mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food. Kirk is traveling today, Ed (from Yuma) is currently relaxing and Cathy is thinking about her future vacation while writing a short post.
A few weeks ago, The Mister and I were in East County and took the exit on Lake Jennings Park Road, driving past the abandoned amusement park, Marshal Scotty's (sometimes referred to as the East County Disneyland). Staying along the interstate on Olde Highway 80, passing Flinn Springs County Park, we spotted parking in front of Mary Etta's Cafe, which has been in this location since about 1935.
The small Cafe has both a high and low counter seating as well as five booths. The clientele is mostly locals.
There are specials on the white board on the far wall and the menu is uncomplicated. A cup of coffee is $2.35 and constantly refilled.
The chicken fried steak plate ($9.50) is a good choice. The breading on the meat is crispy, the sausage gravy is great. Those potatoes are so good; thinly mandolin sliced and crispy fried; not a hash brown nor a home fry.
You can order one, two or three eggs with a choice of meats with potato and toast. This two egg with a (house made!) sausage patty was my choice ($8.50). The eggs were a perfect over easy (runny orange yolks; the eggs are from a local ranch), that sausage is simply wonderful; proper spices, thick corse ground pork and fried to a light crust...and the potatoes: those are the same my mom and dad would make for us on the weekend (and also the same type as I had at the Original Tops in November 2014).
The choice of toast is only white or wheat, Mary Etta's isn't hipster; its a local, long time favorite. Hidden treasure.
Mary Etta's Cafe 14809 Olde Highway 80 El Cajon 92021 (619) 390-1973 Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily
What remains of Marshal Scotty's Amusement Park
I like the look of those thinly sliced potatoes. They are just like the ones we had at Bleu Whisk Diner in Lemon Grove. Thin with crisp edges...yes.
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 30 May 2016 at 07:49 PM
Yes! I couldn't remember where else I had seen those potatoes, cc. So simple yet so different.
Posted by: Cathy | Tuesday, 31 May 2016 at 04:44 AM
Marshall Scotty RIP. How many kids birthday parties did that place host over the years? Kinda sad to see how run down it looks.
Posted by: ken | Tuesday, 31 May 2016 at 05:52 AM
Wow! How was Marshall Scotty's? I never made it out there. The coolest birthday party I ever went to was at Farrell's. :-)
Mary Eta's looks cool. Next time I drive up to the mountains I gotta try it.
Posted by: Soo @ hungryones | Tuesday, 31 May 2016 at 09:47 AM
Marshall Scotty's was 'THE' place for a majority of people who lived in San Diego, Ken. It is sad seeing that it isn't torn down nor maintained and we just have to see it in decay. It's like my home and neighborhood in Detroit; can't go back.
Marshall Scotty's had the first water slide I ever knew of, Soo. Here is a 4 minute YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1neOvJG0HI Mary Ettas is still a great spot for good food...there's a sausage burger available after breakfast/for lunch that is worth a try.
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, 01 June 2016 at 07:49 AM
I love made from scratch breakfast, especially the sausage.
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 01 June 2016 at 08:04 AM
When I commented to our waitress that I love homemade breakfast sausage, she said so many people complain or don't understand what it is on their plate! Then she said that they don't understand the potatoes either. When shopping, we do purchase bulk breakfast sausage when we see it available.
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, 02 June 2016 at 06:02 AM