Red Apple Cafe

Family-owned & operated

Established in 1969

We usually never go to Watsonville but today, we found ourselves venturing in that neck of the…read morewoods. I came across this place on Yelp and decided to stop on by. They have beautiful meat products that make you stop and think, "yes, I will try that." We bought some sausages to take home and out on the grill. They are known for their sandwiches as well. We will need to go back and try them. Every single one of their staff members are helpful and friendly. They even give recommendations if you ask.

I love that I could get a freshly made sandwich, pick up meats for dinner and future meals, and…read moreeven get special treats for my dog, all at one location! The sandwiches were a bit salty, but hefty portion. I recommend the tri tip with bbq sauce on Dutch crunch. As for the meats- the wine and spice marinated skirt steak is so good, well balanced seasoning. One fellow customer warned me of the geysers of cheese in some of the cheese stuffed sausages, and he wasn't kidding. The jalapeño cheddar sausages weren't too spicy, great for kids. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area!

The owners of Freedom Meat Lockers, the Walker family.

Freedom Meat Lockers and Sausage Company

See all

Howard, owner and Kyndall, granddaughter

Saucey'z

4.9(44 reviews)

0.7 mi

Delicious food, good customer service.... Ill be back to try more soon. Thank you Santa Cruzread more

We have seen Saucey'z around, but have never tried it, so when we saw that they would be at Sante…read moreAdarius in Capitola, we headed up for dinner. I ordered two vegan tacos, my spouse ordered two aloha tacos with pork, and we got Brussels sprouts (no bacon) to share. The food came out quickly and was piping hot. The chef delivered it himself and was very pleasant. Food was amazing, but two tacos AND half of the Brussels sprouts was a lot of food. These were massive dishes! That being said, we ate most of it and just had to roll ourselves home. The sauce was a bit too spicy for me, but would probably be fine for someone who enjoys spice more than I do. I'll be on the lookout for this truck from now on!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Chicken bacon ranch taco

See all

Strawberry Patch Cafe

4.1(209 reviews)

1.2 mi

Very friendly place. The best strawberry banana smoothie IMO. I try to stop here at least once a…read moremonth. Their breakfast is also good

I was getting my hair done a couple of businesses down and decided to stop in and give this café a…read moretry. Unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing. I ordered the Strawberry Milk Tea, which is described on their website as: "Sweet strawberry and green tea with fresh milk makes the best sweet, creamy, and refreshing drink. Topped with strawberry popping boba." After waiting about 20 minutes for my drink, I was informed they were out of green tea and was offered mango tea as a substitute. While I appreciated being given an alternative, the final drink was nothing like what was advertised. It did not include the strawberry popping boba, and there was nothing creamy about it. The drink tasted bland, watered down, and lacked flavor. I was so disappointed with the drink that I didn't even want to try the banana bread I purchased. After a few sips, the entire purchase went straight into the trash. It's frustrating to spend money on something that doesn't come close to meeting expectations. Unfortunately, I will not be returning.

Matcha with sweet foam and iced coffee with sweet foam

Strawberry Patch Cafe - What happened here? People trust this place to get a nice meal, only for your employees to burn it and then serve this. Disappointing.

What happened here? People trust this place to get a nice meal, only for your employees to burn it and then serve this. Disappointing.

See all

Strawberry Matcha

Jersey Mike's Subs

3.3(16 reviews)

0.1 mi

I have been a huge fan of the turkey and cheese mikes way sandwich for years. I started working…read morenear this location recently and have come a few times and multiple employees already know my order. Yes. I'm basic most of the time. The cookies are yummy and if you want a little more flavor on your sandwich the relish is a nice add on. Also, the big kahuana is so good. Just takes a little more time to prepare. The service is always great and efficient, it's why I keep going back.

I saw the 3 star average reviews for this place and was honestly insulted!!! 5 isn't enough for…read morethis place!!!! Omg, the sandwiches are like 500 times better than subway even dreams of being. The sub club with turkey ham and bacon is out of this world, the chicken cheese stale with chipotle sauce is way better than chiles or apple bees or anything else. Might be the best I've had and I spent time in Philly :-). Service is tops, they haul serious ass, and go above and beyond to make it right. Always with a smile and a cheerful welcome too:-) Marissa, Kevin and Nayeli are particularly wonderful. They even remember my typical order bette than I do. I really can't say enough positive. Charming little place, clean and efficient for eating too. Great soda machine, and great ice. 7 stars out of 5. There isn't any place in the greater area even close. Keep up the good work!!!!

See all

Erik's DeliCafe of Watsonville

3.5(96 reviews)

1.0 mi

Erik's Deli is very good and taste very fresh. I highly recommend it, the service is wonderful very…read morenice people. The inside was beautiful, clean tables and quiet. I've never had a bad experience coming here!

Perfect place for a sandwich craving after fishing. Food isn't overly salty and has great balance…read moreof flavors. Its also not extremely heavy and fills you up quickly. Cookies are also super delicious and they have ample space for seating. Will definitely be back when in town.

See all

Isle

Kong's Burgers and Cafe

4.6(231 reviews)

0.7 mi

This place gave me a soggy thing that they would call a burger i had to throw it away and even the…read morefries were under cooked and kinda soggy it was very bad experience maybe it's cheap prices but I feel like im traumatized now

Bibimbahp made fresh! The two owners do it all and they are very friendly. Perfectly fried egg,…read morefresh veggies, kim chee, and pork was very tasty! I look forward to returning and trying the burgers and sandwiches. The price was very reasonable and the portion was filling. Nice indoor and outdoor seating options, and plentiful parking. You could even get your food to go and walk across the street to eat in the park. They're very proud of their coffee, too. I got an iced mocha and it was smooth with no bitterness.

Yummy menus

Kind service!

See all

Chicken Teriyaki plate so delicious! A perfect portion

Hot Birds

4.1(48 reviews)

0.1 mi

$2 CHICKEN TENDERS FOR THE WIN!!!!…read more Came here straight from the Gym. I made sure to track my food intake so I would have room left over for some tenders as I eat them in moderation ( twice a month works for me) First of all Angry Chickz can kick rocks, they got NOTHING on Hot birds. There are multiple definitions of hot, let's be clear: 1. Hot, as in temperature 2. Hot, as in spice level 3. Hot, as in this place is a HOT SPOT because of its popularity. The parking lot is always crowded, so a heads up in advance if you read this review. I live across the street from one of their locations so I can just walk instead of worrying about finding a parking spot. I ordered the 6 piece chicken tender combo. The food is always hot when it's ready. The complimentary bird sauce is good, though mild it has a kick to it. Chicken is always cooked thick and well, and the crunch to the chicken tenders is sweet and juicy with tons of flavor. This is my favorite place for chicken tenders or a chicken sandwich - thank you for the hospitality hot birds 831 and I look forward to my next visit.

I love this place. I always get the Medium spice Loaded fries and they are amazing. Always so fresh…read moreand delicious. Wednesdays are the best for Loaded Mega fries bc they have a special.

The outside

Hot bird sando

See all

Pho Kitchen

4.4(193 reviews)

0.9 mi

The beef rib pho was excellent. Rich broth, tender meat, and a generous portion. The chicken BBQ…read morevermicelli held up just as well. Fresh, flavorful, and well balanced. The staff made the visit better. Friendly, attentive, and quick to help. You feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Go for the food. Come back for the service.

Stopped in for some lunch and it was a nice place with cute decor. Ordering is all electronic on…read moremounted iPads. There is definitely a lot to choose from! After sitting down, someone brought water and then the appetizer, followed by the food. The only time we saw any sort of employee was when they brought out food. Long day for me brought on thirst so my water went quick. I had asked the 2 times I saw an employee if I could get more water, to which they replied "sure". However, no water ever came. The food was great! Taste was good, amount was great for the price. Unfortunately the biggest downside was the lack of employee presence or assistance.

68. BBQ Chicken Vermicelli

See all

Order thru kiosk at the entrance

TOGO'S Sandwiches

3.3(55 reviews)

0.9 mi

A togos is a togos, right? Wrong! This particular location is much more cleaner, spacious than its…read morecounterparts. I come to this location because it's right across the street from the gym that I go to, it seems to be under new management. With the arrival of new slicers. Service here is always fast and efficient especially during a busy lunch rush. I ordered the #24 turkey and avocado with its freshly slicked turkey indeed added quality to the sandwich to the next level. Thank you and keep up the great work! This Togos is open late, and although I have NOT availed myself to this convenience, it's nice to know it exists.

#9 was great as usual. While we were eating, Angel, the sandwich maker was preparing sandwiches for…read moreanother customer. The customer was clearly a lonely soul as he talked non- stop about many things. Angel was polite in his responses. What was of additional note is the customer went through all of the local sandwich shops with a long list of complaints. Angel never agreed or encouraged the negativity. When the customer complimented Togo's, Angel smiled and said thank you. Angel is a kind and generous man. He deserves recognition!

See all

The Rustic Table

4.2(46 reviews)

0.5 mi

The other reviewers were not exaggerating when they said this place has GENEROUS super-sized…read moreportions. For two people, we ordered a burger & fries, salad, clam chowder with garlic bread - we had to take home half of the food!! Amazing hospitable & personable staff, we felt so welcomed! Very clean and homey.

We wanted a sit down place to eat in Watsonville after attending an event at the Fairgrounds and…read morefound this place on Yelp. We came here in a whim and don't regret it one bit. There's a variety of items to choose from on their menu but we went with their sandwiches. I ordered the Rustic BLT, panini style. I saw the panini style was an option and I went for it. I definitely was surprised how much I like it better than a regular BLT. My friend ordered a rustic cheeseburger and that thing was massive. Both sandwiches came with a side of fries. The fries were seasoned well and crispy. For the price you pay, you definitely get your money's worth. As the sign in the photo shows, they are a small business and run by chefs who cook as you order. Yes, you may have to wait for your order but I can definitely say it's worth the wait.

See more unrecommended reviews

Inside condiment bar

Sierra Turkey Sandwich

See all

Iced Mexican Mocha

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

33 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Liliana S.

137

187

3 years ago

I recently dined at the Red Apple Cafe in Aptos, CA with my wife. I ordered the French Toast, while my wife opted for the Pancakes. We were absolutely delighted with our experience at this charming Mom & Pop shop. The servers were exceptionally kind and attentive, making us feel right at home. The ambiance was not only inviting but also impeccably clean and well maintained, adding to the overall pleasant atmosphere. The French Toast was a delightful blend of fluffy and crispy, and the Pancakes were equally scrumptious. We left with full stomachs and smiles on our faces, eager to return to this hidden gem. read more

Barbra M.

5 years ago

Accidentally found this place in Watsonville called the Red Apple Cafe. The normal place we go to was too full, so as we were pulling out we saw another restaurant around the corner. BEST find ever!! The food was a 10/10! The service was a 10/10! Never been in a breakfast place that was so good!! My husband had a potato dish, so many to choose from. And I had a benedict, so many to choose from also. Both of them, the BEST TASTING ever! Very high-quality food at a GREAT PRICE. All the help was so attentive and so friendly :). Wish I would have found this place sooner! read more

George M.

14 years ago

I eat out for breakfast 7 says a week. At least 5 times a week here. I've probably had everything on the menu and I've never had a bad meal. Fluffy, big omelettes, massive potatoe plates with all sorts of meats, vegetables, eggs and cheese on them, Just go and try their Calamari breakfast....just trust me on this one. This has to be the largest breakfast menu I've ever seen, and still at least 10 specials on their lunch board?! I don't know how they do it, and I don't care. I just hope they stay in Watsonville forever! read more

Lena T.

10 years ago

"DECENT BREAKFAST TO TAKE YOUR ONE NIGHT STANDS" This is my review for Red Apple Cafe. I come here on Sunday's. The food is okay. It taste like something I could have made. But I don't like cooking and I am bad at it so I come here. I often come here when I bring one of my random lovers after a Sat night. The sea of crying Mexican babies just reminds me I don't have a child. I likely will never have a child. So I don't like the sea of crying children here. Other than that the food is mediocre but it's easy. read more

Mark S.

14 years ago

Far and away the best breakfast place I've ever eaten at! Really! What sent me over the top was the Eggs Benedict Special with chipotle hollandaise sauce....gotta have it again soon! HUUGE portions, great locals atmosphere and great service to boot! Dunno why I go anywhere else. BTW my Lady was having the Ollaliieberry (sp?) pancakes (recommended by the table next to us) and those needed to be mentioned too! read more

Clarissa V.

14 years ago

I love going to Red Apple on Sundays. They consistently have great food. I love their country potatos and fish lunches. Last week we had family from out of town come over so we went to Red Apple Cafe and my family was satisfied with their meals. They are really packed, but they still manage to give great service. The wait is never more than 20 minutes. read more

Linda E.

8 years ago

I'm glad Cowboy Corner around the corner gets too busy as wouldn't have found this place otherwise. I now alternate between the two and that's just how I like it. This place has good service, good food and the right amount of attention from the staff, for me anyway. read more

Kathleen C.

3 years ago

Stopped and ate at this cafe on our way to Gilroy. We had a great breakfast. The bacon was cooked perfectly and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the eggs and pancakes. Waitress was attentive and quick to refill our coffees. We will make this one of our regular spots. read more

Dalia G.

7 years ago

Waitresses are disgustingly rude tailing her eyes Food was gross and I was charged $15.95 for a pancake 2 bacon strips and 2 undercooked eggs! Owner was a rude that hPOS! Yelled at me in front of everyone! Disgusting place will never go back! read more

Bob M.

4 years ago

Delicious food at a great price. Unbelievable service! Definitely worth the wait. Great salmon Benedict to die for and a great portion. The wife had the works omelette, huge portion; everything was great! Five stars. We will be back. read more

Mike R.

5 years ago

this place is really delicious and yummy!!! the prices were amazing and the service was wow, so friendly!! the food was (eggs)alent lol, and you can tell its fresh and high-quality! in conclusion, great job red apple cafe! read more

Jessica Lynn J.

1 year ago

The pancakes were raw. They were stingy with the strawberries. Service was bare minimum but I'm not complaining about that. The music they had playing was bumping tho. read more

Jackie L.

9 years ago

Simple. Best breakfast place in Watsonville. Doesn't get any better! I recommend the biscuits and gravy. Only place that makes them as good as my grandma. read more

Daniel Z.

8 years ago

Food looks amazing! Would love to feature you on our platform for the Watsonville locals. POSTMATES wants you! Email is in my profile.

Jessica P.

12 years ago

I got the potato dish for breakfast. It was very good. The portion was huge. The coffee was good and they refilled it frequently.

C C.

11 years ago

We have eaten at both locations and the Watsonville location is our favorite! Great food and great service!

Nathan S.

13 years ago

I've loved it since they opened! I've been going since I was a kid, its probably my favorite breakfast.

Jose S.

4 years ago

Amazing food and amazing service would highly recommend the staff is very welcoming, great environment.

Joseph L.

4 years ago

TRASHH. Everything from the management to the food. Wouldn't recommend, would rather go to Cowboys.

Gloria P.

11 years ago

Service was good and the menu has something for everyone. My granddaughters enjoyed their choices

Red Apple Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Red Apple Cafe also viewed

Cowboy's Corner Cafe

4.6

(694 reviews)

A well loved local brunch spot for good reason! You may have to wait on a weekend but it's worth…read moreit. The food in general is good, but they do all things carby/baked amazingly. They had orange poppy seed pancakes the day I went and I'm daydreaming of them as I write this, so very delicious, fluffy, and flavorful. Service was also lovely and the ambiance is homey and welcoming. Portion sizes are very good and price points are fair. Well worth the drive to Watsonville and the wait!

We were really blown away by how amazing Cowboy's Corner Cafe was. Definitely the best diner food…read morewe've had in the area, and it wasn't close. We had a decently large group, ~6 people, and it took just over 30 minutes for us to be seated, which was totally fine! The food itself was incredible; the french toast, the pancakes, the eggs, bacon, omelettes, and toast, all wonderful across the board. Absolutely no complaints, will be regulars for life!

The Beach Street Cafe

4.6

(580 reviews)

Beach Street Café delivered an exceptional experience for my son and me today, thanks to Omar --…read moreboth the manager and the cook on shift. He went above and beyond in every way. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and genuinely delicious, but what stood out even more was Omar's kindness, attention, and care and sincerity, and put real pride into the meal he served. It's rare to find service and heart like that. We are feeling grateful, well-fed, and eager to return.

I want to put on my Hammer pants and sing the hit song "U Can't Touch This" by American rapper MC…read moreHammer. I'm in Monterey for Car week and found this gem of a breakfast place. For me the star of the show is their coffee. It's rich, strong chocolatey. It's good I've been three times so far and have had the blueberry pancake combo with eggs and sausage. You can also get bananna nut and chocolate chip pancakes. The Combo is $15.25, a great deal for big portions. Matt says if you are near Monterey and need an amazing breakfast place, try The beach Street Cafe. Tell them MC Hammer sent you

California Grill and Bar

3.9

(516 reviews)

Remembering this location had closed down during COVID, we were thrilled to see it had reopened and…read moreis a Farm to Fork eatery! Follow the signs from the parking lot up and down the stairs (or via elevator) to either the bar side or table side to be seated by your welcoming host. We were immediately offered a beverage and greeted warmly by our server a short time after. There was a good sized lunch crowd, but plenty of seating is available. The menu offered many choices but we enjoyed a Club Sandwich and Beet with Greens Salad (option included shrimp or chicken). As you can see, portions a VERY generous. It was a great find for our lunch today and we will return again, I am sure!

We had a very good dinner at California Grill while visiting Watsonville. The restaurant has a…read morecomfortable, old-school local feel with a large bar and dining room. It isn't trying to be overly trendy or fancy, and the emphasis on local ingredients and the Pajaro Valley gives it some character. My partner had the Mediterranean pasta with grilled chicken, and our son had the steak dinner with fries and vegetables. I ordered the evening special, which was cheese tortellini with prawns in a creamy sauce. Everything was very good, and the portions were generous. They also brought bread to the table before dinner and kept us supplied during the meal. We had a bottle of Alfaro Pinot Noir with dinner. It was a good local wine and paired nicely with the meal. We also appreciated seeing local wines represented on the menu. We finished by sharing the crème brûlée. It was quite tasty and considerably larger than we expected... definitely enough to share. The service was a real highlight. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and prompt throughout the meal. Since we were visiting the area, he also took some time to share a few local tips, including where to find some particularly good sausages and meats. It was a nice personal touch and added to the experience. Overall, California Grill was a very good find in Watsonville: good food, generous portions, excellent service and a nice connection to the local agricultural community. A solid four-star experience, and somewhere we'd be happy to visit again.

High End Comida

3.1

(13 reviews)

The couple Times I've been there my food was always bomb! Food is pricey but you get good quality…read morefood! If you want something cheap, go somewhere else where the food won't taste good. It's takes a while but it's worth the wait!!!!

I wish I could give this a zero, literally the worst experience at the food truck we have ever had…read moreand it's not even close. Don't eat here. at THE CAPITOLA ART AND WINE, rude service who didn't even know the menu. crossed out half there menu sure. the person taking the orders clearly didn't realize it was 10$ for garlic fries and we wanted to also buy a grilled cheese. instead she said "we don't do sides" and made us buy a chicken nuggets (they good I guess) and garlic fries($15), we also said forget the grilled cheese.....got charged for that as well...see photos because it's unreal how bad this place is

Marias Smoking BBQ Mix

4.3

(3 reviews)

Visited this place previously on what must have been an off day. I would delete the review, but…read moreYelp doesn't allow that. They do nice bbq sandwiches with really great bread and their location makes it super easy to visit, no matter where you are.

Came here on a weekend morning and they had very limited options from their menu. Out of everything…read morethey only had 2 meats and were only making certain sandwiches. Food was decent. I asked for a runny yolk on the breakfast sandwich but it was cooked all the way through. Also couldn't really tell the difference between the steak and the brisket??? Unless they got my order mixed up.

Mariscos Los Compadres

4.3

(14 reviews)

I came to Watsonville for work and stopped here for lunch. It's a big restaurant w/ outside…read moreseating. I'm sure it's a happening place during their peak times. They also have a nice bat area. I walked in and was greeted immediately. I ordered a fish taco plate. It came with a side of rice. The fish taco was huge, so 1 was enough for me. The fish was battered and deep fried, pretty tasty. The rice was a nice side dish and paired perfectly with the taco. I ordered a glass of jimaica agua fresca to wash down my lunch. All were very good and service was great. The food came quickly and I was out of there within half hour.

Stopped on our way back from Santa Cruz. We had the shrimp cocktail, agua de Chile, and carne asada…read morenachos. Shrimp cocktail was super fresh, came with a lot of shrimps. A lot of places don't take the time to gut the shrimp, and I get easily grossed out. But this place had clean shrimp in both dishes. Nachos weren't bad, but definitely would stick with their mariscos.

Firehouse Subs Pajaro Dunes Center

3.8

(12 reviews)

Fresno and Clovis no longer have Firehouse Subs and I regret not eating there when we did!…read more I ordered the grilled chicken rancher without ranch, and it was excellent. The bacon was perfectly thick and crispy, the chicken was fresh, and the quality of the cheese and mayo was great. I also sampled the brisket sandwich and fries, both of which were very impressive and high quality. Beyond the food, I was particularly pleased with the service. The manager or owner who took our order was incredibly friendly and professional. I would not mind this being a regular stop for me on my way to Santa Cruz or Monterey.

As far as chain sandwich places go, this one was awesome!…read moreThe place was clean. The staff was helpful and actually had personality (which seems to be missing in far too many people these days). The bread was the freshest I've eaten at ANY sandwich shop. I highly recommend!

Catz Pawz

3.4

(12 reviews)

Been going to this place since I was a freshman at watsonville high. It's ur typical burger and…read morefries. But there is something about them that make them awsome. Sad to say their operating time is very limited.

Cheap, greasy, and perfect…read more I inhaled the $6 double cheeseburger combo which came with perfectly cooked and salted shoe string french fries and a can of soda. I very nearly ordered another.

The Fish House Bar & Grill

4.1

(459 reviews)

We enjoyed our 39th wedding anniversary at The Fish House Bar & Grill. The owner and his family…read morewait on you as if you were a family member at Thanksgiving. The blackened tuna was seared to perfection. The salmon pasta was perfect. The prawns in a white cream sauce were delicious. The portion was large enough to share. Again, service was amazing. I love brewed Iced Tea and the refills kept coming. Beer on tap was refreshing. Everyone works together to provide 5 star service.

Food - 3, service - 3, ambiance - noisy casual…read more We've been here several times in both small and larger groups, weekdays and weekends. We like to support local family run businesses and the food has been good in the past. The wait staff are consistently friendly and mostly competent. We've been pleased that when asked about gluten-free options each time, the waiters know about 90% of the menu off the top of their heads and aren't afraid to say they need to ask the kitchen when there's an item they're not sure about, rather than guess the answer, as has happened at other restaurants. Saturday we had a group of 8 that were seated at 4:45, so not exactly rush hour. We finally had to ask for water after 15 min. It was close to an hour from when we placed our orders before the food began arriving. I had informed the waiter of an onion allergy and requested no onions anywhere on the plate, as well as subbing extra veggies for the pasta. My food arrived with onions throughout the veggies. While I appreciate that they quickly took the plate back to fix it, the new plate had only a single serving of veggies which were so undercooked that even with the steak knife if was difficult to cut, and not great to chew either. I quickly gave up and saved it to finish cooking at home. Another guest ordered the tuna fresh catch rare, and it arrived between medium and medium rare, which was quite disappointing. But at least his veggies were closer to al dente. Another small irritation was that they brought out bread and olive oil, but there were only 5 pieces for our group of 8 so we asked for another one for our end of the table, and they charged us. While we recognized many staff as longtime employees, both the food and the service didn't live up to previous visits, which is even more disappointing because we brought new people to experience their food. Given this experience, it'll probably be awhile before we go back.

La Perla Del Pacifico

4.4

(389 reviews)