Bluebird Cafe in Hopland

by Terry Ryder Sites

Hopland, a small town on Highway 101 between Ukiahand Cloverdale, was named in the time when growing hops for beer dominated the economy. It’s home to several restaurants, an antique store, wine tasting rooms, a restored Victorian hotel, and not much else.

Tucked in the middle of Hopland’s attractions is the Bluebird Cafe. The vintage lettering on the two-story whitewashed wooden building beckons from another era when there was plenty of time to drink coffee out of a thick diner cup with a matching saucer. Keep a sharp eye out, because by the time you see it, you’ve almost passed it. I’m here to tell you that it is definitely worth the stop.

Head inside for an old-fashioned breakfast/brunch, lunch, or maybe just a cup of coffee with something sweet. That endangered species—the diner counter—is alive and well at the Bluebird. Belly up to the bar and plop yourself into a comfortable old-style swivel seat with a padded backrest.

Your own personal supply of condiments is lined up before you, including ketchup, mustard, two kinds of hot sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gaze up to see a collection of vintage metal lunch boxes. If you were young in the 1950’s you probably coveted one of these for transporting your school lunch. Davy Crocket, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, and the Lone Ranger are all there. A prominent sign reads, “There will be a $5.00 charge for whining.” If it is a nice day, customers can enjoy al fresco dining on the spacious patio in the back. The dining room holds a good assortment of tables and chairs to accommodate any size party.

Take a moment to soak in the interior décor. A large moose head is mounted on one wall and a deer on another.There’s an array of old California license plates, a giant diner clock ringed with a rosy glow of pink neon, and a couple of oversized thermometers in case you are keen to monitor the local temperature. Lots of posters and old-timey touches like an old soda bottle collection add to the vintage vibe. Light fixtures that look like something out of a Carnegie Library hang from the ceiling. The overall effect transports you to another time and place.

A smiling waitress will bring you a menu with an abundance of breakfast and burger choices. The food is described as ”American traditional,” and that’s what it is. Under the heading “Basic Breakfasts,” the standard eggs with bacon or sausage are joined by two old workhorses from hearty agricultural days: corn beef hash with eggs and chicken fried steak with eggs. A full day of outdoor work may be required to burn off these last two.

If none of these hit the spot, you can opt for one of the benedicts or biscuits and gravy. Or indulge your sweet tooth with a blueberry blintz, pancake breakfast, Belgian waffles, or French toast. For an extra treat, on weekends complimentary cinnamon rolls and scones are offered until they run out.

Lunch is all about the burgers. The sign painted on the side of the building reads, “Ostrich, Buffalo, Salmon, Turkey, Veggie, and Bluebird Special Burgers.” Today they serve beef, bison, and veggie, and they are BIG. My local burger joint offers burgers half the size for the same price.

The burgers are also delicious, sometimes incorporating special ingredients like mushrooms and Ortega chilis. Not in the mood for a burger? Try the French dip, the BLT, the club, the chipotle chicken, or the fish and chips. Moving more toward a salad? The apple walnut and the crispy chicken are two good picks. In addition to the standard fountain offerings, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, wine, beer, and even Champagne mimosas made with fresh squeezed orange juice are also on the menu.

All of this delicious abundance is made by Robin Paul, the owner and cook. He’s been passing heaping plates of food through the kitchen window for the past 32 years. Sharon, the head server, handles the front of the house, waiting on customers and keeping things running smoothly. When asked about the cafe’s history, she says, “The Bluebird has a reputation for consistency in food quality and portions. Customers love the fact that they see familiar faces when walking through the doors.”

It’s no small thing to sustain an operation like the Bluebird Cafe. The institution has been serving up a hefty menu—and doing it well—for over 3 decades. They are undoubtedly looking forward to the day when they can hang up their aprons for good and take their time over their own mugs of coffee on a sunny porch. So don’t wait if you’ve been wanting to stop in and taste the food behind the whitewashed walls with the vintage script. No matter what you order, the service will be friendly, the vibe relaxing, and the food scrumptious.

The Bluebird Cafe

13340 South Highway 101, Hopland

(707) 744-1633

Open Mon - Tue, 7AM - 1PM Fri - Sun 7AM to 2PM

Catering available ~ call for more information.

Terry Ryder Sites lives in Yorkville with 4 cats and 1 husband. A graduate of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College, she writes a weekly column for the online Anderson Valley Advertiser.

photos by Terry Ryder Sites and Bob Sites