Had a lovely time upon the first visit to this restaurant, and I'm sure we'll return when we're in the area again. The only mild setback wa that we were seated in the back, near where someone was power washing some floor mats, and we could hear (and smell) the process. He finished before we got our food, so it wasn't a big deal. The server was very nice and the food was excellent. Everything was reasonably priced for the area it's in. read more

Went to RJs today for some breakfast! Had the Ham and Eggs scrambled and their house potatoes and toast. The wait around 11:00 was about 25 minutes to be seated and about another 20ish minutes after you order for your food to arrive. The ham was cook perfectly and the eggs were great. The potatoes were so so. Mostly mushy from what I got when I expected them to be more crispy. Besides that everything else was good! read more

RJ's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

We've been regular customers for years and have always bragged about this place and their pancakes to our friends. This time, however, the experience was disappointing and honestly made us feel bad in front of our companions, whom we had invited. We drove 30 minutes on a Saturday morning in 90-degree summer heat to have breakfast at this restaurant, so we were really looking forward to enjoying the experience. Unfortunately, it turned into a very disappointing visit. After waiting about 45 minutes for a table which is understandable during busy weekend hours, we were seated outside in front on the sidewalk, with the sun hitting half of the table. I ended up sitting in the corner with an umbrella post directly in front of me to avoid the sun. We asked for another table inside or somewhere with complete shade, but were told it would take a while because there wasn't another table available for eight. What made the situation more concerning was that our party included a pregnant mother and young children, who by any standard needed a little extra attention and comfort in that heat. Our waiter was very polite and attentive, but one of the plates was forgotten and arrived about 20 minutes after everyone else had been served. We then ordered pancakes after meals, which took another 40 minutes to arrive after checking on them twice!!! By that time, everyone was extremely hot and uncomfortable, and we couldn't even stay to enjoy them--which was the main reason we had to come here. Unfortunately, no apology was offered for the mess up, delays or the uncomfortable seating situation. We sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously. We still like this restaurant and have recommended it for years, but this visit fell far below our expectations. Better accommodations during extreme summer heat and more timely food service would have made a big difference. read more

RJ's Cafe - Outside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

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An easy, comfortable , delicious breakfast- it's all right here. RJ's Cafe offers ample outdoor seating , friendly and helpful servers, and a nice SoCal vibe without big beach crowds. Both our traditional breakfasts were tasty. Parking was easy. After lunch the general area offers some interesting little shops and several other restaurants. Give it a try. read more

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We will be coming back here for breakfast Service was amazing and very quick despite being super busy. Loved the food. Nothing was disappointing. read more

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The BEST Chicken Fried Steak in Orange County! I have tried so many different Chicken Fried Steaks in Orange County, and this is by far the best because not only is the Chicken Fried Steak crispy and delicious, but the gravy is delicious too! My waitress was Coral, and she was perfect in terms of friendliness, professionalism, being attentive and just all-around excellent! I love the old-school diner decor with some Dana Point, beachy influence. I am so happy I finally tried RJ's Cafe, and this is now my favorite breakfast place in Orange County! read more

RJ's Cafe - Chicken Fried Steak with gravy on the side, extra-crispy, home-fried potatoes and scrambled eggs. Bread is also included. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

I ve been coming to Hawaii for 40 years, mostly for work but also leisure. This luau was honestly the best I ve seen in a long time. The location, show , drinks and staff are all a 10. read more

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This place is a great find. The food, service, and ambiance are spot on! The indoor seating is like reliving that warm & cozy throw-back cafe. They even have a fantastic assortment of signed headshots of old-timer celebrities who have visited. The outdoor seating is very comfortable and pleasant. The Cheeseburger and Fries were one of the best & biggest, ever. The cup of clam chowder was also excellent. We actually came back the next morning and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. The pancake and sausage were so good. I had the huevos rancheros and was very pleased with the delicious flavor, mild heat, and generous portion. I would highly recommend this place for lunch or breakfast. read more

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It was such a beautiful Sunday that we had to go to RJ's Cafe. We love going here. Parking was tight but luckily a car was leaving as we pulled in and we were able to take their space. Brunch crowd was lined up deep that we waited a good 20-30 minutes. We sat at one of the stone benches and waited for them to call our name. Glad the sun was out and a nice breeze coming from the ocean. Finally we were called and we got sat inside in one of the booths by the large windows. Our server was nice and friendly. We placed our order and waited about 10-ish minutes for our food to come. We ordered the onion rings special last minute and that came first. - Breakfast Burrito - Half Sandwich and half soup - Taco Omelette (New Item) - Side Onion Rings (Special) - Coffee - Root Beer Soda - Water Food is always delicious. Atmosphere is always great. Restaurant clean and inviting. Servers friendly, welcoming, and attentive. read more

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One of the best breakfast options in South OC. This area has a lot of great dining options, this being one. It can get quite busy but the line moves fast. It's in a small shopping center so there is plenty of free parking attached right out front. Our waitress was very polite and everything that we ordered came out very fast. The restaurant itself is pretty large, they have a lot of indoor and outdoor seating options. For breakfast we started off with the Cinnamon Roll which is not as good as the main breakfast, I think they should use glaze instead and have it be a little lighter and less cakey, more gooey. For breakfast those I chose the Lobster Benedict and loved it. It had great flavors and I enjoyed every bite. I would highly recommend for breakfast to anyone. read more

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RJ's is well known and appreciated by Dana Point residents. It consistently has good food in a family-friendly and dog-friendly environment. I have eaten here twice in the last two weeks. I would describe it as an all-American cafe. You can choose to dine indoors or outdoors. The servers are friendly and frequently come around to fill your coffee cup or water glass. This time, I chose the burger and fries ($15.95) and could not finish all the food. My friends had fish and chips ($15.95) and a pesto chicken sandwich ($15.95). We were satisfied with our meals. Parking is easy as there is a parking lot on each side of RJ's. read more

Me and some friends went here for breakfast. We sat outside on the patio. The weather was perfect. The staff were extremely nice. The only reason they are getting four stars and not five is because nothing was seasoned. The omelette and the potatoes had no flavor. It was a very bland breakfast. read more

RJ's Cafe - Doheny omelette and breakfast potatoes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

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I came here with my girlfriend and we had Monica as our server. She was the best server we have had at any restaurant ever! She made us feel at home and was so kind with everything we could not have asked for a better experience. The food was delicious we got the steak sandwich, sourdough melt, and pancakes, they were all phenomenal! I highly recommend coming here if you are in town. read more

Stopped for a quick bite after walking the trail and wanted something to replenish carbs so I went for the cinnamon roll French toast and it was buttery and not too sweet which i appreciated. Lots of options and decently priced. read more

RJ's Cafe - Cinnamon roll French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

Delicious food. Seems like lot of regular customers. Nice outdoor patio area. No A/C but lots of fans. Can't wait to go back and try something different. All foos I saw looked delicious. read more

Stopped by on a Saturday around 12ish. The place was busy but we were seated outside right away. I ordered the banana stuffed French toast with eggs and bacon and a side of home style potatoes. To drink, I ordered a regular coffee. My husband ordered the sausage and eggs plate with a biscuit and gravy and my son ordered a bacon, cheese and avocado omelette. Our food came within 10-15 minutes. Our food was delicious. I loved the stuffed French toast and the honestly potatoes. My husband and son raved about their food as well. read more

Ate at RJs for breakfast twice while in town visiting with our 14 month old. Great service and great quality food.

Plan to get there before 9 am on a Sunday bc it gets busy! We had the pleasure of having Monica as our server who was absolutely darling. She made the experience even sweeter. There's never an empty chair which makes the ambience feel warm and inviting. One of few places where ambience matches food quality. Only regret was not ordering more! Will definitely be back read more

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We were excited to come here for some good American comfort food but what a huge huge disappointment in food and service ....never again. If the ratings are based on Quantity vs quality, then it's a sad day and certainly the food was the worst. The poached eggs were smothered in a tasteless thick hollandaise sauce with potatoes that tasted like they came from the frozen section of the freezer. My friend tried the Fish and Chips and again, no seasoning. The service was worse... After waiting for the server to replace the empty Ketchup bottle (anything to add some taste to our meals) and having no fork, I finally had to search for these myself by going into another room some where by the kitchen. No coffee refill to be had. To top it off, when it came time for the bill, the waitress magically appeared and wouldn't leave until I tipped. Their tablets are automatic with a 20% plus 2 higher options, and she felt she had to hover over me as I opted to customize a tip deserving (of her service and ill attitude) No one should feel pressured to do So. Heck, she should have tipped me for 'finding' the napkins to stabilize the table leg so we could eat without spilling our coffee. Don't waste your money- go next door. The only way this place stays in business is because the Harbor is closed. Such a HUGE disappointment when my 10 year old can make a better egg. read more

I had been looking for a good breakfast spot close to San Juan Capistrano and RJ's was perfect! They have an extensive menu with plenty of options for everyone, including healthy options. We ordered the feta scramble with sweet potato fries, cinnamon roll french toast with sausage, bacon and eggs, fruit bowl and lobster benedict with home-fried potatoes. It was all excellent but my favorite was the lobster benedict. What I liked most about RJ's was their exceptional customer service. Our server, Monica, was the nicest server and really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. She was so sweet, explained everything well and brought out our food right away. Besides that, I like that they have a dog-friendly outside patio. It was not very busy when we went around 2 p.m. on a Sunday. I will definitely be back to try more from their menu. read more

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Very nice homemade scratch food feel. Service was incredible and fast. Biscuits and gravy is very large but very good!

I wanted to get some breakfast and was looking for a place I haven't tried. I decided on RJ's. I decided on the biscuits and gravy after seeing someone at another table getting some. I had a side of bacon too. These biscuits were huge, the biggest I've seen. There were delicious. The bacon was the perfect side. I think the best part of eating here was the service from Monica L. She is amazing, so cheerful and friendly. You can tell she loves her job. There may be a wait at times, but it's worth it to get on the list. read more

RJ's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Awesome place and great food! The staff was amazing as well as the prices. We will back very soon read more

Good food and good customer service. My husband and I enjoyed breakfast here and looking forward to coming back :)

Really glad we stopped in before leaving OC. Great way to cap a long weekend. Highly recommend. Pancakes were light and fluffy. Omelet was good. And got the biscuit with gravy. A little dry. But massive. Good flavor. read more

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The food here is quite good and decently priced for the location. Some decent clam chowder and really great breakfast dishes - particularly the French Toast variations. Friendly service in a nice, scenic (but touristy) area. It's a good stop if you can find parking. read more

Located across from the Dana Point Harbor. They have outside patio and indoor seating. It can get busy so don't be stressed if you need to wait a bit - believe me the food is worth the wait. Can be a little pricey depending on what you order but I feel it was good for the portion size, quality and freshness of the food. Service was attentive. Relaxed breakfast and lunch. I enjoyed the egg white, feta and spinach scramble with added turkey sausage (10/10). A nice fresh avocado sliced on top and served with sides of toast and country style potatoes. My friend had the cinnamon roll (8/10) - delicious, warmed, soft but a little overly sweet. Better to share it. Good coffee with flavored creamers too. read more

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A fantastic spot for breakfast! The menu is huge, with plenty of options for both breakfast and lunch. I highly recommend the Eggs Benedict--it was amazing. The biscuits and gravy were also a hit, and the portions are giant. Service was great and there was easy parking, which is always a plus. read more

RJ's Cafe - Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

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The restaurant was busy and the service was timely. I enjoyed an excellent bowl of oatmeal with prompt coffee refill. Based on this experience, I highly recommend. read more

The positive points are they are dog friendly and our server was very pleasant. I love a good French Dip and it was on the menu so I ordered it along with sweet potato fries which I asked our server to make sure the fries were hot and crispy. The fries were perfect. The sandwich however reminded me of the old Wendy's commercial, "where's the beef"? Sadly there was only 3 thin slices of beef on a lot of bun. The au Jus was flavorful. Just add some beef to the sandwich and I'm sure it'll be great. read more

My husband and I were in the area, and he had heard from locals that this is the place to go. It was busy for a Monday late morning (11a-ish), but we were seated in about 10 min. They had outdoor seating but my husband didn't want it. I preferred the patio but didn't make it clear, so they ended up seating us inside. The interior was okay. We got the Carnitas and Eggs, Hole in the Fence (with a bread upgrade to a biscuit and gravy) and a cinnamon roll. My husband enjoyed the Carnitas. The cinnamon roll was big but not that good (I could taste the preservatives or something weird), but oh my... my omelet and biscuit and gravy were AMAZING! I think that is the best omelet I've ever had (and I have eaten many and make a pretty mean one myself). The biscuit and gravy was also so good. I would have never thought to make a biscuit pan style, so it can soak up more gravy. If you want down home breakfast cooking, this is a solid place to go. read more

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What a treasure! Great dishes amazing service and super atmosphere. A new favorite!

Let's talk about the best food money can buy! RJ does not skimp he buys quality food steak and eggs are the best in Orange County County. His staff is professional and courteous If only other restaurants would follow his example read more

Such a great breakfast spot. The wait wasn't to bad for Sunday morning-25 minutes. I got the feta avocado scramble. It came with hash browns and side of toast. Very delicious and plenty of food. I'll definitely come back and get one of the many other amazing options I didn't get to try. read more

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RJ's is one of our local go to places. They have an indoor and outdoor seating area. They do get very busy on the weekends so you'll be looking at anywhere from a 15-30 minute wait if you get there a bit later in the morning. The French toast is a must if you're into sweets. The omelettes are very tasty and they do a good job of keeping your coffee full. The service can be slowish at times but it's part of the RJ's experience. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for a quick meal. If you have time on your hands and want to bring the family and friends in, this is your place! Cheers! read more

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Delicious breakfast options. We go frequently and there's always something that sounds good in their large menu. Get there early as they get very busy after 9:00am. Worth a trip to RJ's Cafe! read more

We were there for breakfast a couple of weeks ago, it was Delicious! This was the first time I've been there and we weren't disappointed! From my understanding they are famous for their Cinnamon rolls and they are Amazing! The service we had was Very good! I Highly recommend coming to Experience the food and casual atmosphere down near the Harbor! read more

RJ's Cafe - Celebrating RJ's Cafe! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dana Point, California

Trying another Breakfast Burrito place in the San Clemente Metropolitan Area took me to Dana Point Harbor region. Warning TMI: I had an early doctor appt in Newport, so on my way back to SC, decided to try RJ's since I had hear good things about their massive breakfast burrito. One buddy told me it was the size of his forearm. Intriguing. Very friendly staff as soon as I walked in and was then asked if I wanted to dine inside or outside. Beautiful day, so I chose a table outside on the big patio. It was bustling at about 11am on a Thursday. I noticed that the hostesses and servers were greeting a lot of people as regulars, welcoming them back. Very cool to see that. My server was friendly as she took my drink order and I asked what she recommended. She offered a couple of ideas, but she did not know my secret that I was actually only here for the breakfast burrito. I hid my identity as a semi-professional, mediocre critic obsessed with finding the perfect breakfast burrito. She had no idea as I feigned interest in the other items... After some time reviewing the massive menu I, of course, chose the Big Breakfast Burrito with sausage: Choice of chorizo, bacon, sausage or ham; eggs, onion, potatoes, salsa and cheese. It was pretty crowded at this point, so the order took a bit of time to get out to me. That was fine, since it was a nice day and I was just hanging out enjoying my cold diet coke. When the burrito arrived, I was surprised that it was served wet, with sauce and cheese on top. I do prefer my breakfast burritos dry, so I can pick them up and eat instead of using fork and knife. That's just me. The other observation I made was that the buddy who said the burrito was the size of his forearm must have very short, very fat forearm. Funny I never noticed that on him. Ok, let's get down to the burrito: + It is a pretty large burrito. Not a forearm, but a fatty nonetheless. + I was not thrilled with the sauce on top. I could not pinpoint my distaste, just tasted a bit ketchupy, but not really. I would pass on it. Again, I prefer a dry breakfast burrito anyway. + A lot of potatoes. Also, I like hash browns in my BB, so that's just something that is my personal preference that is what it is. + Eggs and sausage were great, but the potatoes overshadowed them. It tasted decent, but not one of my favorites in the area. I believe that some people would love this version of a breakfast burrito, but just not me. Service and all employees were great, so the three stars is soley based on the breakfast burrito. Service was 5+ stars. Since there appeared to be so many regulars, I will plan to come back and bring the wife. I am confident that other items on the menu would be great and I would like to try. RJ's is open for breakfast and lunch only. Go. Eat Pretty Good. HAVE FUN! read more

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We decided to spend a few days staying along the coast for a quick getaway. We aren't familiar with this area on where the good places to eat are. We decided to try RJ"s Cafe. Hands down the Best pancakes I have ever eaten. And my husband said his omelet was the best omelet he had ever had. Now I know this is just breakfast; however, I am serious about how delicious the food here was. We will be returning to this place in the future! read more

Open air café that has wonderful service and food. Omelets are big and very filling. My husband gave the biscuits and gravey a thumbs up. Dogs allowed on the patio. read more