Breakfast is always a big deal for me.  I love eating out for breakfast, so my search for a good breakfast spot is never ending.

Mulligans is a neighborhood restaurant/bar on the corner of Jensen Beach blvd, in a cool little beach town on the east coast. Mulligans boasts open outdoor seating and a tiki style bar with endless drink specials.

On Friday this past week, my wife and I decided to search out breakfast in our little town. Our usual spot closed down due to a lease problem so we needed to find a new favorite.  Mulligans posts a sign each day welcoming patrons to breakfast at the very low price of $1.99. The Regular Guy just has to try this special.

Our waitress greets us with coffee and tea and offers up her special of two scrambled eggs, home fries and toast all for a buck ninety nine. I ask if the eggs have to be scrambled and she replies that for $1.00 more I can have fresh eggs any style. I do not like frozen liquid eggs especially for breakfast. Believe me people, you do not want to see how those eggs are handled and kept from day to day.  Any way we both opt for the eggs over medium in place of scrambled.

Two things are a must for a great breakfast place.  A waitress who knows when you need more coffee and terrific home fries. Lets face it, anyone can make eggs if they can cook, but really, really great home fries are few and far between.  Home fried potatoes should never be from last nights baked leftovers. Nor should they be fried wedges of last nights baked leftovers. Home fried potatoes must have at least onions and a good seasoning blend. It’s really not rocket science, but it just takes some effort to put out a good home fried potato. After all it is half of what makes up your breakfast plate.

Mulligans needs to look at the way they do breakfast. I really don’t expect too much for $1.99 but two eggs, a few potatoes and toast really doesn’t cost that much to prepare, so why not do it right?  The breakfast turned out to be just what we expected. The eggs were fine, the home fries were horrible and the toast, well it’s toast. The home fries were made from wedges of potatoes ( probably leftovers) that were deep fried. All five small wedges worth. The coffee though was surprisingly good. The service was also nice and friendly.

Cost for the two specials with fresh eggs, one coffee and one tea..around $8.95..oh yeah rye bread will cost you a buck more too.  All in all it would have been twice as good by just doing two things. ALWAYS use fresh eggs and make a really, really great home fried potato. The search continues….

Regular Guy rating of * * 1/2

Mulligans

Corner of Jensen Beach Blvd and River Road

Jensen Beach Florida

I am told that there are three good restaurants on the river in Port Salerno. One of which myself, my wife and another couple visited while attending the Seafood Festival ( see Seafood Festival Port Salerno Fl blog entry) on a beautiful day in January.

Plenty of outdoor seating right on the water, makes this spot a welcome site. We literally sat right next to some one’s cigarette boat as we ate our lunch. Tables with umbrella’s for those who don’t like eating in the sun’s strong rays or right out there in the middle of the heat. They also have outdoor seating in the bar area that has a covering over top of the serving and table areas.

We chose the table in the shady part of the outside seating to get the best of both.

I come to Florida as often as possible and when I do I make it a point to find a place that serves Grouper. If you don’t know, Grouper is a white fish with the texture of lobster meat. It should be cut fillet style for best portions. I like it because it is thick and flaky when prepared correctly a this one was. I ordered the Crispy Grouper Reuben which I later found out is one of the house specialties. As with any good Reuben the Crispy fried Grouper is sandwiched between two slices of grilled rye bread. Instead of sauerkraut, Shrimpers uses Cole slaw with a light spread of thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese. Served on the side are Seasoned Fries, a pickle wedge and Cole slaw. I have to say that this was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten.. From the crispy Grouper to the grilled rye, everything about the combo was fantastic. I now understand why Shrimpers is known for its Grouper Reuben. The price is a little steep at $13.95 but everyone should experience this sandwich at least one time.

As luck would have it my friends decided to follow my lead and order the same thing. My wife on the other hand loves Sushi Tuna seasoned and grilled rare over a bed of greens. She couldn’t resist this salad on the menu. Served with wasabi, fresh ginger (ask and they will gladly bring you extra), a sesame ginger dressing and some crispy noodles as a garnish. The Tuna was exceptional and as good as any we have had before back in New Jersey. The salad cost $12.95 and the portion was enough for her, although she was hungry later that day and I couldn’t eat a thing until late that night.

Beers were cold and from a pretty decent selection. The fancy drinks leave a little to be desired as with most places the alcohol gets lost in the fruity drinks they add to them.

Overall for three Grouper Sandwiches, a Sesame Tuna Salad, three beers and a fancy mixed drink, $77.00. As I said earlier, a little pricey but the excellent food more than makes up for the cost of lunch. Service by Stephanie was terrific and cheerful. She was very knowledgeable and helpful with the menu and  her suggestion was right on the money.

Regular Guy rating of * * * *

Shrimpers

on the river in Port Salerno Florida

( 20 minutes southeast of Stuart) off Dixie Highway