Ernie's of Lake Tahoe in Folsom, California

One of the wonderful places about Folsom, California is that there are plenty of breakfast places. The hard part about this is choosing which one to go to, but my husband and I find ourselves at Ernie's of Lake Tahoe on a regular basis. Ernie's great food and friendly service, all at very reasonable prices, keeps us coming back time and again.

Located on E Bidwell in Folsom, Ernie's is easy to find and has plenty of parking and seating-although you will have to wait if you go in on a Sunday. When you walk in the door, you will be greeted quickly from one of their friendly wait or bus staff. Looking around the room, you will see many artifacts that remind you of Ernie's roots in Lake Tahoe-a pine tree stands in the corner, and several pictures of the Lake and relics of a by-gone era hang on the walls.

Ernie's of Lake Tahoe Menu

Like many cafes of its type, Ernie's sells breakfast and lunch all day. Both menus have many traditional favorites like bacon and eggs, omelets, burgers and sandwiches. However, there are also some of their own creations, like scrams, breakfast quesadillas and veggie sandwiches. For the health conscious, there is a build-your-own salad menu that is available all day. The salad is so big that it is a satisfying meal all on its own.
The prices are reasonable, but there are daily specials, like two-for-one breakfast burritos and a burger, soda and chocolate cake for $6.95. There are also early bird specials, which are small breakfast for very cheap.

Ernie's of Lake Tahoe Staff

As many of Ernie's faithful patrons will tell you, one of the best aspects of this café is the staff. Owners Rebecca Pautsch and Greg Bruso are often seen waiting tables or manning the kitchen, and they always have a welcoming smile for guests. Our favorite waitress is Jennifer, who is fun and friendly but brings the right order, quickly, every time.

The management of Ernie's seem to have an old fashioned view on service: be good to your customers, and they will keep coming back. There are always one or two bus people working who keep the restaurant clean and your coffee cup full, so the wait staff can concentrate on taking and delivering orders. It is a system that has gone by the wayside in many restaurants, but here it thrives.

For a great place to have a delicious breakfast, served by friendly people at a reasonable price, you cannot go wrong with Ernie's of Lake Tahoe in Folsom.