Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Beginner's Diner

    3.8 (497 reviews)
    ModerateDiners
    Open Open 24 hours

    Beginner's Diner Photos

    BEGINNER'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Touristy
    Trendy
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    More like Beginner's Diner

    Recommended Reviews - Beginner's Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Wasima K.

    I was so excited to try this diner in the most beautiful hotel. I have seen in a long time. The description says it's 1940s style and it really looks like it's out of a movie set. They have indoor and outdoor seating by the pool. It was a hot day so we sat inside and it was also much quieter inside There were not too many other customers while we were there, and I have to say the only downside is the service is really slow and you have to flag down the staff repeatedly even to get your water refilled. Basically once you order, they don't check back in on you much. However, I have zero notes about the food taste, and quality. We shared a patty melt sandwich and ordered an extra set of onion rings. The onion rings were absolutely perfect. They came out hot and crispy without too much better and with the perfect ratio of onion taste. The patty melt was also perfect and really enjoyed the pickle on the side. The dish came with a house made ranch, which was not too thick and very fresh and herbal tasting. I loved it. I also ordered a latte and while the latte foam wasn't the most beautiful thing I have seen, it was very well-made and tasty. The uniforms and the table where all are custom-made for the hotel and diner. The style was very cool. I would totally return anytime. I am back in town

    Menu in yellow light
    Taura G.

    This visit wasn't as glamorous and awesome as the first visit. We decided to come here during Father's Day weekend to enjoy a meal together as a family. The place was packed and there were so many people in and out of the Lafayette hotel, as usual. This was a late night dinner so I believe we arrived around 8:30 PM. We were seated right away, which we were really happy about. Every time we come the host that sees us is very nice and customer service oriented. Our server was very nice. We ordered the deviled eggs for the table to share. We also ordered Patty Melts and shakes. I ordered onion rings for my side to my Patty Melt and everyone else got the side of fries. The deviled eggs is a super Duper tiny appetizer. The highlight is that it comes with salmon roll on top which are delicious. Our food came out and I will say that it just tasted OK this time. The patties in the patty melt were undercooked (they looked gray colored not brown) and didn't have as much flavor as they normally do. My onion rings were decent, but they just weren't fried correctly because a lot of them were stuck together. The shakes were the highlight of the meal as they tasted delicious and we enjoyed them. Customer service is always great. It's just that, on this night, the food wasn't as tasty as it was the first time. We hope that the food gets back to the great taste that it used to have soon.

    banana bread pudding french toast, country fried steak, boozy milkshake
    Amy T.

    I'm still dreaming about the banana bread pudding french toast. That's kind of all I can really remember about my dining experience. I was really excited for the boozy milkshake but I think the booze flavor was a bit strong for me (I am quite sensitive to it). I heard excellent things about the country fried steak and the french dip sandwich from my dining companions. Super cool location in the Lafayette Hotel, the wait was a little long but manageable and worth it in my opinion.

    Bloody Mary
    Tanner G.

    Beginner's Diner is a retro-styled diner with a modern twist. The establishment offers comforting food, friendly service, and unique ambiance; all adding to a nice experience out. Their menu is filled with classic diner foods, but might be a tad different than what you'd expect. I got the BISCUITS AND GRAVY, and though it was good it was different than the usual. Instead of biscuits, it was more of a monkey bread and the meat in the gravy had more of a smokey taste (it could also use extra gravy over all). Their BLOODY MARY was good, not a huge standout but overall had a classic Bloody Mary taste. I'd like to return for another breakfast item, or perhaps a late night bite.

    Tuna melt
    Gretel Y.

    I ate twice at Beginner's Diner during my one night stay at the Lafayette Hotel back in December. It's open 24 hours and so convenient, especially since the hotel doesn't offer room service. I had a late lunch after I landed in San Diego while waiting for my room to be ready. I sat at the bar and ordered a mushroom hash. It was delicious and exactly what I needed at the time. My teammates and I went back to Lafayette Hotel to celebrate after a big, successful event. We didn't have much to eat at the event and were pretty hungry so we hit up Beginner's Diner. We shared a French toast and I opted for a tuna melt with side of fries for my entree. Both were filling and hit the spot! The diner has a great vibe and service was excellent both times!

    Nancy T.

    Cute old diner inside of the Lafayette Hotel. Diner Menu offered a good variety. We went for dinner so ended up trying the pot roast, chicken fried steak, and patty melt. Their fries and onion rings were also fried to a golden crisp. Service was great. I love that they wear the traditional diner uniforms. Overall great vibes

    Avocado Benedict and Steak with Sunny-Side up Eggs.

    We pulled up around 1:30 AM on Monday night, and honestly, we were expecting standard late-night diner vibes. Instead, we witnessed a full-blown culinary performance. ​The place was quiet, but we immediately spotted a guy in the back with long hair who was straight-up making love to the food. Man was jumping all over the kitchen, single-handedly running the show, and still managed to hit us with the biggest, warmest smile. We literally couldn't stop watching him work. ​We ordered the Avocado Benedict and the Steak with Sunny-Side Up Eggs. We've been here before, but whatever magic he was putting into the food that night made it hit totally different. ​The steak came out a flawless medium-rare, and the eggs were executed with surgical precision: egg whites fully cooked, yolk warm and perfectly runny--exactly how I like it. Everything arrived in a mind-blowing 8 or 9 minutes.

    Grace F.

    Beginners Diner is located inside the Lafayette Hotel. I've heard such amazing things about the ambiance of the place and had to check it out. The first thing I will note is that on Fridays & Saturdays the street parking will be very difficult. There is valet as an option, for those who don't want valet you will need to park street in the neighborhoods behind the hotel. Upon walking in, we were greated by the hostess who sat us down and we ordered a good amount of appetizers, sides, entrees, and drinks. To our disappointment, the food honestly wasn't that great considering the price of each item. The best item I think we ordered was the Caesar Salad - probably one of the best dressings ive had. The egg on my chicken sandwich was a little rubbery in texture and the chicken was good but very dry. Chicken skewers were very good but the rest of the food was nothing special. I think this place is really good for the ambiance - if you're planning on wanting a diner feel I would recommend coming here for the milkshakes but not for an entire meal. Another thing that added to my 2 star review was at the end of the dinner my friend noticed she stepped on something squishy at the bottom of the table. We looked under the booth and there was a single slice of bread just sitting there. I added a picture but what my friend pointed out was that toast is a breakfast menu item. We were there at 6:30pm and their breakfast menu stopped being served at 3pm. With that being said - the booth floor had not been cleaned since then. Overall I would not come back again. I was a little disappointed due to the quality of the food and lack of cleanliness of the restaurant. However, the Lafayette Hotel is beautiful

    Inside
    Jillian C.

    Beginner's Diner, located in the infamous The Lafayette Hotel inEl Cajon is open 24-hours and hits all the marks you'd expect for a retro diner from the 1940's, while adding some upscale twists to their menu such as their steak and eggs served with a Wagyu filet and boozy milkshakes. We recommend going around the holidays which is extra special since the property is completely transformed into a winter wonderland ! I was looking forward to trying their French Dip (also made with Waygu), but they were out of it so I opted for their version of a smash-burger. It was okay, but not what you'd expect from a smash-burger since the two patties were on the thicker side and the bread was sourdough toast (not my favorite for a burger). Although they don't have a kids menu, our server was able to provide some suggestions on some options that would be good for kids (both on and off the menu). The bathroom was even gorgeous so I couldn't resist a picture Follow @allthingsfoodinsandiego for more must try San Diego restaurants, date night ideas, food experiences, kid friendly spots, with a sprinkling of home-cooking!

    Cinnamon Roll
    Tammie W.

    Came to Beginner's Diner on a Tuesday at 12:30pm and were shocked to see an hour+ long wait to sit at the counter. The hubby and I ordered coffee, buckwheat pancakes, a cinnamon roll, and the breakfast sando to share. The breakfast sandwich was great, piping hot, salty from the cheese, fatty from the homemade breakfast sausage, and nice with the eggs inside. The cinnamon roll was our next favorite because it wasn't overly sweet, rich from the cream cheese frosting, and very naughty. Last was the buckwheat pancakes which were very dense but tasted good since they were very thing and were cut with the fresh berries. Breakfast is only served from midnight to 3pm which is why we went for lunch, just in case we wanted sweet and savory without having to order a shake. As always, the service is great and the Lafayette is a beautiful hotel with solid options for food and drinks.

    Teressa W.

    You know when you have the insane desire for a super solid, totally fire breakie? Like.... The one you think you remember from lifetimes past? But every time you follow a solid Yelp review your stomach ends up hurting and the food is just super mid? As if "super greasy and average" became the new "hit food?" Well- NOT this place. This place is "forget your words, mind blowing, borderline orgasmic" kind of fantastic. It's a worth its wait kind of diner. All nestled in the most fantastic hotel in SD. Go. Don't think. Just..,, go. You will never feel like you're in a cooler place than when you are here.

    Menu - November 2025
    Michelle C.

    We were staying at The Lafayette Hotel and wanted to grab dinner downstairs at Beginner's Diner. Was hoping they offered breakfast options all day but they only offer it from 12am-3pm. We wanted to try the Reuben but they were out. Noticed a few other people trying to order it as well, but to no avail. We ended up ordering the dinner portion Chicken Fried Steak w/ creamed spinach ($32) and the dinner Pot Roast w/ sautéed corn ($34). Both were solid options, nothing to write home about, and on the smaller side. We also got a Chocolate Hazelnut Boozy Milkshake ($18). This was delicious and got me buzzed. Service was friendly. Cool diner interior with so many eye-catching details. Bathrooms are located outside of the diner, across the bar, and at the hallway near the pool. Will definitely need to try the Reuben sandwich next time though! And also the breakfast options.

    Private labeled beer(Fall)
    Jason B.

    The Lafayette was so packed this time of the year because of the amazing decorating, so we found a spot at the bar in this joint u til we could scope out a table in the lounge. Started out with a craft cocktail for my Bride and a private labeled IPA for me. Opted to split the pimento cheese, and liked everything! Ambiance is retro diner, service was at the counter, and prices were high but this is clearly a tourist trap!

    Boozy eggnog milkshake

    See all

    Photo of Dawn B.
    774
    381
    3723

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 66
    Thanks 26
    Love this 65
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of m s.
    0
    24
    1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kat H.
    1
    47
    80

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vina R.
    210
    620
    3700

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Saleen M.
    1065
    2588
    2310

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J C.
    0
    2
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bee K.
    1
    48
    74

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brennan S.
    179
    133
    60

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Roxy L.
    0
    37
    36

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 5 of 13

    Beginner's Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Beginner's Diner

    Is the diner 21+?

    Nope is open to all ages but they do have some items on menu for those over 21.

    Do they have plant-based options?

    Are you looking for a veggie burger? I haven't seen anything like that on the menu but they do have salads. They also have the menu available on their website.

    Is there parking?

    No all street parking

    Do you have long wait times Friday nights?

    There is usually a wait for Beginners Diner. The food is so good!

    Can this place accommodate large groups? Like 20 people?

    No, they would have to sit in separate tables

    Are reservations available?

    No reservations are needed or offered in the Diner. You can eat outside on the Patio (hours vary) and/or take food to your room if you are a guest. I was there several different times of the day, and never had a wait to be seated.

    Are dogs allowed in the diner?

    The Lafayette is a Dog Friendly Hotel (45 lbs and under), IF you are staying as a guest and pay the extra free . Information is their website under the Hotel Q&A Section. Dogs are NOT allowed in the Pool area. I believe this ONLY applies to… 

    Is there easily accessible wheelchair entry at the front or near parking on on the premises?

    they do have accessible access at the main door and also valet parking

    View All 10 Questions

    You might also consider

    Studio Diner

    Studio Diner

    3.7
    (2.3k reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    I came here this past Sunday around 11 AM and was really impressed! They have both an indoor dining…read morearea and a covered outdoor patio. They're also dog friendly, which is awesome so we opted to sit outside with the pups. Just a heads-up: It gets extremely hot on the patio. They don't have a large fan or cooling system, but they do have window shades that can be pulled down to help block some of the sun and heat. The service was excellent. Our waitress was attentive, checked on us regularly, and kept us updated on when our food would be coming out. She was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. I ordered the: Country Fried Steak: this was by far the best country fried steak I've had in San Diego! It was absolutely huge. I ended up taking half of it home for leftovers. It was also loaded with gravy, which I loved. I got the mashed potatoes and gravy and broccoli as my sides, and everything was delicious. They have a very extensive menu, and there are so many other things I want to come back and try. I honestly can't believe I've lived in San Diego for almost 10 years and am just now discovering this spot! Between the portions, prices, service, and quality of the food, this is definitely one of the best breakfast spots in San Diego. And the prices are awesome for what you get. I'll absolutely be back!

    While running errands early Saturday morning, we were looking for a breakfast joint. Suddenly, I…read moreremembered an old haunt the studio diner. memories, of the good old days were brought back of working at the old TV Studios in a long forgotten era of TV and filmmaking in San Diego. Walking back into the diner was a thrill, clean, polished as if it was ready for a segment of a show to be filmed. The staff courteous dressed well and the chatter of people enjoying a meal. I highly recommend you take time to visit this place. they have specials throughout the week. It is a shame that the leadership of our fine city allowed this industry to die. They screwed up.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    French toast
    French toast
    Veggie Omelette

    See all

    Veggie Omelette
    Rudford's Restaurant

    Rudford's Restaurant

    3.7
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Established in 1949
    Family-owned & operated

    After being totally shocked at the line outside Phil's BBQ, my wife and I decided to look for…read moreanother option that didn't resemble the line for one of the Star Wars attractions at Disneyland. Rudford's became option #2. Open 24/7 and a wide selection of food choices, it seemed like our best option. Chicken fried steak sounded like a good choice. My wife chose the Reuben's sandwich with crinkle cut fries. My wife wasn't too impressed with her sandwich but my chicken fried steak was tender and the gravy was flavorful with a touch of pepper. I added a slice of blueberry pie to take back to the hotel. Our server was very pleasant and did a great job of checking on us to make sure everything was good. I was very satisfied with my dining experience and was happy to find a place open 24/7 the next time I'm in San Diego if I need to find a place to eat after normal dining hours. The parking lot is on the small side so it might be difficult to find a spot during peak hours. Definitely a place to keep in mind if you're looking for decent coffee shop fare.

    Today was my 1st time trying this restaurant out. The food was okay. Nothing to write home about…read more The waitress wasn't friendly at all. Actually it was 2 of the waitress that wasn't pleasant. I'm not sure if they don't like African American people or what their issue was. It's like she didn't want to take our order. And I order 3 extra items to take home for my family and I was rushed the entire time while ordering. I received 2 dirty cups on the outside. I asked for a straw because I didn't want to complain. The 2nd waitress seemed like she wasn't happy to get the straw. And I also asked for plastic utensils. But again a attitude. My party was of 3 & once we got the food, nobody checked on us, until the bill came. I received the chicken and waffles with bacon crumbles on top with blueberries on top. Well the blueberries came on the side and the waffle was soggy. The chicken was 6 out of 10. My dad had the burger and fries and he said it was good. His wife got pancakes, eggs and bacon. She said it was ok. To go I purchased Lemon Pepper Wings and they was Wiggly Giggly lol.. No Sir & No Ma'am. Trash thoes went to. I also got a Reuben sandwich and the meat was TUFF. I never had tuff Cornbeef. I got a cheese burger for my son whome never eaten from here before. And he gave the burger 3 out of 5. Would I try this restaurant again??? I believe in 2nd chances, so I would try ordering something else and hopefully the service of the waitress and waiters are better the next time. And hopefully I find something that's full of flavor and made properly. I can say the restaurant did smell good walking in. However the walls in the booths could use a good cleaning because they we're dirty . It kinda made me think of what the kitchen looked like. Especially with the dirty cups. Hopefully the Owner sees this and can respond to every issue and explain to me & everyone else that's reading this review, why I experienced these issues. Good luck Ya'll and happy eating

    Photos
    Eggs benedict with hash browns.
    Eggs benedict with hash browns.
    Anything you need 24 hours a day!
    Anything you need 24 hours a day!
    Bacon, Avocado, and Cheddar Omelette

    See all

    Bacon, Avocado, and Cheddar Omelette
    Saint James French Diner

    Saint James French Diner

    4.2
    (340 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    The inside is cutely decorated and cozy. The food is amazing! We've been here multiple times and…read morehad the burger Parisienne, croque madame, croquettes, shaved ham, and steak tartare. The burger Parisienne is my favorite burger in San Diego. I love the shoe string fries that come with it. It's rich and very unique. I will come back just for this dish every time I'm in San Diego. For appetizers I would recommend the shaved ham with the baguette. It was surprisingly good for such a simple dish. The ham was so soft and a perfect level of salty. The flavors of the mustard, cheese, and breadcrumbs were perfect additions. The croquettes were also delicious. There was no sauce left on the plate! The first time we came the server was kind enough to give me a post card from the restaurant to use for my significant others birthday card. He loved the fish baguette surfboard art. The second time we came a year later, our server was the sister of the first server! Both were incredibly kind and helpful. The rooftop was also very beautiful with stunning views!

    I kept seeing Saint James French Diner pop up all over my TikTok feed, so I knew I finally had to…read morecheck it out in person--and it definitely lived up to the hype! The ambience is absolutely fantastic, offering a warm, stylish, and inviting atmosphere that makes it a great spot to sit back and unwind. During my visit, I ordered a Lemon Drop Martini, and it was perfectly crafted--refreshing, well-balanced, and super delicious. Beyond the great drink and aesthetic vibe, the overall experience was top-notch from start to finish. One quick tip for anyone planning a visit: try to get here before 8:00 PM! Since they close at 9:00 PM, arriving earlier gives you plenty of time to relax, enjoy your drink, and soak in the wonderful setting without feeling rushed. I will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Saint James French Diner
    Saint James French Diner
    Saint James French Diner

    See all

    Classics Malt Shop

    Classics Malt Shop

    4.8
    (1.7k reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Came here on a weekday evening with friends. We ordered the: Mushroom burger, bacon burger, regular…read moreburger, frings, and a strawberry milkshake. I really enjoyed my mushroom burger. Juicy and large portion. Although I didn't taste the other burgers, I also received high praise from my friends regarding these items. For the frings, I thought the fries were average, but I really enjoyed the onion rings. They were fresh and had the perfect crunch. My friends got the milkshake and thought it was standard. Even though I thought the food was solid, I was truly impressed by the service. The person behind the counter was so busy but he took the time to explain the menu to me and was extremely friendly. He also didn't try to rush us or kick us out after the diner closed (we ordered pretty close to closing time). I noticed that he even took orders from people who came slightly after closing too. Other great things: easy parking and awesome looking decor. Come if you want to experience a meal in a diner setting. Overall, the food was pretty good but the outstanding service is why I'm giving this five stars. Please check it out!

    I came here on a Saturday evening for dinner after seeing the amazing Yelp reviews. It's a very…read moreunassuming restaurant on the corner of a little shopping center. Inside there aren't too many seats but it has a cool American diner feel. They have thrifty's ice cream up in the front and some counter seats. They had the TVs on playing the World Cup game when we got there. The service was prompt and good. One guy walked around the restaurant smiling and greeting everyone. They gave us extra sauces and cups of water when we requested. For food, my husband and I ordered a mushroom burger, the slap-up burger which was a double patty cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and onion rings. My favorite thing was the slap-up burger. The patty's were thick and meaty and I loved that the cheese didn't overpower the beef taste. The mushroom burger was also very meaty, but felt a little more dry to me. It came with mushrooms and bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. I added some of their homemade ranch which helped a lot with the dryness. The chili cheese fries were okay for me. The fries were a little more on the starchy side and not too crispy. I liked the chili cheese but wish the chili was a little more hearty. The onion rings were delicious. They were crunchy and had a little extra seasoning sprinkled on. The onions were perfectly tender inside and tasted delicious dipped in their homemade ranch. I was very satisfied with this meal and happy to have checked out this place.

    Photos
    Main area.
    Main area.
    Cheesesteak
    Cheesesteak
    Vanilla 'soon To Be Famous' Malts And Shakes

    See all

    Vanilla 'soon To Be Famous' Malts And Shakes
    Harry's Coffee Shop

    Harry's Coffee Shop

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    9.7 mi
    $$

    This is hands down some of the best diner food I've ever had! We had seen this unassuming place…read morefrom the front & it looks so cute and we wanted to come here anyway. Then I had a friend say that he actually met Bing Crosby here way back in the day so we were like "Okay, we gotta go now!" First of all the place is WAY bigger inside than it looks from the front and the decor is very comfortable and filled with tons of nostalgic pictures and photos of years gone by. A nostalgic, elegant vibe for a diner and you feel very comfortable inside. And the food is fantastic! (They also have wifi) I got the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs ($20.95) which has been a favorite since 1960! It is awesome corned beef served with 2 eggs, hash browns and your choice of toast or buttermilk pancakes. And those pancakes are some of the best tasting pancakes I've had - so delicious! ...and the corned beef, eggs over easy and hash browns were perfectly cooked and seasoned and it was an amazing breakfast! My sweetheart got Harry's famous Tuna Melt ($17.95) which is tuna salad with tomato, melted cheddar cheese served on grilled sourdough (add avocado for $2) and your choice of fries or fruit. She is a huge fan of tuna melts and she absolutely loved this one! It's good to see that Harry's is still doing it right - We will definitely be back.

    I arrived with my service dog and was immediately told no dogs. I explained it was a service dog…read more Gentleman left and convened a meeting of employees. Eventually someone new came to address me and said no dogs in restaurant. I again stated she is a service animal and pointed out her vest. I probably should file an ADA complaint. Eventually I was seated. I ordered coffee & V8 juice to start. My coffee came almost immediately but I waited and waited for the V8 juice. I asked about it several times and was told they were working on it. After waiting for 15-20 minutes my waitress advised me that "he" ran out of V8 and was going to "the back" to get more. I went ahead and ordered my breakfast, Chilaquiles. The menu description says, "Corn tortilla chips" so I was expecting crisp, fried tortilla chips. Turns out it several corn tortillas cut in triangles. They are not heated, grilled or fried. My Sunny Side eggs were Sunny side up HARD. The breakfast lacked flavor. The tomatillo sauce had no flavor or spice. It's served on a bed of their famous hash brown - almost raw shredded hash browns. I left most of the breakfast on the plate. I did enjoy the coffee and V8 juice. There were a lot of employees but it was hard to get anyone's attention. Service was poor. Nice restaurant inside with some great local memorabilia on the walls. My bill was $34 and change. Yes Harry's has been around a very long time. In fact, I was a little kid when I first ate there. Sorry to say this but I suggest you pass on Harry's. San Diego has much better breakfast spots.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Chicken salad on raisin bread!
    Chicken salad on raisin bread!
    Chicken salad on sourdough!

    See all

    Chicken salad on sourdough!
    Crest Cafe

    Crest Cafe

    3.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Cute Lil diner in the heart of Hillcrest. Was wanting a lil somethin' somethin' as we had a big…read moreItalian lunch in Little Italy, but we did walk over 3 miles for the day. Upon entering, we were directed to seat ourselves by the bus boy so as we proceeded. The server abruptly stopped us in our tracks and kind of rudely told us that he'd be with us and to wait. As he approached to seat us I informed him that the bus boy told us to seat ourselves and the server half jokingly asked who so I pointed to him. As for the food, we ordered sandwiches and fries. I got the turkey and brie sandwich with grilled onions and it was real carved turkey (so good). Unfortunately, the fries were soggy and not crispy and fresh. BFF had the Cubano sandwich and it was a good size but they put a thick piece of ham steak on it along with shredded pork that wasn't seasoned. He claims his fries were good and fresh. The ambience is cute, very clean and plenty of seating indoors and out for such a small restaurant. Prices are reasonable, too. Had it not been for the server rubbing me the wrong way upon entering as well as the soggy fries, I would have given this place 5 stars.

    I really wanted to give a higher rating, but due to the lack of quality : cost ratio I just…read morecouldn't. The restaurant itself has an open and welcoming atmosphere, comfortable seating, good a/c, friendly service, a good variety of menu options...however, the cost for what you get doesn't equate. Now, their prices are fair, compared to many other places out there, but due to the lack of quality it just hits harder. My Monte Cristo was so sad-looking and dry. The turkey was heavily peppered, which might be okay in any other turkey sandwich, but this did not go well with what a Monte Cristo should taste like (iykyk)...even when the raspberry jam was added all you could taste was pepper. In addition to the strong pepper taste, the turkey itself was extremely dry and shredded to pieces when I tried to remove it. Very disappointed. When I told our waiter, who was very friendly and had been attentive, he said that he'd let the cook know--and that was it. No follow up. No apology. My son had the French toast and it was okay, nothing special. I usually have lunch here, but it's been a few years since I've been here for breakfast -- so this was a bummer. The past few times I felt like the quality was slipping, but I chalked it up to a possible "off" day...but this recent visit confirmed that they weren't "off" days and the quality truly has slipped. Hopefully they can reevaluate things and make some improvements. They have a good menu and nice concept, I just hope they improve their quality and presentation.

    Photos
    Cute little bar
    Cute little bar
    Monterey Chicken with salad
    Monterey Chicken with salad
    Crest Cafe

    See all

    Beginner's Diner - diners - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...