nice!!! El Sobrante has an eating establishment that is not too bad!!! Located in the strip mall one past the Raley's one.. when turning in, head alllll the way to the back right corner... sign you'll spot will seem to only say CAFE. Burgers all around the table for lunch.... though the patty itself was too dense and packed down for my tastes (which sung to me of frozen), still, our lunch came with this luscious bowl of soup so large, it stuffed me halfway just finishing it...LARGE PORTIONS! You have been forewarned. Burgers have wonderfully fresh condiments (which I love), and a sourdough-type scored bun that can absorb all kinds of sauce emitted from said burger patty + fixings. I must come back and attempt breakfast here one day... Happy that Costco allowed me to try this establishment. I've followed a few of Jennifer's sauce recipes and such in the local CC county Marketplace periodical for residents. Lovely----
(5)
Katia C.
We just had our Christmas lunch party there and the food was great as well as the staff. Jennifer was so nice helping us to get it organized in the new room they have ... The salmon salad was great !!!!
I've been coming here for years now and you cant go wrong with the breakfast here. Sometimes it does get busy here depending on what day and time. The employees are friendly and when I checked in here I got a 10% off the bill which is always something to rave about!
(4)
Joan M.
I wish I could give a no stars rating. Food is ok, a bit greasy, cooks are great but their servers are so bad. They seat people out of order because their not smart enough to put out a sign up sheet. A couple of them are so rude they need to find another position in life away from the public. There are too many other nicer places to go...too bad they use to be good.
(1)
Louise A.
I recently went to Cafe Soleil for my traditional birthday breakfast of Eggs Benedict. I found that they only have them on weekends. They weren't too busy and Oscar the cook overheard that it was my birthday and offered to make it for me. I told him he didn't need to, but he insisted. The hollandaise was fresh (I watched him make it) the eggs were perfectly done and the presentation was lovely. I will certainly be back (not expecting preferential treatment) but for more good food.
(5)
Judy K.
Had a really good lunch, service good. The bar stools my friend and I sat on are Very torn. Definately not comfortable to sit on.
(4)
Earl B.
Food was great as usual. Service was prompt and the restrooms clean and well kept. It's always a pleasure to come here!
Love! Love! Love this place! Very busy on the weekends so we get our breakfast to go. Always on point! Fast service, friendly staff and great food! Our favorites: country special and Sams scramble! Enjoy!!!
(5)
Christie B.
How do you screw up a grilled cheese and fries?? How?? The fries were flavorless and hard, the grilled cheese equally tasteless. I came here super hungry but the food was just so bad that I literally went home and made myself something. My boyfriend ordered a cheeseburger and it was also tasteless. I'm not kidding. I don't care how cheap it is. Ramen nuked in the microwave at home tastes better.
(1)
Yao S.
As I often have a craving for incredible breakfast food made in my hometown, I somehow always think of two places only, and Cafe Soleil is automatically in that top two. Seating is always easy, even when I arrive during peak hours which typically are mornings. Every order is hearty and filled to the plate's edges. The coffee earns free refills and is always hot just the way I like it. There's a slightly loud ambiance, of course, but one can overlook that for their great food and fast service. I recently came and ordered the Worker's special in full servings, and man do they take "full" to the next level. My plate literally could serve up to three hungry people. I also highly recommend the worker's special for those craving a larger protein serving such as bacon or sausage. Their biscuits are fresh, flakey, soft, and house-made! Definitely recommend this to anyone in the East Bay for breakfast and brunch.
(5)
EM C.
Eh, so-so food - but a good stop in El Sob, as far as El Sob goes... Coffee is diner good. Omelettes never really blend. Ingredients on a slab of scrambled eggs does not an omelette make! Service can be slow but is friendly. Regulars, lots of room, good facilities. If you want to be part of something in a small town, network and all that, it's good for that.
(3)
Shirley W.
This place is a bit pricey for breakfast, but the food is pretty good. Only thing is that it takes forever for your order to arrive even when there are not too many other customers. Service is inconsistent per visit ranging from awesome to ignored. Do recommend. Possibly the best breakfast/brunch place in El Sobrante.
(3)
Tony R.
Theres a reason why they get such good reviews, this place rocks, can't go wrong. Been visiting this place for years and food is always on point. The Latino guy who brings you water is a super hard worker and is always there, and always on top of everything. Highly recommended
(5)
Christina L.
It looks shady from the outside, but the inside is beautiful! This was the first time I came here and I got a little confused. The way it works is that you seat yourself and the waitress will come and serve you. Service: They were super friendly and the place was very clean. Food: I only had breakfast here but I really liked it. They give you a huge serving. I ordered the corned beef with hash browns and It was huge! The hash brown was crispy but it could get crispy in my opinion. The corned beef was delicious! Loved it. Overall: I would definitely recommend this place! I'm also looking forward to coming back here and trying more items!
(4)
Danelle T.
Love their healthy options menu. Takes awhile for them to notice you're there and seat you. They get my order right and the food tastes amazing so I'm happy!
(4)
John S.
My wife kept bugging me about having the Todd Scramble. We decided to give Cafe soleil another try. Came here on a Monday morning and it was pretty empty. One bus boy and two waiters were working. I didnt want to risk getting the pancakes anymore and decided to get french toast. The french toast looked great until I flipped it over. They were only cooked on one side. Is this normal? All the F toast Ive had has been cooked on both sides. It was still edible so I decided not to return it. My wife ordered the Todd scramble and the Biscuit with gravy. She was disappointed with the scramble. Something was wrong with it and she couldn't pin point what the problem was. The gravy and biscuit was O.K. Service was a bit better thist time. The two waiters would do something and quickly go behind the counter. NOT once did any of them walk around with the coffee pot. We put our empty dishes on the side of the table. Even though the waiters walked by them a couple of times, they didn't bother taking them. My coffee cup remained empty and at the edge of the table for over 15 minutes. I'll just be going to my usual spot in El Cerrito, better service, better food and lower price.
(2)
Georgina H.
I found the waiters at times could be uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if this was a casual place or not.
(3)
Art N.
hmm where do i start off. Lets start of with the lack of service. During the time i went it was pretty empty and there were two servers standing around yapping. It took a while for the servers to actually take our order. As for breakfast man it is expensive 15 bucks for a plate are you kidding me? I ordered a plate and upgraded to "jennifer country potatoes" for a extra 3 dollars to get a super small portion of regular potatoes with a small side of salsa and sour cream. Wow what a rip off. the food here is just average nothing special. i should have thought twice about coming here when i saw the reviews about how many countless customers complained about the service.
(2)
Cheryl W.
Went to this restaruant on Friday, Feb 27th for breakfast. The outside will certainly lead you to believe that this this a high end place, I told my husband as we drove up" I hope we are dressed up to par for this fancy place". To my surprise upon entering, the attire was very relaxed and I was happy about that. Since it was my first time, I was not sure where to wait for a seat, I was soon directed by the waiter to sit where I am comfortable which was also nice. Our order was taken within a few minutes of seating, enjoyed the selection of HOT tea. It took our food more time than usual to come out but we were patient. I ordered the french toast special, was ok, with a side of home fries that had no seasoning..but with a little salt and hot sauce it was alright. I did not care for the handwritten receipt at the end because I like to know what I am charged for. Otherwise, this is a nice, low key, comfortable eatery. Will be returning.
(4)
Gail P.
I love this place for breakfast. Service at dinner recently was very friendly and nice. Decent, clean, place. The spaghetti was really overcooked and bland. My companion's rib eye steak was good. Will try again for dinner, based on most experiences here, but will not order this dish again.
(4)
Dennis W.
I wish I could give no stars cause the place is that bad.I ordered 2 club house sandwiches to go and got home there was only one slice of turkey on them and soggy and was very expensive.I WOULD TELL EVERYBODY DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PLACE ,GARBAGE FOOD AND SERVICE THIS PLACE SUCKS
(1)
Romina M.
The food is good here, but the service is slow. My friend and I literally waited for 15 minutes before we were able to order. Clearly, the only reason why I come back to this place because the food is good. The service needs some more help. That's the only downfall.
(3)
Gary E.
I ordered a 1/2 Order of French Toast (4 Halves) 4.95. Normally I would go for a combo dish or a full order but I was in a bit of a hurry. As usual, my breakfast here was deliciously yummy and I loved the portions! My experience with this place has definitely improved dramatically with each and every visit. My coffee cup never ran on empty that's huge for me. Great all around service. Jennifer and Todd's Cafe Soleil you're awesome!...
(5)
Lindsay B.
I have had nothing but EXCELLENT service here! The staff now knows us from coming in so much. The food comes out fast, hot and it reasonably priced. If it's not on the menu...ask, they will make it for you if they can. They make my son a breakfast just for him every time. Lunch and dinner are wonderful too. Must haves: Breakfast - Chicken Fried Steak and eggs with CHRISSY'S POTATOES...omg! This is one of few breakfast places that has hot links...and I LOVE IT!! Lunch: Cobb salad Dinner: Chicken Marsala...it's so good!
(5)
Patricia M.
Early saturday morning, our first day to NorCal, with empty stomachs - we found this place through yelp. It seemed good enough, so off we go to check this place out. It is located at the far end of a shopping center. From the outside, i wouldnt think to go in and try this place (maybe that should have hinted us) but we ignored it. The inside decor looked more promising. We were seated rather quickly but ended up having to wait for quite a while for someone to take our orders. So maybe it was just me and the fact that i was hungry that ticked me off a little bit or the fact that the service was lacking - but i was already having a bad experience from this place. I ordered the french toast special with eggs and sausage. My boyfriend had the worker's special and our friend had the omelet (forgot which one). Once the food came, i devoured the french toast.. Nothing seems special about it and actually dissapointed. My boyfriend's biscuit and gravy was good although it was served room temperature. The gravy wasnt even warm. Our friend seemed to enjoy his food so i guess it was something they got right. The coffee though was really terrible. I may not be a big coffee drinker but i know when a coffee sucks. It seemed water down or something. Such a shame.. I will never go back to this place nor will recommend it.
(1)
Desiree H.
For the area it IS a little pricey- BUT the food is wonderful, plentiful & made with love so it's actually priced right. Been coming here a while now but recently came & had a really good waiter named Jake! He was good enough for me to write this review. As I said I've been coming here for a while & ever really got inspired to write one. Thank you Jake for being fricken awesome!
(5)
Kim-van T.
Overall, somewhat disappointed with Cafe Soleil. The service is terrible! The bf asked for water twice and never received it, really? The food itself was just ok. The bf got tuna melt with fries and a bowl of clam chowder. The chowder was decent and he seemed to like the tuna melt. I got the chicken, avocado, and jack cheese omelet with hashbrowns and toast. The chicken was on the dry side but there was a generous serving of avocado in there which is always appreciated. Hashbrowns were crispy and yummy. Probably not coming back...
The best bun on hamburger anywhere. Tons of fresh cut fries, maybe needs a little salt. This place should be on the list of best cheeseburgers. HUGE portions. Very nice people working here.
(4)
Daniel L.
I had the Sam's scram it was ok. Presentation was bad it looked like they just threw all the food on the plate. The potatoes didn't looked appetizing Taste was also ok. My serving was pretty big, no complains there. My brother had the French toast dish and his portion was small. Orange juice was not sweet. Our friend's gravy with biscuit looked really good.
(2)
Ishak K.
This is a great restaurant that seems to be finding its true home in the East Bay dining scene. Its a treasure to local El Sobrante folks, I'm sure. Its decor and service are pleasant. The open kitchen is really great as the chef and kitchen staff really care about making their customers happy. I brought the family and everyone devoured their meals. I opted for the Prime Rib special, and I believe the cut was the largest I've ever been served. The portions are all large, and that seems to be keep people coming back. Now, it appears that this restaurant is focused on breakfast/brunch with its interior design, locale and feel. Yet, they show great promise in delivering a more up-scale dining experience. There are wine bottles displayed on the walls, but it seems like they're for display only. I think they should try cellaring their wines and training their servers to know them a bit better. But, this is an easy remedy for a place where the owners and staff truly care about the experience.
(4)
Gabby T.
We came on an early Sunday morning and were seated upon our arrival, given our waters shortly after but waited quite some time for our orders to be taken. I ordered the 4 halves of french toast with 2 strips of bacon, and 2 eggs, for $7.95 while my bff ordered Todd's Omelette which came w/ hash browns and wheat toast. Our orders arrived very quickly! My french toast was nothing over the top but it was satisfying enough. Her omelette was decent, although I wish the cheese was a bit cheesier. I don't know the specifics of what it consisted of but with a few drops of Tapatio, how can you go wrong? The portions were up to par with price. I believe her omelette was $9. The service was whatever. Our server was pretty much non-existent. I doubt I'd make a second appearance unless I was really desperate for quick breakfast. What's better than waking up and craving french toast? Not having to drive further than 10 minutes to fulfill that craving! Ok prices, decent food, but mediocre to no service? Guess you win some you lose some.
(3)
Dan M.
Service was a little slow but it was the Sunday morning breakfast rush. The food was great and huge portions.
(4)
Mina A.
Went here on a whim, we wanted breakfast and some coffee and this was the closest place at the moment. Was a good choice. The coffee was good enough to drink black but really just OK, I'm a coffee lover so mediocre coffee doesn't really excite me much. The service was very good although the place was pretty empty. The waitress and host were excellent and the only problem I saw was that a table that came after us got their food before we did and that was a little weird? The veggie omelet was super flavorful and fresh, the country potatoes were lacking in flavor and needed a bit more seasoning and crispness. The hamburger steak was amazing and the hash browns were good cooked crispy outside and moist inside.Overall will def go back in the future its the only place of it's kind in the area and around for miles so will probally be sooner than later.
(4)
Atheana C.
First off... The FOOD here is always good and always AMAZING!!! *** Customer Service over the phone ( Take out ) NOT SO MUCH!!! I was put on hold for 16:46 mins. Credit Card companies don't even put you on hold for that long. I live 2 mins away so my husband had to go there and put the order in because I obviously was still on hold. So, my husband had to tell them I was still on hold, as I can hear him on the phone and on the other side... and the girl just hung up the phone right in front of him. SO--- of course I called back to speak with a Manager. I spoke with Todd, who was super nice and told him the situation and that putting people on hold is one thing but almost 17 mins is not okay... Guessing the girl ( Jasmine ) who put me on hold needs more customer service practice and phone etiquette.
(2)
Deirdre H.
I'm actually surprised at the not so nice reviews. This is a solid restaurant in El Sobrante. It's everything you want in a local casual dining restaurant. The prices are decent, the portion sizes are appropriate (not too much, not too little), the service is good, and there is no side-eye when your kid knocks over his cup three times in one meal. But seriously, I come here to eat their amazing white gravy. I like the workers special (2 biscuits and gravy, breakfast meat, eggs). It's thick, creamy, and has bits of sausage. It's everything I could ever want in breakfast gravy.
(4)
Chantele S.
I have loved this place for years. There is almost always a wait on a saturday or sunday morning. I try to bring everyone I know here. I will be honest and say the last few times I have come things have not been as on par as I am used to. Coffee has been on the rather thin side so if I add any creamer or sugar that's Wat it tastes like.... Cream and sugar. There service as always is great. Very friendly staff and quick to fix if anything goes wrong. The food: I absotively posilutely love their chicken fried steak. The gravy is really good if you add a little salt yourself it's perfect. I typically get this everytime I come with a pancake. Their pancakes are super fluffy and are just heaven. Home fries and perfection crispy but still moist to absorb my hot sauce and ketchup. ;-) I will keep coming back for more. This spot is close to my heart.
(4)
Alex K.
This place deserves all 5 of these stars. My girlfriend and I are here at least once a week and we never have a complaint...and we're the kind of people who look for things to talk smack about. The best part of Cafe Soleil is this place is consistently great...with service, with food, with everything. You gotta check it out
(5)
Adree A.
Food is ok, staff is always friendly and you get a 10% discount with your yelp check in.
(3)
Greg N.
Service was great. Received food very quick. Food was good. Lots of seating. No complaints. Would def go again.
(5)
Nyla J.
We came here and used our Yelp deals. CORN BEEF HASH , two scrambled eggs, toast and a large portion of hash browns .. for 9 bucks.. I was impressed ! Its a family owned spot, 4 minutes from my house , tucked away in a corner in a dead plaza. When we entered the restuarant, no one greeted us and the servers walked past us and did not offer to be seated. The first 2 minutes , i was forgiving but arter 4 minutes standing there and making eye contact with the staff, I started to think it was personal ..thoughts of racism ..discrimination..ran through my thoughts as we were the onlly "token" in that place. Food rating 4 stars Service rating - 2 stars. Will I go back, ... YES .. but only for the food, Ill get a TO GO order.. ..
(2)
Timm M.
This was OK. Initially I thought the sevice would be good, but, after being immediately greeted and seated, and helped, it must've taken 15 minutes for someone to take our order. Large protions, yummy white gravy....not crowded. Seems to be a "locals" place, I heard the waitress address several customers by name...that's always cool.
(3)
Mirinda M.
Hidden El Sobrante gem! By the looks of the shopping center, I was expecting a boring cafe with white walls and formica counters. I was wrong. The cafe is wonderfully decorated and has a great atmosphere. The service was great and the food was delicious and reasonably priced. I ordered the heathy breakfast with fruit, eggs and grilled chicken. The fruit was fresh and delicious. Will certainly come back. I had to deduct a star only because I ordered Swiss cheese with my eggs and it was sliced processed cheese. If you like Swiss I advise against ordering it. Go with something else - unless they start using good Swiss cheese.
(4)
Erin P.
Love this place. Recently had a surprise event in the new space. The food was wonderful (chicken Marsala was the best I've had), and the staff was exceptional. Catering to our every need, very polite and attentive. If you're big on customer service, give this place a try!
(4)
Georgina M.
Wonderful ambience and clean! For a small local cafe...the menu is perfect, the food, clean, fresh and thoughtful. Up for a week visit I had to go back to my fav spot. Its better than I rememebered. My Fiance and I went for breakfast 3 days in a row it was so awesome. The only complaint would be for quicker service from the staff. But having been rushed by 80% of cafes, maybe thats not a complaint?
(5)
Katrina A.
Cafe Soleil has been our favorite breakfast spot for many years. I love their breakfast options, especially the chicken fried steak! Gotta order that early cuz they run out. They also offer a variety of healthy choices for both breakfast and lunch. Their burgers are juicy and fries are crispy. The side salad is a good size, too! The waitstaff is fast and attentive.
(5)
Jamie R.
One of my go-to's for breakfast. I always end up getting the same thing because it is SO good. Love their home fries. Friendly staff and quick service. My boy friend gets different things every time and I always have a sample-without fail, yummy!
(5)
Janice T.
Who would have known such a place existed in el sobrante? My husband and I went there around noon on a weekend and we were surprised to be seated right away. I liked the ambience. The cultural makeup of the diners made me feel like I was in Berkeley. I ordered the French Toast and it did not disappoint. My husband enjoyed his order as welI. I am actually looking forward to more meals at this cafe.
(4)
J W.
we probably stop in three times a month. Service is always cheerful and efficient. There is a wide variety on the menu and sitting at the counter watching the cooks is like watching a well choreographed dance. Good , reliable local eatery!
(4)
Allen J.
This place is great I love coming here for breakfast. When I was a kid there is this place in Pinole I use to go all the time. And now I found this place and have no desire to go back to the other. Jennifer's has great prices for good food. The service is always great and your seated and fed in a prompt manner. I recommend tying this place.
(5)
Jennie C.
Not sure what the hype is here. Worst clam chowder that I've ever had in my life. I knew I shouldn't have ordered it...guess that's where I went wrong... seeing as how this place is mostly famed for its breakfast. Who knows...maybe their chowder is great and I ordered it on an off day. Aside from that, their food is okay. The service is so-so, but the food comes pretty fast. It's nice that you can see the chefs cooking your meal. Would I go out of my way to come to this restaurant? No. Do I think it's a bad place to have a meal? Not really. Parking is good. Atmosphere is friendly and casual. Employees go out of their way to accommodate a larger group and that is appreciated. Owners are nice people and you can often see them at the restaurant. That's a plus. But my 2 star rating is based on the yelp description of, "Meh. I've experienced better", because yes, I have experienced better.
(2)
Angela J.
I've been here twice. Once for breakfast and once for dinner. The first time I tried the biscuits and gravy which I had heard such wonderful things about. Personally the gravy was one of the nastiest gravies I've ever had. I grew up with Grandparents from Oklahoma who would make me biscuits and gravy so yes I do know what good biscuits and gravy taste like. The second time I went for dinner hoping their food would be better than their famous biscuits and gravy. When I walked in it took 5 minutes for someone to ask us if we were eating there. They were not busy at all. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries and a side salad. The waiter also took our drink order and then disappeared for 15 minutes. We received our food before we ever got our drinks. I had to remind the waiter. He also never gave me my salad. So when I asked about my salad he said he would get one for me. I told him I didn't want it anymore since I was almost done with my food. The chicken sandwich was average and the fries were soggy and nasty. Time is too short to waste on crappy food and horrible customer service.
(1)
Joe J.
Still GREAT, see my previous review in 2007, but now open evenings! GREAT FOOD, GOOD PORTIONS, FAIR PRICING, and all around a FUN PLACE! I find the weekend evenings prime rib special a favorite, a big TASTY meal for a fair price! :-))
(5)
jason a.
Filthy! Look around and see how dirty this place is! Ordered a steak and it was SO bad! Chewy even though it was rare. The "steak"knife was so flimsy it was hard to dissect the meat. Just aweful...will never come back!
(1)
A To Z.
10:30AM. Place was extremely loud, and medium-full. Our breakfasts took a long time to arrive, and they were no longer warm. Hash browns were unusual: plain grated potatoes, squashed flat somehow, and cooked on one side, and not on the other. Orange juice was just from the carton; not diner-fresh. French toast was just odd. Etc etc. Maybe it was just an off-day (well, the concrete room is probably always really loud), but I can't see that we'll go back. Sigh. Update: the owners have apologized, and asked for a second chance. It's hard to help the acoustics, etc, but I've upped to two stars now - the "I've experienced better" category, according to Yelp - and I will up it more if I ever do take them up on the offer.
(2)
Rosalyn T.
I like Cafe Soleil a lot. I usually go here on the weekends with family or friends for breakfeast when I'm back home in Hercules. The place has a cozy environment and the staff is welcoming and friendly! When I go there (ESPECIALLY ON SUNDAYS) I try to get there before 9:30am or so because that place gets filled fast when everyone else finally wakes up or comes from church. When I go here, I usually order one of the three below: -Corned Beef Hash and Eggs which is very good, it's the kind of corned beef hash that I like, not the watery kind of corned beef. =) -French Toast Special which is one of my faves, due to the fact I love French toast and Cafe Soleil's french toast is pretty good. -Dale's Hash Browns! YUM! It's topped with country gravy, chedder cheese and grilled onions! All in all I recommend this place for a good breakfeast spot to hit up. but remember try to be there early or you'll probably be waiting a long time especially on Sundays.
(4)
Thomas P.
I enjoyed an omelet here for dinner. The omelet was filled with chicken, jack cheese, avocado, and bacon-one of the best omelets I've ever had. the hash browns were good as well. If you're not in the mood for breakfast they have a great chicken, bacon, avocado, and jack sandwich on amazing sourdough bread. I'm not a fan of sourdough, but I get the sandwich anytime I don't order the omelet, and the bread is almost my favorite part of the sandwich.
(4)
Keith C.
This place is a great place to have a nice meal and even watch a game. Jennifer & Todd are outstanding and really make you feel welcome. The servers really work hard to meet your needs. I really enjoy the steak & eggs or biscuits & gravy while I'm watching the ballgame!
(5)
Clair M.
i am eating here as I write this. i love the vibe, its a funky mom & pop hole in the wall place. the service is warm and friendly. The food... i'm here for breakfast, there is great selection to choose from. The coffee is hot the food is only warm, the portions are ample. they have not heard that salt not bad for you and that salting at the table does not replace cooking with the right amount in the first place. Over all, if the plate had been warmed and the hash browns hot, I would give them another try. So I guess this was a one time stop.
(3)
Kellie T.
I would gladly drive to El Sobrante just to eat here, and that is saying a lot because I try really hard to avoid going any farther north than the McArthur Maze. We came here to eat away our pain after losing our asses at the San Pablo Casino and boy did we! Once we found the place, which is tucked into the far corner of a mostly deserted strip mall, we were blown away. We all started with side salads which were incredibly fresh, with mixed greens, mushrooms, olives, onions, and cherry tomatoes. It was a nice change from the standard salad-out-of-a-bag that most places pass off as a side salad! Next came the entrees and not one of us was disappointed. My boyfriend's mom got a breakfast omelette, and the other three lunch entrees. The omelette was cooked perfectly, fluffy and stuffed with amazing sausage. The burger my boyfriend's step father got was "the best burger I've ever had!" For a man of retirement age, I'd have to say that is a damn good burger. I got the bbq bacon burger with chicken instead of the burger patty and it was everything I expected: dripping with tangy and smoky bbq sauge and oh-so-bacony! One of the tastiest barbeque sauce-drenched sandwiches I've found. Case and point: I didn't even have the self-control to take a picture before I took that baby down. The vibe of this place is really great, very friendly and the service was definitely on point even though it was really busy. I would go there again in a heartbeat. Bottom line: Make sure to stop by this hidden local gem, once you find it you'll be itching to go back!
(5)
Jin C.
Went this morning for my birthday based on a rec from one of my friends. I grew up on country biscuits smothered in gravy so I keep looking for a place that makes it. You would think there would be more. I ordered 3 eggs over easy with sausage patties, country biscuits over gravy. It was good, but the biscuits were a little too fluffy, and the gravy was kind of bland. I had to add a lot of salt and pepper. They overcooked my eggs, and the sausage was pretty nasty. Their homefries were good. I tried my wife's spicy hot links and they were good so next time will go with that. I will definitely go back as I think I ordered the wrong thing. The table next to us were regulars and he ordered Todd's hash browns smothered in gravy. The hash browns were covered in melted cheese and onions. I also need to try one of their omelets. The ambiance in the place was really nice and our waitress was super nice and attentive. She heard it was my birthday and brought me a free red velvet cake to go since she saw us eating cupcakes we brought from outside. After I try it again I will definitely update my review.
(3)
Mary C.
Went with the hubs and family for breakfast. I had Jennifer's potatoes, two eggs scrambled with an English muffin. The coffee was OK, the eggs were OK, the potatoes were OK, thus the A-OK rating. Probably will not come back... hubby wanted to try their biscuits and gravy for his birthday which was the main reason we went. The kids seemed to have liked it and my baby was flirting with all the customers. They were nice and gave my husband a big slice of red velvet cake for his birthday.
(3)
B L.
I was feeling a brunch on the weekend. So I check up on Yelp to find a good place around the area. Saw the review on Cafe Soleil, thought it maybe a good place to give it a try... Well, I guess my hope was all high up but the outcome was a bit bitter. I ordered a hamburger steak with eggs, plus fruit. Oh...and I also ordered a coke too. But the coke comes out to be a Pepsi...oh well!! Overall is good place to go, and good food. But it will be my last brunch place to head for~
(3)
Karen N.
Had a delicious Friday night dinner here. I had the rib eye steak which was enormous. My husband had chicken with capers. We found the service attentive and friendly, food delicious and enjoyed the casual atmosphere. Great experience.
(4)
Anna O.
I love the food here, especially breakfast but the service is not great. Waitress are slow and sometimes unfriendly. It can take up to 20 mins for someone to great you.
(3)
Jorge S.
Man, this place looks extremely deceiving from the outside. Looks so plain. When you walk in, you're sure to be surprised I never expected to find this treasure in El Sobrante. Portions are enormous, and prices are fair. Waitress sat & served us quickly, and was polite. Their biscuits & gravy were delicious. The country special was gigantic, all piled on on a platter. They have huge portions for their healthy breakfasts as well, as my girlfriend got a huge bowl of oatmeal with raisins & brown sugar, along with a plate of egg whites & a chicken breast. Only downside is that they were out of sausage when I got there, so they replaced it with a ham steak. I was craving it too, darn.
(4)
Tam F.
Had an impromptu lunch here today with my best friend Suzy and her new gal. Looking at the menu, there were tons of tasty options. The place wasn't terribly busy and after choosing a table and placing our drink order, we realized we had one of those "lucky" tables. You know, the kind that wobbles no matter how many Equal packs you shove under it? Anyway, we picked up the silverware and moved tables and without missing a beat, our lovely waitress brought our beverages to our new table. Suzy had a cheeseburger and fries while I opted for a BLT with fruit salad and Suzy's gal had a BLAT with clam chowder. She really enjoyed the soup, the sandwiches were tasty and filling and the fruit was a lovely mix of banana, strawberry, grapes and pineapple. Definitely a decent place to eat and definitely worth 3.5 stars and a "let's come here again".
(3)
Brittany D.
Service was amazing, atmosphere was great, & the food was so on point! Definitely recommend their BLT & their breakfast is bomb ! ;)
(5)
Whitney R.
So happy to finally find a place to take my parents for brunch besides Dennys! We have lived in El Sob for nearly 20 years, but my parents are total snobs! I've only recently been able to pull them out of their routine of going back to Oakland (their hometown) or Walnut Creek for everything and start visiting local establishments. Yes, it's in a strip mall, but hey, it's El Sobrante, that's how we roll out here. This place has fast, friendly, flexible service ( none of us ordered anything that was strictly on the menu), a huge menu and enormous portions. There is no chance that anyone in your party will not find something they want to eat. Not to mention breakfast served all day! We all got omeletes that we could barely finish, but my eyes kept getting caught by all the delicious looking sandwiches being delivered to other customers. Will have to make it back for lunch. I'm also planning to get anything with salsa on it, because whether they buy it or make it in house, it is delicious! Come SUPER hungry.
(5)
Meg S.
Food is usually good. Does not always come as it is described on menu. Sometimes mashed potatoes are served with gravy (not on menu) and sometimes not. Several typos on menu. They are only open until 9pm on Fri. and Sat., not until 10pm as is listed here on Yelp. Wine selection changes constantly, which is not a bad thing, really. The owner likes to rotate selections, but most of the waitstaff cannot keep up with the changes. Service is inconsistent, depending on who you get. Sometimes great, sometimes horrible.
(3)
Karen F.
Pretty standard every time I come here. Sometimes you just need a good sandwich...& this place hits the spot!
(3)
Jam H.
This place is me and the sweetie go to place, and it never fails! Food is always served fresh, and its coooked to order. We live very near, so this place offers the breakfast/brunch that he loves, as well as the lunch options that I prefer. Of all of the visists her (which have been quite a few) we actually saw the fresh turkey being roasted in the oven! Wow! The only problem is I wanted 1 slice to go along with my chicken jack sandwich on sourdough, but it wasn't ready :( Anyhoo, this is always a winner from the omlets, fresh fruit bowls, and all of the other delish cafe foods you can imagine. We have yet to try dinner here, but I'm pretty sure it will be soon! We highly reccomend anyone wants great food at a great price with a laid back atmosphere!! ***sidenote- if it matters, servers and patrons make you feel like family!
(4)
Rinky N.
This place may be a little hard to find for a first timer. It's located in a strip mall with a sign that only says "Cafe." This review is based on four breakfast reviews. They have a HUGE menu of breakfast choices. It is meat heaven for omnivores. Slimmer pickings for veg leaning folks. They have every breakfast item except for waffles----oatmeal, eggs, omelets, pancakes (with choice of berries), ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, etc. They also serve lunch (at any hour) and dinner after 4:30 pm. I had hash browns all 4 times. Excellent--or at least exactly the way I liked them crispy brown on the outside--soft and potato-ey in the inside. (at least the 1st time---2nd-4th visits not crispy at all even though I asked for it that way) I got them with scrambled eggs and toast. The ww toast is good not the Wonder Bread type ww toast you usually get in a restaurant. My friend, J, had a special with pancakes, eggs and sausage. She had the coffee too, which she said was very good. On another visit my son had the bicuits and gravy--just okay Ambiance is comfortable.....wooden tables and chairs that can accompany one to six or more people easily with different configurations. This is a real working class eatery--lots of blue collar folks, local families, seniors and miscellaneous folks like me and my friends. This is not haute or fancy cuisine. Just decent food and lots of it at affordable prices. Service is very efficient. Both times I went on weekdays but I can imagine this place is crazy busy on the weekends. It is open at 6 am every day except for Sundays when they open at 7pm! How many places in Berkeley can make that claim?
(3)
Sydney B.
Hit or miss the last couple of years. Service can be slow but they make up for it with some of their items. Omelets are delicious if served warm. Burgers are tasty and huge. Meats (when cooked to your preference) are delicious. Appreciate how clean and modern looking this place can be.
(3)
Carly B.
Went here for breakfast last weekend, and it was pretty delicious! I got the Veggie Scramble with a side of bacon, and everything was super yummy. The portion was generous, so I ended up taking half of the meal home to eat for lunch. I love that there are so many options, and I do plan to go back so I can try other dishes. The service was good overall, although our waitress seemed very confused when my boyfriend asked her for her recommendation for what he should order. She ended up describing the meal she had just eaten, without any enthusiasm, so he just chose something on his own. Overall, yum!
(4)
Alicia A.
This past weekend I returned home from SDSU to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family in El Sobrante. As many people who live in or near El Sobrante - they know that a place that is clean, excellent food with awesome service is hard to find for the right price. On the night I dined at the Soleil Cafe it was after driving out to Port Costa to eat at the Warehouse Cafe- only to find it sadly closed the day after Thanksgiving. The Soleil Cafe is located in the Sobrante Strip Mall -which is pretty bland and no discript located on the main drag of El Sobrante named the Dam Road. When I walked in I was surprised at the size of the cafe and the decor- cement floors, stainless steel bar counter and a wall of exposed brick combined with pine tables- there is even a side board with board games to play while you wait for your food and a large sectional sofa by the door for people waiting to be seated on crowded Saturdays or Sundays like when I went back to try the breakfast menu. Parking is plentiful but there is only one handicap spot near the entrance. On the first night I ordered the Steak Dinner which came a veggie medley, mashed potatoes and a side salad. The steak was perfectly done medium rare but what made me so excited was the veggie medley!! The veggies were seasoned lightly and perfectly steamed- brightly colored and crisp flavor. The garlic and Rosemary anjous(sp?)- aka steak juice... Yum Yum. I returned that Sunday to each breakfast with some good friends and got Turkey Bacon.. could have been crispier.. what can I say as a Muslim I still love bacon just not pork bacon! And the french toast which was excellent. Did I mention the syrup? It was very sweet and buttery without needing to butter the french toast. On a personal note I would usually keep a place like this to myself but tis the season to share and plus in the economy its good to support local businesses - you never know how long they might last!
(4)
Nicole G.
I don't go here too often. I've never had a problem with the place, just never had a hankering for their food. But the other day, I did. I remembered their big portions and always walking out feeling like a fat pig. I wanted that. I had a huuuge craving for eggs benedict...which they don't have during the week. Found that out the hard way. They do have it on the weekends though! anywho. I settled for the chicken, pesto, sundried tomato, and jack omelette, with dale's hashbrowns as my side (i think it had onions and cheese and some other stuff AKA super fatty). Sista got 1/2 country gravy thingy. (the full is HUGE and the biscuits are yummy!). everything was tasty. not amazing, but it is good food.
(3)
Food C.
Great food! Great staff! Everyone who works there is friendly. Sometimes have to wait a few minutes before we get handed our minutes.... Overall great breakfast place!
(4)
Dave K.
In my first few times I went there I had a sub-par experience but the owner took the time out of her busy day to let my gf and I know that she made changes/improvements to the staff and that right there, you cannot put an amount of "stars" next to. The decor here is always COZY. It is loud, but in a good way! Everyone was enjoying their meals I saw breakfast plates come out at a good pace. not too fast or slow.
(4)
Renalen C.
who would've known good food was hiding in the corner of a small strip mall in the small town of El Sobrante? I've come to this small and homey restaurant several times with my family during breakfast hours and we've always been satisfied with their food and service. what's usually ordered is the pancake/french toast special which also includes 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon/sausage. my sister and i also share a side of their delicious homefries with a dollop of sour cream to perfect them even more. my parents usually get one of the many omelet options they offer. at the end of it all, we all leave with clean plates knowing we can count on coming back another time. bottom line, this local, cozy, and comforting cafe is a great place to go for a non-disappointing meal and friendly service that you rarely find at your so-so local Denny's or IHOP chains.
(4)
Mary T.
Cafe Soleil catered my wedding last November. The food is amazing! There was not one complaint from any of our guests. I highly recommend Cafe Soleil to cater you next event.
(5)
Marie R.
Love this place! Country breakfast, good, service great!!! Every time we visit we are greeted with a big smile, and fast service.
(5)
Lisa J.
Cafe Soleil is our favorite breakfast place. Family friendly, relaxed casual atmosphere and reasonable prices. Food is delicious, and the menu is a nice combination of standard breakfast fare and more innovative and healthy options. Cafe Soleil is always our first choice when looking for a breakfast spot.
(4)
David G.
Fast, friendly service...they keep the coffee coming. However, I would encourage them to get some better coffee. Support a local purveyor such as Catahoula or McLaughlin. Had the corned beef (which they offered to "hash" with the home fries). Eggs nicely poached. Could have cooked the onions (more). I'm not a fan of raw onions influencing the rest of my day. Nice light biscuit and the server brought along honey (to go with the little packs of jam). My colleague had the avocado, bacon and cheese omelet. Could have heated the bacon up more...tasted a wee bit like it had been sitting out. Overall, the spirit of the place (neighborhood...with cowboys and cops and retirees) would bring me back. Better coffee would be appreciated.
(3)
Grace A.
I found this place on yelp and decided to try it. It was beyond my expectations. The service was excellent and quick. Me and my friend received our food in less then ten minutes after we ordered. Our waitress Sherry was the bomb! We never waited for anything,she was always on point. I highly recommend this hidden spot. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Gail N.
I'm going to give this place a 5 for the sheer reason that I now have something to actually be proud of in my humble, oh-so-not-exciting town of "The Leftovers". The service here is so charming you would think you were in some other place like..I dunno..Alameda? The decor is totally un-El Sobrante. It's red-brick walls, wooden tables, smell of breakfast wafting through the air pronounces warmth and homeyness all over. Food-wise, I ordered the French Toast Special: 4 halves of home-made sweetness topped with huge, thick pieces of fresh strawberries, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with 2 eggs, and your choice of 2 sausages or bacon for just under $8. Truly, "As good as it gets!". Thank you, Cafe Soleil, for bringing life to this town.
(5)
C R.
I went here for lunch but because of all the reviews on their breakfast items, I decided to try an omelet. I had one with hot links and cheddar cheese requested that it be cooked soft. It came out perfect. I tried the home fries - they were alright. Nothing to write home about. Next time I'll try the hashbrowns. The coffee was good and the service was so-so. Our waitress never came to ask if I wanted more coffee but I was able to get some from the other person working. My friends tried one of the burgers and the club sandwich. They were both happy with their choices except the fries were over cooked to their liking. The atmosphere of the restaurant was comfortable. We liked their tables - they were really big so you felt like you had plenty of room. Their location was easy to find because we had directions but I would never have tried it if I were just passing by the neighborhood because I wouldn't think there was something nice/good in that small open air mall. It's such a run down looking section of town (like many of the others on this street). It's too far from the street to see and say "hey....look at that place, let's check it out" Plus their sign is a difficult color to read - good thing they have the bold "CAFE" sign next to the rest of the restaurant name. I will try it again - the way they cooked my eggs leads me to give them another try.
(2)
Jim B.
The food is good and plentiful but double check your bill! I went for breakfast and sat at the counter, I ordered the Senior breakfast, two eggs, ham, home fries and sourdough toast with coffee. Paid with a $20.00 and got about $6.50 back, that made breakfast about $13.50. The Menu price was $6.95 for the breakfast + $1.69 for coffee = $8.64, add in 9.25% tax and you get $9.48 without the tip. So I guess there must be a surcharge for sitting at the counter of $4.00?? I went back again because the food is great, no problems with the bill this time, a really great breakfast at a great price! I will be back more often when I feel the need to treat myself.
(4)
Kristin J.
Oh just read those reviews below, sucks to be you! Because my breakfast is always warm and made with LOOOOVE! Yeah its busy why? because its so damn good. Lots of food on the plate typical breakfast fair, great big ol' hamburgers, and all the black coffee you can drink. Waitstaff is cool and fairly attentive. It's no gourmet eatery but the food is good, it is a totally family friendly unbutton your top button kinda place. Kudos!
(4)
Kathy S.
Can not even believe how disappointed I was. My party was 6 total. 4 adults and 2 children. We came in for lunch. Total bill was over $80.00 because restaurant added a gratuity b/c we were 6. A 20% GRATUITY!!! Not the usual 18%. Which wouldn't have been so insulting if we had gotten anything that resembled service. We waited over 45 minutes to get our food and the place was not busy at all. We had to ask for silverware, ask for refills, and ask for to-go boxes as none of the above was ever offered. Our sodas were flat (we returned them), my mother-in-laws Medium burger was extra well done, and the bread on the club sandwich was hard, especially the crust. Off day? We won't be finding out as we will never be back.
(1)
Kathleen W.
Found this place based on the great reviews on Yelp ... it's not in an area I'd frequent regularly ... I probably won't go back because I sat in traffic for 20 minutes to move 800 ft to get back on the freeway. My experience here was similar to JT's ... we walked in and were barely acknowledged. We couldn't figure out if we should just seat our selves or what. Definitely a locals type of joint ... non familiar faces need not apply. We were hungry, so we ordered the Sam's Scram, the Salmon scramble (a special) and a half order of french toast. The food was alright - nothing to rave about and something I could easily recreate myself at home. Service was fine (friendly and efficient) once we actually got seated.
(3)
Nikki R.
I really wanted to like this place. Don't get me wrong the food is actually ok, but I just can't handle the poor service. I've been here five times now hoping for a different/better experience each time, but to no avail. First, might I suggest a host/hostess/cashier? Every time I've come we stand at the door hoping to make eye contact with someone, if someone makes eye contact there's no sign of acknowledgement like a nod, no mouthing of I'll be right with you...no, nothing. You stand and wait for about 5 minutes before one of the wait staff seats you or puts you on a waiting list. We always get our drinks right away but getting our order taken seems like an act of God. Food comes out fast and there's usually the one quick, "how you guys doing over here?". If you answer "good" too quickly you will likely run the risk of sitting the rest of your meal parched like my sister and I have done all 5 times I've been. After that one check in I can't seem to flag down my waitress to get a refill on water or anything else. I eventually wander up to the counter to find extra napkins on my own. Food is decent, big portions but nothing to rave about. Finally, I just want the check so I can get my fussy toddler out of the restaurant but again my waitress is too busy to make eye contact. I don't know if the waitresses have their blinders on on purpose because they are overwhelmed and this is their way of keeping their tables afloat, but on the weekends it seems like a circus. I used to be a waitress so I feel for them, seems like they are in dire need of an extra set of hands. All in all, I can't do bad customer service. I can't be throwing my money into a place that really doesn't seem to value the customer. I wish experiences were different, but all five visits nearly identical so no more cafe soliel for me.
(2)
S M.
I honestly don't know what the hype is all about. I find this place to be kind of ghetto with its big gigantic tables, mix-matched chairs, binder menus, and random promos on the tables. Everything just felt random to me. I guess i had higher expectations after i read the great reviews for this place. I was pretty disappointed. The service was excellent without a doubt. The food... hmmmm. it was OK. Their clam chowder was pretty good cuz they put bacon in it. I ordered the albacore tuna sandwich. i only ate half of it, brought it home, and my bf probably threw it away the next day. I wanted to like this place.. maybe it was what I ordered? But whatever my bf ordered he didnt really like too much since he only ate half of his sandwich as well. And this guy is a garbage disposal. All in all... i don't think i'll ever be returning again.
(2)
Victor G.
Cafe Soleil seems popular, few parking spaces in front. dining room much larger than anticipated, roomy, casual, lots of ambience, leg room, table seating service quick so not much time to understand menu, noticed coffee pricing not listed (it isn't in most breakfast places). saw hamburger on regular menu, also on lunch menu. should have looked at rest of menu/ eats: hamburger (7.45) lunch special w/ choice of soup, salad, fries, hash browns extra. brew: american's best (2.39), was gonna pass, got a tasty, not the usual harsh brew, in restrospect not the premium either, just smooth, not bold eats: thick burger (7.45)tender, tasteless, slightly red, came w/mayo, lettuce, pickle, tomato. grey poupon came upon request. (patty probably previously frozen) clam chowder. crackers stale, mostly filler soup (starch). clam elusive, no doubt came from can. salad would have been better choice. crumbs: -10% off with yelp check-in -fab service, didn't handle offerings correctly, should have take longer to order breakfast?, not sure.. -associates so sweet here, gave sample, coffee refills, cleared empty plates.quickly -medical informerial playing on flatscreen distracting got a choice of tables, naturally choose to face flatscreen, big mistake! -passed on water to help calif. drought. -associates fab, menu and me share blame for poor dining experience.
(3)
Renate V.
My son and I went today for the first time, and it was not good. Artisan prices for low-end food. I had a Cobb salad, and it was meh. $12.95. They should be ashamed. The tiny pieces of chicken (and there were very few) were lost in those large pieces of lettuce, and the bacon was cold...what little there was of it. The tomatoes were terrible. No flavor. The avo was OK. The dressing was flavorless. The croutons were those crappy mass-produced ones with no texture and an odd flavor. The egg was stone-cold, flavorless and had that unappetizing green ring. I ate part of this salad, took the rest out in a box and then dumped it because it was just so bad. I had a cup of chili, which they brought in a bowl, but charged me the cup price. That was nice. The meat seemed odd. Mushy. I asked, and was told they don't make the chili. How can a place like this not make their own chili? Topped with onions in a rough chop and some shredded cheese, it was OK. Too sweet, too salty and the meat was kind of weird. I guess it was canned. $6.95, but they charged me $4.95 because I ordered a cup. Not bad, but I can buy a can of chili at Grocery Outlet. My son had the Boca burger with jack cheese and 'shrooms. $9.45. Please. I can only describe it as anemic. The burger should have been cooked so it had some color. It looked like it was microwaved. There was only a little cheese, and not very many mushrooms, given the price. The bun was OK. Soft. Not much there there. These folks need to go to Barney's, for example, to see what a real mushroom cheese burger looks like. Pathetic. The potato salad that came with it was a cold, yellow puree. Like mashed potatoes. Unusual, but very decent. He also had a cup of minestrone, which was nothing to write home about. Not much flavor there. The one thing is that their cup size is generous. However, if what they put in there isn't very good that doesn't help anyone. It's a nice place. Dark, with brick. Very nice. The folks working there seem nice. Too bad the food was so terrible. Never again.
(1)
Chris S.
Brunch time in the hood! A friend recommended this place which is stones throw away from our abode. Checked reviews on Yelp and I gauge it's hit or miss kind of place but decided to check it out for myself. It was a hit, well, almost a hit! I ordered country special which is sausage biscuit hash brown topped with gravy. The portion was humongous! The flavor was so so! For biscuits and gravy, the flavors rely so much on the gravy unfortunately it was flat and under seasoned. Salt and pepper shakers could not save it. Good thing there was sausage and hash browns included which pretty much saved the dish. I have to give a star for service which was quite good. I checked in at Yelp and I received a 10% discount. When I showed the waitress, she was more that happy to apply the discount. I might go back but it might be for a while!
(3)
Joni C.
Thought we would try again !!! Seriously I work at a grocery store we sell lemons so I know there isn't a shortage !! Salmon salad with lemon vinagerette is a little hard to serve if you don't buy lemons !!! Kalamata olives on your Greek salad with pits is a little hard on the teeth!! Looks like dinner service is going away so that your new catering business can take it's place what a shame We really used to enjoy coming here but every time we come now it's a disappointment
(1)
Chuck M.
A real cool mom & pop cafe. Not overly large, somewhat loud, but okay. Plenty of tables, a long counter...and a nice flat screen TV. I slept late and missed breakfast this morning. After driving here from Stockton, I was absolutely starving...anything edible within reach wasn't safe...I looked to yelp for restaurant ideas...no special requirements, but perhaps reasonably close to my hotel would be nice. This particular restaurant caught my eye, and the reviews were excellent. So, lets give them a try. I was greeted upon entry, and told to sit wherever you'd like. Near eye shot of the TV looked good to me. Ordered up coffee and a water...now to scan through the menu. Breakfast is served all day...that's a bonus in my book. Whoever said there was some rule about eating breakfast between certain hours must have been nuts...breakfast, its whats for breakfast, lunch or dinner...!!! Don't forget to check-in with yelp and receive 10% savings on your bill. Another bonus...!!! There are tons of things you could order, but I went for the 2-egg breakfast with sausage links, hash brown potatoes, and sourdough toast. I'm extra hungry so I added a third egg. Food arrived quickly, cooked perfectly, and hot and tasty. My coffee cup never ran dry, thanks to a very attentive waitress. My meal was so yummy, had it gone unnoticed I probably would have even considered licking my plate...it was that good. Friends, "this is a small business"...and these are your friends and neighbors. Go give them a try, with the crowd in there today at 2:00pm, you won't be alone. I get the feeling this is one well liked "local spot" for eating and socializing. Go give them a try...!!!
(4)
Jerry C.
Sunday brunch was packed! Maybe because there is a dearth of decent Sunday places nearby. More likely because of the free parking lot, good size venue and the huge menu of dishes available. My dad and I came by on a Sunday about 11 a.m. There was a line out the door. The line moved pretty well but we didn't want to wait for a table and sat at the counter. Counter seating really reveals how hard the cooks and service staff work. It's non-stop hustling almost at a running pace! Still the waiters and waitresses managed to be friendly and helpful. My Corned Beef & Eggs breakfast was pretty good but a tad dry and bland. I spiced it up with hot sauce. Corned beef hash would've been better to soak up the eggs. My dad's Clam Chowder was good and his Turkey BLT was like a huge triple decker. I got half of it in a doggie bag and ate it on the airplane. Better than buying a snack box. Our coffee was constantly refilled with a smile. This will definitely be our diner stop from now on.
(4)
Jack W.
I have been coming here for years- like 10 years, and although some things have changed their heart and soul have remained untouched. I really enjoy the good 'ol home style cookin' they've got going at Cafe Soleil, they have a bevy of country style breakfast options to choose from- including my favorite: the workers special. This is Eggs, Sausage patties, home fries and of course a plate of biscuits and gravy on the side. They've got a bunch of lunch options too, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and the like, as well as dinner options. I have yet to come here for dinner but I can imagine it is the same straight up home cooked goodness that the rest of their menu embodies. I'd highy recomend
(4)
Jeannie T.
My boyfriend and I came here randomly because we were hungry, didn't have anything to make, and my boyfriend just moved to the area. We chose this place since they served breakfast late. Our server was really attentive and nice. She explained anything that we had questions with. It wasn't as crowded but nonetheless, she was attentive as ever and there was never a moment where we had to wait long for anything. My boyfriend ordered a breakfast omelette with a side of biscuit and gravy while I had the soup and salad combo with a side of fruit. I had the minestrone soup with a lemon vinaigrette salad. My boyfriend devoured the breakfast omelette. I didn't get to try it because I wasn't eating eggs at the time, but he really enjoyed his meal. He didn't get around to eating the biscuit and gravy though because he was too full. At first it looked like they gave him 2 biscuits and gravy but after looking at it closely, we realized it was one but the biscuit was so big that they split it in two and that's why it looked like so much more. The gravy had a smokey flavor too. I actually liked it but my boyfriend didn't. As for my soup and salad. I really like the minestrone soup. You could tell that it was homemade since the tomato soup broth didn't give you that itchy feeling in your throat like when you eat canned soups. I also liked that there were a lot of veggies and no kidney beans in the soup. The salad was really simple but the lemon vinaigrette made it that much more refreshing. And the fruit was a combo of strawberries, blackberries, and grapes. They didn't look as pretty but they were really sweet. There was also a 10% deal if you checked in on yelp for first timers but our bill came out to being less than $30 so we decided not to use it.
One of my fav breakfast spots in the area! This place exudes such a cozy feeling, almost making you feel at home. Pretty busy on the weekends so be prepared to wait in their cute little couch area. They do a good job getting you seated as soon as they can. Food: I usually order the basic breakfast with chicken apple sausage. They give large portions of everything. (I hate places that are skimpy on the hash browns) There's also a great array of specialty hash browns. I like Dales hashbrowns which is just your regular order topped with gravy and cheese! So good!
(4)
Veronica N.
On the restaurant: My husband and I have never had a bad meal there. We love going for breakfast and just recently started going for dinner as well. Our favorite dish would have to be the porcini mushroom ravioli!! On catering and events: Jennifer and her crew are amazing! We had a backyard wedding and it was perfect. Jen was easy to get a hold of, a joy to work with, the food was delicious, prices were more than reasonable, and her staff was courteous and professional. We loved the way our tablescapes turned out and they put everything together in a timely manner. Couldn't have even imagined working with anyone else! Book Jennifer and cafe soleil for your next big event!!
(5)
Yoli G.
First time coming here saw all the good reviews why not? Wrong! Placed an order for pick up. I don't mind if it will take an hour just tell me so that I know when to head out. Told me 15 min. Not so it took about an hour my food was cold when I looked through it. They apologized saying it did not take long to cook just to put together. Okay? I only ordered and omolet and pancake with scrambled eggs? Maybe I just came in on a bad day.
(2)
Muey S.
Decided to give this place a second chance. Ordered the French Toast special the first one and it was disappointing. Today, I order the Pancakes special, bacon and eggs with a side of home fries and fruit. The pancakes and fresh fruit were perfect. The boyfriend order the French toast and it was better this time. Pretty busy today, but the staff was friendly and we got our food fast despite the delay ordering. We sat by the kitchen so it was louder than we wanted, but we were In and out in 40mins. We'll be returning.
(4)
Elana A.
Every kind of breakfast you could want! Nothing from their pancakes, granola, omelettes, to ribeye steak in the morning disappoints. Don't have crepes on the menu but can make it per request. They have large portions so I always take the rest to go which I can munch on later. Always busy weekend mornings, but wait no longer than 5 minutes. Great coffee and all the staff are welcoming!
Great staff! Pleasant atmosphere. Filling breakfast. Three cooks on this Sunday morning where awesome. I wished I were closer. Delish...
(5)
Matt N.
I've been here about 4-5 times, always for breakfast. The food is always top notch comfort food. I love their biscuits and gravy, but beware as one biscuit with gravy is a lot. Their workman special is wonderful if you have a huge appetite or plan on sharing it with someone. Anyways, you can't go wrong when it comes to their food. Service is usually great, but when I was there last Saturday we had a few mishaps trying to get water. We asked for water and coffee. We got coffee then got our meal, but no water. We asked again and she brought one glass of water.....there was two of us. When the waitress came back I asked for a second glass of water and she said their trying to conserve water because of the drought. I understand that many eateries aren't serving water by default, but when a customer asks for water, they just need to serve water to the table. Atmosphere is nice here, but the ceiling is high, so when they're busy it becomes very loud. Some sound dampening ceiling tiles or something would be nice. So, if you're looking for some really good breakfast in El Sob, this is the place. I will continue to come back in the future.
(4)
Manuel L.
Bacon and cheddar cheese omelet was really good , I'm a fan of Cholula hot sauce and was glad that they offer it. Hash browns needed more crisp. They were like mashed potatoes on the inside. Toast was ok
(3)
Faith C.
Had the minestrone soup and a mimosa. Mimosa was definitely on point (easy enough) but the soup was missing a soul. It was ok flavor-wise but minestrone soup was meant to be savory. The service was a redeeming factor for sure. The young lady at the counter was very friendly and attentive to anything I might've needed.
(3)
Mischelle D.
So glad my boyfriend and I decided to eat lunch here after passing by it multiple times. We came in for lunch, but they serve breakfast all day which was a plus. My boyfriend had some pancakes and I must say, these were probably the largest ones I've seen and tasted amazing! I had the charbroiled chicken, bacon, and avocado sandwich with a side of fries. Everything we tried had that "home cooked" taste to it and wasn't heavy. All the meals are cooked where the bar is located, so it's nice to see the meals being prepared fresh. Service was good. Overall, I'm really satisfied with this place :)
(4)
Aryo A.
I was here about a year ago and I really loved the French toasts and the omelettes, I hope the ownership hasn't changed since. The place is a little out of my way but it was good enough that it was worth the drive. I look forward to going here again.
(4)
Katy H.
My husband and I have been dining at Cafe Soleil since it was located on San Pablo Ave (and before there was Todd). Pros: always friendly service, big portions, and always good food. We have never had a bad meal or been disappointed with our food here. Best senior menu around and you only have to be 50 - even our daughter who definitely is not a senior has ordered off it. Our favorite breakfast is to come here for the oatmeal. It's the best oatmeal around - tasty, big portions, yummy. Waitresses are super friendly and helpful. I saw that someone complained that iced tea was not on the menu...all you have to do is ask for it. We always order it when we come for lunch and unlike too many other restaurants multiple refills are free. Cons: Sometimes when they are busy it takes a while to get the check. They also have 2 big screen TVs, played with muted sound. I personally dislike TVs in bars and restaurants, but they don't bother me here. We have also used Jennifer & Todd's for catering parties a couple of times and everyone really liked the food. Food arrived on time and minimal hassle setting everything up. Also reasonably priced. They catered the wedding dinner reception for a friend's granddaughter. Again, excellent job.
(5)
Erika G.
Food is good. I don't like their customer service. The waiters are not very friendly, definitely what you don't want to see on a Sunday morning.
(3)
Rachel F.
I found this place on Yelp yesterday and was so excited to try it out for breakfast. All the reviews were great! So it seemed like an easy breakfast choice. My son and I got there around 11ish on July 4th, a holiday yes, so of course the place was busy. However, being in the hospitality industry, you plan for busy days like this if you know you'll be open, and compare traffic levels from prior years to know when you will be the busiest and then be ready for it staffing wise. Well our server seemed like she had the largest section there. Because we received very little attention or interaction with her. We waited over 10 min before I could get her attention to let her know we were done and that I needed the check to pay my bill, to which she apologized for. But no one else working there asked if we were done with our meal, or if we needed anything else, despite having napkins in our plates, which were also pushed away from us at the table. The busser in that section had his family come in. So all his attention seemed to be on them versus helping the server out with her tables. So our service was mediocre to none. I think this is what soured our experience more than anything. As for the food, I had a chicken fried steak w/ eggs, and my son had the pork chops and eggs. My chicken fried steak and hash browns was covered with a thick gravy, that was cold. Which I ended up scrapping off just to get to my food. It was excessive. My suggestion, if you go and order anything that comes with gravy, to have it on the side and make sure they warm it up, otherwise it'll probably be cold by the time it gets to you. My sons pork chops were bland, with no real flavor. It was obvious no salt was used to cook them. For a $12.95 per person home style breakfast, you'd hope to get a meal that's pretty tasty and will have you singing its praises afterwards. But we were extremely disappointed. After so many great Yelp reviews, I thought we had a winner. I guess we just had bad timing. Hopefully your timing will be better. Good luck!
(2)
S K.
Tried this place out for the first time today and was more than pleasantly surprised. I had the veggie omelet with chicken added, pancakes and a side of seasonal fruit (red/green grapes, strawberries, raspberries/blackberries). I tend to refrain from eating diner style foods because of how greasy it is, but the food here was clean and had me feeling fueled for my coming workout session, as opposed to heavy and weighed down. The pancakes were huge and fluffy, and the fruit was fresh and of good quality. Service also gets a thumbs up. The best part: The bill came out to less than it would have at those lower quality breakfast franchises not too far from here. Quality, well prepared food at a great price - what more could you ask for? I will DEFINITELY be back.
(5)
Johann Christine A.
Always satisfies that I-really-want-an-awesome-omelette-and-throw-in-a-Âmimosa-while-you're-at-it craving. So long Denny's, lol... it's the best place to grab breakfast/brunch in the San Pablo/Richmond/El Sobrante vicinity thus far in my brunch endeavors #reigningchamp , any challengers?
(5)
Lou A.
Love this place. The food is definitely worth the wait which isn't always too long. I guess it depends when you go because there have been times where the wait for seating and food was longer due to it being super busy. Eggs Benedict = bomb.
(5)
Mario P.
Hamburger is really big, fries awesome fresh, more than i have ever seen mushrooms with it. The meat however was plain flavor of just meat. This place is huge and nice. Pricey.
(4)
Vishalini S.
My husband and I love to go here usually they are great and service is exceptional even when they run out of stuff this time we had a horrible experience. they gave us wrong sandwich then what we had ordered and when we brought it to there attention they made it seem like it was our fault or something like we didnt kno what we were ordering. we didnt even want to change it all we wanted them to kno was it was wrong so we wouldnt get charged for wrong item. then when i closely looked at my sandwich it was made on wrong bread and the basil that usually is on it wasnt. i wish there was more consistency wish all the items on the menu and between all the cooks. i was soo disappointed it ruined my whole night. Not to mention there were only two waiters and one of the waitresses seemed like had her group of friends hanging out at the counter which took her attention away from the customers.
(1)
Persian B.
Who orders the inventory here? I'm tired of coming every week to hear the same thing. Sorry we don't have turkey bacon, sorry we don't have any lemons, to go forks. They shouldn't be called Cafe SOLEIL IT SHOULD BE CALLED CAFE WE DONT HAVE ANYTHING! How can you be out of turkey bacon on a Saturday by 945 am? Where is Jennifer and where is Todd? Service is good but i won't be wasting anymore time driving to park and be told we don't have basic cafe materials.
10% off when you check in :-D Came with a group of 11 and they were able to accommodate us, easily. They had mimosas. Great because I love a mimosa. But it definitely was missing something, the champagne. The food was very good. I will come back again and most likely Again.
(4)
Evelyn C.
This used to be our favorite place to eat. I loved Cafe Soleil until Monday 02/16/15, my husband ordered a ham and cheese omelet. As he was eating it and got halfway done, there was a cockroach! I immediately called the waitress to show her what was on his plate. She took the food right away. When she came back she told me that they had been spraying cockroach spray every night. I asked to speak to the owner but he was not there. I left my information with Raul whom provided us with excellent service, and he said the owner would contact me back. It is already Wednesday night, two days later, and I have not received a phone call back. The star that I'm giving this place is for Raul, the waiter that gave us such great service.
(1)
M'Rell W.
Came here with my girlfriend for a quick pick me up meal. My Girlfriend ordered the clam chowder and a salad and I ordered a simple oatmeal and bagel. The cafe has a nice warm vibe about it, very laid back and with great decor. Our server's name was Sheri and she was very friendly and informative. At first glance the prices seemed a bit steep for what was being ordered, but after seeing the portions of our meal I was satisfied. My girlfriend and I left with a full stomach and satisfaction. Will definitely be coming back! Only thing that would have made things even better is if they had a selection of different bagels.
(4)
Theresa B.
The food here was average. Nothing too exciting or overly amazing. But it was good for a quick breakfast bite on a Sunday. I had the pork chops breakfast meal, which came with 2 eggs and home fries (potatoes). I was able to redeem a 10% off coupon for checking in which was cool. Breakfast came to a little over $25 for 2 people (not bad).
(2)
Jenice G.
This review is strictly for catering from cafe soleil. The staff that she had at our wedding was fabulous, they worked hard and were very helpful to our guests. We hired Jennifer to cater our wedding this past July. She seemed very passionate, energetic and confident with her services. At our first meeting she let us know that there was another couple interested in the same day, but if we booked with her first we would get priority and she would work our event while having another person over see the other event should the other couple book with her as well. We decided to book that day to lock in the priority placement. The planning went on and every meeting we had with her we found her less professional. She almost always had a meeting before ours that ran late. When she got to us the first 5 minutes or more consisted of talking about other clients and problems they were having while she drank her wine. We had to constantly ask her to update invoices with changes that were made but consistently received outdate invoices with no changes made. The wedding day snuck up quickly and we had chosen a venue that was DIY so the boys were there all morning to help set things up. Jennifer was seen twice to drop off items to be set up by her staff. The next time we saw her was right before we walked down the aisle. She said hi, took a picture of the bridal details and left to go "check on the other wedding, but would be back in time for dinner". We never saw her again. Our contract consisted of unlimited beer, wine and champagne. We ran out of beer in the first 30 minutes of the cocktail hour. Do you know how awful it is to find that out from one of your guests? The groom called Jennifer and she was in shock that it was gone. She said Todd would deliver more and he was 20 minutes away. 45 minutes later we see 12 packs being brought in. We checked with the staff to make sure there was enough because we did NOT want to run out again, they said if they ran low again they would get more. We noticed that the beers being brought in was everything except the beer that we had specifically chosen (lagunitas). The staff then told us that they had to call Jennifer to get approval. Apparently there was no delegation and anytime we needed anything it had to be approved by Jennifer. We called Jennifer again, and were given attitude from her. Are you kidding me? This is our wedding day and you are not even here to do your job, you are not delivering what you promised and we are having to call you repeatedly to fix problems that should have never happened in the first place. At the end of the night when the bill was being settled (over the phone with jennifer) we asked about a discount for the issues that arose and she gave more attitude and said "we spent over $400 dollars on beer for you wedding" Well, if you would have prepared in the beginning and bought in bulk, or bought kegs instead of buying 12 packs from a local liquor store I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have spent that much. Again, her staff was great, but we would not hire Jennifer to do another event ever again. We have already told everyone we know to steer clear and I hope this review lets everyone on here do the same.
(1)
Alexander R.
A very average experience.
(3)
Liv A.
Friend asked me to meet for breakfast this morning at Jennifer and Todd's. It's located in a strip mall in the quaint little town of El Sobrante. Parking was easy in the lot. Upon entering the cafe there was a small early morning crowd but several unoccupied tables so we sat ourselves as instructed by a waitress. The ambiance was a casual brick wall interior diner style cafe with a bar along the huge open kitchen and tables in the middle. The waitress brought us coffee and water soon after we sat down. The menu consisted of your average American bfast choices of egg dishes, pancakes, waffles and such. I decided to go light and ordered one pancake (2.95) and added fresh fruit (2.95). Friend got the pancake special which included two pancakes, bacon and eggs (7.95). I checked in on yelp and got 10% off our tab. Our food came out soon enough and I was expecting my pancake to be topped with fruit but it came separately in a cup. The pancake was huge and fluffy in texture. Fruit was a mix of fresh berries, pineapple and green grapes. Some of the blue berries were smashed. Overall average meal. Service was fine. They didn't rush us to leave as friend and I stayed to chat for a bit. After leaving, clothes smelled like greasy diner for the rest of the day. Wouldn't go out of my way to go eat there but if visiting friend, wouldn't mind. It's a decent neighborhood cafe.
(3)
Kim M.
I love the Porcini Mushroom Ravioli and my husband loves thier Risotto, and thier Chicken fried Steak. Also, he loves thier Asparagus! What do they do to it? I need the recipe. Love the seat yourself atmosphere and love the people. Very friendly and the food is great. Come here once a month at least, for the last couple years! Huge portions too!
(5)
Melissa A.
This review is for Jennifer's catering. Jennifer is fantastic! She catered our wedding of 100 guests in San Francisco last weekend. Her catering is super affordable, so I had my doubts. But all doubts were quashed when I walked into my venue on my wedding day. She had decorated the food tables beautifully and all my guests gushed about the food all night. We had passed appetizers and appetizer stations throughout the whole evening. Jennifer's crew cooked and served for hours. Each appetizer was better than the last. She even separated the shellfish in the cooking process for my one allergic guest. Jennifer is super flexible about what food, wine, and beer she'll serve. She worked with us perfecting our menu for 6 months. I'll definitely use her again for my next event and I'd highly recommend her!
(5)
Jodi H.
Cons - 1) It's very loud inside. I was lunching with some senior citizens and they had great difficulty hearing each other's conversation over the noise. 2) The portions are too big. We were there for lunch and no one was able to finish their food. 3) Our server was polite but untrained. She did not offer alternatives, could not discuss how the food was prepared and when serving, she reached out across customers to pass dishes. 4) They don't have iced tea on the menu. Really? It's summertime. How can you not serve iced tea? Pros - 1) The food was tasty. I will not go back to this restaurant.
(2)
Cassie G.
Jennifer catered our wedding this past weekend and I wish I could rate her a million stars on here. 1) She custom designed a BACON BAR for us. 2) EVERY SINGLE PERSON at the wedding came up to us and complimented the food. They loved every single thing that was served. And I'm not exaggerating. 3) Her table settings and all the "extra" tables with drinks etc were incredible. She worked within our budget and made it look like a millionaire's wedding. 4) Working with her was a dream and her staff was professional and friendly. 5) She custom designed a BACON BAR for us. Any event I have in my life, whether it's a friend or family member's wedding, my own vow renewal later in life, an anniversary milestone party for my parents....I wouldn't think twice about who to book. It's Cafe Soleil's Jennifer, hands down. It doesn't get any better than her. You can waste all your time shopping for caterers, go for it, but planning for weddings and parties is so stressful...fret no more, Jen is your gal.
(5)
Raul R.
Always on point. Service is great and food is even better! Nice environment for a Sunday breakfast.
(5)
Shar V.
Nothing in here was memorable :( I like the decor though. Pancakes were huge.. But almost too much . I had a veggie scrambles egg.. I like that there was baby mushroom and spinach.. However lacked flavor .. I added salt pepper, ketchup ad Tabasco sauce to make it awesome... Overall.... There are better options.. 3 stars for the mediocre food as food service.
(3)
Nump T.
rented the banquet room for my wifeys surprise bday party for brunch and it was nothing but perfect!! the food was ready set go and when we needed refills they were on top of everything.. the customer service was top speed we never had to wait for anything i will for sure be booking my next private party here with jennifer!!!
(5)
Joe C.
I can't remember a month in the past few years when I haven't been to cafe soleil at least once . It's our go to place I especially like their breakfast selections. And My personal favorite dinner-Hamburger steak,Mmm Gravy! I have lunch here with My friends every month and the turkey sandwhich is especially good. Never really had a bad meal here.Ill keep coming back!
(4)
Dee M.
The sandwich was all right and reasonably priced, but instead of welcoming us they stared at us questioningly as though we have no business to walk in there. It was bit unsettling and disconcerting. As I was seated and eating I noticed they greet some people and not others. But I think nobody I saw got the hostile look that we received.. It's bigger inside than you could guess from outside but quite dark with two large tvs. The servers are sufficiently attentive.
(2)
Jordan B.
Excellent cafe. They have a very wide variety of food for any time of the day, and the prices aren't that bad. The only problem is the parking since there are only a few spots shared by the other shops in the plaza.
(5)
Jennifer L.
The food itself is spectacular. I find the biscuits and gravy to be mouth-wateringly good, and my other half is a fan of their chili burger. Other favorites include the clam chowder, omelets, and chicken fried steak, which I love, but try to limit. Alas, service is hit and miss. It's always right when I get it to go. However, the service was disappointing when we came in for dine-in yesterday. We came at an off-peak hour and were one of only two tables in the restaurant, but the food took longer to come out: but when it came out, we realized why: The burger, which he ordered rare, was medium rare. They also had no clam chowder that day, as opposed to their menu which states that they serve C.C., minestrone, and a soup of the day. (Read: not sold out of it for the day, just not available at all) So I had to order something else. However, my guy was pleased with his fries. I am a longtime resident of El Sobrante, however, and can remember going there since the late 90s when I was in high school, so I am sure this unsatisfactory dine-in experience was just a fluke. I will continue to get my orders to go-- Rain always gets it right; I think that's her name-- and hopefully add another star or two the next time!
(3)
Nikyra M.
From the moment we sat down it took a while to actually receive service. Once we did, we ordered and the waitress managed to mess up 2 out of our 5 orders. We sent our food back and got it back cold. Unfortunately we had to send it back a second time and one of us didn't end up eating at all. Not only that but the waitress was absolutely rude and yelled intentionally to her cooks that we didn't want to eat our food anymore, so they should just stop cooking, a very uncomfortable situation. Lastly, the manager decided we should pay for the meal we did not eat. If you're looking for a special breakfast place, don't come here!
(1)
Amy V.
I loved it here! The staff was great and helped me decide on what to order. They are so laid back yet informative and it was so easy to talk to them. It's like making instant friends. We went for dinner. I was with a large party and we brought our toddlers, too. Everyone ordered something different and I had the cheese tortellini, which was VERY good! I'd recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Adrianna T.
Giving 3 stars only cause it's my first time here and everything was good! The pancakes weren't burnt, the hashbrowns weren't soggy on the inside or hella burnt on top. Definitely would come back to this place.
(3)
Justina K.
My family and I came here for breakfast before heading to napa. You walk in and seat yourself. Our server Amber was really great and accommodating. My baby niece was there too so when someone came around with coffee she made sure that he was far from the baby just in case to avoid any risks of an accident. I ordered the sam's scramble and it was really delicious. I shared it with my sister and was just the right portion.
(4)
Tim N.
This is one of my favorite places to have brunch. The food is always good and service is good.
(4)
Mari H.
This place is awful. My bestie and I had lunch here yesterday afternoon. Super slow only two maybe three tables of guests. The waitstaff was just milling about. We sit down and drinks were served promptly but that was the only thing served in a reasonable time. We only ordered salads and a cup of soup but it still took 45 minutes to serve. My Chicken Ceaser salad was barely edible the reheated chicken was dry and tough and the dressing tasted like pure mayo. I never knew people could make Ceaser dressing with mayo. I barley ate a 1/4 of it. You know it's a bad sign that you see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen and everything is getting heated up in the microwave. Even though it was slow our waitress only checked up on once to refill drinks. Needless to say we won't be back.
I used them to cater my wedding. Jen is amazing. She is a pleasure to work with and will go out of her way to make sure your wedding is everything you cant it to be. I have worked with many caterers and none of them come close to her. Her ability and willingness to do anything for you and her excitement when it comes to your event makes you feel like you truly are a princess. Her team is incredible as well. And the food. Multiple of my guests told me that is was the best wedding food they ever had and we live in the Culinary Capital of Napa Valley so that tells you something. I also had the pleasure of attended two other weddings she did and it was the same feelings at those events. She literally is the best in Northern California. Thank you doesn't cover it but THANK YOU JEN!
(5)
Eric D.
Saturday 11am. Sitting at the counter, quick coffee, quick service, quick and delicious breakfast!
(5)
Jackz C.
Heathy breakfast. Fatty breakfast. Whatever but its freaking bomb! The parking lot can get packed which is pretty annoying but the food and customer service make up for that!
(5)
Angela W.
this is by far my favorite place to have breakfast. It's local, the staff is awesome, the food is amazing!!! I usually order dale's hashbrowns with a hot link and eggs. The hashbrowns come with grilled onions and cheddar cheese and are smothered with gravy. (BEST GRAVY EVER) I'll admit dale's hashbrowns aren't the healthiest choice, but it's WORTH IT! soooooo good!! The prices are incredibly low. Especially for the amount of food they give you! There are usually specials offered on the board when you walk in. I've never tried anything here that I didn't like. They're awesome!
Food ok. Service less than ok. Not bad. Just not attentive...at all. Had healthy breakfast good. If you go get the homemade biscuits. Reminded me of Saturday morning growing up. Homemade biscuits and butter. Why didn't I have more?
(2)
Melanie N.
Definitely nothing to brag home about. The coffee is bland, like gas station bland (what happened to the Catahoula Coffee?) The decor is horrendous--it feels cold and cheapie. Time for a massive redo--food and decor. Call me a foodie snob--this place is so "El Sobrante"
(2)
Rachel S.
Jennifer catered my wedding last summer, and I cannot thank or recommend her enough. I was in a real wedding planning funk when I called her, after the umpteenth conversation with a caterer I'd never be able to afford. I'm SO glad I called Jennifer. She means it when she says she knows what her brides (and grooms) want! She knows we want delicious, pretty food that we can actually afford. Plenty of it, so that our guests feel like they've really been taken care of. And she delivers! I felt like I was truly in good, caring, knowledgeable hands the whole time. And we were. Jennifer was flexible and professional. She had no problem with the fact that our space had no real kitchen. She was gracious and made it work when a guest gave us a very extensive list of allergies at the very last minute! Did I mention the food was so good? I would seriously go eat the mushroom ravioli right now if I lived closer. And she made everything look beautiful. CALL HER! xo Rachel
(5)
Amber R.
Breakfast service & food is great! Dinner service not so much...and I don't know about the food because it took them almost an hour to make three salads for us, after we sat at our table for 45 minutes we asked if they could box them up to go because we still had not received our food & ran out of time, after another 15 minutes of waiting we walked out.The waiter said he didn't know how to put the salads together and the waitress was too busy on the phone ignoring us completely. I assume the dinner tastes just as good as the breakfast but I won't be back any time soon.
(3)
Sergio S.
Second time being here and food is once again delicious. Came for breakfast a few month ago, breakfast was great and came fast. Just had lunch, burger and steak were great! Awesome customer service.
(5)
sharon t.
This review is specific for an event that was catered by Jennifer and her staff. I have eaten at the cafe many times and the food has always been solid! Love Dale's hash browns!! So, the catered food for my party was great and the service was amazing! Jennifer came up with a great menu for my Anniversary party and we handled all the details over the phone and via email, which was great for me because my life is just too darn busy to have to meet with her in person! I told her my colors and she came up the perfect tablecloths and napkins. The servers were fantastic they passed the appetizers and poured the wine and did it all with big smiles. It felt like they were having a good time being there and taking care of our needs! The prices were reasonable and no one left the party hungry! The entire event was totally stress free and my guests had a great time! Thank you Jennifer for a great event!! You and your staff ROCK THE HOUSE!!
(5)
Korie B.
Definitely the place for homestyle comfort food. I really enjoyed the chicken fried chicken. The servers were friendly enough and they visited our table often to check-in and refill our drinks. I think the restaurant could really improve if they installed some carpeting. The concrete floors with the flaking paint made the room look a bit dingy and room temperature was pretty cold as well. I had to wear my coat during the meal.
(4)
Yesenia R.
My husband and I decided to try this new hard to find location. Did not know it existed if it wasn't for Yelp! I'm o happy we did. Right when we walk in it looked very busy, service was great and the food was delicious. We got seated in front of the counter and we were able to see the way they prepares their meals. What I loved is how well all the employers got along. That has alot to say about this location. We will DEFINITELY be going again.
(5)
Voiceof R.
Well, it's 2014 and times change. Our last few visits were not very good... the very last one was outright bad. Never our favorite breakfast spot, we really enjoyed them as a dinner option, but food quality and service became so hit and miss - mostly miss - that we just gave up... Last meal I ever ordered there I sent back.... Yes, it was that bad.
(2)
Leslie T.
We've gone to Cafe Soleil a few times for breakfast. The food is OK. Poached eggs are rubbery, like perhaps they are microwaved. Services is ok. Overall it's just OK. Not great, but just OK.
(3)
Rachelanjoli Z.
I wasn't expecting to walk into such a quaint little place. An aroma of bacon, pancakes and hash browns filled the air. We decided to come in for a quick breakfast since we are on a mission to eat at all the restaurants in El Sobrante. The servers are very nice and knowledgeable about their menu. They were quick to greet us and serve us water. Since we had a little one in tow they pulled up a high chair and made sure she had a kids menu. We decided to order one Country Breakfast, one smiley face pancake and one Spanish Omelet. WOW the portions are huge and smell amazing. My omelet was stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, onion and mushrooms. The chicken in the omelet was a bit dry but still tasty. The hash browns were good but nothing special, I think I will go for the home fries next time. The country breakfast was covered in gravy. We liked it, but the flavor was slightly lacking. It was still good. The final verdict is that we will come back.
(4)
Daniel E.
In my opinion this place is delicious. I love the country special. I've read some bad reviews and some people just don't know good country cooking. I guess they think everything should taste like mac Donald.
(5)
Anne C.
Called in for a pick up order at 10:45 it was ready by 11. Everything was good, gal was nice and even helped me carry my order to my car. It didn't blow me away but it was great for a lazy Monday morning.
(4)
KittenKatty D.
I love this place for bfast. We come here on a regular basis and get the french toast and veggie scramble. The food is consistently good and the wait staff is great. Our favorite is Jaz. She always so sweet and attentive. If you want a great place for bfast go here. You wont be disappointed.
(4)
Kristin M.
The best place in El Sob for breakfast! It's all good, especially the chicken fried steak with Chrissy's homefries. The lunches and dinners are also excellent! If you go on a day with the homemade pie, be sure to order it. It has the best crust ever! The family-friendly atmosphere, monthly live music night and spiffy new paint job make it a great place to hang out in the hood. The service and staff are always top-notch. We are fortunate to have this place in our neighborhood.
(5)
Terri P.
Great Portions, Fresh Food, Great Selection. I'm always impressed when the menu comes in a binder.... I always go over the entire menu, then backtrack and get the same thing. Club Sandwich with fries. Real Fries. From Real Potatoes. Except of course for breakfast, when I get a little more flexible. But it always ends the same, feeling satisfied.
(4)
Yoliana S.
This is our first time trying out this place for breakfast. We got seated right away, and our order came fast too. The food wasn't too greasy either. We will eat here again.
(4)
Dunc M.
For a cheap and tasty breakfast, this place is tough to beat. You can get your food cooked damn near anyway you like with just about every omelet ingredient imaginable (seriously, how many breakfast joints carry sun dried tomatoes and chicken apple sausage?). You can even get them to "healthify" your meal somewhat by opting for egg whites, fresh fruit, or even having your hash browns cooked "dry" (without oil, although I'm pretty sure hash browns aren't all that good for you even if they are cooked dry, but every little bit counts right?). And with all that healthy fare available I'll occasionally go for it, but to be honest there's one reason, and one reason only that I come here. Biscuits and mother effing Gravy! The biscuits are HUGE and extremely tender (not flaky like some people prefer, just soft and doughy delicious with a little crunch on the outside), the gravy is almost half sausage and the perfect consistency to cover the biscuits and avoid being watery or soupy. This dish is an amazing yet simple throwback that I crave like Grandma's cooking. Daily specials are always a treat with the occasional seasonal fruit covered pancake and whatever sausage was on sale at Costco (who cares if it ain't homemade when it's tasty and cheap). And don't worry about your drink running low, your waitress will almost always be on her game ready to fill your coffee cup. Make sure to add this place to your list of potential breakfast spots next time you wake up hungover and hungry on a Sunday morning.
(4)
brad H.
Clam chowder came cold. Steak came fatty, over cooked and kinda stringy. Not horrible but far from great. Next stop: Contra Costa Environmental Health Department complaint for cold food.
(2)
Rachel P.
The first time I went to this cafe I hated it. The food was awful. The only reason I gave it another try was because a friend wanted to go there. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was good, not great, but good. I will probably go back at some point.
(3)
Joanna C.
I came here for breakfast on Friday after finding this place on yelp. It wasn't the easiest place to find, but when we found the restaurant the parking was easy. The area isn't the best, but the customer service and ambiance make up for it. I had the half order French toast with Bacon and Sausage as my side. When the waitress delivered my food it was warm, but not warm enough. I loved the French toast, but the Bacon wasn't hot and the sausage tasted funny so I didn't eat it. The prices are reasonable like most breakfast places. I would probably come back here, next time I'd like to try lunch.
(3)
Khrystal L.
Really good food! Very generous portions. comfortable and happy setting. have came back often.
(4)
Victoria C.
I am a local Realtor & lunch with my clients, friends and family often at this wonderful restaurant. Great, reasonably priced food & great service. My husband,daughter & I just ate breakfast there Saturday. it was hopping but they got us right in! We had so much food that I took the left overs home for dinner. Breakfast at dinner time, who cares! Delicious! They cater events also. Enjoyed their catered food at some Chamber of Commerce gigs.My handyman eats there every morning so I know where to find him when my clients need something fixed! Only complaint..they run outta avacados a lot...otherwise perfect!
(4)
Christine C.
My sister had been raving about this place since she had a chance to try the food. Finally after 3 months I was able to have a nice dinner with her and try it out. I've seen this place as I drove through El Sobrante, but I never really stopped to see what was inside. As I walked into the cafe, I could hear the theme to Cheers, even though it wasn't a bar. It did feel like everyone knew your name! The cafe gave you that hole in the wall, homey, warm feeling as you walked in. The majority of customers are senior citizens and the locals. The menu had plenty of breakfast choices, but I wanted a burger. I decided to try the Bacon Avocado burger with grilled onions. The service was quick and we got our food fast. It was a gynormous burger with all the fixings. It was beautiful, delicious, and it was mine!!. Next time I come to visit, I will definitely come back.
(4)
Eamon M.
Just ate here, great food, good service and big portions. I had the veggie scramble w/ avocado, the pancakes are very good as well. Cozy place w/ a cool decor. I'll have to check it out for dinner sometime as well.
(4)
Sabrina W.
This is our regular breakfast spot. Whenever we feel like eating out for breakfast, this is the spot we hit up the most. The hubby doesn't even need to look at the menu - Worker's special, patty sausage. The portions are humongous. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. It can get crowded at times, especially on the weekends, but it's always worth the wait. The food is fresh and tasty. The no-fuss homemade menus, self-seating (when there's no wait), and mismatched furniture make it really feel like the hometown cafe feel where the waitress calls you sugar or hon. Although breakfast is our favorite meal here, the lunch is out of sight as well. Turkey sandwiches made with for reals turkey, not that deli meat stuff and the salads are enormous. The only negative is that the portions are so large, we often leave feeling like we are about to burst. But that's not always a bad thing.
(5)
Jaimie L.
This place is amazing. I've eaten here quite a few times, and I have to say that every time I have been impressed. The service was always great; always greets you as soon as you step in the door and quick to help you. The food is AMAZING. I've tried their omelets... DELICIOUS. They're club sandwich is mouth watering! They make their turkey fresh in their restaurant, making the sandwich impeccable. But today, I tried their special.. the MAMBO ITALIANO! & let me tell you this burger is the best I've ever had. I definitely recommend you try Cafe Soleil! For sure I'm going back there!
(5)
Rob A.
Absolutely wonderful. Good food. Great service. Will definitely be back. Only been here for the breakfast...but if their breakfast menu is indicative of the total menu...its worth the trip.
(5)
Gina H.
Just an update! The owner Jen wrote me an email to say they recently upgraded their decor! Though I haven't had a chance to eat here since Mother's Day of this year (which was great by the way!) I will have to check them out when I am in the area! Thanks Jen for the wonderful email update!
(5)
A M.
I have been here a couple times, for breakfast. The last time as a back up because the first place on our list had too long of a line and we needed food ASAP. Both times I had breakfast. Food was nothing to write home about, but not terrible.
(3)
J T.
I can't review the food because I couldn't even get any recognition from the staff. I walked in wanting to get something to go and there was no sign about seating yourself and no staff at the front of the restaurant. I spied a waitress serving while on her cell phone! After a while I walked over to the counter and found a basket of menus, still no smiles or hellos from the staff. I looked through the menu, staff walked past...nothing...I put the menu down...looked around...staff made eye contact....no hello, no asking if I'd been help or what I wanted to order. So I walked out. They weren't that busy, there was PLENTY of staff, SOMEONE could have at least acknowledged my presence in the restaurant.
(1)
Maria N.
large portion for brunch, good for two people - or one person that is super hungry. The day we went it was very crowded. Meals are reasonable. Our ticket was mixed with another table - so always check our check before paying
(4)
Joe B.
Went here for breakfast and got the biscuits and gravy....so good! It came with 2 eggs, and a sausage patty. I thought the gravy was so good. Great flavor, just enough salt and pepper for my taste. If you like saltier, add salt. Thats why they put salt and pepper shakers on the table. The biscuits were nice and fluffy just how I like them. While I was eating, I saw an order of pancakes being brought out with fresh fruit and whip cream....Im getting those next time! I will be back for breakfast and will definitely stop in for lunch and dinner.
(4)
Chantay X.
Came here for brunch for a friend's b-day and I liked. I had the cheddar avocado bacon omelet and it was LOADED with bacon. It was good. Strange omelet though because instead of the filling being wrapped in the egg, there was just a flat piece of egg sitting on top of the filling like a blanket. But it was still good. And the hashbrowns were good too. Nice and crispy. Me and one of my party had a mimosa and it was pretty good and pretty strong (for a mimosa). Cool place, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Lxs S.
When I lived nearby I made a point of eating here a few times each month. I still stop in when nearby, but unfortunately not as often as I'd like. Great spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Excellent selection and as others mention their portions are huge. Love their salads, burgers and omelets. When you have friends or relatives visiting, bring them here! They'll enjoy the food, the pleasant cafe atmosphere and reasonable prices.
(4)
Susan N.
Usually come here for breakfast, but we enjoyed a hearty home style cooked meal last night. Had a generous portion of beef ravioli topped with a marinara sauce. My dining partner had the hamburger steak, which came with excellent garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus spears and green beans. Much, much better than a typical chain restaurant!
(4)
Stevi C.
I just took my mom here for a mother's day brunch and my whole family was pleasantly surprised about the quality of the food and the value for the dollar. This is a great little joint that one day Guy Fieri should feature on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It's definitely a sweet little Cali-style diner. I love how peppery the home fries were and how friendly the staff was -- especially on such a busy day. My husband and I plan to return for lunch sometime to try the burgers and sammies.
(4)
Charlotte D.
I usually like this place for lunch. The portions are large and fair priced. I've tried a few of the items, usually sticking to breakfast items, like biscuits & sausage gravy. The burger and sandwiches are pretty good...beats some of the fast food chains. I have to try to come for their dinner menu and see how that is.
(4)
Krista K.
This place really is the best breakfast in the area and is less than a mile from my house. It is a large open space, with high ceilings and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The menu is pretty standard and mainly offers omelettes, scrambles, pancakes and french toast. No benedicts, rancheros, or other "brunchy" type options, although word on the street is they may show up soon! :-) As for the food itself, it was very good. The bacon was crisp though and the over medium eggs were just right. We also had an omelett, which was pretty satisfying. The whole wheat buttered toast is great. They don't offer fresh squeezed orange juice. The prices are pretty reasonable, the portions are large and the service is fine. The owner works hard and really cares about the place. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Globetrotting I.
It's been a couple of years since I had breakfast here so I decided to stop by this morning. The decor has changed. New tables and they now have flat screens on the walls. The breakfast was served fast but the taste was blah. Server was nice but busy (was coming off the morning rush?)and wasn't very attentive. Food lacked flavor and was very bland. The price of the mimosas went up and the glass got smaller. Ordered some food to go and didn't include butter, jelly, syrup, etc. in the bag. Nothing memorable and prices don't match the quality of the food. Won't be back.
(2)
Professor Higgins P.
Its hard to find real breakfast these days. Either you go to Denny's (which is not a place sober people go) or you have "brunch" which basically means you will eat pumkin spiced pancakes with white chocolate glaze or some chicken/pear/goat cheese sausages. Not that gourmet breakfast is a bad thing, but sometime you feel like something that reminds you of simpler times Cafe Soleil is just that place. Eggs, sausage PATTIES (pork), biscuits and gravy, and hashbrowns the right way - shredded and fried - not diced and pretentious. They even throw melted cheese or country gravy on them if you want. Their omelletes are very good, the coffee is solid and the service is friendly and courteous. It hits the spot when you want a hearty and simple breakfast. Also, for those with kids, they are very accomodating, and the place is spacious and loud enough so you don't really disturb your neighbors. 4 stars because the food is good, but not the best greasy spoon breakfast I've had.
(4)
Sabrinasmom S.
Jennifer and Todd's is one of my regular breakfast spots. There are a lot of things on the menu, but I tend to either order the Chicken with Jack, Bacon and Avocado Omelet or the Hamburger patty with eggs. I don't really like avocado, so it's a plus that they always let me substitute mushrooms for the avocado without a charge. It says a lot to me that the staff is pretty much the same since I started coming here ten years ago.. There is a young woman who is very nice and has been part of the staff on and off. She told me once that she comes and goes depending on her child's schedule and her education. The fact that the owners accomodate her is very telling that they appreciate their staff. They have never been less than polite or efficient. Yes it gets really busy - especially on the weekends. I have seen more than once people walk in - see that they are slammed and then move on to Tina's. The food is on par at both. Vice Versa. Just depends on flow, I guess. It's funny living in a small town, that the same people review the same places. I am all for giving local businesses a try. It's funny reading some of the reviews, though. I think some people will have a bad experience no matter where they go. So 4 stars - they get a minus because there Joe's Special is not on the regular menu and the last time I ordered it was missing spinach.
(4)
Nicole C.
Just came here for a family breakfast since everyone was home, and gotta say - I'm a fan. Now even though I live in El Sobrante, let's just say I don't eat in any of the restaurants of El Sobrante. We tried Tina's before and were so turned off by it, that my dad was ready to go to Denny's this morning. I talked him into giving Cafe Soleil a try and even he was satisfied here. This is a real breakfast joint - the options for breakfast were so vast and everyone ordered exactly what they were craving. Most of us got the omelettes with fillings to our likings. The hash that came with it was massive in size and equally tasty. My mom was odd ball out with pancakes and eggs but this was exactly what she was looking for and was happy with her choice (along with many stabs at our food). Tracking down the coffee pot was somewhat of an issue for my dad but he had no complaints. Overall great establishment with a cute ambiance. Truly a hidden gem in El Sobrante.
(4)
Sarah S.
We ordered the chicken fried steak and a full order of french toast. Both were the best of each we had ever eaten. If the quality of the food had been a little less superb I would have knocked off a star for the plastic entree plates (really?) and the we tried but didn't succeed in making this place homey decor. But seriously, the food was so fantastic that I can't even complain. Very friendly and speedy service, one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten. El Sob baby! Come and get it.
(5)
Greg H.
I really wish yelp had 1/2 stars... This would be 1/2. It's the only American diner style place, other than the chains, for miles. Hidden away in corner of a strip mall. The staff is friendly, the decor is weird with their large tables and painted floor. The other patrons were San Pablo types. I'd go back if I was in the area again. Decent size portions and low-ish price. No birthday when I was there.
(3)
Ed K.
This is your typical american breakfast place. 3 stars as the food here is just OK. Not sure I'd come here again as I've uncovered Alley Cafe in Pinole and Anna's in El Cerrito.
(3)
Teresa G.
great service. delicious food. definitely a great place.!!
(5)
Matt K.
We sat at the counter and had pretty good food. I had pancakes, scrambled eggs and hash browns and the portion sizes were pretty large. My hash brown block was probably 4 inches by 10 inches wide and came on its own dinner plate. The short stack of pancakes (two) were also quite large and took up another dinner plate. The size of the egg order was not out of the ordinary. As with many of the other reviewers on here, I didn't finish all the food on my plates. This place kind of reminds me of a lot of the restaurants I've eaten at near highways all over the country. The wait-staff was working pretty hard but still takes the time to have conversations with the regulars. I do like it when places make sure my coffee cup stays topped off and this place makes an effort to do just that. I noticed they had an automatic espresso/cappuccino/mocha machine behind the counter, but everyone in the restaurant seemed satisfied with the Farmer Brothers coffee. If the prices were a little bit lower I'd probably have given Cafe Soleil one more star. And even though El Sobrante feels a bit like rural America, it's still part of the Bay Area as demonstrated by 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, hash browns and coffee costing about $12 before tip.
(3)
Marshall S.
Who knew such a good place could be tucked away into this dumpy little strip mall? The food is always fantastic and the service is fast and friendly. Leah R. is right -- the country breakfast is amazing, while also very affordable. Today, however, I opted the Spanish Omelete, which consisted of my choice of ground beef or chicken (i chose ground beef), onions, ortega jack, salsa, sour cream, and some other Spanishy stuff, with hash browns (or home fries if you like) and toast (they have about 10 different kinds, including sourdough and a few whole weat varieties). Ay Dios Mio -- que bueno! GO HERE!
(5)
Leah D.
Cafe Soleil has been around a while, and has proved to be a consistent, down to earth type of breakfast/brunch spot. Seriously consider taking a drive out to El Sobrante to try their country breakfast - it is one of those delicious heart attack on a plate type of meals that you should only really eat once a year. Maybe twice if you choose their half-portion. MmmMmm sooo good. Also, the owners are great. know this only because they have treated both of my brothers who works/worked there throughout high school incredibly well. The prices are fair, and the service is nice. Well worth the trip out to "The Leftovers".
(5)
Cathie L.
My family and I just love their new extended hours, starting February 15, 2008. The restaurant is now open till 8 pm, Mondays thru Thursdays and Sundays. 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. We just had the most scrumptous New York Steak dinner, with out-of-this-world clam chowder, delicious garlic mashed potatoes, fabulous fresh vegetables, and a fresh bread roll. All at a reasonable price! Jennifer and her staff are so upbeat and very friendly. This restaurant is just the BEST and we definitly want to pass this on to everybody old and young alike! Try it...you will be so happy you did!
(5)
S B.
I have been here a few times and the first time I really liked it. the second time was good.. And the third time.. oye! I ordered a mimosa.. .ALL OUT. I ordered egg beaters.. OUT... I ordered a diet coke... it's diet rite! I thought I was on a hidden camera show.
(2)
Yahawana Coy P.
I like to go here for breakfast. Try the Workers Special (2 Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, 2 Eggs, 2 Patty, 4 Links or Bacon) $8.95. The burgers are good too. I'm so old school, I remember the old location on San Pablo Ave when I was a kid.
(4)
PP F.
Jennifer and Todd's Cafe Soleil serves huge portions that are pretty good. Great omelettes.The atmosphere is pleasant and family friendly, and the tables are all old wooden dining tables and give it a great eclectic feel. The portions are HUGE---you will walked out stuffed. I had some initial (rather petty) complaints such as a problem with fresh strawberries on the pancakes and not serving caffeinated black tea like English Breakfast, but the owner read my review here on Yelp and wrote me such a nice e-mail, saying she would personally look into those matters....she was professional, incredibly courteous, and great. And that shows in the restaurant. You'll get caring service with owners who are passionate about their business. Cafe Soleil is on my top list of breakfast places for the East Bay.
(4)
Matthew C.
The Mambo Italiano is the best burger I've had!!! Its a must try! Come here once a week and the food never fails to impress me! A+++ for service & quality!
(5)
Toni M.
We had a couple of very good dinners here, maybe more, several years ago and then just sort of forgot about it because it's out of the way, tucked into a little strip mall on Dam Road. Alan happened upon a Yelp review which reminded him and we came here for lunch today. It's been so long since we were here I actually drove around the wrong damn shopping center before continuing on to the the right one. Once there, we walked on in and were directed to choose a table, which we did. Both our servers were young, pleasant and attentive. He kept our ice tea glasses filled. She was patient while we decided what to have and teased us nicely about our rationale. Alan ordered Sam's Scram, which had chicken-apple sausage, spinach, mushrooms, etc, accompanied by home fries. He liked it. We shared a side order of biscuit and gravy, which was better than the biscuits and gravy at the Sedona airport restaurant, probably the last time we had that. I ordered a Greek salad, which was generously portioned, w/ salami, feta, kalamata olives, sweet grape tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, sweet red peppers, and, of course lettuce. It came w/ a Greek vinaigrette that the waitress predicted would knock my socks off, which it did, but was less assertive when mixed thoroughly w/ the other ingredients. Very tasty, although next time I'll ask that the pepperoncini be held because they just don't like me anymore and I picked 'em all out. I was torn between that and a scallop salad, which also sounded good and a hamburger whose fate was sealed when she told us that hamburgers were generally cooked medium rare rather than rare. That's OK. Salad was healthier.
(4)
Amanda M.
Husband and I just ate dinner here, and we're very happy and very full. Both had salads with homemade Italian dressing, which was just fantastic. He had the French Dip - rosemary jus - and I had the Works burger (it took up the entire plate and was about 8 inches tall!) Definitely going back, may even become regulars!
(4)
karen z.
So far we've been here a handful of times and loved the food. They are prompt and we've never waited for long. Our kids love it there which is a big plus.
(4)
Jennifer L.
I've only been here for breakfast because I love their omelets! The portions are generous and prices decent. The cafe staff has always been friendly to me even though it gets really crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)
Tia C.
Jen did my wedding not too long ago and people raved about the food! Fresh, large portions, and tasty. Jen was polite, so friendly, answered any questions I had and was very helpful. The Only reason she is not getting five stars is because the servers at the wedding left something to be desired. But overall, use her! You will not be disappointed and neither will your guests!
(4)
Fuego F.
This place is decent or pretty good at best.Its definitely not a four star spot and here is why:The coffee sucks and they don't have fresh squeezed juice.These two reasons alone discourage me from going even though I live two minutes away.I ate here a few times while Tina's Creekside Cafe was relocating to Pinole,I was eager for Tina's to reopen.I tried the biscuits and gravy so I could compare and they were crap,they could really learn a thing or two from Tina.I encourage anyone who eats here on a regular basis to reevaluate there breakfast options.On a positive note they do have a lot of options on the menu and the lunch is decent.
(3)
s k.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this cafe since it's in my neighborhood and I've eaten there numerous times. Food is good, not great...but consistent and generous portions. Glad Costco sells 50% off cards..stocked up (can't use the card to pay for tax or tip). Last 2 times hubby & I came for dinner, the service was friendly but not very attentive - waitress bubbly, took our order promptly, but then seemed to forget about us ... all the waitstaff were chatting behind the counter & not looking after customers' needs. The blue cheese burger w/ fries was good though a little dense - took 1/2 home as did my hubby - he had chicken fried chicken. His favorite use to be chicken fried steak but they must have changed recipes or suppliers as the last couple times he tried it he wasn't super happy (before then, he said it was the best cfs he's ever eaten). I like the new tables much better - the old huge tables made me feel like I was at a conference. Breakfast and lunch are good too.
(4)
Hideyo S.
It's just hard to find good breakfast places, but this place passes the test. Good quality food in good sized portions. Just a shame that it's in a relatively hard to find part of the strip mall that used to be Fry's groceries. My dilemma's always whether I'll go for something other than their biscuits and gravy.
(4)
Ian J.
There's a real reason that my family tends to make this a weekly stop... well, two reasons, and they're the most pertinent. Food and service. Both are really great. Nice and helpful waiters/waitresses (typically the latter). Try the Spanish omelet, Sheri's Special (named after one of the waitresses, who is, ironically a vegetarian [it's a sandwich with REAL turkey - not that preprocessed lunchmeat stuff]), or Oscar's Special. All great. The burgers are huge - you can easily make two meals of it - although I have to admit I'm not too into their fries... I prefer the potato salad. Come hungry. You will be stuffed by the end of your stay. It's not a quiet place, if there's a minus to be found. Can be difficult to hold a conversation. But once you've made a few stops there, you can adjust your voice accordingly. Also, it's quite a popular place - so you MIGHT have to wait sometimes. (Typically not too long... and they have nice sofas in the wait area.) Trust me - worth the wait. Best kept secret in El Sobrante!!
(5)
charlie m.
Look ...i have tried and tried to like this place. I have lived in the area for 12+ years and there is not much in the way of breakfast out here. I pretty much have the standard breakfast at every joint i eat at : poached eggs, toast, and meat (bacon or sausage) and every time it is substandard. Sorry but i have moved on to better and cheaper breakfast.
(2)
Mike B.
I used to go to this place all the time, back when my son was a baby and we lived out that way. The food is pretty good. Nothing to rave about. They seemed to almost ALWAYS be out of whatever I ordered. And I am REALLY not into the idea of putting a bunch of layers of inexpensive crap on inexpensive hashbrowns, and pretending it's worth $8. They do the same thing at Waffle House back home. Not my thing. Maybe it's yours. The service is really what had me coming back every time. The ladies always remembered us, and took good care of us. I'd recommend the spot if you were in the area, especially if you like a buncha' crap on your hashbrowns! Overall, it's a decent breakfast. Possibly a bit pricey.
(3)
Rodney W.
I used to come to Cafe Soleil every Sunday like it was a religious experience. After a long hiatus I went back with my family. Ordered a avocado, chicken with jack cheese omelet. The chicken was dry as sand and the cheese had melted and got hard again from sitting our to long. My son's pancakes wear chewy like rubber and my daughter's chicken strips were close to burnt. I chalked it up to a bad day in the kitchen. I came back today for a late breakfast early lunch. Everything we ordered they were out of (no kidding 3 separate request they didn't have any left). I ordered a burger & fries for myself and chicken "strips" for my kids. My burger was clearly from a frozen patty (CHEWY) and instead of "strips" my daughter got a burnt order of frozen chicken nuggets. When I complained they brought me another order which was burnt but this time better they were mostly black instead of a dark brown. The 3rd order I guess they decide to microwave cause they were soggy. When I asked why didn't they have the strips like last time the answer and I quote. "Oh sometimes to save time they just use the frozen ones cause it takes more time to make the strips"...CHECK PLEASE!!!!!
(2)
Rei M.
Love Dale's Hashbrowns. Absolute yummy in my tummy!
(5)
mellie m.
Great for breakfast or lunch. Waitress are fast, efficient and friendly. Dinner is a different story. Went in and the new cook (Rubio?)......boo... never went back for dinner. My friend and I were the only customers in the place. Took 30 minutes to get the food and then they forgot the soup we ordered. The cook and waiter seemed much more interested in talking than getting us our food.
(3)
Michael E.
Great quality (a lot of homemade options) and great portions at a fair price. The dinner menu is limited right now but Jennifer is working on expanding it. My first time there I ordered the Prime Rib special (Friday and Saturday nights) - IT WAS THE BOMB! She slow roasts it with rosemary, it was tender, juicy and tasted incredible. Accompanied with vibrant steamed veggies sauteed in fresh garlic, country style garlic mashed potatoes with a swimming portion of hot brown gravy and a roll and butter - I forced myself to finish the generous portion because it was too good to not eat every last bite.
(4)
Sophie g.
this is our fav breakfast spot to go to in the east bay! homemade food and very welcoming the staff know there costumers by a first name basis and i never leave unsatisfied. my fav dish to get is the french toast combo with the fresh fruit you cant go wrong!
(5)
Lisa G.
Like another reviewer said, hit or miss. The decor is nice. The service is just okay. The tables are too big in my opinion unless you have a big party. The food is okay but not great. I ordered the "Jennifer's Homefries" which are basically homefries with onions, tomatoes and salsa and sour cream on the side. They had more onions than potatoes. The coffee has a burnt flavor. The juice was warm.
(2)
J J.
Great food with many options including lots of healthy options. Well priced for the dinner and a great dining atmosphere. They are wicked fast and you can always rely on that. If seating takes awhile, you know once you order your food will appear immediately at your table. The place is run like clockwork. If you're looking for someone to swoon over you and pour you bellinis at breakfast, this might not be your place. It's a great diner with intelligent wait staff, and I absolutely love this place.
(5)
gail z.
Very hit and miss. Service is too slow. Sunday mornings are crazy busy. Breakfasts ARE good.
(3)
Sol T.
This is one of our favorite breakfast places in the East Bay. The warm and inviting decor combine with a friendly and accommodating staff to make for a comfortable place for a meal. It can be a bit loud when the place is crowded, which is often the case on a weekend mid-morning visit. And if you have to wait, you'll find a couple of comfy couches where you can sit and browse the morning paper. Nice touch! The food is excellent. We've been there for lunch a couple of times and had some great sandwiches, but it's hard to pass up their outstanding breakfasts. Coffee is great; make sure you ask for their French roast. Pancakes are large, fluffy, and delicious. One of our favorite things is their large selection of tasty omelettes that aren't too big, just the right size actually. The potatoes are usually pretty good, though they've been a little over done lately. The Spanish omelette is one of our favorites but most of them are worth trying. I believe what Amy describes is the Country Special. Obviously, it's not something you'll want to order every time unless you're trying to achieve some kind of record-setting cholesterol level. But it sure is tasty! Though I suppose you could get the half order and only feel half as guilty. The service is great too. A friendly, personable waitstaff keeps your coffee cup filled, even when the place is busy.
(5)
Elise D.
This place has some really good breakfast. I love rolling out of bed on the weekend around 1pm and coming here. My roommates and I all order different things and we are all very happy. The service is great too. Even if this place wasn't right down the road I'd still come here. I have been getting manicures next door for years and never knew of this little gem till my roommates took me here and Im glad the did!
(4)
Amy L.
I don't remember the name of the dish I ordered but it was sooo yummy. hashbrowns layered with biscuits, layered with scrambled eggs, layered with sausage, and drenched with gravy. My dish was so big it lasted me two meals! The great thing about Cafe Soleil is most of their dishes come w/ a choice of soup, salad, fries, or fruit salad. The fruit salad was the best fruit salad I've ever been able to get at a restuarant as a side dish. It had fresh pineapple, blackberries, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, apples, and oranges.
(5)
Joe C.
Where doweI go when we actually get up early on Sunday? Todd & Jennifer's. Excellent pancakes and good coffee. Do miss when they were located near my house, tho'.
(5)
Jessica O.
The past few times we've gone for breakfast the food was cold and the coffee tasted terrible! I like their fruit cups but other than that I think they need to improve the quality and timeliness of the food.
(2)
Kenneth H.
it's whatever. been here i think once or twice, and it's just whatever. i should give this place one more chance. i rarely ever eat breakfast anyway.
(3)
Jess M.
quaint little breakfast/lunch place in a plaza in el sobrante. the people were pretty friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. it seems like the kind of place with Regularas. and it's certainly very spacious. in fact, the place is almost cavernous with its high ceilings, and very spaced-apart tables. the walls are brick, and higher up are some pastel-y colour. dim-ish lighting. it felt like how the alamo would feel, if it were a breakfast joint. extensive menu. affordable. eager with the coffee refills. and they have scented hand soaps and hand lotions in the bathroom! but. i love potatoes, and usually that is how i judge breakfast places. theirs were just ok. they were powdery, mostly lacking in flavour, and cooked with a bajillion little raw-ish diced onions. not my fave, gotta say. but they breakfast i ordered was certainly ample, and i couldn't even finish, whereas i am usually the one to offer to finish other people's meals for them. coffee wasn't bad. they have biscuits and gravy. and several different breakfast meat options: chicken apple, patty, smoked chicken apple, chicken basil, etc. i can't remember them all, as i did not pay too much attention because i'm not into the hearty meats as my first meal of the day. they do egg white/egg substitutes, i think for free, but i don't know. it didn't say on the menu, and i didn't check my receipt, high-roller that i am i didn't bother. this is the most disjointed, non sensical thing ever. i blame my lack of focus on the lackluster quality of their homefries. maybe their hashbrowns are better.
(3)
Janet B.
I've been going here for years for breakfast on the weekends - never had anything else here, though. The place is always packed. The food is always great, and great service. Great place!
(4)
Mark B.
great food, good prices and great staff
(4)
Carissa C.
pancakes to die for. dale's hashbrowns are a heart attack on a plate (and damn if a heart attack doesn't taste sooo good). lots of good home cookin' for a little money. come hungry, but not so hungry you can't wait to be seated without getting your panties in a bunch. but then again don't go anywhere so hungry that you can't wait to be seated without getting your panties in a bunch. been coming here (well, and since before they were even here when they were on san pablo in richmond) for almost 17 years. the wait staff does not turn over a lot so they seem to be doing something right with their employees too. try it. you'll like it . unless you're expecting claremont staff and aqua cuisine.
(4)
R W.
This is by far the best place to eat in El Sob. Good for lunch and breakfast. Great service and even beter food. I love it!!
(5)
Kristianne D.
My husband and I love the food at cafe soleil, so when we found out that they not only cater but the price was affordable, it was a no brainer deciding on who would cater our wedding. Jennifer is so amazing; she helped me with any questions I had while I was planning and had great suggestions. Not only did she make our reception beautiful, her staff was so kind and helpful. Whatever we needed, they were on top of it. We got so many compliments on the food from our guests. I would recommend cafe soleil fr any catering event.
(5)
Miss E.
Cute interior decor but lacks warmth and service. We came here because I thought the burger photos on Yelp looked great. Fail. Mike's burger and regular burger were bland for the price. Truly a disappointment.
(1)
Judith B.
We really liked Cafe Soleil but watched the quality go down over time and eventually stopped going altogether. So disappointing since El Sobrante is a desert of decent restaurants. :o(
(2)
liesl l.
Driving to South Lake Tahoe from the city early one day and was looking for a good breakfast spot on the way. They only had 3.5 stars but it was close so we stopped. Wow, what a great surprise! Awesome food and service. Love it and wouldn't hesitate to return. The special hash browns were beyond amazing, I recommend the ones with gravy.
(5)
Patrick Z.
Went here with some coworkers for lunch on a Friday. I got the chicken pesto sandwich with potato salad. The sandwich was big and tasty. I had to add salt to both the sandwich and the potato salad. I'll try the soup next time. Service was a bit slow. Waiter had to ask the manger if they would accept the Yelp 10% off check-in coupon. They ended up giving all four of us the 10% discount. Thanks!
(3)
Andie S.
Came for chicken fried steak - all out. Too bad but no apology from my server. She recommended club sandwich at 9:50 in the morning. ??? My pancakes tasted.of uncooked flour. Seriously smaller than those pictured on Yelp. I wouldn't EVER come back for pancakes. Try the RED ONION for better. French roast coffee was Not French roast but very tasty. Sausage was very good. Eggs must be the smallest available.but nicely cooked. Feels like a neighborhood dive - not too bad but there's better in the area. I guess it fits in with the neighborhood. Overall just another place to tank up. Not much to recommend my coming back.
(2)
Robert M.
I brought my whole family and everyone loved it. The food was great! They serve a great amount of food and it left us full and satisfied. This is a must-go place.
(5)
Alyssa J.
Pleasantly surprised! Met a friend here for brunch Saturday around noon and it was busy but the wait was probably about 5 minutes. Service was chill and food came out in about 15 minutes. I had 2 egg breakfast with Jennifer's potatoes and it was delish! They also have a Yelp check in offer for 10% off (one person's) meal.
(4)
Myron N.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!! It was recommended to us by the hotel and it was a complete disaster. They brought out cold food they took it back and put it in the microwave. It's not hard to mess up pancakes but these people did. They brought out half burned pancakes for my son and flipped it upside down so we couldn't see There was a girl with a pierced noise that was extremely rude And they had the nerve to charge me for the meal that was sent back to the kitchen the 2nd time and I said I did not want it Again, stay away from it
(1)
Arianne H.
If it's one thing I love, it's definitely BREAKFAST...food and Brunch! So I guess that's 2 things. I love but you know...same difference. Came here with an now ex-boyfriend because he recommended it due to my love of breakfast when I was visiting him from LA at the time and was this a great place indeed! It's in a very random area of El Sobrante,especially for a restaurant, either way, as they say, "don't judge a book by its cover" Came here on a kinda early morning, but usual breakfast time for most people on a weekday and this place was pretty busy. Not super busy though where there was a wait, but I can only imagine how the lines are on the weekends. We were greeted by the very nice hostess and seated in a very timely manner. I also noticed that there were a lot of regulars here and the waitress and hostess knew a lot of people by name which is always a really good sign! They keep coming back! The restaurant had such a cute vibe to it, which you would never know until you went inside and saw for yourself. All of the staff were very friendly and were very willing and patient to answer any questions we had about the menu. I ordered the the Spanish omelet with chicken and we both shared 2 pancakes...which were huge! Actually, the portions of all the food was pretty big and in reality we should've shared but who really likes to share food when trying out a new place! You want to try it all! hahah The Spanish omelet was delicious and the pancake was even more delicious! If you know me really well, you know that I LOVE pancakes and the pancakes here were delicious...and HUGE! That's something you really have to share here, unless that's the only thing you plan on eating! I've been here already a good few times and I'm never disappointed! If you're looking for a good breakfast or brunch spot in this area of the Bay, try THIS PLACE you won't be sorry!
(5)
Chelsey L.
5 Stars for the omelets! So many options and always cooked perfectly! :) The french toast is awesome and so is the BLT. Not that crazy about the hash browns, a lil mushy for me ( I prefer THE EMBERS) but the home fries are good. I usually get the fresh fruit for my side they give you a big bowl and depending on the time of the year depends on what you get. But it FRESH fruit so thats what i expect. Great service, coffee cup is always full and they have mixed fruit jelly! haha i love it, most places dont have it, and its good stuff...
(5)
Heather G.
I have nothing bad to say about this place. I use to eat here all the time when I lived in El Sobrante. Had not eaten here in years until this week and it was just as good as I remember. I had the Country Special which is two biscuits with hasbrowns, eggs, sausage, and gravy piled on top. Yum!! Boyfriend got the chicken fettucine alfredo, and he said his was good as well. The salad that his came with looked really good too. Neither one of us were able to finish our meal due to portions are super big. The check was right around $30. Great deal for the amount of food you get. We will be back again soon!
(5)
Jason B.
Finding this place makes me both happy & sad at the same time. Happy because I've finally found a great, local spot to have the best Lazy Sunday Blinners (A full day's worth of caloric intake, consolidating your normal 3 meals a day into one meal), but... also sad because it'll be short lived since I'll be moving in the next month or so Though I can't believe I've driven past this hidden gem for years & never walked inside, I'm glad I finally did. Mainly because it looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but the moment you walk in, it's anything but. Breakfast & lunch served all day! Open seating, fast & friendly service, huge portions, very family friendly & pretty extensive menu. I came here on one of my lazy Sunday afternoons & we ordered their Chicken Cesar Salad w/ ranch, club sandwich w/ avocado & jack cheese w/ homemade clam chowder & fries. Their fries are the best fries I've had in a long time, & their salad was so good. The clam chowder was OK, lacked clams & the bacon didn't really do it justice. Overall, I walked out with a perfect full & left overs to eat later.
(4)
Angela N.
I've tried to check this place out on a few different occasions. Each time, it's been "brunch" time and the wait is 45 minutes!!! There's no way I can wait 45 minutes to eat breakfast. The forces weren't with me until yesterday... Luckily, my houseguest was up bright and early (she clearly didn't have as much to drink as I did) and we made our way to Cafe Soleil. I immediately loved the openness and the large dining room tables. The food was really good and I loved that you have the option to get your food cooked without oil and butter. The service was friendly and attentive. I'm knocking off one star for one reason only. The coffee. It's not good. The regular was weak and watery. We sent it back. Our server returned with the french roast which had more body but a slightly burnt aftertaste. Really? I don't get how the food can be so good...and the coffee so terribly wrong. I'd definitely eat here again...but only if they let me bring my own thermos of coffee.
(3)
Mario D.
Yep coupon when you yelp. Good food and service. Try the different types of hash browns they have. Really good!
(4)
Joseph T.
This great cafe provides a quality selection of breakfast, American, and Italian food. My personal favorite is the Chicken Jack on a whole wheat bun with a delicious side salad. I am biased towards liking wheat buns, but I believe they taste better than the white buns here. I really liked their chicken parmigiana, their turkey sandwhich, and their salmon dish. They even offer healthier options on their breakfast food such as no oil house potatoes and egg whites. Portion size is great and you leave filling full. I have purchased several gift cards at the Richmond Costco that effectively give me about 45% off each meal (considering the gift cards are two for one and can't be used for tax). Price point without the gift card is reasonable considering the food quantity and the overall pricing of nearby restaurants. They even have takeout! This restaurant has great ambiance with its brick decor, open kitchen, and two flat screens. It is an ideal setting either to take friends or to study with a good book or your laptop (free WiFi). The staff is always upbeat and cheerful, helpful, and polite. Cafe Soleil is my go to place in El Sobrante. The cafe raises my opinion of the whole neighborhood!
(5)
Chuck D.
Fat plates, good service, and great tasting food! A+ in my book. Food only took 5 mins to get to the table and waiter checked up on us 5+ times. They have flatscreens, huge tables for elbow room, and its clean. Oh yeah... get the dales hashbrowns.
(5)
Stephanie J.
Brunch anyone!? I love breakfast and they make a mean breakfast and decent portion size. I usually order an omelet from here because they don't make my other favorite dish, eggs benedict (why? who knows). I get the veggie omelet with a side of home style potatoes and whole wheat toast. I think I look forward to the comforting feeling the food gives you. It's a nice little cafe for a down to earth feel and some home style cooking. Very charming place.
(4)
Andrionni R.
I come here all the time when I'm back in the Bay Area. Figure I'd write a review of this place. This is probably one of the best places for breakfast local of Hercules where I stay when I'm back here. I usually go for breakfast, which is pretty good and the service generally nice and quick. Veggie scramble is what I usually get and accompany it with wheat toast and home fries. The scramble is a nice sauteed mix of eggs, onions, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese done just right providing some nice texture and robust flavors. I usually pop in a dash of Tabasco to accent the flavor. The toast is usually great... with a nice mix of brownness, crunch, softness, and buttered just right. The home fries are a nice mix of nicely fried potatoes mixed with onions. They usually never let the coffee cup go empty. They give me a fresh cup of coffee to go when I ask nicely.... most excellent when I'm having trouble starting my morning right. Other things worth noting: Free WiFi! :-) I have my iPod touch in hand downloading the latest articles on the NYTimes app and checking flickr and facebook. The ambiance is clean... brick walls grace the side with odd works of art on the side such as portraits of customers at tables. Tables are really large (kinda weird, they serve entree, not a la carte.... why the space?) with some mishmash of seating. The ambiance is busy with some pleasant music in the background. Nice flooring... generally warm in tone. Weekend breakfast time is busy. If you come after 0830 on a weekend then you're stuck waiting. The waits are variable... I remember one point they weren't accurate with their wait time and it wasn't for the better. Weekdays are generally nicer due to usually not needing to wait. I've done lunch and dinner a couple of times. Nothing to write home about for me yet. Food's fine. Generally quiet. Apparently there's music last Sunday evening of the month.... hrmm.. I've become accustomed to paying at the counter when leaving. Sitting around waiting for them to pick up the bill takes some time. It's worth the drive when the competition I figure is a "greased up" IHOP, "almost par level" Waffle House, "greased up" Red Onion, "super large portions and they don't take credit" Alley Cafe. Overall, recommended.
(4)
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Address :3550 San Pablo Dam Rd
El Sobrante, CA, 94803
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jana C.
nice!!! El Sobrante has an eating establishment that is not too bad!!! Located in the strip mall one past the Raley's one.. when turning in, head alllll the way to the back right corner... sign you'll spot will seem to only say CAFE. Burgers all around the table for lunch.... though the patty itself was too dense and packed down for my tastes (which sung to me of frozen), still, our lunch came with this luscious bowl of soup so large, it stuffed me halfway just finishing it...LARGE PORTIONS! You have been forewarned. Burgers have wonderfully fresh condiments (which I love), and a sourdough-type scored bun that can absorb all kinds of sauce emitted from said burger patty + fixings. I must come back and attempt breakfast here one day... Happy that Costco allowed me to try this establishment. I've followed a few of Jennifer's sauce recipes and such in the local CC county Marketplace periodical for residents. Lovely----
(5)Katia C.
We just had our Christmas lunch party there and the food was great as well as the staff. Jennifer was so nice helping us to get it organized in the new room they have ... The salmon salad was great !!!!
(4)Chelsea M.
Please Let Me Tell You How Jennifer & Café Soleil Made My Simple-Budget Wedding A Classy and Elegant 5-Star Affair My initial budget for catering was punched in the face by reality. Almost had a seizure when I learned what catering actually costs in a first world country. Those dollars are precious, especially if you don't have a lot of them. It was so stressful trying to find a caterer within our budget. After meeting with 2 other caterers, I found Café Soleil Catering on Weddingwire. Their menu options offered plenty of variety, the flat-rate prices were in my budget range, and after one phone consultation with Jennifer, I knew we were in good hands. We'd found our caterer. Jennifer made us feel extremely comfortable with her services from the get-go. She was always professional, punctual, gave thorough explanations of what Café Soleil can offer, and went over the process and procedures of how our event would be managed. We were blown away. At no point did we have those "too good to be true" doubts, or feel pressured to cough up a deposit (as I'd felt with the first 2 caterers we'd met). Jennifer and her staff went above and beyond the duties of a catering service. She made our reception look stunningly beautiful, displayed all of our décor for us, arranged our centerpieces on the tables, and so much more. She and her staff took care of all the things I was stressed about handling. She took away my stress. Did you hear me? JENNIFER TOOK AWAY MY STRESS. THIS IS WHAT EVERY BRIDE NEEDS. The entire Café Soleil team was awesome. Attentive, polite, friendly, professional, but also....they seemed to have FUN working my reception. Genuine smiles from all of them. I'm not sure if Jennifer is aware that her passion for her job shows on her face when she works, or that it's abundantly obvious that her staff loves working for her. It shows. Everyone saw this. When even the catering crew enjoys themselves at your wedding, it just sets the tone for a magnificent event. Your guests notice this. They feel it. YOU CAN'T BUY THIS. NO INVOICE SURPRISES! Everything was incredibly upfront. Jennifer was very quick to update any last minute changes and promptly sent revised invoices every time I asked for them. I knew exactly what we owed well before the event, down to the penny. We nailed down the menu in 2 tastings. Jennifer was always at the restaurant to greet us, right on time. The food was absolutely delicious. Fresh. Good quality. Authentic. I had a brief, but passionate, love affair with the Mushroom Ravioli in Marsala sauce at our first tasting. Licked the plate clean right in front of Jennifer and my (then) fiancé. I regret nothing. The ravioli were that good. We went buffet style for various reasons, but Jennifer also offers plated service for the same price. I appreciated that option. * Mushroom Ravioli: every single one of our guests tried it and shared my ravioli lust. * Chicken Saltimbocca: This was a tantalizing treat for the taste buds. Chicken breast wrapped in fresh sage leaves and pancetta, blanketed in a delightful lemon-caper sauce. Chicken was cooked beautifully. Not one dry piece. Not one. * Now, check this out -JENNIFER CUSTOM CREATED A BACON STUFFED PORKLOIN SMOTHERED IN A MAPLE-BACON JAM. Yeah, you read that right. Bacon city. Our guests went bonkers over this porkloin!! The pork was tender and juicy, the bacon was high quality, and the sweetness of the maple gave this dish such depth in flavor. Each bite was a mapley savory kiss of bacony heaven. Jennifer concocted the idea for this divine recipe while we were brainstorming at our second tasting. She was so willing to create something fabulously unique for us. It stole the show at the buffet station. Jennifer, if you're reading this, PLEASE put it on your catering menu for all to enjoy!!!! Café Soleil provided our beer & wine @ $12 a head. This was less expensive than buying it ourselves (I'd been to Costco and SAM's Club to price out the cost differences). They provided our favorite beers, and PLENTY OF IT. My friends can suck down beer like thirsty camels, so BRAVO Café Soleil for keeping up with us! My wino guests told me the wine choices were excellent. I'm not a fan of wine, but I was stoked that everyone was pleased. Again, precious dollars well spent. I need to cut this off, but I could just go on and on. I seriously can't praise Jennifer and Café Soleil enough for making my reception so absolutely extraordinary. It looked like I'd spent THOUSANDS more than what I did. A Hundred Stars For You. We were honored to be your last wedding of 2014! Thank you, guys. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
(5)Christina M.
I've been coming here for years now and you cant go wrong with the breakfast here. Sometimes it does get busy here depending on what day and time. The employees are friendly and when I checked in here I got a 10% off the bill which is always something to rave about!
(4)Joan M.
I wish I could give a no stars rating. Food is ok, a bit greasy, cooks are great but their servers are so bad. They seat people out of order because their not smart enough to put out a sign up sheet. A couple of them are so rude they need to find another position in life away from the public. There are too many other nicer places to go...too bad they use to be good.
(1)Louise A.
I recently went to Cafe Soleil for my traditional birthday breakfast of Eggs Benedict. I found that they only have them on weekends. They weren't too busy and Oscar the cook overheard that it was my birthday and offered to make it for me. I told him he didn't need to, but he insisted. The hollandaise was fresh (I watched him make it) the eggs were perfectly done and the presentation was lovely. I will certainly be back (not expecting preferential treatment) but for more good food.
(5)Judy K.
Had a really good lunch, service good. The bar stools my friend and I sat on are Very torn. Definately not comfortable to sit on.
(4)Earl B.
Food was great as usual. Service was prompt and the restrooms clean and well kept. It's always a pleasure to come here!
(5)Vivienne K.
Jennifer Arrouzet is tops in wedding catering. We're regulars at Café Soleil and when we found out that Jennifer caters weddings, going local seemed a good idea. It turned out to be so much more than that. Jennifer "takes on" her brides and makes sure that your special day is truly special and everything is taken care of. She worked with our guests' dietary needs (gluten-free and dairy-free options), connected us to excellent economically-priced vendors for flowers, lighting and other services, and also helped us create a next-day family brunch in the function room adjoining the café. She worked wonderfully with our overall wedding co-ordinator, fine-tuned our reception venue floor plan, and even included our ceremony venue altar cloth in our linens order. The wedding feast was delicious, served graciously and on time by her wonderful team, and the table settings were enhanced by her lovely cake stands and candle holders. Taste highlights for us were the scrumptious chicken marsala and garlic mashed potatoes, the plentiful and perfectly cooked vegetables, and be sure to include the bacon-wrapped figs in your appetizer selection - they are divine!
(5)Christine G.
Love! Love! Love this place! Very busy on the weekends so we get our breakfast to go. Always on point! Fast service, friendly staff and great food! Our favorites: country special and Sams scramble! Enjoy!!!
(5)Christie B.
How do you screw up a grilled cheese and fries?? How?? The fries were flavorless and hard, the grilled cheese equally tasteless. I came here super hungry but the food was just so bad that I literally went home and made myself something. My boyfriend ordered a cheeseburger and it was also tasteless. I'm not kidding. I don't care how cheap it is. Ramen nuked in the microwave at home tastes better.
(1)Yao S.
As I often have a craving for incredible breakfast food made in my hometown, I somehow always think of two places only, and Cafe Soleil is automatically in that top two. Seating is always easy, even when I arrive during peak hours which typically are mornings. Every order is hearty and filled to the plate's edges. The coffee earns free refills and is always hot just the way I like it. There's a slightly loud ambiance, of course, but one can overlook that for their great food and fast service. I recently came and ordered the Worker's special in full servings, and man do they take "full" to the next level. My plate literally could serve up to three hungry people. I also highly recommend the worker's special for those craving a larger protein serving such as bacon or sausage. Their biscuits are fresh, flakey, soft, and house-made! Definitely recommend this to anyone in the East Bay for breakfast and brunch.
(5)EM C.
Eh, so-so food - but a good stop in El Sob, as far as El Sob goes... Coffee is diner good. Omelettes never really blend. Ingredients on a slab of scrambled eggs does not an omelette make! Service can be slow but is friendly. Regulars, lots of room, good facilities. If you want to be part of something in a small town, network and all that, it's good for that.
(3)Shirley W.
This place is a bit pricey for breakfast, but the food is pretty good. Only thing is that it takes forever for your order to arrive even when there are not too many other customers. Service is inconsistent per visit ranging from awesome to ignored. Do recommend. Possibly the best breakfast/brunch place in El Sobrante.
(3)Tony R.
Theres a reason why they get such good reviews, this place rocks, can't go wrong. Been visiting this place for years and food is always on point. The Latino guy who brings you water is a super hard worker and is always there, and always on top of everything. Highly recommended
(5)Christina L.
It looks shady from the outside, but the inside is beautiful! This was the first time I came here and I got a little confused. The way it works is that you seat yourself and the waitress will come and serve you. Service: They were super friendly and the place was very clean. Food: I only had breakfast here but I really liked it. They give you a huge serving. I ordered the corned beef with hash browns and It was huge! The hash brown was crispy but it could get crispy in my opinion. The corned beef was delicious! Loved it. Overall: I would definitely recommend this place! I'm also looking forward to coming back here and trying more items!
(4)Danelle T.
Love their healthy options menu. Takes awhile for them to notice you're there and seat you. They get my order right and the food tastes amazing so I'm happy!
(4)John S.
My wife kept bugging me about having the Todd Scramble. We decided to give Cafe soleil another try. Came here on a Monday morning and it was pretty empty. One bus boy and two waiters were working. I didnt want to risk getting the pancakes anymore and decided to get french toast. The french toast looked great until I flipped it over. They were only cooked on one side. Is this normal? All the F toast Ive had has been cooked on both sides. It was still edible so I decided not to return it. My wife ordered the Todd scramble and the Biscuit with gravy. She was disappointed with the scramble. Something was wrong with it and she couldn't pin point what the problem was. The gravy and biscuit was O.K. Service was a bit better thist time. The two waiters would do something and quickly go behind the counter. NOT once did any of them walk around with the coffee pot. We put our empty dishes on the side of the table. Even though the waiters walked by them a couple of times, they didn't bother taking them. My coffee cup remained empty and at the edge of the table for over 15 minutes. I'll just be going to my usual spot in El Cerrito, better service, better food and lower price.
(2)Georgina H.
I found the waiters at times could be uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if this was a casual place or not.
(3)Art N.
hmm where do i start off. Lets start of with the lack of service. During the time i went it was pretty empty and there were two servers standing around yapping. It took a while for the servers to actually take our order. As for breakfast man it is expensive 15 bucks for a plate are you kidding me? I ordered a plate and upgraded to "jennifer country potatoes" for a extra 3 dollars to get a super small portion of regular potatoes with a small side of salsa and sour cream. Wow what a rip off. the food here is just average nothing special. i should have thought twice about coming here when i saw the reviews about how many countless customers complained about the service.
(2)Cheryl W.
Went to this restaruant on Friday, Feb 27th for breakfast. The outside will certainly lead you to believe that this this a high end place, I told my husband as we drove up" I hope we are dressed up to par for this fancy place". To my surprise upon entering, the attire was very relaxed and I was happy about that. Since it was my first time, I was not sure where to wait for a seat, I was soon directed by the waiter to sit where I am comfortable which was also nice. Our order was taken within a few minutes of seating, enjoyed the selection of HOT tea. It took our food more time than usual to come out but we were patient. I ordered the french toast special, was ok, with a side of home fries that had no seasoning..but with a little salt and hot sauce it was alright. I did not care for the handwritten receipt at the end because I like to know what I am charged for. Otherwise, this is a nice, low key, comfortable eatery. Will be returning.
(4)Gail P.
I love this place for breakfast. Service at dinner recently was very friendly and nice. Decent, clean, place. The spaghetti was really overcooked and bland. My companion's rib eye steak was good. Will try again for dinner, based on most experiences here, but will not order this dish again.
(4)Dennis W.
I wish I could give no stars cause the place is that bad.I ordered 2 club house sandwiches to go and got home there was only one slice of turkey on them and soggy and was very expensive.I WOULD TELL EVERYBODY DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PLACE ,GARBAGE FOOD AND SERVICE THIS PLACE SUCKS
(1)Romina M.
The food is good here, but the service is slow. My friend and I literally waited for 15 minutes before we were able to order. Clearly, the only reason why I come back to this place because the food is good. The service needs some more help. That's the only downfall.
(3)Gary E.
I ordered a 1/2 Order of French Toast (4 Halves) 4.95. Normally I would go for a combo dish or a full order but I was in a bit of a hurry. As usual, my breakfast here was deliciously yummy and I loved the portions! My experience with this place has definitely improved dramatically with each and every visit. My coffee cup never ran on empty that's huge for me. Great all around service. Jennifer and Todd's Cafe Soleil you're awesome!...
(5)Lindsay B.
I have had nothing but EXCELLENT service here! The staff now knows us from coming in so much. The food comes out fast, hot and it reasonably priced. If it's not on the menu...ask, they will make it for you if they can. They make my son a breakfast just for him every time. Lunch and dinner are wonderful too. Must haves: Breakfast - Chicken Fried Steak and eggs with CHRISSY'S POTATOES...omg! This is one of few breakfast places that has hot links...and I LOVE IT!! Lunch: Cobb salad Dinner: Chicken Marsala...it's so good!
(5)Patricia M.
Early saturday morning, our first day to NorCal, with empty stomachs - we found this place through yelp. It seemed good enough, so off we go to check this place out. It is located at the far end of a shopping center. From the outside, i wouldnt think to go in and try this place (maybe that should have hinted us) but we ignored it. The inside decor looked more promising. We were seated rather quickly but ended up having to wait for quite a while for someone to take our orders. So maybe it was just me and the fact that i was hungry that ticked me off a little bit or the fact that the service was lacking - but i was already having a bad experience from this place. I ordered the french toast special with eggs and sausage. My boyfriend had the worker's special and our friend had the omelet (forgot which one). Once the food came, i devoured the french toast.. Nothing seems special about it and actually dissapointed. My boyfriend's biscuit and gravy was good although it was served room temperature. The gravy wasnt even warm. Our friend seemed to enjoy his food so i guess it was something they got right. The coffee though was really terrible. I may not be a big coffee drinker but i know when a coffee sucks. It seemed water down or something. Such a shame.. I will never go back to this place nor will recommend it.
(1)Desiree H.
For the area it IS a little pricey- BUT the food is wonderful, plentiful & made with love so it's actually priced right. Been coming here a while now but recently came & had a really good waiter named Jake! He was good enough for me to write this review. As I said I've been coming here for a while & ever really got inspired to write one. Thank you Jake for being fricken awesome!
(5)Kim-van T.
Overall, somewhat disappointed with Cafe Soleil. The service is terrible! The bf asked for water twice and never received it, really? The food itself was just ok. The bf got tuna melt with fries and a bowl of clam chowder. The chowder was decent and he seemed to like the tuna melt. I got the chicken, avocado, and jack cheese omelet with hashbrowns and toast. The chicken was on the dry side but there was a generous serving of avocado in there which is always appreciated. Hashbrowns were crispy and yummy. Probably not coming back...
(2)Corina P.
Best wedding caterers ever ! beautiful staff and delicious food. Michael and I got married on July 26th,2013 at the Arsenal in Benicia , we knew it was going to be challenging because our venue had no full kitchen ..When catering searching came about and I seen the menu for Cafe Soleil it was almost a right away guarantee we wanted them . At our tasting appt my fiancé was not able to join so my in-laws accompanied me as well as my mother and that was where I first met Jennifer. She had a beautiful Restaurant , lots of great wedding photos to show me and on top of that she had worked at my venue several times and knew the in and outs . she was sweet enough to send the tasting home so my fiancé could try and he loved everything..Our main dishes were Chicken Saltimbocca , Sirloin steaks, and Porcini ravioli with the vegetable and garlic mashed potato sides and also great appetizers , all my guests LOVED the food as well as the groom and I. And Jennifer made sure I ate that day , she is so sweet :-) When it came to linen selection time Jennifer went out of her way to make sure I got the best and believe me they were the best.. I loved the vintage and the tiffany blue ..they were amazing.... we made the best selection with Cafe Soleil. Thank you so much Jennifer and all her staff for making my wedding day perfect =) my linens were gorgeous, food was phenomenal, and loved, loved, loved planning with you. Love The newlyweds Mr & Mrs. Michael Galande
(5)D J.
The best bun on hamburger anywhere. Tons of fresh cut fries, maybe needs a little salt. This place should be on the list of best cheeseburgers. HUGE portions. Very nice people working here.
(4)Daniel L.
I had the Sam's scram it was ok. Presentation was bad it looked like they just threw all the food on the plate. The potatoes didn't looked appetizing Taste was also ok. My serving was pretty big, no complains there. My brother had the French toast dish and his portion was small. Orange juice was not sweet. Our friend's gravy with biscuit looked really good.
(2)Ishak K.
This is a great restaurant that seems to be finding its true home in the East Bay dining scene. Its a treasure to local El Sobrante folks, I'm sure. Its decor and service are pleasant. The open kitchen is really great as the chef and kitchen staff really care about making their customers happy. I brought the family and everyone devoured their meals. I opted for the Prime Rib special, and I believe the cut was the largest I've ever been served. The portions are all large, and that seems to be keep people coming back. Now, it appears that this restaurant is focused on breakfast/brunch with its interior design, locale and feel. Yet, they show great promise in delivering a more up-scale dining experience. There are wine bottles displayed on the walls, but it seems like they're for display only. I think they should try cellaring their wines and training their servers to know them a bit better. But, this is an easy remedy for a place where the owners and staff truly care about the experience.
(4)Gabby T.
We came on an early Sunday morning and were seated upon our arrival, given our waters shortly after but waited quite some time for our orders to be taken. I ordered the 4 halves of french toast with 2 strips of bacon, and 2 eggs, for $7.95 while my bff ordered Todd's Omelette which came w/ hash browns and wheat toast. Our orders arrived very quickly! My french toast was nothing over the top but it was satisfying enough. Her omelette was decent, although I wish the cheese was a bit cheesier. I don't know the specifics of what it consisted of but with a few drops of Tapatio, how can you go wrong? The portions were up to par with price. I believe her omelette was $9. The service was whatever. Our server was pretty much non-existent. I doubt I'd make a second appearance unless I was really desperate for quick breakfast. What's better than waking up and craving french toast? Not having to drive further than 10 minutes to fulfill that craving! Ok prices, decent food, but mediocre to no service? Guess you win some you lose some.
(3)Dan M.
Service was a little slow but it was the Sunday morning breakfast rush. The food was great and huge portions.
(4)Mina A.
Went here on a whim, we wanted breakfast and some coffee and this was the closest place at the moment. Was a good choice. The coffee was good enough to drink black but really just OK, I'm a coffee lover so mediocre coffee doesn't really excite me much. The service was very good although the place was pretty empty. The waitress and host were excellent and the only problem I saw was that a table that came after us got their food before we did and that was a little weird? The veggie omelet was super flavorful and fresh, the country potatoes were lacking in flavor and needed a bit more seasoning and crispness. The hamburger steak was amazing and the hash browns were good cooked crispy outside and moist inside.Overall will def go back in the future its the only place of it's kind in the area and around for miles so will probally be sooner than later.
(4)Atheana C.
First off... The FOOD here is always good and always AMAZING!!! *** Customer Service over the phone ( Take out ) NOT SO MUCH!!! I was put on hold for 16:46 mins. Credit Card companies don't even put you on hold for that long. I live 2 mins away so my husband had to go there and put the order in because I obviously was still on hold. So, my husband had to tell them I was still on hold, as I can hear him on the phone and on the other side... and the girl just hung up the phone right in front of him. SO--- of course I called back to speak with a Manager. I spoke with Todd, who was super nice and told him the situation and that putting people on hold is one thing but almost 17 mins is not okay... Guessing the girl ( Jasmine ) who put me on hold needs more customer service practice and phone etiquette.
(2)Deirdre H.
I'm actually surprised at the not so nice reviews. This is a solid restaurant in El Sobrante. It's everything you want in a local casual dining restaurant. The prices are decent, the portion sizes are appropriate (not too much, not too little), the service is good, and there is no side-eye when your kid knocks over his cup three times in one meal. But seriously, I come here to eat their amazing white gravy. I like the workers special (2 biscuits and gravy, breakfast meat, eggs). It's thick, creamy, and has bits of sausage. It's everything I could ever want in breakfast gravy.
(4)Chantele S.
I have loved this place for years. There is almost always a wait on a saturday or sunday morning. I try to bring everyone I know here. I will be honest and say the last few times I have come things have not been as on par as I am used to. Coffee has been on the rather thin side so if I add any creamer or sugar that's Wat it tastes like.... Cream and sugar. There service as always is great. Very friendly staff and quick to fix if anything goes wrong. The food: I absotively posilutely love their chicken fried steak. The gravy is really good if you add a little salt yourself it's perfect. I typically get this everytime I come with a pancake. Their pancakes are super fluffy and are just heaven. Home fries and perfection crispy but still moist to absorb my hot sauce and ketchup. ;-) I will keep coming back for more. This spot is close to my heart.
(4)Alex K.
This place deserves all 5 of these stars. My girlfriend and I are here at least once a week and we never have a complaint...and we're the kind of people who look for things to talk smack about. The best part of Cafe Soleil is this place is consistently great...with service, with food, with everything. You gotta check it out
(5)Adree A.
Food is ok, staff is always friendly and you get a 10% discount with your yelp check in.
(3)Greg N.
Service was great. Received food very quick. Food was good. Lots of seating. No complaints. Would def go again.
(5)Nyla J.
We came here and used our Yelp deals. CORN BEEF HASH , two scrambled eggs, toast and a large portion of hash browns .. for 9 bucks.. I was impressed ! Its a family owned spot, 4 minutes from my house , tucked away in a corner in a dead plaza. When we entered the restuarant, no one greeted us and the servers walked past us and did not offer to be seated. The first 2 minutes , i was forgiving but arter 4 minutes standing there and making eye contact with the staff, I started to think it was personal ..thoughts of racism ..discrimination..ran through my thoughts as we were the onlly "token" in that place. Food rating 4 stars Service rating - 2 stars. Will I go back, ... YES .. but only for the food, Ill get a TO GO order.. ..
(2)Timm M.
This was OK. Initially I thought the sevice would be good, but, after being immediately greeted and seated, and helped, it must've taken 15 minutes for someone to take our order. Large protions, yummy white gravy....not crowded. Seems to be a "locals" place, I heard the waitress address several customers by name...that's always cool.
(3)Mirinda M.
Hidden El Sobrante gem! By the looks of the shopping center, I was expecting a boring cafe with white walls and formica counters. I was wrong. The cafe is wonderfully decorated and has a great atmosphere. The service was great and the food was delicious and reasonably priced. I ordered the heathy breakfast with fruit, eggs and grilled chicken. The fruit was fresh and delicious. Will certainly come back. I had to deduct a star only because I ordered Swiss cheese with my eggs and it was sliced processed cheese. If you like Swiss I advise against ordering it. Go with something else - unless they start using good Swiss cheese.
(4)Erin P.
Love this place. Recently had a surprise event in the new space. The food was wonderful (chicken Marsala was the best I've had), and the staff was exceptional. Catering to our every need, very polite and attentive. If you're big on customer service, give this place a try!
(4)Georgina M.
Wonderful ambience and clean! For a small local cafe...the menu is perfect, the food, clean, fresh and thoughtful. Up for a week visit I had to go back to my fav spot. Its better than I rememebered. My Fiance and I went for breakfast 3 days in a row it was so awesome. The only complaint would be for quicker service from the staff. But having been rushed by 80% of cafes, maybe thats not a complaint?
(5)Katrina A.
Cafe Soleil has been our favorite breakfast spot for many years. I love their breakfast options, especially the chicken fried steak! Gotta order that early cuz they run out. They also offer a variety of healthy choices for both breakfast and lunch. Their burgers are juicy and fries are crispy. The side salad is a good size, too! The waitstaff is fast and attentive.
(5)Jamie R.
One of my go-to's for breakfast. I always end up getting the same thing because it is SO good. Love their home fries. Friendly staff and quick service. My boy friend gets different things every time and I always have a sample-without fail, yummy!
(5)Janice T.
Who would have known such a place existed in el sobrante? My husband and I went there around noon on a weekend and we were surprised to be seated right away. I liked the ambience. The cultural makeup of the diners made me feel like I was in Berkeley. I ordered the French Toast and it did not disappoint. My husband enjoyed his order as welI. I am actually looking forward to more meals at this cafe.
(4)J W.
we probably stop in three times a month. Service is always cheerful and efficient. There is a wide variety on the menu and sitting at the counter watching the cooks is like watching a well choreographed dance. Good , reliable local eatery!
(4)Allen J.
This place is great I love coming here for breakfast. When I was a kid there is this place in Pinole I use to go all the time. And now I found this place and have no desire to go back to the other. Jennifer's has great prices for good food. The service is always great and your seated and fed in a prompt manner. I recommend tying this place.
(5)Jennie C.
Not sure what the hype is here. Worst clam chowder that I've ever had in my life. I knew I shouldn't have ordered it...guess that's where I went wrong... seeing as how this place is mostly famed for its breakfast. Who knows...maybe their chowder is great and I ordered it on an off day. Aside from that, their food is okay. The service is so-so, but the food comes pretty fast. It's nice that you can see the chefs cooking your meal. Would I go out of my way to come to this restaurant? No. Do I think it's a bad place to have a meal? Not really. Parking is good. Atmosphere is friendly and casual. Employees go out of their way to accommodate a larger group and that is appreciated. Owners are nice people and you can often see them at the restaurant. That's a plus. But my 2 star rating is based on the yelp description of, "Meh. I've experienced better", because yes, I have experienced better.
(2)Angela J.
I've been here twice. Once for breakfast and once for dinner. The first time I tried the biscuits and gravy which I had heard such wonderful things about. Personally the gravy was one of the nastiest gravies I've ever had. I grew up with Grandparents from Oklahoma who would make me biscuits and gravy so yes I do know what good biscuits and gravy taste like. The second time I went for dinner hoping their food would be better than their famous biscuits and gravy. When I walked in it took 5 minutes for someone to ask us if we were eating there. They were not busy at all. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries and a side salad. The waiter also took our drink order and then disappeared for 15 minutes. We received our food before we ever got our drinks. I had to remind the waiter. He also never gave me my salad. So when I asked about my salad he said he would get one for me. I told him I didn't want it anymore since I was almost done with my food. The chicken sandwich was average and the fries were soggy and nasty. Time is too short to waste on crappy food and horrible customer service.
(1)Joe J.
Still GREAT, see my previous review in 2007, but now open evenings! GREAT FOOD, GOOD PORTIONS, FAIR PRICING, and all around a FUN PLACE! I find the weekend evenings prime rib special a favorite, a big TASTY meal for a fair price! :-))
(5)jason a.
Filthy! Look around and see how dirty this place is! Ordered a steak and it was SO bad! Chewy even though it was rare. The "steak"knife was so flimsy it was hard to dissect the meat. Just aweful...will never come back!
(1)A To Z.
10:30AM. Place was extremely loud, and medium-full. Our breakfasts took a long time to arrive, and they were no longer warm. Hash browns were unusual: plain grated potatoes, squashed flat somehow, and cooked on one side, and not on the other. Orange juice was just from the carton; not diner-fresh. French toast was just odd. Etc etc. Maybe it was just an off-day (well, the concrete room is probably always really loud), but I can't see that we'll go back. Sigh. Update: the owners have apologized, and asked for a second chance. It's hard to help the acoustics, etc, but I've upped to two stars now - the "I've experienced better" category, according to Yelp - and I will up it more if I ever do take them up on the offer.
(2)Rosalyn T.
I like Cafe Soleil a lot. I usually go here on the weekends with family or friends for breakfeast when I'm back home in Hercules. The place has a cozy environment and the staff is welcoming and friendly! When I go there (ESPECIALLY ON SUNDAYS) I try to get there before 9:30am or so because that place gets filled fast when everyone else finally wakes up or comes from church. When I go here, I usually order one of the three below: -Corned Beef Hash and Eggs which is very good, it's the kind of corned beef hash that I like, not the watery kind of corned beef. =) -French Toast Special which is one of my faves, due to the fact I love French toast and Cafe Soleil's french toast is pretty good. -Dale's Hash Browns! YUM! It's topped with country gravy, chedder cheese and grilled onions! All in all I recommend this place for a good breakfeast spot to hit up. but remember try to be there early or you'll probably be waiting a long time especially on Sundays.
(4)Thomas P.
I enjoyed an omelet here for dinner. The omelet was filled with chicken, jack cheese, avocado, and bacon-one of the best omelets I've ever had. the hash browns were good as well. If you're not in the mood for breakfast they have a great chicken, bacon, avocado, and jack sandwich on amazing sourdough bread. I'm not a fan of sourdough, but I get the sandwich anytime I don't order the omelet, and the bread is almost my favorite part of the sandwich.
(4)Keith C.
This place is a great place to have a nice meal and even watch a game. Jennifer & Todd are outstanding and really make you feel welcome. The servers really work hard to meet your needs. I really enjoy the steak & eggs or biscuits & gravy while I'm watching the ballgame!
(5)Clair M.
i am eating here as I write this. i love the vibe, its a funky mom & pop hole in the wall place. the service is warm and friendly. The food... i'm here for breakfast, there is great selection to choose from. The coffee is hot the food is only warm, the portions are ample. they have not heard that salt not bad for you and that salting at the table does not replace cooking with the right amount in the first place. Over all, if the plate had been warmed and the hash browns hot, I would give them another try. So I guess this was a one time stop.
(3)Kellie T.
I would gladly drive to El Sobrante just to eat here, and that is saying a lot because I try really hard to avoid going any farther north than the McArthur Maze. We came here to eat away our pain after losing our asses at the San Pablo Casino and boy did we! Once we found the place, which is tucked into the far corner of a mostly deserted strip mall, we were blown away. We all started with side salads which were incredibly fresh, with mixed greens, mushrooms, olives, onions, and cherry tomatoes. It was a nice change from the standard salad-out-of-a-bag that most places pass off as a side salad! Next came the entrees and not one of us was disappointed. My boyfriend's mom got a breakfast omelette, and the other three lunch entrees. The omelette was cooked perfectly, fluffy and stuffed with amazing sausage. The burger my boyfriend's step father got was "the best burger I've ever had!" For a man of retirement age, I'd have to say that is a damn good burger. I got the bbq bacon burger with chicken instead of the burger patty and it was everything I expected: dripping with tangy and smoky bbq sauge and oh-so-bacony! One of the tastiest barbeque sauce-drenched sandwiches I've found. Case and point: I didn't even have the self-control to take a picture before I took that baby down. The vibe of this place is really great, very friendly and the service was definitely on point even though it was really busy. I would go there again in a heartbeat. Bottom line: Make sure to stop by this hidden local gem, once you find it you'll be itching to go back!
(5)Jin C.
Went this morning for my birthday based on a rec from one of my friends. I grew up on country biscuits smothered in gravy so I keep looking for a place that makes it. You would think there would be more. I ordered 3 eggs over easy with sausage patties, country biscuits over gravy. It was good, but the biscuits were a little too fluffy, and the gravy was kind of bland. I had to add a lot of salt and pepper. They overcooked my eggs, and the sausage was pretty nasty. Their homefries were good. I tried my wife's spicy hot links and they were good so next time will go with that. I will definitely go back as I think I ordered the wrong thing. The table next to us were regulars and he ordered Todd's hash browns smothered in gravy. The hash browns were covered in melted cheese and onions. I also need to try one of their omelets. The ambiance in the place was really nice and our waitress was super nice and attentive. She heard it was my birthday and brought me a free red velvet cake to go since she saw us eating cupcakes we brought from outside. After I try it again I will definitely update my review.
(3)Mary C.
Went with the hubs and family for breakfast. I had Jennifer's potatoes, two eggs scrambled with an English muffin. The coffee was OK, the eggs were OK, the potatoes were OK, thus the A-OK rating. Probably will not come back... hubby wanted to try their biscuits and gravy for his birthday which was the main reason we went. The kids seemed to have liked it and my baby was flirting with all the customers. They were nice and gave my husband a big slice of red velvet cake for his birthday.
(3)B L.
I was feeling a brunch on the weekend. So I check up on Yelp to find a good place around the area. Saw the review on Cafe Soleil, thought it maybe a good place to give it a try... Well, I guess my hope was all high up but the outcome was a bit bitter. I ordered a hamburger steak with eggs, plus fruit. Oh...and I also ordered a coke too. But the coke comes out to be a Pepsi...oh well!! Overall is good place to go, and good food. But it will be my last brunch place to head for~
(3)Karen N.
Had a delicious Friday night dinner here. I had the rib eye steak which was enormous. My husband had chicken with capers. We found the service attentive and friendly, food delicious and enjoyed the casual atmosphere. Great experience.
(4)Anna O.
I love the food here, especially breakfast but the service is not great. Waitress are slow and sometimes unfriendly. It can take up to 20 mins for someone to great you.
(3)Jorge S.
Man, this place looks extremely deceiving from the outside. Looks so plain. When you walk in, you're sure to be surprised I never expected to find this treasure in El Sobrante. Portions are enormous, and prices are fair. Waitress sat & served us quickly, and was polite. Their biscuits & gravy were delicious. The country special was gigantic, all piled on on a platter. They have huge portions for their healthy breakfasts as well, as my girlfriend got a huge bowl of oatmeal with raisins & brown sugar, along with a plate of egg whites & a chicken breast. Only downside is that they were out of sausage when I got there, so they replaced it with a ham steak. I was craving it too, darn.
(4)Tam F.
Had an impromptu lunch here today with my best friend Suzy and her new gal. Looking at the menu, there were tons of tasty options. The place wasn't terribly busy and after choosing a table and placing our drink order, we realized we had one of those "lucky" tables. You know, the kind that wobbles no matter how many Equal packs you shove under it? Anyway, we picked up the silverware and moved tables and without missing a beat, our lovely waitress brought our beverages to our new table. Suzy had a cheeseburger and fries while I opted for a BLT with fruit salad and Suzy's gal had a BLAT with clam chowder. She really enjoyed the soup, the sandwiches were tasty and filling and the fruit was a lovely mix of banana, strawberry, grapes and pineapple. Definitely a decent place to eat and definitely worth 3.5 stars and a "let's come here again".
(3)Brittany D.
Service was amazing, atmosphere was great, & the food was so on point! Definitely recommend their BLT & their breakfast is bomb ! ;)
(5)Whitney R.
So happy to finally find a place to take my parents for brunch besides Dennys! We have lived in El Sob for nearly 20 years, but my parents are total snobs! I've only recently been able to pull them out of their routine of going back to Oakland (their hometown) or Walnut Creek for everything and start visiting local establishments. Yes, it's in a strip mall, but hey, it's El Sobrante, that's how we roll out here. This place has fast, friendly, flexible service ( none of us ordered anything that was strictly on the menu), a huge menu and enormous portions. There is no chance that anyone in your party will not find something they want to eat. Not to mention breakfast served all day! We all got omeletes that we could barely finish, but my eyes kept getting caught by all the delicious looking sandwiches being delivered to other customers. Will have to make it back for lunch. I'm also planning to get anything with salsa on it, because whether they buy it or make it in house, it is delicious! Come SUPER hungry.
(5)Meg S.
Food is usually good. Does not always come as it is described on menu. Sometimes mashed potatoes are served with gravy (not on menu) and sometimes not. Several typos on menu. They are only open until 9pm on Fri. and Sat., not until 10pm as is listed here on Yelp. Wine selection changes constantly, which is not a bad thing, really. The owner likes to rotate selections, but most of the waitstaff cannot keep up with the changes. Service is inconsistent, depending on who you get. Sometimes great, sometimes horrible.
(3)Karen F.
Pretty standard every time I come here. Sometimes you just need a good sandwich...& this place hits the spot!
(3)Jam H.
This place is me and the sweetie go to place, and it never fails! Food is always served fresh, and its coooked to order. We live very near, so this place offers the breakfast/brunch that he loves, as well as the lunch options that I prefer. Of all of the visists her (which have been quite a few) we actually saw the fresh turkey being roasted in the oven! Wow! The only problem is I wanted 1 slice to go along with my chicken jack sandwich on sourdough, but it wasn't ready :( Anyhoo, this is always a winner from the omlets, fresh fruit bowls, and all of the other delish cafe foods you can imagine. We have yet to try dinner here, but I'm pretty sure it will be soon! We highly reccomend anyone wants great food at a great price with a laid back atmosphere!! ***sidenote- if it matters, servers and patrons make you feel like family!
(4)Rinky N.
This place may be a little hard to find for a first timer. It's located in a strip mall with a sign that only says "Cafe." This review is based on four breakfast reviews. They have a HUGE menu of breakfast choices. It is meat heaven for omnivores. Slimmer pickings for veg leaning folks. They have every breakfast item except for waffles----oatmeal, eggs, omelets, pancakes (with choice of berries), ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, etc. They also serve lunch (at any hour) and dinner after 4:30 pm. I had hash browns all 4 times. Excellent--or at least exactly the way I liked them crispy brown on the outside--soft and potato-ey in the inside. (at least the 1st time---2nd-4th visits not crispy at all even though I asked for it that way) I got them with scrambled eggs and toast. The ww toast is good not the Wonder Bread type ww toast you usually get in a restaurant. My friend, J, had a special with pancakes, eggs and sausage. She had the coffee too, which she said was very good. On another visit my son had the bicuits and gravy--just okay Ambiance is comfortable.....wooden tables and chairs that can accompany one to six or more people easily with different configurations. This is a real working class eatery--lots of blue collar folks, local families, seniors and miscellaneous folks like me and my friends. This is not haute or fancy cuisine. Just decent food and lots of it at affordable prices. Service is very efficient. Both times I went on weekdays but I can imagine this place is crazy busy on the weekends. It is open at 6 am every day except for Sundays when they open at 7pm! How many places in Berkeley can make that claim?
(3)Sydney B.
Hit or miss the last couple of years. Service can be slow but they make up for it with some of their items. Omelets are delicious if served warm. Burgers are tasty and huge. Meats (when cooked to your preference) are delicious. Appreciate how clean and modern looking this place can be.
(3)Carly B.
Went here for breakfast last weekend, and it was pretty delicious! I got the Veggie Scramble with a side of bacon, and everything was super yummy. The portion was generous, so I ended up taking half of the meal home to eat for lunch. I love that there are so many options, and I do plan to go back so I can try other dishes. The service was good overall, although our waitress seemed very confused when my boyfriend asked her for her recommendation for what he should order. She ended up describing the meal she had just eaten, without any enthusiasm, so he just chose something on his own. Overall, yum!
(4)Alicia A.
This past weekend I returned home from SDSU to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family in El Sobrante. As many people who live in or near El Sobrante - they know that a place that is clean, excellent food with awesome service is hard to find for the right price. On the night I dined at the Soleil Cafe it was after driving out to Port Costa to eat at the Warehouse Cafe- only to find it sadly closed the day after Thanksgiving. The Soleil Cafe is located in the Sobrante Strip Mall -which is pretty bland and no discript located on the main drag of El Sobrante named the Dam Road. When I walked in I was surprised at the size of the cafe and the decor- cement floors, stainless steel bar counter and a wall of exposed brick combined with pine tables- there is even a side board with board games to play while you wait for your food and a large sectional sofa by the door for people waiting to be seated on crowded Saturdays or Sundays like when I went back to try the breakfast menu. Parking is plentiful but there is only one handicap spot near the entrance. On the first night I ordered the Steak Dinner which came a veggie medley, mashed potatoes and a side salad. The steak was perfectly done medium rare but what made me so excited was the veggie medley!! The veggies were seasoned lightly and perfectly steamed- brightly colored and crisp flavor. The garlic and Rosemary anjous(sp?)- aka steak juice... Yum Yum. I returned that Sunday to each breakfast with some good friends and got Turkey Bacon.. could have been crispier.. what can I say as a Muslim I still love bacon just not pork bacon! And the french toast which was excellent. Did I mention the syrup? It was very sweet and buttery without needing to butter the french toast. On a personal note I would usually keep a place like this to myself but tis the season to share and plus in the economy its good to support local businesses - you never know how long they might last!
(4)Nicole G.
I don't go here too often. I've never had a problem with the place, just never had a hankering for their food. But the other day, I did. I remembered their big portions and always walking out feeling like a fat pig. I wanted that. I had a huuuge craving for eggs benedict...which they don't have during the week. Found that out the hard way. They do have it on the weekends though! anywho. I settled for the chicken, pesto, sundried tomato, and jack omelette, with dale's hashbrowns as my side (i think it had onions and cheese and some other stuff AKA super fatty). Sista got 1/2 country gravy thingy. (the full is HUGE and the biscuits are yummy!). everything was tasty. not amazing, but it is good food.
(3)Food C.
Great food! Great staff! Everyone who works there is friendly. Sometimes have to wait a few minutes before we get handed our minutes.... Overall great breakfast place!
(4)Dave K.
In my first few times I went there I had a sub-par experience but the owner took the time out of her busy day to let my gf and I know that she made changes/improvements to the staff and that right there, you cannot put an amount of "stars" next to. The decor here is always COZY. It is loud, but in a good way! Everyone was enjoying their meals I saw breakfast plates come out at a good pace. not too fast or slow.
(4)Renalen C.
who would've known good food was hiding in the corner of a small strip mall in the small town of El Sobrante? I've come to this small and homey restaurant several times with my family during breakfast hours and we've always been satisfied with their food and service. what's usually ordered is the pancake/french toast special which also includes 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon/sausage. my sister and i also share a side of their delicious homefries with a dollop of sour cream to perfect them even more. my parents usually get one of the many omelet options they offer. at the end of it all, we all leave with clean plates knowing we can count on coming back another time. bottom line, this local, cozy, and comforting cafe is a great place to go for a non-disappointing meal and friendly service that you rarely find at your so-so local Denny's or IHOP chains.
(4)Mary T.
Cafe Soleil catered my wedding last November. The food is amazing! There was not one complaint from any of our guests. I highly recommend Cafe Soleil to cater you next event.
(5)Marie R.
Love this place! Country breakfast, good, service great!!! Every time we visit we are greeted with a big smile, and fast service.
(5)Lisa J.
Cafe Soleil is our favorite breakfast place. Family friendly, relaxed casual atmosphere and reasonable prices. Food is delicious, and the menu is a nice combination of standard breakfast fare and more innovative and healthy options. Cafe Soleil is always our first choice when looking for a breakfast spot.
(4)David G.
Fast, friendly service...they keep the coffee coming. However, I would encourage them to get some better coffee. Support a local purveyor such as Catahoula or McLaughlin. Had the corned beef (which they offered to "hash" with the home fries). Eggs nicely poached. Could have cooked the onions (more). I'm not a fan of raw onions influencing the rest of my day. Nice light biscuit and the server brought along honey (to go with the little packs of jam). My colleague had the avocado, bacon and cheese omelet. Could have heated the bacon up more...tasted a wee bit like it had been sitting out. Overall, the spirit of the place (neighborhood...with cowboys and cops and retirees) would bring me back. Better coffee would be appreciated.
(3)Grace A.
I found this place on yelp and decided to try it. It was beyond my expectations. The service was excellent and quick. Me and my friend received our food in less then ten minutes after we ordered. Our waitress Sherry was the bomb! We never waited for anything,she was always on point. I highly recommend this hidden spot. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Gail N.
I'm going to give this place a 5 for the sheer reason that I now have something to actually be proud of in my humble, oh-so-not-exciting town of "The Leftovers". The service here is so charming you would think you were in some other place like..I dunno..Alameda? The decor is totally un-El Sobrante. It's red-brick walls, wooden tables, smell of breakfast wafting through the air pronounces warmth and homeyness all over. Food-wise, I ordered the French Toast Special: 4 halves of home-made sweetness topped with huge, thick pieces of fresh strawberries, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with 2 eggs, and your choice of 2 sausages or bacon for just under $8. Truly, "As good as it gets!". Thank you, Cafe Soleil, for bringing life to this town.
(5)C R.
I went here for lunch but because of all the reviews on their breakfast items, I decided to try an omelet. I had one with hot links and cheddar cheese requested that it be cooked soft. It came out perfect. I tried the home fries - they were alright. Nothing to write home about. Next time I'll try the hashbrowns. The coffee was good and the service was so-so. Our waitress never came to ask if I wanted more coffee but I was able to get some from the other person working. My friends tried one of the burgers and the club sandwich. They were both happy with their choices except the fries were over cooked to their liking. The atmosphere of the restaurant was comfortable. We liked their tables - they were really big so you felt like you had plenty of room. Their location was easy to find because we had directions but I would never have tried it if I were just passing by the neighborhood because I wouldn't think there was something nice/good in that small open air mall. It's such a run down looking section of town (like many of the others on this street). It's too far from the street to see and say "hey....look at that place, let's check it out" Plus their sign is a difficult color to read - good thing they have the bold "CAFE" sign next to the rest of the restaurant name. I will try it again - the way they cooked my eggs leads me to give them another try.
(2)Jim B.
The food is good and plentiful but double check your bill! I went for breakfast and sat at the counter, I ordered the Senior breakfast, two eggs, ham, home fries and sourdough toast with coffee. Paid with a $20.00 and got about $6.50 back, that made breakfast about $13.50. The Menu price was $6.95 for the breakfast + $1.69 for coffee = $8.64, add in 9.25% tax and you get $9.48 without the tip. So I guess there must be a surcharge for sitting at the counter of $4.00?? I went back again because the food is great, no problems with the bill this time, a really great breakfast at a great price! I will be back more often when I feel the need to treat myself.
(4)Kristin J.
Oh just read those reviews below, sucks to be you! Because my breakfast is always warm and made with LOOOOVE! Yeah its busy why? because its so damn good. Lots of food on the plate typical breakfast fair, great big ol' hamburgers, and all the black coffee you can drink. Waitstaff is cool and fairly attentive. It's no gourmet eatery but the food is good, it is a totally family friendly unbutton your top button kinda place. Kudos!
(4)Kathy S.
Can not even believe how disappointed I was. My party was 6 total. 4 adults and 2 children. We came in for lunch. Total bill was over $80.00 because restaurant added a gratuity b/c we were 6. A 20% GRATUITY!!! Not the usual 18%. Which wouldn't have been so insulting if we had gotten anything that resembled service. We waited over 45 minutes to get our food and the place was not busy at all. We had to ask for silverware, ask for refills, and ask for to-go boxes as none of the above was ever offered. Our sodas were flat (we returned them), my mother-in-laws Medium burger was extra well done, and the bread on the club sandwich was hard, especially the crust. Off day? We won't be finding out as we will never be back.
(1)Kathleen W.
Found this place based on the great reviews on Yelp ... it's not in an area I'd frequent regularly ... I probably won't go back because I sat in traffic for 20 minutes to move 800 ft to get back on the freeway. My experience here was similar to JT's ... we walked in and were barely acknowledged. We couldn't figure out if we should just seat our selves or what. Definitely a locals type of joint ... non familiar faces need not apply. We were hungry, so we ordered the Sam's Scram, the Salmon scramble (a special) and a half order of french toast. The food was alright - nothing to rave about and something I could easily recreate myself at home. Service was fine (friendly and efficient) once we actually got seated.
(3)Nikki R.
I really wanted to like this place. Don't get me wrong the food is actually ok, but I just can't handle the poor service. I've been here five times now hoping for a different/better experience each time, but to no avail. First, might I suggest a host/hostess/cashier? Every time I've come we stand at the door hoping to make eye contact with someone, if someone makes eye contact there's no sign of acknowledgement like a nod, no mouthing of I'll be right with you...no, nothing. You stand and wait for about 5 minutes before one of the wait staff seats you or puts you on a waiting list. We always get our drinks right away but getting our order taken seems like an act of God. Food comes out fast and there's usually the one quick, "how you guys doing over here?". If you answer "good" too quickly you will likely run the risk of sitting the rest of your meal parched like my sister and I have done all 5 times I've been. After that one check in I can't seem to flag down my waitress to get a refill on water or anything else. I eventually wander up to the counter to find extra napkins on my own. Food is decent, big portions but nothing to rave about. Finally, I just want the check so I can get my fussy toddler out of the restaurant but again my waitress is too busy to make eye contact. I don't know if the waitresses have their blinders on on purpose because they are overwhelmed and this is their way of keeping their tables afloat, but on the weekends it seems like a circus. I used to be a waitress so I feel for them, seems like they are in dire need of an extra set of hands. All in all, I can't do bad customer service. I can't be throwing my money into a place that really doesn't seem to value the customer. I wish experiences were different, but all five visits nearly identical so no more cafe soliel for me.
(2)S M.
I honestly don't know what the hype is all about. I find this place to be kind of ghetto with its big gigantic tables, mix-matched chairs, binder menus, and random promos on the tables. Everything just felt random to me. I guess i had higher expectations after i read the great reviews for this place. I was pretty disappointed. The service was excellent without a doubt. The food... hmmmm. it was OK. Their clam chowder was pretty good cuz they put bacon in it. I ordered the albacore tuna sandwich. i only ate half of it, brought it home, and my bf probably threw it away the next day. I wanted to like this place.. maybe it was what I ordered? But whatever my bf ordered he didnt really like too much since he only ate half of his sandwich as well. And this guy is a garbage disposal. All in all... i don't think i'll ever be returning again.
(2)Victor G.
Cafe Soleil seems popular, few parking spaces in front. dining room much larger than anticipated, roomy, casual, lots of ambience, leg room, table seating service quick so not much time to understand menu, noticed coffee pricing not listed (it isn't in most breakfast places). saw hamburger on regular menu, also on lunch menu. should have looked at rest of menu/ eats: hamburger (7.45) lunch special w/ choice of soup, salad, fries, hash browns extra. brew: american's best (2.39), was gonna pass, got a tasty, not the usual harsh brew, in restrospect not the premium either, just smooth, not bold eats: thick burger (7.45)tender, tasteless, slightly red, came w/mayo, lettuce, pickle, tomato. grey poupon came upon request. (patty probably previously frozen) clam chowder. crackers stale, mostly filler soup (starch). clam elusive, no doubt came from can. salad would have been better choice. crumbs: -10% off with yelp check-in -fab service, didn't handle offerings correctly, should have take longer to order breakfast?, not sure.. -associates so sweet here, gave sample, coffee refills, cleared empty plates.quickly -medical informerial playing on flatscreen distracting got a choice of tables, naturally choose to face flatscreen, big mistake! -passed on water to help calif. drought. -associates fab, menu and me share blame for poor dining experience.
(3)Renate V.
My son and I went today for the first time, and it was not good. Artisan prices for low-end food. I had a Cobb salad, and it was meh. $12.95. They should be ashamed. The tiny pieces of chicken (and there were very few) were lost in those large pieces of lettuce, and the bacon was cold...what little there was of it. The tomatoes were terrible. No flavor. The avo was OK. The dressing was flavorless. The croutons were those crappy mass-produced ones with no texture and an odd flavor. The egg was stone-cold, flavorless and had that unappetizing green ring. I ate part of this salad, took the rest out in a box and then dumped it because it was just so bad. I had a cup of chili, which they brought in a bowl, but charged me the cup price. That was nice. The meat seemed odd. Mushy. I asked, and was told they don't make the chili. How can a place like this not make their own chili? Topped with onions in a rough chop and some shredded cheese, it was OK. Too sweet, too salty and the meat was kind of weird. I guess it was canned. $6.95, but they charged me $4.95 because I ordered a cup. Not bad, but I can buy a can of chili at Grocery Outlet. My son had the Boca burger with jack cheese and 'shrooms. $9.45. Please. I can only describe it as anemic. The burger should have been cooked so it had some color. It looked like it was microwaved. There was only a little cheese, and not very many mushrooms, given the price. The bun was OK. Soft. Not much there there. These folks need to go to Barney's, for example, to see what a real mushroom cheese burger looks like. Pathetic. The potato salad that came with it was a cold, yellow puree. Like mashed potatoes. Unusual, but very decent. He also had a cup of minestrone, which was nothing to write home about. Not much flavor there. The one thing is that their cup size is generous. However, if what they put in there isn't very good that doesn't help anyone. It's a nice place. Dark, with brick. Very nice. The folks working there seem nice. Too bad the food was so terrible. Never again.
(1)Chris S.
Brunch time in the hood! A friend recommended this place which is stones throw away from our abode. Checked reviews on Yelp and I gauge it's hit or miss kind of place but decided to check it out for myself. It was a hit, well, almost a hit! I ordered country special which is sausage biscuit hash brown topped with gravy. The portion was humongous! The flavor was so so! For biscuits and gravy, the flavors rely so much on the gravy unfortunately it was flat and under seasoned. Salt and pepper shakers could not save it. Good thing there was sausage and hash browns included which pretty much saved the dish. I have to give a star for service which was quite good. I checked in at Yelp and I received a 10% discount. When I showed the waitress, she was more that happy to apply the discount. I might go back but it might be for a while!
(3)Joni C.
Thought we would try again !!! Seriously I work at a grocery store we sell lemons so I know there isn't a shortage !! Salmon salad with lemon vinagerette is a little hard to serve if you don't buy lemons !!! Kalamata olives on your Greek salad with pits is a little hard on the teeth!! Looks like dinner service is going away so that your new catering business can take it's place what a shame We really used to enjoy coming here but every time we come now it's a disappointment
(1)Chuck M.
A real cool mom & pop cafe. Not overly large, somewhat loud, but okay. Plenty of tables, a long counter...and a nice flat screen TV. I slept late and missed breakfast this morning. After driving here from Stockton, I was absolutely starving...anything edible within reach wasn't safe...I looked to yelp for restaurant ideas...no special requirements, but perhaps reasonably close to my hotel would be nice. This particular restaurant caught my eye, and the reviews were excellent. So, lets give them a try. I was greeted upon entry, and told to sit wherever you'd like. Near eye shot of the TV looked good to me. Ordered up coffee and a water...now to scan through the menu. Breakfast is served all day...that's a bonus in my book. Whoever said there was some rule about eating breakfast between certain hours must have been nuts...breakfast, its whats for breakfast, lunch or dinner...!!! Don't forget to check-in with yelp and receive 10% savings on your bill. Another bonus...!!! There are tons of things you could order, but I went for the 2-egg breakfast with sausage links, hash brown potatoes, and sourdough toast. I'm extra hungry so I added a third egg. Food arrived quickly, cooked perfectly, and hot and tasty. My coffee cup never ran dry, thanks to a very attentive waitress. My meal was so yummy, had it gone unnoticed I probably would have even considered licking my plate...it was that good. Friends, "this is a small business"...and these are your friends and neighbors. Go give them a try, with the crowd in there today at 2:00pm, you won't be alone. I get the feeling this is one well liked "local spot" for eating and socializing. Go give them a try...!!!
(4)Jerry C.
Sunday brunch was packed! Maybe because there is a dearth of decent Sunday places nearby. More likely because of the free parking lot, good size venue and the huge menu of dishes available. My dad and I came by on a Sunday about 11 a.m. There was a line out the door. The line moved pretty well but we didn't want to wait for a table and sat at the counter. Counter seating really reveals how hard the cooks and service staff work. It's non-stop hustling almost at a running pace! Still the waiters and waitresses managed to be friendly and helpful. My Corned Beef & Eggs breakfast was pretty good but a tad dry and bland. I spiced it up with hot sauce. Corned beef hash would've been better to soak up the eggs. My dad's Clam Chowder was good and his Turkey BLT was like a huge triple decker. I got half of it in a doggie bag and ate it on the airplane. Better than buying a snack box. Our coffee was constantly refilled with a smile. This will definitely be our diner stop from now on.
(4)Jack W.
I have been coming here for years- like 10 years, and although some things have changed their heart and soul have remained untouched. I really enjoy the good 'ol home style cookin' they've got going at Cafe Soleil, they have a bevy of country style breakfast options to choose from- including my favorite: the workers special. This is Eggs, Sausage patties, home fries and of course a plate of biscuits and gravy on the side. They've got a bunch of lunch options too, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and the like, as well as dinner options. I have yet to come here for dinner but I can imagine it is the same straight up home cooked goodness that the rest of their menu embodies. I'd highy recomend
(4)Jeannie T.
My boyfriend and I came here randomly because we were hungry, didn't have anything to make, and my boyfriend just moved to the area. We chose this place since they served breakfast late. Our server was really attentive and nice. She explained anything that we had questions with. It wasn't as crowded but nonetheless, she was attentive as ever and there was never a moment where we had to wait long for anything. My boyfriend ordered a breakfast omelette with a side of biscuit and gravy while I had the soup and salad combo with a side of fruit. I had the minestrone soup with a lemon vinaigrette salad. My boyfriend devoured the breakfast omelette. I didn't get to try it because I wasn't eating eggs at the time, but he really enjoyed his meal. He didn't get around to eating the biscuit and gravy though because he was too full. At first it looked like they gave him 2 biscuits and gravy but after looking at it closely, we realized it was one but the biscuit was so big that they split it in two and that's why it looked like so much more. The gravy had a smokey flavor too. I actually liked it but my boyfriend didn't. As for my soup and salad. I really like the minestrone soup. You could tell that it was homemade since the tomato soup broth didn't give you that itchy feeling in your throat like when you eat canned soups. I also liked that there were a lot of veggies and no kidney beans in the soup. The salad was really simple but the lemon vinaigrette made it that much more refreshing. And the fruit was a combo of strawberries, blackberries, and grapes. They didn't look as pretty but they were really sweet. There was also a 10% deal if you checked in on yelp for first timers but our bill came out to being less than $30 so we decided not to use it.
(4)Gevo L.
I have been coming here for quite a while now, especially on weekends and on Sundays. I absolutely love the customer service as well as the food. The oatmeal is one of my favorites as well as the grilled chicken and egg white breakfast. But my new recent favorite is the egg white omelette with red bell peppers and chicken. I love the healthy conscious section of the breakfast menu. It makes eating out healthy, easier. They do have Wi-Fi and it works great. I always have a great experience here and is a perfect spot for Sunday brunch! It can appear extremely crowded on the weekends, however the wait times are not as long as you think. I recommend café Soleil to all my friends and family, and I recommend this spot for you.
(5)Jessica B.
One of my fav breakfast spots in the area! This place exudes such a cozy feeling, almost making you feel at home. Pretty busy on the weekends so be prepared to wait in their cute little couch area. They do a good job getting you seated as soon as they can. Food: I usually order the basic breakfast with chicken apple sausage. They give large portions of everything. (I hate places that are skimpy on the hash browns) There's also a great array of specialty hash browns. I like Dales hashbrowns which is just your regular order topped with gravy and cheese! So good!
(4)Veronica N.
On the restaurant: My husband and I have never had a bad meal there. We love going for breakfast and just recently started going for dinner as well. Our favorite dish would have to be the porcini mushroom ravioli!! On catering and events: Jennifer and her crew are amazing! We had a backyard wedding and it was perfect. Jen was easy to get a hold of, a joy to work with, the food was delicious, prices were more than reasonable, and her staff was courteous and professional. We loved the way our tablescapes turned out and they put everything together in a timely manner. Couldn't have even imagined working with anyone else! Book Jennifer and cafe soleil for your next big event!!
(5)Yoli G.
First time coming here saw all the good reviews why not? Wrong! Placed an order for pick up. I don't mind if it will take an hour just tell me so that I know when to head out. Told me 15 min. Not so it took about an hour my food was cold when I looked through it. They apologized saying it did not take long to cook just to put together. Okay? I only ordered and omolet and pancake with scrambled eggs? Maybe I just came in on a bad day.
(2)Muey S.
Decided to give this place a second chance. Ordered the French Toast special the first one and it was disappointing. Today, I order the Pancakes special, bacon and eggs with a side of home fries and fruit. The pancakes and fresh fruit were perfect. The boyfriend order the French toast and it was better this time. Pretty busy today, but the staff was friendly and we got our food fast despite the delay ordering. We sat by the kitchen so it was louder than we wanted, but we were In and out in 40mins. We'll be returning.
(4)Elana A.
Every kind of breakfast you could want! Nothing from their pancakes, granola, omelettes, to ribeye steak in the morning disappoints. Don't have crepes on the menu but can make it per request. They have large portions so I always take the rest to go which I can munch on later. Always busy weekend mornings, but wait no longer than 5 minutes. Great coffee and all the staff are welcoming!
(5)Candice J.
My recent experience Pros: * Close to my house * Short wait for a table * Decor and their comfy couch in the waiting area * Greeting at the door * Ambiance * Service Cons: * Really long wait for our orders * The food was not nasty, it's just mediocre I ordered the corned beef hash with Chrissy's home fries (potatoes with onions, jack cheese and sour cream) and French Toast. It just needed more seasoning and the French Toast was only okay. My fiancé had the French Toast special with scrambled eggs and 1 small sausage patty. I personally think he should've gotten at least 2 sausage patties but that's just my opinion. They have an extensive menu and they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm going to give this place another shot for lunch or dinner sometime in the future.
(2)IWasThere Y.
Great staff! Pleasant atmosphere. Filling breakfast. Three cooks on this Sunday morning where awesome. I wished I were closer. Delish...
(5)Matt N.
I've been here about 4-5 times, always for breakfast. The food is always top notch comfort food. I love their biscuits and gravy, but beware as one biscuit with gravy is a lot. Their workman special is wonderful if you have a huge appetite or plan on sharing it with someone. Anyways, you can't go wrong when it comes to their food. Service is usually great, but when I was there last Saturday we had a few mishaps trying to get water. We asked for water and coffee. We got coffee then got our meal, but no water. We asked again and she brought one glass of water.....there was two of us. When the waitress came back I asked for a second glass of water and she said their trying to conserve water because of the drought. I understand that many eateries aren't serving water by default, but when a customer asks for water, they just need to serve water to the table. Atmosphere is nice here, but the ceiling is high, so when they're busy it becomes very loud. Some sound dampening ceiling tiles or something would be nice. So, if you're looking for some really good breakfast in El Sob, this is the place. I will continue to come back in the future.
(4)Manuel L.
Bacon and cheddar cheese omelet was really good , I'm a fan of Cholula hot sauce and was glad that they offer it. Hash browns needed more crisp. They were like mashed potatoes on the inside. Toast was ok
(3)Faith C.
Had the minestrone soup and a mimosa. Mimosa was definitely on point (easy enough) but the soup was missing a soul. It was ok flavor-wise but minestrone soup was meant to be savory. The service was a redeeming factor for sure. The young lady at the counter was very friendly and attentive to anything I might've needed.
(3)Mischelle D.
So glad my boyfriend and I decided to eat lunch here after passing by it multiple times. We came in for lunch, but they serve breakfast all day which was a plus. My boyfriend had some pancakes and I must say, these were probably the largest ones I've seen and tasted amazing! I had the charbroiled chicken, bacon, and avocado sandwich with a side of fries. Everything we tried had that "home cooked" taste to it and wasn't heavy. All the meals are cooked where the bar is located, so it's nice to see the meals being prepared fresh. Service was good. Overall, I'm really satisfied with this place :)
(4)Aryo A.
I was here about a year ago and I really loved the French toasts and the omelettes, I hope the ownership hasn't changed since. The place is a little out of my way but it was good enough that it was worth the drive. I look forward to going here again.
(4)Katy H.
My husband and I have been dining at Cafe Soleil since it was located on San Pablo Ave (and before there was Todd). Pros: always friendly service, big portions, and always good food. We have never had a bad meal or been disappointed with our food here. Best senior menu around and you only have to be 50 - even our daughter who definitely is not a senior has ordered off it. Our favorite breakfast is to come here for the oatmeal. It's the best oatmeal around - tasty, big portions, yummy. Waitresses are super friendly and helpful. I saw that someone complained that iced tea was not on the menu...all you have to do is ask for it. We always order it when we come for lunch and unlike too many other restaurants multiple refills are free. Cons: Sometimes when they are busy it takes a while to get the check. They also have 2 big screen TVs, played with muted sound. I personally dislike TVs in bars and restaurants, but they don't bother me here. We have also used Jennifer & Todd's for catering parties a couple of times and everyone really liked the food. Food arrived on time and minimal hassle setting everything up. Also reasonably priced. They catered the wedding dinner reception for a friend's granddaughter. Again, excellent job.
(5)Erika G.
Food is good. I don't like their customer service. The waiters are not very friendly, definitely what you don't want to see on a Sunday morning.
(3)Rachel F.
I found this place on Yelp yesterday and was so excited to try it out for breakfast. All the reviews were great! So it seemed like an easy breakfast choice. My son and I got there around 11ish on July 4th, a holiday yes, so of course the place was busy. However, being in the hospitality industry, you plan for busy days like this if you know you'll be open, and compare traffic levels from prior years to know when you will be the busiest and then be ready for it staffing wise. Well our server seemed like she had the largest section there. Because we received very little attention or interaction with her. We waited over 10 min before I could get her attention to let her know we were done and that I needed the check to pay my bill, to which she apologized for. But no one else working there asked if we were done with our meal, or if we needed anything else, despite having napkins in our plates, which were also pushed away from us at the table. The busser in that section had his family come in. So all his attention seemed to be on them versus helping the server out with her tables. So our service was mediocre to none. I think this is what soured our experience more than anything. As for the food, I had a chicken fried steak w/ eggs, and my son had the pork chops and eggs. My chicken fried steak and hash browns was covered with a thick gravy, that was cold. Which I ended up scrapping off just to get to my food. It was excessive. My suggestion, if you go and order anything that comes with gravy, to have it on the side and make sure they warm it up, otherwise it'll probably be cold by the time it gets to you. My sons pork chops were bland, with no real flavor. It was obvious no salt was used to cook them. For a $12.95 per person home style breakfast, you'd hope to get a meal that's pretty tasty and will have you singing its praises afterwards. But we were extremely disappointed. After so many great Yelp reviews, I thought we had a winner. I guess we just had bad timing. Hopefully your timing will be better. Good luck!
(2)S K.
Tried this place out for the first time today and was more than pleasantly surprised. I had the veggie omelet with chicken added, pancakes and a side of seasonal fruit (red/green grapes, strawberries, raspberries/blackberries). I tend to refrain from eating diner style foods because of how greasy it is, but the food here was clean and had me feeling fueled for my coming workout session, as opposed to heavy and weighed down. The pancakes were huge and fluffy, and the fruit was fresh and of good quality. Service also gets a thumbs up. The best part: The bill came out to less than it would have at those lower quality breakfast franchises not too far from here. Quality, well prepared food at a great price - what more could you ask for? I will DEFINITELY be back.
(5)Johann Christine A.
Always satisfies that I-really-want-an-awesome-omelette-and-throw-in-a-Âmimosa-while-you're-at-it craving. So long Denny's, lol... it's the best place to grab breakfast/brunch in the San Pablo/Richmond/El Sobrante vicinity thus far in my brunch endeavors #reigningchamp , any challengers?
(5)Lou A.
Love this place. The food is definitely worth the wait which isn't always too long. I guess it depends when you go because there have been times where the wait for seating and food was longer due to it being super busy. Eggs Benedict = bomb.
(5)Mario P.
Hamburger is really big, fries awesome fresh, more than i have ever seen mushrooms with it. The meat however was plain flavor of just meat. This place is huge and nice. Pricey.
(4)Vishalini S.
My husband and I love to go here usually they are great and service is exceptional even when they run out of stuff this time we had a horrible experience. they gave us wrong sandwich then what we had ordered and when we brought it to there attention they made it seem like it was our fault or something like we didnt kno what we were ordering. we didnt even want to change it all we wanted them to kno was it was wrong so we wouldnt get charged for wrong item. then when i closely looked at my sandwich it was made on wrong bread and the basil that usually is on it wasnt. i wish there was more consistency wish all the items on the menu and between all the cooks. i was soo disappointed it ruined my whole night. Not to mention there were only two waiters and one of the waitresses seemed like had her group of friends hanging out at the counter which took her attention away from the customers.
(1)Persian B.
Who orders the inventory here? I'm tired of coming every week to hear the same thing. Sorry we don't have turkey bacon, sorry we don't have any lemons, to go forks. They shouldn't be called Cafe SOLEIL IT SHOULD BE CALLED CAFE WE DONT HAVE ANYTHING! How can you be out of turkey bacon on a Saturday by 945 am? Where is Jennifer and where is Todd? Service is good but i won't be wasting anymore time driving to park and be told we don't have basic cafe materials.
(1)Jennifer D.
I can't say enough great things about this catering company! They are hands down, THE BEST! They're food is amazing and Jennifer (the owner) will go above and beyond for you. As busy as she is, she makes herself available whenever you need her. Not to mention how generous she is as well as affordable. She offered to let me use any decorations she has accumulated from other weddings at no extra charge. Her motto is "every bride should have the wedding of their dreams" and she truly wants to help make that happen. Our wedding was two weeks ago and people are still letting me know how great the food and staff were. I have 2 other friends who have also used her catering services and we all give her a 5 star rating! You won't be disappointed! At the very least, go check out her restaurant (Café Soleil) in El Sobrante and try their breakfast (or anything for that matter!) Everything on the menu is excellent! My favorite is the porcini mushroom raviolis in a marsala sauce. YUM! See ya soon Jen!
(5)Elease T.
10% off when you check in :-D Came with a group of 11 and they were able to accommodate us, easily. They had mimosas. Great because I love a mimosa. But it definitely was missing something, the champagne. The food was very good. I will come back again and most likely Again.
(4)Evelyn C.
This used to be our favorite place to eat. I loved Cafe Soleil until Monday 02/16/15, my husband ordered a ham and cheese omelet. As he was eating it and got halfway done, there was a cockroach! I immediately called the waitress to show her what was on his plate. She took the food right away. When she came back she told me that they had been spraying cockroach spray every night. I asked to speak to the owner but he was not there. I left my information with Raul whom provided us with excellent service, and he said the owner would contact me back. It is already Wednesday night, two days later, and I have not received a phone call back. The star that I'm giving this place is for Raul, the waiter that gave us such great service.
(1)M'Rell W.
Came here with my girlfriend for a quick pick me up meal. My Girlfriend ordered the clam chowder and a salad and I ordered a simple oatmeal and bagel. The cafe has a nice warm vibe about it, very laid back and with great decor. Our server's name was Sheri and she was very friendly and informative. At first glance the prices seemed a bit steep for what was being ordered, but after seeing the portions of our meal I was satisfied. My girlfriend and I left with a full stomach and satisfaction. Will definitely be coming back! Only thing that would have made things even better is if they had a selection of different bagels.
(4)Theresa B.
The food here was average. Nothing too exciting or overly amazing. But it was good for a quick breakfast bite on a Sunday. I had the pork chops breakfast meal, which came with 2 eggs and home fries (potatoes). I was able to redeem a 10% off coupon for checking in which was cool. Breakfast came to a little over $25 for 2 people (not bad).
(2)Jenice G.
This review is strictly for catering from cafe soleil. The staff that she had at our wedding was fabulous, they worked hard and were very helpful to our guests. We hired Jennifer to cater our wedding this past July. She seemed very passionate, energetic and confident with her services. At our first meeting she let us know that there was another couple interested in the same day, but if we booked with her first we would get priority and she would work our event while having another person over see the other event should the other couple book with her as well. We decided to book that day to lock in the priority placement. The planning went on and every meeting we had with her we found her less professional. She almost always had a meeting before ours that ran late. When she got to us the first 5 minutes or more consisted of talking about other clients and problems they were having while she drank her wine. We had to constantly ask her to update invoices with changes that were made but consistently received outdate invoices with no changes made. The wedding day snuck up quickly and we had chosen a venue that was DIY so the boys were there all morning to help set things up. Jennifer was seen twice to drop off items to be set up by her staff. The next time we saw her was right before we walked down the aisle. She said hi, took a picture of the bridal details and left to go "check on the other wedding, but would be back in time for dinner". We never saw her again. Our contract consisted of unlimited beer, wine and champagne. We ran out of beer in the first 30 minutes of the cocktail hour. Do you know how awful it is to find that out from one of your guests? The groom called Jennifer and she was in shock that it was gone. She said Todd would deliver more and he was 20 minutes away. 45 minutes later we see 12 packs being brought in. We checked with the staff to make sure there was enough because we did NOT want to run out again, they said if they ran low again they would get more. We noticed that the beers being brought in was everything except the beer that we had specifically chosen (lagunitas). The staff then told us that they had to call Jennifer to get approval. Apparently there was no delegation and anytime we needed anything it had to be approved by Jennifer. We called Jennifer again, and were given attitude from her. Are you kidding me? This is our wedding day and you are not even here to do your job, you are not delivering what you promised and we are having to call you repeatedly to fix problems that should have never happened in the first place. At the end of the night when the bill was being settled (over the phone with jennifer) we asked about a discount for the issues that arose and she gave more attitude and said "we spent over $400 dollars on beer for you wedding" Well, if you would have prepared in the beginning and bought in bulk, or bought kegs instead of buying 12 packs from a local liquor store I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have spent that much. Again, her staff was great, but we would not hire Jennifer to do another event ever again. We have already told everyone we know to steer clear and I hope this review lets everyone on here do the same.
(1)Alexander R.
A very average experience.
(3)Liv A.
Friend asked me to meet for breakfast this morning at Jennifer and Todd's. It's located in a strip mall in the quaint little town of El Sobrante. Parking was easy in the lot. Upon entering the cafe there was a small early morning crowd but several unoccupied tables so we sat ourselves as instructed by a waitress. The ambiance was a casual brick wall interior diner style cafe with a bar along the huge open kitchen and tables in the middle. The waitress brought us coffee and water soon after we sat down. The menu consisted of your average American bfast choices of egg dishes, pancakes, waffles and such. I decided to go light and ordered one pancake (2.95) and added fresh fruit (2.95). Friend got the pancake special which included two pancakes, bacon and eggs (7.95). I checked in on yelp and got 10% off our tab. Our food came out soon enough and I was expecting my pancake to be topped with fruit but it came separately in a cup. The pancake was huge and fluffy in texture. Fruit was a mix of fresh berries, pineapple and green grapes. Some of the blue berries were smashed. Overall average meal. Service was fine. They didn't rush us to leave as friend and I stayed to chat for a bit. After leaving, clothes smelled like greasy diner for the rest of the day. Wouldn't go out of my way to go eat there but if visiting friend, wouldn't mind. It's a decent neighborhood cafe.
(3)Kim M.
I love the Porcini Mushroom Ravioli and my husband loves thier Risotto, and thier Chicken fried Steak. Also, he loves thier Asparagus! What do they do to it? I need the recipe. Love the seat yourself atmosphere and love the people. Very friendly and the food is great. Come here once a month at least, for the last couple years! Huge portions too!
(5)Melissa A.
This review is for Jennifer's catering. Jennifer is fantastic! She catered our wedding of 100 guests in San Francisco last weekend. Her catering is super affordable, so I had my doubts. But all doubts were quashed when I walked into my venue on my wedding day. She had decorated the food tables beautifully and all my guests gushed about the food all night. We had passed appetizers and appetizer stations throughout the whole evening. Jennifer's crew cooked and served for hours. Each appetizer was better than the last. She even separated the shellfish in the cooking process for my one allergic guest. Jennifer is super flexible about what food, wine, and beer she'll serve. She worked with us perfecting our menu for 6 months. I'll definitely use her again for my next event and I'd highly recommend her!
(5)Jodi H.
Cons - 1) It's very loud inside. I was lunching with some senior citizens and they had great difficulty hearing each other's conversation over the noise. 2) The portions are too big. We were there for lunch and no one was able to finish their food. 3) Our server was polite but untrained. She did not offer alternatives, could not discuss how the food was prepared and when serving, she reached out across customers to pass dishes. 4) They don't have iced tea on the menu. Really? It's summertime. How can you not serve iced tea? Pros - 1) The food was tasty. I will not go back to this restaurant.
(2)Cassie G.
Jennifer catered our wedding this past weekend and I wish I could rate her a million stars on here. 1) She custom designed a BACON BAR for us. 2) EVERY SINGLE PERSON at the wedding came up to us and complimented the food. They loved every single thing that was served. And I'm not exaggerating. 3) Her table settings and all the "extra" tables with drinks etc were incredible. She worked within our budget and made it look like a millionaire's wedding. 4) Working with her was a dream and her staff was professional and friendly. 5) She custom designed a BACON BAR for us. Any event I have in my life, whether it's a friend or family member's wedding, my own vow renewal later in life, an anniversary milestone party for my parents....I wouldn't think twice about who to book. It's Cafe Soleil's Jennifer, hands down. It doesn't get any better than her. You can waste all your time shopping for caterers, go for it, but planning for weddings and parties is so stressful...fret no more, Jen is your gal.
(5)Raul R.
Always on point. Service is great and food is even better! Nice environment for a Sunday breakfast.
(5)Shar V.
Nothing in here was memorable :( I like the decor though. Pancakes were huge.. But almost too much . I had a veggie scrambles egg.. I like that there was baby mushroom and spinach.. However lacked flavor .. I added salt pepper, ketchup ad Tabasco sauce to make it awesome... Overall.... There are better options.. 3 stars for the mediocre food as food service.
(3)Nump T.
rented the banquet room for my wifeys surprise bday party for brunch and it was nothing but perfect!! the food was ready set go and when we needed refills they were on top of everything.. the customer service was top speed we never had to wait for anything i will for sure be booking my next private party here with jennifer!!!
(5)Joe C.
I can't remember a month in the past few years when I haven't been to cafe soleil at least once . It's our go to place I especially like their breakfast selections. And My personal favorite dinner-Hamburger steak,Mmm Gravy! I have lunch here with My friends every month and the turkey sandwhich is especially good. Never really had a bad meal here.Ill keep coming back!
(4)Dee M.
The sandwich was all right and reasonably priced, but instead of welcoming us they stared at us questioningly as though we have no business to walk in there. It was bit unsettling and disconcerting. As I was seated and eating I noticed they greet some people and not others. But I think nobody I saw got the hostile look that we received.. It's bigger inside than you could guess from outside but quite dark with two large tvs. The servers are sufficiently attentive.
(2)Jordan B.
Excellent cafe. They have a very wide variety of food for any time of the day, and the prices aren't that bad. The only problem is the parking since there are only a few spots shared by the other shops in the plaza.
(5)Jennifer L.
The food itself is spectacular. I find the biscuits and gravy to be mouth-wateringly good, and my other half is a fan of their chili burger. Other favorites include the clam chowder, omelets, and chicken fried steak, which I love, but try to limit. Alas, service is hit and miss. It's always right when I get it to go. However, the service was disappointing when we came in for dine-in yesterday. We came at an off-peak hour and were one of only two tables in the restaurant, but the food took longer to come out: but when it came out, we realized why: The burger, which he ordered rare, was medium rare. They also had no clam chowder that day, as opposed to their menu which states that they serve C.C., minestrone, and a soup of the day. (Read: not sold out of it for the day, just not available at all) So I had to order something else. However, my guy was pleased with his fries. I am a longtime resident of El Sobrante, however, and can remember going there since the late 90s when I was in high school, so I am sure this unsatisfactory dine-in experience was just a fluke. I will continue to get my orders to go-- Rain always gets it right; I think that's her name-- and hopefully add another star or two the next time!
(3)Nikyra M.
From the moment we sat down it took a while to actually receive service. Once we did, we ordered and the waitress managed to mess up 2 out of our 5 orders. We sent our food back and got it back cold. Unfortunately we had to send it back a second time and one of us didn't end up eating at all. Not only that but the waitress was absolutely rude and yelled intentionally to her cooks that we didn't want to eat our food anymore, so they should just stop cooking, a very uncomfortable situation. Lastly, the manager decided we should pay for the meal we did not eat. If you're looking for a special breakfast place, don't come here!
(1)Amy V.
I loved it here! The staff was great and helped me decide on what to order. They are so laid back yet informative and it was so easy to talk to them. It's like making instant friends. We went for dinner. I was with a large party and we brought our toddlers, too. Everyone ordered something different and I had the cheese tortellini, which was VERY good! I'd recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Adrianna T.
Giving 3 stars only cause it's my first time here and everything was good! The pancakes weren't burnt, the hashbrowns weren't soggy on the inside or hella burnt on top. Definitely would come back to this place.
(3)Justina K.
My family and I came here for breakfast before heading to napa. You walk in and seat yourself. Our server Amber was really great and accommodating. My baby niece was there too so when someone came around with coffee she made sure that he was far from the baby just in case to avoid any risks of an accident. I ordered the sam's scramble and it was really delicious. I shared it with my sister and was just the right portion.
(4)Tim N.
This is one of my favorite places to have brunch. The food is always good and service is good.
(4)Mari H.
This place is awful. My bestie and I had lunch here yesterday afternoon. Super slow only two maybe three tables of guests. The waitstaff was just milling about. We sit down and drinks were served promptly but that was the only thing served in a reasonable time. We only ordered salads and a cup of soup but it still took 45 minutes to serve. My Chicken Ceaser salad was barely edible the reheated chicken was dry and tough and the dressing tasted like pure mayo. I never knew people could make Ceaser dressing with mayo. I barley ate a 1/4 of it. You know it's a bad sign that you see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen and everything is getting heated up in the microwave. Even though it was slow our waitress only checked up on once to refill drinks. Needless to say we won't be back.
(1)Sephia M.
If you have a huge appetite that you need to satisfy come have a meal at this café. They give plenty of food.
(5)sarah d.
I used them to cater my wedding. Jen is amazing. She is a pleasure to work with and will go out of her way to make sure your wedding is everything you cant it to be. I have worked with many caterers and none of them come close to her. Her ability and willingness to do anything for you and her excitement when it comes to your event makes you feel like you truly are a princess. Her team is incredible as well. And the food. Multiple of my guests told me that is was the best wedding food they ever had and we live in the Culinary Capital of Napa Valley so that tells you something. I also had the pleasure of attended two other weddings she did and it was the same feelings at those events. She literally is the best in Northern California. Thank you doesn't cover it but THANK YOU JEN!
(5)Eric D.
Saturday 11am. Sitting at the counter, quick coffee, quick service, quick and delicious breakfast!
(5)Jackz C.
Heathy breakfast. Fatty breakfast. Whatever but its freaking bomb! The parking lot can get packed which is pretty annoying but the food and customer service make up for that!
(5)Angela W.
this is by far my favorite place to have breakfast. It's local, the staff is awesome, the food is amazing!!! I usually order dale's hashbrowns with a hot link and eggs. The hashbrowns come with grilled onions and cheddar cheese and are smothered with gravy. (BEST GRAVY EVER) I'll admit dale's hashbrowns aren't the healthiest choice, but it's WORTH IT! soooooo good!! The prices are incredibly low. Especially for the amount of food they give you! There are usually specials offered on the board when you walk in. I've never tried anything here that I didn't like. They're awesome!
(5)Connie C.
Cute café! I attended a 1st birthday party here. Location - In the corner of a shopping center. The sign does not stand out like its neighboring stores. Based on the exterior of the place, you probably expect a typical diner set up - white counters with diner tables and chairs. To my surprise, it was very modern! Space - The atmosphere/staff give off a down to Earth vibe. The brown color schemes against the brick wall provides a modern feel and the furniture looks new. There are huge comfortable couches on the right side next to the bar. I absolutely love the tall ceilings. Food - Delicious. They set up a lunch buffet station at the bar, but the staff served us each dish. (thank you for keeping the line moving!) The standard buffet fare of bread rolls and salads (coupled with ranch or vinagrette dressing) were very good. Among the entrees was the steak - dry, yet flavorful; chicken parmesan - just ok. The best dish was the Mushroom ravioli. I had to get seconds..and thirds if I wasn't so full. The mushroom filling was super tasty!! There were large glass spigot jars full of lemonade and iced tea. The glasses were set next to each drink station for easy access! I wish they had a water pitcher at the bar - but each time I had to ask, the staff didn't mind refilling my water. Service - Excellent. The staff were consistent about refilling drinks and clearing plates from tables. They cut and served the cake as well. Kid friendly - They have coloring books/crayons available. They have several high chairs and the bathroom has a changing station and table to put your diaper bags/purses. BEST PART - they offered bowls of animal cookies for the kids! Misc - My only recommendation for parties is to close the restaurant down at least an hour before the scheduled party time. It was only closed 30 minutes prior and it was awkward decorating around eating patrons. Lots of parking available. Would I come back? Yes, Heard the breakfast is good, so will probably be coming back to try.
(4)Keya S.
Satisfaction is an understatement! Café Soleil has catered all of our groups meetings and trainings for the past few months. They have been receiving rave reviews from everyone in attendance. We've ordered, breakfast (French toast, pancakes, omelets, etc.) lunch (burgers and fries, sandwiches and chips) fresh fruit, fresh baked cookies and it was all very delicious! They are personable, timely, reasonably priced, attentive and the list goes on. We are definitely spreading the word around here about this local gem. THANKS!
(5)Paul G.
Food ok. Service less than ok. Not bad. Just not attentive...at all. Had healthy breakfast good. If you go get the homemade biscuits. Reminded me of Saturday morning growing up. Homemade biscuits and butter. Why didn't I have more?
(2)Melanie N.
Definitely nothing to brag home about. The coffee is bland, like gas station bland (what happened to the Catahoula Coffee?) The decor is horrendous--it feels cold and cheapie. Time for a massive redo--food and decor. Call me a foodie snob--this place is so "El Sobrante"
(2)Rachel S.
Jennifer catered my wedding last summer, and I cannot thank or recommend her enough. I was in a real wedding planning funk when I called her, after the umpteenth conversation with a caterer I'd never be able to afford. I'm SO glad I called Jennifer. She means it when she says she knows what her brides (and grooms) want! She knows we want delicious, pretty food that we can actually afford. Plenty of it, so that our guests feel like they've really been taken care of. And she delivers! I felt like I was truly in good, caring, knowledgeable hands the whole time. And we were. Jennifer was flexible and professional. She had no problem with the fact that our space had no real kitchen. She was gracious and made it work when a guest gave us a very extensive list of allergies at the very last minute! Did I mention the food was so good? I would seriously go eat the mushroom ravioli right now if I lived closer. And she made everything look beautiful. CALL HER! xo Rachel
(5)Amber R.
Breakfast service & food is great! Dinner service not so much...and I don't know about the food because it took them almost an hour to make three salads for us, after we sat at our table for 45 minutes we asked if they could box them up to go because we still had not received our food & ran out of time, after another 15 minutes of waiting we walked out.The waiter said he didn't know how to put the salads together and the waitress was too busy on the phone ignoring us completely. I assume the dinner tastes just as good as the breakfast but I won't be back any time soon.
(3)Sergio S.
Second time being here and food is once again delicious. Came for breakfast a few month ago, breakfast was great and came fast. Just had lunch, burger and steak were great! Awesome customer service.
(5)sharon t.
This review is specific for an event that was catered by Jennifer and her staff. I have eaten at the cafe many times and the food has always been solid! Love Dale's hash browns!! So, the catered food for my party was great and the service was amazing! Jennifer came up with a great menu for my Anniversary party and we handled all the details over the phone and via email, which was great for me because my life is just too darn busy to have to meet with her in person! I told her my colors and she came up the perfect tablecloths and napkins. The servers were fantastic they passed the appetizers and poured the wine and did it all with big smiles. It felt like they were having a good time being there and taking care of our needs! The prices were reasonable and no one left the party hungry! The entire event was totally stress free and my guests had a great time! Thank you Jennifer for a great event!! You and your staff ROCK THE HOUSE!!
(5)Korie B.
Definitely the place for homestyle comfort food. I really enjoyed the chicken fried chicken. The servers were friendly enough and they visited our table often to check-in and refill our drinks. I think the restaurant could really improve if they installed some carpeting. The concrete floors with the flaking paint made the room look a bit dingy and room temperature was pretty cold as well. I had to wear my coat during the meal.
(4)Yesenia R.
My husband and I decided to try this new hard to find location. Did not know it existed if it wasn't for Yelp! I'm o happy we did. Right when we walk in it looked very busy, service was great and the food was delicious. We got seated in front of the counter and we were able to see the way they prepares their meals. What I loved is how well all the employers got along. That has alot to say about this location. We will DEFINITELY be going again.
(5)Voiceof R.
Well, it's 2014 and times change. Our last few visits were not very good... the very last one was outright bad. Never our favorite breakfast spot, we really enjoyed them as a dinner option, but food quality and service became so hit and miss - mostly miss - that we just gave up... Last meal I ever ordered there I sent back.... Yes, it was that bad.
(2)Leslie T.
We've gone to Cafe Soleil a few times for breakfast. The food is OK. Poached eggs are rubbery, like perhaps they are microwaved. Services is ok. Overall it's just OK. Not great, but just OK.
(3)Rachelanjoli Z.
I wasn't expecting to walk into such a quaint little place. An aroma of bacon, pancakes and hash browns filled the air. We decided to come in for a quick breakfast since we are on a mission to eat at all the restaurants in El Sobrante. The servers are very nice and knowledgeable about their menu. They were quick to greet us and serve us water. Since we had a little one in tow they pulled up a high chair and made sure she had a kids menu. We decided to order one Country Breakfast, one smiley face pancake and one Spanish Omelet. WOW the portions are huge and smell amazing. My omelet was stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, onion and mushrooms. The chicken in the omelet was a bit dry but still tasty. The hash browns were good but nothing special, I think I will go for the home fries next time. The country breakfast was covered in gravy. We liked it, but the flavor was slightly lacking. It was still good. The final verdict is that we will come back.
(4)Daniel E.
In my opinion this place is delicious. I love the country special. I've read some bad reviews and some people just don't know good country cooking. I guess they think everything should taste like mac Donald.
(5)Anne C.
Called in for a pick up order at 10:45 it was ready by 11. Everything was good, gal was nice and even helped me carry my order to my car. It didn't blow me away but it was great for a lazy Monday morning.
(4)KittenKatty D.
I love this place for bfast. We come here on a regular basis and get the french toast and veggie scramble. The food is consistently good and the wait staff is great. Our favorite is Jaz. She always so sweet and attentive. If you want a great place for bfast go here. You wont be disappointed.
(4)Kristin M.
The best place in El Sob for breakfast! It's all good, especially the chicken fried steak with Chrissy's homefries. The lunches and dinners are also excellent! If you go on a day with the homemade pie, be sure to order it. It has the best crust ever! The family-friendly atmosphere, monthly live music night and spiffy new paint job make it a great place to hang out in the hood. The service and staff are always top-notch. We are fortunate to have this place in our neighborhood.
(5)Terri P.
Great Portions, Fresh Food, Great Selection. I'm always impressed when the menu comes in a binder.... I always go over the entire menu, then backtrack and get the same thing. Club Sandwich with fries. Real Fries. From Real Potatoes. Except of course for breakfast, when I get a little more flexible. But it always ends the same, feeling satisfied.
(4)Yoliana S.
This is our first time trying out this place for breakfast. We got seated right away, and our order came fast too. The food wasn't too greasy either. We will eat here again.
(4)Dunc M.
For a cheap and tasty breakfast, this place is tough to beat. You can get your food cooked damn near anyway you like with just about every omelet ingredient imaginable (seriously, how many breakfast joints carry sun dried tomatoes and chicken apple sausage?). You can even get them to "healthify" your meal somewhat by opting for egg whites, fresh fruit, or even having your hash browns cooked "dry" (without oil, although I'm pretty sure hash browns aren't all that good for you even if they are cooked dry, but every little bit counts right?). And with all that healthy fare available I'll occasionally go for it, but to be honest there's one reason, and one reason only that I come here. Biscuits and mother effing Gravy! The biscuits are HUGE and extremely tender (not flaky like some people prefer, just soft and doughy delicious with a little crunch on the outside), the gravy is almost half sausage and the perfect consistency to cover the biscuits and avoid being watery or soupy. This dish is an amazing yet simple throwback that I crave like Grandma's cooking. Daily specials are always a treat with the occasional seasonal fruit covered pancake and whatever sausage was on sale at Costco (who cares if it ain't homemade when it's tasty and cheap). And don't worry about your drink running low, your waitress will almost always be on her game ready to fill your coffee cup. Make sure to add this place to your list of potential breakfast spots next time you wake up hungover and hungry on a Sunday morning.
(4)brad H.
Clam chowder came cold. Steak came fatty, over cooked and kinda stringy. Not horrible but far from great. Next stop: Contra Costa Environmental Health Department complaint for cold food.
(2)Rachel P.
The first time I went to this cafe I hated it. The food was awful. The only reason I gave it another try was because a friend wanted to go there. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was good, not great, but good. I will probably go back at some point.
(3)Joanna C.
I came here for breakfast on Friday after finding this place on yelp. It wasn't the easiest place to find, but when we found the restaurant the parking was easy. The area isn't the best, but the customer service and ambiance make up for it. I had the half order French toast with Bacon and Sausage as my side. When the waitress delivered my food it was warm, but not warm enough. I loved the French toast, but the Bacon wasn't hot and the sausage tasted funny so I didn't eat it. The prices are reasonable like most breakfast places. I would probably come back here, next time I'd like to try lunch.
(3)Khrystal L.
Really good food! Very generous portions. comfortable and happy setting. have came back often.
(4)Victoria C.
I am a local Realtor & lunch with my clients, friends and family often at this wonderful restaurant. Great, reasonably priced food & great service. My husband,daughter & I just ate breakfast there Saturday. it was hopping but they got us right in! We had so much food that I took the left overs home for dinner. Breakfast at dinner time, who cares! Delicious! They cater events also. Enjoyed their catered food at some Chamber of Commerce gigs.My handyman eats there every morning so I know where to find him when my clients need something fixed! Only complaint..they run outta avacados a lot...otherwise perfect!
(4)Christine C.
My sister had been raving about this place since she had a chance to try the food. Finally after 3 months I was able to have a nice dinner with her and try it out. I've seen this place as I drove through El Sobrante, but I never really stopped to see what was inside. As I walked into the cafe, I could hear the theme to Cheers, even though it wasn't a bar. It did feel like everyone knew your name! The cafe gave you that hole in the wall, homey, warm feeling as you walked in. The majority of customers are senior citizens and the locals. The menu had plenty of breakfast choices, but I wanted a burger. I decided to try the Bacon Avocado burger with grilled onions. The service was quick and we got our food fast. It was a gynormous burger with all the fixings. It was beautiful, delicious, and it was mine!!. Next time I come to visit, I will definitely come back.
(4)Eamon M.
Just ate here, great food, good service and big portions. I had the veggie scramble w/ avocado, the pancakes are very good as well. Cozy place w/ a cool decor. I'll have to check it out for dinner sometime as well.
(4)Sabrina W.
This is our regular breakfast spot. Whenever we feel like eating out for breakfast, this is the spot we hit up the most. The hubby doesn't even need to look at the menu - Worker's special, patty sausage. The portions are humongous. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. It can get crowded at times, especially on the weekends, but it's always worth the wait. The food is fresh and tasty. The no-fuss homemade menus, self-seating (when there's no wait), and mismatched furniture make it really feel like the hometown cafe feel where the waitress calls you sugar or hon. Although breakfast is our favorite meal here, the lunch is out of sight as well. Turkey sandwiches made with for reals turkey, not that deli meat stuff and the salads are enormous. The only negative is that the portions are so large, we often leave feeling like we are about to burst. But that's not always a bad thing.
(5)Jaimie L.
This place is amazing. I've eaten here quite a few times, and I have to say that every time I have been impressed. The service was always great; always greets you as soon as you step in the door and quick to help you. The food is AMAZING. I've tried their omelets... DELICIOUS. They're club sandwich is mouth watering! They make their turkey fresh in their restaurant, making the sandwich impeccable. But today, I tried their special.. the MAMBO ITALIANO! & let me tell you this burger is the best I've ever had. I definitely recommend you try Cafe Soleil! For sure I'm going back there!
(5)Rob A.
Absolutely wonderful. Good food. Great service. Will definitely be back. Only been here for the breakfast...but if their breakfast menu is indicative of the total menu...its worth the trip.
(5)Gina H.
Just an update! The owner Jen wrote me an email to say they recently upgraded their decor! Though I haven't had a chance to eat here since Mother's Day of this year (which was great by the way!) I will have to check them out when I am in the area! Thanks Jen for the wonderful email update!
(5)A M.
I have been here a couple times, for breakfast. The last time as a back up because the first place on our list had too long of a line and we needed food ASAP. Both times I had breakfast. Food was nothing to write home about, but not terrible.
(3)J T.
I can't review the food because I couldn't even get any recognition from the staff. I walked in wanting to get something to go and there was no sign about seating yourself and no staff at the front of the restaurant. I spied a waitress serving while on her cell phone! After a while I walked over to the counter and found a basket of menus, still no smiles or hellos from the staff. I looked through the menu, staff walked past...nothing...I put the menu down...looked around...staff made eye contact....no hello, no asking if I'd been help or what I wanted to order. So I walked out. They weren't that busy, there was PLENTY of staff, SOMEONE could have at least acknowledged my presence in the restaurant.
(1)Maria N.
large portion for brunch, good for two people - or one person that is super hungry. The day we went it was very crowded. Meals are reasonable. Our ticket was mixed with another table - so always check our check before paying
(4)Joe B.
Went here for breakfast and got the biscuits and gravy....so good! It came with 2 eggs, and a sausage patty. I thought the gravy was so good. Great flavor, just enough salt and pepper for my taste. If you like saltier, add salt. Thats why they put salt and pepper shakers on the table. The biscuits were nice and fluffy just how I like them. While I was eating, I saw an order of pancakes being brought out with fresh fruit and whip cream....Im getting those next time! I will be back for breakfast and will definitely stop in for lunch and dinner.
(4)Chantay X.
Came here for brunch for a friend's b-day and I liked. I had the cheddar avocado bacon omelet and it was LOADED with bacon. It was good. Strange omelet though because instead of the filling being wrapped in the egg, there was just a flat piece of egg sitting on top of the filling like a blanket. But it was still good. And the hashbrowns were good too. Nice and crispy. Me and one of my party had a mimosa and it was pretty good and pretty strong (for a mimosa). Cool place, I'd definitely come back.
(4)Lxs S.
When I lived nearby I made a point of eating here a few times each month. I still stop in when nearby, but unfortunately not as often as I'd like. Great spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Excellent selection and as others mention their portions are huge. Love their salads, burgers and omelets. When you have friends or relatives visiting, bring them here! They'll enjoy the food, the pleasant cafe atmosphere and reasonable prices.
(4)Susan N.
Usually come here for breakfast, but we enjoyed a hearty home style cooked meal last night. Had a generous portion of beef ravioli topped with a marinara sauce. My dining partner had the hamburger steak, which came with excellent garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus spears and green beans. Much, much better than a typical chain restaurant!
(4)Stevi C.
I just took my mom here for a mother's day brunch and my whole family was pleasantly surprised about the quality of the food and the value for the dollar. This is a great little joint that one day Guy Fieri should feature on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It's definitely a sweet little Cali-style diner. I love how peppery the home fries were and how friendly the staff was -- especially on such a busy day. My husband and I plan to return for lunch sometime to try the burgers and sammies.
(4)Charlotte D.
I usually like this place for lunch. The portions are large and fair priced. I've tried a few of the items, usually sticking to breakfast items, like biscuits & sausage gravy. The burger and sandwiches are pretty good...beats some of the fast food chains. I have to try to come for their dinner menu and see how that is.
(4)Krista K.
This place really is the best breakfast in the area and is less than a mile from my house. It is a large open space, with high ceilings and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The menu is pretty standard and mainly offers omelettes, scrambles, pancakes and french toast. No benedicts, rancheros, or other "brunchy" type options, although word on the street is they may show up soon! :-) As for the food itself, it was very good. The bacon was crisp though and the over medium eggs were just right. We also had an omelett, which was pretty satisfying. The whole wheat buttered toast is great. They don't offer fresh squeezed orange juice. The prices are pretty reasonable, the portions are large and the service is fine. The owner works hard and really cares about the place. I will definitely be back.
(4)Globetrotting I.
It's been a couple of years since I had breakfast here so I decided to stop by this morning. The decor has changed. New tables and they now have flat screens on the walls. The breakfast was served fast but the taste was blah. Server was nice but busy (was coming off the morning rush?)and wasn't very attentive. Food lacked flavor and was very bland. The price of the mimosas went up and the glass got smaller. Ordered some food to go and didn't include butter, jelly, syrup, etc. in the bag. Nothing memorable and prices don't match the quality of the food. Won't be back.
(2)Professor Higgins P.
Its hard to find real breakfast these days. Either you go to Denny's (which is not a place sober people go) or you have "brunch" which basically means you will eat pumkin spiced pancakes with white chocolate glaze or some chicken/pear/goat cheese sausages. Not that gourmet breakfast is a bad thing, but sometime you feel like something that reminds you of simpler times Cafe Soleil is just that place. Eggs, sausage PATTIES (pork), biscuits and gravy, and hashbrowns the right way - shredded and fried - not diced and pretentious. They even throw melted cheese or country gravy on them if you want. Their omelletes are very good, the coffee is solid and the service is friendly and courteous. It hits the spot when you want a hearty and simple breakfast. Also, for those with kids, they are very accomodating, and the place is spacious and loud enough so you don't really disturb your neighbors. 4 stars because the food is good, but not the best greasy spoon breakfast I've had.
(4)Sabrinasmom S.
Jennifer and Todd's is one of my regular breakfast spots. There are a lot of things on the menu, but I tend to either order the Chicken with Jack, Bacon and Avocado Omelet or the Hamburger patty with eggs. I don't really like avocado, so it's a plus that they always let me substitute mushrooms for the avocado without a charge. It says a lot to me that the staff is pretty much the same since I started coming here ten years ago.. There is a young woman who is very nice and has been part of the staff on and off. She told me once that she comes and goes depending on her child's schedule and her education. The fact that the owners accomodate her is very telling that they appreciate their staff. They have never been less than polite or efficient. Yes it gets really busy - especially on the weekends. I have seen more than once people walk in - see that they are slammed and then move on to Tina's. The food is on par at both. Vice Versa. Just depends on flow, I guess. It's funny living in a small town, that the same people review the same places. I am all for giving local businesses a try. It's funny reading some of the reviews, though. I think some people will have a bad experience no matter where they go. So 4 stars - they get a minus because there Joe's Special is not on the regular menu and the last time I ordered it was missing spinach.
(4)Nicole C.
Just came here for a family breakfast since everyone was home, and gotta say - I'm a fan. Now even though I live in El Sobrante, let's just say I don't eat in any of the restaurants of El Sobrante. We tried Tina's before and were so turned off by it, that my dad was ready to go to Denny's this morning. I talked him into giving Cafe Soleil a try and even he was satisfied here. This is a real breakfast joint - the options for breakfast were so vast and everyone ordered exactly what they were craving. Most of us got the omelettes with fillings to our likings. The hash that came with it was massive in size and equally tasty. My mom was odd ball out with pancakes and eggs but this was exactly what she was looking for and was happy with her choice (along with many stabs at our food). Tracking down the coffee pot was somewhat of an issue for my dad but he had no complaints. Overall great establishment with a cute ambiance. Truly a hidden gem in El Sobrante.
(4)Sarah S.
We ordered the chicken fried steak and a full order of french toast. Both were the best of each we had ever eaten. If the quality of the food had been a little less superb I would have knocked off a star for the plastic entree plates (really?) and the we tried but didn't succeed in making this place homey decor. But seriously, the food was so fantastic that I can't even complain. Very friendly and speedy service, one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten. El Sob baby! Come and get it.
(5)Greg H.
I really wish yelp had 1/2 stars... This would be 1/2. It's the only American diner style place, other than the chains, for miles. Hidden away in corner of a strip mall. The staff is friendly, the decor is weird with their large tables and painted floor. The other patrons were San Pablo types. I'd go back if I was in the area again. Decent size portions and low-ish price. No birthday when I was there.
(3)Ed K.
This is your typical american breakfast place. 3 stars as the food here is just OK. Not sure I'd come here again as I've uncovered Alley Cafe in Pinole and Anna's in El Cerrito.
(3)Teresa G.
great service. delicious food. definitely a great place.!!
(5)Matt K.
We sat at the counter and had pretty good food. I had pancakes, scrambled eggs and hash browns and the portion sizes were pretty large. My hash brown block was probably 4 inches by 10 inches wide and came on its own dinner plate. The short stack of pancakes (two) were also quite large and took up another dinner plate. The size of the egg order was not out of the ordinary. As with many of the other reviewers on here, I didn't finish all the food on my plates. This place kind of reminds me of a lot of the restaurants I've eaten at near highways all over the country. The wait-staff was working pretty hard but still takes the time to have conversations with the regulars. I do like it when places make sure my coffee cup stays topped off and this place makes an effort to do just that. I noticed they had an automatic espresso/cappuccino/mocha machine behind the counter, but everyone in the restaurant seemed satisfied with the Farmer Brothers coffee. If the prices were a little bit lower I'd probably have given Cafe Soleil one more star. And even though El Sobrante feels a bit like rural America, it's still part of the Bay Area as demonstrated by 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, hash browns and coffee costing about $12 before tip.
(3)Marshall S.
Who knew such a good place could be tucked away into this dumpy little strip mall? The food is always fantastic and the service is fast and friendly. Leah R. is right -- the country breakfast is amazing, while also very affordable. Today, however, I opted the Spanish Omelete, which consisted of my choice of ground beef or chicken (i chose ground beef), onions, ortega jack, salsa, sour cream, and some other Spanishy stuff, with hash browns (or home fries if you like) and toast (they have about 10 different kinds, including sourdough and a few whole weat varieties). Ay Dios Mio -- que bueno! GO HERE!
(5)Leah D.
Cafe Soleil has been around a while, and has proved to be a consistent, down to earth type of breakfast/brunch spot. Seriously consider taking a drive out to El Sobrante to try their country breakfast - it is one of those delicious heart attack on a plate type of meals that you should only really eat once a year. Maybe twice if you choose their half-portion. MmmMmm sooo good. Also, the owners are great. know this only because they have treated both of my brothers who works/worked there throughout high school incredibly well. The prices are fair, and the service is nice. Well worth the trip out to "The Leftovers".
(5)Cathie L.
My family and I just love their new extended hours, starting February 15, 2008. The restaurant is now open till 8 pm, Mondays thru Thursdays and Sundays. 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. We just had the most scrumptous New York Steak dinner, with out-of-this-world clam chowder, delicious garlic mashed potatoes, fabulous fresh vegetables, and a fresh bread roll. All at a reasonable price! Jennifer and her staff are so upbeat and very friendly. This restaurant is just the BEST and we definitly want to pass this on to everybody old and young alike! Try it...you will be so happy you did!
(5)S B.
I have been here a few times and the first time I really liked it. the second time was good.. And the third time.. oye! I ordered a mimosa.. .ALL OUT. I ordered egg beaters.. OUT... I ordered a diet coke... it's diet rite! I thought I was on a hidden camera show.
(2)Yahawana Coy P.
I like to go here for breakfast. Try the Workers Special (2 Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, 2 Eggs, 2 Patty, 4 Links or Bacon) $8.95. The burgers are good too. I'm so old school, I remember the old location on San Pablo Ave when I was a kid.
(4)PP F.
Jennifer and Todd's Cafe Soleil serves huge portions that are pretty good. Great omelettes.The atmosphere is pleasant and family friendly, and the tables are all old wooden dining tables and give it a great eclectic feel. The portions are HUGE---you will walked out stuffed. I had some initial (rather petty) complaints such as a problem with fresh strawberries on the pancakes and not serving caffeinated black tea like English Breakfast, but the owner read my review here on Yelp and wrote me such a nice e-mail, saying she would personally look into those matters....she was professional, incredibly courteous, and great. And that shows in the restaurant. You'll get caring service with owners who are passionate about their business. Cafe Soleil is on my top list of breakfast places for the East Bay.
(4)Matthew C.
The Mambo Italiano is the best burger I've had!!! Its a must try! Come here once a week and the food never fails to impress me! A+++ for service & quality!
(5)Toni M.
We had a couple of very good dinners here, maybe more, several years ago and then just sort of forgot about it because it's out of the way, tucked into a little strip mall on Dam Road. Alan happened upon a Yelp review which reminded him and we came here for lunch today. It's been so long since we were here I actually drove around the wrong damn shopping center before continuing on to the the right one. Once there, we walked on in and were directed to choose a table, which we did. Both our servers were young, pleasant and attentive. He kept our ice tea glasses filled. She was patient while we decided what to have and teased us nicely about our rationale. Alan ordered Sam's Scram, which had chicken-apple sausage, spinach, mushrooms, etc, accompanied by home fries. He liked it. We shared a side order of biscuit and gravy, which was better than the biscuits and gravy at the Sedona airport restaurant, probably the last time we had that. I ordered a Greek salad, which was generously portioned, w/ salami, feta, kalamata olives, sweet grape tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, sweet red peppers, and, of course lettuce. It came w/ a Greek vinaigrette that the waitress predicted would knock my socks off, which it did, but was less assertive when mixed thoroughly w/ the other ingredients. Very tasty, although next time I'll ask that the pepperoncini be held because they just don't like me anymore and I picked 'em all out. I was torn between that and a scallop salad, which also sounded good and a hamburger whose fate was sealed when she told us that hamburgers were generally cooked medium rare rather than rare. That's OK. Salad was healthier.
(4)Amanda M.
Husband and I just ate dinner here, and we're very happy and very full. Both had salads with homemade Italian dressing, which was just fantastic. He had the French Dip - rosemary jus - and I had the Works burger (it took up the entire plate and was about 8 inches tall!) Definitely going back, may even become regulars!
(4)karen z.
So far we've been here a handful of times and loved the food. They are prompt and we've never waited for long. Our kids love it there which is a big plus.
(4)Jennifer L.
I've only been here for breakfast because I love their omelets! The portions are generous and prices decent. The cafe staff has always been friendly to me even though it gets really crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)Tia C.
Jen did my wedding not too long ago and people raved about the food! Fresh, large portions, and tasty. Jen was polite, so friendly, answered any questions I had and was very helpful. The Only reason she is not getting five stars is because the servers at the wedding left something to be desired. But overall, use her! You will not be disappointed and neither will your guests!
(4)Fuego F.
This place is decent or pretty good at best.Its definitely not a four star spot and here is why:The coffee sucks and they don't have fresh squeezed juice.These two reasons alone discourage me from going even though I live two minutes away.I ate here a few times while Tina's Creekside Cafe was relocating to Pinole,I was eager for Tina's to reopen.I tried the biscuits and gravy so I could compare and they were crap,they could really learn a thing or two from Tina.I encourage anyone who eats here on a regular basis to reevaluate there breakfast options.On a positive note they do have a lot of options on the menu and the lunch is decent.
(3)s k.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this cafe since it's in my neighborhood and I've eaten there numerous times. Food is good, not great...but consistent and generous portions. Glad Costco sells 50% off cards..stocked up (can't use the card to pay for tax or tip). Last 2 times hubby & I came for dinner, the service was friendly but not very attentive - waitress bubbly, took our order promptly, but then seemed to forget about us ... all the waitstaff were chatting behind the counter & not looking after customers' needs. The blue cheese burger w/ fries was good though a little dense - took 1/2 home as did my hubby - he had chicken fried chicken. His favorite use to be chicken fried steak but they must have changed recipes or suppliers as the last couple times he tried it he wasn't super happy (before then, he said it was the best cfs he's ever eaten). I like the new tables much better - the old huge tables made me feel like I was at a conference. Breakfast and lunch are good too.
(4)Hideyo S.
It's just hard to find good breakfast places, but this place passes the test. Good quality food in good sized portions. Just a shame that it's in a relatively hard to find part of the strip mall that used to be Fry's groceries. My dilemma's always whether I'll go for something other than their biscuits and gravy.
(4)Ian J.
There's a real reason that my family tends to make this a weekly stop... well, two reasons, and they're the most pertinent. Food and service. Both are really great. Nice and helpful waiters/waitresses (typically the latter). Try the Spanish omelet, Sheri's Special (named after one of the waitresses, who is, ironically a vegetarian [it's a sandwich with REAL turkey - not that preprocessed lunchmeat stuff]), or Oscar's Special. All great. The burgers are huge - you can easily make two meals of it - although I have to admit I'm not too into their fries... I prefer the potato salad. Come hungry. You will be stuffed by the end of your stay. It's not a quiet place, if there's a minus to be found. Can be difficult to hold a conversation. But once you've made a few stops there, you can adjust your voice accordingly. Also, it's quite a popular place - so you MIGHT have to wait sometimes. (Typically not too long... and they have nice sofas in the wait area.) Trust me - worth the wait. Best kept secret in El Sobrante!!
(5)charlie m.
Look ...i have tried and tried to like this place. I have lived in the area for 12+ years and there is not much in the way of breakfast out here. I pretty much have the standard breakfast at every joint i eat at : poached eggs, toast, and meat (bacon or sausage) and every time it is substandard. Sorry but i have moved on to better and cheaper breakfast.
(2)Mike B.
I used to go to this place all the time, back when my son was a baby and we lived out that way. The food is pretty good. Nothing to rave about. They seemed to almost ALWAYS be out of whatever I ordered. And I am REALLY not into the idea of putting a bunch of layers of inexpensive crap on inexpensive hashbrowns, and pretending it's worth $8. They do the same thing at Waffle House back home. Not my thing. Maybe it's yours. The service is really what had me coming back every time. The ladies always remembered us, and took good care of us. I'd recommend the spot if you were in the area, especially if you like a buncha' crap on your hashbrowns! Overall, it's a decent breakfast. Possibly a bit pricey.
(3)Rodney W.
I used to come to Cafe Soleil every Sunday like it was a religious experience. After a long hiatus I went back with my family. Ordered a avocado, chicken with jack cheese omelet. The chicken was dry as sand and the cheese had melted and got hard again from sitting our to long. My son's pancakes wear chewy like rubber and my daughter's chicken strips were close to burnt. I chalked it up to a bad day in the kitchen. I came back today for a late breakfast early lunch. Everything we ordered they were out of (no kidding 3 separate request they didn't have any left). I ordered a burger & fries for myself and chicken "strips" for my kids. My burger was clearly from a frozen patty (CHEWY) and instead of "strips" my daughter got a burnt order of frozen chicken nuggets. When I complained they brought me another order which was burnt but this time better they were mostly black instead of a dark brown. The 3rd order I guess they decide to microwave cause they were soggy. When I asked why didn't they have the strips like last time the answer and I quote. "Oh sometimes to save time they just use the frozen ones cause it takes more time to make the strips"...CHECK PLEASE!!!!!
(2)Rei M.
Love Dale's Hashbrowns. Absolute yummy in my tummy!
(5)mellie m.
Great for breakfast or lunch. Waitress are fast, efficient and friendly. Dinner is a different story. Went in and the new cook (Rubio?)......boo... never went back for dinner. My friend and I were the only customers in the place. Took 30 minutes to get the food and then they forgot the soup we ordered. The cook and waiter seemed much more interested in talking than getting us our food.
(3)Michael E.
Great quality (a lot of homemade options) and great portions at a fair price. The dinner menu is limited right now but Jennifer is working on expanding it. My first time there I ordered the Prime Rib special (Friday and Saturday nights) - IT WAS THE BOMB! She slow roasts it with rosemary, it was tender, juicy and tasted incredible. Accompanied with vibrant steamed veggies sauteed in fresh garlic, country style garlic mashed potatoes with a swimming portion of hot brown gravy and a roll and butter - I forced myself to finish the generous portion because it was too good to not eat every last bite.
(4)Sophie g.
this is our fav breakfast spot to go to in the east bay! homemade food and very welcoming the staff know there costumers by a first name basis and i never leave unsatisfied. my fav dish to get is the french toast combo with the fresh fruit you cant go wrong!
(5)Lisa G.
Like another reviewer said, hit or miss. The decor is nice. The service is just okay. The tables are too big in my opinion unless you have a big party. The food is okay but not great. I ordered the "Jennifer's Homefries" which are basically homefries with onions, tomatoes and salsa and sour cream on the side. They had more onions than potatoes. The coffee has a burnt flavor. The juice was warm.
(2)J J.
Great food with many options including lots of healthy options. Well priced for the dinner and a great dining atmosphere. They are wicked fast and you can always rely on that. If seating takes awhile, you know once you order your food will appear immediately at your table. The place is run like clockwork. If you're looking for someone to swoon over you and pour you bellinis at breakfast, this might not be your place. It's a great diner with intelligent wait staff, and I absolutely love this place.
(5)gail z.
Very hit and miss. Service is too slow. Sunday mornings are crazy busy. Breakfasts ARE good.
(3)Sol T.
This is one of our favorite breakfast places in the East Bay. The warm and inviting decor combine with a friendly and accommodating staff to make for a comfortable place for a meal. It can be a bit loud when the place is crowded, which is often the case on a weekend mid-morning visit. And if you have to wait, you'll find a couple of comfy couches where you can sit and browse the morning paper. Nice touch! The food is excellent. We've been there for lunch a couple of times and had some great sandwiches, but it's hard to pass up their outstanding breakfasts. Coffee is great; make sure you ask for their French roast. Pancakes are large, fluffy, and delicious. One of our favorite things is their large selection of tasty omelettes that aren't too big, just the right size actually. The potatoes are usually pretty good, though they've been a little over done lately. The Spanish omelette is one of our favorites but most of them are worth trying. I believe what Amy describes is the Country Special. Obviously, it's not something you'll want to order every time unless you're trying to achieve some kind of record-setting cholesterol level. But it sure is tasty! Though I suppose you could get the half order and only feel half as guilty. The service is great too. A friendly, personable waitstaff keeps your coffee cup filled, even when the place is busy.
(5)Elise D.
This place has some really good breakfast. I love rolling out of bed on the weekend around 1pm and coming here. My roommates and I all order different things and we are all very happy. The service is great too. Even if this place wasn't right down the road I'd still come here. I have been getting manicures next door for years and never knew of this little gem till my roommates took me here and Im glad the did!
(4)Amy L.
I don't remember the name of the dish I ordered but it was sooo yummy. hashbrowns layered with biscuits, layered with scrambled eggs, layered with sausage, and drenched with gravy. My dish was so big it lasted me two meals! The great thing about Cafe Soleil is most of their dishes come w/ a choice of soup, salad, fries, or fruit salad. The fruit salad was the best fruit salad I've ever been able to get at a restuarant as a side dish. It had fresh pineapple, blackberries, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, apples, and oranges.
(5)Joe C.
Where doweI go when we actually get up early on Sunday? Todd & Jennifer's. Excellent pancakes and good coffee. Do miss when they were located near my house, tho'.
(5)Jessica O.
The past few times we've gone for breakfast the food was cold and the coffee tasted terrible! I like their fruit cups but other than that I think they need to improve the quality and timeliness of the food.
(2)Kenneth H.
it's whatever. been here i think once or twice, and it's just whatever. i should give this place one more chance. i rarely ever eat breakfast anyway.
(3)Jess M.
quaint little breakfast/lunch place in a plaza in el sobrante. the people were pretty friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. it seems like the kind of place with Regularas. and it's certainly very spacious. in fact, the place is almost cavernous with its high ceilings, and very spaced-apart tables. the walls are brick, and higher up are some pastel-y colour. dim-ish lighting. it felt like how the alamo would feel, if it were a breakfast joint. extensive menu. affordable. eager with the coffee refills. and they have scented hand soaps and hand lotions in the bathroom! but. i love potatoes, and usually that is how i judge breakfast places. theirs were just ok. they were powdery, mostly lacking in flavour, and cooked with a bajillion little raw-ish diced onions. not my fave, gotta say. but they breakfast i ordered was certainly ample, and i couldn't even finish, whereas i am usually the one to offer to finish other people's meals for them. coffee wasn't bad. they have biscuits and gravy. and several different breakfast meat options: chicken apple, patty, smoked chicken apple, chicken basil, etc. i can't remember them all, as i did not pay too much attention because i'm not into the hearty meats as my first meal of the day. they do egg white/egg substitutes, i think for free, but i don't know. it didn't say on the menu, and i didn't check my receipt, high-roller that i am i didn't bother. this is the most disjointed, non sensical thing ever. i blame my lack of focus on the lackluster quality of their homefries. maybe their hashbrowns are better.
(3)Janet B.
I've been going here for years for breakfast on the weekends - never had anything else here, though. The place is always packed. The food is always great, and great service. Great place!
(4)Mark B.
great food, good prices and great staff
(4)Carissa C.
pancakes to die for. dale's hashbrowns are a heart attack on a plate (and damn if a heart attack doesn't taste sooo good). lots of good home cookin' for a little money. come hungry, but not so hungry you can't wait to be seated without getting your panties in a bunch. but then again don't go anywhere so hungry that you can't wait to be seated without getting your panties in a bunch. been coming here (well, and since before they were even here when they were on san pablo in richmond) for almost 17 years. the wait staff does not turn over a lot so they seem to be doing something right with their employees too. try it. you'll like it . unless you're expecting claremont staff and aqua cuisine.
(4)R W.
This is by far the best place to eat in El Sob. Good for lunch and breakfast. Great service and even beter food. I love it!!
(5)Kristianne D.
My husband and I love the food at cafe soleil, so when we found out that they not only cater but the price was affordable, it was a no brainer deciding on who would cater our wedding. Jennifer is so amazing; she helped me with any questions I had while I was planning and had great suggestions. Not only did she make our reception beautiful, her staff was so kind and helpful. Whatever we needed, they were on top of it. We got so many compliments on the food from our guests. I would recommend cafe soleil fr any catering event.
(5)Miss E.
Cute interior decor but lacks warmth and service. We came here because I thought the burger photos on Yelp looked great. Fail. Mike's burger and regular burger were bland for the price. Truly a disappointment.
(1)Judith B.
We really liked Cafe Soleil but watched the quality go down over time and eventually stopped going altogether. So disappointing since El Sobrante is a desert of decent restaurants. :o(
(2)liesl l.
Driving to South Lake Tahoe from the city early one day and was looking for a good breakfast spot on the way. They only had 3.5 stars but it was close so we stopped. Wow, what a great surprise! Awesome food and service. Love it and wouldn't hesitate to return. The special hash browns were beyond amazing, I recommend the ones with gravy.
(5)Patrick Z.
Went here with some coworkers for lunch on a Friday. I got the chicken pesto sandwich with potato salad. The sandwich was big and tasty. I had to add salt to both the sandwich and the potato salad. I'll try the soup next time. Service was a bit slow. Waiter had to ask the manger if they would accept the Yelp 10% off check-in coupon. They ended up giving all four of us the 10% discount. Thanks!
(3)Andie S.
Came for chicken fried steak - all out. Too bad but no apology from my server. She recommended club sandwich at 9:50 in the morning. ??? My pancakes tasted.of uncooked flour. Seriously smaller than those pictured on Yelp. I wouldn't EVER come back for pancakes. Try the RED ONION for better. French roast coffee was Not French roast but very tasty. Sausage was very good. Eggs must be the smallest available.but nicely cooked. Feels like a neighborhood dive - not too bad but there's better in the area. I guess it fits in with the neighborhood. Overall just another place to tank up. Not much to recommend my coming back.
(2)Robert M.
I brought my whole family and everyone loved it. The food was great! They serve a great amount of food and it left us full and satisfied. This is a must-go place.
(5)Alyssa J.
Pleasantly surprised! Met a friend here for brunch Saturday around noon and it was busy but the wait was probably about 5 minutes. Service was chill and food came out in about 15 minutes. I had 2 egg breakfast with Jennifer's potatoes and it was delish! They also have a Yelp check in offer for 10% off (one person's) meal.
(4)Myron N.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!! It was recommended to us by the hotel and it was a complete disaster. They brought out cold food they took it back and put it in the microwave. It's not hard to mess up pancakes but these people did. They brought out half burned pancakes for my son and flipped it upside down so we couldn't see There was a girl with a pierced noise that was extremely rude And they had the nerve to charge me for the meal that was sent back to the kitchen the 2nd time and I said I did not want it Again, stay away from it
(1)Arianne H.
If it's one thing I love, it's definitely BREAKFAST...food and Brunch! So I guess that's 2 things. I love but you know...same difference. Came here with an now ex-boyfriend because he recommended it due to my love of breakfast when I was visiting him from LA at the time and was this a great place indeed! It's in a very random area of El Sobrante,especially for a restaurant, either way, as they say, "don't judge a book by its cover" Came here on a kinda early morning, but usual breakfast time for most people on a weekday and this place was pretty busy. Not super busy though where there was a wait, but I can only imagine how the lines are on the weekends. We were greeted by the very nice hostess and seated in a very timely manner. I also noticed that there were a lot of regulars here and the waitress and hostess knew a lot of people by name which is always a really good sign! They keep coming back! The restaurant had such a cute vibe to it, which you would never know until you went inside and saw for yourself. All of the staff were very friendly and were very willing and patient to answer any questions we had about the menu. I ordered the the Spanish omelet with chicken and we both shared 2 pancakes...which were huge! Actually, the portions of all the food was pretty big and in reality we should've shared but who really likes to share food when trying out a new place! You want to try it all! hahah The Spanish omelet was delicious and the pancake was even more delicious! If you know me really well, you know that I LOVE pancakes and the pancakes here were delicious...and HUGE! That's something you really have to share here, unless that's the only thing you plan on eating! I've been here already a good few times and I'm never disappointed! If you're looking for a good breakfast or brunch spot in this area of the Bay, try THIS PLACE you won't be sorry!
(5)Chelsey L.
5 Stars for the omelets! So many options and always cooked perfectly! :) The french toast is awesome and so is the BLT. Not that crazy about the hash browns, a lil mushy for me ( I prefer THE EMBERS) but the home fries are good. I usually get the fresh fruit for my side they give you a big bowl and depending on the time of the year depends on what you get. But it FRESH fruit so thats what i expect. Great service, coffee cup is always full and they have mixed fruit jelly! haha i love it, most places dont have it, and its good stuff...
(5)Heather G.
I have nothing bad to say about this place. I use to eat here all the time when I lived in El Sobrante. Had not eaten here in years until this week and it was just as good as I remember. I had the Country Special which is two biscuits with hasbrowns, eggs, sausage, and gravy piled on top. Yum!! Boyfriend got the chicken fettucine alfredo, and he said his was good as well. The salad that his came with looked really good too. Neither one of us were able to finish our meal due to portions are super big. The check was right around $30. Great deal for the amount of food you get. We will be back again soon!
(5)Jason B.
Finding this place makes me both happy & sad at the same time. Happy because I've finally found a great, local spot to have the best Lazy Sunday Blinners (A full day's worth of caloric intake, consolidating your normal 3 meals a day into one meal), but... also sad because it'll be short lived since I'll be moving in the next month or so Though I can't believe I've driven past this hidden gem for years & never walked inside, I'm glad I finally did. Mainly because it looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but the moment you walk in, it's anything but. Breakfast & lunch served all day! Open seating, fast & friendly service, huge portions, very family friendly & pretty extensive menu. I came here on one of my lazy Sunday afternoons & we ordered their Chicken Cesar Salad w/ ranch, club sandwich w/ avocado & jack cheese w/ homemade clam chowder & fries. Their fries are the best fries I've had in a long time, & their salad was so good. The clam chowder was OK, lacked clams & the bacon didn't really do it justice. Overall, I walked out with a perfect full & left overs to eat later.
(4)Angela N.
I've tried to check this place out on a few different occasions. Each time, it's been "brunch" time and the wait is 45 minutes!!! There's no way I can wait 45 minutes to eat breakfast. The forces weren't with me until yesterday... Luckily, my houseguest was up bright and early (she clearly didn't have as much to drink as I did) and we made our way to Cafe Soleil. I immediately loved the openness and the large dining room tables. The food was really good and I loved that you have the option to get your food cooked without oil and butter. The service was friendly and attentive. I'm knocking off one star for one reason only. The coffee. It's not good. The regular was weak and watery. We sent it back. Our server returned with the french roast which had more body but a slightly burnt aftertaste. Really? I don't get how the food can be so good...and the coffee so terribly wrong. I'd definitely eat here again...but only if they let me bring my own thermos of coffee.
(3)Mario D.
Yep coupon when you yelp. Good food and service. Try the different types of hash browns they have. Really good!
(4)Joseph T.
This great cafe provides a quality selection of breakfast, American, and Italian food. My personal favorite is the Chicken Jack on a whole wheat bun with a delicious side salad. I am biased towards liking wheat buns, but I believe they taste better than the white buns here. I really liked their chicken parmigiana, their turkey sandwhich, and their salmon dish. They even offer healthier options on their breakfast food such as no oil house potatoes and egg whites. Portion size is great and you leave filling full. I have purchased several gift cards at the Richmond Costco that effectively give me about 45% off each meal (considering the gift cards are two for one and can't be used for tax). Price point without the gift card is reasonable considering the food quantity and the overall pricing of nearby restaurants. They even have takeout! This restaurant has great ambiance with its brick decor, open kitchen, and two flat screens. It is an ideal setting either to take friends or to study with a good book or your laptop (free WiFi). The staff is always upbeat and cheerful, helpful, and polite. Cafe Soleil is my go to place in El Sobrante. The cafe raises my opinion of the whole neighborhood!
(5)Chuck D.
Fat plates, good service, and great tasting food! A+ in my book. Food only took 5 mins to get to the table and waiter checked up on us 5+ times. They have flatscreens, huge tables for elbow room, and its clean. Oh yeah... get the dales hashbrowns.
(5)Stephanie J.
Brunch anyone!? I love breakfast and they make a mean breakfast and decent portion size. I usually order an omelet from here because they don't make my other favorite dish, eggs benedict (why? who knows). I get the veggie omelet with a side of home style potatoes and whole wheat toast. I think I look forward to the comforting feeling the food gives you. It's a nice little cafe for a down to earth feel and some home style cooking. Very charming place.
(4)Andrionni R.
I come here all the time when I'm back in the Bay Area. Figure I'd write a review of this place. This is probably one of the best places for breakfast local of Hercules where I stay when I'm back here. I usually go for breakfast, which is pretty good and the service generally nice and quick. Veggie scramble is what I usually get and accompany it with wheat toast and home fries. The scramble is a nice sauteed mix of eggs, onions, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese done just right providing some nice texture and robust flavors. I usually pop in a dash of Tabasco to accent the flavor. The toast is usually great... with a nice mix of brownness, crunch, softness, and buttered just right. The home fries are a nice mix of nicely fried potatoes mixed with onions. They usually never let the coffee cup go empty. They give me a fresh cup of coffee to go when I ask nicely.... most excellent when I'm having trouble starting my morning right. Other things worth noting: Free WiFi! :-) I have my iPod touch in hand downloading the latest articles on the NYTimes app and checking flickr and facebook. The ambiance is clean... brick walls grace the side with odd works of art on the side such as portraits of customers at tables. Tables are really large (kinda weird, they serve entree, not a la carte.... why the space?) with some mishmash of seating. The ambiance is busy with some pleasant music in the background. Nice flooring... generally warm in tone. Weekend breakfast time is busy. If you come after 0830 on a weekend then you're stuck waiting. The waits are variable... I remember one point they weren't accurate with their wait time and it wasn't for the better. Weekdays are generally nicer due to usually not needing to wait. I've done lunch and dinner a couple of times. Nothing to write home about for me yet. Food's fine. Generally quiet. Apparently there's music last Sunday evening of the month.... hrmm.. I've become accustomed to paying at the counter when leaving. Sitting around waiting for them to pick up the bill takes some time. It's worth the drive when the competition I figure is a "greased up" IHOP, "almost par level" Waffle House, "greased up" Red Onion, "super large portions and they don't take credit" Alley Cafe. Overall, recommended.
(4)