From Chula Vista on up to Crescent City this might be the best breakfast spot in all of California and beyond that I've ever been to save for maybe Al's breakfast in Dinkytown/Minneapolis. But, that would be a rather long commute. Housed in a former Sears Roebuck log cabin catalog home. It's a great piece of nostalgia from a precious time gone bye. You know, the predecessor to amazon.com where one could order everything from a clutch pressure plate for a 1959 Ford Galaxy, a new top for a convertible VW Beetle, and even a house! (At one time the Worlds largest seller of home furnishings and top-quality, Craftsman tools.) A lovely outdoor patio with an excellent friendly staff and delicious organic meals. Fantastic ambience !Today I enjoyed "hardly working" with an extra egg over hard and a wonderful corn pancake with REAL maple syrup. This is the Shiznits. There are also wonderful items to go, including delicious scones. This IS the real deal, surprising there's not a line a block long every day . Please note that they actually do special events as well. read more

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We were looking for a place to eat brunch that was dog friendly. We lucked out and found parking not to far down the street. They only have street parking (it's all free ,no meters). After we checked in,the hostess said it would take a few minutes. They have plenty of seating available to wait in front of the restaurant. I didn't realize that there is no seating in the restaurant. It's all in back under a covered patio. We got seated under a fig tree,with provided plenty of shade. I noticed that the plates of food on other peoples tables looked really good. I saw a lot of people who ordered the French toast,it looked huge. We ended up ordering yam and eggs,and the daily special (lunguica and spinach with home potatoes). The condiments and water are all self serve. They have them all set out on a table near the entrance to the patio. Everything tasted fresh and home made. read more

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We were seated around 11am and got settled before two other couples who came in after us. A little frustratingly, we weren't brought drinks or silverware while the other tables were taken care of right away and even had a chance to order food. The server did do a great job tending to them almost immediately after they were seated, so the difference in service definitely stood out. That said the food was pretty good. I ordered the trout and eggs and really enjoyed it, especially the side of veggie mix. My boyfriend got the chilaquiles and was actually surprised by how much he liked them. Overall aside from the service, we enjoyed the meal and would still consider coming back. As for the ambiance it definitely had a cabin feel which fits the name. We were seated outdoors and since it wasn't too cold, it was perfect. There was plenty of outdoor seating and the whole place had a very homey comfortable feel. read more

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Suuchh a tasty sandwich, good latte too, sweet waiters, good service, and love the outdoor cabin vibe. read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Lake Trout Sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

breakfast never needs to be more than this. SUPER cute patio. solid, you-get-what-you-expect food. good, unfussy service. there is only outdoor seating and i would not say this is a great place to bring a group bigger than 6 people or work on a laptop. this is a place for coffee, toast, eggs, and conversations with people you actually like read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Daily Scramble Special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

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The ultimate question is: would I come back? YES, I would! The raspberry almond pancake was perfectly sweetened and paired beautifully with my latte (which was YUM). The side of veggies w/ herbed potatoes was mixed nicely with my side of avocado and scrambled egg. I'll look forward to coming back to try their scones:) read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Raspberry almond pancake with scrambled egg; side of avocado; Side of Farm Roasties; latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

The food had me at hello! (see my original review). I brought my elderly mom back on a cold morning. I reassured her that we would be ok because they have heat lamps. I signed our name on the waitlist and we stood near the entrance to waiting for a server to see us and get us seated. (this is their procedure). I made eye contact with two servers and neither one acknowledged us (.."be right with you", no smile, nod, nothing) We waited a few more minutes and I stepped into the patio only to see one of the servers who saw us taking a photo of some diners with no regard for us standing in the cold waiting to be seated. So we left. I won't stand for inconsiderate treatment. Being ignored is unacceptable. read more

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Luckily, we were able to beat the weekend crowd and try this place during the weekday. The check-in desk was on the side of the building which we wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the stranger seeing us attempting to go inside with a stroller. Outdoor is spacious and perfect for the nice weather lately. There's also plenty of shade and some tables in the sun, if that's your preference. They have a self serve station for water and coffee. Don't forget to check out their daily specials board too! The ingredients are fresh and the food quality is there. Some flavor was missing, though. The biscuit was notl toasted which was a bummer and came off as lazy. No butter was served neither on it or on the side. The grits tasted more like oatmeal, it was too chunky than most. The chilaquiles was amazing, esp with the side guac. The chips remained crispy even though they were tossed in some red sauce. The farm roasties had a medley of veggies that were earthy and sweet. The French toast was cool. The scone was good, but I wish they had warmed it up a little. I see why people love this place - the quality is great esp for the prices. More seasoning or flavor profile would get me back here sooner than later. read more

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We always love bringing out of town friends or family here for a no frills but delicious and chill breakfast spot. Love that they put up an enclosed tent in the back of house with heaters during the colder months to make it more comfortable for customers. I love bringing my own mug for the bottomless coffee! Makes it feel a little like home. The homemade corned beef hash is always my go to as well as the chilaquiles. The host and servers are always nice and welcoming. read more

I love the seasonal pancake special at Sam's while my husband always orders the corn cakes. I appreciate the coffee being available and refillable throughout the meal and found the line is much shorter on weekdays. Great spot when the weather is nice! read more

The outdoor seating is nice and dog friendly. I loved the heat lamps to make it feel cozy. The food was amazing and delicious. Very flavorful. The service was beyond amazing. I will be returning in the future. read more

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Good food good service. You get to see it outside with heaters if it's cold out and kind of serve yourself with the coffee refills.

Best corn beef hash ever. Large juicy chunks of corn beef that are so tender. This is not the pasty dogfood version of corn beef hash. Wow. Really impressed. Wait here is not fun but the outdoor space with abundant heat lamps is worthwhile. Hate to say it, but of the 5-6 brunch spots in the wider area, this has to be our favorite. Coffee is solid. Pancakes are very fluffy with just the right amount of texture. Lots of daily specials that require you to google unfamiliar words. The scrambles were also excellent. Highly recommend the food, but not the wait. read more

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It took about 15 minutes to be seated, and parking was a bit of a challenge but eating at Sam's gave the nostalgic feelings of being in my great aunts backyard while her and my gramma enjoyed coffee at the kitchen table. The food was homemade, humble but made with flare. read more

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An Albany institution that I just learned about. Seated within 10 minutes on a Friday morning, but seems like it would often be a longer wait. Sign in, wait for a host/ess to call your name and get seated, but your entire party must be there. Behind the log cabin front are indoor tables and a very pleasant outdoor area with mostly covered, spread out tables. I wanted French toast for breakfast and got their unique cinnamon currant version. It came with powdered sugar and strawberry slices on top, plus butter and syrup on the side, which you didn't need because it was already so sweet. It was good and the currants meshed well, but I'd like to try their sourdough version or some other things on the menu next time. Also, got a side of bacon that was good. Also also, the server was very nice. read more

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There is ALWAYS a line of people waiting every time I pass by this restaurant, especially on the weekends. Years and years I would pass by thinking, this place must be really good! Yet I never had the desire to stop and wait in their long lines. It's very rare to have a weekday off with my partner. We drove by and there was no line. She asked if we can stop and grab breakfast and I'm glad we did. They have an outdoor patio in the back. No inside dining but there are heat lamps available for when it's cold out. We ordered the cornmeal pancakes and corned beef and hash. Also a blueberry scone and orange juice. Everything was delicious and the service was super chill and relaxed. Since then, we've been back for take out. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Can't wait to try more items on their menu! read more

We have not been to Sam's since before COVID and thought we would try it out again. Upon arriving we found out that they don't seat you inside any longer but have an open patio in the rear with lots of seating and heaters to keep you warm. They also bring your first cup of joe if so desired and you must go to the service counter setup with creamer, sweeteners and more coffee to be refilled at your leisure. The menu hasn't changed much and they are well known for their daily scones which are pretty tasty. I had the homemade corned beef hash and eggs and my wife had the scone (of course) and the home fries potatoes with the pork gravy. Our server was on point checking in and providing us with our check. The back is super cute with nice decorations and pretty flowers. This spot is always busy on Saturday and Sunday so get there early. read more

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The food was unflavored. I ordered a basic breakfast: 2 eggs, scrambled, sourdough toast, roasted potatoes. ALL WITH NO SEASON. And the eggs were gross.it's like they folded over the eggs, and didn't cook all the way through. Some parts were mushy and cold. Totally unseasoned. Nothing. The toast was the only tasty thing. My daughter got some French toast with a side of roasted potatoes, that she did not even eat. Had to screw off the shaker tops at the table for the salt and pepper. Whoever is giving these people flipping five stars are used to eating unseasoned and undercooked food. WILL NEVER EAT HERE AGAIN. read more

In the small town of Albany, Sam's Log Cabin is a favored brunch destination. Living within walking distance my entire life, I'm still embarrassed to say this is my first visit--and not my last! Most are familiar with the vintage log cabin exterior. Don't enter inside (only for take-out), instead put your name down for their outdoor patio seating. You're greeted with the smell of home-style cooking and friendly attentive service. Drinks and condiments are self-serve, and food comes out quickly. The Lake Trout and Eggs had my name on it; I opted for eggs over easy. The trout was mild and firm, I enjoyed the sweet and savory balance of the hash, and the eggs were well-cooked. My companion had the Daily Scramble which he liked. It was chorizo, broccolini, and mozzarella but specials rotate daily. We agreed our dishes were well seasoned and very filling. I'm a huge supporter of the sustainable, locally sourced, and organic ingredients used to make our meals. If you're looking for a home-style breakfast or lunch with unique charm, Sam's Log Cabin is a great spot in the East Bay. The restaurant is on San Pablo with street and neighborhood parking. With how close I live to it, it'll be on my brunch rotation! read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Daily Scramble Special (No Cheese) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

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This traditional diner had reviews that made it seem one of a kind, but overall, the food was mediocre. Flavors were good tho! The staff are very kind and welcoming, which is a plus. There are no real complaints about this place; however, I wouldn't recommend making more than a 10-minute trip for a meal here. read more

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How many years have I driven by this place? We got there 12:30ish in a Sunday, didn't have to wait long. Most seating is outside on the back patio and 2/3 of it has a roof so you can pick sun or shade, there are heaters and it was about 64 when we went, but wear layers. There are only a few tables inside. Service was friendly, they have specials, and water, coffee, & sauces are at a self-service stand. Some items were dwindling but they got on it right away. Food is good quality, fresh, and all were happy with their meals. I think they cook with canola. Check that. I had the french toast sandwich with "farm cheese" and apricot jam & side of chicken apple sausage. The bread had not soaked long enough in the liquid so the middle of part of the bread was dry but jam & syrup made it go down easy. They had pay-at-table, which should be the norm at all restaurants now. I would return for straightfoward breakfast & lunch choices. Want to try the fried chicken sandwich next. read more

Now for the best and final eatery of our Bay Area trip, Sam's Log Cabin in Albany @samslogcabin I have a feeling most Albanians walk here because it's walkable and the town is adorable. Make sure to swerve around the roaming wild turkeys as you walk, enjoy or add to the gratitude tree in a resident's yard, and pay the pet toll of a friendly, light caramel Tabby with very long legs. We sat inside to eat when visiting before the year 2020, back when we were young and ran/walked the @baytobreakers in costume with my sis Returning in 2024, we've discovered it's outside seating only, but so very pleasant in a relaxed and cozy backyard feel. There's a coffee and hot sauce bar for customers to use if they prefer. Our waitress turned on a heat lamp near us, just in case we needed it. Restrooms are inside. I passed by the famous scones on the way in. These live up to their hype. I'm in love. Usually a scone is too dry for me. These were moist and bursting with fresh blueberries and lemon. We ordered: - Lake Trout and Eggs x2 Lake Trout with Orange Flannel Hash, Eggs Any Style and Acme Toast - Grits And Eggs Organic Grits With Butter And Pecorino Romano Cheese, Two Eggs Any Style - ADD MEAT TO ANY BREAKFAST Chicken Apple Sausage - Yams n' Eggs Roasted Yams and Two Organic Eggs with Spicy Sriracha Butter and Arugula - Blueberry & Lemon Scone I'm going to be dreaming of the perfectly cooked Lake Trout and two poached eggs dish with that amazing hash and the thick @acmebreadberkeley Sourdough slice for many years to come. We need a return trip soon just for this brunch with my sister. read more

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We must've passed this log cabin 1 million times driving up and down San Pablo over the years. Glad we heard about it. It's a really good place to have breakfast during the spring/summer months when the weather is good. I can't imagine being there when you've got inclement weather since it's outside seating. As for the food, good size portions for sharing and a lot of good flavor. We've been there twice now and had the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich the first time, a little dry, but you can ask for some Sriracha mayo for one dollar. Just to say, I am accustomed to having a lot of spices, and they satisfy that. The second time we went, we shared a scramble, which was the special. It had homemade fried potatoes, bell pepper, onion, and hot links. The seasoning was extremely good. Coffee was above average but the thing I don't really care for is the self service portion. They will come to take your order and bring your food, but you have to do everything else. That's just me... We'll still go back. read more

Lovely space to enjoy an outdoor brunch. Food was good, but came out like warm. Service was nice but a bit slow. read more

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One of my favorite breakfast places. Hadn't been in a long time (since before covid). My friend and I shared the southern food plate (collard greens, braised pork, eggs, cornbread) and the almond pancakes special. Now that Aunt Mary's in Temescal is long gone, I'm glad you can still get a rendition of the southern breakfast here. Pancakes wise, I could really get a good sense of the almond in the pancakes without it being overpowering. Coffee was good. I like how it has a community and homey feel. Even when I drive by this place it always makes me smile...the vibes are that good. Can't explain, you just have to go for yourself. To this day, I've never met a person who doesn't get really enthusiastic at its mention. Now if that isn't a recommendation, I don't know what is. read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Southern plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

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A wonderful peaceful patio where locals can bring dogs and kids to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. Service is quick and attentive. I did not feel rushed and the wait was minimal before 9:00 am. The choices were all tempting. I chose the fried chicken sandwich which was light and crispy and not greasy. Lightly dressed with romaine and thin sliced onions on ciabatta bread. So good. The soup of the day was mushroom and barley. Again, freshly prepared and tasty. The egg scramble of the day was made with linguisa, cheddar, and fresh peas. It was generously served with potatoes and toast. It was balanced and flavorful. Because we could not resist, we ordered the lemon blueberry scone and the pear ginger scone. They were moist and flavorful. One of the best scones I have tasted. Easy to keep breaking off craggy pieces and snacking. A great setting for a fall breakfast. Heat lamps took the chill off the morning. A great place to just relax and enjoy an excellent breakfast. read more

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Burrito was perfect and so were the potatoes. The gravy was not my favorite and my friend really didn't like it at all. Needed more seasoning, but they make up for it with fresh squeezed orange juice. I'd highly suggest this place as the waiters are very accommodating and nice. There is a first come first serve with a 20 minute waitlist on average depending on when you go. The ambiance is very casual, cute in some ways but nothing too crazy. read more

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This place has been there forever but when we worked we could never go because it was always so crowded on the weekends. But a weekday lunch was perfect! They have a nice patio in the back and the food was both reasonable and delicious. Service was great. I am definitely going to go back again during the week. This is truly a find even though it's been there a long time. Check it out! read more

I stopped going here ages ago because of the long waits for very minimal seating. Little did I know, they have closed the indoor seating and opened up their beautiful patio, equipped with heating lamps. No reservations over the phone but they nicely update you how the long the current waitlist is. We waited about fifteen minutes before being seated. To keep a good rotation of patrons, they are well staffed, ready to take your order. Nice little menu, marked with dietary restrictions. I ordered the seasonal veggie sandwich (perfect for the vegans) and she ordered the daily pancakes and orange juice. For lactose intolerant they have oat or soy milk. Food came quickly and it was perfectly delicious. Great customer service, wonderful ambiance, street only parking. Bathroom indoors where their old dining was. read more

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I came to Sam's Log Cabin a few times when I lived in Albany. I lived on Madison Street, between Buchanan Street and Solano Avenue, so this restaurant was approximately 0.2 miles from the house. This was perfect when coming with friends and/or family. I would pick the friend(s) up at their house, park where I was living, and then we would walk over. If my parents were visiting and had a rental car, they could park at the place I was living and then we would walk over. The first time I came, I was with one of my friends and we waited out back of the main building to be seated. It was a brunch on a weekend and the wait to get a table was about 45 minutes. The wait to order and get food was also long, though a little shorter, closer to 40 minutes. The food was flavorful and a good serving size. My parents and I have different tastes for breakfasts, but found that we each had at least one something on the menu we would order. So in that sense it was a hit. They liked the food as well. Adjusting for the lines, and coming earlier I found the wait to not be as long. I passed it several times a week on foot as I made my way to the local YMCA as well. Based on what I saw on foot, wait times and lines were variable and could be very long. read more

Loveee this place. Good portions; enough to feel full, yet not over stuffed. Even though the menu is small, there are a variety of options. If you're looking for a comfort breakfast meal there's biscuits and gravy. If you're looking for a healthy breakfast there's numerous options. If you've got a sweet tooth, they always have a special scone or pancake of the day. read more

We come to this place quite often. We love the food and the ambience. Today we ordered two cups of soup to go. We really liked the veggie lentil soup we had and wanted to have extra ones for dinner. Oh boy. We didn't realized how pricey was the price of the soup. $17 for a two cups of soups. Wow... read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Cup of soup. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

Good service and a low key ambiance brunch restaurant. Food was decent but not spectacular- had the farm veggie and corned hash dishes. The corned beef hash was more like cubed ham and was neutral tasting. Overall a decent small brunch/lunch neighborhood spot. read more

This place is so lovely! The outdoor seating is spacious and partially covered with heat warmers if needed. The service was friendly and fast. I ordered the special egg scramble and pancakes...so delicious! Absolutely my favorite brunch spot in the East Bay. read more

Quaint location for outside dining, great service , and excellent food. The wait staff was efficient and professional.

Good breakfast, ample seating both inside and in the lovely backyard with heaters as needed. Service is great. Family and dog friendly!! I had the mixed berry pancakes with a scrambled egg and some bacon. That bacon was perfectly cooked. Crispy but not overly done. Egg had that nice buttery flavor with a perfect scramble. What's not to love?! read more

We've been meaning to try Sam's Log Cabin for ages now. But every weekend morning, we found ourselves too lazy to endure the crowd of people queuing up to get a seat. We wound up coming here the other day 10mins before they closed, and found that although they were still seating people, there was STILL a queue of people that continued to grow. This place is POPULAR! There appears to possibly be some limited indoor seating, but the majority of people are seated outdoors in their backyard setup. There were some very well-behaved doggies at some of the tables, so they are certainly a dog-friendly establishment as well. Service is pretty prompt and attentive, and we opted for the Workin' Hard and one Daily Scramble Special. The pancakes were very nice and fluffy, and genuinely delicious with a side of fruit. My wife enjoyed her scrambled eggs with a side of potatoes and toast, and we all left very full and satisfied. Glad we finally got our butts out to enjoy Sam's Log Cabin, and look forward to many more trips in the future! Free street parking is readily available in the surrounding blocks. And I've noticed that Sam's will setup tents outside on the sideway on rainy days. So patrons waiting outside to dine will not get soaked. read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Daily Scramble Special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

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Sam's Log Cabin has been here for decades, resembles a log cabin. no inside dining. back patio is open for dining. headlamps available. offerings: breakfast items, sandwiches, extras, salads, daily specials, daily rise & shine, beverages. (no booze) eats: lake trout & eggs (17) -pieces of orange trout grilled just right with minimal batter, orange fennel hash was tasty, small portion, eggs over easy was nice. acme rye toast crunchy with house made apricot jam made with minimal sugar. drink: Xmas coffee (3.50) -one of my fave blends of covfefe, smooth, bold, easy sipping. could pass for either a dark or heavy roast. leftovers: -usual breakfast fare with tasty/artisan upgrades. -street parking -service efficient, courteous, non intrusive, ambience rustic as is the dining area-outdoorsy with repurposed seating-utilitarian not fancy. -checkin at side for table... read more

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I have not been to this place in a really long time, and was happy to say it was a great stop for food, service and ambiance. They have opened up the back for seating since the pandemic, and kept it open. It's a beautiful yard space, with heaters and an open canopy, so it's very welcoming. The waitress we had was attentive and very cheerful- what a treat! We had the biscuits and gravy and the Fish sandwich with lentil soup. The order came quick and it was nicely plated. The biscuits were stacked and had gravy poured over the top, which made it look like an iced cake delivered for breakfast! The trout sandwich was crispy on the outside, without being greasy, and had a healthy filet on a brioche bun that was so tender and fresh - it melted in your mouth. The cup of lentil soup was a little weak on lentils, but the flavor was spot on. This place is so much better than it was years ago. Good job in stepping up your menu, environment and food! It will now be a family regular on our breakfast circuit. read more

Sam's Log Cabin - Lake Trout Sandwich was awesome! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, California

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The corned beef hash is my favorite. The service is top notch these guys take care of you. They have many tables in the back patio. Weekend brunch with friends or family. Definitely the place to go for breakfast. I love this place they're always consistent. read more