Choice of Gourmet chili, (5 are available each day see below for rotation) served with red onions and cheddar cheese over potatoes topped with scrambled eggs, dollop of sour cream, chopped tomato, green onions and avocado. Breakfast in LA just got hotter and spicier! The Chili Jumble features 5 gourmet chilies which are as hot as Eva Longoria
Cost $ 11.99
REVIEWSWeston B. 4/21/2012 ***** Westlake Village, CA Jinky's Cafe is a great place for a family friendly meal! It has a huge menu and lots of pancakes! Go there tonight!
Hidden treasure people, hidden treasure. After a 40-minute ride in traffic, followed by a drive through two full parking lots, I (finally) made it to Jinky's Cafe on 2nd street and Broadway in Santa Monica, California. Fortunately for the sake of the restaurant (and the review) we didn't have to wait in line upon entering. Based on the ambiance of the restaurant and the diversity in the menu, I had a feeling breakfast would be worth the trek. Well, not only was I right, I was very pleasantly surprised with the deliciousness of this entire meal.
The photo itself (see above) pretty much speaks for the decor of the restaurant, as well as the creativity in the menu. According to the blurb at the beginning of the menu (see below), the food is a "fusion of American, Southwestern, and international flavors." It is this fusion which generates a delicious breakfast at Jinky's Cafe.
When checking out the menu and attempting to choose from one of the 15 PANCAKE-OPTIONS (Jinky's automatically gets major brownie - er, pancake - points for this alone), there were a couple of major pros I wanted to first point-out.
First of all, Jinky's has pancake-options I have never seen before (i.e. Tropical Pancakes, Oaty Oaty Cakes, and Caramel Creme Pancakes). Between the creativity of the menu and the hippie coloring along the border, this read more like a menu of pancakes from Ben & Jerry. Uh, yes please! Secondly, and major props to Jinky's for this: per the menu above, the option to choose the location of your toppings ("Fruits inside the batter only on request") is a major pro, and almost makes your breakfast customizable. This is a fantastic option, particularly if you're a blogger, but also equally wonderful if you're simply a pancake-lover. Now for the best part. Choosing my meal and enjoying every bite!
Besides pancakes, I was craving eggs as well - it was a long drive! - and luckily, Jinky's caters to such cravings. I went with the 2+2+2 option of eggs, bacon, and buttermilk pancakes BUT for $2 more, you may also substitute for a specialty pancake. So, I substituted for the Banana Chocolate Chip Cakes. You should know that unless asked, ALL toppings remain on top of the pancakes. I, however, decided to put the chocolate chips inside the batter, and keep the bananas on top.
I must say, looking at this photo my mouth is watering again. From the second the plate was placed in front of me, the smell was overbearingly amazing. I was instantly tempted by this pungent scent of fresh bananas, warm chocolate chips, and homemade pancakes practically made by Aunt Jemima herself. Sure, the eggs and bacon were wonderful too; but these pancakes were just incredible. The Banana Chocolate Chip Cakes were fluffy on top, yet soothingly crispy on the bottom. The chocolate chips appear as little dots in the pancakes, but instantly melt in your mouth within the first bite. When looking at this photo, you can see the morning glisten on the bananas atop of the cakes; as per my review from Blue Plate I explain how important this glisten is in determining the freshness of the fruit. Well, these bananas must have been collected directly from the banana tree - aka the local Saturday Farmer's Market on 3rd Street - before being placed on my pancakes. And finally, the end of the meal was not capped with the button of my jeans flying across the room; these pancakes were not greasy at all, and they don't cause you to faint upon completion. As I was smiling from ear to ear after the first bite, the Banana Chocolate Chip Cakes from Jinky's are a wonderful way to say "Good Morning, Sunshine." Jinky's Cafe is now officially my second restaurant with a 5 star rating. It should also be noted that Jinky's serves breakfast ALL DAY!
Breakfast place that tastes, well just like breakfast
I have to say Jinky's is one of my favorite breakfast places on the westside. It's almost on que that on weekend mornings after a long night out I want to go grab breakfast, and Jinky's has hit the spot routinely. Everything on the menu tastes great without being overcomplicated like a lot of restaurants tend to make things. I usually get the chili omelet due to the fact that they always have a large selection of chilis to pick from. Another favorite of mine and friends is the flaky french toast. It's like a flavor explosion in your mouth of breakfasty goodness.
If you order coffee they give your table its own pot, which comes in handy for someone like myself who requires more than one cup to get the day started. The staff is always friendly and are almost telepathic at times knowing you need things. This is great considering there have been mornings where I am not in the right frame of mind to be hassled with things or at times form coherent sentences.
The only real negative to this place is the parking and the wait at times. Since its so close to the promenade, parking in one of the structures can be frustrating. Also because of its location it can get pretty busy some mornings. I have grown to expect this anywhere though in Los Angeles that serves a good breakfast on the weekends. Now after writing this review I am really craving some waffles, hmmmm.......
REVIEWS Shuchi M. 1/8/2012 **** Fremont, CA This place was walking distance from our hotel, we enjoyed breakfast here 2 days. Great for kids, lots of choices for Breakfast Brunch, quick fast service and good food. Skip the muffins.
REVIEWS Elizabeth S. 12/5/2011 **** Agoura Hills, CA I have eaten here around half-a-dozen times and I could not decide whether I thought it deserved 3 or 4 stars. The Service: The service quality varies, The Food: The food is 4 star! They have some of the best Chili I have ever tasted, and there is a lot of variety so you are sure to not get bored. Breakfast is good here, I still prefer Agoura Deli's breakfast though. The Hangover Hamburger is amazing, and the crepes are wonderful. But you have GOT to try the Chili! The environment: The atmosphere is a 3 star rating for me. The outside patio is great, but there is nothing fancy or exciting about the decor inside or out. All in all, this is a place I enjoy eating at, it is close to me, it has a comfortable atmosphere, good food, cheap mimosas, so I give it 4 Stars.
REVIEWS Jonny M. 11/29/2011 **** Thousand Oaks, CA Been here a few times already.... FOOD: Menu has LOTS and LOTS of options all sounding more delish than the next. Food is good quality and very fresh especially in regard to price point. Prices are very fair and affordable. SERVICE: My experiences have always been very positive. Servers and bussers are attentive and accommodating. SETTING: Not the most ideal off the 101, however they did a nice job with the area. The patio is my favorite area to dine in. Unfortunately its not dog friendly, so you have to tie yours up to the far outside posts - which makes no sense and we can thank the Health Dept. for their infinite wisdom for that ruling. Ideal for brunch/breakfast - however both lunch and dinner options are great. I will be back often.
REVIEWS L H. 11/27/2011 **** Oak Park, CA Tasty. Fresh ingredients. Fast friendly service. Manager stopped by to see that we were enjoying our lunch. Large menu selection. Nice decor indoors. Clean. I will go again
REVIEWS 7/18/2011 **** PJ. Daly City, CA Following a delightful dinner at the local peasant, we ventured off to Jinky's for breakfast with my favorite lady (2nd to my mom, of course). I was lured into ordering a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, TATER TOTS, cheese and something else that I can't recall. Mmmmm, this was perfect to soak of the booze left over in my blood stream from the prior night. All the dishes looked good. H had french toast and he said it was good. Can't wait to return whenever I visit So. Cal. next.
I Have been eating here for years & love it! The salads, omelets, muffins & ice tea are our favorite. We especially love sitting out side...
REVIEWS2/6/2011 *****Whitney M.Los Angeles, CA I love this place, the staff is so friendly and laid-back. The food is sooo gooood! I came here with a friend once, and now I come here all of the time. I love all of the breakfasts, and they have good salads!
