This is a basic "stereotypical" diner. The ambiance was a little questionable, all the way around. It's located in a strip mall where a couple of unhoused people hange out. Still, I didn't want to "judge a book by its cover." The pancakes were above average (in taste), as were the hashbrown and eggs. they don't offer any non-pork meat options. I'm not sure if I would return, but I can definitely see how they have "regulars" due to the price (very affordable) and pretty decent food. The service was okay...everything about this place was just "okay." read more

Classic diner. Old school. Sit at the counter even if you have a date Signs on the wall show how this classic place has been used as a Hollywood filming location read more

Service was amazing I felt as thought at was at my Grandmas kitchen servers are very friendly . 10/10 Chilaquiles are why I came back and they didn't disappoint . Unfortunately my husbands hashbrowns were completely undercooked and the pancakes were just ok . read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Chilaquiles special was 17.00 included coffee - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

I came by on a Friday morning around 10 for breakfast. It's a cute cafe, but just breakfast basics. The server was friendly and gave excellent service. Other than the small size and small menu, it's great for a quick bite. read more

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The food wasn't bad by any means, but it is so incredibly expensive for a basic breakfast. I live on this block of C St and I would rather drive across town and have food that matches the price tag I'm paying. It truly isn't worth coming here in my mind because of it. I would rather go to the Krisp next door and buy the ingredients to make an omelet myself than spend $20 there. read more

Left plate: Chefs Omelette (hollandaise sauce on top is crazy good) Top middle: the butteriest pancakes and syrup ever Right plate: classic over easy eggs w/ sausage and bacon, hashbrowns (well season and crispy) & Damn good hot coffee Alright -- place is too damn good to be a 3.8, Mexican ladies here a quick and sweet, great service, classic and fresh breakfast dishes, and the coffee is hot and good! Can't ask for a better neighborhood joint, I bet you this is what Dennys diner tasted like back in the day! read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Left plate: Chefs Omelette Top middle: the butteriest pancakes and syrup ever Right plate: classic over easy eggs w/ sausage and bacon - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

* good for breakfast * local cafe * service is always great * small cafe but they added outdoor tables * casual ambiance Been coming here for years. The chilaquiles are always a fav, tortilla soul here is amazing. The omelet today needed a bit more flavor but all and all this place is oldie but goodie. A must-try. read more

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This was a small " mom n pop" old style cafe like i grew up with. The staff is friendly, the food, good. My small group is trying different areas of town. This area has beautiful architecture that i was unfamiliar with. read more

Firstly, the service was great. Such friendly ladies and were checking up on us a lot, plus they were quick. The diner itself is quite cute, it's small and has nice pastel colors. The food was okay, a little more on the plain side (although they did have sauces and seasoning on each table that you could add). I was not super fond of how unclean some of the dishware was. I ordered a coffee and they handed me a mug with dust all around the rim as well as a spoon that looked like it was dipped in dust. I wiped all the dust off, but who knows if I drank any. Please just double check your dishware and utensils before serving them to customers. In any case, my husband enjoyed the club sandwich he ordered although the fries that came with it were a little plain. I appreciated how I got really warm tortillas with the eggs a la mexicana that I ordered as well. read more

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One of my favorite breakfasts in town! The food is delicious and I love the staff! I feel at home! read more

While visit San Diego, we came across this little gem. It was in walking distance from our Airbnb. Service was excellent. Food was good, for a diner...nothing was greasy! Happily surprised. read more

Golden Hill Cafe is such a cute and quaint little diner. It's tiny and it has been around for decades. Some of the best pancakes I've had are from here. If you're in a brunch mood - I highly recommend the chilaquiles. Next time, I'll order over-medium eggs. Sunny side up was too runny for me. The servers and cooks here are clearly experienced. You can grab a bite to eat - and be in and out of this joint in minutes! They are quick and the food is always served hot. You can't beat the prices here. A meal for my husband and I costs us $20-$30, compared to $50-$60 everywhere else in San Diego. read more

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I don't even know where to start. This was the worst customer service I have ever experienced! I walked in and just stood there as the 2 workers watched. No greeting , no one told me where I could sit, so I sat wherever and the server just gave me a menu without saying anything. The food was extremely expensive . I order chilaquiles but I didn't get chilaquiles, I got chips with salsa and canned beans with an orange juice that was watered down! Oh and the place was DIRTY! It smelled like trash and the seats are covered in black stains. This was my first time here and I will never be coming back. Don't waste your money here read more

I was looking at yelp to get brunch. This place isn't really all that aesthetic. Coming here is more so quick and convenient. Food was tasty and there wasn't that much interaction on service. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

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3.5 This place is a time capsule when you walk inside. My dad said this corner area could be filmed for a throwback movie like Back II the Future. Every week my dad asks me to go to the same 2 restaurants he goes to for breakfast, and I loathe going. So, I always try to suggest something different. He grew up near GHC, so I figured we'd check it out since it's nearby where I had to go. Inside has been well kept. Everything feels like I've traveled back in time. The booths are still firm and they even have real glass cups. It's timeless inside. The food is pretty average, nothing super amazing here, but it's a consistent low key diner. I ordered the machaca, though it lacks seasoning and the veggies were the same as the ones cut for a Denver omelette, it was still a good option. Portions aren't crazy and nothing was greasy. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Machaca breakfast - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

Tasty breakfast, nice atmosphere and service. Recommend the eggs Benedict! Will be coming back. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Chilaquiles (spice) rojos - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

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The definition of a mom and pop restaurant. It doesn't get more local than Golden Hill Cafe. You can tell this is an family establishment that's been through the times. This place really a diner, which means don't come here expecting mind blowing experience with service and food. Come in enjoy some cheap, solid food made with love. I'm very glad places like this still exist even after 2020 and hope it continues to stay as the local eatery for years to come. Stopped by for lunch and got the California turkey melt. Crispy fries and solid turkey melt with sourdough, the melt had roasted pepper to give it a mild kick. My partner got the Farmer's Mix, which is like a kitchen sink omelet with biscuit and gravy on the side. Both were solid choices. Service was super nice and welcoming. Stop by, pay cash and tip big! read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Farmer's Mix - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

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We were staying at an Air BnB in Golden Hill, a very walkable area, and strolled by this cute 50's-style diner that specializes in breakfast and brunch. Since it was my birthday the next day and I get to pick.... Wait staff is pleasant, we chose a cozy little booth. Food came quickly. I had the Chef's Omelette which had a lot of veggies and awesome Hollandaise sauce. So good. My husband had some standard eggs-toast-hash browns dish and enjoyed it. IMPORTANT - one of their options for sides is a biscuit. Get it - they are homemade and delicious! read more

This is a local joint that is everything you want a local breakfast joint to be: no fuss good food. Let me also state that we go here when we specifically have one dish in mind: their chilaquiles. Surprisingly people mess chilaquiles up A LOT and thus far this is our favorite in San Diego. We get them spicy and they are perfectly crispy and the sauce is divine. We also go here for pancakes or French toast when we feel like just a nice diner type of breakfast (their pancakes are better than their French toast in my opinion). The location is at the corner of a semi-main street but there is always plenty of street parking and a parking lot attached to the side. They reopened seating inside and have outdoor seating along the street. Service is always great but be aware that weekends get a lil busy. read more

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Great service, somewhat pricey. Coffee was barely passable but refilled quickly. Food was good but not great. Went for breakfast with two kids and place was packed read more

Of course they are gunna show you great pictures but today went for breakfast ordered eggs and hash browns hashbrowns had so much oil had to return them when I got my new ones they weren't even cooked so I return Ed them and didn't order nothing . The owner was charging me for them .I ask why am I paying for these and she said because you ordered them .I've been going there for 15 years and she told me if I'm not paying for them .and I said I have no problem paying for the food my daughter ate and she told me not to come back read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

Love the food, the service and the environment! Always come back for the French toast and the spicy chilaquiles.

sometimes we just want breakfast from a low key place & the cafe always comes to mind. The place is a small diner with outdoor seating as well. Every time I go I never have to wait to be sat, there's usually a table or two open. They have a simple menu but the service and food are great! Sitting outside & enjoying your coffee with the view is one of the best things about this place. read more

I ate breakfast here this morning and I had the Farmer's Deluxe (scrambled eggs, sausage, onion, and green bell peppers) . The food was delicious and the service was excellent. read more

Service was off , the mexican server with short hair was very rude when i asked for lactose free milk , she rolled her eyes and gaved us very poor service , the other server (white lady) has always been nice and welcoming. Love the breakfast but doubt on comung back for server that mistreat clients upon customer acomidations. read more

Almost don't want to post about this gem because then it would be too busy, but they deserve a good Yelp. Small little corner retro diner. Excellent service, food, and affordable! Tried the huevos rancheros. Delicious. It's not in my 'hood, but definitely willing to come on the regular. read more

my family and i have been coming here for years. after moving coming i still make it a habit to come here. every single time food and service is great!! beware there is a SMALL line on the weekends during breakfast but food still comes out faster than dennys or ihop. if your thinking about it, please come and support read more

Golden Hill Cafe - best place ever (chilaquiles n french toast!) - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

If you want to delicious old school retro diner in the heart of Golden Hills, you've come to the right place. It was our first time and this place has an Art Deco vibe from the outside. The waitress pointed us to a booth and it was so close that our knees were touching. We asked to move but the waitress pushed the table which somehow created a bit more room for us. It worked well enough. I have to say that the food was really tasty. Probably the best turkey melt and fries I've ever had, and that's saying something. There's a sign on the wall that says that the movie K9 was filmed here in 1988 and a photo of John Stamos is beside it, both of which were interesting. Also, a few doors down is a fantastic Mexican bakery. The drawbacks to this restaurant are that the decor needs revising and there are all these signs up saying that you can't stay longer than 90 minutes (crossed out, now 60 minutes!). We weren't going to linger but sheesh, are we being timed? Overall, we'll be back for the good food and we'll ask for a more comfortable table. Enjoy! read more

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Great food great service I will be back. This minimum of 85 characters is ridiculous. Yelp needs to change this

I initially liked this place a lot because of the price point. However I have received undercooked food twice, today I have terrible food poisoning from eating the undercooked sausage. Won't be going back. Sorry. I was already having a really bad day too! read more

Pretty decent diner food. Our food came out really quick and it was just your average breakfast dishes.

Everything was delicious. Reasonable prices and always good service . Kids love here so much. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

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Cute little corner cafe! Totally old school diner with great service and delicious home style food. Love coming here

It's a mom and pop, and practically historic, but other than this and friendly service, it is not worth the sticker price for content and amenities. SO ordered bacon cheeseburger and fries, I settle on the eggs sausage and hash browns with side of OJ (never got OJ during this visit.) SUPER EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT WE GOT. His order of fries were perfectly hot and crispy... but unseasoned completely, no salt, no nothing. The burger looked okay but fairly flat? Didn't feel like a 'restaurant' burger, but like a really homestyled one. I dunno. Our orders on the big plates, just seemed to magnify how small the portions were. I think I paid $12 for that tiny breakfast platter. It came with 2 pieces of white toast. Unbuttered. My SO was more satisfied than I was with this visit, but he wouldn't go back. This was both our first time and whenever we were in the area previously, it seemed like this place was packed and the portions were impressive. By the time we arrived, we were the last customers before they closed in the late afternoon. This was on a Sunday. I waited almost a month to post this review and unfortunately do not have pictures. Again, service was best part but portions, presentation, amenities (we sat on cheap plastic fold up chairs on folding tables outside... I understand convenience, but that should also be rolled into price, no? It goes both ways.) Maybe this is the cost of gentrification, being around the corner from an overpriced grocery store Krisp. Maybe this menu was more affordable three or four years ago. Maybe the management changed, maybe our perception of the plating was never going to be helped... whatever it is, it is just lackluster and average and I can only truly recommend this place if you want diner food and don't/can't leave the area for something better. And by that, I mean leave by less than a half mile, because your options are truly more worthwhile in other parts of town besides Golden Hill. Which sucks for the hyperlocals here. read more

My favorite place to go to for breakfast. It never disappoints. Plus the movie K-9 was filmed here in the 80's. You'll love their coffee and pancakes here!! read more

This is my favorite spot to go to when it comes to their homemade chilaquiles, tuna melts and how can I forget their jumbo French toast and pancakes?! I really appreciate the staff always checking in on the patrons and walking around with a fresh pot of coffee, ready to refill anyone in need! read more

Honestly, it's my first time here and literally the service is great! I feel like I'm at home with my mom. The food is delicious, it's simple but suuuuper delicious!! It's very laid back but definitely enjoyable. We ate outside and even then I loved it. I'm definitely going to come again. I really appreciate the hospitality even when it was super busy. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - I would have posted my food but I already ate it.... - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

So this place has been around for a while and I love how old it is the food really isn't worth the price. Sadly it's just below mediocre. The breakfast is decent but today I ordered a BLT and they gave me what looked like 2 and half strips of bacon. They didn't seem to even put an effort into the sandwich itself.... it was just bland and sloppy. Those place has such good potential to be a really good diner/cafe but I have seriously been to way better ones than this. The owners might want to rethink the quality of food here and maybe spruce up the place a bit more.... an upgrade on this place would do it some good. A place like this shouldn't go to waste. As a the service, the first time we went here [and forgive me for how I'm about to describe her] we had the older white lady with the blondish hair was great and attentive. Other servers were ok. Don't take this completely negative after all this is just my opinion. read more

Golden Hill Cafe - BLT - Diners Near Me - San Diego, California

I give this place between 2 and 3 stars. I love diners and when I found out this was close I was jazzed. The service we received here was good. Unfortunately, the food just didn't really get it done for me. The omelette I ordered was a bit over cooked and the mushrooms used were canned and there wasn't much cheddar in my omelette. I had asked for crispy hash browns and they were super dark in spots and undercooked in others. Maybe we just hit a bad day? read more

Been going here since I was a kid , I'm 39 now my dad used to take me and my sisters on Saturdays pancakes and hot chocolate went back and food is still as good as I remember it service is awesome as always one of the neighborhood places still around , hope they're around for a while read more