Spring Break
Food Snobs
Maria Saldivar and Rachel Slade
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: LIFE
We decided to feed our curiosity and our hunger early Tuesday morning at Cups and Crepes. Pulled inside by the smell of baked goods seeping through the cracks of the wood-framed house, we were greeted with a loud "Good Morning!" by the owner. We took a seat in the back and began to examine our breakfast options, smiles spreading over our faces as we realized how affordable everything was - the most expensive item on the menu doesn't exceed $5.95.
Our attention was drawn from the menu by the eclectic décor, which included a multi-colored funkadelic light fixture in the front room and a crystal chandelier in the back, African art, a Middle-Eastern tapestry and a gargantuan mirror with an exotic frame. The other customers included students, faculty and staff members on their way to and from classes as well as regulars from the community.
After much deliberation, we approached the counter and placed orders for a mixed fruit crepe, an egg and sausage crepe with pepper jack cheese, pancakes, a chocolate-filled Nutella crepe, a cinnamon scone, hot cocoa and biscuits and gravy. What? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
The hot cocoa arrived first in an enormous red cup that Rachel described as a soup bowl. We wished it was a little larger so that we could just swim in it with our mouths open. The cocoa had a rich chocolate taste and it was topped in thick, genuine whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. The cinnamon scone was fresh, soft and still warm with lovely little cinnamon chips in almost every bite.
The mixed fruit crepe included whole blackberries, blueberries and raspberries along with chopped strawberries and pineapple enveloped in a delicate, super-thin crepe. The Nutella crepe was all Maria hoped it would be, sprinkled in powdered sugar and served with a dollop of whipped cream, sending Maria's blood sugar through the roof - in a good way.
The pancakes were thick, fluffy and hot - thoroughly delicious in their puddle of melted butter and syrup. The egg and sausage crepe was heartier with large chunks of spicy, perfectly seasoned sausage and pepper jack cheese that added a much-needed zing to the eggs. The biscuits were obviously homemade and bathed in thick, peppery white gravy. When we saw an amazing-looking dish parade by in the hands of our waitress we were compelled to literally leave our seats to investigate. It was a mountain of cinnamon French toast topped with fresh fruit. We're planning to order that next time.
The staff was very friendly. Some of the food took longer to come out than others, causing us to check up on the status of our orders a couple times, but we were always assured it would be out soon. As busy as it was, the small staff juggled the many orders efficiently. At $8 or less, we escaped with enough energy to take on our days, and a to-go box.
Forget IHOP. Cups and Crepes wins in both taste and price. Get a caffeine jolt before that big test with any of its specialty coffee drinks or try the homemade chili or French toast Monte Cristo sandwich off the brunch and light lunch menu. ,,Learn to enjoy breakfast again at the conveniently located Cups and Crepes any time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at 309 Fry St.
Our attention was drawn from the menu by the eclectic décor, which included a multi-colored funkadelic light fixture in the front room and a crystal chandelier in the back, African art, a Middle-Eastern tapestry and a gargantuan mirror with an exotic frame. The other customers included students, faculty and staff members on their way to and from classes as well as regulars from the community.
After much deliberation, we approached the counter and placed orders for a mixed fruit crepe, an egg and sausage crepe with pepper jack cheese, pancakes, a chocolate-filled Nutella crepe, a cinnamon scone, hot cocoa and biscuits and gravy. What? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
The hot cocoa arrived first in an enormous red cup that Rachel described as a soup bowl. We wished it was a little larger so that we could just swim in it with our mouths open. The cocoa had a rich chocolate taste and it was topped in thick, genuine whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. The cinnamon scone was fresh, soft and still warm with lovely little cinnamon chips in almost every bite.
The mixed fruit crepe included whole blackberries, blueberries and raspberries along with chopped strawberries and pineapple enveloped in a delicate, super-thin crepe. The Nutella crepe was all Maria hoped it would be, sprinkled in powdered sugar and served with a dollop of whipped cream, sending Maria's blood sugar through the roof - in a good way.
The pancakes were thick, fluffy and hot - thoroughly delicious in their puddle of melted butter and syrup. The egg and sausage crepe was heartier with large chunks of spicy, perfectly seasoned sausage and pepper jack cheese that added a much-needed zing to the eggs. The biscuits were obviously homemade and bathed in thick, peppery white gravy. When we saw an amazing-looking dish parade by in the hands of our waitress we were compelled to literally leave our seats to investigate. It was a mountain of cinnamon French toast topped with fresh fruit. We're planning to order that next time.
The staff was very friendly. Some of the food took longer to come out than others, causing us to check up on the status of our orders a couple times, but we were always assured it would be out soon. As busy as it was, the small staff juggled the many orders efficiently. At $8 or less, we escaped with enough energy to take on our days, and a to-go box.
Forget IHOP. Cups and Crepes wins in both taste and price. Get a caffeine jolt before that big test with any of its specialty coffee drinks or try the homemade chili or French toast Monte Cristo sandwich off the brunch and light lunch menu. ,,Learn to enjoy breakfast again at the conveniently located Cups and Crepes any time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at 309 Fry St.
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