Stable Cafe

Mortified that my $20 bill turned into a $10, &I must now carry a *gasp* tab until morning, this amazing, 1970’s/80’s blast in the present will have everyone missing their hometown, if it isn’t California, but DO NOT FORGET THEY ARE CASH ONLY!!! Opened in 1991, within the Alameda County Fairgrounds Premises itself, the one MA’AM food gifting happens from Tues-Sun, 6 a.m. till 10 a.m. Here you will encounter an entire cast of folks many had long thought let out to pasture 2 decades hence! Bring a smile, but not too smiley, be friendly, yet, ‘Couldya keep yer distance please, mister?’. The food is solid. This is not a gourmet food experience, this is a down-home, feeling safe and relaxed atmosphere that is quickly vanishing the world over. Hats off to the Stable Cafe at the country’s oldest race track!

Under new management. Open until 4pm on race days. The chilaquiles are great!

Reopened and great food and great pricing.

This is a wonderful, "off-the-track" hidden gem of a cafe at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. It is owned by Esther, who single-handedly keeps riders, stable hands and anyone else lucky enough to find it fed with delicious, satisfying and generous breakfasts and lunches. I belong to a Pleasanton walking group called "World Walk for Wellness" and was lucky enough to be introduced to the Stable Cafe and Esther by friends and long-time Pleasanton residents who have gone there for years. My favorite is her bacon and egg sandwich, but if you have a monstrous appetite try one (I emphasize "one") of her huge and yummy pancakes or perhaps an omelette. She has many other offerings so you'll be sure to find something you'll enjoy. It's a great place for a gathering of friends. DETAILS: She opens very early, I think around 4:30 a.m., to accommodate the stable hands and horse crowd, and closes between noon and 1 p.m., I believe. To get to it you take "Road 12," a fairgrounds perimeter road, off of Valley Road. Halfway down the road is someone collecting parking fees, but if you tell him you are going to the Stable Cafe he will let you through with no charge. Drive down to the end of the road and then turn right and then immediately right again into the parking lot. The Stable Cafe is "cash-only," and the prices are extremely reasonable! I know you'll enjoy it!

The “Cheers” of neighborhood cafes. Cozy, old-home, good cooking, friendly customers and Esther is the best. Has become our favorite outing for breakfast. Ed and Margaret

Really love the old school diner feel when it comes to breakfast and this place delivers. Soft Bacon, eggs and toast America's staple.

Great friendly place to eat. I go for breakfasts and like the home cooking variety. And the coffee is superb!

Great little Cafe at the Alameda County fairgrounds. Limited seating and good food if you are not in a hurry.

Came here for a quick and simple breakfast and wasn't disappointed! Enjoyed the breakfast plate of eggs, hash browns, ham & sourdough toast. SO GOOD! Coffee was the best! Will definitely come here with company again!!

Under new management, the Stable Cafe at the Fairgrounds will be staying here until after the fair is over with if you want a great meal for a reasonable price this is the place to show up at. Saturdays only our homemade tamales food is great and reasonably priced great place to meet family and friends for a good meal.

Very simple place, not fancy at all. It's what I expected for being right next to horse stables. Good food and very reasonably priced.

Great little cafe at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds! Reopened under new management and their food is good, generous and reasonable. Old style diner feel and super clean.

French toast is good. I go there every Friday morning with fellow Veterans and if it's your birthday You pay for everyone.

Still a great greasy spoon in Pleasanton. Great to see that Esther made it through the pandemic. Sorry I couldn't get there throughout. It was great to get back again.

Stable Cafe is named NOT because its been a Pleasanton staple since 1988, but because its at the Fairgrounds racetrack and was a regular breakfast stop for race horse Jockeys. This review is for the 2nd Sunday morning event where Stable Cafe allows Sunflower Hill special needs program to wait the tables with tips donated to Sunflower Hills. A great idea teaching Sunflower Hill recipients new skills while allowing the owner of Stable Cafe Ester Hall to feed hungry locals on Sundays. The schedule is every second Sunday morning of the month, but check their calendar to be sure. https://sunflowerhill.org/events/breakfast-at-stable-cafe/ Everyone is greeted at the door by the friendly faces if either Debbie, Dave, or Edie, who have been organizing this collaboration for the last couple of years. Coffee came quick and was replenished by our server Bruce. The 50s diner decor is sprinkled with jockey jerseys and race horse pictures on the walls, and December also had a decorated tree and a live Santa sitting in the corner. The simplified event menu had combos on the top and side dishes on the bottom. I had the #7 and it came with Eggs, French Toast, and Bacon for about $9.95. Owner/Manager Ester does ALL the cooking herself, so though she may have her back to you most of the time, give her a shout out and say "HI"! TIP #1 - Gate 12 entrance easier than the Pleasant ave entrance (gate closed) Tip #2 - Bring Cash as it the only way to pay Tip #3 - Thank the volunteers and leave a good "tip" If you want an old style cafe breakfast, while simultaneously supporting a good cause, head to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds for a Sunday breakfast at the Stable Cafe.

In a land of avocado toast and mimosas it's getting harder to find a classic breakfast joint. Stable Cafe fills that void. At the fairgrounds and only accessible through Gate 12 on Valley Ave, it sits in the same building as...you guessed it, the Stables. $14 Denver Omelette and a cup of Joe. Not a better way to start the day.

This is real living. It is not the Four Seasons breakfast buffet which is a good thing. The one star beat down is due to the butter which was really salty. I suggest offering a non salty butter option. If the butter is not the salty kind, then I am just getting old and don't know what I am talking about. Other factor was no banana. Please have a banana or raspberries on stand by as toppers for the pancakes. Now for the good... The setting is wonderful. Gunsmoke playing on the tv. Formica table tops on the round tables. Floor is perfect, old school, and natural. Menu is easy to understand and there is no Arugula and Truffle crap in sight. Food is good and fits the setting perfectly. Pancakes are soft, fluffy, and large. Eggs and sourdough toast are great. French toast was not my favorite but my co-host for breakfast, Mr. G. said they were very good, so that amounts to a tie in the rating with no addition or removal of a star. The syrup is classic...no need for the pure maple as shown in the photo. Eating here is a bucket list adventure.

Super solid simple breakfast. Think old school diner, with lots of love and charm. The butcher shop bacon steals the show. Hash browns and eggs and right on the money. The large pancake is super tasty and is a must try. The owner is super nice attentive and keeps the place very clean is is always a huge plus.

Not what I was expecting after reading the reviews. This was my second time at this cafe and my cup was dirty and there was a strong odor of stale cigarettes. I love old cafes and diners, but this wasn't it

I have been wanting to try the stable cafe for about the last 6 months. That's when I heard about this "hidden gem" which is tucked away and located on the fair grounds. I had read the reviews and seen the pictures so i had an idea of what to expect beforehand. Sure enough, the owner Ester, was there to greet us and single handedly cooked my friend and i's omelettes. The menu is limited, which in my opinion adds to the charm and horse handlers character. Ester told us about the cool event she hosts on the 3rd Sunday of every month. She brings in a full staff of special needs employees along with a special menu for the day. I will definitely be sure to return to support this monthly event in the future. I really enjoyed my first experience at the Stable Cafe, the only thing that keeps this from a 5 star is that I had expected the portions to be more like the old Dean's cafe (huge) because I had read some many reviews about the pancakes being so big that it is hard to finish. Don't get me wrong, I am full and happy from my Denver omelet, I just cleaned my plate. I may order the short stack next time. Or if it wont offend, i will stick to the Denver but I might be THAT kind of customer who brings her own sour cream and avocado from home. But without the typical THAT kind of customer rude accompanying attitude:). I see that Ester responds to the reviews which i also love. To me, the small mom and pop's are the best, and sadly a dying breed. There is pride in ownership that cannot be matched by the chain restaurants.

Exactly what we were looking for decent yummy simple food simple menu but has everything a breakfast ought to offer without all the faf and the fuss. Lovely company with other patrons being smily chatty. Our waitress/cook was simply charming. Did I mention value for money. Go for the pancake stack at 3.90 as it is simply surprising

Another great little find - a local place near the stables and race track. Thank you, Esther, for the great service and conversation at this early hour. If you ever have to make an early airport run and just want breakfast with a smile - this is your place. It's not fancy, very casual, but a gem, no less. We ordered the Denver omelette and some eggs scrambled with cheese. Both came with hash browns and toast, the scrambled were with bacon. Good food. We will be back with our early morning friends.

Food was and average nothing that will bring me back. Paid $25 for basic breakfast that will cost in iHope or Denny's under $15

So much fun to have breakfast at this hidden cafe gem at the end of the Valley Avenue Gate 12 entry road at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Esther, the owner, has a great sense of humor and makes killer bacon and poached eggs!

A little bit of country living in Pleasanton, Stable Cafe has to be of the best kept secrets in the area. Nevermind the fact that you have to go through a security guard checkpoint just to get there - the cartoons on the walls, pool table in the corner, and one-woman operation give it a lot of character. The food here is mighty hearty too. Even a shortstack of two pancakes can finish a man off after the first flapjack. Omelettes are mighty fine too, as is the coffee. Just be warned - this place is cash only.

Don't expect linen napkins but do expect quality ingredients and attentive service. The pancakes are 3/4 inch thick yet light and tasty. I was warned that a short stack plus eggs potatoes and toast would be too much. She was right! I recommend you ask for dry toast as the spread was a bit thick for my preference. I loved seeing pink snowballs for sale and a box of donuts from the donut wheel. Get off your high horse and enjoy real food in a real cafe!

this place looks like a dump on the outside and inside but it's actually a pleasanton best kept secret. the reason for this is because most will never even know about it because it's located at the fairgrounds next to the race track. you can find it along with the stables and is open long before the sun rises and greet the jockeys, trainers, owners and locals who stop by for breakfast. the place is one of a kind with tables that don't match, a pool table and even a old fashioned jukebox that plays old vinyl records. the menu is perfect for fans of hearty omelets, bacon and eggs or spicy linguisa. the stable cafe is open through the lunch hour monday through saturday, and longer during the alameda county fair in the summer. trust me and check this place out! the very first moment you step foot inside they make you feel like a giant. i love this place because i feel so darn tall with all of those horse jockeys that are eating there.

I love it. I can see myself coming here regularly for a long, long time. Breakfasts and lunches are very good, and you really can't beat the price. I take Gate 12 at the fairgrounds, off of Valley Avenue, and just keep driving to the back. You may need to tell the security guard where you are going. If you eat here and enjoy it, you've finally gotten Pleasanton figured out.

What a great discovery! The food is wonderful, the service was great and it's locally owned and operated. Friends have been telling me about the Stable Cafe for quite awhile, but I never seemed to have time to go. What a MISTAKE! Ester, the owner, Cook, waitress and everything else makes you feel very welcome and treats you like a long time customer. I definitely recommend the Cafe! Bill

If it weren't for the decor, which is definitely rustic, I'd give this little place five stars. We stopped in because the reviews were good and the location was convenient. If you're looking for a place in Pleasanton where you can easily park, this is it! But that's just the beginning. There were four of us for breakfast. In combination, we ordered French toast, pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, and sausage. It was all fabulous! The pancakes were huge and golden brown. The French toast was fluffy and yummy. And the bacon was cooked to perfection! Crispy and delicious. And the service was friendly and prompt. Definitely worth a return trip!

Damn restaurant hours are 4:30am-12:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I heard they have decent food but what I found out is that that food is mainly for ranchers but the rest of us have to eat too. : P Come on...at least wait till 1pm to close

The food is delicious and the service is the best! The owner Esther couldn't be any sweeter and is so welcoming! She is an amazing cook yum!!

Hidden gem!!! Me and my bff checked out this cafe Sunday morning... Love the casual old school deco and friendly owner. Food are very homemade style and very reasonable price. For sure it will b my often visit bf spot from now on!!

Back in 1990, I went to the Alameda County Fair for the first time. I got there early from a running event that I attended in Lake Chabot. Since the fair was not quite opened yet I had breakfast at this cafe. At the time, I thought it was a place for the employees and volunteers to eat when they were at work. This place looks a lot different than any cafe you would find in California. It looks like the cafes did back in the 50's and 60's. At first, I was concerned about how the food was going to taste since I was not used to this kind of cafe. I was surprised when I had my meal of how great it tastes. Every year since that time, I go to this great fair and before I go I treat myself to a great breakfast meal before they close at noon. For the price, the quality and amount of food you get is a real great deal. I was there on opening day and Ester was pouring the coffee herself as she always does for her customers. In reality, this is the fair's hidden jewel. It is a great attraction in itself. I like the cheese omelets. You get potatoes and toast with the meal. When I go again, I am going to try their scrambles eggs with a burger patty like I had on my first meal there.

Love it! Great food, reasonable price. I eat here almost every morning before the fair starts. Must get there early- sometimes a long wait during the rush. Family owned and operated. Don't try and change up her menu items while busy- you'll be disappointed.

This place may not be for everyone. You wouldn't get dressed up and bring your mom her on Mothers day. Now if your mom wanted a decent breakfast with no fuss and frills, this is the place to go. Lots of hard working people who get up early in the morning may be next to you. Don't worry about your hair, put a hat on. Walk in the door, order, pay and then sit down. Your food will be there shortly. Enjoy your day. Cash only.

Some friends and I try to get together here regularly on Friday mornings. This place has an old diner feel, with good home cookin'. The menu is pretty basic and simple. Ester is always there to make great conversation and keep your coffee full, and the food is good too. Things can get a little backed up with 5 or 6 of us walk in at one time, but for some reason, you feel like this is the way it should be here. It's a requirement to not be in a hurry here. Life the way it used to be!

Almost fair time again, yay for an awesome & inexpensive breakfast!! Boys and I will be in soon again for huge pancakes, and delicious bacon and some strong coffee will get us going for a day of fun, rides and mutton busting! Can't wait to see ya Esther, Dawn & kiddos!!

We found this place through a yelp search and we were pretty pleased. I was looking for a mom and pop breakfast place and found this place through yelp. One thing I will say is the phone number on yelp is disconnected. It is located inside the fairgrounds, so it's a little hard to find unless you're familiar with the area. I thought the food was good, but what really made me like the place was the lady and what looked like her son working there. She was really friendly and started a conversation with us almost as soon as we got there. I think this place is worth a try for the food and service.

Family environment, great food, great prices! Love coming here for the pancakes and the burgers!

We stable and train our race horses in Pleasanton and have been coming to the Stable Café for years. Ester, the owner and cook, has been running this place for decades and remembers everybody's name and favorite order. She can turn simple ingredients into mouth-watering taste treats that exceed your taste buds expectations every time. My current favorite is the Muffin Special for $2.95; hot buttered English muffin sandwich with an egg, ham and melted cheese. SO GOOD; WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE! Be clear though, this is a Stable Café and not the Hilton or breakfast at Tiffany's; set your expectations appropriately and you will not be disappointed. Be prepared for some seriously tasty, unpretentious, home cooked breakfast or lunch. Come hungry and come often 'cause this is great food at a great value. Seating is functional; not elegant or formal. TV is usually turned on to horse racing channel so it can be a little loud but not too bad. Again, remember the setting is at the race track so that is the theme and ambiance; appropriately so. I love it here when I come to the P-town track to see my horses.

The food is tasty and plentiful, the owner/chef is so friendly, patient and helpful! My friends gather here frequently after our Saturday walks for a late breakfast. The owner waits on us and she warns anyone considering ordering more than one pancake that she'll bet you can't eat more than one - they are HUGE (and delicious). I like to order the bacon and egg sandwich, but everything I've had here is wonderful. Be aware that it opens very early morning and closes early (somewhere around noon, I believe) and that it is cash only. This cafe is at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds race track, and when the guard stops you, just say you are going to the Stable Cafe. I love this place for its small, casual, friendly atmosphere, its great food, low prices and the lovely woman who owns and operates it!