Tyger’s Coffee House, Glen Park, San Francisco
We took a deviation from our staircase walk (this post coming up) to look for coffee. Our trusty guidebook – ‘Stairway Walks in San Francisco’ by Adah Bakalinsky – said the detour would lead to coffee and that is what Tom wanted. As we trekked along Chenery, I stopped a lady walking her dog and asked how far the coffee shop was. She said two blocks (I swear it was much more) but recommended Tyger’s for breakfast. Breakfast would be even better so, with renewed vigor, we walked on. Soon the smells of coffee and cinnamon taunted us and there on the corner of Chenery and Diamond we spotted Tyger’s.
It calls itself a coffee house but they do indeed do breakfast. It is not big and there are no booths just a small counter with six stools and rather beaten up wooden tables and chairs. It was crowded though, which is a good sign but there was an empty table waiting for us. Today the sun is shining very brightly and if it wasn’t for the blinds at the windows, it would be too bright to even read the menu.
Our very pleasant server with a big smile handed us menus. Like the tables, they had been well used. He pointed out the specials written on a whiteboard.
Tom chose the grilled Chorizo sausages and eggs ($7.95) and I went for the oatmeal and raisins ($4.25). It’s a long time since I’ve had oatmeal so I’m really looking forward to it.
Time to check out the decor. On two walls there are black and white framed photos, one of which is three old photos of the Glen Park neighborhood from yesteryear. On another wall are four stylized color prints of water and tree landscapes – not my cup of tea at all. There is also a large water color of Tyger’s Coffee House which depicts a couple of dog walkers. Obviously a popular pastime around here. Over the counter there is a cork board covered in postcards and color photos from loyal customers. Along the window sills is a colorful display of small gourds and pine cones. All and all, a very cozy place.
The food was soon served. My oatmeal was in a small, white, round bowl. It looked a bit watery and had a few raisins on the top. Hmm… I thought, I paid an extra dollar for those few raisins? When I started to eat however I realized there were plenty of raisins mixed in with the oatmeal. The brown sugar, in a small glass container with a lid, and the milk, in a very small plastic glass, were on a plate. As expected the milk was very difficult to pour without making a mess. A jug would have made the job much easier. Tom’s plate had two Chorizo sausages, two eggs and country like potatoes. There was no fruit decoration on the side of either breakfast so no slices of melon for me to enjoy.
Tom had already visited the restroom so I was forewarned. There is no sign to indicate that there were restrooms so we had to ask. I can tell you though that it is through the kitchen and what a tiny kitchen it is. Two short order cooks tucked away in a small cubbyhole were busy preparing food and round the corner a young lad was chopping potatoes. I had to squeeze past him to get to my destination. I can best describe the restroom as grotty but functional. It smelt nice and there was one painting on the wall which did brighten up the place but don’t look too closely in the corners!
The food was good but not spectacular. Tom’s said his sausages were spicy and the potatoes OK. He asked for his egs over medium but they were more like over easy. My oatmeal was hot but there wasn’t a lot of it. Our overall verdict is we wouldn’t drive out of our way to come here again but if you’re in the neighborhood it will do.
November 22 2008 04:17 pm | Breakfast Log
