NEED TO FUEL UP BEFORE THE GAME?
Here are two food options if you’re heading to Carson
Having breakfast with the Aztecs?
We’re here for you. Realizing that some San Diego State football fans would be discombobulated by Friday’s 9 a.m. kickoff against Boise State, the Union-Tribune did extensive reconnaissance during SDSU’s previous six home games this season to ensure spectators a fine dining experience for the most important meal of the day before watching the most important game of the season.
Here are the two establishments that earned five belches on our five-belch scale:
NORMS 20420 Avalon Blvd., Carson phone: (323) 679-2319
There are nearly two dozen Norms restaurants in Southern California, with this one placed just a mile south of Dignity Health Sports Park.
The bright orange exterior makes it easy to spot. Two slogans tell you that you’re in the right place: “Where life happens” and “We never close.”
The second phrase reminds one of an old Steven Wright joke, where he walks up to a convenience store with a sign that reads “Open 24 hours.”
Wright pulls on the door, but it’s locked. He sees a worker behind the glass door, motions to him and through a crack asks, “What’s the deal since, it says, ‘Open 24 hours?’
“Not in a row,” the guy responds.
We mention this because despite the sign on the wall,
the Norms website (norms.com) indicates that it is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (and until midnight Friday and Saturday).
That should be fine for the Aztecs faithful, who should feel right at home.
On a visit before the Towson game this year, there were several SDSU fans wearing red and black gear waiting outside for a table to open up.
Among those already inside was a guy at the counter wearing a Marshall Faulk jersey.
He was getting after a plate piled high with bacon, eggs and a stack of hotcakes that appeared equal to the number of touchdowns (seven) that Faulk scored against UOP.
The menu includes omelets, steak and eggs, breakfast burritos. You name it.
Called Wednesday night to get a recommendation.
Norm wasn’t in, but a guy named Alan was more than happy to offer some advice.
“The Bigger Better Breakfast,” he said. “Pretty good.”
You’ve got your “Classic Bigger Better Breakfast” (two bacon strips, two link sausages, two eggs, ham,
hash browns or fruit, along with toast or two buttermilk hot cakes).
There’s also the “Gobble Gobble” version, which substitutes turkey sausage and turkey bacon, or the “Sirloin Steak” version, which adds a slab of meat to the meal.
Decisions, decisions.
WAFFLE LOVE 3768 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach phone: (562) 336-1215
A U-T reporter discovered Waffle Love (waffluv.com) nine years ago during a visit to Utah, where the restaurant originated and now has locations up and down the state.
Indeed, it was love at first bite.
These are waffles like you’ve never tasted before, cooked with a sugar crystal in the batter that provides a unique sweetness.
Personal favorite is the “Dulce de Liege,” which is dusted with cinnamon and sugar, topped with fried ice cream and strawberries and drizzled with caramel.
Other popular choices include waffles topped with whipped cream, along with lemon curd or biscoff (cookie butter) or nutella (chocolate) or raspberries or strawberries
or bananas and/or all of the above.
You want savory instead of sweet? Go with the chicken and waffles or grilled cheese waffle with tomato soup.
Waff le Love expanded beyond the Utah borders a few years ago and while it hasn’t reached San Diego yet, the Long Beach location 5-6 miles from Dignity Health Sports Park takes some of the sting out of driving to Carson.
In fact, swung by after the Towson win in September, bought some dough to go and enjoyed Waffle Love waffles at home throughout that weekend.
The Long Beach restaurant is housed in a shipping container, similar to all those that are stranded off the coast these days. It is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., which means be the first in line and then get to the game.
Parting thought: pregame meal at Norms and postgame meal at Waffle Love.
Because, of course, waffles aren’t just for breakfast anymore.