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    Studio Diner

    3.7 (2.3k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    STUDIO DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Studio Diner

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    Brisket Benedict
    Mike S.

    Studio diner was an alternative choice on a holiday brunch but turned out a great one. With a small parking lot it's better to come early but if you get a spot they have a cozy inside dining room with great decor. The staff were all very friendly and efficient. The food was just what you want from a diner, savory and delicious. It's a good choice if you're in the area.

    Missy B.

    Absolutely AMAZING, tasty, delicious food!! Friendly, fast service in a charming atmosphere. All in all, can't say enough good things about this cute little restaurant. Plenty of parking in the lot adjacent to the restaurant, too!

    I asked "Jay" to stop for just a minute for a smile - yes!
    Alannah And Daken S.

    This was our first time at Studio diner and certainly not the last. There were 5 others in the birthday celebration round table, and it seemed each person had a slight change or "alteration" to the menu items - which, by the way were quite varied. As I looked around the back porch where we were sitting, there was another table of "seasoned diners" who also seemed as "particular" with their food selections. Our waitress, "Jay" was literally running from table to table with more butters, an extra order of salsa, refills of coffee, etc, etc. What impressed me as much as the food, was our server's attention to detail without skipping a beat. She came to our table no less than 4 times to make sure we had everything we needed. Speaking of beats, the whole place had a great vibe with movie figures and statues as the restaurant's decor.

    chilaquiles
    Marcus B.

    Love this little Niche diner! PROs: After eating here many times over the years I'm writing a review. It's a very diverse menu for all 3 different meals. They offer beer, wine, and other beverage options. The diner is movie set themed due to the property next door being an old movie studio that's now used to train Military and Law Enforcement. The staff is always very attentive and courteous - today we had Allison and she was great. The new chilaquiles was also delicious. The place is very kid friendly as well. CONs: Parking can be a challenge at times and expect a wait during prime breakfast/brunch hours but the staff will work hard to get you seated in a timely manner.

    Corned beef
    Alex S.

    Studio Diner offers a wide selection of classic diner food in an old school setting. Breakfast is served all day. The food was hot and fresh with good size portions. The corned beef, French fries, and onions rings were standout items. Guy Fieri's pick - the Sam's Son Steak Sandwich - was a bit disjointed, essentially being a beef stir fry on top of a roll. There is overflow parking in the office building lot next door. The back patio is dog friendly.

    The Count of Monte Cristo
    Catherine M.

    We came in on a holiday morning for breakfast. We were seated immediately and had coffee to the table fast. The service was friendly and efficient. The decor was fun and a great way to reminisce about favorite movies! I loved my sandwich and the fries were great too.

    Inside of restaurant
    Joyce B.

    I'm not really a diner food fan, so take my review with a grain of salt (yes, and lots of fried food and cholesterol nightmare!), but I went for a friend's birthday luncheon and my friend was very happy. The portions are large and decadent. The atmosphere is fun and lots of choices, but not many healthy choices. The staff is friendly and helpful. The decors is definitely worth coming at least once and the back patio is fun. If you're into old movie posters and diners, this place is for you.

    The "Boob Sandwich"
    Natalie H.

    This is a great, quirky spot to check out in Kearny Mesa! It has been the set of quite a few movies, and they really lean into the theme. Movie posters and photos are everywhere and the menu items are named for the theme. They have mostly classic American food and all of my friends enjoyed their meals. My sandwich, comically called "The Boob," was delicious. All of the staff members were friendly when we arrived and our server was helpful and seemed to enjoy her job. I came here on my lunch break and service was quick, which worked well with my schedule. They also serve breakfast all day so there are plenty of choices! I recommend checking it out!

    Jewish Penicillin
    Carolyn C.

    Great service, food was delivered quickly and was quite tasty! We tried the Jewish penicillin chicken soup - very good. Cheeseburger chopped salad was huge portion and delicious. The Rueben was really great as were the fries! We walked away stuffed. We chose this place to just try something new for my birthday. We are local in SD and never had been! Also had a nice happy birthday singing chorus from the staff that night with a great scoop of ice cream with sauce and sprinkles. Huge menu with lots of options (breakfast, plates, beers/cocktails) and just a different neat place. We will be back to try some other dishes!

    Roman Caesar Wrap
    Lena N.

    We came in on a Saturday and it wasn't packed. The parking lot wasn't packed as well. We got seated immediately. I ordered the Caesar wrap and my fiance got the sliders. The Caesar wrap was mid. My fiance had a side of grilled onions for his sliders. I put some on my wrap and it made it better. The sliders were ok. The patty needed more seasoning. The fries however 10/10. Id come here just to get a basket of fries. They're super warm and crispy even 20 minutes after being served to us.

    Otherside of menu
    Christina L.

    I did not like this place at all. The food is extremely over priced and taste really basic. The service wasn't good. The girl that serviced me was acting like me being there was interrupting her job. She didn't seem to know how to juggle mulitple things. I've seen an overwhelmed person stressed out giving better service then what I got here. Parking isn't great. I would not recommend this place.

    Tracy M.

    The food here is pretty great. We had the San Diego burger $18.95 with avocado and bacon. It was really great. And we had the onion rings which I think are the best in San Diego. Karen is our server she is very efficient and thought our food to us immediately. The Away is very cute like a 50s diner.

    The front entrance of the Studio Diner.
    Nancy V.

    The restaurant was clean and inviting. Katelyn, our server, was friendly and attentive. I had the Meatloaf Melt and fries. It was very tasty and the fries were fresh and crispy. The restaurant motif is oriented. The diner is next door to a movie studio in San Diego. This is a great place for locals and tourists alike.

    What they call biscuits and gravy...

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    2 months ago

    Atmosphere was great! Parking seems tight but there seems to be street parking nearby. We will be back with family soon. Thank you!

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    Studio Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Studio Diner

    Is it true they know have a requirement that you cannot be there over 90 minutes?!!!

    From what I understand not a hardfast rule but a polite request if they're very busy which seems reasonable. I love sitting on the outdoor patio as its not busy and very quiet !

    Are dogs allowed?

    Dogs are not allowed, but I've seen service dogs occasionally on the back patio/porch.

    Do they sell beer?

    Yes

    Did Studio Diner change ownership while it was closed?

    Studio Diner has been purchased by local restaurateurs and longtime business partners Salvatore Ercolano and Gilbert Frank. Last year, the pair purchased The Butcher Shop steakhouse in Kearny Mesa. Ercolano also owns Flora Bar & Kitchen within The… Read more

    Are they open?

    Yes ... as of the 7th. Basically the same menu, but done upgrades. Major office increase ... server uniforms a touch different. Been going there 4-6 times per week since it first opened. Unclear if we'll continue. I think they porked the pooch… Read more

    Do you still serve clam rolls?

    Not anymore

    Are they still closed?

    Opening February 7th

    When will it reopen, if ever? Good place.

    It has reopened.

    Are they open now?

    Nope

    Is the diner open yet?

    Unfortunately, no.

    Can breakfast be ordered all day?

    They are not opened 24/7, so breakfast is technically served at all times during the hours of operation. -09/11/2019

    Am I allowed to order food and sit around and study for a while?

    I order a meal and then do legal work for about two hours. I tend to go about 4:30 p.m. mid week, so it is not busy.

    Any Friday dinner specials?

    So sorry. At the moment I can't remember

    Does this place still serve sloppy joes?

    Yes

    What year did it open?

    Hi Angie, We opened for business June 2003...although, 1-2 people still working next door say it was Memorial weekend (Last weekend in May) 2003. But we usually celebrate the… Read more

    View All 16 Questions

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    Books & Records

    Books & Records

    4.3
    (406 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    Happy Hour is all day on Wednesdays, which is a huge plus…read more The menu has a great selection, and this place always has a solid ambiance. Everything came out quickly, including the drinks. I genuinely wasn't dressed up and still received some of the best service I've ever had at a restaurant. Dalton was an absolute all-star, even though he's a Dodgers fan. A+ service. Even when he had a good number of tables, he still checked in regularly to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed.

    I really wanted to like Books & Records, but the service left a lot to be desired…read more After checking in, we waited a bit for our table, which was understandable. Once seated, though, we sat for about 20 minutes without anyone acknowledging us. I eventually had to flag someone down just to get water. We then waited even longer for our server to take our order. Because service was so slow, I ordered all of our drinks and food at once since I wasn't sure when we'd see our server again. What stood out even more was watching a couple seated next to us receive immediate attention. They were greeted, served water right away, and the woman was offered a purse hook. Meanwhile, we were sitting there with our purses shoved beside us and weren't offered the same courtesy. It may seem like a small detail, but combined with the lack of attention, it made us feel overlooked. The drinks came out quickly, and the chicken satay and mac and cheese were decent. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out food-wise either. The highlight of the evening was definitely the live music. The performers were fantastic and created a great atmosphere that honestly was the only enjoyable part of the evening.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Bao buns
    Bao buns
    Blueberry Beret ($14)

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    Hash House A Go Go

    Hash House A Go Go

    4.1
    (8.9k reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

    My friends selected this spot for brunch again and I must say the experience was much better than…read moremy previous. One thing out the gate is the portion sizes. The plates are massive so if you have a healthy appetite then you are at the right place. Plus there are a ton of items on the menu so there's something for everyone. The parking is get in where you can fit in on the street but it wasn't difficult. They have indoor and outdoor seating in the back. Our server Ulises was great which he immediately greeted us and was very attentive even with the Father's Day crowd. I decided to try the rib and eggs and I have to admit, I was very happy with my choice. The ribs were lightly sauced with a thin sauce that worked well. The meat was tender and had great flavor. I just didn't like the grass they put on top!lol The eggs were okay. I added cheese but I barely had any compared to my friends. The cantaloupe was a nice sweet treat afterwards. I tried my friend's meal and they were also good which they also enjoyed their meals overall. I also tried a one of the Bloody Mary flights which was the only tequila shot with pork skin on top. I do not like savory and spicy drinks but that particular shot was decent and was hot sauce for the pork skin. Overall, the experience was nice and the food was good especially for the value.

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    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado
    1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado
    Iced coffee 10/10

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    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    4.0
    (4.5k reviews)
    8.2 mi
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    Came here for Mother's Day brunch and, predictably, the place was absolutely buzzing with families!…read moreEven with the holiday crowd, the vibe was great and the energy was high. You can't come to Richard Walker's and not get the Dutch pancake. We went with the Apple Pancake (the fan favorite for a reason) and it was honestly out of this world. It's got that perfect contrast with super fluffy in the middle but with those amazing crispy edges. We also tried the Belgian waffle, which was exactly how it should be: crunchy on the outside and delicious throughout. What really blew me away, though, was the service. Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the staff was absolutely superb fast, friendly, and totally on top of it. If you're in Downtown San Diego, this is a must-visit for a solid, convenient breakfast. Highly recommend!

    A fault entirely of our own but EVERYTHING IS COOKED IN PEANUT OIL EXCEPT THE GF/PEANUT FREE…read morePANCAKES/WAFFLES. We did not see that fine print before arriving. Outside of the peanut oil surprising us, everyone's food was phenomenal! The service was great and we even got to meet Richard himself and he was very sweet. We ordered the thin Swedish pancakes which were yummy especially with the lingonberries! We also got the German Baked Pancake which took ~20 minutes as it said in the menu, so all of the food took that time as well. We got the GF/peanut oil free pancakes and they were still good. The inside was beautiful with the stained glass look and there was tons of outside seating as well. We walked right up on a Thursday morning around 9 AM and got seated instantly.

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    Richard Walker's Pancake House
    Regular PANCAKE
    Regular PANCAKE
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    Queenstown Public House

    Queenstown Public House

    4.2
    (2.9k reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $$

    We came here for a celebratory post-race dinner and first sat outside around a fire pit, but when…read morewe heard happy hour was in the bar-area only, we quickly pivoted. Thank goodness there was room too, because wow oh wow. It has been three weeks and we keep talking about that happy hour. LOL I appreciated that their happy hour menu wasn't all snackable appetizers; there were smaller-sized dishes for those less hungry, too! I ordered the Kiwilango slider + fries, my mom got the HH fish & chips, and my dad got the wagyu smash slider. Plus $10 beers, of course. Everything came out quickly and beautifully portioned, which made getting dessert (magpie ice cream cake) a no brainer. Delicious!!! I didn't stray into their full Kiwi-based dinner menu, but I can fully vouch for their happy hour, the cozy, charming vibes, kind and attentive servers, and flavorful dishes. Would absolutely recommend and will be coming back next time I'm in town!

    Loved everything about this place! I love the ambiance the decor the staff the service the bottle…read moreof water provided with the cute little glasses the food the Cool breeze as you're sitting outside. They have a deal almost every single night of the week except for Saturday night. They also have happy hour prices. My friend ordered the spaghetti squash and I had a taste and it melted in my mouth good. It was a good size quantity also! I tried my first ever meat pie. I think I like meat pie! The crust was so flaky and the inside was so cheesy and meaty. Melted in my mouth good. If you're in the area I would definitely stop in and give it a try!

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    Queenstown Public House
    FISH & CHIPS
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    The Cure

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    Breakfast Republic

    Breakfast Republic

    4.1
    (2.5k reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    I recently took a trip out to San Diego for an appointment and stopped by Breakfast Republic; and…read morewow, everything was absolutely delicious! The interior is super organized, and I loved that they have a full bar area as well. We started with some mimosas, which were fantastic and the perfect kickoff to breakfast. For food, I ordered the Vegan Tres Leches Pancakes, and they were incredible. They were so naturally flavorful and moist that they barely even needed any maple syrup; the combination of the pistachio brittle and vegan buttercream on top was perfect on its own. My friend ordered the Shrimp and Crab Cake Benedict and loved it. He said it was packed with flavor, not dry at all, and didn't taste overly fishy; just perfect in every way. To top it all off, our server was so sweet, checked on us often, and was incredibly proactive throughout our meal. Great food, great drinks, and excellent service. I will definitely recommend to vegans and non vegans. Just to clarify for anyone looking to visit; Breakfast Republic isn't a fully vegan restaurant, but they do have a fair amount of great vegan options clearly marked on the menu.

    Serviced by Grant and he was awesome ! Friendly and helpful, patient and always made sure our…read morecoffee was topped off and that we got everything we needed. Cute atmosphere, not familiar with San Diego so this side of town was very new to me and I thought it was unique and quaint. As for the food, this is why my three stars I guess. Everything was creative, and they didn't really have anything basic, per se. If that's what you're looking for you won't find it here. Be prepared for a unique experience of homemade goodness. I guess as I write this I realise this place deserves 4

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    Dining space.
    Dining space.
    Eggs a plenty !
    Eggs a plenty !
    Bar area.

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    Bar area.

    Studio Diner - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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