Thanks so much for the review, Steve. I'll definitely check it out!
If you want to take what feels like a step back in time, try breakfast at Pier 15 in San Rafael. They got a new chef last September and the food is absolutely fantastic! The atmosphere has lots of character as well. I can't place the time period but, on a time period scale of restaurants, it's far more Marin Joe's than Half Day Cafe. (Does anyone know the history of this place?)
Don't be fooled by the exterior of this restaurant -- it looks like an old bar stuck out in the middle of industry and some old harbors off E. Francisco. I assure you, the food is first rate.
My favorites are the Italian omelet and the pancakes. If it's a nice day, sit outside on the water. It's an area of San Rafael I normally don't associate with dining. I usually get my car fixed around there.
We went to the old Sambo's in Novato for breakfast today.
It is called Star Restaurant. They tell me they've been there almost 10 years and before that it was a Baker's Square.
Star Restaurant is really good and surprised me. Most defunct chain/now independent coffee shops are run down, and you want to run out.
Star is clean and updated but still lets you feel you're in the 1960's if you want to. The food was excellent. I rarely see Hash Browns anymore and when I do, They are never cooked right. (golden brown, crispy top with soft potato under). Egg dishes and toast perfect also. (No dry cold bread and cold butter you have to open) The coffee never got to half empty before being topped. The perky young (early 30's) blonde server was friendly, knowlegeable, and treated everyone from what looked like an 8 month old to an 88 year old the same. I think she even called me "hon". In fact, If she weren't so nice, I would have felt like an outsider. I probably watched her greet a dozen parties by first name.
If you're ever in downtown Novato, This place deserves a visit. (Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner)
"Sambo's is the name of a former American restaurant chain, started in 1957 by Sam Battistone and Newell Bohnett. Though the name was taken from portions of the names of its founders, the chain soon found itself associated with The Story of Little Black Sambo. Battistone and Bohnett capitalized on the coincidence by decorating the walls of the restaurants with scenes from the book, including a dark-skinned boy and tigers."
I understand that they used the original version of the book, which isn't offensive, but the story and subsequent re-illustrating of the book over the years took on a racist tone, which then backlashed against the restaurant. Too bad. i think I must have gone to Sambo's when I was little. I remember their menu with the tiger on it.
About the Tamalpais Chief, I totally believe that you respected your mascot. My mother and her friends did too. Unfortunately, the older cartoons drawn of him, were not really a positive image of American Indians. I'm sure over the next decades, that image changed with the times, but then the school decided to change the name, after seeing other high schools and universities do like-wise. I remember when they changed the name, and I was mad about it, because I thought they were bending to too much PC pressure.
I've gotta say, I think there are certain things whose times come and go. Times change, what was once acceptable isn't anymore. One of these is a restaurant being called Sambo's. Have you ever seen the illustrations from the book "little Black Sambo"? I have this book, and believe me, if I were black, I wouldn't want to be seeing any restaurant called Sambo's, in this day and age. Actually, being white, I still don't want to see it. The food could be great, the owners decent people, but the name isn't anymore.
It's similar to Tam High school changing their mascot from the Indians to the Red Tail Hawks. Oh my god, you should have heard my mother screech about that one. However, I've looked at her old yearbooks from the late "40's and early '50's, and whoooo boy, the Indian cartoon caricatures of the Big Chief are waaay over the line. So, his time has come and gone.
I remember a Sambo's at Novato Blvd. and 7th street in Novato , it was there until about 1980. When I asked some City Officials what happened and why did they change the name , they just said that some people didn't like the name. It has changed names a few times and still has good deals on breakfast. Was there another Sambo's in Marin also ? Maybe the name sounded too much like Sandoz.
Does anyone else remember Samobos and the controversary surrounding its name? This may be my earliest memory of growing up in the 50's in Marin and learning about "political correctness."
