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Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional)
Neighborhoods: Ocean Beach, Point LomaMon-Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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That's it! I hate OB! It's the dirtiest, grossest, most disgusting place on the west coast...but that being said I love this breakfast place.
For the most part, we (my friends/kids/inlaws) never had a name for this place. We just called it the breakfast place.
It's absurdly cheap and I can get what I want. 2 eggs over easy with bacon, hashbrowns and toast.
The only warning here is that the only good servers are early in the mornings on the good days. They always told my little girl she was so pretty and were super nice and kept refilling her water, but the woman who works there are off days and in the afternoon is only to be spoken to in Spanish.
Wow...that makes me sound super mean, but my kids all speak Spanish and realize when the waitress says mean remarks to us to hurry the fu** up.
I don't care if it's 2 in the afternoon and it's an hour from closing, if I want some breakfast I want some breakfast, and so do my kids. If you wanted to stop serving at 2, why not close at 2?
Server in the afternoon...
You're lame. You're mean, too. I may not speak Spanish and get the under your breath sayings but my children do and they shouldn't be learning that kind of Spanish. What does pinche guero mean again?
When I first moved to Ocean Beach a friend and long time OB resident was insistent about me checking this place out. A little diner open for breakfast and lunch, it has quickly become one of my favorite places to grab either in my hood. For someone who dines alone as much as I do this place is perfect.
It's probably the best diner meal you can get for under 8 bucks. If you like biscuits and gravy OTH's will make you happier than MC hammer in some 5X parachute pants singing "Can't Touch This."
Besides the fact that they do an excellent breakfast inexpensively, the place has character. It kinda makes me feel like I'm in a movie. In fact, the first time I walked by there was a crew filming one. It's that type of diner.
The service is always very friendly and witty. For anyone who has ever worked in a service job, I would compare it to the super cheesy orientation tapes that employers make you watch before you start. Some of them you think to yourself, "there's now way anyone can be that nice." Well they are that nice here. Definitely like something out of a movie.
A hidden gem that I would highly recommend to anyone. It's 2 Legit To Quit!
Ocean Beach is such an awesome little community. I love the hippie, stoner/surfer vibe that I'm hit with whenever I come into this part of San Diego. I'll take Ocean Beach over Pacific Beach ANY DAY - beeleedat. While I enjoy living in Golden Hill, either Hillcrest or Ocean Beach would definitely be my next choice of places to live in SD. Beeleedat again!
Old Townhouse Restaurant (breakfast spot # 19) is in a gauntlet of shops located on Newport Avenue. Just about anything that you want to eat or drink can be found on this street. I'm not exactly sure how many places on Newport serve pancakes but I know OTR does, so that's where I went.
Just about every seat in the place was filled so I decided to sit at the counter. Where ever I go, my giraffe-like legs usually don't fit comfortably under counters such as these considering that I'm 6'5". I made do as I always do because that's what I do.
I ordered some pancakes (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) which were good. I also had some hash browns, eggs and bacon. The hash browns (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) were very familiar in taste. I liked 'em though they reminded me of another place. After a few more bites it hit me (no, not heartburn) - they remind me of the hash browns at DENNY'S! What?! Say it ain't so OTR! But they were good, so that was just straight-up weird. See, I LOATHE the hash browns at Denny's in all its previously frozen glory.
I wouldn't come here on a weekend due to the amount of time that you'd have to wait to get in. Lots of good people-watching can be accomplished if you can get a seat near the window. The folks working there were all pleasant - they actually seemed like they weren't being forced to do this due to a family member being held hostage out in the desert by some guy with an eye-patch and hair sticking out of his ears.
It is becoming a tradition for my boyfriend and I to come here on the weekends, friendly faces and damn good breakfast, they fill your coffee cup like 20 times each visit!
Cant wait for the weekend to go back there.
Open early, friendly staff, good prices.
BISCUIT SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!! BISCUIT SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!! I don't need to say anything else. I have been going to this place for many, many, many years. I love it. Just went on a roadtrip, the last thing I did before I left at 6:30am? Hit up the O.T.H. Great service, awesome food, usually run into friends down there.
The only thing that bugs about this place is the people that hover over you like carrion birds on the weekends waiting for tables. So I usually sit at the bar instead of getting a booth. You're less likely to have a hole stared through your head by the next group in line while finishing up your last few bites.
Oh and one of the guys that's cleans up the tables is constantly messing with you, he'll point at something just to make you look and then laughs. And he says "Meow", which always cracks me up.
There is no better hangover cure than OTH. I am from the South and their Biscuits and Gravy is the real deal--true perfection. They are fast and friendly too! Only drawback--long lines on the weekends. But totally worth the wait! OTH--thanks for being you!
In order to give full disclosure in my review I'd like to state that I'm not big on breakfast, so I order pancakes usually accompanied by some type for pork product when I visit an establishment like this.
That being said, I went here on Sunday for some pancakes and some biscuits and gravy (I'm sure there was some pork in the gravy) to do some carb loading and create a nice cushion for the dozens of crawfish and gallons of beer I was planning on consuming later in the day.
Pancakes: large diameter, golden, served with little parkay tubs (parkay?? get me some effin butter)
Biscuits: quite fluffy and flavorful
Gravy: gravy-like with good flavor, but not as thick as homemade.
Coffee: good
"Eye Openers" (a.k.a. breakfast booze): None offered!!! OTR you are missing out, you are surrounded by people who will drink 24/7 if availible.
Stools at the counter: Designed by either Gary Coleman or Emmanuel Lewis... OK yes, I'm 6'7"+ but come on! I was doing the splits to get my legs in.
Service: Warp speed! They turn people through here faster than a 5 year old can make a pair of Air Jordans.
Gross, i do not recommend the eggs Florentine they were inedible and i mean it. i sent it back.
i dont normally send food back but it was a must on this case! the sauce had no flavor and was tart. i mean really tart. the spinach was straight from a can, and fried. the english muffins well those were normal i guess.. i bite and i was ready to walk out on how gross it was!
they made up by just grabbing an egg and sausage with hash browns, those tasted normal. but i dont know if i ever wanna step foot there again... ugh... so nasty!
How weird that Edgar V was here recently! Old Townhouse must have some type of unexplained magnetism that draws Houstonians to it. I stumbled into Old Townhouse after a failed burger run. I needed to bulk up for the long day ahead and felt confident that this place could aid me in my time of need. The omelette "special"postings that riddle the front windows of Old Townhouse reassured me that everything would be alright.
So this place is a hardcore diner. The interior makes you feel like maybe you are lost in Jersey and hungry and maybe hanging out with a guy named Lou--but make no mistake about it, you're blocks away from the water. What's cool about the place is that everything is vintage; the booths, the chairs, the old man in the corner--even the register! The service is quick, dirty, aggressive, curt, and satisfying.
I went with the gyro omelette. It sounded strange and I was really hoping I didn't make a mistake ordering Greek diner food. My leap of faith, however, was a success! It's one of the stranger, yet delicious omellettes I've ever had. I wouldn't mind giving this place another visit to try some of the others. Kudos to the haphazard omelette sign posting--the tactic works!
Oh yea. it's good. it's not fancy, it's not pretty, it's just a good diner with good diner food. the waffles are typically crispy and light, the chili cheese omelettes just like i remember from childhood. good strong coffee, nice waitresses, great prices (a waffle and coffee for under 5 bucks!)
i really don't like being in OB for any reason, but this place is worth the trip. nice to have an early breakfast, stroll the streets without worrying about the colorful OB regulars, and watch the waves break on the cool sand.
Eating at the Old Townhouse for the first time was such a bitter-sweet experience. After living in OB for years, I went here for the first time exactly one week before I was moving, and this, my friends, was a travesty.
As far as diner's go, this is THE spot. They serve up deliciously greasy breakfast items, fast, and cheap. For $7 you can get a biscuit with gravy, 3 eggs, sausage and hashbrowns!!
If you are looking for a good diner in OB, or place to stave off a long evening that involved too many alcoholic beverages, then head on down to the Old Townhouse, and feed that nasty hang over.
Three words; HONESTY, INTEGRITY, & DELICIOUS.
Always great service, always good food, and a comfortably clean atmosphere reminiscent of the 1950's without the kitsch. They have pictures of San Diego's beautiful coastline, and hot coffee set to eternal pour!
I've been here more times than I can count and I've never left disappointed.
I have always called this place: "Breakfast all day" (because of the sign) when I lived right behind it in OB.
Great hangover food ;)
Wait staff was friendly and swift. Classic OB where if you wanted to you could go in your PJs and no one would judge you.
Food was alright. You can get your all American breakfast here.
Coffee sucked, but that's about the only negative thing I can say.
Nothing much else to say which is rare for me.
Cheers!
Really good food and great servive. I'll come back again.
Come here if you want a well-made no-frills breakfast that will leave you full, a bottomless cup of decent coffee, and to be served by friendly and smiling staff... all for $10-11 after tax/tip. (Yes, it's cash only. If you don't carry around at least that little cash on a regular basis, then you're a slave to your plastic and need professional help.)
The menu is basic Americana breakfast, with some "South of the Border" options thrown in and a pretty good omelet selection. The food comes to you quickly, your coffee is continually serviced, and they don't try to pressure you to leave. If you're feeling in the mood, they also serve stiff mimosas.
Are there hipper places to eat breakfast in San Diego? Yes, of course; the Hash House in Hillcrest immediately comes to mind. But the wait in line will be much longer, the atmosphere will be louder and more crowded, you'll feel that they are trying to make the food too hip, and you'll leave substantially poorer.
omg. I come here at least once a week and have ordered the same thing for years, and its always delectable. The biscuits and gravy are to die for, Ive gone around town trying to find someone that makes it as well as they do. No chance. I you want a great breakfast i would highly recommend this hidden gem
Okay, let's get this first out of the way: This place is a breakfast dive. (Props to Eug K for mentioning it earlier). So, if you want chi-chi frou-frou breakfast, you can stop reading and choose another place.
Continuing to channel my inner explorer (Pizarro?), I picked up May/Dec Gay Couple to break them out of their hotel breakfast rut and whisked them to Ocean Beach. We lucked out and scored a parking spot a block away. The place was packed when we got there and I didn't show myself as the tourist by just standing there slack-jawed at the door - yes, I read the sign to seat yourself and, by golly, I led my party to the promised land (aka a booth).
Promptly handed menus by a sweetheart of a waitress, I ordered the Town House Special. Consisting of two eggs, sausage or ham, hash browns or home fries, and french toast, this monster costs $7. In a sign of the subsequent carb coma, I have no idea what Miss Peaches or Nelly had but they did order similar specials. Those notorious queens scarfed down all of their food so it must have been good.
The TH special was good and filling. I was stuffed before getting to the five slices of french toast on a separate plate waiting for me. They should have warned me of this amount of food! But, I couldn't just leave it there, ya know? There ARE starving children in Africa/India/China that could have subsisted for weeks on this amount of French toast. The toast was a bit lackluster but made acceptable with a good drizzling of syrup and ladling of the accompanying pats of Parkay.
Our sweetheart waitress did her bit for good karma in warning away Nelly from ordering a sweet roll, which she indicated were stale. Kudos to her for not just taking the order and letting Nelly eat that hockey puck.
This place attracts a wide variety of people (this is a good thing). Even a jaded pair like May and December didn't flinch and we blended into the mix as a local group - as much as three gay Texans can blend.
Mom and Dad ate here. Like, all the time.
Twice a year is enough for me. For breakfast.
I like Breakfast dives. As far as they go this one fit the bill. Pretty average menu but a lot of local charm. It was jam packed compared to many of the other Breakfast places so it must be doing something right.
1 word of advice. They don't seat you. Sometimes there are some morons who don't read the HUGE SIGN and don't understand you're supposed to seat yourself. I HATE ARBITRARY LINES made by conformists. After seeing several locals pass up these white college students and sit down I did the same. If there are open tables just pass up these morons so they learn the value of reading.
The Platonic ideal of a breakfast joint:
- Tasty food
- Cheap
- Divey 70s look
- Quick and friendly service
- Mimosas
The standard by which all others shall be compared.
I am FLABBERGASTED that i have yet to review my FAVORITE place in san diego. I go to the old townhouse at least once a week, sometimes more. My boyfriend and I have become locals there. Actually the other day my favorite server already knew that I was having a diet coke (yes i'm an earlier morning soda drinker) anyways- so that was awesome. i tried the biscuits and gravy and i always get fries (I love the fries there). Anyways- i'm from the east coast (yes yes ensue east coast jokes) and so I love the diner feel...I would love to just go in and just paint the walls and re do the artwork- but WHY it is such a grea tlittle place, i realy love it and the owners and all that work are soooo friendly and really wonderful people. I love being able to give them weekly business cuase they are just really great people. I'll obviously be back- probably tomorrow...haaha.
Getting a table...You have to wait for a table and pretty much seat yourself, even if there are plates on the table. Just grab it, someone will come by quickly to clean up. You can just fit 4 adults in a booth; it was a tight fit for 3 adults and 2 kids.
Food...I got the Eggs Benedict, my sis got the hash special, and her BF got an omelet. The kids got an order of waffles and hash browns. The food is nothing to brag about, but it came quick. I wouldn't recommend the waffle it was some limp thin round thing. My eggs were ok, the english muffin could have been toasted more. I didn't feel the need to steal food from other people since it wasn't all that appealing.
The waitress was friendly and kept the coffee coming. I might come back if I was in the area and wanted a cheap breakfast, but I wouldn't go out of the way to come here.
Two stars is for the really great wait staff and the edible biscuits and gravy. They will make you eggs any way you like them unless you want them to separate out the yellows and make you just egg whites. I realize that takes an additional 20 seconds, but C-MON! The waitress was great but unless you are like Ryan S and are just eating there because you want to bang her, you would be better off going to one of the many awesome breakfast places that San Diego has to offer. Also, it's cash only.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz... Zzzzzzzzzzzzz... someone wake me up when this place decides to put any type of seasoning or creativity into its dishes...
I have friends that swear by this place "greatest biscuits and gravy evvver"... "oh maan... i love the townhouse" ... yaaaaaawwwnnn...
You could make better food in your house, blinfolded, drugged and with with one arm.
Heres the gooood news! If you don't like flavor... you don't like taste.. you don't like seasoning.. and you don't like your taste buds... saddle up to the bar... grab a cup of coffee and watch the ob weirdos pour in and out of this place. Hey... now thats worth a generic $7 diner style greasy omelette anyday!
as satisfying as beating up a faggy goth kid and stealing his Virginia Slims cigarettes; is breakfast at the Old Townhouse
have you ever had a plate of food so good put in front of you that you just wanted to have sex with it? ...probably not, huh? ...DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE I'M DIFFERENT!!!!!
this place gets my first five star rating EVER because the only thing better than wanting to have sex with your food...is wanting to have sex with the waitress too...
your breakfast will run you probably under $7, and be brought to you in record time. .. most would give this place a star off because there is always a line out the door around 11 am on weekends...WELL I DON'T GET UP BEFORE 1 ON WEEKENDS, SO I'M NOT DEDUCTING A GODDAMN THING!!!
it closes at 3 pm, but thats when i start drinking, anyway, so who cares?
If this place were next to Southern Kitchen in Los Gatos, this place would be out of business. The biscuit special is not special. Hence, it should not be called biscuit special. Coffee was gross, but hash brown and eggs were decent. Cash only.
I came here for a breakfast-as-lunch the other day, and I left impressed (since I was looking for simple food ... think hangover remedy).
It's got that run-down OB charm, which is perfect for a low-key diner joint. The food is punch-you-in-your-face inexpensive. You can easily walk away sated for six bucks or so. But I've got hungry eyes. (Ha! Earworm! "I feel the magic between you and I...")
They have a series of 'specials' that consist of a carb (pancakes, french toast, biscuit & gravy), sausage or bacon, three eggs, and hash browns. I got the biscuits-and-gravy special. The gravy was a bit too rich in sodium (i.e. salty), so I couldn't finish it. Other than that, everything was serviceable - good 'ol 'murican food.
The waitress was diner-ey (i.e. prompt and full of friendly sass). The place was 100% free of presumption. Delightful!
Oh, and know this ahead of time - cash only.
LOVE THIS PLACE! Best breakfast in OB in my opinion (with the exception of a breakfast burrito from Nicos). This is the type of downhome diner we all crave on Sunday mornings...hence the lines out the door on many occasions! They are very fairly priced, the service is fast and the food is always delicious. I often go for the cornbeef hash and eggs or french toast, but have had a large variety of items, even lunch stuff, and everything is always very good. And they have Cinnamon toast....yum! Is it gourmet? Hell no! Which is exactly why I like it! This is a no-frills place that serves up great food and a decent price....but bring your cash - no credit cards accepted! (which is pretty common in OB, so stop bitching about it people!)
I love this breakfast joint. The food is double-take cheap (sometimes less than three bucks, always less than five), and good. And they refill your coffee like they know you haven't slept all night and have a presentation in 45 minutes.
Phenomenal biscuits and gravy.
AV
My folks (ex-hippies from Pennsylvania) are absolutely drawn to Ocean Beach and insist on staying there for at least part of their yearly visits. I'm not a huge fan, but I always enjoy grabbing breakfast at the Old Townhouse restaurant. My favorite: the cheese and avocado omelet. Giant, not too greasy and surely not a healthy choice for daily consumption. Great for special occasions though, like a visit from the parents.
Coffee's good too. Cheap!
A 1950's era leftover cash-only beach diner . Consistently good breakfast food. Large portions and low prices. Endless average coffee. No lines on weekdays. Good for groups of 2 to 4 (on weekdays). Free street parking can be found near by except during weekly farmers market and weekends.
Cheap and quick breakfast place in OB. It's on the same block as the OB Hostel. Breakfast menu is all American and portions are generous and filling. Can get a meal and coffee for under 7$. They also serve lunch.
Seating at bar is the way to go if it's just you and another person. Otherwise there's often a line out the door on weekends. Friendly, family run business.
It's a typical run-down diner that looks like it's still surviving from the 50's, but that's part of it's charm. It's the best breakfast you could ever have after a night of drinking or a long morning surf session.
I love the Townhouse. . . I highly recommend the avocado and cheese omelet. Their waffles are good, too. Come early on the weekend or expect to line up like it's a night club.
EXCELLENT chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy. Very cheap. Tiny booths.
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