Denver Omelets in Monterey, California by Ruth Paget
There are not as many Greek diners in Monterey County California where I live now, so I eat what I call Denver omelets at Denny’s.
My local Denny’s calls their Denver omelets Mile High Omelets. (Denver is called the Mile High City, because it sits about one mile above sea level.) The staff and customers at my local are multicultural and like no-surprises American food just like I do to vary their diet.
I like the take out and delivery options. Sometimes I just want to eat a Denver omelet while wearing sweatpants as I write, so I do use delivery, which always arrives with warm food.
The Mile High Omelet at Denny’s, also known as a Denver or Western omelet, is made for people working in thin air at high altitudes. Diners at sea level like I am in Monterey County California know they might get a second meal out of their breakfast order.
I am usually pretty hungry when I order a Mile High Omelet, which is made with three eggs and filled with ham, sautéed green peppers and onions, and melted Swiss cheese. The traditional side dishes that go with it include bacon, hash browns, and pancakes or toast. I put hot sauce like Cholula or Tabasco on the hash browns for added Vitamin C and sometimes order jalapeño peppers to go with the omelets.
Denny’s offers a choice between toast and pancakes as a side. Between toast and calcium-rich buttermilk pancakes, I opt for the pancakes. I do not eat Denver omelets everyday, so I consider the pancakes a once-in-awhile dessert. I also tend to make the pancakes a second meal.
Denny’s makes very good Cobb salads as well, if the Mile High Omelet might be too much to eat for you.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
