I had a desire to explore Parker, Arizona along the Colorado River banks, in an area I thought would be charming as a potential recreational home site.

As I passed through Lake Havasu City and continued south along AZ-95 yet to cross the state line back into California, I had desperately searched Yelp for recommendations on places to eat, hoping to find a gem eatery and a neighboring real estate office to grab some material to read as I ate. What I found at about 10 am this midweek morning were several seasonal eateries that were indicating “open” on Yelp, but were actually closed during this off-season day. As I ventured off of the main highway along the river banks, I did find an open real estate office. I stopped and grabbed a couple of home and business listing periodicals.

Traveling through the “25 mile-an-hour zone”, I noticed many nice river homes that seemed to be unoccupied, so I can understand my breakfast dining dilemma. Perhaps I’ll write another story on the South Colorado River experience since I have written stories from Laughlin, Lake Havasu to now Parker.

I had successfully made my way through the “25 mile-an-hour zone” and back onto AZ-95 into the city town of Parker. Just after I turned right onto AZ-62 heading west across the river to the California side, I found the Early Bird Cafe on the left. The parking in the front was rather empty, yet they have more in the rear of the store, however I didn’t go back there to see if they had room for vehicles towing trailers. I had been on the road for a couple of hours and was in need of a restroom. I excused myself from the initial greeting server and made my way to the back and found a clean elevated restroom facility, where the toilet, sink and floors are raised, but with a serious lack of stand-up headroom. It made for an awkward initial experience.

I finished in the restroom and was seated quickly amongst several other patrons, yet had my choice of seating as there were plenty of available seats. I asked the server what the Early Bird Cafe was known for. The server pointed out the biscuits and gravy were notable as were the spicy sausage patties that seemed to be highlighted on many of the breakfast offerings that I had noticed on the menu. After my recent terrible experience with biscuits and gravy, I was hesitant about a repeat adventure down the glue-gravy highway, but I decided to give ‘er a try one more time since an adventure is what I seek.

My food came out swiftly just behind a cup of hot and fresh tasting coffee (you have to read my previous review of Wikieup Trading Post). The server was very polite and gave me the ol’, “Is there anything else I can get for you?” “No”, I said, “This should be enough”, as my plate of two perfectly cooked over-easy eggs, hot and crispy hash browns, two large patties of their very delicious and spicy breakfast sausage, accompanied with a plate of very awesome, light and flaky biscuits covered with a wonderfully smooth and creamy sausage gravy. I quickly devoured everything. The sausage was a big hit in my book.

Upon checkout I asked if the sausages were house-made. The two servers at the register at the time both emphatically replied, “Yes” simultaneously. Then one of them said, “We are very proud of our sausage”. They should be. The sausage was obviously house-made, delicious and highlighted on multiple menu selections. The sausage servings were abundant (large patties) and highlighted the plate I was served.

If your timing happens upon Parker, AZ during the off-season, don’t take another biscuits and gravy chance. Stop here at the Early Bird Cafe, with hours and location that serves a convenience . . . and very good house-made spicy breakfast sausage for your needs.

Dicks