Breakfasts and Brunch Sandwiches from Bay Park Coffee - and the "Uncle Kirk" Phenomenon

While I'm not the biggest fan of working from home (more on that in a future post); during the times that the Missus is working days it does allow me to watch Frankie. It also gives me an opportunity to support my favorite neighborhood places. Heading to the office around 5am had become quite a chore as the only places open for a cup o' joe during that time is the local Starbucks and 7/11....now if this was 7/11 in Japan that would be a different story. But, if I'm working from home, I can go ahead and grab some coffee from one of the various neighborhood places, Clairemont Coffee opens at 6 (I really need to do a post one of these days), Birdrock, which I save for the coffee snob, ummmm, the Missus and usually deliver Her pour over to work on weekends. And then there's Bay Park Coffee, which opens at 730 Mon- Sat and at 8 on Sundays.....which was kind of a bummer before; but these days; with so many people working from home....perhaps not so much.

And BPC has done a nice job with the outdoor set-up; which transitions to al fresco dining for Poseidon Project at night.

On a nice San Diego day, I'll see folks on their laptops doing work.....just like they used to do indoors before in the parklet.

My usual, as I noted before is the cold brew......I'll often drop by between meetings/calls for a "pick me up" and sometimes grab something simple to eat.

And of course, like I mentioned in a earlier post, there's "Bruddah Noel" who I've come to know.......he even introduced me to his wife who is from Japan. And all the wonderfully friendly and smiling faces of the folks who work there.

I will also sometimes avail myself of an item from the "kitchen" menu; though those items aren't served until after 8am. The items on the menu comes in handy when I have meetings around lunch and need to grab something to eat as BPC is a tad over five minutes away for me.

So here's a rundown of items I've tried during the pandemic.

I mentioned in my earlier post of not being a fan of the croissants; which are from Bread and Cie as it lacks the full butter-light saltiness and is more crisp than flakey....you know, the things we like in a croissant. Still, I have tried some of the items again. And even though the eggs and cheese will help camouflage the deficiencies, it's still leaves something to be desired in my opinion.

And my verdict stands....perhaps folks will like these, it's just not for me.

BPC also now offers "sides" of egg, potatoes, and cheese......so you can get a fairly filling breakfast; of say...avocado toast (BPC loves their avocados) with a side of scrambled eggs.

You may find the item I enjoy the most (to date) from BPC kind of strange......it's the Veggie Bagel Sandwich. I will get the plain bagel; which is from Nomad Donuts....I gotta check out their brick and mortar shop one of these days.

The bagel has a light heft to it; mild yeastiness, a slight saltiness, a mild hint of sweet; but it's just the texture I enjoy with the greens, pickled onions.......light acidity from the tomatoes, creaminess from the avocado and they usually have a nice restrained hand with the cream cheese.

I have tried other versions of the bagel sandwiches; Bruddah Noel had me try his "favorite".......

Which had ham, cheese, a huge portion of egg, pesto, and was just way too much......

I also tried the Lox version.

 

Which was not bad, though not something I'd have on a regular basis.

And then there's the "Uncle Kirk" thing. Noel started calling me "Uncle Kirk" early on....which cracks me up, it's a well known term of endearment back home..... though my good friends, who are quite a bit younger than me (and not from Hawaii) started calling me that years ago; so it doesn't bother me at all. Though I'm not sure what the motivating factor is? Perhaps I'm like the crazy uncle everyone needs in their lives? Of course, these same people would not dare call the Missus "Auntie"......

So, now even a couple of folks at BPC call me that as well.....and once in a while, I'll even get a "little surprise" like on the cup of cold brew to the right.

Once as Noel called out "Uncle Kirk" when my cold brew was ready, one of the women waiting for her order asked me; "is he your nephew?" To which I answered in a stage whisper, "ssshhh, he's illegitimate and twice removed....."

Well, if you'll indulge me one last story......my good friend "XJ" got married a couple of years back and requested that "Uncle Kirk" officiate their wedding. I was at first hesitant......quite terrified; but there was no way I could turn down such an honor. And things did turn out ok.

Though I've never told them; it's one of the high points of my life as I felt so privileged to participate.

Anyway, a couple of weeks later, I'm walking thru the parking lot at 99 Ranch Market when I hear, "Hi Uncle Kirk!!!!" and see a middle aged couple waving to me from an automobile. At first I didn't recognize the couple....then as I approached the vehicle...well, it was the Groom's Parents.......I had been introduced to them as "Uncle Kirk" and that's the way they knew me.

Life, ain't it amazing?

Bay Park Coffee
4130 Napier St
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 275-4000
Current Hours:
Mon - Sat 730am - 2pm
Sunday 8am - 2pm
Sandwiches served:
Mon - Thurs 8am - 1130am
Fri - Sun 8am - 1pm

Comments

[Lynnea Fleming]

Uncle Kirk! :D That's great!

[Sandy]

Hi Uncle Kirk! The kiddo has always called our close friends Auntie and Uncle. One time, the kiddo's friend wondered, "How do you have so many aunts and uncles!" Now I need a breakfast sandwich ...

[Kirk]

I'm glad you enjoyed this Lynnea!

Hi Sandy! Lol! That's a cute story.

[Jack]

"Unko Kirk"....haha I love it!

[Kirk]

I know Jack.......it's quite funny!

[kat]

uncle:)

[TFD]

Hello "Uncle Kirk!"

[Kirk]

Yes Kat.....

Hello TFD! ;o)