Cafe 222

A small restaurant in the quieter part of downtown serving delicious breakfast items, including their famous waffles. The golden waffle was crispy and soft. The cornbread waffle with chili had a slightly more coarse texture but was also tasty. The chili had good quality ground beef in it, but was a little too salty. The Mexican Scramble had this pile of wonderful griddled potatoes had grilled onions and were thoroughly cooked to form a brown crunchy crust. Yum! Our staff was delightful and courteous. They welcomed our dogs to sit with us on the outside tables and brought them a water bowl.

One of downtown’s many excellent breakfast places. Went for the stuffed French toast, but got talked into the banana bread French toast, and I wasn’t disappointed. Got a side of fresh strawberries to go with it and it was a very generous portion. Staff was super friendly and brought out a bowl of water and biscuit for our puppy. Only disappointment was the decaf coffee, which was tepid and tasted burnt. I suspect it had been brewed hours earlier. Enjoyed the patio seating, although putting cushions on the seats would be a welcome upgrade.

Cafe 222, Island Avenue. Read the hype about this place. Famous waffles they said. Stepped in a Saturday morning. Busy but seats available at the counter! No wait! Waffle excellent. Same for the eggs. Nice neighborhood breakfast stop. Friendly and attentive service. Clean inside. A little off the beaten path but easy to get to. Deserves a stop when in the Gaslamp District. 👍👍

My wife and I visited San Diego for our anniversary and saw Café 222 recommended on TikTok—so we had to try it! We ordered the All-American breakfast and a waffle, and wow, the food did not disappoint. But the real star? The potatoes! Crispy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was cozy, and the service was great. We’re definitely coming back next time we’re in town!

Breakfast This was such a nice, pleasant surprise. The breakfast places in San Diego are falling fast. Being swallowed up by things that elevate breakfast to a brunch. The idea of counters and eggs & hash are just about gone. Breakfast here was the epitome of delicious & quaint w/ plenty of room outside. The breakfast potatoes were the best I’ve ever had, & the corned beef hash was spectacular; for homemade it didn’t turn out like brisket. It was prepared so well with potatoes and spiced exquisitely. A little expensive, but a first rate breakfast experience. P.s. My vegan peeps will be happy with the menu as well. Vibe - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Food & Drink - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Value - ☘️☘️☘️☘️ Service - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Overall - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

I love visiting this place when I'm in town and I always love bringing new people here. All these years later, this place still doesn't disappoint. Great quality food, reasonable prices and always friendly service! I was lucky enough to come two days in a row during this last trip!

The food was okay, but it lacked flavor. I tried the Italian eggs and potatoes, and they were just average. Unfortunately, someone called out, which caused a long wait, and we were skipped. The restaurant made up for it by offering us a free breakfast. However, no one in our party thoroughly enjoyed their meal. On a positive note, it was nice to sit outside.

I kind of feel like this is what a diner should be like. The staff are Cali friendly and the menu is fairly straightforward. Everything g looks and smells good and the images stand up to the flavors. I had steak (country fried) with sausage gravy, potatoes, toast and two sunny 🥚 . Fantastic. The outdoor seating made my Saturday wonderful. Thank you 222!

Continuing our culinary journey through San Diego, we headed to Cafe 222, a cozy gem in the Marina District known for its comfort food and charming diner vibes. The cafe has made its mark on the Food Network, most famously for their Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast, a dish featured by Bobby Flay and on The Best Thing I Ever Ate (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-xBn1eifyJg). We were excited to return to this iconic spot. Located just a few blocks from the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Convention Center, and Petco Park, Cafe 222 is perfectly situated for locals and visitors alike. The interior feels like a classic diner, with cozy booths, countertop seating, and a welcoming patio perfect for soaking in the beautiful San Diego weather. We arrived just after opening, aiming for an early breakfast before heading to the zoo for a morning bus tour. The service was prompt and friendly, and we were seated right away. Robin ordered the Pork Patty Benedict, a creative twist on the breakfast classic. Served with griddled potatoes, it was a hearty and flavorful start to the day. She appreciated the balance of savory flavors and the perfectly poached eggs. I started with the Granola Topped with Fresh Fruit & Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt, a light and refreshing option featuring housemade granola paired with strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, and apples. The granola was crunchy and satisfying, complementing the fresh fruit perfectly. Of course, I couldn't resist also trying The Golden Waffle, a big, thick malted waffle that lived up to its name. Light, crispy, and golden brown, it was a true standout--a dish so good it's been featured in Gourmet Magazine. One of the unexpected highlights of Cafe 222 is its location. Sitting on the patio, we enjoyed a steady parade of adorable dogs from the nearby apartments and townhomes heading to the park. It added an extra layer of charm to an already delightful experience. Cafe 222 is a must-visit for breakfast lovers in San Diego. Whether you're in the mood for a light, healthy start or indulgent comfort food, there's something for everyone. Highly recommend stopping by--especially if you're a dog lover!

Came on New Year's Day after a long night of celebrating and it was the perfect comfort food for the morning after! All the workers were super friendly, they have indoor and outdoor seating. The vibes gave off very cozy, small town diner style. The food here was AMAZING! I loved their blueberry cornmeal waffle, the flavor was spectacular. We also got the breakfast burrito and typically I'm not a fan of a "wet" burrito style but this one tastes so good. This was our first time trying this place and would definitely come back whenever we're in SD!

I would give a zero star if this is a choice. The owner and the receptionist are extremely rude. No sure if this is because we are a bunch of asians who they think we don't understand any restaurant rules and need to be lectured on. I would not go there. The waiter, a gentleman, on the other hand, is very nice.

It has been many years since I visited the lovely city of San Diego. I dined in Café 222 then and I estimated that might've been 25 years ago? Here I am again on December 30, 2024. It is clear that Cafe 222 remains a favorite of both locals and tourists as well. I can't comment on parking because I walked here. I had the eggs Benedict, and as I told a friend, my search for the best hollandaise sauce in the world is now over. It's right here! This is top-notch food that very reasonable prices. Wonderful, friendly and attentive staff, and I enjoyed dining outside

We went back again. It's a must every time we go to SD now! Thankfully we went on a Friday morning. So it was very easy to get in, and we didn't have a wait. The food was as delicious as always. The owner always makes you feel welcomed eve. If she doesn't know you. We always have the same server. I'm not sure what his name is, but he's an older gentleman who is very sweet! I believe he's been there the whole time that thr business has been open, or most of it at least. We got my favorite smothered potatoes and a pumpkin waffle. It was enough for me and my kids to share. We also got orange juices and I appreciated that they taped the kid on for the kids. (They also ask if your kids would like their pancake/waffle cut up which is helpful! If you go to the museum or park nearby, definitely go here too.

Walking down the street looking for a place to eat, we found this wonderful little place ( CAFE 222). Oh my gosh I was delighted by the service. The food was excellent. Our server was excellent. The food was made fresh and fast. What can I say? I fell in love. The ambient is cozy, relaxing And welcoming. Hope you guys get a chance to visit.

Ordered: Blueberry Cornbread Waffle (~$15) + Combo (~$8): comes with 2 eggs (over-easy) and 2 strips of turkey bacon House-baked Buttermilk Biscuit (~$4) Orange Juice (~$6) Aya's take: Now this is a breakfast! I don't think I've ever had a waffle made with cornbread before but this Blueberry Cornbread Waffle was delicious. You really taste the crunchy, corny batter in every bite that's nicely complemented by the sweetness and tartness of the blueberries. Making it a Combo was worth it to me as it adds some savoriness to the breakfast. The Buttermilk Biscuit was golden brown, buttery, and a bit flaky too. Using that to make a breakfast sandwich would be so bomb! The Orange Juice wasn't fresh squeezed (I don't think) so ~$6 for this small glass was not worth it, in my opinion. Other than that, the food is definitely worth a try if you're in the SD area.

I normally don't eat breakfast, but after an early morning workout and having to kill time until the Navy Exchange opens, I checked Yelp for a nearby breakfast spot and found Cafe 222. Their Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast and their Biscuits and Gravy were foodie heaven. I probably wasted my workout, but it was so worth it. The grub, the notable customer service, and vibe made my first time visit memorable and I definitely want to eat here again, but with my family. Cafe 222 is located in downtown San Diego specifically on the corner of Island and Second Avenues. It's just down the road from a Ralph's supermarket and within walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center and Seaport Village. I visited on a Saturday around 8:30am, so street parking was free until 10am. Cafe 222 is not a large restaurant, but it does have indoor table seating, indoor countertop seating, and outdoor covered seating. There is plenty of natural light, the vibe is cheery with the walls painted yellow, liked the chandeliers with colorful mugs holding faux candles, and the painted mural was a nice touch. My waiter Senad provided friendly and attentive customer service. Loved his positive disposition and he hustled while I dined there. Cafe 222 has a wall displaying their Zagat awards and California Restaurant Association Gold Medallion accolades for Best Breakfast, so I was expecting to dine on some delish food. After my first time experience, that would be an understatement. It was divine! I ordered the Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast and a half order of their Biscuits & Gravy. The PB & Banana Stuffed French Toast was featured by celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Food Network and the Food Network tv show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." I'm a peanut butter aficionado, so even though I wasn't trying to eat too much, I just had to order this dish. From the first bite to my last, it seriously was one of the best breakfast items I've ever eaten. The French Toast was cooked golden brown, it had a crispy texture, and it had the perfect amount of peanut butter and bananas when combined with their syrup just made every bite so enjoyable. I ordered a half order of biscuits & gravy, which come with one buttermilk biscuit and potatoes smothered with peppery pork gravy. The next time I visit, I want to order a full order because it was that yummy. The biscuit was soft and hearty, the potatoes were slightly charred and thick cut, and with both smothered by their addicting gravy, I savored every single morsel of that dish just like I did with the french toast. So blessed that I had time to kill before the store I wanted to visit opened. Although this unbelievable meal ruined my workout, I can categorically and unequivocally say that Cafe 222's Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast and their Biscuits & Gravy were so worth the extra calories.

We were looking for a casual brunch spot and came across this cute little cafe on the corner. The host sat us quick on the little patio area and our waitress was quick to take our order! They have lots to choose from; from breakfast classics like waffles and scrambles to more creative dishes, like tamales with mexican gravy. My blueberry cornbread waffle was cooked perfectly and was very tasty! I also got a side of breakfast potatoes that were equally as delicious. I would definitely return!

Short & sweet - the service here is phenomenal. I was greeted by a gentleman who was genuinely welcoming. At that moment I knew the hype was real. He was able to find my order in seconds, and although the interaction was brief, it helped start my day on the right track. I order a la carte - ham, potatoes, a biscuit, and one egg. I asked that they put it all in one container as to not create more waste than necessary and they happily obliged. The food was one of the best breakfasts I had in San Diego! The biscuit was soft and buttery, the ham was juicy, the potatoes were crunchy and well seasoned, and the egg was fresh. I wish I had another day added to my trip to go back for more, but at least I was able to commit this meal to memory.

Nice quant diner style breakfast spot. They adapt well and provide great service!! Lots of variety on the menu. I had the American breakfast with a side of tasty tamale. Alll was good!! Hot chocolate was good aa well.

The service was great. We had the chorizo and egg breakfast with the French toast. It was delicious

Cute diner with friendly service. Food was good, but not great, portion size was good and it was filling. I would come back to try other dishes.

Service was great from the time we called to confirm they were open on New Year's Day. Upon arriving, we had a short wait, and we directed to what we were told was the best seat in the house. I see why they said that. It was the only booth and a corner booth. This is a diner style spot, and it doesn't have too much seating, but they are fast, and the food was excellent! The kids had hot chocolate and loved it. We ordered a waffle and French toast for the kids, and the kitchen offered to bring them precut for the kids, which was a first and much appreciated. We also had the blueberry cornmeal waffle, and that also had excellent flavor. They don't serve alcohol, so no mimosas, but we overall enjoyed our meal. My only other observation is that it was busy and a little hard for our server to hear us when we called him a few times. This is definitely worth a stop if you love breakfast!

Highly recommend this breakfast joint. Friendly service with a hearty menu. The cornbread waffle with chili and cheese is my favorite savory dish here. The banana and PB stuffed french toast is my favorite sweet dish. A must try when in Downtown SD.

Awesome service. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Delicious food. What more can I really say. Go get some ;)

Discovered this small local biz a few years ago and so happy it is thriving. Friendly quick service, comfort breakfast food with coffee hit the spot!!

No notes, this is breakfast perfection. Greeted and quickly seated by Sarah, who literally whipped up a table for us on the upper patio out of thin air. She let us know Jessy would be our server, and the specials of the day. Jessy was at our table within minutes (the restaurant was still slow, we ate around 9, not San Diego breakfast time). She had hubs tea and my latte out to our table super quickly, and we were literally "waffling" between two waffle options, she helped us decide on the blueberry corn (SO GOOD). Hubs and I were trying not to gorge, so we ordered country-fried steak and eggs, sourdough toast, side of sausage links, and aforementioned waffle. She brought us sauces, and like poof! Magic! Our food had arrived. If you haven't had their potatoes, you haven't lived. The gravy is amazing; and "secret recipe" sausage, aka sausage cooked on a griddle with butter (restaurant style) is KILLER. Speaking of killer - Jessy is so warm, fun and friendly, you'd swear she was already a member of your family, that's how insanely good she is at giving world class service. I could see her in fine dining, she's so attentive and good at reading her tables. But I'm glad she's here because Cafe 222 is one of our faves. Hubs summed it up perfectly as we were leaving "we never go wrong with Cafe 222" today the potatoes were awesome, and we had a great time with Jessy. So great that you forget the mob of construction workers a table away from you who forgot their manners at home and literally invented new ways to use the "f" word for half an hour, Or the guy who blew his date acting like a bro. Food so great, the entertainment is just a bonus!

Great find! The family was in downtown early and needed to get some breakfast. Thought of Richard Walker's but they're line was stupid long. Yelp to the rescue! A very short walk away was Cafe 222. Yay Yelp! One of the things that caught my eye in reviews was how much Yelpers flowed about the friendly service. They were right! We were seated immediately outside which given the state of transients in downtown was a little worrisome but the corner was actually fairly quiet. Our waitress was super cheerful and checked on us frequently despite running multiple tables on the inside and outside. The second thing that caught my eye was their Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast as it was given some love by celebrity chef Bobby Flay in an episode of "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Loved it. It sounds simple but this was so well executed. Creamy, crunchy, salty, sweet. The kids zeroed in on the fact that the waffles at 222 have been featured in Gourmet magazine and they do love waffles. They got the Strawberry "shortcake" and the Churro. Demolished. Definitely would visit again.

While parking may be tough to find as usual in downtown, this cute little cafe is worth the visit if you enjoy chicken fried steak and waffles. The strawberry waffle was one of the freshest and tastiest waffles I've ever had. Make sure to take a quick snap and eat right away because it's best as soon as it comes out. They have both indoor and outdoor seating areas and dogs are welcome on the outside area! Very simple diner feel on the inside. Perfect place for brunch and they also have fresh fruit bowls piled high. I'm excited to visit this place again.

What you need to know: The food is really good -- throw any idea of a diet out the window and just give in to the dark side of the Peanut Butter and Banana stuffed French Toast (Solid -- though my dining companion said it needed syrup, I thought it was fine as is), the Huevos Rancheros, corned beef hash (excellent), biscuits and gravy (very nice), Granola Waffles and the Strawberry waffles. Coffee was too bitter for me (normally I'd dink a star... yeah, I'm tough, but in a good mood today). Staff is crazy friendly and makes you feel at home. Ambiance is bare bones, but in a polished way. You wouldn't want to hang out for hours, but you don't feel rushed. A Very Solid breakfast choice!

Been a fan since they opened in the early 1990's. I visit every chance I get since I no longer live in San Diego. My go to are eggs and sausage. Try their tamales or French toast. Expect a wait on the weekend. Small interior with limited seating. Service and food are always top notch.

I'll start on with the bad...My children and I arrived and were greeted by a "Wait Here" sign at a podium, so we waited...and waited. I started looking around and noticed a man chatting with someone look over at us and continue his conversation. I figured he was a patron so I passed the pad out and began looking for someone to assist. The man finally decided to stop his conversation and come and talk to me. He was incredibly rude and told me I needed to wait to be seated. I let him know that's what we did but no one came to greet/assist. He disappeared and came out to tell me they were clearing a table. The Good: We were finally seated and we sat down and were approached by our server who wasn't exactly the friendliest person, at least not with us. A older gentleman sat next to me and we quickly struck up a conversation, as he was a combat veteran and a lovely gentleman. We chatted and we paid for his breakfast, as he made our experience a nice one. The server came once to ask if we were ok right after we received our meals. She didn't come back after that, only to bring the check and didn't say a word. She was more than happy to refill our new friend's water when my glass was almost empty. The Food: Mediocre at best. According to the server, they're famous for their waffles, but we wanted something different. Blueberry pancakes were soggy and lacked flavor, the eggs Benedict were "ok" according to my son and my standard breakfast of potatoes, eggs and turkey was greasy and overcooked. I wouldn't go back again. If I wanted slop on a plate, a chain restaurant would have been better with friendlier people. I'm giving 2 stars because the combat veteran's company made the experience tolerable and it was a pleasure to meet him.

Great food, service and people watching from locals to tourists. Highly recommend. Stay away from the decalf, but the regular is delicious

Came here early Sunday morning (715). Didn't wait for a table. Place seems pretty small, but they do try with scattered seating. Food came out fast and tasted great. I went with country fried steak, peanut butter, French, toast, and biscuits and gravy. Very solid size portions not too much not too little. I liked how the country fried steak was nice and thin. But beware that doesn't appear to be any bacon on the menu just turkey bacon, which I find odd because they still have ham and other pork products on their menu. Overall pleased with this spot would recommend you get there a little early as I can fill up pretty fast, but I will eat here again.

Cafe 222 is one of my favorites in San Diego !because their food is off the hook and the service is good. It's tiny, but the quality is top notch!

Came in on a Friday morning for breakfast and was sat quickly outside. It was a bit cold but they have outdoor heaters so no worries. Let's get to the good part, here's what I had: Breakfast burger- double sausage patty, egg, with cheese on a hamburger bun. 4 of 5 stars Smothered potatoes- This Is Delicious! The potatoes are smothered in sausage gravy and cheese sprinkled with bacon bits. Wow! I'll come back next time I'm in SD.

Cafe 222 is a fun discovery that we will be adding to our rotation whenever we're in downtown San Diego. The food is fantastic. They nailed the eggs benedict (a dish I commonly use to judge the quality of a breakfast/brunch restaurant); it was much better than usual and had just the right amount of lemon. My partner had the breakfast burrito, which they feature prominently on their website, and he loved it so much that he ate the whole thing in one sitting! The service is attentive and knowledgeable--everyone was great. And Cafe 222's ambiance is quirky and fun. It's a small but bright space that allows diners to share a good time with others. We greatly enjoyed interacting with the next table over! Also, the Cafe sells humorous and kitschy t-shirts right in the restaurant. We will definitely be back!

Amazing service, such great staff Anda the food is top tier. Can't wait to come back!

Found this cute place walking from our hotel. The food was delicious, ambience was adorable and the service was top notch. Everyone here was super friendly and helpful with what you order. Will definitely come back when we visit San Diego.

Waffle with Fresh Fruit and Yogurt, Green Eggs & Spam This is a super cute place downtown. Already bustling at 8am on a Saturday! I was lucky to get a seat pretty quickly. The servers are the nicest people, and are so dedicated to the customer experience. I really loved this golden waffle, lightly crispy outside, fluffy and not too sweet inside, but maybe whipped cream would have been better than the yogurt haha. The fruit on it was excellent, super fresh and sweet. I really enjoyed the green eggs and spam too! Went great with the sourdough toast. Next time I want to try this place's famous peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast!!! Interior is adorable, with teacup chandeliers with little dangling spoons.

Nice cafe downtown. Menu is excellent with their gourmet waffles taking center stage. Great service. I had the corn/blueberry waffle which was delicious. My wife had the huevos rancheros and loved it as well. Good place but pricey. And what was an unpleasant surprise was seeing the unannounced line item on our final bill saying "4% Surcharge". That's definitely not customer friendly. Just raise your prices by 4% and don't surprise me. Food and service 5 stars. BS surprise surcharge knocks my rating to a 3. I know it's not a big deal for the restaurant, but I will never go back.

Here in San Diego for the weekend and my fiancé and I thought we would try this place for breakfast. We arrived around 8:15am on a Saturday morning. Wait was short, maybe a few minutes. Service was quick as well. The restaurant is very small, so I would not recommend for large groups or parties with kids. The food was served very quick, and while it looked good, the taste just was not there. My fiancé ordered the pancakes with bacon. He didn't finish the pancakes and the bacon was turkey bacon. I ordered the eggs Benedict and it was awful. Every mouth bite tasted like mayonnaise. It was overkill. The potatoes were burnt. Norms diner has a better eggs Benedict than this place. Overall, pass. Try something else instead. I would recommend to the kitchen to take their time. While our meal was convenient and fast, it seemed that the quality of the food was compromised in turn. I'd rather wait for a better meal than come here and spend $60+ for something that makes me sick to my stomach.

This place was very yummy. i would recommend this place. Our server was very nice. I would not recommend the chocolate milk as it is very sweet.

I visited this place with high hopes but left thoroughly disappointed. The seating was cramped, making it uncomfortable to even move. It felt like a sauna thanks to the heat from the kitchen that you're seated right next to, which was unbearable. The prices were outrageous for the quality and portion sizes; I've had better meals for half the price elsewhere. Our waiter was a nice older gentleman but the poor guy was sweating and out of breath running around attending all the tables by himself. To top it off, the coffee tasted like it was brewed from dirt. When adding creamer, it left dairy flakes floating on top that never mixed in. It was bitter and unpleasant, completely ruining what little enjoyment I could salvage from the visit. We ended up at a well known and trusted Broken Yolk close by with a great experience and cheaper than 222 would've been. Full disclosure, our family got up and left after tasting the dirt flavored coffee and cancelled our order so we didn't take the risk of staying to eat. Overall, a regrettable experience that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Save your money and find somewhere else to dine.

Amazing service and delicious food. You can taste the homemade aspect of the food. Loved every bit.

Had to take a picture of their chandelier! So adorable! Food was great! Delicious and great portions! Service was impressive, fast and friendly staff. Atmosphere was definitely casual.

Great spot for breakfast. Corned beef hash is delicious. They have some outrageous waffle flavors that are worth trying. I wish they had these back east

Visiting from Ny..what an amazing gem this place is! The service was super friendly, quick and on point. Nice cool ambience. I got their famous Peanut butter banana stuffed french toast, and it was delicious! Also the veggie omelette had great flavors. The waiter/server really went out of his way to make it a memorable experience.

Heard about this place from a few folks through the years, so I wanted to check it out. Walked over here while on a lunch break attending an event at the Convention Center. Caught them right before they were about to close, but they very graciously invited us in. Had an amazing breakfast with eggs, sausage and potatoes. That sausage patty is something special! Restaurant is clean and intimate. Service was fast and very friendly. I would go here again.

When I knew I was moving to San Diego, I remember this place being featured on the best thing I ever ate episode with Bobby Flay. I finally got to try this place today for breakfast. I got their peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast (Bobby Flays favorite) and a coffee. Without tip it came to about $20.00. Pros: -friendly staff -outdoor seating had heat lamps -close walk from the convention center trolley stop. There's also metered parking nearby. Cons: -n/a Overall, a solid choice for breakfast.

Food was so good. Had the breakfast burrito with sausage and it was full of flavors. The staff were so friendly and even though busy took no time serving! San Diego is my favorite city and Cafe 22 is another reason why! Potatoes were the bomb!

I can't believe I've never reviewed this place! Absolutely my favorite breakfast place, the food is amazing, the service is beyond exceptional - it is genuinely warm as well; the cafe itself is whimsically decorated and both indoors on a chilly day and outdoors on a fine day are atmospherically perfect. My favorite thing is the blueberry cornbread waffle and I always get a side of the griddled potatoes. The texture of the cornbread waffle is crunchy and wholesome without being too gritty, and the sweet pops of blueberries stand out in the slight savoriness of the cornbread. The griddled potatoes are always cooked perfectly with soft insides and crunchy outsides with just a few extra crunchy extra dark bits for that diner char, and the peppers and onions are a nice mix of still crunchy and well caramelized for a satisfying bite. Other delicious items here include the pumpkin waffle, which is just as good in the spring as in the fall, the chili cornbread waffle (a savory item, but just try it with no sour cream but a little maple syrup on it...sweet/savory goodness!), and the peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast of legend. Also, the black coffee doesn't fall short and is a great counterpoint to a sweet waffle! Thank you Cafe 222 for many years of epic breakfasts!

A limited space dining experience. I dined on Sunday@11ish. No wait time which was quite surprising. My meal included the frittata breakfast which is good. If Popeye had eaten here he would have enjoyed the spinach frittata. Coffee could have been better. Service was exceptional. For the breakfast I received I would say the prices are inflated for the menu. Not much ambience as the space is tight. Street parking for free if you can find a spot otherwise paid parking with meters or a parking lot. You are the master of your own circumstances encourage yourself each day.

I came for a weekend trip to San Diego and left on Monday. We came here as the last breakfast spot. We tried to go to another place, but the line was ridiculously long. I looked this place up on yelp and decided to go here instead. For some reason it said there was a 30 to 40 minute wait time, and that was offputting, but we decided to try it anyway. To our happy surprise, we saw parking right near the front of the establishment and there was no way at all. I don't know if there's something wrong with the yelp analytics but I was originally going to look for a different place based on the estimated wait time. I'm glad we drove up and check it out first. The place is small inside, keep that in mind, so strollers or other mobility, assistive chairs might be cumbersome to maneuver in there. The good news is they have outdoor seating as well to enjoy the lovely San Diego day. They have cute decorations reminds me of like the 50s, but vintage Barbie retro with the chandeliers and magnets and the color palette. For the food, my son had a single order of the small pancakes and orange juice. I had the corn beef hash with the over medium eggs and rye toast. My travel partner had the Mexican scramble but surprisingly, the scramble did not include chorizo, which I think is out of the norm. We opted to pay extra for adding chorizo to the Mexican scramble. The food was very good. However, I noticed that my eggs were not actually over medium and were actually turning over hard. The waitress was a young girl, and she was taking all of her tables into consideration with good service. It seems that the owners also showed up as well later in the afternoon before they closed. I think this is a good family establishment and alternative to other more popular dining places if you're ever in town.

I came back after 3 years for breakfast to give it another shot and the service was impeccable, the food was delicious and they were very friendly to my dog as well and brought him a water bowl. Will come back!

I really enjoyed my cute brunch at this hidden gem of a restaurant. The server was quite attentive and the hot chocolate was good at first but had a lot of syrup and tasted really malty toward the end--would recommend another drink. The meal I got was much larger than I expected, the combo was way too much for me to finish. The Oreo cookie cakes were ok, at times too sweet and other times not sweet enough/borderline bland. The sausage and eggs were perfect and very tasty! I would try this again if in the area and would be remiss to not mention their waffles are quite famous--will try one next time!!

Absolutely awesome breakfast/brunch spot! We ordered pick-up from here one day and then it was so good we went back and ate at the restaurant 2 days later! The pick-up order was ready on time and brought out quick and when we ordered in person the food came out quick too. Good coffee and tasty mocha. Great pancakes, Benedict, breakfast burrito and of course their famous peanut butter & banana stuffed French toast!

I have walked my dogs past this cute cafe more times than I can count and we finally made it over for breakfast this morning. So happy we did - wish we had done it sooner. It's a small cafe with (as I counted) 7 tables and six counter seats inside and another 7 tables outside. We were fortunate there was no wait for a table inside. Atmosphere feels a bit crowded because you are right on top of the next table over but that's more a space issue and trying to fit more tables in than anything else. If you don't like others hearing your conversation this isn't the place for you. That being said the service was fantastic and the food was scrumptious. We had the Biscuits and Gravy and it was probably the best I've had in San Diego. Tastefully peppery and plenty of gravy for the dish. It also comes with potatoes covered in gravy which I've never really experienced before but were good. I might ask them to skip the potatoes and give another biscuit or two next time as the potatoes seemed heavier than the fluffy biscuits. We also ordered the Breakfast Burrito covered in "Mexican Sauce" (read red Enchilada Sauce) and served with retried beans. My partner loved this dish and I had a taste and concurred it was tasty. It has green chiles inside which are mild. My partner is super picky about anything claiming to be Mexican so the fact it was a positive review on that is saying something. Couple other menu items we are interested in trying next time are the Waffle with Fresh Strawberries and the Stuffed Banana Peanut Butter French Toast. We saw both dishes coming out to other tables and they looked delicious.