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    Lemon Grove Cafe

    4.3 (402 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Mexican, Greek
    Open 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Lemon Grove Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    LEMON GROVE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Lemon Grove Cafe

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    Menu
    Antonio M.

    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.

    Nick P.

    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.

    Breakfast served all day
    Jade C.

    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.

    Mikey H.

    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!

    Asada chilaquiles green and asada plate

    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!

    Local art. Delicious coffee.
    Karla A.

    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.

    Dining area
    Corina A.

    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.

    Chicken souvlaki kabob plate
    Lisa G.

    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.

    Chilaquiles
    Laura M.

    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.

    Carlos R.

    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!

    California Omelette and Chilaquiles rojos
    Cristal F.

    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 !

    Corned beef Hash
    Alexis S.

    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

    Randall B.

    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.

    The tostada's presentation is mouthwatering and the toppings are everything I desired, too!

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Solid breakfast spot the food was very enjoyable and would definitely be coming back. The service was great and the food came out quick.

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    2 years ago

    Our breakfast specials were super yummy! Service was very attentive and friendly. We will definitely be back soon!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great staff! Good food! Best Local restaurant in Lemon Grove! Serves whole menu all day!

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    2 years ago

    The grilled ham and cheese sandwich was dry the ham was rubbery and tough, and the cheese was old and dry.

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    3 years ago

    Both the food & the service was OUTSTANDING!! I highly recommend it!! From the moment we walked in it was a very pleasant experience!

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    Page 3 of 11

    Lemon Grove Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

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    Santana's Mexican Food - Fresas con crema,  granola y coco

    Santana's Mexican Food

    2.2(264 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Food is okay and inexpensive. I sometimes go here when I am not sure what I want. It could use a…read morelittle more flavor IMO. I definitely go here out of convenience though because it is close to where we live!

    Lol all the reviews here about the rude girl working the cashier in front is a bit relatable. Well…read moreshe wasn't rude to me but she was just short and looked like she had a stank attitude and hated her job but that could just be her face. She took my order and was straight to the point; no frills or thrills so no complaints on my part. It's convenient that they're open 24/7 but since there are in a shared plaza in the middle, there's no drive thru making you have to go inside. I like how there was an open salsa bar with different options of hot sauces ranging from mild to spicy. They even have hot carrots, jalapeños, and radishes out for free which is a winner to me! They do have a sign limiting you to 3 sauces per person and that they have cameras watching lol. The service was super quick I was still getting my hot sauces when the food was already done to my surprise. As for the food itself ehh it was okay. Their cheese quesadilla was a little on the burnt side. Their rolled tacos and asada nachos came with everything which included guac, pico, sour cream, lettuce so that was a plus for me not to order any extras since some just come with the basic cheese. They were both good.

    Photos
    Santana's Mexican Food
    Santana's Mexican Food - Fresas, crema , granola y coco.

    Fresas, crema , granola y coco.

    Santana's Mexican Food

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    Casa Gabriela - Como Una Flor Cocktail

    Casa Gabriela

    4.2(868 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    This was our second time here, this time for brunch! We got the burrito and the queso fundido…read more OMG!! The queso fundido was sooooo amazing! I definitely want to get it again in the future. The burrito was so good as well. I was not too fond of the agave syrup drizzle as I don't like mixing sweet and savory, but if that's your thing, go for it! Eventually I only had room for the filling, so that was nice and savory. The cafe de olla was delicious as well. I REALLY commend this restaurant for not using AI graphics. The signs and menu looked like they were designed by a real designer. Great job! My only complaint was that the table next to us had an iPad kid with loud volume. I feel that restaurants should impose policies of not letting personal devices be so loud as to not bother other patrons.

    We had a 6pm restaurant but still wound up having to wait until 6:15 for our table to be ready…read more Which was no big deal, because they were very busy that night and they had a nice little waiting area. The host was very nice and personable so we didn't mind waiting at all. The decor/ambiance was nice throughout. Sadly we got seated at one of the bar height tables on the patio that had EXTREMELY uncomfortable tall metal chairs that had an unusual tilt to the seats leaning down towards the back (all 3 people in our party were super uncomfortable and left with horrible back back and numb legs). So just a tip, make sure you request to sit at a normal height table, they seemed fine in comparison as far as we observed. On a positive note, our waitress was very friendly and attentive, unfortunately we were not able to change tables when we asked but we understood because they were so busy. We were determined to make the best of it though because we were all really looking forward to the food and drinks after reading so many good reviews. We all ordered different specialty drinks which were fine, a little to syrupy and overly sweet for our taste but I could see how some might like that, the presentation was seriously lacking compared to the photos on their website though, again we just chalked this up to them being busy so no big deal, just a bummer because we wanted to cute tasty drinks for our ladies night out. The biggest bummer though was the food... We ordered everything our waitress recommended, so perhaps the kitchen was just having an off night because they were so busy.. It did take well over an hour to get served after ordering, but we are troopers and wouldn't have minded waiting so long if the chairs hadn't been so uncomfortable. But we were seriously disappointed with every dish, everything was "fine and edible" but lacked any real flavor. These are the dishes we had: Appetizer - Tabla de Antojitos (presentation was okay) platter included: Chicken barbacoa empanadas (very bland) Sweet potato, caramelized onion & chipotle taquitos (flavorless and used regular potato not sweet potato) Mini queso fundido (was literally just cheese and beans with no chorizo or seasoning at all) Bacon wrapped jalapenos (these were okay, just nothing special) Entrees - Enchiladas Marisco Suiza - Presentation was good, it was a pretty dish thanks to the sauce and looked promising, but unfortunately the food was very bland, seriously lacking in the flavor department. Birria de la Abuela - Presentation was lacking it looked like someone just threw the food on the plate, and it was edible but not good. Crispy Carnitas - This we all agreed was the most edible thing we got. Presentation was lacking, but the beans and carnitas had good flavor and was cooked just right. It still wasn't "great", but it was better than everything else we had ordered. Overall we were pleased with the staff we encountered during our visit all very friendly, but very disappointed in the food. We left in agreement that we could've spent a fraction of the cost at just about any of our local friendly taco shops for the same or similar dishes and had much better tasting food.

    Photos
    Casa Gabriela - Chicken Tinga Empanadas

    Chicken Tinga Empanadas

    Casa Gabriela - Main dining room

    Main dining room

    Casa Gabriela - Lobster & Black bean Chipotle Flautas

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    Contodo Fresh Mexican Eats

    Contodo Fresh Mexican Eats

    4.6(167 reviews)
    2.9 miNorth Bay Terraces
    $$

    I have to say, this place is a hidden gem! My daughter and I were out thinking of where to grab a…read morebite when we came across this place on yelp and while checking reviews, I said we HAVE to try it. I'm so glad we did because it did not disappoint. The space was super clean with a chill, welcoming ambiance, and the cashier was honestly the sweetest. If the owner happens to read this, please give this girl a raise! She was hustling the whole time while keeping such a positive attitude, super respectful, incredibly kind, and very patient. She was the sweetest I have to say! The food was fresh and perfectly portioned. This is definitely going to be my go-to spot from now on. And I have to mention the flan, it was *chef's kiss*!

    CONTODO taco shop off Meadowbrook in Skyline is a location that has the possibility of being…read moreoverlooked due to its location but, don't get it twisted as this taco shop is dishing out some delicious food! We ordered: Mar Y Tierra burrito - surf and turf style burrito, steak was so flavorful. Asada burrito - some of the best flavored asada there is in Daygo! Only downfall is they are not cheap by no means but, it's the quality you are paying for at this location! Both burritos out the door was a smidge over $30. Inflation is REAL! Might as well make sure you are getting quality food for your buck! If in the hood, don't hesitate to stop by CONTODO for your taco shop fix!

    Photos
    Contodo Fresh Mexican Eats - Inside

    Inside

    Contodo Fresh Mexican Eats - Contodo Burrito

    Contodo Burrito

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    Adobada Taco and Rajas Taco

    Chuy's Taco Shop - Surf n turf fries

    Chuy's Taco Shop

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    2.2 miRolando
    $$

    Chuy's Taco Shop has been on my Yelp Want To Go list for some time because it was featured on Guy…read moreFieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (DDD), it has a high Yelp rating, and there are thousands of customer reviews on their Yelp page. I've also heard rave reviews from family and friends. Since we were suit shopping at Fashion Valley and were hanging out with my son and his girlfriend, I recommended that we eat at Chuy's for lunch. If you're a fan of value for your money and tasty Mexican food, I definitely recommend dining here. 4.5 stars for sure, but I'm glad our go to Mexican food spot, Yesenia's, is closer to us and we can visit there for amazing Mexican food as well. Chuy's Taco Shop is located in Rolando, which is close to El Cajon Blvd. and the San Diego State University area. The easiest way to get here would be the 8 freeway east or west, exiting off of 70th Street, and heading south. The taco shop is located within a small strip mall where you can find Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli, San Diego Blenders Smoothies, and Moxie Theatre. It's across the street from a tire shop. From the outside, it looks like a typical local San Diego Mexican fast food joint, but you can immediately tell that the owners are proud of their accolades displaying Guy Fieri's DDD mug and Yelp's 2025 Top 100 Places To Eat distinction on its front glass window. As you step inside, you'll see several homages to Guy Fieri of DDD fame with a framed signed picture, another framed signed pic with Guy's caricature, and one of their televisions showing the DDD episode featuring Chuy's. There's a good amount of tables and chairs to dine in, several televisions, distressed laminate wood flooring, and accolades hanging on their walls that the restaurant has garnered. Friendly and professional customer service from the lady behind the register, who also doubled as our server. Not sure anything can be done about this, but flies also liked Chuy's food as we had to keep fanning our food. I've been blessed to eat at several DDD restaurants throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona and I have enjoyed every single one I dined at. Having eaten at Chuy's Taco Shop for the first time, I understand why Guy Fieri did a segment here. What I really appreciated about Chuy's was their value for your money. When you dine here, be prepared for large portions, so definitely come hungry. Whenever I eat at any Mexican fast food spot, I order the same go to items that my family and I order at our favorite restaurant Yesenia's. Since I was breaking bread with my wife, son, and his girlfriend, we ordered the following: two carne asada burritos; five rolled tacos with cheese, guacamole, and lettuce; full order carne asada chips; half order of carne asada fries; and a pineapple agua fresca. I wanted to compare what we typically order from Yesenia's. When you eat at Chuy's, the amount of food you get will feed an army. I didn't expect the carne asada burritos to be the length of my forearm. I got to eat some of my son's and it was delicious and satisfying. The star of our meal were the rolled tacos. It was stuffed full with tasty beef, crunchy, and its components were memorable. We barely touched the carne asada chips because we ordered too much, but they aren't stingy with their carne asada both for the chips and their fries. The half order of carne asada fries were plenty and I enjoyed that dish. The pineapple drink was refreshing and helped beat the toasty weather. I still feel Yesenia's is better quality, but for the amount of food at Chuy's, it's a must visit Mexican restaurant. I'm glad I got to finally experience Chuy's Taco Shop and check off another Guy Fieri featured DDD restaurant. If I'm in the area, I will definitely stop by to try their other menu items, but I'm glad our fave Mexican fast food spot is closer to us to satisfy our Mexican food cravings.

    Came here on Tuesday and to my surprise they had a taco Tuesday deal. You can get 3 mini tacos for…read more$10.99 along with a canned drink. The con is that all three tacos have to be the same meat, you cannot mix and match. The tacos are filled with a lot of meat and each taco is has a double tortilla and I felt that you could essentially turn one taco into two with the portion. My boyfriend got a burrito and it was massive - as big as my fore arm! He really enjoyed it and it had a lot of meat inside. We also got a horchata which was refreshing for the heat but pretty sweet. The place was great for a quick lunch. You order at the counter before self seating and then they bring the food out when it's ready. They have a huge menu with a lot to choose from. They also have a salsa bar with about 4 different salsas, but my complaint is that none of them are spicy enough.

    Photos
    Chuy's Taco Shop - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Chuy's Taco Shop - Breakfast burritos

    Breakfast burritos

    Chuy's Taco Shop - Inside

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    Inside

    Lemon Grove Cafe - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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