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Alright, if you know anything about the geography of California, you know that Oakhurst and Mariposa aren't the same town, and they're not even in the same county! They're 30 miles apart, and are both former mining towns in the southern Mother Lode of California's gold belt. But since towns, restaurants and everything else is few and far between, I decided to lump them together...
Photo: Pete's Place is located at the intersection of Highways 41 and 49 in downtown Oakhurst, CA, and offers great food, comfortable dining and lots of parking. I love the chintzy Greek letters on the sign, but that's where the "Greek" ends, as Pete's serves nothing but good ol' Americana "comfort food."
Photo: Like in a taqueria, you walk up to the counter, make your selection from the posted menu, pay the cashier, and in return, you're rewarded with a plastic number. You pick your table, and one of the friendly staff will bring your order to you when its ready. Note the posted menu and the white boards, that feature daily specials. The unlimited all-you-can-drink coffee station is at the far end of the counter. Pete's Place features some of the best coffee in the Sierras, and their "to-go" coffee policy is fantastic.
Photo: From the coffee station, you can look directly into the kitchen and watch your food being prepared. I LOVE restaurants that feature an open kitchen, as I'm fascinated at what goes on "behind the scenes..."
Photo: One of the friendly staff refills Michael's coffee mug. Pete's Place features some of the best coffee that I've ever enjoyed, and it's an all-you-can-drink operation. After you've placed your order at the counter, you grab a coffee mug and pour yourself a cup of deeeeeeeelicious coffee from the coffee station... grab a few of the little plastic containers of cream... no shortage here, as Pete's has a large bowl of them that is heaping full, and you don't have to deal with one of those nasty little cream pitchers that who knows who has had their fingers in. However, it's not all self-serve, as when one of the staff notices your coffee mug is running low, they'll grab a pot and refill it for you. Here's the kicker: When you're ready to leave, you can grab a "to-go" cup and a lid, and take a cup of Joe with you, "to-go.!" How many restaurants offer a deal like that? No tips are expected, but we left a tip as a "thank you," for a great meal, friendly service, and Pete's awesome coffee policy.
Photo: Saturday morning, May 26, 2012, on the way to Fresno Dome, our little gang stopped at Pete's Place for a delicious breakfast. From left to right, Eric Rench, Michael Rench, Greg Wilson, and Robert Kipperman. Note the plastic numbers on the table, as Greg and Robert's orders haven't arrived yet.
Photo: I ordered a "special" from the white board of biscuits and gravy, sausage, and two fried eggs over easy. The food was delicious, filling, and represented an excellent value. Sure, the presentation is very basic, but folks, we're in Oakhurst! I can't say that I'm a fan of walk-up-to-the-counter format, but Pete's Place serves great food, at very reasonable prices, and they serve some of the best coffee that I've ever enjoyed, and their over-the-top-unlimited coffee policy, including a large cup, "to-go," on the house, blows away anything that I've ever seen. Pete's Place is "the" place for breakfast in Oakhurst! Pete's
Place Copyright(c) 2012 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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