Crest Cafe

3.4 (1.5k reviews)

ModerateCafes, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch

Open • 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Crest Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Cute little bar - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Monterey Chicken with salad - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Crest Cafe - a mural of an elephant on the side of a building - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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CREST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise

Casual

Good for groups

Good for kids

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Hanafi M.

I always dine here. All my favorites on a single menu. Great price point, yes, but more importantly, the taste and preparation. Indoor/outdoor large dining room, and the service is quite excellent. I park across the street; plenty of parking there. Au Voir restaurant is gone forever, ho how I loved that place. What a shame it's gone. Anyway, you eat here. Safe bet 4 U. You can't go wrong, I assure you. I eat here all the time. They have terrific Pancakes, and I just love their biscuits and gravy, and you will too. See how dark the gravy is? And those are Tasty Cakes 4 sure.

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.

Matthew S.

Guy Fieri visited this restaurant some years back, and on that recommendation, I decided to as well. It did not disappoint. Before I start talking about the food, I will start this review by saying the parking situation is a bit of a bear here. Either you will have to pay for street parking, or you can use the lot that they have which is about a five minute walk from the restaurant, which you still have to pay for, but you get $1.50 back if you use it, depending on how much time you put in the meter. Nice touch guys. I ordered exactly what he ordered when he visited, because I can, therefore, I will. Butter Burger: Absolutely fantastic. Really a fantastic burger. This was the first thing I ate after landing in San Diego, and after a five hour flight, anything but snacks is going to do the trick, but this took it to a whole other level. Juicy, messy, massive flavor (yes, there is plenty of butter flavor in there), and just the right amount of heat from the other things inside the burger. Get it with the chips instead of the French fries as they make their own chips. Creme Brûlée French Toast: Why is this even a breakfast item? This should not be a breakfast item at all. Super indulgent, with a ton of sweetness going on with the whipped cream and the creme brûlée sauce. The pieces of French toast you get are massive, just two slices cut in half, but it is a plentiful portion. Even the strawberries (incredibly fresh) hit all the right notes. My server was nervous I would not finish it but I was super close, only needing about another two bites before cleaning the plate. He gave me an A- for eating this up. Not bad for someone who just got in earlier that morning on an East Coast flight. My server was fantastic and patient, and had a great West Coast vibe. Super chill as well. I did not get his name because I was too tired to ask, but he was memorable in lots of ways. The food experience I had just made it even better.

Clythie C.

Crest Cafe is cute, bright, clean and delightful! Our server Alisa was so fantastic. She refilled our drinks without us asking, and checked on us often while still letting us relax with our meals. The food was delicious! The menu is so vast that I want to go every week till I've tried it all! Happy 43rd Birthday Crest Cafe! We are so happy we joined you for your special day!

David V.

Had a nice dining experience this morning. I had the grilled marinated salad with Bleu cheese crumbles and it was delicious. Friends had a breakfast burrito and Tuscan eggs Benedict and everything was freshly prepared and very satisfied. This place has been around since 1982 (when I graduated college)...Service and everything was very enjoyable.

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Jessica S.

Elite 26

302

1610

4937

5 years ago

Full disclosure: we did not plan on dining here; our restaurant of choice had a wait over over 90 minutes, so we pivoted and ended up at Crest Cafe. There were only two other groups ahead of us on their wait list clipboard, so we added our names and walked outside to wait. We were given an outdoor table not long after. Also: my husband would absolutely rate this restaurant much higher than me. Our waitress, though friendly, was either a bit distracted or just too busy with other tables, as she was hard to flag down and absent for the majority of our meal. I ordered the Mediterranean Scramble with wheat toast ($14), and my husband got the Yucatan Tostadas ($13.50). Two cups of coffee rounded out our meal. Now, this may sound like nitpicking, but I ordered the Mediterranean *Scramble*, but what I got was an omelet. Really - why give a diner the option between "scramble" and "omelet" if you're just going to deliver an omelet, anyway? (And yes, crazy as it sounds, I *prefer* scrambles to omelets. I also love grapes but hate raisins. /shrug) The omelet was pretty unremarkable. The eggs were overcooked, but the plate itself was runny, due to the spinach and tomatoes, I'm guessing. The only flavor came from the smattering of feta cheese, which gave just a bit of saltiness to the bland dish. At least the hash browns were cooked as I'd requested (crispy on both sides). Across the table, my husband was chomping his way through the Yucatan Tostadas, after a brief moment of "how the heck am I supposed to eat this?" He really loved the flavors of the meat, beans and cheese, and surprised himself by professing an enjoyment of the mango salsa. He had polished off his plate long before I tapped on my watery scramble-that-wasn't. He did recently suggest we return for another breakfast, but there are so many other places nearby to try, I just don't want to waste our time and money on something I didn't even enjoy. read more

Crest Cafe - Mediterranean Omelet that was supposed to be a scramble ($14) - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Yucatan Tostadas ($13.50) - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Julie R.

Elite 26

304

168

297

3 years ago

We door dashed Crest for brunch. It was just okay, too expensive to bother trying again. Breakfast croissant tasted primarily of onion and needed salt, pancakes tasted like a regular mix with artificial maple syrup, chopped salad was okay. The biscuits and gravy were good, recommend those. Other than that I probably wouldn't bother visiting. read more

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Brigette M.

2 years ago

The food was wonderful. We had the raspberry ricotta french toast and the chicken club with hand cut fries and would recommend both. Shout out to Alisa, who made the dining experience so pleasant. read more

Crest Cafe - Chicken Club with Hand cut Fries - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Raspberry Ricotta French Toast - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Henry B.

2 years ago

Food is okay. Not good, not bad. Overpriced place and passive aggressive waiter. Never again! You can find much more cooler places. read more

Crest Cafe - Crab cake - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Joseph E.

Elite 25

484

319

304

3 years ago

We only visited a handful of businesses while visiting San Diego for one night, and I am glad we came to Crest Cafe. The parking in this area can be a little tough, even the Rite Aid parking was swarming with tons of drivers looking for parking. Luckily we walked here from my friends place. The staff was nice and attenuative. Expect to pay around ~$20+ plate minimum. I ordered the Butter burger here, and I was not disappointed. Everything about my meal was perfect. It's definitely filling; I really wanted to finish every bite, but wasn't able to. My partner ordered the chilaquiles, and mentioned that he would have much rather ordered a burger. I also loved the cute animal decoration above the bar counter and the back exit. I would love to come back on my next visit. read more

Crest Cafe - Highly recommend the Butter burger! - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - These decorations were so cute! - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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anonymous p.

512

1 year ago

Delicious food, served us quickly! Every entree we ordered was delicious. I'll definitely be back here!!

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Lewis C.

1 year ago

I have been coming to Crest for years for breakfast or dinner and especially for the 2 for 1 burgers the first Thursday of each month and never been disappointed. I went yesterday evening for the 2 for 1 burgers and sat outside and it wasn't busy yet but the waiter took our order and that was fine , drinks came out but the it took about an hour to get our food. The waiter came outside and said that the kitchen was backed up but I noticed folks who came in before us, received their food before us. It appeared to me the waiter forgot us and forgot to put in the order. read more

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Jemesia J.

Elite 26

135

417

3 years ago

Forgot to take pics before I ate but we ordered on Uber eats. We got the Cabo Quesadilla, Ruben Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy and blueberry lemon French toast. The biscuits and gravy was the only thing we didn't like. The quesadilla and Benedict are solid choices and understandably popular. The Blueberry lemon French toast was the standout. It was like eating a piece of cake, biscuit and cinnamon roll all at once. The only problem was the blueberry syrup spilled in the bag so we couldn't try it in its full glory. I'd definitely return to this place. read more

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Briana B.

302

4 years ago

Door dashed food. Edible but wish I never ordered it. What we got.... Steak and eggs- overcooked steak and eggs, unseasoned (if seasoned at all). very cheap piece of meat for nice cut of meat prices. Potatoes were burnt...burnt burnt. Bread was stale. Mexican Benedict- barely any flavor (surprisingly) and poached eggs were overcooked. Borderline soft boiled egg. Hasbrowns we're just thrown in, no flavor, bottom burnt. Biscuits and gravy- chunky, besides extreme amounts of salt no flavor, inedible. It was really bad Snickers Latte- not a latte. It was flavored coffee and slightly burnt flavored coffee. Overall, food was poor and overpriced. Sadly, we will not eat here again. We fed most of it to the dogs. read more

Crest Cafe - Bacon - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Mexican Benedict - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Steak and Eggs - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ellen L.

Elite 26

163

3 years ago

The Chris café is fun to stop in for breakfast early on a weekend morning when you're walking around, I'll park. The food is good and the service is fine. It can get quite loud house it's a small space so if that bothers you Keep that in mind. read more

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Harley C.

2 years ago

My husband and I stopped by Crest Cafe on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch. Service was fast but impersonal, which is fine but with how few people were in the restaurant I kind of expected more friendliness from our server. the food was VERY disappointing. My husband got the meatloaf and it was so soggy, he couldn't stand the texture and barely ate it. I got the patty melt and it was bland and greasy. We both got bloody Mary's and they tasted like Clamato. The fried ravioli were okay, definitely the star of a sub par meal. When the waitress saw my husband had barely touched the meatloaf she didn't ask if he didn't like it, or tried to correct it (customer service 101) just took it away and still charged us of course. Based on other reviews it didn't seem worth it to complain. We just paid and left, still hungry. Definitely won't be back. read more

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Cynthia L.

4 years ago

I found this cute little coffee shop while exploring San Diego. This coffee shop is conveniently located by the beach. They have all kinds of drinks and delicious pastries. I tried their dirty chai as I wanted something different and it was absolutely delicious The spinach & cheese danish is a must try! The barista was super sweet and the overall cafe experience was amazing. I definitely recommend you try this local coffee shop next time you visit San Diego - Ocean Beach area read more

Crest Cafe - Spinach & cheese danish - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Dirty chai - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Inside - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Crest coffee sign - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Charles S.

2 years ago

Amazing! There are a few amazing things we tried in the menu. The fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich with bacon was something we had to try after the waitress recommended it. I won't look at peanut butter and jelly the same ever again. The butter burger was as good as described. Great service and very clean. I will return read more

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Letti J.

Elite 26

146

252

3 years ago

This is one of my favorite breakfast spots, I come here on sundays after a long weekend out or when I want breakfast but I don't feel like being bothered with the routine and rituals involving brunch. The breakfast is sooo good. The prices aren't crazy insane and the staff are nice. It's a lovely little neighborhood cafe. It's very welcoming and hardly ever has a long read more

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Marcus F.

Elite 26

392

3013

8969

6 years ago

Delivery review - There wasn't anything wrong with the food. I enjoyed my Machaca, but they need to improve their delivery process if they want to keep customers ordering through GrubHub or DoorDash.. Delivery Issues: - No Utensils - No Receipt - Nothing to identify what was inside each styrofoam container. This is a huge deal when making office orders because nobody likes having their food clam opened up by anyone else. But when nothing is clearly identified I have no other choice but to open up items. - Interesting that the only thing they included in the delivery bag besides food was some promotional material. While the food was good, I'm going to have to pass on office orders until they write the food name on each styrofoam container.. read more

Crest Cafe - Machaca - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Business owner information

Cecelia M.

Hi Marcus- thanks for the feedback, we appreciate that and apologize…

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Scot H.

112

3 years ago

Back for more! So good. The Crème Brûlée with a side of Cabo Quesadilla and I need a nap read more

Crest Cafe - Creme Brulee French Toast and bacon - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Creme Brulee French Toast and Cabo Quesadilla - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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S C.

268

1 year ago

Delightful campy cafe in the heart of the gayborhood. The whole staff were super playful. The server was the sweetest woman. The entrees included the crab Benedict & a breakfast burrito. Size queen portions had us stuffed & dining al fresco was fun on a sunny day. Really friendly neighborhood diner. read more

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Jenna M.

1 year ago

Wonderful service and delicious food. AND outdoor table service with San Diego sunshine!

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Samantha H.

474

3 years ago

Nice little spot! Sat outside. Service was good and the server was really nice! Got the carne asada fries. Huge portion size, and the fries were really good and crispy. Will be back and would recommend! read more

Crest Cafe - Carne Asada Fries - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Argenis T.

3 years ago

Chicken Pot Pie?I was surprise when I got home and open to see this, looks like someone left overs. I called to see if there was a mistake, because this doesn't look like a $20 plus dish, basically they called me crazy. I'm so confused. I love this place, but Im not coming back read more

Crest Cafe - Chicken Pot Pir? - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Kelly M.

116

3 years ago

Super sad for my experience tonight. Ordered take out and got the soggiest pot pie ever for like $18. Pretty much inedible. I've been here a few times before and the breakfast is really good. Haven't ordered much from the dinner menu and won't again. read more

Crest Cafe - Pot pie - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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San Diego Local G.

4 years ago

This place is highly UNDERRATED. I love whenever I get a chance to enjoy food here today I got the Pesto Penne pasta with chicken sausage and they never cease to amaze. So good! My boyfriend got the Mexican tacos and house sangria (he loved them both!) And our friend got the breakfast burrito with steak (which also looked delicious topped with melted cheese) ! Our server Mary was also very awesome, nice and attentive! Don't knock it till you try it! The one and only downside is parking on the weekend but I still make the effort, they're worth it. read more

Crest Cafe - Pesto penne pasta w chicken sausage - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Princekyna D.

133

3 years ago

James was the server that greeted us upon entry. He is such a joy to talk to. The menu was very diverse and we wanted some of everything. read more

Crest Cafe - The two-egg breakfast and the pancake sampler with bacon amd mimosas. - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - James and the cooks. - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Gingerlily L.

Elite 26

129

263

767

3 years ago

Always a comfort. Good food friendly servers. When we used to live close by we went all the time. Great soup and sandwiches, meatloaf, breakfasts. Now we visit less often. It's a lot more expensive than it use to be, but the food is good. Hard to park in this neighborhood, but when we find parking , it's always a nice friendly place. read more

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Curt T.

Elite 26

132

1042

3790

6 years ago

Got the tuna melt sandwich with soup and salad combo. The veggie chili was quite delicious. Loved the chick peas they had in it. Had good flavor and smelled delicious as well. The side salad was nothing special. Just lettuce with a couple veggies tossed in but th basil vinaigrette dressing was delicious. The tuna melt was very good. Good chunks of tuna and not overly mayonnaised. The cook of the bread was delicious also. Crispy and crunchy. Loved it. The service was good as well. No complaints there. I'd be back. read more

Crest Cafe - Soup, salad, sandwich combo Tuna melt, veggie chili and side salad - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Veggie chili, tuna melt, side salad combo - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Veggie crestwhich, side salad and veggie chili combo - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Business owner information

Cecelia M.

Hi Curt! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback…

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Charles W.

3 years ago

I have frequented the Crest since 1988 - 35 years, count 'em. The food has always been very good until recently; today I ordered eggs Benedict and crispy home fries. The fries were white and extremely greasy and the egg whites were partly raw. Nor did the Hollandaise have any lemon flavoring. Before this. I had the chicken pot pie which was literally a pie crust full of gravy - literally not one chunk of food. I brought this to the server's attention who, instead of offering a replacement, said she'd tell the cook. Sorry to see what was once so good go downhill so quickly. read more

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Lori C.

2 years ago

I found this little cafe watching Guy Fieri's diners, drive ins and dives. This restaurant did not disappoint. The food was fantastic. I ordered a burger which tasted better than I've had in a long time. Friends ordered what was called Hog Heaven. Heaven it was. The customer service was fantastic. If you're in the area, I highly recommend it. We spent the morning at seaport village then drove over to here. read more

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Laura A.

Elite 26

249

3 years ago

This place! OH EM GEE!!! Where has it been all my life? First of all, they serve fresh tangerine juice. That alone was enough to make me a fan. But then my Mediterranean salad with basil dressing was served, and I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice. Sublime perfection! The ultimate salad. Crazy tasty! The service was awesome. The background music was wonderful. The ambience was great. You better believe I'll be back to try more of their extensive menu! read more

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Lauren W.

Elite 26

354

416

7 years ago

Always delicious, always fresh. Love the MULTIPLE options to choose from on the menu and breakfast all day! This place is great for all palettes, vegetarian, pescatarian, keto, gluten-free, etc. My server Betsy was very attentive and personable. I usually have pretty great service every time I visit CC. Parking can be tricky, but is validated in the lot across the street nearest, Pernicano's. Lots of seating, good for groups, friends, or casual dates. read more

Crest Cafe - Inside seating - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Business owner information

Cecelia M.

Hi Lauren! Thanks so much for wonderful review and feedback! It's our…

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Joan M.

1 year ago

Today we went to Crest Cafe for their Valentines dinner. It was absolutely excellent. We frequent many restaurants in northpark,south park and hillcrest , I have to say Crest Cafe is one of our favorites. The staff are friendly, the music is great. Love crest for breakfast, lunch and dinner. read more

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Kristie L.

Elite 26

676

621

7 years ago

Came in with my coworker because he saw this on an episode of Triple D. It didn't disappoint. We both got the Butter Burger with onion rings (closer to strings but I'm a fan if either) and iced tea. Tuesday is but a burger get a burger day too so it was a major win for us! All I can say about the burger is WOW. It's hefty, hearty and rich. Butter is no joke. My hands were covered and it was still dripping, but so good! Service was great too! Our server was a delight. The ambiance is as expected with the name. Very diner inspired. Edit/updated: minus one star because my account was charged $1 more than I wrote down. $1 isn't a big deal, but the principal of changing a tip is. Such a bummer because I would've wanted to come back, but that's kind of shady. I guess if you add $1 to 25 guests/tables, that's extra $$$ you're getting that a lot of people don't notice. So sad. read more

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Patricia G.

Elite 26

285

5 years ago

Great food, outstanding service! burgers are fantastic. Party melt was perfection. Grilled onions, lots of cheese, grilled perfectly. read more

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Terry C.

2 years ago

We chose Crest Cafe from a list of triple D visits in SD and were looking forward to an outstanding burger. The burger toppings were great but the patties looked store bought not hand made. No seasoning on the burgers, fries or lovely handmade chips. The service was good. We paid for parking at the Rite Aid. Overall a near miss - underwhelming. read more

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Keya M.

Elite 26

188

324

994

5 years ago

Stumbled up this gem while walking around Hillcrest. So glad we found it. They were a little busy but accommodated our large party of ten right away. We sat outdoors and the weather was perfect. The burgers and fresh cut fries were so good..patty was cooked perfectly and the brioche bun was toasted soft on top and warm. The French toast was nice and fluffy and so delicious. We were not impressed with the kids peanut butter and jelly. It was served on rustic sourdough(which was not listed on the menu) the edges were hard for a small child to eat. We ended up cutting the edges off and losing most of the sandwich. The chicken and waffles was flavored perfectly. The chicken was seasoned and fried to perfection! read more

Crest Cafe - Mimosa - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Chicken and waffles - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Burger and Fries - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Kids grilled cheese - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - French Toast - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Javier L.

Elite 22

151

140

5 years ago

You know that place you go where they know your name? Well, they didn't know our name, but they did know how my son usually orders coffee and his wife a water! And there started the homieness of our experience of the Crest Cafe! As half our party was going to be late they were very patient with us and kept our drinks full the entire time, and it was a good while. There food was awesome as some ordered dinner and I felt like breakfast. Sam the Cooking Guy's Blueberry Biscuit Bundt French Toast seemed like it had to be good with such a long name and it was! My wife's patty melt was buttery and delicious and the service was, again, top notch! This is that place that you wish was near your house to get good food and a good time with people you care about! We really enjoyed our time with our family and the Crest made all of us feel like home! Thanks again read more

Crest Cafe - Sam the Cooking Guy's Blueberry Biscuit Bundt French Toast! Good stuff anytime of Day! - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Waiting for the rest of our party - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Richard B.

3 years ago

Butter Burger for the win. Not for the faint of heart, or small eater. But super delicious. Also the Cheese sandwich with Bacon, PB and J is really good. Give it a try. read more

Crest Cafe - Butter Burger for the Win - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Simone L.

5 years ago

Crest Cafe never disappoints! I always come here for delicious comfort food. Wait staff is awesome. read more

Crest Cafe - Turkey Club - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Crest Cafe - Breakfast Burrito with chicken - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Alex B.

Elite 26

525

5 years ago

Crest cafe has to be thee best if not one of the best breakfast spots in San Diego. I came in on New Year's Day and not only got exceptional service the food was oh so delicious. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it was so delicious. I got the waffles with bananas and macadamia nuts and glad I did. Great experience overall can't wait to come back and taste more of the menu. read more

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Javier S.

Elite 26

238

427

7 years ago

Great food and service. Had the hand-breaded chicken tenders with fries. Chicken crispy on the outside and very juicy on the inside; very flavorful!! Fries are like In-N-Out, hot and delicious when they come, but need to eat them fast (not as great after they cool). Service was fantastic (thanks Jason)!! read more

Crest Cafe - Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders and Fries. - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Business owner information

Cecelia M.

Hi Javier-…

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Natalie Z.

Elite 26

355

606

761

5 years ago

I've been here twice, mainly because of our lord and savior Guy Fieri's praises on DDD. The first time I came I had a raspberry French toast- it was good, nothing special, though idk what I expected since Guy was all about their butter stuffed burger. This time around I got the lox omelet. To my dismay, the omelet was somewhat overcooked and the lox wasn't smoked and tender. It was literally just overdone pieces of salmon. You know when salmon is overcooked and the white proteins emerge from it? Yeah, that was the salmon in the omelet. I ordered it with home fries and unfortunately they were undercooked. The staff here is always very accommodating and sweet but I just didn't have the best experience this time around. read more

Crest Cafe - Lox omelet w/ home fries and toast - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Page 3 of 37

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!

More Info

Health Score

Crest Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

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Garden Coffee

What an amazing, cute little place!…read more The somewhat hard to find coffee shop with a outdoor covered seating area. It's just the right thing for an early morning or afternoon respite. The new owner has apparently worked there for several years and decided to buy the place. She was so attentive and easy to work with and also helped us with suggestions on what to get. I got a hot pistachio latte and my wife got a cold pistachio latte! We both loved our drinks. Just look for the walkway to the left of the psychic reading place and you'll be in the right spot.

Garden coffee knocking it out of the park again! This place never disappoint, from the pastries to…read morethe drinks, it is always amazing. You can definitely taste the quality and the care they put into picking their menu items. The banana flavored coffee trend has been huge lately and I saw that garden coffee had added "Top Banana" to their menu. You know I had to try it and it was great. The banana flavor is concentrated into to the banana cold foam top, and it tastes like they blended milk with banana, it was so refreshing. It did not have an artificial flavor at all. I also wanted a decaf version of the top banana so instead of cold brew they made it into a latte form for me so I could have it decaf. The baristas are always the sweetest and so friendly. On top of all of that, the space is so cozy. It is located under a tree, so plenty of shade and the owner has many plants around (some for sale too!) and makes the space so green. This is a partially covered outdoor area, so definitely bring a jacket because it gets cold in the shade. There is plenty of seating and tables available, but it fills up as the day goes on. For people looking to study at a coffee shop, there are limited outlets here. They also have a small free library here and game to play. I love that this feels like a place where people can gather. Overall, I love this place, and everyone should check it out at least once!

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Thrift store around the corner of coffee shop

Spring flight

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Congress Street Shaken Espresso and Matcha latte.

FLOR & SEED

LOVED Flor & Seed! Barista was kind and helpful in guidance on what to order. Coffee was delicious…read moreand unique. Would definitely go back!

My friend and I check out a new coffee shop or Cafe every few weeks and decided to check this place…read moreout and it was great. We both ordered a seasonal drink it was the raspberry latte with white chocolate Cold foam And we both got it iced. It was fantastic. We had no problem getting street parking right in front. It's just a small simple coffee shop with a few tables and chairs. We did not get food here but I believe it is just some pastries. The staff was great and made my drink promptly. Nothing but good things to say about this place. And it's in Old Town so after you get your coffee go walk around.

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Cafe de olla latte

Amore Caffe

Haven't written a review in a while, but this one is well deserved…read more Ireland rang us up and confidently said it was the best crepe they've ever made and they were absolutely right. It was delicious! They were running the show completely on their own, which was impressive. We also tried the crème brûlée iced coffee and it was a solid 10/10. Can't wait to come back!

While visiting San Diego, I stopped by this spot for a coffee and a crepe. The space itself is…read morequite nice--spacious and comfortable, making it a good place to hang out. However, the service left a lot to be desired. There was only one person managing everything, and despite no one being ahead of me, it took over 20 minutes to receive my order. The wait felt especially long for something as simple as a coffee and a crepe. The coffee was good, but the crepe was just average. It was larger and thicker than expected, which didn't really work in its favor. Overall, while the ambiance is appealing, the slow service and underwhelming food make it unlikely that I'd return.

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Inside

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From the sea sandwich

Divo Diva

"I met a (guy in North) LA…read more In (the bright of night) as sweet as May (He) sang in eights in two Barrio chords We fell in love... But not (in shorts)" ...And made our way to San Diego to Divo Diva Enjoying coffees, ambiance and all the "intrigua!" Americano!!! Is what I order at this Blue & Gold nook of paradise with great outdoor seating, bar seating and main room tables. The decor is gorgeous a blend of European delights, trinkets, treasures and sites. It feels warm, open and intimate all at once. The staff hear is kind, friendly and very attentive. They have so many delicious fresh pastries, desserts and meals they offer hear, not to mention a small assortment of gelato. Very vegan and vegetarian friendly from acai bowls, to insalatas (salads) and more. Great hot and iced teas or coffees, a plethora of alternative milks, including oat, coconut, almond or soy. They even serve wine and beer here, which obsessed with. Good add on choices like avocado. Not to mention pizzas, sandwiches, toasts, breakfast items and unique offering like their charcuterie board (sign me up for the nuts, fruit, olives and marinated goods). Enjoy the stellar Wi-Fi, perfect lighting (day or night), beverage station for those coffee or tea additives + accessories like sugar, stirrers, napkins, etc. Weekday specials. Performances from the Divo and Diva such as their Opera Dinners, holiday and birthday celebrations - check their website as well as IG for upcoming things. Monday, Friday and Saturday D D is open from 8am to 6pm, with great finds for morning afternoon and early evening. Tuesday through Thursday you can enjoy the charm of Divo D from 8am until 4pm. Parking in the area is there, more so in the early half of the day. There's construction at the moment that does limit a few spots, but also the traffic. We parked off a side street about a block away and strolled over taking in the glisten of Hillcrest. Highly recommend this iconic Euro-Esque in SoCal gem in sunny San Diego.

This place popped up on my Instagram reels so decided to give it a shot. There is no free parking…read morehere anymore. Since it was a weekday or wasn't very busy until lunch time. I only ordered a latte and it was great. The food menu looked good but maybe next time. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. The furniture inside was super cute and chic making it also great spot for a girls brunch.

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Love the book shelves

Breakfast Croissant

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Inside.

Paradis

4.0

(91 reviews)

0.6 mi

Paradis is always such a sweet treat whenever I'm in the neighborhood, and one of those afternoons…read morewas today. It just reminded me all over again why this is one of those places I find myself wanting to come back to again and again. There's something about it that feels so thoughtful and special, from the ambiance to the way the team genuinely takes care of people. What stands out every time is how warm, intentional, and wonderful the staff is. They really do make you feel welcomed and cared for, and that kind of hospitality is such a huge part of what makes a place memorable. On top of that, they have such a great variety of offerings, coffee, tea, bites, and then as the day rolls on, a lovely wine selection and small plates that make it such a cute little spot for an afternoon reset or a midweek pick-me-up with the girls. I also love sneaking away there when I want to get outside and get a little work done. Their courtyard is truly the cutest and somehow always feels inspiring, peaceful, and just like a little pocket of charm in the middle of the day. And beyond that, I really appreciate how intentional they are about creating community, whether through wine tastings or other little events that make the space feel alive and welcoming. I was there earlier today and they had a wine tasting happening in the courtyard, which just felt so perfectly them. It's always such a gift to have neighborhood places like this that clearly put so much care into what they're creating. Paradis really is one of those gems that makes you want to tell other people about it.

Street parking only. Mostly metered but some are two hour parking on the cross streets. Staff were…read morefriendly. Menu's at the register. They have a beautiful patio inside. Lots of plants, seating and some tabletop games. Tried: Turkey Panini $17 - this was huge, definitely shareable. The bread was a little doughy but had a nice toast on the outside. There was a small piece of plastic wrap in the sandwich which I luckily saw before consuming. If you zoom in you can see it underneath the lettuce on the left sandwich. Too much garlic aioli on this. Breakfast croissant $12 - bacon was a little burnt. I liked this better than the sandwich. Nice kick. Kyoto cold brew coffee $6 was excellent. I would come back just for this. It does not need milk. It is very smooth. They use a specialized drip machine for this coffee. Berry seasonal latte $7.50 was sweet even at half sweet. They have a punch card for their drinks which is nice.

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Almond Focaccia and Cortado

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Partial view of the cafe seating

Bread & Cie

I was super excited to find out that this spot had a pistachio croissant. I've been on the look out…read morefor a really good pistachio croissant. Since I was here, I decided to grab a latte as well. I wanted to get the s'mores cold brew, but they unfortunately ran out of the marshmallow foam. Pistachio croissant ($6) - this had a nice pistachio flavor but is definitely quite sweet from the pistachio paste. It is a pretty huge croissant, though. I'd recommend toasting it up, but even eating it cold was quite good. Honey Lavender Latte ($6) - it was absolutely delicious but for a $6 latte, it was definitely on the smaller side. They did serve a small piece of biscotti. I have also tried their everything danish before and thought it was decent. There is a lot as well as some paid street parking. I believe you can get an hour of free parking by dining here. The staff here is friendly.

Came here for brunch. You order at the register and get a number to take to the table. There's a…read moregood amount of tables around. There's only one restroom in the back of the store. They have a ton of different cold sandwiches and hot sandwiches. I got their turkey which was delicious. It was stacked and tasted refreshing. I got their cup of tomato soup as well. It warmed me up. The size was pretty good too. The service was pretty quick and order was ready fast. They have a bunch of different sweets. I got the Tiramisu and it was delicious. Not overly sweet and was on top of a pie layer which worked really well.

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Inside. 8 am on Labor Day.

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Oat milk latte and vegan zucchini muffin

Fig Tree Cafe

Excited to come back down for breakfast this morning and enjoy a wonderful meal ~ Jerry ordered the…read moreSalmon Bennie Focaccia and I ordered the Berry Sweet French Toast! So yummy!!! Also... The Manager Ben ... wonderful young man, he's amazing... seating his customers, checking on them to make sure they're happy and interacting with everyone!!! It was a full house in there!!!! Also~ THANK YOU So much for supporting our community... we appreciate the two gift cards for our upcoming events! Our waitress Brittany was wonderful, very attentive and friendly!!! 5 Stars plus!!! Actually 16 Stars!

I recently visited Fig Tree Café and had four delicious dishes. The classic Eggs Benedict was…read moreoutstanding--flavorful with perfectly runny eggs and bread cooked to perfection. The fried chicken sandwich brought bold Southern flavors (a bit unconventional for breakfast, but still excellent). The egg breakfast sandwich with sausage was delightful, and the California omelette with avocado, served with an English muffin on the side, was fantastic. It was all topped off with their delicious coffee. If you're in the Point Loma area near Liberty Station and looking for a great breakfast spot, look no further than Fig Tree Café. This was my second visit, and it was even better than the first!

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Love the decor

Fig & Ricotta Stuffed French Toast

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Cup of cold water

Good Omen Coffee Co

4.4

(83 reviews)

1.3 mi

Good Omen Good Vibes…read more Good Energy And of course, Good Coffee. Good Omen Coffee Co, location in University Heights off Park Blvd & Madison Street is one you'll definitely want to pop into. Minding the side street parking (for those street cleaning/sweeping days - Every 2nd & 4th Monday) and limited time restriction in places along Madison. They're open from 6:30 AM to 7 PM daily, with indoor and outdoor seating, sensation service, an assortment of fresh made goodies from bagels to croissants to muffins, toasts, breakfast sandwiches and more! Including some vegan friendly options. It's very much a neighborhood spot, as well as a local and traveler must. I used to walk University Heights often and remember when this was Twiggs forever, and strolling down from Lancers for a pick me up, but G.O. is the way to Go! They're thoughtful, efficient, well let, yet have this mellow ambiance that echos all things University Heights and SD. Free Wi-Fi? Yes, please! Easy to connect with lots of great spots to work, relax or just enjoy your beverages. Great community wall with lots of local ads, flyers as well as on-goings. Awesome swag for sell as well. Pup friendly and their celebrate not just their amazing employees, but the local community. Want to start your day well? Look no further than the Good Omen Coffee Co.

I tired myself out with my matcha drinks at my usual spot so I figured I'd get a coffee before…read morework since it was my first night back for the week. I came to Good Omen Coffee because I remembered I had one of those punch cards from another location. Even though I came in 15 mins before closing, the service was still great! I got the banana bread latte with oat milk. I thought it was good but I'm also not a coffee connoisseur. I would come back again if in the area. Everything was great until I couldn't figure out how to unlock myself in the bathroom for 2 minutes. I freaked out with the two lock method on the door. I attempted to call but realized it didn't have a number on yelp after trying. I recommend!

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Interior

Avocado Toasts and Matcha

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Coco Bomb

Absolutely (coco) BOMB. This post tanning on the beach 10/10. We got the coconut sundae with mango,…read morethai tea, pandan ice cream and fresh mango. It came in such an adorable coconut shell. The mango ice cream was my favorite flavor. And holy the fresh mango was sooo ripe and sweet. BLESS MANGO SEASON!!! The pandan and thai tea flavors were also good and all this for just $10 is actually A STEAL!! It was a good portion for 2 people :) It also came with coconut meat -- I wasn't a fan of it, but my friend was! Please come try!! We came on a Sunday afternoon, and it was packed! There is limited seating outside, but unfortunately we weren't able to get a spot.

Wow.... what an amazing dessert spot to beat the heat! Such inviting, cute decor tucked away on the…read moreside of the street. Came in for their mango sticky rice and ended up with that and a scoop of their pandan ice cream to try. Both were SOOO amazing and not too sweet! The sticky rice was hot & fresh, while the mango was cold and perfectly sweet and ripe. It's one of my favorite desserts when done right! Such a nice sweet treat. The pandan ice cream was delicious as well and not too sweet. I want to come back to try their famous coconut sundae! The rest of the menu looks amazing as well

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Cute decor (and a lot of wires)

Coconut Sundae

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Thai iced tea

The Iconic Coffee Club

4.4

(65 reviews)

0.9 mi

Locally owned & operated

Free WiFi

Great flavor with the miso black sesame latte! I can't wait to come back again just for this latte!…read moreIt's a strong smooth coffee, but not as strong compared to viet coffee. The black sesame adds a nice deep flavor to the coffee, idk how to describe it but I loved it. The banana bread latte was good, just wish the banana bread flavor was stronger. Fast service on a weekday afternoon! It was really hot indoors tho, so it's not a coffee soot that I would stay and study at.

Iconic Coffee Club is a really tiny shop in Bankers Hill -- definitely more of a walk-in/walk-out…read morekind of spot, although they do have a few chairs and small tables if you want to sit for a bit. When I walked in, it was extremely quiet with just music playing in the background. The guy behind the counter was finishing a drink and just kind of had us standing there awkwardly without saying anything. No greeting, no "I'll be right with you," no small talk -- nothing. And I get it, not everyone is super chatty, but a little acknowledgment goes a long way. The bigger issue was when it came time to pick up the drinks. The service just felt rude and honestly needs a serious facelift. That being said, the drink itself was amazing. So the coffee is absolutely there, but the customer service really brought the experience down. I'd probably come back for the drink, but I'd hope for a much warmer interaction next time.

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Strawberry Matcha & Miso Black Sesame Latte

Exterior

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Interior

Starlite

Service was friendly, though a little inconsistent when it got busier, with longer waits between…read moreorders. Overall, it's a solid place for drinks and atmosphere, but the food and consistency don't quite match the upscale vibe it's going for.

Our first visit to Starlite was very memorable. It was a great way to celebrate our wedding…read moreanniversary. Exceptional service by all staff. Food and ambiance was AMAZING!! What we ordered: * Wagyu & Local Yellowtail Tartare * Dry-aged Half Duck * Herb Scalloped Potatoes * Roasted Broccoli Kristina was our waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. We felt very welcomed. We even got complimentary champagne for our anniversary dinner (special touch). Our food was a special culinary experience. Everything was so full of flavor. Nice shareable portions. This business really shined..... Just like their name Starlite. This is a must try place. Especially for a special occasion. #DiningWithTheAndersons #TryingNewPlaces #ExceptionalExperience #CelebratingUs #WeFancyNow

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Bar area after entering

Starlite Burger

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Cocktails are fun!

Born & Raised

we came here for my friends 30th birthday and hour server honestly made our experience! the vibes…read moreand atmosphere are 10/10 but Marie went above and beyond to make my friend feel special and we couldn't stop laughing and enjoying her company! The service was 1000/10 and we can't wait to come back

Food was out standing, had a beef Wellington and the portion was more than enough. The service was…read moreover the top. We had a really good waitress, Maria was her name. She was very kind and respectful...she needs a raise for sure. The ambiance was very picture perfect I would come here again

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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

Just went with a group of 13 to enjoy dinner after a conference and had one of the best experiences…read moreyet! We love this location and often choose this Brigantine over the other locations, because you can't beat the views and the atmosphere. It was our lucky night, because we found parking right away, but I have had experiences in the past where parking took a good 30 minutes. We have also had times where we choose not to go, because we just don't want to deal with parking, but not going means we are missing out on some pretty amazing food. Our server was OUTSTANDING (I believe his name was Josh). He made our night enjoyable and was super patient with our large party! We got the surf and turf special that he recommended and OH MY GOSH....I need to eat it again! I could not get enough; the lobster was so good and flavorful. For appetizers, we did start with the Brussel sprouts and the French onion soup and both were PHENOMENAL. The French onion didn't have the crunch and a lot of cheese like others, but the flavor was amazing! For drinks, I was having their Old Fashions and they were soooo tasty. Was the perfect drink for the night. Dessert, we had a Mud Pie and Apple Crisp. The only thing we were disappointed with was the apple crisp, because we wanted it to be warmer and a little more crispier, but it truly did taste like Thanksgiving in your mouth! I should have taken more pictures, but we were too excited for our dishes, so we just dove right in! Gives me another reason to go back!

Let's start with the parking situation at this restaurant. It's not great. My brother told me to…read moreget valet so that I wouldn't have to worry about parking. It's difficult to even get into the parking lot, which is in a tight strip that's in between the sidewalk where the restaurant's building was located and Harbor Drive, which has its own navigating issues with the street also being the main drag to have access to the airport. I had to circle around the area using PCH to get back onto Harbor, then approach the restaurant from the north. When I got into the "lot," I had to flag down a couple of valets to ask if they had any open spots. One of them told me to circle back around AGAIN to get an open spot. I decided to heck with that and just pulled into a parking garage on Ash St. just 50 yards away from the restaurant. Once inside, we were able to get into a private dining area for my mom's party. The eating space was nice and spacious, acommodating for our party of at least 20 people. The restaurant is also very nice and clean. The entrees and appetizers did seem like standard wedding fare, though. I ordered the braised shortrib, and while it was good, I couldn't escape the impression that it was something that one would normally eat at a wedding reception. The beef was soft and tender, the mashed potatoes creamy, and the carrots were cooked very well. I enjoyed the strawberry lemonade cocktail and appreciated that they reduced the vodka content so that I wouldn't get so buzzed from one drink. Eventually, I had to order a regular lemonade though, which I did enjoy. It was sweet and not overly sour. Also one point in their favor was the clam chowder starter course. That also had a little sweet flavor to it, which was definitely preferable to having an overly salty taste. The bits of bacon in the chowder helped to cut down the sweetness. The desserts were pretty standard fare. I liked the chocolate brownie more than the raspberry cheesecake. I will also note that the two servers we had for the dinner party were terrific. It couldn't have been easy to handle that kind of workload but they looked like they've been doing this kind of thing before.

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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

The food and vibes were amazing! Perfect for lunch or brunch, Valentina was very nice and helpful!…read moreI recommend!

Valentina was a kind and caring waitress! I got the shell dish with the creamy pink sauce and it…read morewas delicious. The overall ambience was perfect to people watch and to enjoy the breeze as you eat.

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View inside

Lobster pasta special of the night

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Classic Bruschetta

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steve k.

16 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.

13 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.

13 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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