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    CJ's Cafe

    3.9 (537 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Diners, Cafes
    Closed 6:00 am - 7:30 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    CJ's Cafe Photos

    CJ'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - CJ's Cafe

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    Fresh, Warm and yummy blueberry muffin  Just needed a cup of coffee, but we were done
    Michelle M.

    Hubby and I are on a clamping vacation. We went to one of our favorite spots and had a laye breakfast. As usual it was a busy popular place but we ordered, took a long while to wait for our food. But when it arrived it was good. My has browns a Lil mushy inside, but we were starving and ate away.my husband really enjoyed a fresh homemade warm muffin.. he had to take a photo Until our next visit

    Country omelette
    Lynn U.

    The food portions are large so come hungry The service was nice they were fully staffed for a busy morning and everyone was working as a team! The ambiance is typical American dinner. Most of the menu is available all day, especially for the little ones or picky eaters,

    Eggs Benedict and pancakes.
    Sean W.

    This is a solid place for breakfast. Great customer service. Food tasted good, it came out quick. Definitely will be going back.

    Early bird dinner option. Grilled chicken breast, mixed veggies, baked potato, garlic toast.
    Jan C.

    Breakfast is great and we adore the pineapple coconut muffins. Cafe ambiance with attentive and friendly wait staff. Another great deal is their famous early bird dinner menu served between 2 to 5 p.m. for $15.95. You get salad or soup, entree, veggies, a side, and garlic toast. Plus dessert. And on Thursday, there is a full rack of ribs for $21 or half a rack for $18. But call first to make sure they are serving and what time.

    Robert J.

    Went in at about 5 o'clock and tried the 7pc fish and chips and the CJ's Ocean Platter with a milkshake and piece of cake all for $60! It's worth it for every single thing in here and for the service and the calming environment you got yourself a weekly dinner or lunch or even breakfast (because they do it all!) spot! It's the place to be, thanks CJ's!

    My half of the burrito with sour cream and great salsa and fruit.
    Nancy T.

    Still love this place for breakfast. Thought it wouldn't be too crowded but it was. Only waited about 10 minutes. I got coffee right away and my husband go water. My husband had the chili verde omelette with fruit and English muffin. Sad it could have had more meat. I had the breakfast burrito with bacon and the hash browns on the side. Great salsa and sour cream. I always need more napkins which isn't a problem. Great service

    Tuna melt with Sweet Potato Fries 4/10 fries were good.
    Christy J.

    Busy place ! Service was slow food was not hot :( I do think it's family friendly with the amount of choices on the menu however I didn't like what I ordered it was tasteless and my drink was flat.

    Alex H.

    Overall, CJs is a great little cafe/diner in Arroyo Grande. Our friends highly recommended this place and it did not disappoint one bit. We came here early on a Saturday morning and the service was quick and friendly. My husband and I both ordered veggie and bacon omelettes and they were quite delicious! Their biscuit and gravy were also very good; the gravy was rich and creamy with the perfect consistency and thickness! Overall, I would absolutely come back here again for breakfast/brunch as it's a great locals spot with friendly service and wonderful food!

    fruit platter

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    Everything was great! Thanks for cleaning up our spilt milk and making my son a new one with whipped cream great customer service!

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    2 months ago

    Great Breakfast and Lunch menu with great service. The best cafe in Arroyo Grande. My favorite place to eat when I am in the area.

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    CJ's Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - CJ's Cafe

    Open for thanksgiving?

    Hi Debbi - No, we will not be open on Thanksgiving so that all our employees can enjoy the holiday with their families. We will re-open on Friday at 6 am!… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Rock & Roll Diner

    Rock & Roll Diner

    3.3
    (500 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    The 4-stars if for atmosphere and in-the-middle-of- nowhere location. Menu is basically hamburgers,…read morebut a few other things as a 3-star. And if you are in the area, south of Pismo Beach, this would be a fun place for a group to come and drink their alcohol and snack, 4-star. Two old rail cars from the pre-1960s. One a dining car and the other was a lounge car/bar. Bathrooms are outside. Location is right off the beach and I think it is off Hwy One on Railroad Ave. Open 8am - 8pm every day. Parking along the street...easy. Menu: Great breakfasts with that California/Mexican touch offering Machacha, tri-tips with eggs, Huevos Rancheros, Chorizo and Eggs and breakfast burritos. $16 - 22. And regular American style egg dishes, including omelets and scrambles. Lunch & dinner is burgers, salads, sandwiches, BBQ, and wings and the Greek influence (owner must be a Greek) of spanikopita, moussaka, lamb and shrimp dishes (up to $30). Surprising for a small place not on the main drag. Kids will love the experience and those of us who grew up with railroads, a trip on memory lane. Worth a visit.

    I should have known I was in trouble when the meal arrived on an old train car, because this dinner…read morewas a full-blown derailment. I ordered the beef ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, chili, and bread. The ribs had less flavor than the menu and were mostly fat and gristle. I spent more time excavating edible meat than actually eating it. The mashed potatoes were so chunky they could have qualified as landscaping material, and the gravy had the consistency of train-car axle grease. As for the chili, I'm about 99% sure it was straight out of a can of Dennison's. If you're going to serve canned chili, at least don't make it obvious. By the end of the meal, I felt like I'd paid for a first-class ticket and ended up riding in the baggage car. Save yourself the fare and steer clear of this train wreck. In response to Mario. Thank you for proving to everyone reading the reviews that I wasn't the problem. I criticized the food. You attacked the customer. Reviews help people decide where to spend their money. Your response probably helped more people than my review ever could.

    Photos
    Please wait to be seated.
    Please wait to be seated.
    Greek Burger 4.67676 stars!
    Greek Burger 4.67676 stars!
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    A-Town Diner

    A-Town Diner

    3.8
    (340 reviews)
    25.5 mi
    $$

    We decided at the last moment today to go to the movies on a Friday night. That brought back some…read morememories. I'd seen an ad for Hail Mary and found it at the Colony in A Town. We had time for dinner so off we went. Hum whats nearby the theatre, alot of places to eat really...we'd liked the A town diner before, the menu covers it all practically so...We parked seven o'clock the dinner tush had passed and in we went. We were seated at a small booth, perfect. Drink orders taken now we needed to decide what to eat. M went with a light breakfast offering a pancake, a scrambled egg and bacon. Hum it was dinner time dear, I needed more time. The fish & chips were the special and it was Good Friday but I went big with the hot pastrami sandwich. Fries are extra so I ordered the onion rings to accompany the sammie. Pretty quick the food was out of the kitchen and on the table in front of us, wow M dove right into that 7" pancake as soon as she finished pouring on the syrup. My sandwich was a hood size on a very soft french roll a good six inches Very tasty but I always think there should be more meat than bread, there was alot of bread in that roll. Where's the beef, right... Onion rings, nothing special your average frozen beer battered Moores onion ring served late but freshly hot. We had a good meal, good service and a fair price. Was it five star, no it was a good four star, we didn't need or want anything special. Now dessert was a calling from behind that glass display when we walked in the door but tonight the stomach and the wallet forgave. We were gonna need reason for movie concessions, right? Foodguy-Martin

    We showed up here not knowing they would be closing in 15 minutes. I wanted to leave because I…read morehated when that used to happen to me, but the very friendly server insisted we stay. I ordered a full breakfast and my wife ordered an ice cream sundae. Both were delicious, and service was super quick! We'll be back...during regular hours...soon!

    Photos
    A-Town Diner
    Three-Egg Omelet, "A-Town Cluck" -- Diced chicken breast, avocado, bacon and cheddar cheese.  2 thumbs up!
    Three-Egg Omelet, "A-Town Cluck" -- Diced chicken breast, avocado, bacon and cheddar cheese. 2 thumbs up!
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    Francisco’s Country Kitchen

    Francisco’s Country Kitchen

    3.4
    (98 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Went to dinner near this restaurant and decided to try it the next morning. I remember going to…read moreone on Halcyon near the 101 years ago. We got seated right away and a lovely young girl, got me coffee and my husband water. She kept them both filled during our stay. Our server was Alelina, she was OK. I had the bacon, avocado, cheese omelette with crispy hash browns and they were and wheat toast, which was pretty good. My husband had a ham and cheese omelette and the other sides same as me. He would have liked Peter jack cheese or at least a choice. The salsa was also very good, I put on my omelette. Remember a lot of places charge extra if you use a credit card. I did and it was an extra 4%. It's tough, breakfast used to be for two around $25 and now it's more like $50. I will keep it on the list of places we like to go. If, they also have a nice outside area to sit, especially if you have a large family.

    Completely ignored us after we got our menu. I asked if we could grab a table on the patio after we…read morestood there awkwardly for too long. Usually, they tell me to grab any seat I want when I've come in every other time. We did receive water. Lots of staff helping everyone around us. We left after 15 minutes. Bummer.. we were ready to order big time - super hungry. 11:15am Sunday 1/11/26. Such a shame because I like this place normally. Won't be back. We went down the street to Lil Bits. They were busier, but we were seated right when we walked up, and waters/order taken within 5 min. Super friendly staff. Food was fantastic with huge portions. Prices about the same, some items cheaper.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Rib eye steak and eggs
    Rib eye steak and eggs
    Outside the place

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    Outside the place
    Denny's

    Denny's

    2.9
    (231 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $
    Casual dining
    Kid friendly

    Great handicapped parking options. The table in the booths is quite tight on my belly and the…read moretables don't move. The second time I went here I asked if there were any booths that were deeper and he moved me over to the section behind the register where the tables have benches on one side and chairs on the other and the tables move. Thanks!! The first time I dined here got the old "IOnly One?" from the hostess, really? Being a single diner I get this a lot and it bothers me each and every time. Do better!! However, they did seat me at a 4-person table rather than one of the two-seaters, I appreciated the extra space. I ordered breakfast. They had a great deal for $9.99 french toast, bacon and eggs. I also ordered an iced mocha. I don't know how, but somehow the brioche bread of the french toast tasted like pancakes to me. I don't like pancakes. The bacon was as thin as possible but cooked nicely. The mocha was a bit too coffee-flavored, more chocolate would have made it better. The eggs were broken over hard but somehow they managed to make them rubbery. The next time I dined here I ordered the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and corn, just like in the menu picture!! I got butter on the side for the corn and I ordered a green salad but needed more dressing for the salad. I really love that I can get a crunchy salad at Denny's. They were pretty quick on the soda refills. The side of bread was yummy, cooked and seasoned just right. One thing I noticed is that they have a new menu and some of the great deals are gone. I used to get a good cheeseburger deal, no more. I guess inflation. I will definitely come here again, now I know to ask for a seat in the other section so my belly doesn't touch the table!!

    Located right off the 101 FWY off 4th St exit with plenty of parking. Approximately 1 mile from…read moreDowntown. I placed an order online and picked up. My food was ready at the time promised regardless of how busy the restaurant was. I ordered their 'Cinnamon Roll Pancakes' with a coffee'. My food was hot and fresh, and tasted amazing with that authentic Denny's flavor. The restaurant was clean and organized. It's always a great feeling seeing a Denny's as they're open 24 hrs. Service was friendly, fast and efficient this Sunday night. Overall, I had a good experience at this location and will return when in town.

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    Denny's
    Denny's
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    Charlies Restaurant

    Charlies Restaurant

    4.2
    (265 reviews)
    31.1 mi
    $

    A Hidden Gem in Los Alamos! After a scenic drive through the beautiful backcountry roads of the…read moreSanta Ynez Valley, my travel partner and I found ourselves in Los Alamos, searching for a sweet treat. With not much open around us, we turned to Google for help and stumbled upon Charlie's Restaurant. What a fantastic surprise! My friend ordered a chocolate pineapple milkshake--a creative blend not listed on the menu. She thought it would be a delightful combination, and she was absolutely right. Meanwhile, I went for the Nachos Supreme, and let me tell you, they are hands down the best nachos I've ever had at 70 years old! The chips were perfectly crisp, topped with homemade refried beans, creamy sour cream, cheese, fresh guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. Each bite was a flavor explosion! The restaurant itself isn't flashy; in fact, it took us a moment to spot the sign, which was partly hidden by a hedge. But stepping inside was a treat! We chose to sit in the charming garden, where a lovely mural added to the ambiance. The dining room is small and rustic, creating a cozy atmosphere that felt inviting. The service was exceptional, with a friendly young couple attending to us. The young man even took the time to sit with us, asking where we were from and sharing tips about nearby treasures. It's refreshing to experience such genuine, old-fashioned customer service these days. I can't recommend Charlie's enough! Their extensive menu is full of tempting options, and the mouthwatering aromas made it hard to resist trying more. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area--perhaps for those onion rings next time! The bathroom had a sign on the wall with a picture of a toilet saying please seat yourself If you're in Los Alamos, don't miss out on this hidden gem!

    Great food, just not a fan of thin fries. They always seem over cooked to a crisp. BURGER was…read moredelicious, service was great, area was clean ( thank the birds for any dropped food ) Also had great company that comes with the place Charlie the cat! If u like cats and burgers this is the place for you! The staff is great, kind and sweet. Patio is shaded with big umbrellas definitely a wonderful place for outdoor dining. Will be back!

    Photos
    Charlies Restaurant
    Breakfast Burrito Chorizo
    Breakfast Burrito Chorizo
    Building front

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    Building front
    Pappy's Restaurant

    Pappy's Restaurant

    3.7
    (371 reviews)
    16.7 mi
    $$

    Sometimes all a guy wants is breakfast for dinner, and Pappy's 101 absolutely delivered…read more I ordered the steak and eggs, and the top sirloin was the star of the show. It was tender, flavorful, and actually looked like it came from a cow instead of a lab experiment. The eggs were cooked exactly how I ordered them, which shouldn't be noteworthy but somehow is these days. The hashbrowns were crispy, well-cooked, and managed the rare feat of not doubling as a sponge for a gallon of fryer oil. The only hiccup was our server, who apparently had an active restraining order against our table. Drink refills and check-ins were few and far between. Thankfully, the rest of the staff noticed we had been abandoned and jumped in to save the day. They kept the coffee flowing and made sure we had everything we needed. In the end, the food was excellent, the rest of the staff picked up the slack, and I left full, happy, and already thinking about what I'll order next time. If breakfast for dinner is your thing, Pappy's 101 is worth the trip.

    So to start off our waiter had a nasty attitude, if you can't provided good customer service then…read morewhy work in a job that is surrounded by that? I don't know her name but she was a taller Hispanic lady who just didn't enjoy her job at all. So that immediately through the vibe off Once the food came out the guacamole on my Huevos Rancheros was dark green so it was very old guacamole on there, the entire plate looked like mush and it was very watery and runny. My wife's pancakes were horrible, the cooks for some odd ball reason must've been lazy or on a shortage of brain cells cause they stacked the pancakes with the bacon strips in the middle (bacon was chewy and seemed re heated in the microwave) and then finally they put the soggy eggs on the very top of the pancakes so the entire experience was horrible If I could leave no stars I would. I wish I could get my $40 back because that food wasn't even worth $10 This place used to be so good and now it's gone downhill bad.

    Photos
    Tri- Tip sign recommendation
    Tri- Tip sign recommendation
    Tri Tip Sandwich (@joeynht)
    Tri Tip Sandwich (@joeynht)
    The bait n switch omlete....inside was rotten Avocado.

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    The bait n switch omlete....inside was rotten Avocado.

    CJ's Cafe - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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