About 10 years ago they used to have live local music and hookahs out on the back patio...until my friend's band incited a playful mosh pit that resulted in the destruction of hookahs and subsequent cancellation of future late night live music mayhem. Sorry guys, I hope 5 stars can mend my teenaged transgressions. This is a weird place to drink too much before noon. Would srsly recommend it! DTF is full of terrible people, but train station is great because everyone is always leaving. Great people watching. Where'd all the punks go? I hope they stay there!!! read more

It's been a while since I've been there but I do agree with everyone who says this place is great. It may be a small place but the food and service is great. Now that I have looked up this place again it's time to go back. read more

If you are arriving or departing on Amtrak or Metrolink it's a godsend for coffee, snacks or hot food off the grill. Their cold box stocked with drinks has something for everyone. We attended the Fullerton Rail festival on the grounds and arrived early for breakfast. Recommend the Eggs Everything, scrambled with bacon, fried potatoes and toast (sourdough was delicious). Note the potatoes are "Carlos O'Brien" or California style with hot green peppers instead of the usual mild bell pepper you might be used to (they were great). Our food was brought out to us on the patio for al fresco dining watching the trains roll by the platform. This is a conveniece spot at the train station, and if high end dining is your aim you'll be happier elsewhere. We've liked the place since it opened and think you will too. read more

Santa Fe Express Cafe - Trackside breakfast Eggs Everything. Yum! - Delis Near Me - Fullerton, California

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Review is only for beer service! I have never eaten here with the exception of a pack of starburst. However I come here once in a while for a cold brew after walking down here to meet my husband who takes the train to LALA land for work daily. The beer is always super cold and the staff very friendly. I also happen to think the beer is fairly priced. $3.50 I think or less I'm not exactly sure, for a cold corona. $8 pitchers of cheap domestic beer and $10 for craft beer. I'm pretty sure it is less expensive to get a pitcher of Palamino Pale Ale here than to buy it from Bootleggers down the street. And they never mind that I have my beastly dog with me. Bonus, because biggish dogs like him often get the stink eye. But not here! The restroom situation is a drag but luckily I'm never there long enough to need it, except that one time. There is usually plenty of seating in the patio area but I have seen it get full. They are also open late however I haven't been there much past the 6pm mark. Comic bookstore is in the same building if you're into that. Great place to grab a beverage while you wait for your train or wait for someone to arrive by train. Maybe one day I will order food but it doesn't seem likely. If you plan on having 2 or more beers, go for the pitcher! Really is a good deal. read more

Santa Fe Express Cafe - $10 pitcher of Palamino Pale Ale! I love Bootleggers. Yes, it's all for me. - Delis Near Me - Fullerton, California

I ordered a sandwich on Sunday afternoon and the young lady who took my order was VERY rude! I wasn't given the option of choosing my own bread and when I told her what I wanted she said "too late, I made it with white bread" When the next customer came, she offered white, wheat, rye, sourdough etc.... I then told her why that customer had option to choose and I didn't and she said "because I forgot ok???" I then told her to cancel my order and she said, "too late, it's already done! I would give this place 0 stars if I could. I don't understand why they let mean, disrespectful people work costumer service!!! read more

Absolute worst! F*ck this place. I went down to enjoy their delicious food and arrived at 7:25 PM. When I began to order the woman taking my order cut me off and yelled at me to get my things and leave. I was honestly shocked. Startled I slowly backed away and politely said no thank you! thinking they closed at 7:30. I looked up the hours online they closed at 8! This lady straight up yelled at me and told me to leave when they closed in 30 min. NASTY. and there were honestly undertones of racial prejudice... read more

Listed as open till 9 but they close at 8. Update your hours so you don't irritate customers.

Had the best lunch today! Tuna melt and a lettuce wrapped turkey burger. It was so good. Also, the best breakfast burritos and homemade salsa. read more

Nice spot at Fullerton station but sorely needs WIFI. WIFI is a must at any venue where public is waiting on transport, etc. lost a star for that reason Great patio read more

In and of itself it might not be the sort of restaurant one would necessarily go out the way for, but for what it is it's perfect. It's a simple little restaurant, built into the Santa Fe depot now used by Amtrak and Metrolink. Some drinks, snacks and sweets are available grab-and-go/convenience store style, or there are grill options from behind the counter. The grill items that I tried while spending some time in the area (I'm a train enthusiast) were both tasty and relatively inexpensive -- no complaints! Outside dining is available at shaded "patio" style tables. The patio is on part of the station platform so you can watch passenger and freight trains pass by right from your seat. Be forewarned that the toilet at the cafe is a 25c pay toilet. The Amtrak waiting room next door has toilets for Amtrak ticketed passengers only, if they feel like letting you in to use them. read more

Santa Fe Express Cafe - Patio seating by the Fullerton station platform - Delis Near Me - Fullerton, California

It's nice to sit in the gated area adjacent to the cafe and watch trains go by. I usually stop by after work and by a sandwich. One thing that I have repeatedly seen at this cafe that bothers me is almost every time I approach the counter to buy a sandwich, the lady or gentleman working in the food prep area are usually eating. Coming from a food safety background, there are all kinds of sanitary reasons (and just common sense) why workers should not be eating were food is prepared. I have gently mentioned something to the lady who works the register (the Supervisor) and in response she looks at me as if I'm violating someone's civil rights. Food safety is very important. As a supervisor, when you decide to put the comfort and convenience of your co-worker/friend above state health protocols, you are not in the right business. Not good.... Even though I mentioned something in a very polite manner to the person at the register, her demeanor changed very significantly with me on my next visit. I don't say anything anymore but they still eat in the food prep area. read more

The two gals working here this morning were so happy and kind! They made my morning so much brighter! Not to mention the food was DELICIOUS and quick! read more

I'm a regular who hops on the Metrolink or Amtrak most days out of the week, and I've always meant to write a review but would forget in the rush of catching my train. I wanted to share a review of this little gem in Fullerton that I always look forward to in the mornings (or evenings if coming home and needing a quick bite). If you find yourself hungry in the morning they have a variety of breakfast choices, such as burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches, breakfast platters, and to boot they use real eggs (not the fake stuff) and real, thick bacon. You can add bacon/ham/sausage to your burritos/quesadillas/sandwiches, and they also have several choices of coffee as well, from normal roast, vanilla nut, decaf, to I believe a hazelnut blend. If you get there early enough you can use the flavored coffee creamer, if later in the day they have generic creamer (but might give you flavored ones if you ask for it). They have lunch options as well including a variety of hot dogs, hamburgers, and other items (which to be honest I simply haven't tried), but for the things I've tried I stand behind them as good quality and ready in a pinch. Their store has all sorts of little gifts for any train aficionados in your life as well as travel sized convenience items (shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer, etc.) and OTC things to treat headaches and the like (Tylenol, DayQuil, etc.). An assortment of snacks, candy, beverages, wine, and beer await in the fridge for the picking. As a paying customer you can request a token to use the restroom, but be warned that on occasion cleanliness and odor can be slightly off-putting as it seems a variety of users use it at any given point during the day/evening and not everyone is considerate. Nevertheless, this cafe is one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite when waiting for my train or coming home from work, and if you're in the area give it a try. Also, the staff working there is very considerate and friendly, so if customer service is important to you they're wonderful people who add to the charm of the place overall. read more

We have a train fanatic for a son. So...trains. Of all the places we go to watch trains and of all the stations we have used for Amtrak and Metrolink, Fullerton is the best. One of the reasons is this cafe. Decent sandwiches and snacks at a decent price. Great drink selection. Lots and lots of trains to watch from their patio. Just wish there were more umbrellas for the rest of us. The old-timers come early to watch the trains and they snag most of the umbrellas. read more

Absolutely ridiculous. I came in to get some ice on this very hot day and the server with pink hair told me that she would have to charge me for a large soda or dump out the ice. So I dumped out the ice and left. What poor customer service. Do yourself a favor and walk up a block to downtown Fullerton instead of eating at this establishment. read more

My husband & I were there on March 19, returning home via AMTRAK from Fullerton & wanted a good, quick, sandwich to take on the train. We were overwhelmingly happy & satisfied with 1. very clean; 2. the friendly service; 3. the speed, & 4. sandwiches were EXACTLY as we had requested!!, Plus, we got a free pickle! Happy applause for a good job, everyone, & we'll certainly put out the good word. If we're EVER in the area again, we will definitely stop by & treat ourselves. Thanks, Mr. & Mrs. G. R. read more

Surprisingly good little cafe at the Fullerton Train Depot. I went on a Sunday during Fullerton Railroad Days and it was quite busy. Ordered two of the Queenie Weenies hot dogs which was quite delicious with a plump 1/2 pound hot dog grilled to perfection and served on a egg hotdog bun toasted to perfection. Also they have all day breakfast, beer, burgers and sandwiches and snacks to carry on board the Amtrak and Metrolink trains. Did I mention that they're open late night on the weekends too? It's a great place to get a meal or snack or even a brewski while watching the parade of BNSF,Amtrak and Metrolink trains roll by. read more

One of the most disgusting experiences I have ever gone through. The establishment smells, the food is thawed out from a can, and the service is horrendous. They also charge for debit/credit, and use a very insecure outdated machine to verify your information. read more

Get ready to pay. Add .50 cents to your bill. RIP OFFS. I know it's not the employees fault they just wrk there. Who owns this place? Knickle and dimming customers. BOOO! read more

This is a nice quiet place to just relax, watch the trains, and even enjoy a drink. Even play the piano in the patio, I don't know how to play but if i did, it's there for me. They have a good happy hour price on drafts. Nothing too special or exciting, just a simple cafe. The staff are friendly. read more

The Santa Fe Express Cafe at the Fullerton Amtrak Depot is a great spot, whether catching a bite before boarding an Amtrak or Metrolink train, or just a place to linger under the umbrellas and watch all the trains and people going by. The staff, especially Anna - they have three employees named "Anna" and no matter which one you get, they are sweet, polite and very helpful! A clean and well maintained soda and coffee dispensing area (You will never get a flat Coke at the Santa Fe Cafe). They also have beer on tap, in bottles or cans. It is ice cold and delicious, but must be consumed inside the patio fence or inside the cafe. The food is great and served right away (we're catching a train, remember?). It is good quality home made fare. The breakfast burritos are wonderful, and my favorite at any time of day. I always ask Anna to add some queso (cheese) which she does with no complaint (small extra charge, but worth it). I cannot complain - I like trains so am down at the depot at least once a week and always have something to eat and it is always very good. Even my wife, who does not particularly like trains, loves to go down there, order a sandwich, sit on the patio and people watch. While Santa Fe Cafe does not have wifi, the City of Fullerton has wifi all over downtown including at the depot so getting connected is not a problem. Have fun and don't forget to feed the tip jar at the register. read more

Tasty mocha frappe! ;) Not bad while waiting for train.

Great place to quickly pick up a drink and snack in between trains. Outdoor seating can get noisy with passing freight trains, but hey what do you expect at a train station. ;) read more

Went for the first time even though I've by numerous times in the last 15 years. Had the breakfast burrito and coffee for 5 bucks. Well worth it. Will come by st another time for the beer and train watching. read more

I work in Fullerton and often take the Metrolink/Amtrak up to Union Station If my band is playing a show up there or to meet my girlfriend for dinner in DTLA. I love getting off work and coming here for a beer, they have Bootlegger's Palomino Pale Ale on tap and plenty other craft beer bottles to choose from. You get to enjoy your beer on their patio watching trains pass by. I wish we had better transportation infrastructure here in LA/OC, I would be taking the train everywhere. So if you're coming to Fullerton Station make sure you give yourself a little extra time to enjoy a pint at a historic depot built over 80 years ago. read more

I had buyers remorse when I got my measly breakfast sandwich and my friends bomb looking burger came out... The burger is the best bet and they have a beer and burger combo for $7.99 I think.. Get that, don't get the breakfast sandwich with a side of potatoes because u will get a teaspoon of potatoes for that extra $1 read more

It's a cool spot to hang out and wait for the train but I didn't care for my food. My breakfast burrito was bland. Service was great

I got a pretzel and a fruit smoothie. The "fruit smoothie" had no fruit in it and just tasted like sugar water. And about 5 minutes after I got it, the smoothie started to separate and turn brown, it looked and tastes nasty. I didn't drink most of it. My soft pretzel was hard and extremely chewy. You could tell it was stale. It was absolutely disgusting altogether and I've never ever going back. It was also extremely over priced for what it was. I spent about $10 on something that was worth $1 maybe $2 on a good day. It was such a disappointment. Plus it was very dirty, the the staff didn't care. I would've gone back and demanded my money back, but I had to make my train. read more

One star for now because the sign on Santa Fe Express Cafe and on Yelp say it closes at1:00 and it was closed when I got here at 11:00! I'm not too pleased! read more

A wonderful place to grab a quick bite. The ambiance is quaint and relaxing, the owner and staff and extremely friendly, and their menu has lots to offer from sandwiches and beer to breakfast and coffee. A must if you are riding the train or just in the downtown area. read more

I came here the other day for breakfast before my train and had the best breakfast burrito and coffee. It was so convenient and everyone was super nice! I'll definitely be back here very soon. When I came in the evening my boyfriend loved the hot dogs and beer! Both were great. read more

The people are really nice here but everything is extremely over price...i know how much your paying for soda...stop over charging

Food is made to order so it takes an extra minute for it to come out, I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. Right next to train tracks with a great view of the platform in the patio section. Very relaxing apmoshpere and a great place to grab a beer, read a book, train watch, and grab a bite to eat. Food is a bit expensive but I'm sure the overhead for a cafe in downtown Fullerton is expensive itself. read more

Burgers are the bomb!!! Santa Fe cheese burger all the way!!! So bomb. White and yellow American cheese a really good secret sauce (thousand island) on the burger, lettuce and tomato. Fries are good too!!! Love to come here and watch trains and have a really good burger.. This place rules. They have beer!!!! read more

Highly recommend this darling place. I always stop in and get a coffee and a roll. So fun and delish while waiting for the train. A+++ all around. Thanks for having an awesome place. Good service and good menu. read more

Great coffee and delicious food.Perfect place to get a snack or lunch.Definitely a neighborhood gem!

For early risers this place opens at 5:30AM. The food is good, the service is excellent and friendly. My Big Fat Breakfast Burrito with coffee was $5.26. I like the atmosphere at this place, but I am a rail fan. Their dining court on the platform is a great place to watch people coming and going. If you are going north to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara or south to Angels Stadium or San Diego this is a good place to fuel up. read more

They have the best food! Love the burgers and hot dogs, especially! Beer is cheap and cold!

My boyfriend and I take the train often to see my parents. He craves the hot dogs with a cold beer and I usually get a glass of wine and a few snacks before we board the train! The staff is friendly and the restaurant is always clean. Super helpful that there is a corner with toiletries, medicine and travel items for when I forget anything! read more

i take the train regularly from CHICAGO (!) and disembark at fullerton, usually a little b4 7:00am. that is just in time for some hot, delicious santa fe cafe coffee and a tasty breakfast sandwich. the counter folks have always been friendly and, if i pick a table outside (great for train-watching, railfans!!) they always bring my breakfast out to me. everything is fresh, in the morning the tv is on -- good for a weather update -- and the whole operation is just very welcoming and user -friendly. if you are riding from chicago, solana beach or san berdoo - or if you're in the neighborhood driving - it is worth a stop. great burgers, too!! guy from the east read more