Reviewing Emle’s Restaurant: Californian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence in Northridge.  

My cousin recently started school at California State University, Northridge, so while searching for quality food near the campus, I found Emle’s Restaurant. They are voted for having the best breakfast since 1955. They are a universal cuisine, offering a wide range of options. For example, they provide Mediterranean-inspired dishes as well as Mexican-inspired dishes. Both indoor and outdoor dining are available, as well as takeout and delivery options.  

Upon walking in, we seated ourselves and were immediately asked what we wanted to drink. The menu is so extensive and diverse that it took us a while to decide what to order. When we finally decided, the waiter seemed excited about our decisions as some of the dishes were the restaurant’s specialty items that are well-known or frequently ordered. 

I ordered the avocado toast consisting of fresh sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and two eggs sunny-side up on sourdough bread. Obviously, this is a pretty common dish served in a cafe, so it would be hard to impress my taste buds. Unfortunately, this dish seemed like I could make it at home because nothing really stood out.  

My cousin ordered the Emle’s Breakfast Crepe, consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms topped with ranchero sauce, and cheddar cheese. It is also served with guacamole and pico de gallo. Any dish with the restaurant’s name attached to it must be good, and this was true for this dish! My cousin really enjoyed it, and I also thought it was pretty delicious. All the ingredients paired well together, and the crepe was so fantastic compared to a typical tortilla. 

Lastly, to satisfy our sweet tooth, we had the Dutch apple pancakes, which included cinnamon maple flambé topped with sliced cinnamon apples, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. This dish was absolutely the highlight of the meal and a must-order when dining at Emle’s. The pancakes are extremely tasty and fluffy, and the topping flavor was unlike any specialty pancake dish I have ever had. The topping was truly unique and delicious. 

All in all, the staff gave off really good energy as they worked effectively together to serve and clean up. It has a clear family-run business feel to the restaurant, which makes the experience even more enjoyable and familiar. The ambiance is that of a typical diner or cafe, where it is always very busy, the service is quick, and the food is well-portioned. I hope to return sometime soon because I would love to try more of their specialty pancake dishes and the French toast.