Monday, October 1, 2012

Chow Time: Silver Dollar Pancake House

Sorry, that last blog really took it out of me and I'm lagging a bit on the next/final installment of our Spain adventure.  Until then, how about some hot jacks? Flap cakes?

How do you feel about the word "retarded?"  Frankly, I use it far too often but sometimes it is such an apt description of my social behavior, that another adjective just doesn't cut the mustard.  During my recent foray into performing in front of huge crowds of people, a friend paid me a great compliment by saying that she couldn't detect an ounce of fear or awkwardness in my countenance...that is because I save it all for interpersonal interaction.  I am shy, and meeting people or engaging in small talk is much more nerve wracking than public speaking - or singing for that matter.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not all sweaty-palmed and tongue tied; I try to be cool.  I don't think I embarrass myself too much but it is definitely an area in my life that could endure a good measure of improvement.  I figure the only way to improve is to practice.  So, I skipped what I learned about "baby steps" from Bill Murray in What About Bob? and, taking a huge leap, I did something that I, under normal circumstances, would never do; I went out to eat - by myself!  Having heard great things about the Silver Dollar Pancake House, I decided to make may way out to Corona, CA.


Dining alone, in and of itself, took me a great distance outside of my comfort zone.  A true masochist at heart (I guess I love testing my tolerance for misery), I took things a step further by changing barstools and inviting people to sit next to me AND striking up a conversation with the couple to my left.  I was a MADMAN!!!  I couldn't help being Mr. Congeniality at Silver Dollar; the Cheers theme song has spoiled the sentiment, but sometimes you do want to go where everybody knows your name.

 Cheers Theme Song

I tell you I stuck out like a sore thumb when I first sat down at the horseshoe-shaped counter because everyone there was a regular and on familiar terms with the whole staff.  It didn't take long for me to feel welcomed and included in the pancake house community.


The Silver Dollar Pancake House is a bit of  comeback kid.  Opened in 1922 and operating under a few different names over the years, SDPH has faced two devastating fires in the last twenty years.  Committed to keeping the landmark restaurant open for the people of Corona, the current ownership rebuilt each time and continues to serve breakfast all day (among other coffee shop favorites).


On my quest to expand my capacity for the unusual, I did something else that was highly unusual for me - I ordered breakfast.  Luncheon food is my bag but I figured it would only be appropriate to order pancakes (not my favorite food by a long shot) while supping at Silver Dollar.  I decided to order the house special (the Silver Dollar Special) and I tell you, it continued the pattern of "firsts."  That meal was my first meal in a very long time where there was just too much food.  My sausage fingers just tremble at the mere typing of those words "too much food;" who's ever heard of such a thing?  Even I, Honorary Co-President of the West Coast Chapter of the Clean Plate Club, couldn't finish all the food they brought me.YIKES!!!

Eggs, salsa, bacon AND sausage.
My new pal, Doug, asked me if I was taking pictures
 to show the doctor why my heart had stopped.

I got the pineapple pancakes. (Kind of weird that the "Silver Dollar Special"
at the Silver Dollar Pancake House does NOT come with silver dollar pancakes, right?)

They were about as huge as my face and not too dissimilar
 in complexion. Can you believe that they wanted to put a mountain of
 whipped cream on top of this?!!!  Except for lactose intolerance in the
extreme, I probably would have taken them up on the kind offer!


My adventure into breakfast was a success; the food was delicious and the people were cool.  In spite of the fires and subsequent contemporary/country decorating missteps, there is plenty of old-timey fixturing and finishes to earn Silver Dollar Pancake House the wacky tacky seal of approval.  Most of that honor is due to the friendly atmosphere and small town nature of the little Pancake House that could.

If there is one thing that wacky tacky loves more than decorative
 block , it is decorative block painted sea green!

If you're driving  through Corona and you need a bite to eat, just belly up to the old horseshoe and grab yourself a seat!!!



Silver Dollar Pancake House
710 6th St
Corona, CA
(951)737-5977

www.silverdollarpancakehouse.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

15 comments:

  1. That place looks great! And three cheers for you! I completely suck at small talk and will avoid it like the plague - and eating out by myself? I'd rather have a root canal. You whooped up on it!

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    1. HA! I tried something new, but I'm positive that it will not become part of my regular routine!

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  2. Glad you expanded your sociabilities and not your waistline!

    And if a place has the Wacky Tacky seal-of-approval, I know for a fact it's Retro Roadmap worthy! Thanks for helping me flesh out the California map, without having to visit every place myself :-) Though I am looking forward to our return visit sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later!

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    1. I'll continue my hunt for RR-worthy places! I hope to see you guys again soon!

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  3. oh i love pancakes! but i have learned that i can't order anything else! or i'll take it home and have to reheat my eggs and that is just gross. good for you being so freindly! i've eaten out by myself, but i've always taken a book when i did it.

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    1. Funny, it was probably ten years ago the last time I tried to go out to eat by myself and I took a book...but I couldn't handle doing two things at once. I think it made me even more awkward!

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    2. haha, oh man, if i had a dollar for every time i've deleted a comment or marked it spam by accident. i would have, maybe 15 dollars? i'm glad you found it! i actually came back to see if you had responded to me, since you always do, and didn't see it, and wondered if i had dreamed the whole thing.

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  4. I want to go there! It looks yummy. Call me up so you don't have to face your fears again and go alone. Can you tell I'm hungry?

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    1. Let's party. There are still several restaurants on my list that I need to explore!

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  5. Why do you keep posting about restaurants? I'm so hungry! Nom, nom, nom.

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    1. Outside of reruns of "Mr. Belvedere," it's pretty much the only thing I think about. Hahahaha.

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  6. I want those pineapple pancakes really bad now. And I'm nowhere near there! Ha ha.

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  7. Hey, that's my hometown! But I must be the only person in corona that hates that place. My blueberry pancakes were more pancakes with a strange flavorless blue substance coating them. Glad you had a good time!

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    1. Hahaha!!! Yeah, it is definitely not fine dining. I always say, "There is no excuse for bad food." Sometimes I get distracted by the glimmer of chrome and the chatty person on the barstool next to me.

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