A Balanced Breakfast Before Going Bananas

Posted Jan 27, 2007 by Josh Poltilove

Updated Jan 27, 2007 at 09:17 AM

Largely due to a lack of parking on Gasparilla day, business at Pach’s Place, a restaurant a block from the parade route, usually drops off about 20 percent from a normal Saturday.

But owner Isun Maes was pleasantly surprised by business this morning. At 7:45 a.m., the place was packed. No table went empty.

“This year is another year – a better year,” said Maes, 52, a south Tampa resident who has owned Pach’s for six years.

Customers ranged from regulars to paradegoers to police officers. Early Saturday, about 50 people sat inside eating everything from omelets to a Pach’s specialty: fruit, yogurt and granola.