The V & N Burger Bar in Arcata gets instant street cred for only serving chicken fried steak for breakfast ($9.25). It's the best part of fried chicken — the crispy, salty crust! — on something like a thin Salisbury steak. What cut of beef exactly? It's early — stop asking so many questions. Thick, peppery pan gravy with sausage chunks that are on the verge of being meatballs smother the whole thing. It comes with two eggs, toast and tender, stringy hash browns.
The place is closed on weekends, so you might have to save this for a day when you're playing hooky, unless your boss is cool with you taking Google naps at your desk. Or you could pick up their comparatively modest breakfast sandwich ($4.25). On the bread of your choice with an egg, cheese and a fat, hand-pressed sausage patty, it still raises the question: When does a breakfast sandwich become a sausage burger? Right up until 11 a.m., folks.
Have you found gastronomic love? Tell me all about it at Jennifer@northcoastjournal.com.