BACC Breakfast - West Bay Edition
 

Fellow BACC Members,

Due to popular demand from Cobra owners on the Peninsula or in the South Bay, I want to arrange a West Bay Cobras breakfast for those of you who have been looking for somewhere closer to home to meet up with fellow Cobra owners. In order to avoid the alarm clock at 6AM on Saturday, many of you have either expressed a desire for a closer location, and/or a later start time, so those will be our combined goals for the gathering.

In terms of location, I am looking at Redwood City or Palo Alto. There seems to be some critical mass in San Jose and Redwood City, so I want to accomodate the South Bay folks without alienating folks coming from SF, South City, or the mid-peninsula either. Aiming for Redwood City or Palo Alto may also draw some folks over the Dumbarton bridge from Fremont.

If anyone has reccomendations for a venue in Redwood City or Palo Alto that would provide the same "benefits" as Athens Burger ? Requirements would be:

- Ample parking lot with enough empty space to group the Cobras together
- No-hassle seating for impromptu arrivers (usually means crappy food)
- Cheap, crappy food that feels just right after inhaling exhaust fumes on the way over
- Easy freeway access

Please, no trendy spots where we need to wait in line or have a reservation to sit down. I will scout a couple of spots this weekend also. In terms of timing, I'm thinking perhaps 8AM or 8:30 or so. Let's shoot for Saturday, July 24th for our first breakfast.

Thoughts?

/Chris
BACC "West Bay President" and WebMaster

[from Bob F]

This is a GREAT IDEA! There are many Cobra owners out in Redwood Shores, Belmont and San Carlos. In fact, I just sold mine to a guy in Belmont. I am in the process of finding a Pantera. Would it be alright to attend these with the Pantera or do you only want it for the Cobra people (understood if you do).

Bob

Reply:

Panteras, GT40's, Tigers would definitely be welcome. 2 seats and 8 (Ford) cylinders only. Please pass this along to anyone else in Belmont, Redwood Shores, San Carlos, etc.

[From Tom H]

Chris, I like the idea of a west bay breakfast. As I am in Corralitos (Watsonville), closer is better.

[From Richard M]

AMEN!! but how will this affect overall group.

My suggestion would be Mel's Drive-In

Reply:

This would be in addition to the weekly meeting at Athens. Perhaps we could do it once a month or so to maximize attendance and mimimize the impact to the existing Athens breakfast. In reality, most of the folks that would come out are folks that never make it Dublin because it is 50 +/- miles away and 7AM. Many folks have expressed that they never get out there, so here is a way to facilitate another outlet for us.

[From Tob B]

Chris,

I am glad you have put into words something I have been thinking about for some time. I have been trying to think of some place as you describe without much luck. I will continue the process. Some other things to think about - ability to see the cars from the restaurant and having the West Bay breakfast only one time per month so that the draw from Athens is limited - e.g. the first Saturday of every month. Also keep in mind the tradeoff for a SJ guy - what's the difference between San Mateo and Dublin as it pertains to time. While I would prefer that San Mateo location, Redwood City or Palo Alto every once in a while would be better than 35 minutes to Dublin. Isn't there a dining place at the San Carlos airport? Any hotels with a cafe?

If a place can be found for the 24th, I will be there.

Tom Blumberg

[reply]

Great insights, I guess it's 17 miles from central SJ to central PA, 30 from SJ to Dublin. Not sure how that will be perceived by SJ folk. On paper, it's ~40% closer. Redwood City makes it a bit further - 24 miles...

I'll start passin the word. Gonna be hard to find a place as "pleasing" as Athens. Great parking, car visability, etc.
Bob

Chris.....
[From B.K.]

Excellent idea! Maybe there could be some sort of a rotating breakfast schedule. I would like to see the Athen's group drive into the peninsula once in a while. I also like the fact about starting the meet a little later in the morning!

You've got my 100% support as for a place on this side of the bay, as long as we can locate a place that can handle and support the group. Although I am still awaiting an upcoming decision with the Attorney State General and the DMV as to legalizing my vehicle once again, I could easily attend without the car for now as it would be a lot closer and later in the morning.......so I could see some of the group members again. Haven't seen the group for about 8-months, since I was refused registration on my car, as well as working till 100a.

I hope most of the Athen's group will decide to accommodate the alternate meeting spot once in a while. We'll just have to see if their ready for a longer driver every now and then. Keep me posted, and good to hear from you!

[From A.B.]

Hi Chris

This sounds like a great idea and hope we can get this set up. I live in san Jose and therefore would prefer Palo Alto but Redwood City is OK.

Don't know many places up there though but will ask around

I think Palo Alto or nearby might work best. There is large contingent in San Jose and the Redwood City area, and this might work best. Ironically, noone is actually from Palo Alto. I will scout some locations this weekend (Going to a BBQ in Menlo Park on Sunday) and provide some recommendations. I am posting peoples responses here to foster an open discussion. Feedback so far is 100% positive....

Chris,

" "I hope most of the Athen's group will decide to accommodate the alternate meeting spot once in a while. We'll just have to see if their ready for a longer driver every now and then."


No problem! About 10 cars went to Folsom last month for breakfast....then took back roads home. Driving the car is a GOOD thing :D

curtis

Sounds like a great idea! Several of us here in S.F. were thinking of doing something similar for a "Western Bay Area" cobra get together. I made my maiden voyage to the Athen's cobra breakfast a few weeks back with my recently completed cobra and loved every minute of that drive. It was great to see everyone there since I don't get the opportunity to attend as often as I would like.........I still can't believe Curtis brought his Scion on that day :D

Gene

Breakfast
 

I live in Menlo Park so this would be great for me as well. There is an I-Hop right off of 101 that has ample parking for us. The address is 491 Veterans Blvd Redwood City. Great food too!

Some suggestions...


San Carlos Airport rest... large lot this... is a destination place
Pelican Cafe in the harbor area RWC
Howard Johnsons in Rwc... lot not visible from rest

Stan
Redwood City Climate Best By Gov Test

[From Greg Wynne]

Chris,

I'd like to nominate the Sky Kitchen, located at the San Carlos Airport. It's easy to get to (right on 101 at the Holly Street exit), centrally located, and I think it meets all of the criteria below. It gets busy later in the morning, but at 8 am there should be lots of room, and the counter space makes it ideal for one-by-one arrivals. The food is on par with Athens Burger.

Greg

[Reply]

Greg,

Thanks for the response. That is about the fourth nomination that I've received for that place. I'll go scout it this weekend, and maybe chat with a manager there about our intentions. This may be a bit far to the north for our San Jose clan (probably no closer than Dublin) but they may be looking for an alternate route for cruising anyway?

/Chris

Also, nothing needs to etched in stone. We could try San Carlos the first time, and then try somewhere in the South Bay another time. Whatever works for people....

Anyway, stay tuned and keep the 24th penciled in for now...

Sky Kitchen....Great place, and not just saying that cause it's in my backyard. Really..
Bob

Hey, it can't be all bad - the Ironhorse Motorcycle Club meets there for breakfast on Sundays once a month at 8:00AM.

http://www.ironhorsemen.org

[From Scott Douglas]

There is a place in Mountain View on Old Middlefield Road called Bajis` Down The Street. Good food, plenty of parking, right off of 101 and there is also outside seating right on the parking lot if you wish to sit with the cars. Good area and very convienient.

I Just got off the phone with Bajis and he said no problem. A club 10 percent discount will be in effect and he opens at 7AM on Saturdays. His website is WWW.BAJIS.COM So look it up, give hiom a call and tell him you are a friend of mine. I think we will all like this place.

Hey Scott,

Thanks for the legwork. This sounds absolutely perfect!! And a good location too for the South Bay crew. Several folks recommeded Sky Kitchen in San Carlos (on the 101), so I've agreed to meet Greg Wynne (another BACCer) there on Saturday morning to meet with the owner and scope out the facility too. I don't see why we couldn't try both? Can you go by Bajis at 8AM on Saturday and just make sure that there's room to park 10+ cars next to each other, and that the dining room can accomodate a bunch of un-showered walk-ups? If both places check out, I think we should put it to a vote. Wherever we'll get the best attendance will decide it. And we can rotate the venue periodically too!

Thanks again,

/Chris

I vote for Bajis. I like adventures so lets try it. Plus I'll probably go early and go via skyline to 84 then back down 101.