Oh how I love The Huddle. If you are a resident of Mission Hills then you probably know about this place. It is so great!! When you enter you have the feeling of being in a small town eatery. This place is a total greasy spoon and that is why I have such love for the place. You can have a hearty breakfast and it will not make you broke. All the people that work there have been there forever and it is great when you enter and they recognize you and greet you with a warm smile and a big hello. Have a bite to eat at this wonderful little place. You will be glad that you did. read more

Being much like the explorer Cabrillo, I skipped the hotel breakfast and headed out on Friday morning to The Huddle. The other reviews are not lying: everyone in that place is a known quantity since they've been going for what seemed like decades. The waitstaff called out arriving patrons by name, the line cook bantered with the diners, and the host/owner shuttled heaping plates and coffee. Political discussion easily mixed with the breakfast plates. The place is homey - in a good way! Yes, there is no pretension. Yes, there is no "fusion" or frou-frou breakfast. All of which makes a great place when you're just starting your day - who needs hassle first thing in the morning? Had the daily special as announced by the baritone waiter. For a newcomer, he offered me a cheery hello and described the special: two eggs, sausage or ham, hash browns or home fries, and toast for $6. A good deal. Coupled with unlimited Folgers, a truly lovely meal. I guess its the place but within 10 minutes it had me. A later arriving couple, obviously not regulars, came in and I felt that they were intruding on MY place. Which was an unreasonable assumption since I was the arriviste a mere 15 minutes before. read more

Going to eat at the Huddle is almost like going to Grandma's house for breakfast. Meaning, you're not going to wait an hour for a table, your food is not going to have sprigs of rosemary coming out of it, there's no Bloody Mary, and the portions are going to be filling, but you probably won't have leftovers, and probably only one choice of syrup for your pancakes. The type of food offered at the Huddle is more along the lines of simple and good. I recommend the orange pecan or sweet potato pancakes. What really sets this place apart is that they offer 3 choices of homemade jam: apple butter, orange marmalade, and strawberry rhubarb. All of them are fantastic. I find myself bringing friends to The Huddle and they'd fall in love with the restaurant and the jams. read more

Oh Huddle you, it's been 3 years since we last found each other. I just want to say that today you made my day on account of I work a few blocks away from your delicious little shop. Bless your soul for having coffee and oatmeal complete with all the fixin's for $7. The oatmeal was delicious, extremely filling, and hit the spot on this cold morning! Upon receiving your menu, I am very impressed in your ability to satisfy any craving I have during my work week. I also love that you accept cards which makes your delectable foods and close proximity a dangerous but desired habit of mine for the future! I promise to not let you out of my sights for long. Until next week, or tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you! read more

After a VERY early family drop off at the airport, Husband and I were wandering the streets of San Diego at 6:45 a.m. on a Monday morning, sleepy and in search of breakfast before heading to work. I'm picky in that I don't like chain diners (I'm looking at you, Denny's) or bagel spots (same, Einstein's). I stumbled upon The Huddle on Yelp and we decided to check it out. It's an older diner and has almost a midwest feel to it (or at least what I think would be a midwest feel -- amiable and cozy). The first thing that I noticed were the regulars at the counter. One was leaving when we came in and another was just chilling, reading an actual full-size newspaper (I haven't seen that in a long time!). Regulars are usually a good sign. I ordered the chorizo and eggs and Husband had a ham and egg deal. I was impressed -- our waitress also whipped up the food. She took orders in one hand and essentially cooked with the other. My chorizo and eggs were actually pretty good; the best I've had in awhile in a restaurant. The tortillas were so-so but I ended up eating most of the chorizo and eggs. The coffee was just coffee but hit the spot. Husband's plate came with toast and they make, if I remember correctly, in-house jam. I believe that we tried the apple butter jam - holy crap, it was delicious!!! I stole his second piece of toast for myself. As we were waiting for the food, I read the restaurant's history on the menu; apparently, it's family owned and operated for several decades. I have a sneaking suspicion that our waitress/chef/cashier was the original owner's daughter (same name, at least). She was friendly, attentive, and we had our food within 15 minutes or so. As we were leaving, the regular reading the paper looked up and said goodbye. We'll definitely be back. That apple butter jam is calling my name. read more

I'm only giving this three stars because I really wasn't that impressed when I first went there. And as I drove by it last week, I wondered why I had bookmarked it when I had been there over a year ago. I must have blocked it out of my memory because there was a raging annoying douchebag with us. The place is ADORABLE. They have a map on the wall when you walk in, and you can put a push pin on the city you were born in, or something like that, it was so long ago. The place was PACKED, which should have told me something. We got sat in the back, like way back behind the kitchen in this room that reminded you of your grandmother's kitchen with it's pastel yellow walls and fake white shutters. Since I had never heard of Yelp back then, I didn't look up The Huddle to see what to eat. Big mistake. I had some awful omlette. Looking back, it may not have been that awful, but that DJ Douchbag (DJDB for short, for those of you who know my lingo) really made it awful. I wanted out of there and out of his company more desparately than I wanted to go fishing for boys, that's saying a lot! So, I've decided that I need to go back and get Eggs Benedict. With extra hollandaise sauce to make up for the shitty experience I had last time :) read more

Awful Breakfast! I went here about a year ago, and walked out with an upset stomach. I ordered the chicken fried steak as I love greasy breakfast items, and almost threw up. First off, it wasn't even steak! It was hamburger meat, gravy was bland and toast was soggy. Will never go back... read more

I love grabbing breakfast here on the weekends-- it just feels like Classic San Diego and it's def by word of mouth. Check it out. read more

I loved the ambiance, and the service was excellent. The food was delicious and it kinda reminded me of my grandmother's home cooked food. I will definitely be back! read more

Super cute little Mom and Pop diner in University Heights. Our server couldn't have been sweeter, we were seated outside on a gorgeous late morning in the San Diego summer... the food was homey and modest and the prices reasonable. Definitely going to be a regular here when I return to San Diego for trips. read more

Do, do, do, do, do, do, da, do the hustle! I can't help it, that old disco tune runs through my mind whenever I think of the Huddle. The Huddle is a classic greasy spoon diner. Small and not fancy, there is a bar to sit at in addition to the tables. The walls are covered with signed black and white photos of celebrities, most you will be too young to recognize. Great breakfast alternative to Denny's or some such corporate behemoth. All the usual suspects: pancakes, french toast, omelettes, with a few twists thrown in like fancy feta cheese or Mexican style options. Very reasonable prices. read more

This review is long overdue because I came here in late October and promised myself that I would give major props to this place! I was looking for a greasy spoon/diner for breakfast with 7 other friends and called The Huddle to see if they had seating for 8 people. The woman on the phone said yes and I said thanks. My party and I arrive 45 minutes later and find out that they prepared seats for us even though I didn't say we were coming or not! Everyone ordered different things from breakfast sandwiches to eggs benedict and everyone was very pleased. The homemade jam was a nice change to the artificial tasting Knott's jams I'm served everywhere else. Best part is, I don't think anyone paid more than $10 for their meal and the waitress OFFERED OUT OF HER OWN FREE WILL to split all 8 checks. While at the table, all my LA based friends waxed poetic about how they wished there was a place like The Huddle in LA. If I'm ever in San Diego again and have a hankering for friendly service and good food, The Huddle would be at the top of the list. read more

I walked in sat up at the bar, grabbed today's paper from the paper tray by my feet and watched The Price is Right while I waited for my eggs, bacon and french toast while sipping coffee. The place is no frills, but who wants frills for breakfast...I've never been here for any other meal. I now recommend the CFS (Country Fried Steak) and Eggs, my measuring stick for all breakfast places. read more

Awesome food, real homie feeling when you walk in. Wasn't too busy on a weekday, always a plus. I had the special, Spanish omelet, it was exactly what I ordered. No fluff or additions to my meal. Just what I ordered and it was delicious. Moderately priced and great service. Apparently they deliver locally as well. Overall this was a good place to sit and have breakfast. I can only imagine they get really busy on weekends because of the value and quality of the food. Sure Hash House is right around the corner, with larger portions for a few bucks more... but who eats that much for breakfast anyway? It's a novelty restaurant that is always busy and you gotta wait for a seat all the time. Bottom Line: If you want a breakfast like mom used to make in a place that feels like your at your moms breakfast table, head to The Huddle. read more

Awesome little restaurant in a great location. They serve lunch all day long, woop!! Good food, cute atmosphere, and the person who served us I think might be the owner, was very friendly. They could use air conditioning, but pretty awesome other than that! read more

Such a cute/awesome/my-gran-memma's-kitchen sort of place. I totally dig the old decor, the Hollywood star autographs on the wall, sitting at the bar watching that tiny box tv that still uses vhs. Cory is completely the greatest. We call him, "Honey". You can literally spend 2hrs talking to him and fill your head with stories. Food, food, food. I hear some people complain about the prices, but going to Denny's is WAY more expensive and food at the Huddle is totally decent for sit in fresh food. Average 20$ for breakfast and/or lunch for 2 people. Was so cute, I went in yesterday (Mon. 23rd, March 2009) for my birthday lunch. Best grilled cheese sandwich -ever-! Lots of cheese and nomnomnom 'tato chips. The lady behind the counter came out and put a lil plastic birthday cake on our table and pressed a button; it sang, "Happy Birthday" I was just so giddy about it. Previous visit had me in love with the Cordon Bleu Sandwich. A visit before that had me craving a Spanish Omelet with yummy warm flour (or corn) Tortillas and harshbrowns (or refried beans is what normally comes with it I think). It IS a family owned business. It IS a tiny area, literal hole in the wall. You Do have to wait on your food just like you did at home when your momma was making special pancakes for YOU. This isn't the kind of place you just rush in and out of. Get over your hurry-hurry-and-not-know-why lives and SIT DOWN. Talk, ponder life, read the newspaper. The Huddle is casual, not fast. Boyfriend and I go every Saturday now. For this month of March I've been having their Shake of the Month every time I've gone. Mint Choco Chip awesomeness! Gran' Memma (who never liked to eat anything she didn't cook herself) would probably eat at the Huddle. Parking is metered in the immediate area, 2hr parking on Falcon if you're lucky to find a spot. Residential free street parking a block or two away. Outdoor seating (available on nice days when construction isn't horribly loud) is good enough to have your behaved, small - medium sized dog. Make an appointment for your dog at Shear Delight and drop pooch off on the way to or from the Huddle. Guaranteed all around happiness. Hey Cory if you read these, I'll be back this Saturday. read more

I really liked the "feel" of this place. It reminded me of a Midwestern diner. I had a cheeseburger which was simple and delicious! I will definitely be back to try breakfast sometime. The omelettes on the menu sounded amazing! If you're looking for good food at a fair price, definitely stop in here. read more

The Huddle - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - San Diego, California

I LOVE this place. I knew the meal started out great when I asked for a chocolate milk and he gave me a larger cup than the normal size because "you look like you like chocolate milk." I do. And I am happy he could recognize that. This is the place to go if you want a great "home-cooked" breakfast! The Benedict is amazing and the hash browns are to die for. If you are looking for fancy, this is not the place for you - but if you are looking for the best breakfast that will put you into a food-coma of happiness, eat here. I'm 100% coming back next time I'm in town. read more

I understand the down-home appeal and everything and sure the food is home-cooked great. But life is short and there are far better, more interesting places to eat. The service is asleep at the wheel. The food takes forever to come out, which is sometimes not a bad thing but when there is nothing to look at but the dingy interior of this place, I'm sorry people but not a good way to spend my time. Nah, overall experience = F. read more

I have been coming here since I was 3 years old, I'm now 27 and nothing has changed! They have the best apple butter in the entire world!

Me gusta The Huddle. It is kinda like stepping into a time warp in a way, back to a time where there was a stronger sense of small town community in San Diego. It is a place with regulars. And they like to sit in the same seat. At the same time of day. And order the same thing. It is a crossroads of culture ... America, in many ways, at its finest. The fare is average. It is not supposed to be more. The crowd is amazing. I remember walking behind two little old women a few years ago as I was going to meet Mike Aguirre here for breakfast (he used to be one of the regulars). As we approached, they stopped dead in their tracks. They had been debating trying to get the window table, but stopped when they had seen Mike sitting at it. They declared "OH NO, The Talking Head has the window!" They were somewhat moritfied as I then sat with him. They were right though. I love The Huddle. read more

Going here was based on the 4 stars it has. We were hungry and getting ready to leave San Diego. We regretted this choice. The wait was 40 minutes and it was not busy. My omelet was bland, the hash browns greasy and burnt. Coffee was watery. Food quality is very low. The only thing that was good were the blueberry pancakes. Not coming back when we visit again, not a 4 star restaurant. read more

This is where I go when I'm homesick. I'm Midwest born and raised (Detroit!) and sometimes I just can't stomach the idea of eating another tofu-packed, cilantro-covered, avocado-based god knows what. Sometimes I just want french toast served with more butter than any decent human should ingest in a single day and black coffee. The Huddle is perfect. The people who work here are good, honest, salt of the Earth people. Californians probably won't get that. Michiganders will feel right at home. Especially Yoopers. Plus, they operate some kind of meals-on-wheels charity in the space next to their restaurant called Special Delivery San Diego. I just found out about it, so I'm not clear on the specifics, but basically it sounds like one of the Huddle's regulars became very ill, so ill he couldn't prepare his own food, so the Huddle started delivering to him. Now they do so for hundreds of San Diegans. Like I said: good people. read more

If you want ambience, go across the street to The Patio. If you want great food, this is the place. I had the bacon and cheddar omelet, (no crap cheese slices here). Everything from the well done hash browns to the homemade marmalade jam on my toast was great. Wife had chicken and waffles. Now the chicken is great but it's overshadowed by the light shining from that waffle! One of the best waffles I've had in my life. Melted butter, syrup, and a little whip cream made our day. Stop wasting time reading this review and Google map your way over here ASAP. read more

The Huddle - Chicken and waffles is excellent - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Found myself going to The Huddle this morning to try it out. Walked in, very happily surprised to see the '50s diner style. It's absolutely adorable. The staff is very warm and friendly, and very attentive. The pancakes are some of the fluffiest, best pancakes I've ever had. Eggs were perfectly cooked, and the bacon was delicious. Stoked to have this place within walking distance to my house!! I'll definitely be returning. read more

My FAVORITE breakfast spot in San Diego - period. The Huddle is an old school "greasy spoon" diner style spot. Everyone who works there is friendly and extremely helpful. After a few visits you're made to feel like a "local". After going there at least once a week for the last 3yrs. I've become predictable in my ordering, but there's a certain level of comfort in that. The Cinnamon rolls are to die for... VERY filling. I haven't had a item there I haven't enjoyed. The McHuddle is my favorite with a side of hash browns. Simple, but consistently yummy! Home made jams, baked goods... all delicious. I can't say enough about the service! Always friendly. Always welcoming. If they are packed in there and food time lags, they are apologetic and accommodating. I'm rarely in a hurry when I go there and that's a good thing. :) The Huddle is family owned and community oriented. They have a food delivery service for people with medical challenges. They do amazing work in the community and they will ALWAYS get my business for that reason. Go support this local business. You won't be disappointed! read more

I have to give The Huddle 5 stars based on one word- hollandaise. I've been duped by the promise of "home made hollandaise" before (i.e. Cafe 222) and just so they and every other restauranteur know, mixing the powder with whatever the hell else goes in that slime in the kitchen does not make it home made. The Huddle however provided the real deal bona-fide actual homemade hollandaise sauce that comes 2nd behind my mom's. I think I also have to throw down 5-stars due to the ambiance. There are three kinds of breakfast establishments that I know of- the spotless place that will serve your slightly better than mediocre breakfast with parsley and an orange slice with a few grapes and charge you for it; the crisp linen joint that you make your parents take you to or where you take them to show them that you have a real job where you really pay for it, or the place you look at and want to think twice about eating at but deep down you know that it looks like that because people eat great food there often. The Huddle falls into the last category which makes me happy because it keeps the snobby a-holes out of the line and away from this place in general. Service was uber friendly, the hash browns crispy, the pancakes delicious and the ambiance is that of a place that is serious about food. I tried to come up with something about this place that I didn't like, but I couldn't. Hollandaise, respect. read more

This place is the epitome of a breakfast diner. It reminds me of the places we used to go when I lived in the south where you can get a hearty made to order breakfast at a fair price. I was in love from the minute I walked in and was even more enamored once I read the details about the food service the owners provide for the needy out of the building next door. We sat up at the counter and flipped through some family albums while waiting for our breakfast. We were in and out in a reasonable amount of time, Although, we weren't in any major rush, so I probably didn't pay as much attention to the clock as some other guests. I really enjoyed the fact that this place is a straightforward diner and the homey ambiance. They make their own jams and apple butter (love) and you can buy jars to go. My one regret is that I was too concerned about the fit of the dress I was wearing to a wedding that evening to try the pumpkin milkshake, but it sounded amazing. I will be back for dessert... read more

Highly recommend the chicken and waffles! So yummy. The location has a quaint, family owned feel- which I always enjoy. Seating might be tough to find for large parties but my group and I were able to find seating for 5. read more

The Huddle - American Near Me - San Diego, California

I LOVE THE HUDDLE!!!!!!!! Ive been coming here since i was a little kid. Ive ordered every breakfast item over the years and not once have i ever had a bad meal. The feeling when you walk in is vey mom and pop. Its a very small narrow dining room with a walk up counter and behind you can see the griddle going with the chefs. My absolute favorite item is the corn beef hash with eggs and toast. And i love the MacHuddle also. Will always come here and love bringing new people who have lived in san diego there whole lives here not knowing that the huddle has been here forever. Definitely worth checking out!!!!! read more

We were entertaining some visitors from out of town, and after a long Saturday night were on the lookout for a breakfast place that didn't have a 2-hour wait (a la Hash House), and stumbled upon this charming little spot. It's as mom and poppish of a place as you'll get in San Diego, and I believe it as mom who served us. The front area was full so we were seated in the back--so service was understandably not up to par as one would hope for--but our food came out in a timely matter. This is definitely a worthy breakfast place to go go when you can't stand to wait for Hash House a Go Go. PS If someone from the Huddle is reading this, can you scoop out the dying fish in the back aquarium? It needs to be put out of its misery already.. read more

A Mission Hills institution for breakfast. Nothing fancy but if you're serious about your comfort food breakfast, The Huddle is for you. I've never had anything bad here - pancakes, french toast, their awesome cinnamon rolls and even just eggs, bacon and toast always hit the spot. That's pretty much all you need to know. Though I will admit that I like to sit at the counter to watch the cook - it's cool to watch him make your order (and not in that cheesy benihana kind of way). read more

Great traditional breakfast fare with a twist. It's important to note that the owner co-founded and operates the Special Delivery food service for health challenged individuals. read more

I'm only giving them the second star because the waitresses was friendly. I can't really tell you how the chicken and waffles were because after I watched them microwave our chicken before frying it, I lost my appetite. Yes, they have not one but 2 microwaves in plain sight. I kept waiting to see Gordon Ramsey appear like we were in an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. My 2 year old didn't even eat her French fries... Enough said read more

The homemade jams on the table are worth the trip alone. Apple butter? DAMN! Ordered extra toast just to gorge on the jams. Tried the salmon eggs-beny, served w/hash browns and it was good eats. Atmosphere: it's a greasy spoon/roadside feel. The prices are good, and we left happy. A solid entry into my weekend breakfast spot rotation. read more

It's not zomg best breakfast evar, but the food is good and I love the homeyness. There's something great about sitting at the bar doing the crossword puzzle, watching Mrs. Doubtfire on a teeny-tiny VHS/TV that's perched on top of the fridge in the kitchen, eating blueberry pancakes with actual fresh blueberries (well, so they say) and yummy sausage that makes me feel like I'm at my aunt's house. Prices are okay, mugs are mix-and-match, and the butter is margarine. The pancakes keep me coming back, though. And, of course, the jam. Mmmm. read more

This is a really casual, fast and yummy place to grab breakfast. Its not super swanky and expensive like many brunch places in La Jolla or Del Mar, but its yummy, fast and has an adorable tagline "Where good friends meet." The veggie omlette fed my sister and I and had a wonderful combo of bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese and avocado. The hashbrowns were a bit mushy, but I still liked them and ate them. The house made strawberry jam (served with toast) is also really good (so good that I took the rest of it home!) The service was good, and the waitresses and cooks were friendly, low-key and fast. If I'm in the area I'll be back! read more

Great food! Great prices! Open early! Family owned and operated My boyfriend and I have been there twice. Good old fashion American breakfast. read more

Let's just say with all of the great choices in Mission, Hillcrest, and Bankers Hill for breakfast there is no reason to choose this restaurant. The quality isn't that great and the ambiance gets a zero. read more

Went in there for the first (and last) time with my friend for breakfast on a early Saturday or Sunday morning not too very long ago. The place seemed comfortable enough as we sat at a nice table - and best of all, there was only one other customer, who was sitting up at the counter. We ordered scrambled eggs, bacon and toast - typical breakfast. I guess we had no particular place to go that morning - and it's a good thing, as the food finally arrived about 45 minutes later. It was fairly good, but 45 minutes for a standard bacon & egg breakfast with no other customers?! I can only imagine how long it might have taken if there were actually other customers in the joint! Anyhow, I always try and give a place the benefit of the doubt, especially when it's my first time as a customer. However, I could not help but notice that the owner/cook, who took his sweet time in preparing our order, seemed to be taking some sort of perverse, passive/aggressive delight in delaying our breakfast order. Which is kind of an odd way of doing business - if you want to keep your customers coming back, that is. read more