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Studio Diner

3.7 (2.3k reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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STUDIO DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Studio Diner

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Pancake
Janet S.

It looks as if the diner is getting their act together. We hadn't been there in a while. We decided to give it another chance. Our service today was wonderful. Kaitlyn got the order right and brought things as we requested. Because of an allergy, she worked with me to find a solution. The food was good and prepared the way I wanted it. The ambiance hasn't changed and it is ok. But the fiber really needs to be refreshed.

The chicken and waffles was underwhelming. It's not worth paying extra for Nutella
Merriam W.

I've been here a few times and every time I eat here, I just feel like the food is just ok considering the price. I feel like this place is more for novelty since it's a movie-themed diner situated on a former film soundstage. I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was hoping the chicken would be actual fried chicken like a thigh and leg but it was a breaded chicken tender. I also added Nutella for $1.50 and thought it would be incorporated into the waffle batter but they just gave me a side of Nutella which was underwhelming. Let me say the best part of the entree was the fresh fruit. My friend ordered the special pear salad with pecans and chicken and she said her food was just ok too. I think the only entrees that you can't go wrong with is this breakfast, but other than that, the dinner entrees have been mediocre at best.

The front, the perfect little diner alive and well in the 21st-century
Ed B.

While running errands early Saturday morning, we were looking for a breakfast joint. Suddenly, I remembered an old haunt the studio diner. memories, of the good old days were brought back of working at the old TV Studios in a long forgotten era of TV and filmmaking in San Diego. Walking back into the diner was a thrill, clean, polished as if it was ready for a segment of a show to be filmed. The staff courteous dressed well and the chatter of people enjoying a meal. I highly recommend you take time to visit this place. they have specials throughout the week. It is a shame that the leadership of our fine city allowed this industry to die. They screwed up.

Patty melt
Adam B.

Food was good. Service was super slow. Took over 10 minutes to even get recognized by our server. Then after another 10 he didn't even ask if we had any questions or offer to get drinks, just wanted our order. I got the patty melt. The fries are great. Patty melt is above average. Little too much bread to patty ratio.

Patty Melt
Emily C.

Banana split was good enough to share with 3-4 people. Patty Melt was delicious along with the fries!! Our waitress was really accommodating and nice. The studio patio has nice views.

Lobster  bisque soup. DELIOUS!
Hanafi M.

Haven't been here in years. Nice diner, great parking. The Lobster Bisque is delicious and a real delight.

Dara T.

I've been here multiple times now and I'm finally able to write my review this time. This time I ordered the omelette with gravy and instead of a toast I asked if they can offer a one slice of French toast instead, but they said no, but they offered one pancake instead and that was also the perfect compromised and combo. The pancake was fluffy with amazing texture and super delicious. The omelette was perfect portion with all the right mixes of veggies and the gravy gave it that extra character that I didn't know that could compliment an omelette so well. I ate everything because it was all so tasty! Oh and I can't forget their coffee, always one of the best coffees. Service was great as always and always helpful and on time. Ambiance was like any typical diner with little wait time and big smiles.

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.

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.

The club on whole wheat with wedge fries
Jordan E.

Made another trip and met Kaitlyn the server and she was the top server amazing! Loved it so much and the food again amazing

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 "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

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Had the best patty melt I've ever had. Classic style diner that I've been going to for over a decade.

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11 months ago

The food was amazing the employees are very nice and I would eat at this place again we have a mixer

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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… 

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… 

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… 

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4.0(3.3k reviews)
7.5 mi•Loma Portal, Liberty Station, Point Loma
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We tried the Corvette Diner on 10/11/2026 at about 2pm for a party of 7. (5 Adults and 2 Kids)…read more This place is right in the heart of Liberty Station and parking is plentiful in all the lots nearby (and free). The wait for a party of 7 was about 30 minutes, which is completely expected for a large party, even in the middle of the afternoon. We had a great time! This is a loud place (volume wise and color wise), but so much fun. We had a great server, the food came quickly, the decor and music gave us a lot to talk about and everything we had was lovely. Plus, the prices were pretty reasonable for the area. I had the Wisconsin Butter Burger, which is a double cheeseburger, chopped onions, secret sauce and man oh man -- it tasted like butter! I did not come here for a healthy meal, so that was a-ok! Our table shared for dessert the cotton candy and the hot fudge sundae with brownie. Wow, if you like cotton candy, it is impressive. You get plenty of it! We had a great time, and would return again if we were in the San Diego area.

First time here and the decor was really cool seeing all the 50s decorations. The service was good…read morebut the food was way below comments posted online. We started with Fried Pickles and Fried Onion Rings. When they came out they looked delicious but unfortunately appearance didn't match the taste. They were over breaded if there was such a thing. There was so much breading that the onion in the onion ring was slimy. It was disgustingly and I sent them back. And the Fried Pickles were just not good. Once again too much breading. The kids hot dog and chicken tenders were fine. Fries were missing salt, very bland tasting. My wife's burger was okay, nothing special and my meatloaf was okay. It lacked flavor and seasoning. For the price of our lunch, definitely not worth it and can't recommend this place overall.

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Corvette Diner - Gamers Garage Arcade

Gamers Garage Arcade

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Beginner's Diner - Reuben Sandwich. The flavors hit a great balance of savory and tangy. Curly fries on the side were perfectly crispy.

Beginner's Diner

3.8(505 reviews)
4.9 mi
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My family went to dinner here on a Wednesday. It was not busy so service was quick and attentive…read more My kids thoroughly enjoyed the retro themed diner and immediately wanted to sit at the barstools. The aesthetic overall was incredible. Things we ordered: Pickled Plate 9/10 - kind of a lot of garlic but the mushrooms were INSANE. Crudités 8/10 - quality ranch for dipping, great variety of veggies to help balance a typically fatty, high calorie diner menu. Tuna Melt 9/10 - would come back specifically for this sandwich. Very tasty and kid approved Club Sandwich 8/10 - my typical diner order, they go heavy on the lettuce, topping were loaded up towards the front of the sandwich so after the first few bites it's just bread. Tasted great though. Pot Roast 9/10 - great quality pot roast served with mashed potatoes and corn. Really delicious and would order again. Deviled Eggs 6/10 - standard. Nothing special. Flavors didn't boom or bust. My complaints: the few downsides to Beginner's Diner - their menu isn't 24hrs like most diners so you can't order breakfast items throughout the day which is always fun. Sodas don't come with free refills, they are bottled which is cool but I tend to like at least one refill instead of having to ration out my soda to last me the whole meal. Great spot for families. Kid approved. We will 100% come back and we recommend this spot to anyone looking for a cool dining experience.

curly fries were soooo good! the grilled cheese could've used a little more pizazz but the pickle…read morespear saved it! always a fun vibe at the lafayette! i went during the pool day and it was definitely a party

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Beginner's Diner - Boozy Eggnog

Boozy Eggnog

Beginner's Diner - Reuben Sandwich. Section cut. Flavors were great but wished there was more pastrami in it.

Reuben Sandwich. Section cut. Flavors were great but wished there was more pastrami in it.

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Saint James French Diner

Saint James French Diner

4.2(353 reviews)
7.9 mi•Gaslamp
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Having eaten here several months ago for dinner, loving it, and forgetting to leave a review; I…read morefigured I'd redeem myself and post my latest lunchtime snack I had here at Saint James a few days ago while waiting for a Swiss watch technician from across the street to come back from lunch himself. French onion soup. Enough said. Deviled eggs rounded out our light snack, and those were freshly prepared. While the expected olive and chive flavor was outstanding, the anchovy was done just right to elevate the dish (my understanding now is that anchovy is usually included in deviled eggs as served in Europe). Our espresso martinis excelled at fronting the coffee taste before the vodka, instead of the usual other way around. This sip was exactly as I remember when I had the same for dinner previously. Service as mentioned, was extremely friendly and more importantly, went beyond service and well into hospitable. Love coming here. So, if you're in the area and just need a light snack (or a hearty dinner), drop on by - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Such a cute spot with major Moulin Rouge vibes! The ambiance is definitely a highlight, but the…read morefood didn't quite live up to our expectations in terms of French authenticity. Our biggest disappointment? No escargots at lunch! We came specifically for them, only to find out they're dinner-only and not always available on weekends. Definitely call ahead if they're on your must-try list! The mussels frites had more of a Thai curry flavor than the classic French preparation we expected, which was an interesting twist! Service was friendly, but our small table quickly filled up with dishes and cocktails. A little more attention to clearing plates would've made the dining experience more comfortable.

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Saint James French Diner
Saint James French Diner
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Classics Malt Shop - Western burger

Classics Malt Shop

4.8(1.7k reviews)
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5 STARS -- AN ABSOLUTE HIDDEN GEM!…read more I honestly can't say enough good things about Midway Classic Malt Shop! This was hands down one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time, and I genuinely hope this place gets all the recognition and success it deserves! From the moment I called to ask about getting a medium-rare hamburger, I was treated with such genuine kindness and hospitality. And when I arrived, that same warmth carried through the entire experience. The whole team was absolutely amazing! Walking in felt like stepping into a small hometown diner where everybody knows everybody. You know those rare places where you immediately feel welcome, like you're part of the family? That's exactly what this place feels like. The atmosphere is charming, the restaurant is incredibly cute and clean, and the positive energy is contagious. And now, THE BURGER! I ordered my hamburger medium rare, and WOW, did they deliver! Cooked exactly how I requested, absolutely delicious, and genuinely one of the best hamburgers I've had in a VERY long time. You can tell there's real care going into the food. But what really made this experience special wasn't just the incredible burger. It was the people. The kindness, the smiles, the hospitality, and the genuine sense of community. You simply don't find that everywhere anymore. I'm a huge believer in supporting small businesses that truly care about their customers, and Midway Classic Malt Shop is exactly the kind of place that deserves our support. To the entire team: THANK YOU! You turned a simple lunch into an experience that genuinely made my day. I walked in hungry and left with a full stomach and an even bigger smile. If you're in the Midway area, do yourself a favor and stop by. Skip the big chains and give this local gem a chance. You'll be glad you did! I'll absolutely be back, and I'll be telling everyone I know about this place! Five stars aren't enough!

Over Labor Day Weekend Our experience here was outstanding…read morewith my little family we were extremely exhausted from the horrible experience at Sea world. Kids were fussy and we were starving. I have to say the owner and employees were so nice to us. Talked to the kids and even gave them free drinks the Philly cheesesteak was one of the best I've ever had in my life the fries and onion rings etc were so good. We appreciate you so much for making us feel welcome in your establishment even with our kids acting up this will be our go to place everytime we come to Cali for sure. Thank from Theo and his little family. Our little Tj gave you knuckles saying potato and French fries. It's a nice little diner atmosphere which we loved it's so family friendly and welcoming. Thank you again

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Classics Malt Shop - Main area.

Main area.

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3.4(1.5k reviews)
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James was just wonderful, so pleasant. Easy parking close by. Big, super huge menu, and merciful…read moreto your wallet. Been coming here for years and never once regretted doing so. Indoor/Outdoor dining. Excellent background music featuring the greatest hits from the 80's & 90's.

I really wanted to give a higher rating, but due to the lack of quality : cost ratio I just…read morecouldn't. The restaurant itself has an open and welcoming atmosphere, comfortable seating, good a/c, friendly service, a good variety of menu options...however, the cost for what you get doesn't equate. Now, their prices are fair, compared to many other places out there, but due to the lack of quality it just hits harder. My Monte Cristo was so sad-looking and dry. The turkey was heavily peppered, which might be okay in any other turkey sandwich, but this did not go well with what a Monte Cristo should taste like (iykyk)...even when the raspberry jam was added all you could taste was pepper. In addition to the strong pepper taste, the turkey itself was extremely dry and shredded to pieces when I tried to remove it. Very disappointed. When I told our waiter, who was very friendly and had been attentive, he said that he'd let the cook know--and that was it. No follow up. No apology. My son had the French toast and it was okay, nothing special. I usually have lunch here, but it's been a few years since I've been here for breakfast -- so this was a bummer. The past few times I felt like the quality was slipping, but I chalked it up to a possible "off" day...but this recent visit confirmed that they weren't "off" days and the quality truly has slipped. Hopefully they can reevaluate things and make some improvements. They have a good menu and nice concept, I just hope they improve their quality and presentation.

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Crest Cafe - Cute little bar

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Studio Diner - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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