I went to CJ's diner it was super good! I had ordered the country Benedict, which was super good! This place has mist sprayers to keep you cool in the 100 degree heat. The banana pecan pancakes were delicious too. This place is a must go if you are in palm desert! read more

Ok so I asked the brunette manager who brought our coffee (not the waitress) if she could bring us more cream for our 2 coffee's.. As the little ceramic cream container was small and again there were 2 coffees on the table.. Her answer was a firm & elongated "NOOOOO".. We honestly thought she was just kidding.. Turns out she wasn't.. Later we asked our waitress for cream, who perhaps isn't allowed to override the manager so that didn't pan out either.. Finally, ten minutes later I had to walk up to the bar area and push the issue myself & got cream for my already cold coffee (tasty).. Maybe someone's back there milking the cow or something (hard to say).. But it truly set the pace for the rest of the meal which didn't go much better.. I sensed some racial issues going on in how others were treated as well.. Our particular redheaded waitress was otherwise nice.. But hey. Bottom line.. There are other breakfast places people- read more

***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** If you're elderly and/or Caucasian please ignore this review as it really does not apply to you. For the rest of you though, pay attention. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT waste your time coming to this place. My family and I decided on this place due to some of the great reviews that people have posted. Yelp usually does not do me wrong but this time was an exception. We walked in to the diner and we're almost immediately seated in a booth and our drink order was taken, that is the only positive in this review. We are seated next to a few elderly people and a empty booth was soon occupied by a couple young white folks. Our drinks arrive and we wait... and wait... and wait... The young white folks that walked in 5 maybe 10 minutes after us get their order taken and so do the elderly group in the booth next to us. We wait... still nothing. The skinny white chick with her sagging jeans and ass crack showing for all to see doesn't even look at our table. Not a glance, not a word. We wait... still nothing. I also noticed another "non white" group at their table aimlessly looking around the diner waiting for service. That pretty much sealed the deal for me and I was done with this place. 30 minutes after walking into the door we have only water on our tables and my family is starving at this point. I gather my family together and proceed to walk out the door and the host says "Have a great day!". I annoyingly said "Thank You, but we didn't get any service." Did they try anything to fix the situation or even ask how they could make our experience worth while? No, they didn't. I used Yelp again to find another breakfast spot in the area and ended up at a great diner called "Keedy's Fountain and Grill" on Highway 111, where we were served and eating within 15 minutes of being seated. That's how service should be! So to sum it up.... white and elderly (which is most of the residents in this area) you're good to go, enjoy the Monte Cristo with your Geritol. Any pigment in your skin and you're invisible to the staff at this place so GO TO KEEDY'S!!!! BTW, this is being shared to over 3,000 people via Twitter and facebook. Thanks for nothing CJ's. ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** ***** AVOID THIS PLACE ***** read more

This place is super yummy! Homestyle food with a smile. The french toast is so delish. The best I have ever had. We also enjoyed the veggie omelette. Nice sized portions. Give this place a try! read more

Awesome food. Great service. Came back for a second day in a row. They will customize things however you want. Patio outside was great.

Great old school diner. Large selection of breakfast and lunch items. We arrived around 10:30 am and got right in. My wife had a sausage egg sandwich which she loved. I had a Club sandwich on sourdough which was delicious. Great local flavors read more

I love this little cafe. They have a good breakfast and lunch menu. Great service, a nice atmosphere, and good food. I found this place by chance in the business area of Palm Desert but I am glad I did. I plan to go back the next time I'm in the area. read more

CJ's Diner - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Great food with even better service! Such a homey feel to this place, I'd definitely come back!

This mornings selection...CJ's Diner. It's a little hidden away but well worth the find. Straight forward, All American diner. Traditional menu. Great coffee. Lightning fast. Friendly people. Excellent service! read more

Best fries and brocolli soup I've had! Service was great and super kind! I loved it here! It's a bit hidden/hole in a wall type but so glad I found and experienced this place! read more

CJ's Diner - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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CJ's Diner is in the middle of nowhere, but conveniently close to the Marriott. The place closes early, so get there and order before 2 pm. The service at CJ's is great. Very friendly and quick. The place is clean, but not much of an ambiance - just what you'd expect from a diner in the middle of nowhere. The food is fine. Some of the items were actually very good. Their fries are double fried, so they come out super crispy and delicious. Their broccoli soup was yummy as well. Their chicken fingers were crispy and not frozen. So I appreciate that they make their food fresh. However, their bbq chicken salad was drenched in dressing and wasn't my favorite. The sandwiches looked decent, but not exceptional. read more

The first time i went to CJ's, i had the corned beef hash which came with 2 eggs any way you like, and toast. It was freaking amazing!!! Today i went back but was a tad late for breakfast, and had the soup and salad combo, chicken noodle soup, and half a B.L.T. The food is so yummy here!!! I will stop by every time I'm in the desert :) read more

You won't be sorry coming here to eat! They are so friendly and the food is so good. Bring your family and friends and relax and enjoy being fed read more

CJ's Diner - Very full on a Thursday afternoon off season - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Very laid back diner with a small bar seating, ample tables and a few booths at the windows. Dead fly on the window sill. Crumbs and used napkin on the floor. Seemed like a friendly family location for locals. Prompt service. Specials of the day: pulled pork sandwich, fried chicken and bean soup. Obvious choice to me for diner food is fried chicken. Liked that I had a choice of dark meat over dark. Fried chicken served up with mash and gravy plus coleslaw. Coleslaw tasted stale to me although my husband thought it was good. Large portion equivalent to half chicken. This came out in 5 minutes. Meat was fall off the bone like pressure-cooked or sous vide. Not complaining but it's a little different from typical textures. Obviously this is the more efficient time saving way to go. Skin could have been more crispy. A little bland although when paired with the gravy, it was fine. Corned beef hash: comes out of a can, but it's good. Served with hash browns, 2 eggs and choice of toast. Poached eggs done perfectly! Hash browns could be more crisp. Toast is toast: came buttered and two jelly condiments. No drinks: About $30 out the door after taxes and tip. I wouldn't order the chicken again, but the corned beef was ok. Knowing what to expect from a diner experience would put things in perspective. read more

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Wanted to grab a quick bite with some girlfriends before driving home from a desert weekend getaway. Looked up "diners" on Yelp and saw this place was right around the corner. Driving through an industrial zone and down a couple side streets, we weren't sure what we would find...but were we ever pleasantly surprised. The service was impecable, I cannot say enough nice things about our waitress and the adorable and polite bus boy ("excuse me miss, would you like me to bring you another Dr. Pepper?"). You can tell this is a place the locals frequent. The food was great, just what we were looking for. My group ordered pancakes, french dip, club sandwich, southwest chicken sandwich and a burger. We were all very happy with our food, just what we were in the mood for. The prices are great too. This will definitely be a regular stop for us when were are out that way. read more

I wanted to have breakfast at local diner and I choose this one because they good reviews about there breakfast and they do. It's kinda of in a hidden spot in an little industrial area. The only reason I'am rating 4 stars is because our waitress wasn't attentive enough it wasn't too busy either. They gave us our bill and we had to wait a little while until I had to flag our waitress down because she was looking at another customers and then she was talking on the phone when she handed us the bill don't even get a thank you for coming. There omelette and hash browns are good and I really r like French toast They also have good coffee. read more

CJ's Diner - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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CJ's was a great little gem we found on yelp. The service was awesome and the food was delicious. We had stopped in for a quick breakfast and left full. Thanks again CJ's and to Mary. She was great!! read more

We had breakfast here and it was absolutely wonderful. Our server Rose was very sweet, accommodating, and funny. A few other members of the staff checked on us as well and everyone was so nice and friendly! The food was delicious and very reasonably priced! We had the 2 eggs and bacon plates and pancakes. it was perfect classic diner food. They also had iced and hot lattes that were the perfect way to start the day. I would highly recommend and if I ever come back out to palm dessert I'll be sure to make a stop back at CJ's! Okay read more

REALLY good food, prepared perfectly! We have some special requests, and they totally nailed it! Great service, nice people. Our new breakfast go-to place when we're in town! Yum! read more

5 stars for server Isela who brought us everything we asked for and checked on us. The 3 stars are for the food. Had to send the Huevos Rancheros back because the food was cold. It was also very bland. The bacon was very thin. The pancakes were ok. read more

Middle daughter and I went here to eat after church one Sunday. Before we got inside, daughter was very skeptical. Now it's one of her favorite places. She had the Eggs Benedict and I had a Monte Cristo unlike no other. As is our custom, we split the two entrees in half so we could have some of each. Both dishes, on special, were absolutely delicious. Very nice little 'Mom and Pop' operation. Easy to pass by as it's in a little strip in a sort of industrial part of town. Good for small groups. read more

Nice little hidden gem! This is a locals' restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch. The food was yummy and the staff was very friendly. Hubby ordered the Country Fried Steak and Eggs and I ordered the Biscuits and Gravy with a side of Polish Sausage. It hit the spot! We can't wait to come back! read more

Friendly, clean and fabulous breakfast!! Love the outside seating with flowers, very charming!!!

Before hitting the freeway to head out of town we, once more, had to stop at our favorite breakfast/lunch diner in the desert. CJS never disappoints. From our chorizo and eggs to our scrumptious French toast with berries and cream to the mouth watering hot chocolate our tummies were full and satisfied to start our trip home. Thanks again Pam and all the other friendly servers. You make our time in the desert worth the long trip. We get wonderful quality food and kind and insightful desert advice. Happy 4th to all at CJs. Remember if you're in the area for the holiday don't think twice. Head to CJs Diner for a delicious breakfast or lunch before you enjoy all the 4th of July festivities. Stay safe all. read more

CJ's is an affordable well-organized restaurant which experienced wait staff and a fast kitchen. Everything looked clean and they clearly have a regular clientele. Food is consistent if not terribly creative, and definitely worth adding to a regular round of breakfast places to enjoy. Prices are affordable, and a great value for what you get. I give them a solid thumbs up! read more

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE service on the first visit! We splurged on this lunch and it was HORRIBLE. Food, service and watched two other tables walk out due to long wait time before any waitress came for drink orders! It was ridiculous- and they werent even busy. Dining room was not even 1/3 full. read more

CJ's Diner - This sad Philly Cheesesteak sandwich was under the hot lamp too long and it was mostly grilled onions and peppers. - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Outstanding breakfast and wonderful people. They were very busy and didn't have enough servers I think but that's normal now Goi g to return! read more

The food was okay, a little bland depending what you get; service was nice but would have attitude immediately when something was slightly not in their way. We had paid & given Mary our check, knowing there wasn't a tip in that. We left her tip at the table, as one typically does. One of the people in our parties noticed she told her coworker "so my tip is..." with major attitude & was staring us down, making it very obvious & made us uncomfortable. Wanted to retract our tip after seeing that but being a waitress myself, I understand how important tips are to us. read more

We had a 5-star breakfast with peaceful outdoor seating. Great coffee, my omelet was perfect and husband's biscuits & gravy were exceptional. Prices were in line with other restaurants around the area. read more

Banana walnut pancakes flavorful and served piping hot - the way pancakes should be. Recommend CJ's.

Wow amazing food and service. Staff was so awesome. Would recommend them 10time over. Food was fast and delicious.

I am new to the area and decided to check CJs out. So glad I did. Greeted immediately in a friendly manner. Service was prompt and pleasant. Food was great. Enjoyed my entire experience. read more

What a great little breakfast place. It's hard to find, but the service was great and the food came out really fast. Definitely recommend if in the area and want some good pancakes. read more

Delicious breakfast. Everything was perfect and the service was unreal! Veronica is the best ! Pancakes were fluffy , buttered just right. The toast was perfection , the bacon was crispy the hash browns are to die for and the eggs cooked perfectly. Seriously the best breakfast I've ever had. Hidden gem come check this place out! Even the fruit was fresh! read more

Came out for a short stay in town and found CJs Diner for breakfast. Nice people great food, good service and kid friendly. The kids loved French toast and pancakes. read more

Food was just okay. My friends and I waited for 30 min on a busy Saturday brunch which wasn't too bad. Waitstaff could be a bit more attentive as we had to keep on asking to either get our orders, have more water, or get the bill. read more

Food was delicious! It's too expensive though. Almost $50 for 3 people for breakfast. That's pretty ridiculous. Food was great though. The breakfast burrito was bomb. So was the biscuits and gravy. It says they deliver but they only deliver to businesses not residences. read more

The BEST Monte Cristo I've ever had!!! Sweet staff. Only mimosas. Great service. Welcoming! read more

CJ's Diner - Monte Cristo - Diners Near Me - Palm Desert, California

We had the Traditional Eggs Benedict and pancakes. It was very good. The staff is friendly and service was great. read more

My boyfriend and I arrived at 10:20am on a Sunday morning. The place was about half full, with the only available booth being for a large party. Due to physical conditions, we need a booth and requested one. We were told the large booth was the only one. I offered to wait for a smaller booth to allow for a larger party that might come in. The hostess sighed loudly and just said "whatever, you can just sit there." So we did. Not 3 minutes later, a smaller booth right next to use opened up and two men, obviously friends of the waitress, came and sat there. They got their drinks and ordered before we were even addressed. The bus boy finally came and asked for our drinks. I was excited to see a Monte Cristo on the menu and ordered it, but it's made with Swiss cheese, which I don't eat, so I reviewed the menu and saw that under lunch they had the options of several cheeses, pepper jack being one. So I ordered my Monte Cristo with pepper jack instead. The waitress indicated that the sandwiches are pre-made and that they don't even carry pepper jack. What? Pre-made sandwiches?? Okay... My boyfriend tried to order a half sandwich and soup after confirming that lunch options were available. Then he was told they don't have any soup until after 11am. *Sigh*. Our drinks finally arrived and my diet coke was flat. At this point the two men in the booth next to us had already received their food and were chit chatting with not one, but two waitresses. I finally ended up ording a Country Benedict and my boyfriend ordered a tuna melt. The men next to us ate all their food, paid, and left before our food even arrived. Glad someone gets good service here - apparently not all customers are valued the same here. My country potatoes taste burnt and super salty. The country Benedict was just so bland. It didn't taste like anything at all. I tried to add some Cholula to give it taste, but our bottle was empty and the waitress never came back so we could ask for more. The tuna was an acceptable tuna, nothing impressive. But for the prices we paid...I expected more. I should've taken the 20 minutes drive and gone to Elmer's. I am (as I'm sitting here, in the restaurant, writing this review instead of eating because I felt so strongly) seriously disappointed and have no idea how this place has the reviews it has. I didn't end up eating hardly any of my food, and considering it's an $11 meal...yikes. When we left, we mentioned our terrible experience to the waitress who said that it was our fault because "you guys took a long time to order." -- Yes, we did, because you didn't have what we originally wanted despite it being on the menu. Ridiculous. read more

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