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    TJ Cafe

    4.3 (240 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    TJ CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Reviews With Photos - TJ Cafe

    Toast
    Tyler J.

    This place was quite a surprise for us when we were looking for a bite to eat after a run. Wasn't busy at all when we walked in and were pleasantly surprised by the good prices considering the location being a block away from the ocean. The food was simple and tasty, wasn't too oily which was very appreciated. The food also came out quite quick, no hassle in ordering either. Not much to say about this place other than it was good food for a good price, simple and tasty.

    Breakfast burrito no cheese
    Doug C.

    Homestyle cooking from chinese owners. Healthier, not overly salty and less emphasis on cheese to match Asian palate. Potato, avocado, spinach, mishroom, egg, onion, bell pepper, tomato. Very good and healthy. Fresh. Low carb load from tortilla. No rice filler in burrito No mandatory tip with cashier hovering you as you swipe your card. Going to try to make their burritos at home and freeze. High crime area, lots of homeless who hang out in the general area. Sleep on the beach. Most hang out at the safeway down the street. Safer to work here. Xfinity wifi and owner behind counter to shoo away the bad people. They can't leave drinks in a commercial self service refrigerator because of theft.

    Always good with tartar sauce and potato salad, fish and chips
    Helen L.

    4 stars for smiles and service. Really 3.5. Just this morning I told my friend, no more fried food. What do i end up getting in the afternoon? Fish and chips. We were in the neighborhood. Beautiful day for a walk along the beach. I heard about their fish and chips and has been wanting to come. They close at 6 pm and Friday to Sunday, they close at 7 pm. By the way, they have breakfast all day. My three pieces of fish and chips was crunchy. A bit salty. Panko coating was good. Instead of French fries, I got the potato salad. Didn't eat that yet. Nice people who run this place. Simple menu. Not expensive. Plenty of seats.

    Western Grilled Cheese Steak Sandwich
    Amy G.

    Came by at 4PM on Thanksgiving after a family walk through Lands End to grab a snack, so happy we stopped in!! I feel like I've discovered my new go-to place for beach sandwiches over here. Had a Western Grilled Cheesesteak and it was so fresh and hot. The bread was soft, sweet, and nicely toasted. Perfect balance of meat, cheese, and veggies too. These are also my favorite kind of fries - they remind me of my local diner from back home. They came fresh out of the fryer and paired so well with cold ketchup! Staff were so sweet and kind, especially for working on Thanksgiving. Very grateful for them and hope they got to celebrate afterwards!!

    Geraldine L.

    Honestly not a bad spot! I came here right after a run in the morning so I was the only one there, which made it really calm and nice to eat alone. I got their bountiful breakfast and definitely felt satisfied with the portions, quality, and the pricing. I only paid $12 for the meal!

    The Bountiful Breakfast
    Ashley H.

    I love this spot! Breakfast options are yummy and the sandwiches great too. Cozy brunch or lunch that can be eaten inside or taken nearby to the beach to enjoy.

    Amazing service, from the staff! The burger and fries were delicious! Perfect for a nice SF day!

    Montage of images from TJ Cafe
    Ed U.

    Remember that old chestnut from Britney Spears, "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman"? Well, this spot could sing a sequel, "I'm Not a Fast Food Joint, Not Yet a Cafe". it feels like something in between way out on La Playa near Ocean Beach. It's the last residential street before you hit the Great Highway and a convenient place to grab a lunch before embarking on a cross-city walk. There are quite a few breakfast and burger choices on the menu - though I focused exclusively on their sandwiches on my two visits here (so far). For my virginal meal, I went for the $11.95 B.L.A.S.T. which was a BLT with the addition of avocado and alfalfa sprouts stuffed between two slices of sourdough toast. It was homey goodness with a side of potato salad (photo: https://bit.ly/3PAPeP1). I liked how small and uniform the potatoes were diced. It's the little things, y'know. On my second visit, I tried a perennial favorite, the $11.95 Tuna Melt on sourdough toast. I went with the fries this time (photo: https://bit.ly/3PAQstV). There was a bit too much mayo in the melt, and the fries had a bit of that thawed texture (but nothing a little ketchup can't hide). It just hit the spot when I needed it. What can I say? FOOD - 4 stars...sammies like my mama used to make, she didn't trim the crust either AMBIANCE - 3 stars...definitely a fast food vibe SERVICE - 4 stars...attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...when something modest will do RELATED - Exploring the Outer Richmond? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2HvkBu7

    Albert H.

    I'm usually wary of restaurants that serve fish and chips that don't specialize in fish and chips, so I didn't expect TJ Cafe's three piece fish and chips to blow my mind as much as it did. Dude. These are insane. They were crisp, light, and flavorful, everything you'd expect good fish and chips to be, and more. They weren't battered the traditional way, rather breaded with panko crumbs, which I think was a superb choice. The fries were nice and crispy, but they don't come with salt, so you'll have to put it on yourself if you like that way. Not to mention the food arrived much faster than expected. Overall, a lovely place, lovely food. Everything is well priced, the ambience is very nostalgic. The fact that I took a chance with the most risky thing on the menu and it came out amazing speaks to the quality of the rest of the menu. Did I also mention it's like a minute from the beach? 5 stars

    BLAST Sandwich
    Farah L.

    Got the BLAST sandwich with mayo and toasted white bread. It was great for the price. I just wished they salted their fries. Not a big deal as there were packets of salt on the table for me to season my own fries. The waitress was kind and polite. I'm not the type to care about ambiance if the food is good. I'd come back again for sure.

    Breakfast Burrito Sausage
    Preston C.

    Fantastic food especially for such a great price. I'll definitely be back. Such a comfort to be here and love the vibes. Also super fast service and great staff! Will be back.

    Pretty decent prices

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    1 month ago

    Very kind staff with made to order simple dishes in a beautiful part of the city/coast. Pick up is advised as the ambiance is a bit lacking.

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Good food and kind staff. Very clean restaurant and bathroom as well. We enjoyed our meal very much :))

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    I try to come here every time I'm near Ocean Beach. Sweet staff and yummy food for a good price. I love the BLT and fish and chips here

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Average food not the best prices good and fast service but think that there are better places

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    It's a fantastic fusion with unparalleled authenticity.a great date night! Four stars due to limited seating.

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    Page 1 of 6

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    Are the takeout prices the same as the in-store prices?

    Yes! They also deliver on postmates and grubhub but that has a charge.

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    Hook Fish

    Hook Fish

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    Crowds gather here for good reason - the seafood at Hook consistently delivers and there are no…read morepoor choices to be found on the menu. Everything is fresh from the sea and fulfilling for even the heartiest of sailors. Your reviewer's regular order is the Poke Burrito, but he has also been known to select the Blackened Grilled Fish Sandwich (under the right conditions with favorable winds). And let us not forget the seasoned fries, which your reviewer finds particularly tasty with malt vinegar splashed on top and each fry dipped in the reddest of ketchups. Godspeed and safe harbor!

    When a place is known for its fish and chips, that's exactly what you order--and this spot…read moreabsolutely delivered. The fish was fried to golden perfection with a light, shatteringly crisp batter that wasn't greasy or heavy. Beneath that beautiful crunch was flaky, tender, and incredibly moist fish that practically melted with every bite. It was one of those dishes where you immediately understand why people keep coming back. The fries were crispy and a great side, but they were definitely playing second fiddle to the star of the show. As for the poke burrito...I'd skip it personally. We were feeling adventurous and gave it a shot, but it just didn't come together the way I had hoped. In hindsight, ordering the grilled fish burrito would have been the better move. The location is another big win. Just a short stroll from the beach and surrounded by shops, it's an ideal stop before or after exploring the area. Parking can take a little patience during busy hours, but don't let that deter you.

    Photos
    Inside
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    Poke Plate ($21) + Fish & Chips (4 piece - $28)
    Poke Plate ($21) + Fish & Chips (4 piece - $28)
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    Bearing West

    Bearing West

    4.7
    (149 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    We came here to celebrate a birthday. Been wanting to try it and we were happy we did. The staff is…read moreextremely friendly- our server Emma? Emily? was the best! Nice cool vibe and the menu had happy hour specials. We had the Baja style fish tacos $14 which was battered and fried fish and slaw. The fish was nicely done. The shrimp Louie $22.50 had nice amount of bay shrimp, egg and avocado. The chicken Milanese sandwich $16 was a bit disappointing though. The battered chicken fingers were a bit dry and the pieces were on the small size, as was the fried chicken fingers $12. The deviled eggs $8.50 was creamy. Could've done without the pickled jalapeño-made it bit bitter. We all loved the griddled sourdough $5 ! I'd come back to check out more of the small bites menu.

    My sister was craving some oysters yesterday so we decided to try this spot, she also found out the…read more$2 Tuesday specials. We walked in and liked the spot immediately it gave the both of us like a very Oceanside spot, not entirely sure on how to describe it to be honest. Our waitress was super friendly and great in serving us throughout our meal. Both of our favorite things that we ate was actually their $5 happy hour fish tacos. We were so surprised and loved the fact we ate that last. The only thing I was taken aback was that the oysters were not chucked entirely properly and there was one that was pretty bad that I couldn't order more oysters like I wanted to, I think it wasn't as fresh. If I could give a 3.5 I would because of that bad oyster I ate. But overall good spot! And I would highly recommend the fish tacos!

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    Durty Nelly's

    Durty Nelly's

    4.2
    (415 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Came here Saint Patrick's day weekend on a bike ride to ocean beach and decided to stop in. We were…read morenot disappointed! A lovely Irish bartender greeted us, and we got some hearty Irish food to tide us over. I enjoyed the battered sausage, although it tasted more like a meatball with all the spices. My friend is gluten intolerant and got a Gluten Free BLT sandwich. We topped it off with a special, green dyed cocktail they had in honor of the holidays I really liked the bartender and the bar had a very homey vibe to it, with classic bar seats and locals inside who clearly love the character it adds to the neighborhood.

    This is a testament to the homemade veggie burger of the Black Bean type made by the chef at Durty…read moreNelly's... As a very long time vegitarian, and huge fan of veggibugers, living in San Francisco over 33 years I have searched high and low for veggiebugers...of all kinds...the Garden Burger, Impossible Burger, Beyond Burger (absolutely the best off the shelf burger available...and much healthier than the competition)...and Black Bean Burgers...a terrific option being made in house...most of them, though, require multiple napkins as they easily come apart...but that which can be had at Durty Nelly's does not suffer from that. And the Chips (Fries) are excellent as are their Superior Fish and Chips. And, importantly, they know how to draw a perfect pint of Guinness.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Durty balls
    Durty balls
    Two Irish coffees made at the exact same time, both very different.

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    The Pig & Whistle

    The Pig & Whistle

    4.0
    (587 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    We stopped here on a recent early evening to watch a World Cup game. It was our first time here,…read moreand we're glad we decided to go somewhere different. The Fish & Chips are the best I've had in the city! Not greasy at all and simply delightful. They also have a solid selection of beers on tap; I enjoyed a Deschutes IPA and a Guinness. A lot of people were ordering Old Speckled Hen, which I want to try next time--I've never heard of that beer and it seems quite popular. The menu features all the hits of a British pub. I want to try their Shepherd's Pie next time, and my husband wants to get the bangers and mash. He was hoping they had a scotch egg, but that's the one item not on the menu. Oh, and some sticky toffee pudding would be awesome! The only downside was a large party of eight people with screaming children. We can't seem to escape that in restaurants lately--even in a pub. Ugh, it was terrible and sadly put a damper on an otherwise delightful experience. Chuck E. Cheese energy is not the vibe. Despite that, we will be back.

    I hate leaving negative reviews, but my experience with the owner of this bar was so upsetting that…read moreI feel compelled to share it. I'm currently living in San Francisco for six weeks while caring for my father, who is recovering from a double lung transplant at UCSF. It's been an emotionally exhausting time, and I was excited to find a neighborhood bar within walking distance where I could occasionally relax and decompress. I first discovered this bar after a trip to Trader Joe's. During that visit, the bartenders, especially Chris, and the rest of the staff were welcoming, friendly, attentive, and wonderful. Based on that experience, I was looking forward to returning. Unfortunately, my interactions with the owner have been the complete opposite. On my second visit, the owner repeatedly ignored me while I was trying to order. When he noticed my service dog, who was leashed, quietly sitting beside me, and causing absolutely no disruption, he loudly yelled across a crowded bar, "Get your dog out of here." I calmly explained that he is a service dog. The owner immediately rolled his eyes and demanded to know what service my dog provides. Because I did not feel comfortable disclosing personal medical information to a room full of strangers, I asked if I could privately show documentation instead. He became increasingly hostile, telling me that he "knew his rights" and that I "didn't know anything," while continuing to demand an explanation. Feeling embarrassed and cornered, I reluctantly answered his question. He rolled his eyes again and asked, "What do you want?" When I ordered a Corona, he responded by pointing his finger in my face and saying, "You mean you want a Corona PLEASE." He refused to serve me unless I repeated the order exactly as he demanded. I was shocked, humiliated, and left the bar in tears. Several patrons nearby apologized to me and expressed how uncomfortable they were witnessing the interaction. A few days later, I decided to give the bar a second chance and brought my partner with me. My partner was seated with my service dog while I walked to the bar to order. The owner immediately recognized me and once again said, "Get your dog out." I calmly reminded him that we had already had this conversation and that I had previously explained my dog's service role. He responded by asking whether I was providing a service to the dog or whether the dog was providing a service to me. After I again explained the situation, he asked what I wanted to order. I ordered two dirty gin martinis, and before I could even finish speaking, he began walking away. When he returned with the check, I asked him to keep the tab open. He again corrected me and said I needed to say, "Keep it open PLEASE." At that point, I asked why he seemed to treat me this way every time I came in. His response was, "Piss off. Finish your martini and you're never allowed back here again. Get out." Once again, I left in tears. Once again, nearby patrons appeared shocked by the way I was being treated. I've worked in professional environments my entire career and strive to treat everyone with kindness, patience, and respect. I was never rude, disruptive, or confrontational. I simply wanted to enjoy a drink at a neighborhood bar while accompanied by my service dog. The bartenders and staff were wonderful. My experience with the owner, however, was one of the most humiliating and hostile customer service experiences I have ever had.

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    Mixto Latin Cuisine

    Mixto Latin Cuisine

    4.6
    (190 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Not on my regular route, but I was over that way today and met a friend for lunch and was very very…read morehappy with my meal (spinach and mushroom Eggs Benedict) No photos because I scarfed it all down. Service was great, and the interior is cute. I looked at all of the Peruvian food that I didn't try and I will definitely be back to try it!! P.S. Get the green salsa. It's killer!

    Came here for Happy Hour, which meant discounted appetizers! Also chowed down on some mains. And…read moreit was so delicious, even got dessert. Leche de Tiger: I love Peruvian ceviches. Much more flavor than merely lime as the sauce. Also, good variety different seafood like clams, mussels, calamari and fish. Plus corn bits and some sweet potato. Really jam packed with deliciousness. Chicharron de Pollo: Thin and crispy, it seemed like there was skin attached to the deep fried chicken, giving it an extra crunchy. Nice creamy sauce. And the pickled onions added a good tang. Lomo Saltado: One of my favorite dishes, so had to order it here. The flavors were on point with a generous amount of that sauce. The equally balanced forkfuls with steak, onion, tomatoes and fries were divine. Unfortunately, they were a bit skimpy on the beef since the balanced forkfuls ended quickly and then there were a lot of fry heavy bites. It looked meaty when it first arrived, but I think the trick is that all the meat was on top, nothing mixed in. Aji de Gallina: Shredded chicken in a light yellow sauce. Though it tasted little bland. Like not creamy enough and not spicy enough. It was still decent, but could have been better. Picarones: Maybe the best thing I ordered. The doughnuts were made fresh to order, still warm and a little gooey. And that sticky sweet sauce with subtle spices were amazing. I did extra rounds on the plate to ensure I could soak up as a much as possible with each doughnut bite.

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    Arroz Con Mariscos Dinner Entree
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    Deeeee-lish mango margaritas

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    TJ Cafe - burgers - Updated July 2026

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