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    Downtown Cafe by JL

    4.2 (302 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    DOWNTOWN CAFE BY JL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Waffle
    Belle B.

    We stopped in on our way through for a quick bite and boy were we impressed. It's a cute cafe with super friendly and welcoming staff. Luckily we were able to be seated pretty quickly (partly because it was a sprinkly day and partly because the church crowd had not arrived just yet) but there was a wait right after we were seated. Surprisingly in the blink of an eye our dishes arrived at our table. I couldn't believe how fast the service was. My dining companion inhaled his food (I guess someone was starving or something) and he said the machaca was REALLY good. He is usually a chilequillas guy but I guess it was a machaca kind of day. He actually said he wanted to go back next time we are in the area to try other things (including the chilequillas). I got the waffle. It was a little pricy for just a waffle (I didn't get the deluxe waffle with the churros) but the waffle was light and fluffy. It was nice and crispy and it was a big enough waffle that I shared with my dining companion. My partner also got coffee. The service was so good that his cup was never dry. At first the waitress kept coming by to fill his cup before she brought him an insulated carafe full of hot coffee to keep him happy. She also left more than enough creamer. Overall, we loved this place. The atmosphere was great, food was delicious and the service was top notch. I highly recommend this place if you are ever in the area.

    Menu
    Miguel A.

    Came by after church for breakfast no wait which was awesome . Our whole table got chilaquiles. I got the divorced chilaquiles. They were actually really delicious . I enjoyed the green salsa more than the red . Also the orange juice is freshly squeezed . Amazing . Price is just a bit expensive .

    Our busser Alex and server Adri were wonderful this morning. Our meal was super yummy and their homemade cinnamon roll was far better than I expected. Highly recommend. As we were eating our food, we were watching other dishes being brought out to guests and the presentation was amazing for each dish. Super impressed and I will definitely be coming back again to try more things from their menu.

    Soni N.

    We decided to come check out downtown and stop for some brunch. We enjoyed the outside seating. The waitress was very patient and kind and helped us choose are amazing meals. I got the Nutella crepes that my son ended up eating most of and he got the flight of pancakes with three different toppings (Oreo , Nutella and chocolate) they were all a 10/10.

    Mazapan pancakes
    Matthew C.

    My daughter was excited to visit this spot after a long day of shopping at the outlets. They have a nice little spot tucked right in downtown Oxnard. They have a great menu with a huge variety of different breakfast options, sandwiches, Mexican food entrees, all kinds of dishes. I wasn't really hungry (with that being said, don't judge the amount of food I got ) I ordered the birria de jugo and I'm so glad I did. Amazing! I loved everything about it! Slightly spicy broth with incredible flavor and big nice chunks of tender meat, so good I also ordered a short stack of the mazapan pancakes. Super good, cooked perfectly. Great service, excellent food. I'll definitely stop by next time I'm passing through, or even making a special trip to visit, this spot is definitely worth it! Remember to show up early as they close early.

    Downtown Combo

    Been to Downtown Cafe a couple of times now and it's always been really good. I like the waffles! food came pretty quick, was hot, tasted great. Service was quick and attentive. Coffee was kept full.

    Chorizo, potatoes, beans, guacamole, tortillas, eggs
    Michelle M.

    It was my first time here and I had a great experience. The ambiance is great along with the music playing in the background. Our server was attentive. We went for breakfast during the week and so it wasn't busy. We ordered the 2x2 breakfast, which included 2 pancakes, eggs, bacon and the house potatoes. We also ordered the special of the day, which was chorizo with their rosemary potatoes, beans, tortillas and guacamole. The food was delicious and the portions were good, not too much and not too little.

    Churros w/Tres Leches
    Nina R.

    We popped in here because Tacos El Diablo stopped carrying their incredible churro donuts, and we really really wanted churros. Yelp led us to downtown cafe and we were really looking forward to dessert. Service was prompt and attentive, and the restaurant was clean (albeit empty). And we soon realized why it was empty. I've had better churros from the Costco food court. And the funnel cake was really bad - soggy, tasteless, disappointing. Would not recommend. Would not return.

    Mark L.

    My wife and I were craving breakfast and had always been curious about Downtown Café in downtown Oxnard. Finally, on a weekday, we decided to give it a try. The place is nice, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. The menu is extensive, offering a wide range of options for both breakfast and lunch. We already knew what we wanted to try. I love pancakes and country fried steak, so that's what I ordered. My wife, who loves waffles and crepes, decided to get the Downtown Waffle as it caught her eye. I got the country fried steak with a side of fries and a side of chocolate chip pancakes. My wife loved her dish. She said it was delicious and generously sized, especially enjoying the churros on top of the waffle. As for me, the pancakes were perfect--big, fluffy, sweet, and delicious, just the way I like them. The country fried steak, however, was just okay. I thought it was a bit small, and the coating was too thick, leaving not enough meat. Still, the gravy was quite good. Overall, Downtown Café is a nice option for breakfast or brunch in Oxnard and worth a try for anyone who loves pancakes, waffles, or any sweet breakfast dishes. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying one of their burgers someday.

    Evelyn C.

    The cafe de olla was 9.5/10! Only reason I didn't give it a 10 because it was a tad bit too sweet for my liking, but I do usually drink my coffee black so it will probably be perfect for any other person. The rosemary house potatoes were amazing! The concha that came with my coffee, amazing! The meat lovers skillet and chorizo tacos were also delicious! Definitely recommend. Next time I am definitely trying their chavelas because they looked like that would be 10/10!

    Guava and Cheese pastry
    Monique R.

    It is so hot in this establishment! It's very uncomfortable, and so hard to be able to eat while feeling this hot. There's also flies inside. Which gets really annoying while you're trying to eat and swatting at flies while also trying to fan yourself. The food is ok. The bacon is very thin, and the pancakes are not very fluffy. Aside from that, I enjoyed the eggs and love the heavily seasoned potatoes. The guava and cheese pastry was also pretty good. Not too sweet or heavy. The staff is always very friendly, but I can tell they're hot as well. It cannot be fun to work in that environment. I probably won't return until it's colder outside, if I do.

    Two tamales with rice and beans
    Eduardo G.

    I came with no expectations yet I heard the tamales were good, I order a plate of two tamales one of pork and the other try-tip with rice and beans, it was delicious! An explosion of flavors. Tasted very authentic, like the tamales your grandma makes.

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    10 days ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    26 days ago

    They do not welcome law enforcement. The food was good but I then noticed the sign posted asking for ICE and law enforcement not to enter.

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    Jose Luis L.

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    1 month ago

    They make the food look good but in reality it lacks so much seasoning. I was disappointed with my dish.

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    9 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    Jose Luis L.

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    2 months ago

    Food was amazing , chilaquiles rojos traste very homemade . Will definitely be back !

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Food was excellent just felt a little rushed so maybe that could be adjusted I know you're busy so I can see why

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    Jose Luis L.

    YES! it is made freshly squeezed on the spot!

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 8

    Downtown Cafe by JL Reviews in Other Languages

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    Have been here twice. Reviewing this time and it's average. We did come on a Sunday so of course…read morebusy. But found service to be nothing ordinary. Needed to get our waiters attention for anything. Asking for water and he had to mention to us he needs to delegate it to the water boy. Food was okay. Mozzarella sticks were hot and fresh. For a Sunday not too bad. Like the location being by the mall. There is a playground to wait at with kids near.

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