So I’ve craved for a huge American-style breakfast for a few weeks now…MmMmMmmm big fluffy pancaaaaaakes where aaaare youuuuu?!? Brunch is a big deal in Berlin, not surprisingly because the big clubbing culture leads to hangovers and late ravenous breakfasts, which also becomes lunch. I find that most brunch fares are…well… European. I love the delicious cheeses, cold cuts and freshly baked bread, but sometimes I just need an artery-clogging big American breakfast. After some obsessive googling, I finally found what I was looking for: The California Breakfast Slam. We trudged off to the other side of town one cold Sunday with empty stomachs and ready to wait in line, with no expectations of fabulous interior design nor fast service. For me and TD, self-proclaimed fatties foodies, food quality and taste trumps everything. We will even suffer hipsters, just to get good food in our bellies. We weren’t disappointed.

I had a little giggle when I checked their under-construction website. So it was no surprise that their straightforward menu was funny too. Check out the fine print.

We started with cappuccinos which were so creamy and amazing, even before I put any sugar. I put half a teaspoon of sweetness and it was coffee-perfection. I think I would come back here even just for the coffee. I must warn you, this post will probably contain the world “amazing” several times. Now on to the food.

I had the Eggs of Pope Benedict: cured kasseler ham with asparagus topped with organic poached eggs over whole wheat muffin halves smothered in hollandaise with a side of sage and paprika fried potatoes and salad. If it were bacon it would be even more amazing…just because bacon makes everything taste better. The potatoes and salad were also foodgasmic. Normally I don’t like healthy stuff like veggies in my Sunday brunch, but Berlin salads have proven themselves so scrumptious that I can eat them first thing. 

TD really liked his Black Bean Huevos Rancheros. Organic eggs, pico de gallo salsa guacamole, black beans on corn tortillas with cheddar cheese crisps. The best thing about it is the layer of crispy baked cheese, which kept the tortillas crunchy and rounded out the fresh flavours of the salsa, cilantro and avocado. This is a healthier gluten-free and vegetarian option.

The Pièce de résistance was dessert: Apparition Pancakes in Banana Walnut. My pancake cravings were finally fulfilled! Even though we make pretty good pancakes from scratch at home, The California Breakfast Slam  takes pancakes to a whole other level. My humble iPhone 4s did not do justice to these fluffy pancakes so I borrowed with permission this amazing photo of the Banana Walnut Pancake by Svenja of Time to Wonder.  The banana pancakes were topped with nuts, creme anglaise, berries in season, more bananas, apples, and drizzled with the best maple syrup I’ve ever had. #foodgasm. Other options for Apparition pancakes are blueberry or strawberry mint.

So if you are hankering for a big American breakfast treat or just pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner, check out California Breakfast Slam in Neukolln. Call for reservations to avoid waiting on weekends.

Where is your favourite brunch place in your part of the world and what’s your favourite dish to order? I’d love to hear from you!

California Breakfast Slam

Innstrasse 47, 12045 Berlin map
Everyday 10.00 – 24.00
(030) 6869624
reservations at cabslam@googlemail.com
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