The Dining Guy - Food, Fun and David
(click for bio & past articles)

Dottie’s True Blue Café 522 Jones Street (between Geary and O’Farrell) San Francisco, California 94102 (415) 885-2767

Cuisine: Eclectic American
Loved: Great food and cozy ambiance
Prepare For: Long wait in line on weekends; transitional neighborhood location
To Die For: Wheat buttermilk pancakes, spiced with ginger and cinnamon
Prices: $ (Inexpensive)
Hours: breakfast: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM daily except Tuesday
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM weekdays only
Noise Level: Loud (but you won’t need to stuff napkins in your ears)
Service: Attentive
Good to Know: No reservations accepted.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and ATM cards accepted
On-street parking
No smoking
Eaten at Dottie’s: Sandra Bernhard, Liza Minnelli, and Olympia Dukakis
Recommended: Yes!

It is often said that out of great tragedy comes great triumph. This holds
true for Dottie’s True Blue Café’s owner and chef Kurt Abney. Originally from
Arizona, Abney moved to the Bay Area in 1981, and worked in various positions in
the food and beverage industry as a dishwasher, bartender, waiter and manager.
 
In 1990, Abney and his partner of 10 years moved to Europe to travel and also
discussed the possibility of opening a restaurant.  Ten days after arriving
in Paris, Abney’s partner died. With no definite plans, Abney returned to the
Bay Area, and eventually enrolled at the Tante Marie pastry school in North
Beach.

"In 1993, I decided to find my own space and open the ‘ultimate café,’" says
Abney. "I really hadn’t done breakfast before, but decided to give it a try." 
Luckily for San Francisco, he did.

Atmosphere
In a space smaller than a one-bedroom apartment, Abney and his 8-person staff
create culinary bliss. The atmosphere at Dottie's is quite cozy, with coffee
cup and saucer chandeliers, blue checked tablecloths, colorful tableware and
relaxing jazz playing in the background. Large posters of  Josephine Baker,
Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge keep a watchful eye on the restaurant’s diners.
While waiting in line, check out the cabinet near the front door filled with
Dottie’s t-shirts, coffee mugs and homemade pepper jelly. 

The Food
Abney loves preparing simple, uncomplicated dishes using fresh ingredients.
All of the baked goods are made in-house, including the freshly baked scone
with butter and jelly ($2), grilled chili cornbread with jalapeño jelly ($2.95)
and buttermilk dill toast ($2).     Specialties from the grill include Dottie’s
whole wheat buttermilk pancakes ($4.50 for 2) or thick-cut French toast
($5.95 for 4 wedges). The breakfast specials are outstanding, including the "Open
Road," served with juice, eggs, bacon, ham or mild Italian sausage, home fried
potatoes and two pancakes or French toast ($9.95). The coffee and orange juice
was fresh and the side order of bacon ($2.95) was slightly sweet and
perfectly crisp.  Two lunch items that shouldn’t be missed include the vegetarian
chili served with grilled cornbread ($5.25) and the portabello mushroom sandwich
($7.25).  Other lunch items include salads, quesadillas, burgers and
sandwiches.
 
Dottie’s True Blue Café is one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. If
you’re looking for a great place for breakfast or lunch, this is one truly
"ultimate café."

Bio & Past Articles

Past Articles Spork Canteen Gary Danko farmer brown Blue Plate Woodhouse Fish Company Sunday's a Drag Brunch Bar Crudo Sauce Maverick Cote Sud Bix 2223 Absinthe Lime Tangerine Olive Catch Dottie’s True Blue Café Destino

Betty's List Restaurant Review Columnist David Grabstald. An enthusiastic freelance writer, editor and copywriter with marketing, media and daily newspaper experience, David serves as senior food critic for Betty's List. His articles have been published by Macy's Westbound, Mervyn's, The New Filmore, SF Examiner, Marina Times, North Texas Daily, And Baby Magazine and others. He is an experienced writer of grant proposals, documentation plans, feasibility reports, press releases, employee procedure manuals and other formats. David has written news scripts for NBC and produced video packages for the Irving Community Television Network. David can be reached at dgrabstald@gmail.com. His website is http://davidgrabstald.blogspot.com/