Patrick's Roadhouse isn't well-known to the general public, but it has been a personal favorite of the stars for years.

Located in a bright green shack just above Pacific Coast Highway, on the route to Malibu, it sits near the border of Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades. Patrick's is somewhat eccentric, somewhat rough around the edges, with mediocre food and zero decor - not really the kind of place you'd expect to find a superstar like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but there he is, with a permanent table close to the door (in the main dining room, just past the counter. Look for his Humvee parked outside...)

But you will often find him here in the a.m., along with plenty of his Hollywood friends. What Morton's is to dinner, little Patrick's is to breakfast for the Malibu celebrity set.

Other regulars who enjoy the breakfast served here include Johnny Carson (who sits in a booth across from the counter), Sean Penn, Michael Keaton, Sylvester Stallone, Alley Sheedy, Julia Roberts, Linda Hamilton, Ted Danson, Ali MacGraw, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cindy Crawford, Fran Drescher, Roseanne Barr, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Hell, even President Clinton showed up here - twice!

This one is not your typical celebrity hangout: it's inexpensive, somewhat rowdy, its decor looks like a garage sale, and it's definitely a bit off the beaten path (unless your daily route takes you on PCH between Santa Monica and Malibu - a typical drive for many stars who live in the Colony.)

Part of the secret was eccentric owner Bill Fischler, an irreverent chap who playfully insulted the guests, but made them feel at home (when he could be heard over the noisy jukebox.) He named the Roadhouse after his son, Patrick. His daughter, Tracey, is head waitress. (Mr. Fischler passed away recently, but the Roadhouse continues to thrive.)

The menu offers sandwiches, burgers, and breakfast items. Arnold is partial to the Bauernfraustuck, an Austrian breakfast dish made up of eggs, sausage, peppers & potatoes.

Jennifer Grey ("Dirty Dancing") likes their banana cream pie. So does O.J. Simpson (Mr. Fischler sent him pies when he was in jail, awaiting trial.) Brendan Fraser ("Blast From the Past") does lunch here. Sean Penn prefers to sit outside on the patio.

And it's definitely one of the least costly of all celebrity hangouts: $26 for two should do the trick.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are best for star-gazing. Breakfast time is star time at Patrick's. Come early. The doors open at 8 a.m., and the place closes at 6 p.m.


[ Right behind Patrick's, at 118 Entrada Drive, is Marix Tex Mex restaurant, which (along with its second location in West Hollywood) is also popular with some Hollywood celebs, such as Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson. Kevin Sorbo, star of TV's "Hercules," was quoted in the L.A. Times as saying that he liked coming to Marix on Friday nights. ]

Getting there: To find Patrick's, take the Santa Monica (10) Freeway west to its end at Pacific Coast Highway, and go north on PCH about two miles, just past San Vicente Boulevard, to the first real street on your right, Entrada Drive. You'll see Patrick's on your right - a bright green building on the east side of PCH.

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