Squeeze In, You’ll Be Glad You Did

Squeeze In, in Truckee, California, is a local omelette institution founded in 1974 and featured last year on Throwdown with Bobby Flay on Food Network (the episode is now syndicated).

A casual small-town establishment, Squeeze In is a marketing marvel and a longevity wonder in the breakfast arena. Family-owned and family-oriented, it is fun, funky, hippie, and relies heavily on its regulars who join EggHead Breakfast Club for various perks, read the EggHead EggZaminer monthly newsletter, and tweet away for a chance to participate in Taste and Tweet free events well-oiled with Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Of course, it’s not only about the omelettes, as the place serves other breakfast and lunch staples like soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pancakes.

Many dishes here bear names of family and extended family members, and are marked on the menu with various signs for easy identifying. Boxed items are staff favorites, those marked with a heart are meat-free, and those with a peace sign are most popular. The Squeeze In motto is the Best Omelettes on the Planet, and the omelettes take center stage here.

The restaurant produces an almost endless combination of eggs, egg whites, or egg beaters stuffed with a variety of meats, cheeses, veggies, and sided with potatoes, toast, and sauces.

For a fuller experience, I picked two omelettes with a Food Network sign. I ordered The Spanish Flay with red bell peppers, jack cheese, and paprika, and made my husband (as I always do) order my second choice. This one was called Racy Tracy and was stuffed with bacon, avocado, mushrooms, and jack cheese. Not a vegetarian, and prompted by our attentive server, I added sausage to The Spanish Flay. We were given a choice of sauces and picked mushroom and salsa.

The place was bustling and busy, but the young servers were flying around with drinks, plates, orders, and checks, taking time to recommend a favorite or to inquire about their customers’ preferences—always with a nod and a smile.

While we were working on our generous portions, we made fast friends with a couple at the next table, who were regulars for 27 years, stopping by every time they visit their nearby summer home.

Squeeze In is a two-state “chain” with two more locations in Northwest Reno and South Reno, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Chad and Shila Morris and Gary, Misty, and Kay Young. To learn more, stop by when you are in Truckee or in Reno, or visit their website.