Uncle Bill's Pancake House   

At Uncle Bill's, the faithful South Bay crowd has come to appreciate both Frisbee and silver dollar-sized pancakes to go with their fluffy French toast and veggie-harboring omelets. Loyalists treasure the banana nut and blueberry pancakes, served 'Alice'-style with good grace and attitude, but if you're feeling adventurous, the cheddar bacon waffle deserves a go, even though it should come with health insurance. For lunch, Uncle Bill has burgers, sandwiches and salads for those who like cheap fixes. With indoor booths and a college-lined notepad waiting list, expect to wait five to 30 minutes on Highland Avenue on weekends. If you snag a comfy sidewalk chair, though, watching fit sunbathers stroll by just might make you think twice about getting stuffed. With its straight-on view of the Pacific, consider the outdoor patio, which provides a perfect distraction from any meaningful conversation. And if you've ever wondered who all those pictures lining the interior walls were of, the answer is: loyal customers, who (besides being a bit snap-happy with the camera) love immersing themselves in cheap breakfasts carried out by Uncle Bill who, in turn, has immortalized their faces as wallpaper. -- Gregg Rosenzweig