Took a stroll after lunch and needed a pick me upper. Decided on Clayton's. It's a restaurant but there's a window on the side of the building for take out drink orders and donuts. I got the seasonal pumpkin spice cold brew and boy did it keep me up all night! Writing this review at 3am! The cold brew itself was smooth, and the pumpkin spice foam was the perfect blend of sweetness. I loved that it wasn't over the top sugary sweet or full of cinnamon spice like other places. read more

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Outstanding service and food at 6 am! The service was friendly and attentive. There were lots of regulars here, and I can see why. The eggs and hash browns were steaming when they arrived at the table. Everything was tasty and generous. It's the diner of my husband's dreams. It's clean, charming and comfortable. We chose to sit inside but the sidewalk tables looked inviting too. read more

Clayton's has the old-time diner feel I was hoping for, with good coffee, generous portions, and food that comes out fast. The chorizo in my breakfast burrito was especially good. The highlight, though, was the cinnamon roll. It arrived hot and was rich, delicious, and absolutely worth ordering. The staff were attentive, and the service was great throughout our visit. I enjoyed Clayton's so much that I came back the next day. read more

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TL; DR: Clayton's has it all!! This place has it all if you want to sit down or order at the window. I love their drinks, including the Açaí, strawberry, and banana smoothie and the cinnamon honey latte. They are both delicious and refreshing. The donut holes are so fun and unique. I decided to get 1 of each and share!! I love their huge menu and can't wait to go back read more

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This is a great local stable! You can't really do breakfast in Coronado without thinking of Clayton's. This place has been here forever and it's easy to see why. The food is always amazing. My favorite is the chicken fried steak, in my opinion it's the best in the local area. My wife loves more traditional breakfast food, and the pancakes and French toast are always top-notch. The coffee is also amazing. I always either get the caramel macchiato or white mocha and they never disappoint. I will often just get coffee from the window. The staff is always awesome, and some of them have been there quite a while. The ambiance also sets it apart as a true classic. Please support this local cafe! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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The food here is on point . We got two seats at the counter on a busy Monday lunch--the best seats in the house for catching all the action--and decided to split an order. Despite sharing, we were both more than satisfied. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot immediately, and judging by the steady stream of guests on both sides of us asking for to-go boxes, we weren't the only ones who couldn't conquer our plates in one sitting. The space is cozy, to put it mildly. The walkways are a bit cramped, and it's clear that navigating the dining room is a practiced art form. Watching the servers and runners weave through the tight space was impressive; they clearly have a well-rehearsed rhythm for managing the floor without missing a beat, even when things get busy. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

I absolutely love Clayton's for breakfast and lunch! A cute little corner diner on the main drag in Coronado, always packed with people waiting to get in. The staff is always kind and professional, and the food is always fantastic! On my most recent visit, I ordered their Gramps' Breakfast Croissant Sandwich. This sandwich was not only delicious, but MASSIVE. I cut it in half and made two meals out of it. The croissant was crispy and delicious and, of course, you can never go wrong with a sandwich that has bacon, eggs, and cheese inside of it. This place is a "must go," so add it to your list if you're in Coronado! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Gramps' Breakfast Croissant Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

This place is iconic in Coronado & worth the wait if there is a line. Great brekkie items, solid coffee, donuts, cinnamon rolls, just clutch. Friendly service & outdoor seating if you have a dog! This year I tried something new - grille cheese (bread is insane), added bacon + fried egg... WOW, did not disssapoint. The crossaint brekkie sandwich is also insane (and YUGE)... love this place read more

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Great food and great service. We split bacon cheeseburger and got onion rings and fries. Everything was delicious. Staff here is wonderful! Go check them out if you are in the area. read more

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I had a hard time deciding between 4 and 5 stars for this one. I think between the location, food, and general appeal of the place, I should give it 5. Like several other places on this street, this place gets slammed constantly, especially on weekends. Even so, the customer service is super fast and friendly. They really try to stay on top of my coffee cup. The coffee itself is a really smooth and balanced flavor. The traditional diner appearance is also great. The only reason I would give 4 stars would be the chicken in the chicken and waffles.....which is not even bad. I have high standards for this in particular. Thinking about it again, there's a lot of bad chicken in this country, but I've rarely had bad chicken in chicken and waffles. Maybe it's because a breakfast place wouldn't attempt it in the first place if they couldn't make it well. I found this portion to be a bit light on the actual meat. The breading is excellent, but I can see that the meat starts to become drier in the sections where the meat is thicker. And, of course, still a bit lean. I believe chicken for chicken and waffles should be dark meat, like any self respecting Asian should. Lmao. Grits were good too. read more

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Went to Clayton's on a Monday around noon and had a short wait before getting seats at the counter, which were surprisingly comfortable. The food was delicious and full of flavor and the portions were generous. My husband and I shared the spicy breakfast sandwich and a side of corned beef hash. The corned beef hash was honestly the best I've ever had, crispy, flavorful, and not too salty. Our server, who was the lead server was fantastic. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does. All of the staff were friendly and kept checking in to see if we needed anything. The reviews definitely lived up to the hype. Would definitely come back! read more

Probably the best value breakfast in Coronado. Nothing fancy. Nothing spectacular. Just honest food with great service. The place is usually a waiting line on the weekends. This is my favorite things about Coronado read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - A classic breakfast lace - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

Stopped here for a quick breakfast and coffee. Coffee was excellent. We shared a breakfast burrito (enough for two people). It was one of the best breakfast burritos I've ever had! The donut holes were okay, not my favorite. Service is a bit slow, but everyone was very kind. read more

their diner is often lined up but the takeout window is nice. I got their famous cinnamon honey latte ($6.49) at half sweet, but something was a little off about the honey? it tasted a little artificial and masked the taste of the coffee read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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Old style diner that's just fun w/good food. They have outdoor & indoor seating. They also have counter service. We sat outside under an umbrella, it was hot but beautiful in the shade. You can people watch and the area is stunning. We had the bbq bacon burger, fried pickles & the Oreo shake. They were all delicious! The pickles are similar to Disneyland. Our server was great. We will be back! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Oreo Shake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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Came here for Easter Sunday breakfast. Make sure you get here early in the weekends since it fills up fast. It was a beautiful day on Coronado to sit outside and the staff is all super friendly. Of course the donuts are remarkable and fresh. I had the meat looks very omelette and it was superb! Fresh and great combination of sausage, bacon and ham. Definitely a great place to stop for any meal. read more

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We came here for breakfast after hearing it's a popular spot, and it did not disappoint. The location on Coronado Island is absolutely beautiful! After eating, you can take a walk to the beach or browse nearby shops, which makes it a great overall experience. Just keep in mind that most parking in the area is limited to two hours. The wait time was decent, but I can imagine it gets very busy on certain days. We were seated outside, and I'd recommend not being discouraged by outdoor seating--the umbrellas can be adjusted for shade--just ask a staff member. The staff was personable, friendly, and respectful, which made the experience even better. The food was delicious! I ordered pancakes, house potatoes, and an iced coffee. My kids had chicken tenders and fries, and the portions were very generous. I also really appreciated the history behind this place and how long it's been around--it adds to the charm. Overall, a great breakfast spot in a beautiful location! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

Our first experience we only ordered from the side window. Today we sat down and ate inside the restaurant. We put our names down on a Friday at 11am. Our wait time for (4) people was 25 minutes. The staff gave us a table that accommodated my baby stroller which was very kind of them. We had our food by 11:45am. Our waitress checked up on us consistently. Rating the food I actually tried - 5/5 Chicken fried steak 5/5 Cornbeef Eggs Benny 1/5 Levi's Banana Ricotta Pecan pancakes - $16.99 for a stack of 2 dinky sized pancakes. The name sounded way better than what was actually served. The ricotta fluff on top was odd and had a baking flour aftertaste. There was zero banana flavor. The pancakes were bland. I was very disappointed. My father in law ordered a burger and my mother in law loved her side of crispy bacon. My husband said the cornbeef hash eggs Benny was great quality! read more

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We came back! Our server was Drew. He is sooo funny. Loved the witty banter and the brief history lesson on the origins of the restaurant. I knew we loved the food from our first visit. But this is now a must stop for us. Quick service. Great tasting food. Loved the 80s music playing. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Homemade Cinnamon Roll - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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Best staff ever! Cutest place in Coronado, we woke up early and walked over so we could get a seat. The inside is an adorable old school looking diner with a great counter to sit out. The music was a little loud for us at 7am so we sat outside to enjoy the weather. Service was immediate and everyone who helped was so genuinely nice. Our server came often to check on us and always had everything we needed. The menu is enormous with options for everyone. I ordered the veggie scramble and my husband an omelette dish on top of biscuits. Everything was great but I was surprised that cheese was not included on my veggie scramble and the potatoes were an interesting paper thin sliced and not crisp version . A great experience and we will definitely be back again. read more

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Had a great visit here. We came just for drinks, and our server Dren did an awesome job! He was engaging, prompt and able to anticipate our needs. We be happy to go back and try the food sometime. read more

Clayton's is a quaint coffee shop/diner in the heart of Coronado. It's been around since the 30s (different owners) and has a retro vibe to it with th red vinyl, jukeboxes, and vintage style decor. The music playlist was 80s new wave which was awesome. It's not a big restaurant but there is indoor and outdoor seating. We sat at the u-shaped bar which I find more fun. The service was very friendly and efficient We ordered the ribeye steak and eggs. The steak was okay but the eggs and potatoes were good. We also ordered the corned beef hash eggs Benedict which was really good. The corned beef is homemade and the eggs were perfectly juicy. I replaced the usual potatoes it comes with and had crinkle cut fries. So glad I did. I also had buttermilk pancakes. They were fluffy, yummy, and best of all not dry. Overall we had a great experience here and would return. read more

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Spent the day in Coronado and this place always had a long line. But at 8 PM on a Monday night there was no line no wait and we were able to sit at the counter. We went in for a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie. We absolutely loved the apple pie. The Granny Smith apple was sliced very thin and the crust was so flaky. So good. Our server was super nice. We ordered our coffee to go but ate the pie at the counter. She was kind to ask if we needed more coffee in our to go cups. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Our Own Homemade Granny Smith Apple Pie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

Easily the best diner on Coronado Island. There has been a coffee shop/diner here since 1938 so it has served countless locals and tourists over the decades which I think is really great. We were a party of four and had to wait about 20 minutes for an outside table on the Sunday after XMAS, otherwise there are a handful of booths and a very large U-shaped counter on the inside. Our server was very friendly and everything that we ordered came out very fast, almost shockingly fast. They don't have a dedicated parking lot so the best option will be street parking. Inside of the restaurant is really well done, it has a 1950s retro diner look to it so it's a really great place to spend some time, especially if you are a fan of the oldies or are a boomer who can reminisce like my parents. I started off my breakfast with a Cinnamon Roll and thought it was fantastic. It was really light but very flavorful at the same time. I especially loved the glaze and I would highly recommend. For my meal I ordered the Country Benedict and really liked it. I wish they would have crumbled the bacon, but that's just a personal preference. Overall, it was a great meal and I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Coronado. read more

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Feels like a diner in the 1950's! Such a fun atmosphere to dine in. Service is quick and friendly always The honey cinnamon latte is my drink of choice here and you can't go wrong with any of the breakfast food entrees [this review was written in connection with a Toast promotion] read more

Service excellent! Young woman lead server waited on us for dinner tonight. Had Thanksgiving turkey dinner which we split between two people. Was perfect to share and delicious. 50's type diner. Have old fashioned music box at each table where you can pick songs from 50's or 60's. Lots classics and was fun to walk back in time and hear oldies but goodies. Only drawback is it is not air conditioned and it is very hot in there. They have door and windows open but still warm. Also, many flies hovered over our food which was annoying. read more

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I'm SOOOO glad the place up the street had a 45 minute wait because Clayton's Coffee Shop was awesome. Yeah, it's tight, most people sit around the counter and you're close to someone you won't know, but the food is fantastic, the service was excellent, and the place was simply fun. The coffee here was excellent...and they pay attention to your cup and keep it filled. I built my meal a bit and ordered three eggs, two sausage patties, two biscuits and a side of grits. The biscuits here are huge...don't be a dummy like Steve. Wifey ordered the Mary's Toad in the road - egg over easy on sourdough and a biscuit with honey. Both of us loved our meals. I do have to say it was nice to see grits on the menu, but they were just ok. This place is honestly, Organized chaos...it was glorious. Our server was great-super friendly. Our 15 minute wait was more like three. Absolutely loved the feel of the old time diner. You'll see a photo of some delicious looking cookies that we didn't order and they also offer HUGE cinnamon buns with cream cheese frosting. They looked amazing. read more

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The club sandwich was so good! And the onion rings were probably one of the best I've had. Way better than Rubys. The service was phenomenal, I didn't get her name but she was very nice and patient with it being our first time there. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Clubbn' - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

So excited...where do I even begin. We stopped in just by chance walking by and we were not disappointed. Our waiter has the greatest bow tie with dachshunds on it only to find out that he is also a dachshund owner like us. He was so friendly. He made great suggestions and we had the absolute breakfast with the chilaquiles and the huevos rancheros. Perfectly cooked with just enough heat to make your nose run. Delicious! It is the best breakfast around and the coffee is just amazing! read more

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Enjoyed the vibe and service here but definitely do believe the food and drinks could use some work! As a real Mexican I would consider this a 6/10, the Mexican scramble would have been a lot better with cotija cheese or queso fresco instead of the cheddar, and replace the jalapeños with chile Serrano jalapeños and it would of been a 10/10, also the orange juice is not real juice it is some cheap fake juice tasted nothing like orange juice more like sunny d thankfully I was able to switch it out for a coffee, hosts and servers extremely nice and accommodating. Would possibly be back and try something else. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - "Mexican scramble" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

What a great diner experience. We sat at the bar and the food was great. The wait staff was awesome and we were eating within 10 minutes of arriving. Love it. Be sure to read about the history on their website read more

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I love going to Clayton's Coffee Shop. It feels like stepping back in time. Originally opened in 1938 (back when it was Gerry's Coffee Shop), has been a Coronado staple for generations. The old-school diner vibe, with the classic counter and vintage feel, is something you just don't find much anymore. Great comfort food, friendly service, and timeless charm. I love stopping by to sit outside in the sun with my dog, also I recommend the biscuits and gravy! read more

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My friend and I stopped to this cute diner that looks straight out of a movie. They have more than just regular brunch options, but also including mexican brunch like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles and seasonal mexican inspired drinks. Despite the restaurant was busy at 4pm, the service was pretty astronomical, attentive, and suggestive when needed. Very old school vibes with history also shown in the menu. Would make a great first date spot if you ask me! read more

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I can always admire a traditional diner still serving the classics and doing it RIGHT! Great service and good vibes for a chill breakfast/brunch. The vibe here was as traditional as it gets with your countertop seating, classic pop and soul hits playing in the background, and attentive servers right in front of you. The pricing is fair for what you order, which is hard to come by nowadays. I ordered the spicy sausage breakfast sandwich which came with breakfast potatoes. The potatoes could use some salt and pepper but were cooked perfectly. The sausage sandwich was phenomenal! My server told me the spicy sausage was made in-house and it shows! I'd go back just for that! I couldn't leave without a sweet treat so I had the classic cinnamon roll. 8/10. Could be fluffier but overall a good cinnamon roll. The icing was great! read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Homemade Cinnamon Roll - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

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I really enjoy this place. Every time I've gone. The food has been delicious, it's a cute decorated place in which you can eat inside or outside. The food is almost always delicious. No matter what you pick. I would say the only complaint I've had is out of the couple times. I've been here the service hasn't been the best it could be because I usually go for breakfast, and it tends to be packed. No other complaints. read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - German pancake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

I love how Clayton's has an outdoor take away window! So convenient and adorable! I ordered a Classic Latte and it was delicious! Service was friendly and executed the order quickly. Thank you. read more

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My son had a water polo tournament at the local high school and we needed to grab a bite before he was going to burn 4000 cal. The reviews for this place were awesome and it was close so we stopped in. They open at 6:30 and we walked in at 6:35. There were easily 20 people already in the restaurant. That's always a good sign. They've got 60s music on the jukebox that fell the entire restaurant. The vibe is retro/cool/awesome. Now let's talk about service. I don't know how this is possible but they had one waitress and one bus boy on shift and she was managing all of it. It was next level. She was so nice, fast and ready to go. Such a sweetheart. Finally, and most importantly, let's talk about the food. I got the chicken fried steak and eggs and Ian got the strawberry shortcake Belgian waffle combo with eggs and bacon. The chicken fried steak was cooked perfectly with a light batter and great seasoning. Sometimes when you order this at a restaurant, the batter is so thick and you can't even taste the meat. This was not the case. It almost had a flavor similar to that other place that has 11 herbs and spices. I can't quite remember the name. The home fries were cooked perfectly. Crispy on the outside with almost a crust, but soft and savory on the inside. Pretty much melt in your mouth delicious. The gravy was also savory and tasty. I asked for a side of salsa for the eggs and she asked, "do you want the spicy salsa"? Of course, I had to say yes. I should've realized with the pause and smile when she asked it was a subtle warning/suggestion. It was hot, no joke hot. But very delicious. Would've been awesome on a breakfast burrito, but that's for another review. My son loved the Belgian waffle. Outside had a light crisp to it in the inside was soft and delicious. This was absolutely an 11 out of 10. Can't wait to come back for lunch after he wins his games. read more

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Spent the morning at the dog beach and were starving. Been meaning to stop in and the timing was perfect. Weekday and early so no line. Quick and pleasant service. My Veggie hash with green goddess hollandaise was delicious. Also huge. 2 meals for me. My partner had the carnitas breakfast plate and it was delicious! We had our dog so sat outside which was perfect. The menu is huge and I have so many things I want to try! I'll be back. read more

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I've been coming here for 40 years and it has not changed. This is a good thing. Friendly diner with great diner food and experience to match. Everything is good and highly recommend when in the area. There is a walk up coffee window and the Mexican takeout is amazingly good read more

Clayton's Coffee Shop - Cheddar Tuna Melt - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Coronado, California

Stopped by expecting to just grab a coffee but noticed there was some room in the diner, so decided to do that instead. Was told I could sit wherever there was a menu. It's a fun, casual vibe inside. I ordered a Mexican mocha and their machaca scramble. It was brought out super quickly, i was surprised. I got it with the beans and tortilla and was worried cause it only came with one, but the tortilla was HUGE! Nice spot to come sit down or to go. read more

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