Delicious fresh selection of salads, sandwiches and very friendly service. Indoor and outdoor patio.

What a gem! Went here to commemorate our first year wedding anniversary. The facility is tucked in a business area in Costa Mesa, and is a part of the Turnip Rose Promenade event center. The facility itself is beautiful, complete with a zen garden and a gazebo, for events like weddings (such as ours). We sat outside and enjoyed the view of the serene gardens, which is what I would recommend! Now for the food, the fish and chips special that they had was unbelievable! The fish was big in size, and fresh. The batter was flavorful and crispy, and it came with fries and coleslaw. We also ordered chicken club sandwich, with strawberry spinach with poppyseed dressing salad, which I really liked. It was good that we got the spinach salad because we chose that as our wedding salad and we didn't get to eat it a year earlier. Still as good as I remember it from the tasting! The cafe is definitely a gem, and it's great that it draws a pretty good size crowd for lunch. read more

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This place is located in a very inconspicuous place, among a few blocks of business buildings. However, do not let the location fool you. This place probably has the best mushroom/spinach/egg croissant I have ever eaten. My gf would absolutely agree. They also have great coffee. The interior decor is wonderful - looks like a million dollar house remodeled to a restaurant w 2 flat screen TVs. If you like outside seating they have it too! Will definitely come back to this hidden gem! read more

Cafe Rose Express - Mushroom/Spinach/Egg omelet on Ciabata bread - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Excellent service and food. The Cantina Shrimp Salad is a flavorful meal with just the right kick of heat. Come for the food, enjoy the awesome service. Janyne is always a pleasure, greets people by name, cheerful and really knows the menu. Always with a smile, Kathy brightens the day with kind, happy words to make your day even better. read more

Cafe Rose Express - Daily special on the outdoor patio - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The aesthetic of this place on the outside is amazing. If you want to go and hang out and have lunch with your friends I definitely would recommend it. The food is reasonably price and it taste amazing. Definitely go check the spot out. read more

When a colleague recommended we try Cafe Rose, I was a bit hesitant at first, but I am so glad I did. I can't say enough great things about this hidden gem. Tucked behind some commercial buildings, this cafe serves up some of the tastiest bites! I personally went for the California panini which came w/ a side (zucchini bread, coleslaw, salad or fruit). The flavors in the sandwich meshed so well together. Yum! And the side I opted for was the zucchini bread - which was ok. Two colleagues tried the Kansas City Stack and raved about it, so next time I go i'll be trying this! If you're in the area and are seeking a lunch under $10, definitely give this place a try, you will not be disappointed! Quality products/produce are used to make everything.. leaves Corner Bakery and Panera's in the dust. read more

Cafe Rose Express - Big mouth hoagie - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Found this place years ago, never left a Review if course i should have because this place is great. We always get the California Panini. It's amazing! They have several other options like salads and soups which are delicious. there's a variety of Paninis you can choose from. My only gripe is they stopped carrying Tabanero hot sauce which complimented the Panini so well, of course that not a big deal. The food is great! read more

Hidden gem with delicious food if you make the trip. California panini is my jam but all the food is wonderful and the Zucchini bread is div8ne. These folks care about the food and you can taste it. One of our favorite spots for the office lunch crew read more

I dont normally leave reviews because I am not easily impressed. With that being said, today was the first time I have ever been blown away by a restaurant. I'll keep this short. The best service I have ever experienced at a fast food or express type of restaurant. The quality of the ingredients are phenomenal. The ingredients they choose for their dishes work very well together and synergize amazingly for a delicious and tantalizing experience. I will be frequenting this restaurant moving forward. 10 out of 10 read more

This is definitely a go-to place for me and my coworkers. Their combo deal got me hooked! Not only that, all their foods are VERY savory and bang-on-the-buck! And did I mention Zucchini bread????? Like what?! If you have not tried or do not know what this is, I suggest you go NOW. It will change your life for the better and you'll definitely thank me later. That is all. read more

I volunteered to select a location for an outdoor lunch with a girlfriend near South Coast Plaza. We had not met up for lunch in nearly 2 years. I remembered the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kick-off breakfast for team leaders at the then Turnip Rose Promenade that I attended in August 2019. I checked it out, now called the Cafe Rose Express, and suggested to my friend we meet there. It is a gem located in a business complex area. The shaded outdoor dining area with multiple rose gardens, adjacent to a large, landscaped lawn area for events was lovely, peaceful and park-like. Arriving at 11 am, we were greeted by friendly inside counter staff, ordered and paid for our lunch, which was served by Adam at our outside table. We were beyond impressed by the presentation, taste, quality, value and quantity, along with ceramic dishes and plates and metal flatware. We agreed that the Cafe Rose Express will be our regular meeting place for lunch. No need to look any further, ever! read more

Cafe Rose Express - Combo with a 1/2 Tuna Laguna sandwich and 1/2 Smoked Salmon salad with a choice of one side, two slices of zucchini bread. - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Best place to enjoy a meal with the family. Everyone it's always friendly and always welcoming.

I randomly visited this place because I was in the area shopping at ikea! It was a nice little place and would be great if it were closer to where I work :( The food is actually really good! And I like how they have brunch/cafe style menu options as well as a few options that are Mexican food! I had the burrito and it was pretty good though the cheese wasn't as melted as I would have liked. It was a good amount of food and very filling. I also was able to try their zucchini bread and it did not disappoint. It was a good small dessert but it was nice they also had the option of fruit too! Overall I would definitely go to this place again if I lived closer or worked closer. It does seem to get a bit busy during lunch time but takeout was pretty popular if you don't mind eating somewhere else. read more

Cafe Rose Express - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We're so glad that we tried this cafe! This restaurant is located in the middle of a business park right off of Harbor and Macarthur. Everyone that we encountered was extremely friendly and patient. The food was pretty darn good. I got the weekly special which was fish and chips and my wife got half a sandwich (portobello) and half a salad (Mediterranean). - The fish and chips were kinda cold when I received it, but they quickly replaced it and it was tasty. The fries were just OK, but the fish was nice and flaky and the breading was crunchy. - Sandwich/Salad was really good. It tasted fresh and at $9, it was a great value. - The side of zucchini bread was super moist and tasty. The wife and I were fighting over it. Definitely order this. The venue was very nice. They are associated with the Turnip Rose and it appears they have a wedding venue attached to the cafe. There is awesome outdoor seating and a really nice grass area with trees, boulders, and a gazebo. Very peaceful and serene setting right off of Harbor. I'd definitely recommend checking this place out. And if it's a nice day, sit outside! read more

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Sadly the bfast burritos are no longer served. It was too much for the little cafe to keep up with the irregular large demand. Now its open faced bacon toast (good) for bfast but doesn't compare. Still gets 5 stars for everything else. read more

This is such a great lunch or breakfast spot. The service is 110% as well. They have weekly specials for soup and hot lunches that are high quality and plentiful in portion. All the food is reasonably priced as well. Maybe not the chips but you shouldn't order those anyways, their cooked food beats the chips. If you see a side you like from the specials, they'll sell you the side if you want. They're so accommodating. Oh! Almost forgot, their desserts are divine! From fruit tarts to cookies, brownies and cheesecakes. The little carrot cake is YUM! All will put a smile on your face. Treat yourself! The scenery outside is just lovely for dining...linen tables, umbrellas and rose bushes...such an enjoyable lunch each time I visit. Favorite breakfast items: Spinach and mushroom egg wrap (burrito) Almond croissant Favorite lunch items: Tri-Tip lunch special Any of their soups (comes with a side of fruit or bread) Apple walnut salad Egg salad California panini Favorite Desserts: Impossible to answer, all of the above! read more

My coworkers and I came during lunch - they spoke highly of it so I was expecting fabulous things. FOOD: I ordered the albacore salad - not impressed. They tossed massive amounts of albacore and drenched my greens in their dressing. Don't get me wrong, the dressing was tasty but it was a bit much. My coworkers also said theirs was a little heavy on the dressing. LOCATION: It's actually a very nice location. They even have weddings here. There's a sweet grassy area when you can spread out a blanket and eat on. It's so serene! This was the best part of my visit here. I wouldn't come back here out of choice and if someone would recommend it I would ask them to reconsider :/ read more

I really thought this was a nice convenient place to have breakfast but they definitely proved me wrong today. Yesterday a few of my coworkers and I ordered breakfast from this spot. One of my coworkers along with myself is vegetarian. We ordered the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. Specifically asked for no meat. When we received our food our sandwiches were loaded with bacon. We called to have it corrected and they informed us they were no longer making breakfast, but they would give us the corrected sandwiches the next day. Weird? But ok. When the food was picked up this morning the woman who gave it to us accused us of ordering wrong! Basically said all the mistakes were our fault. Worst customer service ever! We are a big group and love spending money on food and we will be taking our business elsewhere!! read more

Me: I hope that the dealership doesn't get your car done today. DH: Why? Me: So we can come here for lunch again tomorrow! DH: That's possible! OMG! This place really was that good! I wan't to go back there again. Where else could you get a 5 star lunch, for two people for $22 bucks, where every frickin bite that you had was THAT good? Let's start here- DH had the California Chicken Club- delicious chicken with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a chipolte aoli. It was served with 1 side item, and he went with coleslaw. The sandwich was amazing, and the coleslaw was outstanding. It had the extra little suprise of pineapple chunks in it. I've not had coleslaw at a restaurant taste so fresh and good! I had the half Turkey Monterrey sandwich- Roasted turkey, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and sweet red onions, with a ranch cream cheese on artisan white bread. You can choose any salad to go with the half sandwich, but I opted for the poblano corn chowder. Holy toledo batman! That soup was so good! It was very rich, but very good! Thick chowder, with tons of fresh off the cob corn, potatoes, and diced poblanos. It had just the right amount of kick to it without being too spicy. Now let's get to the best part- (you mean, as if the food wasn't enough?) The atmosphere. The inside seating looks quite comfortable and inviting and would be a nice place to sit with your hot soup in the Winter months, but the jewel of this place is the outside patio. Yards of blooming bouganvilla, and planters of beautiful rose gardens surround cute little bistro tables with umbrellas. Real linen covered the tables, and they served the food on very nice picnicware, no paper plates here. This place is truly a hidden jewel! read more

Cafe Rose Express - Baja Chicken Club and Poblano Corn Chowder! - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I have been waiting to try this place for so long. All I kept hearing about was this awesome lobster bisque. I checked their menu online and saw they only offered it every three weeks. So I waited and treated a couple of coworkers for lunch. It was awesome. Lots of chunks of fresh tasty lobster in a delicious soup. I also tried the zucchini bread, a California panini and cole slaw. Way too much food to finish but it was all delicious. The place is packed for weekday lunches. The building is also used for banquets, weddings and conferences. This is a really cool spot just walking distance from my office. This will not be my last visit. read more

It was my first time here, and it won't be my last. I had the California Panini with rotisserie chicken, avocado, bacon, tomato, swiss cheese on sourdough. I wish I could burp so I could experience the deliciousness of that panini again! Seriously, though...the chicken was moist, the avocado was ripe, the cheese was perfectly melted, just perfection on a plate. For the side I got zucchini bread...that was really good too. I tried to save it for brekkie, but my dessert stomach took over and it's gone. The staff was friendly, the restaurant was clean, we sat outside because it was a beautiful day. A great lunch experience all around. read more

First off, to Justin D., giving One Star to a place because you did not like the taste is absurd, especially when your reviews are statistically skewed to the extreme. I just started working around the corner and found CRE on Yelp. I wanted a sandwich, and to avoid hitting Harbor/MacArthur during the lunch rush. What a great place. Plenty of parking close at 12:30. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was prepared fast. I ordered their Tuna Laguna sandwich. White tuna, just enough mayo, oat wheat bread, romaine, avocado, tomato. It comes with sides, and I chose the slaw, after the server said it was made in-house [not out of a tub] and included pineapple. Both were great, and ample for someone that likes to eat, sometimes too much. This place is now on my go-to list. Well done. read more

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I've had 2 different salads from here, a turkey sandwich, and their zucchini bread. Everything is delectable, but my favorite is the lemon zest Greek salad. Anything with a kick of lemon will really do it for me. I always walk in thinking I'll try something different, but I can't do it. I just love that salad too much. You can pick a side to go with your lunch. The zucchini bread is awesome . Their customer service is always top notch and their food presentation is great. The only downside is that you can't call in your order after a certain time during lunch hours. Obviously, I understand why. They get really busy and it takes a while to get your food. Update: you can place your order online now read more

Cafe Rose Express - Lemon Zested Greek Salad - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is definitely a hidden spot!!! It's a beautiful, semi-fancy place to have more than a normal lunch. It was my first time coming here and I was really blown away by the decorations and had that mentality like, "oh wow! Fancy" (usually I'm eating places on-the-go, subway, Costco, etc) I love that their was a/c, many private rooms to host prayers/meetings (you can call them for details), big/spacious place, indoor and outdoor settings! Not only that, but the food was.. Wow!!! AMAZING. Absolutely must get: California panini and strawberry salad. Zucchini bread is SOOOOOOO DELICIOUS! Approx $10 a dish but it's cool to perfection! Wipes corner bakery and other sandwhich places out of the water.. Lol read more

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Good price for large amount of food, and pretty quick service too. I ordered the Cafe Rose Classic Salad with white balsamic dressing and mozzarella, but instead got the Classic Chicken Caesar salad with white balsamic dressing and added mozzarella. Also they did not upcharge for the mozzarella, so that is nice and sorta compensates for the miscommunication about desired salad. I do wish there was some other base besides romaine, but will evaluate the salad I got, and give 5 stars since I've been here before and gotten good food each time. The white balsamic dressing is light, I enjoyed the flavor, slightly reminiscent of a greek dressing. They put on lots of fresh mozzarella, very happy about that and would consider adding to any salad. They went light on the chicken, which was tinted slightly orange but I could not detect any seasoning or flavoring on it (or it was weaker than the dressing). Lots of seasoned croutons too. Just wish there were veggies other than romaine. As a side I selected their Zucchini bread, which was solid, though I would likely choose fruit next time since I perceive that to be healthier. read more

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I got the 1/2 tuna sandwich and 1/2 chinese salad. It was really tasteful. Love the crispy mushrooms in the salad, thought it was weird at first but its smoky taste balanced the sweetness from the mandarin. 1/2 a sandwich looked like a whole sandwich that I couldn't finish it. The staff was really friendly and helpful. Normally, when you go close to closing they are in a hurry to leave ...not this one. Worth every penny and will definitely go back. read more

Wow!! I use to work around the corner from this place 10 yrs ago. I wonder if it was in business then, cause if it was I can kick myself for not finding it sooner. Its like corner bakery on steroids where everything taste 10x's better and fresher. believe what everyone is writing in their reviews, the good reviews anyways. Being my first time here I looked over the menu and it was pretty close to what is posted on their website. They do offer a half sandwich, half salad combo that comes with the choice of 1 side. Following all the yelpie folks advice I picked the zucchini bread to go along with my half Farmers Market sandwich and Strawberry Spinach salad. Just incredible food that is fresh, filling and taste great. And the portion size is quite generous considering the price. Hard to find such quality food at reasonable prices. Though its a little bit out of the way from where I work, I wouldn't hesitate to come back. Do give it a try, you wont be disappointed. read more

Cafe Rose Express - Half farmers market sandwich + strawberry spinach salad - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

$7.95 combo, can't go wrong Pick 2 1/2 Sandwich, 1/2 Salad, Cup of Soup, Taco You also get 1 side: Baguette, Fruit Medley, Coleslaw, or Zucchini Bread Good selection of Sandwiches and Salads to choose from. read more

I happened by this place when I was on break from work but later went online to see what it was all about. I'm so happy that I did because it was so good. This is by a successful catering biz that does weddings/events. I chose to order online for specific time pick up which was honored without a hitch upon pick up. I got the Hawaiian sandwich and side of zucchini bread which was very fresh and tasty. The staff was adequate, the price was great and the food was fantastic. They were very busy at 12:30pm lunch rush but they have a lot of space here where you can sit outside to dine or inside. Please go. read more

Cozy and quaint, excellent food! Was nearby for work when one of my colleagues suggested we go here. The name didn't sound familiar but when we pulled up, I realized it was the same place that my cousin got married at not 3 months ago! I'd heard that the catering company that did her wedding had good food but didn't make the Cafe Rose connection. Said colleague told me that a lot of stuff here was good; the burritos, the samiches, the tostadas, etc. I was going to go for the burrito, but since it was close to Thanksgiving, they had a "turkey platter" that was just too perfect for the moment. The turkey breast was awesome, very moist and tender; the home-made cranberry, a perfect compliment, and the veggies were delicious. I was extremely satisfied and totally got my turkey day meal fill. So you get in line and order at the counter, then you go find a table and the food is brought up to you. The line can get long, esp at peak times. Service is nice and friendly, both at the counter and table service. Parking is pretty spacious but the place is popular, so I would come early. Tables are a little small for bigger groups but there's indoor and outdoor seating...so you should be good at multiple tables; only thing I can think of it getting overly crowded is if it's raining outside. A great little place to eat! Def coming back! read more

This place is the best, from service to food. Never been here for breakfast though, but if you're here for lunch then try their wet chicken burrito. The chicken tasted real fresh, that with guacamole and salsa made all that much better. The burrito was good size so you won't go hungry. My wife and I sat under the huge outdoor patio with the great ambiance...you wont be disappointed. read more

Cafe Rose Express - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Like all of my fellow Yelpers, I agree that this place is a hidden gem! Keep in mind it's only open from 7 AM to 2 PM on weekdays though. Cafe Rose Express is tucked away in a quiet corporate park, but fear not! This place has ambience (on a nice day anyways). There's actually a beautiful field right next to Cafe Rose with a gazebo and some trees, which makes eating outside pretty nice. Tack on an abundance of outdoor seating (probably a good 20-25 tables outside), and you've got a no-stress lunch spot. Anyways, the employees are pretty efficient here, so don't worry if you see a long line. You'll see a little stand that holds menus right when you walk in the door, so you can pick what you want while standing in line. Alright, onto the food. I would recommend looking into a grilled panini when you come here. I ordered the California Panini (Rotisseri Chicken, Avocado, Bacon, Tomato, Swiss Cheese) when I went, and it was awesome! Fresh veggies, a good portion of chicken, and grilled well. My family also ordered several other sandwiches (honestly I can't remember which ones), but the California was my favorite. We also ordered one of their sticky buns because the thing looks damn good when you see it in the display case, but it was a little disappointing. Tasted semi-stale. Bleh. I won't be indulging in any pastries next time I come around, but it was worth a shot. Anyways, you definitely want to check this place out if you're looking for a casual lunch spot. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Lunch was delicious! I ordered the any 2 combo: Hong Kong Chicken Salad with Vegetable Barley soup and a side of Fruit Medley. The salad was fresh and a great balance of crunch and sweet savoriness. The soup was includes very tender beef and warm barley bits. The Fruit Medley was a nice finisher with pineapples kiwis and other summer fruits. Service was fast and polite. Drinks are self serve as well as the utensils. It gets busy during lunch since it is located in a business park. I sat outdoors which was as nice as inside. Tables were covered in tablecloths, unlike most outside sitting areas. read more

Cafe Rose Express - Hong Kong Chicken Salad with Vegetable Beef Barley Soup and a Fruit Medley - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cafe Rose has been a local favorite. I work very close by so I am here ALL OF THE TIME. They have fantastic breakfast and lunch selections which will never leave you disappointed. My mornings usually consist of an iced vanilla latte, my favorite drink here! Sometimes I'll get it twice in a day. Here and there, I'll get a bagel which they PACK that cream cheese. They also have a large selection of bagels too. I've snuck in some morning cookies too, sadly. Sorry diet, it was just too good. Update 09/10/15: I've recently started to get their parfaits as a healthy start to my day! They pack in the granola and fruit! I highly recommend it. I also come for a quick lunch.... Which may or may not consist of another iced vanilla latte. My go-to is always the soup, which has never disappointed. The cafe updates their website so you can see what is their soup of the day. I have tried their French onion, sun-dried tomato bisque, and lobster bisque. My coworkers and I definitely get hyped over the lobster bisque. Its the best! They also give you bread and butter for ordering soup as well. They also have great combos where you can get 2 items (panini, sandwich, soup, or salad). If you are feeling feisty, I recommend the beef tostada which have fresh ingredients and is a large portion. As for another side, the zucchini bread does not disappoint! I love the staff too, they are so nice! read more

Cafe Rose Express - Beware of the lattes! They only fill the 3/4ths of the cup! - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delish! The food here is amazing. So flavorful and so beautifully presented. The salads and paninis are amazing!

I come here during the work week and it's the perfect spot when wanting a clean meal! The ladies at the register are helpful in recommending what they enjoy on the menu and I love how an employee always hands you your order when taking it to-go. They are pretty quick in getting you your food but don't be surprised if you have to wait during a big lunch rush. Service: 10/10 Cleanliness: 10/10 Food: 10/10 My favorites are the Hong Kong Chicken Salad and the Apple Walnut Salad. Both are very fresh and sweet. The Baja Chicken Club Sandwich is very clean, filling, and packed with ingredients. I'm always so full after eating here without feeling sluggish. Their Combo "Any 2" is the most worth it to me since you get a variety of options in your meal. Also, don't forget to get their Zucchini Bread. It's so good! read more

This is a new restaurant that opened in early October 2010. I had heard about Cafe Rose Express from co-workers and walked to the restaurant since it's only a 5 minutes from my office. Staff was friendly and courteous. Lots of interior and patio seating. Parking isn't an issue. Their chocolate-filled croissants are delicious and filled with chocolate unlike most others although I didn't care for the drizzled, white frosting(?) on it. The Sunrise Breakfast Wrap (like a breakfast burrito) was also very good. My company apparently had them cater a lunch for one of our functions and the reviews were very positive. I hope they do well since I love having a good restaurant closeby. I'll be back to try more fare on their menu and give an update. Their website isn't fully uploaded yet. read more

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Cafe Rose Express is truly a hidden gem. I work close by and had never even heard of it. It's run by the folks behind Turnip Rose Catering so you are sure to have a great meal! I came at lunch time with my friend and her son. There are salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts. We both got the 1/2 combo--salad and sandwich. I chose the turkey sandwich and the strawberry salad, with zucchini bread. The portions are pretty large for what you order. The sandwich was good as was the salad. I'd come back again. read more

My husband and me came for lunch while waiting for local window tint. Since it had great reviews we popped in. What a great surprise, they had an awesome Shrimp Gumbo that was better than any One I've had in NOLO. We should have stopped there because we over ordered. The bowl of soup comes with a good size piece of Baguette and there is an option for half a sandwich or salad. We added full sandwiches and ended up taking them home. But they were delish, I had the Torta Rustica also delish. Will definitely be back and can't wait to try their next special soup of the day. read more

Cafe Rose Express - Torta Rustica with Cole Slaw very fresh and delicious! Also trying the shrimp gumbo soup and it is perfectly seasoned and delicious - American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We found this little place on yelp and decided to grab some breakfast. It was kind of hard to find where it was because its kind of hidden. But It was in a really nice area and it looked very classy and relaxing. There is also a lot of parking I suggest going during lunch time because there are so many more options in their menu. There were only a few options on the breakfast menu, but the lunch menu starts at 11. The prices is pretty good and reasonable. We got a breakfast wrap, a bagel, and a yogurt. The wrap was so big, we could not finish it. Overall we liked our time here and will hopefully be back again to try their lunch! read more

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