''No sissy food here.''
Thus reads a sign prominently posted outside the Brown Bag Cafe in Kirkland. Patrons should consider themselves warned. The family-style fare is not only tasty, but huge.

I recently had breakfast here with friends. I ordered a full stack of blueberry pancakes, planning on something light (indeed, the blueberry pancakes are listed under ''Lighter fare'' on the menu). They were huge, just small enough to fit on a 10-inch plate and not let maple syrup run over the edge of it. When a friend's cinnamon-roll French toast arrived, I thought they had given her two cinnamon rolls, when in fact they'd cut one laterally in half to French-toast it.

The decor is homier than your typical Denny's/Shari's/Coco's family diner. Walls are decorated with utensils, shelves holding jars of dried beans, that sort of thing. Wooden chairs look like they came straight from Grandma's house. But the overall effect is nicely balanced and doesn't overwhelm with preciousness.

Service was prompt and friendly--a bit slow, but hey, it was a holiday, after all. The waitress left us take-out boxes without our asking (surely these are a common request!). Much as I enjoyed my blueberry pancakes, I decided not to take them home, even though I left about four-fifths of a cake on my plate.

I will definitely return for dinner someday!    [04 Jul 2000 18:05:57]

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     ­Larry Gilbert (dischead), ChefMoz   

Breakfast is my favorite meal & if I'm going out I want to spend my $$ at Brown Bag Cafe! It's the best place around for breakfast! There food & sevice are awsome!    [27 Jan 2003 17:47:20]

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Recommended Dishes: Anything that sounds good, will be good!

     ­~Chrystie :)   

Huge portions do not make up for lack of service
Wait to get seated...
Wait to get water...
Wait to place order...
Wait, wait, wait, wait for food...
It took close to 45min from the time we sat down at our table to even get our food (2 people and a small child). When the food did arrive, while it was plentiful, it was also cold and left much to be desired. The service was poor; when I asked to send my wife's meal back there was no apology just an attitude.

Overall, crowded, un-inspiring, and typical. Could have been a Denny's or IHOP. Lacked character and warmth. Will not be returning.    [05 May 2003 00:23:13]

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Recommended Dishes: Don't go

     ­rjs   

Good food is worth the wait
The food and service are excellent! You do wait a bit longer than you would at a Denny's or Sharri's, but you don't get pre-cooked instant food. Everything is homemade and I would much rather wait a little bit longer to enjoy a great meal than get a plate of slop. If there is no wait at a restaraunt the food must not be very good.    [18 Dec 2006 21:19:19]

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     ­Anonymous