Clayton's Coffee Shop

Easily the best diner on Coronado Island. There has been a coffee shop/diner here since 1938 so it has served countless locals and tourists over the decades which I think is really great. We were a party of four and had to wait about 20 minutes for an outside table on the Sunday after XMAS, otherwise there are a handful of booths and a very large U-shaped counter on the inside. Our server was very friendly and everything that we ordered came out very fast, almost shockingly fast. They don’t have a dedicated parking lot so the best option will be street parking. Inside of the restaurant is really well done, it has a 1950s retro diner look to it so it’s a really great place to spend some time, especially if you are a fan of the oldies or are a boomer who can reminisce like my parents. I started off my breakfast with a Cinnamon Roll and thought it was fantastic. It was really light but very flavorful at the same time. I especially loved the glaze and I would highly recommend. For my meal I ordered the Country Benedict and really liked it. I wish they would have crumbled the bacon, but that’s just a personal preference. Overall, it was a great meal and I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Coronado.

Holy Moses! My hubby and I are staying the Navy Inn here on Coronado, and went off base for a slice or two of pizza. Instead of pies, we found Clayton’s and couldn’t be more delighted 😊 Coffee, an original but perfectly cooked burger, chilaquiles, and the yummiest sugar cookie for a wee desert. My chilaquiles were too good… I at more than my stomach appreciated—and regret nothing! Hubby said the burger was great, and fries were perfect ❤️ The service was lovely and the atmosphere was perfect. We’re only staying four nights, but plan on returning in a day or so 💕 I do be recommending!

Went here with my girrrl on a Sunday. I have to say the food is gross. We both ordered items from the area hilighted in blue on the menu. The chicken was stringy, and tasted like frozen Walmart chicken. This was espically true for mine which was the - "Franny's Fried Chicken Sandwich topped with cream of corn & served on our homemade buttermilk biscuit with choice of crinkle cut fries or coleslaw $17.99" Visually it looked like an apple fritter covered with canned corn. My partner wants me to add that her chicken strips tasted like "rubber plastic". The mozzies were soggy. Fries were over seasoned with some sort of Cajon seasoning which I typically like. There was bad 70s disco playing in a 50s dinner with juke boxs at every booth. Speaking of the booth...the table is to close to your stomach and you sink right into the ground - booths uncomfortable. Atmosphere was bubble gum 50s dinner. Simple changes should fix it. Instead of 50 items Do 20, but do them good with quality ingredients, with a chef that has experience cooking food that is not from frozen. We ordered "house specialities". They were not! I would go to the beach then go to Rudfords. Fin. After reading the owners response to others - I would also like to say to the owner Andrew, that I am not the type of person to bring this up to my server, who was great. This is not about a refund. When a customer has a bad experience it is not now their burden to try and make it right for themselves. People can see all the good reviews and clearly people like Claytons. Personally, I like to write reviews for YOU & OTHERS not for me. I am a local and my opinion should be valued. I asked my partner if she wanted to order something else, which I would have paid for, she said it might be worse so we left. I don't wanna talk to you about it like you have wrote to others, I don't want an apology. I like reviewing local spots. Its done, maybe just think about the quality of food, thats what you could do for me. Thanks

Cool Old Cafe ,first opened in 1938 . Has that Genuine Feel to it . The Gentleman sitting next to us said it was the Absolutely Best Milkshake they Ever Tasted. Breakfast served all day. We had the Fried 🐔 chicken sandwich with fries. Very Good , The sandwich consisted of Wonderful toasted brioche buns , nicely spiced crispy fried chicken , great tasting coleslaw, pickles,mayo, mustard, Side of nice crinkle cut fries. They also have waffle fries and onion rings.The Cubano Panini was also very tasty. All the Food I saw plated looked Delicious ! Great Friendly Service and Good Prices , This Historic Cafe is a Winner for Sure ! Have to include 🥬, 🍅, 🧅 was also in the Fried chicken breast sandwich.

Mid morning Thanksgiving brunch that had great atmosphere and delicious food. Took roughly 15-20 min wait to get in. Most likely because 95% of businesses are closed for thanksgiving to be fair. The place has a 1950s atmosphere with red cushiony seats and record players etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the açaí bowl and we also enjoyed the turkey special, which you can get all year round anyway. If we are in the area again we will likely return!

Cute old school diner! The table settings and counter seating were so fun! The staff really embraced the atmosphere and loved the jukebox/music. Lots of breakfast and coffee items it was hard to pick. Overall fantastic meal and service.

Love this place!!! Vibe is 60/70's diner. My husband and I was Visiting the area and decided to patron a small business. So glad we did! Everything is made from scratch! Awesome food, made to order. Staff was very welcoming, warm, and great customer service. We had the Philly Steak and Cheese w/ a huge Honey Bun to go. If we are ever back in the area we will definitely return!

I came here years ago and still remember the 50’s diner feel. I was delighted come back and experience it again. Hasn’t changed a bit. So glad to see a small diner like this survive in such a beautiful place. Perfect place for a burger or breakfast. Everything on the menu is looks amazing. Shakes are killer!

Very old school with counter seating and a few table (outside included). We seated ourselves at the counter and were given the huge menu and waters (which they kept refilled). The service is on point and friendly, even though it was crowded. The Farmer Benny's Market Hash had fresh veggies (zucchini, spinach, asparagus). The hollandaise with a little bit of a kick, which I liked. The perfectly poached eggs sat on top of the loads of hash. The Maple Spice Chai (it's made with oat milk!) was a seasonal drink. The maple really compliments the chai! It was $6.50 We did not have room for their homemade pies, but it looked delicious! Overall a great breakfast/brunch spot to hit if you're in the area. It's a ~10 minutes walk to the beach.

We are a party of 8 with 4 kids who fled the LA fires waiting to be seated for 30min and the young hostess was extremely stupid and rude and attempted to cram us on a table of 4. We told her that's unacceptable and won't be able to move but she didn't care less. We called her out on her poor customer service, absurd behavior, and lack of organization but she didn't care and kept saying but yes that's how it is, I'm sorry if you don't like it... the other free tables I'm giving it to someone else "I promised them" lol which isn't even true since she passed many others who were behind in the waiting list ahead of us and she should be prioritizing families with little kids who've been waiting for a long time. Few minutes later due to this mediocre service, we decided to leave and that hostess saw walking out but didn't even care to make it right and kept her bit**y rude attitude by starting to clear our table right away. Unprofessional and low IQ people like this should not be employed and should be fired on the spot in such scenarios. Avoid this place at all cost they don't care about kids and families and especially the ones fleeing Los Angeles catastrophic fires. Absolutely careless business. Will never step foot there again.

Dren, thanks for the great service and friendly conversation! Service-great Prices-great Food-BLT was loaded and yummy! Cheesesteak Sandwich, not so much. Location-geographically perfect, but the seating inside, unless you're at the counter/bar, is extremely cramped. Weather was chilly so we sat inside...if you have the choice, outside might provide you a more comfortable experience.

Good option for a comfort meal in the heart of Coronado. Clayton's has been around for a long time, starting in the 30s as Gerry's before it was taken over by the Claytons in the 50s. I hadn't been here in quite a while, but some friends and I were looking for a place to have dinner on a Friday night, and didn't want to wait for 40 minutes at another place. We were able to be seated right away. I chose breakfast, and my friends chose dinner food. The fryer was broken, so some of the options like fries, etc weren't available. But there were still plenty of choices. I really liked that the home fries were slices like a potatoes Anna. They also had marble rye as a toast option, because they serve Reubens. It was solid breakfast, and my friends had enjoyed their breakfast there earlier in the day. They enjoyed their meals too, Eben taking a little bit of leftovers with them. Our server was really sweet to bring us complimentary donut holes while we were waiting for our food to arrive! I'll probably be stopping by during the film festival, when I need a quick meal.

Stopped into Clayton's for breakfast, and we couldn't have picked a better spot! We were seated at a charming outside table, perfect for people watching as folks strolled by. This place has such a cute, nostalgic feel with its old-school diner decor, and you can tell there's real heart in every detail. I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak Biscuit Sandwich ($16.99), and it was just fantastic. The crispy, flavorful chicken fried steak paired with a fried egg, rich country gravy, and melted cheddar cheese made every bite better than the last. My friend had the Corned Beef Hash Breakfast, and it was equally delicious packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. The service was wonderful too, friendly and attentive without ever being rushed. It's easy to see why this spot is so popular. If you're in Coronado and want a cozy breakfast experience, Clayton's should be at the top of your list!

We ordered a bowl of each of the house soup to go and this is how much they gave me. The chili was the only filled bowl container. All the soups are way too salty and the tomato basil is extra sour. In contrast, the gramp's croissant sandwich is completely flavorless and oily. I should've seen the signs not to order the soups since it took three different waitresses and a cashier to find out what the soup of the day is.

We always love visiting Clayton's! The staff is very hospitable and they support each other. Plus, we love going back in time to the 59s. We come here for our Root beer Float and onion rings. Today, the cup of chili , side of Caesar Salad and Chili Burger hit the spot. We finished off with a slice of Banana Cream Pie. Can't wait to return soon!

A staple on Coronado island. Clayton's has been around for a long time and has the best food, great service, and has a 50s diner ambiance making it so fun to go to. The wait can get a bit long so be prepared to have a wait, but like most breakfast places it moves pretty quick.

Old fashion greasy spoon diner on the main strip of downtown Coronado. There can be long wait times if you have a large party. There is indoor booths and bar seating. Outside seating is chairs and tables. Food is exceptional and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Any of the meals with poached eggs are great and the corned beef is cooked to perfection. Enjoyed a seasonal coffee called the vampire. Tip it's recommended that you park on one of the side streets and not on orange. There is also a free bus route during peak hours that you can travel around downtown Coronado.

We love the Clayton's coffee shop window, but you will have to be ready to wait a while... We got two açai bowls with peanut butter, one without and one bowl with almond butter. For some reason it took about 45 minutes for the açai bowl with almond butter to be ready.

Great service and even better breakfast for dinner! Made a stressful week go away much faster.

Awesome breakfast !!!! Had the huevos rancheros and they were fantastic. Cinnamon bun was big enough to share with at least one other. Kitchen was quick; our server Dren was very attentive and fast at topping the coffee. We came back the next day & he remembered us. First class service !!! Get there early to beat the line !!! Love the atmosphere. Order the breakfast potatoes !!!!

"I'll take perfect morning walks, for $1,000, Alex" Answer: What is the stroll from the Del Coronado Hotel Resort to breakfast at Clayton's Coffee Shop? If you appreciate the classics, you'll be right at home here. From the horseshoe shaped counter (the only original such one in San Diego county) cheese grits, malted milkshakes served with a smile, and the friendliest service around, this family- run, 87 year-old diner is pure heaven.

My son loves this place so I went to try it out with him since he was paying lol. Cute diner experience although nothing super special about the food. The crowded very narrow aisles was part of the charm. The service was really good and it was really busy but not a huge wait. The noisy chaotic friendly atmosphere was cute and everyone who was there seemed to be in a great mood.

We loved this old-timey traditional diner. Such great history and trappings from the 50s and before, including jukeboxes at each table, an old wooden telephone booth, a U-shaped soda fountain counter, and more. I could sit there all day and just soak up the atmosphere and imagine all of the folks who have been there before. Add to that, the food was excellent. We shared the corned beef hash with the thin home fry potatoes and a pancake. The portion was ample to fill us both up without being overstuffed. The service was attentive and very friendly. There's plenty to see on Coronado, but I would definitely fit this in for a good breakfast spot.

Stopped here cause it was one of the few places open at the time. Friendly staff. Took a bit for the food to come our but it was good. Typical American fast food

I'm extremely disappointed with the service at this establishment. The hostess was incredibly rude and dismissive. We explained to the hostess that we needed a larger table to accommodate our group of eight, but she refused, claiming it wasn't possible--even though there were clearly 2 tables available side by side. To make matters worse, she seated a party of two at the exact tables we requested! Her lack of professionalism and disregard for customer needs was shocking. Good customer service is essential, and this experience was anything but that. I hope management addresses these issues to ensure better treatment of guests in the future.

There was so much food it was unbelievable! My husband and I could have easily shared the meal. And what I had was very good. It's a really cute interior. The service was OK but the waitress seemed to be managing the entire place.

Stopped by for a late breakfast (served all day) with some coworkers and we were able to be seated outside right away on a lovely Coronado morning. Our server was kind and was able to explain items on the menu. I ended up ordering Betty's biscuit bowl, and it was quite a large portion.

You cannot go wrong with this place! The food is scratch made, consistent and fairly priced. What more can you ask for from a diner?

I've been to this establishment a few times over the years, and the food's great and everything - but do you have to have the front doors wide open when it's below 45f outside?

Quaint little restaurant. The employees all seem to love their jobs and just being there. The restaurant is really small. The music playing and the atmosphere are wonderful. My steak omelette was packed full of goodness. My husband had a hair in the food which the quickly replaced. The donut holes were amazing. The gravy was true sausage gravy. The waiter was really nice.

Our trolley guide recommended Clayton's as a diner kind of place with great affordable food. Of course we had to go! In August, the weather was perfect to sit outside (honestly can't recommend inside). Our server Jules was a jewel. Friendly, helpful, all around great service. And the food was good too! See photos for descriptions of our lunch!

This place was amazing. The chili cheese fries are so flavorful and very unique in its taste. I had the smores mocha drink and it was so good, the right amount of milk, coffee, and whip cream. We also ordered a BLT with a fried egg and avocado and it was your regular sandwich but still tasted great. The sweet potato waffle fries were also cooked perfectly. The service was great, they attended to us as needed and were super polite. The entire look and vibe of the diner was so cute and nostalgic. I will definitely be coming again!

We visited Coronado this weekend, looked up best coffee in the area. Clayton's was absolutely the best offer ever. The Mexican hot chocolate. So delicious. Hubby had the vanilla latte with oat milk . Delicious. Highly recommend.

Stopped in here for a breakfast client meeting and was not disappointed! The place was a very cute diner style and we had a table outside. Our server was quick to greet us and get our orders in. The iced coffee was delicious (and I'm very particular about my coffee) and the food was so scrumptious and were large portions! I wish I could have finished mine because it was so good!

Slid in here on a Tuesday morning to celebrate my suegra's birthday. It was a chill lil spot. Super busy because it's hyped up and people call it a go to spot in Coronado. The prices are a bit high for a 50s style diner. I would say aesthetically it feels like they put their time in the little details. And so I appreciate that. It's about the entire experience not just the food or wait staff. It's a solid drink list with tons of options. It was a tough decision on what I wanted to drink which to me is a good thing. I went with the Crème Brûlée Latte. It hit the spot. Some of the food coming out didn't look as appetizing but I feel like I lucked out with my selection. I went with the Farmer Benny's Market hash The wait staff was super nice. 8 hour shifts in that environment which is non stop must be tough so I appreciate how chill they were and for continuing to check in on us and not rush us with the I don't feel like I need to go here again. I felt fulfilled coming just once. It was solid but didn't wow me. If you're a native to SD or call this place home, I'd say you should get probably visit to break it to have a change of pace from your usual spots but I wouldn't put it as a place you must bring people who are out of town to.

Clayton's is famous and I've always wanted to try it but haven't. This time, while here for work on NASNI, I stayed on the island for the first time and woke up early and biked here for brekkie before work. Not too busy on a morning at 8am during the week. We seated ourselves and were immediately greeted by a friendly young server. We told them we had about a half hour and ordered. Acai bowl, oatmeal bowl, a coffee and a cinnamon roll. All was out within only moments and our check was dropped off for our convenience since we said we were in a hurry. The acai bowl was gigantic and a great price. Probably the biggest I've ever seen and only $13. The oatmeal was a bit soggy and slimy so not the best. The cinnamon roll was SO good. Warm, soft, epic icing. Omg. The best I've ever had. Super chill vibe, very friendly, service was stellar and the menu is large Happy to have finally tried it. Saw several things I'd try next time - like any of the Benedict's. Noms.

If your in the mood for great coffee and even better food Clayton's is an absolute must- visit. From the moment you walk in the cozy atmosphere and the friendly staff make you feel right at home it's also 50s style which is super cute ! I got the s'mores mocha iced coffee which is so delicious ! I recommend the chicken and waffles or the eggs Benedict plate with the side of homestyle potatoes a must try! Clayton's always goes above and beyond when it comes to quality and service I even bring my family here when they visit me highly recommend !

Staying at the Del Coronado so I was looking for a breakfast spot for a short Sunday walk. They are a half mile from the resort so it was the perfect distance on a perfect Sunday morning. The reviews mention the 1940-50's diner vibe and that's exactly what it is. Totally old school legit diner. Walk in and seat yourself so says the sign, so I took a spot at the counter near the open kitchen. At 7:30 am I was only the second customer but a half our later it was full. Staff was very attentive. I ordered the Carnitas & Chorizo Hash breakfast special. It had everything you need, eggs, chorizo, carnitas, black beans, potatoes, pico de gallo, and a dollop of sour cream. It had just enough heat to feel it at the back of your throat but not to overwhelm the flavors which were great. Highly recommended.

Came here on a busy Friday morning and was seated fairly quick. Don't be intimidated by the long line a lot of people bounce and don't wait for their name to be called. Pro tip: be patient. The inside is very cool try to catch a corner seat and see all the food the cooks serve up it's fun stuff. It's nice to see the hustle and bustle of the staff put food on the table for us. Service was chill never had to ask for coffee and they were very cool with requests even with a packed house. I ordered the Chilaquiles and they did not disappoint. I feel like I scored some brownie points adding black beans, grilled onions, and chorizo. I recommend you get that customized. The plate looked so good and it was delicious and actually spicy surprisingly, almost perfect spicy. Overall you can't miss even if you close your eyes and point to an item on the menu and order everything is fresh and diner quality.

Everything we ate at Clayton's Coffee Shop was delicious! We got a spot at the counter and beat any crowds by going early. It's a cute old fashioned coffee shop. The Homemade Cinnamon Roll was very creamy and the center was warm perfection. Definitely a big shareable size! Got the Breakfast Burrito with chorizo and really enjoyed it. The server hooked us up with lots of sauces/salsa, but the house sauce definitely hit the spot with the burrito. The Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs was a winner as well. Service was good and pretty quick!

Food was good, lots of options. Typical breakfast diner food. Was not busy on a weekday morning in Spring

One of my timeless favorites! My husband and I have been going here for years and they never disappoint. The club and crinkle cuts are my go to and although not pictured, the ranch is the perfect dip. The banana cream pie is literally the best I've ever had and one of the reasons we always come back. It's almost always busy and has a wait but it's well worth it. We went in today and was told it was about a 45-60 minute wait but was seated in less than 15 minutes, I'd highly recommend just waiting nearby instead of walking around because if they call you're name and you're not there they will move onto the next. Service is great and although it's super busy they kept our coffees full the whole time. Ambiance is retro and they have a classic coffee kind of feel. Overall great and will definitely be back!

Good diner, big portions, fast service, standard food. Lots of options, something for everyone. Their sandwiches were delicious! Cute set up and in a happening part of town.

Really cute breakfast spot I had a friend tell me to check out. The wait was long but very worth it. I got the chicken and waffles which was good. Also got a seasonal maple chai which was perfect. I love the vibe here and the service was exceptional. Definitely coming back.

I've never been here even though we live local. Wanted to like it because I wanted American style breakfast. First went to Clayton's bistro, thinking it would be the same menu.. but didn't see anything I wanted, didn't get any service anyway so left. Went down the street to Claytons. Waited to get served coffee in a small cup, ordered waited 20 minutes. It came, very cold. Told server which he was friendly to bring another plate pretty quickly. 3 refills of small coffee was not enjoyable. Didn't finish food, not very good. Waiters were all too busy, and no attention to detail or personality. Sorry.

I had the corned beef hash Benedict and a cold brew. Great coffee for not being a coffee shop and the Benedict was good too. Only deducting a star for atmosphere. It was SUPER STUFFY inside. I wouldn't have enjoyed eating in such a muggy place. Had to eat outside. Which brings me to my next point, they asked everyone in line in front of me their preference; inside or outside. They literally didn't ask us though. Lol I wouldn't have cared but when I went inside to pee and felt how warm and thick the air was inside, I decided to request outside seating. Quite a bit of a wait too. The food and coffee were good, but the atmosphere , not so much.

Came here with some friends for breakfast on a Saturday morning. For a Saturday it was busy, but the wait wasn't actually very long which was surprising. The decor is cute, like an old fashion diner. Bathrooms available and well taken care of. I got the yogurt with granola and bananas due to some diet restrictions, but the rest of my friends we ate with enjoyed their food and the biscuits and gravy was so good. Our server was attentive and did a wonderful job. Prices of the food was amazing, especially being in coronado. For two adults ordering average meals it was around 35 dollars for the both of us... and my husband got a steak lol. Only downside I didn't like was the walkways to tables and such are very narrow. Other than that, I would come again!

Cute old diner time Capsule . Food was good service good busy as it was day before 4th July Celebrations. Waited like 20 minutes or so not bad . The only issue was that they took out order and we never saw our waitress and then order apple pie came cold no ice cream when we assumed and then said wanted warm with ice cream. They did bring it out but waited for a bit and we had already paid .

We stopped in for brunch and are we glad we did. Cinnamon Rolls are Awesomeness. We were happy with all of our orders. The country fired steak was really good. My som lived his burger. He said yelpem 5 strs dad. Lol. Our service was also excellent. We had multiple asking if we were okay or needed anything. Excellent team work. We would definitely go back. Probably tomorrow.

This review if for their to-go coffee! Make your way around to the right side of the building and you'll find where to place to-go orders. The inside of the diner is so cute and retro, but we just came for a quick pick-me-up. I got their matcha chai with a quarter sweetness and it was so good. My friend got their pumpkin spice latte, and at first it was WAY too sweet. The syrup at the bottom wasn't dissolved at all. But, they kindly remade the order and it was perfect. I would definitely recommend getting reduced sweetness.

The food is so good and the service is amazing. I got the breakfast wrap and the flavors were so uniquely delicious. The restaurant feels so upbeat and full of life and I really recommend it!!

Just stopped in for coffee and one of their cinnamon rolls. Great atmosphere, service, coffee, and the roll was perfect.

Great place for a quick stop-and-eat. The place was packed indoors, but outside had a take-out option from which individuals could find a table and eat outside. The service was average--somewhat slow due to the amount of customers. However, portions are relatively large, and there was a variety of choices to choose from. I would come back again, but be prepared to wait at least 20 min for your sandwich.

Great local business with indoor and outdoor seating. A nice counter inside with a definite 1950s vibe. Service was fast and friendly. Ample portion sizes. I had the vegetable / egg croissant sandwich. Well cooked eggs, good amount of veg, nice portion of avocado. Breakfast potatoes were different, thin / au gratin sliced potatoes - little on the firm side, but still tasty after a little bit of added salt and pepper. This was bumped to a 4 star based on the slice of home made coconut cream pie I got to go. Crust was thick, good crisp. Custard was perfect, good amount of coconut. I should have gotten two slices!

We had a four-day getaway and walked by Clayton's and thought we give it a try. The food did not disappoint. We ordered chicken fried steak sandwich. Delicious. Cheese omelette with a side of sausage and bacon. The sausage was very good. And of course we had to try the cinnamon bun and it was amazing. All in all the food, ambiance, our waiter Dren, and prices were good. We surely will be back if we are in the area again.

A cute local diner right on Orange/75 in downtown Coronado. I've been here a few times when I had family visiting in town and with my husband. He is stationed on the Navy base and it's on the way home from work. I stopped here on a Thursday afternoon in January and was able to walk right into the u shaped counter bar seating. For a breakfast combo, I paid a reasonable $20 for my meal and $25 with tip. Overall if you want classic diner style breakfast/brunch and coffee, give this place a try! They have so many sweet treats and occasional seasonal specials.

Came back a year later (didn't make it back the next day after I last posted) and ordered that Blueberry Muffin cut in half and grilled. WOW! Highly recommend! Thanks the the stranger that recommended this.