I was in the Fridley area and this came up on the radar. When I walked in it reminded me of our recent trip out west. I didn't feel like I was in the TC at all, but could have been in ND, WY, MT. Like deja vu. Sure enough Roman was at the grille. I got a Mexican omelette loaded with sour cream, cheese and salsa. Folded very nicely and a good size. I got white toast. It seems to take an owner to know how to butter toast. I was curious about the hash browns and got a half order. All was delicious. Basil got the full stack of pancakes and said they were some of the best. More dense than fluffy. A good iced tea. Great service. What a difference not being on the main street can be. read more

Great hole in the wall with amazing breakfast! My go to is their breakfast sandwich, simply, yet very satisfying! Cute cafe for when MN opens back up! For now, great takeout service- fast and friendly! read more

This is a place we will always visit when in town. I love the pancakes. All the food is good, but the pancakes keep me coming back. I'm not a fluffy pancake person. I like them thinner, with crispy edges. Keep up the good work! read more

Roman's Cafe - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

It's not every day that I come across such an honorable, and delightful establishment such as this one. Humbled to say the least by this place's look, and feel as soon as I walked through those doors as it had such a modest, and home-y atmosphere. The kind of place you'd imagine your grandmothers place to be had you grown up on a farm or somewhere in the countryside. The coffee was GOOD, not great, but seeing that other diners that which may appear to have a greater stature, comparatively, can often times not even pull off. The food came out rather quick, which can probably be attributed to the fact that I was the sole person in the joint at that time (perfect timing as usual), and then I was ready to dig in. I ordered a typical fan favorite of all diner, and pub establishments; the beloved Reuben. The presentation was of a typical Reuben, two slices of dark marble rye, not assailed by massive amounts of corned beef, but rather an evenly proportioned, delightful, and at the same time adequate amount. Along with the sauerkraut that was mixed with thousand island; my preferred delivery If I may add, and Swiss cheese. With my choice of side; fries. The toasted rye was just right, followed up by the juicy, thin cut corned beef that made me question whether this was the best corned beef I've ever had. And the sauerkraut was nothing to mess with, as it had a bit of a sweet flavor to it, which was marvelously accompanied by some tasty thousand island, and delicious Swiss cheese (gotta love them Swiss). In my opinion the Reuben was impeccable, and I kind of wish I could be so lucky to have one as great as the one these lovely folk bestowed upon me on a regular basis. Maybe I need to relocate. - The fries were average, but manageable. Nothing a little pepper, ketchup, and mustard won't fix. On a side note though.. These guys are truly great. I didn't know they only accepted cash before going there, and they were kind enough to allow me to return and pay for my tab later that day or the next. All I was required to do was submit my name, and telephone number on the back of my tab. Thank you for making my lunch that of an enjoyable experience. read more

Roman's Cafe - Omnomnom? NOMNOMNOM! - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Stopped by for a breakfast. The place was packed. It's a cute place, very American :) Nice atmosphere. Can see a lot of locals come here. The food is good and the price is fair! read more

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To start off, I'm a bit of a breakfast snob. It's my favorite meal, and usually the meal I eat out for. I'm from the south, so I tend to try and find places that have country fried steak, grits, or biscuits and gravy I have found that little hole in the wall places always have the best food, and Roman's Cafe is DEFINITELY one of these! This morning was my second visit here, and I was even happier than the first. Decor is nothing fancy, but the reason you want to come here is for the food. The service is fast and friendly, and your coffee is always full. I had the country fried steak today, and my daughter had eggs and American fries. We both upgraded to a "specialty" pancake (banana ) for only 50 cents extra! The pancakes were so good that I almost ordered another round. They were crisp around the edges, yet still soft and banana-y in the middle. Came with a little thing of butter as well. I was very happy with the potatoes, because they mastered the science of making them crisp, yet not over done. I also thoroughly enjoyed the coffee, it was strong, and they have flavored creamer along with the half&half which was a nice touch. For 2 large meals, the upgraded pancakes, coffee, and juice for my daughter it was still only $21.50 We left very full and happy! Do note they close at 12:30 so don't be late! read more

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Coffee - excellent Service - excellent Biscuits & Gravy - excellent We'll be back for sure. read more

The Chili Cheese Omelette was incredible, I added a little Sriracha to the hash browns and big polish sausage, yummy. Banana pancakes had great flavor. Talked with customers at the counter, some of them drive in quite a ways to breakfast here. Now open until 3 on weekdays. read more

Roman's Cafe - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

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WOWZERS!!! We are so thankful to have found this place on yelp! What an AMAZING EXPERIENCE! For starters the atmosphere was perfect! The bathroom was spotless! We had the pleasure of meeting the owner and I must say he's pretty cool! Carlo enjoyed every bite of the Big Johnson! This breakfast comes with a nice big juicy polish sausage packed with flavor! So much flavor it will make you want to guard your plate! Thankfully the hubs loves me enough to share his sausage;) I enjoyed my Ranch Breakfast with bacon ohhhhh..... bacon lovers this is the place for you! This breakfast comes with three long thick strips of bacon cooked to PERFECTION! I was dreading the last bite of bacon because I did not want it to end :( The raspberry pancakes are in a league of their own yes raspberry pancakes! Nice and thin with crispy edges I would have ordered a whole plate of them if I knew they were that FABULOUS! Sigh....... but wait there's always next weekend ;) I am definitely shaking the poms poms for this place! read more

This tiny little diner packs a punch with its delicious breakfast! The pancakes are the absolute best I have ever had - they are just a little bit sweet and the edges are just a little bit crispy and oh! so good!!!!! The rest of the breakfast items that I have tried are equally amazing. The service is great and is just a fun place. We love going here and hope you will too! read more

You are going to feel good eating here because the breakfast is good and fast. Bring cash!

A little slice of heaven. Met my mom here for breakfast yesterday, and I was shocked at how delicious the food was. Beyond the food, there are only three servers - one who is the owner's daughter. Definitely need to mention, the owner is also the cook! Such a great Northeast restaurant with down to earth vibes. As for the food, the omelets were large and delicious. I had the everything but substituted the ham for polish sausage (for an upcharge). The pancakes, as the server said, are like mini donuts without the sugar. She was right. Pancakes weren't totally my style because they were so sweet, but they were cooked perfectly - especially with fruit inside. And the hash browns... oh, the hash browns. I could eat plates of the hash browns! Bonus: they have non-dairy flavored coffee creamer which can be hard to find at a mom & pop place like this. read more

In case you didn't get it from the other reviews, order pancakes here!!!! Black cherry pancakes honestly are the best around!!!

Roman has been an employee since it was Johnson's Bacon and eggs. He purchased it from them and called it Roman's . He a great cook and with hopes he can continue to run this small cafe for years to come! read more

5 stars for a reason! They do it all right. Great breakfast but most importantly, friendly service!

Great food and Taylor, our server, was prompt and pleasant. For what appears to be a hole in the wall restaurant, it is hidden gem. Food was tasty and filling and the coffee was great. I recommend it. read more

Roman's Cafe - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

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I ordered the Big Johnson and it was filling. The service, coffee, and prices were great. Parking is on the street and limited. A good local cozy spot. read more

Roman's Cafe - The Big Johnson - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

I love that my hood has places like this. A diner that has stood the test of time and hasn't modified any of it's conduct. About 6 booths, 2 tables, and a counter are all you need to turn out simple breakfast and lunch. They pour the coffee immediately and your food and check will hit the table just as fast. Most everything comes with eggs, potatoes, and toast or pancake which means your meal is most likely going home in a to go box. Nothing has been reinvented and all the western breakfast fare is exactly how you'd expect it. There are no surprises or unanticipated flavors or presentations. I will say that I fancied the thinner style pancake. It wasn't as filling as most are and didn't produce that "gut bomb" reaction that is common amongst the common flap jack. I have added Roman's to my neighboorhood rotation of dining spots. I love it when establishments can create a feeling of an alternate state. For example, this morning I stepped off a city sidewalk and slid into a booth where I felt transported and soothed by a somewhat insular feeling of a sparse population. Despite the reality, Roman's is a place to have a meal with a quick respite from the urban chaos. read more

Roman's Cafe - Country fried steak breakfast - American Near Me - Columbia Heights, Minnesota

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I just had one of the best diner breakfast. It's at Roman's Cafe in Columbia Heights (Minneapolis). They are known for their polish sausage (AKA: Big Johnson) and out of this world pancakes. I had a craving for pancakes this morning and needed to see this joint myself. They had an off-the-menu special-strawberry pancakes. This was the highlight of my morning-the pancakes were crispy on the edges, moist, fluffy, almost cake-like. The large chunks of strawberries in the pancakes were the "cherries on top". It's served with warm syrup. I ordered a side of bacon-it was 3 thick slices of no-nonsense crispy bacon which totally satisfied my protein craving. Parking is plentiful on the streets since the diner is located in a neighborhood. They now take credit cards under the new management (since last October), per the waitress, but cash is still king for small businesses. (They lose 2-3% due to credit card fees that they need to pay.) Love supporting small businesses! PS, they do serve burgers and other diner food at reasonable prices on the menu but I have yet to try. Service is excellent-fast and friendly. If you are craving breakfast food, be sure to make it to Roman's. read more

I've been eating breakfast on and off at this place for 9 years. The portions are great, the staff is more than friendly and Roman is manning the grill. He will give you what you need, great value, great service, and great folks! I've tried most of the menu and no negative drama here. Just a good old fashioned honest to goodness neighborhood restaurant that's happy you are there! I don't post a ton but I eat out too much! If I post it's because the place is worthy! Enjoy read more

We've been coming here once a week for a few months. The food is always great! They prepare it quickly, made to order, and with a friendly smile. It's a small cafe with fun decor. We love this place!! They only take cash or checks, so be prepared for that. read more

CASH ONLY. Luckily I saw this in another review since I rarely carry cash anymore. Small diner but super friendly and attentive staff. Food was cooked perfectly. I ordered the Steak and eggs. Steak came medium as requested. Hash browns were crispy and the coffee cups were always full. The pancakes are thin and crispy. I would say the food wasn't amazing but I will say that about the service. The cook was concerned about the quality if her pancakes and didn't serve them until they were to her satisfaction. This says a lot about the care that goes into the cooking of the food here. What happened to the pride that goes into cooking great food everywhere else? This place leads the pack in customer service and quality. Yes I would come here again if I were in the area. I would not go out of my way, however I believe in supporting local businesses.. Please come support this small business owner! read more

This place is super cute. It is everything you want for breakfast, lots of meat, fresh eggs, tasty pancakes. All in the atmosphere of your Grandma's country kitchen. I shared the "Big Johnson" and the corn beef hash. First off, the corn beef hash was amazing. I am often so timid about ordering corn beef hash as it is usually mushy ground up meat, lightly fried with potatoes. The corn beef hash at Johnson's was huge thick pieces of juicy, flavorful corned beef. The potatoes were nice a crispy. The Big Johnson was a workman's breakfast of a polish sausage, three eggs, hash browns, toast and two pancakes. We finished it and received a sticker. The coffee wasn't amazing, but everyone who walked in the door was greeted, most often by name and the staff was ridiculously friendly. I can't wait to go back. read more

Plans changed on Saturday and instead of crossing the river, I took my step mom out for breakfast at a place of her choosing - and this was the destination. Few tidbits, it's a CASH ONLY place. No ATM in sight, so plan ahead. Parking is entirely street parking, no private lot at all. And lastly, there is no decent waiting area and the place has room for maybe 35-40 people tops. Plan accordingly with when you get here. All of that aside, I got the last table, was welcomed upon entering, and the coffee was flowing. It's a very "small town" kind of cafe where the waitresses give you their name not because they have to, but because it's the decent thing to do. While I waited for my company, Shari (apologies on the spelling - too many variations to know) did a great job of refilling my coffee and conversing with me. Company joined me, and it was time to order. Because I'm a fool for anything with "ultimate" in the name of the dish, I went with the ultimate omelet and a short stack of berry cakes. Food was out in about 5-8 minutes, gotta love it! What's an ultimate omelet you ask? It's a 3 egg monster with sirloin steak, onions, mushrooms, hash browns packed into it, and two types of cheese. Oh yeah, and toast on the side. How'd it taste? Hold your horses, I'm getting there! It was good. Nothing world beating awesome, but, not bad. Really, the hash browns deserve the unfortunate fate of being stuffed in here. It made the flavors really odd and gave it a strange crunch considering you're getting a relatively chewy meat in steak. If they were on the side, we've got ourselves something to work with. Plus, it really makes it seem like you're missing something in the flavors. I spent all meal long ignoring my step mom playing "where's Waldo" with the flavor it's missing. I tried the blue cheese it comes with, nope. Tried 2 hot sauces, nadda. I'm still perplexed days later figuring out where the hell flavor Waldo was with this. I do need stop thinking about it though, considering I'm at work... shhh, don't tell anyone though. Pancakes, because you're all dying to hear about this. Not bad at all. Lacking berries considering I went with raspberries and blueberries. But, the batter on it's own had a hint of salty butter that was very nice. Otherwise, mid grade cakes coming in probably around a C grade. They pass, but, didn't make me want to club some fuzzy little critter to get again. All in all, a solid little hometown kind of place that has great service (you may get more of a life story from the waitress than you'd wish though) and decent hometown cafe chow. read more

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Stopped here on a whim one morning. Now it's our go to breakfast place.....friendly staff, kick ass food.... You can't beat this place..... read more

Great pancakes! They are thin and just a tad crispy around the edges, the batter is really good. I got the big Johnson, which is three eggs, polish sausage toast and two pancakes. The polish was good but the pancakes were the star of the show. read more

Love Love Love it here. We go here several times a week. The coffee is amazing and the food (gotta try the pancakes) is old school cooking not your typical franchise breakfast. You can tell a lot of love goes into the food. The operation is simple, cash only, local kids waiting tables and the owner in the kitchen. Prices are low, there aren't any frills - just good food, good people and local conversation. Happy to support local family owned businesses! read more

Great food and prices. Cool old fashioned decor. Hands on owner. Cant say enough good stuff. Love the chicken fried steak and the s.o.s. This is a classic diner with friendly staff and excellent omlettes. read more

We love this place. Cozy diner tucked away in upper northeast. You can tell it's popular with the locals and for good reason: good cheap food served quickly and with a smile. I ordered the Big Johnson: eggs, hash browns, kielbasa sausage, pancakes and toast. All was delicious, but the pancakes stood out as being some of the best I've had in the twin cities: thin, chewy, with a little crisp around the edges. Can't wait to go back here! read more

Fast Breakfast! We were still in the neighborhood after a party from the night before. We were hungry/hungover and this place fit the bill. It's small, cozy, (especially for 4 full size adults in one booth), and quick. I had an egg sandwich with sausage on rye toast and hash browns, tomato juice, and a slice of french toast as well. I was hungry right? The food came pretty quick for such a small joint. The sandwich was good, the hash browns pretty crispy on the outside and the french toast a perfect compliment to the meal. The portion size was not too big, but I thought the price was a little high - for the 2 of us for breakfast I wrote a check, yes I said a check, for $26 with tip. They do not take cards, so bring cash or go old school like me a write a check. Can you even believe I carry a checkbook? Would I go back? If I were in the area and wanted something other than fast food, I would. The food quick and tasty, the service was friendly, the atmosphere not much. read more

Great place, love the atmosphere, family loved the food definitely a place to stop and unwind and relax

Solid breakfast place in Columbia Heights. They have burgers and sandwiches, but I've only had the breakfast. My only real disappointment is no Biscuits and Gravy, my diner go to meal. I could also go for a spicey egg scramble with Chorizzo and Jalapeno's or something, but let's focus on what they do have. I usually get the meat and potato omelet. It's a large omelet filled with, you guessed it, meat and potatoes. I cannot finish this beast, but it sure is tasty. Their pancakes and french toast are also solid, but I stick with eggs here. They have their cast of regulars that come and converse across tables or from the oddly low counter. The last time I was there politics and religon were the topic du jour, lets just say I didn't agree with 70 year old white guys on how to fix the country. Their dream team scared the hell out of me. Service is fast and friendly, they only take cash/check however. read more

Philly steak omelette with a pancake was the best way to start out the day, it was the best Philly I've ever had wrapped in egg and the cake was light thin and crispy and perfect read more

Solid option for breakfast in the Columbia Heights area. I do not live in this neighborhood, so this was my first trip to Johnson's Bacon & Egg Cafe. If I did live over here, it would be a regular stop on the breakfast circuit. We were all feeling the effects of a late night and needed some good old diner breakfast. I ordered a ranch breakfast: 2 eggs, wheat toast, bacon, and hash browns. The eggs were prepared as ordered (over easy), the hash browns were crispy on the outside and had a buttery flavor on the soft inside, the toast had a bunch of butter on it, and the bacon was crispy. The coffee was completely average. If you are in need of a pick me up after a late night, have breakfast at Johnson's Bacon & Egg Cafe, but don't tell your doctor. read more

Great breakfast place! Lots of options with plenty of food. My family and I sat at the counter and had outstanding service. The pancakes were fluffy and delicious. My daughter added M & M's to hers and loved them. Can't go wrong with the country breakfast either! read more

Always a great breakfast with the Big Johnson and blueberry pancakes. Tried the two egg scramble today. Perfect size fro the middle of the week. read more

Romans is fantastic! Great food, friendly and very good pricing. Always good! My mom loved the pancakes here the best. I love the burgers. My sister loves the Big Johnson bkfst. I wish they were located by my house in St. Paul!! read more

Good food!! Super affordable and the staff make everyone feel welcome. I love stopping in to this place especially with such a great vibe.

Had breakfast a few times now. Very friendly, good service and small town diner feel. There aren't many of these left in Mpls area. Food was very good, and timely. They're on top of your coffee , so it is always full. Good hash browns ! Harley's and chickens rule this place! read more

What's not to like. Small, dated, genuine diner that doesn't ever try to pretend to be something it is not. I had the eggs and hash browns. Piping hot from the kitchen, perfectly cooked. I will return and I will tell others (I guess I just did) read more