What: Tamales and eggs breakfast
Where: Bit of Country, 418 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
How much: $17.99
Contact: 760-325-5154
Why: It’s hearty and tasty.
Ah, the classic American diner. How can you not love the counter seating, the friendly service, the inexpensive eats and the smell of coffee?
There aren’t as many great diners as there used to be, alas—but east valley residents are fortunate to still have Bit of Country, which has been serving up big breakfasts and lunches for nearly a half-century.
The fare is exactly what you’d expect at a good diner, with a bit of a Mexican twist. For breakfast, you’ll find everything from omelets, French toast and Benedicts to biscuits and gravy—and you can even get “pigs in a blanket” ($16.99). For lunch, the menu has sandwiches, burgers and fried dishes like fish and chips ($17.99). If you’re looking for something a little different, peruse the numerous specials, hand-written on white boards above the counter.
I’ve dined at Bit of Country many times, and I’ve never had a bad bite of food, but more often than not, I order the tamale breakfast. It comes with two tamales, either chicken or pork (or one of each, as in the photo above), as well as rice, beans and two eggs prepared to your liking. This is a LOT of food, spread over two plates (which is why the eggs are not in the aforementioned photo)—but it’s so good, you’ll want to finish it all, calories be damned.
If you’re looking for something fancy or refined, Bit of Country is not for you. But if you want fare that’s hearty, tasty and inexpensive (by 2025 standards) … there’s a reason why this iconic diner has been filling tummies for nearly 50 years.
