Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hot Rod Diner

    3.7 (238 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Hot Rod Diner Photos

    Business Info

    HOT ROD DINER ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like Hot Rod Diner

    Recommended Reviews - Hot Rod Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Corn beef hash with hash browns and eggs
    Jordan H.

    Brought my son here for some brunch on a Saturday. I have driven past this place multiple times and have wanted to stop in but never found a chance until now. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I honestly didn't know it was a restaurant for awhile because it is in a awkward area, right next to a auto body shop or something, but with the name hot rod I would assume it was part of the shop.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Anyways walking in I will say it was a little eerie because it was very gloomy outside and inside the restaurant was pretty dark. It can use some brightening up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]And also we were coming in from the cold hoping for some warmth but the restaurant itself was cold inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The servers were attentive and very nice. They had a lot more stuff on the menu than I expected. The food was ok, very basic home style cooking. Prices were not bad so overall it was an okay place to eat at. Will I go back, mmm maybe if my son really wants to go.

    Borrowed from Nextdoor
    Dave M.

    A friend and I needed a coffee shop for a lunch meeting and Hot Rod Diner was nearby. I am glad we stopped in. I hadn't been here since it was a Cindy's and my last moments were when we came in to eat and saw one of the employees faint behind the counter. That was then, this is now. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Our meals today were good, the service was VERY good, and the decor was an eyegasm for any classic car enthusiast.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking was easy and all was in order from beginning to end for both of us. They offered cocktails I noticed. I give it a solid 4 outta 5 and reserve my final star for my next visit.

    Steak & eggs
    Joy S.

    In Turlock California is the Hot Rod Diner, with there nostalgic food menu item names that are oldies but goodies. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small restaurant with limited seating but ample parking out front and in the back area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The prices are fair for Turlock. The service was good for a Monday they forgot to give me my pink lemonade at first. Earlier it was busy and took some patience and time to place and receive my order. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I enjoy seeing the classic records and music selection.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered the Love me tender item on the menu. I enjoyed eating my delectable breakfast. I highly recommend when you are in Turlock to stop by The Hot Rod Diner either with your friends, family or close ones. See the photos attached to this review.

    Omelette, oily potatoes
    Jessica U.

    ( For the people who are going to complain about this review being way too rude, that's what Yelp is for. I still left a tip & tried to finish food that I knew i was gonna pay for. If you are in a please customer business take criticism and make things better for future clients.) How to describe this restaurant with out sounding so rude. This place is a complete joke. I have yet to have another dinning experience quiet like this one ( that isn't a good thing.) we came for breakfast this morning since Black bear was super busy and seeing that the reviews had 4 stars we decided to give it a go. Wow what a mistake. Let's start with the restaurant it's self. I understand that COVID restrictions have been lifted but let's be honest we're still not 100% in the clear, you think they would take that into consideration when jamming the room full of people and having so many open tables that the table next to you is back to back. Yea I would much prefer to pull my chair out with out having to squeeze next to the table and feeling like your on top of each other. I quickly asked to move to a booth which thankfully they were more than happy to accommodate for us. No staff is wearing a mask or evening trying to distance. No hand sanitizer and tables only being wiped with rags from other tables with out re dipped into a solution. Leaving the front doors of the restaurant open is by far the worst mistake any restaurant can make especially when there is no air fan by the front door to keep flys out. They are located in The Valley so flys are everywhere but me having to shoo flys away from my food is so horrible and annoying. All the servers were friendly but everyone looks so rushed that you start realizing food safe habits fly right out the door. Having the waitress hair look like it's flying all over the place isn't the best. Having them constantly touching there face(scratching there itchy noses) , fixing hair out their face or scratching there heads and going directly to grabbing toast with there bare hands (Brooke/ waitress) pop it in the toaster and once it's done grab it with the same grimy hands and plate it. Thank goodness no one at the table ordered toast. Having back of house come from behind the counter with an apron on and directly to the restroom with out removing it is gross. I really hope the health code rating to this location get reevaluate ASAP. Let talk food. Wow. What a disappointment. A huge disappointment. I really don't understand why this location is so highly rated. It's either the people who have visited this location are locals and have absolutely no tastebuds or they haven't had a good breakfast ever. We ordered multiple items off the menu. Hot rod omelette with sliced potatoes and pancakes. Waffle with bacon (asked for sausage tho) w/hash browns. Waffle with bacon eggs and American cheese(just slapped on there with no effort) French toast combo with eggs and sausage. Egg combo with pancakes sausage and hash brown. All the eggs were over cooked and flat as can be. Talk about watering down the eggs way too much. All the food that was served was cold. Pancakes were chewy and not tasty, McDonald's has better pancakes. I'm a pancake girl and for me to leave my pancakes tell you a lot of the type of establishment and the type of food there are bringing out. The sliced potatoes were oily. Waffles were cold that butter didn't even melt on them when placed. Almost 6.00$ for a cup of juice that isn't even filled, Really? Joke I tell you. Will we be returning to this establishment? Yea how about no. Not giving them another try they have been there along time they should know better. If employees don't care service is always gonna be shit. So my take away is go to McDonald's or wait for black bear.

    Charles M.

    Great atmosphere. Nothing like waking up to some oldies music and coffee. I recommend the Impala 65 Omelet. It's like a taco truck Carne asada burrito wrapped in egg instead of a tortilla. It's big. Generous portions for the price.

    Special skillet
    Greg E.

    The service was good even though it was busy and the food was much better than expected. Far better than places like Denny's. Update: I've been a couple more times and the food recently has been quite good. Full of flavor, fresh and hot. This place is working it's way up my list of favorite breakfast places. I've never tried anything but breakfast.

    Linguica & Sunny Side Up Eggs
    Becky M.

    Went to breakfast on a Monday morning a little after 8:30am. Still had a good crowd but we were seated right away. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Food was delicious and was exactly what I envisioned for biscuits and gravy. A HUGE fluffy biscuit smothered in hot, white, pepper gravy hit the spot. And asked for a side of linguica instead of the sausage or bacon option (definitely worth the upgrade). Our coffee was always full- Hot Rod does not disappoint!

    Decent place for breakfast/lunch, but they were super slow at first (7/7/19)
    Jenni M.

    ***breakfast served 6AM-3PM at a car lover's diner near Highway 99*** McDreamee was ready to leave when a waitress finally came by to give us some menus and take our drink order. By that time we had already perused the Yelp app and examined some menu photos so we could order ASAP. But she came back and left as soon as she could set the drinks down. We waited and waited again. Finally a really nice young lady, Anastasia, took our order and from that moment on checked on us frequently. Some of the items on the menu left a lot to be desired... namely the biscuits that came with country-style gravy. The gravy was good, but those biscuits had a strange aftertaste and were cold, thus hard and not easy to chew. Whatever butter they used that day was not good either. Good thing I tried it beforehand... I recommend the "Waffle World" ($5.99) with strawberries. On the side, I asked for a couple of sausage links. The option for 2 is not listed on the menu, but it's $1.50. All 12 and under meals are $5.49 and include a beverage. Great deal! TIP - pick up a copy of "Old Cars & Motorsports"... it's a free newspaper by the front entrance: http://www.oldcarandmotorsports.org

    By far the worst breakfast steak I've ever had. Couldn't have been any worse. I lost my appetite after tasting it. I put two stars cause the service was good but it'll be a few years before I come back to this place.

    a television showing a news program
    Christopher G.

    Great find on our way to the Bay for a baseball game. Friendly staff, great service and a true American diner setting and values. The biscuits are a must try!

    Waffles with strawberry jam and banana

    See all

    Review Insights

    Photo of Rodger S.
    50
    62
    107

    14 years ago

    Very good French toast breakfast but two flies buzzing me the whole time. :(

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul R.
    20
    91
    28

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C S.
    0
    57
    12

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hank O.
    69
    17
    13

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian E.
    282
    47
    17

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe F.
    0
    86
    12

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nette C.
    2
    100
    58

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aldo T.
    0
    21
    23

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill W.
    42
    25
    0

    9 years ago

    Great biscuits and gravy. In Turlock and worth setting down at.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jaz S.
    0
    14
    0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura O.
    245
    26
    12

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linda M.
    41
    36
    36

    9 years ago

    The all American is what I ordered lol I think anyway it was delicious . First time here I will definitely be coming back

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    No frills, large quantity of food, Prices are affordable. If your on a budget and want to stuff yourself this is the place to be.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Amazing food, great customer service! Never a let down. Country fried steak is so delicious!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris B.
    14
    44
    54

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike M.
    61
    44
    7

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lon M.
    22
    85
    14

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 6

    Hot Rod Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hot Rod Diner

    You might also consider

    First & Main

    First & Main

    4.1
    (273 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Food is delicious and service is great. Cocktails are excellent as well. Very nice ambiance.read more

    I came here on a Friday night, I arrived about 6 PM. It was just me, so I offered to sit at the bar…read moreas it was full service. When I got there, there were still some empty open tables, however, as I was leaving, it seems like they're just about all filled up. I got the Mr. milkman cocktail and it was pretty tasty, although I did notice how it appeared, as if there were a lot of wines and other beverages that they were out of. Even with my cocktail, they had to substitute the base with soda water, although it was still tasty. There was probably about 7 to 8 wines/sakes that were crossed out on the menu. Food came out fast, and the service was decent on that chefs end. I got the Korean Stone bowl dish, and It was pretty tasty, although fairly expensive for what it was... rice, veggies, and a little bit of beef, but I do like the concept of having a hot bowl that progressively warms up the rest of the food inside. I really do wish there was more meat inside for the price, I feel like only two or three bites had beef. One thing that I really noticed (and I think I noticed even more because I was sitting at the bar) was how servers and the bartenders spent a lot more time conversing with their friends (who were sitting at the bar) then checking in on some of the other people. Someone did approach me to put in my drink order, but I flagged down the server to put all my other food orders in. I don't think anybody came and asked how my meal was either. I do enjoy the overall ambience of the place, dim mood lighting, a minimalist esthetic, and a bar that really nicely displays some of their high end liquors.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Smore Waffle Dessert - totally worth it!
    Smore Waffle Dessert - totally worth it!
    Brussel Sprouts, cauliflower, edamame appetizers.

    See all

    Brussel Sprouts, cauliflower, edamame appetizers.

    Hot Rod Diner - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...