The food is really good here. It is like an old fashioned diner. I came for breakfast and had the special which was the chile Rellano and eggs. It came with beans and I got biscuits and gravy with it. Also had some fruit and pancakes and coffee. This is a great place. The chile rellano was surprisingly spicy and the beans were good, and biscuits and gravy were good. Will definitely be back. read more

Bonny's Cafe is a good place to get good food. The cafe is a quaint but busy. The staff are friendly and attentive. We usually go early for breakfast though the whole menu is available to order during their hours of operation. Go to Bonny's for a friendly small town cafe feel atmosphere and to enjoy some good food. read more

My all time favorite place to go and eat. The owner is amazing! The food is delicious. The waitresses are fantastic. The cooks makes the best food ever. Even the bus boys are very friendly. I highly recommend Bonnie's Cafe. read more

Great food. It was hot, fast and delicious. Great service. Would ear there again for sure!

Came to eat breakfast here for the first time this week and it exceeded the expectation. As soon as my bf and I came in through the door we were acknowledge and service was fast and friendly. The food came fairly quickly and was hot, not to mention delicious. I ordered the full order of biscuits and gravy and my bf ordered the polish kielbasa breakfast. The friendly waiter, who is also the new owners daughter told my bf that this place has been around for over 20+ years but has recently (last couple years) been bought by her Mother and remodeled. It is a quaint little diner with adequate space, there is vintage decor in the main area as well as the bathrooms and it is really clean and tidy which I definitely appreciate. We definitely enjoyed our experience and most importantly our food!!! read more

Mikey the water boy was the first guy to help out our family and man did he set the mood. He was professional and neat and good with his words. He filled my weird drink request with ease when most would refuse. Our waitress was named "Shasta" (like the off-brand soda) she was very quiet and did not really seem helpful or nice. Meanwhile Mikey an asset to the crew hopefully he wont have to work here for long. read more

Bonny's Cafe - Bad waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - El Cajon, California

Cool old school diner in El Cajon. Cool 50's decor along the walls. Saw a few pics of Marilyn Monroe and other hollywood stars and rock stars. Menu was mainly breakfast items. Other side had diner type food like burgers, sandwiches, soups, etc. I ordered chicken fried steak 2 eggs with hash browns and biscuits and gravy. They also give you options for sides. Food came out quick. Meal was good and hot. The chicken fried steak was perfect with a nice gravy over it. My sides were also perfect. I really liked the biscuits and gravy. Good portions too. Nice medium sized dining area. Plenty of parking too. Looks like a place for regulars and local folks. Everyone was so kind and willing to chat and stuff. The waitress serving us was very down to earth and provided great service. I recommend this place if your looking for that old school diner experience. read more

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Super cute little retro classic American diner in East County! We just came the other day to try a different breakfast spot in the area and it might be one of our top favorites to choose from! The decor was very American and we love all the vintage little decor items! Food was really good and hit the spot!!! Can't wait to come back for breakfast again!! read more

Just stopped in for a bite, and I was not served for 10 minutes. Then they finally addressed me no, but still didn't serve me. They are Under New Management, and apparently it's not a very good management. One of the servers was extraordinarily rude to me, and when I mentioned it to the manager, she made excuses for him and blamed it on me. I left and went to Denny's in Lakeside, where I get much better service. I believe you will too! read more

Place look cool inside but the food was definitely overpriced. I ordered a plate of French toast for $10.25 and it didn't even come with any sides. If I wanted bacon, eggs or 1 piece of sausage it was and extra $4.25. If I wanted a soft drink, lemonade or juice it was $3.25. My husbands burnt coffee was $2.00. The food wasn't anything special and the cost for everything was ridiculous. On top of that, the majority of the staff was not wearing their masks correctly and the cooks weren't wearing them at all. We will not be returning. read more

My friend and I dined here for breakfast today and it was bomb ! The food, service and coffee gave us an awesome meal. Our server Karen rocked . She is friendly , attentive and quick. I had the chicken fried steak and eggs with a biscuit and gravy . I know what a insanely high calorie meal this is. But the chicken fried steak that Bonny's makes is worth every calorie . It's so good! I ordered my meal with hash browns and they were only so so. If they were on point Bonny 's would deserve 5 stars for sure. Next time I will order home fries . Bonny's is my favorite breakfast spot in EC . read more

Bonny's Cafe - Corn beef hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This place is such a wonderful place to have a meal. Completely remolded and a welcoming atmosphere! The food is amazing and the staff is on top of making sure your experience is truly enjoyable. I love the wall of honor for our vets and the respect that was shown for the former owner, Bonny Atherton. My grandson with special needs feels this is his restaurant since everyone makes him feel welcomed and his quirky mannerisms are just accepted by all! LOVE IT read more

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This was my first time at Bonny's Cafe and it's funny because we had to go through the back door (which was closest to the parking lot). What greeted us was the sound of knives chopping and pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. But once we entered the second door, we were immediately brought back down memory lane - back to the 50s and the 60s when Elvis reigned supreme and life was... well, good. The place was buzzing with families and a mostly senior crowd. Like the couple I went with at noon that Sunday, I can tell they were regulars, too. We were then escorted to a cozy booth surrounded by movie and other retro memorabilia. Our table even had a couple of "I.Q. Teasers" to occupy our time while we waited for our order. I had the Veggie Platter, one of the specials of the day and a good deal at $5.50. The broccoli & mushroom veggie omelette came perfectly seasoned and so did the country potatoes. The biscuits and gravy was fabulous - it's all in the gravy, baby! The french toast was really fat and thick and drenched in lots and lots of butter. But with maple syrup, it's good. Bonny herself was there to greet the patrons. She had an apron on and was part of the crew as well. Look for her picture on the wall in her ice skating ensemble. Have fun looking at photographs of movie stars from Hollywood's golden age and revel in bits and pieces of life from decades ago while you enjoy some good eats. And, oh - do bring cash. As the sign on the front door says, "We don't take plastic". Or checks, either. read more

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Cute little place! Clean. Quick, friendly service. Enchilada omelet was yummy! Go there!

We stopped for brunch on our way to Coronado. Definitely one of my favorite spots on our trip. Super cute restaurant, with terrific and fun staff. I had the BLT and steak fries.. which seems pretty "basic", but it was anything but. The bacon was perfectly cooked on sourdough with a perfect avocado! If you're in the area definitely stop and check Bonny's Cafe out! You'll be glad that you did! read more

Bonny's Cafe - I'm telling you.. this BLT with avocado was delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Sunday , February 9th Food was tasty, but setrvice was below average. Saturday, Feb 22nd- closed with sign on door which states, "Cook Wanted." So it appears that Bonnies is no longer going to be on our list of weekend breakfast spots. They had the best Huevos rancheros too! read more

Great spot. I ordered the Reuben and it was really good. Super fast service and the waitress at the bar was really nice. Cool place. Plenty of tables but I enjoyed the old school sitting on the stools at the bar. read more

The BEST 50s diner! Love the chicken salad sandwich on Wednesdays and of course biscuits and gravy with breakfast. Authentic and run by the same owner since it opened over 25 years ago. I miss living close to this hidden gem. read more

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The service is good, staff is friendly and food is good. The hubby ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs with hash browns and said it's one of the best he's ever had. I ordered the asparagus frittata and home fries and we both got the biscuits and gravy. The portions are a good size, I had to take mine home to finish. If we're in the area again, we'd go back. read more

Bonny's Cafe - Top to bottom: chicken fried steak and eggs with hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy; asparagus frittata with home fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - El Cajon, California

Bonny's has been a go to for me for years. Just down the street from Fletcher Parkway. Great 50's diner. read more

The food was delicious! I had the cinnamon french toast with hash browns, they were to die for! Just remodeled and it looks amazing! Definitely recommend coming here with your family and having a nice Sunday brunch. read more

Oh, happy day! New owner, Debbi Isom, reopened Bonny's Cafe after a major remodel and the go-ahead from the powers that be regarding restaurants amidst COVID-19. Menu has been slimmed down, but all of your favorites are probably still there!! Best news: ALL of the waffles are fresh, not frozen, and you can request add-ins, like blueberries or bananas or nuts!! Wow!! Prices are still VERY REASONABLE, and all of your favorite servers are there with smiles (under their masks) and great, friendly service!!! Awesome people are at Bonny's!! Still has the diner vibe with some of the favorite memorabilia we all love, but freshly painted and really sleek and clean. Black and white check is on the walls, not on the floor, which now boasts a vinyl wood planking. There is a special veterans section boasting a hand-painted flag mural. We were told there is more to come there. Booths have been nicely reupholstered and the tables all boast new chairs. Restrooms have been FULLY UPGRADED, with the men's on the right and the women's on the left, just reverse of how it was before. The women's is now a single-use room with a cute sign and oh-so-very clean!! If you are a long-time patron or someone looking for a new place for an epic breakfast or a fun and delicious lunch, then Bonny's Cafe is your kinda place!!! This is a LOCAL PLACE and needs our support! Come in and see the new digs and have a great meal. You won't be disappointed!!! Please see my photos posted from today, 5-24-20, including full menus!!!! Sorry no food pics! We were so happy to eat our meals that they were pretty much devoured when we thought about photos! LOL! read more

The staff is super friendly and remembers who you are. The food is good every day American food like you'd enjoy at home. Everything is beautifully decorated and clean so you feel comfortable in our new world. We will continue eating there into the future. read more

I've been here a few times with my fiancé! Always good service and food, bit today we got Aubrie, she was a doll. Totally got my sons heart forever. He's only 5 but definitly plans on marrying her and moving in with her tonight. LOL. She has so much personality and positive charisma. I came in here for breakfast I was a bit depressed, left full, happy, and in a way better mood. No amount of money is worth a good day. Now I'll have one. Thank you Aubrie. You're an amazing human! read more

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This is an older establishment but don't let that fool you. The service was great and the employees are charming. Food was plentiful and delicious. The order was out pretty quick too. read more

Uhm - not open during posted business hours. No sign, no notice, just locked and lights off. Terrible turn off and first impression. Not sure I'd ever bother considering checking it out again. read more

Normally; this joint would be great.... but the OWNER'S DAUGHTER needs quite a bit of brushing up on her " People Skills " to make me or my family wanna' go back. If a customer cannot eat there without being slighted or accepting abuse from either the owner or her daughter; then it's time to RUN to their competitor where you can be accepted for just " Being a Customer " !! * (Obviously; they really don't need the customers which is why this young woman probably thinks she can treat people any old which way ). In all fairness: It is NOT the owner that heaped abuse on us. She's kool. It's her DAUGHTER (who REALLY ) lets you know her mommy owns & runs the place. ***** AND, BELIEVE IT OR NOT : All this came about because of a LOUSY CUP OF COFFEE !!!! ( NOT the coffee, per se :...... The coffee is good. It's just what they served the coffee WITH !! FIRST OFF :.... A posit. / An axiom / A "Truism". ...... It's widely known and understood that coffee is coffee and coffee tastes good almost ANYTIME. However: De-Caf coffee does not follow the same epicurian guideline as regular coffee. In FACT:... DECAF coffee is best when consumed within the first 1/2 hour of brewing. After that 1st one-half hour, it loses it's flavor along with it's warmth and it actually DE-grades in taste and quality. THAT IS WHY DE-CAF MUST BE KEPT HOT AND FRESH to be served properly. All too many establishments try to " s-t-r-e-t-c-h " out the De-caf and keep it on the stove for 2, 3, 4 hours or more and THEN try to palm it off as new & F-R-E-S-H when that just AIN'T THE CASE ! A TRIED N' TRUE COFFEE - DRINKER KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE LIKE THE BACK OF HIS(HER) HAND ! The proof is in the puddin'. ( Or the coffee, in this case ) * Anyhow: What transpired is this: I wanted a cup of Decaf coffee. I drink decaf because I have tinnitus and caffeine causes the ringing in the ears to be worse. I asked if the decaf was fresh and the owners daughter said yes, absolutely. IT WAS NOT FRESH, NOR HOT. I told the waitress, but she said they will not make fresh decaf because it was too costly. I don't think so. Especially when you're paying $3.25 a cup. I asked the owners daughter about it. She said it was fresh and that they had some decafers, as she put it, earlier. So it was fresh. I asked the waitress how long has the decaf been there. Her response was that it had been there for awhile. Of course I did really know that by the taste. I cancelled the coffee. Then some people came in and one of them ordered decaf. She did drink one cup. I don't know what she said, if anything. One other person at the table decided on a cup of decaf a bit later. Next thing I see, is that the waitress was bringing a brand new pot of decaf over to them. I couldn't believe it. Which only means, they served me a cup from the end of the pot. The owners daughter is not only a liar, but a nasty nasty person. When my husband said a bag of coffee doesn't cost $3.25. Her response was"how do you know"? Well we do know. We operated a restaurant for years. We will never ever go back to such a poorly run place. PLUS: HER LAST RESPONSE WAS: " If you don't like it..... DON'T COME BACK " ! Like I said:..... PEOPLE-SKILLS...PEOPLE SKILLS.... PEOPLE SKILLS.;;;;;;; Guess it don't matter a diddley if MOMMA is your boss, Eh ????? read more

Bonnie's was a throwback to the diners of the past. Large servings and great food. I love the food and the staff were great in every aspect. I'll continue to come here as long as they're around. read more

Cute kitschy 50's themed restaurant. Pleasant people, ok food, pretty generous portions. My chicken salad was decent. My son liked his hash. Bathroom was not great. read more

Got feta omelette no olives and tomatoes with French toast order and it was a taste one but honestly I believe it's a little overpriced . Going to makes these at home ! ‍ read more

The food was extremely greasy - I could even eat the hashbrowns and the overall taste was very mediocre. I wasn't a fan at all. I won't be back. read more

My favorite childhood place. I use to come here as a child with my parents and younger brother. Recently went back with my boyfriend and the same waitress are still there from when I was a child. This place is still so good and customer service is awesome !!!! read more

This restaurant is El Cajon's best kept secret. The wait staff is on a first name basis with regular patrons. They have a varied menu with fast service and consistently good food. You feel like you are at your Mama's breakfast table. I highly recommend this down home and cozy restaurant. Prices are just right and the atmosphere and easy vibe will ensure that Bonny's will soon be a favorite spot for breakfast. read more

This place is the best. Great fresh food. BIG portions. Great price. And the best part is that the food comes out in about 5 minutes of ordering. Bonny's is awesome. Everything looks freshly made and so yummy! Thanks Bonny's! read more

I enjoy Bonnie's Cafe for the following reasons, not in any order: - Every menu item I have had is a full serving size. (Guessing 5 lunches and 4 breakfasts in last 4 years). - Everything tastes great; solid American diner food without goofy names and pretense. - All of the servers are friendly and willing to explain any questions you have about the menu. - If you like motion picture memorabilia and photos, you will love the atmosphere. - maybe there is something in the water ... even the customers are smiling. - Usually parking in the lot west of the restaurant. read more

Bonny's has been our breakfast GO-TO place ever since our friends recommended it. Fast, friendly service, local eggs, awesome biscuits and gravy. We have tried nearly everything on the bfast menu, and it's all good eats! read more

Stopped by while waiting for our car to be fixed, semi disappointing and it's a shame because they have much potential. 8:45 am in the morning and only three tables filled, we were the only brown people in there and although there was a vibe, it was more of curiosity than anything else. Everyone was over 75 and eating quietly. The place is decorated in 5o's everything...photos, decorative tins, signs, posters, you name it, they've pinned it to the wall. Everything was neat and clean, although I didn't visit the restroom. My husband ordered his usual ham and cheese omelet with hash browns and toast and like the other reviewer said, the bread wasn't toasted. The omelet was above average and delicious. I ordered the chopped sausage and scrambled egg special w/a biscuit and gravy and extra crispy hash browns. I don't believe the biscuit was homemade, although good, tasted as though they were provided by a food service company. The gravy if it wasn't homemade was tasty and not overly salty. The food was just decent, plain, old-fashioned comfort food. Not great, not bad, but filling and at a decent price. My major whine would be with the ridiculously bad customer service, I get it "Flo," maybe you wish you could retire and not be on your feet all day serving folks in this little diner, but if you're over being a friendly server, than take up another career. Like maybe as a mortician...oh wait, those folks still have a better personality than yours. We had an older brunette woman, who could've been a Latina (I hope not) who was just plain mean and patronizing. Yuck. The kind that call older folks "honey, sweetie" and think they're being nice.(Side note, she was wearing stockings with her Hooters shorts) Sadly, she couldn't even fake that she was happy to see us, her loss, I'm a great tipper. When we were leaving, the couple that came in right after us were asking about ordering oatmeal and she told them that it was instant. INSTANT oatmeal in a restaurant???? Isn't that what you come to a restaurant for? To not eat anything instant? I know it can't be that hard to make regular oatmeal and it taste so much better...Sorry Bonny, we'll eat somewhere else next time. Try Izzy's, they're a little further down the street and the service is waaay better. read more

Soda was flat. My Friends fish sandwich was microwaved. This is a senior citizen spot. We felt out of place.

I love Bonny's!! This is our after church spot, I really like the sandwiches and breakfasts, lotsa fries and big portions. The owner is very friendly and used to be a roller skate star, she always has a smile and keeps your tasty coffee topped off. read more

Good service, food was delicious, clean and basic! This isn't a super fancy place but it's cute and clean. I loved my meal and my husband wasn't disappointed either! He would normally find something to complain about but couldn't in this place! If I lived here this would be a regular spot. read more