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Solano Junction

4.4 (217 reviews)
Open • 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Updated a few days ago

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SOLANO JUNCTION ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Solano Junction

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Amit S.

What can I really say about this place. I've been here multiple times in the past but this is my first time actually doing a review on this place. The service has always been phenomenal. I can definitely say I've never had a bad experience or any bad food at that as well. I've brought friends and family here before as well and will continue to do so. Multiple choices to choose from on the menu and a great selection of all types of beverages, including alcohol, alcoholic, and nonalcoholic. Parking can be tough as it is street parking only but that is not going to be the end of the world. This place definitely gives off a very family vibe so you automatically feel that as soon as you walk in. I've also made a short video clip and review on my Instagram regarding this place as well. IG @Smittyy.91

Avocado toast with house salad
Diane K.

Great little restaurant on Solano Avenue. The food was tasty and the portions were large. I ordered the avocado toast and it came with a nicely dressed salad. The toast was on the small side, but on good sourdough bread. I was not a fan of the ricotta cheese they included on the toast. It was served with an over easy egg, and that was done nicely. My daughter really loved her omelet and my grandkids also liked their large kid sized order of pancakes. Neither one could finish. I had a taste of one of their pancakes and have to admit I ate the whole thing! I would definitely dine here again if I'm in the area.

Pancake Combo
Jason E.

Tasty, friendly, and laid back. I went for breakfast and am so glad I did. I sat at the bar and was taken care of by Deepa and she was great. Kept my drink full, was the perfect amount of attentive, and friendly. I had the pancake combo and it was delicious. The chicken apple sausage was interesting but tasty. I'd get it again. The restaurant was not super big which made it very cozy and welcoming. The next time I'm in the area, I know where I'm eating.

Menu
Sophia H.

Been coming to Solano Junction for years and years now, it's my favorite brunch place in the Bay Area even after moving out of the area. The service is always quick, welcoming and nice. They always seem to remember my fiancé and I even if we haven't been in a long time which makes us feel at home. The inside is large, and you can even sit at the bar if you don't want to wait for a table. My favorite is sitting outside on the patio on a nice day to people watch. They are also dog friendly! I can confidently say I have tried EVERYTHING on the menu both breakfast and lunch and it's all delicious. Their hot sauce that they make in house is out of this world. When I first started coming years ago, they were just starting to try bottomless mimosas on their menu and my fiancé and I were definitely their guinea pigs. We've tried all their flavors, but our personal favorites are lavender and strawberry. Though their bottomless time limit has gone down (only an hour) and prices have gone up, it's still worth it.

Mushroom, sausage and cheese omelet.
Holtzclaw T.

Absolutely wonderful brunch! The food was delicious and the service was great. A bustling, busy little café right in the heart of Albany with such a welcoming atmosphere. Definitely a great spot for brunch!

Huevos Rancheros
Roy A.

Dropped in to Solano Junction for breakfast with my mom. She ordered the Huevos Rancheros with chorizo and my she loved it I went for the beet salad with a side of chicken strips which I really enjoyed a health meal. The strips were well seasoned to take it over the top good. Staff is super friendly and we always have a good experience here.

Two breakfast plates.
Suzanne D.

Went to Solano Junction for a birthday brunch! A cute, old school (late 20th c.) Northern CA diner with a late 1970's vibe. No frills, just comfort food done well. First, I was impressed by the greeter and wait staff. Well trained, professional, efficient. They turn tables quickly and keep the place clean. Seating & Service is brisk and attentive. You're never left looking around for help. They're on the ball. Room is comfortable. Not trendy. Well organized. Chairs could be a little more butt & back friendly, but that's nitpicking. Counter service is an option if you do not want to wait. They also take reservations for bigger parties. Food was delicious & everything it should be given the menu. Down the middle diner food. We both got breakfasts with pancakes. Both with eggs. One with sausage, one with bacon. My only small critique is that the eggs are dead bland. Like zero salt. I'm guessing that make them this way so that people can salt and sauce to their own taste? I personally would throw a tiny amount of salt in. But they were fine with sourdough toast. Fried potatoes were tasty. Not greasy or over seasoned or like many restaurants' potatoes. Pancakes were acceptable, not great, but good. Would love to see them develop that recipe a little more to transcend the commercial pancake mix taste. Blueberry pancakes DO have blueberries mixed in! A bonus. And regular pancakes come with fresh fruit on top. Nice touch. Good tea. Mighty Leaf. All in all a good experience. Would come here again! Ambiance: 4.5, Service: 5, Food: 4.5

Menu
Jean C.

So we just happened upon this spot on a day out. We sat outside on a nice crisp sunny day. We enjoyed people watching while we sipped on a bloody Mary and an espresso martini. The martini was excellent. Then I had the classic eggs Benedict with bacon. It was delicious. Hollandaise was really good. I got a side salad i steadily of potatoes and it was good. Enjoyed the simple dressing and the salt on the salad. The service was great! Everything was great.

Breakfast sandwich
Stephanie D.

The wait was about 15-20 minutes. But the service was spectacular. I came here for a brunch birthday celebration. It was a great! The sun was out and we were able to sit outside. The server anticipated our wants which was even more incredible. For instance, brought another round of coffee with the creamer without us saying anything. In addition, brought ranch and a aoli, and hot sauce without us having to ask! The food was superb and with the service it made it even more special. Will definitely go back!

Huevos Rancheros with over medium eggs
Alex C.

We stopped by Solano Junction on a whim last week for some lunch. Being that it was New Years Eve, we were not too surprised at the large number of people on the waitlist in front of us. Although they have a tablet at the entrance to add yourself to the waitlist, it isn't a Yelp waitlist so waitlisting yourself in advance is not possible. Despite the waitlist and limited seating both indoors and out, we only had about a 20min wait until they had a table for us. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros, consisting of delicious chorizos, black beans, cheese, pico de gallo, all wrapped in a tortilla and topped with two eggs (I chose over medium because nothing is better than the runny egg yolk mixed in). It was pretty sizable, and absolutely delicious! The wife got the Grand Canyon Scramble, and she thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Service is friendly, albeit always in a hurry as they are quite busy. Free street parking is available along Solano and into the residential streets.

Happy Easter from my daughters and I
Amiria B.

Had brunch with my daughters on Easter Sunday, had a great time. Was seated within 10 mins outside (per request). Food was delicious and staff were attentive and kind. Order came out to $100 including tip. Will definitely be returning.

Avocado Toast and Chorizo Scramble
Leslie L.

This was our second time around and everything was absolutely tasty! A lot of different flavors of mimosas and a variety of meals on the menu. Definitely would recommend going here for brunch!

Kids Mini Cake
Ezmi A.

My cousin loves this spot and brought me along -- now I see why! She swears by the eggs Benedict and says it never fails her. I had a bite and for my first time trying eggs Benedict, I genuinely enjoyed it too! Her kids ordered the "mini pancakes," which were definitely not mini but still super delicious. I got the breakfast sandwich, which was also really good -- hearty and flavorful. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the potatoes; they could've used a bit more seasoning, but overall still a solid dish. The fruit on the side tasted super fresh, which I appreciated. I also ordered the strawberry mimosa (my first mimosa ever!) and it definitely tasted "strong" to me -- but that could just be because I'm not a mimosa drinker. Still glad I gave it a try! The vibe of the place is great, the owner was friendly, service was quick, and the whole experience was really enjoyable. Definitely would come back again!

Pigs in a Blanket with chicken apple sausage and over medium eggs.

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the delicious food, friendly service, welcoming atmosphere, and a variety of drinks.

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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Thank you Jeff for the feedback. appreciated.

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Food was delicious and the service was fantastic. Bloody Mary was excellent with nice garnish. Restaurant was clean. Would highly recommend.

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4 years ago

Great breakfast spot, a lot of care in the food. The service is great and the coffee refills are always prompt.

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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Hi Lia, Thank you for excellent rating and your patronage.

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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Thank you Siddharth for rating and nice words.

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

So happy to find a place in town with filling vegan breakfast options. Cute atmosphere and tasty fresh food

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Thank you for great comments.

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4 years ago

Our favorite brunch spot. A great mix of options. Service is always friendly and warm.

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Thank you Jenny for excellent rating and review.

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5 years ago

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Thank You Alan for the excellent rating & reviews.

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Thank you for rating and comments. Appreciated

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6 years ago

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Hello Swosti, Thank you very much for rating and comments.

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Page 4 of 6

Ask the Community - Solano Junction

Is there parking near by? Is it easy to park on the street?

Yes please. We are in front of Safeway and on the street plus we have some parking garage as well. Thank you

Do they require proof of vaccination for indoor dining (hoping the answer is yes)?

We are following the county’s guidelines, the Alameda county hasn’t enforced vaccination guidelines only masking requirements. Our guests are mostly local and Albany city is more than 90% vaccinated.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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The Hotsy has provided me with years of great memories, laughter, and good times. It is one of…read morethose places that has more character and charm than many bars twice its size. The menu changes regularly, which keeps things interesting, but one thing that never changes is the consistently excellent service. One of my favorite things about this spot is how dog-friendly it is. The owner's dog is practically the co-owner of the bar and is often lounging around, adding even more personality to the experience. If you are lucky enough to meet him, just know the dog has standards. The dog only accepts meat, so do not bother offering him the tortilla from your taco. Trust me, you will be judged. Another major perk is that they allow outside food. Conveniently, there is a taco truck right next door serving some of the best carnitas tacos around, making it easy to pair great food with great drinks. Also, keep an eye on the TVs. They always seem to be playing some delightfully over-the-top late-night movie programming that inevitably sparks random conversations and plenty of laughter among the crowd. Overall, this is a fantastic neighborhood bar with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a ton of personality. It can get crowded, so try to grab a spot early if you can. You'll notice plenty of regulars who come back again and again, and to me, that is always one of the best signs that a place is doing something right.

If you're looking for a laid-back neighborhood spot with great drinks, Hotsy Totsy Club is it…read more A friend of mine used to live nearby and always raved about this place--especially the drinks and the taco truck parked outside. When I finally met him there, I immediately understood the hype. It's got that classic old-school bar feel: plenty of seats right at the bar if you're in the mood to chat, plus some more tucked-away seating in the back if you want something a little more low-key and private. I honestly can't remember the exact name of the drink I ordered (which probably says something ), but it was a mezcal cocktail--and it was so good I had two. Smoky, smooth, and dangerously easy to sip. You order at the bar, the bartender was super friendly, and the overall crowd had that welcoming, neighborhood vibe where everyone seems to know each other--or at least is happy to talk like they do. We also grabbed burritos from the taco truck outside (pro tip: do not skip this), and you can bring the food right into the bar. Great drinks and legit tacos? That's a winning combo. Overall, it's a fantastic local watering hole--unpretentious, comfortable, and exactly the kind of place you're happy to become a regular at.

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Hotsy Totsy Club - Interior of the building

Interior of the building

Hotsy Totsy Club - Inside the bar

Inside the bar

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Lively scene. It gradually got more crowded as the night went on.

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Club Mallard - Chic!?

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Club Mallard - The place has a unique motif! A tiki Cabin in the woods!?

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Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar - Dining room

Dining room

Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar - Mezze Platter

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Ivy Room - Still life at the Ivy Room

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Ivy Room - The huge selection at the bar

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Schmidt's Pub - 02.2023 fieldwork blueberry parfait

02.2023 fieldwork blueberry parfait

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Schmidt's Pub - 02.2023 today's wine menu

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0.5 mi
•$$

The pizza is the star at Little Star Pizza! Located on a busy stretch of Solano Avenue on the lower…read moreportion near the San Pablo Avenue intersection on Albany, California, Little Star Pizza is just one of many locations of this burgeoning franchise from owner Brian Sadigursky, who began his mini-pizza making empire of his signature cornmeal crust deep dish pizzas in a small location along Divisadero Street in San Francisco's Nopa neighborhood. That location has since closed down, but two locations remain, this one in Albany and another along Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission District. The team also owns three The Star pizza restaurants with locations in Oakland, Alameda, and Portland, Oregon. With all these locations to keep track of what makes people keep coming back for all these wide varieties of pizza pies? It's the dough of course, but it is not just any dough, it is their beautifully crusty cornmeal dough that is cooked to perfection for their Chicago-style deep dish pizza that is what makes Little Star and all of their subsidiaries so worthwhile. I had originally been to this location when they were located literally right next door in a smaller location on the corner. Now, in a much larger location, with floor to ceiling windows that let in natural light on two sides, and their own communal parking lot, where there is a door for direct takeout orders, Little Star Pizza is thriving here in Albany. What brought me and a dining mate back for a first time visit to this newer location was the affordable lunchtime deal that they serve seemingly seven days a week. From open until 3 p.m. diners can order a Personal Signature Pizza either Deep Dish or Thin Crust for only 11 dollars. You can also build your own personal pizza for 9 dollars which is an affordable option. My fellow dining mate and I knew we wanted to select from their Seasonal Specials or their Signature Pies. I decided to order their Personal size All-Star Signature Pie, which was topped with bacon, meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, provolone cheese and served on their signature cornmeal crust, then filled with mozzarella cheese and house-made tomato sauce & finished with parmesan & oregano. My dining mate was intrigued by their Specials menu, and their Personal size Sweet Heat, which was topped with spicy sausage, caramelized red onions, cherry peppers, hot honey and served on their signature cornmeal crust, then filled with mozzarella cheese and house-made tomato sauce & finished with parmesan & oregano. Since both pizzas were so affordable at 11 dollars each, we decided to splurge and order two dessert drinks as I ordered their Golden Gate Orange Soda Float and my dining mate ordered their Dad's Root Beer Soda Float. The wait for our personal size pizzas would be a lengthy one, at least twenty minutes, which for about a nine inch pizza pie, is still a considerable amount of time. But once you do get the pizzas you order, I can report it is well worth the wait, as the pizza has that extra special graininess to it that makes it extra special good. Combined with the fresh tomatoes and an abundance of mozzarella cheese, you cannot go wrong with any type of pizza you order. I liked my All-Star pizza pie with its abundance of meat toppings and I tried my dining mates Sweet Heat pizza pie and it came as delivered as it has a combination of sweetness meets spiciness. Luckily our wait wasn't too long, as we had our ice cream and soda floats to keep us satiated while we waited for our pizzas to be handcrafted. Our total bill was $42.08, which was with tax but before gratuity, which in all reality was very reasonable considering we ordered two rather large personal deep dish pizzas, and our floats were a mere fraction less in terms of pricing. Since they have a Happy Hour on weeknights from 3-5:30 p.m. with reasonably priced cocktails, one-topping pizzas and other menu items at affordable pricing, you better believe it will not be another decade that passes by before I make another appearance. Here's to the continued success of Little Star Pizza, may more locations be in the future, and may their current locations continue to thrive thanks to their delectable Signature Deep Dish pizzas!

Went to Little Star Friday for lunch. The place was pretty empty, pretty dark inside and on the…read morecold side We ordered two side Cesar salads which were good. My partner got a personal Sweet Heat pizza, a very value. I ordered the personal Meatball pizza and it was awful. The thing was topped with huge gobs od mozarella cheese. Way too much cheese. I should have sent the thing back but I scrapped off the cheese and went to work. Not very good meatballs and the crust was lame. Def a waste of money

Photos
Little Star Pizza - Take-out counter

Take-out counter

Little Star Pizza - Classic pizza

Classic pizza

Little Star Pizza - Build Your Own - Plain Cheese w/ Olives/Spicy Sausage/ Pepperoni Deep Dish

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Build Your Own - Plain Cheese w/ Olives/Spicy Sausage/ Pepperoni Deep Dish

Solano Junction - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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