The Trails Eatery

Exceptionally friendly staff. Very chill ambience. Outstanding food. Can’t recommend The Trails Eatery highly enough. Perfect place to refuel after Cowels Mountain. Shoot, even without the hike it’s still an ideal place to go for breakfast!

5-Star Review The food is the standout reason for my 5-star rating—everything arrived quickly, hot, and full of flavor. Portions were generous, and it was clearly a popular spot when we visited on a busy Sunday morning. That said, I wasn’t a fan of the ordering system. You place and pay for your order at the counter before sitting, and you're prompted to tip while still standing in line, which felt a bit awkward. The décor also seemed a little worn and could use a refresh. While the overall experience wasn’t ideal, the food alone made it worth the visit. If they ever switch to at-table ordering with actual waitstaff, I’d happily return.

Best cinnamon roll pancakes I’ve ever had. Perfect amount of icing and the food came out SUPER fast. The staff was very inviting and I definitely recommend the mimosa kit. I will be back!!

Seriously, I'm almost reluctant to write this review because The Trail Eatery in La Mesa is, hands down, one of the absolute best spots in the area – especially for breakfast! It's already a very popular, bustling place, and honestly, I dread more people discovering this culinary gem, but they truly deserve all the praise. What makes it so special? Let's talk about the staff. They are simply wonderful. Dylan, who's been at the front for years, is a familiar face that always makes you feel like family. That's the vibe here, you know? It's one of those rare places where everyone is eager to please, and they genuinely make you feel at home. For me, being on a gluten-free diet makes The Trail Eatery even better. Their entire menu is incredible, but the abundance of delicious gluten-free options is just awesome. Their Eggs Benedict are fantastic, and the Cinnamon Roll Pancake – which you can also get gluten-free – is truly amazing. Oh, and the Lavender Lemonade? A must-try! Consistently a perfect experience. Highly, highly recommend!

Overall, it has one of the better Gluten free and extensive menus available Around San Diego, would come back purely for the gluten free items as they're top tier The other breakfast items were about average. Seasoned well and accordingly. I like paying ahead, and then sitting then getting your food, but it has a tipping option which I'm mixed with, I don't like tipping before I receive such said service, but this was just a personal opinion Food was Overall fresh and good tasting. Staff was friendly and kind, diligent.

I went to the Trail Sat morning and saw a line in front- I thought hmm maybe I should go elsewhere rather than wait. But the young man in charge had such a beautiful and entertaining personality we decided to wait. We weee tgere maybe 15 min and we’re in! They took our order at the counter we got a clean table and before we knew it we were having and excellent delicious breakfast! So fast!! I loved it! The place runs like a friendly machine. They are fast and the place is clean and well run. I highly recommend this eatery. The food was soo good I will definitely be back!!! Everyone working there was wonderful and always checking on us.

First time here I'd love to come back here and try more exciting things on the menu like the pancakes and Benedict's. I had a BLT with a side salad. But the lemon tumeric vinaigrette for my side salad was absolutely devine! The owner(I'm assuming) was so welcoming and amazing! The atmosphere and hospitality alone will have me coming back but can't wait to come back and try other delicious items on the menu!

Cinnamon roll pancakes never disappoint! Pro tip: ask for them instead of your bread option. The food here is always delicious. It was nicer when you could order from the table, but the service is still reasonable. The staff is very nice. Great selection of vegetarian options!

Did a morning hike at Cowles Mountain and popped over across the street for brunch at The Trails Eatery afterwards! Luckily they were able to seat our group of 6 almost immediately since it was still early. Order and pay inside at the counter and then you'll be led to your seat. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Service was friendly and our waiter was happy to go over the menu and specials with us. There's lots of different options to satisfy any brunch cravings you have. They have some pretty cool drink options too although I only ordered food, which came out surprisingly quick. BENE ASADA: Eggs benedict is my go-to brunch order, and this version came with carne asada. Their carne asada was super juicy and tender! I don't think my expectations were super high but I was pleasantly surprised. They don't have hash but their home fries are the closest thing and are somewhat similar. Perfect serving size for one person and I left feeling satisfied but not overly full. Overall, great food and service. I'll be sure to stop by whenever hiking Cowles Mountain! *Note: they do not accept Amex cards.

Nothing fancy, just classic brunch food. The customer service is really top notch. The set up is a bit odd as they seat you at a table first but then you still order at the counter and they bring your food to you. You pay/tip at the counter. I will say it's on the pricier side for the walk up counter vibe but happy supporting a local place. Came with a group of 6 at 11:30 on a Saturday and it was busy but we didn't have a wait. I got the garden benedict with a side of fruit and a coffee. My partner got the French toast croissant. The benedict was decent. I feel like it needed more salt all around. The English muffin seemed to be the saltiest part. The fruit was a good variety. The coffee was a small cup but you can get refills. My partner liked his croissant but wished it was bigger. It seemed like the just cut a single croissant in half and battered it like a French toast.

Executive summary Flavor:5/5 Good for groups/5/5 Service:5/5 Coffee:5/5 Quality of food:5/5 Returning factory:5/5 Parking:5/5 I cannot say enough good things about this place. Delicious food, great service, easy to find and kid friendly. We found out about this place through the food network and we have been coming since.

My girlfriends and I arrived hungry at this café after a hike at Mission Trails. Parking was a breeze since it's in a plaza with adequate amount of spots for vehicles. We went on a Saturday. Service was friendly. The staff was attentive and the down-to-earth vibe of the restaurant brought a sense of comfort. This feels like a place where all is welcome. The Trails Eatery offers healthy and comfort food options. We were told by the server that they were featured in Restaurant: Impossible. That was neat. As for the food... I wasn't satisfied with my order and neither were my friends unfortunately, maybe their comfort meals are a better option. I ordered the Heathy Hash and it was alright. Nothing special, but it fueled me up. The sautéed kale was my favorite part. The potatoes in my hash were soggy, didn't really have much crisp on the outside, everything had the same texture. My girlfriends, who both ordered Avocado Toast found it lacked flavor and the veggies not fresh.

My girlfriends and I stopped by for breakfast on a Saturday morning after doing a hike nearby at Mission Trails. Parking was easy and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. All the employees were beyond friendly and helpful. Service was definitely top notch. I ordered the peppermint mocha and avocado toast. The avocado toast was not on the menu. It was a daily special. I substituted the tomato for cucumber. The picture of the avocado toast looked like it came with balsamic vinaigrette but it didn't. Felt the avocado toast was lacking in flavor and mostly just tasted like arugula. It came with sourdough bread. I should have asked about the bread because I'm not a fan of sourdough. The peppermint mocha was delicious.

How have I not heard of this place before now?! We came in to order to go for 5 people. The staff was very friendly and took our order as soon as we walked in the door. Our order took about 20 minutes. I order the tuna melt with sweet potato fries for myself. The tuna salad in the melt was perfectly seasoned and nestled between two sourdough slices that held it all together. My only regret is that since it was a to-go order, it was ready a little cold by the time we got home after a 5 min drive. It's possible they prepared my meal first. My fries were already cold as well. However, I am amazed at the cinnamon roll pancake!! Holy moly I have never enjoyed a pancake like that ever in my life. It honestly didn't even sound like something I would order but I'm glad I tried it upon the insistence of my friend. I must come back, possibly after conquering Cowles Mountain for the other breakfast menu items and to devour more of the cinnamon roll pancakes!

In general I really like this place. Excellent atmosphere and very friendly staff. You are bound to walk out with a smile! Brought my father here for a meeting and the guys had a good time. What was great was I sat separate from the group snd they helped me secretly send dad tea. He thought they had great service! I didn't give it my usual 5 points as I ordered French onion soup - soup of the day. The bowl was small enough that it made me wonder just how large a cup could be. It's one of my favorite soups in general but this one seemed uninspired So if you come, and you should, order one of their amazing and creative items but not the French onion soup (it was a yucky weather day so...soup).

Yea that's me in the picture. And yea I'm at trails eatery. Very good. Very good. Took JB here on a date

We were visiting San Diego and I wanted to find a unique place to eat. Went out of our way to avoid downtown and came here instead. Parking is very easy as it is in a shopping center. There is generally a little line outside, but it moves very quickly. They also have one of their staff come outside and hand you a menu while you wait in line. The menu was vast and had something for everybody. They also had some specialty coffee, so I ordered the Horchata latte iced. Order this in try not to finish it all in one gulp! It was so flavorful. I also ordered the breakfast burrito and LOVED it. I loved that I could make it egg whites instead of eggs. It was also full with avocado and chorizo. Bomb! I mean, just see my picture and you won't be surprised. The food came out quickly and we had no problem finding a seat. They don't rush you out when you're done with your meal either, which is nice. The bathroom is really cute and had a bunch of records on the wall also. I would certainly come back next time that I'm in San Diego.

We've been coming here for years. I can't believe I never wrote my review for it. Pure procrastination I'm sure. We came here occasionally many years ago and then I was out of town for several years. In the meantime my daughter found out she had celiac disease and found this place could accommodate her needs without cross-contamination with gluten. It started being her favorite place also. We've never had a bad meal here. The servers are always so sweet and attentive.

Food is cooked well and it is delicious. Service is quick and easy. You order with the cashier. Service is with a waitress.Ambience is cafe style.

First time at The Trails Eatery, and I'm already planning my next visit! I ordered at the counter and barely had time to put my wallet away before our food hit the table--now that's impressive service. We had the mimosas, pumpkin pancakes, omelette, eggs Benedict and the Little Breakfast with a side of French toast--every bite was delicious. The pumpkin pancakes were perfectly spiced and fluffy, the French toast was golden and rich, and everything was served hot and fresh. You can tell the kitchen has it dialed in. The vibe is cozy, staff are friendly, and the food feels like a warm hug. Whether you're just finishing a hike or just hungry for great brunch, this place is a must-visit!

The service here is great, and we've enjoyed our food in the past. But I suggest you avoid the breakfast burrito. To be frank, it was gross. It was listed as having scrambled eggs, avocado, potatoes, bacon and cheese. The potatoes were in some form of thinly sliced (think scalloped), and they add some sort of creamed guacamole, not avocado....makes a big difference. I had one small bit of bacon in the first bite, then no more. Having virtually no bacon in the burrito essentially left eggs with thin potato slices and guac, which makes a burrito full of "mush" and just unappealing texture. I'd have returned it, but it was on Father's Day morning...and it had already taken a while to get our food because the place was so busy.

We come here almost every weekend, great place, awesome food, amazing people! The owners are so nice.

Always a pleasure coming to have breakfast here! Delicious food , clean restaurant, and great customer service! Although it was a wait , they were able to accommodate our party of 9 which I really appreciate. The pictures speak for themselves, that food was delicious! See you soon!

A very snazzy spot in San Carlos serving humble brunch items. The Trails Eatery always seems to be busy, especially on the weekends. Thankfully the line moves fast as all orders are placed at the front and there's quick table turnover. The service is minimal afterwards so make sure to flag someone down as they distribute food because you might not get another chance. *Crab Benedict: lightly toasted egg muffin covered in perfectly cooked poached eggs and flavorful chipotle hollandaise. The chipotle hollandaise was the best part. The spice and smokiness elevated the classically creamy sauce. I also liked how there was a side of lettuce and sliced tomatoes as it contributed some freshness to the dish. The crab was light and gently seasoned. However I did get some shell in some of my bites. *Ham Steak & Eggs: eggs were cooked well and the ham steak had a good sear. The potatoes had a great crust without being too oily. Strangely there was a dollop of sauce on the plate so I would be a bit cautious on cross contamination. Overall the plate was on the saltier side but we offset it with ketchup and hot sauce. *Biscuit & Gravy: the biscuit was too dry while the gravy lacked flavor. Even with the gravy, the biscuit left a chalky feel. The gravy needed more pepper or salt as it similarly had a pasty aspect. *Mimosa: I chose guava as my base but I would probably upgrade to their flight next time. The fruitiness was pleasant but the drinks weren't too strong so the flight didn't seem too excessive. The overall ambiance was humble and simple. The food wasn't too extravagant but most of the time, the flavors hit the spot. I hope there is more emphasis on service and cleanliness to round out the experience.

Great dairy free and gluten free options on the menu! Some entrées can be adjusted to accommodate dietary restrictions even if not listed. Came here with my wife for a birthday breakfast. Highly recommend the morning glory, a dairy free carrot cake muffin. The staff was warm and kind as well.

Trails has changed their service style and it seems like it's more efficient now than before. While we ordered at the front, the owner was there checking to make sure seats were ready before people did so, and there was no wait on a Sunday at noon. The service was friendly and fast, and we were offered coffee refills twice in the short time we were there. Food is consistently good and menu is extensive. Cinnamon roll pancakes remain the one of the best items they have. The fryer potatoes are also always great. In case this gets lost, one time we ordered and brought the order home only to find out something was missing. We called and one lad was kind enough to actually DRIVE it to us free of charge, just because. We love Trails!

Came here after hiking Cowles Mtn. The amount of food I got was perfect to fill full. I got the spinach omelet and it was super tasty. The mushrooms looked cooked down which was pleasantly surprising. You do order at the counter and tip before you eat which I normally hate. The staff there are wee friendly and on top of keeping my coffee full. I would definitely come back to enjoy after another hike.

I met a friend here this morning. Have been wanting to try it for ages. I knew when I ordered the Horchata latte it would be sweet and it did not disappoint. The regular coffee was much better. Solid pour. It's a cute place with really cute merch. I wish I had brought an ombré mug home with me. You place your order at the counter. Everyone is super nice but the food was ok. I got the classic Benedict but gluten free. And yes, you want the chipotle hollandaise every time! Next time, I'm getting the lemon berry GF French toast. Maybe sweet is better than savory. But rest assured, I will be back.

We were greeted at the door by the friendliest person I've encountered at a restaurant in years. The gentleman who took our order was so happy as he welcomed us in and repeated back our order to make sure everything was right. The service here is OUTSTANDING and the food is SPECTACULAR. The environment is so nice, and the food was brought in a flash. 5 stars all around. This was our first time eating here and we can't wait to come back. We ordered the Hash and Eggs, the Healthy Hash and the kids' chocolate chip pancakes. Even the regular coffee here is great!

Been coming here for 10 years. Remember when it was a hidden gem. Here are the facts (in my opinion): Very good home cooking family eatery. Fresh, great ranch by the way. Great for breakfast, unfortunately since there is a brunch emphasis (alcohol is available) you get everyone off Cowles mountain and it gets loud in there on a Saturday and Sunday... The wonderful owner is always there at the register and is very friendly. It would still have a local feel but since it's by the mountain there are a ton of "hikers". Nevertheless, the food is made to order by ordering at counter and is always tasty. Expect a long line and wait to order food but it's worth it. Calling in for food is pretty efficient and they text you when your food is available. For choices the burger and BLT are great as well as pesto chicken sandwich. Fun fact: Something weird I have encountered here is EVERY time Is when they give me a straw it's always broken (haha). Pro tip: even if the open sign is on they close at 2pm.

Easy peasy just how I like it! You walk in, find yourself a seat, go back to the counter, place your order and all done! It was myself and my 2 adult children, daughter had the TAB sandwich and said it was great, lots of turkey meat more than expected! Son had the Elvis pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs, ate half the pancakes and was stuffed, brought the rest home and had it for dinner! I had scrambled eggs and avocado & both were really good! The place is clean, stuff is nice and the tvs are on but no volume which is nice because you can have conversations and hear one another just fine!

Updating this to 5 stars because it has never let me down. The style has changed it used to be regular table service and it is somewhat still is, just a bit more organized with the style of paying first. There is always a line, but there is nothing quite like entertainment while waiting. The guy that was there was so fun, he chatted with us and gave us menu so we can prepare. He even did a mickey mouse impression. lol. Once it's our turn it's straight to the registers, yeah they have registers now in the front area. After ordering you will be given a number but you can't just sit anywhere they will tell you where. Super organized right? Right! After sitting down I was amazed on how fast we received our order. The food is still as good as I remembered and yes the service is still the same which was excellent. Our drinks were still refilled and we were attended to by many servers. On point I tell you! Just on POINT!. Cinnamon Pancake and Omelet is what I ordered this time and well probably all the time and it's AMAZING STILL! How do they do it? Truly deserving of 5 stars.

We had heard that breakfast was pretty good here so we decided to try it out. Service was rushed and our food was not good. My kids said Dennys would have been better. A bit disappointed.

I cannot say enough good things about this fantastic eatery. My family goes there regularly for gluten-free options with a lovely mimosa flight, not too sweet. We are always pleased to introduce this spot to friends because the service is friendly and prompt, and they are very understanding of our daughter that has some unique needs. This spot has been around for years and continues its reputation for high-quality, delicious food!

We arrived with a party of five and were warmly greeted by Dylan. He was very sweet and provided menus for all of us, including the children, while we waited in line. Although the line was long, the estimated wait time was 15 minutes. Surprisingly, we were seated and had our delicious meals at the table within that time! We placed our orders at the register, and the cashier was also very patient and kind. This is a fantastic place to eat, and the staff provided amazing service. We'll definitely be back!

Great place for brunch tucked away in the small town of San Carlos in the San Diego area. Service is always friendly and fast. Food portions are great for sharing. Love this cute little location with warm hometown vibes. We ordered kids chocolate chip pancakes and bacon which was plenty for the kids and then some. I had a burger with crispy fries and my daughter had the breakfast sandwich. Everything was spot on delicious. We'll keep coming back.

Large diner with solid breakfast food - Extremely quick service and reasonable prices. Located in strip mall with plenty of parking.

Exceptional service very attentive to listening to what you were hoping to order. Very fresh food very almost farm to table fresh!!! The restaurant was very comfortable. Tables could be a little further apart, but absolutely wonderful restaurant.

Food: The Bene Asada is a standout - unique flavor and perfectly poached eggs. We also tried the Chicken Fried Steak, which was decent. The Biscuit and Gravy had a homemade touch and thick gravy if you like it that way. The only downside was slightly smaller portions for the price. Service: Fast and attentive service - no waiting around at 1 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon. The staff was super friendly, and they made us feel right at home. Ambiance: Clean tables and a friendly atmosphere. It's a cozy brunch spot. Easy parking is a big plus. In a nutshell, this spot is worth a visit for a good brunch and great service. Portion sizes are the only minor hiccup, but we're definitely going back!

Order at the counter. Know what you want. Corn beef hash was good. Biscuit was huge. Loved the potatoes. Veggie omelet was tasty. Not fancy no thrills just solid

The quality of the food was great. It's not a traditional sit down restaurant, instead you pay at the counter and go find an available table. Everyone was super friendly. The food came out so quick I was shocked. It's always busy on the weekends, so you gotta wait in line or fight for a spot. Overall good choice. The drinks are too sweet, so if you're not a fan of sugar I would ask for less sweetness.

Top notch place! Food was delicious, place was super clean and a nice atmosphere, amazing customer service! We will be back.

So good!!! Wish I knew about this place sooner. Plan to go back seems like it can get crowded but that is a sign of how good it is.

I will be gentle. The first cup of coffee was cold. The food mostly was ok... Eggs were cooked as requested Potatoes rather cold. Second cup of coffee warmer.. Service after ordering was non existent... After standing up and requesting a refill of coffee it was gladly given. I know that these are tough times for small businesses. I paid $20 for a modest breakfast with perhaps understaffed employees.. I would not rush back but you should support independent businesses.

The service is quick! The ambiance is nice, with fun music and the food is incredible. My favorite thing to get on the menu are the Sin- a-Mon roll pancakes. I've been coming to trails off and on for over 10 years. Keep it up!

Very nice and friendly team! Delicious food and cute cafe vibes! Good for kids. No notes! You gotta go!

Stopped here after a sunrise hike. Greeted right away. The set up is order at the counter then grab a seat with your number. They have plenary of options alcoholic drinks, hot coco, coffee, ect. I ordered the breakfast taco use to come with three they now come with 2. Still very filling, it was just what I needed after a long hike. I also ordered a hot coco very yummy. Plenty of places to sit inside and they had a couple tables outside. Lots of Peking as it is in a plaza.

I must say it's been a while since our last visit. And wow, this place was great, but is even better now! The new system of walk up ordering (with 2 registers at the counter) is so smooth and efficient! Even with a full house. The service is friendly as ever and they are so quick! We got our table right away and then received our food in minutes. Everything was yummy as before. We loved our window seat. Way to go, Stacey! You and your staff are killin it.

Visited this restaurant a while back and was blown away by the lemon curd French toast with lavender whipped cream. Was excited to go back and get it again but was very disappointed. I don't think I even finished one piece. There was hardly any lemon curd and the whipped cream tasted bad. Was also surprised coffee didn't come with refills. This spot has had its ups and downs but not sure I will go back.

Something about ordering my food at the counter that just takes away the joy I use to have before the pandemic. For the price of the food, I would prefer full service by my wait person. I think the food is the same, just something about the place has changed, not as fun if you know what I mean.

This is a great brunch spot close to Cowles Mountain. You order at the counter before you sit down. All the servers and workers are very friendly and nice. The cinnamon roll pancake was phenomenal! I don't know how they make this pancake rolled up exactly like a cinnamon roll but yum! I highly recommend it! The healthy hash was also delicious and really great! They have some great cold and hot lattes as well. This is a great local cafe to have a meal after your hike or just head to for a great breakfast!

Wonderful gluten free options, service is excellent and the best Chai Tea anywhere. Pretty crowded on the weekends but the wait was worth it. Went on a weekday and got right in.

I was surprised with how good this place is!! I had no idea that we have a brunch place as good as this one so close to home. As every brunch place we put our name down and probably waited 40 mins on a Sunday. They way they have everything organized is really efficient. Once you get sited you go to the cashier, order your food, pay and go to your table to wait for your order (this is perfect when you are with a group of friends). We god the Bloody Mary (delicious and cheap - $7). My husband got the steak and eggs - he loved it! I got the plant-based scramble with pesto and feta (yum!). First of all let me tell you how HAPPY I am every time a brunch place has egg substitute (since I can't eat them)!! I loved this place :)

Amazing customer service. The tomatoes in the side salad weren't the best, but otherwise my veggie burger was delicious. I would have liked some smaller, less expensive menu items.

One of my favorite local spots for breakfast and lunch! They have an entire gluten free menu and a kids menu. Don't miss the cinnamon roll pancake!

The price gouging at this price is really insane. They already charge about $20 per plate for breakfast, but now they've recently added a $.50 PER EGG surcharge on everything. Ridiculous!

Found this place quite a few years ago while looking for Gluten Free Breakfast, which was pretty hard to find back in the day. They offered Gluten Free Pancakes, which, at the time, were only a dream. (Being Celiac in those days was a huge problem when eating out) We enjoyed the atmosphere and Stacy, the owner was always pleasant and sparkly, at the same time. During the COVID pandemic, we moved 30 miles into the mountains and coming to The Trails became a memory. Today, on a trip to a doctors appointment, we decided that we needed to see if it was still as good as we remembered. OH MY! Not disappointed, for sure‼. So happy to say that the quality is amazing, still, the atmospheric even better, and the G/F menu takes up a full page now....including a G/F biscuit, along with more breakfast and lunch choices! Stacy even stopped at our table for a lively chat..... WE WILL BE BACK......SOON!