Cottage has the corner on value

There are so many people spilling out of the Corner Cottage in the

mornings that you might think they’re giving the food away. And you

wouldn’t be far off.

With breakfast items starting under $3, this little eatery is a

heck of a value.

That’s not to say you’ll rave about every item on the menu, but

there is a lot to like about the Cottage and many say breakfast is

the best time go. The reason? The breakfast burritos.

Office workers, laborers, kids doing homework -- not to mention my

son and his buddies -- are all there for the Cottage’s version of

this Southern California favorite.

They start with a large, soft, flour tortilla and fill it with

scrambled egg, hash brown, potatoes, cheese, potatoes, onion,

potatoes and bacon, steak, ham or sausage.

Did I mention the potatoes? A little too much of the lightly

cooked, shredded root vegetable piled inside for my taste. I think

it’s better to get it easy on the potatoes and double meat.

The prices are so reasonable, and why not? The whole gigunda thing

is wrapped in paper and served with a terrific jalapeno sauce.

Most people take it to go, but you can eat there, if you can find

a spot at one of the two Spartan tables inside or at one of the

picnic tables outside.

Also on the menu is a breakfast sandwich of egg, lettuce, tomato,

mayo and a choice of bacon, sausage, ham or steak.

Lunch features some good items as well. The best deal is to get

one of the daily specials that include French fries and a drink for

around $4.

The burgers, though not particularly large, are tasty and sport

lettuce, tomato, onion and a special sauce.

You can also get it topped with chili, bacon or pastrami, if you

like.

And a nice surprise is how great the fries are. They are expertly

browned, crispy and hot.

Also good were the chicken tacos. They’re traditional-style soft

tacos built on fresh corn tortillas topped with savory chicken,

shredded cabbage and salsa. I have to admit, though, I wasn’t nearly

as fond of the teriyaki bowls. I found both the beef and chicken to

be somewhat dry and the sauce on the gloppy side.

Other lunch items include burritos, taquitos and, one of my

favorite comfort foods, a toasted cheese sandwich with bacon. For a

fast breakfast or lunch with friendly service, check out the Cottage.

And don’t worry if you leave your wallet at home. You probably have

all the money you’ll need in loose change under your car seat.

FYI

WHAT: Corner Cottage

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday; closed Sunday

WHERE: 310 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank

COST: Breakfast $2.90 to $3.70; Lunch $1.75 to $4.50

CONTACT: (818) 843-2567

* BILL SCOLLON is a Burbank resident and president of Scollon

Media Arts. You can reach him at ewscollonhotmail.com.