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Aunt Emma's Pancake Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
700 E St(between Trolley-station & Woodlawn Ave)
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Neighborhood: Chula Vista
(619) 427-2722
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
73 reviews for Aunt Emma's Pancake Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Service is fast, accurate and efficient." In 5 reviews -
"I ordered the banana pecan pancakes and loved them." In 3 reviews -
"Enormous chocolate chip pancakes, omelets, and all the..." In 3 reviews
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Christopher Z.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
2/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love this place.Discovered a few years back around the holidays. We don't get down here often but when we do we try to come back.
I haven't found an omelet I didn't like but the Chorizo is a fave. Sometimes service may seem lacking but that is also somewhat of the charm of this place since the food more than makes up for it. -
Review from Melissa B.
San Diego, CA
Service today was horrible, which sucks because I really enjoy their food and specials. I'm very disappointed because there's not too many good breakfast joints in the South Bay (although Denny's has been improving). My family and I had arrived on Saturday. There were 5 adults and 2 kids. We were seated within 15 minutes, which was great because this place was PACKED! The bathrooms were gross and dirty from the last time I remember so I refrained from using it this time around so that I wouldn't lose my appetite. I love going with my 2 younger sisters because we always order something different and just share. One of my sister's ordered the eggs & sausage combo with a mango crepe. My other sister had ordered an omelet with whole wheat pancakes and chocolate chips. She had specifically asked for the whipped cream on the side. The kids had shared the kids pancakes with fresh fruit and mama dukes had ordered the eggs & sausage with strawberry crepes and fresh fruits as well. Papa dukes didn't want breakfast and ordered the turkey dinner. I opt for the machaca breakfast.
Once the orders came, we noticed everything got screwed up. First of all, my sister's whole wheat pancakes came out with whipped cream on the top. FIRST STRIKE.
The kid's pancakes came out with bacon, not fresh fruit. SECOND STRIKE. (Mama dukes had to ask for her fresh fruit as well since it didn't come out)
After everyone got their food and was eating, I was left without my machaca. THIRD STRIKE!
I had to flag our waitress for my food. Then when my machaca came out, she failed to bring the flour tortilla that it was supposed to come with.
I won't really go into how the food tasted because what good is the food if the service sucked? Our waitress had came to refill our coffees and when I had mentioned my tortillas she responded with an attitude, "Yeah, BUT DO YOU WANT COFFEE?"
This was unacceptable. Really. It's ironic because the waitress wrote everything down... all the instructions and whatnot... and still FAILED. Why did you take our order if you didn't pay attention? SMH To top it off, the waitress was not at all apologetic with her screw ups.
Although I love Aunt Emma's specials with their decent prices and food, I doubt I'll return.
By the way, I had a couple bites of papa dukes' turkey dinner. It tasted weird! The turkey tasted sour. Is that possible? STICK TO BREAKFAST DURING BREAKFAST TIME PEOPLE!!! -
Review from Ayanna H.
Carson, CA
2/19/2012
Spotted this place while taking the scenic route to Downtown San Diego. I saw the word "pancakes" and decided that was the place I needed to be. There was a bit of confusion when I walked in the door. Long line at the cashier combined with the line of folks waiting. Once I flagged down the host (who also happened to be the owner) I snagged a seat at the counter next to a couple of regulars. Very nice guys, one brought candy bars to the waitresses everyday to keep their blood sugar up while they were working.
The food was very good and they serve large portions. The hashbrows are really good, not over cooked or under cooked just right. The pancakes were the same, cooked to perfection.
Glad that I stopped here instead of Denny's. -
Review from Ryan B.
Anaheim, CA
5/6/2012
The only problem with this place is the weight gain! Portions are huge!!! Amazing spinach omelette and blueberry pancakes.
Cicilia. You are an awesome waitress!!! Give this girl a raise.
BEST OF ALL: MILITARY DISCOUNT!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Greg E.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place was PACKED when I came here at about 8:45 this morning. Luckily I was the only person in my party as I was allowed to eat at the counter; otherwise I would have to wait over a half hour for a table.
After signing in and being handed a menu, I went straight to the counter and started off with a glass of orange juice. I order my favorite breakfast dish: country fried steak and gravy with 2 blueberry pancakes, hashbrown, and scrambled eggs. One word: D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Some of the best pancakes that I've had in recent memory. I like how they sprinkle powered sugar on them. It's tastes better in my opinion.
I wish I would have caught that cute young server's name, because she did an outstanding job serving me at the counter. I noticed that all of the servers there were working hard catering to their respective customers that morning. They don't play around on their jobs here.
Parking is this restaurant's only flaw, as the amount of spaces are vey limited. However, you can park at the Best Western Motel next door if the main lot is full.
It's very rare that I am in the South Bay area that early in the morning but if by chance that I am in the area during that time I will definitely return if I ever have that good old craving for some breakfast. Forget about IHOP and Denny's; this restaurant is where it's really at!Listed in: Dining Out, Mom and Pop
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Review from Salina d.
Chula Vista, CA
4/14/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Great breakfast spot. Awesome and fast service. Food is always fast and fresh. beware because the portions are huge. Its my families favorite breakfast spot in San Diego.
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Review from Barbra J.
San Diego, CA
4/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went on a Sunday morning. It was extremely packed. There was about 10 people in front of us, but the wait was only 15 minutes. Went by really quick. The waitress was fast and friendly. Although they were very busy, she still check up on us frequently. The food came out fast too, not to mention the overall price for three people came out to $25. My go-to breakfast place!
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Review from Miss Vanessa T.
Chula Vista, CA
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I finally came to eat at Aunt Emma's. I place I had seen for years but I had never actually tried. I mean, the place literally looks like its been here for the long time and the decor is a testament to that. Let's just say that the decor has remained static since this place inception.
I ordered the banana pecan pancakes and loved them. I definitely had a sugar high afterward but they were still yummy and satisfying nonetheless.
This is not a place I would wait hours to get a table during the weekend rush. However, it's a decent place to check out for breakfast if you're in the area during the week it's not bustling inside :] -
Review from Johnathon H.
Chula Vista, CA
3/29/2012
Place was packed, but i got a spot at the bar immediately! Service was friendly and fast, food was hot and they followed my special order exactly. Got the $3.99 special and it was worth every penny!
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Review from Mitch K.
Corvallis, MT
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been here since I was in high school in 1962. Still popular, still crowded and still very good. Be prepared to wait in line on the weekends.
The menu is simply breakfast and lunch and portions are generous. And prices are certainly reasonable, almost cheap.
Service is fast, accurate and efficient. Study the menu and make your decision fast as the wait staff are always on the go. Lots of Mexican dishes are offered and there is quite a following from across the border. Most all the staff speaks Spanish.
This is a place to EAT, so enjoy gorging on good grub. -
Review from Zoe R.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 2/16/2012
So, I've been a few times now.... more than a few actually.
So here is the deal....
If you come after 12:00, it seems to be pretty empty and you get better service.
We came in on Vday, around 11:15, got sat (the place was packed). No one came to us for 15 min. Finally, someone who "looked" like a manager of some soft, came and got our drink order but never apologized for the wait. He was so.... uncomfortable. Like it was his first day or maybe, he just didn't give a ****.
Then, finally, another 15 min later, a server came to take our order. Then, another 15 min later, our food came. My husband ordered seasoned fries, which ended up being regular fries. We told the server and she brought us the seasoned fries and let us keep both. But this time it was after 12 and the place was basically cleaned out. If only we waited the 45 min sitting in our cars before we came in, this might have gone better....
Overall, I still like the place, as breakfast during the week can be cheap cheap cheap, I will just make sure to come sometime after 12.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/29/2011
My husband who works near by suggested this place for the family to eat while everyone was in town,… Read more »
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Review from Mario G.
This is one of my other favorite Breakfast restaurants in the South Bay, I've been frequenting this place since 2005 and they're food is always good, served promptly and has never disappointed. I usually order the chilaquiles here(red) but have had the green ones as well accompanied by a strawberry crepe.
I came here a few weeks ago and decided to try something different. I wanted to try one of their omelette's so I ordered their chipotle omelette and OMG! was I surprised by the taste, it was so freaking delicious I recently came here again and ordered the same thing. They have other items on the menu and all are good but I think I found my dish of choice so I'm sticking to it. Also the portions here are big so come hungry and ready to have some good A$$ breakfast food. :-) -
Review from Shannon M.
San Diego, CA
6/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Delicious piping hot coffee here. No wussy watered down folgers. This is the real deal.
I'll cut to the chase since I've got a lot of reviews to catch up on.
You can add on a crepe to any breakfast entree for just a few bucks. Yes, a decadent, mouth watering, sinfully fluffy crepe.
My date had the strawberry crepe which looked like it was made with the strawberries in that goopy thick syrup. Ick. Not my bag, but I know some people find that topping irresistible.
I ordered the banana and nutella crepe. I'd like to have more banana in it as the nutella taste was just overpowering.
I still gobbled it down like a starving baby in some developing country. -
Review from Muriel M.
San Diego, CA
7/5/2011
Well...my sister & her boyfriend said that this was the place to go because they had yummy pancakes & omelettes. We arrived around 0900 on a weekday, so the place was probably half full. We all had orange juices and I had a taste of their delish coffee (not watered down per others' reviews) while waiting, waiting and waiting for our food. They had probably 6 servers on the floor and it was not all that busy, so I don't know why food was coming out so slow from the kitchen.
When my benedict came, it was the first time that I saw the avocado outside of the benedict. I guess I don't understand why they would put it outside if it's part of the benedict. The overall taste was bland as the hollandaise sauce is the deciding factor and I couldn't taste any flavor.
Giving it three stars because my sister and her boyfriend enjoyed their spinach/mushroom omelette and pancakes. I tasted the pancakes and didn't think they were any better than Ihops :/
Overall, okay place, but they will lose customers if their service doesn't improve. -
Review from Tedd S.
Leesburg, FL
5/7/2011
I measure a breakfast restaurant by it's coffee. Here, it's as if they waved a cup of water in front of a bag o beans, stuck a spoon in it and call it coffee. I ordered 2 eggs and the belgian ($6.99)...few ways to F-that up. From my position, at the counter, there was a constant "flutter" of servers like they were in the "weeds"...with only about 12 people in the place. Mustof been problems in the kitchen that day, as they were yelling in the order window. My Belgian arrived "late", in need of some warm syrup...alas only cold Sysco corn-syrup from a sticky bottle...blech.
The brightest spot in this long-toothed operation, was what appeared to be the owner. A 5'10" 30-something Goddess literally stuffed into a black dress blouse and slacks...whoa...I might have to suffer through another cup o the water ;o) -
Review from Arturo M.
Chula Vista, CA
8/17/2011
Best breakfast place ever. I have been going to this place since I was a kid and that pancake taste has never changed. I heard in some reviews that some people drive a half and hour to an hour to the place, we cross the border just to go there. This place has always has a place. My favorite dishes are Strawberry crepes, coconut pancakes, buttermilk pancakes, eggs with chorizo, and my new love, banana nut pancake. I feel sick to my stomach if I heard IHOP pancakes are better than this local place.
Emma, I salute you. -
Review from Jen W.
5/14/2011
I'm super glad I didn't drive a half an hour to check out the "one place in the San Diego area you have to visit for breakfast." My friend and I didn't have to wait long, but there is a quick turnover at this restaurant so you shouldn't have to wait very long.
About five different people will ask you if you want something to drink, and I hope you get the right thing. The cream is sitting out in this metal pitcher for who knows how long. They do have a great choice of juices - pineapple, orange, etc.
My crepes were alright, and there are tons of kinds of crepes and pancakes and waffles. You can get fruity (strawberry, mango), sweet (caramel, Nutella), or savory (ham, sour cream).
They have Southwestern style food too - chilaquiles as a side, things with avocado, and some spicier items.
I thought this was a restaurant nicer than a diner, but steer clear of the eggs benedict - talk about a honey mustard colored sauce and taste with soggy English muffins. All the food is served on super hot dishes - some of the food was amazing; other food tasted like it was just warmed up after a while of sitting there. -
Review from Sondra W.
Chula Vista, CA
6/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I constantly passed by this place so when my friend suggested getting breakfast here, I was excited.
My excitement disappeared as I sat down. Don't get me wrong, the food is decent (nothing to rave about) but the customer service needs some improvement. Our meals were incorrect and incomplete. Mix ups happen and it wasn't a big deal. Although the server was very sorry about the mix up, I did not appreciate seeing her snap at another employee because supposedly she was responsible for bringing our drinks. Very unprofessional and unnecessary. After seeing that, the employee at the cash register was not even close to being organized. Mixing up tickets, not knowing how to give correct change....I just hope I came on a off day but I have a hunch that behavior is the norm. -
Review from Larry G.
San Diego, CA
10/25/2011
Classic Americana diner for a predominantly Latino clientele. I always order the chilaquiles off the "South of the Border" subgenre of the extensive menu, and ravenously suction it down like a power vacuum. All greasy spoon items are above average in quality, quantity, and taste, making the long lines well-earned. But the high turnover has its drawbacks. Like Yogi Berra said, "The place is always too busy. Nobody eats here anymore." The noise level is akin to standing in a windy tunnel. Forget having a conversation. Also I've had the A/C drip on me several times. Yet still, I look forward to my next gut-busting meal at this thriving long-standing family owned breakfast mecca.
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Review from Heather A.
Henderson, NV
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good price, good food, good time. My 4 year old & I shared a bacon & eggs plate with chocolate pancakes. Yum!
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Review from Jennifer M.
Chula Vista, CA
3/23/2011
Worth the hype!
I had two English friends who were staying at the Best Western next door and we decided to go here on the morning they were leaving and have our goodbye breakfast. The wait was a bit long because we were there around it was a Friday and 9 or 10 in the morning so we had to sit outside for about 10-15 minutes.
The food lived up to everything I'd heard. For years, I'd heard that the pancakes were good and they are. I love chocolate so I went straight for the chocolate chip cupcakes and then had a side of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. The chocolate pancakes were DELICIOUS. They left me wanting more even though I was so full upon leaving. The best part is the prices are really cheap for lots of food.
I pass this place almost every day because I take the trolley. I'm envious when I see people inside and I'm envious when I get home and the place is empty because it's closed already. -
Review from sofia r.
Chula Vista, CA
11/13/2011
We had blueberry pancakes and biscuits and gravy with side dish of hash brown. The pancakes were delicious but the biscuits and gravy were not that great and a bit expensive. They were very busy on Sunday morning at 9 am. Service was extremely slow and server never came back to check on us just to give us the bill. I don't think I will return soon.
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Review from Lakeisha W.
Chula Vista, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went last Friday and it was PACKED!! Parking was horrible, but the breakfast was PHENOMENAL!!
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Review from Jason B.
San Diego, CA
Aunt Emma must be seriously rollin' in the dough because her place was PACKED and this was on a weekday morning. I've been to quite a few greasy spoons during the week and this is one of the very few that was bursting at the seams as if the end of the world was fast approaching. Do the people of Chula Vista know something that I don't?
Whoever designed the front entrance to Aunt Emma's Pancake Restaurant (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) should have their contractor's license revoked. It's very narrow leading up to the register and since there's seating just as you walk in, I had to turn sideways (despite being svelte AND sexy) to avoid head-on collisions.
The bathroom had a strong bleach aroma which I guess is better than smelling a big, nasty turd that someone "forgot" to flush. One person in the bathroom at a time, by the way.
I tried their $3.99 Weekday Breakfast Special (breakfast spot # 32, by the way) which consists of 2 pancakes (or slices of french toast), 2 pieces of bacon or sausage and two eggs. I was thinking about getting hash browns but not at the ridiculous price of $3.50. What's up wit dat - you don't think I don't got no brains?? I should have asked for the bacon crispy and not barely warm. The pancakes were perfectly acceptable.
Pancakes, bacon and eggs -
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
While the rest of their menu looks promising (and there are other items that I'd like to try), Aunt Emma is one relative I'm guessing I'll only visit once in a great while.Listed in: Breakfast spots that hit the…, Are Oh Tea Deez
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Review from Joanne A.
10/15/2009
I've lived in the South Bay for most of my life and every time I'd drive past Aunt Emma's, I always wondered what was so fantastic about this place since it'd be so crowded with people waiting outside for a table.
Fast forward many years later and I finally gave this joint a try with my boy BFF. We got there at 11:00-ish and the wait for the first available table was about 10 to 15 minutes. The place was busting at the seams with many hungry folks.
We got seated at a table in the middle of the madness, our server comes over sorta trying to slow her roll, it was that crazy up in there. I've been on a country fried steak phase by ordering it at other breakfast joints lately, so I decided to give it a try here to see how it sizes up to the other ones I've tried.
Our food comes out ten minutes later, not bad considering this place was packed. My meal was okay, not as tasty as the country fried steak I had a few weekends before at Country Waffles in the same hood.
I dunno, I don't think I'd come back here. They're doing something right by having a really good customer base that's keeping them in business after all these years, but it's not going to fill a slot of my breakfast joints to return to...sorry Tita Emma! -
Review from Cherie C.
Las Vegas, NV
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
it was across the street from the hotel we where staying at so we decided to try. Split my breakfast with my daughter so a cheap meal and it was more then enough food for the price. Decent breakfast food and my only rave is the chocolate chocolate chip pancakes.... Very yummy.
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Review from Jacquelyn Q.
San Diego, CA
1/14/2010
I cannot believe people wait in line to eat at Aunt Emma's. There is horrible parking, horrible wait (and no place to wait where you do not get bumped and pushed), horrible customer service and horrible food. What else is there for a restaurant to screw up?
The only reason I have been to Aunt Emma's more than once is because it is one of my Mother in Law's favorite places (I believe she loves it so because she can speak Spanish to any employee and they understand her) and what MiL wants, MiL gets!
So, the last time we went in, I was trying to hold my complaints and be the son's charming wife. Getting bumped, waiting for half an hour and receiving greasy, undercooked food (the hashbrowns and eggs were seriously not ready to be served yet!) and being annoyed with the fact that this is all done repeatedly and we are still frequenting this place were bad enough, but then, as I was finishing up my below-average meal...
A COCKROACH SKITTERED FROM UNDER THE TABLE, ACROSS MY PLATE AND BACK UNDER THE TABLE IN OUR BOOTH.
I gasped and pushed my plate forward (bonus points for not screaming like a girl!) and my MiL grabbed her napkin, scooped up the filthy cock-a-roach and squeezed it in her napkin to show the waitress when she finally made her way back to our table.
My MiL loudly explained (in Spanish, of course), what had happened and the held the cockroach carcass out for her to inspect, but the waitress just took the folded napkin away and thanked her for letting them know.
No look of shock, no apologies, no offer for a free meal.
Never again, Aunt Emma's... never again. -
Review from Phillip D.
San Diego, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to get breakfast. I guess this place has been here for years. I like the pancakes. They make many different varieties. From plain to the very sweet and full of good stuff. I had the nutella pancakes and they were very sweet and made me feel guilty. The service can be improved but they get so busy it's a little expected. There will be a wait but it is worth the wait. If you don't find parking in the lot you can park at the Best Western next door they do allow it don't worry. And last, it gets very loud in there. Just be aware.
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Review from Alyssa F.
Chula Vista, CA
8/30/2010
My boyfriend says this is HIS spot to go to, so I thought I'd try it. The service was fast, since it was only us two eating, we got sat quickly at the counter instead of booth or table. The ladies were quick to greet us and get our drinks, which I liked.
Boyfriend got a California Omelete, which he loved. It had sausage, cheese and avocado I believe, which came with pancakes AND hashbrowns. He loved it. I got a pecan waffle which was okay. The hashbrowns were okay too. I thought it was all just okay but better than Denny's! -
Review from Nicole F.
11/12/2009
If I had written a review 2 years ago or even last year I would have given it 3 1/2 stars, but after eating here yesterday I can say the recession has hit even Aunt Emma's. While the portions were huge before, now they are just mediocre. Hashbrowns weren't even cooked all the way through. And what's up with their prices - a side of hashbrowns costs $3.50 and it was only about a cup of potatoes. Why would you get a side of hashbrowns when you can get a breakfast special for $3.99? When you're allergic to eggs and dairy (pancakes). Not me thank goodness!
Anyway, the potatoes were not even hot and the pancakes were peculiarly not consistent among our party of 7. One set was not cooked and flat. The other was much bigger. Fortunately, my coconut were large and fluffy. When she brought out the coconut syrup it had been in the frig so it was globby - we managed to spoon it out after opening the lid. Prices seem to have gone up too. Bottom line, it still beats IHOP or Denny's but I won't be going out of my way to dine here anymore. And the noise level was insane! -
Review from Lety M.
San Diego, CA
9/11/2007
Eggs Benedict's.. is that good enough for a review...
Ive been going there for a while... lets say i know the menu and what i want everytime i go in... their coffee.. well typical dinner coffee but still what you would expect for about buck and change... their pancakes and crepes are yummy... i love going there early it gets pretty packed.. i dont recommend the lunch but anything on breakfast menu i say go for it!!!!Listed in: Benedicts of the Egg Kind
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Review from Ana C. A.
6/23/2010
I LOVE THE PANCAKES HERE!!!! Whenever I get a chance during the week I try to come here for early, mid or late breakfast, I do try to avoid the weekends for it is always super packed.
Another reason why go during the week the $3.99 breakfast special, I get my eggs, bacon & pancakes, oh yeah & bottomless cup of coffee, always hot, not the best I've had but on of the top for the type of place.
The big down size of this place is the parking, very small, this is the second reason I don't come on the weekend impossible to find a place... -
Review from David D.
Berkeley, CA
11/4/2007
Aunt Emma's serves acceptable breakfast items, but the food is not worth the wait. The quality is on par with Denny's, which is less than a block to the east. Denny's is more comfortable, too, so Aunt Emma's does not positively set itself apart for one's breakfast needs.
The lunch here is horrible. I never thought I would eat at a diner and wish afterwards that I had gone to Denny's instead. The food is not particularly flavorful, the presentation leaves something to be desired, the soda variety is nonexistent, and service is uneven. I cannot remember ever being this disappointed with a diner lunch!
Spare yourself the displeasure of Aunt Emma's and eat at Family House of Pancakes (breakfast) or Fuddrucker's (lunch) instead. -
Review from Alexis A.
Daphne, AL
2/4/2012
My favorite breakfast joint ever! It's usually packed on Sunday mornings, so avoid prime time around 9-11 if you can! That definitely tells you something about the place. They have the best strawberry crepes. I get that or the biscuits and gravy. The Denver omelet is good as well.
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Review from Jae L.
San Diego, CA
11/29/2006
So you wake up at the crack of noon with nothing on but a hangover from hell. Trying to figure out how you kept your pride intact from the shenanigans of the night before. Your tummy starts rumblin and you know Its time for B4L...
For those that dont know what that means its Breakfast 4 Lunch...
Aunt Emma's will hit the spot with their many many delicious combinations of pancakes...You want strawberry, chocolate, banana? They have it...You want corned beef hash and eggs? They got that too!!! Huervoes Rancheroes? Guess what? Yep they got it... -
Review from Angela I.
Spring Valley, CA
11/14/2008
Okay, I would love to give this place 5 stars and I would like to give it 1 star. I settled on 3 -- here's why:
I've gone to this place for years. When I didn't have much in my pocket, breakfast was a cheap splurge that was well worth it at this diner. The pancakes are the BEST I have ever had, light and melt-in-your-mouthy. The menu has plenty to pick from traditional to Mex breakfasts and more. The pancake/waffle/crepe menu is especially tempting (mango, chocolate, peanut butter, German...). I used to get the chicken fried steak platter and stuff myself enough to hold off until dinner time.
NOW, I brought the bf in to share this pancake wonderland and he ordered something with salsa/sauce and eggs. Tasted fine. Until he found a DEAD COCKROACH in it. yeahhh... that was stomach turning. We were comped for his meal but forever scarred.
Our love for the pancakes brought us back many months later but it was never the same. We have to say goodbye to our old haunt and find a new "brefis" joint. -
Review from Richie C.
National City, CA
10/14/2008
Aunt Emma's brought me back to the "Jimmy's Pancake House" feel of my Sunday morning childhood ... from the window.
The layout is pretty. I sat at the half-circle shaped bar for more immediate service. This was probably my favorite feature about Aunt Emma's. It's pleasing to the eye when contrasted with the rest of the restaurant.
The food could've been better. I was super hungry and ate 2 eggs, hashbrowns, 3 sausage links, 2 buttermilk pancakes and a bunch of coffee ($9.24) The eggs needed butter, the hashbrowns needed ketchup, the sausages weren't that bad, the pancakes tasted as good as I could've made and the coffee was pretty gross. I saw a "Farmer's Coffee" sign on the brewers, I think they included fertilizer in the brewing process.
I did have a nice time though. I struck up an interesting convo with a Santa Rosan stranger to my right and he felt the place was just alright and that he had experienced better. After my hunger shock had subsided, I felt the same as he had described.
Next to the cashier stands a glass case of a variety of import beers: Pacifico, Asahi, etc. So I asked the spacey cashier if they served any of the beers, or beer at all (keep in mind this place is only open until 3pm everyday). Sadly, she had no idea...which meant no. I really had high hopes for this old mom and pop shop, passing by so many times on my night rides. Oh well. -
Review from Sarah P.
Chula Vista, CA
8/22/2011
The Swedish pancakes here are to die for!!!! So crave-able! They have great breakfast specials here too :)
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Review from Brandon F.
San Diego, CA
8/18/2011 23 Check-ins Here
This is a decent little spot me & some co-workers hit up for brunch here & there. Their "Specials" menu is great, filling & cheap too! Also we always get great service!
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Review from Xavier V.
Chula Vista, CA
For breakfast or lunch the food is fair to good, considering the price point. However, if your looking for a quiet meal, your're in the wrong place, as the place is very noisy. Parking is a problem.
