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Mon., Wed-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
I don't know what to make of the big void of interesting brunch places between Palo Alto and Los Gatos... There's Hobbees, which is okay, and then??? We just moved back from Washington DC where they take weekend brunch really seriously, and so it's a little disappointing there's not much around our parents'.
So I trusted Yelp to find a nice brunch and I went here with a small group that had a smattering of everything. I had the chocolate pancakes which I liked a lot. Pretty large 8' with surprisingly nice consistency across the width of the pancake. Had some satisfying hash browns. And, also some typical, uninteresting diner coffee. My friends' food looked fine.
If we lived closer I think we'd be regulars just because it feels so friendly and cozy and it's in the neat Los Altos downtown area.
I really wish I could give the place 3 and a half but I do think it's a good place to eat. Here's my reasoning:
1. Cozy little hole in the wall feel. Seems like a couple runs it. Hubby in the back doing the cooking and wifey running around taking orders and being bright cheery hostess.
2. Locals come her on the regular. She knows some by name, most by face. She knew mine even thought I had been here a handful of times. Impressive.
3. Service is fast but it's usually the wifey and the daughter who do the serving here and since it's setup with a short bar and small tables scattered throughout the small diner-esque shop and small outdoor section in back, there really is a lot of running about to do.
4. Food is pretty good. I haven't been disappointed but nothing has really wowed me either. Tastes like home for some I suppose... cooked well but not exactly on point. I prefer things cooked perfectly. Seasoning is usually on point. Nothing is too salty or too bland. This is pretty important to me so I commend them for it. Lovely hash browns from thin sliced potatoes and pan fried. Coffee isn't great. Chocolate chip pancakes had the right amt of chips in them and were moist.
5. Cash only. Annoying but I guess I understand. Pricing is a tad pricier than what you'd expect from the diner-like menu offerings.
So you see, 3.5 is a tad more accurate but the atmosphere, the friendliness, I think is what keeps the regulars coming back. The food is pretty good to boot but nothing very fancy. You're paying for comfort here.
What a little gem! A few friends and I went on a hike up at Rancho and wanted brunch at a little place that would be a step up from Denny's. I can't believe I've lived here for so long and didn't know this place existed.
The restaurant is small and cozy with a quaint, country feel. The British gentleman who took our order was very sweet as was the rest of the wait staff. They gave great service and the only time they were slow was when we waited for our check. But we were happily chatting so it was fine.
The food also did not disappoint. Among our party we had corned beef hash, eggs, hashbrowns, blueberry pancakes (which actually had whole blueberries sandwiched in between), eggs benedict, and ham along with some OJ and coffee. Everything tasted so good! Hashbrowns were crunchy, corned beef wasn't too salty, and the pancakes were really tasty. And the coffee was also really delicious.
We plan on another hike this weekend so maybe we'll be visiting here again.
After trying some of the other local spots for breakfast we keep coming back to this one. The staff is friendly (i.e., greeting you in a BIG way!) and attentive.
The menu is fairly diverse and the food is pretty good. If you're a pancake fan then you'd like theirs - they're done perfectly each time I order them. Another positive - they have quite a few vegetarian options on the menu.
In the front it's a counter with bar stools (old diner style) and a few booths. Out back they have a patio area with tables that they share with the Mexican restaurant next door. Nice place if you want to avoid the noise from the street and/our you have a dog. They're always quick to bring some fresh water out for our dog!
I'd give it FIVE STARS if they'd upgrade their coffee....it's just okay-ish and often not very warm. Doesn't do justice to the yummy pancakes so I'm hoping that they rethink this part of the dining experience.
----- Breakfast and lunch only.
----- No credit cards - just cash.
The good:
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip pancakes.
Yummy eggs.
Friendly service...Julie rocks!
Old school counter and spin chairs
The bad, questionable and funny:
Cash only...not good in this day and age.
Mounds of imitation crabmeat in an omelette. Funny.
Restaurant spelled wrong on the marquis
Went on at Sat. am at 10:30, the front was filled but the back dining was empty, a few were seated outside on the rear covered Patio. I loved the small, homey feel to the place and the staff was very friendly. We ordered eggs blackstone, spicy scramble with chorizo, OJ and one coffee. $27. Loved the meal, so much so, ate it so quickly, didn't take my usual pics. OJ isn't fresh squeezed but still hit the spot. Friend didn't notice the specials on 8.5x11 paper signs, they also have fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, lattes and cappucinos and waffles with blueberries. My eggs blackstone came with cottage fries and cut melon cubes. Around $9.
Even with the rain, the place was still well attended. You can tell, locals come here. Home home cooking then gourmet.
Bathroom is odd, only one for women and men and in a tiny closet/hallway near the rear dining area. Parking is easy with the lots all around.
A friendly little family restaurant - good for breakfast or lunch in a cosy location downtown Los Altos.
Good breakfast food.
Friendly, but slow service.
OK coffee.
Nuff said.
Last visit was very odd...
I've been to this place a couple of times before and the experience has been alright. They're definitely better than IHOP or Denny's, but sometimes I just feel like I don't belong here because I'm not from this area, and I'm not in a first name basis with the people that run this place.
Anyhow, my last visit went kinda odd...
Our food arrived much slower than usual (at least 30mins after ordering). They did say we got there right after everyone else did, and that's why it was slow. We were also stuck in the back next to the outside door leading to the patio, so it was cold.
Like others had said, they only take cash, and the bank/ATM next door charges $3 if you're not a member. Of course we didn't have cash, so we asked where the nearest bank is, and lady said it's next door, and we can leave our driver's license and go get cash. My fiance' went and I stayed so we didn't need to leave our driver's license.
When she came back, I gave one of the guys $60 for our $42 meal, and he came back with my change. I left $6 plus change in tip and left.
We parked at the lot across the street, so after leaving we crossed the street towards our car. That's when I heard someone yelling "Excuse me!". I turned around and I saw a lady across the street yelling for me. I started walking back and asked what's going on. Then she yelled out... "You only left $6, the bill is $42!" Now I'm confused, embarrassed and thinking to myself, "I know this is Los Altos, but dang, how much tip do you want?"
She then asked me if I paid, or if that was for tip. I said, I did pay, and that was for tip.
By this time I was across the street, on the store's side, and saw that everyone's looking at me like I'm some outsider ripping off a local store owner. I explained to her I paid one of the guys, and I left a $6 tip. She then looked inside and asked the guy if I had paid. The guy said I did pay.
I thought the whole thing was kinda odd. I mean, they saw my fiance' leave for the bank and comeback with cash. Why would we ditch the bill and leave only $6? Why didn't she asked the people that works there before running and yelling at me from across the street?
It was really embarrassing, and I'm definitely not coming back here.
Old-fashioned, neighborhood hole in the wall with funky dated decor, good food, personable service. We're regulars. It's currently our fave breakfast spot.
Probably the very best dog-ok patio in South Bay/Peninsula! Tables in the spacious patio are not too close to each other and therefore you don't need to worry about customers who don't like sitting too close to your pooches. Also, giant breeds such as Newfs, Great Danes, and Great Prys will not have a problem "fitting in." The owners don't just tolerate dogs; they welcome dogs. In fact, I was told that many dog-walkers patronize this place regularly. I'd give 10* (out of 5) to the ambience and dog-friendliness.
The food was ok--I had a traditional breakfast. The hashbrown was crispy and the Denver omelette was not bad. I probably would avoid the milkshake (yeah, I am a total pig--I had a shake for breakfast). So, I'd give the food 3.5* (out of 5) .
Overall, compared to Bill's in Willow Glen, the Village Pantry has more spacious dog-ok seating though the food at Bill's is surely better. Bear in mind, though, that Bill's serves the very best breakfast in the entire Bay Area (IMHO). That's a standard that's hard to beat.
Seriously now, how hard is it to do breakfast? Eggs, toast and hashbrowns are all pretty easy. Walk around with a pot of coffee and occasionally top off the cups. These things seem foreign to these guys.
Yikes!
We were sat right off the front dining area, on the way to the patio. You would guess that this would get us plenty of attention for table service...but keep guessing! One small cup of coffee was never refilled. I'm sorry, but the place says COFFEE SHOP right on the front of the building!
The promptness of service to supply what I anticipated as a tasty start to my day was nowhere to be found. Then the food arrived and I realized why they were reluctant to bring it out. Both my sister's and my meals didn't even attain a mediocre level for quality. Portions were small and nothing was really cooked well.
We ate here last summer, so I hope things have improved, but I'm not going to risk it. I really don't know what else to say. This was about the worst breakfast experience I have had. Hop in the car and head up the road to A Good Morning at San Antonio and El Camino or hop over to the Original Pancake House. You'll start your day much better off.
p.s. - No plastic? I thought this was the 21st century! I had to run down the block to the ATM just to take care of the bill.
This place is ok. The service I think is great. Very very very nice people come and greet you, and everyone comes to check to make sure you are enjoying everything.The food is so so. Like they have chirizo and eggs on the menu and its not really spicy. More oily than spice to it. The hash-browns though are good. They have flavor to them unlike bland hash-browns at other places. Nothing bad about this place though.
Also, if you are seated in the back, watch out. There are 2 black steps that you must go up. I almost busted my ass when I missed both of them.
What a nice neighborhood breakfast/lunch place. The Asian woman who owns/runs Village Pantry is *really* really friendly. If you start going there a lot, she'll remember your name and what you ordered, and it'll start becoming your "usual."
A lot of older people come here because it's one of those little, laidback, hole-in-the-wall, coffee shop-type places where they can hang out, and also it's located in Los Altos (meaning there are a lot of elderly ppl who came here to retire I guess.)
I've gotten the huge home-made pancakes, bacon, eggs sunny-side up. It was pretty satisfying. The pancakes are substantial in size, and they're muy deliciosa.
I recommend this place if you're ever in Los Altos wanting cafe food.
A homey little breakfast place in Downtown Los Altos that has the best service anyone could ask for! My sister and I usually come here for brunch. We call it Julie's place, she's the little Asian lady who runs it. July is THE sweetest, most vibrant person you could ever meet! Most of the customers are regulars, such as myself and my sister, so she knows us well. Even the cooks know us ha! July always welcomes us with a friendly greeting upon arrival and she usually knows our orders.
The food is VERY delicious! Tastes homemade, not artificial. It is CASH ONLY, but it's definitely worth it.
I absolutely adore this place. It's cozy and welcoming, with a huge menu of yummy comfort foods. Julie greets everyone like an old friend, and remember everyone's names and favorite orders.
Food: Everything hits the spot. It ain't fancy, but it's all well-made in good porportions. Reasonable prices. Best Philly cheesesteak in the South Bay/Penninsula.
Ambiance: old-fashioned coffee shop. It's definitely dated, and "restaurant" is misspelled on the sign outside. But it's like eating in your mama's kitchen.
Caveats:
-Cash only. No credit cards.
-Parking at lunchtime in downtown is difficult, so go for the bigger lots and walk a few blocks.
Decent breakfast place. I like coming here for a very laid back and decent meal. The meals are average size, taste home cooked, and fairly cheap.
I've been coming here for years and it's a reliable breakfast/lunch place. The owners are always there and very friendly. It is on the slightly pricier side for what you get, but who really wants to go to Denny's? [For example, a side order of two pancakes are thin (and yummy) but over $4. (The combos are better deals.)] You're not going to find gourmet items, this is a standard, no frills, place - locals like it, that's why it's been around so long.
The lady who runs this place reminds me of Christmas Eve in Ave. Q. She greets everyone when they come in. I definitely feel very welcomed. The Eggs San Francisco I had was only so-so; compared to other breakfast places, similar items cost a few dollars more because of its location. I will have to continue the hunting for that perfect place for my breakfast.
Great breakfast place: good food, very friendly staff and a quaint atmosphere. We have a dog, so we always sit in the back patio, which is nice and quiet. Standard American breakfast items (i.e. slightly greasy, but too greasy, eggs, bacon and sausage) and a good lunch menu as well. I just had a great turkey club sandwich there yesterday and my husband got his usual eggs with sausage. You can't go wrong here and the staff is so friendly. They remember your names and your orders. I always try to go here if we are going out for breakfast.
Wonderful blue berry pancakes with fresh berries baked into the pancakes, not the gooey syrup you get elsewhere. The best Hollandaise sauce anywhere on Eggs Florentine with fresh spinach. Yummy!!
Growing up, I would spend many a Saturday afternoon delighting in a Village Pantry mushroom swiss burger. The restaurant was always bustling, but the friendly staff would save me a spot at the counter. These days, when I walk by, I think it looks kind of dingy.
Was planning to go to the Los Altos Coffee Shop for lunch with my "little sister" today... but we ended up here instead. The staff were extremely friendly and the food tasty. The spicy delicious (egg scramble with chorizo and bell peppers) reminds me a lot of the chorizo omelette from White Palace Grill back in Chi-town... The hashbrowns were nice and crispy too. The only thing I can knock it for is being cash only...
I've gone there multiple times and it hasn't been busy. It was nice my friend and I were able to sit wherever we wanted. The people their were extremely friendly and the service was good. The good there was good and I would go back any day.
This is a solid breakfast spot and the owners are so nice and friendly.
Ate there today. Some of the best Service we have even had, even though there was a moderate crowd. We were flanked by the staff from the local post office, who were all greeted by name (the locals know best).
The menu is fantastically diverse.
The breakfast is some of the best i have ever had.
Clean, very kid friendly and the perfect dinner atmosphere-- I will be back -- again and again.
Thanks for what you do guys, not many resturants can create this type of atmosphere, but often try. Genuine.
great food and the best service ive ever had. everything always made to order and is delicious.
Los Altos, CA
Category: Bakeries
Los Altos, CA
Category: Restaurants
Los Altos, CA
Category: American (Traditional)
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