You sit down hungry, leave full, and consider becoming a regular…read more This is a family owned diner in the truest sense, meaning: The coffee cups are all different, like you're drinking out of a cabinet curated by three generations and one aunt who collects mugs from roadside attractions. Immediately comforting. Felt chosen by the mug--mine was a Hersheys s'mores cup :) My date (who is aight... possibly good... TBD... also over a foot taller than me) confidently interjected when I was reviewing the menu for the nth time: "Anything with the ranchero sauce really good." This comment completely derailed my order decision-making process, but in a way that felt supportive, if not academically rigorous, maybe even data driven. So I ordered something with ranchero sauce. I asked if they had spicy tanchero sauce bc my dish came with mild ranchero sauce, our server with kind eyes asks me "you want salsas on the sides?" I heard angels singing, the clouds parted to let the sun through. I LOVE SALSAS Then he says these magical words "the salsas' spice levels kind of vary daily, depends on the day" :') THEY MAKE SALSAS IN HOUSE?!!! The food is honest. The salsa is abundant. The coffee is good as you try to spy what other c cups are of Would return. Would trust the ranchero sauce again. Would possibly bring the tall man back, height difference not-withstand :) ok. High likelihood

S.C CAFE @ SAN CLEMENTE…read more Parking can be a little difficult since they only have a very small parking lot with maybe four or five spots available, so most people will probably end up parking on the street. My boyfriend and I got lucky and managed to grab a spot after driving by for a bit. I was really excited to try this place because I love small breakfast diners, and I usually go to Surfin Donuts right across the street, which has some of the best donuts. We came here on a Saturday morning around 10 AM, and the place was busy but still really cozy. There are only a couple tables inside along with some outdoor seating, but luckily we were able to get seated right away without a wait. The staff were also extremely friendly and welcoming. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with two eggs and sausage, while my boyfriend got an omelet with a Mexican-style sauce. Overall, I liked the food, but I do think the biscuits and gravy could've been a little better. The gravy itself was delicious, and the eggs were cooked perfectly, but the biscuits felt a little too dry for my liking. I also thought the sausages were pretty dry and maybe a bit overcooked. The potatoes though were super flavorful and definitely one of my favorite parts of the meal. What really stood out to me was the ambiance. The whole place feels super nostalgic and homey. They even bring out an actual paper check at the end, which made it feel like stepping back into an old-school diner from decades ago. Overall, I'd definitely come back because I loved the atmosphere so much, but next time I'd probably try something sweeter instead of going the savory route.

After a few hours of thrift shopping with friends we were ready to rest tired feet and feed our…read moretummies. We chose to sit outdoors since there were two fur babies with us. I enjoy going to cafes and trying out their meals. I find that most cafes serve mediocre coffee. That was different here, the coffee was pretty darn good. For my meal I selected the Chicken Fried Steak, request that my eggs be cooked over easy, hash brown be extra crispy and with white toast. I did forget to ask the gravy be served on the side because I would like the steak to remain crispy. I usually eat slow, but this time I was pretty hungry which didn't allow the fried steak to become soggy. Everything was delicious! Even the gravy which wasn't the typical looking gravy that I'm used to being served. It was creamy with great flavor. The chicken friend steak was fried to perfection. It was a bit on the windy side sitting outside. I ordered to a chai tea latte to go. It was very good, the spices were robust, but a nice balance. The service was great and fast. I would definitely come back here!

I cannot believe this was our first time here! San Clemente is our go to staycation destination and…read morein all the times we've stayed here this was our first time trying Sunrise Cafe. Boy, have we been missing out! Parking is located in the back of the strip of businesses. They do have an entrance in the back that leads you directly inside the cafe. We walked around the front and greet immediately upon entering. There was seating inside and out, we opted to sit outside because the weather was perfect. Service was great! From the host, to server and bus guy. Everyone made our experience exceptional from start to finish. Their menu is big enough to have something for everyone. We tried a bit of everything: French toast, veggie omelette, machaca burrito and plate. The food was phenomenal! The extra crispy hashbrown is making me crave another staycation lol. all in all, we had a great experience at Sunrise and will definitely be back.

These are the best burgers I've ever had. Everything I could ask for in a burger, and they do it…read moreright, every time. The variety of toppings is also plentiful and perfect to build the burger of your dreams. The best thing though, hands down, their waffle cut sweet potato fries paired with their house ranch. I can't recommend them enough. I love that they both always taste fresh and delicious. I would include a photo, but every time I order them, they are gone in a flash. Service is done with a smile and a friendly energy. As far as ambiance, I'd say it's like a casual beachside kinda joint. (in my opinion anyway, ofc) I've been a loyal diner here for the last 10 years, and I'll keep coming back.

The Riders Club Cafe is a convenient spot to refuel without feeling rushed. It's much more casual…read morethan a dining restaurant. We were not particularly hungry so we all had our chili hot dog and one kid's meal. My husband had the single cheeseburger. Seriously, the chili hot dog is amazing! It is a must-try item on the menu. The chili was delicious with a perfectly cooked beef hot dog. The sized portion was great too. I also recommend the Rice Crispy Treat and homemade chocolate pudding. They were super good. They've got indoor and also great outdoor seating depending on what is available or your preference. There is also a heater installed on the patio to make the outdoor dining comfortable. However, coastal evenings can turn chilly even in summer so bring a warm jacket or sweater. This will be very helpful to make a significant difference in your comfort.

Alrighty, it has finally the time for me to tried out this place and keep in mind ya'll, I've been…read morein San Clemente for a long time and I'm sorry that I haven't eaten here. I wish I did sooner! I past by this place on my way to work every day. Literally. Its on route for me and I never thought to myself to eat breakfast here nor check it out, I know on the days when I head back home it's always pack and people be waiting for a table. And that's on a sunny day. Well I was wrong for thinking oh it wouldn't be crowded on a rainy day. NOPE. I was sooooo wrong. It was PACKED and busy. Ain't even the rain gonna stop people to get some good food. What supposed to be a long day at work, tournament was cancelled last minutes and my staff was really bummed because we did travel to work. (I work two jobs and the other is a bit of commute to get to) so with that I was thinking, heck, it's still early in the morning (7am on sunday, a rainy sunday) and suggested breakfast. A bit of yelp search, i stumbled on Antoine's and saw a couple of Elites reviewed and ask my staff if they wanted to eat here. Took less than a couple of second but everyone agreed. By the time we got there (around 10am) it was packed and the rain was just picking up because before we got here, the car in front of us hydroplane and skid off the road and hit the curb. Yet, this place was still pack and parking was full. (We found street parking near Starbucks) I had my staff placed our name down since she lives closer, but they won't see you until all your party is here and that's fine. We ended up seating at the bar and left the booth for other parties. Love the teamwork, the staff were super stars doing a rush like that, let me tell you it PACKED HOUSE and we got our food and drinks on time, no one in my party had to wait to eat and I forgot to take pictures of my staff meals, only took mines and what I got for the table to share was a croissant french toast, which I believe was their special of the day. I got the chicken fried steak and the portion are MASSIVE!!! All of us took our food home because the portion size are insanely big and bang for the buck!! Great place to eat breakfast or brunch or even a 'Team Building Breakfast Time' LOL Just happy to treating out my amazing staff on their work. I will be coming back again to try out their lox bagels and chai tea. (It was in a massive cup that reminds me of the show FRIENDS.)

ANTOINE'S CAFE @ SAN CLEMENTE…read more Parking is available in their private parking lot, and there's plenty of space. We were actually able to snatch a spot on Valentine's Day morning, which I was honestly surprised about. We came in around 9:30 AM and there was already a waitlist, but the wait wasn't bad at all only about 10 minutes. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The vibe is very much your classic neighborhood café not super modern or trendy, but more homey, cozy, and family-friendly. It really feels like the kind of spot that locals go to all the time. We ordered the Nutella crêpe, the biscuits and gravy (which came with sausage and hash browns), and an omelet filled with goat cheese, turkey, and spinach. Everything was delicious. The portions were solid and the quality was really great. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Pricing is pretty average, around $16 to $23 depending on what you order but for the quality and portion sizes, it's definitely worth it. Overall, I would highly recommend stopping by if you're in San Clemente and looking for a casual, cozy breakfast spot to start your morning.

I came out for dinner around 8 PM on Tuesday for Cinco de Mayo, and let's just say this place is…read moreamazing. I'm from San Diego, and my friend and I kept saying we wish we had a spot like this back home. For starters, all of the bartenders and servers were all female, and they were incredibly friendly and personable. The vibe here is awesome. The place was packed with great energy, and from what we were told, it's mostly locals. Everyone was welcoming. I had the Porko Dio Bowl, and it was huge. I ended up taking half home, and it reheated well . The pork was super flavorful, and the whole dish was delicious. Overall, the food is awesome, the service is incredible, and the atmosphere is a lot of fun. I'll definitely be back.

Savannah was awesome she really fits the vibe of the restaurant and she is very attentive. I was…read moresupervised with how many people she served in 15 minutes! She remembered my order from 2 hours ago which shocked me. This place really should give her a raise she more than deserves it.

Love it here. First time visit. Celebrating a birthday lunch. We made reservations on Open Table…read more Easy and dependable. Reservations were definitely needed on a Saturday. Nick's hostess called me an hour before to confirm which was comforting. There is street parking which can be challenging as in any coastal community. I believe there is a close by public parking lot. The hostess was very welcoming and sat us right away. A.J. was an awesome waiter. He did not rush us and checked on us regularly and kept our water glasses full. Between the four of us we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, three fresh Mahi Mahi blackened fish sandwiches. There are many side choices. We had the very yummy crispy fries and the tomatoes with blue cheese - so good. The sandwich and side was a huge portion. I had to eat it deconstructed as it was piled high with blackened fish, coleslaw, tomato, onion rings, fresh micro greens, tartar sauce all on a fresh grilled brioche bun. The sliced prime rib French dip was a home-run. The roll was toasted yet soft. The prime rib tender and flavorful served with Au jus (good enough to eat with a spoon or sip from the bowl). AJ made sure we had plenty of ketchup and ranch for the fries and creamed horseradish for the dip sandwich. My father was given a dreamy chocolate cake and card signed by everyone to celebrate his birthday. The dreamy cake was moist filled with chocolate chips and covered it a to-die-for chocolate ganache. We had an 11:15 reservation and the large restaurant and bar was filled up by noon. There were many celebrations going on around our table. San Clemente is a great coastal town and Nick's is equally as wonderful.

I would like to give a shout out to Chantelle, who made everything right from a past order from…read moremonths ago when I had ordered a cheeseburger well-done with only cheddar cheese and raw onion, and the girl who answered the phone got my order totally wrong. Which I complained about immediately to the guy managers and not one of them did anything to help me. I'm a local here and a regular here and thank you for making everything right Chantelle and I will continue to keep coming here because of your great customer service.. Grace, thank you for letting me help you get your apartment here in town and please keep sending your friends my way! Gina

Was in town for a wedding and decided to give this place a try…read more If I could give more stars I would. Delicious! I've never had a Spam tempura and now that's all I want from now on! The bar area was cute and TV's playing sports games. We were seated quick, our food came just as quick and left with full happy bellies. Will comeback when craving a Spam Musubi and in the area!

Went here for date night last week- it has a lot more seating inside than I had expected!…read more Good service- 5/5 The ambience - 3.5/5 - the ambience wasn't my favorite, maybe it's a little better in their main restaurant area but we were seated to the left when you walk in and while there are a few booths in that area it was mostly outdoor chairs and tables and sort of odd lighting. Just very very casual and not totally comfortable. Food- 3.4/4 out of 5 - I got the Luau plate and LOVED the chicken!! Everyone else was right- that chicken thigh deserves its own plate. I also really enjoyed the coconut pudding/jello thing that came with it and the sausage link. The pulled pork was just okay, not very well seasoned but not bad. The side of "dressed greens" was just some lettuce without dressing on it, and I thought the macaroni salad was fine. The last thing that really disappointed me were the sautéed veggies :/ they were just soo oily and had no seasoning to them at all. I didn't eat any of them or the un-dressed 'salad'. My husband got the chicken katsu plate, he said the chicken katsu was fine but the fries on the side were cold and not crispy, they were kind of chalky in the mouth and didn't taste fresh. Some parts were definitely a 3/5 but my chicken thigh was so good and the portions are *huge* so I feel like they deserve a 4/5? All in all, I think I'd come back if I wanted to go out with someone but save some money and we'd split one of the plates (the portions really are huge).