So …. supposedly you can't "pick" your family.  Honestly … that's bull … I've got dibs on these "Brats" dudes.  I mean, what have your brothers ever done for you but a) gave you countless wedgies, b) "accidentally" let your dog out of the backyard when you were in the 3rd grade and c) totally ruined the end of Rocky III (spoiler alert … he wins)?  Because out in Sherman Oaks, the Brats Brothers are hooking you up with deliciously infused meats, steins of German beer, and enough mustards to make the Colonel jealous.  P.S. It was totally him … with the wrench … in the observatory.  You telling me a 19th century war hero is just randomly checking out the plumbing in the library?  Okay, before I start an international debate (please tell me I already did) … this is about the GRUB, and GRUB it truly was.

Our GRUB buddy Cam C. has been a staunch GOOD GRUB supporter since the beginning and has been clamoring about this German oasis for some time now … and with good cause.  Let's start with the namesake … the Brats. Ranging from traditional to exotic, you've got your Polish (smoked pork), your Rancher (smoked beef and garlic), your Swamp Thing (smoked alligator), and your Peking Brat (Sweet Duck … coincidentally, also the nickname of your voyeuristic little cousin).  There's a couple dozen to choose from and a sampler plate for those free spirit "swingers" out there.  And don't overlook the cheese "infused" pork sausage known as The Big Cheese.  Why is everything … and I mean EVERYTHING … better when it's infused?   

I kept it simple and went for the Hungarian (spicy pork), opted into the peppers and onions package, and went for the win… pairing it up with a side of red cabbage slaw and tater tots.  The giant sausage came loaded onto a soft, flaky french roll, piled on with grilled fixins and bursting with flavor.  Paired up with the cool, crisp cabbage slaw and Brats Brothers' version of tater tots, it was a perfect afternoon feast.  Oh man, the tater tots … let's just say that cafeteria lady totally let you down. These, dare I say … German tots … were little fried balls of potato, and happiness.  Think mashed potatoes … deep fried … now, breathe, breathe … we'll get through this together.  Yes, they were as good as they sound.  No, I didn't save any for you. 

But to be honest, the real thing that got my taste buds percolating were the endless options of mustards and ketchups.  From curry ketchup to wasabi mustard … back to smoked ketchup … swung over to horseradish mustard, and full circle to the stone ground Dijon … my sense of decorum was all that was keeping me from asking for a second roll and making a condiment sandwich. 

Add to it all, they've got a huge selections of German beers on tap, served in giant steins, from ladies in lederhosen …yes, it's hard not to fall in love with this place.  Because brothers don't shake hands … brothers gotta hug.  So see you again soon, next time maybe I'll bring my brother … if he's lucky … and most importantly, if he's apologizes for Fluffy.

It's all about your outlook on life.  It's all about what you make it ... Scratch that … it's all about the BREAD.  Seriously, was there ever any doubt?  Did anyone  really think that you could trump the warm, crunchy, soul-satisfying pleasure that comes from a great sandwich ... on even greater bread.  So as I got the GRUB-suggestion from my buddy Tony F., I knew it was only a matter of time when I took a journey down Melrose … avoiding the hipsters and starlets … and going straight for the GRUB-spot, where the name says it all.

And boy, was it spot on.  Baking it up fresh every 30 minutes, the guys at AATB (if it wasn't their nickname before, it is now) are dishing out some pretty heavenly bread to house their dangerously tasty Italian subs.  We went for the turkey (as we always do) and made sure it came loaded up with everything …. provolone, Italian dressing, shredded lettuce, crisp tomatoes, and the real topper of all toppers, spicy giardiniera peppers.  But as they tried to warn us, it really is all about the bread.  It's crispy, it's bubbly, it's crackly, it's savory, it's slightly sweet and all around amazing.  It's sort of like when you hear that some prisoner gets nothing but bread and water and you say … SWEEEET.

We hit them up with our GRUB-mate Joe I., who went for the roast beef, and our veggie loving GRUB-wife who opted for a build-her-own veggie with … and I quote … "Give me every veggie you have!"  Needless to say, it was a good time had by all.  The Mexican cokes were flowing, bags of sea salt and vinegar potato chips were popping … enjoying it all on a long communal wood table that was momentarily taken over by smiles and mouthful grumblings of "damn … this is good."

So check them out and tell them THE GOOD GRUB sent you.  But please … for heaven's sake … remember, it's not about the car you drive … or the size of your wallet … it's all about the GRUB in your face and the BREAD in your belly. 

Boy … am I hungry.  It's been weeks since our last post, mainly because we don't love you anymore.  It's not us, it's you.  You got  … ya know … clingy. 

Wow … I was totally just joshing you.  You should have seen the look on your face … you were all like … crying and everything.  Okay, this is getting as weird for me as it must be for you.  But seriously, you miss me?  You hungry?  You ready for the return of the GRUB?  Well too bad … because here she comes …

And what better way to make a comeback than a two time suggested GRUB spot? … The Griddle Cafe.  Our Grub-buddy John B., of Good Grub fame the likes of Prizzi's and The Oaks Gourmet, was the original GRUB-suggestor … but it was our other Grub-mate Alexis S. who demanded that we hit it up … now.  And who are we to withhold deliciousness from the masses?  So we put on our Grub face and set sail for Sunset Blvd. 

A good sign for any great eatery … line is out the door.  Check.  There's a guy free styling with a boom box for tips … um, check?  There are giant pancakes the size of a small kiddy pool … triple CHECK!  Let's take a moment to revel in the miracle that is the pancake.  For starters … it's a freaking cake. Second off, unlike a traditional cake, people don't look at your funny when you order it breakfast.  We went for the Golden Brick Road … lions, and tigers, and butterscotch … oh yeah.  Spilling over the edges of a giant plate, these bad boys are dangerous.  Loaded up with caramel, butterscotch, and walnuts … it's impossible not to freak out (see picture below) while eating these fluffy, decadent circles of joy. 

If pancakes weren't enough … we also tossed in some "Peanut Bubba" Crunchy French Toast and "Kicking and Screaming" Breakfast Tacos.  Sorry, did we just lose you … yes, "Peanut Bubba" Crunchy French Toast … let the little kid inside of you completely lose your mind and dig into these Nutter Butter dipped slices of glory.  Take that Frenchie!  U.S.A … U.S.A … U.S.A!  But we couldn't let this glutinous feast end there, so we also dived into the aforementioned "Kicking and Screaming" Breakfast Tacos.  Forget the breakfast burrito … it's taco's time to dominate the morning.  Loaded onto some seriously tasty, fresh, warm tortillas goes a medley of eggs, pico de gallo, and avocado. 

I don't know if it was the sugar high we were on from the rest of our meal, but I could have just gone on eating … and eating … and eating.  Okay, I'm still there right now … tell my family I'll miss them.  But seriously, this place was something else.  So hit up the Griddle Cafe … but be warned … as the tears stream down your cheeks as you microwave a bowl of oatmeal ... breakfast will never be the same.