Been eating at the whistle stop for a few years now. When the family and I want a change of scenery, we trek on over for good eats. The staff is always friendly and welcoming with the service to match. They serve classic American fare for breakfast and lunch. The portions can be large so be prepared to loosen that belt or take leftovers home. Our recent outing I tried their hamburger steak breakfast. A decent sized patty that I requested be topped with both grilled onions and mushrooms was good. Although the patty itself needed a bit more seasoning, it didn't disappoint. The country potatoes were fluffy on the inside with good texture on the outside, accompanied by onions and bell peppers. Eggs were cooked perfectly to order. If the servers offer salsa, TAKE IT! Very flavorful, fresh and vibrant. Compliments everything I've tried so far. And no, it's not spicy. This place is a gem and my kids love the train decor. If your kids are good, they might turn on the model trains. You won't be disappointed. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Hamburger steak with grilled onions and mushrooms. Country potatoes, eggs and sourdough toast. - American Near Me - Exeter, California

Quality food and great service! Our kids and now grandkids love the train theme. Always clean, always good!

The food was excellent. Best biscuits and gravy from California to Washington DC! Staff were friendly. Great train theme, too. Gotta stop by this hidden treasure. read more

It is hometown favorite i hear. Ok the place is beautiful very little sitting your going to have to patient Ok service... the waitress was very kind and friendly. I'm sure she knew we weren't from around town. Now food...it was confort food. I wasn't mind blown but...it was good especially for a long road ahead for us. I do suggest maybe letting host take tables too. Spiting the pot and getting faster service might help...but no complaints from us just a suggestion. read more

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So sad. Drove all the way from Sanger to have breakfast on a Saturday and it was closed.

I can't complain about this place. This eatery is as local and mom & pop as you can get. You get that wholesome feel the moment you walk in and are served with the upmost quality of service. Being small I'm sure helps, but they don't shy from making you feel like your at your grandma's place. The food is fresh and above any standards I have seen in quite awhile. This was only my 2nd time here. I am not a huge breakfast fan, but We had time to kill and my wife is. I went ahead and ordered a omelet and my judging starts with how fresh the avocado is, and they didn't disappoint and what's even better is they didn't skimp out either. We got there right when it opened so we got sat right away, which is key because by the time we were leaving they were getting busy. So food is great, service is none other and the ambiance is what you expect from most places in town. Try it and let me know. read more

If you're heading to the Sequoias stop here first and get one of the best breakfast you'll ever have!! So many homemade things and everything made to how you like it!! read more

Great place with great food beloved by locals and out of towners. It's a sole proprietor operation, so if you are coming from out of town, call first! read more

We took my wife here today, as it was her birthday and we'd never ate here before. Friday's they feature their fish and chips, and let me tell you it was terrific. Perfectly done and home made tartar sauce makes it a winner. Service is friendly and visits your table frequently throughout the meal. We were a party of six and four of us got the fish and we all loved it. My sister-in-law said it reminded her of the coast. Our son devoured his burger and sweet potato fries and said it was perfect. Highly recommend when you have plenty of time to enjoy this experience. Seating is limited but well worth the trip to Exeter. read more

Enjoyed a delicious breakfast here during the week. There is a steady stream of people coming in and out so there may be a little wait during peak meal times. We split two entrees between two of us the portion was perfect for us. The French Toast is delicious! The service was great, with our waitress checking in with us a few times and automatically splitting the entrees for us when we told her we usually share our meals. Recommend a visit! read more

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Love this place! Good food. Pleasant atmosphere. Have been going here for years. Little kids love all the train memorabilia

The perfect stop for breakfast ! Amazing food , friendly & professional service . Stop by you will not be disappointed. Ambiance is wonderful, thanks Sherry read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Steak perfectly cooked - American Near Me - Exeter, California

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We loved our breakfast at the Exeter Whistle Stop on our way to Sequoia Natl Park! The owner was so welcoming and cheerful, and she told us all about the history of her place. The restaurant is small, cozy, and adorable - themed around Exeter's railroad history. This place gives off small town vibes, which we enjoyed as we listened to local regulars sharing stories and gossip over their morning coffee. And of course, the food was delicious! Now that we know about the Whistle Stop, it will be our breakfast fueling station for all of our Sequoia trips. read more

Cute little diner with friendly servers. There are train tracks hanging from the ceiling. My review of 2 stars is for the food and how it was packaged for takeout. This place was a little out of the way, but came since the reviews were great. Here comes the comment on the not so awesome food and takeout method. 1. Chicken fried steak with biscuit and gravy was average, nothing exciting or to want to come back for. 2. Pretty sure the chicken strips were bulk bought and frozen, salty and didn't taste good. Fries were okay. 3. All the hot fried food were put directly from the fryer into the styrofoam takeout box, with no aluminum foil to separate the food from the styrofoam. Guess what, the styrofoam melted into the food. Ended up throwing some of it away. read more

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The restaurant look so on brand for what the name of the restaurant is I love that, They have little trains on the ceiling that move. The food was spectacular. The best pulled pork and breakfast bowl I had ever tasted the cooks really know what they're doing. Customer service was great The waitresses did a wonderful job with everything. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - The waitresses that gave us the best experience and the look of the restaurant - American Near Me - Exeter, California

We live in Visalia and have attempted to go here for lunch 3 times in the past year. Each time we go well before the posted close time of 2 pm. Each time they are closed. On Saturday we called at 10 am just to be sure they were open for lunch and they said they were. We arrived at noon and the door was locked.!!! Another party of 3 arrived at the same time and left. I honestly wonder if they take their business seriously. So disappointed and this last time was definitely the final time we'll ever attempt to go. read more

After a day in Sequoia, we stayed in Exeter and went to this place for breakfast. We were warmly and enthusiastically greeted by two lovely ladies behind the counter and immediately seated at a comfortable booth. What a darling place with darling owner and wait staff! One of these ladies is Sherry, the owner- she was genuinely interested in who we are and where we were visiting from. The food was as generous and amazing as the ladies that served us. Our coffee and water cups were never empty. Our eggs and steak were cooked perfectly, just as ordered. Portions are large and all the food was delicious. Breakfast came with choice of bread and we chose biscuits and gravy. These were the lightest, fluffiest biscuits I've ever had and I couldn't just leave the leftover gravy- ate it with a spoon. I was so excited to eat my breakfast that I forgot to take photos of the heaping plate. This place is truly special- it MADE our Memorial Day weekend trip! read more

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sign on door says open 7 days a week 7 am and they are closed . we just tried to go have breakfast . if your closed take your sign down and update yelp . read more

Food great as always HUGE biscuits. Service EXCELLENT.... Elizabeth and Teresa took great care of us and kept everyone happy. Worth a visit. The kids will love the train inside read more

Excellent fish an chips on Friday such large servings my husband an aI were able to split since we don't eat that much just like coast fish an chips girls are nice in there too read more

The Whistle Stop has the best, freshest food. And unbeatable service. Worth the drive.

Great place to stop in for traditional American breakfast. Staff is supper friendly everyone works hard being effectienly, attentive to guest. We very much enjoyed sitting outside at the picnic tables as space inside a train car can become tight while trying to accommodate all the hungry patrons. Staff didnt forget us while sitting outside, the service was great, food came quickly and was hot and with all the preferred breakfast condiments. Staff was able to met special request like a bowl of that delicious gravy on the side and extra bacon. Thank you for breakfast Exeter Whistle Stop. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Railcar or outdoor seating. - American Near Me - Exeter, California

Very friendly waitress. Made us feel like family. My grandson loved the trains. This is a quaint restaurant with delicious food and makes you want to come back for more read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Biscuits and gravy - American Near Me - Exeter, California

Been going here for years. Sherrie and her team are great. A friendly, quaint place for breakfast and lunch. I always order the Conductor! My favorite. Sherrie recently gave full run to her staff due to a temporary illness and they were awesome. Very pleasant and efficient and their service was great. Trudy Johnson read more

If you have nothing else to do, this place is for you but it almost an hour from sitting down to being served. If you're driving through, this place is not for you. read more

I don't know how you couldn't give this place 5 stars! Fantastic service and great food. My friends and I stopped here on our way home. We were looking for a place with a small town feel and a nice selection of food to choose from. Here's what we ordered: Chicken fried steak (amazing thick gravy) with eggs I got hash browns as my side, and got them crispy on both sides. I love that they ask how you want them cooked! My husband ordered eggs and bacon, side of sausage and a side pancake My friends ordered the meat lovers omelette and my other friend ordered a cheeseburger. Everything was amazing, and they said that the cheeseburger was one of the best he's had. Ordered coffee and ice teas, and I always appreciate a place that has the "good ice" / crushed ice haha. Food came out fast, and the owner is a very friendly lady. I also love the train decor. I will absolutely be back the next time I'm in the area. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Inside train decor - American Near Me - Exeter, California

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A nice breakfast passing through Exeter. Sherry was a wonderful owner and taking care of our table. The food was a great value and very tasty. read more

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This place is so cute!! It's a small cafe with lots of train decor. They have a train that travels along the ceiling as you eat. The vibe here is awesome!! The food is DELICIOUS!!! I got the veggie omelet and it was the best omelet I've ever eaten. Perfection!! My coffee cup was never empty and it was really good coffee!! The best part about this place are the employees and owner. They are all so friendly. They are having a good time and you can tell. They love their jobs! They are laughing, working, taking to customers and just really made me feel like they love what they are doing. I feel like I was part of their family and it was my first visit there!! I loved this place! When you are in Exeter, want some good food and want to brighten up your day.... COME HERE!! read more

A group of us had lunch here today. I don't know about anyone else's meal, but I had the burger basket. The french fries were soggy and room temp The burger bun was stale, forgot the cheese on my burger and the lettuce was old and brown, yuck. Don't think I'll eat here again. read more

A very friendly brunch joint. If you are heading to Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles it is a place you should stop of a lunch before going on CA-198. They don't have too many people working but I could feel they were doing their best to accommodate our needs, refill drinks, etc. Food is delicious, especially the potatoes. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - American Near Me - Exeter, California

So first off, some lady came up offering me a hard time about coffee and drinking the water...and if I didn't, she'd pour it on me. We got our coffees, water, then she sat down with us. She said they can't fire her, because she doesn't work there. I thought she was joking, but she was ABSOLUTELY not!!! She was like the Queen of the town, and Ambassador really, that told us all about the history, things to see and how to get to the Sequoia in the best fashion. Great convo while we waited for food. Food was great! Home made biscuits, omlette on slam, and fruit seemed hella fresh. Service was great, and everyone in town was friendly. read more

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My husband and I love this place and we go there on weekends whenever we can. The owner is great and service is top notch!

Super cute small mom and pop joint. We didn't realize that it was mother's day, it was absolutely packed around 10am on Sunday. Owner was so nice and friendly, talked to us whenever she had time. I much preferred this kind of place over big chain restaurant. We felt their love poring into this cute place and food tasted even better by knowing their love smoked into this place. We love to go back there whenever we have a trip to Sequoia again. :D read more

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Great old school breakfast spot with a nice interior of a train track on there ceiling with a train. I can't express enough how nice the older ladies were to us when they took our order and gave us our drinks, but they could've done better with checking in with us. We waited for 57 mins for 12 orders of food. It would've been nice to have updates every 15 to 20 mins, because we were tempted to leave as we had felt forgotten. Regardless of that experience, the food was delicious, the biscuit I had ordered was just as good. The food tasted fresh. Would definitely recommend if you're nearby and got time as they tend to get busy real quick. read more

Exeter Whistle Stop - Menu - American Near Me - Exeter, California

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I've stopped here more than once and have enjoyed each visit. The service is great and I feel like I'm apart of the family. Omelets are delicious and the waffles have the perfect amount of flavor! read more

Delicious breakfast and lunch. Reset our week from camping. Great place to stop on your way out of the parks. Waitress and chef had great service. read more

Lovely quaint train themed cafe in Exeter , en route to sequoia National park. We stopped here for Sunday brunch . The servers were kind , welcoming and friendly, we loved the personal attention even though they were really busy . There's a cute toy train in the decor running at all times that's fun for the kids or the kid in you . Food is all country style and fresh. All in all, it's a cute little cafe you would want to visit read more

Service was horrible, was ignored from the very beginning. Was waiting for 15 minutes for someone to help us and a new group of people arrived and the older waitress kept ignoring my husband and I automatically helped the the group that just arrived. read more

How did we not know about this place. I've lived in the area all my life and just found it. Glad they were open on Columbus Day and we had the best lunch. Amazing diner style burger, crispy onion rings, and tasty tea. I can't wait to try it for breakfast. To top things off, the owner Sherry is the greatest, making everyone feel like family. A lot of delicious homemade comfort style fare you can't get these days make you you feel even more welcome. Thanks Sherry for making our day special. read more

We were driving through from Three Rivers and wanted breakfast. I looked on Yelp to find a place for breakfast and this place had good reviews. It was great because they open early. We just had a basic breakfast, but I loved how friendly everyone was. I enjoy going into a restaurant where you have friendly and great service. I would definitely recommend this place. read more