We stopped at Fresno’s on the corner of Route 11 and Taft Road in North Syracuse for a late Sunday morning brunch. We were warmly greeted and placed at a bright booth near the windows overlooking Route 11. The light ash wood booths with inlaid tile tables were a perfect foil for the many western artifacts on the walls; and even with the many television and QuickDraw screens around the room, our view was not compromised.
Despite a sign outside the door stating that the bar was open from 11 to 2 a.m., we were told that the restaurant did not serve on Sundays until noon. That put a damper on the much-anticipated Bloody Marys, so instead we settled for coffee ($1.59) and juice ($1.29). Our delightfully cheery waitress informed us that we could order from the brunch menu or the regular menu, but as we were here for brunch the decision was moot.
The brunch menu offers only scrambled eggs or omelets (misspelled on the menus) though one dish uses poached eggs. There are three standard omelet choices: Western Fiesta ($5.39), Ranchero with TexMex fillings ($5.29) and New Orleans with shrimp ($5.99). “Build Your Own” omelets are also available for $5.79 with three fillings. There are eight brunch entrees from wraps ($5.79) and Texas Benedict ($5.99) to Texas Steak Hash ($6.99) and Chicken and Biscuits ($6.59). Three egg dishes offer scrambled eggs with different meat accompaniments ($5.79 - $7.99). The children’s menu features Breakfast Pizza and French toast as well as four other choices all under $3.50.
He chose to make an omelet with four ingredients (for an extra $.59) of bacon, onions, colby cheese and jalapeno peppers. The large omelet arrived piping hot but lacking flavor. The fillings were meager and their flavors weren’t enough to assert themselves over the egg. The small biscuit was fresh and tasty, but the bacon cheddar stuffed potato skin side dish was unremarkable. The entire meal demanded salt, pepper and hot sauce. A fresh melon slice and half a strawberry accompany all the breakfast entrees. (He felt full only after finishing her portion).
She ordered the Stuffed French Toast ($5.99). Three large pieces of what seemed to be fried Texas Toast filled the platter and were accompanied by a scrambled egg stuffed potato skin and the fruit. Syrup was served on the side. The toast pieces were filled with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, then battered and deep-fried. The bread was light but not coated with much egg and the fillings were too sparse. Two pieces with twice the filling would have tasted better. The unseasoned scrambled eggs in a lukewarm, dried out potato skin on the side didn’t deserve more than a taste.
The bill, after a $5 coupon, came to $10.85. As she cleared the table, our waitress remarked that “the best part is not having to clean the dishes”. Unfortunately, she was right.
