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Cafe Siena
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Creperies Breakfast & Brunch, Creperies [Edit]
853 E 13th AveEugene, OR 97401
(541) 344-0300
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Cafe Siena
Review Highlights
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"...coffee and cheap fresh squeezed orange juice round out the..." In 3 reviews -
"...named Scramble #1, #2, and #3) and the Huevos Rancheros." In 6 reviews -
"The crepes, both savory and sweet are very well done." In 12 reviews
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Christine M.
Cincinnati, OH
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cafe Siena gets high rankings from me for 1. being a college staple, 2. making the most amazing huevos rancheros I've ever tasted (and setting my standard for how the "should" be served), 3. having equally amazing crepes if you fell like something sweet, 4. being connected to all the wonderful (if at times flirty-which was flattering in college) staff at Espresso Roma, and 5. for filling my belly post class, post party, post walk down the street, and on visits back to Eugene. It's like a time machine back to deliciousness in there for me. REALLY!
I recently took the S.O. there and I think he was expecting a run of the mill Mexican food experience and even he was immensely impressed; it's hard not to be.
The horchata, chilaquiles, farmer's breakfast, huevos rancheros, burritos, and even bagels all get a high vote from me.
The place is very college town in that it's right by UO, frequently occupied by students, and a bit unassuming. Forget all that and just go. Eat. Savor. And wish it were the next day, or even just the next meal, so it would be acceptable to go back for round two! -
Review from CeeGee H.
Eugene, OR
5/2/2012
One of the best places to eat a grubbin' and affordable breakfast or lunch in Eugene.
I've tried most everything they have to offer over the years and especially when it comes to their breakfasts and burritos, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a better deal, pound for pound, if you're looking for something to fill a hungry belly. And lordy do I have a hungry belly! But I've never finished one of their breakfasts or burritos and found myself wanting more. If anything I've been hard pressed to finish it all.
The Good: Large portions, well-made beans (they're more "oya" style than refried), quick service, nice selection of Tapatio, Verde and Red salsa to put on your food, cook usually very cool about custom orders. They're open very early (6:30?)
The Bad: No ambiance to speak of despite nice paintings on the wall, staff generally terse (but not unfriendly), salsa available as condiments (verde & red) is usually HOT, so don't go piling it on without knowing what you're getting into. Their chicken is stringy and uninspiring. I can't call it terrible but...it's far from my favorite. The food generally doesn't have a lot of different flavors going on. Very single minded, basic flavors.
It's not fine dining but if you're hungry and you want a good value for your dollar this is it. -
Review from Beca C.
Eugene, OR
10/13/2011
Consistent flavors, speedy wait times, generous portions, Cafe Siena is a great "dive" on campus. Their breakfasts are really good here-egg dishes, crepes (sweet and savory options), burrito and quesadillas, and bagel sandwiches for those on the go. Breakfast items are available all day long, and more than once have I indulged in the Eugene's best huevos rancheros after the noon hour. Fresh squeezed OJ or strong coffee makes rounds out the meal.
I chose 3 stars because some items are microwaved (burrito fillers not containing egg), and my personal preference for humanely raised protein sources and organic produce, which at Siena's prices, I assume their suppliers do not fall into that category.
Bottom line: Cafe Siena offers the best breakfast on campus in terms of value, flavor and consistency.Listed in: Eugene Eateries, Where Some Ducks Choose Eat
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Review from Jess B.
Eugene, OR
12/7/2011
This little crap hole has the best damn Juevos Rancheros I have ever had!
The fresh squeezed Orange Juice is the Bomb. -
Review from Emmeline S.
Berkeley, CA
11/3/2011
Like Rebecca H. said, "Not to dump on a beloved local institution" but...
Yuck. Sure, Cafe Siena dishes out enough food to jump start a heart attack, but you'd have to be a real trooper to eat through it. I would hesitate to drop by even if I was starving. And at $7.50, you're looking at an expensive burrito, even if it is the size of your head. My chicken burrito featured a lukewarm and floppy flour tortilla, an egg long past overcooked, barely discernible avocado mash, dry, rubbery potatoes that were chopped very long before they were cooked, and wet, salty, stringy chicken.
NorCal is by no means a winner in the Mexican food category, and I am no breakfast burrito snob, but I'd rather visit Chipotle than stop by here.
Bottom Line: =( -
Review from Bill L.
Seattle, WA
2/25/2012
The Farmer's Breakfast was quite tasty! At $7.50, probably the best deal on the menu. Most things were ~$7--not exactly '$', but I guess not '$$' either. The decor was '$' level, but that's what gives it "character." I was annoyed that, with only three, people in the place, they couldn't be bothered to let me know that my food was ready (standing around, instead), so it sat on the counter foo a while (thus a 1-star downgrade).
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Review from Leo W.
2/3/2012
Not the nicest place, but they do great breakfast and lunch items. Try the chocolate crepes.
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Review from zach h.
Greenbrae, CA
1/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Good breakfast place. I've only had the crepes, but I'm definitely a fan. The crepes are fairly large and pretty good, and they'll let you add any ingredient you want for a little extra (I've gotten some weird looks before for some combinations). The only reason it's getting 3 stars instead of 4 is that even with the "add an ingredient" option, there still isn't a very large selection.
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Review from Priscilla V.
Eugene, OR
Updated - 4/15/2011
http://www.youtube.com...
Check out our video review of Cafe Siena1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/19/2010
Cafe Siena always has great food.
they have large portions for cheap prices.
if your looking for… Read more »
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Review from R T.
Springfield, OR
8/8/2011
Just look at the picture of that burrito. You know DAMN well you would eat that. You'd eat all of it. You'd sweat that burrito til the plate reflected your content ugly mug.
The price:portion:taste is very good. I love the availability of fresh red and verde salsa for dressing up your food as you see fit. -
Review from T C.
Rochester, NY
2/5/2012
Look, Siena's chilaquiles are delicious evil soaking sponges that come into their own the morning after a proper night out. Lovingly basted in their delicious salsa verde, their cheesy bricks of goodness may cause you to forget about the perfectly cooked eggs and crispy homefries beside them. Should you eat these before a vigorous run? It's unknown, as no post-chiliaquiles run has ever been vigorous. They are sloth inducing vipers of tamalesque indulgence. Siena's Chilaquiles, btw, are made with masa instead chips, so prepare yourself for a variation on this dish rather than blah blah blah authentic. Other dishes are fine but I rarely get them. This is one of my never-missed stops when I come through Eugene.
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Review from Evan C.
Eugene, OR
10/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Huevos Rancheros make me happier than any fully grown human should get from a breakfast. I can't even call it the 'best' breakfast I've had, and it definitely isn't close to the fanciest. But it satisfies on a whole other level, and the fresh squeezed juice just takes it even higher. For those days you have to skip breakfast to make it to class on time, and feel ready to eat two dozen horses as soon as lunch/brunch rolls around.
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Review from Nancy J.
Eugene, OR
1/9/2011
I would have loved this place when I was in college -- comfort food in large portions at reasonable prices. I can see why it is so popular on campus. We found the food to be decent. The potatoes todo were cooked to a nice crisp with lots of mushrooms (and made even better after a trip to the "salsa bar" for some green salsa and squirt of sour cream) but the spinach was the frozen variety. The blackberry crepe, a healthy portion also, was smothered in whipped cream and berries (again, the frozen variety). Small fresh-squeezed OJ was also a generous serving and for just over $2 is a great deal -- but they need to give the pitcher a stir before pouring as one of our servings was completely watery (yet still good).
I would have awarded four stars had this place not been so filthy. Lots of tables were empty during our visit but all were covered in crumbs and spilled messes. The silverware was not super clean, and the serving utensils and containers at the salsa bar were grimy ... ick. Floor was horrible. I might return but my kids said they don't want to visit again because it's too dirty! The tubs for bussing one's own table were almost floor level ... really tough on someone with a bad back.
Staff was nice. -
Review from Alicia Y.
Eugene, OR
9/23/2010
Wandered into this establishment today looking for a quick lunch and ordered a small chicken burrito. Reading the ingredients included in the burrito (chicken, rice, beans, sour cream, guac ,cheese and maybe a few more) I was initially expecting a burrito ala Qdoba or Chipotle-something wrapped up in foil that I could eat on the run. Instead, for $5.95, I ended up with a a bonafide lunch plate with a decent sized burrito, with rice and beans on the side. I was surprised, but it was a happy surprise.
As for the quality of the food- will I be dreaming about their food in my sleep? Probably not. But will I be back when I'm on campus and I need a pretty tasty, definitely filling meal? Probably so. -
Review from Rebecca H.
Los Angeles, CA
8/22/2010
Disclaimer: I'm a tourist visiting this town. I don't mean to dump on a beloved local institution. If you like Cafe Siena, good on you. Don't listen to me. I'm full of crap.
Review/Rant: This is the worst "Mexican Breakfast" that I have ever had, and if you grew up in California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or even, well, Mexico, you would do best to avoid it.
Why? Because overcooked potatoes, burned onions and peppers, dry eggs and a teeny tiny shred of chorizo (oh, yeah, and two slices of toast with strawberry jam) do not deserve the power and glory of the name "Mexican Breakfast."
Likewise, "chilaquiles" is a brick of undercooked masa covered in shredded yellow cheese served along a fist-sized lump of sour cream. The name "tamale pie" would be more apt and less likely to inspire rancor in people who expect the usual dish of shredded tortillas. Eating this version was like eating baby food.
Huevos rancheros were runny beans with two eggs on top, pretty hard to screw up but here, pretty bland.
Plus two orange juices (the best part of the meal), you're looking at $21 down the drain. That's not cheap.
Oh, yeah, you have to bus your plates, which I do gladly if the food is good. Doing it here felt like giving a free hand job. And regardless of what the boys say down at the truckstop, I don't give those anymore.
Conclusion: You deserve better, Eugene! -
Review from David H.
Portland, OR
8/18/2010
This place makes the best breakfast in town and you will never be disappointed with wait-time. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for my order AND food. I don't know how they make it so fast from scratch, but I would like to learn how so I can make a bomb breakfast when I'm in a rush to get somewhere. For no more than $8, you can get anything from an omelette, burrito, quesadilla, huevos rancheros, scramble, bagel, and whatever else I can't think of off the top of my head. If you're a hungry person, you will LOVE this place. The burritos here are about the same size as a Qdoba burrito, but you also get a side of beans and Mexican rice for the same exact price. Additionally, guacamole is a staple and not an extra charge. You will not be disappointed by the food.
Although you're only paying between $6-8 for your meal, you're not going to get a lot of things that you would expect from a traditional American restaurant. The place is small and simple--you might even feel like it's a little cheap in there. All the tables are tiny 2-person tables and the chairs feel frail. Occasionally, you might find a fly or two buzzing around the place. You seat yourself and you grab your own utensils, water, and condiments (salsa, tapatio, etc.). You also bus your own table. But the food is so great for the price, that I have overlooked those things during each of my visits. Ideally, you would order the meal to go and eat at a comfortable place.
Great place for great food. If you can look past the atmosphere, you'll love this place. -
Review from kati b.
Eugene, OR
11/19/2010
I love Cafe Sienna! Delicious breakfasts - whether you are in the mood for a hearty Mexican breakfast, elegant crepes, a traditional scramble, or a quick bagel sandwich. Or eschew breakfast all together and go for a burrito!
The veggie quesadilla with scrambled eggs, beans & rice is my fave. The berry crepes are good too. And chilequiles are another tasty and unique option. Awesome Roma's coffee and cheap fresh squeezed orange juice round out the meal. Oh - and the salsa/pepper bar is yummy too. Wonderful green salsa!
They are friendly, fast, affordable, and great about substitutions too. Plus they always have some fun, funky art on the walls and a good selection of breakfast reading material. I'd take brekkies at Cafe Sienna over the Glenwood any day! -
Review from Terry W.
7/10/2011
Cheap, filling, fast, unspectacular. Good for starving students or hungover, starving students.
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Review from Jenny y.
Corvallis, OR
3/12/2010 6 photos
Best breakfast place to be. I really like this place, the burritos are great! I always get an omelet because they know how to make them just perfect. the ingredients they use are fresh and tasty!
[-] Your clothes will smell a bit greasy/smokey after staying there for a while. Occasionally during the summer, flies will land on your table to hang out with you.
Otherwise, great food. It's best if you take it to go! -
Review from Roman S.
10/9/2008
By far the best breakfast place around campus.
It has delicious breakfast and lunch food.
Crepes, Burritos, Bagels, Scrambles etc.. lots of choices but you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. If you like carrot juice you should try it here. -
Review from Meggie W.
Eugene, OR
4/30/2007
Excellent crepes. I ordered the blackberry ones and am pleased to report that they came covered in whipped cream and real blackberries instead of some syrupy crap. The orange juice is expensive ($3 a glass!) but I'm pretty sure it's the best that I've ever had.
The place is a little messy and the chairs a little wobbly but the service is fast and friendly and there's a lot of interesting art on the walls to look at. -
Review from Erin B.
Seattle, WA
7/3/2011
Yum! I will be putting tortilla chips and jalapenos in my eggs from here on out. I wish I lived closer so that I could try more menu items. Everything looked fantastic.
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Review from Anthony R.
Eugene, OR
11/8/2005
Siena serves a wide variety of Mexican breakfast specialties, scrambles, bagel sandwiches, and a staggering selection of sweet and savory crepes. The fresh-squeezed OJ here is always the best in town, and the service is fast and friendly.
I've frequently made a meal out of a bowl of fried potatoes with cheese and a stack of fresh tortillas. Salsas, chiles, and other condiments round out the meal--a very filling breakfast or lunch for under five dollars. (More with OJ).
The crepes are delicious too!Listed in: Cheap Eats
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Review from Wella A.
Eugene, OR
4/5/2010
Once upon a time (last month), I ate a lot of carbs. And this little taqueria is all about the infamous macronutrient.
The generous chicken burrito I ordered for a lunch takeout, for instance, was enough to feed for me a day (though I scarfed it down in half a day because my stomach is a rock star!). And it also came with rice and beans to spike my insulin high enough to reach the moon.
I've also had their amazing Mexican breakfast scramble feast with a friend. She and I should've split the order that came heaping with potatoes. Oh dear god it was potatoes galore! They also have a salsa bar that featured their fresh mild variety to the saucy hot, which I prefer.
For the budget-conscious, Cafe Siena is going to be your dining out haven. Meals are ridiculously affordable. Heck, students live here to eat.
And though my carb frenzy is currently on pause (I refuse to condemn myself to an eternity without my beloved grain....oh you wicked, wicked grain!), I'll look forward to the moment when I step foot again in this unassuming establishment for that simple sugar rush. -
Review from George C.
Eugene, OR
8/9/2010
Brooke C- let me explain that "technique" that they have mastered. They use a non-stick pan to cook the eggs! So your eggs don't get any of that delicious brown egg "lace" (since the fringes of the eggs don't stick to the pan long enough to become caramelized and crispy) and they look white and pretty. You also might get a small serving of teflon with your breakast...
I ordered the Chilaquiles and was really surprised. Every other time I have tried chilaquiles, I've not been a fan. The typical preparation is to make them with old/leftover tortillas that have been cut into strips. Cafe Sienna instead uses the dough (masa) before it gets flattened and seared off into a tortilla. This is the same dough that is used to make the exterior of tamales. I really liked their preparation.
The rest of the meal came with potatoes with 2 of those non-stick picture perfect eggs resting on top. Potatoes were cooked and seasoned well. I tried a dining companion's scramble. Ingredients tasted fresh, but I am glad I ordered what I ordered.
OJ was great.
Place is fast, staff is nice, food tastes fresh, and is a very good value for the money. I look forward to trying their crepes and other specialties in the future. -
Review from lulubelle l.
San Mateo, CA
3/2/2011
Loved this place...we had just gotten off a plane and were ready to have breakfast. Walked into a nearby pancake restaurant, saw a crowd of 30 waiting and remembered that Cafe Siena was nearby! It's a down-home off-campus cafe frequented by UO students, with Mexican and traditional American breakfasts available. Had a hearty scrambled egg, bacon, ham, mushrooms, onions, etc. dish with tortillas for $6.50, enough to feed 2 people!
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Review from Vince B.
Eugene, OR
8/13/2011
Best restaurant on 13th without question. People are friendly, food is amazing (farmers breakfast with extra avocado is a personal favorite) and the place is smothered in amazing artwork. Only thing is that they close super early, so make sure to get there before 4.
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Review from Emily S.
Eugene, OR
7/22/2009
We love, love, love this place! The people who work there are friendly, and the atmosphere is super quirky... mostly college students, family and us. A rotating gallery of art.
The fresh squeezed orange juice is perhaps the best in town, and the portions are enormous. I usually get three meals out of my breakfast. They are very generous with their salsas and jalepenos, and you can add at will. Some of the salsas, like the salsa verde, seem fresh or at least they've added fresh components to is. I usually get a scramble with veggies, while my husband likes the the scrambles with tortilla chips. The crepes, both savory and sweet are very well done. -
Review from Carrie A.
Eugene, OR
7/22/2009
I hate the fresh-squeezed orange juice that everyone else in Eugene seems to love (it's SO pulpy). But Cafe Siena has delicious crepes, potatoes, bagels, and espresso drinks, and they also offer a wide variety of egg dishes and burritos. It's an awesome value, too; the portions are big, and the prices are small. It's win win (win).
There isn't a lot of seating, and the place can feel crowded and messy sometimes, but it's definitely worth it. Best breakfast on campus. -
Review from Jason K.
Berkeley, CA
2/24/2007
Huevos Rancheros, Crepes, Bagels, and many other breakfast options await you at Siena Cafe.
As a "hole in the wall restaurant", it was slightly messy when I first came in... and I have the impression that it is usually like this. When you order your food, you get a number, and then in about 5 minutes, they call your number and you go and get your food. The Huevos Rancheros that I had was good, and the orange juice was pretty amazing. You bus your own tables when you are finished.
Definitely will be coming back! -
Review from Gary S.
Eugene, OR
4/9/2010
Anyone from the northeast, or anywhere for that matter, who enjoys a tasty ham, egg, and cheese for breakfast must get one from this place. No rolls like back east, however they have great bagels and cannot go wrong. And yes, they make it with a real egg cooked in a pan. Not some pressed, microwaved thing like you get at Bagel Schmere or a fast food joint.
Just be careful, this thing will drip on you if you are not careful! -
Review from d p.
Baldwin City, KS
9/18/2011
Good breakfast, but coffee expensive... $3 for 1.5 cups. No free refills.
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Review from Kief V.
Eugene, OR
6/4/2011
If you're looking for the most bang for your buck than go to cafe siena. Not the most authentic or flavorful Mexican, but it's cheap, fast, and close to campus.
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Review from Rob S.
Boston, MA
4/4/2011
Large. Beef. Burrito. This was a godsend to me during my time at UO. They whip it up fast and that heaping plate never disappointed! The folks behind the counter were always quite friendly also, if a little pre-occupied with cooking tasty Mexican breakfast at warp speed. If you like to go big, I highly recommend Cafe Siena.
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Review from Marcel X.
Eugene, OR
5/20/2011
This is my favorite place to spend $7. Best hangover food in town.
Burritos and the scramble #2 are my favorites.
The burrito is the size of your face. Its got potatoes, fried egg, avocado, meat or veggies and is surrounded by lots of cheese, rice and beans and a dab of sour cream. Throw some jalapenos and verde salsa on top and your set.
My only knock on it is that the chicken sometimes tastes more like tuna.
The scramble #2 is a great vegetarian breakfast. Eggs, spinach, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, rice, cheese and 2 tortillas.
Fresh orange juice is sooo good, and horchata is good too.
The food is really good, but not the place to take the family for sunday brunch. Its definately a dive. -
Review from Erin M.
Eugene, OR
11/18/2011
Amazing breakfast. Delicious rice and home cooked beans. The chilaquiles are a must! The place I go for comfort food.
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Review from Big Eared M.
Eugene, OR
1/27/2011
A great place for Mexican breakfast or lunch or dinner. The "Small" chicken or beef burrito is huge with a plate of beans and rice. The large includes potatoes and an egg inside as well. I pride myself on being able to eat but a large is too much! Been here multiple times and will be back in the future as well. Great campus eats!
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Review from antonio o.
Eugene, OR
1/19/2010
Big breakfast. Mexican! Have great crepes and bagel sandwiches too. But Mexican breakfast, and done well.
Listed in: Mexi Chow
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Review from Cass A.
Springfield, OR
12/19/2010
Cheap authentic Mexican. My favorite breakfast/lunch spot on campus. Definitely worth every penny & worth supporting! Love me the chicken burrito.
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Review from Carly E.
Thousand Oaks, CA
9/12/2010
Great food and a great value!!
