I come here every time I'm back in Chico. Reliable solid breakfast place. Had the chicken fried steak with a biscuit. Totally hit the spot. I always forget the building is super loud. Could really use some acoustical dampening. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Chicken fried steak and eggs. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

The food and services are good. Can get too loud sometimes. The patio is nice in good weather

My BF is obsessed with Morning Thunder so we eat here at least once every time we're in Chico. With Covid restrictions we got food togo instead. We got the biscuits and gravy and blueberry pancakes. MT never disappoints and this visit was no different. We will definitely be back the next time we're in Chico and everyone going to school, living in or visiting Chico should experience Morning Thunder at least once. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Biscuits and gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

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Morning Thunder is a Chico classic. They offer great diner-style breakfasts in a fun location. Big pancakes, tasty waffles, omelettes, etc. - all the things you'd expect. They tend to get busy, and wait times might stall your other plans, so factor that in to your scheduling. read more

The atmosphere is amazing, there is normally a wait so just be prepared but it's always worth it. The food is delicious and unique.

During a heated discussion over trying to get to Cafe Coda, which was selected on the moment around 12:35 PM knowing 2 PM was closing time for most breakfast places, we finally found it in a difficult to park situation, so I searched for an alternative, and lo and behold, Morning Thunder was the closest. I usually will get blamed for any inconsistencies in a never before visited before place. My only line of defense when I'm hanging out with this hot blooded person, is to trust the reviews to be above 4 Stars average, the more the merrier. Not that this plan always work. The area was a discovery of sorts, very active at arrival time. Place was visibly busy, which usually is a good sign. Female companion was fuming when she was told the bathroom was outside, like in gas stations. I couldn't repress a smile, as her mood kept getting more conflictive. People gets wiped out from high blood pressure moments, so I try to remain calm, usually failing at it. Food ordered: One over easy egg, hash browns, ham steak, sourdough bread, $14.50? Ham looked nice, 2 eggs nicely done, hash browns plentiful, sourdough bread 2 slices cut into 4 finished the job. She appeared to enjoyed it, took some left overs. 3.5 Stars. Chicken Fried Steak, 2 eggs over medium, hash browns, rye bread, $16+? Fried Steak, and this is a first for me, tasted lemony, like lemon pepper used. Meat not very tender at all, a disappointment. Gravy I found intriguingly agreeable, better than most. Eggs properly served. Bread average, nothing special. 2.5 Stars. I also fell for the best bacon I ever would try. Curiosity got the best of me. Bought 4 slices for $6.75! Best? Not by a long mile. The best I had was in Amarillo, Texas at the Big Texan, thick enough to be considered a cut of meat. Also other locations, but these 4 thin slices did not excel, they only did on their advertised location. 2.5 Stars. Dark Roast Coffee, $4? No refills offered until the very end, obviously closing time had taken precedence. Tasted final pot of the day. Service, briefly at the hands of Kelsey? Acceptable, average at best. Water no after taste. Bathroom, had to take a stroll on that direction, well kept. Total: $40+, gratuity reflecting level of attention, but not miserly. 2.5 Stars. read more

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We stopped in because Yelp had four stars but don't bother eating here. The service was great but the food was sub par t best. We ordered the biscuits and gravy and they were flavorless. The biscuits was old or over cooked, the gravy was curdled and gross. I had two spoonfuls and stopped eating it. The hash browns were also burnt. The hubby ordered an omelette with home style potatoes and the oil they cooked them in was rancid because they tasted like old oil. The pancakes were hard and we needed a knife to cut through the rubbery cold mess! Anyway, don't bother eating here. Jacks Cafe down the street has a three star review but I promise you, their food is 10 times better! read more

The service was prompt and friendly, the food was plentiful and delicious, the restaurant was pleasing and all and all the whole experience was one that I can't wait to enjoy again. Loved this place. read more

Wait staff is sweet, there's a lady (possibly manager or owner who is on top of everything!) I like that they use ipad/tablet to take your order. My eggs are always cooked perfectly, never over cooked, plus they are real eggs not a egg mixture that comes in a plastic bag. Coffee is good and they always give me a proper cup to take with me when i'm done. Bacon is good, a little thicker and i would say GREAT. I like this place. I spent 12.33 (tax included) and have 1/2 a waffle to take home with me. Win Win. Enjoy. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - My togo coffee, just ask. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

Best biscuits & gravy hands down in Chico!! Everything taste like home made being in grandma's kitchen!! The cutest atmosphere, everyone's always very friendly! Service is always impeccable! Highly highly recommend and best bacon in Chico!! Love love love this place!! read more

They put bacon in my patty melt; first patty melts don't even come with bacon and I'm Muslim I could not even eat the over priced meal. The rest of the meal had no salt or flavor. Typical bland food. Not worth it. Drive further for better food read more

Food was horrible. Very greasy. Place was dirty. Service was slow. Very loud. Needless to say we were not there long.

I wouldn't even give this place one star. Went there for breakfast on 7/12/2024. Ordered the chicken fried steak. Absolutely the worst ever! Cut into it with my fork, not crispy at all! Only had one bite and noticed it was soaked with grease. Even cutting into it again, all the grease under the steak was too much. Hash browns were way over cooked. It was like they didn't even care about the food they were serving. Paid the price when I got home. Never going back there!! Do not order the chicken fried steak!!! read more

Ok gross.... Everything about this place is bad. 45 minutes for bland tasteless food to come...if you can't do French toast that's inexcusable. Dirty cups dirty plates no forks Snarky waitress who don't care Time and money wasted The food was so bad I didn't eat more than half of it Nobody cares Never will I go here again ever read more

On a clear day, the diner-like Morning Thunder Cafe greets patrons and on-lookers next to a busy street with its blue neon sign out-brightening the sky above the double doors. Inside is an eclectic and modern take on the diner including: counter seating that offers a view of the kitchen, local art and framed photos of old cars, retro light fixtures, and classic American food. The entire place is large and rife with seating at speckled tables and matching grey chairs. Even with a busy day, the waitstaff balanced orders, waiting customers, coffee, and checks without so much as a fault. There was a small wait, but it was quick to pass and the coffee came quick to remedy the early morning grogginess. After a bit of a look over the menu, I decided on their 2-2-2 with two eggs, two strips of bacon, and two slices of their poppyseed french toast (which was the main appeal to me). The food came fast and hot and without a pool of grease. The french toast were the main stars here. while the eggs and bacon were good on their own accord, the poppyseed/lemony-ness of the french toast tickled my love of lemon-flavored things in the world. They also were quite puffy and not overly eggy batter-wise. When the meal was finished, I was quite satisfied just like the customers surrounding me. Everything was great; from the diner atmosphere, the food offered in large portions, and friendly and focused staff. Nothing was overly greasy and the entire place is a lively joint that will help kick off one's day. It's a great 4 from me. read more

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Food is mediocre at best. Poor service. Inaccessible restrooms. No senior menu or discount. Needs to be updated. It's old and cramped.

It was a really good diner, I'd come back here excitedly. Food was as good as I had imagined it was when I ordered. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Thunder egg bagel sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

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This is a staple in Chico! The portions are enormous and the food is top notch. The French roast coffee is fantastic. I highly recommend this place for breakfast or lunch! read more

Neat little diner with great breakfast food. Son got the 1-2-3 (bacon, eggs and good sized pancake) and I got the Bidwell Egg (basically a bacon, egg and cheese bagel). Friendly service. Imagine gets a crowd later so glad we came early. Definitely worth a sit. read more

Great food! Service is always amazing and they make sure you have what you want in a decent amount of time. It has an awesome old diner feel! This place is busy for a reason! read more

A Chico favorite and it was so nice to be back! Had a lovely breakfast on their side patio - it had been a long time, and with covid and an older parent, we're not comfortable with indoor dining - so that's patio is great! I got the Huevos Rancheros - the half size, which considering you're probably going to take most of it home afterwards - you might as well get the full sized version. Really tasty, I'd recommend the black beans. Mom got the bacon/eggs with waffle and it was all very tasty. Pre-covid we've always made a stop whenever we're up for a visit, burgers are very tasty - actually it's all good. read more

Ohhh weee!!! We love some fantastic breakfast! Definitely try this place. Food is delicious, service awesome and is prompt, and the restaurant is so comfortable and welcoming. read more

Best breakfast in town. Fresh flavorful breakfast with fresh vegetables , in season fruit and polite staff. Sometimes the place is so popular. It's easier to order takeout, which is of course is still a treat to have at home.. read more

We came from Davis and got the avocado wrap and bacon burger! I really liked the wedge fries with seasoning. Really really good and the ambiance is a like a old fashion diner. The service was really speedy too! I hope to eat here again next time I visit Chico. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Bacon burger w/ wedge fries & Chicken avocado wrap w/ fruit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

Morning Thunder is always awesome. Great waffles and delicious Mexican Hot Cocoa. Great service too, and friendly staff. Big shout-out to Dee, Harley, and Devon! I spilled my water all over the place and all three of them came rushing out of nowhere to clean up the floor and table like they were a race track pit crew. read more

We were visiting my guy's family and decided to get brunch in Chico. We decided to try Morning Thunder based on their yelp reviews. We sat at a nice big table and ordered up some ice teas and mimosas. They have several different flavors of unsweetened iced tea which were awesome. I love iced tea. They also make my favorite mimosas, the large kind. Since it was nearly lunch, my guy and I ordered two cups of the clam chowder and a BLT with avocado. The bacon is reallllly good here, so the sandwich was off the hook. for a simple BLT. The clam chowder was good too. My guy's nephew went with the 1-2-3 which was a waffle, two eggs and three bacon. He loved it and ate the whole thing! His sister ordered this dish that looked like a vegetable nacho plate with sour cream and olives on top, that looked pretty good to me. His mom went with the chicken Caesar salad, which was a really big salad. Everyone enjoyed their brunch or lunch at the Morning Thunder Cafe and we found a new place in town to get the best Mimosas around, the large ones. *wink* read more

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Great food and awesome service. All employees there were very helpful and attentive, wearing their mask at all times and cleaning tables and surrounding areas after each party leaving. Would definitely recommend this place for breakfast and lunch. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

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This place is seriously the jewel of Chico. Every time I am in town, I have to eat here. Their biscuits and gravy have no equal. I speak from experience, the best B&G in the Fresno/Clovis area is basically a 7 compared to Morning Thunder's 10. My most recent visit was last weekend, and I was pleased to see how well they've adapted to social distancing guidelines. It was also apparent that the staff were all following guidelines with masks and sanitization procedures. We sat outside on the patio, but they also had some tables on their front lawn and a few tables available inside. Paired with the amazing food, the visit was perfect, just as expected. When it comes to breakfast in Chico, there's really no where else that's worth your time. read more

AMAZING amazing restaurant, I love coming here And bringing friends who are visiting here. staff is amazing! and the ambiance is great!! Highly recommend, portions are hugeee read more

Great portions and amazing food! A lot of good memories here. Big thanks to the staff for all their hard work!

Food is usually decent but today we got food delivered. One of my two eggs was overcooked and hash browns were burnt. Hubbys chicken fried steak was also very thick and tough. read more

Morning Thunder Cafe - Burnt hash browns - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chico, California

Good food, good service, not a long wait. We both had a standard bacon and eggs, potatoes and toast breakfast and it was really good. Only downside was the noise level was high and our server had to practically shout. Will return for sure. read more

Super cute cozy little diner. I love how it has a homey vibe to it, I ate there as soon as it opened and it was sweet to see all their regulars sit at their usual spots read more

I really appreciate how the owner of this cafe is so receptive. It gives me confidence that they are willing to reflect and grow as a business. --I've come across restaurant owners that reply with condescending responses and excuses-- definitely not the case this time. read more

Always a great day if I have time to stop here for breakfast! Never disappointed and today was no different. Service was better than most anywhere in town. Three egg omelette with the best bacon in town. Coffee was always full. I wouldn't change anything. Thank you! read more

First time here for my nieces graduation. It was perfect. Food and service spectacular! I had the gluten free pancakes! They were huge and very tasty. Could only eat half! The service was wonderful! Our niece was graduating at 9 am. We got to the restaurant just before 7:30 and the 4 of us got seated right away. "Old diner" atmosphere, but that's what makes it comfortable! read more

I have never been more disgusted in my life. If you are vegetarian or vegan DO NOT GO HERE. I was just poisoned by this disgusting excuse for a restaurant who put small chunks of sausage in my breakfast potatoes. They sell overpriced disgusting slop and should be shut down by the health department. I hope this place goes out of business. **In response to your reply: you were quite aware of what happened and did give a refund for the tainted food. Both myself and my husband complained, so it's a shame that nobody said anything when asked. As I told you in my message this was a matter of cross contamination and not getting an order wrong. This was a horrible experience that made me very sick. read more

Dee and her team put their whole hearts into your dining experience. Friendly, great service, clean and always a great breakfast or lunch!

Be prepared to wait for a long time and to get mediocre food. This wasn't anything special and we wished we would have gone somewhere else. The staff is friendly, but other than that I can't see myself coming back. read more

Has a 50's Diner vibe. The food is great no matter what you order. My only criticism is it is LOUD inside. So loud my hubby and I cannot hold a conversation. If you don't mind loud restaurants and good diner food then this is the place for you. read more