Randy B.
Yelp
My girlfriend and I decided to visit Ellie's Table at The Egan House in San Juan Capistrano for Saturday morning brunch.
First of all, parking can be quite difficult, especially during peak times. There are about 5 spaces in the parking lot, but after that, you are on your own to attempt to find street parking or adjacent lot parking. It can definitely be a challenge, especially on a weekend.
We entered the building and checked out the menu. There are a few pre-made items (pastries, quiche, etc.) that are in the display cases that will be reheated and served. Additional items, such as sandwiches and plates, are prepared in the kitchen and served to your table. The building itself is quite historic and has a warm, inviting feeling. There are table sand chair outside, along the patio, inside near the kitchen area, as well as a pretty cool, private 8-person table upstairs which is near the additional restrooms.
We decided to share the Vegetarian Quiche ($9.25), which came with Garlic Mushroom, Onion Jam, & Gruyere. The quiche was small and a nice starter for both of us. The ingredients were simple and the flavor was very nice.
I went with Ellie's Breakfast Sandwich ($10.25), which consisted of Egg, cheddar cheese, green onion, and your choice of protein. When I asked to add chicken, I was told that chicken was not one of the options, but rather an upgrade, even though it was listed among the others. I decided to go with the turkey, along with an upgrade to the Butter Croissant ($2.00).
The sandwich itself was pretty good. The croissant was super flakey on the outside and had a nice soft interior. The egg and cheddar cheese mixed well with the sliced turkey. It was a good sandwich, but a bit pricey at over $12. There was no side option, fruit, salad offered.
My girlfriend went with Ellie's Benedict ($15.00) - a warmed croissant stuffed with spinach, Canadian bacon, whipped goat cheese and topped with 2 poached eggs, sliced tomato, hollandaise sauce and sprinkled with parsley. It also came with a small side salad. The presentation was great and it looked delicious. I was able to snag a small bite and I thought everything was delicious and the value for the price was good.
After my breakfast sandwich, I decided to go to the counter and order one of the homemade Cinnamon Rolls ($4.50). It was warmed up in a convection oven and ready for me in just a few minutes to take back to our table. The size of the roll is good, and the frosting was tasty - a mild cream cheese and cinnamon infused delight with the right amount of sweet to share.
Overall, I thought Ellie's did a nice job of providing good quality food in a quick, casual sit down environment. It's a good breakfast option whether you grab and go, or have a seat with your loved ones (furry friends also welcomed in the outdoor seating areas) for a nice unpretentious meal to start your day.