Hog Canyon Cafe in Esparto, CA. A few months ago, on a lazy Spring Saturday I took a leisurely drive to the Capay Valley. Beautiful valley views, rolling hills. Wineries, olive tasting. And even a casino. Our drive took us on Route 16 that cuts through the small but mighty town of Esparso, CA. Population of about 3500. Hog Canyon Cafe sits right on Route 16 in the town. The cafe is small n cozy. Basic interior. Older building. I got to meet the owner, young man. As we spoke to him, I can tell he was passionate about cooking and the community. Luv that! The menu centers around burgers and pizza. They serve bbq smoked tri tip sandwiches. But aw shucks they sold out when we dropped in. Instead we ordered a cheeseburger and a hamburger. Mmmm. Those were mighty tasty. Substantial sized patties that were hand formed.Fat patties cooked so they are drippy, juicy. Classic. Messy but worth it. Topped with fresh fixings. We ordered at the counter and sat outside on the patio. Simple setup. Inside dining is cozy and limited. At the time we were there, the dining area was set up for a private birthday party. Kids pizza party! Aww. Local community gathering spot. read more

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Hog Canyon is an absolute hidden gem! The food is always fresh, delicious, and generously portioned. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the hometown atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can't go wrong . If you're passing through Esparto, this place is a must-stop! Highly recommend! We were heading to our golf day at Yocha Dehe Golf Club... this was the best stop along the way !!!! read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Outside bench is amazing - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

We usually stop by here out of convenience. Luckily, for us, Ray was working. We've never interacted with Ray before, but his fries and burgers just tasted differently! We weren't sure what it was, but we were very appreciative of his good customer service skills and amazing food. If I come back, I will only want to come back when Ray is working. Keep up the great work, Ray you are rocking it. That bacon cheeseburger and those fries were just something that we're out of this world. read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Fries were just right in crisp and had perfect flavor. Burger was dripping in flavor!! - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

If I can smell the bbq smoker before I see it, Ill will almost always make the stop if I'm looking for food in an area that Im unfamiliar. Not many places to choose around here (especially in the AM) so I actually stopped here on my way to somewhere else. Lady at the counter was nice and took my order promptly. BBQ choices are limited and it's too many Mexican places for me to order a breakfast burrito somewhere else so I opted for a double cheeseburger, no fries or drink, it was around $20. Took it to go and when I opened it up it looked great. I asked for no mayo but it was still a bit dry regardless and the patties weren't seasoned much, I enjoyed it nonetheless. All in all, fair experience read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Double Cheeseburger - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

Stopped here after leaving Cache Creek. Wanted to try a local spot for a change. Food was horrible. Microwaved biscuits and gravy. Burnt pancakes etc. No orange juice. Don't recommend. read more

Don't order the biscuits and gravy unless you wanna eat a flower rock with salty gravy or what they call gravy

This place is super cute! Tons of food options and great customer service! The kids cheeseburger was very large and the price was great for that much food. I got the bacon cheeseburger and it was amazing. I disliked the bacon but other than that it was awesome. The onion rings were great too! Definitely worth checking out! read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Bacon cheeseburger - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

Walking in straight away everyone working here is so nice and friendly. Then all the old people started to come in and the fact all the workers knew all the old people's names was beyond cute. Had the mushroom burger on the brioche bun. Absolutely savory and mouth watering. I gotta say though the fries with the burger were probably the best French fries I've ever had in my entire life. Bathrooms are clean. Service is premium and the food is fire. If you are close I highly recommend this establishment. You will not be disappointed! read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Mushroom burger on the brioche bun paired with the best fries I've ever had!!! - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

This is one of the few restaurants in the area and they serve sandwiches, burgers, and more. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with fries. The tri-tip was delicious, but the fries could have been cooked a little longer. I was in a rush or I would have said something. Food is ordered at the counter and it is a quick place to get food. I would recommend calling your order in so you do not have to wait long when you get there. I still need to try the other burgers and sandwiches on the menu. I would always try to come here when I am in the area to support the local business. read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Tri-Tip Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

Totally dead ! I walked in after a long drive and there was no one at the counter. There were 2 ladies sitting at table discussing possibly business. They could have worked there but said nothing, I waited briefly for service and Nothing ! Wouldn't recommend this place ! read more

Friendly service and food that really hit the spot. A great place to know about for those in the area of cache creek.

So we have gone here 6 times and 2 out of 6 times they were good. We keep trying thinking well just maybe they need good help. But how many times do you waste money. Then I looked on the website and a Western Burger is $9.00 you get there their board has it $11.99 so you ask why is it different from your Yelp page? They say Oh we can't change that mmmmm. Well I can change not going there anymore. So they not only serve shitty food and can give people allergic reaction for not listening to their orders, but they rip people off. So would you eat there. It's too bad because the very first time we ate there I have to admit we had the Beat Burger We Have Ever Ate. And the is the Biggest Compliment because that one went to Gordon Ramsey Burger. That was the time before. So what happened? Where did that person go? You need that person Back read more

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I don't come to Esparto often, about once every 3 months for my dogs to get a haircut. But every time I do, I stop by Hog Canyon Cafe for biscuits & gravy with bacon on top. Sure, the gravy might be microwaved and originating from a packet, I don't know for a fact... but it hits the spot every time. Delicious. read more

Great food hard workers fast service and very friendly staff. Loved the atmosphere as well. Highly recommend fried pickles!!!

Their burgers and chili cheese fries are delicious! I also love their mozzarella sticks, hot wings and chicken strips. read more

The cheeseburger was fantastic! The cleanliness was awful! Dust all over the window shades next to the table we sat at. Flies all over the establishment AND I saw the cook smoking her device in the kitchen. Clean it up ladies! read more

I used to work there and let me just say, if I could give negative starts I would. She should be shut down immediately, health code violations left and right! We'd drop things on the floor and the owner, Tracy would still force us to dust it off to give to the costumer. We used to shred the tri-tip into the sink where we washed our hands. Leave out raw meat for unsafe amounts of hours. We weren't allowed to throw away moldy or burnt bread, expired vegetables, freezer burnt food, or anything that would waste Ms Tracy's money, she'd take off moldy parts and tell us to still use it. There's a sign in the kitchen that said "no food left behind". I don't recommend goin to this restaurant owned by a crook. Everything was mostly frozen food you deep fry anyways. We never got any breaks and when I asked about breaks my coworkers and the owner laughed in my face. We also never got paid for over time. She said she'd just "buy us lunch" but I didn't want her expired food, I wanted my earned money. The most disgusting disturbing ownership I've ever seen. She would lie to baby Jesus for a dollar. Always taking advantage of young kids looking for a job who didn't have courage to stand up to her. Took money from my last check because she didn't want to rewrite it when I never received it in the mail. Much more I could say, but I feel this is enough to show you what kind of business this con runs. If you don't believe me just look around or ask anyone who isn't afraid to speak up. read more

Brittany is the bomb when it comes to whatever you order. Always fresh and a very hard and dedicated employee!!

Tracy, the owner is not a nice person. She's a bully to everyone that works there. If ever you want a good breakfast burrito or cheeseburger for lunch Brittany will hook you up. She'll take care of you and you take care of her. read more

Best tri tip sandwiches and onion rings around. All meat pizza is really good as well.

They have really wonderful milkshakes! Just wish they would have eggnog ones during Christmas! Nothing to mark them down for though, and my mother loves to order from them every once in a while. Great job! read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Entrance to restaurant. - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

Lots to choose from! We've take a drive here many times. Tried the tri tip sandwich. Good amount of meat. Great flavor, but pretty fatty. Inion rings and fries were fantastic and the staff is always friendly. Dog friendly outdoor dining under a covered patio. Old gas station converted to a casual restaurant. read more

I feel bad to say this but the service is horrible, the other day I saw one of the workers cussing out a group of miniors, I believe her name was Britney and The worker Jocelyn is very very unprofessional she lets teenage boys in the back and into the kitchen which is very unsanitary, she also forgot about our order and we had to remind them and it still took them about 30 minutes to make it, Jocelyn and another worker let these 2 teenage girls stay after hours in the restaurant and gave them free food and I saw the 1 of the teenage girls threatening to fight another little girl and the 2 workers were egging her on to fight the other little girl which was very immature of them read more

TRI tip sandwich so yummy. Bbq ribs tasty. Only 3 and a little over cooked. Bbq sauce was yummy. I was thinking about a big bold zinfandel to pair with the Smoky sweet bbq sauce. Home made potato salad yummy. Very laid back place. Friendly and welcoming. Creative use of an old gas station read more

Not many places to choose from around here but I guess burgers around here come extra burnt. Both my wife's burger and mine came super black from way over cooked. If it wasn't over cooked it would of been all good. read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Aww just how I like it extra burnt patty - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

I came into hog tonight, and had Great customer service from these two young ladies names both Jocelyn. Great pizza

Petite little cafe. Mostly set up for take-out, but they have a couple tables for small gatherings. We had the French dip and pizza, both were good, and the fries and pinion rings were fantastic! I will be back soon to try the breakfast menu :) read more

Chicken strips suck and fries are inconsistent Switch to different chicken strips and crinkle cut fries Change the fryer oil every 3 days and filter daily read more

The food is kind of good although it took quite a while to get to my table. It used to be the best ever but ever since they hired Jocline I think is her name she has been flirting with teenage boys and letting them in the back. And I witnessed a worker brittney cussing out a group of minors. I wish I could give a better review read more

The food is always made quick and tastes great! I live down the street from Hog Canyon and every-time we go, the food is great.

Placed an order over the phone and was told it'd be 30-35 mins. Upon arrival my order wasn't even in the oven I had to wait an additional 30 mins before it was ready. Communication is terrible no point in calling ahead if they forget your order. This place also follows no social distancing nor does the staff wear any masks. I didn't see them wearing gloves or offer any kind of hand sanitizer. read more

I went to this place for a quick lunch. The inside was cute but the food itself was disappointing. First of all, I ordered turkey and salami and they only gave me turkey, which is annoying. The bread was also extremely soggy which was off putting. Whenever I order sandwiches I open them before I eat them. So glad I did because they left a little something in there for me. Actually disgusting. read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - this is my turkey sandwich with a little bread twisty in it. - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

Usually I have a good experience at Hog canyon especially when the owner Karen is working. However, on 1/25/18 I had a bad experience, Karen wasn't working that day and the girl operating the cash register started off saying that they were extremely busy today. OK so hearing that I expected the food order to take a little longer, no biggie. However, when I got my burger and went home I found two strips of plastic. It shouldn't matter how busy the restaurant is, it's never acceptable to leave plastic on anyone's food. Spending over $10 for a burger and fries I expected better. If I do go back it will be when the owners are there. read more

Was greeted by Kailen or Kailey (sp?). What great service and though she was there alone, she still served us with smiles and professionalism. Considering she was the one person show, food came out in a timely manner. And it was good!!! read more

Hmmm I have mixed feelings about this place. First you have to know that I'm overjoyed to have a place to eat close to my home. We sort of live out in the boonies so it's a big deal. I liked hog canyons new decor definitely an upgrade from the former establishment. Second the food was tasty, BUTT ...... I got home only to find out they had charged me for the mushroom Swiss burger that I had ordered but sent me home with somebody's custom like mustard burger. . Now good thing is , I like mustard but I like getting what I ordered better. . Third the burgers were charred on the outside a bit , I noticed another review like this so maybe it's a thing ? All n all the burger and fries were pretty delicious and so were my kids chicken tenders so I will be trying them again, I hope you'll give them a chance too. read more

Went to Esparto to visit my MIL. I placed an lunch order for the 2 of us. My MIl has some special request- asking for no sauces on her hamburger and the older lady told me to hurry up cause she has something on the grill. I paused because I couldn't believe what she said. If you ever been to Esparto you know the food choices are slim. I will not be eating here again with rude service. read more

We've driven by this cafe many times but Lawton a hurry. This time we had time for lunch and dropped in. Carlos gave a glowing description of the pulled pork special and it didn't disappoint! My husband had the French dip sandwich and it was very good. We will be returning soon! read more

The tri tip sandwiches are great on Friday the smokey flavor with the BBQ sauce and the fresh roll Superb

I got a to go cold deli sandwich today. They advertise "build your own sandwich" for $7, which I thought would be comparable to my fave sandiwch meal deal at Mana's. Well it was just the sandwich for $7 dollars. I asked to buy a bottled water and they were out so I stated I would buy the .89 fountain drink and get the water from the fountain. She agreed and rang up my total. It was $8.54 I'm pretty sure in California if you get a cold non heated/toasted to go sandwich that you don't consume on premises, you aren't supposed to be taxed on it,but I could be wrong. For $7 the sandwich doesn't come with anything besides the sandwich and it was fairly mediocre. The hard salami was good,but not great. Customer service was really great,but for price and quality I will stick to other places for sandwiches. read more

Hog Canyon Cafe - Build your own sandwich: Salami - Cafes Near Me - Esparto, California

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THIS PLACE IS WORTH THE DRIVE JUST FOR A BURGER AND FRIES!!!!! I have been hungry for a good burger out but am tired of the same old premade frozen hamburgers served at most restaurants. This place did it right! They make their own patties and cook them crispy on the outside juicy on the inside! The bun was soft on the outside but toasted with butter on the inside. Fresh produce topped it off! Fries are old school crinkle cut cooked crispy. I would have included a picture but I was so hungry I just dove in. I'll include one next time I go. Which I'm sure will be soon! read more