Theresa and Johnnys Cafe

We came here on a recommendation after spending the night in the area. I was surprised it was not crowded at 9 am on a Sunday morning, but ok. The atmosphere was old school diner. Food came out hot. I had the crispy French toast. If you think that sounds decadent, it is. Italian sausage and potatoes were tasty. Wife ordered the ham and eggs, and was disappointed the ham was not a ham steak. The downtown was cute, but I guess not the hotbed on Sunday mornings. I'd come again.

I LOVE breakfast. Was craving a big giant breakfast burrito. Came here and watched all the action at the counter and yummy breakfast items being prepared and plated. The line chefs were amazing and had such a rhythm. I enjoyed my breakfast burrito with a splash of hot sauce!

We dropped by after a long hike. Ordered a variety of food. The ingredients were tasty but the waitress forgot to remove the raw onions per request. Atmosphere was fun. Service was overall decent. Will come back.

Hungry and I wanted real food from a Black owned place. I searched Google and this was closer to me! I passed at first as it is small and rainy. Parked and went in. Immediately greeted by waitress casually and inviting! The head cook looked intently as I can imagine the different encounters.😍 She inquired was I dining in or to go I said in. Whipped out the menu and utensils and sat anywhere is fine. Placed an order for hot chocolate and use the restroom. Came back ordered. My food arrived quickly, hot , with flare ! Let me just say- I’m not a breakfast person but will definitely come here ANYTIME I’m near! Thanks to staff’s hospitality & PLEASE keep the same COOK! He got skillz ✊🏾😍

Amazing breakfast! So glad they are back open after 2 years. New owners but the food is still soooo good. Deep fried french toast with eggs over medium and bacon has always been my go-to, and it's still the same as it used to be. Prices went up just a little bit, but less then most other restaurants in the area... totally fair. Not sure but would assume they are still cash only. Servers are always pleasant and friendly and if not too busy will chat for a few; we love to catch up on the latest in downtown San Rafael. I tip well for the good and fast service... they always deserve it. $40 for 2 large breakfasts with coffees. (Coffee is much better than it used to be). I can't say enough good things about this place. Definitely among my top breakfast recommendations ever.

Found this interesting place after trying to eat at Sol Food. They didn’t allow indoor dining, so I strolled into this place. Was hesitant, but glad I walked in. I asked for the chefs special, and they recommended their deep fried sandwich. It was actually amazing! I wish they spread the sugar out a little more, but it was awesome! The mashed potatoes that came with it were even better!! I’m definitely coming back ☺️ my waitress was great too!

As a long-time fan of Theresa and Johnnys Cafe, I have always looked forward to savoring their delicious breakfast options. The establishment has built an excellent reputation over the years, and I have enjoyed countless meals within its cozy confines. However, my recent visit, after the change in management, left me feeling quite underwhelmed. Upon entering the restaurant, I couldn't help but notice the typos on the hiring sign and the menu. This seemingly minor issue hinted at a lack of attention to detail, which unfortunately carried through to the rest of my experience. I decided to order the San Rafael omelette. It was overwhelmingly loaded with onions, which entirely overpowered the other ingredients. The imbalance in flavors was disappointing, and it detracted from the culinary experience I had come to expect from this establishment. It's important to note that the service was still as friendly and attentive as I remember. The waitress did their best to accommodate and ensure a pleasant dining experience, which I appreciated. Nevertheless, the new management has some kinks to iron out. I sincerely hope they address these issues soon and bring them to its former glory. Until then, I would recommend potential patrons approach with an understanding that it is different, but it is still worth a try. I will be back within the year, and I hope the place has gotten a little more organized by then.

Yummy. Pupusas....love it. Huevos rancheros with chorizo but was missing just a little something. The peach waffles were amazing, I love this place. Will for sure come back here again. Double chef's kiss

It's a lovely breakfast and lunch diner on 4th Street, a mere five minute walk, or less, from the SMART train station. Upon being seated, menus were provided and in short time, our orders taken. My sweetie got something breakfast related and I a Reuben sandwich. She enjoyed her dish and the pastrami on the sandwich was flavorful and tender. It was busy on a Sunday afternoon but the noise level was reasonable regardless. The interior clean and welcoming. I remember liking the coloring on both the walls and floor, for what it is worth. If I found myself wanting or needing a bite to eat after disembarking from the train, and had the time, I'd definitely return.

I have come here a couple times and everytime I go in it's about the same experience. The food and quality is what you'd expect... think I hop ! I really love how this place is decorated and the pricing on food is good compared to the quality. The only thing I think they need to work on would be customer service. This last time I went in interactions were fast and I asked for hot sauce I think twice and I finished my meal before they could bring it. The time before this one we couldn't get ahold of our server not even to pay so we just left cash and left. Not bad and I'll keep coming back but definitely not my first choice.

Crispy French Toast: Deep-fried and delicious! Good service. One surprisingly large, bright and clean single-stall bathroom in the back.

We ordered delivery on Sunday and unfortunately it was not a great experience. With the eggs the steak had a lot of gristle, was hard to cut, was really red / rare, and ultimately too much work to finish eating which is saying something since I really love steak. The chicken was 80% bones breading and skin and was a lot of work to get any edible bites off it. I think there is so much potential in this food, it just wasn't happening the day we ordered. You can see what you think from the photos.

Nice spot Food was pretty good Decor was interesting We'd go back again Service was okay

Came to breakfast today with a friend and the food was delicious and the service was on point. I got the Corn Beef Hash and Eggs. Super good and hot and well made. Definitely recommend this dish. Can't go wrong. The sour dough toast was also crispy and fresh as was the eggs and hash browns. Coffee was fresh and hot. Can't go wrong. My friend got the breakfast sandwich and she loved it. She said it was hot and fresh and well made. Don't live here so not sure when I'll be back but this place has great service and great food. The only thing I don't like is that they don't take card. Cash only. It's the year 2022. Gotta start taking card payments. So many people don't carry cash these days. I know the CC fees and all suck but I feel cash only places are so obsolete these days. But I highly recommend this joint!

So happy to see this place back in business, even if the giant scissors and other classic decor from the original ownership is no longer. I absolutely love that the best of the best staff is still here, too! We've been bringing our kiddos since before they can remember, and while we really enjoy the food, we love the service. On the menu, we always get the kids a fruit bowl. They are jam packed with melon, berries, banana, and orange slices. Also, this is bold, but this place has the most amazing french toast. Fluffy, and crunchy and tasty. The pancakes are pretty awesome, as well. Our kiddos enjoy the crispy bacon, too. As for me, I like the giant breakfast burrito with enchilada sauce. The burrito is MASSIVE, so it can totally be split between two people. Good diner coffee, too. Overall, I'm just so happy T&J's is here--hopefully to stay!

A new place for me ! I was told it just opened back 2 weeks ago under new owners . Never had the pleasure to come before but I was happy on coming here . Food came out fast and I was satisfied with the results of my Benedict's. On customer service I'm still a little mixed with my thoughts since our server was very nice and always checking on us . But we were not greeted and we were the only ones at the moment . , we came all the way to where they were to see if we could sit anywhere and even tho we were not greeted . One big turn off for me was that they didn't accepted debit or credit card. Only Cash ! And we were told until the moment of the check. I had walk up to the bank and get some cash because it doesn't have ATM inside either . There is one near by but if I'm gonna pay fees from bank and ATM I rather walk 3 more minutes but still was un expected! I hope I can change my star score next time I come by .

I had the Crispy French toast and.......well it was AWESOME! It tasted a lot like fried bread. I felt no need to add syrup either. It isn't something I will order often, but will I will definitely be ordering it on special occasions. Sooooooooooooo good!

Tasty breakfast! Lots of selection and nice attentive service. French toast here is huge and pretty 'fried' Chicken and Waffles comes with a spicy hot honey, which is super delicious. Fried Chicken is boneless Benedict Mexicana style comes with pico de gallo and chroizo on a english muffin, with a choice of potatoes Everything was quite flavorful, happy to return

I'm staying in the area and decided to try this since it has good reviews. When I entered I was promptly greeted by a young lady and instructed to sit anywhere. The place wasn't busy at the time. The decor is kind of vintage, but it's a bit all over the place. They played oldies music, which was a nice change of pace. My waitress Jessica was a little standoffish in my opinion. After taking my order and delivering my food I never saw her again. Someone else took my plate, gave me my check and refilled my coffee (which was weak and not great). No one offered to refill my water or asked if I wanted anything else after I finished. I ordered the biscuits and gravy, which came quickly and was fresh and tasty. The issue is it's only 2 pretty small biscuits for $12.99. Just house black coffee was $3.50. After taxes and a decent tip I spent about $20, which is too much for what I received. I wanted to try the peach waffles, but since no one bothered to check in on me and with the prices I decided against it. Their loss. I'm in no rush to visit again.

I haven't had their entire menu. I usually either get their breakfast sandwich or their crabcake eggs Benedict and let me tell you BOTH are amazing. But really my review is about the staff. They are wonderful. They work so hard and are so kind. They're good people and are the heart and soul of Theresa and Johnny's. They always give great service and that's the reason why I love going there.

I've tried a lot of the popular breakfast spots in San Rafael and this is my new favorite after discovering it last year. my favorite is the crispy French toast and crispy bacon. It makes even the most gloom, happy again. If food is therapy then this is the only treatment you need.

Nothing fresh about our breakfast. Homestyle potatoes were greasy. Black Forest ham cut into very thin pieces. Sorry but will not come back.

Great food love it. Awesome staff love the decor as well indoor and outdoor seating very packed make sure to come early!

My Hollandaise sauce dream came true today! Got the Irish Benedict that is made with hash browns and real chopped corned beef topped with an egg. Of course, it's smothered in that delightful sauce. I actually got my fill! The crispy french toast was a hybrid delight. Wonderful service. Interesting restroom. In and shady outdoor seating. Open till 3.

Ok ya'll... this place is so good that we came back as soon as outdoor dining was permitted so here's an update that's needed even in such a short time frame. LOL The staff are HELLA friendly. They are attentive, no judgement (i ordered a side of 1 pancake in addition to my benedict haha), and occasionally jumped in conversations which felt like they were homies. They have very limited outdoor seating but the wait wasn't too bad. The Irish Benedict was bomb dot com! And I substituted the toast with a biscuit! Do that, you won't regret it! The dish was super generous that I had enough left over for a breakfast meal the next day, I ain't mad at it.

I love this place! Breakfast is on point. Everything is so good. Stop here every time I'm close by.

The four of us did outdoor dining last Thursday around 10:30am. They've got tables under canvas tents on the street adjacent to the sidewalk a.k.a. parklet. We ordered breakfast which is served all day. I had their famous French toast & housemade corned beef hash. Hubby had blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon. The French toast was deep fried. Sweet, soft inside & crunchy on the outside. It went well with the corned beef hash. I had a taste of hubby's pancakes. The pancakes were thin. Plenty of blueberries throughout. Generous portions of food. I had leftovers. I'd plan to rate this 4 stars but reversed to 3 1/2 stars. Why? Because the housemade corned beef hash was way too salty the following day when I reheated it. Friendly efficient service. Jade was a great hostess.

great to see them back! still have fresh squeezed orange juice and french toast so hubby is happy! decor is very toned down-no more fun salt and pepper shakers etc.

Theresa and Johnnys serves a phenomenal breakfast and lunch. They have had the same cooks from day 1 and the food is simply fantastic! The people are friendly, the service excellent and the place has great ambiance.

Excellent service and nice outdoor seating. Arnold Palmer drink with 1/2 straight lemon juice almost undrinkable. Reuben with tough, thin meat slices was lacking in any memorable flavor. I think their egg dishes looked more appealing on other tables. I might return to try an omelette.

Their burritos are AMAZING!! Customer service is wonderful. Next time I'm in the area I'll definitely stop back.

I had a plate of two egg tacos on tortilla. It was very good and fresh and a generous portion of nicely diced vegetables were The coffee tasted like a very strong Puerto Rican or Cuban coffee. Intense.

Wish we liked this place more. Have tried it a dozen times over the years and the atmosphere is weird and the food is average.

Worst eggs Benedict I've had in a while, really could improve sauce on top of the eggs.

We've lived in San Rafael for nearly 10 years and only recently discovered Theresa & Johnny's Cafe. Quite simply: the food is prepared with love--you can taste it in every bite. They make a perfect latte too--consistently. AND they offer tater tots as a breakfast side option--how can any one not love this place?

This was for the bRUNch Club's recent visit. Theresa & Johnny recently added indoor dining (along with their outdoor dining) during this pandemic. It was during a recent cold snap that we visited and opted for indoor. We were a group of 7 and had to wait for the large table - it's definitely worth the wait! Great staff. Quirky, arty and kitschy decor. I miss the cute salt and pepper shakers on the tables. The "decon" between customers is outstanding. They are constantly using hand sanitizer, wearing masks and wiping down in between. Customers must use hand sanitizer before entering inside. Coffee was plentiful and delicious. I wanted everything in sight after running 10 miles in the cold and doing an extended fast. I send up with bacon and eggs, sub the potatoes for tater tots (they have the BEST tots) and fruit for the toast. And I split and order of the stuffed French Toast special. All was amazing. Everyone of staff from the owner to the hostess to the servers were just amazing - especially when our table had a bunch of substitutes

Too bad this isn't as it used to be. It used to be my favorite breakfast/lunch spot. Came in and there was nobody right at noon. The cashier was on the phone and wouldn't hang up the phone. She made me wait to take the order. I mentioned I could come back if it isn't a good time, only then she hung up. They don't have the amazing smoothies they used to have. Just a plane machine chocolate or vanilla. I'm sad.

So happy that this place opened back up. Went this morning and had the same great food. Best customer service we too . Will definitely be going back again and again.

I'm so happy for this place, it's open again I just had a Montecristo for breakfast it's really good!

Cute decor. Fast service. Great menu selection. Would definitely return next time in San Rafael

Super small Mom and Pop with a totally local vibe. Fun, friendly, and it gets crowded...but they will get you in, sooner than later. We sat at one of the two tables outside, and we were not ignored which is great. Nice and energetic staff at all levels. The brunch food was good and a whole lot of it! We could easily have split just one of ours. The Irish Hi-rise was like a benedict on top of cheesy hash browns (I think) with a whole bunch of other stuff.. I love Monte Cristo sandwiches, and always seek out "traditional" one's where they are possible. This one was a bit of a disappointment as it was first off, as big as my plate. And second far too greasy. Sad for me...

Was looking for a new place to try for breakfast with my boyfriend. I got a combo plate with eggs sausage potato's and eggs but I unfortunately couldn't even finish 1/8th of the food because it tasted like it was all fried with a full stick of butter. I couldn't even enjoy the toast by trying to get all the butter off the toast. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is because the customer service was amazing and friendly. Disappointed

YAY diner food! So sorry there's been some bad experiences in the transition between the wonderful, much-loved Leslie, the "interim owner" and the landlord. However, I'm just really glad I can get good diner style food in downtown San Rafael again! The new owners have brought back much, though not all, of the menu we all loved, plus tweaked with some of their own flavors. The previous, interim menu just didn't have anything on it I cared to eat, and was pricier. (No criticism--the food was quality, just not for me). So although I understand that the business is hard and this transition did NOT go smoothly, as a customer I'm so happy the style and quality of food are back.

Funky, hip diner that reminds me of a mountain diner. Old building, darker decor with lots of eye candy in every nook and cranny. Cell phones ringing may bring ridicule, cash only so stop at the ATM first. Just a short block from the Smart train so that us an option for those coming from up north for an adventure. Food was plentiful and not excessive. Think grandma's style, no frozen stuff like at chain restaurants. Potatoes have slices of grilled onions adding a slight sweet tang. Surprising to see dishes hand washed in a busy restaurant. Recommended, just bring cash.

The attributes of Theresa and Johnny's included the dynamic owner, Leslie B., delicious food at good (fair!) prices and a great breakfast/lunch place. Leslie managed to combine the eclectic spirit of New Orleans + Classic American Diner into a warm and inviting place one yearned to return to even before leaving. Leslie is fighting for her health. Soon the new owner will be fighting for T&J's to be what it was - beloved institution - or will be renaming it to The Hummingbird II and diners will have to adapt to different menu items, prices and expectations. Changes: new menu items (really, two menus, one from The Hummingbird Cafe, one a shrinking T&J selection with significant price increases); new coffee type (yep, tastes different); changes to presentation, plates and portions and decor. Thankfully, the kitchen crew remains and two iconic servers are still here (shoutout to Gillian and Ian). I admit: change is hard. I didn't want Leslie to get sick, let alone sell so she could focus on her health. I have been to The Hummingbird Cafe in Fairfax, it is good. But I don't want Theresa & Johnny's to be THC2, even if I do love the beignets. I want T&J's to be the place I came to for years and would never hesitate to go to, given the choice. Some things shouldn't change. IMHO, this place is one of those that shouldn't. Leslie, if you ever read this, I know how hard you worked to keep the restaurant open during COVID. I know how much this place means to you. And I know my memories are brighter because you light them up. Damn, you are missed. PS: I am #TeamFrenchToast, my taste buds just confirmed it.

Been coming here for years and even under the new management, the food is the same and amazing! Best French toast and generous servings of classic breakfast dishes!

Good food, huge portions, friendly staff. Been going here for years. Yes please!!!

Before Covid , this place was off the hook. Now today, the services and food both are no longer up to par. Wow! Horrible. One hostess, but she can't get it together. When Teresa was the server, and the hostess, she could multitask and still keep the food pop in hot piping hot. The pancakes were delivered to me lukewarm. Yuck.!

Whether you're coming for breakfast or lunch, you'll never leave Theresa & Johnny's hungry, that's for sure! It's like going to a classic American Diner! The menu is a litany of everything you grew up loving! No matter where you grew up. They have All-American Burgers and Fries, Southern Biscuits and Gravy, Southwestern Breakfast Burritos, New York Pastrami Rueben Sandwiches, Denver Omelettes, Italian Sausages, and much much, much more! The service is, to be sure, like going to Grandma's house. Doting and familial. "Eat Bubby, you're too thin!" This is a home town place, with home style cooking, and a down home feel. The seating even feels like you're home in your kitchen! The walls are full of fabulous flea market kitch that provides lots of visual stimulation, trips down Memory Lane, and stories you can share with the young'uns. "Daddy, what's a TV dinner?" Every time we go there we see something new. Every chair and every table gives you a new and different viewpoint; fun! Theresa and Johnny's has salads, in fact they have a delicious looking meal-sized Cobb Salad, but not even Mr. Cobb would have a salad here. It's Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Foods, not Theresa & Johnny's Health Food Store. I guess you can have a salad if you're hoarding Weight Watcher Points. Which reminds me, don't forget to order a Frosty Chocolate Milk Shake! They're healthy, right? Theresa & Johnny's Tip: It's cash only, but they have an ATM in the back.

Friendly reminder: CASH ONLY. I thought in case you didn't read all of this I would put the other most important thing here. This was my second time here. I love the concept of old and new. Filled with collectibles that remind you of the old café days and good times. But wait. Guess what. There are good times to be had here. Always busy and always happy customers. The 1st time I was here I distinctly remembered I came in for biscuits and home style gravy topped with a couple eggs and bacon. I am a big fan of them. My grams was a true girl of the deep south and new how to lay it up. Hell, she didn't stop using a Wedgewood wood/coal burning stove until the early 70's and she was angry my family replaced it with a new range. It had a griddle iron and kept the kitchen warm while she read the paper every morning while having her breakfast and coffee. Why do I think you need to know that? Because T&J's is like old home to many. Now I wasn't a fan of the biscuit gravy because it was too sweet for my taste. But hey, that doesn't mean it was bad. Ask all the satisfied customers. They know its great. I just like mine on a dryer side with bacon or sausage in it. Yup. So yesterday on fathers day my girlfriend surprised me with a visit here. She looked up biscuits and gravy and everyone gave it high marks. She didn't know I'd been here before. We got the handicapped table outside after a reasonable wait on a busy day. They seemed to keep things moving without going crazy. WTG. So I changed it up. We both decided to have the NorCal Benedict Eggs served with cheesy grits. Yum on both. They nailed it. I even took the salsa fresca, and put it over on the grits to elevate it with hot sauce. Perfect marriage there. The service was excellent. Clean house. Water and coffee were always topped. And on a day like that we didn't feel rushed. Sidewalk tables (2) did us perfect. We had several serves. It take a village you know. So. All in all, great Fathers Day with my love. Perfect, no flaws. I would like to offer one request. Be the first in San Rafael, maybe Marin, to do a traditional Canadian fav of a plate of "Poutine." It is crispy fries topped with dark steak gravy and cheese. I'm sure many ask if you ever make it. It's so popular. You already have all the ingredients except the cheese (can local quark be a substitute?). I have checked everywhere in the Bay area and it either is overthought, under seasoned, or not found. Then contact me, and tell me to come a-runnin'. Money in the bank boys. Easy.

We love this place! The new ownership is so sweet and they work hard to make the dishes delicious!

Still here, still great! We love and adore the previous owner and always will. But it's wonderful that we can still get delicious food from many of the same cooks at the latest iteration of T&J's. The menu's changed slightly, but most of the classics remain. Quality, portion size and taste are still high. THE go-to for diner food and brunch in Marin!

yes they are open again!! new menu is attached in photos. i'm so happy y'all are open again. i've missed theresa & johnny

This place fills up fast. Get there early. It has a nice old retro feel. There are about 5 or 6 counter seats, if you are dining by yourself (like me). The meal was delicious. I had the corned beef hash and eggs (over-medium). The selection of hot sauces at the counter was expansive and lots of choices. Other meals that I got a chance to check out had good portions and I wish I had tried their famous pancakes. Popular location in the heart of San Rafael.

Fast service Clean dinning area No patio I placed an order and the plate was ready after 2 minutes! The eggs were fried on butter , same as the hash browns. The only thing ,my hash browns were a little bit more burned rather than fried . They only charge you cash, so have some with yourself. Dinning area does have enough space for 20/ 25 ppl at the same time.

Warm service and the place is spotless. All the good vibes of a vintage diner with modern gourmet menu items. I had simple/classic breakfast - everything YUM - and my mom enjoyed something more adventurous and cleared her plate despite the generous portions! If we were locals, we'd be regulars.

They are back! Best breakfast place in Marin. We have been going there faithfully for a few years and were so sad that they closed. But now, after a few ownership shuffles, they have a new owner who brought back the old chef and some of the old staff. They have brought back the original menu, with a few nice additions. They still have their solid comfort-food menu (omelets, eggs benedicts, pancakes, and more). Seems that the chef has managed to add a few Mexican type breakfast items as well, which is a nice addition. They have also improved on of the few dishes that was perviously not so great: the homefries. Now the homefries are nicely crisp and browned on the outside and perfectly done on the inside, with just a touch of salt and green onions (not loads of vegetables). Plus, the orange juice is once again fresh squeezed.

I really wanted to like this place. It's good but not amazing. For $20 breakfast i expect it to be great. I got an omelet and the Swedish pancakes. The pancakes were just bland like nothing special. The omelet was good because it was big and the onions were really good. The eggs were not great. Really thin omelet egg and a little overcooked. The tater tots were great lol.