This historic cozy diner is one of the places that established the City of Santa Clarita. And the friendly crew here provides great service and meets any request! Want 3 types of hot sauce for your delicious Denver omelette? No problem! Hot outside and you'd like to get a soda refill to go for your drive? No problem! My son and I enjoy dropping in and sitting at the counter, catching part of a game on their large screen, and enjoying a fresh breakfast SERVED ALL DAY!! The Saugus Cafe is a living tribute to those who passed through 100 years ago. After a long day riding mountain bikes at the Haskell Canyon Open Space / MTB bike park -- the Saugus Cafe HITS THE SPOT!! read more

The Saugus Cafe - Living history that's also friendly and delicious! - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

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Recently visited Saugus Cafe under the new ownership, and unfortunately the experience was not what it used to be. Some of our longtime favorites there were the chili, chili spaghetti, French dip, and chicken fried steak, which is why this visit was especially disappointing. The chili spaghetti recipe has clearly changed. The flavor now feels very bland and lifeless compared to before. I also ordered the French dip and the meat was dry and tough. Overall, the food quality just doesn't seem to match what this café was previously known for. It also feels like the restaurant is moving away from its original café identity and shifting toward more of a Hispanic/Latin-style menu. Nothing wrong with that direction if done well, but longtime customers like us who enjoyed the original menu and flavors we're very much you kidding me running too fast disappointed by the changes. Based on our experience with two dishes that used to be favorites of ours, we honestly have no desire to come back and try the other items we once enjoyed, including the chicken fried steak. The experience left us expecting that many of the other recipes have likely changed as well, and that the same flavor and quality we used to love is no longer there. Lastly, prices have increased and the environment felt very dead which adds to the disappointment. read more

When you combine the history, wide menu selections and large portions, this is a proposition that's hard to compete against. Just wished it wasn't so out of the way. They recently got a full bar license so I think business should turn around. You should try to make it down there nonetheless. LA is losing its historical restaurants like the Pantry and Coles. Got to support these remaining ones to keep them around. read more

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Service was amazing, checked up on me, and was very helpful in answering my questions. The restaurant wasn't crazy busy but it was very consistent. They recently got their bar license and their Strawberry/Mango Margarita was so good!! Please give this place a try, hidden gem that's been in Santa Clarita for so long, kind of upset it's taken me this long to come and enjoy this. My club sandwich tasted fresh and I really enjoyed it with the chili fries. Give this place a try! read more

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It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to Cry if I want to You would cry too, if it happened to you! Ironically, this song, by Lesley Gore, released in 1963, was playing as I was seated at a booth during the last few days of operation of this historic restaurant. Since the announcement that The Original Saugus Cafe, established in 1886 (!) is closing on January 4, 2026, it's been inundated with loyal clientele and history buff / foodies like me. Recently, in 2022, it received an honor as the oldest operating restaurant in L.A. County. How can you resist a place that has served the likes of Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne, William S. Hart, Mary Pickford, Clark Gable & two U.S. Presidents? It's very old school diner inside, with a couple of small dining areas on either side of a long bar with many single seats. The day I visited, right before New Year's Day, it was crowded, with every seat taken. I waited for a booth in the first room by the front door. I ordered country fried steak and they were so busy that it took an hour to receive it. It was quite delicious and the fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and home fries were tasty too. Had I lived closer by, I would've become a regular too. Most of the souvenirs were sold out, especially coffee mugs and tshirts other than size small. So sad to see a piece of real L.A. County magic go...I can still imagine the actors / actresses out here filming Westerns and stopping by here for dinner at the end of a long day of movie making. Rest in Peace. read more

The lunch was good. Enjoyed the service. Do not park on the street if you value your life. Im going back

I had heard about this iconic cafe for years and never made it out there. We were out in Newhall today and stopped before our drive home. The food was delicious and the wait staff was friendly and responsive. Our waiter kept checking with us to make sure we had everything we needed. I would DEFINITELY return to the Saugus Cafe. I love history and the fact that this is the longest operating restaurant in California (since 1886) AND they have great food - what more could you want??? read more

The Saugus Cafe - A delicious hot fudge sundae for dessert! - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

Old school since 1886. Come in and dine at the oldest restaurant in LA County. The building and interior are a time warp, and they were repairing the roof. It has almost been a decade since the last time I was here for dinner. We arrived on a Sunday for a late breakfast and ordered a veggie omelet, house potatoes, and sourdough bread. This by far has been one of the best omelets we have ever tasted. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Old school since 1886 - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

As you may know this diner has been serving since 1886 ! Let that sit for a moment because that's 139 years at the moment ! I love traditional old diners because it feels like going back in time and the staffs are usually friendly there. The Saugus Cafe of course doesn't disappoint. I haven't had such friendly staffs in a while and my coffee is constantly topped off. I love the fried chicken & waffle and the Steak & egg combo are delicious! I hope this cafe never closes and continues its legacy ! Parking lot is huge btw ! read more

The Saugus Cafe - Saugus Steak & Eggs Combo - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

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To clear-up any confusion, they 100% plan on closing. There is no set date. Take it from a Yelp Elite who decided to go there after hearing conflicting reports. Do NOT believe the false report from KHTS Radio (who said that they are NOT closing). Having dined + having the pleasure of being served by Maria, she informed me that current owner/operator - Alfredo Mercado- of the cafe (not the land), plans to retire. Unless he can find someone to sell the Saugus Cafe to, this establishment will indeed close. The restaurant planned on closing at the end of the month, but they decided to do an extension. So come here & experience a piece of true history before it's too late. That all said, to say that The Saugus Cafe is legendary, is an understatement. Originally established in 1886, this place has stood the test of time, having served the likes of President Benjamin Harrison, directors John Ford & D.W. Griffith, & stars like Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. As soon as you walk in, you can feel the history. It's literally as if time stands still. That said, there is an HDTV in the corner to remind you that you are in modern times. You can tell from the clientele that these people are regulars. & you can tell that you are in somewhere quite special when you can see names of special regulars stitched into some of the counter's seats. Perhaps the thing that caught my attention the most, was that almost all of the customers that I saw leaving made a point to address Maria specifically by name as they left. As I had the pleasure of speaking with her directly myself, in her own words: "This place is like the T.V. show, 'Cheers'...everybody knows your name." She couldn't be anymore right. As a true diner, breakfast is served ALL day. FOOD Corned Beef Hash - 9.6 / 10 Personally, I think you can truly measure a diner by their breakfast. My go-to is the corned beef hash. The way to measure it is the crust. Saugus Cafe's corned beef hash does NOT disappoint. I dream of this corned beef hash. Crisp, crunch exterior, with a warm, meaty interior. Served alongside a generous portion of properly crisp hash browns eggs (I prefer poached when the option is available). The eggs were perfectly poached. They didn't taste at all too vinegary, nor were they overly wet. The yolks had a firm, but not overly-cooked texture. What I particularly love about this breakfast is the variety of textures. All served with a side of buttered toast (I opted for sourdough). Hot Meatloaf Dinner - 9.5 / 10 A very generous portion (5 decently sized slices) of homemade meatloaf. Personally, I tend to like a meatloaf that uses tomato/ketchup. Here, the emphasis is on the beef + gravy, which you get plenty of. The side of mashed potatoes was delightful. Adquately thick to stand up on its own. Both swimming in gravy is exactly what you want. No dryness here. The side of steamed broccoli & carrots is exactly the vegetables that you want to counted the richness of the meat + potatoes. Both veggies were plenty moist + fork tender. You can taste the "homemade" in this dish. They just don't make places like this anymore. Unless someone steps up to buy the restaurant, L.A. County's currently oldest restaurant will close for good. Do yourself a favor: stop by the wall opposite the main entrance & purchase some souvenirs from their display case. I definitely made sure to do so. Also, huge shout out to Maria. She makes you feel at home. She's the kind of server that stops what she's doing to ask about your day & converse. To her, you're not just another customer. To her, you're family. I felt that from all the customers that she handled during my visit. They know her & she knows them. If this is indeed truly the end, thank you Saugus Cafe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. A million times, thank you. read more

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I have not been here in years, maybe even three decades, so I had to come check it out to see how LA's oldest restaurants is doing. Parking lot is available but there are not lines painted so take that into consideration and park responsibly. The place has not changed much. No noted remodel or changes have been done that I can tell. It is your typical American side-of-the-road diner whose staff just wants to feed you comfort food with no frills or showmanship. Staff is super friendly and attentive. There were only two waiters in on a Sunday morning but they still checked in on our table often. The patrons are wonderful families spending time with each other- no hipsters or social media folks. The vibe is downhome, comfy and familiar. The menu is your typical American diner food. I had a hard time until I saw the house special eggs benedict, with spinach and crispy bacon. It was SO GOOD. The egg was poached perfectly and the runny yolk blended well with the Hollandaise sauce. The home fries were seasoned to perfection and the portions were perfect. When everyone rushes to the the other hip breakfast spots, the Saugus Cafe has a place for you if you just want an old school, comfy vibe where you don't have to wait 20 mins for a table. Prices are comparable to other breakfast and brunch spots. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

Definitely not the same as it was. Extremely slow service, breakfast was just ok, hash browns were greasy and cold. The waitress was unavailable and brought our toast out when we were almost done eating. She said something like he had to go out and get toast so you get good toast now....what?? We miss the old crew Efren and the older gentleman who was there for 30+ years. I hope they're someplace where they are appreciated for their smiles and kindness. read more

We really enjoy coming here. It's our favorite breakfast spot here in Santa Clarita. Saugus Cafe has been around for over 100+ years! Not only is the food and service exceptional, but the place itself has a lot of history and so much character. When we heard it might close down, we had to come back here!! They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. On this day, my husband was in the mood for a burger. I, on the other hand was in a breakfast mood. I ordered the country fried steak. Both were very delicious. I really hope it doesn't close it's doors forever. We would be really sad. read more

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Great cafe in Santa Clarita! Staff is always great, and food is always good too Lots of parking outside. I would definitely recommend this location to everyone read more

What can I say? Saugus Café is a staple if you live in the Santa Cruz Valley one of the oldest restaurants in all of LA if I'm not mistaken, it just recently went on a new ownership. Food still great services. Great. It's a fun little spot. Have to try it really feels like stepping back in time to the 1950s diner. read more

Read that the Saugus Cafe will shut its doors on 1/5/2026. It is the oldest continuously run restaurant in Los Angeles county. There is a lot of history here, and wanted to visit it once more before the closing, It's been opened for 139 years. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the building. The staff are great. We could sit wherever. Drink order was taken immediately, and the waitress gave us time to study the menu. We had the King Cheeseburgers, and a breakfast dish. They were quite good. As mementos we purchased a few tee shirts. Not much available. Down to one sweatshirt, tees and hats. I think there were a number of drink containers too. Not sure what will happen to this historic property after it closes. The entire building should become a museum, and moved to the William S. Hart Park. Too much history here to be destroyed. read more

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Wanted to try this place for a long time. It's very authentic, the place is very old, people were nice. They can be more creative in some food items. Won't go back for breakfast but still wanna try lunch and dinner there read more

This is the second time that I've eaten at this establishment for breakfast. Both times I had an omelette and both times it was cooked to perfection and extremely tasty. The side order of toast was served on fresh bread and the hashbrowns were very flavorful. this is a local historical gem and it would be great if the community would support this restaurant. It helps that the food is very good and worthy of repeat visits. read more

Chicken fried steak was excellent! Loved the biscuits and gravy too! So glad this place is still open and continuing their long history read more

The Saugus Cafe - Chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

Saugus Cafe is such a great find. The manager is genuinely friendly and welcoming, which immediately sets a positive tone when you walk in. It feels like a place where people actually care about your experience. The service was excellent--our waitresses, Michaela and Alexa, were attentive, kind, and made us feel really comfortable throughout the visit. The food definitely delivers. The crepes are delicious and nicely prepared, and the BLT sandwich is fresh, crisp, and satisfying. I also tried one of their floats, and it was the perfect sweet treat to round out the meal. On top of that, the music is set at just the right level--easy to enjoy without interrupting conversation. Overall, it's a relaxed, enjoyable spot that I'd happily come back to. read more

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Old school...Excellent Service, great breakfast and family time. I first went there when I was here as a toddler and here again as a 73 yr old Senior. read more

A Visit to LA's Historic Dining Institution This legendary spot has been on my bucket list for years--being the oldest restaurant in LA and Orange County made it a must-visit destination, and today I finally made it happen. The atmosphere immediately transports you back in time with its wonderful vintage décor and authentic old-school diner ambiance. The classic counter seating adds to the nostalgic charm and gives you a front-row seat to the kitchen action. Their menu is impressively sized with plenty of tempting options across breakfast and lunch. However, as any seasoned diner knows, execution varies wildly from restaurant to restaurant, especially when it comes to staples like country gravy and hollandaise sauce. I've learned to request small tasting portions before committing to dishes that rely heavily on these sauces. The hollandaise sauce proved to be a perfect example of this inconsistency. While flavorful, it bore little resemblance to classic hollandaise--instead presenting as something closer to a thick, cheesy like soup. Tasty in its own right, but not what you'd expect from traditional eggs Benedict. This common substitution ultimately steered me away from that dish. Instead, I opted for the corned beef hash with two eggs over easy, country potatoes, and a side of biscuits and gravy. The corned beef hash delivered exactly what you'd hope for from a classic diner--that satisfying, old-school canned variety cooked to perfection with a generous portion size. My eggs were prepared just right, and the country potatoes impressed with their well-balanced mix of peppers and onions. The biscuits and gravy fell into that middle ground of "perfectly acceptable." The biscuits were solid, and while the gravy didn't reach the heights of places like The Blackbird Café in Long Beach, it had enough flavor to avoid being bland or disappointing. It simply lacked that extra something that elevates good to memorable. The black coffee was unremarkable--standard diner fare that gets the job done without any flourishes. What truly stood out was the service. The staff was genuinely friendly and attentive throughout the meal, creating the kind of welcoming atmosphere that keeps diners coming back. Overall, I'd rate this experience a solid C+. The food exceeded average without quite reaching the "very good" territory--but a respectable execution of classic diner fare in a setting steeped in local history. While the distance makes it unlikely I'll return regularly, I'm glad I finally experienced this piece of LA dining history. For those curious about local landmarks or seeking that authentic vintage diner experience, it's worth the trip at least once. With their 24-hour operation and extensive menu, there's plenty to explore beyond my breakfast selection. Consider it a worthwhile check-off-the-list destination that delivers on atmosphere even if my breakfast doesn't quite soar in my humble opinion, but I was overall happy with the whole experience. read more

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What happened to this place? I used to get the saugus steak and leave with a smile but the saugus steak I got today was something else. Spaghetti and chicken nuggets off the kids menu tasted like microwaved food. And the milk I ordered for my son was room temperature. This is a good restaurant, they need to fix whatever is wrong and go back to their roots. read more

You could come do it before like a few years back before reopened and done and so decided to try it again since it's reopened and the food was good bacon was good. Service was good. Definitely back on our list of places to go for breakfast in Valencia. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Belgian Waffle French Toast - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

Great service with a smile and old fashion ambiance. And the Food was on point. I'll definitely stop in for breakfast when I'm in the area read more

The Saugus Cafe - Turkey sausages with 2 Eggs Combo - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

As a Newhall native and in my sixth decade, I am very familiar with this cafe. It has been years since we have been here so we decided to give them a try for a midweek breakfast. The interior is just as it has always been. The staff were friendly and served us coffee and water right away. I ordered the french toast special with scrambled eggs. My breakfast was delivered with fried eggs. The waitress let me know she wrote the right order down on the ticket. However, she should have checked the plate before serving it. I did not send it back because I do not like to do that. My husband's bacon and eggs were correct, however we had to ask for his english muffin and for butter which was a sparse serving. This is a typical coffee shop ambiance with what seems to cater to mostly regulars as one would expect. I believe this is the oldest eatery in Los Angeles county and worth a visit for coffee shop fare. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

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Our favorite restaurant. So incredibly thrilled this fantastic restaurant has remained open for over 100 years! Yes, over 100. Everything I've ever ordered has been amazing. The SOS, eggs benedict, rueben, french dip, chicken fried steak and breakfast burrito. BTW their spicy bloody mary and espresso martinis are to die for and usually on special. Ask for Michaela. She'll hook you up. Going there is a treat for our family for sure. read more

On a long drive one day from Palm Springs to the Bay Area, we were looking for a place to get off the road and get a bite to eat. I had a craving for some diner vibes and some classic food. I did a quick search for a historical old diner in Santa Clarita and the magic of yelp delivered, just like always. This the real deal. These are the things you need in life! Open 24hours, breakfast all day,all the classics. It's got the vibe. Everything that one could desire in a diner. Seriously genorus portions, delicious right down to the last bite. I was looking for a greasy sandwich, the hot pastrami hit the mark dead on, add a side of chili fries, why not. The service was standard. The older kids got crepes, simple and delicious. Chicken strips for the little guy. How about a milkshake? read more

So Classic. Been patronizing Saugus Cafe for 34 years. Seriously going to miss this place. It's been consistently a warm and friendly local favorite. So much history. Another great loss to the community. read more

Such a disappointment. The new owners have ripped out everything that made this what it is other than the location and the uncomfortable booths. All of the history feels like it has been wiped away. You may as well go to Dennys or IHOP. Please bring back the charm and history. read more

So sad to see this restaurant close. It was one of our regular spots for breakfast for many years. Good food, great employees - we will miss Saugus Cafe. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

Not what it used to be. Everything is so below average. Note every time I drive by I see very few cars there

Oldest cafe in LA county 1886 pretty amazing its still here and the staff was welcoming and patient! The food was good! Had the #6 combo 2 pancakes 2 sausages 2 bacon strips 2 eggs! My mom in law had the chorizo skillet which she said was VERY GOOD and kept making sounds while she was eating LOL she super enjoyed it! Locals should continue to support this historic cafe! Will definitely be back! Note: theres also a full bar in the back! read more

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We were out in Saugus this past Saturday and happened upon the Saugus Cafe. Years back this place on California Gold and we decided to stop and try their breakfast. So glad we did...the two pancake breakfast combo was great. Everything about it tasted very good. The sausage and the bacon were smoky with no gaminess. The pancakes were so fluffy and large. A great deal at 14.99. We don't live in the area but we will come back. read more

WTF with the vermin infestation, as per the article on KTLA on July 6, 2026? This is Santa Clarita, a nice area. Plus, this restaurant has been around for 140 years, but now? Now? Now it was closed for a few days because of health and safety issues? Really? Really? I am incensed by this. I've eaten there before (food was fine). This is infuriating. read more

My family and I, along with some friends went for the first time today! What an honor to visit such a long-standing restaurant. We had great service, good food, all in a clean, comfortable family oriented environment. Looking forward to the next time we can go back! read more

Open since 1886 it is one of, if not the, oldest restaurants in Los Angeles County. We were in the area so we decided to stop in for our first visit. I am sure it has had many iterations over the years but currently it is a diner on one side and another area for the bar, but separated. It has a really homey feel to it and looks like the classic LA diner on the inside. They have a free parking lot attached, but we were able to find a parking spot right out front. Our server was very polite, although it took quite a long time for our food to come out. Aside from the wait time, the food items were very good taste wise. I chose the Country Fried Steak for my breakfast and we also shared a side order of Biscuits and Gravy. The steak was actually very good and very crispy but not overly done. The biscuits were OK but not favorite. I wish they would be more flaky, but I still enjoyed them. We also ordered a side of Pancakes for the table and everybody enjoyed that as well. Overall, a good local country diner and I would recommend if you are in the area. read more

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I actually really enjoyed this quaint old time restaurant. It has a nostalgic ambiance and great portions. We arrived and it was pretty busy so we opt to sit at the counter. So happy we did as I met a lovely couple who sat next to us, who was kind to introduce me to some of the local favorites. I ordered coffee, scrambled eggs with burnt onions and country potatoes. Even though the onions weren't burnt, the eggs were delicous. The service was fabulous and parking is super easy. I'll be back for this classic dinner experience. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

I have been looking forward to going to TSC because of the history and location. No much words than one of the worse foods I ever had. Service was great very nice and friendly staff, but food was so bad, bland, dry and horrendous. We talking eggs and biscuit with gravy. The French toast is just bread soak in water, we left 80% of the food in the plate when done and the server asked if I was taking it to go.... NEVER! Puking after a meal is the worst it can get. From the first bite sickening. Never ever going back. Great staff though! read more

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Came here for an Easter brunch with my family and was super pleased with everything! Surprisingly, there was no wait time but hey, that's ok with me. Service was great as well. I was welcomed and served immediately. Ordered the breakfast burrito with bacon and it was great. My only small issue was the burrito would just not cool down no matter what. Besides that, the bacon and eggs were good and the potatoes that they had in burrito were good as well. The salsa it came with had a nice kick and added some great flavor to the burrito. Also tried the crêpes here and they were solid, nothing to write home about. Also, I have to mention how impressive it is that this cafe has been open for 139 years. The fact it has survived and thrived this long is just so amazing. Such a cool piece of LA History. read more

The Saugus Cafe - Crepes - Diners Near Me - Santa Clarita, California

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