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    101 Diner

    4.3 (879 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    101 DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - 101 Diner

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    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast - sausage , Egg and biscuits and gravy.
    Pina P.

    Food and service with a breeze of the ocean, it was amazing. Who could ask for anything more

    A nice French toast breakfast
    Fernanda C.

    I got the French toast, eggs and hashbrowns and all of it was pretty good. The outside seating was very nice and the waitress was an absolute gem. I definitely want to go back and try more of the menu.

    Cardiff Crack Benedict
    Zan L.

    I grew up in San Diego and went to high school in North County but for some reason, I had never been to The 101 Diner. During my last visit home, I decided to change that and stopped in for the first time. I was pleased to see it's a traditional Classic American diner with very fast service, a large menu, and fair prices. Inside is pretty small, which adds to the homey atmosphere. They don't have a ton of seating options but the lines here never seem to be as long as Encinitas Café across the street. Parking in this part of Encinitas is pretty easy because if there's not a space available right on the street, it's easy to find one in the neighborhood behind the businesses. Our waitress was very polite and everything that we ordered arrived shortly after we placed the order. Being a fan of Seaside Market I saw that they have a new Eggs Benedict dish called the Cardiff Crack Benedict, which has the famous tri-tip so I had to order that. I was very pleased with it and the eggs were done just as I like them. I would definitely order it again and would recommend. I plan to be back again next time I am in town.

    French Toast
    Veronica W.

    We decided to dine in closer to closing time. Seemed quite busy trying to wind down and clean up. The service was good, and we got our food pretty quickly after ordering. Eggs tasted fresh, french toast was classically done exactly how I enjoy it. We also tried the banana Nutella pancake. I was surprised by this, they actually mix the banana in with the pancake batter rather than just using it as a topping. This made for a lighter, more refreshing pancake. I really enjoyed it as pancakes can be a little too sweet for me. Highly recommend this spot for a good breakfast! I will say there were a lot of flies and the floors didn't look to be swept at all but I'm guessing this was because they were about to clean up before closing...

    Chorizo Scramble with Cheese
    Trevor T.

    Never have had a bad meal here. In the heart of Encinitas, 101 Diner has everything you would ever want and more. I LOVE their breakfast that typically comes with crispy potatoes. The staff is so nice and friendly which is their calling card along with the excellent food. You can sit outside and enjoy the people watching or inside where you are almost transported back to a simpler time. Yes you are reminded of the present when you see a surcharge for eggs due to what is happing today, but you also look around and see connections. People talking and conversing. Chatting with the staff and ordering verbally. No iPad in sight and it's a delight!

    Kayla B.

    Was super excited to try this place out for the first time, but unfortunately ended up being disappointed. Food was COLD. Flavor was good but still it being cold outweighed the flavor for me. Everything from the pancakes to the omelette to the chicken & waffle was cold (I had to wait 10 additional minutes for my waffle but that thankfully was hot & good!) Pancakes were also thin. Wish they were fluffier. If the food was hot, I'd recommend coming here. However you can probably find better spots nearby.

    Cardiff Crack Tri-tip omelette
    Rick D.

    Delicious breakfast, friendly staff, great menu, solid choice for great food. It's an older restaurant, kinda small, can get busy during the normal rush but I really like this place, it's the quintessential hometown diner. I had the Cardiff Crack Tri-tip omelette (cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms) and home fried potatoes. This place knows how to make the real fluffy omelette with great tasting fill and perfect home-fried potatoes. I thought I was in a Midwest diner. One of the best breakfast spots In Encinitas! I left full, content, happy and wanting to return.

    Traditional Eggs Traditional Benedict with Sliced Ham and potatoes
    Brian M.

    I visit the 101 Diner every time I visit Encinitas and the food, service (Katie), overall experience is always on point. The eggs Benedict is great and get the potatoes that feel more like hash-browns.

    Atul S.

    Went here for our breakfast before returnning back to phoenix. Got outdoor seating and had pleasant time. Here are my takes: Food/Drinks: Overall it was decent. The beef meat was very chewy and maybe overcooked so I had to leave that too when it was recommended by server for being locally sourced and I decided to try. The menu is extensive so it was somewhat overwhelming to choose from. Service: There was a delay but overall no major setback during our dine-in. Ambiance: Great outdoor seating and that was the primary reason to stopped here for breakfast. Hygiene: Very small restroom and not the cleanest but overall it was decent. Price: Reasonably priced food and drinks. Nothing that was overpriced.

    Bacon  cheeseburger !!! So good and fresh .

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    9 years ago

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    Scott S.

    This for sure

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Amazing review! Thanks Jordyn!

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    8 years ago

    Walked in, sat at the counter, wham bam fried eggs and ham. It's was exactly what I asked for and more. Pick 101 Diner.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great food, entertaining service! Really delicious milkshakes and good selection of food.

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    7 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Stoked you enjoyed everything!

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    Page 13 of 22

    Ask the Community - 101 Diner

    Is there a cut-off time for ordering breakfast?

    Breakfast served all day until closing!

    Is the Cardiff crack Benny always available? It isn't on any of the menus I'm seeing in the photos. Also, are mimosas available?

    Crack Bene hits the menu full time beginning this Friday! We do not have a liquor license as restaurant is small and serving mimosas would create very long waits for a table on weekends

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Encinitas Ale House

    Encinitas Ale House

    4.0
    (658 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    One of the great spots in Encinitas for lunch or dinner, if you love beer or ale this is your…read moreplace. They have an entire menu of six pages of different Beers. They know their stuff. If you go try to get Matt and hear our matt's famous phrases It's almost done Just a second Yours is next Almost ready I'm getting it now He was as fantastic as the burger! Glad to go back after a few years it is now back on her list. Thanks to matt

    Santana Burger medium rare was 5 stars all the way, and the fruits that accompanied it were damn…read moregood as well. The Kern brewing Chuuuch IPA was also 5 stars for my taste buds. And our server was fantastic. So why, you might ask, only 4 stars in my review. Two reasons: 1). Management has prohibited giving a splash of a beer for someone to sample. Bottom line is that I wanted to order a pint of beer, but I wanted a splash of a couple of beers to try to make my decision. They refused, saying that one must buy a 5oz taster if one wants to taste the beer. I find that policy offensive. In the end I bought a taster to taste the Chuuurch, and then bought an additional pint after. It just seems nickel and dimey, and would be asking to an ice cream place not allowing one to sample their ice creams before buying a cone. I hope management reconsiders this policy. 2. My wife got the Hot Mess Fries and was disappointed not only in the flavor, but also in the misleading advertising. On the menu it specifically said that there was bacon in the fries, but in fact what they put on the fries was either chunks of ham or "Canadian bacon" (which as we all know is a very different thing from "bacon"). If they were or of regular bacon, the kitchen should have told the server this so he could have asked her if she wanted ham as a substitute. And, of they always use ham instead of bacon, them the menu needs to be changed to reflect that.

    Photos
    Side of bar and bigger entrance for wheelchair accessible
    Side of bar and bigger entrance for wheelchair accessible
    Lava cake - big portion but no lava inside.
    Lava cake - big portion but no lava inside.
    8% Pliney Elder

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    8% Pliney Elder
    Biergarden Encinitas

    Biergarden Encinitas

    3.9
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    Came for a leisurely Sunday lunch and will definitely come again!…read more Thanks to Jessica and team for an amazing experience. We had a diverse mix of people across multiple age groups at our table and she was nothing short of fantastic. Questions were answered, recommendations were given, and drinks were never empty. The food matched Jessica's attentiveness. Our crew's meal ranged from the poke bowl to the loaded Cardiff Crack fries (a must, especially for tourists) to kids eats. Everything came out perfect.

    Came here with a friend on Easter Sunday around 9:30 PM and had a great experience overall. It was…read morepretty mellow for a holiday night with just a handful of people there with plenty of seating both inside, outside, and at the bar. We ended up grabbing seats at the bar, which was a great choice. We ordered the: *Fig Burger with Brussels Sprouts: the Brussels sprouts were phenomenal. They had what tasted like pecans, some kind of glaze, and cheese... seriously so good. The Fig Burger itself was just as impressive with such a unique combo and absolutely delicious. *Steak Sandwich with Onion Rings: this was also a standout. Perfectly cooked, super flavorful, and came with a great dipping sauce that really tied it all together. The onion rings were crispy and on point too. First off, I love that they offer a variety of sides (sweet potato fries, truffle fries, mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, etc.), though most come with a small upcharge. We had a few drinks and even grabbed a bottle of wine from the bar to take back to our Airbnb, which was a nice bonus. The vibe was relaxed with TVs playing highlights from a basketball game, and the bartender/server was awesome. Parking was easy with free street parking, though that might've been because it was late and a holiday. Only heads up: definitely call ahead about kitchen and closing times, especially on holidays. Online said they close at midnight, but they were actually closing at 11 PM. We were told over the phone the kitchen closed at 9:45 PM, but when we arrived at 9:30 PM, it had just switched to last call. Thankfully, they were kind enough to still get our order in. Overall, phenomenal food, great service, and a solid spot worth checking out. Would definitely come back.

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    Biergarden Encinitas
    Cardiff Crack Steak Sandwich was delicious.
    Cardiff Crack Steak Sandwich was delicious.
    Biergarden Encinitas

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    Viewpoint Brewing

    Viewpoint Brewing

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    Viewpoint Brewing Company…read more A perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the water. The combination of scenic wetland views, refreshing craft beers, and beautiful golden-hour lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to stay longer than planned. The outdoor seating area is spacious and comfortable, making it a great place to gather with friends, family, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with a drink. The food was enjoyable, the beers were refreshing, and the overall experience was made even better by the peaceful surroundings and stunning sunset views. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for great drinks, good food, and one of the most relaxing waterfront settings in North County San Diego. Atmosphere: 10/10 Views: 10/10 Drinks: 9/10 Overall Experience: Highly Recommended

    My friend and I came here without a reservation on a Sunday at 5. Our mistake, we definitely should…read morehave made a reservation as it was extremely crowded! Others were given a 30-40 minute wait time but luckily they squeezed us in at a small counter which we were very grateful for! I was worried that because of the crowd the food might take a while, since we had a concert after, but the food arrived not 10 minutes after we ordered. We got the caesar salad, fries, and fish tacos. All were delicious! The caesar had a great dressing and I liked the addition of kale, and the fish tacos were humongous and very scrumptious, with the right amount of salsa/sauce as well as fish! We loved the ambience, the views out were incredible, the brewery itself was impressive, and it was very family friendly, we saw many kids running around and playing in the spacious back area. Our waitress was great and all the service was good, everyone was very friendly and helpful. There's valet parking. I think it was around $5 which was worth it to us for the convenience of not worrying about finding our own parking in the area. The valet workers were also very friendly and helpful. Hoping to come back soon!

    Photos
    The bar area with the TV
    The bar area with the TV
    Burger - came with their homemade sauce that has mayonnaise so we had it on the side.
    Burger - came with their homemade sauce that has mayonnaise so we had it on the side.
    Outdoor seating with heaters

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    Outdoor seating with heaters
    Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas

    Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    My wife and I visited Union Kitchen & Tap earlier this week, and I can honestly say it was one of…read morethe best restaurant experiences I've had. The atmosphere itself was inviting and vibrant, with a comfortable setting that came across as both upscale and relaxed. Not too dark, not too bright. This was comparable service I've had while visiting Michelin star restaurants. My wife and I have been speaking this week multiple times about the service we had from Dillon. He was honestly a huge breath of fresh air. The moment we sat down Dillon asked what kinds of food and drinks we typically enjoy. He didn't just throw out random recommendations or what their most popular dishes were. He listened, understood, and shared his favorite foods were very similar to mine, and then guided us toward dishes and drinks that he truly believed we'd love. Every recommendation was spot on. For drinks, I started with a Union Manhattan based on Dillon's recommendation. It was fantastic. My wife got a Hugo Spritz. (this is typical her go to or an aperol spritz.) We started with the crab cakes, and they were phenomenal. As someone who has eaten crab cakes all over the East Coast, I can confidently say these were every bit as fresh and delicious as the best I've had. After we completely demolished them, Dillon checked back in and asked if they were up to standard. They absolutely were. He also noticed I was close to the end of my manhattan. Right before finishing it, Dillon said, "If you liked that, you'll love this one," and recommended the "Smoke on the Water". He was right. It was incredible and paired fantastically with my meal. For my entrée, I ordered the gumbo and mac & cheese. Dillon suggested adding andouille sausage to the mac, and that recommendation alone was worth the trip. The added flavor took an already great dish to another level. The mac & cheese was one of those dishes that makes you immediately think, "I hope everyone I know gets to try this." The gumbo was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Not too salty, not too spicy, and with an excellent consistency. It had a little more okra than I personally prefer, but that's simply a matter of taste and certainly not a criticism of the dish. My wife ordered the steak frites and absolutely loved it. The fries were perfectly crisp, the steak was cooked exactly medium as ordered, and the fat was soft, buttery, and nearly melted in your mouth. What impressed me the most was watching Dillon work the tables around the room. The restaurant was decently busy, and he still made every table feel like they were his only table. He checked in at exactly the right times, anticipated needs before people had to ask, and carried conversations with guests as naturally as if he'd known them for years. He was funny, professional, attentive, and cared about creating a great experience. Great food gets people in the door. Great people make them come back. We'll absolutely be returning, and when friends ask what to order, my answer will be simple: get the crab cakes and definitely get the mac & cheese with the andouille sausage.

    Celebrated my sister's birthday (17 friends!) in the beautifully lit back patio of Union. The…read moreservice was efficient and friendly especially for a large group. I ordered the short rib ragu and it was so flavorful and delicious. I finished the whole thing! Great value too. My husband got the gumbo and he enjoyed it. Everyone was so pleased with their choices. There was live entertainment indoors too. They let us bring in a cake and provided plates which was so nice. A fun night was had by all! Looking forward to returning soon.

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    Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas
    Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas
    Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas

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    101 Diner - diners - Updated June 2026

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