Local watering hole

Every small town has its local joint where people hang out. My little community of Topanga is no different.

Pat's Topanga Grill is just up route 27, just before you get to the Flying Pig. It's nothing special, just a place you can get breakfast or lunch, or even just sit around with a cup of coffee.

There's a broad front porch, and an even bigger back deck. The decor features surfboards as art, also local paintings. The menu offers breakfast burritos, chorizo and eggs, omelettes, and burgers for lunch.

On the bulletin board, you can find notices for lost pets, solicitations for handyman and housekeeping work, yoga class notices and real estate flyers. This being Topanga, there are several flyers for new-age products or events. There was a flyer advertising used saddles for sale; also promoting a local band playing a tavern in downtown LA.

Pat's is a dog-friendly place, and when we were there, Jack was welcome. Another table had a pug on a retractable lead - he was quite interested in the dining room and pressed his nose against the screen door, just avoiding getting whacked with it whenever it swung open or shut.

Meet the neighbors!

Pat's serves a good, greasy patty-melt, and the Ortega-burger - a cheeseburger with a whole green chile - is awesome.You can choose firies, potato salad, or cole slaw.

The clientele is a mixture of locals, hikers, and visitors - sometimes called "Flatlanders" by those of us here in the canyon. The cafe shares the building with an art studio and a photographer.

Pat's Yelp reviews are mixed - the service is maybe a little slow, the personalities a little gruff. Maybe the expectations visitors from out of the community have are too high. Pat's is not a charming rural resort for tourists - it's a place for locals. 'nuff said.