Denica's Real Food Kitchen

Grew up in Hawaii so appreciate the Hawaii influenced menu! The gigantic cinnamon roll is the bomb, as are most of the baked goods like the pecan sticky roll. Mochiko chicken was awesome and authentic. Ube pancakes are really good. Didn't care for the gravy for the loco moco, which is you only think i have had that i didn't like. Free chips and salsa.

Went with my wife on January 10, 2026, for breakfast. She had guava pancakes and I had a florentine omelette with pesto, cheese, spinach, onions and peppers. We both loved our dishes. The omelette had plenty of vegetables and tasted very fresh. The guava pancakes, though it was covered by a lot od guava sauce, was not extremely sweet, so that the guava served as a complement to the dish's taste, rather as the main flavor. The price was commesurate with other restaurants which specialize in breakfast in the San Francisco Area.

Restaurant has two entrances, the main front and a back parking lot entrance. You order at the counter, they give you a number and you seat yourself. Restaurant has a serve yourself vibe. When you get regular coffee they have a coffee area for you to serve yourself either regular or decaf. They also has a water bar with cups and three options of natural water to choose from. Service is pretty quick and the staff friendly. The food is delicious and reasonably portioned.

Came with my dog. They were tolerant about me bringing him in to place my order (he is well behaved). For Saturday brunch time, around 2pm, they are busy but efficient. I had the crepes with bacon and eggs. Generous serving, quality bacon. Crepes were sinfully delicious AND beautiful! I'd come again!

One of my favorite breakfast spots in the Bay Area! Denica’s is delicious. I love their cookies, pies and cakes. Their Ava ado toast with bacon is delicious. I’ve been to the Castro Valley location which is my favorite.

My buddies and I went there a few days ago and good thing it wasn’t busy at all. The place was spacious and the staff were friendly and accommodating. It was a cool setup because you pay for your food first at the cashier before you take a table and sit down. Then the waitress just takes it from the kitchen and gives it to you. We took our time and it had unlimited coffee.

Breakfast was delicious. Huge proportions. I ordered the prime rib mococ loco style, and my daughter ordered the chicken and waffles. We were both happy with our food. Had to get a box for the leftovers because it was a lot. We will be coming back, even if it's just for their giant cinnamon rolls. Friendly staff, good food, and easy parking.

This place was truly spacious and there wasn't a wait time which was nice because it was fairly busy when we arrived. The service was excellent. The cashier offered great recommendations from drinks, to food items on the menu. The food a was flavorful. The Guva pancakes are truly amazing! The environment is family oriented.

I've been to Denica's before at their Pleasanton location and really enjoyed it, especially the amazing chips and salsa. Since I live closer to the Castro Valley location now, I decided to stop by. This is the type of place where you order and pay first, then find a table and they bring the food out to you. On weekends, it can sometimes take a while to find seating, but service is quick and efficient once you order. I ordered the chorizo breakfast burrito and substituted the chorizo with soyrizo, plus asked for crispy hash browns instead of potatoes. While the burrito was good overall, there was not enough soyrizo and way too much hash brown. It also could have used a bit more cheese to really bring out that cheesy flavor. The chips and salsa were just as great as I remembered. I especially love their 100 chile salsa, which reminds me a lot of La Vic's orange sauce. I'll definitely come back, but I'll try something different next time.

Came here straight from the SFO airport for breakfast on a Thursday morning and I'm so glad that my cousin and brother recommended it! I was a bit skeptical because of the tight parking lot and different way of seating and ordering than I'm used to from a daily dining spot, but was pleasantly surprised with selection of food, the quality and size of the dishes, and the complimentary chips & salsa & beverages offered! From the start we missed the entrance to the building not knowing you enter from the perpendicular street. It did take a little bit to get back around. *enter on Lake Chabot Rd! The parking lot has super tight spaces so cars were over lines and taking up multiple spaces. Signs all around to take all of your belongings (seeming like there's lots of theft) and that the restaurant is not responsible. Of course. Once inside, there were tons of seating options to accommodate different party sizes and it seemed like there was a continuous flow of guests. There are menus up front and you order and pay first, then get a number and take a seat. Because my brother had been there before, he knew there was a complementary water & hibiscus tea station as well as chips and salsa, which was a nice touch! Coming from another state, I felt that the prices were a bit more expensive, but I was happily surprised when I saw the amount of food that came on the plate! Well worth the price :) Food: -mochiko chicken and pandan waffles (waffle was perfectly crips and side and the chicken was juicy and well breaded) -epic chicken and waffles (same!) -breakfast burrito (my mom really loved that it wasn't soggy and it held itself well! Very savory!) -pink guava pancakes + side sausage (the guava pancakes were on the sweeter sweeter side, but the guava flavor stood out A+ and the pancakes were hot and fluffy. The sausage had the perfect snap and was a great addition to contract the sweet pancakes!) *we ended up taking a good amount home and really do think we should have shared and gotten one less plate, but we loved the leftovers! I can't say too much about the service other than they are friendly at the cashier and when delivering food, but there's not really a table side service afterwards other than cleaning up. Overall, will def be back again if ever I am in the area, or near any of the other locations :)

Brunch with the ladies today, we really enjoyed! Our selection for the month led us to Denica's Real Food Kitchen in Castro Valley. The location is easy to miss as it is on the corner of the street, but its signage faces a 180 degree parking lot surrounded by trees. (I apologize if the signage information is inaccurate, I did not notice it). The parking lot is tight and limited, we were lucky to find the only open spot remaining. There are handicap parking spots directly at the front of the rear entrance. It is open seating with booth and table options. Ordering happens first, at the register. Menus are located directly in front of the register with minimal space to step back to decide. It was nice paying up front then taking a number to sit and wait to be served. No check splitting or hassle with waiting to pay at the end. We were able to just exist, enjoy and depart at our leisure. There are quite a few complimentary options to choose from. Wish I knew before ordering my beverage - an iced Vietnamese coffee ($8) - it did not disappoint one a bit. There was hibiscus tea, water, chips and a couple other items available at no charge. The hibiscus tea was cold, sweet, refreshing and enjoyed by all of us. When our orders arrived, it did not a disappointment. We each enjoyed our meal equally and were satisfied with our selections. Since we each eat differently it was nice to have a menu of options that catered to our dietary wants. The portion sizes were quite large. Each of us could have split our meal in half to be shared (but we didn't!). We stayed over three hours, primarily chatting and catching up in between bites. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating from ordering to not kicking us out (even though we overstayed their hours of operation). This is definitely a place I would recommend for breakfast/brunch/lunch. The overall experience was enjoyable. We were able to talk and be able to hear one another without yelling. I would definitely return to experience Denica's again. Enjoy!

We decided to end our year with mother-daughter brunch at Denica's. My daughter didn't recall her previous visit so she happily ordered her favorite breakfast, chilaquiles. I opted for a veggie omelette and to enjoy the peppermint hot cocoa. We beat the brunch rush so we found a booth to share and our orders came out promptly and together(which is why I had to update my rating.) As always, it was busy with families, friends, and staff who smile and nod. A local gem!

It was busy right when we got there and parking was tight, but we got lucky and snagged a spot in the back. It was confusing right when we walked up because we thought the back was the front and the workers didn't really help until flagged. We realized we had to order inside, get a number, and just pick a seat and they'd bring us our food. (Similar to fast food but it's also dine in?) The woman who took my order was friendly and told me there was a free salsa/chip bar and where the water station was. The salsa was delicious by the way- but I wanted to save room for the main food. We decided to sit outside as we had a small dog with us, but there were a good amount of small flies that were a bit annoying. Half the tables were in sunlight and half in shade so it was nice choosing the shade side for just two of us. The same woman who took my order brought out our food and was kind enough to bring the condiments to our table. We ordered the chicken mochiko waffles which were yummy but I expected the waffles to be a bit more chewy since it stated they were mochi waffles. Chicken was decent too. We also ordered the chorizo tostadas which were yummy but a bit difficult to eat as they kept falling apart. Both items combined came out to $45 which isn't bad as the portion sizes were decent. We did have to go back in every time we needed something (like utensils or a to go box) as we were never checked up on after we got our food. Would be back to give it another try if I'm in the area again, as the salsa was yummy, and I'm able to bring my dog in the outside seating area. Food and service was a hit or miss it felt like.

I love coming here! Everyone is pleasant and the food is always great! My only concern was the smell of the restrooms lingering down the hallway when we first arrived. It was so strong that we contemplated going elsewhere. Once we moved past it in line it was ok. I did mention it discretely to the person who took our order. Other than that, my order came out fine. Love chips and salsa for breakfast! The pancakes that my date ordered came out undercooked in the middle- but was replaced. Not in a hurry.

My favorite brunch spot in the East Bay! The ordering system is super easy, you order first, grab a seat, and they bring the food right out, which makes the whole experience stress-free and enjoyable. They have a great variety of options, whether you're in the mood for classic breakfast or something more lunch-forward. Everything I've tried has been solid, but my absolute favorites are the ube pancakes that are so fluffy and delicious--and the kalua pork brioche sandwich, which is packed with flavor. Don't skip the Island Latte either, it seriously reminds me of Hawaii! Perfect spot for a relaxed brunch with amazing food!

Super yummy and also pricey. I really like Denica's and I am also torn about the cost. The French toast as well as the pastries are also really great but I can't help but wonder why I have spent so much when I leave. Order and enjoy! If you are a family of more than two or you order beverages with your food just temper your expectations and make sure you know that you will be paying a little more than usual at this place.

Got to try Denica's for the first time and it was packed! The line to order was 1 person away from being out the door. Honestly I didn't think we'd get seating but the cashier said it doesn't take long for tables to become availabld. Moreover, I have to give kudos to the staff for helping us with seating. It was crazy busy (we visited after church service let out) and they found seating for a party of 9. It took roughly 10 minutes to get a table, which is not bad for how large our party was. Lots of parking at the back of this establishment with indoor and outdoor seating. It was raining when we went and everyone was indoors so maybe that's why it felt so cramped. I ordered the pink guava pancakes and made it a combo to include eggs and bacon. Majority of the party ordered the ube pancakes as a combo. Jamaica and water were free! They also had chips and salsa to nibble on while you wait for your meal. I personally loved the guava pancakes, it wasn't too sweet and loved the fluffiness. Furthermore, I gave some over to my daughter to try and she found egg shells in her portion of the pancakes. Yikes! That's my only reason for giving this place 4 stars.

First time here and I'm upset that I haven't been here multiple times yet. My family and I came here during peak brunch time. Parking was pretty narrow but there are always spots open. The interior was nice and cozy, but definitely not stroller friendly. We had to collapse ours down to make it fit near the booth we were in. There wasn't much service aside from the order counter. You order your food and drinks, then pick a table and they get dropped off there when ready. I went with the King Kamehameha Loco Moco, man was I not disappointed. The piece of prime rib was about the size of the plate. It was so big you couldn't see the 2 mountains of rice under it. The prime rib was cooked perfectly and tasted great! The ube pancakes are a staple to always get when you visit. After the meal I had to ask for to go boxes, cups and a bag. Will definitely be coming back!

My friends decided to visit me in Castro Valley and asked to eat at Denica's. We met for brunch on a Saturday. Parking lot was full. We had to park a couple blocks away. It was pretty crowded inside. We were met with a variety of dessert/cookie options. They were pretty big. I wanted all of them. You place your order/pay at the register and find a seat. Someone will bring your food to your table. We ordered the Loco Moco, Chicken and Pandan Waffle, and Ube pancakes. Large portions and they were pretty good. Service was great as well. I definitely would come back to try other items and buy a few cookies.

I've been here quiet a few times and The food at Denicas is always a nice place to get some breakfast/lunch. It's usually packed no matter what day it is. The staff is always super friendly and very attentive. From the person taking your order at the register to the employee that takes your food to your table. The Baked Goods are amazing! I tend to get some kind of pastery every time I eat here. The restaurant is always clean and very spacious. Plenty of seating outside as well. Parking at times can get a little tricky since as I mentioned tends to get packed. Overall, Denicas is a goto spot here in Castro Valley and I'm sure I'll be stopping by whenever I am craving something good to eat.

Denica's is one of those places that the local love! The place is decorated to be feel so homey as if you're in someone's house. The staff there are quick, kind and attentive. The portions are pretty good and big so you can really split it into two meals if you want. I love their chip and salsa bar. The place does get pretty busy if you don't beat the rush but It's worth it. I recently got an order to go, and I ordered their chorizo chilaquiles and added sunny side up eggs with it, so good! I forgot to take a picture of it but I also had their iced island latte which has macadamia, coconut, double espresso and your choice milk; I got oatmilk. Overall, experience every time I've been there has been great from service to food. Parking is busy but I've gotten parking there without any issues.

Denicia's has become a family staple for us! The service is always pleasant, staff take our orders efficiently and bring out the food quickly and with care. We've tried a good variety from their menu, but our most recent visit stood out as especially good. While prices are on the higher side (a party of four usually runs us around $160-$200 including drinks), the generous portions definitely make up for it as we always end up with leftovers to enjoy the next day. I especially love their Dirty Ube Latte and the complimentary Jamaica drink from the beverage station. Plus, you can't go wrong with their unlimited chips and fresh salsa. It's always a satisfying experience!

I've been to the Denica's in Livermore a few years ago and the quality of the food is the same in this location! The must-have Ube Pancakes, fried chicken -- everything was on point. Would be 5 stars but one less star because there was not much 'service' provided while we were eating. Loco moco wasn't something I ordered the last time, and I probably won't order it again because it wasn't anything special. If I swapped out the meat patty for the fried chicken, this review would be completely different. Would highly recommend anyone to swap out the meat patty for the chicken. Chicken was much more flavorful. Meat patty didn't taste like there was much seasoning and the meat was dried out a bit. The big plus for me is the amount of gravy given on the plate. Initially, it looks like a lot and overkill but the rice soaks up all the gravy as you continue to eat. Parking lot is kinda narrow, but plenty of parking as there are always people coming and going. Will happily revisit again!

Huge portions!! I probably could've shared a plate with a friend! I can see why this place is very popular on the weekends! Order first before finding a table to sit at. Luckily there is a pretty good sized dining areas. Parking is a tad hard to find if you end up going during peak times. One of these days I need to go back and try something from the pastries, it looked delicious!

First time at this location. Service was nice and my chicken pesto sandwich tasted good, although a bit saltier than I prefer. Breast was pretty thin; refer to pic for portion size. About $20 for the sandwich (comes with small salad) and a house coffee. Ambiance is clean and comfortable. Can get loud when crowded. Be aware they close fairly early in the day. More of a breakfast/lunch spot. I want to come back to try their moco loco. :)

The pancakes are AMAZING!!! I will be back for these. I also thought the chai tea latte was good. My wife enjoyed her veggie omelette and her fruit cup was very FRESH (We LOVED this! We do not like mushy fruit or older fruit, this was NOT THAT ).

Denica's is hands down one of my favorite spots for brunch. I came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, and as expected, the parking lot was a bit of a challenge--that's probably the only real downside to this place. It's always busy, but the food usually comes out in a reasonable amount of time. My friend ordered something off the special menu, which he enjoyed overall, though he mentioned he wished the gravy had been poured over the chicken instead of the rice. The flavor was good, but the fried rice ended up getting a little too soggy--definitely a "more gravy, please" kind of dish. I stuck with my go-to: the Kalua Pork Hash. This one can sometimes be a hit or miss, and this time my eggs weren't cooked how I requested (I asked for over medium, but they came out differently). When I mentioned it to our server, she immediately took the plate back and within about 30 seconds returned with the correct dish. She explained that she had accidentally grabbed the wrong plate--someone else had ordered the same dish but with over easy eggs. I really appreciated how quickly she fixed it and how kind and apologetic she was. We also tried the POG Mimosa, which was absolutely delicious. Overall, the food was solid, the drinks were tasty, and the service was great. I really love how well-trained and attentive the staff are here--every time I visit, the service is consistently fast, friendly, and professional.

I have been holding off on going to Denica's for a few months now, waiting for a special occasion before we try out the place. The place wasn't busy when we arrived with plenty of seating to spare. Below are some quick impressions that I had. Pros: - Restaurant is clean and has cozy vibes that are just ideal for a diner with plenty of seating inside and out - Food selection is diverse with signature dishes sprinkled in with some diner favorites. The food was delicious and the portion size was above average - Parking is decent for the not-so-big lot that the restaurant sits on Cons: - I felt unwelcomed right off the bat as we weren't acknowledged upon entering. We remained ignored until I flagged down one of the 3 employees who all had their backs turned to the counter for some reason and told them that we haven't been there before. - Price is a bit on the high side (not saying that the $22 I paid for ube pancakes wasn't worth it, but it is STILL $22 for what is essentially batter with a few pieces of fruit) - You prepay for your meal at the counter before being given a number to be seated. Perfectly fine for fast food, but a bit of an odd choice for a dine-in restaurant - They use those registers that obnoxiously ask for a tip for services yet to be rendered - Customer service takes a nosedive after your food is brought at the table. We were never checked on again even though it wasn't very busy. Overall, I still liked Denica's and will probably be back to try out their other offerings. Hopefully, they can improve on their customer service a bit, which is why they're getting a 3 star here.

Denica's is one of the staple brunch spots in the Bay Area that most locals I have talked to seem to mention among the best. From the outside, it looks like any old local diner/large chain buffet type establishment (although Denica's does have outside picnic table seating). Inside is just as humble, with an style reminiscent of going into a Hometown Buffet or Souplantation. Similar to these types of restaurants, you are supposed to order at the front then go take a number to any table. And like many other brunch spots, their menu is LARGE with a eccletic mix of American and Hawaiian comfort foods as well as fusion options as well. They offer a chip and salsa station to fill you up while you wait (salsa verde is pretty addicting here). We have been here a few times and our favorite things we have treid are the special fried chicken and fried rice brunch combo and their guava pancakes. The fried chicken is great especially with that gravy that can literally go on anything. The pancakes are quite dense and heavy to eat; we had a ton left over to take home. Side of hash was good but nothing special. While the prices here are a bit much even for the Bay Area, the portions are massive and somewhat justifies that price if you go in with a mindset of saving some for to-go or sharing with someone else.

Amazing food & great dining experience! You stand in line, order your food & is then served & dropped off to your table. As busy as it was, our food being served was in a timely manner! Along with the food, also ordered an ube latte - great consistency & balance - not too creamy or coffee-y! There is also an unlimited chips & salsa bar to snack on as you wait - pretty neat! Staff was great & fully staffed so definitely there when needed! 10/10 definitely recommend & would go back!

I've been here twice and both times never disappointed me. Denica's Real Food Kitchen offers so much - from brunch food, Hawaiian dishes, to baked goods, and more. The menu is quite overwhelming because there were so many dishes I wanted to try. The loco moco (kalua pork and fried chicken) were absolutely delicious. The gravy was full of flavor. It paired so well with the rice, the crunchy texture of the chicken, or the savory-filled taste of the kalua pork. They also have a chips and dip self-serve bar, which was a surprising addition. It's a good appetizer to munch on, though the food you order does come fast and in large portions. Their baked goods are also very delicious. I love their ube supreme croissant. I've had similar croissants before, but they pack the middle with lots of ube custard/cream - very worth it! The only con about this place is parking. Everyone wants to dine in here, even if it isn't prime dining hours. We ended up parking a few blocks away from the restaurant both times we came here.

Order at the counter, take a number and find a seat :) Ordered the King Kamehameha loco moco and I thought I was going to be a patty made of ribeye... but it was a chunk of ribeye! Hugeeee protein and portion. Rice was undercooked and not nice to eat so I just ate the eggs and ribeye with the sauce. The latte was not bad and served in a glass cup. Thank you!

Came in here to have a nice brunch with my wife, they had beautiful decorations to match the holiday themes and some amazing seasonal drinks. Service was quick, the food was amazing and we couldn't be happier! The complimentary chips and salsa were amazing, highly recommend trying the green salsa

The food is great! I have had multiple things and they have all been delicious. I am vegetarian and they have options. They provide free chips and salsa as well as hibiscus agua fresca for FREE! I had no idea but glad they offer it. I like the idea of finding your seat and then ordering. It gives you plenty of time to figure out what you want without any pressure! The drinks are tasty (on the sweeter side). Plenty of seats but parking is small and tight. Honestly, the only downside. Overall, great place and food, and the ambiance is chill.

By far my favorite place to do breakfast in the east bay! Service is always good, the staff is friendly and the food is so tasty. Denica's is kind of hidden but I stumbled on this place one day, years ago. Been coming since. Their cookies and other fresh baked goods are so delicious.

Denica's Real Food Kitchen is a popular fusion brunch spot in the east bay that's been around since 1999 and featured in several local media outlets. They serve food that has a mixture of America, Mexican, Hawaiian, and Filipino influences. The creating founders James and Denica Freitas both started off as the "Cookie Man" and "Cake Lady" creating Denica's Pastry Cafe, and savory breakfast plates were actually added in 2006! James's cookies apparently put Denica's on the map. Upon entering this spacious Castro Valley location with its own parking lot in the back, you must line up and pass their pastry display to order food at the counter. You pay, get a number, choose your own seat, and set your number down at the table. While waiting for the food, I tried the croissant wheel and cookies, which were good enough for me. The croissant wheel was a little more dense and cold than I would have enjoyed, but it was cute for the photo. The cookies were pretty decent, though I imagine they'd be much nicer warm; they had soft insides and a sturdy bite. I love how they package your pastry selections in a big blue box! As a first time customer, I wish I had known about the self-serve complimentary chips and salsa bar on the right side of the building, as well as a beverage station with infused water and jamaica. - Epic Chicken & Waffle This is your basic fried chicken strips & waffle dish. What is different is the syrup it comes with is spicy, which tastes like a combination of regular syrup and sweet chili sauce. Both the waffle and chicken were a little cold upon receiving it, so I guess they waited to serve it with the loco moco. The chicken breading had a subtly sweet Asian taste, and the meat was tender. The chicken could have been crunchier, but not bad overall. - Loco Moco Have you ever had a salisbury steak TV dinner? This reminded me so much of that - not necessarily in a good or bad way, but the cornstarch and gelatinous consistency was there as well as that specific beef stock flavor, and some stewed chopped onions floating around the sauce. It was a little sweeter for my preference, but was still enjoyable with the ground beef patty, which had its own onion-y mixture of flavor. The small bit of green garnishes and sunny-side egg on top tied everything together, and the sticky rice was good. I really enjoyed how low key the place was, even at a normal brunch hour on a weekday. While I've had better versions of the specific brunch items I've tried here in the bay, I love the accessibility and relaxed vibe of Denica's. They are a brunch spot that I'd recommend if you're in the east bay!

Food is always good and consistent! Love how they have changing specials! service is always nice and they turn tables quick! It's always busy but have always found a table to sit at. Lattes are definitely on the sweeter side, something to kind in mind. Chip and salsa bar are addicting!! and love their complimentary drink/flavored water options. Parking can be tricky- it gets busy and fill quickly. Always enjoy coming here.

Solid brunch spot in Castro Valley with huge portions. I came for Sunday brunch with a friend around 11 and had a good time. First thing is the parking lot... you have to enter it on Lake Chabot Road. It's also not a huge parking lot so finding a spot might be difficult. I got lucky and managed to snag a spot when a car left right in front of me. By the time I left around 1, the lot was a little bit emptier and there were a couple spots available. The way ordering works is you order at the counter at the front. If you parked in their parking lot, that means you have to enter from the back door and walk all the way through to the front of the restaurant. It was my first time here so I was a bit confused. After ordering, they give you your number and you find a table on your own. They also have a large selection of cookies and pastries next to the ordering counter if you want to indulge your sweet tooth. The menu has a good selection of brunch items, from egg dishes to pancakes and waffles to sandwiches. There's a special section at the bottom for vegetarians as well. They also offer Hawaiian specials like Kalua pig hash and mochiko chicken & waffle. I got the loco moco for $23. While you wait for the food, you can grab complimentary chips and salsa to snack on. When my loco moco arrived, I was shocked by how much gravy it comes with. The whole plate is practically swimming in gravy lol To my surprise, I ended up using all of the gravy. What I didn't manage to finish was the rice, since they give you way more than you need to eat with the patty. I really enjoyed everything about my meal except I wish there was a second egg, which is what I'm used to for loco mocos. Plus the egg they gave me was tiny and definitely wasn't enough for the huge patty and large amount of rice. Overall I really enjoyed my meal here and will definitely come back for their saucy loco moco again.

Met a couple friends for a weekday brunch at Denica's Castro Valley location, and we all enjoyed it so much we plan to return to sample more of the menu. Since it was a Thursday, it wasn't crowded at all (we were there 10:30 to 1:00) and we were able to linger over our meals and not feel rushed. Dining room is spacious and clean. We ordered the Kalua Pork Hash, French Toast, and Loco Moco, and found everything to be tasty and well-prepared, with generous portions. Food came out quickly and served nice and hot. Complimentary chips (kept warm) and salsa was nice to nibble on. Also nabbed a couple of cookies from their dessert case to bring home afterwards, and they were well-received by my family. All around, nothing to complain about. Will return!

This is a great breakfast place and usually this place is super packed but we lucked out with parking(it's a small parking lot) AND tables for our group of 8 with a toddler and a baby! You order at the counter where there are also pastries and cookies to purchase. * Eggs Benedict - two poached eggs, ham, english muffin, hollandaise $21 * This and That - two pancakes, two eggs scrambled and two pork link sausage $21 * Ube Cookie - Covered in snowy sugar $3 * Macaroon - Ube Coconut - coconut and ube baked with crispy edges $5.50

I this brunch joint. Food never fails..everything on the menu is really good!! And the servings are humongous so be ready to take some home. If you're an ube fan, anything ube I recommend. French toast, pancakes, crinkles, latte, you name it. Service was good, they brought our food quickly. They have outdoor sitting which is awesome as we brought our dog with us. The free chips and salsa is a plus and extra kudos on the fruit infused water. The inside can use a remodeling but it's not a showstopper. 4 stars because it is pricey but def will go back again if we're in the area

This spot is so popular for a reason. We came here on a Saturday around noon after a long hike and it was a full house. They do have you line up and order/pay first, which does speed things up a ton. We found seating outside, which worked out fine since it was really nice out. We ordered the Mochiko Chicken & Waffle and the Ube Stuffed French Toast. The food is delicious and extremely filling. Definitely a great treat once in a while!

The food here is just okay. The items are all very big but in terms of flavor it can be a hit or miss. My partner really enjoyed the mochi pandan chicken and waffles. However the vegan tostada was all random taco seasoning type flavor with little care for the actual dish -- it just had a bunch of beans and vegan chorizo but it just didn't have much flavor to it, which is how I would describe the breakfast potatoes, so I wasn't able to even eat a quarter of it. However, it is nice they give out tortilla chips. This place is busy even on weekday mornings and so clearly people have found their go-to items. I have yet to do so...

Great breakfasts but their coffee is so so great. Expensive but worth it. If they can improve their coffee I'd give them 5 stars.

Came here with my sister friend yesterday for breakfast. First time going bit won't be the last. I ordered coffee of course , Breakfast Sammie with a fried egg, 1 pumpkin cookie and 1 peanut butter cookie. The coffee was good, the breakfast sandwich was cool but when I tell you the pumpkin cookie was the star of the show. Better than I expected. It's open seating, and open coffee station. Clean. Friendly.

TLDR: My friend brought me here as it's one of her favorite brunch spots in the East Bay. On a Thursday morning/afternoon, it wasn't crowded, but it wasn't empty. It was a pretty solid mix of Hawaiian fusion brunch dishes and your typical brunch/lunch foods. The cookie variety was a nice spread of flavors and had some flavors I hadn't seen before. Even though everything is a bit pricey, but I'd say the portion sizes were fairly decent. The staff was very kind and helpful, but my friend did encounter a unpleasant surprise that in my opinion was actually handled pretty well (give the next section a read for the story). This is why I'm giving a 3/5 instead of 4/5. Food: 4/5 I got the loco moco with the beef patty, as the cashier mentioned it was one of the most popular dishes. It was a decent portion, but a little on the expensive side for mt taste. They hit all of the very classic flavors of a loco moco, but I would want to get something else because there wasn't anything super special about this one. My friend loves the chicken and waffles because it's a nice mix of savory, sweet, and spicy. You've got the mochiko type fried chicken on top of a soft, sweet waffle with a spicy syrup. There was also a complementary bar of chips and salsa, which was nice to nibble on while we waited for our order. The incident: My friend is highly allergic to sesame and she let the cashier know. They confirmed that the dish shouldn't have sesame in it and it wasn't listed on the menu as an ingredient. However, as she was eating her chicken, she found a black sesame seed underneath on her plate. When she brought it back up to the front, the staff member that took her order said "oh yeah, I think the sesame seeds are sprinkled on the chicken." My friend said "but I told you I'm very allergic and can't have eat it" and she replied with something along the lines of "but there was only a little bit on the chicken so it should be fine." My friend said no it's not and asked for a refund, which without hesitation, they gave her. When she went back to order some cookies, they said it was on the house for the mix up. While it was not a great experience, I'm at least happy to see there wasn't a huge escalated scene. Staff/Space: 4/5 There is a lot of seating inside and it can definitely host large and small groups. If you like to be outside, there is also some outdoor seating as well. I will say that it was a nice place to eat and chat. The staff was also very kind and were helpful, other than the allergy incident. There is a small parking lot around the building.

Had brunch with my Son shine Venue is clean and well organized, parking was easy to come by and there is a lot of seating available Menu has a lot of options for to choose from Prices are somewhat reasonable but more on the higher scale the starting price for the scramble I ordered was $21 then I added avocado extra $3 and I also added jalapeño extra $1 so total for the scramble was $25 !!!! Food is good Ingredients seem fresh Chips and salsa are complimentary and that is a plus They offer a nice water station I can't wait to come back and try their UBE ingredient options

Favorite breakfast place in the bay! Ube pancakes are incredible, home fries super crispy. Free chips and salsa were great, service is always friendly. They truly deserve 5 stars! Been many times and will be back many times in the future :)

Denica's set a high bar for breakfast spots. Between the vast menu of options to their impressive display case of pastries, it's hard not to want to buy something from every section to please your eyes. I came through on a Saturday morning to have breakfast with some friends and got lucky enough to snag a parking spot in their parking lot. Do be warn that it did get pretty busy around noon and there were cars waiting for a spot. I opted thier a glass of their orange juice and their loco moco and it was good, although it did feel like the rice was a bit undercooked as it was hard at times. I also appreciated their free chips and salsa bar - a nice way to start your meal before your main entree came. Overall, Denica's is a solid breakfast option if you're in the area and I hope you have a wonderful meal.

You know this place is kinda OK it's getting less and less friendly. You wait in line in the customers like kind of block you from getting around them they'll huddle in the doorway and you have to excuse yourself around them then you get in line and the people are nice. I mean they're OK. I mean they ask you questions. They're really fast for that tip. They're really fast for the tip And they try to put the highest one up higher. It's just this weird tipping culture thing going on right now, which is really strange. I'm finding this in a lot of places it's not just here so I'm just wasting it here because this is what the review is. My friend got this waffle with strawberries. It was nice. Mine was a egg white omelette, veggie egg white omelette, which was OK. But there's just something missing about the place now. Something different about it And I don't know what it is. The parking is hellacious hellacious is very difficult to park here. It's better to park up the street and then walk down. I would say it's average now on a Saturday if you get the kamehameha loco Moko OK come on in I think that's a great idea. The rest of the food is just average. I don't find anything special about it. It's super sweet. You know they've got a little juice bar thing they've got some chips. I really don't know where to go in that area but I'm not gonna be back here if I do, I'm gonna try to find somewhere else

Denica's in Castro Valley is one of those places where you can't go wrong no matter what you're craving. The Loco Moco hash is the move if you want something hearty. It's rich, comforting, and hits all the right notes. If you lean toward sweet breakfasts, the ube or the mac nut banana pancake will make you happy. And yes, the ube cookie deserves its own mention. Soft, colorful, and way too easy to finish. It's the kind of spot where you walk out already thinking about what you'll try next time.

Deicas, Like there, name Denica's Real Food Kitchen I really like this place because of the Good breakfast Weber, pancakes, People Service. Nice outdoor indoor sitting area

I love the concept of this restaurant! The ability to order your food and then sit wherever you like is such a great idea. However, parking is a bit of a challenge. They're so busy that the parking lot isn't nearly big enough, and it's also awkwardly shaped. We ended up parking down the street and walking over. When we arrived, the line looked long, but it moved surprisingly fast. With 2-3 cashiers working, the wait wasn't bad at all. The service was quick--friendly enough but nothing remarkable, which was fine for the setup. I ordered the Loco Moco with Fried Chicken. Since it was my first time trying a Loco Moco, I didn't really know what to expect. The presentation was a solid 10/10, but the taste fell short for me. The gravy was way too thick and overly salty, which I didn't enjoy. My friend got the Chilaquiles (no pork or beef), and they looked amazing. She really liked her dish, so next time, I think I'll go with something more familiar to my tastes. One thing I really appreciated was the relaxed atmosphere. We were able to sit and talk for hours without feeling rushed, and it was great not having a server hovering or pressuring us to leave. It's definitely a nice spot to catch up with friends in a comfortable setting.

An oldie but a goodie. If you're looking for solid diner food with an asian/hawaiian twist this is the place. Although you can't compare the decor between this location and the newer Pleasanton location, the Castro Valley location is still very clean, warm, and inviting. The food obviously is still fantastic though I will say that it tastes like the tortilla chips here are a little less salted compared to the Pleasanton location, still great though. You order at the front and are given a number, the food and drinks will be brought over to your table. I had the Niko's two greats, two sausage links, two strips of bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns which came out quickly. Standard diner fare done well. The parking situation here seems much better on the weekends compared to the past, but still make sure to park in their lot and not in the adjacent businesses as you will be towed. Highly recommend to check out if you are in CV/Hayward.

Sad to say that every time I come here I'm a little more disappointed each time. They've gotten too big and service is abysmal. When you're ordering, the waiter barely waits for you to pay before scooting over to start taking orders for the next person. Give me a minute to finish paying and grabbing my stuff - way too rushed and they honestly just see you as a number. My bf and I were pretty disappointed by our last visit. Food is still pretty okay but I feel like quality has gone down. Their drinks are just ok and I'm never wowed by them. The coffees are not my favorite - I prefer going elsewhere for coffee either before or after Denicas. Overall there's a bunch of better brunch places. Denicas really just isn't it for me anymore which is a shame since I've been coming here for so many years.

Heard friends talk about Denica's walked in and you order and pay and sit. The cashiers service was mediocre, but what would you expect? Then the pricing everything seems pricey here my bill came out to nearly $67 for two dishes and drinks my Friends was nearly $100 with tip and it was a single dish and some side orders. The food was meh and I have had better elsewhere, there was no wow factor in their food. Their chips and salsa were better. They have a bunch of tables and parking lot is huge. So my huevos rancheros for $17 it was a bunch of beans tortillas and didn't even notice the eggs. The quality of the food was probably worst then the competition which I will not name. My experience at Denica's was meh and definitely not coming back. Unless want to pay for expensive breakfast dishes, I'd do not recommend Denica's. Lastly their food gave us an upset stomach. My wife had the hash browns shortly afterwards she didn't feel well. They can review their prices and the quality and perhaps cleanliness of their food.

Ube pancakes in a cozy diner, super close proximity to the shopping plaza? Say no more, I was so excited to check out Denica's! I came for a Sunday morning brunch, and was very thankful that I found parking in the parking space in the back. It's a huge diner with plenty of seating, and we got seated in a window booth. I'm a huge sucker for ube pancakes, and these were such fluffy, thick, heavenly pancakes packed with ube flavor! Certainly helps that they're a beautiful vibrant shade of purple, worthy of any foodie's Instagram story (or in my case, a Yelp Elite's review hehe). A quirky bonus is a complimentary tortilla chip and salsa bar! I'm a sucker for tortilla chips, especially when they're fresh and warm. I found myself going back for more chips and salsa. Free refills on coffee too? I'll need to come back here for the ube pancakes again. I'm daydreaming of them. I want to try some of their other baked goods too!