Chilaquiles for Breakfast

“We serve breakfast, lunch and Mexican food,” announces Los Robles Café in Paso Robles, as if Mexican food were a thing apart from ordinary meals.

That is not the case, though. Breakfast at Los Robles is likely to be chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, huevos a la mexicana, machaca or other typically Mexican fare. And lunch could be chile verde, camarones al mojo de ajo, fajitas, chiles rellenos, a torta (sandwich) or a burrito.

This modest, pleasant restaurant re-opened Thanksgiving Day, 2007, after two years of remodeling. That was a long time to be denied such good food as my hearty plate of chilaquiles, pinto beans and home fries. Yes, home fries and ketchup—Mexican-American style fusion.

The freshly made chilaquiles (tortilla hash) were delicious, with good tortilla texture, meaning not soggy, and a sauce made from grilled tomatoes, tomatillos and jalapenos.

Ignacio and Maria Torres are the owners, and Ignacio is the chef. They’re from San Jose Piedras Blancas in the state of Michoacan, and a large, colorful mural of the Piedras Blancas bridge dominates the restaurant.

Los Robles Café serves breakfast, lunch--and Mexican food--Monday through Wednesday, but stays open for dinner Thursday through Sunday.

Los Robles Café, 1420 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446. Tel: (805) 239-8526.