Editor’s Choice Award: Couples Flock to the Squeeze In™ Whenever They’re in the Mood for a Delicious Brunch Date

The Short Version: The Squeeze In is a beloved West Coast eatery that’s open every day from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. The family-run brunch spot offers the perfect pairing of mouthwatering food and friendly service, and its 11 locations have become popular daytime date spots. At the Squeeze In, couples can dig into a healthy breakfast bowl, split a decadent omelette, or say cheers with fresh-made mimosas. The Squeeze In’s varied menu appeals to starry-eyed foodies looking to make memories with their loved ones.

In 1974, the Squeeze In’s first location opened its doors in historic downtown Truckee, California. It only had room for 39 seats, so guests would have to squeeze in tight to get their made-to-order omelettes. The small restaurant was a big hit with the locals, and word of its delicious breakfast food soon spread to neighboring cities and states.

Gary and Misty Young lived in Reno, Nevada, but they would drive with their daughters Kay and Shila to the Squeeze In whenever they wanted to celebrate memorable occasions. As they dug into plates of eggs, bacon, and spuds, the family would talk about how much they loved the food and how wonderful it would be to own a Squeeze In establishment themselves one day.

The Young family took over the Squeeze In and turned it into a franchise on the West Coast.

That wistful dream became a reality in 2003 when the Young family used their savings to buy the restaurant. Within a few years, the Youngs had turned the small brunch place into a franchise with 10 locations in California and Nevada, and one location recently opened in Texas.

The Squeeze In began as a treasured family spot, and it remains true to those roots to this day. The restaurant welcomes people who come from far and wide to enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch.

The Squeeze In is known for serving out-of-this-world omelettes, poppin’ pancakes, and wacky combos that you won’t find anywhere else.

“We love to be a little corny and different, and that kind of humor and environment resonates with our desired audience,” said Shila Morris, Co-Owner and President of the Squeeze In. “We embrace alien culture and love to groove while we pour mimosas all day long.”

The Squeeze In’s eclectic atmosphere and delicious menu can often tempt daters looking to while away an afternoon with a significant other. As a date spot, the Squeeze In brings a lot of great things to the table, and its casual yet romantic atmosphere has led to some truly memorable moments over the years.

“We always strive to provide the best experiences to our guests and be a place that they know they can rely on,” said Megan Jensen, Squeeze In’s Director of Marketing. “Whether it’s a great day or a bad day, we want to be there for the amazing guests who love us.”

There’s a little something for everyone at the Squeeze In. From classic biscuits and gravy to healthy breakfast bowls, the menu has a lot of mouth-watering options to choose from, and sometimes it can take diners quite a few minutes to read through it all and make up their minds.

We asked the team which dishes and drinks they’d recommend for couples on a date, and they pointed to the most decadent and impressive options on the menu. The Racy Tracy Omelette, for instance, is a proven crowd-pleaser made with bacon, mushrooms, and cheese. Half an avocado sits on top, and it comes with home-style spuds and toast on the side.

Bobby Flay took a crack at this dish for his “Throwdown” show in 2010. The Racy Tracy may not have come out on top in the Food Network show, but it remains a favorite among many the Squeeze In regulars.

The Squeeze In delights taste buds with its fruit-topped French toast.

Another indulgent dish is Queen Maggie’s French Toast, which is stuffed with whipped cream cheese and topped with strawberries and bananas. It’s a meal fit for royalty, and sweethearts love sharing this sweet treat.

The Squeeze In staff promises you’ll be “crab-tivated” by the King Crab Benny dish. The hand-shelled crab is sauteéd in butter and served alongside three poached eggs that rest atop fresh-baked English muffins. As if that weren’t filling enough, it comes with avocado, lemon slices, and your choice of side (fried spuds, hash browns, or sliced tomatoes).

If you’d like to pair your brunch with some morning cocktails, you can try the Squeeze In Sunrise Mimosa, made with premium champagne and a splash of fresh-pressed Odwalla orange juice and cranberry juice. The Hail Mary Bloody Mary is another popular option for couples and groups looking to share a liter of the signature drink. It comes with three strips of bacon, half a grilled cheese sandwich, three pepperoncinis, a stuffed olive, and a lemon wedge.

From fruity cocktails to savory omelets, the Squeeze In packs every menu item with flavor and fun, giving guests something they can enjoy together.

“We have found that many of our guests unite and tell us that they feel like they’re home when they walk into Squeeze In,” Megan said. “It’s definitely a high-energy spot with phenomenal food, belly-warming beverages, delightful staff, engaging environment, and the perfect lighting for every first date.”

The Squeeze In’s mission statement is “Happy guests. Happy associates. Every day,” and that attitude shines through in every aspect of the restaurant from the pun-filled menu to the community-driven events.

The Squeeze In tribe takes pride in the quality of its food and service.

The Squeeze In team members have come up with their own lingo to define who they are and who they serve. Staff members are “associates,” customers are “guests,” and the team is a “tribe.” This inclusive language speaks to the welcoming, fun-loving principles that have made the restaurant great in the first place.

“We are intentional with everything that we do,” Megan said. “We are a values-based company and therefore we seek out associates that resonate with similar values that we hold dearly.”

The Squeeze In associates make a point to get to know the guests they serve and treat everyone who walks in the doors as if they’re part of the extended foodie family.

It’s not unusual for associates to be on a first-name basis with regulars and to remember the orders of guests who have been there before.

The Squeeze In’s atmosphere is warm and familiar, and many guests say it’s like a home away from home for them.

“When you go to the Squeeze In, you walk in and immediately feel welcomed and comfortable,” Megan said. “Our associates treat you like family and are more than willing to give delicious recommendations from our menu.”

The casual, friendly, and bustling atmosphere at the Squeeze In has made it a natural choice for daters looking to squeeze in a fun brunch on a weekend or weekday. “You’ll never feel any pressure to be anything but yourself, which makes for the best dating environment,” Shila Morris said.

Whether you’re going on a first date or celebrating an anniversary, the Squeeze In can help you start the day on a flavorful note and create unforgettable memories with your significant other.

“The Squeeze In is our emotional support restaurant,” said Sarah T. in a Facebook review. “We come here when we’re happy and when we’re sad, and we’re never disappointed.”

“You’ll never find a restaurant as fun and colorful as the Squeeze In. It’s a feast for your taste buds and your eyes!” — Quyen L. in a Yelp review

“This is our absolute favorite breakfast spot, and we come regularly,” said Jamie S. on Yelp. “This is a must-try place.”

“Our little family of four come here almost every weekend. We love it here,” said another Yelp review. “The staff and owners are amazing. So attentive, kind, friendly, and understanding.”

For generations, the Squeeze In has been an important part of many date routines, and some couples have even asked the tribe to host a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. In 2018, one couple had their wedding reception at the Truckee location because it had been their favorite date spot when they were getting to know each other and dating long-distance.

“It was beautiful and totally overflowed our cup with love,” Megan recalled. “To know that people come to the Squeeze In with the people they love the most to have a meal and make memories is the greatest feeling in the world.”

The Squeeze In has been a family favorite since the 1970s, and its unique sense of style has won the hearts of food lovers from all walks of life. The time-tested brunch spot brings people together and has been the backdrop for many treasured memories from family lunches to first dates.

Looking to the future, the Young family intends to grow the Squeeze In’s reputation and bring its decadent food to communities across the country. In fact, the leadership team is currently working to expand to several new locations within the next few years.

“We see the energy and love that the Squeeze In brings to each community it comes into, and we want to continue to spread that energy and our values into more areas of the country,” Megan said. “It has been a love of our family’s since we can remember, and we want to continue to spread that love as far as we can.”