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    Atomic Cow

    4.5 (156 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Atomic Cow Photos

    Business Info

    ATOMIC COW ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Atomic Cow

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    Reviews With Photos

    Brownie sundae
    Jamie W.

    Very friendly workers, and bomb ice cream desserts. The large size is a generous amount, and their soft serve vanilla ice cream was smooth and delicious. The amount of toppings on the sundae was perfect, and it was cool that they checked with us if we wanted whipped cream before putting it on. The peanut butter milkshake, which they advertise to be thick, was in fact a thick malt-like texture. They accidentally remade our order of two brownie sundaes because they forgot to throw out the ticket. But kudos to them because they gave the extras to us instead of throwing them away. My Dad tipped when we bought the milkshake to go because of the kind gesture. They had good indoor seating in a heated area, including a table with a long bench. I would definitely come back to this shop when visiting Idyllwild.

    Menu
    Brenda H.

    Uploaded pic of recent menu. Clean store with friendly staff. Easy to walk to from center of town.

    Elisa N.

    ATOMIC COW @ IDYLLWILD Parking was super easy, there's free street parking all around the town, and we found a spot within minutes. We visited this town just for the day, and in the afternoon we stumbled upon Atomic Cow. The moment I walked in, I was like wow, their milkshakes looked incredible, and they had some of the craziest, most fun flavor combinations. I saw the strawberry Oreo one, and my boyfriend and I immediately knew we had to try it. The price was unbeatable too: only $4.60 for a small milkshake, which is so reasonable! We had already eaten at another restaurant earlier, so we just grabbed a milkshake. It came out in about 10 minutes, and the flavor was amazing. The strawberries tasted so fresh, the Oreo crunches were delicious, and there were actual pieces mixed in. I also loved the ambiance, there was so much space, and the place felt cozy even as it started getting packed the longer we stayed. They also offer sandwiches, soups, pickles, and scooped ice cream if you're in the mood for something else. Overall, it was an incredible experience. The vibe was cozy, the service was great, and the milkshake was definitely worth the stop.

    Vitali Z.

    I walked into this place and my first thought was: "Wait... where did I end up?" You know when a restaurant looks like something from the past, not because it's styled that way -- but because it's actually old? Yeah, that vibe. The furniture wasn't fancy, the chairs weren't the most comfortable, space inside was tight, and there was a line like in a small-town grocery store the day before Christmas. Nothing dramatic, just very... real. But the reviews were strong, so I decided not to judge too fast. And honestly -- I'm glad I stayed. The menu here is huge. Burgers, sandwiches, fries, ice cream, shakes, subs, even soup. And the prices? That's the part that really surprised me. In 2025, seeing a full burger meal for the price of two coffees in LA feels unreal. I ordered the Pastrami Burger, Smokey Bear Burger, fries, tomato soup, and a drink. The food didn't just look big -- it felt heavy in a good, old-school way. The kind of burger that doesn't need marketing words, just foil and gravity. First bite and I just sat there like: "Okay... now I get it." Juicy, messy, smoky pastrami, melted cheese stretching like a pizza commercial, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and that soft classic bun. Not a gourmet burger -- just a good one. The kind you remember because it made sense: price, portion, flavor. The tomato soup was simple but warm and comforting -- honestly perfect for this mountain town. Would I call it the best burger of my life? No. But would I come back? Absolutely. Because the food tastes honest. And sometimes that's better than perfect. So yeah -- if you're in Idyllwild and want something real, filling, and priced like it's still 2010 -- this place is worth a stop.

    The inside of the Virginian turkey dinner sandwich
    Jim M.

    The Virginian is a delightful dinner sandwich Real turkey breast cranberry's stuffing mayonnaise

    Kathy M.

    Food was good & inexpensive. There were a lot of customers and steady stream of people coming in. Down side was it took 30 minutes for the food. But we were alerted as we.were ordering the food & appreciated the heads up. Not sure if the kitchen is not big enough to accommodate more people to prepare the food or I they were short staffed today. It doesn't seem like it should take that long to cook the sandwiches, burgers & fry tater tots. We walked around with the buzzer and went back before the buzzer went off to wait at a table. I got the grilled cheese with all three types of the cheese they offered & hubby enjoyed his Italian sub. Tater tots were piping hot & crispy. We were too full to try their ice cream but they looked good. We will try other stuff next time we are there.

    Michael K.

    We enjoyed the ice cream here. Small place but enough seating outside. We had a slight customer service issue; however, they recognized it and solved without us saying anything. That says to me they're focused on customer service and fix an issue. We camp at the Idyllwild Regional Park campground a few times a year, so we'll be back.

    Outside
    Anna P.

    Don't judge this place by the outside -- it'll honestly surprise you. The inside is super simple and low-key, but the food is totally worth it. Ambience is just usual. What I really liked is how huge their menu is. They've got pretty much everything: burgers, sandwiches, soup, coffee, ice cream -- literally something for any group. Even though it was packed when we came in, the service was pretty fast. They told us it'd be about 30 minutes, but our food showed up in like 20. We ordered the Smokey Bear Burger ($9.75), the Pastrami Burger ($10.5), a soda & fries combo ($5.5), and the tomato soup ($5). Everything was honestly amazing. For the price, you get these giant double burgers with an awesome sauce and super tender meat. They don't skimp on the fries either, but you've gotta grab the sauces yourself. Make sure to ask for their house sauce -- they make it in the kitchen, and both versions are excellent. One thing though -- you probably won't manage to get a refill unless you're willing to wait in line again. And trust me, you likely won't want to, because the stream of customers basically never stops. Highly recommend this spot. Incredible food!

    pastrami sandwich
    Hannah K.

    i had their pastrami sandwich, it was fantastic. we also had their burgers and it was super tasty. got it to go, so i can't speak on the ambience but it seemed super cute. i want to go back to try their sweet items! service was friendly and fast

    Super cute decor, full on Hawaiian theme.
    Jamie S.

    Seriously - there's a reason they have a line out their door! When you walk in, the vibe pulls you into an era and place you may have never been - think of a combination of a little surf town meets the comfort and innocence of a skating rink. Tiki and vintage decor adorns the walls and music for the 40's to the 60's fills the place. So many kids meeting up for food before heading out to wherever. Prices are outstanding! I ordered the basic atomic burger and hubbs for the Smokey Bear double burger, we shared tots and a Coke. All for $22. Smash burgers! Fresh, hot and delicious. (I love shredded lettuce on a burger!) the person who took the order smiled despite the nonstop line. We didn't feel rushed at all. I'm only bummed we were too full for ice cream. They have plenty to choose from. The Dole Whip would've been amazing, but the burgers are plentiful and on this hot day, the ice cream area did not lack business. Good stuff!

    Brooke L.

    Haven't gotten my food yet but it's so awesome here I'm already going to make this place one of the favorite spots! The service is incredible even though it's insanely busy! The vibes are amazing! Ali is such a sweetheart! She's the one with our hair and piercings. She is just wow so much love and good service and good vibes it just made the whole trip! Going to get the pastrami burger with french fries and I was able to substitute my soda for a coffee. I got the Huckleberry scoop of ice cream and I wanted to try the cinnamon so they gave me a scoop since I had to wait and somebody kept running in front of me all the time. Tourist lol but yeah this was amazing! Two minutes later ... the food is really good oh my gosh! The french fries I think they're McDonald's lol very good! OK hands-down best latte in town.

    Holy Cow Tots (also almost gone)
    Maureen T.

    Lots of food for the price! Sandwiches are huge, dining room is small but clean, and they provide wonderful customer service. Great for snacks, lunch, and dessert!

    Yummy vanilla soft serve
    Grace N.

    My favorite icecream shop in Idyllwild! Because it is the only place that has soft serve! And, their soft serve is the most creamy and delicious you will get! Not the icy water down fake tasting icecream like other places! It reminds me of the high quality Japanese soft serve in Japan! When I went they only had Dole Whip and vanilla and since I'm not a pineapple icecream person, I went with vanilla! They also serve normal scoop icecream but come try the soft serve! They also have sandwiches and other snacks but COME FOR THE SOFT SERVE! You will thank me :)

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    4 years ago

    An Idyllwild gem. Tasty, fun food and nice people. If you're looking for something quick this is your jam! Do it!

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    3 years ago

    Best sandwiches in town. Prices are great and selection huge. You can also grab a ice cream cone, cookie and other sweet treats!

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    6 years ago

    I love this place. When I'm craving something sweet- this is where I go. I haven't tried their subs yet- but the look amazing!

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Excellent place, great food! We will absolutely be back! Ps, this place uses good meat, and REAL cheese!!!!

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    5 years ago

    Delicious grilled cheese sandwiches! Totally cool peanut butter Reese's shake. Good service.

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    7 years ago

    I bought two pies to bring to family Easter dinner, peach and apple. They were both superb and they were both devoured. Excellent! :)

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    7 years ago

    Great ice cream and awesome ladies up front! We got the cookies and cream in a waffle cone and weren't disappoint

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Atomic Cow

    My son has a peanut allergy and I see there is peanut ice cream on the menu. Do you use safe cross-contamination practices so that he can order a non-peanut ice cream? Some shops will take a scoop from a new batch or sanitize the scoopers for example

    Yes we sterilize the scoops after every use. We recommend people with severe peanut allergies to get our soft serve or dole whip ice cream because it never gets close to any of the ice creams with nuts.

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    Mama's Egg House - Chile Verde Omelette

    Mama's Egg House

    4.4(431 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Your bubble girl reviewer (peanut, tree nut, and seafood allergy) did not have an allergic reaction…read morehere. But always tell staff, so they are aware. Food came out very quick! My absolute favorite item I ate was the sausage. Incredibly juicy and very delicious. I wish we ordered more of it instead of the bacon, in my opinion. The fried chicken wasn't dry and was very crispy. The tiramisu french toast wasn't too sweet, but I also never add syrup. My favorite part about Idyllwild is that dogs are welcome almost everywhere, as long as they behave of course. So a stroller for the pups was great at all the restaurants, but there were a few just lying on the ground under the tables. It's nice that the tables are under some trees. I will definitely come back for breakfast again to try more!

    My food was good, even almost great! This review reflects mainly the server and what she said to…read moreour party. Someone in my party thought he ordered two mushroom and bacon cheeseburgers, but instead he got two bacon cheeseburgers. When the food came out and he brought this up to the server, she became confrontational. She said "I checked with you twice!" in an angry tone. The person in my party does not speak perfect English, so the server may have been right, but to take that tone was very off-putting. Multiple staff came over at that point and they did offer to bring mushrooms on the side, but the way the server handled her frustration came out in her tone and made the whole table uncomfortable. She angrily said "so are we good or?" and we let the situation go. Still, if I had been the one paying (the person the server took this tone with had paid for the whole table) I certainly would not have left a tip (he still did). The outdoor patio was cute and the indoor area seems fun to spend time in. They have a community bulletin board I liked too as well as their music.

    Photos
    Mama's Egg House - Interior corner seat

    Interior corner seat

    Mama's Egg House - Chilaquiles with Ribeye Steak

    Chilaquiles with Ribeye Steak

    Mama's Egg House - Breakfast burrito

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    Red Kettle - French toast breakfast

    Red Kettle

    4.2(676 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    The ambience is very much like a diner, but super friendly. Service was amazing and the…read morerecommendations that our waitress gave us were all spot on! Kids 1 egg breakfast: we got the scrambled eggs for this and it came out as a huge portion. More like three scrambled eggs. Prepared well, not very salty. Probably could've used a little extra salt. But I appreciated being able to do it to taste. Also comes w choice of bacon or sausage, and then choice of either fruit or potato item, and also a choice of bread item. Amazing value 5/5 The hollandaise on the Benedict was to die for her. I felt like the hashbrowns had a little bit of like a bacon fat type of taste to them? Maybe other people like them they were very crispy, but I didn't like something about the agent the hashbrowns were cooked in. One of the best pancakes (ordered as a side) that I've ever eaten in my life. The biscuit was also decent but doesn't come out hot. It's very fluffy. Not like a homestyle/Super buttery type of biscuit.

    Vegan Options = 1 star Gluten Free Options = 3 stars…read moreService = 5 stars I have to admit that it's a little skewed because they don't offer vegan options. As a breakfast place, most people expect vegetarian (egg & dairy). They do offer vegetarian sausage. No vegan options except à la cart sides. Hash browns (oil cooked) Toast (jellies on table) [no GF toast option] Fruit (strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew). Strawberries were inedibly old. Oatmeal is good. Large bowl comes with a side of fruit, nuts, brown sugar to top. Coffee was okay. Generic drip. Many tables inside (even on a nice weather morning) were packed, but it's beautiful outside. Dogs are allowed on the patio too!

    Photos
    Red Kettle - Favorite piece of art in the restaurant. Figured I'd share. Featuring the back of gentleman's head

    Favorite piece of art in the restaurant. Figured I'd share. Featuring the back of gentleman's head

    Red Kettle - Bacon Cheeseburger  with onion rings.

    Bacon Cheeseburger with onion rings.

    Red Kettle - Mimosa

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    Mimosa

    Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe - VG Donuts

    Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe

    4.5(284 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Amelia's Donuts is one of those rare spots that overdelivers on every level. The donuts are hands…read moredown some of the best I've ever had, perfectly balanced, fresh, and clearly made with a lot of care. But what really surprised me was the burger. It's honestly one of the best around. Juicy, flavorful, and done right with no shortcuts. What makes this place even more special is Amelia herself. Her story, her hustle, and the passion she puts into everything you see and taste is inspiring. You can feel that this isn't just a business, it's something she truly built and believes in. Places like this are what make the food scene so great. If you haven't been yet, you're missing out.

    WARNING: Will ruin all other apple fritters for you and you'll be coming back for more!…read more I average about 3 or 4 apple fritters a month (with my doctor's approval, of course!), so I consider myself something of an expert. But I have a major problem now: Amelia's has officially ruined all other donuts for me. While I know many locals come here for the cinnamon rolls or burritos, the Apple Fritter is the real hidden gem. The husband (Jim) has a well-guarded secret recipe, and it shows. Unlike the mass-produced stuff I get back home, Jim and Amelia (the nicest couple you'll want to meet to start your day) use real apples and they are incredibly fresh. The fritter is soft, the topping delightfully sweet (I'm sure my doctor would approve) but not overpowering, and baked with a perfectly tender interior. It left me with the feeling I had the sweet taste of kindness to start my day. Why go to Starbucks to order a Grande from a snarky barista, when you can get coffee here that complements the fritter, warms the morning, and leaves you with a residual happiness-buzz for a great day of adventure? It's the best way to begin the day after enjoying the early morning stars and nature's goodness. I'll never have another apple fritter back home again. If you are in Idyllwild, do not skip this experience and brighten your morning (I'm sure your doctor will approve). :)

    Photos
    Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe - Souvenirs and cute niknaks

    Souvenirs and cute niknaks

    Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe - Iced Lattes with our delicious apple fritters and VG blueberry muffin

    Iced Lattes with our delicious apple fritters and VG blueberry muffin

    Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe - Amelia's Donuts

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    Amelia's Donuts

    Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts

    Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts

    4.1(151 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    So many sweet and savory options here! We came here twice during our trip - in the late afternoon…read morefor desserts and the next morning for a savory brunch. For sweets, we did the Lily Rock and Hippo crepe. Both were great, but we were a huge fan of the bubble waffle. For savory, we went with their most popular pick, the Chicken Pesto and the Turkey Bubble Waffle. The pesto sauce was creamy and delicious - we were a fan! For some reason, we were definitely not expecting the bubble waffle to be a sandwich. Nonetheless, both were great to fuel us up for the afternoon. Workers are nice and so are their regulars! We had two dogs with us, so we grabbed a table outside and were also able to enjoy the view. Great place to stop by for a quick bite or especially if you're trying to avoid the crowd as the other brunch spots are packed.

    Food was mediocre at best. I ordered 5 crepes and 4 drinks which cost just over $100. All fiver…read morecrepes were relatively small for what I would think a $15 crepe would be. I asked if one was enough for me and the associate said "yes, I can barely finish one". Not sure how that was the case as I was left hungry after I finished mine and my coffee. While they were preparing my order I overheard a cook say they ran out of bacon, then was told my order was delayed because they had to go to the nearby restaurant to get some bacon. My biggest gripe though is that they prepared 2 of 5 dishes on plates and for some reason made the other 3 in to-go containers. (We were one of two groups seated to eat in the dining area). Then they gave is plastic ware to use resulting in me breaking two forks while I was cutting my chewy crepe. Nice concept but it did not deliver on expectations. Highlight was the Mexican coffee. That was actually pretty good. Unfortunately I will not be returning.

    Photos
    Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts
    Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts - Top: Nutella crepe. Bottom: Monte Cristo bubble waffle.

    Top: Nutella crepe. Bottom: Monte Cristo bubble waffle.

    Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts

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    Atomic Cow - icecream - Updated May 2026

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