We had visited this location once before, about six months before our daughter was born, back when it was still called Sweetheart Cafe. When we learned that Sweetheart had closed and Monica's Cafe had taken over, we decided to make the drive while visiting Show Low from Gilbert during a forest vacation. The decor was modest, rustic, and charming, with a blend of Native American touches and old country western character. The walls were minimalist, but in a way that felt intentional. It did not need to try too hard. As a vegetarian, trying a new restaurant is always a bit of a gamble. You never know whether food is cooked in oil or lard, whether rice or soup has meat-based stock, or whether something that looks vegetarian has hidden meat worked into it somewhere. It can be a tricky line to walk. We drove about 30 minutes to Monica's Cafe hoping for a good meal, and this place absolutely did not disappoint. Honestly, I think the reason the place feels so simple is because they have clearly put their energy where it matters most: the food. I ordered the veggie omelet with added tomatoes, a side of hollandaise sauce, and a pancake on the side. It was surprisingly excellent. After nearly every bite, I kept thinking that the food from this small cafe should not be this good. Everything was flavorful, satisfying, and far exceeded expectations. Next time we are in the area, we will absolutely be coming back. I definitely recommend Monica's Cafe to anyone looking for a great meal in Show Low. read more

Stopped in for breakfast. What can I say, to notch! The chicken fried steak was homemade, tender and absolutely delicious. Notably, unlike most restaurants, it was not overly salty, and perfectly crispy. Hash browns ordered crispy, arrived perfect. Generous portions, great service and reasonable prices. Not too be missed when in Show Low! read more

Monica’s Cafe - Chicken Fried Steak. Delicious. - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Had lunch at Monica's today. It is not fancy, but is a great place to get a great meal at a fair price. I ordered the club sandwich and fries with a fountain soda. The club was well put together with an ample amount of fresh meat and fresh veggies. The fries were hot and crisp. The soda was cold and tasted just right. I was able to take half of the sandwich for later and still left full. The staff was prompt and friendly. The tables were very clean and quite comfortable. I look forward to another visit. read more

Monica’s Cafe - Very tasty club sandwich and fries - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

The service at the cafe is top notch. Went the last two days for breakfast. Two different servers same great service! As a retired cafe owner, I'm pretty's critical of the products I order. Basted eggs were spot on both days! Not many short order cooks can make those beauties. Ham, hash browns, and toast perfect! The price, amazing for the quality! $11.49 a bargain! One of the best restaurants on the whole mountain! Hats off to the owners and staff. read more

Nice breakfast spot! I had not been here in previous visits to Show Low or Pinetop. We stopped here on the way out of town on a Monday morning. Parking was easy, service was kind and quick, and the food came out fast. I ordered a coffee and the Monte Cristo. The Cristo came with tasty strawberry spread and syrup. The side potatoes were good. I really enjoyed the Cristo! The melty cheese and ham on French toast was filling! I had to save the other half for later. Overall a great breakfast spot in Show Low! Will be back again. read more

Monica’s Cafe - The Monte Cristo - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

See all

i Love Monica's! I always get the same thing so I can't really speak on the variety of the menu cuz I only know one thing and I keep coming back for it! It's the Arizona Chicken sandwich. Anytime I come in usually everyone is so attentive! I love it! One time I did come in and it was freezing, I would just say, please put the heater on in winter time! You're not gonna deter me from coming back with that one though-! read more

I wish we could give half stars. I would give this place 4.5 if I could. I had the Sirloin and Eggs breakfast (pic included). The steak, eggs and hash browns were a 5 .....REALLY good, they were cooked perfectly to how I ordered. Steak was tender and flavorful. Biscuit and gravy were a tad bland. Still good and well made. I prefer my biscuits more flakey and savory....these were a little more like a dinner roll. The gravy was good .....there was a nice hint of spice though I felt like it needed a pinch more salt. Obviously I am being nit-picky here. Really good place where they take pride in their food. Staff was super engaging and helpful. Any staff member passing by offered to top off drinks. They seem happy to be working there which goes a long way with me. Will definitely be back. read more

See all

Use to love this place, till I came in a week ago. The waitresses boyfriend was there and she kept running her hand thru his hair and then serving people there plates and silverware. Big NO NO. Yuck read more

Monica’s Cafe - Cornbeef hash and eggs, cheese omelet with biscuit and gravy - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Had breakfast at Monica's on a recent Tuesday morning. The place looked clean and though the main dining area was almost full, it was comfortably quiet. Service was a bit slow but not too bad. Was given a coffee cup with lipstick on it that came off cleanly with a napkin, so it was obvious I was given an unwashed cup. Not sure how that happens, but glad I saw it before taking a sip. The food came lukewarm with the smallest eggs I think I've ever been served, no exaggeration. All in all, it was a relaxing visit, but we really came for the food more than the atmosphere and we were a bit disappointed for our first visit. read more

When I complained that the plate was chipped and surface now is open to absorbing garbage and contamination the server give me attitude! . Twice now they serve with chipped plates. Nasty!!!! Not coming back!!! Gross read more

Monica’s Cafe - Plate - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

We had breakfast here on our trip to the Southwest. Our server was friendly & upbeat and our food hot & fresh. It's a pretty restaurant. We had a pleasant experience here read more

Today we visited Monica's for the third time this time for lunch. We were greeted by everyone that we encountered as if we were old time regulars and seated at our chosen table. Our waitress warmly welcomed us and we ordered. I picked the Reuben and curly fries and my wife ala carte items. My dish was a deli piled sandwich with a mountain of fries and Sheri got all of her individual items as desired promptly. The atmosphere was busy and humming with happy patrons. It's no wonder we keep returning to Monica's, it is just like being at home. We can truly say after several visits Monica's is the real thing. We left with a ultra sweet homemade Cinnamon role for later and noticed kitchen staff tossing trash in containers by the parking lot and they both gave us a friendly wave as we departed, was it the place or the holiday season? We recommend Monica's on your next trip to Show Low. read more

Monica’s Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Home style cooking, good menu variance. Fast, efficient service. Open for breakfast and lunch. Try the Monte Cristo! Yum! read more

Great breakfast! We visited Monica's Cafe, and it was busy but there were tables available. The atmosphere has a small town feel with country music on the speakers and cheap booths and carpet. I ordered the veggie omelet with hash browns and a pancake. The omelet was delicious with creamy eggs perfectly cooked. The hash browns were pretty bland by themselves, but they provided salt, pepper, ketchup, and four different hot sauces to flavor them how you like. The pancake was large, not too dense, and had a nice flavor with the syrup and butter. Overall, I was pleased by my selection, and I would recommend Monica's Cafe for breakfast in Show Low. read more

Says they close at 2, but if you show up at 130 they will turn you away for being closed. That's what my one star review is based on. Might change it if I ever actually get to eat there read more

LOVE Monica's Cafe!! Always yummy! Always great service!! I highly recommend for Breakfast & Lunch!! read more

Monica’s Cafe - Our wonder Breakfast!! - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

See all

Let me start off with the ambience and service. Both were just fine. The servers were friendly and quick. The ambiance is a little sterile-certainly not warm. But sterile means clean and ADA compliant. Being this close to city hall means you need to be super compliant I'm sure. So why the low rating? Oh that. The food was like hospital cafeteria food. I ordered a bacon omelette with biscuit and gravy and home fries. The bacon inside the omelette was the only thing enjoyable. Everything else came from a can, a pouch or a freezer -- or tasted like it. The gravy was a mix or a can. It was shiny and bland despite the flecks of pepper. It completely lacked any animal fat flavor but did taste like thickener. The biscuit underneath was cooked here but baked far away and sent frozen. Real biscuits have a buttermilk tang and flake apart with a different texture for the crust than the inside. The egg used for the omelette was spongy and slightly sweet which I associate with prescrambled food service eggs. Even the potatoes ("home" fries) were freezer bag quality. The sparse red onions and bell pepper among the perfectly cut cubes were super soft (like frozen veg) and nothing was caramelized or seasoned. That's what I got from eating it - I did not see with my own eyes anything coming from a freezer - but c'mon--on the mountain serving country fair you really have to do more cooking and less reheating. read more

We had the Valentine's Day Lobster Tail dinner today. Monica's didn't disappoint us as usual! The Lobster was super Tasty! They even included Strawberry Creme Cake that was super delicious as well. Our server was awesome. We love the Family Atmosphere! read more

Monica’s Cafe - Lobster tail, baked potato, salad and dessert - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Service was great! Very friendly and attentive. Coffee was drinkable but I like coffee black and had to use creamer. Food was okay. Nothing special but nothing bad. I had a vegetable omelette with a chocolate chip pancake. The place itself is very dated. My plate was chipped. Just kind of rundown overall. read more

Great food and vibe in Show Low. Nice step up from many of the restaurants there. Quality food and a great staff.

We came to Monica's for breakfast due to some recommendations. Seated right away, cute space and friendly staff. We ordered the steak and eggs and huevos rancheros. The steak and egg- over cooked steak, biscuits and gravy were amazing! Huevos rancheros- I've eaten a lot of huevos rancheros and did not expect this geed and green chile mix as it didn't say that in the menu the tortilla under was soggy with oil. The salsa was great however and hash browns were done well as I'd expect for a place like this. Overall ok read more

See all

Solid locals place with a nice variety of breakfast options. They were decently busy on a Friday morning, so a lively atmosphere, but we were seated right away. Staff was kind and attentive. We got the huevos rancheros and eggs with corned beef, and they were both tasty. For the huevos, I requested the tortillas crispy as they were fried in house, and they delivered. I do think they got the eggs switched around though (over easy vs medium), but that's not the end of the world. I would have liked them a tad more cooked, but the chili verde they were smothered in was quite good. The corned beef had a great sear/crust, and the biscuit with gravy was so fluffy. Do yourself a favor and stop by. You'll be glad you did! read more

Monica’s Cafe - huevos rancheros with chili verde con carne and corned beef with eggs and hash browns - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Enjoyed my sandwich, had a BLT.Service was good. Place was busy. Parked at the church across the street.

Family restaurant with a great variety. Had the special omelet with a pancake. The omelet was loaded with sausage, onions green chili and jalapeños. The home fries were as expected. The chorizo plate with hash browns and beans was excellent as well. Their chorizo is house made and absolutely delicious. The salsa was fresh and very flavorful with just the right spice. The coffee has a awesome bold smoky flavor. Very good. Service was timely and accurate. My special had a pancake on the side and even the syrup was warmed as to not cool your food. That attention to detail is not common. Will return here for breakfast next opportunity we have and you should too. read more

See all

Flavor and quality of food its not there , was expecting so much :-/ a no go for me. Cheap ingredients including water down coffee.

Best service, good food - really good bacon! Cute little place. Can't wait to go back.

The food was good! Great service and quick! For being a Su day the place was packed but the turnover of the tables was quick and didn't feel rushed! read more

We have been going to Monica's every Sunday for over a year now. The service is normally great even when busy. We went on Saturday April 19th because of Easter Sunday. A young man took our drink order quickly. It took over 20 minutes for a server to take our order even though our menus were closed and at the end of the table and she had walked by our table many times. It took another 30 or so for our breakfast order to come even though about half of the tables were empty Had this been the first time we had been to Monica's, there is no way that we would go back. The only reason I didn't give them less than a 3 is because service on SUNDAY is very good. read more

Legit 5 star breakfast place. I had CB Hash, Eggs (over easy) and hash browns. All cook perfectly. Egg's ordered over easy are unfortunately only cooked right about 50% of the time (w/ runny egg whites)... not here these were perfect. Hash Browns often not cooked right either.. these were. Brown on outside and tender on inside. Considering Inflation kick - Prices were still not out of control. I ordered ala cart and breakfast was about $8.50! Not bad... even the meals are $11-$12 ish... not like the $15-$16 like in the valley and way better food. read more

Monica’s Cafe - Ala Cart - 2 eggs (over easy), hash browns and CB hash (all cooked perfectly!). - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

A really great breakfast deal! Generous portions, very good, and a fair price. I'll definitely be back!

We waited and waited and waited to sit us down and then to get our food. The buser kept the water coming that was nice but our regular breakfast took very long. Got there around 11:30am and didn't get our food till about 1pm. The food was just regular breakfast you would find at any breakfast place like Denny's definitely not worth the wait. Even the waitress was embarrassed claimed they had new cooks and was very sorry it took so long read more

Food was pretty good.. I got the monte Cristo.. it was ok, bacon on it was excellent! The strawberries on the side, delicious. Would I order it again? No. My Son, got the cowboy burger, which was delicious! Would definitely order this again! The service was Excellent!! Inside of the restaurant was very nice.. somewhat western vibe. Definitely worth checking out! I will be back! read more

See all

The servers are friendly, and the food is delicious. The only problem is the kitchen is S L O W. My plain omelette was done well, but the " country gravy" was a flavorless roux. A crumb of sausage would have been nice. May or may not be back. read more

Monica’s Cafe - Plain omelette with "country gravy." - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

Whatever you do, pass on by Aunt Nancy's and go straight to Monica's. Pleasant atmosphere, friendly, courteous staff and good food

Delicious chicken fried steak. Party of 4 and we all had a great breakfast! Service was perfect and the food was awesome. Seems like you can't go wrong on any choice on the menu. This is my 3rd time and it was great everytime read more

Yummy. Casual, clean, friendly and good food. What else can I ask. Looks like it will accommodate small groups too. read more

Monica’s Cafe - I think I liked it =] - Cafes Near Me - Show Low, Arizona

The restaurant does a good business with locals. Ambiance has a small town, casual feel. The food is good but nothing overly creative on the menu. Prices are very reasonable in today's environment. read more

Waited. Waited. And waited. For a waitress to take our order. People seated AFTER us ... their order taken was at least 5 minutes before we saw our waitress! Same waitress!! Not happy with today's visit!! read more

Food and service is amazing!! Servers are friendly and helpful, and everything on the huge menu is soooo good!!

"Consistent, hearty breakfasts with a side of kindness! The food here was always hot and delicious - we ate here every morning of our trip to Show Low, except for that one day when we *briefly* lost our minds and tried somewhere else (big mistake, huge!). The coffee? So good it could probably convince you to run a marathon... or at least consider it while you sit and enjoy a second cup. Fresh food, served piping hot, and always with a smile - what more could you ask for?" read more