Deep Fried Oreos: Where have you been all my life?

One in an occasional series about good, local places to eat breakfast (and usually lunch). See our past review of the Cross Keys Diner in Doylestown, too.

Hogeland’s Corner Grill is one of those small, home-cooking places where the owner, in this case Sherri Martella, greets you, serves you, keeps your coffee cup full and tells you to come back soon when you leave. Its counter seats maybe ten and tables seat another dozen or so, and space constraints kind of dictate that everyone in there be friendly. Lynne and I had a relaxed chat with a couple we sat elbow-to-elbow with on a particularly busy Sunday morning not long ago. We learned a lot about Richboro and how it’s changed over the years, and exchanged notes on restaurants. Blogging about food, we’ve found, is a great conversation starter.

So one Saturday morning, I noticed Sherri had included on the Specials board a note about fried Oreos. I’d never had fried Oreos. I’ve WANTED to many times, but always managed to talk myself out of it. When I was a kid, no one made them. The first time I’d ever seen them offered was at a Trenton street fair some years ago, when I was on one of my periodic diet attempts.

Anyway, all through breakfast – which was a ham and cheese omelet and a short stack of pancakes – I brooded over that note. And “brooded” is exactly the right word – what else can you do when you’re having a hearty fall breakfast and halfway through it, you already know you’re not going to be satisfied without a plate of Oreos fried up hot?

Breakfasts at Hogeland’s are nothing to sneeze at: They’re made fresh at a small grill and come hot to the table as soon as they’re done. On most days, the omelet by itself would have taken care of me. Some days, you just need an extra plateful of, well, warmth. Sherri’s pancakes were doing the trick. But…

To make a long story short, I caved. I caved big time. I caved so completely that I practically begged. Did I surrender some dignity? Probably. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

You see, fried Oreos aren’t simply fried cookies. Dipped in pancake batter and fried in vegetable oil, the chocolate cookies and sugary frosting between them meld delicately together. The result is what I’ll call a “soft” sweetness – not overpowering, not the kind that makes your teeth hurt – but the kind that goes well with an extra cup of coffee on a gray day.

I know, I know – Oreos aren’t local. But I don’t think food gets much more local than Oreos fried to order in a place as warm as Hogeland’s.

Lynne’s note: My favorite? Their corned beef hash – traditional, tasty and crisp. Great with two eggs sunny side up. And check out their lunch specials.

Hogeland’s Corner Grill
Richboro Plaza Shopping Center (Shop N’ Bag)
Routes 232 and 332
Richboro, PA 18954
215.355.2313

For location and directions, see Bucks County Taste map.

Open for Breakfast and Lunch
Monday-Friday: 5:30 am – 2:30 pm
Saturday: 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am – 1:00 pm