ANDALU has been holding down the corner of 16th and Guerrero for some time, but they have never offered brunch, until recently. It's funny, because the space is quite well suited for brunch--there's nice light and hello, full bar. I went by with a friend to check it out, and while it won't knock my favorite brunch trio from their rank (Foreign Cinema, Slow Club, Universal Café), I thought the brunch fare was solid (if a bit heavy), prices were good, especially compared to what some dives have the nerve to charge around town, and the portions were downright ginormous, which will please big eaters.
The decadent corned beef hash ($8.75) was the total star, with perfectly cooked poached eggs on top, and you get your choice of hash browns or the honking Andalu polenta fries on the side, plus toast--the whole wheat was notably delish. You can also carbo-load with two straightforward waffles ($7.95), or there's a savory version ($9.75) with ham, mushrooms, and the Cambazola fondue--an Andalu cheesy classic that's on the evening menu.
There are five types of scrambles on the menu, including the Richie Rich-sounding Andalu Extravaganza (a five-egg scramble with arugula and Cambazola fondue, served on top of polenta fries) for $9.75, or all-you-can-eat for $14.95 for you beastmasters out there. I just hope you're not planning to do anything afterwards--even breathing might hurt.
My dining pal had the ultimate veggie scramble ($7.95), which sounded like it was going to be healthy, but was super hefty and stuffed with cheese (was that brie?) and a medley of veggies--one bummer was the tomatoes were grey/out of season, something that needs to be banished citywide.
We dug the side of sugar-spiced thick-cut crispy bacon ($2.95), i.e. meat candy, and there is also plain or brown sugar bacon, plus chorizo, or bangers, or breakfast sausage (yo meatheads, you can pick three for $7.45). A fine attribute is Andalu's full bar, so you can sip a kicky Old Bay Bloody Mary ($6.95), or heal up right quick with a Georgia Sunrise ($6.75, with bourbon, peach nectar, lemon, and soda), plus there all kinds of sparklers by the glass.
There are also classics like eggs Benny and French toast, a house-cured salmon and bagel platter, and salads and sliders for those who are more on the lunch tip, so you've got options. Insider tip: you can make reservations! (Great for group brunch functions, like birthdays and baby showers.)
The music was lively (some good rock), and the room was a weekend-y Mission mix of hungry hipsters and young parents and homos enjoying the French press coffee and chicks ready to do some vintage shopping together. There is a bar you can dine at, or wait at, but there didn't seem to be too much of a wait for a table, even though it was pretty busy. For those who went the first month and experienced a long wait for their food, I think the growing pains have been worked out--the kitchen wasn't prepared to be so slammed.
My favorite touch? The basket of complimentary donut holes that arrive while you're deciding what the hell to eat. I think these folks know what hangry means.
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