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If you are  a Food Network junkie like I am, then chances are that you caught the Throwdown With Bobby Flay…the challenge Omelettes!  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this Throwdown took place right in my own backyard…Reno, NV.  And the target…the Squeeze In. 

The Squeeze In?  I had never heard of it before.  How was that possible after living in Reno for a year, asking everyone where the best food spots were, could we have missed a golden nugget like Squeeze In?!  Were people deliberately holding back that information?  Did they want to assure that lines and wait times would not grow?

That was it!  I looked at Charming and we both had the same thing on our computer screens…Squeeze In’s website.  Scary how we do things like that.  But it was decided right then and there that we would embark on an excursion to the other side of the city to find what could become a favorite food spot for our little family.  And it was also decided that we would do this on our wedding anniversary, since it happened to be that coming Saturday.  Perfect!  I get to choose from over 60 omelettes for my breakfast, get waited on, not have to do dishes and discover a new little glorious food treasure…I love it!

So, Saturday morning came…and we got up (after sleeping in), looked up their location again and got out to the Squeeze In as fast as we could.  Apparently we needed to get up a little bit earlier, the parking lot was packed and people were waiting outside for their chance at a golden omelette breakfast.  In we walked, our names got added to the list and we sat, observed and waited…only for about 20 minutes, but when you’re excited about trying a new place and the smells of breakfast are in the air, that 20 minutes felt like 20 years.

Let me just paint a picture for you…you walk through the front door of the Squeeze In and immediately your eyes brighten up.  There, next to the register, is  bookcase and on top of that bookcase is a rather different piece of art with an assortment of legs hanging down over the edge of the bookcase…apparently waiting their turn for a seat as well.  One of the first things you notice is all of the pen and marker writings on almost every square inch of wall space (up to about 7′ high).  This is a tradition that was started at the original Squeeze In in Truckee, CA.  Patrons are asked if they have ever visited before…and when the answer is “no”, a server promptly asks if you want to carry on the tradition of signing a wall, door frame, archway or anything else (other than Rosie The Robot, she’s off limits) and a marker is presented for your signing pleasure.  Now, you could do this while you wait or wait until you’re stuffed with breakfast later.  We chose to do it after breakfast…it gave us some time to find some prime real estate for our signatures.  And that’s not an easy task unless you’re ready to climb on chairs and tables to do it.

Our names came up and we were seated right behind the register…which is not the greatest location in most establishments, until you realize that it really doesn’t matter because every seat in the place is really a great one.  And as we sat there taking in all of the knick-knacks, we discovered a gem…there right across from where we were sitting, under a peace sign, above one of the windows was a signature that undoubtably is one of the most valuable there right now…Bobby Flay’s!  Oh yeah, we found the spot proving that were definately were at the right location.

Our server returned with our drinks, Charming got his usual iced tea and I went for a Mocha (which stayed warm the whole way through the meal), and took our order after about 10 minutes of us trying to decide which omelette suited this particular morning.  Let me just say that it was not an easy task, but in the end Charming chose the Hangover Helper (ham, bacon, sausage and a variety of cheeses and topped with their Cheese Sauce) and I decided to go Greek with Nicki’s Big Fat Greek Omelette (red bell peppers, spinach, olives, feta cheese and pesto, then topped with their Tomato Pesto Sauce). 

Every omelette’s ingredients are sautéed in a special recipe wine sauce and come with their home-style fried spudz, honey wheatberry toast and your choice of their signature sauces: mushroom, cheddar cheese or tomato pesto.  I chose to sub cinnamon raisin bread for my toast…which was perfect.  Had I known about their Old School Menu, I would have perused through that one too…it’s a good things I didn’t at the time.

When the omelette arrives you are immediately blown away…it’s half the size of the plate and the other half is filled with their home-style fried spudz.  And that’s when you realize that you really should have split the meal with someone…or just expect that your tummy is going to be stuffed beyond belief.  These are no mediocre omelettes…these bad boys are there to make a serious statement…thick and packed full of fillings.  And though I am not a big egg fan…I have officially been converted to a love of omelettes (at least at the Squeeze In) instead of going my usual french toast or pancake route when dining out. And let’s face it, eggs are really a healthier choice than french toast and pancakes anyway, right?

In fact, it’s breakfast time right now. I’m ready to head back for some more!  Maybe this time I should get a Racy Tracy (bacon, avocado, mushrooms and swiss cheese)…or the Neighbor Jaskson (avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms and jack cheese).  The omlettes are calling me.

We kept laughing at ourselves because we realized just how ridiculous we must have sounded…Mmmm-ing and Ohhhh-ing after each bite.  It didn’t matter what it was, omelette or toast or spudz, we sounded like two people who hadn’t eaten anything in years.  It really was a bit embarrassing, except that every bite really did warrant that praise.  And we made sure to let one of the owners, Chad, know just how much we loved the ambiance, service and most definitely the food.

THEN, we came back for my birthday breakfast!  And we ordered the same thing again…it was so good the first time that we just had to get a second tasting.  Although, this time we brought along our little kiddles…and they loved their omlettes too!  We decided that the Dirty Dick Omlette with the cheese sauce would be right up their alley…it was filled with ham, bacon and cheese.  Then a side of fresh fruit for both of them.  You should have heard the squeals of joy that came out of Rose when she saw the orange and strawberries. (ear piercing really) And let me tell you, there wasn’t one single strawberry left in either bowl when we were done.

And after stuffing ourselves it was time for Grace to step-up and sign the wall…right under Momma & Daddy’s names.  She was so excited…even though she scolded another boy for doing that when we first walked in.  Who’s allowed to write on walls?!

Oh, but wait!  There was one more thing that had to be done before leaving. We had to fulfill our promise to grab a gumball on the way out.   And there was no way that our girls were going to let us off the hook for that one.  There it was, a big yellow gumball machine just ready and waiting for all little ones that come by for a visit.

And let me just say something about the owners….this family is AWESOME!  They were the friendliest people and didn’t hesitate to get all rounded up for a quick photo.  (and with how busy the restaurant was…that was asking alot) 

Their joy and love of what they do is definately reflected through their staff.  Great staff!  Once you walk through those doors, you’re in for a treat.

When all was said and done, Charming and I had found a new little hideaway that reminded me of Southern California’s New Port Beach and served sensational food.  I can’t wait to go back and try some of their other food fare, like Souped Up Sammies and Really Boss Burgers. 

OH! Don’t forget to join the Egg Head Club!  That way you can enjoy your birthday breakfast on Squeeze In!  Plus a FREE bottle of champagne (or 2 OJ’s) for your Anniversary!

Squeeze In, we will see you at your Truckee location on Memorial weekend…can’t wait to see the original location!