Waited in line for half an hour this morning afternoon at Dottie’s True Blue Cafe on Jones and O’Farrell. This was going to be my first meal of the day, and it was already after 1. I’ve walked by before and seen a line out the door, which in the city is either code for tourist trap or good. Given its location in the ‘loin, I was guessing the latter. I hadn’t heard or researched anything, so I didn’t know what to expect.

Turns out there’s a line because the place is small, ten tables, if even. And apparently good, though we weren’t sure yet. We did have the extreme pleasure of sitting at the counter closest to the chef who spent the whole time cooking feverishly, without breaking a sweat. I’ve sat at breakfast counters before (most enjoyably the Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe in Chapel Hill), but I’m not sure they come even close to this culinary performance. Balletic would be an understatement. Well-rehearsed. Hyper.

A few things caught my attention. No one working there looked tired. The sous chef made sure to wipe the rim of every plate. There was a whiteboard of specials with something like ten choices. They bake their own bread in loaves that must be 2 feet long. There was an upright off-white fridge next to the grill.

I had to get some french toast, made with that crusty homemade bread, along with the classic scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon trifecta. Stephanie had an omelet with mushrooms, bacon, and feta. Good eats all around. I already want to go back to try something else on menu. I can’t wait to wait in line there with someone visiting from out of town.