Maui breakfast round-up: Tasty Crust

I've got to admit, I've never been a big fan of Tasty Crust. I grew up with their famous pancakes every weekend. That is, my parents would go out for Sunday brunch and come back with a stack of their 'cakes for me and my brothers to share. I'm sure when these pancakes come out piping hot off the griddle they are dee-lish, tender and perfect, but to get them when they're cold, packed in a styrofoam takeout tray, is not a treat at all. They become tough and unflavorful without a ton of butter and syrup. So whenever I heard around the island that their pancakes are the best, well, I just never believed it.

Delicious on a rainy Sunday morning

Growing up, I could never get up early enough to join my folks on their morning pancake feasts, and now as an adult back on the island, I never bothered to go there on my own to try the treats until recently. It was actually a desperate measure. My friend and I were hungry. It was raining and everything else breakfast-like near where we were in Wailuku was closed. Simply put, I was craving eggs, and so my friend suggested Tasty Crust. They do have other things besides pancakes, ya know... she told me. But I was reluctant. I couldn't stop thinking of those cold, rubbery flapjacks. Do we really have to?

Comfort me with fried rice and one egg

Finally, I agreed, but only on the condition that there wouldn't be a long wait. Well we must have missed the brunch hour because we simply walked in and grabbed a table. For a rainy Sunday morning, the place was almost full and definitely lively. Regulars were indulging in bowls of steaming saimin, plates of fried rice and Spam, and yes, plates of their famous pancakes. We sat in the cafeteria-style dining area and after looking at the surroundings, I was tempted to leave. Not that I have a thing against old-school diners, but this place takes grand prize for being the most down home and dirty dive of a dark diner. And I don't mean that in a bad way (well maybe in just a squeamish way).

Tasty spare ribs left us wanting more

I took my eyes off the walls and focused on the menu. Breakfast featured traditional fare such as eggs and bacon, steak and eggs, French toast and veggie omelettes. The lunch and dinner menu, which offered plate lunches like loco moco, pork cutlet and country fried chicken was also available. My friend was craving the Spare Ribs plate ($6.95) and we also ordered a small Saimin ($4.35) to share. I was still craving eggs, but wanted something more than just the Breakfast Special ($6.25), which features two large eggs, rice or toast, and a selection of bacon, spam and pork sausage. Instead I got the Fried Rice with One Egg, (small portion, $3.85), since I was told it was popular. And I also got a short stack of the Banana Hotcakes ($2.25), which is really one pancake.

Short stack means one! The toothpick cracks me up...

My one pancake arrived hot with a slab of butter and a toothpick. Not sure what the toothpick was for, cause I dived into the cake with my fork.  And I was right. The pancakes do taste better freshly made. The sliced bananas added a nice sweetness to the light buttermilk flavor. Definitely better than the usual IHOP pancakes. Yay, my Tasty Crust pancake memories are redeemed!

Next, I dug into the saimin. It was just okay. The broth not so flavorful as I'd like, and the noodles were standard. I had to add a lot of shoyu to punch it up. I probably wouldn't order it again given that I can get a better bowl from Sam Sato's nearby. The fried rice and egg was also pretty standard. Then again, I haven't been too impressed with a lot of fried rice concoctions on the island. The best fried rice I've ever had is from Tanpopo in San Francisco's Japantown. But that's another story. The spare ribs were very tasty, though I wished there was more of it. My friend let me have a little bite, but she wasn't sharing.

Service was fast and efficient. Even when I took so long deciding what to order, our server kept coming back and wasn't too annoyed as my hungry friend. While overall the meal was so-so, at least I left stuffed. Perhaps next time I'll choose the local style omelette chock full of Spam, linguesa, cheese and green onion, or stick to the lunch and dinner selections like Korean short ribs, honey-dipped chicken thighs or curry stew. Oh well, next time. The best part about Tasty Crust? Super cheap. Nothing is over $10, unless you want a T-bone steak and eggs, which will run you $10.95-$12.95. Deal? Deal.

Tasty Crust Restaurant, 1770 Mill Street, Wailuku, T:808.244.0845