Cozy setting combines with hearty fare for a satisfying experience
Why: The Corner Cupboard built its reputation on homemade soup and sandwich combinations. It added breakfast to the menu two years ago with a focus on hearty dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Breakfast dishes at The Corner Cupboard cost less than $7, and portions are large enough to satisfy most hungry appetites. The dishes are made to order, and are accompanied by homemade breads and biscuits, which give the meals a homespun wholesomeness.
The owners say one of the most popular breakfast dishes is the Hash Brown Scramble, which is made with hash browns, egg, ham, green pepper, mushroom, tomato, cheddar and Swiss cheeses.
Atmosphere: The Corner Cupboard’s dining room is combined with a gift shop. It’s an inviting place for the whole family with picnic-style tables and chairs. Green latticework, used as trim, lends a patio feel, and the self-serve stand for drinks and condiments creates an informal vibe. For those who want a more intimate setting, there’s an indoor gazebo, which creates a cozy place for a breakfast date for two.
What I tried: I decided on the popular Hash Brown Scramble with honey wheat toast, and my dining companion chose the Biscuit and Gravy breakfast, which comes with hash browns, eggs and a choice of ham, bacon or sausage. I also took home a fresh apple dumpling to try.
I was thankful that upon placing our order we were informed that the hash browns would slow down delivery of our meals a bit because of the required cooking time. When our breakfasts arrived, I was surprised by the potatoes. I was expecting that they would be shredded, but the hash browns at The Corner Cupboard are actually southern-style, cubed potatoes. They were fried to a crispy exterior and mixed in well with my scramble. I was pleased to find the egg in the scramble was completely cooked, not slimy as is often the case with scrambles. The combination of ingredients imparted three distinct impressions: savory-rich, fresh garden and just a touch of sweet. The fresh honey wheat toast was delicious. I find the typical side of wheat toast served at most breakfast places to be airy and often it’s slathered with margarine, which I think is far from appetizing. In contrast, the bread at The Corner Cupboard has a dense texture and substantial flavor. Mine was complemented by real butter that came on the side, which I could apply at my own discretion.
The biscuit included with the Biscuit & Gravy breakfast is about four inches across and comes with an ample amount of white, peppered gravy. The biscuit is dense and doesn’t become gooey. A generous portion of soft-cooked bacon was included with the eggs and hash browns served with this dish. Both breakfasts included a sprig of fresh grapes.
The apple dumpling was delicious. I heated it up before trying it at home. It had an apple pie quality, but the crust on top was far better than pastry. It was light and buttery with a hint of saltiness which enhanced all the flavors and enabled the apple to take center stage.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The Corner Cupboard’s French toast is made with a choice of white, wheat or apple cinnamon bread. A Bagel Breakfast Sandwich incorporates cream cheese, ham, egg and cheddar cheese. And, the oatmeal comes with all the fixings including raisins, brown sugar, milk and a side of toast.
Other observations: The Corner Cupboard is a relaxing, unrushed place to dine, and the service is friendly. Our food arrived hot, and the coffee refills were free. If you like to make a full outing out of your visit, allow some extra time to browse the store.
Cost: Breakfasts range from $4.02 to $6.84. Sides are 79 cents to $4.02 and beverages cost from $1.20 to $1.57. Soup and sandwich combinations are $7.86 and $11.55 and include a beverage and chips. A cup of soup is $2.82 and a bowl is $3.74. Sandwiches are $3.84 for a half and $7.67 for a whole. Salads are $3.65 and $8.46.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Breakfast is served 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Telephone: 360-835-1267.
Where: 3010 Evergreen Way, Washougal.
Health score: The Corner Cupboard received a score of 0 on Oct. 8. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants that score 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
