Amazing service! The made a private patio and a front patio seating area AMAZING can't stress it enough . Over all the food was amazing. Will be definitely coming back. read more

Breakfast here is always right. We always order to go and Alex hasn't gotten anything wrong ever. We order at least twice a week and the food is always consistent. read more

My teenage son and I have had a lot of fun meals here-- Always greeted warmly, seated promptly, and well taken care of by the excellent staff. There is something for everyone on the menu, breakfast served all day! it looks like they have a full bar as well. There is plenty of space and a nice outdoor dining option. One star off for margarine instead of butter with the pancakes (that could have been a one time thing). Thanks Capitola Diner for a great experience every time read more

Agree with the first two reviews--DEAD QUIET which should have been a warning to us. Arrived around 5:00pm Saturday night which should have at least had a pulse. Instead it was eerily occupied by us and an older couple quietly eating. I had the Chicken Fried Steak ($11.99) which should be a no brainer for a diner. Needless to say, the garlic mash potatoes had no garlic, and the seasonal sauted vegetables were from last season. Their "special country gravy" that smoothered my plate had a interesting texture--which looked like...err...barf. Needless to say, within a couple of hours I was off to Toilet city where I had a huge urge to immediately evacuate my Chicken Fried Steak! Gross Yes! Strangely, my dining companion had the Fisherman's Seafood Platter ($12.99) which oddly enough was on a menu which featured Mexican food. Her miniscule grilled shrimp, overly cooked salmon, and greasy other fried fish things were medicore. The only thing that was good were the "ore ida" fries that accompanied the meal Oh, the funny part is they serve you bread when your dinner comes with what the server describes as "whipped butter." I said this NOT--it's margarine. I asked for real butter, he hesistated but went to go check to see if they had any. He came back saying they only had "whipped butter." If you dare go ask to be seated near the kitchen. You will hear the symphony of the microwave door being slammed open and closed continually during the wait for your food. Then, Presto Chang-o...in 10 minutes here comes your food. Just like homemade...NOT! read more

Smelled like disinfectant and stale grease traps. Only one other table filled, and waiter seemed flustered we walked in at 8pm. "I don't expect anyone so late." Closing time was 10pm. Didn't have any menu options available. (None of the Signature Dishes were available, the chicken fried steak wasn't available, the Mongolian Chicken Strips weren't available...) Waited 30 minutes for drinks, then tried to leave without even taking appetizer orders. Then said our choices weren't available. Despite being far from the kitchen, the background music and kitchen radio fueled for supremacy. Tables so sticky, my arms stuck to them. Burgers more pricey then the Chilies across the street. Quality has been falling for years, but this is rock bottom. Only restaurant I've walked out of after paying for drinks. Avoid. read more

Waiter was splendid, and did a fantastic job. Definitely understaffed, although they are currently hiring. Unfortunately, the problem doesn't lie with the wait staff, but with the TERRIBLE food! Food was very very slimy; dishes were stained with dirt. There was a hair on one of the dishes. It was obvious that most food items were frozen, packaged and microwaved. Meat was old and rancid. You'd think with frozen meals, it would at least taste fresher than if it had been sitting out for days. Unfortunately (or fortunately...), I don't know what they are doing back in the kitchen, but everything is old and every bite will have you questioning if you'll wake up with food poisoning later that night. If you want decent food in this same vicinity at a similar price (with free food for kids!), go to iHop. It's literally 2 blocks away. Apparently it is under new ownership, so perhaps they will change the dated and filthy decor, but I'm not hopeful if they reopened without change. Booths are old and cheap. Rips and tears in the seating -- on one of the booths, the upholstery was sloppily stapled together!! It appears they attempted to tile their own floors and used black mortar (nasty, looks like mud all over). Lighting is awful and old. For the price, you can go to a good restaurant instead. I was debating writing a review due to the wonderful waiter, but the food was just too awful, and dangerously ill-prepared. PLEASE hire a REAL chef and get someone to redesign this mess of a restaurant. PS: Please call Robert Irvine or Chef Ramsey, because this restaurant needs it before you lose everything!!! read more

Tonight, Saturday, October 24, 2015, at about 6:45, 4 adults and 2 nine year olds went here. There seemed to be a adequate number of cars in the parking lot to assure us that the place wasn't bad. The host took our orders, and we told him that everyone was hungry. After what seemed a long while, we hunted him up and he brought 2 root beer floats, some chips that tasted funny and a tiny cup of salsa. After a longer while, he brought fish and chips for me, prime rib for one, roast beef and dip sandwich, some cheese meat sandwich, a slice of pizza, and a hamburger. In terms of the meat, with one exception, it was inedible. It was too tough to cut or pull apart and it was 30% or more fat. The "fish and chips" was almost warm fish sticks - 3 to be precise with some almost warm French fries. One adult ate his sandwich. The kids, who were starving drank the root beer floats, but passed on the meals. None of the other adults are. It took a long while to get the bill, and get the credit card run. The meal cost about $60, and we left a 15% tip. Then we drove home over the hill, and raided our refrigerators because we hadn't had dinner. read more

Wake up sheeple. What do you expect when you come to a place like this? It's a Denny's/Lyon's styled diner. The coffee is weak. The decor is out of date. And the food? Well, that's pretty whatever too. But seriously, that's what these places are for. I came here fully expecting a meal absolutely perfect in it's mediocrity and that is exactly what I got. Walking in, there were four different white boards all with different lunch/dinner specials written on them. Sitting down I noticed the specials on the menu were different than the specials on any of the white boards. There were a LOT of specials. Like too many for any normal person to remember. Often times, a good way to tell the quality of these restaurant's food is by the size of their menu and Capitola Diner's menu is a fucking novel. A Danielle Steele novel your tia buys at the grocery store for $2.99. Our waiter was a very nice, soft spoken man. He was exactly the type of guy you expect to work at a place like this. Attentive and friendly but there was definitely something a little unsettling. He seems like the type of guy that you can't imagine being friends with or that you can't even imagine having friends really. Honestly, I don't think I can imagine him even existing outside this diner. It's like he's not real. I just really want to see what his house looks like. I ordered the 1/2 lb prime rib medium rare. My dining companion ordered the BBQ pork ribs. We both ordered coffee. Our meal started with a pair of stale dinner rolls (one white, one wheat) with unnaturally yellow "whipped butter" and two cups of shitty coffee. I love diner coffee so weak that adding cream completely masks the flavor of coffee. We drank it black. Our food arrived soon after that. My prime rib came with the classic au jus and horseradish cream and it was actually pretty good. Prime rib is almost always good as long as it's not overcooked. The portion was generous and it came with mushy steamed vegetables and a "loaded' baked potato. The potato was great. Like, really very good. Unfortunately, my dining companions ribs were not as satisfying. They were tender, fatty, and lightly covered in BBQ sauce. A little spongy and pretty bland. I feel like if they just drowned the ribs in more sauce they could probably pass them off as acceptable (for a diner anyway). Maybe not. The ribs came with garlic mashed potatoes that were too garlicky and those same mushy steamed vegetables. The place was empty when we walked in and empty when we left. Just the way I like it but probably not very good for business. The bathroom smelled like rotten eggs. Not like farts or poop or anything but actual eggs. It was weird. Walking back from the bathroom, I noticed signs for their happy hour. It's a marathon six hours long with most beers costing $2 and all appetizers half off. I'll have to come back here for that. Please know what your getting yourself into when you walk into a place like this. I thought it was perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. Scratch that. The only thing I would change is their hours. They close at 10 every night. I'd probably come here a lot if they were open later. read more

If I could give this place ZERO STARS, I would have. I order a bowl of chili, which was the only thing I could find that would fit my diet. It was the worst, blandest excuse for chili I have ever had. What it was actually was PINTO beans, not kidney, floating in broth. No tomato, no onion, no peppers, just beans in water. I added half the bottle of hot sauce to give it some semblance of flavor. The service was also atrocious. The waiter asked if I wanted hot sauce then never came back. I found some on a dirty table across the restaurant. The table next to us had to fetch their own coffee, then the server got mad when he offered a refill to other tables. We should have gone to Armadillo Willy's just up the street. read more

Great Service Great Food Came in on a Monday AM to find a clean well serviced establishment, coffee was typical diner but flavored creamers made the cup a treat. Breakfast hot and cooked to order, waiter very friendly and service was great! Recommend this hidden gem! read more

Judging by the way it looked deserted at 9 pm on a Saturday I did not have great expectations. The service was great a gentleman named Geoff served us and he was very pleasant and friendly. The atmosphere was nice and cute, although there was no audible music except from the kitchen. The food.... Was horrible. I had the Rosemary chicken and sauteed shrimp. The shrimp were ok but bland in flavor, the chicken, a little tough, and the garlic mashed potatoes had the consistency of wet sand and had no flavor. My boyfriend had the chicken Cobb salad and was a little disappointed. Overall it was not a good meal. We left hungry and went yo Taco Bell read more

This place was not bad, it is a converted Carrow's I believe. The food was pretty good, our waitress was nice, and the price was reasonable. I would go back here again, it is no frills, but it gets the job done read more

This is the worst restaurant and it's not even about the food- we went in for happy hour cocktail time and ordered 3 cocktails and a beer and a happy hour guacamole. It took 1/2 hour to get the guacamole and when we got the bill we were not charged happy hour pricing. When we spoke to the waitress about it she said we had needed to ASK for happy hour pricing otherwise our 5$ cocktail would be 9.50 I have never heard of such a thing but BUYER BEWARE and the bright cafeteria lighting is awful read more

We tried to have brunch here- TRIED. We waited at the hostess booth for about 5 minutes and we're not acknowledged once. A family that just finished dining stood behind us to pay their bill. Finally someone came to the counter and asked us if a debit card (left on the counter was ours)... we let him know it was not, and we were waiting for a table. He said "ok," then reached behind us to close out the guest BEHIND us. We asked if we seat ourselves. He said "No-- unless you want to sit there," while pointing to another table, without looking up or indicating we sit there. We just walked out. Terrible start to service... we didn't want to see how the rest would go. read more

I've been a few times. The first was great service. Every time ive been back since then the service has gotten worse. With that said the last time I went will be the LAST. It took us half an hour to get our order taken, an hour for the food to come and that's not all. We didn't get all the food that we ordered and had to ask many (at least 5) times before it was brought to us. We were offered creamer and got it about 45 min later after asking many times. My friend never even got any silverware. read more

10 minute wait without even a greet, asked a server and they rebuffed us saying something about us not being their table. We just left. Would give zero stars if possible. HORRIBLE service. read more

Ordered breakfast delivery during COVID and I have say everything was so tasty and tasty. I can't wait order again and better yet dine in once the restrictions are lifted. read more

This used to be Lions, now it's a diner and sports bar. Inside hasn't changed and is straight from 1990s, including the old worn booths. Staff was friendly and nice and got the orders right. Food was ok (steak was way overdone) and the portions for what you pay don't match. Decent enough but won't be returning. read more

See all

The restaurant has implementated a 2 HOURS ONLY Policy. Been going here for years. A couple of times when the diner was at 50% capacity or less, I stayed till closing ordering food all day, creating a big check, and always tipping at least 30% - the staff loved it, Now, those people aren't going to get all that money - on a restaurant 1/2 empty. Policy makes no sense - so this owner doesn't deserve my business any more. The taqueria, Chinese place, and coffee &wine bar across the street near the Bed Bath and Beyond all have similar stuff & prices, but way better food & service! read more

Dad had a patty melt dads gf had a cheesesteak both said ten outta ten. Now I had the clam chowder with the wedge cut fries, not the best chowder I've had but it was ok (I like my clams chewy). Signed, The Lone Reviewer. read more

Came in here with my brother on our first morning in town. We'd just moved to Aptos together, and were looking for a good breakfast/lunch to get us fueled up for all the work we had to do on moving in. This place did not disappoint. I got the french dip (ignore the au jus sauce, ask for a side of ranch, then dip that baby in ranch and ketchup). My problem with French Dips at most places is that the meat is dry, and you're supposed to be okay with that because they serve it with au jus. That's not how French Dips work. This place gets that; the bread is nice and crusty, just a little bit tough, but the meat is still tender and juicy and delicious. And let's not forget the irreplaceable ambience of a diner where you can just tell all the staff knows most of the customers, and is just as friendly to the newbies. I told the lady at the register that we were new in town, were looking for good local places, and would definitely be back many times. And I meant it. Now let's be fair, this is a diner, not a fancy place. I'm phrasing/rating my review based on that context/baseline. But compared to Denny's or IHOP or any of a number of other diners I've tried, this place is a gem. read more

An okay experience. A little old fashion for my liking but still an okay experience. Business was slow when I walked in and still continued to be slow when I walked out. I ordered a burger melt. It wasn't the best but it filled my stomach. read more

This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. I definitely will never return. Service was very slow. Food was mediocre. It took over 15 minites to pay the bill as my credit card sat unattended at the hostest stand until I went up there and asked for a manager, the server waited on 3 other tabled while it sat there. I was told that there was no manager there. If there was a zero star I would have given that. There was no concern for the for the safety of my credit card anyone could have walked off with it read more

This place has excellent service and good food. I only ever come for breakfast and I have been happy with everything I've ordered. Never have to ask for more coffee and the food comes out quick. Kind of a no frills place but I enjoy coming here. Prices are very reasonable. read more

Breakfast this morning and it was good. Nothing fantastic but everything was good, service was great. Although while there happy hour looked to be pretty terrefic, I'll drop by tonight and do a follow up review. Ordered pancakes, they were fluffy and good, like I said basic diner food. Coffee was good and my eggs and bacon were done correct. I'll be back. read more

We've been here a few times. The food is delish. Portions are good. Service is okay. It can get really busy. The wait for the food may take a while, but that doesn't bother us. We'd rather have fresh cooked than fast par cooked food. The owner is the nicest guy. Very friendly. Some of the staff is really friendly. The older blonde lady that we had the last time we were there was a little crass with us. I would still recommend this place. Get the clams. So buttery, garlicky, delish. YUMM read more

This review is about the delicious breakfast I ordered for delivery this morning. Everything was perfect! The country potatoes were crispy and nicely seasoned, also with bits of diced onion, Yay! Fluffy tasty pancakes, eggs over-easy, well-done long strips of bacon. I LOVE GIVING A THUMBS UP TO LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED RESTAURANTS. read more

Each time I've been here it has been completely dead. Seriously us, us, and only us. However - the service is phenomenal and the food is pretty darn good. Doesn't make your stomach hurt later on either. I wonder why it's always so empty. :( I'd go there again if I felt like a quiet meal. read more

Really tasty lunch. Group of four of us chose different entrees inc. Monterey chicken sandwich,buffalo strips and the appetizer platter. All exceeded expectations and had fresh ingredients. Friendly service too! read more

This place needs to learn customer service and appreciate their regular customers .you won't even get a free french fry with them ,use to go there often ,quit going there,and food is maybe two stars too bad nice owners read more

The food is always great and the price is ridiculously affordable. It's always nice and clean inside and never crowded a nice place to bring friends and family. They recognize you after a few minutes and remember your usual order. My favorite drink is the Chavela, nice and spicy I definitely recommend to any and all read more

I went to the Diner at 7am on 8-8-18 to have breakfast, where was no one in sight. No cars in the back parking lot, no lights on the inside. I left early from home to get there to eat before I went to work. Wont waste my time again to eat there! read more

First time in: Diner staff outnumbered the three occupied tables, about 1:1 staff to patron, yet it took over eight minutes to be acknowledged after we were seated. Another ten minutes passed before waitress returned to ask if we'd like something to drink, and we told her we were ready to order. Which we did. Then had to call her back over ten minutes later to tell her we were still thirsty. Then again ten minutes later to inquire about our appetizers. Ten minutes later, I dropped a fiver on the table for the soda and iced tea and we left. "Buh bye" she said behind us. Uh huh. Being this was a very new establishment, we gave benefit of doubt and came back six months later. Second time in: With last visit still in our memories, we grabbed our own menus on the way in and were assertive about getting beverages right away, which we did. We noted an intricate, circular bar under construction, most definitely out of place in the remnants of the previous Coco's decor. Maintaining our proactive stance, we placed our appetizer order when the drinks were served, and to the waitress' credit, she returned five minutes later and took our entree order. Olrighty then, this might work out this time. Nope. Our entrees arrived 15 minutes later, her prime rib an unfamiliar Fifty Shades of Grey, my fish filet a similar hue along it's curiously curled edges, with steamed vegetables that drooped--maybe oozed--between the tines of the lifted fork. We dared tread where radar warned not--DANGER WILL ROBINSON--to sample our respective dead creatures, both visibly skeptical as we sampled that first cautious bite. Ow boss... Pretty Wife is a carnivore complete, but would not dare chance another, choosing instead to focus on the baked potato. I was relieved she found it palatable, and I ate about one-third of my fish product before pushing my plate to the edge of the table. Waitress came by to check in, said our appetizers are coming right up. The ensuing chortles lifted the somber mood, we said we'll take the bill instead, and chortles became laughter when she asked if we'd like a to-go box. Yeah, she comped the bill, so we tipped her enough to make her blush. Third time in: Yes, we tried once more. Fast-forward 4 years, I'm dog-beat after work, Pretty Wife wants me to bring home some take-out. I have this coupon book, see, one you buy to support a favored local charity, and there was a buy-one for the Capitola Diner right next door to the bank I was at. Hmm... They can't muck up a burger and fries, right? They've been around almost five years now... Inside I go, order the burger and fries for Pretty Wife, some Buffalo Wings and onion rings for me and produce the coupon. "No problem" smiles Cutie Petootie, then struggles for seven minutes to process the payment. Order is up, bagged to go, and I'm standing here waiting to pay when over walks the guy who must be in charge, I think we shall call him Dick. Dick asks what is wrong, I say nothing's wrong, food's ready and I just want to pay. Cutie tells Dick she's struggling with the coupon, Dick says, "What coupon?", then frowns and contorts, and Dick says, "That's because it's not valid this order." "Huh?" say I, says Dick, "Not valid to-go". "Really?" says I. "Can I see?" He flings it at me--FLIPPIN' FLINGS IT AT ME--and though the red hue is tough to see through, I point out there's no such disclaimer. "It's the rule" says Dick, "Not valid for to go. That will be $17.67, cash or card?" That's it, no more, I can't take it this way, and Dick just poked the wrong man the wrong time. Dick earned my rebuke, so Dick got my rebuke: a vulgarity-strewn clinic in customer relations, and a very loud warning to arriving customers that the man who inspired this ruckus be Dick, and a dick he do be through and hooded. I then warned them too 'bout the grey cuts of beef-stuff, the sketchy fish product, and schooled them on the scent of e-coli. Dick became twitchy, blood rushing to his head, and I soothed Miss Petootie with praise for her tolerance of compensatory bullies like Dick. "Don't be scared" I assured her, "he'll back down to those cooks, even you if you push him, like he will to me now that he has my attention. And yes Dick" I whispered, "you have it in full." I stopped then. Dick never met my eyes, muttered an order to Cutie, then left her alone there to deal with my mess as he retreated to his Liberace-themed bar in a droop. A droopy Dick leaving a young girl to deal with the bellicose man by herself. The cooks held my eyes though, ready were they, and Cutie looked to them and smiled with us all. Your experience might be better, must be better, 'cause I doubt it could get any worse. I tried though, I did, three times, two too many, and I would not go back there a fourth if allowed. But don't let that stop you. I'm just an a-hole, and we all know that a-holes and Dick don't always play together too well. Except maybe penitentiaries, or Dick's crystal-strewn bar at the diner. read more

Seriously? We went to Capitola Diner at 10:08 on a Friday night; they are open until midnight you know, and were told by the two women coming out the door and locking up the place that they were closed. I pointed to the sign that says open until 12:30 a.m. and said: "what about that?" they shrugged their shoulders and walked off. They were dressed to go out, clearly, and I watched as they collected items out of one car and got into another. Do you think the owner knows of this, do you think they got paid to go out? I am going to find out who the owner is to report this bs behavior. read more

Took a chance and stopped by for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. My son and I had a nice meal of charbroiled chicken and pasta primavera. Chicken was perfect and the veggies were fresh and crisp. The service was friendly and attentive. A good choice tonight. read more

What happened? Food changed literally different vendor? Most of it frozen so when they chance things the whole things different aka chicken strips yuk and i love the staff been there almost all my life but man are they slow as **** really meed to go in there make more things from scratch get some extra go getter staffing to assist NOT replace tired over worked staff and save this place its been around for years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????? read more

I don't really understand how anyone can give this diner only one star and complain about bad service. Our many experiences here have all been positive, especially with respect to the service, and most especially the owner's attitude. The food is great, and they are willing to accommodate special needs and wishes. read more

So we had planned to go to Zachary's for breakfast downtown, but when we saw the line to get in we decided to try Walnut Cafe. After a drive by and seeing the groups of people waiting outside there too, we tried to think of some place we could go where there definitely wouldn't be a wait, since we didn't have a lot of time. That brought to mind Capitola Diner. We'd been there once before and weren't even sure if it was still open. But, it was and there was no wait, although probably 80% of the tables were occupied. We were seated quickly and asked if we wanted coffee. The coffee was brought out right away and our order was taken quickly. Tim ordered the Home Skillet with pancakes and I ordered two eggs scrambled with hash browns and pancakes ($5.99). If I had ordered the Especial Breakfast, I would have gotten bacon or sausage as well for the same price. The coffee was not bad. Better than some diners I've been to, but not as good as others. But I liked it and I can be picky about my coffee. Our breakfast arrived quickly. Tim's skillet looked very nice - it came with two sausage links and two strips of bacon. It was very good, according to Tim. My hashbrowns & eggs were great - not greasy at all. Pancakes were delicious - just the right size and consistency (not too dense). I think the bad reviews for this place are because people are eating dinner here - which I don't think is it's specialty. Try it for breakfast. It's cheap and good and quick. Oh, and our two breakfasts, with coffee & a glass of milk was just $20. read more

I've been there a few times and never had a problem..my kids actually love it, however for lunch the other day I ordered a shrimp Louie and was the grossest thing I've ever had. The shrimp was actually frozen prawns sliced in half that tasted like a rubber band and the lettuce was old and smelled like cardboard. I ate the avo and some of the eggs because I was hungry. So nasty. I don't think I'll be back. Service was also horrible read more

Holy crap that was bad. At one point I was honestly praying I would make it home before the inevitable explosive diarrhea set in. Easily the worst fried chicken I've ever had, and I've had thanksgiving mashed potatoes a week later that had more moisture content than what I had at this place. I ordered a martini and the waitress (no bad vibes on her she was doing her best) was apparently also the bartender, for all I know she was the cook and the dishwasher as well. Look, this is the type of place that has ads for bailbonds right on your damn table! So just don't go in expecting much and you'll be fine... except for the potential inevitable explosive diarrhea. read more