Shoop's

Banana Pancakes

Shoop's
2400 Main Street
Santa Monica, 90405

Type: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Category: Cafe
Company: Only good food by and for good people
Tip: Always get a banana pancake no matter what else you've ordered

Review:
Everyone has a place. And if you don't then you should. Some call it home, others call it their spot. Mine is named Shoop's, and it's one block from my apartment and has 23 seats and a wall of haribo candy.

You'll see why I've been shy to share. Shoop's is my favorite place for breakfast and brunch and it's truly a treasure and I'm yet to speak to the menu. So if you go: tread lightly, eat heartily, and only say I sent you if you exhibit to like food and love to eat.

Shoop's is European deli by pantry, and cafe by menu. Breakfast lists eggs, omelets, wraps, and pancakes. Lunch offers sandwiches, salads, and soups. The coffee is copious, and no matter what time of day you go there will always be a table of cops. If you see a guy in a red chef coat his name is Matt, and he's the owner. The tall blonde with short hair is his wife, Llonna. Their menu is built on local favorites, personal likes, and regulars' customizations.

The most popular item is the body wrap. The banana pancakes taste like griddled banana pudding and are creamy and crispy and heavenly. The omelets are big enough to share, and once you try the garlic potatoes you'll see that they aren't optional. Matt also makes his own smoked salmon, which is great on a sandwich or just by itself. Also fantastic is Matt's daily soup, and the line of hot sandwiches on baguette. Here's what I love:

1. Banana Pancakes (the best in Los Angeles)
2. The Body Wrap (egg whites, chicken, mozzarella, spinach) - get no salsa and I add pesto, yam, onion
3. The Ranger (hot roast beef, swiss, grilled onion, coleslaw, russian dressing)
4. Smoked Salmon BLT Wrap (lettuce, mayo, havarti, bacon, tomato) - I add onion and avocado
5. Green Eggs & Ham (poached eggs, ham, pesto, baguette)

My most recent order is taking the first breakfast wrap listed on the little plastic table stand of specials and making it an omelet (sub sausage for turkey) - I believe it's swiss, eggs, onion, mushroom, spinach, and bacon.

And thus, I am at the same time sharing and thankful.