Rudford's Restaurant
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After being totally shocked at the line outside Phil's BBQ, my wife and I decided to look for another option that didn't resemble the line for one of the Star Wars attractions at Disneyland. Rudford's became option #2. Open 24/7 and a wide selection of food choices, it seemed like our best option. Chicken fried steak sounded like a good choice. My wife chose the Reuben's sandwich with crinkle cut fries. My wife wasn't too impressed with her sandwich but my chicken fried steak was tender and the gravy was flavorful with a touch of pepper. I added a slice of blueberry pie to take back to the hotel. Our server was very pleasant and did a great job of checking on us to make sure everything was good. I was very satisfied with my dining experience and was happy to find a place open 24/7 the next time I'm in San Diego if I need to find a place to eat after normal dining hours. The parking lot is on the small side so it might be difficult to find a spot during peak hours. Definitely a place to keep in mind if you're looking for decent coffee shop fare.
I loved walking in the doors and feeling transported back in time. While they have upgraded their furniture, it sticks with that classic diner vibe and it's great! Large menu with all the classic diner foods, uber friendly staff, and large portions. If you want diner food, this is the place to come. Due to my stomach, I can't actually eat a lot of diner foo, but I enjoyed what my guy and I got. Skillet potatoes, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, etc. While the food wasn't the absolute best we've ever had, it was a fun time nonetheless. Also, very grateful for how crispy they made out hashbrowns when we said we wanted extra extra crispy! Can't wait to come back and try their milkshakes!
The blueberry pancakes here are fantastic--easily one of my favorite items on the menu. The restaurant has that classic diner feel, with a huge menu full of great options, and I'm always impressed by the quality of both the food and service. The staff is consistently attentive, making sure coffee cups stay full and waters are never empty. No matter what I order, I've never had a bad meal. Between the welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food, this is a spot I find myself coming back to again and again when I'm in the mood for classic all american food.
Went to Rudford's for lunch yesterday and it was a good choice. I ordered the daily special (meatloaf) and my wife went with a grilled cheese on sourdough with a side of fruit. My meatloaf was a large portion of well seasoned meat with tasty mashed potatoes and gravy. My lunch also included a side salad and mixed vegetables and a slice of garlic toast. Way too much food but I ate as much as I could. My wife said the grilled cheese was tasty and the side of fruit was good, especially the strawberries. Overall it was a good meal at a great price. Check em out!
Don't really know why this place isn't rated higher. Classic diner food with huge and delicious servings. The staff were attentive and friendly as well and space is clean. We got the chicken and waffles and the combo of blueberry pancaked with sausage and eggs. The pancakes were good but they were on the overcooked side, but we'll definitely back.
So I came in to try the chicken fried steak I'm always looking for a good chicken fried steak and the chicken fried steak here was good but the gravy was awful had no flavor which really really ruined it for me the eggs were decent the potatoes were horrible the place was busy so I was kind of say to myself well a lot of people here must be good it's been open since the 1940s but it was horrible and the service was not great you know you spent 20 bucks for some eggs and a piece of breaded steak hey give me something good y'all really need to work on your gravy will I come back nope.
Very expensive diner but it's one of the only places that's open very late. I understand it's very busy but it took forever to get our order in, our food out, and to pay our bill. My salad came out with a lot of watered down ranch which was disgusting. The sandwich was good but honestly the salad ruined my appetite.
Service is good, nice atmosphere, easy access, big portions...but not so sure about the two dishes we ordered. It's the first time I've ever ordered a corned beef sandwich that has come with lettuce and tomato or mayonnaise for that matter. I expected corned beef on rye to be corned beef on rye, and add mustard. Don't get me wrong, I ate it and it was OK, just not what I expected. Lettuce, tomato and mayo were on the bottom which made the rye bread a little soggy. The cowboy burger was huge, a little too much barbecue sauce, and the tomato was placed on the bottom of the burger, which made the bottom bone all soggy. Free refills on the fountain soda and iced tea though.
Rudford's is one of my dad's favorite restaurants. We went there 3 times during our visit to San Diego. I like the diner feel and the fact that they have so many different options. On one visit, I had a turkey club sandwich, which was huge and delicious. I took half of it back to the hotel & it was eaten on a day when we'd missed breakfast. We also made it in time for the early bird special one day -- a super good deal for $6.
Mainly good things to say about this place!! I love the fact that it's 24/7, it was in a nice place in the city where it's always busy so it seems like a great place to be. LOTS of food options ranging from savory to dessert, and that dessert option list was huge!!! Our waiter was nice.. the only thing that happened is my friend didn't get the toast that came with his meal and we saw it sitting on the hot food shelf but no one brought it and our waiter hadn't come back to check if we got it but no worries, just some toast. I got the mushroom Swiss burger which was yummy!! So happy they had ranch. Definitely coming back for a late night munchie again
I know this restaurant has been serving nostalgic American classics for years, and I've had good experiences here before. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite meet expectations this time. The gravy on the biscuits was thicker than I prefer and a bit one-note, and the corned beef hash could have used more seasoning. I understand food costs have gone up everywhere, and restaurants have had to adjust. At this price point though, I was hoping for a little more flavor and consistency. Our meals arrived slightly warm rather than hot, and overall they felt pretty standard. They do offer weekday breakfast specials, which may be a better value option. I know many people who are longtime fans, so clearly it works for others, it just wasn't my best experience.
Rudford's is such a classic diner spot and everything we ordered tasted great. The pancakes were fluffy, the waffles were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the eggs were cooked exactly how we wanted. The bacon and sausage were solid too and the portions were huge. It is the kind of breakfast that just hits perfectly. The vibe is super nostalgic with that old school diner feel. It is casual, bright, and really comforting. It also feels perfect for a late night bite when you want something warm and reliable. Prices are very reasonable for how much food you get. Service was also great. The staff was friendly and the food came out fast even though they were busy. If you want a solid breakfast or a late night meal that actually tastes amazing, Rudford's is an easy five stars. I will always come back!
Best chicken fried steak I've ever had. The blueberry pie/vanilla shake was delicious. Probably gained 5 pounds. Totally worth it!
Good food & pleasant service. I think we arrived during the rush so it took a few minutes for our orders to be taken after the busser dropped off our waters. Tye food arrived about 15 minutes after our order was taken. My omelette was huge and the veggies were very fresh! I wasn't a fan of the raw onions in the omelette but otherwise it was very good, and the hash browns were delightful. M. said the burger was really good & he enjoyed the potato salad. We sat in a comfortable booth & enjoyed ourselves. Reasonable prices for sure! We also parked in the parking lot! Win! Peace. read more
6 days ago
1 month ago
After being totally shocked at the line outside Phil's BBQ, my wife and I decided to look for another option that didn't resemble the line for one of the Star Wars attractions at Disneyland. Rudford's became option #2. Open 24/7 and a wide selection of food choices, it seemed like our best option. Chicken fried steak sounded like a good choice. My wife chose the Reuben's sandwich with crinkle cut fries. My wife wasn't too impressed with her sandwich but my chicken fried steak was tender and the gravy was flavorful with a touch of pepper. I added a slice of blueberry pie to take back to the hotel. Our server was very pleasant and did a great job of checking on us to make sure everything was good. I was very satisfied with my dining experience and was happy to find a place open 24/7 the next time I'm in San Diego if I need to find a place to eat after normal dining hours. The parking lot is on the small side so it might be difficult to find a spot during peak hours. Definitely a place to keep in mind if you're looking for decent coffee shop fare. read more
3 months ago
I loved walking in the doors and feeling transported back in time. While they have upgraded their furniture, it sticks with that classic diner vibe and it's great! Large menu with all the classic diner foods, uber friendly staff, and large portions. If you want diner food, this is the place to come. Due to my stomach, I can't actually eat a lot of diner foo, but I enjoyed what my guy and I got. Skillet potatoes, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, etc. While the food wasn't the absolute best we've ever had, it was a fun time nonetheless. Also, very grateful for how crispy they made out hashbrowns when we said we wanted extra extra crispy! Can't wait to come back and try their milkshakes! read more
The blueberry pancakes here are fantastic--easily one of my favorite items on the menu. The restaurant has that classic diner feel, with a huge menu full of great options, and I'm always impressed by the quality of both the food and service. The staff is consistently attentive, making sure coffee cups stay full and waters are never empty. No matter what I order, I've never had a bad meal. Between the welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food, this is a spot I find myself coming back to again and again when I'm in the mood for classic all american food. read more
1 month ago
Went to Rudford's for lunch yesterday and it was a good choice. I ordered the daily special (meatloaf) and my wife went with a grilled cheese on sourdough with a side of fruit. My meatloaf was a large portion of well seasoned meat with tasty mashed potatoes and gravy. My lunch also included a side salad and mixed vegetables and a slice of garlic toast. Way too much food but I ate as much as I could. My wife said the grilled cheese was tasty and the side of fruit was good, especially the strawberries. Overall it was a good meal at a great price. Check em out! read more
2 months ago
Don't really know why this place isn't rated higher. Classic diner food with huge and delicious servings. The staff were attentive and friendly as well and space is clean. We got the chicken and waffles and the combo of blueberry pancaked with sausage and eggs. The pancakes were good but they were on the overcooked side, but we'll definitely back. read more
So I came in to try the chicken fried steak I'm always looking for a good chicken fried steak and the chicken fried steak here was good but the gravy was awful had no flavor which really really ruined it for me the eggs were decent the potatoes were horrible the place was busy so I was kind of say to myself well a lot of people here must be good it's been open since the 1940s but it was horrible and the service was not great you know you spent 20 bucks for some eggs and a piece of breaded steak hey give me something good y'all really need to work on your gravy will I come back nope. read more
Business owner information
Nicholas K.
Hey Lance! We are sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the gravy. So odd…
3 days ago
Very expensive diner but it's one of the only places that's open very late. I understand it's very busy but it took forever to get our order in, our food out, and to pay our bill. My salad came out with a lot of watered down ranch which was disgusting. The sandwich was good but honestly the salad ruined my appetite. read more
Service is good, nice atmosphere, easy access, big portions...but not so sure about the two dishes we ordered. It's the first time I've ever ordered a corned beef sandwich that has come with lettuce and tomato or mayonnaise for that matter. I expected corned beef on rye to be corned beef on rye, and add mustard. Don't get me wrong, I ate it and it was OK, just not what I expected. Lettuce, tomato and mayo were on the bottom which made the rye bread a little soggy. The cowboy burger was huge, a little too much barbecue sauce, and the tomato was placed on the bottom of the burger, which made the bottom bone all soggy. Free refills on the fountain soda and iced tea though. read more
Rudford's is one of my dad's favorite restaurants. We went there 3 times during our visit to San Diego. I like the diner feel and the fact that they have so many different options. On one visit, I had a turkey club sandwich, which was huge and delicious. I took half of it back to the hotel & it was eaten on a day when we'd missed breakfast. We also made it in time for the early bird special one day -- a super good deal for $6. read more
Mainly good things to say about this place!! I love the fact that it's 24/7, it was in a nice place in the city where it's always busy so it seems like a great place to be. LOTS of food options ranging from savory to dessert, and that dessert option list was huge!!! Our waiter was nice.. the only thing that happened is my friend didn't get the toast that came with his meal and we saw it sitting on the hot food shelf but no one brought it and our waiter hadn't come back to check if we got it but no worries, just some toast. I got the mushroom Swiss burger which was yummy!! So happy they had ranch. Definitely coming back for a late night munchie again read more
8 months ago
I know this restaurant has been serving nostalgic American classics for years, and I've had good experiences here before. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite meet expectations this time. The gravy on the biscuits was thicker than I prefer and a bit one-note, and the corned beef hash could have used more seasoning. I understand food costs have gone up everywhere, and restaurants have had to adjust. At this price point though, I was hoping for a little more flavor and consistency. Our meals arrived slightly warm rather than hot, and overall they felt pretty standard. They do offer weekday breakfast specials, which may be a better value option. I know many people who are longtime fans, so clearly it works for others, it just wasn't my best experience. read more
2 months ago
Business owner information
Nicholas K.
We are indeed 24 hours. Only night we “close” for is hood cleaning…
10 months ago
Rudford's is such a classic diner spot and everything we ordered tasted great. The pancakes were fluffy, the waffles were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the eggs were cooked exactly how we wanted. The bacon and sausage were solid too and the portions were huge. It is the kind of breakfast that just hits perfectly. The vibe is super nostalgic with that old school diner feel. It is casual, bright, and really comforting. It also feels perfect for a late night bite when you want something warm and reliable. Prices are very reasonable for how much food you get. Service was also great. The staff was friendly and the food came out fast even though they were busy. If you want a solid breakfast or a late night meal that actually tastes amazing, Rudford's is an easy five stars. I will always come back! read more
27 days ago
Best chicken fried steak I've ever had. The blueberry pie/vanilla shake was delicious. Probably gained 5 pounds. Totally worth it! read more
4 hours ago
1 month ago
We did buy food but monthly didn't hit, but the desserts ! Bruh 100 recommend. I never thought bacon would taste good on a shake lol read more
02:45 on a Sunday morning after the bar not as busy as I thought. Place was vibing, servers servin. Chilequiles with green salsa and over easy eggs were waaayyy too good. Their salsas have always been legit, so I don't know why I'm so surprised. read more
Business owner information
Nicholas K.
Thank you for returning Josh!
We came here for breakfast on a Saturday and it was delicious. Three words to describe this place: Simple, humble, authentic. This place opens 24/7 and has been open since 1940s. We got seated almost right away and the vibe in here feels like you went back in time. Music was great and even customer service feels unreal, almost like we went back in time to the good old times. I ordered one of those classic 24/7 breakfast with the eggs, toast, and potatoes with a side of grits. Pricing is also very reasonable and the taste was delicious as expected. This was definitely a nice find. We see that they are even open on Thanksgiving day and on all holidays. Would definitely come here again. read more
11 months ago
Sorry to say this was not my favorite experience and I REALLY wanted to love it. We love finding diners and this one just wasn't a hit for us. The food was ok, but nothing to drive 25 minutes for. The sign outside says 24/7 which is pretty cool if you need something at 4 am. The booth we had was in good shape and comfortable. The inside looked like a modernized diner which we liked. There was bar type seating in booths. I believe it was either that or booths. From where we were sitting, it would be difficult to have a wheelchair inside. We were not in the back corner so I may be wrong. It was pretty loud but it was completely full. We waited about 15-20 minutes for a table. It was very bright inside in a good way. We were not fans of our server. I understand it was busy but we had to wait awhile for her to come back for a refill. She just seemed like she was not happy. Could have been a bad day for her- so maybe this experience was a one off. I'm giving it 3 stars because overall we weren't happy with the food or service. read more
10 months ago
Let me start this review by saying that I go here way too much and know everyone who works here. This is a classic 24-hour diner right in the middle of the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. They serve beer, wine, and mimosas until 11:00pm. My favorite items are the lemon pepper/teriyaki wings, the navy bean soup, #11 (two eggs, toast, has browns), chicken fingers and fries, the bacon cheeseburger, and the PECAN PIE (legitimately the best I've ever had). There are about 100 items on the menu so there's something for everyone. They have an Andes mint milkshake! They have an extra lot just behind their normal parking lot in case it's full. All the homies work on the graveyard crew! read more
1 day ago
This will be the final review in a four-part series titled "A Diner and a Cafe" in which I sit for breakfast (sans coffee) at a diner then walk to a nearby coffee shop to grab some caffeine to go: Pt. 1 - Between Us / Lazy Eye Coffee Pt. 2 - The Vibe / BICA Coffee Shop Pt. 3 - Antique Row Cafe / Fuzz Coffee and Records Pt. 4 - Rudford's Restaurant / Coffee & Tea Collective Here is my review: I am man. I order steak and eggs. I eat steak and eggs. Go to Between Us ($29) or The Vibe ($27) if you want to blow your money. Antique Row ($18.25) and Rudford's ($23.95) for saving some cash. (Prices for the entrees featured in each review.) The end. read more
One of, if not the, oldest diners in San Diego. This 24 hour diner on El Cajon Blvd in North Park is really popular for many reasons but for some reason I had never tried it until this past weekend. I say that as someone from San Diego whose family has been here since the late 1980s. Inside is very large and has many different seating options from booth, to counter, to table. Our server was very polite and everything that we ordered came out very fast. They have a very large menu with all sorts of diner classics on it. There's also a large free parking lot attached so parking is easy to find. The only issue we had was that the food itself was not the best, it was not bad, but the experience was better than the food. We started off with a Cinnamon Roll and thought it was pretty good, but it was not gooey enough in my opinion, and it was overly large in size but was not large in flavor. For my meal, I chose the Chilaquiles with green sauce and even though I love spicy food, I thought they were overly spicy and my eggs were a bit overdone. It is diner pricing so it's not really a big deal but I would like to try again to see if I had a one off experience. I would suggest if you are in the area or are interested in San Diego dining history. read more
18 days ago
The food came out hot, and we got plenty of it. The servers and staff were friendly and the ambiance is that of old school which I love. And this place serves grits which is rare. read more
3 months ago
I've visited this place late night with my husband on 2 occasions now and they've hit the spot both times. The wings are moist and delicious- we've tried Thai sweet chili and lemon pepper wings. We've also had the tuna melt and fried cod fillets- everything was great- no complaints about the food. The servers have always been friendly and helpful when we have questions about the menu. It's your standard diner with the cushioned booths- highly recommend if you need some late night eats. read more
6 months ago
Rudford's est 1946 is a staple in San Diego, Ca. Located on ElCajon Blvd, it's a great place for retro meals. There's a small parking lot and depending on what day you go, street parking is a challenge but worth the extra footwork. You can sit at the counter or wait for a table. I sat at the counter. I ordered the Liver & Onions lunch which came with salad, garlic bread, beets, mashed potatoes and gravy. I had a water with lemon and a Mr Pibb. The portions are large and very tasty. I ended leaving with a doggy bag which most customers did. A nice culinary journey from the past! read more
7 months ago
Every time we're in Diego we come here. Food is always flavorful, the service is always fast and friendly with reasonable pricing. This is on og spot and a favorite of ours. read more
6 days ago
Came in early morning before work. I got the corned beef hash, eggs over medium, hash browns and wheat toast. The corned beef was ok, it had an odd spongy texture, I think I woulda just preferred the canned type grilled hard on the flat top. Service was excellent as there's basically 1 person waiting on the whole place at that odd hour, so kudos to her. On a past visit I had the pork chop, it was ok. I guess I had over expected as I've heard that it was so special. It wasn't bad by any means just not as special as I've been lead to believe. It's your typical diner ambiance, nothing fancy. There's a parking lot in the back but also some parking on the street in front which I've always found at least in odd hours. I appreciate that it's open 24/7 it's always my go to when I know everything else is closed. It's nice to be able to sit down in a restaurant instead of in your car after going to a fast food drive thru. read more
1 year ago
Food: Myriad choices from home-made O'Brien Potatoes to Ham 'n Eggs your style, Savory, Sweet, Umami, salads, soups, sides, burgers & much, much more. Loved the plump chicken sausage! Service: OMG! Servers, Cashiers, Bus-people ALL. mountains above expectations-truly remarkable- Ambience: Old School Vibes, energized yet calmly organized during busiest times. Recommended & open 24HRS a Day read more
4 months ago
Quality in the food has definitely gone down ..serving up raw potatoes is no good will make you loose you appetite and not want to come back. Marcella by server has the worst attitude I've seen in a server In a while . No care or compassion just met with straight attitude. please do better or pretend to care your serving raw food read more
We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away around 10am on a Saturday morning. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was delicious and arrived just a few minutes after placing our order. Our coffee was refilled as soon as we needed. Has the classic diner vibe. We enjoyed our visit to Rudford's very much! read more
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More info about Rudford's Restaurant
2900 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
North Park
Directions
(619) 282-8423
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http://www.rudfords.com/
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Ask the Community - Rudford's Restaurant
How is the coffee? Not many make mention of the quality/flavor.
I like the coffee. It always seems fresh and they offer half & half OR non-dairy too. The staff is very pro-active on re-fills too! They work together to make sure everyone is served.
Are you serving Thanksgiving dinner this year?
Yes we are. We will begin serving holiday meals at 11am
Do they have big parking spaces for limousine bus or limousine?
No they don't but you might be able to see if they'll let you park behind the building.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
131 reviews that are not currently recommended
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