Awesome diner we went for breakfast and it was spot on. Large portions so don't order too much.

We were in a hurry to have breakfast before catching a flight back to Boston. The service was fantastic and the food was just as good! We will make a point of returning to Clayton's when we are next in San Diego. read more

Love this place! It never disappoints! Had coffee and different breakfast options. I once had a crossaint and avocado toast! It was yummy!!! The salsa was okay because I'm Mexican and it wasn't that spicy. read more

We love to come here for breakfast. It has the look and feel of a 40's diner, complete with juke box that can be activated from your table, and a phone booth in the back. Today my wife got the Combi, with delicious sausage and scrambled eggs, and panCAKES. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and tasted like cake. I originally ordered the chicken fried steak, which was dried out and tasted frozen and reheated. Alisha, however, saved the day by getting me a different meal (pancake combo) and letting me finish the eggs and hash browns while I waited for pancakes. Good food, good service, be prepared for a bit of a wait. read more

Love Claytons. Go there at least once or twice a year. We would go more often if it were closer.

Breakfast here on 6/21/17 while bike shopping. Place was full but only waited 20 minutes for a table. Hostess was efficient and pleasant and the wait time was exactly what she said it would be. Inside is warm and noisy, just what a 50's diner/coffee shop should be. Wife had eggs bennie and I had chorizo and cheese omelette. Both were good as was the coffee. Service was friendly and prompt. Although the joint was jammed, server checked on us regularly and coffee guy kept my cup full. It was a real madhouse, but the staff made things run smoothly. Kudos to these folks who can bring order to chaos in such tight quarters! read more

An easy walk past lots of cute shops in Coronado. I was just one, so I easily sat myself at the counter. Loved the retro feel. Once I got my menu, the service was fast and the food was well-cooked and delicious. Would NOT be the place to linger over your coffee and paper, though read more

No Bueno! We waited 25 mins for two hot chocolates, mine was suppose to be a Mexican hot chocolate, but it's a regular hot chocolate that is more milk than chocolate!! I wouldn't recommend, but we may have caught them at the wrong time, nevertheless it was NOT a good experience and we didn't even get an apology. read more

Friendly service, good food. The wait can be crazy sometimes but there's also a to-go window on the side for quick snacks and pastries. I'd go back there again the next time I'm at Coronado Island. Desserts and pastries there are amazing! read more

Good stop choice for breakfast before the Antiques Roadshow. Will be back anytime we head to the island. Good food at a good price. read more

3 stars for food, 0 stars for service. While staying in my boyfriend was staying in San Diego for a business trip we decided to venture out and ended up in Coronado. We stumbled upon Clayton's and we were so excited to try a local coffee shop. It was around 7pm on a Tuesday night, and we walked in, we waited for someone to knowledge us but the waitresses were busy chitchatting in the back. We noticed an empty spot at the bar and sat ourselves down, we scanned the menu and were deciding on what to eat and drink. Finally we hear a waitress tell another waitress to "ask us what we want". So we order two vanilla lattes and some food. My boyfriend and I were talking enjoying ourselves, when these group of teens walked in, there was a table available in the corner but the waitress then looked at us and asked us to move so the teens can sit at the bar. I was a bit annoyed since she didn't ask very nicely, or even offer us the booth as an exchange. Finally our drinks came out and we ordered a coke and water as well. During our entire meal we were only checked up on once, when our glasses were empty I had to flag down the waitress who again was in the back chitchatting with the others . And when I did it was like I was bothering her or something. We left totally disappointed, and wished we had gone somewhere else to eat more comfortable and like we weren't bother the waitresses. Overall probably will not be returning if we are ever in the area. Sad to say because we absolutely loved how cute the diner was. read more

Amazingly friendly service here. I came for breakfast and because I had so much time, I sat around having coffee for 45 minutes before ordering. I had the ChaCha's chorizo burrito and it was delicious. Big and filling. If I lived here I would become a regular. read more

Definitely a good stop! We ate breakfast and supper. Portions are awesome and we rarely go back to a place that isn't really good. Home cooked, fun, takes you back to another place and time. read more

I just love Coronado. I truly do. And the main thing I love about Coronado (besides the Coronado couple of the year 2013, of whom I spend most of my 'nado time with), is the fact that it feels so old-school neighborhood-y, but also has some really hip + trendy flair. Every "niche" seems to be covered here: the town market, the town movie theater, the town card shop, etc. And let me tell you, if there is a town coffee shop, Clayton's is it! Now, my 'nado friend absolutely LOVES this place. She stops here almost every morning, sometimes just getting a beverage, and sometimes hitting a complete homerun with their croissant sando. It is huge, but covers all of the main food groups: wonderful bread (croissant), fluffy egg, cheese, and meat of choice. Enough to keep one full for the whole day! Or at least until lunch. Girls got to eat, dig? As for me, I have had the great pleasure of having the Soy Dirty Chai + Acai Bowl. Please. If you do anything I tell you- get this. Just so great. The SDC was fuel enough to haul me, my twig bitch friend + fat amy all the way through an ill-advised Potato Chip Hike, and the Acai Bowl the next day just satisfied my soul. Indeed, Clayton's can do their coffee, butz they canz do their food. All good in the 'Nado Hood. read more

Wait was long, although worth it. Tons of character starting from the exterior look and vibe to the old-school counter service and ornamental juke boxes. Waffles, bacon, scrambled eggs, coffee and fresh OJ we're all excellent. The booth seating has a bit if a sinking feeling so some adults may feel like they need booster chairs...Our foursome was told 35 minute wait which ended up at 45 minutes in reality. Definite go-to when in Coronado, just plan for the time ! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Tons of character! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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Just left the restaurant. No greeting when you walk in, no sign immediately visible that says sit where you like. Girl asks if I'm ready to order as soon as I sit, I haven't even been given a menu. Food was fine. And then I was given the bill right after I was done eating. A minute later I'm asked if I'm paying cash or card. No one is waiting to be sat otherwise I would understand being rushed out. She needs to leave how to time out the ending of service. That type of attitude and service will not get her far in life. read more

Service was great and the pancakes were amazing! We specifically came back for pancakes after eyeing someone's pancakes the last time we were there. They were worth the trip back. We loved the strawberry milkshake as well. Yum! read more

extremely mediocre food, over priced for the quality and when we asked our waitress for recommendations she said she "can't give recommendations but can give us options"? i don't know the difference but didn't appreciate the attitude. you're paying for a 50s themed ambiance-not much else. read more

I come here every once in awhile and it's always great! I got their blueberry Pie and Mexican mocha today and it was Amazing! I love the environment and will be coming back soon! read more

Clayton would be bummed! Read on if you're curious why someone who used to go here, more than a few times, will never go back again. I'm confident that a place stayed open this long because it was built on fundamentals: service & quality. QUALITY: Denny's (at best). There's no love in the product - it's just a "get it out" mentality and that comes across. SERVICE: which would lead you to believe it's all about service, right? Ha. This place is the poster child for "what happens to a culture of employees when they get "fat" (and I mean that in the psychological way of course, this isn't a parlor room review;). They've obviously lost touch with what the breakfast experience is all about and relegates themselves to the idea that : "we're so important that people will come no matter how shitty I treat them and how poor the quality of my product is". Cancerous, and will prove to be fatal eventually, like in my case. I'd put up with this bravado because of the aesthetic novelty of the place. It's a fun throwback. But this time when the waitress threw my coffee mug, slammed the dishes rudely while storming off because she said something to me in Spanish (which I was supposed to understand apparently) and I didn't follow along? Shocked by this behavior and the fact that I was forced to now uncomfortably address this, I got the manager involved. Their response? Nothing. Apparently par for the course. When I probed as to why "nothing" - the manager says to me ... Wait for it ... THAT SHE WAS APPALLED AT HOW I HANDLED IT!?". And then raised her voice while saying this so that not only was it uncomfortable, but now it was public and I was being embarrassed to boot! wtf?? Ha! .. Apparently calling them out on abhorrent behavior as a paying customer is totally out of line. I didn't eat my food, paid my bill in full, and will never go back. Professional entitlement is such a bummer; such a let down when its happening to you. 1 star for them with a long BOOOOOO so it doesn't happen to you. If there was a Clayton I would like to believe that he'd cry if he knew what his vision of the client's experience had become. read more

very sad to say that I'll never come back here again...Im a Coronado local (15 years) and this used to be called "the Coffee Shop", until they decided to remodel, change the staff, and turn into an arrogant newly remodeled Coronado town. This used to be our daily Sunday with the grandparent outing for pancakes and coffee. It no longer is after my experience last sunday. I was really embarrassed to have brought my Fiance to this place , and telling him all about how cool the place is because it is old-fashioned, cheap, and in my neighborhood...The waitress served him Decaf-Coffee, with a really long face to say the least. After she almost passed us by again for a re-fill she was going to pour Regular- and my Fiance stopped her quickly before she poured- and She still poured it and snapped at him in SPANISH for some reason, because he has dark hair! is that considered racism?- "I had already asked you and you said Yes" , which does not make any sense..and she threw the coffee cup with total disgust and rudeness. So we called for the manager , and she was so arrogant and dismissive!! I was in total shock as to how we where being treated. the manager answered like she was pissed off at us " Ill take care of it", in a snarly way. So my fiance later asked her what she had done about it, because she never came back or anything...all we saw was that all the waiter/waitresses kept whispering to each other and laughing. The energy in the stuffy place rose! He asked her what she had done about it and she replied , not giving us the time of day," its in House at this point" Her mannerisms and non-verbal communication were really insulting and humiliating. HE paid for the check and we left, and we heard her snarl off "this is probably not the right place for us..."!!!!!!! OMG!!!! This has turned into a cheaper version of a Denny's (sorry Denny's)- with tacky service and ridiculously un-healthy food. So if you want to get fat and eat cheap "wanna-be" classy, come here! read more

The food was good. Had the chorizo burrito with feta cheese and avocado. Very tasty and can be shared. The service was terrible except for the hostess or girl that seats you. The server saw me sit at the bar area and asked if I was ordering to go. Not friendly at all. Another server had me unplug my phone from the wall. Encountered her on the way back from the restroom and she acted like I was in her way, very awkward. Don't understand how you can work as a server and expect a tip without at least being courteous. read more

My server was SO nice and friendly and the coffee was great, but the owners really put me off. I was sitting within ear shot of them as they were having a meal, and they didn't smile (at anyone) once and just gave off really negative vibes. They look genuinely unpleasant. I glanced over at one point and the husband gave me a dirty look for no apparent reason. I never heard a single please or thank you to their employee who was serving them. If they lack the basic manners to say thank you then it makes me question how else they treat their employees. Very unpleasant and sour looking people. It's a shame because the diner itself is worth a visit and is very charming. read more

Yummy standard diner fare. Big with military guys apparently as the tables were filled with them. Atmosphere is better than the food. I love the classic diner decor with the cute aprons for sale and the fun waitresses. Food was decent, just not anything to write home about. read more

I went down to San Diego with my friends for a daytrip and decided to grab a snack during rush hour so that we weren't stuck in traffic on our way back up to LA. We found parking right next to the cafe/diner [meter]. The place looked decent inside and out. The aprons that the waitresses were wearing and on a coat rack we're really cute. Now don't think that this place is getting a 5 star from me, things went downhill once we sat down at our booth. There were 2-4 flies that were hovering around our side of the cafe/diner which were pretty annoying. Their menu is quite big, however we didn't have that much of an appetite so we ended up ordering their blueberry pie and a side of baked mac and cheese. The waitress brought my friends blueberry pie over fairly quick however as she brought it over she apologizes that the pie fell apart. When my friend ordered it she asked for it warm and with the ice cream on the side. We take a look and it looks all smushed and it wasn't even warm. The waitress had to ask again if we wanted it warm and we say yes. When she brings it back it still looks the same and my whole table just stared at the blueberry pie as if it was some enigma. The waitress should've just cut a new slice and presented it. We finally try it and it wasn't even good, tasted like Robitussin. The ice cream didn't even come with it. My baked mac and cheese was a bit better than the blueberry pie. They must've just microwaved it because the cheese was a bit rubbery and you could tell it wasn't really freshly made. Oh and might I add that the waitress didn't even bring us extra place settings. We were a table of four and we only had two place settings until we asked and when we did one of the utensils were dirty! I won't be going back there again. If you still want to try this place after reading my review I recommend ordering their milkshakes. The milkshakes looked good when the waitress brought it over to the booth next to ours. Not sure about the taste though. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - How the blueberry pie came [fallen apart] - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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Enjoyed a great comfort food breakfast here. Classic diner feel, great service and delicious food. I had the Mexican eggs Benedict and my wife had the chorizo scrambler. Sit at the counter if you want the real diner experience. read more

We've been coming to Coronado for 20 years on and off and we never gave this coffee shop a try until last year. We were blown away by their great breakfast and excellent baked goods. The apple pie and donuts are as good as you will find anywhere. Long waits on weekends and summertime detract, but well worth a wait of 20 minutes. I would put Clayton's on par with Harry's Coffee Shop in La Jolla (minus Harry's EXCELLENT cinnamon rolls). read more

Wow. Just had a great breakfast. The corn beef hash was so good. Darlene gave us excellent service too! Definitely coming back. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

This place looks neat from the outside...very old-school. We were in Coronado for the weekend and this place caught our eye the first time we drove past it. We went there for breakfast on a Thursday morning around 10:30...not a huge rush time, like it might have been on a Saturday. When we walked in, NOT ONE PERSON even looked at us in acknowledgment, as if to say with an expression even, "We'll be right with you," or "Hi...I see you there...give me a minute." NOTHING. It was so odd, as if we were invisible. We waited there inside in the front of the restaurant for almost 5 minutes and finally, when no one even made eye-contact with us, I had to go up to someone to ask if we were to seat ourselves (there had been an empty booth in the back from when we walked in) or if we should wait to be seated. The woman told me that we could sit down as soon as she cleaned the table in the back. 5 more minutes go by....no one touches the dirty table as we are waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting....she doesn't touch it, the busboy doesn't touch it, the other waiters don't touch it and there we are....standing and waiting. FINALLY she gets around to cleaning it off, but doesn't tell us she's done so. We happened to notice. So, without being addressed by anyone, we went ahead and sat down. And waited AGAIN without anyone even glancing in our direction...for ANOTHER five minutes! No water, no smile, no hello, not even a gesture. In the interim, a booth opened up toward the front of the restaurant. It was bussed right away, some people sat down right away, had their orders taken right away, and got their drinks right away. No one had even looked at us yet. WTF? So I get up and go up to the same woman again, asking if there is a waitress or waiter for our table. She mumbled something and then a couple of minutes later, came over apologizing. She was very nice to us, but honestly, it was so late in the game, it did little to turn our experience around. Once we got someone to acknowledge us, the service was fine. The food was mediocre at best. The cream-cheese cinnamon roll that we ordered as a special, decadent treat to share tasted like a cheap, store-bought, dry cinnamon role with cream cheese slathered on top. Not great or really even kind of good. We were so disappointed. We had been excited to try this cute place. If they did it right, starting off with a smile maybe when someone walks in...I think they could have a real gold mine here. Too bad. read more

i love you, oh yes i do! And why do i love thee---because their breakfasts are spectacular-no...but because its a lil mom and pop place that serve good breakfast -and it's cheap--who can complain when you can get 2 eggs 3 pieces of bacon 4 pieces of toast and hashbrowns for under $6..not I. Good service and good food. I come here after I run on Saturdays( which I guss defeats the purpose of the run.....) and never have trouble finding a seat in the morning. Sure beats the diner next store..beach and something or other...that is forgettable...but Claytons puts that extra pep in my step! read more

first, i think it's awesome that it just says COFFEE SHOP on the outside. i love the look and feel of this local piece of history. feels like you're stepping in a time warp. they ran out of their homemade apple pie when we stopped in, which made me sad. but it was all better when i had their strawberry milkshake. wow. delicious. seriously. blueberry pie was good, too. didn't get to try much that day, but next time i'm in coronado i'll come back hungrier. read more

I searched this place by yelp and had lunch today and i had terribly bad impression of a waiter. she was nice to other people but not us. Her attitude was just so full of ignorance and arrogant. She asked other people about more water or other services but not us. When we are leaving that place she even didn't say bye. she just stand in front of us and staring at us. We were the only asians at that restaurant and we felt racism when we leave that place. We didn't do anything wrong but we felt like we did something guilty. I will never go there AGAIN. read more

If there was an option for a zero I would have given that. I came to eat with my husband. Which we were looked over for a few minutes and watched the servers attend to others that came in after we did. Once we got the menus and ordered. I got the Reuben and the meat was extremely tough. My husband ordered a burger which was not a 1/3 lb And it was hockey puck well done.(my husband eats med rare). I'm guessing the only temp you serve is well done. The servers were not friendly at all. At least not to my party of 2 anyhow. I have never been to eat on Coronado island and thought it would be nice to get a bite at a little diner. And it was a definite mistake. As we get our bill and pay. We didn't even get a second glance or a thanks for coming or have a nice day. My husband is an executive chef and I am a sous chef. I have never been treated so rude by others in the industry. For sure I won't be back. read more

It provided a nice atmosphere but I've had better!! The diner was pretty dirty, there were stains everywhere as if they don't thoroughly clean. The food was mediocre, I ordered a grilled cheese and ham..frankly, I've had better!! The service was good, our server was nice..don't think I'd come back though. read more

I visited Clayton's for a coffee recently to try a local place instead of going to Starbucks. I decided to try their iced nonfat dirty chai and was glad I did. I was pleasantly surprised that their dirty chai was better than Starbucks. I will be sure to get at least one more before my trip is over. :) In the same day, my mom and I stopped by to grab a sandwich to go from the window. I am not sure how many people they had working the window, but it sure took longer than it should have to make an ice cream cone for the person in front of us and they made the wrong one the first time, so it took even longer. Once it was our turn, we ordered the egg salad sandwich for $6.95. When I was told how much I owed, it sounded higher than it should have been with tax at that price. Therefore, my mom nicely asked how much is your tax, the sandwich is $6.95. The person in the window said, your sandwich is $7.50 to which we replied it says $6.95 on the sign out here. Now I am not cheap and know that is not a big difference, but you should always charge people the advertised price which in his case was $6.95. If the prices on the menu have been updated then they need to update the prices on their sign outside. I would give 4 stars for the dirty chai, but the sandwich experience brought it down to 3 stars. read more

Ambiance/Decor/Atmosphere : 5/5 (really liked the jukeboxes !!!!) Service : 5+/5 FOOD: 0/5 Pricing 2/5 The server was very kind and attentive. I've never been offered a to go water before and I thought that was the sweetest gesture. My only problem is the food quality. I got the Turkey pot pie, and it was one of the worst restaurant food experiences I've ever had. Not fit for my dog to eat. Poor tasting breading, gravy on the side (hint: gravy goes inside), and the turkey and veggies were just flavorless and outright miserable. Two other entrees were ordered and at my table (one of which was a burger) and my friends complained about the food taste/quality. I can assume it's better for breakfast (hard to screw that up) but the pricing is a bit silly. The milkshakes were just OK, and it's sad that these are the best things on the menu. If only the food were better tasting this place would be AWESOME. It has everything else going for it. read more

Excellent! Super fun atmosphere like an ole time diner. Service was very good and food came out fast. We went for breakfast. I had a 2 egg omelet, which was still huge. My husband had eggs. We both had the homemade sausage which is fantastic. Just enough spice for a kick. I had hot chocolate that was served in a cute cup and saucer with sprinkles. On an island full of restaurants, we will come back here at least one more time. Maybe for a homemade milkshake! read more

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I've been here both times I've been to Coronado and I highly recommend it! The place was originally opened in the 1940's and still maintains the old school charm. Complete with a juke box playing oldies and a wrap around table for people to sit at the bar, it feels like you've been taken back in time. The caramel macchiatos are the best coffee drinks I've ever had. This time I has the acai bowl which almost felt like a berry sorbet with fruit and granola on it. It definitely satisfied my sweet tooth. My boyfriend enjoyed his sausage breakfast sandwich and a side of corned beef hash. I'd love to come back the next time I'm near San Diego. read more

Acai smoothie was perfectly blended, not too icey and not too watery

Meh...the food is okay. Nothing to really get excited about. It's because of this that I don't understand the lengthy wait. I have a feeling it's because there's not a whole lot of good restaurants on the island and this is one of the better places...unfortunately. The atmosphere is also very uncomfortable and cramped. If you've been to the Apple Pan in LA think of that except the food is nowhere near as good. (I understand waiting in line for that place.) Don't think I'll be going back here. read more