Location: La Mesa
Top Restaurants in La Mesa
Where to eat Cafe food in La Mesa: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Find out what Cafe restaurants to try in La Mesa. La Mesa is a city in Southern California, located 9 miles (14 km) east of Downtown San Diego in San Diego County. The population was 57,065 at the 2010 census, up from 54,749 at the 2000 census. Its civic motto is "the Jewel of the Hills."
Things to do in La Mesa
7. Shirleys Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Lemurcatta
Shirley's is a homestyle diner with some of the best food we had during in a week's visit to San Diego. It has an enthusiastic local following, and now we know why. We came in for breakfast on a weekday, and were immediately greeted and seated by a friendly waiter as if we were family. The menu is diverse - everything from chicken fried steak and eggs, eggs Bendict, huge omelets of all descriptions, biscuits and gravy, classic american breakfasts, and buttermilk pancakes. I ordered a special that day, a taco omelet which was made with 3 eggs, spiced taco meat, onions, peppers, cheese, sliced avocado, and covered with a delicious ranchera sauce. When I declined the hash browns and toast or biscuits offered with the omelet, our waiter offered to bring me sliced fresh fruit instead at no extra charge - and it was tasty and beautiful! The coffee was very good and the staff could not have been more attentive - neither our water glasses nor our coffee cups were ever left empty. We had breakfast in 4 or 5 highly recommended places during our stay -- and not one of them could top Shirley's for friendliness and excellent food.
6. Lake Murray Cafe
Overall Ratings
3 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By LovinSanDiego
What a disappointment our breakfast was last week. Yes, they were busy but there were tables open both outside on their patio and inside so they weren't packed. Lots of staff buzzing around and hanging out at the hostess stand chatting. So, we were seated at a booth that had the a/c blasting down on us. We had to move since we didn't have our warm coats with us. Next table was slightly better but the whole place was freezing cold. Next, it took us 10 minutes to get a new server to offer us something to drink. By that time, we also wanted to order our food. It took 40 minutes to get our food and my husband's order was cold. My omelette was an okay temperature but then I tasted the potatoes and they were cold. I then realized they had given me the wrong omelette! When she brought back my husband's new plate of hot food (in less than 3 minutes), I told her about my order being wrong and asked for it to be corrected. I did not see our server again for 20 minutes. My husband enjoyed his breakfast once it came out but he was never offered another cup of coffee. Fortunately, a pot of decaf had been left on our new table in error and so he helped himself to that coffee. By the time my new order came out 20 minutes later, he was long done with this breakfast. My toast was now cold because they opted not to take that away and bring me a new complete hot order. By that time, I gave up on asking for warm toast and just opted against eating it. My omelette was not good even when hot. They used some weird cheese substitute, I think because it was really liquidy not like normal cheese. When the perky girl came by to ask if everything was okay, we let her have it, and apparently she went to the back crying. Wow! We felt so badly she took it personally since she was not our server. I think the staff was overwhelmed, which includes the kitchen staff and the servers. They need some direction from a good manager and an expediter. Gordon Ramsey, where are you? They need you badly! After all the TV advertising they did to lure people in, I'm afraid they are losing customers because of the poor quality of their food and their service. There are far too many other restaurants who "have it right" to do a repeat of such a bad experience. Their prices are also much higher than many similar type of restaurants. Forget this place and try one of the many other great places for breakfast or diner style food. We will never go back. (Note, we tried their sister restaurant for dinner one time and had a similar experience, but chalked it up to a bad day. Now, we know it is just run poorly).
Most Popular Italian food in La Mesa, California, United States
5. Patty's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By David L
This place is a regular lunch stop for me. The food is cooked to order. Over the years the ownership has changed and with those changes the ethnic focus also changed. But not completely-- there are still Mediterranean and Cal-Mex dishes on the menu from earlier incarnations. I've only had good food here.
4. Sheldon's Service Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By hotellover13
My husband and Mom came with me to have breakfast here today on the patio with my dog. The dog friendly patio is great! Plenty of seating, two fire tables and lots of heat lamps for cool mornings.You order at a walkup counter and they bring the food to your table. We all ordered breakfast sandwiches. Their's on a thick cut multi grain bread and mine on a croissant with avocado instead of bacon. Hubby thought the sandwich was dry, but Mom loved the bread. I enjoyed mine with the avocado. For some reason they only gave me the mustard aoli which I really liked. It added great flavor and moisture to the sandwich. My mom loves the coffee here and the OJ tasted fresh squeezed. My Mom has been before and would go again. It was a toss up between my husband and I. I'd love to come back with my dog Gizmo and try lunch next time!
3. The Lunch Box Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
We serve fresh food in a clean, friendly enviroment! Great omelettes, pancakes, french toast & breakfast sandwiches. Or join us for lunch and have one of our homemade soups and a fresh salad! Plus an assortment of sandwiches, wraps and more. All with quic
Reviewed By mark o
this place has an unassuming location and storefront presence, but the food is fantastic. highlights are certainly the handmade (to order) sandwiches. i'm a fan of their tuna on sourdough.
Most Popular Spanish food in La Mesa, California, United States
2. Swami's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 87 reviews
Basic healthful fare prepared from responsibly-grown produce & locally-sourced ingredients.
Reviewed By Jan W
The menu is diverse and there is a lot to choose from including options for vegetarians or vegans. One of my favorite dishes is the spinach tofu which includes fresh spinach, potatoes, and onions.It is served on a mound of brown rice and hearty toast. The portions are large and I always leave with enough food for another meal.
1. La Mesa Bistro and Bakery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Bart R
Big selection of breakfast and lunch items. On my last visit I had a veggie burger with soy bacon that was surprisingly good. Not a lot of atmosphere (it's in a strip mall), but the good food and nice staff make up for the lack of decor.
