunks of tender red potatoes, green chilies, green onions, melted cheddar cheese, two scrambled eggs with a side of chunky, mild salsa. There were enough fixings to fill both the steamy, large homemade tortillas that came with the dish plus at least one more. If that sounds good but you’re not the DIY type, go with the bacon (or chorizo) and egg burro. You’ll find the same almost-too-big bites of potato with scrambled eggs and plenty of pieces of meaty bacon all tightly wrapped up in a bulging burrito. We left stuffed, but on the way out (you pay at the counter) I spotted a plate of apple-filled empanadas and couldn’t resist buying a couple of the tough-to-find Mexican pastries. The buttery, slightly salty apple turnover was flaky and delicious. Scene: A spacious diner (it doubled in size in 2004) with a farm-y feel.
Bathroom break: Big and spotless with burnt sienna tile flooring and a vine-and-rooster scroll paint job.
Tab for two: $30 with tip and tax for a chorizo Mexican skillet ($7.50), bacon and egg burro with cheese ($6.95), two apple empanadas ($1.95 each), two large orange juices ($1.75 each) and one coffee ($1.25).
If work weren’t buying: Now that I know how big Brunchies’ breakfast dishes are, I’ll save some coinage and caloric carnage by splitting a dish. Gotta save space for those tasty empanadas!
By CHRIS PAGE
Get Out
Wait: We arrived at 11 a.m. on a Friday morning and had to wait a few minutes at the front door before a server approached and took us to a back booth.
Service: There’s something oddly reassuring— cozy, even — in knowing Brunchies is staffed in part by kind-hearted, sassy-mouthed gals old enough to call themselves waitresses; ours swung by late in the meal to check up, saw my plates of food half-eaten and said through a grin and a smoker’s rasp, “Now, c’mon, you can do better than that.”
What we liked: My companion’s Denver omelette arrived bursting with fresh veggies and a wonderfully gooey covering of melted cheese (which wasn’t, thank heavens, the standard greasy spoon Kraft slice). My French toast was less wowing; it came without the promised topping of cream cheese and orange marmalade, and the result was just plain flavorless. My taste buds were saved, though, by a plate of delish biscuits slathered in peppery, lip-smacking sausage gravy.
Scene: The standard country kitchen/greasy spoon, Brunchies offers assorted kitschery on its walls and a weekday clientele — griping about the news or engaged in small talk — that’s just as much a part of its charm.
Bathroom break: The men’s room was reasonably clean but could have used a once-over by a staffer.
Tab for two: $19 with tax and tip for a biscuit with gravy ($2.95), French toast ($4.75) and Denver omelette ($5.95).
If work weren’t buying: In search of tasty morning grub in the south East Valley, we’re still opting for The Gilbert House. But Chandlerites looking for a solid breakfast option would do well to give Brunchies a try.
Brunchies
17 E. Boston St., Chandler
Major cross streets: Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue
Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily
Reservations accepted? No
Health report: Two major violations on Dec. 27
Kid friendly? Yes
Web site: www.serranosaz.com
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