Swami's (La Mesa)

mmm-yoso!!! is a regularly posting blog about food (for the most part).  Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy are the usual writers here, sharing some sort of food memory, along with random factoids. Today is a meal from Cathy.  

The Mister and I don't usually stop at the Swami's in downtown La Mesa unless we are there before the parking meters are enforced.  But most of the summer, there had been much street construction on and around La Mesa Boulevard and parking has been free.  The street did just re-open before Christmas, with new bench seating and just a nicer, cleaner 'Village" feel.There are six (and soon to be seven) locations of Swami's in the County, the first opened on Highway 101 in Encinitas in 2005.  There are also two other East County restaurants ( La Mesa Bistro and Bakery and ECB (El Cajon Bistro) which are also owned by the same family and follow the same business model (walk up, order and pay and your food is brought out to you), similar menu (in choices and chalkboard presentation) and local wall mural decoration in the eating area. The consistency and extensive menu choices between all locations is comforting.  

Family and friends who come to visit are usually from another time zone and at 6 a.m. here, their internal clocks are telling them it is 9 a.m. and they are ready for breakfast (all locations open at 7 a.m.), so one of the Swami or Bistro locations is a usual spot of us when we don't want to cook at home.  But, in the case of free parking, we did stop at the La Mesa location for breakfast a few weeks ago.

The Mister has been having waffle cravings for the past few months and the Granola Multigrain Belgian waffle ($9.95) with strawberries was his (predictable, to me) choice one morning.  The whole grain batter and added crunchiness is a little sweet and a sort of blend of healthiness (that Coca Cola bottle is holding warm maple syrup, for people who want even more sweetness). He added two eggs and bacon for $3, making this quite a large meal.The breakfast (ABC) quesadilla ($9.95) comes with a choice of fruit or potato, and my choice was predictable as well.  The avocado, bacon, cheese and egg on the wheat tortilla is filling and tasty.  Again, it's a good start to the day.  

Another local, family owned business.

Swami's  8284 La Mesa Boulevard La Mesa 91941 (619) 668-9030  Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (all locations) Website 

 

Comments

[Eddie Jones]

Maybe I'll stop there some day. I'm usually headed next door to Hoffer's. Awesome beer selection, and cigars if it's your thing.

[caninecologne]

Belgian waffles are a great choice! Good to take advantage of free parking while it lasted too!

[ken]

We stopped going due to terrible service. Maybe things have improved and we'll have to give it another try. Thanks for the post.

[Cathy]

The food, coffee and fruit/smoothie choices are abundant here, Eddie; you should stop in once. Thanks for the tip about Hoffer's and welcome to the comment side of our blog.

I was looking at some of the breakfast posts I have started and those that I've done and The Mister is very consistent with his waffle orders, cc. We have had a waffle iron at home that is regularly used, too... I'm glad we stopped here when we could; the parking meters seem to exert a pressure to get in and get out.

Oh, that's not good, Ken. I hardly noticed the service here, since I had to get my own coffee, water, etc. The food is the same as La Mesa Bistro, about a mile up the street. I do try to hit either (and any) place before there is a line/crowds...because then it is just overwhelming.