Best vegetarian biscuits and gravy anywhere, I am not even vegetarian and I always order them. Family owned with a great staff. I like to go in and take advantage of the bottomless cups of organic coffee. read more

What a cute Cafe. The service was great and the staff very friendly. I had the 3 egg bacon and cheese omelet with a side of potatoes. The potatoes were cooked to perfection and the omelet was so huge I took over half of it home. My husband had the chicken fried steak which was just as yummy! I'm now bummed however that I missed out on the $4.00 mimosas!!! read more

There breakfast club is amazing. So is their croissant sandwich with tomatoes instead of meat. Love this cute little place. read more

PRO: some of the best brunch food anywhere. CON: service has historically been almost nonexistent. It's tragic to think of how much work the cooks are putting into making this awesome food, and then the whole experience can be marred by subpar service. They would benefit greatly from an experienced and competent service manager who can keep the frontside crew focused, because they just seem to be scattered and disorganized most of the time. They are always nice and friendly, just not very aware of the customers it often seems. BUT I keep coming back for the insanely good food and the BEST FREAKING FRENCH TOAST. So good. read more

First time visitor. Came on suggestion of friends. Felt at home as we walked in the door. Warm greeting, explained the specials, offered water and coffee within seconds. Then, time to check the menu and decide. Was there at 1:30 p.m. but breakfast items available all day. Opted for lunch instead. Clam chowder was creamy and full of clams, potatoes, and bacon. The roast beef on focaccia was great (flavorful and moist). The BLT was huge and just as good. The fries were hot and crisp and well seasoned; not too much salt). All-in-all a great time. We'll be back. The owner/manager stopped for a moment and asked how things were. The employees are all bright and cheerful and engaging. Can't wait to go back to this warm and inviting place when there's a big storm outside...probably next week!! read more

The food was great (wonderful eggs, tasty tasty biscuits) and the service was excellent. I think I've found my new spot when I'm traveling through the Humboldt Bay area! read more

Disappointed to say the least. I mean ok food but damn portion size is a joke especially after being told that it was a "lot of food" and more on the price side. Not exactly a college friendly price or portion cafe. Even tho it is located in a college town. read more

Chicken... Fried... Steak!!!! What more needs to be said other than that? Oh yeah... mimosas!! The Big Blue Cafe is a Humboldt institution... whether you live in Arcata or are visiting, you must eat here. The food is excellent, and the Plaza side location is perfect. I've gone for both Sunday morning breakfast with a big group as well as have popped in for a coffee fill or to-go breakfast sandwich. I've read many of the reviews and yes, this is a busy restaurant (for good reason) and yes, sometimes a certain server or staff member won't be as perfect as you'd like BUT it doesn't matter because the coffee is excellent, the chicken fried steak is the some of the best I've ever had all crunchy and big and juicy and with thick white gravy, AND the restaurant is clean, well-managed (both owners, a husband and wife, work there and at least one of them is always there!) and totally plugged into the Humboldt vibe of organic foods, local ingredients when you can, community involvement and good people!!! Love ya Big Blue!!! read more

Really great french toast and bacon. The oatmeal (which I never order) was hearty and with the works. Coffee was good. The huevos rancheros was just ok. A friendly, accommodating staff! Nice ambiance. Will return! read more

Yeah, I found real gravy....none of this meat in the gravy (however, they do have the "new" traditional gravy with meat). You can tell my age because when I was growing up in the 50's, "traditional" gravy was w/o meat. The service was prompt. Sam, our waiter, was very efficient. The food was very good. Great variety of choices for breakfast. Vegans can find food here, also. Generous helpings. Only negative was coffees were not refilled until we asked. Also, being in a drought, I was surprised that water glasses were automatically dispensed and refilled w/o asking. read more

Delicious food. Very fresh. I had the French toast with strawberries and blueberries. Thick cut great berries. Chicken fried steak was very good too. Left full and reasonable pricing. Service was excellent. Coffee great. read more

Took my son, stepson and his girlfriend here for breakfast. I had Rachel ' s Potatoes, they had breakfast burritos, croissantwich, and eggs with chicken apple sausage. All of it was very mediocre. The potatoes were boiled, chopped and reheated, but with no brown or crispness at all. Cheese just barely melted. The sausages were also heated through, but no brown or crisp. We left a lot on the plate. Service people were pleasant when called to the table, but pretty ineffective. read more

My go-to breakfast spot. Really good food. And coffee. And mimosas. Great, fast service. What else do you need?

Everytime my parents stop by Arcata I take them here. The service is always great, the specials are always unique and the food tasty.

My peeps and I ate here for lunch on July 4th. After some initial confusion about taking our orders, the rest of our visit was excellent. A few of us ordered the "Patriot Burger" to celebrate, and I must say it was the best burger that I had had for quite some time. Wowza. Just perfect. Man, writing this review is making me think about it. Oh boy... So good... Anyway, the fries were also tasty as were the other food items. If you want a burger in Arcata, I'd definitely hit this place up. read more

Ate breakfast here this morning - my husband ended up with the two biggest whole grain buttermilk blueberry pancakes he'd ever seen - he couldn't finish them which for him is very rare! They were "HUGE". I had bacon and eggs with beans instead of potatoes and toast - very tasty. We would eat here again - were here several years ago and remembered it being an excellent place for breakfast. read more

Nice little spot on the plaza. Recommendations: Pancakes were great -- might have been buckwheat Fresh squeezed carrot/orange juice Chourico scramble was tasty They ask how you want your bacon cooked Vegan tofu scramble much appreciated Good choice for Arcata! read more

We'll be back. My wife and I found this little place on yelp and were glad we did: cute, slightly funky, lots of nice woodwork, delicious food, friendly service, and a steady stream of locals; this was exactly what we were looking for. read more

Great food. Great coffee. Always a good experience. Just a tip though- please write down what people order. Aspects of mine and my husband's order were confused. Still delicious, just not what we ordered. read more

Very friendly service and decent food. I was in a hurry for an appointment and was surprised when the food came quickly. The eggs where slightly overcooked but overall the meal was good. read more

Good food and coffee, fair prices, easy parking at least on a Monday morning. Service that morning was perfunctory so downgrading a star.

Amazing service.. amazing food I got the chicken fried steak and my lady got the French toast... amazing!!

Awesome!!! The big blue cafe was a wonderful place to get some grub, and get my day started out on a good note. I am happy and stuffed full of delicious food! The service was great. I was seated and drinking coffee within a minute of entering the door. The food came out in less than ten minutes, and was absolutely mouth watering. I had the omelet with pepper jack cheese, ham, bell peppers, onions, avocado and salsa. It came with a side of potatoes and toast, which were not really necessary because the omelet was HUGE!!! read more

It was a perfect place for lunch with kids. The quesadillas were much tastier, interesting and less greasy than the kids often get served. Service was friendly (and we got there 2 minutes before closing time but they cheerfully let us in and served us without rushing us). read more

This place is great. Honestly the best experience we've had. I had the pancakes and they were great. So delicious. The blueberries were inside the pancake, and the maple syrup was delightful. A group of four and we all LOVED our meals. The coffee is good and the service was the best we have had in the states so far. Wait staff were friendly and not as intense as the wait staff we've previously experienced. Would come back! Oatmeal looked and tasted good, bagels looked amazing, and the huevos rancheros was the stand out dish of our table. read more

Great food. Best oatmeal ever. Wait staff is totally on the ball.

The food is always super tasty. I like getting the biscuits with vegetarian gravy and a bagel sandwich. Yum. I appreciate that they have plenty of vegetarian options on their menu. Sometimes the staff intimidate me a bit. While waiting to sit, they can seem annoyed with you that you're there. Once you're seated, though, you're taken care of. read more

I used to really like this place and eat here almost every morning after work. Haven't been in a long time so I went today with a friend and waited over an hour for our food all while watching multiple other tables get their food before us. I had oatmeal and cold potatoes while my friend had one of their breakfast burritos. What annoyed me the most is when the guy tried to tell me we only waited 27 minutes like I didn't know how to read a clock. I will not eat their again even if invited by another. read more

Best breakfast on our trip. Service was best, food prepared fast and delicious. Had the Chaurico Scramble with beans and tortillas, wife had biscuits and gravy, son the croissant sandwich. My wife is a connoisseur of ice tea and loved their blend. Love this place Mark read more

So I hate complaining.. Kitchen served me undercooked food (biscuits, sausage) of which I took a bite and caught some pretty nasty foodborne illness.. probably exotoxins from typical negligence towards items like biscuits.. They are not safe held at room temp undercooked... I am sure they do a good job from time to time.. but I'd reccomend checking your food before biting into it.. Yikes. read more

This place is great! I really love how they dont mind doing take-out. Go for the busicutt's and gravy it really made my tue morning. The young lady that took my order was curtious and funny. I saw her eating a B.L.T. with Avo and cant wait to go back to try it with their fries. Awesome breakfast, brunch & lunch spot. read more

This place is amazing! Food is on point, my fave is the croissant sandwich with eggs, cheese and avocado. My husband loves the Big Blue platter/pancake combo. The service is excellent! Jorge always makes us laugh. Come here for an excellent start to your day read more

The big BOO??? Yuck. First thing, we had to wade through a pile of homeless people and be-dreaded hippies to get in the door. Looks like a nice enough place, some fine woodworking above the bar, the menu looks good. We get in line behind one couple who is seated immediately. I go to the restroom, come out and my boyfriend is patiently waiting by the door for our table. However! Three of the filthies from outside (we were confirmed next on the list when we walked in) get seated ahead of us. There's a waitress standing chatting up a table for ten minutes, with her back to us at the door. We can't get seated, so after waiting for longer than we should have, we left. I would never go back here. We were ignored completely after being told we'd be seated, waited forever for the entitled stoners to seat us. This place embodies all that is bad about hippie culture. Here's a hint: Smoke weed AFTER you get off work. While you're *at* work, do us all a favor and actually DO some. read more

Excellent service! Shout out to Vicki and Ace! I ordered the "Butler" it was amazing. The flavors complimented each other very well. Will be back! read more

I've been here 5 times and up until now, have been overall pleased with the food and service. Sadly this last visit left a bad taste all around. I felt we were annoying the server just by breathing air! While giving our order, my husband asked what type of cheese was available and was told "it's in the menu....."! Then apparently a larger group (more than 5) came in and we were ordered to move to another table so they can be accommodated. Ok, I have NO Problem being helpful and cooperative but at least ASK..... Maybe with a"sorry folks could I ask you to move?" But there was none of that. I get it .... It's graduation weekend and you are tired of out-of-towners' but really? To top it all off, he found it necessary to chastise my husband for texting...... A) None of you business dude. B) It WAS business. There are other great little places in town and just up the road in Trindad that are welcoming and happy to provide you with great service. read more

Went there two Saturdays ago for the 4th time, I love big blue because they have super inexpensive great tasting mimosas !!! But the server that waited me on Saturday made me change my mind about the restaurant completely!!!! He was so rude, and after 20 minutes of waiting for water and a pitcher of mimosas I asked my server if he could check on my water and pitcher order -he gave me the worst attitude and told me I would have to relax and wait because they were busy... I couldn't believe how he spoke to me so I asked him to cancel my drink and food order and walked out and took my business elsewhere! The following Monday I told my coworker about my encounter and she told me she had a similar type of encounter with the same man!!! He has long black hair, a mustache, goatee and has a dark complexion .... If you get him as a server request a new one ASAP!!! I will have to definitely reconsider going back.. I'm still upset about the ordeal read more

I'm not sure why so many people rave about this place. The food was greasy but edible, until I found the server's hair in it. At least the coffee was good. read more

Great cafe with all day breakfast. I had a cheese omelet and sour dough toast. I didn't want the home fries and they let me sub fresh fruit instead. And good fruit... fresh blueberries, grapes and melon. Service was very good as well. read more

I WOULDNT EAT HERE EVER AGAIN!!! This mornings experience is the reason I downloaded the yelp app! DO NOT GO TO BLUE sooo terrible I have been here several times over a few years my daughter loves to play while we eat today I wanted to go out for breakfast a special treat we sat ordered played my breakfast came an egg sandwich but the egg was brown flat oily n gross I spoke up apparently my waiter took it really personally boarderline argumentative so after watching my family completely finnish breakfast he delivered a new egg by then the rest of the sandwich was cold and I was starving I gave 100% of the food back asked for my check youd think hed have the COURTOUSY of removing the sandwich and offering an apology instead I had to ask and he then proceeded to actually arguee that it was my responcibility this guy was a total chump rude and very unprofessional my kids pancake was kinda gross he ruined my breakfast and was a total DOUCH about it! AGAIN ID NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!!!!! read more

I would give it zero stars for the thin white kid who first "served us"... Which means he asked if we wanted anything to drink to which we responded coffees please. And then he just walked off to do nothing but stand around, as a FULL coffee pot sat ten feet away from us begging us to drink it. He's a terrible server. We sat with closed menus and no coffee and he just stared away. A thin long haired gentleman then came over and asked what we would like, but we got our coffee thirty seconds later, he was nice genuine and humorous and took our order immediately with no need to even write it down .... I give him a personal 5 stars. The coffee is good too. I gave it overall three stars as an average. As for the food: 5 stars... Seriously really good I had French toast and they serve REAL MAPLE SYRUP. The sausage patty was bomb. The French toast awesome. Eggs perfect. And my guys chicken fried steak was perfect also. Our server who came to the rescue and finished serving us till the end repeatedly picked up slack that the other guy obviously could've been doing... I saw my server pouring a cup of creme at the same time of answering a phone while the little white kid was seriously just standing there doing NOTHING. Who does the hiring here? They seem pipolar/ or this little white kid as "I'm the owners relative " syndrome or they just don't know he's not a good employee yet. Either way thanks to the food and our long haired guy server we loved the place. read more