"Some restaurants are so solid, so completely dependable, that they feel like a safe place for the itinerant diner. Such a place is the Bluebird Cafe. Or perhaps more accurately the Bluebird Cafes. The Bluebird crew actually has three locations, the original Bluebird Diner and two newer locations, a Cafe in Solon, Iowa, and another in North Liberty, Iowa. All three locations excel, but the original is a review for another day. I have been to both Cafe locations multiple times and have yet to be even slightly disappointed. Breakfast or lunch the menu is full of dishes for everyone. From the completely familiar to something interesting and new. My last breakfast was of the familiar variety, an omelet of my choosing consisting of their excellent house made sausage, red pepper, and American cheese. The omelet itself was light, fluffy, and of the half-fold variety. It was absolutely delicious. The breakfast prior to that was not common diner fare. Their Huevos Azul is a unique and tasty dish composed of a finely textured house made red pepper chili over Parmesan polenta with over easy eggs. One can add meat (chorizo, bacon, ham, or turkey) for $1, but why? This dish is really well balanced. The chili and polenta are perfect counterpoints to one another, and the eggs mix in to create a scrumptious and harmonious plate. The thoughtful touches to the menu continue with an oh-so-savory hash with an unusual base of potatoes, carrots, turnips, and parsnips. One can order a Benedict with crab cakes, spinach tomato, salmon, and, of course, double smoked ham. I'll wrap the breakfast descriptions with this incredibly delectable item, the Krakatoa Omelet. Pecan smoked bacon (oh, my), jalapeño, red onion, garlic, citrus cream cheese, and pepperjack. The richness and flavor of this dish almost defies my ability to describe it. Almost. The omelet is light and perfect. The pecan smoked bacon packs a favor profile that one can't help but notice. And that citrus cream cheese filling so creamy and somehow almost delicate in its flavor, it is truly special. Enough of breakfast, how about the midday menu? Again, it is complete with plates to satisfy all palates. A cheeseburger? Sure, available with Cheddar, American, pepperjack, bleu, Swiss, Prairie Breeze (a slightly sweet cheddar that could have its own review), mozzarella, provolone, or feta. How about a seared Yellowfin Tuna salad with a Sesame Wasabi Vinegarette with a complex flavor profile that makes one want to taste a bit of the dressing by itself The andwich list reads like a who's who of luncheon favorites but again with the thoughtful touches. The Cuban has Iowa smoked ham, pulled pork and two condiments that raise it above the average, a spicy relish and a mustard sauce that individually are excellent, but combined create an uncommon flavor to this common sammie. This theme of a little extra gets carried through to the reuben, pulled pork, BLT, tenderloin, grilled chicken, club, and French dip line up (not a complete list). I'll wrap up this love song to lunch with just one more, the Big Person Grilled Cheese. I have eaten an unimaginable amount of grilled cheese sandwiches in my life, a favorite since I can remember eating, and something I, myself, make quite well. This one is next level, with provolone and Prairie Breeze on sourdough, grilled to perfection, and in all honesty, perhaps the best I have ever had. The service in both locations is consistently excellent, not simply quick and efficient, but friendly in that professional way that many service cadres struggle to reach. We have all experienced friendly service that was perhaps a touch too friendly, or crisp service that was a bit too crisp, but the Bluebird crew strike a balance that makes the diner feel comfortable, welcome, and well taken care of. The buildings themselves are well maintained, comfortably appointed, and squeaky clean. I have dined in hundreds, if not thousands, of restaurants in my 40-year plus career, the Bluebird Cafes feel like home."
Tuna Salad
