Stopped in for my first time yesterday morning and overall I thought the food was pretty good. However, the service could've been a lot better. We arrived as a party of 3 around 10 AM and had to wait about 10 minutes for our table. We put our names on the wait list, but they forgot to come get us when the table was ready so the table sat for a couple of minutes until we went in and asked about it. Inside is extremely small, there are about 12 to 14 tables. There's a small free parking lot in the back otherwise free street parking is pretty easy to find. Our waiter was not the most polite and he brought half of our dishes, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. He forgot the side of bacon, the side of toast and a few other things until we went up and got them. Then we were supposed to get coffee refills, but had to hunt him down for that as well. Which is kind of crazy given how small the restaurant is. I would give this place another try however Beach Break Cafe down the street really blew me away the previous week, so hopefully my next visit here will be a bit of an improvement. read more

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Poor service; never got served. Server exhibited bad attitude; left before ordering.

When I think of a diner breakfast, this is precisely what I want. There's an actual counter you can sit at, the staff is super friendly, the service is quick, and the food is hot and tastes like it's homemade. I had a breakfast sandwich with vegan sausage and it was SO good. Nothing fancy, but exactly what I wanted. My partner had the vegetarian omelette. It was loaded with delicious and fresh vegetables. And a really generous portion! The perfect ambiance for a Saturday morning breakfast. (Next time I'll be trying a mimosa or a milkshake!) read more

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Mediocre food. Decent service. Floors were pretty dirty. Oh well. Won't return. Lots a great places to eat in Oceanside so check out other restaurants. read more

101 Cafe - A meal featuring a burger with lettuce, onions, and a bun is presented on a white plate with brown stripes. The plate also contains a serving of French fries and a pickle spear. The setting appears to be a casual dining restaurant with other plates, drinks, and utensils visible in the background. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

We have driven past this place many times. We were staying in Oceanside for the weekend so we made it a point to stop for breakfast. It's a cool little historic spot and definitely has the 50's diner vibes. I had the French toast and it was great. Our server was fantastic. Very attentive and kept our coffee filled. Would definitely go back. read more

101 Cafe - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

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The service is horrid. Our party of 4, included a disabled person, using a wheelchair. As soon as we walked in, we should have known from the faces alone. It was like we were an inconvenience because it was busy and someone was already occupying what would be the handicapped table. The girl was rude in tone, told us that we would have to wait and we would be put in the back area. She also told us to wait outside. The weather is cold and drizzly. The fact that she was bothered by having to get a table for wheelchair in this small space, is unacceptable. Not sure an establishment can do that to be honest. Wonder if an ADA complaint would make them reconsider how they treat customers. Oh, and this same girl, when I gave her my name, rolled her eyes. Such class. Never again. read more

Finally checked out Cafe 101. Parking is tight. Arrived around 8:45. Not busy at all, however, it filled up pretty quick once we sat down. We weren't even really greated when we walked in, just told to have a seat anywhere. The place was really cold inside. The tabletops are metal so that made it even colder. The waitress came over with the menus and took our drink order. When she brought our drinks, we placed our order. We went with pancakes with eggs & bacon and Deep South (biscuits & gravy). When our food came, she asked if we needed anything else, ketchup, which she brought. She didn't come back to our table until she brought our check. The food was very poor quality. The pancakes were rubbery. Bacon was limp & flavorless. Weird because the bacon looked cooked. The biscuits & gravy were horrible. The gravy was bland and the sausage was like the size of rabbit s***. The biscuits were so dry. And there was only enough gravy for 3/4 of a biscuit. The hash browns were the only thing good about this meal. Big disappointment. read more

101 Cafe - Rubbery pancakes, limp & flavorless bacon & eggs - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

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The food here is fantastic. I ordered a BLT and must say it was very filling. The mimosas are not bad, keep you feeling nice a bit. Should out to Angelica, she has amazing customer service skills and hope that she serves me again when I come back! :) read more

101 Cafe - Turkey BLT with Fries and OJ Mimosa - A plate with a sandwich, French fries, a jar of orange juice, and hot sauce on a wooden table. The sandwich has toasted bread and visible lettuce and meat. The fries are piled next to the sandwich. The orange juice is in a glass jar, and hot sauce is in a small bottle nearby. The table surface shows some wear and discoloration. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

I met one of my car club buds here for breakfast. Plenty of menu choices for all. Very friendly staff. Has a very retro feel. Great little spot to meet up. Ken read more

*Our second time there The first time: we were there it was great. The girl with the piercing in her forehead is very kind and good. The food was awesome. Our second time: there was another girl (bigger) that had a sour attitude. So I'll just list the things that were wrong. 1. All got waters with items floating in them. My mother in-laws was the most terrible having a ANT floating in it (yes, an Ant). The rest of the cups had black particles floating in them (probably mold). So we didn't drink water (that's cool). 2: The bigger chick poured coffee in the cups like she worked as a bartender at the gas lamp. Spilt it and almost hit my kids arm. 3: Got food; and my father in-laws whole meal was cold, the potatos tasted old, & and his tortilla was soggy. 4: my kids bacon was so hard you could crush it with your hand and make bacon bits for a salad. 5: Mine and my mother-in laws hash browns were hard and cold as a brick. 6: $4 dollars for a cup of subpar coffee and extra side of grounds All together we almost broke $100 and it was just garbage. You know what they say; "if it ain't broke, why fix it." Go to Dons Country Kitchen. It's down the road more and the food and service and awesome every time! read more

So ambiance is a typical 60's diner. Menu is what you'd likely expect but not always accurate. Had the fish tacos they were supposed to have slaw nope strips of iceberg and some chopped tomatoes, soggy corn tortillas and SPICY chipotle mayo. And though the top of the page states ALlL come with your choice and lists several sides not the case. So, $11.95 for two street size tacos seemed a bit well excessive. My wife enjoyed the biscuits and gravy with hash browns so our hypothesis is breakfasts are the best options here. All that said the servers were great! read more

I would never go back, from the moment I entered no hello, welcome or anything. The service was piss poor at best. Guy took our order and I couldn't understand what he was saying, Food was awful after a long wait. Omelet was more of a burrito. Hash browns were warmed over and gross. No thanks for coming in, nothing. I will never go back and what a shame. Looks like a nice American diner but is far from the truth. Terrible place! read more

Just what we needed! Meatloaf was actually moist without needing gravy. That's rare enough by itself. But always appreciate a retro 101/road theme diner decor. read more

101 Cafe - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

First time here today and OH my goodness! I'm only sad we haven't been sooner. We tried a few menu items, and everything was fresh, cooked perfect and tasty. Highlights were the hamburger patty, the sausage patty, the HUGE sourdough toast yum!! We will be back to try the sirloin and eggs which they hand cut in the restaurant. Our server was super friendly and helpful. The inside is cute with Route 66 decor and a 50a vibe! We will be back soon! 10/10 read more

Good and local breakfast spot that is inexpensive. The service was super quick and had food on table in no time. I'll try the breakfast burrita next time. read more

101 Cafe - A breakfast sandwich with a flaky croissant, slices of ham, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon is presented on a speckled ceramic plate. The sandwich appears freshly made, with the croissant slightly open to reveal the fillings. In the background, there are other breakfast dishes and beverages, indicating a breakfast setting at a diner or cafe. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I brought my family to this location not only because of its historical significance but also because I had heard great reviews about both the place and the staff. We visited on a Sunday morning, and it wasn't very busy. The gentlemen who greeted us was very welcoming, which made a great first impression. Unfortunately, our experience quickly changed once we were seated. Our server was extremely rude. I have a food allergy, and when I asked if a certain dish contained the allergen, she responded with a flat "I don't know," and when I asked if she could check, she seemed annoyed and rolled her eyes. I remained calm, and when she returned, she confirmed that the dish did contain the ingredient I'm allergic to--which could've been dangerous if I hadn't asked. After we received our food, not even 10 minutes later she brought the bill, We had planned to try a few more items but felt completely rushed and unwelcome. Throughout the meal, our server never checked back with us to see if we needed anything else. We will not be coming back to this place and we will inform our family member and friend to stop coming to this location. read more

My visit to Café 101 in Oceanside was a mixed bag of experiences. Nestled alongside the picturesque beach, this quaint café offers a cozy outdoor patio that's delightfully dog-friendly. The service was warm and welcoming, adding to the charm of the place. It was giving nostalgic hole in the wall on the side of the highway in Vegas Typa feel how you doing? As a breakfast enthusiast, I couldn't resist trying out their all-day breakfast and brunch offerings. The eggs Benedict were a highlight, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. However, the portion sizes left something to be desired, reflecting the adage that you get what you pay for. French fries were steak fries that were good but my least favorite style of fry if you must. Opting for the ABC omelette, filled with avocado, bacon, and cheese, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The bacon, rather than the savory strips I anticipated, tasted more like generic bacon bits, overwhelming the dish. The cheese and avocado were scant, failing to balance the flavors adequately. Despite the disappointment with my entrée, I appreciate the variety on the menu and the potential for other options to shine. As a breakfast lover eager to give second chances, I plan to return to Café 101 to explore different offerings. Perhaps a switch to traditional bacon strips could elevate the experience and win my heart. In summary, Café 101 offers a charming ambiance, friendly service, and some delicious highlights like the eggs Benedict. However, inconsistencies in portion sizes and execution of dishes, like the ABC omelette, leave room for improvement. With its prime location and potential, I remain hopeful for a more satisfying breakfast experience on my next visit. We got front row parking, very small lot YAY read more

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The sad part is I've lived in Oceanside for a long time and I just stumbled across this place for the first time. I enjoyed a BLT with the crispiest bacon and an amazing root beer float which I have had in a very long time. Serviss was pleasant And attentive from the staff in the ambience has that old-school diner field so that was pretty cool. I got spending about an hour and a half in there just kind of eating while waiting for my tires put on my car. Definitely recommend that anyone passing through Oceanside stop by the diner and grab a BLT and a root beer Float. read more

101 Cafe - Lunch - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

I love the 101 cafe! Service is amazing and everyone working here is so nice! The food is so good I'm drooling thinking about it. The eggs, bacon, and toast all tasted so good. Yum. Please come here! read more

We went on Sunday at about noon. The hostess warned us that our food would take about 45 minutes to come out after we ordered. We stayed. The food did take about 45 minutes. But it was cold already. It must have sat on the pass through window for at least 15 minutes before the server picked it up. It was cold and dry. They were seriously understaffed. Never going back again. read more

Great food! Great service. First break spot I tried after transplanting to Oceanside . Will definitely be back soon

Great Breakfast! Really good selection of all the breakfast classics. Lots of seating. Smaller diner with cozy booths and extra seating on the outside. It's a seat yourself as you walk in scenario. Water is brought out followed by some pretty quick service. Servers are pretty friendly and the food is always great! read more

101 Cafe - Pancakes with biscuits & gravy - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Food was bland, sausage is pre frozen little Pattie's, waitress was rude and seemed bothered to be there. As an O side local, I won't be returning. read more

Nice place similar to the one01 in Encinitas which is the original restaurant. This one is an Oceanside off the road. They've got a front area facing the road and the side area and inside seating plenty of seating and plenty of parking. read more

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Outstanding Service - Family Operated - Amazing Comfort Food What can I say? Biscuits and Gravy, Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast - YES Family owned and operated...this translates to unsurpassed customer service. They know customers by name. Restaurant is super clean, has nostalgic photos of Oceanside from 60+ years ago and parking galore. In a town that is reforming, it's nice to see a family run business that caters to locals and vacationers with a heart for the Oside locals that need a little help. read more

The food and the environment was great perfect place for breakfast I had the pile up and it was delicious and my friend had the French toast and she liked it a lot really good spot good people too read more

Ive been coming here for years and some how its gotten better!!! Breakfast and lunch food, all so good. If you love that classic diner feel and good and actual delicious meals, you must go!! read more

101 Cafe - Love it here. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Delicious food, good service, hearty portions. I had the sourdough burger and it smacked.

Est. 1928 - Named after the historic US highway, the 101 Cafe has been feeding travelers since 1928. This tiny Roadside diner started off with just 20 seats and now can accommodate 60 guests. Of course in my opinion the best seat at in the house is at the breakfast counter (the command center of every cafe, diner and greasy spoon). The service is friendly service and accommodating, even though they are understaffed. The food came out in a reasonable time and definitely hit the spot. Crispy Bacon and Eggs with Hash Browns and Eggs Benedict. Everything was satisfying and the coffee kept flowing. There's a really nice old school Vibe here and there are plenty of great Oceanside photos hanging on the walls. The 101 Cafe is a classic "greasy Spoon" diner and is a must for all those who enjoy this type of nostalgia. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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Last time we chose to eat here it was terrible. A great location with not good food or service. Sad to say for such a long time establishment. They need to step up their approach. read more

Oooooooooooooooo! Killer Tacos to die for no kiding The right word is exquisite I've been surching for a taco place that had the right meat & great tast I usually go to LA KING TACO that's to far So I thought I'd try out this new place off 101 Primos LONG LINES waited almost 3 hours No joker tacos were ok 101 cafes tacos are YUM! YUM! LEFT ME HUNGRY FOR MORE EVEN THOUGHIM FULL SOOOOOO! Goooood! read more

Stopped in here and ordered the corn beef hash.  Driven by this place before and decided to stop in and give it a try.  The art work on the side of building is really cool.  It distinguishes the place from all the other breakfast places along the old highway. Atmosphere inside reminded of old school diner.  Single waitress friendly and did a good job covering all the tables.  Not huge inside but layout not conducive to easily get around.  Counter service looks old school but the room attached with majority of tables looks like an add on. Food was ok.  The corn beef seemed to be a little overdone so didn't taste that great.  Overall, great service and atmosphere. read more

Awful customer service, i believe the kid was named Anthony, he was very rude and didn't acknowledge my table. LEFT NO TIP

The 101 Cafe is all American diner that has been in Oceanside for decades! Great food and service. I highly recommend you try.

Wow! Best breakfast and service for sure. Great value, super staff. Thank you, will be returning frequently.

We ordered the banana French toast. There was nothing special about it. I could've made it at home. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this place because of their prices. $15 for 4 1/2 pieces of bread that they made French toast out. The food was mediocre. read more

101 Cafe - Banana French toast - A serving of banana French toast topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and sliced bananas is presented on a silver tray. The dish includes two pieces of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, with scoops of vanilla ice cream and small bowls of syrup and a dark sauce. The presentation emphasizes sweet toppings and accompaniments, typical of breakfast or brunch offerings. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

Good pit stop for Breakfast before heading to the beach. Eggs and French toast were good. Would come back when we're in the area.

Nice place. I was able to switch out potato and toast to sliced tomatoes and fruit. Great breakfast experience. read more

101 Cafe - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

Ever since visiting Oceanside beginning in 2014, 101 Cafe is my pit stop before hitting the highway for home. It's an old school, retro diner. Excellent food and service. Family owned and run. I added the buttermilk pancakes this time with my order and they were the best pancakes I've ever had. If you're in Oceanside, you must put 101 Cafe on your to do list! read more

101 Cafe - 101 Cafe, Oceanside, California - The image shows a vibrant mural painted on the exterior wall of a building, depicting vintage cars, palm trees, and a woman, with the word 'Cruising' prominently displayed. Above the mural, there is a sign with the number '101' and the word 'Cafe,' along with a large coffee cup illustration. The scene includes a bicycle parked against the wall, traffic lights, and a sidewalk with pedestrians, indicating an urban setting. - American Near Me - Oceanside, California

Service was bad. Waited 10-15 to get a menu. Then another 15 minutes to get acknowledged by the waiter. Then our food still did not arrive till almost an hour. read more