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

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

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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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

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

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

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

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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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

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

Service was fast, food was great, and the place feels like the original Saugus Cafe. Would come back again, next time I'm in the area.

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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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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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

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

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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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

Great food and a friendly staff. Reopened with a clean new look and fresh paint. Early hours. Give it a try!

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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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

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

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 really happy to hear the Saugus Cafe is staying open under new management. We went in after church on Sunday. I really wanted the Chef's Salad, but was disappointed to learn they no longer make their Ranch dressing in house. Store bought Ranch shouldn't even be called ranch dressing, it's not even close to the same thing. I got a sandwich instead, and it was good. My husband was happy with his omelette. Unfortunately a big bummer for both of us, the coffee was weak and watery. However, our server was a doll, and very attentive. read more

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

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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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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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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I used to come here often, but these days not so much. I stopped by again after a while, and honestly it was just okay. Nothing really special, but it's a familiar place so I still end up coming back sometimes. read more

Est. 1905- Originally opened in 1887, as part of the train station (under the name, Saugus Eating House), it became the Saugus Cafe, in 1899. It moved to its current location in 1905, and was completely re-built by a new owner in 1952. It is the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Regardless of the history, the Saugus Cafe is a solid eatery, worthy of owning the title - One of LA's best, Golden-Greasy-Spoons. The three staple meals are available, with Breakfast being served all day. We had the The 1886 breakfast - Comes with two eggs, bacon, sausage, ham and hash browns. A great dish (maybe not the healthiest) but loaded with plenty of protein and flavor. The Corned Beef Hash Combo, comes with Eggs, Home Fries, and Pancakes. The Corned Beef is not too salty and the pancakes are very fluffy. We also had a side of biscuits and smokey, ham based gravy - Tasty. We received very friendly and helpful service from Brenda, and our coffee cups were never empty. If you are up for a visit back in time, and a delicious bite, visit Saugus Cafe. The drive is very nice and it's just a few minutes away from the Valley. I'm going in for a full five stars for Saugus Cafe. read more

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Great country food homemade delicious, Turn off his next to Magic Mountain in Valencia. You would just have to type in the address 25861 Railroad Ave. after eating fast food for three days being in LA. This was a great change. read more

I don't think they need a review, because this place is an iconic historical landmark for Angelenos. My husband and I loved the restaurant. Two Presidents went there, Benjamin Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt. For 130 years, the service is nice, the place is cozy and the food is comfy. Surprise us about the good price. Enjoy Newhall after for a walking. read more

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It's been 2 years since I ate at this great cafe! The staff were amazing & nice! The food was delicious! I'm so sad I won't be able to go and eat here in the future! Hearing it closed over this last weekend was sad! The coziness of this place was like you stepped back in time! Thank you for everything over the nearly 140 years in business! read more

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

Charming cafe! The rootbeet float was huge and delicious, and the eggs benedict with bacon and spinach was amazing!

Top notch dining experience! I had the Islander salad and ordered the Tri Salad to go. Both were delicious! The wait staff were attentive and accommodating. Of course the ambiance remains the same. However it may not be here forever as they are in negotiations to sell, we can only hope it retains its originality and outstanding cuisine. read more

Over time I have driven past this landmark many, many times. Apparantly today was the time I pulled in. Knowing nothing about its history, I felt like I took I trip back in to time. Apparantly, this establishment has been in business since 1886! Makes me think back over time and realize this place has seen some interesting changes. According to some info, they have served a few United States Presidents. The food is from a long ago menu. Mid 1950s tunes play in the background. Glad I pulled over to check this place out. It is a unique place from long ago and it's still working good. read more

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This place is a gem. It's been around FOREVER! The only way that happens is by providing the delicious food and great service that they do. Everything is on point... the servers make you feel welcome, the food is prepared perfectly and the restaurant has an old school diner feel with just the right amount of updates. It couldn't be any more classic than it is. It's timeless! I will be returning... again and again and again! Come get some!! Enjoy!!! #jsho @jshoeats read more

Avoid this place at all costs! Food is mediocre at best, but prices are same as high end restaurants. Furniture is old and worn. Only good thing I can say is service was ok, as there are hardly any customers. read more