Why did it take so long for us to try this restaurant!? The hubby and I decided to give this place a try today. We've been driving by it for years..... But never stopped. So glad we finally did. We loved the atmosphere. Old cafe kinda vibes with oldies playing in the background. So nostalgic. What we ordered: * 4 Egg Family Omelette w/ Pancakes - Shared * Side Order of Sourdough Toast Everything we had was amazing. Our omelette was cooked just right. Potatoes and toast were nice and toasty. Pancakes were so good & fluffy. Max was our server and he was very welcoming & attentive. He suggested how we should order to save us a little extra money.... AMAZING!! We can't wait to visit again to try some of their other great looking menu items. They are a fusion of American, Greek & Mexican meals. What a great concept. read more

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I've seen this place many times over the years. First time in on 3/4/2026. I really really like this restaurant. Great food and great service, very nice staff. I agree with another Yelp comment that Lemon Grove Cafe does remind a person of a simpler time. I'm looking forward to dining here again. read more

I went on a Saturday morning and it was very lively. There's was a waitlist but it went through very fast. I think I only waited about 10-15 minutes. The people there are very welcoming. It's a very nice classic American diner. But the plus is that they also serve Mexican and Greek food. I got a half order of french toast and Eggs benedict with hashbrowns! The hashbrowns were sooo yummy. Everything else was good, not great. But definitely still satisfies the classic American breakfast craving ! read more

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We have driven by many times . Today we stopped by and fell in love. The staff very friendly and courteous. Max are server was extremely helpful with his suggestions. Loved the music and total vibe of a family friendly spot that has plenty of space and options for everyone. The food was delicious and very home cooked feel. The eggs of the omelette in my opinion were cooked perfectly. I don't know why it took us so long but this is definitely going to be in the rotation and worth the visit. I am very interested in coming here for lunch next time. read more

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This was our third time coming to Lemon Grove Cafe and will definitely be back for the fourth and etc. Portions are huge! Got a table within minutes. Received drinks right away, then our food order came out and it was delicious. I ordered carne asada green chilaquiles and my husband ordered the carne asada plate with a side of pancakes. Our waitress Alison was friendly and very attentive. The other servers Miriam and Max were also friendly and offered drink refills. 100% recommend this yummy and family friendly cafe! read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Asada chilaquiles green and asada plate - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

It's a nice little diner in Lemon Grove. Inside it feels homey and a mom and pop shop. The staff were very friendly. The food came out quickly and fresh. The portions were pretty big but also very delicious. Breakfast is served all day. I will definitely be back to try more options. read more

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Our Airbnb was in Lemon Grove, this was about 4-5 mins away. Free street parking on the right side of the building. I believe there is a parking lot but it might be tight. I ordered the chorizo frittata. It was $17. The food portions were huge. I also ordered a side of scrambled eggs. That's about $4. I can see why people think it's overpriced, but did they forget that the gas price is over $6 in California? The food was pretty decent. Service was okay, not super attentive. read more

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Breakfast for dinner! Food was good. I enjoyed my abc omelet and pancakes. We ordered to go and food was still warm when we got home. My kids enjoyed the pancakes as well. I liked that pancakes came with syrup and a whipped butter. I also liked that the hash browns were crispy on the outside. Not an upscale restaurant. It's a comfortable vibe, friendly service and great for families. It was easy ordering to go and not a very long wait. read more

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The Lemon Grove Cafe is a gem! It is reminiscent of bygone times when life was simple. Places like this are hard to find! The space used to be the Antique Row cafe. The staff is really friendly! Lots of locals and people who work or live in the area. I really wanted corned beef hash, and LGC didn't disappoint! Home potatoes and yes, pancakes or toast! Pancakes Please!!! I was so happy! Scooter was able to get crinkle fries with his eggs! This is something that is missing at other places! Definitely worth checking out! You get a lot to eat for your money! And again, the service is really friendly! read more

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This was one of the best breakfasts I've ever had! Everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent, and the staff was very friendly. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back! read more

Very welcoming coffee shop right at the entrance of Lemon Grove. Such a lovely vibe inside with great baristas and plenty of space to enjoy your delicious drinks! Love the monthly/seasonal drinks variety. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Local art. Delicious coffee. - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Small cafe located near iconic Lemon on Lemon Grove avenue. Allison led our party of 3 to a booth in the restaurant which was decorated in a Route 66 theme. The menus included breakfast all day and there was plenty to choose between Mexican, Greek and American dishes. I noted a white erase board above the bar area that had the daily specials on it as well. We all ordered breakfast. I had scrambled eggs with chorizo, homemade refried beans and fresh corn tortillas. Absolutely delicious. All items were cooked and seasoned perfectly and piping hot. Allison was polite, friendly and engaging throughout our stay. Can't wait to come back. read more

We came in for breakfast on New Year's Eve early morning. I was surprise that there were only a few other dinners there and no waitlist. First impression was that it looked dated and could use a refresh on their decor. Our waiter came by to introduce himself and was super friendly. I ordered the veggie frittata and my dad ordered the chorizo frittata. The hash browns that came with my frittata were probably the best I have ever had. Not greasy and just the right amount of crispness and soft inside. Perfection! My frittata was good but lacked more flavor so of course I added salt and maybe next time I would request cheese for more flavor. Dad said frittata was good but nothing special that made it stand out. The coffee was good and super strong, not weak like other places. The prices were reasonable and nothing too expensive on the menu so it was a good find for breakfast. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Dining area - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

We have driven by this place many times and finally decided to stop by on a Saturday afternoon. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive and helpful. We asked many questions whether food is made in homemade or frozen items just fried up. We avoided all frozen and processed foods on menu. They advertise American, Mexican and Greek Food. Family owned place per waitress. My Husband ordered the rib eye and egg breakfast and I got the chicken souvlaki kabob plate. I love chicken souvlaki so I had to try and put it to the test. The portions were generous and came out fairly quick. They have inside and outside dining. We chose outside patio on this Sunny San Diego day. The rib eye is a a good size but very thin cut slice. It was cooked medium and it was okay. The potatoes were not made extra crispy as he ordered and potatoes were raw in the middle. He is a steak and Eggs breakfast guy and well it didn't wow him. My plate was a good portion. Not sure what kinda dressing was on the Greek salad but it as not my favorite. The Greek salad was kinda sad. Did not look like the Greek salads I am use too. The chicken souvlaki was disappointing. Did not have the seasoning that I have had at other Greek places. It was lacking flavor And the rice was just a chicken flavored rice. The tzatziki sauce did not taste like tzatziki sauce. I make it at home and well something was definitely missing. I set bar high on this place and was disappointed. I know now if not authentic Greek don't expect a lot. Overall it was just okay. It is definitely a neighborhood spot and maybe what we ordered wasn't the best dish to try. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Chicken souvlaki kabob plate - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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It's a nice little mom&pop breakfast place. I seen that it's a lot more popular with the elderly population. The service was awesome, they were super nice& prompt. The food was just meh. The food was like a no thank you for me. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my preference. The flavors were more on the safer side, I prefer bolder tastes especially when it comes to chilaquiles. Definitely should add some carne asada or chorizo with it if you guys try it. I tried & gave em a try, but if you're more adventurous, this might not do it for you. Try them out at least once &prove me wrong! Or right. Lol. read more

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Just left from here and received amazing service from Max and the other employees. The food was bomb!! Ordered was the Seafood Omelette with Jalapeño Sauce on top and that was 11/10! Also it came with Pancakes and Potatoes which were fabulous. Chorizo Breakfast Plate Was Bomb As Well! read more

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My wife and i have eaten here a few times, once for dinner twice for breakfast. In an age of rising prices and declining food quality, this place stands out in bucking the trend. Delicious food at reasonable prices, great value for quality and quantity. ALways enough left overs to take home. ALso the outdoor patio is nice to bring our dog to tag along. Its now our go to diner for affordable eats that's tasty. Great service as well. read more

Loved this spot since the first time I walked in. Feels like a homey spot and love the way the energy feels when you walk in. The staff is super kind and welcoming. We ordered a California Omelette, the hash browns are super yummy and crispy. My boyfriend got the Chilaquiles rojos and he absolutely loved them(usually a green salsa lover). I have been coming back every month and I am always left feeling super happy and full. I've shared this place with all my friends and even brought my parents. Definitely fave breakfast place ! read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - California Omelette and Chilaquiles rojos - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Tucked away in a very busy area in the heart of lemon grove , is a diner with substance. Lemon grove cafe is a family owned establishment with greek roots and a menu the serves the local community. Stepping into the cafe, you are hit with the presence of history and community. The brick interior paying homage to the strength of this cafe, and the lively atmosphere of what a true cafe/diner experience should be. I stayed neutral with the regional cuisine and ordered a corned beef hash dish. Everything Ace'd all marks of breakfast. FLAVOR TECHNIQUE Mastered, but if i had to chose one last meal in this world , it would be the buttered white toast and choice of jam I will be coming back to try the other dishes the cafe has to offer read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Corned beef Hash - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Breakfast is breakfast really. The people are nice for sure. Inside is old and not sure when it had a good cleaning .

The flute of us dropped in about noon and the place was packed. This is the local hangout. All th food was superb and my eggs were cooked to perfection. Service was excellent and this is just a great local place. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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This café was very welcoming, and it had many road signs and car pictures as decor along the walls. It's a comfortable family diner, and accommodates large parties. I went with my friends and ordered the #3 Egg Skillet that included Italian sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, and cheese. Toast and jam was also provided on the side, and the portion was huge! I loved my dish, but I had to add more salt to bring out more of the flavors. I'd recommend this spot to anyone who wants grab a quick brunch and enjoys the quirks of a café. read more

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Portions are huge and pretty much everything is amazing! My fav is Gyro Sandwich. A must go if you are in town.

Excellent service and food. Family owned. Blue or burgers are good. Large portions. I enjoy coming here. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Blt and fries - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

I highly recommend this business. They have the best jalapeno sauce which is great with scrambled eggs in any breakfast order. The service is quick, friendly and spot on! They serve hazelnut creamer which very few restaurants do. If you're a regular, they know your name. They know mine and if you ask them for the Linda Special, they'll know you want scrambled eggs with chopped sausage and bacon and a side of jalapeno sauce. I'm telling you, it is the BEST in San Diego. Plus, the theme inside is roadhouse 50s and it's next to the trolley which you can watch go by as you eat. read more

Friendly family run business. Great comfort dishes which include American, Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, so a variety of dishes for your taste. Service is amazing as well, very affordable. read more

Service and food were just okay, nothing special. Our server was nice. It's a casual dining spot. What really stood out in a negative way was the girl at the front who collected our payment. When I politely asked if she could split the bill, she huffed and gave me an attitude, as if it was too much for her to calculate. It felt unnecessary and unprofessional and left a bad impression. read more

From the moment I stepped in staff was very attentive and greeted me with a smile. I ordered a soup and salad and it was flavorful Lentil soup. You can taste the freshness of sautéed veggies. Along with soup was a Greek Salad. First time going and they always made sure I was doing alright. Its a popping place as they had a full house. I even overheard others talking about how this café is the place they frequent for lunch. Thank you for your hospitality. Oh and I can't forget the slice of pie. read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Slice of Apple Pie - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Delicious food GREAT SERVICE!! Wonderful atmosphere for a great night in Lemon Grove!!

I really wanted to like this place because the staff were honestly fantastic -- friendly, attentive, and quick. You can tell they actually care about customers and work hard to keep things moving. Unfortunately, the rest of the visit didn't live up to that same level. There was a noticeable urine-like odor inside that made it hard to get comfortable or relax during breakfast. The food itself looked nice but felt pretty overpriced for what it was, and nothing really stood out flavor-wise. The coffee also had a strange taste... not burnt exactly, just off enough that I couldn't finish it. I feel bad leaving a negative review because the service truly was great, but the atmosphere and quality just didn't match the prices. If they fix the smell and tighten up the food and coffee, this place could actually be really good. read more

The food was really good. I ordered the green chilaquiles and carne asada. The customer service was also great! read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Green chillaquiles with carne asada - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Very good food not a big selection. The service was excellent. Sat outside nice patio. read more

First time ordering yogurt parfait and macha drink and was so delicious!! I'd would order again.

Was in town and needed some breakfast. There was a good mix of customers in that morning. The menu has a variety of food types to choose from and plenty of breakfast options. I got the chorizo skillet, it was tasty and came with a dollop of sour cream on top. The server was friendly and helpful with suggestions. I needed some caffeine so ordered a soda, it was a large serving. I chose to get the home potatoes with my meal and they were perfect. Just the right texture and perfectly seasoned. I got an English muffin and it was warm and buttery. Can't comment on parking bc we didn't drive there. There is also an outdoor seating area that is probably nice but on a warmer day. I'd def go back. read more

This place feels very comfortable and welcoming. It is a little older, but the service and the authentic menu was on point. The price was not too high, and the quality of food will have me going back. read more

Moved to the area a couple years ago and it was the first place we went to for breakfast...a lucky find! Nice service, the breakfast is delicious- thick bacon and has proper "cafe" coffee....just gotta say the place deserves a much needed remodel and truly deserves a 5. read more

Stopped by this little cafe on the way to the highway. When we arrived, the staff seemed very friendly. We could sit anywhere, but the table we chose had not been cleaned. They were quick to come over and clean the tabletop. I ordered the bacon and egg plate with fruit and toast. I ordered scrambled eggs with cheese. The cheese was typical shredded cheddar on top. The fruit was a bit too new (not ripe enough) for me. My son got the Donald kid's meal with a waffle. A good sized portion for a kid's meal! My husband ordered the chorizo and egg burrito. He said it tasted good but the burrito had egg on one side and chorizo on the other, so it wasn't well mixed. The staff was extremely nice and attentive the entire visit. And the cost was half of what you'd pay at competing restaurants in the area. Would definitely go back and try more. read more

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This is my favorite place to eat. It's such a favorite that they've actually named a dish after me. The Linda Special. It's two eggs, a side of bacon, a side of sausage, all scrambled up with a side of jalapeño sauce. It's the bomb! read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - The Linda Special. - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Love love love this place! Great for breakfast and lunch. My fav items are the chilaquiles and gyro plate!

Lemon Grove Cafe located across the trolley tracks off Lemon Grove Ave is the spot to go to! Parking lot is small and fills pretty quickly. Some street parking up front but that goes faster then the lot. They are constant busy! It's because they are dishing out amazing eats! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner they have you covered! Have breakfast for dinner or lunch for breakfast or dinner for breakfast, they serve all dishes during business hours. We typically go there for breakfast but, this last time I tried something off of their lunch menu which was their Gyro sandwich. One word...AMAZING! Flavor of the meat was outstanding and tzatziki sauce refreshing and delicious! Lemon Grove Cafe packs their Gyro sandwich with their delicious meat! Not a lot of filler with lettuce. Just red onion and tomato. Comes with crinkle cut fries (I'd prefer the fries to be a little more crispy). Non the less a perfect combo and is filling. If you are in the Lemon Grove area and love you some Gyro sandwich, go no further than Lemon Grove Cafe! Your welcome in advance! read more

Lemon Grove Cafe - Gyro sandwich meal - American Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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