Wasn't expecting much looking from the outside. Felt like a Goonies moment. My guy got the breakfast and I opted for the hot turkey sandwich. It actually was pretty tasty. I liked the veggies too. Like how they have little books on the table for you to read. read more

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This "landmark" isn't even worthy of 1 star but you have to give it at least a 1..but if I could I'd give it ZERO stars!! The minute we walked in the 1 waitress that was working goes outside to PICK UP TRASH in the flowerpots! Granted she had gloves on but seriously you do that with customers in the restaurant?! And the bus boy or whatever the heck he was, said she'd be right with us and my husband VERY NICELY asked to please wipe down our table and he said "We just did, it's fine" Strike #1 with me.. he finally came over and wiped it and said "Is that better now" with an attitude, I looked at him and said "Yes , thank you" and then he THREW menus at us! Strike #2 When the waitress did come around she was "What do want" Well my husband usually asks questions and he asked about an omelette and he's very particular how he likes it made and she said "We don't do it that way here but I guess I can ask him" and he had already out his drink order in and told her "give me a couple of more minutes please to look at the menu again". She walks away without even asking what I wanted to drink and had it not been for my husband really wanting to try this because it was "nostalgic and historic" I would have walked out but I thought I'd give them a chance and benefit of the doubt, WRONG CHOICE!! The waitress came back a couple of minutes later and said "Are you ready now"? He landed up ordering an omelette and I ordered their so called "fish plate". My advice, DON'T! I also ordered a salad and what they consider a salad is SAD! I wish I would have taken a picture, it literally was lettuce and a tiny bit of carrot with a dollop of Blue Cheese (although that I will admit was good) Well we got our waters, Hubby's coffee and my Iced Tea all of which tasted awful due to the water they use I'm guessing.. Meals come out and my fish was greasy, I squeezed it and you can see the oil coming out! Fries were okay, peas were cold but I don't mind cold peas and hubby's omelette was not bad he said and his biscuits and gravy were dry.. Well we were eating and the waitress and the busboy were both complaining about their jobs and bitching about politics Strike #3.. You don't like your job then quit but in my opinion do not pass that attitude to your customers! Final words, if you can avoid eating here DO!! I wish we would have waited till we got to Laughlin which is our destination but we both were shaky and starving! Horrible service and not much better food and their prices in both my husbands and my opinions was TOO expensive.. Oh and their was water damage on the wall and ceiling in the ladies room and their bathrooms STUNK!! read more

Ludlow Cafe - Water damage in the ladies room - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

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Hmmmm...maybe I got there on a bad day. Maybe the cook was having a bad week. Maybe karma was paying me back for some offense in a previous life. Whatever it was I did not enjoy my stop at this place. My friend and I were roadtripping last month from So Cal for a weekend at the Grand Canyon. Around lunch time we were speeding (er, driving below the speed limit) through the Ludlow area when we saw a bill board for this place. I love giving small independent joints my business whenever I can so this seemed like a great shot to try something new and help a small business. My friend agreed and soon we were parking in front of some old mining buckets just in front of the cafe. Seeing "historic" signs and equipment should have been our first clue that the food might not be a priority. The near empty parking lot should have been our second clue, especially on a Saturday. The interior was quaint enough with lots of historical stuff on the walls. The signs hyped up the good eats and their special pies and cakes. We expected good things. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. The menu was your typical diner fare. I went with a French dip sandwich and my friend tried the BBQ Beef sandwich (which the waitress said was one of her favorites). We both also got a side salad and french fries on the side. The sandwiches were just meh and the fries were tough and undercooked. Dagnabit...how do you ruin steak fries? I love steak fries!!! Even the salad was a let down. It was just iceberg lettuce (which I can live with) but there was just so much water left over from when they rinsed the lettuce that it was a bit annoying to eat. Oh well, at least we had room left for one of their special cakes. We decided to split an order of their "famous" red velvet cake. It must have been sitting around awhile because it was the driest most stale piece of cake I've ever had. Even the gobs of cream cheese frosting didn't help that cake go down. All in all this place was a big let down. One other note, the ambience was weird. The place was quiet. Too quiet. There were other customers around but there was no other ambient noise. Not even Muzak. It just felt strange. read more

Ludlow Cafe - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

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Stopped here while exploring Route 66 between Oro Grande CA and Kingman AZ. The "current" face of Ludlow houses a Ludlow Cafe, hotel, and a Chevron gas station... and if you are on the other side of the Needles Freeway (I-40), you'll find a 76 gas station with a Dairy Queen inside. The Ludlow Cafe here looked like a promising place to stop for food; it has the potential to be very busy given its proximity to gas and the Interstate. It also happens to serve an all day breakfast, which I am a sucker for. When I walked in there were only four tables occupied. After waiting for 10-minutes, a harried waitress came over and out of the blue said, "You might as well leave, I won't even be able to talk to you for another 45-minutes we are so busy." I looked at the 4 occupied tables (with 2-3 people at each) and could almost hear crickets in the background. It was like something out of a cartoon and I'm pretty sure my stunned silence was telling (considering I hadn't even spoken yet). It's clear that this place does not see a lot of people. This is when my spidey senses started to go off and after years of travel I've learned to trust my spidey senses. So, I opted to leave and head to the next town with a diner along Route 66. read more

Ludlow Cafe - View of the cafe from the gas station. - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

The only competition the Cafe has is the Dairy Queen on the north side of the I-40 off-ramp. However, if you're driving by at lunchtime, stop in. The waitresses wear long gingham dresses - I suppose they're trying to dress like it's still 1890? - and there is an array of old mining equipment and tools hung around on the walls to give another taste of the old West. We stuck to BLT's. Bacon was actually pretty good - fairly thick cut and nicely flavored with a hint of smoke. The accompanying side salad was mostly iceberg with a fairly tasteless bleu cheese dressing. Fries were warm - not hot out of the fryer - and didn't taste homemade. But it's a nice cool place to relax for a while before you head off to Barstow or Vegas or Kingman or wherever else you're travelling. read more

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Seems a lot of Karen's reviewing . They don't have a huge staff of course. They were all working hard and I knew it was gonna take awhile. The food was better than Denny's or IHOP. Good shakes, French Toast,Denver omlette, Coffee. Happy and full. read more

Actually enjoyed this lace very much, it's a diner on I-40, it's old school diner fare and definitely worth stopping for. Club sandwich and fries, Denver omelette and home fries... good food, great and friendly service! read more

Cool little place. Very Retro! Needs a little TLC but the Food is pretty good. What REALLY makes this place is the down to earth service. Waitress HOLLY is a gem. Her personality made our visit. We drive this route quit a bit and will be back to eat and say hi to Holly. read more

After a long boring drive and a stop in a rest area because there is Nothing out here, I look up Yelp and it tells me there is a diner out in Ludlow 9 miles from where I am! The reviews are pretty good so why not stop? So Happy I did! What a fun old time diner with great food!! Ordered the breakfast special; biscuits and gravy with 2 eggs! The biscuits are homemade and fluffy as can be, the gravy is perfect with lots of flavor and sausage chunks in it. Eggs ordered over easy and that is just how they came! The waitress was sweet and attentive. If I am ever through here again I won't dread the drive so much just knowing this place is here! read more

Ludlow Cafe - Cute diner - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

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You're lucky to find any services at all on this long stretch of desolate, dessert highway, so the Ludlow Cafe seems almost like an hallucination of an oasis until you walk in and back to the 60s. Then the smell hits you - it's not an appetizing one, it's the distinct smell of rotting 60s sewer pipes. That's when you know you're not dreaming: this shit is for real. Literally. I would have turned tail and ran at that point but hubby was hungry and up for an adventure, so he herded me forward into the main dining room. It was a vintage A-frame affair, a complete throw back to 1962 in every way, right down to the slight, slender waitress with the fabric waitress crown bobby-pinned into her gray 70 something hair. She was spry and quick though and very pleasant too. We ordered breakfast foods. My bacon was crispy good and the whole wheat toast tasted like it was made from homemade wheat bread. Delicious! After breakfast, I needed to use the facilities, and I wish I hadn't followed that urge. Even though I was diligently trying to hold my breath and breathe through my mouth, that rotten sewer smell rose up through those rotting pipes like the sickly hand of hell and slapped me silly. I ended up depositing my my just-eaten, undigested breakfast in that foul smelling restroom before I rushed outside for sweet clean dessert air. As good as that whole wheat toast was, I promise, I cannot go back: I don't have the stomach for it. On the upside, the State of CA has issued the Ludlow Cafe an A rating. So if you have a cold or allergies that block your nasal passages, or oerhaps a very strong will, I'd heartily endorse a visit. Otherwise, I'd just drive right on by. read more

Friendly and fast service! Benches outdoor to eat was a big plus, it was a perfect midpoint stop on our trip, food was good portions good, get gas across the street and back on the road! Definitely recommend. Oh and they have tapatio packets read more

I happened to enjoy this very quaint and cozy cafe.. Paying homage to the country scene, it is decorated with horse shoes, farming tools and other country memorabilia. On our way to Nevada, we stopped to put gas and get a bite to eat--boy am I glad my husband suggested this cafe. The hospitality is good as it gets, you seat yourself wherever you'd like and breakfast is served all day. Definitely a treat, and I would love to be back when we're out that way again. read more

A unique diner with great breakfast and although I didn't have any the pies looked amazing. The woman was a little abrupt when walking in with a fully vested service dog. But then others came in not vested and were welcomed without question. Bottom line food was great and served quickly! read more

Mmm stop for a snack. Good food here for sure. Traveling old Route 66 for awhile it was nice to have some comfort food. If u put a quarter in the buss boy u will heard all about it (whatever is the topic if the day)!! Lol weather you want to or not ! read more

I read the one star reviews and it is obvious these are folks who are not used to travel the way it used to be. I made it a point to stop here on my way home from Laughlin. It was Mother's Day and I felt a little saddened by the waitress who would probably much rather be at home with her children, yet her attitude was still pleasant. As I hinted before, this is traveling the way it used to be. A simple, no frills menu with breakfasts the way I like it. It was a little busy so service wasn't fast. I didn't expect it to be. I used that time to talk to other patrons who were also passing through. What a good way to find out other nice places to stop. Reminded me of traveling in the days before chain restaurants and motels. When no one was in a rush and simple local restaurants were the place to stop. I would stop here again in a heartbeat. If the city slickers want a fast meal made to some weird specification, go to a chain restaurant. If you want a throwback to the way traveling was meant to be, this place won't let you down. read more

Small town America at it's best. Not only is the food great, but I asked Michele a question about a local business that she didn't readily have the answer to, but ten minutes later she had the information that I asked for and more. She went out of the way to help me even if it wasn't going to make her a dime. I am a big fan of historic route 66 and I look forward to stopping here again on more of my Rt 66 adventures. read more

Great food. Small town comfort food. Try the Belgian waffles! So good. Population of 18. Yes...18. read more

Ludlow Cafe - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

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This place is the slowest place I've ever been to The restrooms are deplorable The food made me sick I think it was the clam chowder I don't recommend this place to anyone Please don't stop here read more

Needed a quick stop for our "hangry" travel companions and Ludlow didn't disappoint. They're friendly, prompt and the breakfast was delicious. Biscuits and g, omelet with home fries & hash browns nicely browned the way we like. Good coffee, too read more

I was enjoying old Route 66 with my brother on a slow roadtrip from Sacramento to Phoenix. On day 2, this was lunch for me, breakfast for my brother. This is a high-quality place. The food and service are excellent, eclipsing what I'm used to in the big city. I had the Reuben and it was expertly prepared with quality ingredients. For my bro it was a green chile omelet packed with green chiles and cheese. He was very pleased. The biscuits and gravy side were on point too. The ambience is throw-back all the way and I loved it. You don't find original and unique places like this anymore where I'm from. Drop in, don't be shy, you will have a great meal for a reasonable price, served by friendly, helpful staff. You will not regret the decision to eat here! read more

Our server Kevin did a great job and the food was good. We even got a milkshake for the road. I am glad Dairy Queen was closed.

If you can wait a little longer, you might want to go somewhere else. The food was ok. Small burgers. Service was ok. But the place is not clean at all. Pretty disgusting. The bathroom reeks. My husbands salad looked disgusting. He took a bite and didn't eat the rest. They never clean the walls in the booths where we eat. There's food and dried dead bugs on the walls. Dust everywhere. Just pretty gross. Overall, the food was decent, but small portions. We only stop here when we're desperate. read more

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This is just a little place in Ludlow. Don't get turned off when you come in. It is not the fanciest place put you will be pleasantly surprised. The people who work there are so nice. The Belgian waffles were some of the best I have had. Coffee was great. The bathrooms were not the cleanest but I can deal. read more

Amazing cafe in Ludlow, it's a definite must stop. Don't pass it by without giving it a chance. Very friendly staff and very clean with great food. Holly is amazing read more

Great staff great service and my BLT hit the spot just right! Totally 70s inside too it's great.

Mediocre. I believe this place thrives on a lack of competition as there are few other options nearby on I-40. The restaurant was littered with uncleared dishes when I entered and flies were picking at leftover food. My meal -- a small chef salad for $10 -- was lackluster. It came with iceberg lettuce, a few bland tomato wedges, some unappealing deli ham, and sliced American cheese. If you have no other options, this will do... but if possible, I'd suggest holding out for either Barstow or Needles. read more

Ludlow Cafe - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

My husband and I stopped here for a quick breakfast. The service and food were awesome! The place is charming, and we loved everything about this place. We will certainly be back! read more

Great small hometown shop. Good food reasonable price....great location. Service was not great but understandable considering they were busy. Food made up for it so we will be back when in the area read more

Ludlow Cafe - Pretty cool - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

Stopped on our way back from Laughlin. Let's say we skipped breakfast before leaving and were starving with nothing in site for miles around. We came upon this little cafe in the middle of nowhere (Ludlow, Ca.) A bit weary, we came in to an outdated cafe on the historical 66 Hwy. Don't be fooled though, this place made up in service and good food, a little bit pricier than we would think for the place and area, we did enjoy our brunch. Higly recommended if you find yourself on route 66 heading to or coming from Laughlin read more

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This is a gem in the midst of the Sahara. Fun people. Great pancakes. We drove an extra 50 mile past lunch hour to eat there because we have a pal whose unlikely name is Ludlow. We were not disappointed Bruce and Pam read more

I've been here many times and honestly it never disappoints. You know what you are getting, you are in Ludlow for gods sake. Personally, I love Ludlow, so many photo opportunities. This cafe is a great place for a burger or a tuna melt. They make a huge breakfast too. Its not the Ritz, or the Sheraton, or The Marriot, or The Crown Plaza, or The Comfort Inn but for some damn reason I like it here so quit your bitchin and sit down and eat. read more

Ludlow Cafe - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

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This place is awesome!! I had a Philly cheesesteak with fries and a soup Super tasty! Big shout out to my guy Robert who insisted I try a philly cheesesteak after hearing that I had never tried one before! He said his Philly cheesesteaks would have me driving all the way to Ludlow from LA and..... I just might lol!! read more

Ludlow Cafe - Philly cheesesteak - American Near Me - Ludlow, California

on the road trip coming home from laughlin we had to make a pit stop. luckily, all the gas stations were jam-packed (must be the low gas prices outside CA). We realized our tummies were rumbling (bc the laughlin hotels seem to forget their guests actually need breakfast after a day of waterplay and the beating hot sun) we ordered a breakfast that consisted of perfectly toasted bread, eggs scramble, hashbrowns, and sausage patties to get us by, tbh... I was not expecting much bc sometimes road food is no Bueno, but I was pleasantly surprised! these were the best eggs I've had ever in my life and the buttered toast just topped it off, not just that, everything was good. next time I'm in town, I am coming here for sure.. chicken fried steak, you're next! read more

In the middle of nowhere but had the BEST breakfast. Simple and delicious. Great service. Not a fancy spot but super chill and very homey. I would totally stop here again. Everyone at my table was very satisfied. Great prices too, well worth it. Thanks Ludlow!! read more

And we're back again!!! Make sure to ask Chef Robert for his street tacos! Man oh man is my tummy happy! And the split pea soup, how have I never thought to use ground beef in split pea soup before?! I'm bummed this place is so far from my house but excited that my husband has agreed to make some extra trips to Laughlin so we will be stopping here more often! PS, Michelle is still the most awesome waitress I have ever had the pleasure of being around! read more

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Great little find in the middle of nowhere. Throwback to restaurants in the 50's, home style cooked dishes with the ham steak and eggs the best option on the menu. Our only negative point is the restrooms, horrible smell that almost made me gag my meal. Such a turnoff for a nice restaurant, so if you eat there, use the restroom at the gas station across the street read more

We have now found a great restaurant on the road on Route 66. The best tuna melt I have ever had. They asked if I wanted grilled onion on it. Pure awesomeness. Hubby enjoyed his sandwich. We got take out to eat outside on one of the picnic tables. Everything was hot and tasty. Excellent, friendly service. This will be a new stopping spot for us when we are on the road again. read more

If you want to take a step back in time and go back to Grandma's house, then you need to stop at the Ludlow cafe. Truth be told, I am a liver and onions kind of guy, which isn't very popular in most restaurants. Nevertheless, it is one of their down home specialties. The crazy part is the liver doesn't even have that funky mineralized taste that everyone complains about. Next time your on the 40 headed to the river, take a chance and step back in time and come to the Ludlow cafe. Whoever said you can't go back home never ate at the Ludlow cafe. read more

Not too bad of a place for a quick bite while passing through. The Waitress is SERIOUS about the SOCIAL DISTANCING. Funny to hear her tell people. She has NO FILTER and says it like it is Spunky Older Gal read more

What a disappointment they gave me one yolk as my scrambled eggs, the syrup tastes weird and feels not healthy.