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    Fosters Freeze

    2.7 (116 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Fosters Freeze Takeout or Delivery

    Fosters Freeze Photos

    Business Info

    FOSTERS FREEZE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Fosters Freeze

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    Barbara S.

    Stopped in for a cone treat on the way home from geocaching. Ordered small half n half dipped and small vanilla cones at $11.93! Paid cash because they charge to use card. Service was ho hum. Cones were good size, ice cream was creamy but the actual cone was stale. I asked if they had a restroom- nope. Ok, they may be exempt from providing one due to age of building but must have an employee one in which peeps with medical conditions may use. Essentially the place was empty, filthy, old and not your typical welcoming beach town establishment. This was always our stopping place for an ice cream treat but may reconsider our options. This particular location has gone down hill before hitting Hwy 17.

    Therese K.

    Stopped by Foster's Freeze in Santa Cruz for a classic soft serve and it totally hit the spot. Got the 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 vanilla swirl and it was perfectly smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. The chocolate was rich, the vanilla was light, and together they're basically a perfect combo. Simple, nostalgic, and exactly what soft serve should be--great treat on a Santa Cruz day.

    Restaurant walking from pacific ave
    Shohei O.

    Fosters Freeze in Santa Cruz has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's more than just a burger and soft-serve spot -- it holds a special place in my heart. I've been coming here for years, and every time I step up to the window, it brings back so many memories. The food is classic -- nothing fancy, but that's what makes it great. A dipped cone or a chocolate malt on a hot day, crinkle fries that taste exactly the same as they did when I was a kid. There's something comforting about how little it's changed. It's sentimental for me -- a place I've come to with friends, family, and sometimes just by myself to take a pause. There aren't many spots left like this, and I really hope it stays around for a long time.

    Brooke C.

    Not only was the food significantly better than the location closer to me, the staff is so kind vigilant and efficient! Spencer needs a raise! Spencer took my order quickly and kindly and did the best lowkey check to see if I was ok while being repeatedly questioned by a customer on something other than life. Spencer was professional with the customer who was also giving him a hard time and was still able to get my food out quickly! I didn't get the name of the friend who cooked my food but he needs a raise too, it's great!

    Outside
    Annabelle R.

    A cool and casual fast food joint with indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent, friendly customer service, no extras, just what I needed. Got the fish & chips order with tartar sauce and ranch, the food obviously not gourmet quality, but the fish was tender and cooked just right, and the crinkle-cut fries were filling and not salty. The sauces were good too, tartar not too sweet and the ranch was not hidden valley, which is a plus for me. Quick and easy dinner on a Saturday evening.

    Extreme Bacon Double burger
    Jay T.

    For years now, my Bride has regaled me with tales of Foster's Freeze, a family owned burger shack in Santa Cruz, justly famous for their milkshakes. So while we were in town we had to stop in for lunch. We both got Jalapeño Spicy Chicken sandwiches, and split an order of krinkle cut fries. The sandwiches were crispy, spicy, and delicious. She got a triple berry shake which was bursting with berry flavour. I had a cold-brewed mocha shake, which is the most coffeelicious shake I've gotten in years! The Kid had an Extreme Bacon Double burger and a Red Velvet shake. I swear he likes red velvet mostly because I think it's gross. Total was $47, and I threw a couple of bucks in the tip jar.

    Outside trash can
    Jackie W.

    This place is so slow they take forever to make your order and they don't have a bathroom and they have a kiosk to take your order or a scan and pay thing you can do on your phone it kinda expensive but good food but they need to clean it up.

    Small Strawberry Milkshake for $7.74. Looks like a kids size
    Ashley K.

    With prices of everything rising the least I would expect is to get fresh food made properly. My burger had 3 hard center pieces of lettuce and was cold. The cheese didn't even melt. Wasn't given any napkins or straws for the drinks on a delivery order. It was 10 minutes for the driver to get here from the restaurant on a direct delivery.

    the outside of a restaurant
    Ken N.

    Well, the ice cream is good, but that's about the extent of the positive experience. My Sister sat down on one of the benches inside, and it collapsed underneath her and bruised her leg significantly. We were refunded for our order, and my sister was able to hobble to the car and wanted to continue our road trip, so that was that, but I would recommend anyone going her to be careful if you intend to sit down on anything. There are no bathrooms here, and not much interior decor that tells me it's a Foster's unlike some other Foster's I have been to. Also, I would recommend that you make sure the height of your ice cream cone matches the height you're supposed to get on the display. My sister should hopefully be recovered in a week or so. 3 Stars is more than generous for this review.

    the receipt for the restaurant

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    2 months ago

    Soft serve was delicious and exactly what we were looking for. Clean dining area and wonderful service! Would definitely return

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    1 year ago

    Milkshake was phenomenal!!!!! Customer service was great and treated with a smile. A must have for those craving ice cream or milkshakes

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    Great customer service, greatly tasty food and clean interior of the restaurant. Great environment all together.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Fosters Freeze

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    Zachary's is always a must when we're in town with an early start! My husband and I live two hours…read moreaway and always look forward to coming down to Zachary's to get breakfast when we have to be in Santa Cruz early. We've been here when it was empty (early in the morning) and bustling (busy on a weekend) and every time it's been enjoyable! Today was the busiest we've seen it since we rolled in around 9:30/10am. Even though they were busy, the staff were attentive and fast. The vibes of the place are always nice. Someone on here described it as "classic Santa Cruz/grandma's house" and honestly it's perfect. It's cozy and inviting, you really feel like a local. And finally, we've never had a bad meal here! We love the sourdough pancakes, the french toast, omelettes, and country potatoes. You can't go wrong here. Overall I can't recommend this place enough, if you're in town you have to stop here!

    I decided to try this breakfast place based on the wonderful reviews. Walking in takes you back to…read morea classic Santa Cruz atmosphere. It's hippie meets 70s-80s vibe at grandma's house. We were instantly greeted at the door and seated immediately. I love that they make their own bread so I had to try their oatmeal molasses toast since it's not something you'd get elsewhere. Now, for the food. I did order their Basic Breakfast with a decaf coffee. My coffee was handsomely refilled whenever it went a little low. That service was highly appreciated. Everything tasted good (including the toast) except for the Home Fried Potatoes. I really really wanted to like it. But, unless you like your potatoes burnt, I wouldn't recommend it. Hence, the 4 stars instead of 5. Should you try it? Absolutely! But, don't order the potatoes.

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    Harbor Cafe - Spicy Machaca

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    There was a short line when we arrived, but they do a great job of keeping things moving and…read moregetting people seated quickly, which we really appreciated. The food here is always fun, fresh, and consistently good. We shared the carnitas omelette with sourdough toast, and it was excellent--lots of flavor and a perfect start to the morning. We also had a couple of Irish coffees, and the homemade whipped cream definitely put them over the top. Another huge plus is the dog-friendly patio. Our little guy Milo was very happy to join us for breakfast--and maybe even happier when some bacon came his way. Great food, friendly vibe, efficient service, and a patio where we can bring the pup. We'll definitely keep coming back!

    Yelp Elite Review: Where the Coffee Is Bold & the Stories Are Even Better…read more Some restaurants serve breakfast. This place serves breakfast with a side of Santa Cruz history. This spot has been around for years, and when my boys were younger, we would come here after a day at the beach. It has gone through a few owners over the years, but the improvements they've made are awesome. The place still has that classic beach-town chill--lots of laughter, good food, and people enjoying life. Parking? Let's just say Santa Cruz and parking have never exactly been best friends. But once you get inside, you have the choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and it's worth the effort. One of my favorite things about this place is the history. For years, a group of local fishermen have been coming here. Two of them are still regulars, sitting around telling fish stories. And if you know fishermen, you know those stories have probably gotten a little bigger every year. My wife and I split the all-meat omelette, and it was delicious. They also do a fantastic job with the hash browns--crispy, hearty, and exactly what you want with breakfast. The coffee deserves its own paragraph. Bold, flavorful, and strong enough to make you believe you can conquer the day. Our server was wonderful. She has worked here since graduating from high school, and you could tell she genuinely cared about taking care of people. Friendly, positive, helpful, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back. There's a wonderful selection of food, but honestly, part of the experience is simply being there. You can almost feel the decades of stories in the walls--families, fishermen, beach days, laughter, and countless cups of coffee. This isn't just a place to grab breakfast. It's a place where Santa Cruz history is still being served--one omelette, one cup of coffee, and one slightly exaggerated fish story at a time. Yelp Elite approved! #YelpElite #SantaCruzEats #SantaCruz #BreakfastInSantaCruz #BeachTownVibes #SantaCruzFoodie #Breakfast #Omelette #HashBrowns #Coffee #LocalFavorites #CaliforniaEats #FoodAndMemories

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    Shadowbrook

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    What a magical experience as always! Shadowbrook is hands-down one of the most romantic spots…read morearound. Getting there is half the fun--you can either ride the cute little red cable car down the hill or take the winding stairs through the gorgeous, lush scenery. Inside, the ambiance is perfection with dark wood details, cozy lighting, and an overall super enchanting feel. They have an extensive drink menu, and the French 75 was fantastic. I've been here a few times over the years and usually order the prime rib (which is always excellent), but this time I decided to mix it up and tried the black truffle gnocchi with added filet mignon. It was SO good and incredibly flavorful! The staff here is always so informative, warm, and attentive. Every visit is memorable--I always truly enjoy my time here!

    We arrived as a family of four with an infant to celebrate our son's birthday, only to realize we…read morehad accidentally booked our reservation for the following night. The front desk reassured us, gave us a waiting number, and told us to wait in the lounge while they worked on getting us a table. ​After waiting patiently for an entire hour, we checked back, only to be abruptly told they were fully booked and could not seat us after all. ​Our booking mistake is on us, but stringing along a family with a baby for an hour--giving false hope while open tables sat empty--is terrible hospitality. If you cannot accommodate us, simply be honest upfront so we can celebrate elsewhere instead of wasting our entire evening. Very disappointing customer service.

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    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Huevos Rancheros

    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
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    Came across this cute little breakfast spot while we were in Santa Cruz. And we weren't…read moredisappointed. Was a bit busy so we had to wait to be seated but as soon as we were, the staff was on it. The corned beef hash was amazing! I finished the entire plate. The cinnamon roll was warm and delightful. Had some nuts inside which made it even better. I did try some of my friends waffle and it was so good and the perfect amount. Definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a cute low key brunch/breakfast spot.

    Tried this place out for the first time since it had so many good reviews but in all honesty, I…read moredon't get the hype. We got there about 10 am and had a bit of a wait with people continuously arriving so it's clearly popular. You write your name down and request inside or out or first available. It was a bit chilly so we opted for inside. We were seated after about 20 minutes. It's pretty small inside so the addition of the picnic tables outside is a plus. We all ordered different items, sausage and eggs, bacon and eggs and blueberry pancakes. The egg breakfasts came with a side of either toast, a pumpkin muffin or a cinnamon roll. We ordered a muffin and a roll. The food arrived fairly quickly which was good because after a 2 hour drive we were ready to grub. The egg breakfasts were pretty average in taste and portion. The blueberry pancakes however were good a good size and came with 3. I did think the pumpkin muffin was fire and my bf said the cinnamon roll was excellent so maybe it's their baked goods that are part of what makes this place so popular? I didn't think the amount of food we got was that much of a value as it was a $60 breakfast. Other downsides for me was the parking situation which is common in SC. We found a spot about 2 blocks away. Also, the bathroom is outside and in dire need of a makeover. Lastly, they don't take cards. It's cash or check only. WTH? I haven't seen a restaurant take checks since I was a kid so that's been a minute, lol. Overall I can't really see myself returning other than to get the pumpkin muffin or cinnamon roll. Maybe I just need to try something different.

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    Walnut Avenue Café - French toast with bananas

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    4.2(1.5k reviews)
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    We came early on a Sunday to celebrate my mom's birthday. The restaurant has a super cute…read moreneighborhood vibe, a clean space, and delicious food! I got a killer scramble, my daughter got the churro waffle (she loved that it wasn't overly sweet), and my mom ordered the chilaquiles. Our waiter transparently let us know they aren't traditional Mexican-style chilaquiles, but mentioned they were his personal favorite--and my mom ended up loving them! Even though our server was super slammed, the rest of the staff stepped in seamlessly to help with drink refills and to-go boxes. All in all, a great experience and a wonderful birthday meal for my mom. =)

    Brunch at 10am and we found a place for nine of us…read more Bae called the restaurant and asked how long the wait currently was for our party and they told him 15-20 minutes. We were less than 5 minutes away walking distance. As soon as we placed our name down, the host said it was gonna be 45 minutes. First of all, the person who answered the call should not had gave us a wait time and kindly ask us to come in to put our name down instead. We waited 45 minutes and probably another 20-25 minutes for our food. Food was great, the only problem was that it wasn't piping hot. As if it was sitting on the counter for a while which should never be the case. As long as the kids were happy and stuffed that's all that matters.

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    The Water Street Grill - complimentary fried mash potatoes

    The Water Street Grill

    4.1(840 reviews)
    0.8 mi
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    My family had dinner here for the 1st time. not only was our food really good but the staff was…read moreextremely nice, attentive & accommodating. We came from San Francisco & spent the day at the boardwalk. It was dinner time & we didn't know where to eat & majority of places closed at 9pm. However, based off good reviews we found this place nearby. We weren't sure if they would allow us to dine in since we arrived pretty late around 8:40pm. Luckily, the waitresses didn't hesitate to seat our party of 6. (3 hungry kids & 3 adults) We ordered the: -Garlic New York Steak- medium rare & it was so good. Cooked perfectly & topped with roasted garlic. Mixed in the garlic herb butter with the mashed potatoes. It was delish! - Mac & cheese: we ordered a large & it was really yummy & enough for all of us to share. - Tiramisu: I was excited to order this and it did not disappoint. I'm always on the hunt for a good piece of tiramisu, as it's hard to find especially infused with rum. Not only was the flavor & texture perfect, it was paired with whip cream sprinkled with cocoa powder & strawberries. Such a tasty combination. Also, I'd like to give a special shout out to our waitress & chef for being so accommodating to us. They stayed open way after closing time & didnt rush us. For one of our entrees, as we cut the steak, we accidentally dropped 1/2 of it. Since it was our fault we weren't going to ask for another steak. However, when our waitress found out, she asked the chef to make another one. Surprisingly, they were very generous to give us an entire new plate. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and will be sure to dine here again during our next visits!

    The water street grill was a nice little hole in the wall. It is quite small but in a cozy way…read morerather than cramped. The service was excellent and the servers make sure you are well taken care of all the way through. However, some of the food items were hit or miss. We started off with the calamari appetiser which for 18 dollars was a bit disappointing. It was greasy and a bit chewy, lacking flavor as well. Then we ordered our mains which were the garlic steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes and the new york with prawns, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. The new york was beautifully cooked however the garlic steak was slightly overcooked yet still marinated wonderfully. The mashed potatoes were really good but the roasted potatoes were rather gummy and a bit lukewarm. The asparagus were some of the best we've ever had. We also ordered a side of garlic bread with mozzarella but it was more akin to a ciabatta bun with shredded cheese on top. Overall some of the food was incredible, and some was lacking, but the service was amazing.

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    Bad Animal - Smashed cucumbers

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    4.3(182 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    This restaurant makes me want to be a Bad Animal, everything was absolutely incredible from the…read moredecor to the dish. We got there a little bit early and walked around, exploring books and their cover designs. There were many places to sit and chat. Somehow made us want to discuss philosophy? Now the food, we were blown awayyy by the Summer Squash Pasta. Initially questioning the portion size but it was one of the best dishes we have tried all year, truly! We have even begun trying to replicate it at home since we live all the way in San Jose. The Gougeres were good but we wish there was a sauce or at least a filling, a bit on the drier side. Excited to see what the Fall Menu will look like! If you want the corner booth spot, you gotta request it

    Came here to share a bottle of wine with my son who is a student at UCSC. what a pleasant surprise…read morewe got when we ordered food. This was some of the BEST FOOD that I have had. We pride ourselves in eating in some of the best places all over. Bad Animal exceeded our expectation of a 'wine bar' food menu. We had Oysters Miso Black Cod Crostini And I never order dessert it with every bite of food I couldn't pass the opportunity to try what they had to offer. We went with the lemon verbena gelato with fresh blueberries Our server ( we sat at the bar) was very knowledgeable about the wine and food. He took his time explaining every dish which made the experience much more enjoyable. Whenever I get a chance to visit Santa Cruz, I will Make a point to eat here.

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    Fosters Freeze - burgers - Updated September 2026

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