“I know you’ve written about it before. But you’ve got to write about it again. Nobody reads what you wrote three years ago. When it’s this good it deserves repeating.”
Don Day’s Wife said that. In a tone of voice that could be almost called raised.
We were at Hank’s eating Sunday brunch. Eating our favorite San Miguel Sunday brunch. We were there for two reasons. Because it’s so good. And because it’s so cheap.
The usual, Eggs Benny for her. The slightly unusual, Eggs Baronne, with crab cakes rich in crab flavor, for me. Not much had changed in the three years.
Still the fruit plate, the beignets, the corn muffins, the main course and mimosa all in the price. The muffins a little less sweet (a good thing), the potatoes no longer patties but more of a country-style hash brown (another good thing).
The prices were up. The benny from $135 to $165, the baronne from $175 to $205. With Mexican food prices up 18% in the last year alone, in my mind that’s not too bad a hike over three years.
If you really want to know what a bargain Hank’s is, compare it to the competition. The Restaurant 1826 has a very good brunch. It’s priced at $690. If you want a mimosa with it, that’s an extra $350. Now you can argue that 1826 is a much classier place but I’ll take the casual atmosphere and being superbly served by Érica González at Hank’s any time.
And if you want to know a little more about brunch at Hank’s, you can read what I wrote three years ago. Sometimes good things get even better.
http://dondayinsma.com/2018/03/02/best-bargain-brunch-san-miguel/
Hank’s New Orleans Cafe & Oyster Bar is located at Hidalgo 12 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Before I left town for the holidays I went to Hanks after not being there for a couple of years….it was wonderful with a fabulous happy hour…they also have a waitress there that if I owned a restaurant I would steal her away…and the food was really good…
Their gumbo is pretty tasty this time of the year!
Glad to hear that Hank’s brunch is still the bomb! So many things are not as good as they were
that when a mainstay, such as Hank’s, holds on to what makes it special, it merits APPLAUSE.
Can’t wait to get back there and enjoy that wonderful place.
Hands down, the absolute best calamari I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to order it again soon.
Love Hanks brunch, great food and a great value. I’m also a Hugh fan of their blacken blue cheese burger. I crave it when I’m back in the US. Quick question – thought Sunday was paella day? If you want a great paella with a good crunchy bottom these days where do you go?
I’m a bit stumped on paella these days since Oli closed. Plus my private chef (Don Day’s Wife) is a fine paella maker. Must seek out a new source though.
⚘Celebrating Post-Covid. Please include me in your postings.
Never been disappointed with Hank’s. Happy Hour, crab cakes, and gumbo! Plus the bar flies are always entertaining. Haven’t tried the brunch yet, but when I get back it’s on my list!
Regarding paella, I had some at Mercado Sano a couple of years ago that was pretty good, but not absolutely fresh, since they probably made it ahead of time to serve at the market. I don’t recall the name of the restaurant but it might have been El Asador Catalan, out on the highway to Queretaro. I would hope that at the restaurant it would be even better.
Yes, it was El Asador Catalan. Always tough to keep paella around without it getting dry and, after the novelty wore off, I don’t think the6 were selling much.