Sugar 'N Spice

Its exterior screamed Strip Club.

With such a suggestive name and vague signage, that's exactly what I thought it was. Plopped along side Ridge Road, just waiting for a crowd of rabble rousers and voyeuristic deviants.

And so on the few odd times that I drove by, I often wondered with an air of curiousity about what kind of business went down at the ol' Sugar 'N Spice.

I really didn't think much about it when I met up with friends after Sunday's marathon. Get on the Lateral, Get off at Reading, take a left. Look for the bright pink building on the right. I chanted the directions in my head at each turn, anxious to see my friends and fill my belly.

And then it smacked me in the face.

I was going to be eating at the strip club.

I creeped in the packed parking lot, simultaneously realizing the error of my ways and wondering whether this place was any good.

I walked in and found my friends in a sea of hungry people waiting for seats at the kitchy formica bar and matching booths. My eyes poured over the syrup drowned pancake stacks and scrambled egg dishes dotting the landscape, an oasis of edibles for someone who had an early morning cheering the masses.

We waited our turn until we got a corner booth (not the unusual set-up with the strange backseat deuce addition) and then I had my first opportunity to dig in with my eyes. Creative burger combinations, eggs served seven ways 'til Sunday, and of course an extensive list of omelets.

I settled on the Greek version. Feta, olives, tomatoes and other veggies. The omelet looked like a fluffy brick of egg and fillers, and I believe I must have looked like a kid on Christmas morning when the plate was dropped at my place. Apparently, the secret to the Sugar 'N Spice omelet is a milkshake mixer. That's what they use to whip into oblivion the eggs and milk before pouring the mix into a frying pan. The mixer does, indeed, do a great job of filling the eggs with a lot of air, adding to the fluff.

Our little foursome sat there over our heavy plates and kibbitzed about California politics, immigration reform, travel and unusual greetings in Europe and of course the Flying Pig.

And we left with heavy stomachs and light hearts.

Delicious.

* * * * * * * * * *
Sugar 'N Spice is at 4381 Reading Road in Bond Hill. The greasy spoon is open from 7 am to 3 pm daily, serving up breakfast, lunch and homespun hospitality to fans from all over.