Crest Cafe

3.4 (1.5k reviews)

ModerateCafes, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch

Open • 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

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CREST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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Inside

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Outside

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Casual

Moderate noise

Happy hour specials

Outdoor seating

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Hanafi M.

James was just wonderful, so pleasant. Easy parking close by. Big, super huge menu, and merciful to your wallet. Been coming here for years and never once regretted doing so. Indoor/Outdoor dining. Excellent background music featuring the greatest hits from the 80's & 90's.

Omar R.

Great spot, great customer service, and really chill vibe. It feels like your local mom and pop's neighborhood cafe, where they treat you like family. The service is really good and they can make good recommendations on their food. I would definitely visit again while in town. The only thing I hated was the public parking. $15 for two hours. Not their fault but parking is pricey in the neighborhood.

Richard M.

I've eaten here for many years and discovered a new dish advertised in a local newspaper. It's hash brown egg bowl. It's very very good. The hashbrowns are pushed into a ramekin and I suppose baked in the oven giving them a very crisp edge and sides. And then the bowl is filled with eggs and bacon and cheese and topped with green onions. It's absolutely fantastic.

Juicy Lucy burger pride special with onion rings!

Jeff S.

Best fried chicken and waffles ever, great home cooking. Love so many of the things here including their pastas, burgers, salads, breakfasts. Everything is great! One of my favorite restaurants and I've been coming here for over 30 years now regularly.

Adrian L.

Crest Cafe in San Diego is a well known local spot that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so expectations were definitely a little higher going in. I ordered the western omelette and honestly had no complaints, it was good and exactly what you'd expect from a solid diner breakfast. We also got an order of stuffed jalapeños and those were good too, probably one of the better items we tried. The apple slices cinnamon French toast was good but kind of underwhelming, not bad, just nothing memorable. One thing that did stand out was that the French toast didn't come with eggs, bacon, or sausage, so those had to be ordered separately. The iced white chocolate mocha was solid and enjoyable. That said, the biggest downside was the price. It came out to about $80 for two people including tip, which feels like a lot for breakfast. The food itself was average breakfast food, nothing bad, but definitely not $80 worth. For that price, I was expecting something more standout or unique. Overall, it's not a bad spot and I can see why people like it, but for the value, I don't think it fully lives up to the hype. Maybe worth trying once, but not somewhere I'd go out of my way to return to.

Cindy R.

Always open! It's a nice cozy spot to get some breakfast but if you're in the mood for some brunch or even dinner! You can definitely get it here. Service was amazing, they kept checking in on us which was great and they delivered with food. If you ever want the pancakes and don't know which one to get I recommend the pancake sampler, it'll help you choose next time for which pancakes you'll like more. They're open 7am -10pm daily, only thing for me was the parking situation, but never hurts to walk a little bit to get more hungry.

Tanner G.

Crest Cafe is a fun brunch spot smack-dab in Hillcrest; however, I think I had an off day. I got the EGGS BENEDICT. Eggs were undercooked, English Muffins were soggy, and the hollandaise sauce was kind of grainy and lacking flavor. I've been here a few times (first time getting this), and it's all been great on past visits. My PEPPERMINT MOCHA was tasty, perfect temperature and sweetness. And the sip from my friend's BLOODY MARY was also great (kind of wish I got one too). The vibe has a cozy classic diner feel and the service is warm and welcoming. They all seem pretty close to each other, which adds to the comfort feel.

Sunrise Salmon Scrambler with a side of English muffins.

Monique L.

We stopped Crest Cafe and had breakfast. We both had the Salmon Sunrise but different variations. I had the scramble and he had the omelette. With this you get 2 choices of sides. I had two English muffins and he had a side of sourdough and homefries. Them homefries were magnifique okay. I wish I had ordered them as my second side. The salmon scramble was really good too. The portion size was enough for me to take half home and eat it for breakfast tomorrow. The sourdough was good too. It came out toasted and buttered. It wasn't too busy. We came in around 10a on a Sunday and were seated immediately. The service was good too. Our servers were super nice.

Chris S.

Always hits the spot and made to order. Great service. Ortega omelette is the best and drip coffee is lovely.

Editha Q.

The waitress was very nice but my biscuits and gravy did not look so great and it was very salty. I will not be returning although it looks cute from the outside.

Bacon,eggs, and hash browns with a side of pancakes

Trevor T.

Grabbed some breakfast after a show at Finest City Improv(see review) and it was empty. Love having a place to myself. Definitely a throwback diner which I appreciate because a lot of restaurants like this one shut down during the pandemic. Wooden booths so hope your butt has padding. No issues with the bathroom and there was an inspirational message in their that was nice. The food was just fine and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Nothing out of the ordinary, but I believe better than a Denny's. Had food that I could take ToGo, but didn't think it was worth it. They serve alcohol so was nice having an adult beverage while eating hash browns.

Kevin G.

Open every day of the year. I wanted breakfast on Christmas morning and this was open at 7am. Had a humongous 4egg scramble/omelet thing what had jalapeno and chimichurri sauce. Got the home fries and black beans. Everything was quite good. I had the place to myself for 30 minutes or so but then it started getting busy. Great little diner.

Douglas G.

My first time to visit and eat at Crest and I was very impressed. I was greeted with a smile and an offer of coffee. The coffee was one of the best I've had in a restaurant. The menu is extensive and they have something for everybody's taste. I ordered the beer brisket chilli served piping hot. It was topped with sour cream, cilantro, red onion chopped in small pieces, jack cheese and a very fresh sliced avocado. The tortillas were hot in a foil wrapper. This chilli hit the spot with many different tasting notes and was very appealing on the eyes. Looking around the restaurant is very clean and efficiently operated with a talented staff. I must return to try the many different items on the menu in the future.

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Joe M.

13 years ago

Delicious food great service. Ask for Fabiola she is amazing and always have a smile on. Definitely coming back here again.

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Todd S.

275

13 years ago

We've been here many times -- breakfast, lunch and dinner. Always leave with full tummies and smiles on our faces. Today I had the Aubry's Salami Crestwich: gouda, pastrami, salami, spinach, tomatoes, and avocado on a cheese toasted pretzel roll. Sounds weird, I know. Tastes GREAT!! Also, Angie was our server. She ROCKED! And if Crest Cafe were to bottle their pesto vinaigrette salad dressing, I'd always have a few bottles around the house. read more

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Kathy A.

13 years ago

Only been here twice and ordered the Pesto Veggie both times. Incredibly delicious. Love this place. Would highly recommend it. Try the Basil Vinaigrette for your salad. YUM read more

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J C.

471

12 years ago

Yeah it was ok. One of my favorite breakfasts since I was a young boy was Eggs Benedict and I'm compelled to order it whenever I see it on a menu. I had it here and it was fine. The price ($12.75) was higher than many of their other items so the value wasn't great. If I come back I'll definitely try a different dish. read more

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Camille G.

161

12 years ago

I had the Tucson Benedict today and it fed my belly and soul:) real food made with love! Also best soup for rainy days

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Ashley P.

11 years ago

We walked in as a party of three and were greeted and seated immediately. Our server was friendly and we were served very quickly! I ordered the creme brûlée French toast which was amazing! My husband ordered the butter burger and he loved it. Our friend ordered the chicken and waffles and he loved them. Our whole experience was great. If I lived in the area I would totally come back. Remember when you are reading reviews, there are just some people that will nit-pick everything. All I can say is that our experience was great, the food was great and I would definitely recommend The Crest Cafe to friends. read more

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Cecelia M.

Ashley! Really happy to hear how much you and yours enjoyed the…

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Shannon S.

11 years ago

Went back to Crest Cafe tonight with friends for another great dinner tonight! ! Loved the Sam the Cooking Guy's Blueberry Biscuit Bundt French toast!! Loved it...again!! Can't wait to try them again!! read more

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Blake G.

101

11 years ago

Mitch alone deserves 5 stars for his excellent service. This place is classic Diner style, breakfast-lunch-dinner, and is on point. Nice that they are open late as well. If I'd have to complain about anything, it's def the loud club music vibrating the walls from the bar next door. Not their fault, and we'll be back to Crest again soon. read more

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Cecelia M.

Blake, we'll let Mitch know he got a shout-out from you! It sounds…

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Ana R.

11 years ago

Every time we visit San Diego, this is our breakfast/ brunch/lunch place. Food is always great and beats other places we've been to. Almost always, there is fresh fruit on the side. Chicken Quesadilla is my hubby's fav. Mediterranean chicken salad was awesome with champagne vinegrette. Their Cuban sandwich is actually my favorite.... Very rich in flavor you need to workout next day to burn the calories. Croissant pudding with vanilla topping is so good I wish I didn't split it with my husband . Place gets busy so almost always there is a line. Seating is also tight like they think everyone who enter is petite. read more

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Ivana M.

10 years ago

Fast and ok service. The flavour was just not there for me... My Creme Brule French Toast was swimming in pool of liquid mixture that contained creme. I like my French Toast with Creamy sauce not soaked in and almost desolving. Tables are to close, could barely get in and out. Not a fan... read more

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Cecelia M.

Ivana,…

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Shiquita J.

153

10 years ago

Food was delicious. Big portion sizes. Suggest you really be hungry when you go to this restaurant.

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Cecelia M.

Thanks for the kind words Shiquita. We think big meals are the best…

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Kate R.

10 years ago

I went to Crest Cafe with my Dad for the first time today. I am a waitress myself and I know the ins and outs of working at a place like this which has a diner / cafe vibe going. The food was super delicious and the staff was really friendly. However, the manager Cecilia was really intense and unfriendly. Our poor server was in the weeds and she continued to yell at her across the floor in front of guests. She later came up to us to take an order and was very unpleasant to my Dad when he was asking simple questions. I probably would give this place 5 stars but the manager made the atmosphere intense. Beware! read more

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William M.

16 years ago

Lemon ricotta pancakes. Not like the ones mama used to make because these actually make me want to trade my mama in. JK. But they are really delicious!!! read more

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Laura G.

16 years ago

Waiters and staff very friendly!!!! Very nice and great attitude. The food is good and u will find something for everyone. The only downside of this place is that it's a little small and therefore the tables are very close to each other, it will feel like u are in a group even if there is only 2 of u. Other than that great little place to. I go all the time read more

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Athena M.

15 years ago

Five stars for the mega-delicious omlette and latte. Plus the portions were huge so i ended up eating the rest of my breakfast later that day. This was my first time here and it's a cute diner spot with a friendly staff and great breakfast food. I bought a Groupon for this place and took my boyfriend a couple weekends ago. Highly recommend for any of you breakfast junkies out there. read more

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James K.

117

15 years ago

It's a good all around cafe. Solid food. Nothing extraordinarily great, nothing bad. If I lived close by I would go more often, but I don't so I rarely go. read more

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Gordon E.

184

249

14 years ago

The food is fresh and delicious. They add a flair to the old stand byes (breakfast burritos, pancakes, hash, french toast, etc.). They use a lot of fruit. It's worth your time to eat here at least once. You will go back a second time. I really like this cafe as one of my favorite alternatives for breakfast. Note: the seating is limited so go early or late to avoid the rush. NOTE: Alcohol is served. read more

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Kryse C.

14 years ago

I've been going to the Crest Cafe since I moved to San Diego back in 1990. I used to mainly go for breakfast on Saturdays or Sundays to cure my hangovers with a huge omelette and potatoes, but now that I'm an old lady I usually go at lunch time. I get hooked on different things, for a while it was the BBQ Chicken Ranchero salad, which I highly recommend if you like big salads. You could probably even split it with somebody. Right now I am digging the beef sliders, they are really tasty and believe it or not, I am full after just 2 of them and usually save the 3rd one for later. My only suggestion is that they might try something different with their fries, I like them but I'm just not crazy about them, I think maybe I just prefer a little thinner and more crispy fries. Other than that, Crest Cafe gets 2 thumbs up from me! read more

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Larry H.

13 years ago

Awesome. Now my favorite cafe for breakfast in the Hillcrest area. Sitting in front of me are two fresh eggs sitting on top of homemade apple and chicken hash and a huge side of fresh fruit. Very unique, Very fresh and a friendly place. read more

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Lia M.

13 years ago

Oh Crest, how Ben and I miss you. Tom, Thomas, Faustino, Neil, fellas in the kitchen, the whole gang. We miss you guys. Thanks for all of the amazingly wonderful care you gave us over the years. Like having our drinks to us before we even ordered them. And making a "Lia" salad that I just made up. For the many lovely chats and always the warm welcomes. You were our second kitchen - some weeks our first. Can you please relocate to Santa Barbara?? There is nothing like you up here or anywhere. XO, "The Whites" Okay, now my "objective" review. Crest is the best. Service, food, atmosphere. It is all very comfy and wonderful. Between my husband and I we have had almost everything on the menu. Delish all around. The art is as eclectic as the patrons. The staff all have the chops for fine dining, but do it in a casual cafe setting. Love it. If you go for brunch on the weekend it will be slammed. Try them for all meals of the day. You won't be disappointed. I have to note that I see several three star reviews where the reviewer goes on to say how much they like this place. What gives? read more

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Edward M.

230

13 years ago

Great comfort food served up in a groovy environment in the Heart of Hillcrest. Was a favorite of my late mother when she was a parishioner at All Saints back in the day. The Monte Cristo is no longer on the menu, but there are many great grilled sandwiches on the menu. Glad they are still a going concern and it is an old standard when one craves a tuna melt and some soup! read more

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Billy V.

13 years ago

Great place! Staff was awesome super easy going yet attentive... We had cream brûlée French toast and a great omelette. They split it up no prob... Takes away the haste of sharing:) food is as good or better than the long line places around the corner! read more

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Ryan D.

197

13 years ago

Delicious food and friendly service. This place can pack up pretty quick but the service has always been good. I personally think the menu is too big and kind of scattered but that is my only issue which is not even really an issue. The fact that they serve breakfast all day is a huge bonus!! read more

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Chad R.

384

525

12 years ago

They do the home style cooking thing really well and moderately priced. Service is a little lacking here...and he place is on the small side. read more

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Anthony P.

305

12 years ago

Good food and it's of it so many things to choose from on the menu and it all seems delicious. I love how they serve breakfast all day with some really good omelets and a variety of pancakes lemon ricotta buttermilk ones and a bunch of French toast and that's just what's for breakfast! You could eat here all day. The out door seating is great if you don't wanna be inside on a beautiful day. Inside is cafe style seating. read more

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Chris G.

12 years ago

Got the herb crusted chicken, the Alfredo was delicious and definitely the star of that dish. Service feels slow but aside from that no complaints. read more

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Cecelia M.

Great to know that you enjoyed! Sorry to hear that the service didn't…

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Taylor F.

12 years ago

I had a charbroiled cheeseburger with potato chips. The best burger I've ever had! The bread was light and the beef was so tender! Could use a bit more flavor but still really good. Must come back for breakfast! read more

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Anil G.

11 years ago

Great experience at Crest Cafe. Huge menu with lots of choices. Had the buttter burger with fries and it was excellent. Looking forward to coming back to try some other things on the menu! Our service was great. read more

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V.A. J.

161

11 years ago

Came here the other night with my family. Party of 9. They were very accommodating. Everyone was nice and our food came fairly quickly. Prices were ok food was pretty tasty. We would return on our next San Diego trip. I had the flat iron chimichurri. I love chimichurri and the flat iron was cooked the way i liked it. read more

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Cecelia M.

V.A, hope we'll get that second chance to welcome you back next time!…

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Warren R.

11 years ago

Friendly service. A really colorful atmosphere. The evening meals I found a bit bland. The ravioli was under cooked and the tomato sauce was too sweet. read more

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Cecelia M.

Warren- While I'm glad you love our ambiance, I'm disappointed to…

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Anastasia B.

11 years ago

Good food, friendly staff and plenty of options. I only had breakfast here, so I write review based on my breakfast experience. I really enjoy fresh squeezed juice options and verity of omelettes. read more

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Cecelia M.

Anastasia-…

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Maria H.

11 years ago

Went there on Saturday morning with my kiddos and my hubby. I loved the food! It's a little bit small just to walk to the bathroom you have to follow a bit of a maze and try to not bump into peoples chairs... But that's just a small issue. So I asked my server, Fabiola, what Was her favorite and she recommended the Yucatan Tostadas, they were DELICIOUS, they were missing some shredded chicken or some meat but they were delicious nonetheless. Younger Kids opted for Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and my oldest a meat lover omelette. Hubby had some Benedict choice, on a croissant. That was the only bad choice. Mainly because my husband didn't like that big ol' piece of meat (maybe he was just being lazy) maybe dice/slice it up? The service was good, no complaints... Although people need to smile in that establishment.... Everyone that worked there that passed by our table seemed to be lacking in the smile department. Not a bad thing necessarily... But makes me wonder if that's a good place to work at or not? (I work the restaurant business as well) and there's nothing worse than a great employee working in an unpleasant work environment!! Well "TL;DR" food was great, service was good & prices were good. Will be back to try new items on the menu! Oh! Maybe add a bit of seasoning to the potatoes... They needed some oomph! read more

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Cecelia M.

Maria,…

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Eileen D.

151

10 years ago

I can't say that I have a complain. First time I came here was a late night with my cousin and I ordered the machaca plate....delish! Second time I brought my friend for dessert and she fell in love with the place. My third time going I ordered a hamburger. All I can say is the staff and cook are amazing and customer service is off the chart is u want good food relax vibe and treatment like a close friend hit this place up its a GEM.. read more

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Cecelia M.

Eileen- Great review! We thank you for your multiple visits to Crest…

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Carla O.

10 years ago

My boyfriend and I LOVE this place. We come here all the time and always have a great experience. Our served Fabiola today was especially great. Highly recommend the chicken Cobb scramble and the creme brûlée French toast. read more

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Cecelia M.

Carla,…

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Lauren B.

10 years ago

Very good! Heard about this on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The creme brûlée French toast was fantastic!! And service was very quick

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Cecelia M.

Lauren, thank you for coming in. We agree, the French Toast is one of…

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Basil Y.

10 years ago

Fantastic restaurant. Butter burger was great. The creme brûlée French toast was great as well. Will definitely be back. Waitress was attentive and good. read more

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Cecelia M.

Hi Basil, thanks so much for your review! I appreciate you sharing…

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tiffany h.

10 years ago

The "Nutter Grill Cheese" is amazeballs! Never thought a PB&J and cheese (no bacon for me) would be such a great combo. Highly recommended

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Margaret C.

8 years ago

Delicious! Sat outside and enjoyed the mild San Diego weather. Service was friendly. Servings were generous.

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Allison M.

397

8 years ago

We came here for restaurant week last night and it was amazing!! Best lasagna I've ever had! And the pesto dressing on the salad was to die for. Service was very fast as well. Will definitely be back soon. read more

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Amanda S.

10 years ago

The first time I heard about this place was when a coworker of mine showed me a video clip of Guy Fieri at the restaurant about to devour The Butter Burger. Honestly, the name kind of scared me.. It sounded like a heart attack waiting to happen. Anyway, I ordered The Butter Burger and Not Your Grandmas Pot Pie on two separate occasions. The Butter Burger was just good, nothing crazy or special.. I thought it was a bit over-hyped. Also the pot pie was a tad bit sad when it had arrived. If you ask me I should of skipped the savory and went straight for the French toast. Next time! 1 star added for them doing delivery! It's convenient especially since living in Hillcrest where parking sucks sometimes. read more

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Cecelia M.

Thanks for the review Amanda. Sorry to hear that your order didn't…

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Page 30 of 38

425 Robinson Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Hillcrest
Directions
(619) 295-2510
Call Now
Order Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://crestcafe.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Crest Cafe open?

Crest Cafe opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Crest Cafe close?

Crest Cafe closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Crest Cafe take Bitcoin?

No, Crest Cafe does not take Bitcoin.

Does Crest Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, Crest Cafe takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Crest Cafe have catering options?

Yes, Crest Cafe does have catering options.

Does Crest Cafe serve alcohol?

Yes, Crest Cafe serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Crest Cafe allow dogs?

Yes, Crest Cafe allows dogs.

Does Crest Cafe have TVs?

No, Crest Cafe does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Crest Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, Crest Cafe has bike parking.

Does Crest Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes, Crest Cafe has outdoor seating options.

Does Crest Cafe have parking?

Yes, Crest Cafe has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Crest Cafe wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Crest Cafe is wheelchair accessible.

Does Crest Cafe allow outdoor smoking?

No, Crest Cafe does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does Crest Cafe have free WiFi?

Yes, Crest Cafe has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Crest Cafe is proud to be a locally owned business in San Diego, California and a long time staple of the Hillcrest area. Our family restaurant is open 7am - 10pm 365 days a year and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks or dessert. We have been in business for over 30 years and are proud to have been featured on the Food Network. We are great for customers looking for a fast bite to eat as well as customers looking to enjoy the comfort of our space. We serve beer, wine, champagne, mimosas, and coffee. We cater and also offer online ordering and delivery. Stop in for daily food deals during the week. We validate all parking on 6th Ave for our customers.

History

Established in 1985.

Family owned and operated in Hillcrest, San Diego since 1982!

Meet the Business Owner: Cecelia M.

Cecelia has owned and operated the cafe since 1985 after Father purchased the cafe from the original owners. She hopes to provide you such a positive experience you'll remember to return to Crest Cafe when you're in need of a great meal!

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Do they serve breakfast all day?

Yes

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Morning Glory

Food, service and ambiance were all first rate! I highly recommend, especially the pancakes!read more

Morning Glory is always awesome! Thomas is a treasure and makes us feel more than welcome! Thomas's…read morewelcoming presence and his incredible staff keep us coming back whenever we are in San Diego. Of course the food and drinks are top notch! The food, service, and ambience are a knockout combination!! Nothing but love!

Photos

Croquettes from dim sum cart Strong

Soufflé pancakes

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Bananas in Pajamas

Books & Records

With a reservation, we were seated almost immediately. The inside was cozy, dim lit, and intimate…read morewhile still inviting. I appreciated the live music, though it did make conversation a bit difficult to hear. The drinks were sweet and strong! I recommend the Tangled Up in Blue The macaroni and cheese was the best appetizer. The wagyu tartare is actually quite spicy, and although tasty, we could not finish it because of the burn. The entrees were hot and cooked exactly as asked. You seriously get a bang for your buck with the portion size of the chicken parm! I also got some random corn surprises in my dish - I don't mind, but just something to be aware of in case you are allergic. I'm definitely coming back.

We had a reservation for a friend's birthday dinner and I would highly recommend a reservation as…read morethe restaurant got crowded very quickly! - PARKING - Street parking, there are a few spots right out in front, but otherwise we all found parking around the adjacent streets. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - There's a small foyer area in the entrance that you can be seated at, and as you walk in deeper there are additional dining tables as well as bar seating. We did have a fairly large group so we occupied the entire back wall corner. It was a bit snug in terms of table space and leg space, but we made it work. The staff were doing their best to keep track of everyone's orders, but there were a few mix-ups in the end. Food came out in waves and had a good cadence to the meal. - FOOD - We had a lot to share amongst our group! Wagyu Tartare ($14.00): Really flavorful tartare! Had a nice tartness to it due to the Black Vinegar. Pork Belly Baos ($12.00 - 2pc): Honestly this was just OK to me. Ahi Tuna Crudo ($18.00): Very bright and refreshing. Chicken Satay ($12.00): A little dry on some chicken pieces. Crispy Brussels ($10.00): Not as crispy as I'd hoped but still good. B&R Mac & Cheese ($8.00): Very creamy, very cheesy. The pasta was a bit soft though. Flat Iron Steak & Fries ($25.00): Decent piece of steak, cooked medium well. I honestly enjoyed the fries a lot! However, there must have been something expired, cooked wrong, or just not up to quality as many of us got stomach issues that night and the next day. We were all spread out so not sure what it could have been given we ate a few different items. - OVERALL - It was a cool vibe and they have some good tasting items, but considering a few of us got sick, I'm a bit wary to come back.

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Interior

Crispy Brussels (Happy Hour)

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Blueberry Beret ($14)

Cocina 35

Curbside pickup during COVID-19

5 years in business

We came to Cocina 35 at Liberty Station for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and…read morehad such a lovely experience. Dennise seated us and was so kind, she even shared a few of her favorite menu items since it was our first visit. Our server Anelle was great as well. She was friendly, attentive, and helped us pick some really good dishes. We tried the Tacos Dorados de Papa, El Sampler de la Abuela, and La Bomba, and for appetizers the Burrito de Machaca con Frijoles Puercos and the sweet corn tamal (which ended up being my favorite). The food and ambiance were great, but the service from Dennise and Anelle really stood out. They made our birthday brunch feel special.

There was a long line out front but it moved quickly. The menu does not give the food justice, but…read morethe food looks and tastes really good actually ! Very tasty and delicious food- my burritos had two sauces and sour cream and the green and red sauces were fantastic. Wifey had Flautas and we both had Jamaica in mason jars Inside and outside seating areas are open. Give this place a try folks you will love it!

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Hash House A Go Go

Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

Hash House was such a great place to have brunch at! There was no line for a party of 6 on a Sunday…read morearound 1pm, and we were seated right away. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The food was amazing! In particular, I enjoyed the fried chicken and waffle tower and their roasted chicken hash. I was surprised they didn't include a side of butter along with their biscuits, but I'll probably just ask for it next time. One important thing to note is that their dishes are HUGE. All 6 of us had our own dishes, but I would highly highly recommend ordering a couple dishes and sharing it family style if you're dining with a group. One note I did have about Hash House is how overstimulating the menu is lol. The menu had a lot of clashing fonts, colors, and clip art images, it made it hard to digest the menu. I didn't even notice some menu offerings because of how busy the menu was. Also, our waitress did initially charge us for 6 coffees, even though we only had 3. It was a good thing we caught that error on the receipt before paying. Overall, the food at Hash House is definitely worth coming back for.

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Dining Room

1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado

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Iced coffee 10/10

Gaslamp Breakfast Company

Visiting SD for a couple of days, and made sure to have breakfast here again…read more No wait to seat 8 of us! Wait staff was excellent, with timely service and regular attention to keeping waters and coffees filled! Serving sizes were plentiful, and the food, as always, was tasty and made to our order! Especially like their crispy potatoes. Try it. You won't be disappointed!

We really enjoyed our time and food. We were a large party of 12 and were served quickly. They were…read morealso playing all the old school jams so it made our time really enjoyable. Jon was amazing at taking our order and coming back to check if we needed anything. 10/10 would recommend "The GOAT" scramble. Will definitely be coming back.

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Inside Restaurant Bar Area

Brioche Breakfast Sammy

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Steak & Eggs

The Corner Drafthouse

The restaurant was really busy but Sherwin made sure me and my family were taken care of the entire…read morenight. He was super nice, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu, which made everything easy for us. It was a really cool place to watch the Padres game, and has a great atmosphere even on a packed night. We ordered the poke bowl and Philly egg rolls and both were so delicious. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. We definitely will be coming back soon!

This visit ended up being way more fun than we expected…read more A friend is staying with me for Comic-Con this week, so we came here to grab a couple beers and catch up. As if that wasn't enough, we walked in and realized it was trivia night, which immediately made the evening even better. While looking through the menu, I spotted a salmon bowl. I'm still pretty new to seafood and have recently discovered that I'm actually a big fan of raw salmon, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to branch out. Well... surprise! For some reason I had convinced myself it was going to be a poke-style bowl with raw salmon, avocado, cucumbers, and all the usual toppings. Instead, it came out with cooked salmon. Even though it wasn't what I expected, the bowl was actually delicious. The funny part is I learned something about myself... I definitely prefer raw salmon over cooked salmon. Not a bad discovery to make over a good meal! The atmosphere was lively without being overwhelming, trivia kept the energy up all night, and the service was friendly from start to finish. Great place to grab a drink, catch up with friends, and maybe even learn something new about your own taste buds.

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Richard Walker's Pancake House

My favorite downtown SD breakfast restaurant. The service is…read moreamazing and the food is out of this world. Their food has so much flavor and the coffee is delicious. Our server had the coffee refilled without us even having to ask which was so appreciated. It is such a friendly and comfortable restaurant. I would give 1,000 stars if possible.

A fault entirely of our own but EVERYTHING IS COOKED IN PEANUT OIL EXCEPT THE GF/PEANUT FREE…read morePANCAKES/WAFFLES. We did not see that fine print before arriving. Outside of the peanut oil surprising us, everyone's food was phenomenal! The service was great and we even got to meet Richard himself and he was very sweet. We ordered the thin Swedish pancakes which were yummy especially with the lingonberries! We also got the German Baked Pancake which took ~20 minutes as it said in the menu, so all of the food took that time as well. We got the GF/peanut oil free pancakes and they were still good. The inside was beautiful with the stained glass look and there was tons of outside seating as well. We walked right up on a Thursday morning around 9 AM and got seated instantly.

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Regular PANCAKE

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FRESH STRAWBERRY PATCH WAFFLE

Malibu Farm

4.5

(2.2k reviews)

2.7 mi

Great vibes and service. Drinks are always so yummy. Leo was especially nice and very helpful!read more

Great brunch, service and ambiance, everything tastes fresh keeping concept farm to tableread more

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SPACIOUS and CLEAN !

Catch of Day

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Strawberry Matcha Latte

Queenstown Public House

We came here for a celebratory post-race dinner and first sat outside around a fire pit, but when…read morewe heard happy hour was in the bar-area only, we quickly pivoted. Thank goodness there was room too, because wow oh wow. It has been three weeks and we keep talking about that happy hour. LOL I appreciated that their happy hour menu wasn't all snackable appetizers; there were smaller-sized dishes for those less hungry, too! I ordered the Kiwilango slider + fries, my mom got the HH fish & chips, and my dad got the wagyu smash slider. Plus $10 beers, of course. Everything came out quickly and beautifully portioned, which made getting dessert (magpie ice cream cake) a no brainer. Delicious!!! I didn't stray into their full Kiwi-based dinner menu, but I can fully vouch for their happy hour, the cozy, charming vibes, kind and attentive servers, and flavorful dishes. Would absolutely recommend and will be coming back next time I'm in town!

Loved everything about this place! I love the ambiance the decor the staff the service the bottle…read moreof water provided with the cute little glasses the food the Cool breeze as you're sitting outside. They have a deal almost every single night of the week except for Saturday night. They also have happy hour prices. My friend ordered the spaghetti squash and I had a taste and it melted in my mouth good. It was a good size quantity also! I tried my first ever meat pie. I think I like meat pie! The crust was so flaky and the inside was so cheesy and meaty. Melted in my mouth good. If you're in the area I would definitely stop in and give it a try!

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FISH & CHIPS

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The Cure

Breakfast Republic

Great food and service, short wait outside. Jose was a great server. Absolute stud. Not too…read moreexpensive either. Would highly recommend.

I love pancakes! But, I'm on a high protein, low-carb and low-calorie diet. And, gluten-free. So,…read morewhat can I do? I can go to Breakfast Republic. They have protein pancakes that are low calorie and gluten-free. And, they taste pretty good. Not as good as their regular pancakes, but, good enough to satisfy my pancake craving. I have breakfast there one or two times a month. I always have the same thing - protein pancakes and decaf coffee. And, the portion is so huge that I take most of it home and have the pancakes for breakfast the next several days. Enough about the pancakes. Let's talk about the service, which is what compelled me to write this review. A few months ago I sat down and my server, Erick, came up to my table and said, "Protein pancakes and decaf?" I was blown away! He remembered me and my order. I am not that regular a guest. He is just that amazing. And, it doesn't stop there. A few minutes after delivering my food, he brought a to-go box, because he knew I always take most of my meal with me, and I'm always in a hurry. That's not great service - that's extraordinary service! At one to two times a month, Erick makes me feel like a 5 day a week regular. I wish I could give Breakfast Republic 14 stars; 5 for having protein pancakes, 4 for their taste and 5 for the extraordinary service.

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Starlite

After dinner at Kingfisher, we were looking for a great place to end the night with dessert, and…read moreStarlite turned out to be the perfect choice. The funniest part was actually finding the place. We kept looking at the Yelp photos of the exterior, and the logo made us think the restaurant was in a large standalone building. Our Tesla kept navigating us to the same location, but we couldn't find what we expected. On our second pass, FSD actually pulled us right in front of the entrance--even in a red zone for a brief moment--just so we could finally see the Starlite sign. It honestly felt like the car knew we weren't recognizing the place. It was such a funny experience that made FSD seem almost human. Once inside, we were blown away. The interior is absolutely top-notch--stylish, elegant, and full of character. The pistachio dessert and the chocolate mousse were pure heaven, rich, smooth, and beautifully presented. The hidden disco room with the waterfall is simply insane and adds such a unique vibe to the experience. Even the restrooms are thoughtfully designed and incredibly cool. Starlite isn't just a place for dessert--it's an experience from the moment you arrive until you leave. Highly recommended if you're looking for an unforgettable atmosphere paired with amazing desserts.

Absolutely ridiculous that their 21+ age requirement isn't listed anywhere except a third party…read moresite at the VERY BOTTOM, where absolutely no one has to look to make a reservation. Made reservations for my birthday. I thoroughly reviewed their website. This age requirement is NOWHERE on their website, so we booked a reservation with Open Table. No problems. We drive an HOUR to this freaking place to get turned away at the door because it's technically "a bar" even though they have a full dinner menu. When I point out none of this is advertised anywhere, I'm informed it's on Open Table, and that we should've seen it there, and were dismissed. They said they could give us another restaurant recommendation and then proceeded to just dismiss us without even that courtesy. We go back to verify this age limit, and it's there... one TINY line 2 scrolls down on the page, WAY beyond any of the information needed to just book a table, which is the only thing Open Table is used for. Complete waste of time for a poorly advertised bar with zero helpful staff on a dumpy street by the airport.

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Bar area after entering

Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!

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Cocktails are fun!

Born & Raised

We celebrated our anniversary here, and the entire experience was unforgettable. From the moment we…read morearrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special. They were incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and made our celebration one to remember. The service was just as impressive as the food! And it's such a good vibe. We sat at the rooftop right before sunset. Beautiful!

We came in a couple weeks ago and everything was absolutely amazing! I loved that it was so elegant…read morefeeling, with a beautiful atmosphere filled with soft lighting, but also still so lively/fun, and with good music playing. The food and the service were equally outstanding. I really enjoyed all of the entertaining table side menu items they had available to order. Another thing that is always a really big nod to us of great service, is when they treat our kids just as well as us adults. They greeted them, spoke to them, and even ended up creating two mocktails from their personal preferences. We really appreciate that so much! We ended up ordering a variety of things to try for our family of four: the table side Caesar salad, the Steak Sampler, a Filet, Lobster, Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, and Truffle Fries - we loved it all! Perfectly cooked and everything we wanted it to be! We were so full, but after viewing the dessert cart all night, we had to try some! The most decadent, delicious, chocolate, layered cake was our pick. As we were waiting tho, we saw the table side banana foster dessert being made and had to order that too! No regrets!! It was all perfect!! They also kindly brought us out a really good peanut butter and jelly macron, but the star was that it was topped with a gold dusted Wu Tang emblem on top - LOVE!! PS - even the bathrooms were fun! I really look forward to trying more of their restaurants!

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View from our table

Dirty hash browns with trout roe, chives and crème fraiche

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BURGUNDY SNAILS BONE MARROW & TOAST

Brigantine - Portside Pier

So beautiful! The service was wonderful and the crab stuffed shrimp was delicious. A bit pricey but…read moreI would definitely recommend if you're looking for a good place to eat by the harbor

We had the best server yesterday! Her name is Erica! She was so kind and helpful when describing…read morethe menu items. She even treated my daughter and new son-in-law to a special dessert. If you're going, ask for Erica!

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Indoor dining space.

Shrimp and Crab Louie Salad - half order

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Parmesan Crusted Sand Dabs

Vincenzo Cucina and Lounge

Locally owned & operated

Our Server was amazing! Valentina and she was quick, knowledgeable and had a great personality…read more Food was delicious

I love to come here and sit at the outside bar. Very casual and fun vibe. The food is always solid…read more Megan the bartender was fast and super friendly. Known for an Aperol spritz but I do bloody Mary's and mimosas more often!

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View inside

Lobster pasta special of the night

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Classic Bruschetta

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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127 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

steve k.

17 years ago

I can not decide what was worse the food or the service. My server was Kent. He seemed very uptight, overwhelmed and pretty much bitter about the job he was doing. I came in after hearing a lot of great things about the place! I have to wonder did a bunch of people lie to me, or did I hit this dive on a bad day. As I looked at the menu which I give kudos for the mountain of options. I started with a cup of Coffee. This was strike one I drink black coffee with nothing in it. As I got half way through the what I would say room temperature coffee I had the gift of a sugar packet stuck inside my mug. Trying to understand things happen I kindly pointed it out and got great attitude when I asked for a new cup. My lunch date looked at me and said wow you pissed him off pretty quick. Silly me I thought perhaps I would get an "I am sorry let me get you another cup" Nope I got Attitude with a capital A. So I moved on to the Main course and asked for a suggestion of the Cobb Salad or the Billy Burger. I think once again I pissed the server off! So I decided it be best to make my own decision. I ordered up the Billy Burger medium rare with fries and Sarah ordered the BTCA with homemade chips. So I am chill-axing working on my second cup of coffee without the sugar packet chatting away with my guest. Ouch 2 plates slapped down on the table a bottle of ketchup and Mustard. Apparently we were not going to get offered a refill we were not going to be told to enjoy our meal and we were not gonna be asked if we needed anything else. My Lunch guest looked at her BTCA with this smile like she was willing to forgive anything! I decided we were not gonna let a tired old bitter server ruin our meal. Sara took one bite of her BTCA and she said it was amazing. I flagged this tall slim guy down for mayo as its a must on a burger that also looked to be amazing smothered in mushroom and onions. I got a snappy what and then proceeded to ask for the mayo. I smothered my rather wonderful looking bun in Mustard and Mayo I had to use two hands to pick it up. I wanted to love this burger but it was well done I mean really well done I mean it was dry like leather and very well done. I never got a check back from the Server and I had only taken two bites. Our plates were cleared with no inquiry on how the meal was and there was no offer of desert. All we got was a check. This place was just amazing There was not an ounce of love. I will not be back even though Sarah said the BTCA was Bomb. Treat you guests a little better cook the food as requested and perhaps you will have a busier establishment. read more

Carlina J.

17 years ago

I settled in this morning with my paper. In need of a cup of Coffee. I was craving the Heuvos Rancheros. I spent days thinking about it knowing I was gonna have it this morning. I guess gave it so much hype in my hunger for it. It is usually spicy to the point of soft tears coming out of your eyes. Today there were no tears.and the flavor bland I asked if they where preparing them differently and suddenly got greeted with attitude. I mean once I ordered the Blueberry biscuit French Toast and it tasted old. I asked if it was fresh and was told no it was from last week the fresh ones are not out of the oven yet. I mean french toast that is 6 days old since it is a weekend special. It was sad I come in often enough to feel like it I did not like something they would just make it right. I was wrong. I did not expect a lecture from my server. lets be real I arrived knowing what I wanted,If it I was not nasty and different I would not have asked the question . I feel I am owed an apology and certainly can no longer suggest this place. I mean The Crest Cafe Face book page is asking its fans to write nice things because they got some complaints. I think they need to ask why are people complaining. I mean it is ok to complain right. I think so, they are complaining about the complaints! These are just my opinions and the way I feel, not an attack, not defamatory I am sure I am not the only one who has had week old french toast or a bland meal. I mean are all the weekend specials from the week before. Yikes I mean some people say left over should be used in 3 days. that would make it a mid week special. Well perhaps my next experience will be a little better. Perhaps they had an off day twice because at strike 3 your out. read more

Rabbit B.

19 years ago

Update on my review: 12/03/2007 No I haven't been back, but I thought I might explain I didn't drive down to San Diego just to see if the reviews of Crest Cafe servers being rude as the only reason I tried Crest Cafe. I visit socal fairly frequently. The visit is just a way of me confirming if the reviews of the people I read on yelp are worthy or not. My conclusion is they do talk the truth about this place. Rude servers and an owner that has WAY TOO much time on her hands, not me. pay attention to all the reviews that that owner makes herself to raise the star rating. She is very easy to see. A lot of no picture and this is the only place she has reviewed. I'm going to lower you Crest to one star because of your deceiving ways. ---------------------------------------------------- Wow does Crest set out to hire rude jerks on purpose? The food was good, not great just good. But the dude server was a dick. I started with a cup of chicken tortilla soup. It wasn't bad but it tasted like it had been stewing all day long making the chicken a bit tired. Then I had the East Texas Fried Chicken, a chicken breast dredged in batter made with garlic, jalapeos, buttermilk and tabasco. It was moist and not bad. I guess what made me visit was all the reviews calling out the service. What you read is true. A funny thing to me is it so obvious the owner or her people are posting reviews on yelp saying the total opposite of the bad reviews giving herself five stars. It is easy to see her reviews as they are all no picture, just joined, only the one review, and it is for Crest. I say spend the energy on customer service training. read more

Nick A.

10 years ago

Cecelia Moreno, the co-owner of Crest Cafe in Hillcrest, San Diego (our gay section) posted on her Facebook that if you have a problem with people that voted for Trump than you are the problem in America. This is a straight women with a business in our gay area milking the community. I always went to Crest with my family and friends and told her the following and have a screen shot of my comment...the reason I have a problem with people that voted for Trump is because my rights are in jeopardy of being taken away. She doesn't live with this fear as a straight woman and her response was to take my comment off of her Facebook, and block me. I than found comments on line about Moreno using gay slurs at the HBA. She has used the word "nelly" and felt that was ok. Cecelia Moreno's twitter and facebook rants concerning the gay community are not acceptable and are what's wrong with America. Why would any business owner act this way? Gay people shouldn't be supporting businesses that support Trump and can't understand how they are attempting to undermine our rights as citizens. The community has been very good to her and her family and for her to take this stance when our community is in pain and fearful of the future, shows the true feelings that the Moreno family that their only connection to the gay community is to take our money. So, I ask my 5,000 Facebook friends and 100,000 twitter followers to not support people that don't support us, like Cecilia Moreno and Crest Cafe. This is my opinion and my experience read more

John H.

14 years ago

At Wade M.: Unfortunately your facts (like your service and attitude) are grossly misstated. We came in the day BEFORE it expired and we had 4 vouchers that we PURCHASED with MONEY. There was a limit of 4 per account purchased. In any case, read the past reviews, we are NOT the only ones who have complained about the inept servers and rude owner. You must be related to her. Pretty sad that their own waitstaff has to come in here to defend themselves! Is the 27yo owner going to write a comment now to all the people who complained about her too? Owning and working at a restaurant is hard enough, but when you add a lack of service to the mix, it's going to be a recipe for disaster. Don't work too hard! FYI a lot of the businesses like Crest Cafe that need extra advertising via social media (FB, Living Social, twitter, etc) are pretty desperate for business. Crest just advertised on Living Social again last week selling $10 vouchers for $5 (thank goodness I wasn't a fool again this time and didn't buy the certificates). They pay $2.50 to LS and only keep $2.50 themselves to give $10 in food away. This desperation is to make up for turning customers away by being blatantly ignorant. In any case, thank goodness for the power of the internet and a public forum. For those of you coming on here to give a negative rating, don't forget to file a complaint with the BBB!!! read more

Mark J.

14 years ago

It's been a while since I've eaten at the Crest Cafe. I remembered it as being somewhat cramped and a little pricey for slightly above average diner food. After yesterday's meal, I would still agree with all of the above statements, however the silver lining is that my meal was actually very good, as was the service. I ordered their Crest Chicken Cobb Salad for $12.99. I was impressed when they brought out the salad because it was very well put together and visually pleasing....and they always say that you eat with your eyes first! There were several strips of tasty grilled white meat chicken on top of the salad, and there was also lots of real bacon, two kinds of cheeses (feta and cheddar) and plenty of avocado too. The greens were a nice upscale salad mix. I asked for sugar free dressing, and our server offered their house balsamic vinaigrette, not sugar free, but very good. I would definitely come back for this salad. My nephew had the grilled Turkey Club Sandwich ($9.25) which he seemed to enjoy. Also I really enjoyed their iced tea which you could tell was freshly brewed. Delicious! Pluses: 1 - Fun neighborhood location, with good people watching 2 - Big menu with lots of choices 3 - Decent food and service (Big portions) Minuses: 1 - Slightly pricey for diner food (Half portions would be nice) 2 - Cramped (Tables are close together) read more

Amanda S.

5 years ago

I came here on Christmas morning. In the Christmas spirit I planned to come in here and give my waiter/ waitress a $100 tip for Christmas The bacon was soft and looked microwaved. Hashbrowns also tasted microwaved. None of the food tasted fresh. It came out approximately five minutes after ordering it like fast food. It was a sad Christmas breakfast. I'm not the type of person to not pay for food once it's ordered and always feel bad asking for that but this time I asked to not pay for the hash browns that I did not eat and the waiter named James was angry with me and then when I asked him to go over the bill with me I was berated and he stormed away from me and would not answer my questions. He yelled at me. It was the worst start to my Christmas Day Ever I'm going to try and turn this Christmas day around. I was so sad to not tip at all when having the intention to go in with the Christmas spirit with $100 tip. The bad food I could handle but being made to feel so poorly on Christmas I could not I hope James has a better day. I'mgoing to try too read more

Jason C.

16 years ago

I would have to say the Crest cafe has done it again. Every time I come here the food gets a little less desirable, the service goes further down hill and the attitude that is in the air gets thicker and thicker. The owner is cold and seems to cheer on the angered bitterness of the staff. I think its funny in this economic environment one would think you would welcome your guests instead of make them feel unwelcome. I had Lemon ricotta pancakes this time,as the last time I had them they were just amazing. This time they had a sour flavor not lemon sour I mean sour as in spoiled. The only thing worse then the sour flavor would have been that of onions. Onions do not go with pancakes folks. I took two bites and stopped. I did enjoy my bacon. I left a plate on the side of the table 99% untouched and was not even asked if it was ok. the check was slapped on the table and that was it. Well I think the lesson learned here is fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Guess what I will not be back for a 3rd! read more

Shane N.

16 years ago

This place leaves so little to be desired and if you complain the owner will stalk you on face book and call you crazy. Hmmm that is a little crazy I think. Well lets cut to the chase and talk food. Hit or miss, more miss then hit. Lets talk value. i see fewer people in here and higher prices. Kent as a server Kind of grumpy kind of above the world. I would say this server is a want to be washed up Diva. You get service with attidtude. The owner just raises the prices to compensate for the loss of business or to keep up with the botox. For real who wants to see her personal pictures on the business page for facebook. Many people make it to Bloomindgales and most of us keep the stuff we buy instead of return it. The younger she trys to keep the face the more of a chicken neck we see. Lets not mention the waffle on the head. That belongs to the owner of cafe 222. You see they have class and actually made it on the food network. Give good food good service and they will come! read more

ruben m.

106

19 years ago

just moved to central san diego and found my new go to place for late night after theatre food!! Curran and Juan helped me navigate my way through the menu and the specials. On my first visit Curran insisted that I try a burger and then topped it off with a creme brule for desert. The burger was topped with gouda and canadian bacon and was so unique and great! I had their homemade potato salad with it, and a beer called flying dog old scratch...The place is cool and funky inside with some great dog prints that Curran said are the owners and her favorite becuse she loves big dogs!! Anyway the creme.....oh please..this was soo incredible and rich and burned to order and just perfect. The second time I went I had the iceberg wedge and the jalapeno fettuccine which was very spicy and a huge portion that I had to take some home..no room for desert; but I will be back soon to this little place with the huge portions and sweet vibe! read more

enrique s.

19 years ago

i feel the need to defend my favorite cafe in san diego; especially for late night yummy dinner!! I have been coming her for a very long time and I know the foodservers some by first name because they have been there for as long as I have been dining there. I have nerver had a bad experience...as the food and service are consistently...I mean everytime great!! They have kept their prices low and have homemade soups and desserts that I know will always be good. I especially like the shrimp bisque soup on Tuesdays. Kent usually waits on me and he is very professional and welcoming. When I have come in the am I usually have whatever breakfast the waiter recommends..he likes their cabo quesadilla which is huge and served with a great green spicy sauce..very good....the owner has always been sweet and friendly..by the way there is a very funny story to go with the photos..so I say lighten up and enjoy!!.. You will not be sorry. read more

Leah W.

11 years ago

New to San Diego living, we've been pickiing a part of town to explore on foot every month adding lunch to the fun of the task. Hillcrest was our pick in June. We parked, walked and window shopped; we delighted in the residential architecture and house-front gardens that had some time ago adopted water-wise plantings. And we looked for a place to eat lunch. A bit off the main 6th and University routes we found the Crest Cafe, crowded with diners. The corner venue delights in so many ways. Obviously, it's a beloved locals' spot probably because the comfort fare is just about perfect (my tuna melt was superb). Throw in old church pews for seating, walls painted peach, colorful Fiestaware on the tables and a good-looking waitstaff dressed in jeans and buttoned-down white Oxford shirts and the scene just gets better and better! read more

Diana B.

14 years ago

We had the good fortune of dining at The Crest Cafe (breakfast and dinner nearly every day for six weeks!) while our kitchen was undergoing a remodel. It has always been our go-to lunch spot for dining with visiting friends and family. During our remodel, we tried branching out, thinking we would take the opportunity of being without a kitchen to sample all the wonderful restaurants in Hillcrest as well as North Park. We always found ourselves back at The Crest for the following reasons: The menu provides a wide range of choices from vegetarian to burgers; The waitstaff is always tremendously friendly, competent, and in general an absolute joy to be around; Not only is the menu extensive, everything I have tried has been excellent...even the oatmeal! read more

Kathryn J.

15 years ago

Been always meaning to eat here because someone said the mango brie quesadilla was amazing. It's basically store bought flour tortilla, with sliced/melted brie and underripe mangos inside. I can probably make the same thing at home, and it seemed like all the ingredients did not go well together. I also ordered the fried chicken which was pretty dry and all i could taste was spiciness cause there were jalapenos all over it. I ordered it cause it was starred in the menu, assuming it's one of their best dishes. Oh, and it came with a side of veggies, aka diced raw bell peppers. Who eats raw bell peppers on the side? Anyway, I noticed the people commenting on horrible service, but mine was pretty decent. Food is equivalent to Denny's, possibly lower. read more

Ranger M.

17 years ago

This is not the best place for a meal in Hillcrest, but it is not the worst either. The food can be hit or miss. The Service can be hit or miss. I assume its because the staff gets it from the top and it just trickles down. The pancakes can sometimes taste like onion. I suppose it is because they cook them next to the potatoes. I think it can be a bit pricey for the quality. If you fill out a good comment card you will get a coupon for a free meal. I have found as long as you go and don't complain it is safe. Once again not the best place but not the worst. I coud say for a better Breakfast try Richard Walkers. Its fast its friendly and the pancakes are so good. I think this keeps coming down. It is all the truth so whats this issue. read more

Mary D.

3 years ago

This place is a regular spot for me, especially when I'm in that part of town, usually for breakfast. The prices are a bit higher than some others, but not unreasonably so. My go-to orders are typically The Works with pancakes. If I'm feeling a variation, I opt for the Cafe Eggs dish, essentially an egg croissant sandwich. Both options are reliable, and you can't go wrong with either. The service is friendly, and they've even remembered my preferred orders from previous visits--excellent personalized service. However, I have one complaint regarding the Cafe Eggs croissant dish. The option of fresh fruit, which used to be included, is now an extra charge. It would be great if they could bring back this option as part of the dish. read more

Will M.

12 years ago

This place used to have crappy service, but great food... NOW, they have crappy food with great service. My wife & I used to come here at least once a month, but slowly over the last year or so, we've come less & less & today was the clencher for us to say we don't need to come back anymore. The hash browns tasted like something out of the frozen food section at the grocery store. The eggs were bland & not really cooked properly. The biscuits & gravy were descent, but only available as a side dish, so if you want anything with it, you have to order everything as a side. We had to ask for butter/jam to be brought out for the toast we ordered. The waiter was very nice, but the food was not good. read more

Leonard G.

14 years ago

This is one of our absolute favorite restaurants in San Diego. The food is delicious! They have the best tuna melt and hamburgers of any place in town. And the french fries are fabulous. I know I probably shouldn't eat french fries too often, so when I do, I want to make sure that they are really good. At the Crest Cafe they are. (My other favorite are the shoestring potatoes at Ruth's Chris; a totally diferent style, but equally delicious). They also excell at breakfast. Basically, they have a really big menu, and everything is very good. The ultimate place for comfort food. The service is good and the best part is that it is so reasonably priced you can come everyday. Leonard G read more

Maya C.

17 years ago

This place is hot and cold. More Cold then hot. I asked for lemon with my tap water I paid a buck. Then I got and Ice tea, that tasted like it was a week old. The kicker was the herb crusted chicken it looked great on the menu. It showed up a watery cream base I got over that. The final straw was when I bit into the rubber like chicken and chewed on a tendon that I knew I needed to give up. So the first time I came and had the lemon ricotta pancakes. they looked fluffy and great. They had no lemon flavor, it was more the overwhelming flavor of onion that hit that back of my throat. The waiter said well I am not surprised they cook them right next to the home fries. read more

Chris L.

1 year ago

First of all I have eating here before I gave the waiter a nice generous tip for a 40 dollar meal. They have good food. What right do theses people have complaining to chase security that we are across the street smoking cigarettes. We live in this neiborhood. We can't wait to move out to like Escondido or mira mesa. We plan on getting a house where we can smoke on our back porch to our hearts content. We plan on moving to Trump country getting out of this disgusting neborhood. It wasn't our choice to move here. We are so sick and tired of you people why can't you just leave us alone. We don't want to be bothered by you despicable people leave us alone. Period. read more

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