Hot Spot: Universal Cafe

Last weekend, my trusty Brunch Buddies (yes, L&L, that is your official title - notice the capitalization?) and I went to Universal Cafe in the Mission. The plan was to go for a quick brunch before Lauren and I went to the climbing gym nearby to get memberships. What actually happened was that we waited in the sun for about 40 minutes beforehand, lusting after every poached egg and english muffin we saw be consumed in front of our eyes by the already-seated patrons.

Luckily we made it through, clutching our coffees ordered at the bar to tide us over, and finally got to enjoy the glory that is Universal Cafe.

This brightly colored flora (or would it be fauna?) separated us, the waiters, from them, the eaters. 

Le sigh.

Lauren began overheating! Say it ain't so.

Style improvement?

We're finally seated! On the other side of the illustrious velvet rope (read: green plants.)

After working up a famish with all the waiting, it was inevitable that we would order the mini doughnuts. 

At least I tell myself that.

My scrambled eggs with pesto and some of the best sourdough toast I've eaten of late.

Lauren got the poached eggs over a buttermilk biscuit with homemade sausage gravy.

Though it's shocking to think that we managed to move at all in our post-brunch stupor, Lauren and I actually made it to the 3pm belay class we had planned to attend. Success!

All set to climb!

This is the second time I've been to Universal Cafe in about a year and each time I make a mental note to up my attendance at this establishment. Anyone want to help me with that goal? Trust me, it's worth the wait.