101 Diner is the perfect little Diner that we all want in our neighborhood. I like the outdoor seating. I love the service with lots of smiles. You have to try the various eggs Benedict specials. read more

Great place for breakfast! Vintage looking diner with a delicious selection. Very small "hole in the wall" type of diner. There can be a little bit of a wait depending on time of day you go because of their limited seating (offers indoor and outdoor seating) I recommend having breakfast before 10am to prevent the longer waiting times. Once you are seated, the employees have an efficient system to provide you great service. The staff is very friendly and quick! Food: They offer a variety of egg Benedict's if you are into that. They also have Açaí bowls. My regular order is their corned beef hash which comes with eggs, potatoes (excellent; highly recommend - can order it as a side) or fruit and choice of toast. The crepes and pancakes are also super good!! _______ The only downside of this establishment is that there are always gnats. They're always on the walls or flying near the food... read more

101 Diner - My favorite dish: ho-made corned beef hash. Potatoes are super good too. #ketchupovereverything - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

Very grateful this place was open at 6am today. Wonderful service and the restaurant is very nice and clean. I loved the decor. The food was pretty good the beacon was a bit hard and the chocolate chip pancakes hurt my stomach a bit. But its a nice mom and pop restaurant which i love. Definitely recommend! read more

Great little place on the strip in Encinitas. Went for breakfast and loved that they had so many egg Benedict choices and you can mix and match. The shaved ham with jalapeño hollandaise was terrific along with the tri tip Benedict. They also have homemade corned beef hash. Great service too! read more

I had this place bookmarked after seeing it as a featured review. I figured the 4th of July would be a good morning to get up early and drive all the way out to the coast and try it while beating the crowd and not burning a whole day in the process. The night before, I checked Yelp and saw all this new review drama between some parties and the owner. There were subtle clues that these posters were either bogus or the same person and that peaked my curiosity as well as my trepidation. I really didn't want a 60 mile round trip from east county to be a waste of time and gas. Luckily, 101 was open on the 4th (I called first). And upon arrival, I knew the overwhelming number of outstanding reviews were all spot on. The diner was busy at 8:45am, but not packed. People were seated at the counter, out front, inside and out back. We sat inside since there were no available seats out front. The counter was full too. The indoor booths were 3/4 occupied as well. Everyone is cordially greeted upon entry and for the locals, it's tantamount to a homecoming celebration. There was no yelling, the owner was holding court at the grill behind the counter and having polite conversation with those diners as he worked his magic. The smell was of fresh cooking food and really got my appetite going. It was not the smell of grease or fry oil. The service was prompt; within seconds of sitting down here comes my coffee and fresh squeezed OJ. Yes, it was truly fresh squeezed and had no traces of the bitterness of rind or sourness from the wrong variety/immature oranges. The Benedict of the day was shaved ham with a jalapeño-cilantro hollandaise sauce. I learned that the much acclaimed maple-avo-bacon bennie was only one of about 6 different bennies that they have in rotation, so if that's what you're jonsing for, call and confirm availability for that day first. I went for the ham bennie based upon the advice of the charming young lady who was serving us. Breakfast was served in less than 10 minutes, despite the fact that the place was pretty much full. All was freshly prepared and piping hot, dispelling a concern I had from seeing some other reviews. Quality was absolutely top shelf and first rate. I was wondering how the jalapeño would be combined with the delicate hollandaise. The answer is: quite well. Just a touch of taste, no heat to overpower the richness of the classic sauce. The hollandaise is homemade and one could taste it. I could taste both the lemon and yolks, no starch or gums. This was a really great breakfast and full breakfast for two was about $25. Not a bad deal for touristy Encinitas and a full dining experience, despite my reading that one had to order at the counter. We were well fed and because the initial process of ordering and prep was so prompt, at a leisurely eating pace, we were all done and ready to roll in about 30 minutes, but no rush. Perfect! I'll definitely be back for more. Still wanting the elusive maple-avo-bacon bennie! read more

101 Diner - Shaved ham benedict with jalapeno-cilantro holandaise - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

Great place for a good old fashioned yummy breakfast. Came with seniors and they loved the food. Waitstaff was very kind and patient. Very popular spot with limited seating. read more

101 Diner - Banana nut waffles - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Vibes were so cute inside, and the server was so so nice. food came out EXTREMELY quick. Food itself was pretty good, but I've had better breakfast potatoes. would definitely come back though! read more

101 Diner - salmon benedict and cardiff crack benedict with side of potatoes - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

My son's French toast was in a pool of grease. It was hot inside and flies everywhere. The eggs tasted like they were cooked next to meat and undercooked. Ruined Sunday breakfast for us. The reason I didn't order more food when the waitress asked was I was afraid of food poisoning from undercooked eggs cooked next to red meat. I didn't moan. I gave her a tip and went for breakfast down the street you schmuck. read more

This place is so good. I called ahead and they had my order ready right when I got there. It was delicious and the staff was so nice and welcoming. This diner has an old school feel to it which I really appreciate considering everything is gentrified. Overall I recommend and will return :) read more

Hefty old school breakfast! I was sick and tired of those foofie overpriced skimpy breakfasts you get all over the place, so I asked my niece for a "real breakfast" place and she sent me here! I was so impressed that I called Santa and put in a few good words for her! The food is delicious,and made with fresh ingredients. The plates are NOT skimpy, and the coffee is good! Our sever was on top of her game. The food arrived on time and everything was exactly as we had ordered. What else could I expect?! I want more and have no choice but to go back next time I am in Encinitas! read more

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The little downtown area of Encinitas is a fun place to visit, and if you are looking for a nice breakfast, the 101 Diner is perfect. This is an authentic diner and the food is fantastic. The diner has a little bit of outdoor seating, a small indoor dining room and a counter with seats. After a short wait, we were seated in the dining area. Our server was at our table immediately getting us coffee and tea. Mr. Bee settled on the breakfast special of biscuits, gravy, potatoes and eggs. I wanted a little taste of the tropics and ordered the Tropical Hawaiian pancakes. They were amazing!! 3 good size light and airy pancakes filled with Banana, Pineapple, a bit of coconut, served with butter and coconut syrup. Absolutely scrumptious. The biscuits and gravy was extremely tasty too. Not too many restaurants get hash browns right, but they did. The potatoes were soft in the middle with a crunchy outside and seasoned very well. Sometimes the best food comes from the hometown diner and in this case it was absolutely true. Service was great, food was fantastic and the diner atmosphere was fun. read more

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The Cali Benedict with bacon is a tasty treat with the jalapeño cilantro hollandaise!! I wish the "Cardiff crack" Benedict was an actual menu item & not just a rotating "special" However, it's still F'ing delicious and absence makes the heart grow fonder...and I eat it too often when it's available The potatoes are incredible and golden brown every time I order Hit this place up if you don't know about it!!! read more

101 Diner - Cali Benny with bacon and avocado - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The 101 Diner was recommended to us from our friends that live in Encinitas. Located right on the main strip, it is a cool, old-school diner, with that authentic diner food to appease your breakfast cravings. Always a sucker for Eggs Benedict, I ordered theirs with some corned beef hash on the side. A delicious, filling combination and a great way to start off the day on any vacation. If you're craving some good, old fashioned breakfast in Encinitas, I think this is your spot. The place is small, especially with the diner counter inside, so do plan ahead. read more

101 Diner - Eggs Benedict! - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

If only I can give this spot a 10 out of 10 I would. I went here with some friends and they were super packed on a Sunday morning, however they were kind to check on us from time to time. They also let us order some OJ while we were waiting, it was so good and fresh! Along with that being said our host/server was a hoot! She was the best ever and just made my Sunday! Cracked me up the entire time! The omelet was so good and worth the wait! No food was left on our plates. Hands down best breaky spot in Encinitas! I will be back read more

The food was reasonably priced (less than $5 for a banana nutella pancake. Unheard of.), delicious, and came out so fast. The service was wonderful-also unexpected nowadays. The two boys working there today were attentive and sweet to our family. Keep it up guys! Please don't become like the rest of your generation :) read more

This is our new favorite spot. We've been here twice in the last week and both times we left 100% satisfied! Katie WOWED us with her customer service. She had a diner full of people and never missed a beat. She was our waitress both times and we will always make sure to sit in her section! I'm not sure if she's the owner or not, it doesn't even matter because she treats the clientele and her coworkers as if she is. The ambiance is amazing and very reminiscent of the diners back East which is one of the very few things that I actually miss. The food is absolutely amazing, from the Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip to the pancakes, everything is and always has been something to brag about! Can't wait to go back. Food is priced below market value in my opinion for the quality and the portion amounts. Everyone there seems to enjoy being there and it is reflected in the quality of the food, the cleanliness of the restaurant and the amazing service. Oh and get the orange juice, you need to try the orange juice, you won't regret it! read more

My wife, son and I visited this morning for breakfast. Our thoughts: - Great tasting food. My wife had the asparagus scramble, my son had the raspberry and chocolate chip pancakes, and I had the Greek omelette. No complaints about any of them. Good portion sizes too. - Not the cheapest place for breakfast, but in line with the type of place you would expect in Encinitas. - Great outdoor seating, although you have to put your name on a list and wait for it as it can get a bit busy (especially at peak breakfast time). - Decent coffee...no complaints there. Bottom line: Definitely worth a try when looking for a good place for breakfast. read more

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We were introduced to this place by a friend, and now we have to go every weekend! My son literally begs to go back to visit our favorite server Krista, who is so fun and funny and attentive. We literally go back for her service. New favorite breakfast place! Huge menu, amazing food, and awesome service. read more

Has been our absolute favorite breakfast spot from downtown San Diego to Oceanside for years. You won't go wrong ordering anything off the menu. Fast service, amazing food, and reasonable prices, 101 Diner is a weekend ritual for our family! P.s if you like pancakes, try their Hawaiian pancakes read more

It doesn't get much better than this! Encinitas is by far one of my favorite towns in San Diego and 101 Diner is nestled right on Coast Hwy in the bustling downtown part of the city. After a relaxing anniversary weekend in Coronado, my husband and I were cruising home down the coast and decided to make a pit stop at 101 Diner for brunch. It was around 11 am and the place was extremely busy, with lots of hungry diners waiting for their turn to be seated. We didn't have to wait too long but couldn't have complained anyway since it was a beautiful sunny day. We put in our drink orders right away and ordered our food when the drinks arrived - the California eggs benedict with bacon for me and a small acai bowl with a side of corned beef hash for him (see photos... yum!). Our food arrived quickly and it was soooo delicious. Without me having to ask, the bacon on my benedict was crispy, the avocado was fresh and the tomatoes weren't soggy at all. My husband's "small" acai bowl was pretty huge, and the corned beef hash was flavored with all sorts of herbs... not something I would usually order myself but now I'll think twice! Stop in to the 101 Diner the next time you're in Encinitas, you won't regret it! read more

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Was so excited that they had outdoor dining! Came here for breakfast, got the Cardiff crack (amazing tri tip) Benedict, comes with potatoes which were soooo perfectly cooked!! My boyfriend for the chicken with eggs and potatoes, which he enjoyed as well. We split some pancakes, very tasty. Great service, great meal! Can't wait to come back! read more

The food was great. I tried the baked apple pancake, my son (his birthday) had carnitas Benedict. Both were very good! Only one server was working however! read more

Walked by this place and decided to give it a shot. Wow!!! After a slight delay on who was my server, Nick came over and took care of business. Went in for the special Greek chicken sausage omelette. The best omelette I have had in years..... maybe ever!!! Lots of flavor, perfectly prepared, no skimping on the feta; I was a happy guy. Instead of that too full feeling I usually get after an omelette (which is why I seldom order them anymore) I felt satisfied but not in need of a nap.... and that was after I scarfed the perfectly crisped potatoes (again... not something I usually order. But hey, it's Sunday in Encinitas. I like this!!! ). Hats of to Nick, cooks and owners... TKs read more

If this place was in an airport in would be arrested!!! Bomb!!! Love the breakfast. A must hit on weekdays. read more

101 Diner - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We had an Appt nearby and had time to grab a bite to eat. Ended up choosing 101 Diner. What luck. From start to finish it was an enjoyable time. From the waitress to the food. Now, we ate outside which was wonderful. I peeked inside and it looked a bit dark so I can't speak to the ambiance of the inside seating. We were here for breakfast. Having not eaten here before wasn't sure what to try. Then I saw a sign in their window that said they are famous for their eggs Benedict. The wife chose a monte crisco which she always gets when it's on a menu. I asked the waitress which EBenny was most popular. She said her favorite was the shaved ham jalapeño hollandaise. I also saw they served açaí. So I opted for the 1/2 an eggs Benny and mini Açaí bowl. Omg. The shaved egg Benny was absolutely delicious. So good. The açaí was also very good. My only complaint is I only got 1/2 a Benny and a mini açaí bowl. My wife got a bite of the açaí and liked it so ordered one for herself. She liked her monte crisco but said the bread needed to be more eggy and crispy. Not sure as I've never had one so don't know what to expect. The waitress was very nice, friendly, helpful and efficient. Her service definitely contributed to the experience. I never got her name though. Overall, a great place to visit for breakfast. Should also mention we came on a Tuesday late morning so it wasn't very crowded. I can imagine weekends are packed. read more

DELICIOUS and accommodated our party of 11 last minute on a Sunday. Get the Cardiff Crack Benedict.

Food was great here! Check photos. The eggs Benedict, potatoes, and pancakes all tasty! 3 stars only due to the waitress. My dad asked for coffee and water. I followed with a coffee. My dad hadn't got his coffee when I got mine. The meal came. I had my coffee. My dad asked the waitress nicely, "I think I ordered a coffee". The waitress responded, "no, you didn't, do you want one"? My dad said, "no thanks". She could have said, "oh sorry, let me get that for you". Would have gotten a sale / more money. But, instead lied and lost a sale (although could have been innocently forgotten). My fiance asked for a straw for her water. The waitress also didn't bring that for 10 minutes. We had to ask a second time for the straw, then it came fast. Overall, still very worth eating here! It was fun to sit at the bar and see all the cooking happen. read more

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We were n our way to Solana beach for a hike and decided to get breakfast before. Check on yelp and found the 101 Diner. The place was very busy so I had high hopes. As we entered I became a little disappointed by the dark atmosphere and then as we sat and I saw spider webs and dirty artwork on the walls. My husband wanted to give them a chance. We sat for along time waiting for service.... After 10 minutes we were offered water and a menu. Our food was just ok... greasy diner food. The service was very slow, we had to hunt the waitress down to get the bill. Needless to say we will not return. There are too many good restaurants in the area to need to eat mediocre food and accept bad service. read more

The service here was excellent! Our waitress was very joyful and friendly. You can tell there are a lot of locals that absolutely love her and we can see why. The food was also amazing! I had the Carnitas Benedict and my boyfriend had "tres puerkitos" omelette. The food was 9 out of 10. The carnitas were a little dry. We also liked that the potatoes were nice and crispy on the outside read more

Four stars for the food. I got two egg breakfast with potatoes and sourdough toast. Delicious. They provided utensils for takeout order, but no salt which seems like an obvious thing to include with eggs. (I really missed the salt!) Two stars for the safety. This place recently re-opened for outdoor dining and it was jammed. I couldn't get close enough to pay or pick up my food without walking through crowds of maskless diners and even more maskless locals waiting for a table. It felt like Encinitas is in denial about the fact that we are still in a pandemic and the new strains are MORE contagious. Didn't feel safe AT ALL. Servers were busy but friendly and efficient. Food was ready quickly, packed nicely for takeout, and order was correct. I would try them again, but not til Covid is over. UPDATE: Thanks for your reply, Scott! I didn't realize you had curbside pick-up available. That would be a great option! I'm glad to see local businesses being supported, but for me, the in-person dining still freaks me out! Hope you and your employees stay safe, and thanks again fir your reply. read more

Searched on yelp for the definitive breakfast experience and was not to be disappointed. They've put together a really efficient outdoor dining process that fully complies with Uncle Gavin's most stringent requirements. Beyond that, the food. The food is terrific and served with love by Kristi. All the items looked delicious, I opted for the 2 egg veggie/bacon omelette. OMG: hot, cheesy and veg cooked just right. Potatoes alone, are worth coming back for: crispy and generous. Overall comfy tables on the sidewalk, snappy service and great menu recipes. Will be a regular for sure. read more

Sat us quickly. Food was good. Not quite great but good. They specialize in eggs Benedict. I recommend the chorizo over the ham spicy Benedict. Service was friendly. Would return in a pinch. read more

I've come here a few times now for breakfast and I can't speak highly enough of 101 Diner. The food is absolutely delicious and the service was impeccable! While we haven't lived in Encinitas quite a year, I'd venture to say this is the best breakfast you'll find in town. Seriously! read more

101 Diner - Carnitas Benedict - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The 101 Diner is a place I have walked or driven past many times, but have never gone in. There is always a line out the door for breakfast, so my expectations were high. Even at 8:30 am we had to wait a bit, but our waitress was very nice and it wasn't long. The indoor motif was that of a typical 50's diner. Booth and bar stool seating are available, with a very small back patio and some tables out front as well. The specials on the board read, "blah, blah, blah , Cardiff Crack Eggs Benedict, blah, blah, blah". Let's back up for a minute. If you don't know what Cardiff Crack is, then you are a capitol "L" LOSER! Seriously, stop reading this right now. Go to Seaside Market in Cardiff, and get yourself hooked up. But don't sound like a total crack virgin asking for the "burgundy Tri-Tip". Just walk up to the counter and say, "Dude, slap me a couple pounds of crack." Now, back to breakfast. The Cardiff Crack Eggs Benedict comes with your standard hollandaise sauce, always delicious, but you can switch that out for the cilantro- jalapeno hollandaise sauce which you must do! Even Joyce who hates cilantro was completely surprised at how good this was. Our group plan of attack was to order two savory dishes, and two sweet, and the six of us would share everything. (Well, one of us actually ordered his own Cardiff Crack Eggs Benedict, hording the plate, sharp knife pointed aggressively outward, sharing with no one.) The portions worked out perfect for the five of us to share four meals. These hash browns must not be glossed over. I am glad they didn't ask me which way I wanted my potatoes, because hash browns would have been my last choice, and that would have been tragic! I am sure these hash browns are made with equal parts potatoes and butter, yet they are somehow not greasy. Finally a place that knows how to crisp us their hash browns properly! Kelly asked our waitress if he could switch out the ham in the Denver omelet for crack. Good call my man, good call! Go to The 101 Diner! Although everything tasted great, we agreed that the savory dishes were a bit better than the sweet ones. The hash browns are the best I have ever had. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. Yes, Cap'n Keno's may have been cheaper, but I think the 101 Diner wins best value for what you get. I recommend swapping anything meat-related for the Cardiff Crack. Actually, just swap out anything for the Cardiff Crack. "Hold the whip on my milkshake, but add the Crack please"...maybe. read more

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I can't complain about anything with this place. The lady was a sweet heart and extremely welcoming. I didn't have to really wait for anything. The food was great. If I had to say anything parking is not the best but that's what u expect in small towns like this with beautiful places to walk. read more

Nice Eat outside Polish Kilbasa sausage with eggs go well read more

101 Diner - Diners Near Me - Encinitas, California

Food and Service is the best of the best. Classic diner vibe with tip top food. Place is always got people eating there. 100% Recommend

I've eaten breakfast their twice and both times got the chicken and waffles. I like to try new things, but one things that good, it's difficult not ordering it again. read more

Came on a Friday morning at 8. This place was busy, but there was one booth available. Both indoor and outdoor seating are offered. Menus are right at the table. Love the Skate Special offered on the weekdays. This is comfort diner food. Coffee was decent and a topper was given half way through the meal. Bacon was crispy. Pancakes were fluffy and came with a generous helping of whipped butter. This place has old school diner decor that feels homey. I like that this place isn't stuffy or trendy. Service was friendly and efficient. Plenty of street parking. read more

Came here a few times on lazy Sunday morning I always go with the sausage gravy and biscuits tantalize is the taste buds makes your mouth water makes you fat mama Holla. read more