Paul’s Pantry

In the good diner category, Paul’s Pantry in Mission Viejo brings comfort dishes that everyone can enjoy. For down-home American classics and Cal/Tex Mex specialties, they are a hard place to beat. Paul’s is not a big place, but they do have a large enclosed patio for dining when the weather is nice. Judging by the crowds, it is quite the popular local’s place. They are strictly a breakfast (and lunch) place, opening at 6AM daily except Sunday when they open at 7AM.

Paul’s is noted for it’s Cinnamon Rolls. These rolls are big and baked on the premises, so you can taste the freshness. They are available as a side instead of toast with the breakfasts and even dipped as French toast. Slathered with a white icing, they are a perfect example of what a cinnamon roll should be. I do recommend getting there early——the rolls are extemely popular and they can run out, since they bake them fresh early in the morning.

Breakfast choices include omelettes and other egg dishes, traditional breakfast plates and even Mexican breakfast specialties. There are not many places around where you can choose between a Machaca breakfast burrito or a Tenderloin Benedict. On the omelette list, the hit seemed to be the mushroom and bacon omelette. With swiss cheese added, it was a huge and delicious platter, easily enough for two. There are 16 omelettes available, with a combination sure to please everyone. Veggie omelettes are delicious and definitely healthy and a popular option as are the veggie frittatas. .

The chicken fried steak was excellent, crisply battered on the outside, but with tender beef inside. The country gravy was not overpowering, but nicely complemented the steak. The hash browns had that perfect ratio of crisp outside and soft inside. Most of the breakfast plates come with your choice of two eggs any style, as well as toast or the cinnamon roll. Fruit and tomato side substitutions are also available for those who choose. The steak and eggs was another nice dish, a nice piece of grilled beef with the hash browns and eggs.

Lunches are a good way to enjoy a good filling meal. The CFS is also available, this time with cole slaw, mashed spuds and gravy. The Los Angeles area original, the Chili Size, is an excellent choice here. A buttered toasted hamburger bun bottom is topped with a nice grilled patty done to your liking and then is covered with chili. On top of that, shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions cover the chili. Finally, the buttered bun top is split, toasted and slipped on each side of the plate. It is a textbook-perfect chili size.

Other lunch options include salads and sandwiches, even a nice tuna melt. A good melt is the Beefier Melt, roast beef topped with cheddar cheese and ortega chiles. Other choices include a tuna melt, reubens and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Pancakes are big and fluffy and come with either regular or low-cal syrup. There are several low-cholesterol options too for breakfast. The vegetable fritatta, with egg whites, green onion, tomato and parmesan cheese, accompanied by a fruit cup is ideal for the health-conscious diner. For families, there are kid’s breakfasts, including a “happy face” pancake as well as a chocolate chip pancake meal with eggs.

Overall, Paul’s offers something for everyone. Service was excellent and the coffee was kept refilled. Indeed, the waitresses are like family. Some have been at Paul’s for over 30 years, when Paul still owned it. The “new owners”, Tom and Carl, have kept up the tradition—-for the last 23 years now. It is a perfect example of a breakfast and lunch place that it is easy to become a regular at. I should know!