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    Janet's Montana Cafe

    4.4 (917 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican
    Open 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

    Janet's Montana Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    JANET'S MONTANA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Janet's Montana Cafe

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    Chocolate milk
    Tony A.

    Wife has been wanting to visit Janet's for a while now. We walked in and were immediately greeted by the hostess, and had our names taken down for a table. We were seated fairly quickly, and taken outside, and he staff is super friendly and welcoming. So why 3 stars? I rated this place somewhat average for the food. I ordered the cheeseburger with onion rings. I don't know how long the cheeseburger sat before being brought out but it sat long enough for the bottom bun to become soggy and messy. The onion rings were delicious but it would've been nice to send them out with some sort of dipping sauce. I didnt try my wife's sandwich but she was happy with it. My daughter however, was not a fan of the Mac and cheese, I even noticed as she was eating it, it looked really dry and not cheesy. So the food I'd rate as just ok, but the service and overall feel in the cafe were great.

    One egg breakfast plate with hashbrowns
    Grace C.

    I must try if you are visiting Alpine! Their breakfast plates are delicious and the biscuits and gravy is a must. The gravy is so flavorful and the biscuits are the perfect texture not dry at all. I got the one egg breakfast plate and upgraded to the biscuits and gravy, and it was super filling. The ambience is 10/10, I recommend eating outside if the weather is nice. Parking was full when we came at 12:30 PM so I recommend getting there earlier or park on the street which wasn't too bad. We'll definitely be coming by again!

    Peach iced tea & Cream of Wheat
    Joanne P.

    It's been years since I came to Janet Montana. Never knew about this place until my friend from Temecula recommended we come here for breakfast. So, in the past- I'd meet them halfway on I-15 south- and we'd bee line here for breakfast. Typically arrive here about 30 minutes before opening time, to lock in our motorcycle parking. There's a small private parking lot that's shared with some other businesses. Two entrances/ exits leading to the lot and things can be a bit jammed. Luckily enough, plenty of street parking as well. No reservations. First come, first served- make sure to check in with the hostess. I forgot how huge the portions are! My gosh! We arrived for the lunch crowd on January 2nd. Thought we'd be waiting longer than expected- barely 5 minutes! There's no fancy electric paging device or text message. The hostess will scream your name a few times. When our name was called, we walked in front of the pie display and was hoping to have room for a slice. We got a cozy booth and since it's the holiday season- I enjoyed a nice hot mug of pumpkin chai! Peppermint mocha is another seasonal drink offered. I figured on having something "light". So, why not get a HALF Sandwich Special? Well, the first half of my order arrived. Soup. A HUGE bowl of corn tortilla chicken soup! I didn't realize the menu said BOWL! This is what happens when you skim the menu and expected a measly cup! LOL. The soup was hearty. Crispy corn tortilla strips and huge chunks of chicken breast. My second plate arrived with the HALF sandwich: tuna melt on marble rye. I swear I was just having a conversation earlier this morning about how much I LOVE marble rye! I looked at the "half" sandwich... and it looked like I got the bigger half ! The tune melt just floweth from the bread! My first couple of bites, tuna melt chunks just fell onto my plate! So tasty! Creamy, cheesy, and with lil diced celery. I opted for cottage cheese as my side. And the monkey dish, with my cottage cheese- was a big enough portion! Good lawd! I looked at my FIL salad- and they sure as heck don't skimp. The black olives pile on his plate is basically what you buy a can of from the store! Janet Montana's must have 55 gallon drums of ranch dressing back there because wait til you see how much ranch dressing you'd get! Sadly to say- I had no trim for a slice of pie. I had a food coma! Staff is amazing as I remember. One toilet fo the ladies room.

    Inside  4/26/25
    Marcia R.

    Third time here quick service and very friendly Old ranch feeling here. We had a table for 6 of us. Some had breakfast and others had lunch, are food came out in shifts, but altogether which was fast. Drinks and food We sat outside with heaters, and we were warm It's rained a little but we we were fine It was busy on a Saturday Parking lot is a large lot And there is a gift shops And other stores Very cute place here

    Breakfast burrito with pork chorizo
    Brooke T.

    A lovely diner with a real quaint cozy feel. Exactly the kind of place you'd expect to find all the way out in Alpine. Went with a large group of friends and were able to be seated quickly outside. Portions are absolutely ginormous. We paid $6 for a cinnamon roll and my friend's jaw dropped when she saw how huge it was. We were all able to share it with her. I personally got the breakfast burrito with pork chorizo, which came with a side of refried beans which I actually didn't know about, and it was delicious. Was able to be full after half of the burrito. Everyone was super happy with their meals, ranging from pumpkin pancakes to eggs benedict to eggs and bacon. They kept raving about how we'll have to go back again and how they haven't had real diner food done right like this in a long time. I also overheard someone in the bathroom line saying they take a yearly trip to the area from the East Coast, and Janet's Montana is always a must-stop for them. Unfortunately, we came on a rainy day and we had to cut our meal short as we got rained out of our outside seating, but the staff was apologetic and there was nothing they could really do about it. I'd opt for inside seating next time in general if you can since the inside was really cute!

    Amanda V.

    Cinnamon roll, homemade blueberry muffin and sides of bacon for breakfast at this quaint little roadside stop. Service was decent considering how quickly the place filled up while we ate. We ended up coming back for lunch- I got the BLTA wrap and the chicken wrap for my partner- not my favorite type of fries might suggest trying a different side next time. Will be back for sure. outdoor and indoor setting rustic cabin like.

    Country Fried Steak
    Nolita N.

    Came here with my little sister for a late breakfast, and I am so glad we stopped by. The ambiance was really cute, very rustic-cabin type of vibe, and the food was definitely comfort food at its very best. So we were both very happy. What we got: - Country Fried Steak: this came with a stack of pancakes, making it a very substantial order. Very comforting, hearty meal. Personally, I added a little hot sauce, and it made it even more delicious. - Cinnamon Roll French Toast: perfectly sweet, and not too eggy of a French toast. - Eggs Benedict Country Style Overall this place is really solid, they were pretty busy, but we were seated instantly. The waitstaff were all wonderful as well.

    Enchiladas
    Corina I.

    Enchiladas ARE SOOOO GOOD. I had it for my birthday breakfast. Great taste highly recommend. Restaurant itself is nice and cute, definitely eat at the outdoor patio seating :)

    The front of the building with a bear on the roof.
    Doug B.

    We were out in the boonies in El Cajon for almost a week and wanted to grab breakfast on the way home. With not a lot of places nearby, I looked on Yelp and with good ratings we selected Janet's Montana Café in Alpine. They are open for breakfast and lunch, no dinner. This is a popular place and they were packed around 11am on a Sunday morning. When you pull into the parking lot and see the restaurant, it looks like an old town lodge with an all dark wood exterior, wood walkways and wood railings. It is a hard to miss the building with a big bear on the corner of the roof. The parking lot is on the smaller side, but there is also some street parking, and the parking lot at the tavern next door doesn't have any "customers only" signs so we ended up parking there. There are two dining room areas inside as well as outdoor patio seating. Right inside the front door is the waiting area which reminded me of a barn with red wood walls, wood floors and benches and, a tin roof. There is a display case with delicious looking freshly baked pies, cakes, and other bakery items. One dining room is pretty much floor to ceiling all light wood with antler lighting fixtures overhead. We ate in the second dining room which had wood tile on the floor, with wood planks on the ceiling, and log cabin style walls. This is definitely not your average café, and is a neat and cozy environment. Their menu is a good size, and has many classic breakfast and lunch items, as well as a specials menu. The portions are generous and prices are very reasonable. I just had a two eggs and bacon combo which came with four slices of bacon, a big portion of hash browns, and two slices of sourdough bread. My girlfriend had the French toast. The slices of toast were pretty thick and as good as it was, she could barely eat half of it. The other member of our party had the strawberry pancakes. The pancakes were huge with a generous portion of strawberries and whipped cream, and she could only eat about half of it as well. Unfortunately, my phone battery died right after we sat down, so no food pictures on this review. For as busy as it was, service was fast and friendly and it wasn't overly noisy in the smaller "log cabin" wall dining area where we sat. This is definitely a cool place to check out and dine at.

    My turkey club
    Laura K.

    Wow, this is a FIND! The exact type of place you hope to stumble upon when visiting a city off the beaten path. We started with nice salads (I had the Caesar and my friend had the Mediterranean; both were perfect!) I had the turkey club with steak fries and onion rings, my friend had a burger with fries and we had an order of banana cream pie to try. Service was fast and the food was fantastic. Decor was rustic and fun. We sat on the patio on a beautiful December day. Recommend!

    Eggs and bacon with home fries
    Taylor R.

    Came here for a Monday brunch with the fam. Awesome food and vibes here! Friendly workers with an adorable, quaint cabin feel. I had the eggs and bacon with home fries. Home fries were delicious and everything was cooked perfectly! Had a bite of some of the special pumpkin pancakes. Love how it's not just a fall food!! So delicious!

    Tracy M.

    The food here is like good home cooking. The service is A+ value. The ambience is old fashion style log cabin cafe. We shared the open face turkey sandwich with hot gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce.

    Our seating outside in the back patio

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    2 months ago

    The food is the best - my favorite is the Spinach scramble- Francisco is attentive and a10/10waiter. The Ambience is country/western

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    3 months ago

    Good spot for breakfast, portions were good and the service was great! We'll be back for some pie!

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    5 months ago

    My husband loves to go here for breakfast! Great food and if you leave hungry it's your own fault!

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    5 months ago

    Delicious food! Healthy portions. Don't forget to try the pie. You can't go wrong with any choice.

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    Janet's Montana Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Janet's Montana Cafe

    Can a whole banana cream pie be bought, how much would that be? I would need it by Thursday morning.

    yes we buy whole pies and cakes there all the time. Prices vary

    Do they take reservations?

    No they don't.

    Anyone know the holiday hours?

    Do they have gluten free options?

    The gluten free carrot cake is to die for. And we are not gluten free people. The regular carrot cake is also delicious. Just love that place!

    View All 6 Questions

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    Jay's Southern Cafe - Jay's Southern Cafe

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    4.7(353 reviews)
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    Hey, Yelp Community! If you're looking for the BEST BBQ and Soul Food restaurant in East County,…read moreJay's Southern Cafe is the go-to spot. My brisket sandwich with a special BBQ sauce was hands down the most amazing brisket sandwich I've had. OMG, that BBQ sauce was an added yummy flavorful touch along with the fresh creamy coleslaw...the combo sooo finger-lickin' good. The young man's customer service was top notch with a smile. I didn't have to wait. Thank you!! Whenever you're in the area, you have to stop by to eat some delicious authentic Southern food and support a local family-owned business. It's Alpine BEST kept foodie secret.

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    Had such a great dinner tonight at Mediterraneo in Alpine!…read more We started with a few appetizers and honestly...they were the highlight. The MELENZANE RIPIENE (eggplant stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and cherry tomatoes) was incredible: rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The calamari fritti was crispy and delicious, and the TONNO ASIATICO (seared ahi tuna with sweet chili glaze, ginger, teriyaki, and wasabi) was a huge hit at the table. We also had to try their house-made mozzarella sticks, don't skip these...the cheese pull alone is worth it For the mains, we had the CAPELLINI ALLA CHECCA and the RIGATONI ALLA NORMA, and both were fantastic. You can really taste the difference, the pasta is imported from Italy, and it shows in the texture and flavor. My husband also ordered the margherita pizza and said it's the best he's ever had, which says a lot! The space itself is big, welcoming, and super versatile. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, plus a large bar with a full menu. We tried a couple drinks from their spring menu: the pistachio espresso martini and the berry margarita both were so fun and tasty. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive, which really made the whole experience even better. Bonus: they have a great family-friendly area with arcade games and a pool table, which makes it perfect whether you're going out as a couple or with a group. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to!

    Place was empty upon arrival. I just happen to pull in by chance. Had 40 mins to spare, but yeah…read morekinda weird being literally the 1 only person there. The place is to my surprise nice tho, like the lay out is cool. Even featuring a view into the valleys of alpine. Bar is a great setup, TVs for sports happy hour available. The food great for the prices. Over all idk why there isn't more people here. The city of Apline needs to move out and have some drinks and foood over here ASAP...

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    Mediterraneo - Outdoor dining

    Outdoor dining

    Mediterraneo - Sea Bass Pasta

    Sea Bass Pasta

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    Descanso Junction Restaurant

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    Most underrated breakfast spot come enjoy breakfast. Hours are 8-8 min- Fri 7am on weekends . We…read moremade the mistake at coming at 7 during week day they haven't updated time but so happy we came back for breakfast

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    Descanso Junction Restaurant
    Descanso Junction Restaurant - Chicken parmesan, garlic toast, pasta

    Chicken parmesan, garlic toast, pasta

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    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    4.7 mi
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    Ria isn't just a bartender -- she's the whiskey whisperer, the cocktail queen, the tiny Hawaiian…read moreassassin behind the bar serving drinks so good they'll make you rethink your entire personality. Beautiful, hilarious, cool without trying, and somehow always wearing the most fire shoes in the building. She's the kind of bartender that turns "let's grab one drink" into "well damn, now we live here." Every cocktail was perfect, every recommendation hit, and her energy honestly makes the whole place. Protect Ria at all costs because that girl is a whole vibe. I Wish her all The health and the wealth and if yall don't give this woman a BONUS and a raise- i'm going on strike ;)

    I love everything about this place. The BBQ is insanely good - I have had everything from the…read morepulled pork sandwich to the tri tip to the sausage sandwich, and all of the sides. Everything is INSANE. I've even interviewed the "meat guys" who hang out with the giant smokers in the back lot and basically babysit the meat 24/7. They take their job very seriously, and it shows in the quality of the meat! The bartender made me a mezcal margarita once, and I had three that night and now think of them often. It's what gets me back in the door here. The mezcal marg and the meat. The live music is always awesome. We came recently and saw the Blind Miles Blues Band play - their vibe fit with the ambiance of the restaurant so well. It was awesome that our kids were able to run around and play while we ate dinner and talked. I am SO thankful for a restaurant that has food this good that also freely welcomes families with kids! Our waiter that night, Bryce, was awesome. He was SO attentive and so patient and kind when we had a bunch of requests for extra everything. We'll probably request him next time, he was that cool. Can't say enough good things about this place. I already can't wait to come back again!

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    Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs - You can order then sit

    You can order then sit

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    Janet's Montana Cafe - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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