Definitely a hidden gem not far from where my husband and I live. They have a unique set up. They have it posted outside how it works. You arrive and go inside first. Look at the menu and place your order and pay at the register. And then you find where you want to sit, whether outside or inside. They provide you a table number and the servers will find you. Our host and cashier person (one person), was suuuuper nice. The happiest I've seen someone in customer service for a long time. She was very friendly, easy to talk to, ask questions, and was also super professional about angry customers who were upset that it wasn't a sit down type of breakfast/brunch spot. There were about 2 during our time there trying to order. But most people were regular customers, which we could tell because the servers and hosts were asking how the customers were and their kids etc. Food was great! I regretted not getting what my husband got. He got a chicken fried steak with their homemade gravy. And that gravy was phenomenal. Thankfully they have a nice portion size that my husband shared with me and I put some on my sandwich. I love my sandwiches hot and able to eat it with soup or even gravy. Def just a me thing, but I love their food. This place is def on my list to come get breakfast/brunch that's nearby. There's also tons of parking. They take credit card. read more

The Trails Eatery - Outdoor dining area - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was my first time at this restaurant, and I was really impressed! The food was flavorful and well-balanced--I didn't need to add any salt, pepper, or ketchup. I usually put ketchup on my eggs, but the flavors were so consistent that I didn't want to mess with it. Everything blended really well. The only thing I didn't love was the iced chai with oat milk and dairy-free whipped cream. It tasted more like oat milk than chai and a bit syrupy, so I probably won't order that again. Customer service was amazing! The hostess/cashier was friendly, welcoming, and very knowledgeable about the menu. She explained the ordering process clearly and gave great suggestions for my dietary needs. I'm new to managing celiac, a minor egg allergy, and lactose intolerance, and she helped me customize my order safely. I had the Healthy Hash--sweet potatoes, potatoes, kale, red onion, garlic, tomato, with soyrizo instead of chorizo, topped with crema and Just Egg plant-based eggs. I also got the gluten-free sourdough toast (vegan-friendly) and opted out of sour cream. The meal was delicious and satisfying! The restaurant itself is tidy and aesthetically pleasing. Tables are great for small groups, and the booths are perfect for catching up with friends. The vibe is cozy and homey, and even the restroom was clean and well-maintained. I really appreciate places that accommodate dietary restrictions, and this restaurant went above and beyond. I will definitely come back when I'm in town! read more

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Food : 10/10 My order was chilaquiles, breakfast burritos and a cinnamon roll pancakes ! Each item was super flavorful and yummy ! Even people who would walk by my table outside would say how yummy my food smells and asked what i ordered. Service : 10/10 The cashier was super friendly and make sure we had everything , the server made sure to check in pretty often to clean and assist with anything else I needed Ambiance : 10/10 Definitely feel is like a breakfast location, soon as you step inside you can smell the pancakes and bacon getting cooked ! This was my first time here and I was not disappointed, will be come back for another brunch date read more

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Perfect spot after a hike nearby! Will most def return. The highlight was their strawberry lavenders mimosa. Tasted just perfectly fresh and delicious we had to do a second round for everyone. You order first then sit and wait and they bring everything to you which was a smooth organization way. All the food items came out within a reasonable time and most importantly tasty. I had the chorizo burrito which was the perfect size and fresh. Tasted like it was made at home. My friends breakfast tacos with a side of beans was also memorable !! read more

The Trails Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for my mom's birthday and they were able to accommodate 16 of us comfortably. Food was really good and the customer service was a absolutely amazing. read more

Dang! It has been such a long time since I've been here! "Back in the day" they had table service, but after Covid, they've been order first and sit anywhere. The best part is the outdoor tables so I was able to bring Cako. We had just finished walking through Mission Trails so why not go to The Trails to eat? Friendly staff! I hadn't had a good club sandwich in a long time and this one was great! Reminded me of some of those mom and pop places that have closed down. Nice crispy fries! Jonesy opted for bacon and eggs with fries...such a kid...and only wished the bacon was crisper. Freshly brewed iced tea, but it would've been great if someone came around to check for refills. Other than that, this is a great place to come to! I'm adding it to my rotation since there's more on the menu I'd like to try. Cako Approves! read more

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Yummy and quality food! I love all the gluten free options available. I've been going with my family for years! I have never been unhappy with what I've ordered, it has always been excellent! read more

Nothing fancy, just classic brunch food. The customer service is really top notch. The set up is a bit odd as they seat you at a table first but then you still order at the counter and they bring your food to you. You pay/tip at the counter. I will say it's on the pricier side for the walk up counter vibe but happy supporting a local place. Came with a group of 6 at 11:30 on a Saturday and it was busy but we didn't have a wait. I got the garden benedict with a side of fruit and a coffee. My partner got the French toast croissant. The benedict was decent. I feel like it needed more salt all around. The English muffin seemed to be the saltiest part. The fruit was a good variety. The coffee was a small cup but you can get refills. My partner liked his croissant but wished it was bigger. It seemed like the just cut a single croissant in half and battered it like a French toast. read more

The Trails Eatery - Garden benedict with fruit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

My girlfriends and I arrived hungry at this café after a hike at Mission Trails. Parking was a breeze since it's in a plaza with adequate amount of spots for vehicles. We went on a Saturday. Service was friendly. The staff was attentive and the down-to-earth vibe of the restaurant brought a sense of comfort. This feels like a place where all is welcome. The Trails Eatery offers healthy and comfort food options. We were told by the server that they were featured in Restaurant: Impossible. That was neat. As for the food... I wasn't satisfied with my order and neither were my friends unfortunately, maybe their comfort meals are a better option. I ordered the Heathy Hash and it was alright. Nothing special, but it fueled me up. The sautéed kale was my favorite part. The potatoes in my hash were soggy, didn't really have much crisp on the outside, everything had the same texture. My girlfriends, who both ordered Avocado Toast found it lacked flavor and the veggies not fresh. read more

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Did a morning hike at Cowles Mountain and popped over across the street for brunch at The Trails Eatery afterwards! Luckily they were able to seat our group of 6 almost immediately since it was still early. Order and pay inside at the counter and then you'll be led to your seat. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Service was friendly and our waiter was happy to go over the menu and specials with us. There's lots of different options to satisfy any brunch cravings you have. They have some pretty cool drink options too although I only ordered food, which came out surprisingly quick. BENE ASADA: Eggs benedict is my go-to brunch order, and this version came with carne asada. Their carne asada was super juicy and tender! I don't think my expectations were super high but I was pleasantly surprised. They don't have hash but their home fries are the closest thing and are somewhat similar. Perfect serving size for one person and I left feeling satisfied but not overly full. Overall, great food and service. I'll be sure to stop by whenever hiking Cowles Mountain! *Note: they do not accept Amex cards. read more

The Trails Eatery - Bene Asada - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

A spacious dining area with a large parking lot, the Traile Eatery makes for a nice breakfast before starting your weekend. You order at the counter as you enter and find a table. They brought out the food within a few minutes which was nice. Everyone was polite and helpful. The menu is varied as has a good selection of items. It's a good place to try. read more

The Trails Eatery - Country Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Executive summary Flavor:5/5 Good for groups/5/5 Service:5/5 Coffee:5/5 Quality of food:5/5 Returning factory:5/5 Parking:5/5 I cannot say enough good things about this place. Delicious food, great service, easy to find and kid friendly. We found out about this place through the food network and we have been coming since. read more

The Trails Eatery - Vanilla latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Went here for a Sunday breakfast around 10:30am. You have to stand outside in a line and read a menu then order at the counter, pay immediately then find a table. When we went every table on the patio was dirty and every empty table inside was dirty. After finally getting someone to clean a table for us the food came out right away. It was lukewarm and not very flavorful. The omelet came with undercooked potatoes and only 1 slice of toast for $18. 1 slice of toast, really? we also had Chicken Fried steak that tasted like the premade frozen one from Costco. It definitely wasn't made fresh, you could tell just by looking at it. It was too round. This also came with undercooked potatoes and 1 slice of toast for $19. Food was way overpriced, not that tasty and the portions were skimpy. The vibe was not good either. A bunch of dirty tables and no server to refill your drinks. Defiantly won't be going back. read more

This is a great traditional, no-frills breakfast spot which is perfect to stop by after hiking mission trails. Plenty of parking and lots of tables inside. There's also outside seating if you want to bring the dog along. You order at the counter and then they bring your food to you. What I love about this is that they have an entire gluten free section of the menu. My friend has a gluten allergy and always struggles to find places so this was a surprise change of pace. read more

My girlfriends and I stopped by for breakfast on a Saturday morning after doing a hike nearby at Mission Trails. Parking was easy and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. All the employees were beyond friendly and helpful. Service was definitely top notch. I ordered the peppermint mocha and avocado toast. The avocado toast was not on the menu. It was a daily special. I substituted the tomato for cucumber. The picture of the avocado toast looked like it came with balsamic vinaigrette but it didn't. Felt the avocado toast was lacking in flavor and mostly just tasted like arugula. It came with sourdough bread. I should have asked about the bread because I'm not a fan of sourdough. The peppermint mocha was delicious. read more

The Trails Eatery - Peppermint Mocha - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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yummy food, great service. My husband and I stopped here for lunch after hitting some balls at the Mission Trails driving range. I ordered a SD omelete. It came with a housemade delicious carrot apple muffin. My husband got the burger. We were both happy and will b back read more

In general I really like this place. Excellent atmosphere and very friendly staff. You are bound to walk out with a smile! Brought my father here for a meeting and the guys had a good time. What was great was I sat separate from the group snd they helped me secretly send dad tea. He thought they had great service! I didn't give it my usual 5 points as I ordered French onion soup - soup of the day. The bowl was small enough that it made me wonder just how large a cup could be. It's one of my favorite soups in general but this one seemed uninspired So if you come, and you should, order one of their amazing and creative items but not the French onion soup (it was a yucky weather day so...soup). read more

The Trails Eatery - French onion soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

We've been coming here for years. I can't believe I never wrote my review for it. Pure procrastination I'm sure. We came here occasionally many years ago and then I was out of town for several years. In the meantime my daughter found out she had celiac disease and found this place could accommodate her needs without cross-contamination with gluten. It started being her favorite place also. We've never had a bad meal here. The servers are always so sweet and attentive. read more

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A very snazzy spot in San Carlos serving humble brunch items. The Trails Eatery always seems to be busy, especially on the weekends. Thankfully the line moves fast as all orders are placed at the front and there's quick table turnover. The service is minimal afterwards so make sure to flag someone down as they distribute food because you might not get another chance. *Crab Benedict: lightly toasted egg muffin covered in perfectly cooked poached eggs and flavorful chipotle hollandaise. The chipotle hollandaise was the best part. The spice and smokiness elevated the classically creamy sauce. I also liked how there was a side of lettuce and sliced tomatoes as it contributed some freshness to the dish. The crab was light and gently seasoned. However I did get some shell in some of my bites. *Ham Steak & Eggs: eggs were cooked well and the ham steak had a good sear. The potatoes had a great crust without being too oily. Strangely there was a dollop of sauce on the plate so I would be a bit cautious on cross contamination. Overall the plate was on the saltier side but we offset it with ketchup and hot sauce. *Biscuit & Gravy: the biscuit was too dry while the gravy lacked flavor. Even with the gravy, the biscuit left a chalky feel. The gravy needed more pepper or salt as it similarly had a pasty aspect. *Mimosa: I chose guava as my base but I would probably upgrade to their flight next time. The fruitiness was pleasant but the drinks weren't too strong so the flight didn't seem too excessive. The overall ambiance was humble and simple. The food wasn't too extravagant but most of the time, the flavors hit the spot. I hope there is more emphasis on service and cleanliness to round out the experience. read more

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Overall, good food. It was clean and open inside. I didn't like how rushed I felt to order and the lack of refills on my coffee. They literally came only came to offer a refill once my meal was done. Loved my pumpkin pancakes though! read more

The Trails Eatery - Bacon and over easy eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Always a pleasure coming to have breakfast here! Delicious food , clean restaurant, and great customer service! Although it was a wait , they were able to accommodate our party of 9 which I really appreciate. The pictures speak for themselves, that food was delicious! See you soon! read more

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First time at The Trails Eatery, and I'm already planning my next visit! I ordered at the counter and barely had time to put my wallet away before our food hit the table--now that's impressive service. We had the mimosas, pumpkin pancakes, omelette, eggs Benedict and the Little Breakfast with a side of French toast--every bite was delicious. The pumpkin pancakes were perfectly spiced and fluffy, the French toast was golden and rich, and everything was served hot and fresh. You can tell the kitchen has it dialed in. The vibe is cozy, staff are friendly, and the food feels like a warm hug. Whether you're just finishing a hike or just hungry for great brunch, this place is a must-visit! read more

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Great dairy free and gluten free options on the menu! Some entrées can be adjusted to accommodate dietary restrictions even if not listed. Came here with my wife for a birthday breakfast. Highly recommend the morning glory, a dairy free carrot cake muffin. The staff was warm and kind as well. read more

The Trails Eatery - Morning Glory DF muffin, DF bacon breakfast burrito, GF eggs benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Wow the Pumpkin Pancakes were Awesome and the water service Guy was Super Great Thank You read more

First time to eat here with a friend. We were warmly greeted as soon as we came in. We ordered a Lemon Berry Frenchie and a Breakfast sandwich. Both were delicious! Our server was very attentive, and friendly. read more

The Trails Eatery - Breakfast sandwich- Grilled sourdough, two eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Trails has changed their service style and it seems like it's more efficient now than before. While we ordered at the front, the owner was there checking to make sure seats were ready before people did so, and there was no wait on a Sunday at noon. The service was friendly and fast, and we were offered coffee refills twice in the short time we were there. Food is consistently good and menu is extensive. Cinnamon roll pancakes remain the one of the best items they have. The fryer potatoes are also always great. In case this gets lost, one time we ordered and brought the order home only to find out something was missing. We called and one lad was kind enough to actually DRIVE it to us free of charge, just because. We love Trails! read more

Came here after hiking Cowles Mtn. The amount of food I got was perfect to fill full. I got the spinach omelet and it was super tasty. The mushrooms looked cooked down which was pleasantly surprising. You do order at the counter and tip before you eat which I normally hate. The staff there are wee friendly and on top of keeping my coffee full. I would definitely come back to enjoy after another hike. read more

The Trails Eatery - Spinach omelette with fresh fruit and coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Food is cooked well and it is delicious. Service is quick and easy. You order with the cashier. Service is with a waitress.Ambience is cafe style. read more

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We were visiting San Diego and I wanted to find a unique place to eat. Went out of our way to avoid downtown and came here instead. Parking is very easy as it is in a shopping center. There is generally a little line outside, but it moves very quickly. They also have one of their staff come outside and hand you a menu while you wait in line. The menu was vast and had something for everybody. They also had some specialty coffee, so I ordered the Horchata latte iced. Order this in try not to finish it all in one gulp! It was so flavorful. I also ordered the breakfast burrito and LOVED it. I loved that I could make it egg whites instead of eggs. It was also full with avocado and chorizo. Bomb! I mean, just see my picture and you won't be surprised. The food came out quickly and we had no problem finding a seat. They don't rush you out when you're done with your meal either, which is nice. The bathroom is really cute and had a bunch of records on the wall also. I would certainly come back next time that I'm in San Diego. read more

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I met a friend here this morning. Have been wanting to try it for ages. I knew when I ordered the Horchata latte it would be sweet and it did not disappoint. The regular coffee was much better. Solid pour. It's a cute place with really cute merch. I wish I had brought an ombré mug home with me. You place your order at the counter. Everyone is super nice but the food was ok. I got the classic Benedict but gluten free. And yes, you want the chipotle hollandaise every time! Next time, I'm getting the lemon berry GF French toast. Maybe sweet is better than savory. But rest assured, I will be back. read more

The Trails Eatery - Horchata latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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The service here is great, and we've enjoyed our food in the past. But I suggest you avoid the breakfast burrito. To be frank, it was gross. It was listed as having scrambled eggs, avocado, potatoes, bacon and cheese. The potatoes were in some form of thinly sliced (think scalloped), and they add some sort of creamed guacamole, not avocado....makes a big difference. I had one small bit of bacon in the first bite, then no more. Having virtually no bacon in the burrito essentially left eggs with thin potato slices and guac, which makes a burrito full of "mush" and just unappealing texture. I'd have returned it, but it was on Father's Day morning...and it had already taken a while to get our food because the place was so busy. read more

The Trails Eatery - The not-very-good breakfast burrito. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this place and the owner is super sweet. However , she has hired a manager that seems to absolutely detest dogs. Went there with my son and my Malti poo. We were sitting outside and no one was out there. All the available chairs were empty. He came out and made me remove my sweet old boy from the seat. Said it's for customers only. Today went there and my friends beautiful dog was with us. Everyone stopped to pet her and compliment how sweet she is. Out comes the same manager yelling about how someone may show up in a wheelchair and we need to move our dog. He's ridiculous. read more

Been meaning to try this place for a lil while and finally made it there last weekend. It certainly did not disappoint. The staff was so friendly, the ambience very pleasant, and the food was outstanding! Can't think of a better spot to hit after tackling nearby Cowels Mountain. But whether or not you're looking to refuel after a hike do yourselves a favor and check out The Trails read more

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We come here almost every weekend, great place, awesome food, amazing people! The owners are so nice. read more

The Trails Eatery - Outside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Updating this to 5 stars because it has never let me down. The style has changed it used to be regular table service and it is somewhat still is, just a bit more organized with the style of paying first. There is always a line, but there is nothing quite like entertainment while waiting. The guy that was there was so fun, he chatted with us and gave us menu so we can prepare. He even did a mickey mouse impression. lol. Once it's our turn it's straight to the registers, yeah they have registers now in the front area. After ordering you will be given a number but you can't just sit anywhere they will tell you where. Super organized right? Right! After sitting down I was amazed on how fast we received our order. The food is still as good as I remembered and yes the service is still the same which was excellent. Our drinks were still refilled and we were attended to by many servers. On point I tell you! Just on POINT!. Cinnamon Pancake and Omelet is what I ordered this time and well probably all the time and it's AMAZING STILL! How do they do it? Truly deserving of 5 stars. read more

The Trails Eatery - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Easy peasy just how I like it! You walk in, find yourself a seat, go back to the counter, place your order and all done! It was myself and my 2 adult children, daughter had the TAB sandwich and said it was great, lots of turkey meat more than expected! Son had the Elvis pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs, ate half the pancakes and was stuffed, brought the rest home and had it for dinner! I had scrambled eggs and avocado & both were really good! The place is clean, stuff is nice and the tvs are on but no volume which is nice because you can have conversations and hear one another just fine! read more

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We got a pretty good variety of things. The cinnamon roll pancake was the best! I would drive back just for that!

Excellent service for lunch and yummy tuna melts! Such a good neighborhood cafe! Menu is good for breakfast and lunch.

We were greeted at the door by the friendliest person I've encountered at a restaurant in years. The gentleman who took our order was so happy as he welcomed us in and repeated back our order to make sure everything was right. The service here is OUTSTANDING and the food is SPECTACULAR. The environment is so nice, and the food was brought in a flash. 5 stars all around. This was our first time eating here and we can't wait to come back. We ordered the Hash and Eggs, the Healthy Hash and the kids' chocolate chip pancakes. Even the regular coffee here is great! read more

The Trails Eatery - The healthy hash (hash and eggs in the background) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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How have I not heard of this place before now?! We came in to order to go for 5 people. The staff was very friendly and took our order as soon as we walked in the door. Our order took about 20 minutes. I order the tuna melt with sweet potato fries for myself. The tuna salad in the melt was perfectly seasoned and nestled between two sourdough slices that held it all together. My only regret is that since it was a to-go order, it was ready a little cold by the time we got home after a 5 min drive. It's possible they prepared my meal first. My fries were already cold as well. However, I am amazed at the cinnamon roll pancake!! Holy moly I have never enjoyed a pancake like that ever in my life. It honestly didn't even sound like something I would order but I'm glad I tried it upon the insistence of my friend. I must come back, possibly after conquering Cowles Mountain for the other breakfast menu items and to devour more of the cinnamon roll pancakes! read more