Like its namesake, the Old Mill Cafe is sturdy with integrity. A quiet, clean, classic American diner situated in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the Old Mill hosted us today with the grace and sincerity that characterizes the people of the Central Valley. We were on a return trip from Los Angeles (where I had one of the most bizarre dining experiences of my life--see my review of Swingers Diner) and after our meal it was a quick and easy choice to write a review that shares this understated gem just off Highway 99. Arriving on a Wednesday morning, the parking lot was ample and, reassuringly, nearly full. Inside, the restaurant's lighting and decor were welcoming, with a bank of windows filling the room with natural light. As welcoming were the staff, particularly Amy and Savannah, who sat and served us. Bright-eyed and cheery, Amy was an excellent introduction to the restaurant, and brought a cup of Joe in a playful, bright green coffee cup. Savannah approached the steps of service with ease, offering time for us to decide on our order. When asked her guidance for first-time patrons, Savannah shared a charming story of how the kitchen's handmade Chili Verde helped her through her pregnancy cravings--a dish she still enjoys multiple times a week years later. It was the kind of recommendation you would be a fool to ignore, so I gladly ordered the omelette. The kitchen was quick, and my Chili Verde omelette came with perfectly flavored country potatoes and a side of hollandaise--all satisfying--as was the generous side of biscuits and gravy that I had to take home to enjoy later. My partner's waffle and bacon smelled incredible across the table, and Savannah's attentive service meant that my coffee cup was always more than half full. With portions as large as their hearts, the Old Mill Cafe is a welcome respite of warmth and hospitality. And such a short distance from the highway means that any traveler on Highway 99 with an appreciation for home-cooked food and the comfort of a calm, quiet diner, would be well served to take a detour. 5/5 read more

I came here because I wanted some grits and I wanted to try and new place, this is a old school dinner that is actually pretty cool. The day I went they didn't have pecan for the banana pancakes but they were still good. The grits needed to be cooked a little more. The service was great they work as a team and they new there regulars. read more

Best breakfast in Modesto. Great place for group get togethers just call or visit several days in advance to get on the calendar for use of the separate room. Just had the Patriot Guard Riders meet for brunch. They were ready and Jenn was a super great waitress read more

Old Mill Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Modesto, California

We attend a monthly meeting at the Old Mill. I've learned to be very careful about what I order as many dishes go right through me. Today I ordered a half BLT with fries. One half of the sandwich was the dry heel of the bread. Really? Who serves a restaurant sandwich on a heel of bread? They could be a local treasure if they did a deep cleaning of every aspect of the restaurant and ensure consistency in their food. read more

I have given them two chances and both times the biscuits are like hockey pucks, the gravy's way over peppered and their omelette is equal to basically egg foo young , they're not fluffy, they're not cheesy the one today was greasy and very Brown on the outside. French toast was basically dipped in egg and sprinkled with cinnamon, no flavor!!! Very poor teamwork. I told the server that she wasn't any good at her job and she says I'm often told that. I honestly don't know what keeps them in business except the fact that there's not any competition anymore in Modesto we've lost so many breakfast restaurant. read more

Best food and service around! Real food for real people! Service always has a smile and a cup of coffee ready read more

One of my favorite breakfast spots in Modesto. Always great service and the waitresses are always very friendly and attentive. I don't require much but my pet peeve is not receiving water refills in a timely manner. You never have to worry about that here. Definitely check it out if you get the opportunity. read more

After living in modesto for 30 years my wife and I wanted to try out old mill cafe. The hostess was nice , but our server a different story . At first she was nice but when we said the glasses that were filled with orange juice were dirty , her attitude changed. The server got rude saying it wasn't her fault but I never blamed her nor did I say it was her fault. The server told all the servers what we said and they all made faces. That was very rude of her. All I wanted was a clean glass and not attitude. I am a paying customer i was not looking for a free meal. This place but a bad taste in my mouth. First impression is the last impression. Managers need to inspect the dishes and these servers need to understand that they are getting paid to do a service and get tipped. We are now currently at my garden cafe and the staff here is awesome. read more

Atmosphere is good. Food is bland. Service was mid, I've gotten better service at Denny's

Today's visit will be our last visit to our favorite breakfast stop. My husband ordered his usual breakfast without cheese. The waitress delivered it topped with cheese. It's a common issue we experience in most places we visit.... no big deal. He politely pointed it out, the waitress apologized and took it back to the kitchen. Moments later she returned with the "new" one. We commented on how fast that was since the original omelette (with cheese) took longer than the rest of our food to arrive. It all made sense when it was discovered they flipped the omelette over and re served it. The cheese was on the bottom. It is my belief that you must have trust in the the staff at any place preparing/handling/serving your food. Trust they will respect your food allergy/sensitivity and that they are honest and sanitary. If they will do this to someone's order, I cannot imagine what other ways they are betraying that trust. No thank you. I'd give this place a hard pass no matter how "good" you ever thought it was. read more

Top notch home cooked food! Top notch friendly service. Outstanding biscuits and gravy!! Yum!! Fresh hash browns, nice and crispy. You know it's good when it's a locals favorite! read more

I feel they are doing amazing on the Covid regulations, they space people out correctly , they sanitize correctly ,they wear mask, they wear gloves. I was really surprised to see how on top of all the mandates this restaurant is. The portions are huge. The price is decent. read more

I was so disappointed in the restaurant my aunt would be too and she used to own it. First of all the silverware where dirty nasty. coffee nasty tasted like water. the food got to our table very fast. I ordered the old mill omelette the omelette was not bad but the potatoes look like they where fresh until you took a bite out it it tested a day old not fresh. My friends plate. she ordered something with French toast. Her plat around the rim looked nasty it looked like it was stained or not washed. She order a side or Hash-browns that had cinnamon and sugar on her potatoes the rims of the plate where not wiped and when she took a bite of her french toast she about spit it out it was dry like it was pre made and microwaved. I am very disappointed at the restaurant that used to be an amazing place to eat. I will not recommend for anyone to come there. read more

Amazing service, food, and the decor is adorable. highly recommend the Original Eggs benedict

The restaurant has pretty decent service and plenty of parking. The food isn't great but not awful either, it's somewhere in the middle but it certainly is not worth the price tag. We most likely won't return. read more

Love the breakfast here and they have great service, I ordered a Waffle Combo with some biscuits and it was all fantastically delicious! I recommend coming here for all the breakfast lovers, thank you for the amazing breakfast! read more

Friendliest service ever. They're open every day but Christmas, and the food is pretty killer. Always fills me up!

Had to come to Modesto for work stuff. Know nothing about the area, but a lady at the shop recommended this place. I'm so impressed. The food was delicious, but even outshined by the incredible service. The ladies working here were so friendly and accommodating. I'm actually blown away by the hospitality. They certainly went above and beyond. Thank you for taking such good care of me. read more

The food was so good I had the best waffles ever and the service was so good you should come and get the bacon waffles

Food okay, restaurant looks like it has never been cleaned or maintained. Do not see what attraction it has for all these old regulars. Service was good waitresses were all efficient and extremely friendly. This may be the only reason to return. read more

Good solid breakfast place with large portions, attentive (maybe slightly over attentive) service, and really decent food. The coffee could use some work, but half and half will fix that. Interesting part of town... I liked it. I'd go back. read more

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Upon my arrive my family and I were greeted with the sweetest and warm "Hello, how are you today?". We were seated upon being welcomed which gave us a welcoming feeling. The gal took our drink orders, then our meal orders shorty after. We felt so appreciated to not feel like a burden like some restaurants sometimes unknowingly make patrons feel during these tough times. We felt like regulars for our first time vising Old Mill. Our food was cooked fresh and tasted wonderful. I (and my family) was so impressed. I highly recommend to come here. We had: Eggs benedict with hash browns Chorizo and eggs Country fried chicken breakfast with toast Fruit Waffle with eggs and ham No complaints here, the food yummy! read more

Food was good overall Service was slow. We were left for long periods of time during a not so busy time. read more

Service was great, the servers are very personal with their customers. Food was decent at best, will not be going back.

Great food and service. Pancakes were delicious. I haven't been here since I was a little kid girl so I was pleasantly surprised.

Great place to grab breakfast. I ordered their veggie omelette with country potatoes. My husband got their chicken skillet. They were both good. Definitely coming back. read more

Ok but not wow! Their utensils are extremely dirty, and when showed the lady the obvious dirt in one of them, she came with plastic ones (the very bad quality ones), she just said: oh, it's Christmas dear...not sure what is the relationship between both!!!! Taste of food is ok but not excellent..prices are ok as well. Ladies service was good overall. They smile in your actually which is good. Thank u anyway and happy holidays read more

We stopped for breakfast en route to the Northern California coast and we're not disappointed! Have the Chile verde omelet. You won't regret it! The coffee was decent. And the toast and biscuit really good. All with done home town charm and locals hanging out together. read more

Good food. Love the corned beef hash. Staff is friendly. Like everywhere else, they are short staffed. Portions are pretty good sized. This is what home style cooking feels like here. read more

Breakfast this morning at one of our favorite places. Split the eggs (scrambled) benedict with flash fried hashbrowns, lookout!! Great as always and super friendly staff! read more

Mom and pop type atmosphere. A lot of regulars come here. Older generation. But food was decent. Waffles were amazing. Would come again.

We were in the area and always heard a out this place, but never gone. Glad we did. Food was great. Service was fast and friendly.will go back read more

Looks a little run down from the outside but the food is great and the atmosphere inside is cute. Servers are also friendly and food came out quick... big portions for cheap price. read more

Bad bad customer service!! Me and my family got seated and that's it. Not offered anything to drink not to ask if we was ready to order. Meanwhile other people walked in and got offered drinks , order taken and we was getting passed by like we wasn't there.. I really wanted to try this place and the one I go this is how we get treated. I will not come here again. Bad customer service! read more

Had to head into Modesto and was able to try this place. So good! I got the pork chops with eggs. Cooked perfectly. Country potatoes are thin sliced and have a little bell & onion. Homemade biscuits and their gravy is amazing. Husband loves country fried steak and said it may very well be the best he ever had. Coffee was hot and our cups were kept full. Great service, lots of seating. Can't go wrong here! read more

Horrible service. The two waitresses argued with each other the whole time we were there. Ruined breakfast. Food was dry as well.

The waitress who served us had a terrible customer service, the restaurant was freezing, and my hash browns came with mystery meat. I was not happy with this place. read more

The food is great. The service is amazing. They get 2 stars because the coffee is awful. You might as well drink water with creamer. The owner need to invest in better coffee or a new machine. read more

Arguably the best breakfast in town. Our families eat in here four times in the last month or two and have had an excellent meal every single time Julie helped us this time and the customer service is always great she was excellent. This place definitely seems like a local favorite . Always clean and well lit and large groups of people that are meeting there for breakfast. read more

Excellent place for breakfast. Love a spot that makes their own Chicken fried steak, hash browns and gravy. Good service and good potions as well. Just the way to start the day. read more