Great little spot!!! Fantastic portions, friendly, direct service, and wonderful location just off the 101! Seriously yummy!!!
(4)
Becky T.
Our server, Robert, was very nice and I was able to sit outside with my dog, so I appreciate the dog-friendly atmosphere. Robert brought a bowl of water for my dog-another plus. This place is cash-only but they took a check (which I actually had with me). Food was ok; similar to IHOP so nothing amazing. I went on a weekday, so there was no wait. If there was a waiting line, this place is not worth waiting. I gave the Potato Shack 3 stars instead of 2 stars because the server was super nice.
(3)
Kimberly C.
This is a neat little breakfast/lunch place near the beach. If you love hash browns, fries, or potato pancakes..GO! Its a little pricey considering its breakfast/lunch food, but not too bad. Just unusual I guess, at least to me. My complaint is that they only take cash. So you have to bring it, or use their ATM. Which means probability of overdrawing to pay for a simple meal, and surcharges to use it. I had American fries with cheese and bacon and YUM. Also, the house salad is no joke: tall, hearty, and full of goodies.
(3)
Robb R.
We stop here each time we are in San Diego, well worth the drive while in the area. Kids love the pancakes and dig a hole in the middle for syrup. The biscuits and gravy is the best and I'm not sure I have ever eaten better bacon! Be sure to take CASH!
(4)
Michael J.
So we bopped into the Potato Shack one sunny Saturday morning. Clad all in black, we certainly stood out in the midst of the jocks, bike riders, and ex-football coaches. But the vibe was cool, and our server was super friendly. No sooner were we settling into our sidewalk table, then a white haired fella began ribbing us in such a friendly way that we immediately felt one of the crowd. (Later we found out he was a legendary football coach at nearby Torrey Pines High, and he sure knew his football, right down to the helmet coverings). Abbe had a vegetable omelette ($13.25). She declared it tasty, healthy, and filling (especially when ordered with a generous side cottage cheese instead of potatoes). And the generous crock of homemade salsa was a nice touch. I ordered a vegetarian sandwich on Squaw Bread ($9.95 + $1 extra for sweet potato fries instead of the regular ones). My condominium-sized construction of health and welfare was almost good enough to drive to Encinitas from L.A.. There are scores of little places like this in the sweet little beach towns between San Diego and Orange Country, but we lucked out with The Potato Shack. The level of service, food, and conversation with the owner (a humorous, intelligent, and diehard USC Trojan fan, which ain't a normal trifecta), really made our day. I think this place is a gem, and we will return.
(4)
Laura D.
My car was in the shop and Angela was driving me around and we stopped for a quick lunch at the Potato Shack. Had heard a lot about it but never visited. Really nice meal. They have a big menu and all the dishes passing by looked really good. We both had the turkey burger and it was great!! The bun was a potato bun, of course, very light and tasty. The burger was cooked just right and the condiments were appropriate. We sat outside on a beautiful day and it was a very nice interlude.
(4)
Caleb A.
pancakes were huge and good, but the rest of the food lacked imagination or wow. i also had the biscuits and gravy. kind of disappointing. lot of breakfast places in the area. going to explore others before i come back
(3)
Heidi S.
They don't accept credit cards?? That is crazy! The service was amazing, and the food was ok...
(4)
Jamie S.
You never know who your customer is. You should be careful what you say about other businesses in the presence of your paying customer. Rude and inappropriate. Will never return and will tell everyone I know not to give them business. Rude to say the least!
(1)
denise m.
I would actually give this place 3 1/2 stars if I had the ability to give half stars but I'm rounding up rather than rounding down. There are never enough breakfast joints so I want to support this local place. The pancake was enormous, as other reviewers have noted, but it was a little bit thick and dry for my taste. Not bad by any means but not great either. The real star of the show was the bacon. It was excellent quality and very tasty. The potato patty reminded me of McDonald's deep fried hash browns. I was hoping for more of a hand formed, pan fried potato pancake. Friendly service and comfy indoor booths. There is also sidewalk seating if you prefer. Bring cash as they don't take credit cards.
(4)
Teri T.
A taste of Encinitas history. As good today as it was 25 years ago. If you to want to experience North County the way it's supposed to be, eat at the Potato Shack!
(5)
Ben S.
Good food fast service, happy employees, let you sit wherever you want, except the table we sat at had syrup on the table otherwise good experience. Last time is was here came with a large crowd, its beem anout 12 years, would recommend trying restaurant to new people for sure.
(4)
John S.
CASH ONLY!!! ahem... Don't know where to start now... The man I think owns the place (older gentleman who clearly used to play football and possibly did some coaching locally) is pure class. The place is so dog friendly that we've brought our puppy there in early March, and late June of this year and he remembered our puppy (we prefer this to people remembering our faces, and the puppy is uniquely patterned for a standard poodle). They have the best bacon known to mankind at this place, and this man gives tears up a piece and hand feeds it to our puppy just for the fun of it, even in crutches. We were a little apprehensive the first time, but this is the only time the spoiled dog gets bacon, and this man has a warm personality you can't say no to. The food. BEST BACON KNOWN TO MANKIND. I've given enough for a 5 star review right? Eggs are always perfect, the coffee is so good I haven't found better in the vicinity (or at any other breakfast place, bar none), and the patio seating is always very clean. We drive from Vista without hesitation when we've overdone the great Curbside Case on Main St in Vista to Potato Shack. I'm not trying to plug Curbside at all....it's close to my house and equally as affordable as this place but serves a different niche. Potato Shack is USA to the core. The cubed red potatoes they call AMERICAN FRIES are better than any hash browns. If you get then deep fried, holy crap!!! Potato Shack is top notch, the staff is pure class, the location has ample local street parking, is dog friendly, and will make you want to drive 20 miles 1 way for breakfast on a weekend. I promise you.... Also, the homemade salsa is surprisingly authentic and out of this world....not too oniony like most non-Mexican restaurants' feeble attempts at salsa. Your eggs deserve this despite how perfect they are unseasoned. I wouldn't be surprised to see an bad*** AMERICAN Souffle one day... (fingers crossed)
(5)
K S.
I ordered an egg white omelette with swiss cheese and ham. I requested the cook to use very little oil . Order arrived hot and fresh roughly 5-7 mins after placing order. Omelette was cooked perfect!! No oil and very tasty! The sourdough toast is amazing!!.. It is thick! The potatoes that came with meal were pretty good and non oily! Overall, great food! Very happy with the cook and listening to my request to not use oil (or very little). Our server was friendly and on top of refills and other things. Great place for breakfast! I will give 4 stars out of 5 only because they do not accept credit and/or debit cards. That is a huge disappointment!
(4)
David D.
Had lunch there today which was a mistake since this is a breakfast joint. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with American fries. The sandwich was a sloppy mess and the fries were diced red potatoes. Their Omelets looked much better and their pancakes were huge. I would recommend ordering breakfast to anyone who eats there. The restaurant itself was really small and busy but we were able to get a table quickly. The staff was friendly and service was quick. Prices are a bit high so be prepared.....
(4)
Priscilla L.
The Potato Shack is a cute mom and pop shop in Encinitas,CA. The amount of food they give you is huge so be ready to eat when you go! Both the breakfast and lunch are delicious. I highly recommend Chocolate Chip pancakes. The service is great and they are all very friendly.
(5)
Jack M.
I had a very nice well folded 3 egg western omelet with feta cheese, rye toast, and breakfast potatoes for $10.95. Although a little pricey for an omelet, it was a very good one. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) The western omelet came with flavorful diced ham, crunchy bell peppers, crispy onions, and I opt for salty pungent feta cheese which was a great choice. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) The omelet's ingredients were all cooked properly and tasted great. What impressed me the most about the omelet, was the thinly cooked and wrapped omelet. It was not just folded over once like you get at most place, but it was properly done with several delicate nice folds. Well done. The breakfast potatoes were good, but they could of used some extra seasoning. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) I added some black peppers and some of their homemade salsa which significantly improved their flavor. The salsa was great. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) They rye toast, from California Baking Co. was great. It had great flavor and was nice and thick. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) I wanted more.... The service was pleasant. The lady who served me was genuine and very friendly. The place is and eclectic collection of decorations and sport memorabilia. (see)
(4)
Clarisse S.
There's not anything bad to say. But I wasn't blown away either. The food was ok. Service was fast. Coffee was decent.
(4)
Zoe M.
My favorite local breakfast spot. I've been coming here for over 30 years and it's never disappointed. Order their American fries with all the toppings. The owner is friendly and always present. A true local gem.
(5)
PB D.
Amazing breakfast! Huge portions and super kid friendly. Wonderful staff. Take my kids there almost every weekend. Love it!
(5)
Nancy B.
great no nonsense home style food. Kathy is the friendliest waitress I've ever seen anywhere!
(4)
Kyle W.
If you are picking a place for breakfast and you want something "local" this is absolutely the spot you should go. Hands down this is the #1 local favorite in Encinitas for breakfast. They have everything you would expect from a breakfast spot like this. I especially like their omelete
(4)
Lucy R.
Potato shack has good food, good service, and good atmosphere. Don't come here expecting something fancy! And keep in mind that it's CASH ONLY. The cafe is family owned and always keep it in the family. Many of the employees have worked there for YEARS! I always love going there, sitting outside, and enjoying some good eggs and bacon. Bring your dog to sit at the tables outside! Owner is also a retired marine OORAH!
(5)
Emily M.
Interesting experience.... I met my friends who were already at a table. The waitress came over and asked if I wanted anything to drink, so I asked for an iced coffee (which they don't technically have), so she poured hot coffee over ice. Ok, I agreed to this - minus it being completely watered down, I was not offered any milk or creamer. Not the biggest deal ever. Then we got to ordering our food, and I ordered an omelette but opted out of the toast. The waitress then said that they had gluten free options (which I would have preferred but was not aware of) and as I opened my mouth to ask for that option, she walked away. Maybe 25 minutes later our food was delivered - essentially what's on the menu is what you can expect. Typical breakfast. Just as we began to eat, the waitress asks how everything is and drops the check on the table. I felt like I was in a race, I was eating so fast. Like I was being silently told to leave. She didn't ask if we needed or wanted anything else, just dropped the check and walked away. She then comes back to the table while we are STILL eating to see if we had paid our bill. I am sorry to say I've been there twice - first and last time.
(2)
Sandy P.
My friend recommended this place to me and I decided to try them. The first thing to know is that it's CASH ONLY and my friend forgot to mention that to me. So I'm thankful that I had cash on me. They do have an ATM in the restaurant. But besides all that, we were served right away and our food came out fast. The food was excellent. We will be back.
(5)
Briana S.
I started going to the Potato Shack way back when they still had a location in Del Mar... my friends and I would order the manhole sized pancakes and platters of potatoes. This was all when we had metabolisms of wonder... who could eat that many carbs in one setting now? I digress. So after the San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon, my friend C and I needed a hearty breakfast before we drove back to LA. As C taught me, carbo load into a half marathon, protein load coming out. So, being the day after some serious physical exertion, we needed some protein. Enter the Potato Shack. The good news, when you come here around 8:30 on a Monday morning, no wait! :) We were quickly seated and provided with beverages. We both proceeded to order egg dishes (an omelet for me, some sort of combo for C), both accompanied by the famous potatoes that one would expect from the Potato Shack. Huge platters came out quickly. I finished my omelet, but couldn't finish the potatoes or toast, even though I was still on some monster burn post-half. C, couldn't finish his either. One thing to note (we forgot, but were equipped), cash only here. There is an ATM inside if you need it, but best to hit up your own ATM and avoid fees before you get here. I saw a couple outside sharing one of those giant chocolate chip pancakes when we were leaving... I was a tad envious, but totally stuffed. Until I visit next time...
(4)
Alisa M.
Potato Shack is one of those places that you just have to take it for what it is. They don't take credit cards, Decor is outdated and at first service was a little slow. But my waiter more than made up for it. He was fast and attentive. My food came out promptly and HOLY COW I was served the biggest pancake I have ever seen. It was bigger than my head and I have an enormous cranium. Just ask my hats. Todd had chicken fried steak which he loved loved loved!!!!! And my dog had a piece of bacon the owner brought out for a treat. All in all expect a wait, good quick food and order the child's size pancakes if you are not a glutton.
(4)
Kimberly S.
i have been dining here for over 10 years and I have never been disappointed. When i was young my dad took me for weekend breakfast, in high school we ditched regularly to grab breakfast and now i take everyone who comes to visit!
(5)
Natalie F.
I am just generally unimpressed when I am so sure that there are far better places for breakfast in the area. Pros: -Service is fast! Seated quickly, attentive servers, water glasses always full. -GENEROUS portions. Heart attack amounts of food. Not a pro, maybe. -Decent prices considering portion Cons: -Food is pretty meh. I could make pancakes the size of tires at home if I wanted to. -Cash only -Kinda feels...greasy or something. The whole place just seems sort of tacky. Overall, it wasn't bad. But I wouldn't want to come back to pay for something I could just as easily make at home. I have heard some people rave about this place but I failed to understand why.
(2)
Lori C.
(Stopped in for breakfast on a Tuesday morning - referred by a local Dr after my appt.) Here's the bottom line: friendly, clean and big portions! Food was very good, service was fine. By fine I mean, perfectly fine. Not a complaint... We had eggs, bacon, a pancake (giant! Pancake) and biscuits/gravy. Loved the salsa on the side - don't miss it - it's humble sitting there by itself but it's very good: fine chop, little kick. I'm from another beach city down the road but will definitely come back here another day.
(4)
Mia R.
Can There Be 6 Stars?? No?? Well There should be 6 stars JUST for POTATO SHACK!! We spent a weekend in san diego for my birthday & saturday we went on a Bite San Diego Food Tour....Potato Shack was the 2nd stop & we could have spent alllll day tasting their food....but we didnt have to wait very long after our tour because it was soooooo bomb that me & the boyfriend went back the next day on our own time for breakfast!!! hahahaha....not only were we greeted with so much love & friendliness by Jim (owner) & Scott (his son) but they remembered us & welcomed us back with a plate full of their DELISHOUS biscuits & gravy to "try"!! Homemade biscuits covered in sausage gravy flavored angel tears is the only way to describe it. We then proceeded to build our own omelette & american fries...red potatoes diced & smothered in pretty much anything you want!! We opted for a applewood smoked bacon (probably one of the top 5 bacons of my life) sausage..ortegas...pepper jack cheese...onions & green peppers all gently folded & tucked in ever so sweetly by a fluffy GIANT blanket of eggs. Our potatos pretty much had all the same fixings on it & believe me it was a feast for kings!!! Every bite pretty much took my breath away there needs to be more words in the thesaurus to describe incredibly delishous!! and topped with their homemade salsa....GOOD GOD ITS THE BEES KNEES!! Oh & did I mention their pancakes are LITERALLLLLY the size of man hole covers!! The only advise i can offer is bring an empty tummy and a smile...oh and CASH!!! they have an atm in the restaurant but they take cash only (suck it up people who are glued to their visa platinum cars and pull out a $20 or 2 to enjoy one of the greatest breakfasts EVER) They treat you like family the second you walk in to this small quaint establishment (AND are doggie friendly, Jim even saves scrap bacon for our 4 legged babies)...not only will the FOOD keep you coming back but the atmosphere will. Thank you again Jim & Scott & Our Amazing waitress....every time we come to Encinitas we are coming by to say Hi (and eat your food of corse) hahaha...THANKS AGAIN for such a great day! PS....once again..CASH ONLY GUYS! Leave the credit cards at home for this Gem
(5)
Richard K.
Nice sitting in outside seating on a bright sunny day. Inside is dated and somewhat cramped. Service was good and the staff was friendly. Breakfast is served all day and one of their items is a manhole sized pancake. While we didn't try it it looked good and was too big to fit on the plate. I had a grilled mahi sandwich which was excellent. They do not take credit cards, only cash.
(4)
Jamie S.
I have been coming to the Potato Shack since I was in grade school and it is always amazing. Even on days where they are PACKED the service is still awesome and the food is amazing. This is one of the only places I ever order biscuits and gravy because their gravy is just so delicious. If you get an omelet or anything with potatoes make sure you try their salsa (it is a little spicy), made in house and awesome. If you are feeling extra hungry they have manhole pancakes delicious and big enough to fill any empty stomach!
(5)
Robert P.
Breakfast was actually pretty good--we got the Breakfast Burrito and it was quite tasty. However, the service was atrocious. We brought our 20 month old to eat with us and she started playing with the plastic chairs on the patio. Our waitress Chris (female) got visibly annoyed with us and our daughter, giving us the tsk-tsk and complaining to us about the restaurant possibly getting fined for our daughter moving the chairs in such a way that it would affect handicapped accessibility. She never offered us a high chair so I went and got one myself to put her in--an experienced server should probably have realized that would have solved her previous problem as well and been a tactful way to address her concerns with us rather than just telling us off. Then when the bill came and I reached for my credit card she pounced on the opportunity to tell us that they didn't take cards and were cash only. I had seen her giving another customer a long scolding earlier for trying to pay with a personal check so I saw it coming, and although I had plenty of cash I told her that it would have been helpful to know upfront that it was cash only--I know very well first hand how much of an inconvenience it can be and that's really something every customer should be well aware of up front. Chris' response was to snidely remark that their cash only policy was was written on the menu. She put us in our place yet again and I could tell she was very satisfied with herself for it. We gave her a decent tip considering her terrible better than you unfriendly attitude, but will not be coming back and are spreading the word. Don't come here unless you want to be disrespected and treated like dirt!
(2)
Casey M.
Went here for a take-out order. Nothing special. $8 for a basic baked potato with up to 3 toppings. Then I come to find out they ONLY TAKE CASH. The ATM was broken so I had to go to the bank a few blocks down and pay the $3 fine there so it was an $11 plain old potato AND THEY FORGOT MY SOUR CREAM. I probably won't be back. All the food I saw people ordering looked plain and ordinary and it was VERY overpriced.
(2)
Tambra Z.
Really good food and the pancakes are HUGE! They have fun potato head guys for the kids to play with at the table too. The staff is friendly. The only complaint I would have is that they are cash only.
(3)
An L.
Went in yesterday for lunch. It was alright. Dunno if I'll be back. They don't take credit. CASH ONLY! But that's not the reason I didn't take to this place. The fries were a lil soggy for my liking. It just wasn't anything special...
(3)
Brittany F.
If I could give this place zero stars I would. The worst breakfast place I have ever been to. You would think that with the name "potato" they would have amazing potatoes, but they weren't even edible. They were burnt and dry and pretty disgusting. My waitress was a middle aged woman who barely ever came to check on the table. I ordered coffee and asked for creamer, she gave me a creamer off the table of the people that just left...gross. And to top it off it was spoiled. When I asked for a new one she looked annoyed and gave me creamer from another persons table.... Unsanitary and so so so gross. Their home made salsa leaves a lot to be desired. And the bus boy frequently eaves drops on conversations. Not cool.. Will never be back!!
(1)
Tony M.
So on Sunday morning, decided to take family north to explore our wonderful town, wife read great reviews about this charming family run restaurant. Dropped wife and kids off, when I arrived to our table, one thing caught my eyes and ears was a gentleman in gray clothing with sun glasses on the next table who was very loudly bragging about his many years of travel aboard, then I noticed that he must by a partner or a host, he helped seat people. On a table of 4-6 people he was the only one loudly speaking, you could hear him in the entire outside space. He even made a derogatory comment about tourists. Our server, older lady with gray hair in jeans and thin was real annoyed quickly with one of my sons. my wife asked her for a milk for her coffee that was not warm ( since the milk in the creamer was left under the sun ) we had to ask her twice. I asked for a glass of water with no ice, she brought me mostly Ice. For a place to be called Potato Shack, they only offered French fries and diced tasteless potatoes, not even enough salt or any peppers were present. My eggs were cooked perfectly. Pancake was this thick and Dinosaur size doughy thing and tasteless. The owner Mr. Jim, a very honorable polite gentleman who was mostly chair hopping, I wish that he would kick out the other younger gentleman and himself would mind his business. For all great comments that others have made about this place, I think if he put his heart in it again, he would make it a cute local cafe .
(3)
Erika M.
Love love their food, I had a western omelet with homefries and instead of toast I got biscuits and gravy. I just can't begin to tell you how delicious it was. Everything was fresh, the potatoes seemed to me steamed, were not g at all,
(5)
Ali J.
Came here for my mom's birthday. Been here before but she hadn't so thought we'd try a local spot. Host taking names for the list quoted a 5-15 minute wait and it looked like it would be about 30 minutes so I was shocked when we got a table in less than 10. Great spot right out front under and umbrella and for 5 people no less! Food was ok. I saw the special note about getting the American potatoes deep fried so I thought I'd give that a go. They were definitely deep fried but they didn't taste fully cooked. The bacon was pretty salty but it was crispy and cooked well! The eggs were over easy and cooked well. The toast is really a highlight! I ordered sourdough and it's like Texas style. Delicious! Huge pancakes but the flavor or cooking of the pancake isn't lost because of its size. Overall, good breakfast, prices very reasonable for the amount of food.
(4)
Kelly S.
I gave 3 stars because the food was great, big portions for sure! I came for brunch and as far as food is concerned, I was thoroughly impressed! I can only imagine everything on their menu is yum yum yum!!!!!!! It's a very small place - the fact that it has "shack" in the name is very fitting. Super tiny inside. I could see coming back here with only 1 other person (we had 4 in our party) and making sure we sat outside. Those would definitely be my stipulations. If you don't mind stuffy and small (or maybe some find it cute and quaint?) then it would be great! But yeah... not sitting inside again. The wait staff seemed okay. Our server was definitely not friendly at all, she was short and just didn't seem very thrilled being there. I'm sure she was busy or frazzled, but it's the Sunday brunch hour in Encinitas, get used to it lady. Anyway, the other servers seemed more friendly. Maybe she was just having a bad morning. Overall, not thoroughly impressed, but not completely let down either. Wouldn't sit inside again, but will give it another shot in the future.... outside.
(3)
Stacie H.
***CASH ONLY*** Had a friend in town visiting and she insisted on going to the Potato Shack. I grew up in Encinitas and everyone always talked about the Shack, but surprisingly I never went. I've never been big on potatoes or on giant plates of food so I always passed. But now was my opportunity to check it out. We came on a Sunday morning around 10:00. Parking is a little bit of a challenge if you aren't willing to walk. There is street parking, but there were no spots available at that time so we parked in the Lumberyard and walked across the street. The Potato Shack has indoor and outdoor seating. We lucked out and didn't have to wait for a table. We had a booth inside and it is a VERY tight squeeze in there; very cozy. In fact, it's a good thing I didn't eat the pancakes or I wouldn't have fit through the dining area to make it to the restroom. The food was good. My boys both got manhole cover size pancakes. The pancakes were thick and literally spilled over the plate. They had to work to cut it up and eat it. Our meal for four people was $50. I didn't realize until we sat down that it is cash only. Luckily I had cash on me or I would have had to use the ATM that's inside the restaurant and I'm sure it would have been an astronomical fee. It's a beachy restaurant with a locals feel. I'm glad I can at least say I ate there. My youngest son did get sick afterwards, but I can't say for certain it was the food since none of the rest of us got sick. It was just ok for me especially for the price and having to pay cash. I probably wouldn't make a special trip here given that I know there is often times a long table wait. Service was great though.
(3)
Jeremy S.
Kinda surprised that I haven't reviewed the Potato Shack before as the food here is pretty dang delicious and the portions are ridiculously large. My go to items here are often the make your own omelette with pepper jack and turkey, the turkey chunks are large and flavorful and it comes with their delicious potatoes and a side of bread which can be substituted for on of their HUGE manhole sized pancakes for an addition $3. They have a neat little outdoor seating are which is pet friendly and the service is pretty solid... Overall, a great spot for a delicious breakfast. Pros- Menu Service Huge portions Potatoes Outdoor pet friendly seating Cons- Pancake tastes bland Parking is a pain Crowded on weekends leading to a long wait
(4)
Matt F.
CASH ONLY - big breakfast. $40 for a family of 4. The food was great. Giant portions. The coffee was really good. Remember to bring cash or get charged $3 to use their ATM.
(4)
Dave D.
Yep, this is one of our favorite dives in San Diego County. Every time we visit San Diego we make the drive up to Encinitas for this local favorite. Depending on arrival time you may have to wait for a seat as there is limited seating, both inside and out. Once seated however the service is quick and friendly. Whether you're here for the manhole size pancakes or their famous B-breakfast, you won't go home hungry! Our favorite is the B-breakfast, with eggs over easy, Potato Shack potatoes, sausage and bacon with a giant order of sourdough toast. Bring cash or an ATM card as they don't accept checks or credit cards. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area. Take a short walk to the west after you're done to walk off some of those extra carbs and enjoy the view of the Pacific ocean from the park at the end of the street.
(5)
Abby W.
With a name like Potato Shack, my potato-loving self has wanted to visit this restaurant for quite awhile and I finally got my wish last weekend. And boy was it a dream come true! Since we didn't arrive until 1 PM, what I imagine to be the weekend brunch rush had come and gone and we were seated immediately. There are so many great sounding dishes on the menu but as soon as I saw that turkey was listed as an option for an omelette filling I was sold. It's so rare to find a restaurant that offers non-pig breakfast meats and as a non-pig eater, I was ecstatic. I ordered an omelette with turkey and cheddar cheese and it was wonderful! The omelette was cooked perfectly and the cheese was nice and gooey. It was also huge and I took home half of it for breakfast the next day. The meal is also served with a side of American potatoes, which are diced red skinned potatoes, and a slice of buttered toast. My boyfriend ordered the breakfast burrito, primarily because of the green chiles, and loved it. It was also served with a side of American potatoes. Amazingly, he ate the entire burrito, which was quite large. Service was quick and friendly. This is a place that has a nice down-home country vibe and I could definitely see it being filled with regulars. I can't wait to come back and try some of their other items, like the huge pancakes that I've read so much about.
(5)
Steven G.
Would like to give them 5 stars, but the American Fries(home fries) were not crispy, and that is a crime against humanity. She had French Toast and coffee, and was very happy. I had an omelet with swiss cheese, bacon, sausage, mushrooms and spinach, the aforementioned American Fries and rye toast with an iced tea to drink. The omelet was cooked wonderfully and stuffed full of deliciousness. Rye toast was thick and toasted perfectly. Street parking was easy and very convenient....but it also helps that we were there at 7:15 am Thursday. Had it been 9:30 am today, would probably have been a problem. I'm fond of this place from my days as an employee at Whole Foods Market Encinitas, and was very happy to get an opportunity to dine here again. Our server was friendly, efficient and helpful.
(4)
Tim H.
Overpriced mediocre food at best. It is cash only or pay to use their ATM! I would have to say it's a bit of a rip off.
(2)
Caleb T.
Most breakfast places stick to a standard spread, general dishes that satisfy an array of tastes. Others might focus on a single dish or ingredient, eggs at the Broken Yolk ("We have a 12 egg omelette!"), Pancakes at the ... Pancake House ("Over 30 styles to choose from!"), or crappy food at Denny's ("At least we're not Rimel's in Encinitas!"). And then some places have a shtick, a specific thing that makes stand out (or, at least, makes them think they stand out). Contrary to the name of the place, it ain't the potatoes for this little diner. The Potato Shack Cafe lies on the outskirts of downtown Encinitas, between Anahata Yoga and Colonics by the Sea. When you walk in, you are greeted with the dark varnish of a wooden interior replete with tables carved out of tree trunk slices. One wall proudly displays a beautiful American Flag. Another wall gives a salute to the launch of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. By the door is a quaint ATM that signifies that they are cash only. Eating in Encinitas, you get used to seeing typical patrons, beach bums and bunnies, SUV moms and dads who apparently don't work during the week, those who have to walk their dog everywhere, hipsters in glasses and knit hats, old couples that are always smiling, nerd girls in headsets and hooded jackets ... it's an eclectic mix that runs the gambit of people who live in a coastal town. Come in here, though, and you might see a dog walker and happy older couple outside, but the majority of the people we saw coming and going were older diners eating solo (3 out of the 5 we counted were wearing trucker hats, I kid you not) and a pair of middle aged guys, wearing suits, who had finished eating long before, and were just sitting and talking finance until we left. Don't get me wrong, it's not off putting in the slightest, it's just something you take note of pretty quick because it's just so ... stereotypical. Anyway, enough time wasted on that, about breakfast. I had what the Potato Shack seems to have become known for in all the reviews I saw, their Manhole Cover Sized Pancakes. And while they do measure up in size, their chocolate chip offering got tiresome less than a third of the way through. It was oddly bland, only the chips giving any sweetness, and only the burn giving any taste to the breading. They should be a good mix of salt and sugar, not just something to shovel in and make you feel full. And it came with below average scrambled eggs and a very tasty turkey sausage patty. The woman I love had their Western Omelette, which turned out to be very good. The ham was nicely salted, the veggies were fresh and well cooked, and the cheese was moist and unburned around the edges, a good recipe and well made. The American Fries that came with it, on the other hand, were a huge disappointment. Unseasoned, underdone to the point where they were soft, but not crispy, just a very basic style that made them all starch and no flavor. It might be our fault for not having something off of their baked potato menu, but breakfast here was average at best. Large portions don't really make up for lack of taste. Mix in slower service (which is not really the fault of the place, as there was only one server taking care of at least 5 tables at once) and being cash only (which sucks when you only realize this right before the check comes), and this place comes up to a weak three stars. On the plus side, they do have a lot of Mr. Potato Head parts for kids to play with; our toddler took full advantage of that. And the location is nice, downtown Encinitas where you can partake of a morning stretch, at Yoga next door, to prepare for all the starch and carbs you're about to eat and then have warm water squirted up you, at the Colonic place, to clean yourself out of them when you're done. That's my Thursday morning all wrapped up into one corner.
(3)
Samahna S.
It's just always good here! I love the omelets so much! The egg part is so thin and I love that it doesn't overwhelm the ingredients. I always get a cheddar, bacon and avocado omelet. I can never finish it! It's just packed with bacon! My husband always gets the chicken fried steak and biscuits with gravy. I'm a southern girl from Georgia and I 100% approve! It tastes so good, it brings me back to my childhood! I always recommend Potato Shack. The food is great and the atmosphere here is relaxed and enjoyable. We always sit outside and enjoy breathing in that fresh, beautiful ocean air. We've been coming now for almost 20 yrs and will continue to come forever!
(5)
Byanka O.
Biggest pancakes ever ! Great service ... Only accepts cash but they do have a arm inside . I ordered the French toast they did come with powder sugar topping or butter They're bacon is magical! It's cooked to perfection I will come again Plates are around 8-11$
(5)
Fashionfacegirl ..
I LOVE coming here. This is my "To Go" spot when visiting. Been here many times. It's Perfect for a cute brunch date. The food portions are HUGE. The Service is great. Prices are decent. Everyone is nice. you actually leave with a smile and full belly.
(5)
Evan L.
What a great little breakfast spot when in the area. For my first time here I had to try the pancakes my girlfriend and myself shared one regular pancake and one chocolate chip pancake with a half order of potatoes on the side which weren't anything see special but the homemade salsa with the potatoes was very good. The pancakes were so filling and we couldn't even finish them.
(4)
Sarah A.
We frequent this place throughout the year-sometimes twice a month and I have never been disappointed with the service or quality of food. I love that their breakfast always comes out hot, and consistently tastes good. The servers are all friendly and I look forward to seeing them when we visit. Their ranch fries are a personal favorite of mine along with their bacon, but my BF loves the cheddar and bacon omelette.
(5)
Amy T.
This place is small but it's nice and cozy looking. The host and waitress was very nice and helpful. It's cash only so come prepared!! The portions were great, tables were cute and your coffee will never be out. I would recommend anyone here.
(5)
Will L.
I would say 4.5 stars for a great breakfast/brunch place. The thing to get are the man hole cover sized pancakes. My kids devoured the chocolate chip pancake. One may be enough for 3 adults. The other breakfast plates and sandwiches are great as well. The ambience is very cozy and quaint in lovely Encinitas. Lots of sports people come through as it is run by the son of the former football coach at Torrey Pines HS. Cash only so be prepared.
(4)
Rachel S.
First of all, potato shack is adorable and that's what drew my boyfriend and I in a week ago. We had actually noticed it from across the street when we were at the Encinitas fish shop for the first time and I said, "that place looks cute lets go there some time." We actually didn't go to Encinitas this time around with the intention of eating here specifically but we drove past it, saw the crowds outside, and decided it was a winner. There's a small parking lot out the back, the rest is street parking. We arrived about 30 minutes before close (2:30pm) and had no trouble getting a good spot but I imagine it can get pretty full earlier in the morning. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, we chose indoor. It's a seat yourself kind of place. It's extremely cluttered. I do love the coziness of the cluttered look but it was a little overwhelming for w first timer. The man that told us to sit anywhere kinda threw me off as he had on jeans and a tshirt and a baseball cap, literally not one thing that even hinted at the fact that he's staff but he seemed to be doing paperwork at the front the whole time so im thinking he's maybe the owner. The menu is precious, I couldn't get enough of the hand drawn art on the front. Huge selection of breakfast and lunch options which was great for me because I'm not much of a breakfast person. They have "manhole" pancakes which are seriously the size of a manhole cover....I held off this time but next time I must try them. I wish they served bloody Mary's or mimosas, but they have no alcohol ::((( our server was eh. And older thin blonde lady that seemed to not have the patience to give us "more time" because her second time coming back around took almost 20 minutes. Long story short, I ordered the club sandwich and my boyfriend ordered the BLTA, he got regular fries and I got the potatoes (which are so so good by the way especially with their salsa). Both of our sandwiches were okay I guess, mine wasn't very fresh. They were both HUGE, we both ended up taking home the 2nd half. W The potatoes were the real winner. I could've eaten a plate of potatoes and probably ended up writing a better review off that. I'm sure we will be back. Seriously I want to try the manhole pancakes so bad and get some more spuds :) the menu was pretty overpriced in my opinion so this couldn't be the "usual" breakfast spot but definitely not a place to forget when in Encinitas.
(3)
Kevin H.
Amazing breakfast place, even more perfect if you are a big eater, as proportions are large on everything, but fairly priced...Breakfast on the patio, shadowed by trees makes the whole thing a good experience...really there is nothing bad to say about this place...enjoy
(4)
Andrea L.
I have no idea where all the high reviews are coming from. This place is fine. Orange juice was watered down tasting. I thought for sure I'd be getting some "out of this world" home fries with my eggs. This is the Potato shack, right?!?!? Nope. Sorry. You're getting plain ole potatoes that are regular. I only write this review because I am constantly hearing how great this place is!! Drives me crazy. It's fine. Manhole pancakes are pretty cool. I'll end it on that
(3)
Joseph Y.
A friend of mine overheard my love for pancakes and offered me a tip on this place. Potato Shack off highway 101 in Encinitas is most likely more known for their massive pancakes than their selection of potatoes and fries. My friend and I came here early one morning on a Monday, to find the place completely empty, this place most likely fills up on the weekend more than anything. This is a cash only establishment, so bring cash or pay their huge ATM fees inside. My friend and I sat down in the middle of the restaurant, and they had their fans on even though it was rather cold outside in the morning, not very good to need a jacket to eat breakfast inside. I started off with some house coffee, which to me tasted kinda watered down. The coffee here reminded me of typical diner-style coffee, watered down and not very fresh. I ended up ordering the Specialty C breakfast for 9 bucks and some change. The chocolate chips cost an extra $1.25 to add to the pancakes. The meal ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) consisited of a pancake, two scrambled eggs and some bacon. This was a typical breakfast you'd see at any restaurant except the pancake was literally huge. For size ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) this is the reason they refer to them as manhole pancakes. For me the pancake was awesome, it was cooked perfectly and nice and fluffy. The chocolate chip ratio was great, it wasn't overly sweetened. I cannot say the same for their eggs and bacon. The eggs looked odd to me, almost like they were cooked a bit ago and warmed up. Upon tasting them, they tasted the way they looked. The bacon was overcooked and way too crunchy to my liking. My friend ordered a create your own omelette with seasoned fries ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) on the side. She literally described it as the worst omelette she's ever tasted. She showed me the veggies, they were most likely frozen or canned veggies, they didn't look fresh at all. The fries were very bland for being called "seasoned" fries. The only thing she seemed to care for was their house salsa ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) which was quite good. Potato Shack wasn't a hit for my friend and I. The pancakes are quite good, definitely a very large portion, I doubt many can finish one pancake. The salsa was great and tasted delicious. The unfortunate thing is they can't seem to cook eggs or bacon right, and the coffee was pretty bad. I'm giving three stars simply because their pancakes were pretty good, I'd have given two though, my friend really hated her omelette.
(3)
Bennie B.
Cash only. Above average breakfast place. Better then average for north county. But nothing like your hillcrest resturants
(3)
George F.
Always really good. It can be crowded on the weekends but it's worth the wait. The biggest pancake that I have ever had. Staff is friendly. The best location. Everybody is chill. This is a cash only place. They have a ATM inside.
(5)
Joann T.
Best biscuits and gravy in the world! Better yet, put the sausage gravy on the American Fries - so yummy! Fast and friendly service and delicious to boot. It's definitely worth a visit to the ATM before heading down there to foot the cash only check.
(5)
Zoey O.
Driving 40 minutes to eat here definitely says something! I have been here quite a few times and always enjoy the pancakes! The pancakes are massive and you can get plain, banana, chocolate chip, cinnamon, or even a little bit of everything in one pancake! I crave the pancakes all the time and will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Joel B.
We just shared a turkey club sandwich. It contained a sizable portion of moist, tasty, fresh (not processed) turkey, with avocado, tomato, lettuce, a dash of mayo, and some of the thickest, crispest bacon around. Half was plenty for me; I even brought some home. Served with curly fries (extra crispy) for $1 extra (over the regular fries). A scrumptious lunch at a reasonable price.
(5)
Mathew F.
Always great little joint for fast and good food
(3)
Linda L.
This restaurant has some pros and cons. The portions are huge. My kids loved their pancakes and oatmeal. My husband liked his omelet fine. I ordered Huevos Rancheros. Please, whatever you do, don't order this menu item. Totally inedible. They used a canned sauce that reminded me of spaghetti'os or chef boyardee. It was a shame because their salsa tastes homemade and is actually really good. So I was disappointed. But the rest of my group was happy, so the place isn't all bad. Just not a hit for me.
(2)
Andrea W.
Cute family owned breakfast/brunch place. It's clearly VERY popular, so expect a wait or get there early! CASH ONLY as well! (They have an ATM, just in case). Huuuuuuge pancakes that are awesome and fluffy. Definitely worth getting and sharing. I got the pancakes (blueberry) and my husband got the Combo B breakfast, which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, and toast. We were stuffed afterwards. They also have a pretty down to earth atmosphere, with some cute Mr. Potatohead decor. Service is pretty good. Their lunch food seems good too, will be back to try that also.
(4)
Matthew B.
I had the Denver Omlette, red skin potatoes, biscuits and gravy. The taste of each was very good. Although the biscuits and gravy don't seem to be homemade, the taste is good. I've eaten breakfast at other higher rated restaurants in Encinitas, however, this one has the best food that I have had so far.
(4)
Elise H.
Great spot for breakfast. Consistent in quality of food. Not the fanciest or greatest food you'll ever have, but always good. Pancakes are huge - easy to share between 2 adults. We love the apple cinnamon. Never have a problem getting a table on a Saturday morning - lots of seating both inside and out. Service is quick. Cash only. They do have an ATM on site.
(4)
Joseph F.
The positives: the breakfast was incredible. If you want to eat the biggest pancakes you've ever seen, then this is the place. Also, the omelets and cinnamon rolls hit the spot. The menu basically has a large variety of dishes that will make your mouth water. The negatives: the service is slow, the place is small (not a lot of places to sit), and they only accept cash.
(4)
Ashleigh E.
My mom and I were walking by and decided to stop by for a quick lunch. I haven't been here in years! I went with the Turkey Avocado sandwich and it was enormous! A little pricey, but the portion makes up for it. Generous helping of fresh roasted turkey and tons of avo. My mom got the Veggie Sandwich on wheat with sweet potato fries. She absolutely loved it, especially the fries, and was completely stuffed. We had no idea it was cash only, which is really annoying because I only had $5 on me. Hate wasting money on ATM fees!
(4)
Rhondi S.
They are remodeling next door, unfortunately, this restaurant is losing half of its square footage! They are now smaller with longer wait time for a table. But, the food is still good and the service is still the same. Great variety of breakfast and lunch options, huge portions, so share.
(3)
David B.
So I went to the Potatoe Shack earlier this week on the advice of a friend. I ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs and I got the HUGE pancake. It is ALOT of food for one person, so if you get the pancake, it is more suited for 2 or more people. The chicken fried steak was good and I liked the gravy. The coffee was good. The waiter was okay, it didn't seem very busy but he would say something like this, "Let me put this order in and I will get you more coffee." Honestly, all he had to say is I will grab some in a minute. So I go to pay and the owner (I think he was the owner) says we only take cash but will accept a check. He directed me to an ATM machine. So first of all, who carries CHECKS anymore??? And secondly, I got charged $2.05 for the withdrawal and then another $1.50 from my bank. I don't know about you guys but I really hate being charged to withdraw my OWN money. So to the owner, get with the times and either accept credit/debit cards or get the Apple Square thing to accept cards. The place would of been a 5 but only a three star review for being charged to take out my own money......
(3)
Jess B.
My husband and I have a tradition of often bringing our daughter here for Sunday breakfast. The food is great and the employees are very friendly. The owner often comes over and talks to us as well as other customers. Had to take off one star for the cash only policy, we don't usually carry cash anymore so it would be nice to start accepting credit. Otherwise, we love it.
(4)
Karina G.
Food was delicious . Service was good, they did bring the check a bit early. Owners are extremely friendly. A little dinner with a hometown feel. Would want to try their baked potatoes.
(5)
Cesar S.
Great food , great service . However, they don't take cards , all cash . ( they pay less taxes) Very expensive $11.50 for 3 eggs omelette . I will go back , but not as often , I would like to. I pay a lot taxes .why they should pay less
(3)
Travis 'Helm' P.
Been coming here since they opened. Always quality food! One of my secret spots :) The potatoes are the bomb of course but you gotta try the banana manhole pancake and add granola, you won't be disappointed
(5)
Christian G.
The Potato Shack has been my go to cafe/diner for post surf breakfast since high school. It really gives you the at home feel that a lot of places are missing now a days. The food is good! The serving size is decent and the price is just right in my opinion. They make pretty decent pancakes that will fill you up for sure. I recommend trying one of their amazing omelettes and then sharing a pancake with the rest of your party. Yea they are cash only, so either come prepared or just use the in house ATM they have available. Their homemade salsa is the bomb!!! And so are the biscuits and gravy. Really it's called the potato shack but the potatoes are probably my least favorite part of it. They are still good none the less but it is pretty hard to mess up a potato in my opinion. Visit this place and experience the wonderful atmosphere and dining experience it offers. It really is fantastic.
(4)
Diana H.
It's good, it's casual, you can go there in a bathing suit. This is a place you go because you're hungry, not because it's nice and the food is awesome. The pancakes are insanely huge and come with the log cabin bottle of fake syrup. Fine dining? Not so much. But friendly and, like I said, casual, and prices not through the roof. We had to laugh when my son asked something about the cinnamon rolls (I think it was, "how big are they?"). The answer? "They're from Costco". Um, even though half the places in town just relabel their Costco food, please don't tell us that's what we're paying $4 for! Yay for the Mr. Potato Head collection for the kids! Cinnamon roll = 2 thumbs up Chocolate chip pancake = 2 thumbs up Biscuits and sausage gravy = 2 thumbs up Service can be slow, but they're nice. It can get crowded on the weekends (and if it didn't would you want to go there?).
(3)
Justin S.
Greasy, huge portions, cheap. Good. Someone mentioned this was a hangover hamlet. Absolutely. I recommend three things on the menu: The Turkado sandwich (turkey and avocado on thick sourdough with grated cheese, lettuce and tomato), breakfast burrito (giant potato and egg thing with your choice of meat) and make your own omelette (there's like 15 things you can add to it.) We've been coming here for a few years, so we love it. For N00bs, the tables and utensils are greasy. Although the water glasses don't ever smell like eggs, which is nice. The coffee is a little weak. Service can be inconsistent (depends on who you get). And the potatoes suck. But the portions are enormous, everything is made on an epic scale, bread is sliced an inch thick, huge amounts of potatoes, meat, and gravy. And everything tastes good. Bathrooms are clean. And it's a family place (You love football? Local High SCHOOL FOOTBALL! AHH YEAH!!). So, yeah. Go.
(4)
Alissa G.
I tried this place for lunch after a long beach walk so I was totally starved - which may cloud my judgement a bit. Anyway, I ordered the veggie sandwich on wheat with homefries. It was huge and really delicious. And it was HUGE. It came with perfectly ripe avocado, fresh mushrooms and sprouts, plus cheese of your choice. It was tastey and I ate every bite. The servers were both super friendly, which is also a big plus for me. My iced tea was never empty for very long and no one gave me a hard time about sitting and reading my book for 30 minutes or so after I was done. I would love to go back and try their breakfast, which is served all day.
(4)
Dwain D.
The pancakes are massive! Good value, good food. I'd recommend the Tater Shack to a friend.
(4)
Miss Maggie C.
First thought when sitting down was, whoever designed the menu is awesome. It looks like a colorful page out of an intricate comic book. We ordered the breakfast C (2 eggs, bacon or sausage, 1 pancake) and the huevos rancheros (2 eggs, cheese, sour cream, avocado, green pepper, potatoes, corn tortilla and a flour tortilla). The meals came out and we discovered why the breakfast C only comes with 1 pancake... because the pancake is bigger than your head! Seriously the biggest pancake I've ever seen. Huevos Rancheros was dripping with cheesy goodness, just the way I like 'em. Huge portion. Also, the potatoes are all you can eat. The breakfast C was good too! Fluffy pancakes. And with me loving potatoes, esp all you can eat potatoes, I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Wendy R.
Great potatoes! HUGE pancakes!
(4)
Kristina G.
cant really go wrong with breakfast right? i've been here a few times already and breakfast is yum-o! they give GENEROUS portions! especially their manhole pancakes. they are not messing around! so if you LOVE pancakes, this is the place for you! they have combos that come with eggs, bacon or sausage, oh and cubed hash potatoes. i like it here, they were very nice to us and the service was good. they serve lunch too, but i have not tried it, so i cant comment on that menu. a few tips: cash only and parking maybe hard b/c its all pretty much street parking.
(4)
G J J.
AWESOME selection of potato dishes. A really great place in town. You can sit inside or out...and for those who don't like potatoes (people like that exist, I guess...) there are pancakes and other options depending on the meal you go to the Shack for. Highly recommended place!
(5)
Noah M.
Love the manhole sized pancakes! Great relaxing atmosphere, although the place gets pretty crowded on the weekends (as do most breakfast places) Beats Dennys and Ihop by far !
(4)
Jen T.
No thank you. I had heard this place was good, so I decided to try it out. Yes, they have a selection of potatoes, but they werent good. The potatoes were cold. And hard....and not seasoned....and way too big..it was a waste. I also had the manhole pancakes...umm not good. It was big, but I prefer a light fluffy pancake and this wasnt it. Bigger is not better... Overall a mediocre meal. I am not going back as there are too many good breakfast spots. And its cash only....
(2)
GAIL W.
Not a fan of anything but the salsa. Why do people flock to this place like a filling station? Because thats all it is. Enough said.
(2)
Jill H.
I always sit outside when I eat here, and bring my dog. I love that it's dog friendly, and the food is awesome! The prices are reasonable. I love having breakfast here!
(5)
Devon B.
Yes the food is greasy, the portions huge, the kitchen dirty (avert your eyes as you walk toward the restroom), but I have to say, the food was pretty darn good. My husband ordered the great diplomat sandwich and I had a cheddar, ham and avocado omelet. The eggs were fluffy, the cheese melty and plentiful and they weren't stingy with the avocado either. I didn't really like the house potatoes, but I did have several of the fries that came with the sandwich. Ranch seasoning in fries...brilliant! Plus, they arrived super hot and had a crispy outside and soft inside. Perfect. The server was great too, very courteous and quick. I'm just glad that we parked quite a ways down the street, because we definitely needed to walk it off afterwards.
(3)
Susan Y.
Meh, the food was decent, but nothing to write home about. The pancakes were HUGE and while it was amusing to get such huge manhole sized pancakes, it didn't necessarily hit the spot for me. I really enjoy their wood tables though. :)
(3)
Greg L.
I agree with Marc. What's so special here? I ordered a breakfast with 5 items and everything was a different shade of brown. And I'm down with brown! It was just the lack of flavor that offended me.
(2)
Amy W.
It's better to go here earlier in the morning to miss the crowd. The breakfast isn't bad, the manhole sized pancakes are fun, the potatoes are okay, and the service is questionable. The waitress told me I didn't need hot sauce since I already had salsa, which was somewhat off putting. It's in a nice location along the coast highway, and pleasant before it gets too busy. It was fun to check out mostly to witness the size of the pancakes in person, but I'd rather head to nearby Pipes or Naked Cafe.
(3)
Marc S.
Gotta be honest here, I just don't get it. I don't think I've ever had greasier food. The potatoes, the bacon, the toast, I would swear even the coffee (it must have been the residue from everything else). I'm sure that people that grew up with it love it, and it did come well recommended, but I'm missing the allure.
(2)
Ron S.
We love this place, whenever we have a new visitor to San Diego, PS is on our list of destinations. The pancakes are HUGE and yummy. Service is great, fast and hot! Check it Out!
(4)
s c.
I've eaten here a number of times, mainly with out of town quests. Each time I do, I wonder why I've taken the time to stop here again other than for convenience. The food is mediocre at best - greasy and uninspired and expensive. As mentioned, it is cash only, which can be a hassle. If you want to fill your belly with low quality food only, try his place. If you want to enjoy your breakfast, keep looking!. As Bill the Cat once commented "ACK! ACK!" That aptly describes the dining experience at the Potato Shack.
(2)
Vicky L.
wow... talk about HUGE pancakes! The blueberry pancake is loaded with plump juicy blueberries, potato variations and toppings are out of this world. Don't forget to go to the atm first! No credit cards are accepted.
(5)
E T.
My Fiancee and I had always wanted to have breakfast here but every time we were in the area it was too late. Well we finally made it and the wait was 30-40 minutes as the place was packed. We were seated outside which was great since it was nice outside. It took a while for the wait staff to come by and give us water and take our coffee order, as mentioned it was very busy but this theme carried on during our whole meal. The food was not bad. It was what one would expect for breakfast. We ordered the famous pancake and it was a little bit grainy and my fiancee didn't eat much of it but he finished his meal just fine. Overall the food was okay but nothing to write home about. The waitstaff was a little slow. They only accepted cash so you had to withdraw money from an ATM they had inside. Street parking was a horrible. Would I go back? Maybe but I wouldn't seek it out. There are to many really good breakfast places in San Diego.
(2)
Julie G.
I don't like this place as the pancakes are plate-size and not good. I'm used to better. The place is old and it stinks. You can sit outside on the sidewalk which makes the experience better. I'm all for the greasy spoon pancake house but it has to taste good if I'm going to go there. There is a great pancake house inland on Manchester and Encinitas Blvd. It's called Original Pancake House and it's worth the extra miles.
(3)
Brooke R.
Fun place if you're looking for some artery-clogging goodness. They have breakfast on the menu, plus sandwiches, burgers, and 4 salads. I had a patty melt on sourdough and onion rings. Both were amazing. The bread was thick and buttered just right and the onion rings squeezed juice when I bit into them. Greasy greasy.
(2)
Shane K.
Great food for hearty breakfast lovers. This place will always leave you satisfied and full. They have pretty much everything you could want for breakfast. Their pancakes, omlettes and potatoes are awesome. Even the coffee is good here. They lost a star because it can be a little greasy sometimes and they are only open until the early afternoon. (side note) Why do people take away stars and complain about a place being too busy??? I have never understood that. Yeah I know it sucks waiting for a table, but its hardly the fault of the restaurant. You shouldn't fault the restaurant for being POPULAR and delicious. Its your fault for going at the rush hour or not bringing someone to talk to during the wait. Believe me when I say that the restaurant would seat everyone if they had the room.
(4)
Ryan V.
Have you ever been stuck in the following situation: "Give me of your tots." - "No, go find your own!" Well - Potato Shack to your rescue! If you dig potatoes, you'll dig The Shack. You might find their Manhole Pancakes a challenging flapjack to consume any time of the day ... Of course, if you're not into that whole warm delicious scrumptious savory delightful potato thing, then I've got two words for you - "Biscuits" & "Gravy" ... OMG! Holy Crap! Jeezus! ... I gotta go, I'm hungry!!!
(5)
Sean T.
Great weekend breakfast joint. Get there early because all the locals know the place and go on the weekend. Very kid friendly...they provide Mr. Potato heads for the kids to play with if they want them. If you do not mind noisy and lots of drunk midgets running around (kids) you have to do it. Pancakes the size of manhole covers, biscuts and gravy kick butt. Anything you order here is going to be good. It is where all the locals go on the weekend.
(4)
Katy R.
Huge portions here! Also have an extensive french fry menu. If you go, please go on an empty stomach for their b-fast. You will be seated right away, even though there is a crowd, but service was fast and friendly.
(4)
Erica F.
This is a litlle local spot that is close to the beach. There food is like some good home cooking, nothing to fancy scmancy. Their helpings are always way more than I can eat too. I havent always had the fastest service when I was there but the waitress' were always friendly. I would give it a 4 star if the service was a little quicker.
(3)
KURT M.
this place is worth a try. it's popular, so you can generally expect a wait. Good standard breakfast food, but you will simply amazed by the size of the pancakes...."manhole cover"
(4)
Rob J.
Skip this unless you're just starving, and happen to have a pocket full of cash. I'm not sure if someone thinks it's somehow retro not to accept credit cards, but my pot dealer accepts credit cards. Give me a break. So beyond that the service is truly poor, I don't have the highest standard but why make me feel like I've bothered you by sitting down for breakfast? And it seems like such an inconvenience when I ask you, for the third time, to please refill the coffee. At a breakfast place? The food is barely passable, giving me a big pile of it doesn't make it taste any better.
(2)
Christine C.
All good things come to those who wait. And on a Sunday in Encintas there is usually a long wait to eat at the potato shack. The restaurant is itsy bitsy, but it serves hearty classic American breakfasts that keep the crowds coming back for more. Potato Shack is a classic breakfast place. You can't go wrong with their eggs, toast bacon and yum-yum potatoes and almost every meal is under 7 bucks. Sweet. The affordable prices make it a great family joint. I recommend sitting on the outside patio to take in the Encinitas fresh air, plus the interior of the restaurant gets a little cramped, but the place is popular for a reason and it deserves all the patronage it can get.
(4)
Shyama K.
I liked this cozy place until I got stuck in the same crappy, dirty corner table a few times. It was so scuzzy I barely wanted to eat my food. Unfortunately, the service is so slow, that you have time to notice how filthy the place is. There was also an old dirty sugar packet in my cola, and they barely flinched when I showed it to them. They didn't even take it off the bill. Oy! The food is avg greasy breaskfast stuff. The coffee sucks! This place is way over-rated if you ask me.
(2)
Dave D.
Worse service and food in North County. Go to McDonald's, way better.
(1)
Robert D.
Really 3 1/2 stars. Good breakfast. Considering the name, it's interesting that the only thing I usually leave on my plate is the potatoes. The salsa is very good and the basic breakfast is very good, but not as good as Honey's or Pipe's -- which are both very close. You can sit outside here, which is the only choice for me. The food always comes out very quick and the wait staff is polite, professional and long term, which is a combo I don't usually see. Unlike both Honey's and Pipe's, the outside seating is less noisy since it's on a sidestreet which is nice. I'm not an omelet man, but my friend always gets an omelet here and it really is good. She always gets the one with spinich and feta cheese, and it's really damn good. Like I said, 3 1/2 stars. It'd be 4 if they would have espresso instead of just crap coffee so I wouldn't have to walk down to Java Hut for my latte first.
(3)
Janna S.
The waitress was rude. So rude in fact that we ended up leaving. At the time we went there it was a cash only joint. I'm not sure if it still is but just a warning. Outdoor seating was uncomfortable and on a slight hill so you were leaning during your meal, not somewhere I would recommend or go again.
(1)
Brian G.
Like the shack needs another review. Oh well, what can I say...the place rocks. Huge portions. Awesomely friendly staff. Fast service, and terrific food. I've been going to the Potato Shack for 10 years and I'm never disappointed. I'm definitely a bigger fan of the breakfast menu, rather than the lunch menu though. Here's a tip from a veteran... Park at least 4 blocks away, and plan to take the long way back to your car. You'll thank me later.
(4)
Jennifer J.
OMG - I love these pancakes!! They're huge, seriously! The service was fast and the people were nice. I like my bacon crispy and often, when I order it...I end up with limp fatty pieces. Not here, they did the bacon perfectly! It's a good location, just off the main drag so you can wander around the shops afterward to walk off your breakfast. FYI - cash only...they do have an ATM inside though if you need it.
(5)
Wendy L.
Wanted to give 3 1/2 stars. Fast service, huge portions but I felt the food was only OK. Tried an omelette one day with feta and tomatoes and the breakfast burrito the next. Both were average. What really disappointed me were the home fries. Tried the fried ones one day and the traditional the next. I thought both ways lacked flavor and wanted them crispy.
(4)
Morgan H.
Oh so good, but why must you close at 2 pm????
(4)
christopher m.
awesome bisquits and sausage gravy walk in get a full order to go drive to moonlight beach to eat while watching waves
(5)
Elisabeth M.
I love this place. The pancakes aren't that great, but I love love love their omlettes and the turkado. Oh, and to all of you who say their potatos are bland, it is because you are not adding the right toppings... yes, I have had my potatos with jalapenos, broccolli & cheese, and yes it was amazing.
(5)
Christy G.
Overall I like Potato Shack. If you are looking for some no-frills greasy breakfast food with no-frills service this is the place to be. Positives: Laid-back vibe; very beachy and hippy 'Encinitas.' Price - large portions for cheap! Outdoor seating. Very quick turnaround time for food - if you're in a rush and want to eat fast and can get into a table quick, you will be in and out and 25 min. Dog-friendly. Food Recommendations: The pancakes are huge and fall off the plate which makes syrup-ing them a bit tricky, but they are still pretty decent. I always go for the make-your-own omelette (omelette with American cheese, mushrooms, onions, ham) - I do have the palate of a six year old. I like to swap out the potatoes for curly fries. I remember their onion rings being really good, too. Negatives: Cash-only establishment; they do have an ATM there that charges a hefty withdrawal fee, but cash-only just adds to the hassle. The tall young guy (the son of the owner?) who walks around and helps with seating is a complete jerk. We have had a negative run-in with him on more than one occasion. For example, we (my husband and I) got yelled at for trying to sit down at a 4-seater table because there were no more 2-seaters left. He is just such a prick - if you go you can't miss him; tall with dark hair, sunglasses, long shorts, and flip flops. The ambiance leaves much to be desired. The tables are awkward (old lacquered cut wood - tree trunk - pieces with random edges that can make eating uncomfortable and awkward) and seating is cramped anyway. If you're able, get a booth. The carpet is dirty and dingy and you can tell they haven't done a thing to the decor is 30 years. In fact, you'll find splashes of syrup or coffee or food on the wall or wall-hangings; no one bothers to wipe it up...EVER. You can tell the place is run by a couple of gents who don't care about those kinds of 'details.' The bathrooms are also really gross and I remember them always smelling of urine and fairly unclean. Parking can be a hassle, especially if you go during the height of breakfast. It's all street-parking but even during the busy times it hasn't taken us longer than 10 min. to find a spot. Service is quick but the waitresses are not friendly - it seems that their focus is to get people in and get people out, which is fine because usually we go here if we want to have a quick meal and don't want any chit-chat. They do all seem unhappy, though - we went there for about 3 years and the waitresses seemed to not change at all. Yes, there are seemingly a lot of negatives to this place, but if you are okay with a no-frills home-style traditional breakfast for a little bit of cash, this is a good place to go (good hangover food, too!).
(3)
Josh S.
Always on point with great food, huge servings and friendly faces. My favorites are the California chicken sandwich and of course breakfast POTATOES! This is a family owned place and has been around for years. It's a staple of the Encinitas breakfast menu. There is usually a wait on the weekend, but it's worth it. FYI: The tables outside are the best and bring cash!
(4)
Jen K.
This is our girls favorite place... It is always good... Nothing fancy, but really good cafe style food. The staff is really nice, too.
(4)
marion j.
after reading the reviews on this website, i decided to try this place but it was just average for me. i prefer a small fluffy tasty tender pancake instead of a big huge gargantuan tough pancake. The tables are crowded closely together inside and they are irregularly shaped like trees which can be awkard for dining. Maybe I visited on a bad day so I think I will give this place another shot and place a TO GO order for something different next time I am in the neighborhood.
(2)
REBECCA C.
Brought my friend from out of town here to satisfy her breakfast hunger. My last experience was very satisfactory, however this visit took off a couple of stars. We chose our table on the patio, and received swift service. Ordered some orange spice tea.. nothing special. Seemed like a Lipton imitation. We split the vegetarian omelet. Still generous portions, but there was no flavor. OK quantity of veggies, but barely any cheese and no seasonings. The side of potatoes were so bland we had to douse it with salt, pepper, and ketsup. Maybe they changed their style of cooking to cater to people with high blood pressure or lack of taste buds? Definately won't order an omelet here if I ever return. In my opinion, skip the Potato Shack and head over to Honey's or the Broken Yolk. Yes, they're way more crowded and loud (during the rush hours) but their quality of food far surpasses Potato Shack.
(2)
Deb L.
This place is awesome for breakfast! I ordered their Special C, which came with eggs (I had scrambled), a sausage patty, 2 slices of bacon, thick slices of wheat toast, and their famous potatoes. Wayyy too much food at a very good price! My friend ordered a pancake with chocolate chips and banana and it was HUGE! The three of us shared one and we still couldn't finish it. It's like the size of a small pizza. The wheat toast is the best I've ever had - thick and soft, not the typical thin and dry wheat slices most breakfast places serve.
(4)
kim n.
i'm a fan of good breakfasts served to me in nice big portions. i always have leftovers when i come here, and i always leave satisfied. it's a pretty standard breakfast, don't expect to be blown away, but do expect a full belly. the manhole pancakes are good, but again are standard.
(3)
Shelly V.
You'll wait a while on the weekend to be seated in this hole-in-the-wall Solana Beach breakfast joint but it's well worth the wait. They are famous for pancakes the size of man-hole covers (this is not a joke) but if you are not a pancake lover they have excellent create your own omelets my personal favorite is spinach, mushroom & avocado. All breakfasts come with what they call American fries which is a diced red potato hash for a buck you can add all sorts of toppings to make your potatoes special. They also serve lunch. Eat here then head down to the beach to walk it off.
(5)
John B.
If restaurants and breakfast joints were placed on a spectrum with banal, impersonal, sterile chain restaurants with signs visible from the highway on one end and the unique, local, community-embraced gem on the other, Potato Shack would be teetering off the latter edge. The character of the place has clearly evolved slowly over time like a comfy pair of sandals slowly conforming to the sole of your foot. Tucked away a block off the 101, the wait staff is invariably friendly, attentive and prompt with a refill if you need one. Booths, tables and outdoor seating suit any mood and the portions can easily be two full meals for even the heftiest North County Native (which, by national standards, isn't that hefty at all). If you are passing through and only have time for one meal, get a manhole-sized pancake. I prefer bananas in mine, but there's plenty else to put in there. Like potatoes. Go figure.
(4)
Mark D.
This would be one of the main reasons that I miss living in San Diego. Saturday mornings at Potato Shack. Be prepared for a wait, they have coffee outside to make sure you don't pass out on the sidewalk. Omelets and pancakes are huge, and I never forget to get the potato pancakes...
(5)
Rachel R.
Situated in what I think is quintessential San Diego, the Potato Shack lives up to its name. From "man hole sized" pancakes to heaps of potatoes done to perfection, this place keeps it simple and good making for a lasting impression. Very inexpensive considering its high real estate location, just remember to bring cash...this place says no to credit cards. Simple egg breakfast with 2 thick slices of toast, ample potatoes runs you just under $4. Lovely outdoor seating off of Encinitas main drag, just in case you want to have a meal with your pooch.
(4)
jodes l.
Pancakes the size of manholes! Boy oh boy!
(5)
Amy L.
Obviously, the potatoes are great here. My personal favorite is the latkes w/ salsa (you can choose applesauce, salsa, or sour cream). Also if you like pancakes, they have "man-hole" pancakes-- a huge pancake that is almost the size of a man hole. you can get it covered with whipped cream!
(3)
Michael S.
One of my favourite breakfast spots. The potatoes are yummy with bell pepper, onion and mushrooms. Their salsa is good too. Yippie!
(4)
Erica M.
The food is good and the location is quaint. The pancakes and omelets are really popular but I usually go for the basic egg breakfast. They are sometimes crowded but they do have outside seating that is nice on a sunny day. The waitresses have been there for a long time and are friendly and bring the food out quick. They don't accept credit or debit cards so be prepared.
(4)
Alli K.
go to place for a classic breakfast! Portions are huge, staff is friendly, CASH ONLY! If you're craving bacon, eggs and pancakes, this is your place. Omelets are also good!
(4)
Liz E.
I've been going here for some years now, usually for breakfast on some weekends. I've had a good experience all the time with an occasional flag down for beverage refill. Otherwise, they're attentive and have great service. I think we probably just chug our drinks in the morning because we're incredibly thirsty. The food is very homely and consistently good. It's nothing fancy but I'm not looking for fancy breakfast. Just good, tasty food, good service, good atmosphere, and clean establishment. The food comes out fast, which is always a plus in my book. Their ingredients seem to be fresh as well. The staff are always friendly and warm, which makes it feel even more welcomed and relaxed. Cash only but the prices are decent and affordable so you shouldn't be spending more than $30 per two people for breakfast, which should be a lot for two. Dogs are permitted at the patio and I see families here all the time.
(5)
Danny H.
Had the cheesy potatoes, great flavor no need to add salt/pepper. Also the manhole pancake, nice and moist. The star, for me, was the salsa. Likely the best salsa I've tasted in So. California in the 12 years I've lived here. Interior is a bit dated but if I were an Encinitas resident this would be a regular weekend breakfast spot.
(4)
Nakita D.
How can you go wrong with a name like this??? Looking for a spot for Sunday brunch, I saw this place and figured I had to try it. Plus there were a lot of people sitting outside and also waiting to be seated, so I knew it must be somewhat good. The service was ok. I was seated outside on a bit of an incline so had to hold on to the table a few times to not fall back. The potatoes? Not so great. The "american fries" which comes out like diced/fried potatoes were so bland and yuck - like they had been boiled first maybe? Then I tried the hand cut fries - the grease they fry in REALLY needs to be changed. My friend had the curly fries but they were fried to a crisp. The breakfast burrito was so-so, which was shocking considering the location of this place. The salsa was good. I don't know....if you have a name like this you think your potato would be the best darn potato in the world, right? Well, it was disappointing. Street parking wasn't too bad. Price was ok. Portions were very large. The man-hole pancakes looked really like a small pizza. Also looked dry to me. And the one item that is raved about in reviews they don't carry anymore LOL.
(3)
John M.
Great potatoes. The pancakes are huge, and they have some of the best bacon ever. Try the breads. You'll like them.
(4)
Bill B.
Nice place, very casual. Outside seating is plentiful. The menu has good choices for breakfast, which is why I'm here. The service was good, plenty of coffee refills, and the food itself was well prepared and tasted great. Salsa for eggs without even having to ask! Coffee tasted good, not like dark water, a common trait of diners. Worth a visit.
(4)
Robert S.
I woke up that morning and said, "Yes, today is the day I will start my diet" - 30 minutes later, I was eating at Potato Shack Cafe. Thanks to my low will power, I'm never going to lose weight. I obviously didn't care that this place was called the "Potato Shack". That should have been an immediate red flag of a carb and starch heavy menu (aka, good ass food) This place reminded me of a country cabin. Everything was made of wood and it was kind of old. The wait staff was friendly. I went with Combo C, which consisted of a pancake, 2 eggs and 2 strips of bacon. I didn't think that was enough food, so I added a half order of biscuits and gravy (portion control, that's the secret to losing weight fast). The food came out fairly quickly and I was surprise to see how big the pancake was. It was literally the size of a manhole cover. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of their pancakes. It was a little dry and lacking flavor. Eggs and Bacon were just okay. Luckily the server forgot my biscuits and gravy, so I didn't over indulge. One big minus is that this place is Cash Only. Lame. The food was kind of pricey already, so I was disappointed that I had to withdraw money from the ATM to pay the bill. A little about my credentials: I first got into cooking & food when I was in college. After being rejected by numerous girls and getting zero action, I decided it was time for a change. I needed a new makeover to boost my geeky, engineering image. I applied for a cooking position at a Mediterranean-Italian Restaurant near my home and learned to cook all sorts of pastas and dishes. I never became a professional chef, but I continue to enjoy & love food. 9 years later and 55 lbs heavier, I am now an engineer that travels all over the world trying new foods and learning about different cultures.
(3)
Trish S.
They DON'T take cards. Beware. With a pal from Northern Cali and the Bf-we were first attempting to go elsewhere but that place didn't start brunch till 10:00....le sigh...but as any true Irish wench, I love me some taters. A place called the Potato Shack? Well, how could I refuse. Sub-bfast joint accepted. We walked in and a dude in a zip up fleece and baseball hat was by the door, it's cramped inside so we shuffled around thinking he was trying to get out. "You guys need a table?" he said super casually. He points to one nearby. "You can take that one." Wait? Does he work here? Did he just leave that table? We hesitate, then he starts talking to a server so we figure? Maybe he DOES work here? Sigh, maybe an actually hostess stand or no baseball hat or a shirt with a potato on it? Just sayin. Poor confused patrons, we sit at a weirdly shaped table. It's supposed to be like a natural wood stump shaped situation, or is it an oddly shaped potato table? Sigh again. Where ARE the potatoes in the shack hu? Our NorCal companion orders according to her dietary restrictions-no dairy, no gluten ( which is fairly easy at breakfast) and the server sighs and tries to figure out "how to charge her." So we don't exasperate our waitress further, the BF and I keep our orders basic and no substitutions. Food was just average, (good bacon tho and the service improved, thus three stars), the eggs were a'ight and cooked properly. Maybe we'll go again....they have pancakes the size of a frying pan that need to be tried.
Favorite "hole in the wall" spot! The food and service always makes you feel like your home!
(5)
Mike A.
This rustic diner in a small beach community near San Diego reminds me of everything I miss about the States, particularly California, as far as dropping in for a good, quality, inexpensive meal goes. The Potato Shack has very good yet casual, unpretentious service, and their food is made with excellent ingredients. I was impressed with their breakfast options, finally settling on a BLT sandwich - the bacon was some of the most delicious I've ever had. And the avocado was just perfect in flavor and texture. Our waitress had the attitude that we could have our meal "How you want it." And when we asked to be moved inside as the shade covering our table cooled down one of our party, it was not a problem at all. All of our food and place settings were instantly moved inside to the comfortable dining room, and we continued our pleasant dining experience indoors.
(4)
Myowncritic M.
Finally a place that knows how to cook an omelette...it is light and fluffy and perfect. I usually don't order omelettes because most places cook them way too long and they are all dried and crusty. Potato Shack cooks them PERFECT, light and fluffy with ingredients folded into the omelette. They also have the best bacon. One of my favorite places.
(5)
Katherine W.
Everytime we visit SD, we make sure to visit the PSC. If you like pancakes, get ready to have the biggest pancake you have ever laid your eyes on! It is big enough seriously to feed at least 4 people. I like the chocolate chip pancake with a side of whipped cream. I ask for the kids pancake because I still end up leaving over 1/2 of it. You can also get american potatoes any style. I like to add bacon and melted cheese to my potatoes and they have never been anything short of delish. It is very casual, near the beach, and a great menu selection.
(5)
Danielle O.
Everything on the menue is delicious!!
(5)
Richard B.
The American fries (home fries made with red potatoes) were inferior: soggy, mushy, bland. This is one of their signature dishes, so shouldn't be the worse thing we ate. The other items were very serviceable, but nothing spectacular: eggs, burger patty, sourdough and rye toast, veggie burger, fresh cut french fries. Service was good. No credit or debit cards accepted; they have an onsite ATM.
(2)
Michael S.
We did not have a good meal at the Potato Shack Cafe. We sat at a strange, oddly shaped table and it felt like my wife was a mile away. We asked if they had any real maple syrup - nope, only Log Cabin. The blueberries on my wife's French Toast were clearly from a can, which was a shame because we're in the middle of blueberry season and they are plentiful and crazy cheap this year. Her French Toast itself was on a strange choice of bread - it was really dense and tasted as if it had been brushed with egg rather than soaked in the egg mixture as it should have been. My Huevos Rancheros dish was a bit of a hot mess, and my kids' plain pancake was way too blonde and completely devoid of flavor. The prices were high for just a bunch of flour and water, and even the potatoes were disappointing. At least the bacon was good. This was my second visit, although the first was probably 7 or 8 years ago. Nothing appears to have changed during that time. The whole cash only thing, too, was also annoying. I don't want to be too harsh. The Potato Shack Cafe is fine for a big traditional old school breakfast, but expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
(2)
Charlie L.
If you are ever in Encinitas then you must eat here. I had a great tuna melt and I will be returning for sure. Great food, great service. Can't wait till my next visit!
(4)
Bill C.
Score one for the Yelp app. The original plan was to have breakfast in San Diego, but when I stopped for gas in Encinitas, I started playing with the phone and noticed a boatload of breakfast places. As you might expect, this is the only one named after a carbohydrate. So off I went to the Potato Shack, a friendly little place with tables inside and out, and a menu that has all the basic breakfast items. Except hash browns. The basic side order is fries. Fries?, yep that's what I thought too; so when I ordered my bacon and cheese omelet, I paid a buck more to upgrade to potato patties. When the meal came, I was disappointed in the patties, that is until I took the first bite. To be honest, they looked some pre-formed poured into a mold potato cake that might come from the "chefs" at ConAgra, but this was one of the rare occasions that I was wrong. These things were fresh, homemade and delicious. They tasted like a potato pancake. A well-seasoned one at that. And their were 3 of them. The toast was actually darned good too. They use a thick bakery bread, and offer a basket of condiments on each table. I don't think I ever saw peanut butter on a restaurant table before, but I actually had P B & J instead of regular old toast. I haven't even mentioned the omelet yet. My tastes were simple, well-done bacon and cheddar only, And I got what I asked for. Everything was either fluffy, crispy, or melty in the appropriate places. One last compliment for the rest rooms. The architect designed two single person rest rooms, which is what you would expect for a place this size, and each one has a locking door. Every other place I have ever been to marks one for the guys and one for the ladies. But Potato Shack is onto something here. You are (hopefully) going to lock the door behind you anyway, so both rest rooms are unisex. No one has to wait while the room for the opposite gender sits empty. Pure genius.
(5)
Marc L.
Went to this restaurant today and got totally grossed out by the filth in this place. Forget about the food which was not good, this has to be the dirtiest restaurant in San Diego. From the carpet to the walls to the caked on dust on the light fixture hanging over the table I was so grossed out I lost my appetite. i tried to eat the eggs I order and found a small hard black piece of something the size of a pea, when i asked the waitress what it was she said " something off the grill" like it happens all the time. My girlfriend opened the the top of the tabasco sauce and the rim of the bottle was so gross she stopped eating as well. When I told her this place is disgusting she said there is no manager at the store and the owner is not there. She did however take my order off the check. The fact that this place is busy just shows how clueless the general public is on the health risk eating at this place represents. Eater's beware...YOU HAVE THE CHANCE OF GETTING VERY SICK EATING AT THIS PLACE!
(1)
Robert G.
Terrible customer service today. Brought my dog(as i always have in the past) and was told the dog needs to sit in the parking lot area. I asked why. I was told that there could be no dogs on the sidewalk. So I asked why there was a dog on the other side of the sidewalk towards the street side. Waitress told me dogs can be there and there needs to be a 5 foot clearance per ADA. So I asked that if I move to the other side I could then have my dog on the sidewalk, and I was told yes. My question - why can't people just tell you the whole story upfront ? By me asking all the questions, you could tell it created an adversarial relationship that didn't need to happen.
(1)
Lindsey N.
The Potato Shack was soo good! The potato patties had egg in it.. and it's a must have. Don't get your expectations up too high, it's like a hashbrown with egg in it. However, I think it's amazing. Their assortments of fries look DELISH and i will definitely be ordering myself one of those dishes next time.
(4)
Richard P.
Really disappointed in the patty melt. Small hamburger patty and cheese on two giant pieces of bread with fries for $11. Sat outside. Annoying flies. Used to love this place but may be going down hill.
(2)
Samantha R.
First timer for breakfast during my visit to Encinitas. Delicious omelette and american fries (hash browns). Awesome and friendly staff. ENORMOUS PANCAKES. Definitely a must to grab breakfast on your way out of town.
(5)
Jennifer A.
2 people + 1 order of home fries w/ pepper jack and bacon + 2 manhole sized pancakes = 2 breakfasts + 2 large containers of leftovers. Should have know the quality of food would be overwhelming especially with the waitress questioning our orders and making sure we'd be able to store leftovers properly, but I couldn't resist the idea of having my own manhole sized pancake! And being a sweet/salty gal I needed the potatoes to contrast all that cake. Overall a good breakfast and a good deal! If it's a sunny day, I'd recommend sitting outside!
(3)
Jeff H.
I was recently on a trip to San Diego and my Dad took me here for breakfast. Apparently he comes here quite a bit, but it was my first time. I ordered a single pancake with a side of bacon and an egg white. The pancake was HUGE. Like...big in the way you think of gods as big. I ate about a quarter of it, along with the bacon and egg, which were cooked quite well. The pancake was good, but not super spectacular. I wouldn't mind eating one again, but the Original Pancake House makes consistently better pancakes, in my humble opinion. The ambiance is homey and countrified, with lots of kitsch stuff. The seating area seems pretty ample, and there is outdoor seating to enjoy the obviously fabulous Southern California weather. Something to note: They do not accept credit cards, but do provide an ATM machine in the lobby. Which has a charge to use, of course.
(3)
Christy S.
We have been going to this place for many years, and have to say that the quality of freshness never changes. They have the best potato dishes, American fries and French fries along with huge sandwiches and pancakes. We like to go any time we are in the area. Its highly recommended if you are craving a huge, fresh breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Shy A.
Yuck. Potatoes were greasy, not crispy. Decent sausage and gravy but the sausage chunks were like little squares...a bit unusual...The booths are tiny! I'm a little girl but it sucked for my friend that is 6'5". He definitely was uncomfortable his entire meal. The service was just ok, the lady seemed a bit put off when he mentioned how teeny tiny the booths were. Possibly, she's heard it one too many times. Lol. I expected it to feel warm and cozy and the service to give me the warm fuzzies since it seemed like a cool family owned local place but I was just left with a blah experience. It's cash only, so if you do decide to eat here, bring some or you'll have to use their atm.
(2)
Mike C.
Manhole cover-sized pancakes and conventional breakfast menu fare make this a great place for a relaxing and delicious breakfast. We love to linger over our coffee and watch the aged bikers on their expensive titanium and carbon fiber bikes pretend to each other that they're just taking a short break.
(5)
victor b.
Only 2 types of breakfast potatoes. What? No credit cards accepted. What? Food..so-so.
(3)
Sharon V.
Yesterday afternoon, I went here with my fellow Triathlon TEAM buddies after a long bike and run workout. We were all ready to start gnawing on our arms from being so hungry and exhausted from a grueling workout. Needless to say, we were all ready to eat! There was a large group of about 15 and they were able to accommodate us with two large tables. We ordered within 5 minutes of getting there and our food literally came out 5 minutes later. I was impressed given the size of our group. We weren't complaining because like I said, we were all starving. I ordered "C" which came with two eggs any style, choice of bacon or sausage patty and an order of french toast. I chose to have my eggs prepared sunny side up and went with the sausage patty. The french toast were average size but I was only able to finish to two of them. The sausage patty was the size of a dollar coin which I thought was pretty pathetic - at least give you two. . . but I suppose portion wise, it's really all I should've eaten anyway. The eggs were cooked perfectly for me and I polished them off easily. Service was pretty friendly. After a tough workout, I suppose all our needs were simple but she took care of everything for us without issue. The best part of dining here was that Potato Shack agreed to have 20% of the proceeds from our group donated back to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With each person spending an average of $10, that starts to add up. Thank you Potato Shack for being so generous . . . hopefully we will be able to visit you again soon! If you're interested in donating to a great cause, visit pages.teamintraining.org… . Training for a cure! Go TEAM!
(4)
Johnny C.
Please read my tip. Great place for breakfast and so near moonlight beach. Excellent service.
(5)
Brian H.
One of the best breakfast places in north county. Friendly staff, huge portions and awesome food. I love the omelets, but my personal favorite is the chicken fried steak, which comes with eggs, breakfast potatoes and choice of bread. They have something like 20 toppings to customize the breakfast potatoes. I typically put pepper jack cheese and bacon bits. Can't go wrong! Also, as everyone mentioned before, their pancakes are enormous. Put some chocolate chips and banana in them and you won't be sorry.
(5)
Mary C.
I'll keep this short: no kids menu, cash only, drafty dining area and mediocre food. Definitely not a repeat.
(2)
Deb S.
Who would expect this little off beat place to be so good? Super yummy albacore melt for hubby with hand cut fries. A huge baked potato for me with my choice of ten different toppings. Nice indoor or outdoor seating and fresh water for our dog, Wyatt. Thanks for taking good care of us. Delish!
(5)
Master M.
This little gem is not for the snobby, trendy hipsters who have their noses up their bumholes. That's the only warning the Potato Shack should dish out. Excuse me for being blunt but I was a bit infuriated after reading a 3 star review that included actual "sigh"-ing in her reviews. Her complaints? The owner was casual, greeted her and her other annoying friends right away and seated them. She also did not find the actual table satisfying because it was "weirdly" shaped. She hardly said anything about the food except that it was fine. Sorry to disappoint that princess because nobody was dressed like a butler to seat her and her minions down or have a throne for her to sit on. Aaaanyway... This place is casual and very friendly. It has a nice neighborhood feel and if you look around, nobody is dressed to impress and certainly don't have tiara wearing customers above the age of 10. It's nice to go here on a weekend morning and just relax. Any snobs who wish to try this place out should leave the sticks out of their bums first. It is a dog friendly place and has an outdoor seating, which is a big plus in my book. I almost forgot, this is also a family friendly place and usually have kids who love this place too. Servers are efficient, quick, and friendly. I'm never thirsty here because my glass is always filled. The guy the snobby sigh-er referred to is always very nice to everyone. All the staff here are attentive and if you are a local and regular, they greet you and treat you like a friend. No super star treatments here or snobby overpriced anything. Can't beat that in this neighborhood. The food has been consistently cooked and prepared to perfection. I've been going here for 2+ years now and I'm always so happy and satisfied. My tummy is always full because they give you a hefty serving whenever they could. I love having cheddar cheese on the breakfast potatoes and eating it with salsa. The salsa is fresh and medium spicy which is pretty spicy for me but oddly enough, I really love it. It's an easy to understand menu, no real gimmicks with reasonable options for every reasonable person. The bacon here is amazing, it's a must try for breakfast along with the usual eggs and toast. Everything I've tried here is flavorful, creamy, crunchy in all the right places. Anyone who says they can make this stuff at home is either very, very good in the kitchen or overly confident. I gotta say though, don't get the manhole sized pancake unless you're famished or weigh 250lbs. It's a pancake, get something else worth savoring. A friend ordered the pancake against my advice but he said he usually eats heavy and that he was starving. He really enjoyed it and true to his words, he ate it all. And some of his girlfriend's breakfast too. They were not from town but they loved the place. The decor is different but very interesting to look at and could be somewhat of an ice breaker. I love going here for breakfast on the weekends because of the relaxing, easygoing vibe. They always start off my weekends right. I love the fact that it doesn't charge a butt load of money for very, very, very good food. It's a true gem of Encinitas for breakfast and lunch. Thanks to the Shack for consistency, price, service, and great food. I freaking love you, Potato Shack. Don't ever go away or become too popular. ***Make sure to bring cash. They don't accept cards, which I imagine help with their good priced menu. They do have an ATM inside so at least have your debit card with you.
(5)
Lauren L.
I have been coming here since we used to cut class (still got As) in high school. This place is a Torrey Pines and Encinitas classic! My order was always a manhole size chocolate chip pancake with peanut butter and syrup (you will never even finish half!) and an order of their amazing curly fries to split around the table. A couple of years ago I finally got to introduce my husband to this favorite of mine and he loves it as much as I do. We have a favorite booth that's been my fave since high school and the place has stayed just as good as ever! (Big plus - they don't use eggs in the pancake batter so if you don't do eggs you have a great option!) Make sure to bring cash since they don't take debit or credit. That is the only thing I could really think of to improve. :) We love the Potato Shack!!!
(5)
Kari E.
I absolutely adore this place. The manhole pancakes are my FAVORITE. I got the blueberry last time and as usual, they did not disappoint. Yummy blueberries in every bite. Perfect thickness of the pancake itself. And I love that it literally hangs over the side of your plate they are so big lol. Side of bacon was crispy (but not too crispy) and oh so delicious. We sat outside this time under the giant trees out front but still in the warm sun, surrounded by tons of other tables full of families and couples indulging in the yummy goodness of this local spot. Service was pretty good, and fast. Coffee was normal, nothing to rant about but not burnt or bland. Orange juice was really good, tasted like fresh squeezed (not sure if it was or wasn't, but dang it was good). Have been here more than a few times and definitely plan on coming back, again and again! Yum!
(5)
Herlinda A.
tasty comfort food with very generous portions and good friendly service in a comfortable, casual,and relaxed setting. i love the choice to sit inside or out and the extensive menu. the location is perfect to explore downtown encinitas and the lumberyard after a hearty meal.
(3)
Brian A.
The omelets were delicious and the fries were awesome. Jim is a retired marine officer who fought in Vietnam. His friendly personality is reflected in the great food and charming atmosphere.
(5)
Anne P.
1rst stop in Bites San Diego walking tour! There American fries (cubed potatoes) with mushrooms and swiss cheese topping were really good, as were their banana nut pancakes. If you are planning on coming here, please note that they close at 1:00pm during the week, and at 2:00pm on weekends!
(5)
Jennifer L.
If you want a pancake then this is the place to go. Manhole size cakes that I could use as a shelter or sleeping bag (if only they had zippers) Love to eat outside and it's a block from la playa!
(5)
Angela C.
Some friends of mine have been going to this place for almost 20 years so I had to try it. I got a manhole pancakes and tried their food too. The homestye potatoes were REALLLLLLY yummy, and my 'manhole' pancake was gigantic and fun for the novelty of how big it was. Service was really good, pancake tasted pretty average. Generous portions for the price. They don't take card so make sure you bring cash. I think they DO have an ATM though.
(3)
Jasmine Y.
Wonderful service as well as recommendations! We love the atmosphere and the prompt service. The food is beyond scrumptious as well
(5)
Gabbi W.
Potato Shack is always a guaranteed great breakfast/ lunch. They have a good variety on their menu, but honestly I never stray past the pancakes, French toast etc. It's nestled on a side street off the 101 and it's a great locals spot- People bring their dogs to breakfast and let them sit outside with them, people drop by for a break from their bike ride, and it's popular for people to go after church on Sundays (there are several churches down 2nd). And it's great to bring out-of-towners too. Inside is cozy and very diner-esque. Outside seating is along the sidewalk so great people watching. Great food, friendly service, wonderful area.
(5)
Courtney K.
My boyfriend loves the Potato Shack Cafe so occasionally we make the trip to Encinitas. I enjoy the Potato Shack but I don't think its the best breakfast around. Breakfast is good, but as my sister often points out, its hard to mess up breakfast. However, I agree with others that the service is always spot on. Thank you awesome waitresses at the Potato Shack for keeping my drink full! I also like that the Potato Shack supports the military. I make an effort to try the specialty item at restaurants. Given that, I tried the Potato Shack's famous "manhole cover sized" pancakes. My advice - skip it. Yes, they are big, but the flavor isn't that great and they are kind of chewy. I prefer to get an omelet and take half of it home for portion control. As for the potatoes, they are just average. I've ordered them once but if I'm eating that many carbs, I think I'll head down the street for a cupcake. The ambiance is ok. It's a bit dirty, and especially during high traffic times. I'd suggest avoiding the bathroom all together.
(3)
Lo S.
Delicious food, but charged $1.20 for a small side of ranch for the fries... not cool. My fave is potatoes with peppers, onions, and sour cream. Pancakes are HUGE! Lunches are super delicious too.
(4)
Allan G.
I remember my first visit to Potato Shack Cafe when I was a student at Torrey Pines back in 1994. The food is just as good now as it was back then. I stopped in recently when I was having my car worked on nearby and ordered a hamburger and fries for lunch. It was around 1 PM and there weren't too many people there so the food came out within 15 minutes. The hamburger came out great and the service was great as well. When it came time for the bill, I found out that they don't take credit or debit cards. If they did, they would have gotten 5 stars. Fortunately, I had cash on me but for those that don't have any cash in their wallet, there is an ATM machine conveniently located by the front door (for a fee, of course). I look forward to returning to see if their breakfasts are as good as I remember!
(4)
B W.
Very ordinary, more xpensive than it should be. Potatoes not even anything out of the ordinary. Nothing to go out of your way for. Does not take credit cards so they can clip you at their in house ATM. Cute trick that one. I don't recommend this place.
(2)
Jill T.
Love this place, been eating there since I was a kid. Great food, served so quick its practically out before you order it. My only warning is that the "Man Hole" pancakes really are the size of a man hole and don't think for one second that you can eat one by yourself. Try getting it with Chocolate chips..its awesome. Love the home fries too. Never had anything there I didn't really like and the service is great, quick and thoughtful. Love that if I want more coffee I can ask anyone and they'll get it rather than be told "I'll go get your waitress and she'll get it for you". Not that I have to ask very often since usually it just magically appears anytime my cup gets down to half full. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Scott O.
Ya know, it's not my favorite, but it has a certain sentimental value that can't be forgotten. The food is... good, although certainly not great. I've always felt like they make their name as much in their portion size as they do in their ingredients. That's never a positive thing. It's a cool spot, definitely worth a look, and I know there are people who like their food more than I do... so if you're reading this, you might be one of them. Personally, I'd rather eat at a couple other spots nearby, but I won't name names. My wife loves it here, we've never had a bad meal, and it's likely that you won't either. Try the American Fries with as many different toppings as your heart desires... sharing that and something else random off the menu (or even JUST the american fries) can be a great way to start off any day.
(4)
Andrea B.
Not to be mean, but not my favorite, Honey's around the corner is worth the wait. Nice people there though, food neah!
(3)
John G.
OK. The Shack gets an automatic star for being a dog-friendly (to the extent that the servers provide water and a pat on the head for hungry canines). My wife was pining for a certain sort of potato-based meal that one used to get at the mall. Specifically, at a place called One-Potato-Two. Apparently, they were potato artisans of some sort or part of a potato-based guild--what have you. Naturally, the name beckoned to her and we were off to the Shack. I wouldn't say that the menu was necessarily potato centric, and I waivered between the large pancakes (just can't get used to asking for a manhole sized anything) and the stuffed potato. Well, I figued, when in Encinitas, do as Encinitans do. I ordered the potato (as did my wife). Well, the menu did not lie. One gets a baked potato (tasted like microwave baked), split, with toppings strewn about the top. Another star for the honest menu. I guess my beef (of which there was none) was that this was something I could have done at home--and Jamie Oliver I ain't. (1) Get potato; (2) Put some sliced American cheese on that potato; (3) Put a slice of swiss on that potato; (4) Put potato in microwave and on plate. Sorry--just a bit bland and smacked of DIY cooking. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)
Erica L.
Turned-off by Potato Shack. The food here is mediocre and you feel dirty/greasy when you leave.
(2)
Diana W.
Service was awesome, the server totally kept up with everything necessary in preparation of a great meal and was very friendly. It's the food that has the issues. The two stars are for the food, it was just pretty ordinary. I mean ordinary isn't awful, but the world famous pancake, although huge, was pretty tough in texture. Kind of like chewing on a flip flop with some blueberries thrown in. The syrup, also just your standard Log Cabin stuff...coffee was pretty bad-had kind of a vinegar aftertaste. If you want a ton of food, but don't necessarily care about it being the best ever, this is your spot. (Like after a night of binge drinking or if you just got done a mega roadtrip and ended up here) We've been driving past here on the way to Coronado a dozen times and have been trying to get here before 2PM since they close early, so this weekend we finally made it there (from Santa Monica, so there was some effort involved here-LOL)...we were just kinda disappointed that this fabled spot was just another greasy spoon with sticky vinyl tablecloths on the tables. The place could use an update in that regard, there's even a time capsule in the bathroom! A poster from the Women's Beach Volleyball tournament, circa 1990's ( I can't remember the exact date, I think it was like 1993...) Please bring cash, as that's all they take here. Parking seemed ample on the streets all around, if you're riding a bike, you'll be all set, just drop in next to the big tree out front and sit at a shady sidewalk table... Sorry to not give a glowing review, but I know we need to keep Yelp, well Yelp!
(2)
Seetha G.
Great place for a hearty weekend breakfast/brunch!!! Wonderful service and love the simple yet fantastic options :) only thing to remember- payment is cash only!!!
(5)
Robyn G.
Potato Shack in Encinitas was a favorite until we started to realize why we always sat outdoors and the seating is beyond uncomfortable at that! The food is okay, very LARGE just not sure the owners really concentrate too much on cleanliness and maybe too much on "cheapness".. The ketchup and syrup for the potatoes and pancakes are in unmarked bottles and the sugar packets seem like they have been there for years.. The waitresses are a bit rough and do not seem very happy. Mind you it has taken at least 10 years of patronizing this breakfast place to come to the conclusion, NO MORE! This owner needs to realize its time to do a evaluation on his restaurant or perhaps they need a visit from the help dept. or ROBERT IRVINE.
(1)
Gina M.
Good food. Pancakes are enormous. Great for kids but nothing healthy about it.
(3)
Mike D.
Just OK. Coffee had a weird flavor and was weak. Breakfast was nothing special. Waitress was friendly. Potatos had absolutely no seasoning. Would not go there again. It you want a good breakfast drive to Konos in PB.
(3)
Jessica M.
If I lived in Encinitas or the vicinity this would be my GO-TO breakfast spot! Potato Shack Cafe is located in the heart of a beach side community. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I wish we were able to sit outdoors because the weather in this part of the world is ALWAYS amazing Seating aside, the food was delicious. The coffee hot and fresh. I ordered "brunch." Chicken fried steak with a pancake. Sweet baby Jesus, when they say MANHOLE sized pancakes they weren't kidding. It was large and could easily feed a family of 4. The chicken fried steak was tender, juicy, crispy, and covered in that creamy, peppery country gravy. It did not disappoint. This place only accepts cash, which is a bummer since I never carry any. They have an ATM onsite, but it charges $2 per use and whatever else your financial institution tacks on. What's also sweet about this place is that the it's a 10 minute walk to the beach, which is what I needed after consuming such a "heart healthy" meal. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by, check it out. It was busy when I went on Sunday morning and I am sure this is the norm on the weekends. Maybe next time, I'll order something with potatoes, just for namesake purposes.
(4)
Patrick G.
The food is exceptionally fresh, the service is awesome, and the beach community atmosphere is unsurpassed. The owners are welcoming, friendly, and completely customer oriented. The food portions will completely satisfy even the biggest appetite. Outdoor dining is too cool! I give "The Shack" my highest endorsement. This is the best breakfast and lunch restaurant in San Diego County!
(5)
Tom S.
Friendly atmosphere, terrific service, food just okay. I only had the pancakes, which were supposed to be legendary, but tasted dry and not very flavorful. Gross non-maple syrup also a negative. Will go again to try an egg dish or something else, because they certainly made me feel welcome.
(3)
aaron B.
Way over rated, they have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many tables outside. I was seated at a table where I had to sit sideways and leaning down a hill. The food was "supposed" to be the bomb, but in the end I would have rather eaten at McDonalds...
(2)
Karma S.
I liked this place as a casual breakfast option. The potatoes as their namesake would imply are rather good & worth a visit alone to try. I had their potato patties and a slice of french toast- both of which were tasty. Also, their coffee wasn't bad. The place gets packed, and it may be hard to find seat; but this a positive sign that they are popular. This is a cash-only place where you pay up front with a cashier.
(3)
Heather E.
(Theme to the B-52's Love Shack Song) If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says 15 miles to the... POTATO SHACK, potato shack yeah, yeah. I'm headin' down the 405-South highway, look'n ' for the Y-E-L-P getaway Heading for yelping getaway "I order a pancake it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sail! Went to San Diego for the weekend, and had to try this "Legendary" hot spot loved by the locals. The decor is cozy wooden furniture with tree stump tables. There's two dining rooms indoors and outside patio dining as well. The service was great and very fast! I ordered their Patty melt on 2'' thick fresh Rye Toast with melted Swiss and smothered in grilled "GREASY" onions! Instead of french fries with my sandwich I opted for Onion Rings and let me tell you.... I ate all the onion rings before I took a bite of my patty melt. AMAZING!!! Their coated in a thick batter then flashed fried to golden brown perfection. Dunked them in buttermilk ranch and this fellow yelper was a happy camper. When you come to the Potato Shack don't be afraid of large portions, greasy food, or pancakes the size of J-Lo's Booty! This is Heather E. Signing out saying..."Are you gonna eat that?"
(4)
Dan N.
I really like this place, but the portions are way too big and it's definitely greasy. I've tried a variety of omelets, waffles, and pancakes; all have been delicious. I really love the salsa.. Of course their potatoes are very good and hence the name. I'd suggest sharing ONE dish for two people here. The only bad thing is every time my boyfriend eats here he gets sick.. but I never have. He refuses to go back so I go with other friends. He has had a bad stomach from there 3/3 times so I can't blame him. Inner decor is really cute with the tree cut style tables. I've never had to wait more than 3 minutes to get somewhere to sit, even on the weekends. Staff is nice and fast with bringing out the food. It's way better than a lot of other breakfast places.
(3)
Christopher R.
As a local, I like to support local establishments but there's a line. Food nothing special, prices on the high side, menu was dirty, and they don't take credit cards. I don't mind paying cash, but they don't make it clear enough about the cash only policy. Some others will say "it's posted above the cash register," but that doesn't cut it. Unless you're looking for it, you won't see it. But never worry, they have an ATM machine right there for you to get some cash, of course for a nice profitable fee...
(2)
Sasha R.
I wasn't totally "WOW-ed" at the Potato Shack. The food was mediocre (with exception of my friends enormous chocolate chip pancake). Surprisingly enough, none of us liked the taste of the home fries. Tasted like they were cooked in ocean water? The service was good, however I wouldn't go out of my way to have breakfast there again. Unless I was going for a huge chocolate chip pancake.
(2)
David K.
A real case of quantity over quality at the Potato Shack Cafe. Locals have flocked to Potato Shack for decades for filling, huge quantities to follow a dawn patrol and morning surf. It's packed on weekends, and it's difficult to understand why. It is akin to a dump truck of food being dumped into your mouth. If you want dry, flavorless pancakes that are as large as trash can lids, then Potato Shack is your place. I found the namesake potatoes to be burned and dry. The salsa was mediocre and left my eggs tasting like chemicals. To Potato Shack's credit, my plate of food was perhaps 3 pounds, for whatever that's worth. The decor is cool, and I liked the booths built out of logs, and the tables made of cross sections of trees. But I didn't come here to look at wood, I came here to eat. And the eating wasn't very enjoyable. It's hard to avoid Potato Shack if you live in the area and want to meet up with people, just due to it's popularity. Be prepared to beach yourself following this unsatisfying but overly filling meal.
(2)
Jill E.
So we're driving to the airport after spending a week in Carlsbad and of course needed breakfast. I have my trusty Android phone with the Yelp application open and as we're driving around the block I spotted the Potato Shack Cafe and since it had more than two stars we stopped. It's old, but clean. The staff was friendly and very prompt in spite of what a couple of the reviews stated. The portions are large and while we opted not to have one of the pancakes, folks around us were eating them and smiling. Hubby and I both had omelets, yum. But the best part was the salsa they bring you to top off your eggs. Made on the premises and what a great taste. Had we not been going home I would have gotten some to take with us. One thing we didn't know before and didn't see a sign, they don't take credit cards. Fortunately for a change we actually had money.
(4)
Kathalyn N.
I hate writing 2 Star reviews, but trust me, there are places in Encinitas that are way way better than Potato Shack...unless you want a humongous pancake. I met my sisters for a Sunday brunch at Potato Shack, and I really do love the homey cafe decor. It makes you feel like you are about to have breakfast at grammys house...until the food comes out. The Potatoes--which I thought would be stellar, seeing as how this place is named Potato Shack--were mediocre at best. Actually, my potatoes tasted like clam juice. I vocalized this thought as if I were on autopilot, and it really freaked out my vegetarian sister. They were bland, not brown and crispy, but white, under seasoned, and a little under cooked. You can order toppings for $.70, but the cheese I ordered on my potatoes was scant. Eggs, huevos rancheros, denver omelet, BACON...so much was seriously muted in flavor. It was really weird. It was like all my taste buds had been removed, and I was just chewing and swallowing because I was hungry. My sister said the coffee tasted like poison, BUT, we came to the conclusion later that there may have been something wrong with the Splenda packet, because her next cup was fine. It was just one of those things that added to a very vanilla breakfast. There were 2 excellent food items that came to our table. The biscuits and gravy and the sourdough toast. And the service was really great. Our waitress was super nice, and the food came out fast. So I guess, if I ever had a mad craving for some serious carbs served with a smile, I may come back here--but not before then.
(2)
Aaron W.
We went to brunch at the potato shack prior to a day at moonlight beach. I remembered the potato shack as a good and funky breakfast place from year's past. Either things changed or I "misremembered". The service was really pathetic. No refills on coffee were offered, and I had to hunt someone down for more water. It took 45 minutes from the time we ordered to get our food and the place was half empty. Were talking eggs toast and potatoes here....it's not rocket science. Add in two kids over-anxious to get to the beach, and as you can imagine, I was not a happy camper. The food was fine. Like I said, it's pretty much classic breakfast grub. Solid, but nothing extraordinary. One other thing....cash only. For a place like this, I find it somewhat obnoxious. Cash only is a huge inconvenience for customers and most cash only establishments somehow make up for that inconvenience--maybe by being low priced, having some sort of novelty (i.e., Peter luger's in NYC is famously cash only) or giving some sort of little freebie to the customer --am I asking too much here? In summary, good location, solid breakfast food, slow kitchen, poor service, annoyingly cash only.
(2)
Melinda D.
Nice little shack for breakfast or lunch. We had the "C" special the pancake is larger than a dinner plate and the French toast huge. It's all basic American breakfast here without the chain feel. Good coffee, attentive service. Has indoor or outdoor seating and a nice south 101 location off the main street.
(3)
Frank D.
Solid breakfast. Excellent ranch fries...battered with ranch seasoning, wedge cut potatoey goodness, oh, I just busted the button on my shorts. Oh yeah, they serve killer bread, big thick pieces, possibly home-made. Even have squaw bread!
(4)
Brittany Y.
Big menu, great coffee, lots of outdoor seating! I definitely recommend this place. We went for brunch on a Saturday, even with most of the tables full, our food came out from the kitchen in about 7 minutes. It was awesome!
(5)
Kevin A.
as you can see i do not write many bad reviews, but this place is very bad, i went on a nice weekday, service was great, food came in no time, ok, lets start, we had two different orders, me, chili from a can omelet and the worst potatoes ever, dry her, worst chicken fried steak we have had, bis. and gravy had no flavor , normally i give a place a second chance, not this one, not when there was not even one good item, the coffee was even week, please go to cafe' 101
Meh. I live in Encinitas, but I've only been here a couple times (only for breakfast) because both times I've been terribly underwhelmed. Ironically, though most of the food was passable, the thing I really disliked at the Potato Shack was the "American" home fried potatoes. They use the starchier red potatoes, and the lower sugar content means that they don't brown very well or develop the sort of flavor you usually get in home fries. They are extremely bland, and they charge you an arm and a leg to pretty them up with enough toppings to make them edible. That brings me to another sticking point: they are a bit pricey. They charge you $7 for a plain 3-egg omelet, and a dollar for each filling. Even more egregious are the aforementioned potatoes, which run $5 for a plate of plain home fries and $1.20 per topping. $1.20 for some cheese? Or onions? Or a dollop of sour cream? Really? Basically, this is a bunch of run-of-the-mill breakfast food whose only outstanding quality is the enormous portions it comes in, with a proportionally enormous price. Maybe they have good lunch food, but I don't know because I'm not in a big hurry to go back.
(2)
Erin M.
I stopped eating here regularly about ten years ago. The owners plastered "freedom" over everything that said french (e.g., french fries, french toast). Our food was mediocre then. I put aside my experience, decided to give it another chance and went back five years ago. The pancakes were soggy and the potatoes were greasy. Incidentally, they changed "Freedom" to "American". Potato Shack is a prime example of how to alienate your clientele. There are much better and more comfortable places to eat in Encinitas that don't inundate you with their political beliefs.
(1)
Deb N.
Lucked out on parking on Friday at 11:15am, right in front, they have a lot next door. Did get the #3 manhole cover plain pancake with eggs and sausage, $9 then the baked potato with the works to go, $8. So much food! Service was good, had a great lady, it does get busy at lunch. Couldn't finish the pancake. Look at the photos and you will see why. Two dining rooms and patio dining out front. Cash only.
(4)
Justin C.
I love this place. Potato Shack is an essential element of my hangover recovery plan; Onion Rings, Fries, Biscuits and Gravy, Chili Cheese Omelet, all will put you back on the track to recovery. If you're a health conscious burnout, I've been told that the Acai (I still don't know how to pronounce correctly) bowl is awesome. Be wary though, this restaurant is on my "Shit List"; this is not a bad thing, just ensure you are within 10 minutes of a private restroom following your last bite.
(4)
Leigh K.
So, I've been to this place before. I always wondered why in the back of my mind I didn't consider returning... Then I came back for one last visit and decided, yep, I'm done. Honestly, the menu here is terrible. They don't offer much in the way of breakfasts that have variety... it's pretty much all potatoes, loaded with cheese if you want to pay $1.20 more, loaded with sour cream if you want to pay $1.20 more, or enjoyed as bland as they are in the regular breakfast price. I'm not much for "sweet" breakfasts, and I'd rather have a bite of a pancake or waffle rather than order one for myself... so that left me with either an omelet for nearly $10, or something more simple. I opted for the breakfast with eggs, toast, and potatoes. It was awful. It was so boring, so unflavored, so blah that I had to make myself eat it. And the thing cost $7... just for that! In addition, I had a little friend with me-- a sweet nine year old girl. And where is the children's menu???? There is NONE. So that means I paid nearly $10 for her breakfast, $7 for mine, plus coffee and milk sent us up to $22.50. She picked at her breakfast, asked me why they didn't have a children's menu... and her words were, "They should know I can't eat all this. I'm not a grown up." She said the bacon tasted "yucky." I wouldn't have minded a mediocre experience. I don't find breakfast to be something that most restaurants make to be "amazing," but I do expect it to be decent. I think what bothers me about eating bad breakfast is that I go out to breakfast so seldom that I want it to be enjoyable. Breakfast out is a treat. So... that was the food. The service was also lousy. I had to ask my server for a coffee refill-- three times. I had to ask my server for a box to take leftovers (the sweet little girl with me hates wasting food, even if it's bad) -- five times. Yeah... unacceptable. I did what I've never done before. I didn't leave a tip at all. I was appalled. Take my money, too much of it... the food was garbage... then throw in lousy service. I'll tell everyone not to come here. There are a ton of good places nearby. Just pick any one of those. It'll be better than Potato Crap. Also, they are cash-only.
(1)
sherrie n.
This is an awesome place that truly hit the spot after surfing all morning. Super fresh ingredients from produce to turkey to bread. The handcut fries were amazing with good seasoning and were really thick, almost like steak fries. Huge portions, definitely shareable. Friendly staff. Good bathrooms. Outside seating. Awesome!
(4)
Jennifer P.
2nd time here, first time AWESOME! This time sucked, and sadly changed our minds on this place. First impression was fantastic! All American place and PROUD. Nice server, good food. Had cash on us.. perfect.. This time, DIFFERENT PLACE! 20 minutes to even get water, yes, it is a busy place, but that is standard. I am in the restaurant industry and that was a bit much. Server was disinterested at best in her job and it showed. Food was super disappointing, then when we went to use the ATM, it is so worn out from EVERYONE having to use it, the buttons barely respond, just more annoyance. I am sure they own the machine (and if they don't, they should!) it needs service.. I can understand cash only for bill averages that are 20 bucks, but not for an average of 15 bucks a person. It just screams tax evasion, not that I am judging, but seeing that it is a MANDATORY cash only place, give a break to the customers as well! Sorry, will not be back.
(2)
Mama T.
This only place gets Four Stars because: 1- I can make everything on the menu at home 2- They don't take Credit cards - CASH ONLY 3- They stop giving me coffee the MINUTE they give me the check, Now, the good points. 1- Its consistent. They have the good food - its Good "American" style Food. Nothing fancy here, but Bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes and potatoes. Oh, and they have WAY better coffee than St. Germain. 2- KID FRIENDLY - yep.. that's right.. you can bring your kids, and they don't mind. 3- It/s not expensive. My family of 5 can eat out for $30.00. The waitresses are great, but the minute you get that check.. they wipe their hands of you... my biggest pet peeve of all dining peeves. TIP: They have 2 kitchens, the east kitchen has the better chef. ;) Earlier you come, the better (8-9 is best). Also - they have outdoor dining, and people bring their dogs..
(4)
Mick G.
Potato Shack is excellent for what it is, a tremendously average, gigantic portion American Breakfast Eatery! Famous for copious quantities of culinary conglomerations, the quality of the said sustanance is sometimes lacking and rarely delicious. It is a spot that is hard to get into on a weekend, but in the right frame of mind and in the right set of needs, is a place that delivers everything you need for the quintessential plate overloading of a post binge drinking hangover releaving meal. The Pancakes are manhole sized (nearly) and are not too bad for having to find a way to cook these bad boys. The egg dishes are OK, and generally err on the side of too much additional material and not on the side to delicately balanced flavors. For weekends post drinking, this is your spot in Encinitas.
(3)
Giulia L.
Had a fabulous breakfast here: just the right size for me (not too too big, but filling) and the best tasting eggs (steam poached to my specs) I've had in a long time. The ham steak was lightly grilled, the potatoes freshly done and perfectly sauteed. Buttery English muffins, great hot coffee with quick refills. I sat in the sun, read the paper and had a thoroughly nice time. The price is right too. I recommend highly this place.
(4)
Tim K.
I echo other reviewers who say there are many better options in the Encinitas/Leucadia area. Their breakfast menu is completely unimaginative, and that's a big reason for the two-star rating. When you serve thigns I can make at home, it needs to be spectacular. My wife and I ate here for breakfast. My wfie had the "c" special, which is your typical breakfast plate. For a place that calls itself "The Potato Shack," their home fries were incredibly bland and undercoocked. It's hard to screw-up bacon and sausage, and the eggs were overcooked. I had the chicken fried steak with eggs and a pancake. The steak was good. They tout their pancakes as "manhole covers," but size doesn't disguise mediocrity. Lastly, their coffee was of average diner quality. Go around the corner to St. Germain's and order their granola pancakes; it's a much better option, and the coffee is much better.
(2)
Andy C.
I came here today. All I have to say is....MAN HOLE PANCAKES. hahahhaa, I giggle everything I think about it or I even say the words..... MAN HOLE. hahahhaa...man....hahahhaa....MAN HOLE....hahahhaa!!!!! anyways, delicious food and awesome service!!!!! hahahaha, MAN HOLE!!!!!
(4)
L S.
One of my favorite breakfast joints! Be hungry, especially if you order the manhole sized pancakes. They don't take credit cards, but there is an ATM in the restaurant.
(4)
Kristy H.
I absolutely cannot believe I've lived in Solana Beach for over a year and tried this place for the first time just a month ago! So close and such a perfect spot for slightly-hungover-Sundays (or Saturdays). My first time, I got the Huevos Rancheros and it hit the spot. Everything was fresh and our waittress was on top of the coffee refills (KEY). My second time, I was feeling boldy and decided to create my own omelette. Feta, jalapenos, and bacon. DUDE. It was SO good. I suppose I can't give them ALL the credit since I created it. After ordering, I was slightly concerned because usually bacon is sparse in omlettes and I love me some bacon (said the former vegetarian). Omelette arrives and it is PACKED with bacon and just the right amount of feta and peppers! If you like spicy and bacon, try my creation! Two other things I like about this place: hilarious and friendly host (possibly owner?) and very doggy-friendly (outside seating)
(4)
Ric B.
Biscuits and gravy were fantastic! I didn't think the French toast was all that good, but my friend gave me a bite of their manhole sized pancake with walnuts, man that was good. Great service too. Outside and inside seating available. When I go again, definitely getting walnut pancakes.
(4)
Jay S.
OK OK I know they have these man hole sized pancakes...Actually the size of a regular plate.They are BIG but bigger ain't necessarily better! (sacrilege, I know) The texture is rubbery, dense and tasteless.The blueberries, although copious, were not sweet,large or tasty and the syrup they use is awful and unappealing. A little vanilla and sugar in the batter would go a long way. The omelet was thin but potatoes were good. Nice sitting outside and fine service but there are much better places to go nearby.
(2)
Cindi W.
Ok first off, even though I liked the place, give up on "Freedom Fries" What a "Bushism" Grow up would ya. Now to the REAL deal...the food. It is the real deal. It is good. My hubby ordered the manhole cover sized pancakes and yes, they are manhole cover sized. They hung over the side of the plate (word to you, get a plate that fits!) They are good too and he couldn't finish it. A rarity! I had biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs and it was quite tasty. Cash only. It was worth it!
(3)
Katy H.
Very average breakfast.
(2)
Amber C.
We came here today to try it out based on a purchase on a deal site. Friday at lunch - place was pretty slow. I am pregnant and had my 2 small children in tow (by myself) - any moms out there can appreciate and understand that was a brave move by me! Food was average - overpriced for basic sandwiches and for a place that is known for potatoes, the fries were over-cooked. The reason for this review is to comment on the HORRIBLE service and UNPROFESSIONALISM of the wait staff. I waited tables through 5 years of college so I know it sucks when small children sit at your table and make a mess. So, I always over-compensate on the tip to make up for that (in this case, left a 30% tip for service that was very mediocre). My 1-year old daughter made a mess of the floor with her scrambled eggs and blueberries, but no one was in the restaurant, so the waitress definitely had time to clean it up. Also, isn't that part of her job??? I apologized to our waitress for the mess 3 times throughout the process of me trying to get my daughter strapped into her stroller, box up our food and watch my 3-yr old so he didn't "escape" out the door that was propped open. I cleaned up the table and stacked all plates (totally unnecessary on my part) to help out. My kids were antsy so we left the restaurant and as I was in the doorway on my way out, I heard the waitress loudly comment to the other party that was eating lunch in the restaurant "I would never do this to my waitress" - I turned around and saw that she was cleaning up the mess on the floor. I walked back in and was furious - I yelled back at her for her comment and again apologized but said I wished that I wouldn't have left her a 30% tip. Did she really expect me to clean the floor of the restaurant and let my one child run out the door into the street? Come on...that is ridiculous. I have NEVER had any waitstaff act so unprofessionally in my life. You can think what you want about your customers, but you never voice it to others in the restaurant. Maybe she needs to rethink her choice of profession. DEFINITELY NOT A FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT. Would not recommend for anyone with small children as they obviously cannot handle any extra work on their part. WILL NEVER COME BACK HERE AND WILL MAKE SURE ALL OUR FRIENDS KNOW AS WELL.
(1)
Andrew B.
One of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Portions were huge and the wait wasn't that long at all. The pancakes are HUGE and tasty. If you're in the area, definitely go here for breakfast. The food was great and the service was great as well.
(5)
Jessi M.
I love Potato Shack. Always have. Always will. Here are a few reasons why: -Their breakfast is the BEST I have EVER had! -Everyone there is friendly and attentive. The owner even hangs around and talks to people for the heck of it. -It's close to the beach. You can eat breakfast then go for a stroll on the sand. -They sell t-shirts! I collect t-shirts from random places. Now a few reasons why Potato Shack is not always my first choice: -Street parking only. It can get difficult when Encinitas is crowded. Which is pretty much all the time. -This place reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. -There's always a wait to be seated. -The dining room is a bit crowded. Large, odd shaped tables make it hard to maneuver.
(5)
Chris C.
Wife and I were in the area and decided to stop off at Potato Shack Cafe for breakfast before we were on our way home. Located on a side street, parking at the Potato Shack can be hard to find but it may be worth it if you like breakfast. We decided to eat outside since it was a nice and warm sunny day. The menu for breakfast is a good size with plenty of options. Pricing here starts at $5 and goes up to $10 for breakfast. You're looking at your standard omelets, eggs and sausage, and of course their breakfast specialty pancakes that comes in flavors such as blue berry, banana, and chocolate chip to name a few. I decided to get one of their combos that included the French Toast and Eggs and sausage patty and the wife opted for the breakfast burrito. Food took about 15 minutes to arrive and when it did, I have to say the portion size here are HUGE. The french toast which was made from wheat bread tasted fresh and were fluffy. They had a nice nutmeg taste to it and was pretty good. The eggs here - well they were scrambled - not much to say about that. I did get some of their "famous" salsa that they also sell, while it was good, it wasn't anything you couldn't get a half decent mexican restaurant that makes their own salsa. The sausage patty was also very good and tasted fresh. I shared in my wife's burrito and it was pretty big. If we just got this and say a serving of french toast, we would have been ok. But this could have put us both in food coma because of the amount if we ate it all. We probably only ate about half and the combination of eggs, peppers and topped with sour cream and some of their house salsa was very good. Probably one of the better Breakfast Burritos I've had in a while. The Potato Shack is CASH ONLY so be aware of that. I fortunately had enough cash and came out to be around $30 including tip. A bit high for breakfast, but we both came away full and the service here was friendly. As to rating, the food and service here was good. The portion size here is excellent but you do pay a bit more. As to rating, 3.5 stars but for yelp purposes the food was good enough to round up to 4 stars and worth a stop if you're looking to stuff your face with good food.
(4)
Greg F.
Just found this place and ate here for the first time after hearing great things from friends. What a find! I fellt like I had won something! Great food, location and they're fast! It was just myself and my wife but looking forward to taking the kid here next time and wow him with the "Manhole cover " pancake.
(5)
sheridan r.
Any place the specializes in potatoes has got to be a place I try. Friends brought us here for brekkie and it was good. I had traditional biscuits and gravy - perty tasty. MK had the MANHOLE pancake (which is just fun to say: MANHOLE) and it was pretty good. Weird thing I didn't like: the water and the coffee. Otherwise a nice way to start the day.
(3)
Oby H.
Not coming to beautiful Encinitas often drove me to find a local favorite. So here I was 2 blocks away from the beach when I asked a "brah" where a good breakfast joint was. "potato shack, bro" he replied in a laid-back stoned manner. Anywho I ate decided to eat outside because it was a typical San diego day (frikkin awesome!) and they had ample amount of room both inside and out. Inside, however showcases all the different celebrity memorabilia and autographs and such. Seeing as there name was potato shack I wanted to try out some potato's. I ordered the breakfast platter A I believe. I waited a little more than I would've liked but it was no big deal. However while I was waiting I saw delicious looking sandwich platters other people ordered, which warrants a second visit I guess. Maybe years down the road my sweet Encinitas. I eventually get my breakfast which consisted of chicken breast, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and toast. The breast was bland, but the salsa they make does help. The eggs where not very warm, which doesn't help me. Now the potato's! ...well it wasn't up to my expectations for a place that reps it. It tasted almost raw. The toast was good :) So not excellent, not bad, but not memorable. I should come back a second time for their lunches....however there were a bunch of other places to try. I say, give it a shot.
(3)
T P.
Pretty good, not stellar, not horrible. Service is above average few times we went. as grandma used to say "oh Lordy!" the pancakes are huge! and are really pretty good. Scrambled eggs / bacon (hard to mess up) were also good. Coffee is simple, hot and tastes ok+....and they make the rounds often enough you dont end up having to ask for refills. As the name would imply, if you like breakfast potatoes prepared 6 ways from sunday, this is the place, however, I like my breakfast potatoes on the well done side, seems like they have so many going they dont leave em on the skillet long enough. If you are on the big size (read: either tall, chubby or both) you will have a hard time fitting in here.....the restaurant is on the small side and the booths are definately snug. Outdoor seating is available, but consists of less than stellar plastic outdoor furniture. Good (+ or -) place to try if you want to carb load on the pancakes....
(3)
Greg J.
Mammoth sandwiches! If you've got a normal appetite, order one and split it with your friend. While cruising around the neighborhood we stopped here for lunch. Lots of outdoor seating. It's a side street off the Coast Hwy making for pleasant outdoor dining with less auto traffic. Tuna salad sandwich was delicious. Not too much mayonnaise, and a more-than-generous portion of everything. I think they used half of an entire loaf of thick-sliced sour dough bread. I see reviews both panning and praising it for breakfast. I guess I'll have to come back and give it a try for b-fast. Lunch was good!
(3)
L T.
Cute little place off the beaten path - sat on the patio which is right on the street... chili was pretty good. family had lunch which they said was pretty good... not great but a cute spot that wasn't too crowded.
(3)
Samantha A.
Hands down best breakfast place I've been to. The toast itself is reason enough for me to drive to Encinitas. The owner is super friendly...he sat down with us and chatted before our food came. Pancakes the size of man-hole covers, home fries that are juuust the right crunchy, just the right softness and full of flavor. Good stuff.
(5)
Jeff A.
I had a bacon, cheddar and Avocado omelet.. It was heavenly. The potatoes are what you'd expect... special and delicious. I try to go here whenever I can.
(5)
Marion B.
This was a pretty good place to eat. They keep some great hours closing at 2:30p on a Saturday... you better make sure to plan ahead for this spot. The pancakes are ridiculous in size (giant) but very tasty and the service was good. We loved the ranch fries and would eat here again... though it would be nice if they had a larger veggie friendly menu for when you wanted something on the lighter side. All in all ... a really nice spot to eat!
(4)
angela t.
This is a cute little breakfast place just off the PCH in Encinitas. The staff is old-school nice and might call you honey or sweetie, although i haven't had my cheek pinched yet. Good, reliable breakfast staples and yes, the pancakes are HUGE. If you're lucky the owner might stop by for a chat and some sage advice on life. yeah, we got that at a breakfast place. go figure. Check it out if you're up for a drive up the coast or live nearby. me gusta el potato shack. or is it me gusta al potato shack? oh man, my spanish teacher would kill me.
(3)
Jill S.
Come hungry to the Potato Shack! It is a coastal breakfast dive serving up huge portions of delicious breakfast items. I loved the cozy atmosphere and warm, friendly service. In addition to the tasty, generous portions it is also affordable! But be prepared -- they only take cash. This is one reason I can't give it five stars! I mean, who carries cash anymore?
(4)
Ani K. O.
I'm sad. I used to go to the potato shack about 8 years ago and I had such fond memories of the place. I just went back this past weekend and was disappointed. I ordered French toast, with two eggs over hard and bacon. The food, was at best, sub par. The bacon had grisly charred grill remains. The french toast was soggy and the eggs were super oily. Oh, and the waitress! I wasn't expecting much but really, when you pour coffee, you may want to make sure that that most of it gets in the cup and not on our hands - EVERY time. The other thing i didn't like about the place was its level of cleanliness. You could see a bunch of dead stuff in the fluorescent light covers. I guess it's true what they say - you can't go back...
(2)
Jason J.
Used to be good but lately one waitress that works there has the crappiest attitude ad horrible service. I'd be better off getting up and getting my own refills and food. If u see an old lady without a friendly look, ask for another server. Other than that, I'd still give this place 4 stars for the taters' n salsa.
(2)
Robin L.
You know, my good friend has raved about this place for ages. And apparently she's not the only one who loves it; the place is super crowded and there's usually a wait to get in on the weekends. So I came hungry and excited. And I ordered one of my usuals - french toast. Mmmm....I was so damn piqued for that first bite. But it was about as anti-climatic as the ending of Vanilla Sky. It was very *average*. A little dry, not particularly tasty. The sausage was pretty decent, but it tends to be at eat-out breakfast places. Maybe they have 'specialties' that I should have shot for instead, but I think if a breakfast place can't get one of the most popular breakfast items right, then they should be thankful for 3-stars.
(3)
Don G.
Breakfasts are great here and worth the wait, but lunch is just as good. I had a HUGE sandwich. It wasn't manhole size, but I couldn't finish it and that's saying something. This place is an Encinitas institution and never lets you down.
(5)
Suzanne H.
Coffee is great, service is good and the food is delicious. My husband and I love this place and drive down as often as we can. They are busy so keep that in mind. And only take cash as payment so come prepared. We especially like the fact they support the local community and the military. An asset to Encinitas.
(5)
Brady B.
I am always a fan! The family and I are always willing to make the 45 min drive to have a great breakfast or lunch at the Potato shack; just because or to treat a visitor. Seriously the BEST pancakes I have ever had! Seriously the best Patty Melt I have had (get the ranch fries, they are little wedges deep fried with a ranch batter) Portions are huge so bring your appetite! The pancake IS about an 18" cake... of fluffy breakfast goodness. I just wish they were open a little later........
(5)
Jennifer H.
Another great breakfast space and it has lots of table to sit outside. They made some great potatoes here, but also the pancakes are delicious and huge (as in they won't fit on your plate). You can have them in sweet or savory form. To be honest some of the food is not presented on the most yummy why, but once you start eating you will see that it's delicious. Most dishes come with fried though, so you will have to pay to get potato patties but they are home-made and well worth it. The omelets here are also really yummy, all in all a great place for breakfast as it has a big menu were everyone will find something delicious.
(4)
Eartha H.
This place was laid back and fun. It was really busy too but the wait wasn't too long. They have outdoor seating but we were seated indoors. The food portions were huge - no way you can finish everything on your plate unless you are just starving. I ordered a basic breakfast of bacon, eggs, and 1 pancake. I had no idea about the size of the pancakes - wow. I didn't even put a dent in it. Overall, it is a fun place to dine but good luck trying to find parking. Seemed like every street was full during the morning rush.
(3)
Marsha W.
Another awesome breakfast place in Encinitas. Your plate will be overflowing with food! I love the the homey mom and pop feel of this place. Wait staff rocks and is friendly.
(5)
A, S.
Great grub. Not fancy at all. Manhole pancake is crazy! Cash only is anoying.
(5)
Hayley H.
The Potato Shack is notorious for its manhole size pancakes. So naturally, I had to get a pancake, add chocolate chips. I think anyone who goes to the Shack would agree that they've had better pancakes, but that's not the point of the restaurant. The sheer size of these bad boys is enough for me to drag my friends here on the weekend to stare in awe. You could probably split a pancake between 2-3 people. The location is great (in a beach town) and there is almost always a line out the door.
(3)
Josh S.
At the coast, somewhere near Encinitas in SD and NEED BREAKFAST? HIT THE SHACK! Worth the wait! Make it a brunch because you won't be able to eat again until dinner time. Pancakes are seriously the size of manhole covers. The omelets (my FAV) are also HUGE and stuffed with goodies. AND they are famous for their potatoes. We're not talking just hash browns here. If you want curly fries at 8am, you got em! Waffle fries, country fries, french fries, steak fries, hash browns, they have potatoes COVERED. There may be a wait but it will go fast and then you can gorge. Like I said, don't plan on needing lunch though.
(5)
Kathy B.
Too much food but otherwise quite tasty. I had the American potatoes with the Works and brought home half of it. Diced sauteed potatoes with broccoli, mushrooms, several types of cheese, bacon bits, jalapenos, etc. all piled on top of it. Not a low cal meal!
(5)
Walter M.
Almost gave this place 5 stars, but it's not the best in North County, but it's in the top 2. Manhole sized pancakes that don't lake flavor. It's a smaller joint, but the hashbrowns are really good. The wait is sometimes long, especially on weekends. The atmosphere is great and they have some things on their menu that most other breakfast nooks don't. Service is good and fast. Portions are large so you might want to get different things from your guests and split them so you'll know better next time, oh and their will be a next time. I've never met anyone whose eaten there and not gone back for more or just straight up become a fan.
(4)
Robert B.
Of course the food is great, the portions are HUGE and, the service is friendly and, helpful... Much like most of the small breakfast places that are staples of this beach community. It ranks highly on my list of great places to go for breakfast. Only complaint (like the other small breakfast places around town) is that it's too small/busy... Of course, I would love to have this place all to myself. As will you when you go.
(5)
Brendon M.
big portions coma educing joyous feeling upon leaving the BEST recipe for a lazy Sunday
(5)
Margo E.
I come here a lot when I have guests visiting San Diego or I'm meeting with friends who have never been here before - pretty much JUST to show them their giant pancakes (even though I think they might have gotten a little smaller than they were a year ago.. they're still pretty big though). The "C" combo is a pretty good value - it comes with one of those giant pancakes, 2 eggs, and bacon or sausage. I've always thought the pancakes were pretty good, but I went a few weeks ago and it was really dry... I don't know if it was a bad batch or what... but it was kind of painful. Huevos Rancheros are pretty good too and they give you a pretty big plate of it. One little thing that I HAVE to recommend is their sourdough toast.. I don't know what makes it better than regular old sourdough toast, but its amazing. It can get kind of crowded sometimes on the weekends. So you might have to wait for a little bit. Besides the one time having a really dry pancake and the crowd (sometimes), I still definitely recommend this place! Especially for meeting with people or bringing guests!
(4)
Chris G.
My wife found Potato Shack on signonsandiego's top breakfast in SD. This place was probably the biggest disappointment in breakfast history! The food was greasy, tasteless and for a place that prides themselves on their potatoes, this place should be ashamed. After settling the bill I quickly told my wife to cross this place off the list and that Denny's would have been better choice. If you want a good breakfast go elsewhere but if you just want to eat a bunch of gross, greasy food that will will make you sick to your stomach then go to the Potato Shack. Y-U-C-K-!
(1)
Mark D.
After running a half marathon, this is the place to go. We didn't wait too long to get seated. We had a party of 7 and got seated fast. It was pretty busy also. When we sat down, I noticed the size of the food on the plates. They were humongous. The called them man hole size and they were. I ended up ordering the Albacore melt and I substituted the fries with ranch fries. I ended up sharing my food with my brother who got the Chicken Fried Steak with biscuits and gravy. I thought all the food was ok. I did get full though. Being on a diet doesn't help at all. I still ate everything. I loved the fries though. The service is good though and the people there were courteous. I would go again for a good fill.
(4)
Ruth M.
This place is Outrageous! SOOO Yummy.. and the size man you get your moneys worth.. manhole cover size.. but that does not diminish from the taste.. we took of family to legoland and made a slight detour here.. so much better than Ihop or Denney's or any other place we have been too since.. if your in the area planning a trip to Disney or Legoland or San Diego stop here.. yes it is small but soo worth it ... great wait staff.. great smiles... the one and only draw back is that they don't take credit cards or debt cards.. CASH only..
(5)
Jennifer P.
The crew came down here again this year and decided to go here for breakfast once everyone got done with the morning exercise and showers. For a Saturday late morning, they were able to seat us quickly inside at a table for 9. We ordered breakfasts and lunches from the menu. We got everything from Omelets, pancakes, eggs, POTATOES, etc. Everyone was happy. Even mom and dad who came down to spend the day with all of us. I have to admit that I ordered tomatoes instead of potatoes. Sorry, just did not want all the extra calories.
(4)
Collin J.
Went up for a special b-day breakfast and sat outside on the sidewalk. Service was good and the food was pretty tasty. Nothing really spectacular though. I got a chocolate chip/banana pancake with the side of sausage gravy and biscuits and my wife got an egg white omelet and some of their special potatoes. Gravy had some good spice and the pancake was really delicious (only ate half but finished it a few hours later) but the potatoes weren't out of this world. Probably won't go back as there are lots of other places to try.
(3)
Kevin J.
I lived down the street from this place for awhile. The food is very good and reasonably priced. The service is moderate; the waitresses often seem overwhelmed, so wait times for refills can be lengthy at times. They have cool customizable things on the menu, home fries with almost ANY topping, man hole cover pancakes..etc. Very good after a night of drinking or simply a morning where you are hungry, but too lazy to cook and clean for yourself. My biggest gripe about this place is that it is cash only (get with the times people). Overall, I highly recommend paying this place a visit.
(4)
Eugene A.
I like the atmosphere here and the food was as I expected. Generous portions, attentive service, and good coffee. I think I liked the coffee the most about the whole place. The staff is laid back and this one cook sometimes hung out in the dining area. I for one, don't like looking at a dirty apron with the stains of the different food items this person prepared or handled. Not appetizing! It's off Coast Highway a bit but not hard to find. There's ample parking and the street scene is quaint with umbrella'd tables outside. Inside there's a wall with signed photos of many football players from back in the day until now. It's interesting. The only bummer is they only take cash (or a hot check)! Oh well, then. As long as you know ahead of getting there.
(3)
Sarah J.
Although I have been here a bazillion times, being an Encinitas native, I am still disappointed in this place for various reasons. First I'll start with the positives. 1. The waitresses work their butts off, always are prompt, friendly, and never mess up your order. 2. The omelettes are good, especially the veggie one, and to make it non-vegetarian we usually add bacon. 3. The portions are huge, so if you're hungry, you'll be more than satisfied. 4. The sandwiches on the lunch menu are great. The turkey is not lunchmeat - it's actually carved turkey. I could eat the Clubhouse every day. The negatives mostly surround the fact that the portions are RIDICULOUSLY big. I have a big appetite and so does my hubby, but we have never, ever finished a plate here. It's almost obnoxious how much they pile on a plate. I get that it's their 'schtick' but it's beyond cute - it's downright wasteful. And who do you think is paying for that 17 lb plate of potatoes? Me, the customer, and that annoys me. I'd rather have a normal to large portion, and have my meal cost $1 to $2 less, than have a massive pile of food that I just end up throwing away. Breakfast leftovers are NEVER good, so you really are wasting food every time. The other thing, which I have seen mentioned in pretty much all of the other reviews, is the fact that the POTATOES at the POTATO Shack are really bland and boring! It baffles me that the Potato Shack (read: famous for potatoes) serves these cubes of bland, sometimes soggy starch alongside your omelet. They need to be WAY crispier, have WAY more seasoning, and be served in a normal portion. If using a standard ladle, they must serve you 8 scoops of these things. If they were delish, I probably wouldn't complain, but they are SO boring. The worst part is, they come completely plain, and they offer you about 20 different toppings at $1 each. I think they should at least let you pick one or two on the house, and then you have to pay if you want to add more. They are so bland on their own, that you really need to order cheese or onions or something on them, or else they are just "there" next to your food. Overall, it's not a bad place. I will probably be back because there aren't tons of breakfast places in the area, and like I said I do enjoy the veggie omelet + bacon every time. But I think I'll order mine sans potatoes next time, because quite frankly there's no point in eating the potatoes at the Potato Shack, no matter how ironic that sounds.
(3)
Samantha E.
After arriving to this joint in my boyfriends 1937 Plymouth, we actually found a rad parking spot right in front on a Saturday. We got there around noon which I thought might be a bad idea. We got seated right away. The booths there are AWESOME!! The tables are all made out of cut trees that have been stained. Just be careful where you put your awesome coffee cause it might slip into the rings of the old trees. I ordered steak and eggs. The steak was cooked perfect along with the eggs. The boyfriend ordered a turkey avocado bacon sandwich. He ate it all so I am guessing it was good. The service was so so. The gal that was helping us out seemed a little scatter brained. Just a word of advice: If you like salsa on your eggs they have the BEST! Fresh and homemade.
(4)
H K.
A- OK. didn't blow us away or anything, but was a good breakfast. One thing i was surprised at was the orange juice. i love pulp in my oj. (even if it's from a carton, it makes me think is fresh) their oj has no pulp.
(3)
Julie U.
Do you want a pancake the size of a manhole? One that is ACTUALLY CALLED a "manhole-sized pancake" on the menu? I don't. Gross. It has been years since I ate at The Potato Shack so I probably shouldn't knock it. I just felt so bad for bagging on them, actually, that I added a third star. Honestly, it's fine as long as what you're looking for is greasy eggs and greasy bacon with greasy potatoes and greasy toast served alongside bad coffee on a table carved right straight out of the trunk of a tree. Be careful not to drop your fork through one of the holes. I'm just sayin'. They've been there since the dawn of time, so they must be doing something right.
(3)
Douglas R.
This place didn't get the best reviews but there was a lot of people waiting to get in so my wife and I decided on eating here. I got the omelet and home fries, the omelet was ok , but the home fries tasted kinda weird . I'm not sure if this was just a rare occurrence, but i was disappointed. I probably could have gone to Denny's and wouldn't have to wait in line.
(2)
Michelle A.
The food is really just fine; not as tasty as it sounds. A nice atmosphere, however, with outside seating and a mellow feel. Lots of pancakes. Be sure to bring cash; I think they don't take credit cards.
(3)
will o.
OK there is no way someone said "best pancakes ever" unless they got some special batch. Mine sucked- and I did not like the plate marks on my cakes from the waitress resting the top plate on it while bringing out our order. So, chewey pancakes, NOT fluffy and not good taste. NOTHING special about them. Other breakfast itmes VERY plain and avererage, as was the coffee. We wanted to like this place, as it is a cute location. But it gets a real "no bueno" from me.
(1)
Maynard D.
Cheap breakfast food and large quantities too. Go early if you are going on the weekend and don't forget you can always split a meal. The pancakes are huge..hence the name manhole covers and they serve a wide variety of potatoes and fix'ins. Pretty casual environment and nice staff.
(3)
Regina V.
You can make everything on the menu by yourself, even if you are prone to burning toast. Not to say Potato Shack is horrible, it's just totally boring and expensive for what it is. Maybe the problem was that I went there for lunch and deciding on something light, got the vegetarian sandwich. It was so plain, and I know vegetarian options aren't the most exotic, but come on. I HAVE been there for breakfast and the pancakes are indeed tremendous. But honestly..you can do better at Denny's.
(2)
Jeff C.
Wow! I am really shocked this place only has 3.5 stars, it is by far some of the best breakfast I have had. They do all the normal breakfast staples, but for some reason theirs stand out. I love this place and would recommend anything under the breakfast menu.
(5)
M S.
Most of what we ate was really good. My huevos rancheras came out a little cold but it was still yummy. The salsa is better than in some Mexican restaurants. The pancakes are HUGE for one is definitely enough. The potato "pancakes" are super yummy too. All very reasonably priced. It is cash only with an ATM inside.
(4)
Kristen R.
Potato Shack is one of the best places in Encinitas to eat breakfast. There are many great breakfast restaurants in Encinitas, so that being said, it makes the Potato Shack even more of a contender. Pretty much everything on the menu is big and tasty. Last weekend we had a giant apple cinnamon pancake and it was to die for! It's not the cheapest place to get breakfast and be prepared to wait on a weekend. But they do the best they can to get you seated quickly. Anyway, it's one of our favorite places in north county. Go!
(4)
Allen P.
This is your old school diner-style American cafe with large portions, greasy food, and just good old family-style cooking. The potatoes are the main attraction here, and for unlimited potatoes, they're quite tasty and filling. Never undercooked, and never burnt, they were just perfect with a little ketchup and Tabasco. Beyond that though, they just make some good family breakfasts. Their eggs are done well, as is their bacon and sausages, which are thick, juicy, and truly delicious. Then you have their manhole-cover-sized pancakes, which are not just quantity, but quality as well. Ultra fluffy and full of fresh fruits or whatever fillings you had, these are quite delicious, even without any syrup or honey. Finishing it is a completely different story, but it's definitely worth ordering.
(4)
Kim W.
Just had lunch here today. I had the grilled cheese on sourdough and it was HUGE! Very tasty. And the curly fries were to die for. Yum. I am looking forward to trying it for breakfast soon.
(4)
Paula E.
So good we ate there two days in a row. The first day we had a pancake that was huge and wonderful! The second day our waitress suggested onions on my potatoes, I wish the waitress the day before had told me about the onions, because it was delish! They need to up their coffee detail, cuz I sat empty for a while. I always feel if a waitress is walking around with a full coffee pot, they should check every table, not just their own tables.
(4)
Glen I.
Wow, the food was so good! Breakfast was the best but looking around the lunches looked just as good. Now I have to figure out how to get down here again! I live in MV!
(5)
Tom h.
Went here for the second time today and this place is becoming my favorite spot for breakfast. They serve the biggest pancake I have ever seen and the service was good again. Warning though come with a big appetite. It is always a battle to finish my plate when i come here. CASH ONLY!
(5)
jim p.
First time here, we brought friends from Georgia. Excellent food, frienly service. Huevos Rancheros, applewood bacon, biscuits and gravy- all excellent. Sublime location.
(4)
Jiim F.
I find myself at the potato shack cafe nearly every weekend now. Its a great little breakfast place that doesn't disappoint. Friendly people, large portions, tasty food, and great service are all aspects that make this place my favorite breakfast destination. I will gladly put my money down for a heavenly plate of chicken fried steak or a manhole sized pancake. the place sort of gives off that mom and pap feel to it that really creates a comforting setting. the place is fairly clean and theres little to complain about. The only things i could say that are a negative is that they only take cash, but this is quickly solved by having an atm inside right next to the register. Other than that the only other negative is that a few of the waitresses push you to try their salsa to almost a scary extent. its great salsa i must say, i just am not a fan of having it over eggs....if only i had some chips
(5)
Christopher H.
Just ate there this morning and I have mixed feelings.The food was decent but a bit over priced.Our server didn't appear to be happy being there.......really? at least try and fake it.The coffee was mediocre at best and the refills (one) were a LONG time coming.The topper was the waitress pointing to our plates expecting us to hand them to her because she was too lazy to circle the table! NEVER had that happen before.Not the worst but considering the price I was underwhelmed.
(2)
Cam P.
Not a fan. The server was terrible & rude and the food was dry & flavorless.
(1)
Ren D.
Good ol' Potato Shack, home of the Manhole Size Pancakes! It's been a treat to dine here since I was a kid, although in lieu of the chocolate-chip pancakes I used to gobble down, now I go for a fruity pancake or even their less-famous breakfast items: burrito, biscuits & gravy, etc. I usually end up eating outside to enjoy the weather and mellow I-Street atmosphere, but the inside is cozy. Good, friendly and efficient service. Always get treated like local friends by the management. The cash only policy can catch you off guard if you're not prepared, but those in the know...
(4)
Scott C.
I have loved this place since it first opened. While I do not live in CA anymore, I still make a point of dining here whenever I get down that way. The food is great. the portions are huge (frankly bordering on the ridiculous.) But, I love it. the pancakes, omelets, biscuits and gravy, and of course, the potatoes. It's just good.
(4)
Marco S.
An Encinitas staple for any local! Try anything on this menu and you won't be let down. This is a must eat if you are in the area!
(4)
Pete F.
Great little diner. My omlette was great. Girlfriend's pancake was gi-normous. Service was great too.
(5)
J C.
Tons of people here. The pancakes are gigantic almost like manhole covers . Come with a hungry crew or hangover. Definitely comfort food.
(4)
Autumn C.
We got to the Potato Shack at 1:59 and they were nice enough to seat us...The Shack closes early at 2PM! I shared a huge clubhouse and a side of the home cut french fries...There was quite possibly enough food for 3 people...and those fries! Wowee! Looking forward to going back for those "Manhole covers" and the biscuits and Gravy!
(4)
Jen S.
I had the rancho hueveros. Over easy eggs were made perfectly and topped with sharp cheddar cheese. The mexican sauce was quite flavorful.
(4)
Critic's Choice L.
one of the best breakfast places in North county. Courteous staff, great location, easy parking, cozy ambiance, excellent food. Their manhole sized chocolate chip pancake is the best!
(5)
E C.
YUUUUMMMM. What can I say about this place. I previously thought the service was bad, but upon another trip to the shack, I was surprised with the awesome service. The waitress brought me seconds on the fries even before I asked for them! I usually get the fries with garlic, cheddar and sour cream. Last time I went, I ate so much potatoes, I was afraid that I would go blind. Bring cash guys...this place doesn't accept plastic...
(5)
Sherri S.
Great breakfast, affordable, great place to be. I go there a couple of weekends a month. I love the omelets, and potatoes. If you're into pancakes, theirs are delicious and huge. The chicken fried steak is like you get down south and the gravy is almost as good as down south, about as close as you can get in southern California.
(5)
Jaymi W.
Went here with a group of 7 adults, 2 toddlers and an infant...and they were able to seat us on a busy Sunday morning within 3 minutes. That was pretty impressive. Star alone for that. They have these weird tables made of cut wood inside which aren't really great for a group, though. I ended up sitting where there was a piece of wood sticking out that looked like Florida, and my plate wouldn't fit or balance on it so I had to sit 3 fit away from my boyfriend. Take away a star. The A/C on the inside was not cranking, so it was REALLY warm, even though we sat need the doors. I was sweating during our entire meal. Ok, now for the food. The make your own omelet was decent, nothing to write home about. It was a bit too greasy for my taste and I am not a fan of massive portions. I guess I just think they look garish on the plate! But for those of you that are hungover and looking for a giant greasy breakfast, this place is for you. I did have one of the banana pancakes, "manhole"...wow, that was BIG. Here's the thing. They could have put the same amount of banana in a pancake 1/3 of the size and I would have enjoyed it WAY more. This pancake batter was dense and tasty but really the best parts were the parts that were surrounding the banana. I found myself digging out the little pieces of banana and leaving about 85% of the pancake behind. It just seems wasteful and unnecessary. The service was fine, she seemed really busy, but she was attentive. The place is not spotless and I had to ask for a new spoon that looked more clean. I would go back if I was REALLY hungry or nursing a hangover, but other than that, I might go to the place across the street (the name eludes me) that looked a little nicer.
(3)
Liz B.
Paying $5 for plain "American"potatoes and then $1.20 per topping can get expensive FAST. The make your own omelet isn't a better deal, considering that a plain (no cheese) omelet starts at $6.95 and fillings (including cheese) are an additional .90 each. The manhole pancakes are prob the best deal, but don't expect an equal or even proportionate ratio of pancake to fruit (tiny little blueberries in our case). Coffee will run you $2.30 in a small mug, and you may or may not feel you get enough refills to make that worthwhile - we sure didn't. This place was a fun after surf spot 10 years ago, now it seems pricey with indifferent service. And the all cash thing? The ATM is prominently placed in the main dining room, but a sign on the outside of the door sure would be nice.
(2)
Jennifer W.
The portions are large, but most of your meal is going to waste if you happen to be at all picky about temperature, texture and/or seasoning. If all you're concerned about is bulk, it might be a good deal. I'm not sure if they're going for a retro look, or they just don't bother keeping the place up. The decor is old and tacky. Wherever you parked, there are better breakfast joints within walking distance.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
sarah t.
Great little spot!!! Fantastic portions, friendly, direct service, and wonderful location just off the 101! Seriously yummy!!!
(4)Becky T.
Our server, Robert, was very nice and I was able to sit outside with my dog, so I appreciate the dog-friendly atmosphere. Robert brought a bowl of water for my dog-another plus. This place is cash-only but they took a check (which I actually had with me). Food was ok; similar to IHOP so nothing amazing. I went on a weekday, so there was no wait. If there was a waiting line, this place is not worth waiting. I gave the Potato Shack 3 stars instead of 2 stars because the server was super nice.
(3)Kimberly C.
This is a neat little breakfast/lunch place near the beach. If you love hash browns, fries, or potato pancakes..GO! Its a little pricey considering its breakfast/lunch food, but not too bad. Just unusual I guess, at least to me. My complaint is that they only take cash. So you have to bring it, or use their ATM. Which means probability of overdrawing to pay for a simple meal, and surcharges to use it. I had American fries with cheese and bacon and YUM. Also, the house salad is no joke: tall, hearty, and full of goodies.
(3)Robb R.
We stop here each time we are in San Diego, well worth the drive while in the area. Kids love the pancakes and dig a hole in the middle for syrup. The biscuits and gravy is the best and I'm not sure I have ever eaten better bacon! Be sure to take CASH!
(4)Michael J.
So we bopped into the Potato Shack one sunny Saturday morning. Clad all in black, we certainly stood out in the midst of the jocks, bike riders, and ex-football coaches. But the vibe was cool, and our server was super friendly. No sooner were we settling into our sidewalk table, then a white haired fella began ribbing us in such a friendly way that we immediately felt one of the crowd. (Later we found out he was a legendary football coach at nearby Torrey Pines High, and he sure knew his football, right down to the helmet coverings). Abbe had a vegetable omelette ($13.25). She declared it tasty, healthy, and filling (especially when ordered with a generous side cottage cheese instead of potatoes). And the generous crock of homemade salsa was a nice touch. I ordered a vegetarian sandwich on Squaw Bread ($9.95 + $1 extra for sweet potato fries instead of the regular ones). My condominium-sized construction of health and welfare was almost good enough to drive to Encinitas from L.A.. There are scores of little places like this in the sweet little beach towns between San Diego and Orange Country, but we lucked out with The Potato Shack. The level of service, food, and conversation with the owner (a humorous, intelligent, and diehard USC Trojan fan, which ain't a normal trifecta), really made our day. I think this place is a gem, and we will return.
(4)Laura D.
My car was in the shop and Angela was driving me around and we stopped for a quick lunch at the Potato Shack. Had heard a lot about it but never visited. Really nice meal. They have a big menu and all the dishes passing by looked really good. We both had the turkey burger and it was great!! The bun was a potato bun, of course, very light and tasty. The burger was cooked just right and the condiments were appropriate. We sat outside on a beautiful day and it was a very nice interlude.
(4)Caleb A.
pancakes were huge and good, but the rest of the food lacked imagination or wow. i also had the biscuits and gravy. kind of disappointing. lot of breakfast places in the area. going to explore others before i come back
(3)Heidi S.
They don't accept credit cards?? That is crazy! The service was amazing, and the food was ok...
(4)Jamie S.
You never know who your customer is. You should be careful what you say about other businesses in the presence of your paying customer. Rude and inappropriate. Will never return and will tell everyone I know not to give them business. Rude to say the least!
(1)denise m.
I would actually give this place 3 1/2 stars if I had the ability to give half stars but I'm rounding up rather than rounding down. There are never enough breakfast joints so I want to support this local place. The pancake was enormous, as other reviewers have noted, but it was a little bit thick and dry for my taste. Not bad by any means but not great either. The real star of the show was the bacon. It was excellent quality and very tasty. The potato patty reminded me of McDonald's deep fried hash browns. I was hoping for more of a hand formed, pan fried potato pancake. Friendly service and comfy indoor booths. There is also sidewalk seating if you prefer. Bring cash as they don't take credit cards.
(4)Teri T.
A taste of Encinitas history. As good today as it was 25 years ago. If you to want to experience North County the way it's supposed to be, eat at the Potato Shack!
(5)Ben S.
Good food fast service, happy employees, let you sit wherever you want, except the table we sat at had syrup on the table otherwise good experience. Last time is was here came with a large crowd, its beem anout 12 years, would recommend trying restaurant to new people for sure.
(4)John S.
CASH ONLY!!! ahem... Don't know where to start now... The man I think owns the place (older gentleman who clearly used to play football and possibly did some coaching locally) is pure class. The place is so dog friendly that we've brought our puppy there in early March, and late June of this year and he remembered our puppy (we prefer this to people remembering our faces, and the puppy is uniquely patterned for a standard poodle). They have the best bacon known to mankind at this place, and this man gives tears up a piece and hand feeds it to our puppy just for the fun of it, even in crutches. We were a little apprehensive the first time, but this is the only time the spoiled dog gets bacon, and this man has a warm personality you can't say no to. The food. BEST BACON KNOWN TO MANKIND. I've given enough for a 5 star review right? Eggs are always perfect, the coffee is so good I haven't found better in the vicinity (or at any other breakfast place, bar none), and the patio seating is always very clean. We drive from Vista without hesitation when we've overdone the great Curbside Case on Main St in Vista to Potato Shack. I'm not trying to plug Curbside at all....it's close to my house and equally as affordable as this place but serves a different niche. Potato Shack is USA to the core. The cubed red potatoes they call AMERICAN FRIES are better than any hash browns. If you get then deep fried, holy crap!!! Potato Shack is top notch, the staff is pure class, the location has ample local street parking, is dog friendly, and will make you want to drive 20 miles 1 way for breakfast on a weekend. I promise you.... Also, the homemade salsa is surprisingly authentic and out of this world....not too oniony like most non-Mexican restaurants' feeble attempts at salsa. Your eggs deserve this despite how perfect they are unseasoned. I wouldn't be surprised to see an bad*** AMERICAN Souffle one day... (fingers crossed)
(5)K S.
I ordered an egg white omelette with swiss cheese and ham. I requested the cook to use very little oil . Order arrived hot and fresh roughly 5-7 mins after placing order. Omelette was cooked perfect!! No oil and very tasty! The sourdough toast is amazing!!.. It is thick! The potatoes that came with meal were pretty good and non oily! Overall, great food! Very happy with the cook and listening to my request to not use oil (or very little). Our server was friendly and on top of refills and other things. Great place for breakfast! I will give 4 stars out of 5 only because they do not accept credit and/or debit cards. That is a huge disappointment!
(4)David D.
Had lunch there today which was a mistake since this is a breakfast joint. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with American fries. The sandwich was a sloppy mess and the fries were diced red potatoes. Their Omelets looked much better and their pancakes were huge. I would recommend ordering breakfast to anyone who eats there. The restaurant itself was really small and busy but we were able to get a table quickly. The staff was friendly and service was quick. Prices are a bit high so be prepared.....
(4)Priscilla L.
The Potato Shack is a cute mom and pop shop in Encinitas,CA. The amount of food they give you is huge so be ready to eat when you go! Both the breakfast and lunch are delicious. I highly recommend Chocolate Chip pancakes. The service is great and they are all very friendly.
(5)Jack M.
I had a very nice well folded 3 egg western omelet with feta cheese, rye toast, and breakfast potatoes for $10.95. Although a little pricey for an omelet, it was a very good one. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) The western omelet came with flavorful diced ham, crunchy bell peppers, crispy onions, and I opt for salty pungent feta cheese which was a great choice. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) The omelet's ingredients were all cooked properly and tasted great. What impressed me the most about the omelet, was the thinly cooked and wrapped omelet. It was not just folded over once like you get at most place, but it was properly done with several delicate nice folds. Well done. The breakfast potatoes were good, but they could of used some extra seasoning. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) I added some black peppers and some of their homemade salsa which significantly improved their flavor. The salsa was great. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) They rye toast, from California Baking Co. was great. It had great flavor and was nice and thick. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) I wanted more.... The service was pleasant. The lady who served me was genuine and very friendly. The place is and eclectic collection of decorations and sport memorabilia. (see)
(4)Clarisse S.
There's not anything bad to say. But I wasn't blown away either. The food was ok. Service was fast. Coffee was decent.
(4)Zoe M.
My favorite local breakfast spot. I've been coming here for over 30 years and it's never disappointed. Order their American fries with all the toppings. The owner is friendly and always present. A true local gem.
(5)PB D.
Amazing breakfast! Huge portions and super kid friendly. Wonderful staff. Take my kids there almost every weekend. Love it!
(5)Nancy B.
great no nonsense home style food. Kathy is the friendliest waitress I've ever seen anywhere!
(4)Kyle W.
If you are picking a place for breakfast and you want something "local" this is absolutely the spot you should go. Hands down this is the #1 local favorite in Encinitas for breakfast. They have everything you would expect from a breakfast spot like this. I especially like their omelete
(4)Lucy R.
Potato shack has good food, good service, and good atmosphere. Don't come here expecting something fancy! And keep in mind that it's CASH ONLY. The cafe is family owned and always keep it in the family. Many of the employees have worked there for YEARS! I always love going there, sitting outside, and enjoying some good eggs and bacon. Bring your dog to sit at the tables outside! Owner is also a retired marine OORAH!
(5)Emily M.
Interesting experience.... I met my friends who were already at a table. The waitress came over and asked if I wanted anything to drink, so I asked for an iced coffee (which they don't technically have), so she poured hot coffee over ice. Ok, I agreed to this - minus it being completely watered down, I was not offered any milk or creamer. Not the biggest deal ever. Then we got to ordering our food, and I ordered an omelette but opted out of the toast. The waitress then said that they had gluten free options (which I would have preferred but was not aware of) and as I opened my mouth to ask for that option, she walked away. Maybe 25 minutes later our food was delivered - essentially what's on the menu is what you can expect. Typical breakfast. Just as we began to eat, the waitress asks how everything is and drops the check on the table. I felt like I was in a race, I was eating so fast. Like I was being silently told to leave. She didn't ask if we needed or wanted anything else, just dropped the check and walked away. She then comes back to the table while we are STILL eating to see if we had paid our bill. I am sorry to say I've been there twice - first and last time.
(2)Sandy P.
My friend recommended this place to me and I decided to try them. The first thing to know is that it's CASH ONLY and my friend forgot to mention that to me. So I'm thankful that I had cash on me. They do have an ATM in the restaurant. But besides all that, we were served right away and our food came out fast. The food was excellent. We will be back.
(5)Briana S.
I started going to the Potato Shack way back when they still had a location in Del Mar... my friends and I would order the manhole sized pancakes and platters of potatoes. This was all when we had metabolisms of wonder... who could eat that many carbs in one setting now? I digress. So after the San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon, my friend C and I needed a hearty breakfast before we drove back to LA. As C taught me, carbo load into a half marathon, protein load coming out. So, being the day after some serious physical exertion, we needed some protein. Enter the Potato Shack. The good news, when you come here around 8:30 on a Monday morning, no wait! :) We were quickly seated and provided with beverages. We both proceeded to order egg dishes (an omelet for me, some sort of combo for C), both accompanied by the famous potatoes that one would expect from the Potato Shack. Huge platters came out quickly. I finished my omelet, but couldn't finish the potatoes or toast, even though I was still on some monster burn post-half. C, couldn't finish his either. One thing to note (we forgot, but were equipped), cash only here. There is an ATM inside if you need it, but best to hit up your own ATM and avoid fees before you get here. I saw a couple outside sharing one of those giant chocolate chip pancakes when we were leaving... I was a tad envious, but totally stuffed. Until I visit next time...
(4)Alisa M.
Potato Shack is one of those places that you just have to take it for what it is. They don't take credit cards, Decor is outdated and at first service was a little slow. But my waiter more than made up for it. He was fast and attentive. My food came out promptly and HOLY COW I was served the biggest pancake I have ever seen. It was bigger than my head and I have an enormous cranium. Just ask my hats. Todd had chicken fried steak which he loved loved loved!!!!! And my dog had a piece of bacon the owner brought out for a treat. All in all expect a wait, good quick food and order the child's size pancakes if you are not a glutton.
(4)Kimberly S.
i have been dining here for over 10 years and I have never been disappointed. When i was young my dad took me for weekend breakfast, in high school we ditched regularly to grab breakfast and now i take everyone who comes to visit!
(5)Natalie F.
I am just generally unimpressed when I am so sure that there are far better places for breakfast in the area. Pros: -Service is fast! Seated quickly, attentive servers, water glasses always full. -GENEROUS portions. Heart attack amounts of food. Not a pro, maybe. -Decent prices considering portion Cons: -Food is pretty meh. I could make pancakes the size of tires at home if I wanted to. -Cash only -Kinda feels...greasy or something. The whole place just seems sort of tacky. Overall, it wasn't bad. But I wouldn't want to come back to pay for something I could just as easily make at home. I have heard some people rave about this place but I failed to understand why.
(2)Lori C.
(Stopped in for breakfast on a Tuesday morning - referred by a local Dr after my appt.) Here's the bottom line: friendly, clean and big portions! Food was very good, service was fine. By fine I mean, perfectly fine. Not a complaint... We had eggs, bacon, a pancake (giant! Pancake) and biscuits/gravy. Loved the salsa on the side - don't miss it - it's humble sitting there by itself but it's very good: fine chop, little kick. I'm from another beach city down the road but will definitely come back here another day.
(4)Mia R.
Can There Be 6 Stars?? No?? Well There should be 6 stars JUST for POTATO SHACK!! We spent a weekend in san diego for my birthday & saturday we went on a Bite San Diego Food Tour....Potato Shack was the 2nd stop & we could have spent alllll day tasting their food....but we didnt have to wait very long after our tour because it was soooooo bomb that me & the boyfriend went back the next day on our own time for breakfast!!! hahahaha....not only were we greeted with so much love & friendliness by Jim (owner) & Scott (his son) but they remembered us & welcomed us back with a plate full of their DELISHOUS biscuits & gravy to "try"!! Homemade biscuits covered in sausage gravy flavored angel tears is the only way to describe it. We then proceeded to build our own omelette & american fries...red potatoes diced & smothered in pretty much anything you want!! We opted for a applewood smoked bacon (probably one of the top 5 bacons of my life) sausage..ortegas...pepper jack cheese...onions & green peppers all gently folded & tucked in ever so sweetly by a fluffy GIANT blanket of eggs. Our potatos pretty much had all the same fixings on it & believe me it was a feast for kings!!! Every bite pretty much took my breath away there needs to be more words in the thesaurus to describe incredibly delishous!! and topped with their homemade salsa....GOOD GOD ITS THE BEES KNEES!! Oh & did I mention their pancakes are LITERALLLLLY the size of man hole covers!! The only advise i can offer is bring an empty tummy and a smile...oh and CASH!!! they have an atm in the restaurant but they take cash only (suck it up people who are glued to their visa platinum cars and pull out a $20 or 2 to enjoy one of the greatest breakfasts EVER) They treat you like family the second you walk in to this small quaint establishment (AND are doggie friendly, Jim even saves scrap bacon for our 4 legged babies)...not only will the FOOD keep you coming back but the atmosphere will. Thank you again Jim & Scott & Our Amazing waitress....every time we come to Encinitas we are coming by to say Hi (and eat your food of corse) hahaha...THANKS AGAIN for such a great day! PS....once again..CASH ONLY GUYS! Leave the credit cards at home for this Gem
(5)Richard K.
Nice sitting in outside seating on a bright sunny day. Inside is dated and somewhat cramped. Service was good and the staff was friendly. Breakfast is served all day and one of their items is a manhole sized pancake. While we didn't try it it looked good and was too big to fit on the plate. I had a grilled mahi sandwich which was excellent. They do not take credit cards, only cash.
(4)Jamie S.
I have been coming to the Potato Shack since I was in grade school and it is always amazing. Even on days where they are PACKED the service is still awesome and the food is amazing. This is one of the only places I ever order biscuits and gravy because their gravy is just so delicious. If you get an omelet or anything with potatoes make sure you try their salsa (it is a little spicy), made in house and awesome. If you are feeling extra hungry they have manhole pancakes delicious and big enough to fill any empty stomach!
(5)Robert P.
Breakfast was actually pretty good--we got the Breakfast Burrito and it was quite tasty. However, the service was atrocious. We brought our 20 month old to eat with us and she started playing with the plastic chairs on the patio. Our waitress Chris (female) got visibly annoyed with us and our daughter, giving us the tsk-tsk and complaining to us about the restaurant possibly getting fined for our daughter moving the chairs in such a way that it would affect handicapped accessibility. She never offered us a high chair so I went and got one myself to put her in--an experienced server should probably have realized that would have solved her previous problem as well and been a tactful way to address her concerns with us rather than just telling us off. Then when the bill came and I reached for my credit card she pounced on the opportunity to tell us that they didn't take cards and were cash only. I had seen her giving another customer a long scolding earlier for trying to pay with a personal check so I saw it coming, and although I had plenty of cash I told her that it would have been helpful to know upfront that it was cash only--I know very well first hand how much of an inconvenience it can be and that's really something every customer should be well aware of up front. Chris' response was to snidely remark that their cash only policy was was written on the menu. She put us in our place yet again and I could tell she was very satisfied with herself for it. We gave her a decent tip considering her terrible better than you unfriendly attitude, but will not be coming back and are spreading the word. Don't come here unless you want to be disrespected and treated like dirt!
(2)Casey M.
Went here for a take-out order. Nothing special. $8 for a basic baked potato with up to 3 toppings. Then I come to find out they ONLY TAKE CASH. The ATM was broken so I had to go to the bank a few blocks down and pay the $3 fine there so it was an $11 plain old potato AND THEY FORGOT MY SOUR CREAM. I probably won't be back. All the food I saw people ordering looked plain and ordinary and it was VERY overpriced.
(2)Tambra Z.
Really good food and the pancakes are HUGE! They have fun potato head guys for the kids to play with at the table too. The staff is friendly. The only complaint I would have is that they are cash only.
(3)An L.
Went in yesterday for lunch. It was alright. Dunno if I'll be back. They don't take credit. CASH ONLY! But that's not the reason I didn't take to this place. The fries were a lil soggy for my liking. It just wasn't anything special...
(3)Brittany F.
If I could give this place zero stars I would. The worst breakfast place I have ever been to. You would think that with the name "potato" they would have amazing potatoes, but they weren't even edible. They were burnt and dry and pretty disgusting. My waitress was a middle aged woman who barely ever came to check on the table. I ordered coffee and asked for creamer, she gave me a creamer off the table of the people that just left...gross. And to top it off it was spoiled. When I asked for a new one she looked annoyed and gave me creamer from another persons table.... Unsanitary and so so so gross. Their home made salsa leaves a lot to be desired. And the bus boy frequently eaves drops on conversations. Not cool.. Will never be back!!
(1)Tony M.
So on Sunday morning, decided to take family north to explore our wonderful town, wife read great reviews about this charming family run restaurant. Dropped wife and kids off, when I arrived to our table, one thing caught my eyes and ears was a gentleman in gray clothing with sun glasses on the next table who was very loudly bragging about his many years of travel aboard, then I noticed that he must by a partner or a host, he helped seat people. On a table of 4-6 people he was the only one loudly speaking, you could hear him in the entire outside space. He even made a derogatory comment about tourists. Our server, older lady with gray hair in jeans and thin was real annoyed quickly with one of my sons. my wife asked her for a milk for her coffee that was not warm ( since the milk in the creamer was left under the sun ) we had to ask her twice. I asked for a glass of water with no ice, she brought me mostly Ice. For a place to be called Potato Shack, they only offered French fries and diced tasteless potatoes, not even enough salt or any peppers were present. My eggs were cooked perfectly. Pancake was this thick and Dinosaur size doughy thing and tasteless. The owner Mr. Jim, a very honorable polite gentleman who was mostly chair hopping, I wish that he would kick out the other younger gentleman and himself would mind his business. For all great comments that others have made about this place, I think if he put his heart in it again, he would make it a cute local cafe .
(3)Erika M.
Love love their food, I had a western omelet with homefries and instead of toast I got biscuits and gravy. I just can't begin to tell you how delicious it was. Everything was fresh, the potatoes seemed to me steamed, were not g at all,
(5)Ali J.
Came here for my mom's birthday. Been here before but she hadn't so thought we'd try a local spot. Host taking names for the list quoted a 5-15 minute wait and it looked like it would be about 30 minutes so I was shocked when we got a table in less than 10. Great spot right out front under and umbrella and for 5 people no less! Food was ok. I saw the special note about getting the American potatoes deep fried so I thought I'd give that a go. They were definitely deep fried but they didn't taste fully cooked. The bacon was pretty salty but it was crispy and cooked well! The eggs were over easy and cooked well. The toast is really a highlight! I ordered sourdough and it's like Texas style. Delicious! Huge pancakes but the flavor or cooking of the pancake isn't lost because of its size. Overall, good breakfast, prices very reasonable for the amount of food.
(4)Kelly S.
I gave 3 stars because the food was great, big portions for sure! I came for brunch and as far as food is concerned, I was thoroughly impressed! I can only imagine everything on their menu is yum yum yum!!!!!!! It's a very small place - the fact that it has "shack" in the name is very fitting. Super tiny inside. I could see coming back here with only 1 other person (we had 4 in our party) and making sure we sat outside. Those would definitely be my stipulations. If you don't mind stuffy and small (or maybe some find it cute and quaint?) then it would be great! But yeah... not sitting inside again. The wait staff seemed okay. Our server was definitely not friendly at all, she was short and just didn't seem very thrilled being there. I'm sure she was busy or frazzled, but it's the Sunday brunch hour in Encinitas, get used to it lady. Anyway, the other servers seemed more friendly. Maybe she was just having a bad morning. Overall, not thoroughly impressed, but not completely let down either. Wouldn't sit inside again, but will give it another shot in the future.... outside.
(3)Stacie H.
***CASH ONLY*** Had a friend in town visiting and she insisted on going to the Potato Shack. I grew up in Encinitas and everyone always talked about the Shack, but surprisingly I never went. I've never been big on potatoes or on giant plates of food so I always passed. But now was my opportunity to check it out. We came on a Sunday morning around 10:00. Parking is a little bit of a challenge if you aren't willing to walk. There is street parking, but there were no spots available at that time so we parked in the Lumberyard and walked across the street. The Potato Shack has indoor and outdoor seating. We lucked out and didn't have to wait for a table. We had a booth inside and it is a VERY tight squeeze in there; very cozy. In fact, it's a good thing I didn't eat the pancakes or I wouldn't have fit through the dining area to make it to the restroom. The food was good. My boys both got manhole cover size pancakes. The pancakes were thick and literally spilled over the plate. They had to work to cut it up and eat it. Our meal for four people was $50. I didn't realize until we sat down that it is cash only. Luckily I had cash on me or I would have had to use the ATM that's inside the restaurant and I'm sure it would have been an astronomical fee. It's a beachy restaurant with a locals feel. I'm glad I can at least say I ate there. My youngest son did get sick afterwards, but I can't say for certain it was the food since none of the rest of us got sick. It was just ok for me especially for the price and having to pay cash. I probably wouldn't make a special trip here given that I know there is often times a long table wait. Service was great though.
(3)Jeremy S.
Kinda surprised that I haven't reviewed the Potato Shack before as the food here is pretty dang delicious and the portions are ridiculously large. My go to items here are often the make your own omelette with pepper jack and turkey, the turkey chunks are large and flavorful and it comes with their delicious potatoes and a side of bread which can be substituted for on of their HUGE manhole sized pancakes for an addition $3. They have a neat little outdoor seating are which is pet friendly and the service is pretty solid... Overall, a great spot for a delicious breakfast. Pros- Menu Service Huge portions Potatoes Outdoor pet friendly seating Cons- Pancake tastes bland Parking is a pain Crowded on weekends leading to a long wait
(4)Matt F.
CASH ONLY - big breakfast. $40 for a family of 4. The food was great. Giant portions. The coffee was really good. Remember to bring cash or get charged $3 to use their ATM.
(4)Dave D.
Yep, this is one of our favorite dives in San Diego County. Every time we visit San Diego we make the drive up to Encinitas for this local favorite. Depending on arrival time you may have to wait for a seat as there is limited seating, both inside and out. Once seated however the service is quick and friendly. Whether you're here for the manhole size pancakes or their famous B-breakfast, you won't go home hungry! Our favorite is the B-breakfast, with eggs over easy, Potato Shack potatoes, sausage and bacon with a giant order of sourdough toast. Bring cash or an ATM card as they don't accept checks or credit cards. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area. Take a short walk to the west after you're done to walk off some of those extra carbs and enjoy the view of the Pacific ocean from the park at the end of the street.
(5)Abby W.
With a name like Potato Shack, my potato-loving self has wanted to visit this restaurant for quite awhile and I finally got my wish last weekend. And boy was it a dream come true! Since we didn't arrive until 1 PM, what I imagine to be the weekend brunch rush had come and gone and we were seated immediately. There are so many great sounding dishes on the menu but as soon as I saw that turkey was listed as an option for an omelette filling I was sold. It's so rare to find a restaurant that offers non-pig breakfast meats and as a non-pig eater, I was ecstatic. I ordered an omelette with turkey and cheddar cheese and it was wonderful! The omelette was cooked perfectly and the cheese was nice and gooey. It was also huge and I took home half of it for breakfast the next day. The meal is also served with a side of American potatoes, which are diced red skinned potatoes, and a slice of buttered toast. My boyfriend ordered the breakfast burrito, primarily because of the green chiles, and loved it. It was also served with a side of American potatoes. Amazingly, he ate the entire burrito, which was quite large. Service was quick and friendly. This is a place that has a nice down-home country vibe and I could definitely see it being filled with regulars. I can't wait to come back and try some of their other items, like the huge pancakes that I've read so much about.
(5)Steven G.
Would like to give them 5 stars, but the American Fries(home fries) were not crispy, and that is a crime against humanity. She had French Toast and coffee, and was very happy. I had an omelet with swiss cheese, bacon, sausage, mushrooms and spinach, the aforementioned American Fries and rye toast with an iced tea to drink. The omelet was cooked wonderfully and stuffed full of deliciousness. Rye toast was thick and toasted perfectly. Street parking was easy and very convenient....but it also helps that we were there at 7:15 am Thursday. Had it been 9:30 am today, would probably have been a problem. I'm fond of this place from my days as an employee at Whole Foods Market Encinitas, and was very happy to get an opportunity to dine here again. Our server was friendly, efficient and helpful.
(4)Tim H.
Overpriced mediocre food at best. It is cash only or pay to use their ATM! I would have to say it's a bit of a rip off.
(2)Caleb T.
Most breakfast places stick to a standard spread, general dishes that satisfy an array of tastes. Others might focus on a single dish or ingredient, eggs at the Broken Yolk ("We have a 12 egg omelette!"), Pancakes at the ... Pancake House ("Over 30 styles to choose from!"), or crappy food at Denny's ("At least we're not Rimel's in Encinitas!"). And then some places have a shtick, a specific thing that makes stand out (or, at least, makes them think they stand out). Contrary to the name of the place, it ain't the potatoes for this little diner. The Potato Shack Cafe lies on the outskirts of downtown Encinitas, between Anahata Yoga and Colonics by the Sea. When you walk in, you are greeted with the dark varnish of a wooden interior replete with tables carved out of tree trunk slices. One wall proudly displays a beautiful American Flag. Another wall gives a salute to the launch of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. By the door is a quaint ATM that signifies that they are cash only. Eating in Encinitas, you get used to seeing typical patrons, beach bums and bunnies, SUV moms and dads who apparently don't work during the week, those who have to walk their dog everywhere, hipsters in glasses and knit hats, old couples that are always smiling, nerd girls in headsets and hooded jackets ... it's an eclectic mix that runs the gambit of people who live in a coastal town. Come in here, though, and you might see a dog walker and happy older couple outside, but the majority of the people we saw coming and going were older diners eating solo (3 out of the 5 we counted were wearing trucker hats, I kid you not) and a pair of middle aged guys, wearing suits, who had finished eating long before, and were just sitting and talking finance until we left. Don't get me wrong, it's not off putting in the slightest, it's just something you take note of pretty quick because it's just so ... stereotypical. Anyway, enough time wasted on that, about breakfast. I had what the Potato Shack seems to have become known for in all the reviews I saw, their Manhole Cover Sized Pancakes. And while they do measure up in size, their chocolate chip offering got tiresome less than a third of the way through. It was oddly bland, only the chips giving any sweetness, and only the burn giving any taste to the breading. They should be a good mix of salt and sugar, not just something to shovel in and make you feel full. And it came with below average scrambled eggs and a very tasty turkey sausage patty. The woman I love had their Western Omelette, which turned out to be very good. The ham was nicely salted, the veggies were fresh and well cooked, and the cheese was moist and unburned around the edges, a good recipe and well made. The American Fries that came with it, on the other hand, were a huge disappointment. Unseasoned, underdone to the point where they were soft, but not crispy, just a very basic style that made them all starch and no flavor. It might be our fault for not having something off of their baked potato menu, but breakfast here was average at best. Large portions don't really make up for lack of taste. Mix in slower service (which is not really the fault of the place, as there was only one server taking care of at least 5 tables at once) and being cash only (which sucks when you only realize this right before the check comes), and this place comes up to a weak three stars. On the plus side, they do have a lot of Mr. Potato Head parts for kids to play with; our toddler took full advantage of that. And the location is nice, downtown Encinitas where you can partake of a morning stretch, at Yoga next door, to prepare for all the starch and carbs you're about to eat and then have warm water squirted up you, at the Colonic place, to clean yourself out of them when you're done. That's my Thursday morning all wrapped up into one corner.
(3)Samahna S.
It's just always good here! I love the omelets so much! The egg part is so thin and I love that it doesn't overwhelm the ingredients. I always get a cheddar, bacon and avocado omelet. I can never finish it! It's just packed with bacon! My husband always gets the chicken fried steak and biscuits with gravy. I'm a southern girl from Georgia and I 100% approve! It tastes so good, it brings me back to my childhood! I always recommend Potato Shack. The food is great and the atmosphere here is relaxed and enjoyable. We always sit outside and enjoy breathing in that fresh, beautiful ocean air. We've been coming now for almost 20 yrs and will continue to come forever!
(5)Byanka O.
Biggest pancakes ever ! Great service ... Only accepts cash but they do have a arm inside . I ordered the French toast they did come with powder sugar topping or butter They're bacon is magical! It's cooked to perfection I will come again Plates are around 8-11$
(5)Fashionfacegirl ..
I LOVE coming here. This is my "To Go" spot when visiting. Been here many times. It's Perfect for a cute brunch date. The food portions are HUGE. The Service is great. Prices are decent. Everyone is nice. you actually leave with a smile and full belly.
(5)Evan L.
What a great little breakfast spot when in the area. For my first time here I had to try the pancakes my girlfriend and myself shared one regular pancake and one chocolate chip pancake with a half order of potatoes on the side which weren't anything see special but the homemade salsa with the potatoes was very good. The pancakes were so filling and we couldn't even finish them.
(4)Sarah A.
We frequent this place throughout the year-sometimes twice a month and I have never been disappointed with the service or quality of food. I love that their breakfast always comes out hot, and consistently tastes good. The servers are all friendly and I look forward to seeing them when we visit. Their ranch fries are a personal favorite of mine along with their bacon, but my BF loves the cheddar and bacon omelette.
(5)Amy T.
This place is small but it's nice and cozy looking. The host and waitress was very nice and helpful. It's cash only so come prepared!! The portions were great, tables were cute and your coffee will never be out. I would recommend anyone here.
(5)Will L.
I would say 4.5 stars for a great breakfast/brunch place. The thing to get are the man hole cover sized pancakes. My kids devoured the chocolate chip pancake. One may be enough for 3 adults. The other breakfast plates and sandwiches are great as well. The ambience is very cozy and quaint in lovely Encinitas. Lots of sports people come through as it is run by the son of the former football coach at Torrey Pines HS. Cash only so be prepared.
(4)Rachel S.
First of all, potato shack is adorable and that's what drew my boyfriend and I in a week ago. We had actually noticed it from across the street when we were at the Encinitas fish shop for the first time and I said, "that place looks cute lets go there some time." We actually didn't go to Encinitas this time around with the intention of eating here specifically but we drove past it, saw the crowds outside, and decided it was a winner. There's a small parking lot out the back, the rest is street parking. We arrived about 30 minutes before close (2:30pm) and had no trouble getting a good spot but I imagine it can get pretty full earlier in the morning. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, we chose indoor. It's a seat yourself kind of place. It's extremely cluttered. I do love the coziness of the cluttered look but it was a little overwhelming for w first timer. The man that told us to sit anywhere kinda threw me off as he had on jeans and a tshirt and a baseball cap, literally not one thing that even hinted at the fact that he's staff but he seemed to be doing paperwork at the front the whole time so im thinking he's maybe the owner. The menu is precious, I couldn't get enough of the hand drawn art on the front. Huge selection of breakfast and lunch options which was great for me because I'm not much of a breakfast person. They have "manhole" pancakes which are seriously the size of a manhole cover....I held off this time but next time I must try them. I wish they served bloody Mary's or mimosas, but they have no alcohol ::((( our server was eh. And older thin blonde lady that seemed to not have the patience to give us "more time" because her second time coming back around took almost 20 minutes. Long story short, I ordered the club sandwich and my boyfriend ordered the BLTA, he got regular fries and I got the potatoes (which are so so good by the way especially with their salsa). Both of our sandwiches were okay I guess, mine wasn't very fresh. They were both HUGE, we both ended up taking home the 2nd half. W The potatoes were the real winner. I could've eaten a plate of potatoes and probably ended up writing a better review off that. I'm sure we will be back. Seriously I want to try the manhole pancakes so bad and get some more spuds :) the menu was pretty overpriced in my opinion so this couldn't be the "usual" breakfast spot but definitely not a place to forget when in Encinitas.
(3)Kevin H.
Amazing breakfast place, even more perfect if you are a big eater, as proportions are large on everything, but fairly priced...Breakfast on the patio, shadowed by trees makes the whole thing a good experience...really there is nothing bad to say about this place...enjoy
(4)Andrea L.
I have no idea where all the high reviews are coming from. This place is fine. Orange juice was watered down tasting. I thought for sure I'd be getting some "out of this world" home fries with my eggs. This is the Potato shack, right?!?!? Nope. Sorry. You're getting plain ole potatoes that are regular. I only write this review because I am constantly hearing how great this place is!! Drives me crazy. It's fine. Manhole pancakes are pretty cool. I'll end it on that
(3)Joseph Y.
A friend of mine overheard my love for pancakes and offered me a tip on this place. Potato Shack off highway 101 in Encinitas is most likely more known for their massive pancakes than their selection of potatoes and fries. My friend and I came here early one morning on a Monday, to find the place completely empty, this place most likely fills up on the weekend more than anything. This is a cash only establishment, so bring cash or pay their huge ATM fees inside. My friend and I sat down in the middle of the restaurant, and they had their fans on even though it was rather cold outside in the morning, not very good to need a jacket to eat breakfast inside. I started off with some house coffee, which to me tasted kinda watered down. The coffee here reminded me of typical diner-style coffee, watered down and not very fresh. I ended up ordering the Specialty C breakfast for 9 bucks and some change. The chocolate chips cost an extra $1.25 to add to the pancakes. The meal ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) consisited of a pancake, two scrambled eggs and some bacon. This was a typical breakfast you'd see at any restaurant except the pancake was literally huge. For size ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) this is the reason they refer to them as manhole pancakes. For me the pancake was awesome, it was cooked perfectly and nice and fluffy. The chocolate chip ratio was great, it wasn't overly sweetened. I cannot say the same for their eggs and bacon. The eggs looked odd to me, almost like they were cooked a bit ago and warmed up. Upon tasting them, they tasted the way they looked. The bacon was overcooked and way too crunchy to my liking. My friend ordered a create your own omelette with seasoned fries ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) on the side. She literally described it as the worst omelette she's ever tasted. She showed me the veggies, they were most likely frozen or canned veggies, they didn't look fresh at all. The fries were very bland for being called "seasoned" fries. The only thing she seemed to care for was their house salsa ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pota… ) which was quite good. Potato Shack wasn't a hit for my friend and I. The pancakes are quite good, definitely a very large portion, I doubt many can finish one pancake. The salsa was great and tasted delicious. The unfortunate thing is they can't seem to cook eggs or bacon right, and the coffee was pretty bad. I'm giving three stars simply because their pancakes were pretty good, I'd have given two though, my friend really hated her omelette.
(3)Bennie B.
Cash only. Above average breakfast place. Better then average for north county. But nothing like your hillcrest resturants
(3)George F.
Always really good. It can be crowded on the weekends but it's worth the wait. The biggest pancake that I have ever had. Staff is friendly. The best location. Everybody is chill. This is a cash only place. They have a ATM inside.
(5)Joann T.
Best biscuits and gravy in the world! Better yet, put the sausage gravy on the American Fries - so yummy! Fast and friendly service and delicious to boot. It's definitely worth a visit to the ATM before heading down there to foot the cash only check.
(5)Zoey O.
Driving 40 minutes to eat here definitely says something! I have been here quite a few times and always enjoy the pancakes! The pancakes are massive and you can get plain, banana, chocolate chip, cinnamon, or even a little bit of everything in one pancake! I crave the pancakes all the time and will definitely be back for more!
(5)Joel B.
We just shared a turkey club sandwich. It contained a sizable portion of moist, tasty, fresh (not processed) turkey, with avocado, tomato, lettuce, a dash of mayo, and some of the thickest, crispest bacon around. Half was plenty for me; I even brought some home. Served with curly fries (extra crispy) for $1 extra (over the regular fries). A scrumptious lunch at a reasonable price.
(5)Mathew F.
Always great little joint for fast and good food
(3)Linda L.
This restaurant has some pros and cons. The portions are huge. My kids loved their pancakes and oatmeal. My husband liked his omelet fine. I ordered Huevos Rancheros. Please, whatever you do, don't order this menu item. Totally inedible. They used a canned sauce that reminded me of spaghetti'os or chef boyardee. It was a shame because their salsa tastes homemade and is actually really good. So I was disappointed. But the rest of my group was happy, so the place isn't all bad. Just not a hit for me.
(2)Andrea W.
Cute family owned breakfast/brunch place. It's clearly VERY popular, so expect a wait or get there early! CASH ONLY as well! (They have an ATM, just in case). Huuuuuuge pancakes that are awesome and fluffy. Definitely worth getting and sharing. I got the pancakes (blueberry) and my husband got the Combo B breakfast, which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, and toast. We were stuffed afterwards. They also have a pretty down to earth atmosphere, with some cute Mr. Potatohead decor. Service is pretty good. Their lunch food seems good too, will be back to try that also.
(4)Matthew B.
I had the Denver Omlette, red skin potatoes, biscuits and gravy. The taste of each was very good. Although the biscuits and gravy don't seem to be homemade, the taste is good. I've eaten breakfast at other higher rated restaurants in Encinitas, however, this one has the best food that I have had so far.
(4)Elise H.
Great spot for breakfast. Consistent in quality of food. Not the fanciest or greatest food you'll ever have, but always good. Pancakes are huge - easy to share between 2 adults. We love the apple cinnamon. Never have a problem getting a table on a Saturday morning - lots of seating both inside and out. Service is quick. Cash only. They do have an ATM on site.
(4)Joseph F.
The positives: the breakfast was incredible. If you want to eat the biggest pancakes you've ever seen, then this is the place. Also, the omelets and cinnamon rolls hit the spot. The menu basically has a large variety of dishes that will make your mouth water. The negatives: the service is slow, the place is small (not a lot of places to sit), and they only accept cash.
(4)Ashleigh E.
My mom and I were walking by and decided to stop by for a quick lunch. I haven't been here in years! I went with the Turkey Avocado sandwich and it was enormous! A little pricey, but the portion makes up for it. Generous helping of fresh roasted turkey and tons of avo. My mom got the Veggie Sandwich on wheat with sweet potato fries. She absolutely loved it, especially the fries, and was completely stuffed. We had no idea it was cash only, which is really annoying because I only had $5 on me. Hate wasting money on ATM fees!
(4)Rhondi S.
They are remodeling next door, unfortunately, this restaurant is losing half of its square footage! They are now smaller with longer wait time for a table. But, the food is still good and the service is still the same. Great variety of breakfast and lunch options, huge portions, so share.
(3)David B.
So I went to the Potatoe Shack earlier this week on the advice of a friend. I ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs and I got the HUGE pancake. It is ALOT of food for one person, so if you get the pancake, it is more suited for 2 or more people. The chicken fried steak was good and I liked the gravy. The coffee was good. The waiter was okay, it didn't seem very busy but he would say something like this, "Let me put this order in and I will get you more coffee." Honestly, all he had to say is I will grab some in a minute. So I go to pay and the owner (I think he was the owner) says we only take cash but will accept a check. He directed me to an ATM machine. So first of all, who carries CHECKS anymore??? And secondly, I got charged $2.05 for the withdrawal and then another $1.50 from my bank. I don't know about you guys but I really hate being charged to withdraw my OWN money. So to the owner, get with the times and either accept credit/debit cards or get the Apple Square thing to accept cards. The place would of been a 5 but only a three star review for being charged to take out my own money......
(3)Jess B.
My husband and I have a tradition of often bringing our daughter here for Sunday breakfast. The food is great and the employees are very friendly. The owner often comes over and talks to us as well as other customers. Had to take off one star for the cash only policy, we don't usually carry cash anymore so it would be nice to start accepting credit. Otherwise, we love it.
(4)Karina G.
Food was delicious . Service was good, they did bring the check a bit early. Owners are extremely friendly. A little dinner with a hometown feel. Would want to try their baked potatoes.
(5)Cesar S.
Great food , great service . However, they don't take cards , all cash . ( they pay less taxes) Very expensive $11.50 for 3 eggs omelette . I will go back , but not as often , I would like to. I pay a lot taxes .why they should pay less
(3)Travis 'Helm' P.
Been coming here since they opened. Always quality food! One of my secret spots :) The potatoes are the bomb of course but you gotta try the banana manhole pancake and add granola, you won't be disappointed
(5)Christian G.
The Potato Shack has been my go to cafe/diner for post surf breakfast since high school. It really gives you the at home feel that a lot of places are missing now a days. The food is good! The serving size is decent and the price is just right in my opinion. They make pretty decent pancakes that will fill you up for sure. I recommend trying one of their amazing omelettes and then sharing a pancake with the rest of your party. Yea they are cash only, so either come prepared or just use the in house ATM they have available. Their homemade salsa is the bomb!!! And so are the biscuits and gravy. Really it's called the potato shack but the potatoes are probably my least favorite part of it. They are still good none the less but it is pretty hard to mess up a potato in my opinion. Visit this place and experience the wonderful atmosphere and dining experience it offers. It really is fantastic.
(4)Diana H.
It's good, it's casual, you can go there in a bathing suit. This is a place you go because you're hungry, not because it's nice and the food is awesome. The pancakes are insanely huge and come with the log cabin bottle of fake syrup. Fine dining? Not so much. But friendly and, like I said, casual, and prices not through the roof. We had to laugh when my son asked something about the cinnamon rolls (I think it was, "how big are they?"). The answer? "They're from Costco". Um, even though half the places in town just relabel their Costco food, please don't tell us that's what we're paying $4 for! Yay for the Mr. Potato Head collection for the kids! Cinnamon roll = 2 thumbs up Chocolate chip pancake = 2 thumbs up Biscuits and sausage gravy = 2 thumbs up Service can be slow, but they're nice. It can get crowded on the weekends (and if it didn't would you want to go there?).
(3)Justin S.
Greasy, huge portions, cheap. Good. Someone mentioned this was a hangover hamlet. Absolutely. I recommend three things on the menu: The Turkado sandwich (turkey and avocado on thick sourdough with grated cheese, lettuce and tomato), breakfast burrito (giant potato and egg thing with your choice of meat) and make your own omelette (there's like 15 things you can add to it.) We've been coming here for a few years, so we love it. For N00bs, the tables and utensils are greasy. Although the water glasses don't ever smell like eggs, which is nice. The coffee is a little weak. Service can be inconsistent (depends on who you get). And the potatoes suck. But the portions are enormous, everything is made on an epic scale, bread is sliced an inch thick, huge amounts of potatoes, meat, and gravy. And everything tastes good. Bathrooms are clean. And it's a family place (You love football? Local High SCHOOL FOOTBALL! AHH YEAH!!). So, yeah. Go.
(4)Alissa G.
I tried this place for lunch after a long beach walk so I was totally starved - which may cloud my judgement a bit. Anyway, I ordered the veggie sandwich on wheat with homefries. It was huge and really delicious. And it was HUGE. It came with perfectly ripe avocado, fresh mushrooms and sprouts, plus cheese of your choice. It was tastey and I ate every bite. The servers were both super friendly, which is also a big plus for me. My iced tea was never empty for very long and no one gave me a hard time about sitting and reading my book for 30 minutes or so after I was done. I would love to go back and try their breakfast, which is served all day.
(4)Dwain D.
The pancakes are massive! Good value, good food. I'd recommend the Tater Shack to a friend.
(4)Miss Maggie C.
First thought when sitting down was, whoever designed the menu is awesome. It looks like a colorful page out of an intricate comic book. We ordered the breakfast C (2 eggs, bacon or sausage, 1 pancake) and the huevos rancheros (2 eggs, cheese, sour cream, avocado, green pepper, potatoes, corn tortilla and a flour tortilla). The meals came out and we discovered why the breakfast C only comes with 1 pancake... because the pancake is bigger than your head! Seriously the biggest pancake I've ever seen. Huevos Rancheros was dripping with cheesy goodness, just the way I like 'em. Huge portion. Also, the potatoes are all you can eat. The breakfast C was good too! Fluffy pancakes. And with me loving potatoes, esp all you can eat potatoes, I will definitely be going back.
(4)Wendy R.
Great potatoes! HUGE pancakes!
(4)Kristina G.
cant really go wrong with breakfast right? i've been here a few times already and breakfast is yum-o! they give GENEROUS portions! especially their manhole pancakes. they are not messing around! so if you LOVE pancakes, this is the place for you! they have combos that come with eggs, bacon or sausage, oh and cubed hash potatoes. i like it here, they were very nice to us and the service was good. they serve lunch too, but i have not tried it, so i cant comment on that menu. a few tips: cash only and parking maybe hard b/c its all pretty much street parking.
(4)G J J.
AWESOME selection of potato dishes. A really great place in town. You can sit inside or out...and for those who don't like potatoes (people like that exist, I guess...) there are pancakes and other options depending on the meal you go to the Shack for. Highly recommended place!
(5)Noah M.
Love the manhole sized pancakes! Great relaxing atmosphere, although the place gets pretty crowded on the weekends (as do most breakfast places) Beats Dennys and Ihop by far !
(4)Jen T.
No thank you. I had heard this place was good, so I decided to try it out. Yes, they have a selection of potatoes, but they werent good. The potatoes were cold. And hard....and not seasoned....and way too big..it was a waste. I also had the manhole pancakes...umm not good. It was big, but I prefer a light fluffy pancake and this wasnt it. Bigger is not better... Overall a mediocre meal. I am not going back as there are too many good breakfast spots. And its cash only....
(2)GAIL W.
Not a fan of anything but the salsa. Why do people flock to this place like a filling station? Because thats all it is. Enough said.
(2)Jill H.
I always sit outside when I eat here, and bring my dog. I love that it's dog friendly, and the food is awesome! The prices are reasonable. I love having breakfast here!
(5)Devon B.
Yes the food is greasy, the portions huge, the kitchen dirty (avert your eyes as you walk toward the restroom), but I have to say, the food was pretty darn good. My husband ordered the great diplomat sandwich and I had a cheddar, ham and avocado omelet. The eggs were fluffy, the cheese melty and plentiful and they weren't stingy with the avocado either. I didn't really like the house potatoes, but I did have several of the fries that came with the sandwich. Ranch seasoning in fries...brilliant! Plus, they arrived super hot and had a crispy outside and soft inside. Perfect. The server was great too, very courteous and quick. I'm just glad that we parked quite a ways down the street, because we definitely needed to walk it off afterwards.
(3)Susan Y.
Meh, the food was decent, but nothing to write home about. The pancakes were HUGE and while it was amusing to get such huge manhole sized pancakes, it didn't necessarily hit the spot for me. I really enjoy their wood tables though. :)
(3)Greg L.
I agree with Marc. What's so special here? I ordered a breakfast with 5 items and everything was a different shade of brown. And I'm down with brown! It was just the lack of flavor that offended me.
(2)Amy W.
It's better to go here earlier in the morning to miss the crowd. The breakfast isn't bad, the manhole sized pancakes are fun, the potatoes are okay, and the service is questionable. The waitress told me I didn't need hot sauce since I already had salsa, which was somewhat off putting. It's in a nice location along the coast highway, and pleasant before it gets too busy. It was fun to check out mostly to witness the size of the pancakes in person, but I'd rather head to nearby Pipes or Naked Cafe.
(3)Marc S.
Gotta be honest here, I just don't get it. I don't think I've ever had greasier food. The potatoes, the bacon, the toast, I would swear even the coffee (it must have been the residue from everything else). I'm sure that people that grew up with it love it, and it did come well recommended, but I'm missing the allure.
(2)Ron S.
We love this place, whenever we have a new visitor to San Diego, PS is on our list of destinations. The pancakes are HUGE and yummy. Service is great, fast and hot! Check it Out!
(4)s c.
I've eaten here a number of times, mainly with out of town quests. Each time I do, I wonder why I've taken the time to stop here again other than for convenience. The food is mediocre at best - greasy and uninspired and expensive. As mentioned, it is cash only, which can be a hassle. If you want to fill your belly with low quality food only, try his place. If you want to enjoy your breakfast, keep looking!. As Bill the Cat once commented "ACK! ACK!" That aptly describes the dining experience at the Potato Shack.
(2)Vicky L.
wow... talk about HUGE pancakes! The blueberry pancake is loaded with plump juicy blueberries, potato variations and toppings are out of this world. Don't forget to go to the atm first! No credit cards are accepted.
(5)E T.
My Fiancee and I had always wanted to have breakfast here but every time we were in the area it was too late. Well we finally made it and the wait was 30-40 minutes as the place was packed. We were seated outside which was great since it was nice outside. It took a while for the wait staff to come by and give us water and take our coffee order, as mentioned it was very busy but this theme carried on during our whole meal. The food was not bad. It was what one would expect for breakfast. We ordered the famous pancake and it was a little bit grainy and my fiancee didn't eat much of it but he finished his meal just fine. Overall the food was okay but nothing to write home about. The waitstaff was a little slow. They only accepted cash so you had to withdraw money from an ATM they had inside. Street parking was a horrible. Would I go back? Maybe but I wouldn't seek it out. There are to many really good breakfast places in San Diego.
(2)Julie G.
I don't like this place as the pancakes are plate-size and not good. I'm used to better. The place is old and it stinks. You can sit outside on the sidewalk which makes the experience better. I'm all for the greasy spoon pancake house but it has to taste good if I'm going to go there. There is a great pancake house inland on Manchester and Encinitas Blvd. It's called Original Pancake House and it's worth the extra miles.
(3)Brooke R.
Fun place if you're looking for some artery-clogging goodness. They have breakfast on the menu, plus sandwiches, burgers, and 4 salads. I had a patty melt on sourdough and onion rings. Both were amazing. The bread was thick and buttered just right and the onion rings squeezed juice when I bit into them. Greasy greasy.
(2)Shane K.
Great food for hearty breakfast lovers. This place will always leave you satisfied and full. They have pretty much everything you could want for breakfast. Their pancakes, omlettes and potatoes are awesome. Even the coffee is good here. They lost a star because it can be a little greasy sometimes and they are only open until the early afternoon. (side note) Why do people take away stars and complain about a place being too busy??? I have never understood that. Yeah I know it sucks waiting for a table, but its hardly the fault of the restaurant. You shouldn't fault the restaurant for being POPULAR and delicious. Its your fault for going at the rush hour or not bringing someone to talk to during the wait. Believe me when I say that the restaurant would seat everyone if they had the room.
(4)Ryan V.
Have you ever been stuck in the following situation: "Give me of your tots." - "No, go find your own!" Well - Potato Shack to your rescue! If you dig potatoes, you'll dig The Shack. You might find their Manhole Pancakes a challenging flapjack to consume any time of the day ... Of course, if you're not into that whole warm delicious scrumptious savory delightful potato thing, then I've got two words for you - "Biscuits" & "Gravy" ... OMG! Holy Crap! Jeezus! ... I gotta go, I'm hungry!!!
(5)Sean T.
Great weekend breakfast joint. Get there early because all the locals know the place and go on the weekend. Very kid friendly...they provide Mr. Potato heads for the kids to play with if they want them. If you do not mind noisy and lots of drunk midgets running around (kids) you have to do it. Pancakes the size of manhole covers, biscuts and gravy kick butt. Anything you order here is going to be good. It is where all the locals go on the weekend.
(4)Katy R.
Huge portions here! Also have an extensive french fry menu. If you go, please go on an empty stomach for their b-fast. You will be seated right away, even though there is a crowd, but service was fast and friendly.
(4)Erica F.
This is a litlle local spot that is close to the beach. There food is like some good home cooking, nothing to fancy scmancy. Their helpings are always way more than I can eat too. I havent always had the fastest service when I was there but the waitress' were always friendly. I would give it a 4 star if the service was a little quicker.
(3)KURT M.
this place is worth a try. it's popular, so you can generally expect a wait. Good standard breakfast food, but you will simply amazed by the size of the pancakes...."manhole cover"
(4)Rob J.
Skip this unless you're just starving, and happen to have a pocket full of cash. I'm not sure if someone thinks it's somehow retro not to accept credit cards, but my pot dealer accepts credit cards. Give me a break. So beyond that the service is truly poor, I don't have the highest standard but why make me feel like I've bothered you by sitting down for breakfast? And it seems like such an inconvenience when I ask you, for the third time, to please refill the coffee. At a breakfast place? The food is barely passable, giving me a big pile of it doesn't make it taste any better.
(2)Christine C.
All good things come to those who wait. And on a Sunday in Encintas there is usually a long wait to eat at the potato shack. The restaurant is itsy bitsy, but it serves hearty classic American breakfasts that keep the crowds coming back for more. Potato Shack is a classic breakfast place. You can't go wrong with their eggs, toast bacon and yum-yum potatoes and almost every meal is under 7 bucks. Sweet. The affordable prices make it a great family joint. I recommend sitting on the outside patio to take in the Encinitas fresh air, plus the interior of the restaurant gets a little cramped, but the place is popular for a reason and it deserves all the patronage it can get.
(4)Shyama K.
I liked this cozy place until I got stuck in the same crappy, dirty corner table a few times. It was so scuzzy I barely wanted to eat my food. Unfortunately, the service is so slow, that you have time to notice how filthy the place is. There was also an old dirty sugar packet in my cola, and they barely flinched when I showed it to them. They didn't even take it off the bill. Oy! The food is avg greasy breaskfast stuff. The coffee sucks! This place is way over-rated if you ask me.
(2)Dave D.
Worse service and food in North County. Go to McDonald's, way better.
(1)Robert D.
Really 3 1/2 stars. Good breakfast. Considering the name, it's interesting that the only thing I usually leave on my plate is the potatoes. The salsa is very good and the basic breakfast is very good, but not as good as Honey's or Pipe's -- which are both very close. You can sit outside here, which is the only choice for me. The food always comes out very quick and the wait staff is polite, professional and long term, which is a combo I don't usually see. Unlike both Honey's and Pipe's, the outside seating is less noisy since it's on a sidestreet which is nice. I'm not an omelet man, but my friend always gets an omelet here and it really is good. She always gets the one with spinich and feta cheese, and it's really damn good. Like I said, 3 1/2 stars. It'd be 4 if they would have espresso instead of just crap coffee so I wouldn't have to walk down to Java Hut for my latte first.
(3)Janna S.
The waitress was rude. So rude in fact that we ended up leaving. At the time we went there it was a cash only joint. I'm not sure if it still is but just a warning. Outdoor seating was uncomfortable and on a slight hill so you were leaning during your meal, not somewhere I would recommend or go again.
(1)Brian G.
Like the shack needs another review. Oh well, what can I say...the place rocks. Huge portions. Awesomely friendly staff. Fast service, and terrific food. I've been going to the Potato Shack for 10 years and I'm never disappointed. I'm definitely a bigger fan of the breakfast menu, rather than the lunch menu though. Here's a tip from a veteran... Park at least 4 blocks away, and plan to take the long way back to your car. You'll thank me later.
(4)Jennifer J.
OMG - I love these pancakes!! They're huge, seriously! The service was fast and the people were nice. I like my bacon crispy and often, when I order it...I end up with limp fatty pieces. Not here, they did the bacon perfectly! It's a good location, just off the main drag so you can wander around the shops afterward to walk off your breakfast. FYI - cash only...they do have an ATM inside though if you need it.
(5)Wendy L.
Wanted to give 3 1/2 stars. Fast service, huge portions but I felt the food was only OK. Tried an omelette one day with feta and tomatoes and the breakfast burrito the next. Both were average. What really disappointed me were the home fries. Tried the fried ones one day and the traditional the next. I thought both ways lacked flavor and wanted them crispy.
(4)Morgan H.
Oh so good, but why must you close at 2 pm????
(4)christopher m.
awesome bisquits and sausage gravy walk in get a full order to go drive to moonlight beach to eat while watching waves
(5)Elisabeth M.
I love this place. The pancakes aren't that great, but I love love love their omlettes and the turkado. Oh, and to all of you who say their potatos are bland, it is because you are not adding the right toppings... yes, I have had my potatos with jalapenos, broccolli & cheese, and yes it was amazing.
(5)Christy G.
Overall I like Potato Shack. If you are looking for some no-frills greasy breakfast food with no-frills service this is the place to be. Positives: Laid-back vibe; very beachy and hippy 'Encinitas.' Price - large portions for cheap! Outdoor seating. Very quick turnaround time for food - if you're in a rush and want to eat fast and can get into a table quick, you will be in and out and 25 min. Dog-friendly. Food Recommendations: The pancakes are huge and fall off the plate which makes syrup-ing them a bit tricky, but they are still pretty decent. I always go for the make-your-own omelette (omelette with American cheese, mushrooms, onions, ham) - I do have the palate of a six year old. I like to swap out the potatoes for curly fries. I remember their onion rings being really good, too. Negatives: Cash-only establishment; they do have an ATM there that charges a hefty withdrawal fee, but cash-only just adds to the hassle. The tall young guy (the son of the owner?) who walks around and helps with seating is a complete jerk. We have had a negative run-in with him on more than one occasion. For example, we (my husband and I) got yelled at for trying to sit down at a 4-seater table because there were no more 2-seaters left. He is just such a prick - if you go you can't miss him; tall with dark hair, sunglasses, long shorts, and flip flops. The ambiance leaves much to be desired. The tables are awkward (old lacquered cut wood - tree trunk - pieces with random edges that can make eating uncomfortable and awkward) and seating is cramped anyway. If you're able, get a booth. The carpet is dirty and dingy and you can tell they haven't done a thing to the decor is 30 years. In fact, you'll find splashes of syrup or coffee or food on the wall or wall-hangings; no one bothers to wipe it up...EVER. You can tell the place is run by a couple of gents who don't care about those kinds of 'details.' The bathrooms are also really gross and I remember them always smelling of urine and fairly unclean. Parking can be a hassle, especially if you go during the height of breakfast. It's all street-parking but even during the busy times it hasn't taken us longer than 10 min. to find a spot. Service is quick but the waitresses are not friendly - it seems that their focus is to get people in and get people out, which is fine because usually we go here if we want to have a quick meal and don't want any chit-chat. They do all seem unhappy, though - we went there for about 3 years and the waitresses seemed to not change at all. Yes, there are seemingly a lot of negatives to this place, but if you are okay with a no-frills home-style traditional breakfast for a little bit of cash, this is a good place to go (good hangover food, too!).
(3)Josh S.
Always on point with great food, huge servings and friendly faces. My favorites are the California chicken sandwich and of course breakfast POTATOES! This is a family owned place and has been around for years. It's a staple of the Encinitas breakfast menu. There is usually a wait on the weekend, but it's worth it. FYI: The tables outside are the best and bring cash!
(4)Jen K.
This is our girls favorite place... It is always good... Nothing fancy, but really good cafe style food. The staff is really nice, too.
(4)marion j.
after reading the reviews on this website, i decided to try this place but it was just average for me. i prefer a small fluffy tasty tender pancake instead of a big huge gargantuan tough pancake. The tables are crowded closely together inside and they are irregularly shaped like trees which can be awkard for dining. Maybe I visited on a bad day so I think I will give this place another shot and place a TO GO order for something different next time I am in the neighborhood.
(2)REBECCA C.
Brought my friend from out of town here to satisfy her breakfast hunger. My last experience was very satisfactory, however this visit took off a couple of stars. We chose our table on the patio, and received swift service. Ordered some orange spice tea.. nothing special. Seemed like a Lipton imitation. We split the vegetarian omelet. Still generous portions, but there was no flavor. OK quantity of veggies, but barely any cheese and no seasonings. The side of potatoes were so bland we had to douse it with salt, pepper, and ketsup. Maybe they changed their style of cooking to cater to people with high blood pressure or lack of taste buds? Definately won't order an omelet here if I ever return. In my opinion, skip the Potato Shack and head over to Honey's or the Broken Yolk. Yes, they're way more crowded and loud (during the rush hours) but their quality of food far surpasses Potato Shack.
(2)Deb L.
This place is awesome for breakfast! I ordered their Special C, which came with eggs (I had scrambled), a sausage patty, 2 slices of bacon, thick slices of wheat toast, and their famous potatoes. Wayyy too much food at a very good price! My friend ordered a pancake with chocolate chips and banana and it was HUGE! The three of us shared one and we still couldn't finish it. It's like the size of a small pizza. The wheat toast is the best I've ever had - thick and soft, not the typical thin and dry wheat slices most breakfast places serve.
(4)kim n.
i'm a fan of good breakfasts served to me in nice big portions. i always have leftovers when i come here, and i always leave satisfied. it's a pretty standard breakfast, don't expect to be blown away, but do expect a full belly. the manhole pancakes are good, but again are standard.
(3)Shelly V.
You'll wait a while on the weekend to be seated in this hole-in-the-wall Solana Beach breakfast joint but it's well worth the wait. They are famous for pancakes the size of man-hole covers (this is not a joke) but if you are not a pancake lover they have excellent create your own omelets my personal favorite is spinach, mushroom & avocado. All breakfasts come with what they call American fries which is a diced red potato hash for a buck you can add all sorts of toppings to make your potatoes special. They also serve lunch. Eat here then head down to the beach to walk it off.
(5)John B.
If restaurants and breakfast joints were placed on a spectrum with banal, impersonal, sterile chain restaurants with signs visible from the highway on one end and the unique, local, community-embraced gem on the other, Potato Shack would be teetering off the latter edge. The character of the place has clearly evolved slowly over time like a comfy pair of sandals slowly conforming to the sole of your foot. Tucked away a block off the 101, the wait staff is invariably friendly, attentive and prompt with a refill if you need one. Booths, tables and outdoor seating suit any mood and the portions can easily be two full meals for even the heftiest North County Native (which, by national standards, isn't that hefty at all). If you are passing through and only have time for one meal, get a manhole-sized pancake. I prefer bananas in mine, but there's plenty else to put in there. Like potatoes. Go figure.
(4)Mark D.
This would be one of the main reasons that I miss living in San Diego. Saturday mornings at Potato Shack. Be prepared for a wait, they have coffee outside to make sure you don't pass out on the sidewalk. Omelets and pancakes are huge, and I never forget to get the potato pancakes...
(5)Rachel R.
Situated in what I think is quintessential San Diego, the Potato Shack lives up to its name. From "man hole sized" pancakes to heaps of potatoes done to perfection, this place keeps it simple and good making for a lasting impression. Very inexpensive considering its high real estate location, just remember to bring cash...this place says no to credit cards. Simple egg breakfast with 2 thick slices of toast, ample potatoes runs you just under $4. Lovely outdoor seating off of Encinitas main drag, just in case you want to have a meal with your pooch.
(4)jodes l.
Pancakes the size of manholes! Boy oh boy!
(5)Amy L.
Obviously, the potatoes are great here. My personal favorite is the latkes w/ salsa (you can choose applesauce, salsa, or sour cream). Also if you like pancakes, they have "man-hole" pancakes-- a huge pancake that is almost the size of a man hole. you can get it covered with whipped cream!
(3)Michael S.
One of my favourite breakfast spots. The potatoes are yummy with bell pepper, onion and mushrooms. Their salsa is good too. Yippie!
(4)Erica M.
The food is good and the location is quaint. The pancakes and omelets are really popular but I usually go for the basic egg breakfast. They are sometimes crowded but they do have outside seating that is nice on a sunny day. The waitresses have been there for a long time and are friendly and bring the food out quick. They don't accept credit or debit cards so be prepared.
(4)Alli K.
go to place for a classic breakfast! Portions are huge, staff is friendly, CASH ONLY! If you're craving bacon, eggs and pancakes, this is your place. Omelets are also good!
(4)Liz E.
I've been going here for some years now, usually for breakfast on some weekends. I've had a good experience all the time with an occasional flag down for beverage refill. Otherwise, they're attentive and have great service. I think we probably just chug our drinks in the morning because we're incredibly thirsty. The food is very homely and consistently good. It's nothing fancy but I'm not looking for fancy breakfast. Just good, tasty food, good service, good atmosphere, and clean establishment. The food comes out fast, which is always a plus in my book. Their ingredients seem to be fresh as well. The staff are always friendly and warm, which makes it feel even more welcomed and relaxed. Cash only but the prices are decent and affordable so you shouldn't be spending more than $30 per two people for breakfast, which should be a lot for two. Dogs are permitted at the patio and I see families here all the time.
(5)Danny H.
Had the cheesy potatoes, great flavor no need to add salt/pepper. Also the manhole pancake, nice and moist. The star, for me, was the salsa. Likely the best salsa I've tasted in So. California in the 12 years I've lived here. Interior is a bit dated but if I were an Encinitas resident this would be a regular weekend breakfast spot.
(4)Nakita D.
How can you go wrong with a name like this??? Looking for a spot for Sunday brunch, I saw this place and figured I had to try it. Plus there were a lot of people sitting outside and also waiting to be seated, so I knew it must be somewhat good. The service was ok. I was seated outside on a bit of an incline so had to hold on to the table a few times to not fall back. The potatoes? Not so great. The "american fries" which comes out like diced/fried potatoes were so bland and yuck - like they had been boiled first maybe? Then I tried the hand cut fries - the grease they fry in REALLY needs to be changed. My friend had the curly fries but they were fried to a crisp. The breakfast burrito was so-so, which was shocking considering the location of this place. The salsa was good. I don't know....if you have a name like this you think your potato would be the best darn potato in the world, right? Well, it was disappointing. Street parking wasn't too bad. Price was ok. Portions were very large. The man-hole pancakes looked really like a small pizza. Also looked dry to me. And the one item that is raved about in reviews they don't carry anymore LOL.
(3)John M.
Great potatoes. The pancakes are huge, and they have some of the best bacon ever. Try the breads. You'll like them.
(4)Bill B.
Nice place, very casual. Outside seating is plentiful. The menu has good choices for breakfast, which is why I'm here. The service was good, plenty of coffee refills, and the food itself was well prepared and tasted great. Salsa for eggs without even having to ask! Coffee tasted good, not like dark water, a common trait of diners. Worth a visit.
(4)Robert S.
I woke up that morning and said, "Yes, today is the day I will start my diet" - 30 minutes later, I was eating at Potato Shack Cafe. Thanks to my low will power, I'm never going to lose weight. I obviously didn't care that this place was called the "Potato Shack". That should have been an immediate red flag of a carb and starch heavy menu (aka, good ass food) This place reminded me of a country cabin. Everything was made of wood and it was kind of old. The wait staff was friendly. I went with Combo C, which consisted of a pancake, 2 eggs and 2 strips of bacon. I didn't think that was enough food, so I added a half order of biscuits and gravy (portion control, that's the secret to losing weight fast). The food came out fairly quickly and I was surprise to see how big the pancake was. It was literally the size of a manhole cover. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of their pancakes. It was a little dry and lacking flavor. Eggs and Bacon were just okay. Luckily the server forgot my biscuits and gravy, so I didn't over indulge. One big minus is that this place is Cash Only. Lame. The food was kind of pricey already, so I was disappointed that I had to withdraw money from the ATM to pay the bill. A little about my credentials: I first got into cooking & food when I was in college. After being rejected by numerous girls and getting zero action, I decided it was time for a change. I needed a new makeover to boost my geeky, engineering image. I applied for a cooking position at a Mediterranean-Italian Restaurant near my home and learned to cook all sorts of pastas and dishes. I never became a professional chef, but I continue to enjoy & love food. 9 years later and 55 lbs heavier, I am now an engineer that travels all over the world trying new foods and learning about different cultures.
(3)Trish S.
They DON'T take cards. Beware. With a pal from Northern Cali and the Bf-we were first attempting to go elsewhere but that place didn't start brunch till 10:00....le sigh...but as any true Irish wench, I love me some taters. A place called the Potato Shack? Well, how could I refuse. Sub-bfast joint accepted. We walked in and a dude in a zip up fleece and baseball hat was by the door, it's cramped inside so we shuffled around thinking he was trying to get out. "You guys need a table?" he said super casually. He points to one nearby. "You can take that one." Wait? Does he work here? Did he just leave that table? We hesitate, then he starts talking to a server so we figure? Maybe he DOES work here? Sigh, maybe an actually hostess stand or no baseball hat or a shirt with a potato on it? Just sayin. Poor confused patrons, we sit at a weirdly shaped table. It's supposed to be like a natural wood stump shaped situation, or is it an oddly shaped potato table? Sigh again. Where ARE the potatoes in the shack hu? Our NorCal companion orders according to her dietary restrictions-no dairy, no gluten ( which is fairly easy at breakfast) and the server sighs and tries to figure out "how to charge her." So we don't exasperate our waitress further, the BF and I keep our orders basic and no substitutions. Food was just average, (good bacon tho and the service improved, thus three stars), the eggs were a'ight and cooked properly. Maybe we'll go again....they have pancakes the size of a frying pan that need to be tried.
(3)Stephanie H.
We decided to have lunch out and had the two dogs with us. They were welcome on the sidewalk café - the waitress even brought them water. My fiancé said it was the best patty melt she'd had in a very long time. Good food, good service, nice people all around. I'm going back with my daughter to order the enormous pancake because I want to see her reaction! We'll go often.
(4)Jennifer M.
Favorite "hole in the wall" spot! The food and service always makes you feel like your home!
(5)Mike A.
This rustic diner in a small beach community near San Diego reminds me of everything I miss about the States, particularly California, as far as dropping in for a good, quality, inexpensive meal goes. The Potato Shack has very good yet casual, unpretentious service, and their food is made with excellent ingredients. I was impressed with their breakfast options, finally settling on a BLT sandwich - the bacon was some of the most delicious I've ever had. And the avocado was just perfect in flavor and texture. Our waitress had the attitude that we could have our meal "How you want it." And when we asked to be moved inside as the shade covering our table cooled down one of our party, it was not a problem at all. All of our food and place settings were instantly moved inside to the comfortable dining room, and we continued our pleasant dining experience indoors.
(4)Myowncritic M.
Finally a place that knows how to cook an omelette...it is light and fluffy and perfect. I usually don't order omelettes because most places cook them way too long and they are all dried and crusty. Potato Shack cooks them PERFECT, light and fluffy with ingredients folded into the omelette. They also have the best bacon. One of my favorite places.
(5)Katherine W.
Everytime we visit SD, we make sure to visit the PSC. If you like pancakes, get ready to have the biggest pancake you have ever laid your eyes on! It is big enough seriously to feed at least 4 people. I like the chocolate chip pancake with a side of whipped cream. I ask for the kids pancake because I still end up leaving over 1/2 of it. You can also get american potatoes any style. I like to add bacon and melted cheese to my potatoes and they have never been anything short of delish. It is very casual, near the beach, and a great menu selection.
(5)Danielle O.
Everything on the menue is delicious!!
(5)Richard B.
The American fries (home fries made with red potatoes) were inferior: soggy, mushy, bland. This is one of their signature dishes, so shouldn't be the worse thing we ate. The other items were very serviceable, but nothing spectacular: eggs, burger patty, sourdough and rye toast, veggie burger, fresh cut french fries. Service was good. No credit or debit cards accepted; they have an onsite ATM.
(2)Michael S.
We did not have a good meal at the Potato Shack Cafe. We sat at a strange, oddly shaped table and it felt like my wife was a mile away. We asked if they had any real maple syrup - nope, only Log Cabin. The blueberries on my wife's French Toast were clearly from a can, which was a shame because we're in the middle of blueberry season and they are plentiful and crazy cheap this year. Her French Toast itself was on a strange choice of bread - it was really dense and tasted as if it had been brushed with egg rather than soaked in the egg mixture as it should have been. My Huevos Rancheros dish was a bit of a hot mess, and my kids' plain pancake was way too blonde and completely devoid of flavor. The prices were high for just a bunch of flour and water, and even the potatoes were disappointing. At least the bacon was good. This was my second visit, although the first was probably 7 or 8 years ago. Nothing appears to have changed during that time. The whole cash only thing, too, was also annoying. I don't want to be too harsh. The Potato Shack Cafe is fine for a big traditional old school breakfast, but expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
(2)Charlie L.
If you are ever in Encinitas then you must eat here. I had a great tuna melt and I will be returning for sure. Great food, great service. Can't wait till my next visit!
(4)Bill C.
Score one for the Yelp app. The original plan was to have breakfast in San Diego, but when I stopped for gas in Encinitas, I started playing with the phone and noticed a boatload of breakfast places. As you might expect, this is the only one named after a carbohydrate. So off I went to the Potato Shack, a friendly little place with tables inside and out, and a menu that has all the basic breakfast items. Except hash browns. The basic side order is fries. Fries?, yep that's what I thought too; so when I ordered my bacon and cheese omelet, I paid a buck more to upgrade to potato patties. When the meal came, I was disappointed in the patties, that is until I took the first bite. To be honest, they looked some pre-formed poured into a mold potato cake that might come from the "chefs" at ConAgra, but this was one of the rare occasions that I was wrong. These things were fresh, homemade and delicious. They tasted like a potato pancake. A well-seasoned one at that. And their were 3 of them. The toast was actually darned good too. They use a thick bakery bread, and offer a basket of condiments on each table. I don't think I ever saw peanut butter on a restaurant table before, but I actually had P B & J instead of regular old toast. I haven't even mentioned the omelet yet. My tastes were simple, well-done bacon and cheddar only, And I got what I asked for. Everything was either fluffy, crispy, or melty in the appropriate places. One last compliment for the rest rooms. The architect designed two single person rest rooms, which is what you would expect for a place this size, and each one has a locking door. Every other place I have ever been to marks one for the guys and one for the ladies. But Potato Shack is onto something here. You are (hopefully) going to lock the door behind you anyway, so both rest rooms are unisex. No one has to wait while the room for the opposite gender sits empty. Pure genius.
(5)Marc L.
Went to this restaurant today and got totally grossed out by the filth in this place. Forget about the food which was not good, this has to be the dirtiest restaurant in San Diego. From the carpet to the walls to the caked on dust on the light fixture hanging over the table I was so grossed out I lost my appetite. i tried to eat the eggs I order and found a small hard black piece of something the size of a pea, when i asked the waitress what it was she said " something off the grill" like it happens all the time. My girlfriend opened the the top of the tabasco sauce and the rim of the bottle was so gross she stopped eating as well. When I told her this place is disgusting she said there is no manager at the store and the owner is not there. She did however take my order off the check. The fact that this place is busy just shows how clueless the general public is on the health risk eating at this place represents. Eater's beware...YOU HAVE THE CHANCE OF GETTING VERY SICK EATING AT THIS PLACE!
(1)Robert G.
Terrible customer service today. Brought my dog(as i always have in the past) and was told the dog needs to sit in the parking lot area. I asked why. I was told that there could be no dogs on the sidewalk. So I asked why there was a dog on the other side of the sidewalk towards the street side. Waitress told me dogs can be there and there needs to be a 5 foot clearance per ADA. So I asked that if I move to the other side I could then have my dog on the sidewalk, and I was told yes. My question - why can't people just tell you the whole story upfront ? By me asking all the questions, you could tell it created an adversarial relationship that didn't need to happen.
(1)Lindsey N.
The Potato Shack was soo good! The potato patties had egg in it.. and it's a must have. Don't get your expectations up too high, it's like a hashbrown with egg in it. However, I think it's amazing. Their assortments of fries look DELISH and i will definitely be ordering myself one of those dishes next time.
(4)Richard P.
Really disappointed in the patty melt. Small hamburger patty and cheese on two giant pieces of bread with fries for $11. Sat outside. Annoying flies. Used to love this place but may be going down hill.
(2)Samantha R.
First timer for breakfast during my visit to Encinitas. Delicious omelette and american fries (hash browns). Awesome and friendly staff. ENORMOUS PANCAKES. Definitely a must to grab breakfast on your way out of town.
(5)Jennifer A.
2 people + 1 order of home fries w/ pepper jack and bacon + 2 manhole sized pancakes = 2 breakfasts + 2 large containers of leftovers. Should have know the quality of food would be overwhelming especially with the waitress questioning our orders and making sure we'd be able to store leftovers properly, but I couldn't resist the idea of having my own manhole sized pancake! And being a sweet/salty gal I needed the potatoes to contrast all that cake. Overall a good breakfast and a good deal! If it's a sunny day, I'd recommend sitting outside!
(3)Jeff H.
I was recently on a trip to San Diego and my Dad took me here for breakfast. Apparently he comes here quite a bit, but it was my first time. I ordered a single pancake with a side of bacon and an egg white. The pancake was HUGE. Like...big in the way you think of gods as big. I ate about a quarter of it, along with the bacon and egg, which were cooked quite well. The pancake was good, but not super spectacular. I wouldn't mind eating one again, but the Original Pancake House makes consistently better pancakes, in my humble opinion. The ambiance is homey and countrified, with lots of kitsch stuff. The seating area seems pretty ample, and there is outdoor seating to enjoy the obviously fabulous Southern California weather. Something to note: They do not accept credit cards, but do provide an ATM machine in the lobby. Which has a charge to use, of course.
(3)Christy S.
We have been going to this place for many years, and have to say that the quality of freshness never changes. They have the best potato dishes, American fries and French fries along with huge sandwiches and pancakes. We like to go any time we are in the area. Its highly recommended if you are craving a huge, fresh breakfast or lunch.
(4)Shy A.
Yuck. Potatoes were greasy, not crispy. Decent sausage and gravy but the sausage chunks were like little squares...a bit unusual...The booths are tiny! I'm a little girl but it sucked for my friend that is 6'5". He definitely was uncomfortable his entire meal. The service was just ok, the lady seemed a bit put off when he mentioned how teeny tiny the booths were. Possibly, she's heard it one too many times. Lol. I expected it to feel warm and cozy and the service to give me the warm fuzzies since it seemed like a cool family owned local place but I was just left with a blah experience. It's cash only, so if you do decide to eat here, bring some or you'll have to use their atm.
(2)Mike C.
Manhole cover-sized pancakes and conventional breakfast menu fare make this a great place for a relaxing and delicious breakfast. We love to linger over our coffee and watch the aged bikers on their expensive titanium and carbon fiber bikes pretend to each other that they're just taking a short break.
(5)victor b.
Only 2 types of breakfast potatoes. What? No credit cards accepted. What? Food..so-so.
(3)Sharon V.
Yesterday afternoon, I went here with my fellow Triathlon TEAM buddies after a long bike and run workout. We were all ready to start gnawing on our arms from being so hungry and exhausted from a grueling workout. Needless to say, we were all ready to eat! There was a large group of about 15 and they were able to accommodate us with two large tables. We ordered within 5 minutes of getting there and our food literally came out 5 minutes later. I was impressed given the size of our group. We weren't complaining because like I said, we were all starving. I ordered "C" which came with two eggs any style, choice of bacon or sausage patty and an order of french toast. I chose to have my eggs prepared sunny side up and went with the sausage patty. The french toast were average size but I was only able to finish to two of them. The sausage patty was the size of a dollar coin which I thought was pretty pathetic - at least give you two. . . but I suppose portion wise, it's really all I should've eaten anyway. The eggs were cooked perfectly for me and I polished them off easily. Service was pretty friendly. After a tough workout, I suppose all our needs were simple but she took care of everything for us without issue. The best part of dining here was that Potato Shack agreed to have 20% of the proceeds from our group donated back to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With each person spending an average of $10, that starts to add up. Thank you Potato Shack for being so generous . . . hopefully we will be able to visit you again soon! If you're interested in donating to a great cause, visit pages.teamintraining.org… . Training for a cure! Go TEAM!
(4)Johnny C.
Please read my tip. Great place for breakfast and so near moonlight beach. Excellent service.
(5)Brian H.
One of the best breakfast places in north county. Friendly staff, huge portions and awesome food. I love the omelets, but my personal favorite is the chicken fried steak, which comes with eggs, breakfast potatoes and choice of bread. They have something like 20 toppings to customize the breakfast potatoes. I typically put pepper jack cheese and bacon bits. Can't go wrong! Also, as everyone mentioned before, their pancakes are enormous. Put some chocolate chips and banana in them and you won't be sorry.
(5)Mary C.
I'll keep this short: no kids menu, cash only, drafty dining area and mediocre food. Definitely not a repeat.
(2)Deb S.
Who would expect this little off beat place to be so good? Super yummy albacore melt for hubby with hand cut fries. A huge baked potato for me with my choice of ten different toppings. Nice indoor or outdoor seating and fresh water for our dog, Wyatt. Thanks for taking good care of us. Delish!
(5)Master M.
This little gem is not for the snobby, trendy hipsters who have their noses up their bumholes. That's the only warning the Potato Shack should dish out. Excuse me for being blunt but I was a bit infuriated after reading a 3 star review that included actual "sigh"-ing in her reviews. Her complaints? The owner was casual, greeted her and her other annoying friends right away and seated them. She also did not find the actual table satisfying because it was "weirdly" shaped. She hardly said anything about the food except that it was fine. Sorry to disappoint that princess because nobody was dressed like a butler to seat her and her minions down or have a throne for her to sit on. Aaaanyway... This place is casual and very friendly. It has a nice neighborhood feel and if you look around, nobody is dressed to impress and certainly don't have tiara wearing customers above the age of 10. It's nice to go here on a weekend morning and just relax. Any snobs who wish to try this place out should leave the sticks out of their bums first. It is a dog friendly place and has an outdoor seating, which is a big plus in my book. I almost forgot, this is also a family friendly place and usually have kids who love this place too. Servers are efficient, quick, and friendly. I'm never thirsty here because my glass is always filled. The guy the snobby sigh-er referred to is always very nice to everyone. All the staff here are attentive and if you are a local and regular, they greet you and treat you like a friend. No super star treatments here or snobby overpriced anything. Can't beat that in this neighborhood. The food has been consistently cooked and prepared to perfection. I've been going here for 2+ years now and I'm always so happy and satisfied. My tummy is always full because they give you a hefty serving whenever they could. I love having cheddar cheese on the breakfast potatoes and eating it with salsa. The salsa is fresh and medium spicy which is pretty spicy for me but oddly enough, I really love it. It's an easy to understand menu, no real gimmicks with reasonable options for every reasonable person. The bacon here is amazing, it's a must try for breakfast along with the usual eggs and toast. Everything I've tried here is flavorful, creamy, crunchy in all the right places. Anyone who says they can make this stuff at home is either very, very good in the kitchen or overly confident. I gotta say though, don't get the manhole sized pancake unless you're famished or weigh 250lbs. It's a pancake, get something else worth savoring. A friend ordered the pancake against my advice but he said he usually eats heavy and that he was starving. He really enjoyed it and true to his words, he ate it all. And some of his girlfriend's breakfast too. They were not from town but they loved the place. The decor is different but very interesting to look at and could be somewhat of an ice breaker. I love going here for breakfast on the weekends because of the relaxing, easygoing vibe. They always start off my weekends right. I love the fact that it doesn't charge a butt load of money for very, very, very good food. It's a true gem of Encinitas for breakfast and lunch. Thanks to the Shack for consistency, price, service, and great food. I freaking love you, Potato Shack. Don't ever go away or become too popular. ***Make sure to bring cash. They don't accept cards, which I imagine help with their good priced menu. They do have an ATM inside so at least have your debit card with you.
(5)Lauren L.
I have been coming here since we used to cut class (still got As) in high school. This place is a Torrey Pines and Encinitas classic! My order was always a manhole size chocolate chip pancake with peanut butter and syrup (you will never even finish half!) and an order of their amazing curly fries to split around the table. A couple of years ago I finally got to introduce my husband to this favorite of mine and he loves it as much as I do. We have a favorite booth that's been my fave since high school and the place has stayed just as good as ever! (Big plus - they don't use eggs in the pancake batter so if you don't do eggs you have a great option!) Make sure to bring cash since they don't take debit or credit. That is the only thing I could really think of to improve. :) We love the Potato Shack!!!
(5)Kari E.
I absolutely adore this place. The manhole pancakes are my FAVORITE. I got the blueberry last time and as usual, they did not disappoint. Yummy blueberries in every bite. Perfect thickness of the pancake itself. And I love that it literally hangs over the side of your plate they are so big lol. Side of bacon was crispy (but not too crispy) and oh so delicious. We sat outside this time under the giant trees out front but still in the warm sun, surrounded by tons of other tables full of families and couples indulging in the yummy goodness of this local spot. Service was pretty good, and fast. Coffee was normal, nothing to rant about but not burnt or bland. Orange juice was really good, tasted like fresh squeezed (not sure if it was or wasn't, but dang it was good). Have been here more than a few times and definitely plan on coming back, again and again! Yum!
(5)Herlinda A.
tasty comfort food with very generous portions and good friendly service in a comfortable, casual,and relaxed setting. i love the choice to sit inside or out and the extensive menu. the location is perfect to explore downtown encinitas and the lumberyard after a hearty meal.
(3)Brian A.
The omelets were delicious and the fries were awesome. Jim is a retired marine officer who fought in Vietnam. His friendly personality is reflected in the great food and charming atmosphere.
(5)Anne P.
1rst stop in Bites San Diego walking tour! There American fries (cubed potatoes) with mushrooms and swiss cheese topping were really good, as were their banana nut pancakes. If you are planning on coming here, please note that they close at 1:00pm during the week, and at 2:00pm on weekends!
(5)Jennifer L.
If you want a pancake then this is the place to go. Manhole size cakes that I could use as a shelter or sleeping bag (if only they had zippers) Love to eat outside and it's a block from la playa!
(5)Angela C.
Some friends of mine have been going to this place for almost 20 years so I had to try it. I got a manhole pancakes and tried their food too. The homestye potatoes were REALLLLLLY yummy, and my 'manhole' pancake was gigantic and fun for the novelty of how big it was. Service was really good, pancake tasted pretty average. Generous portions for the price. They don't take card so make sure you bring cash. I think they DO have an ATM though.
(3)Jasmine Y.
Wonderful service as well as recommendations! We love the atmosphere and the prompt service. The food is beyond scrumptious as well
(5)Gabbi W.
Potato Shack is always a guaranteed great breakfast/ lunch. They have a good variety on their menu, but honestly I never stray past the pancakes, French toast etc. It's nestled on a side street off the 101 and it's a great locals spot- People bring their dogs to breakfast and let them sit outside with them, people drop by for a break from their bike ride, and it's popular for people to go after church on Sundays (there are several churches down 2nd). And it's great to bring out-of-towners too. Inside is cozy and very diner-esque. Outside seating is along the sidewalk so great people watching. Great food, friendly service, wonderful area.
(5)Courtney K.
My boyfriend loves the Potato Shack Cafe so occasionally we make the trip to Encinitas. I enjoy the Potato Shack but I don't think its the best breakfast around. Breakfast is good, but as my sister often points out, its hard to mess up breakfast. However, I agree with others that the service is always spot on. Thank you awesome waitresses at the Potato Shack for keeping my drink full! I also like that the Potato Shack supports the military. I make an effort to try the specialty item at restaurants. Given that, I tried the Potato Shack's famous "manhole cover sized" pancakes. My advice - skip it. Yes, they are big, but the flavor isn't that great and they are kind of chewy. I prefer to get an omelet and take half of it home for portion control. As for the potatoes, they are just average. I've ordered them once but if I'm eating that many carbs, I think I'll head down the street for a cupcake. The ambiance is ok. It's a bit dirty, and especially during high traffic times. I'd suggest avoiding the bathroom all together.
(3)Lo S.
Delicious food, but charged $1.20 for a small side of ranch for the fries... not cool. My fave is potatoes with peppers, onions, and sour cream. Pancakes are HUGE! Lunches are super delicious too.
(4)Allan G.
I remember my first visit to Potato Shack Cafe when I was a student at Torrey Pines back in 1994. The food is just as good now as it was back then. I stopped in recently when I was having my car worked on nearby and ordered a hamburger and fries for lunch. It was around 1 PM and there weren't too many people there so the food came out within 15 minutes. The hamburger came out great and the service was great as well. When it came time for the bill, I found out that they don't take credit or debit cards. If they did, they would have gotten 5 stars. Fortunately, I had cash on me but for those that don't have any cash in their wallet, there is an ATM machine conveniently located by the front door (for a fee, of course). I look forward to returning to see if their breakfasts are as good as I remember!
(4)B W.
Very ordinary, more xpensive than it should be. Potatoes not even anything out of the ordinary. Nothing to go out of your way for. Does not take credit cards so they can clip you at their in house ATM. Cute trick that one. I don't recommend this place.
(2)Jill T.
Love this place, been eating there since I was a kid. Great food, served so quick its practically out before you order it. My only warning is that the "Man Hole" pancakes really are the size of a man hole and don't think for one second that you can eat one by yourself. Try getting it with Chocolate chips..its awesome. Love the home fries too. Never had anything there I didn't really like and the service is great, quick and thoughtful. Love that if I want more coffee I can ask anyone and they'll get it rather than be told "I'll go get your waitress and she'll get it for you". Not that I have to ask very often since usually it just magically appears anytime my cup gets down to half full. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Scott O.
Ya know, it's not my favorite, but it has a certain sentimental value that can't be forgotten. The food is... good, although certainly not great. I've always felt like they make their name as much in their portion size as they do in their ingredients. That's never a positive thing. It's a cool spot, definitely worth a look, and I know there are people who like their food more than I do... so if you're reading this, you might be one of them. Personally, I'd rather eat at a couple other spots nearby, but I won't name names. My wife loves it here, we've never had a bad meal, and it's likely that you won't either. Try the American Fries with as many different toppings as your heart desires... sharing that and something else random off the menu (or even JUST the american fries) can be a great way to start off any day.
(4)Andrea B.
Not to be mean, but not my favorite, Honey's around the corner is worth the wait. Nice people there though, food neah!
(3)John G.
OK. The Shack gets an automatic star for being a dog-friendly (to the extent that the servers provide water and a pat on the head for hungry canines). My wife was pining for a certain sort of potato-based meal that one used to get at the mall. Specifically, at a place called One-Potato-Two. Apparently, they were potato artisans of some sort or part of a potato-based guild--what have you. Naturally, the name beckoned to her and we were off to the Shack. I wouldn't say that the menu was necessarily potato centric, and I waivered between the large pancakes (just can't get used to asking for a manhole sized anything) and the stuffed potato. Well, I figued, when in Encinitas, do as Encinitans do. I ordered the potato (as did my wife). Well, the menu did not lie. One gets a baked potato (tasted like microwave baked), split, with toppings strewn about the top. Another star for the honest menu. I guess my beef (of which there was none) was that this was something I could have done at home--and Jamie Oliver I ain't. (1) Get potato; (2) Put some sliced American cheese on that potato; (3) Put a slice of swiss on that potato; (4) Put potato in microwave and on plate. Sorry--just a bit bland and smacked of DIY cooking. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)Erica L.
Turned-off by Potato Shack. The food here is mediocre and you feel dirty/greasy when you leave.
(2)Diana W.
Service was awesome, the server totally kept up with everything necessary in preparation of a great meal and was very friendly. It's the food that has the issues. The two stars are for the food, it was just pretty ordinary. I mean ordinary isn't awful, but the world famous pancake, although huge, was pretty tough in texture. Kind of like chewing on a flip flop with some blueberries thrown in. The syrup, also just your standard Log Cabin stuff...coffee was pretty bad-had kind of a vinegar aftertaste. If you want a ton of food, but don't necessarily care about it being the best ever, this is your spot. (Like after a night of binge drinking or if you just got done a mega roadtrip and ended up here) We've been driving past here on the way to Coronado a dozen times and have been trying to get here before 2PM since they close early, so this weekend we finally made it there (from Santa Monica, so there was some effort involved here-LOL)...we were just kinda disappointed that this fabled spot was just another greasy spoon with sticky vinyl tablecloths on the tables. The place could use an update in that regard, there's even a time capsule in the bathroom! A poster from the Women's Beach Volleyball tournament, circa 1990's ( I can't remember the exact date, I think it was like 1993...) Please bring cash, as that's all they take here. Parking seemed ample on the streets all around, if you're riding a bike, you'll be all set, just drop in next to the big tree out front and sit at a shady sidewalk table... Sorry to not give a glowing review, but I know we need to keep Yelp, well Yelp!
(2)Seetha G.
Great place for a hearty weekend breakfast/brunch!!! Wonderful service and love the simple yet fantastic options :) only thing to remember- payment is cash only!!!
(5)Robyn G.
Potato Shack in Encinitas was a favorite until we started to realize why we always sat outdoors and the seating is beyond uncomfortable at that! The food is okay, very LARGE just not sure the owners really concentrate too much on cleanliness and maybe too much on "cheapness".. The ketchup and syrup for the potatoes and pancakes are in unmarked bottles and the sugar packets seem like they have been there for years.. The waitresses are a bit rough and do not seem very happy. Mind you it has taken at least 10 years of patronizing this breakfast place to come to the conclusion, NO MORE! This owner needs to realize its time to do a evaluation on his restaurant or perhaps they need a visit from the help dept. or ROBERT IRVINE.
(1)Gina M.
Good food. Pancakes are enormous. Great for kids but nothing healthy about it.
(3)Mike D.
Just OK. Coffee had a weird flavor and was weak. Breakfast was nothing special. Waitress was friendly. Potatos had absolutely no seasoning. Would not go there again. It you want a good breakfast drive to Konos in PB.
(3)Jessica M.
If I lived in Encinitas or the vicinity this would be my GO-TO breakfast spot! Potato Shack Cafe is located in the heart of a beach side community. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I wish we were able to sit outdoors because the weather in this part of the world is ALWAYS amazing Seating aside, the food was delicious. The coffee hot and fresh. I ordered "brunch." Chicken fried steak with a pancake. Sweet baby Jesus, when they say MANHOLE sized pancakes they weren't kidding. It was large and could easily feed a family of 4. The chicken fried steak was tender, juicy, crispy, and covered in that creamy, peppery country gravy. It did not disappoint. This place only accepts cash, which is a bummer since I never carry any. They have an ATM onsite, but it charges $2 per use and whatever else your financial institution tacks on. What's also sweet about this place is that the it's a 10 minute walk to the beach, which is what I needed after consuming such a "heart healthy" meal. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by, check it out. It was busy when I went on Sunday morning and I am sure this is the norm on the weekends. Maybe next time, I'll order something with potatoes, just for namesake purposes.
(4)Patrick G.
The food is exceptionally fresh, the service is awesome, and the beach community atmosphere is unsurpassed. The owners are welcoming, friendly, and completely customer oriented. The food portions will completely satisfy even the biggest appetite. Outdoor dining is too cool! I give "The Shack" my highest endorsement. This is the best breakfast and lunch restaurant in San Diego County!
(5)Tom S.
Friendly atmosphere, terrific service, food just okay. I only had the pancakes, which were supposed to be legendary, but tasted dry and not very flavorful. Gross non-maple syrup also a negative. Will go again to try an egg dish or something else, because they certainly made me feel welcome.
(3)aaron B.
Way over rated, they have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many tables outside. I was seated at a table where I had to sit sideways and leaning down a hill. The food was "supposed" to be the bomb, but in the end I would have rather eaten at McDonalds...
(2)Karma S.
I liked this place as a casual breakfast option. The potatoes as their namesake would imply are rather good & worth a visit alone to try. I had their potato patties and a slice of french toast- both of which were tasty. Also, their coffee wasn't bad. The place gets packed, and it may be hard to find seat; but this a positive sign that they are popular. This is a cash-only place where you pay up front with a cashier.
(3)Heather E.
(Theme to the B-52's Love Shack Song) If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says 15 miles to the... POTATO SHACK, potato shack yeah, yeah. I'm headin' down the 405-South highway, look'n ' for the Y-E-L-P getaway Heading for yelping getaway "I order a pancake it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sail! Went to San Diego for the weekend, and had to try this "Legendary" hot spot loved by the locals. The decor is cozy wooden furniture with tree stump tables. There's two dining rooms indoors and outside patio dining as well. The service was great and very fast! I ordered their Patty melt on 2'' thick fresh Rye Toast with melted Swiss and smothered in grilled "GREASY" onions! Instead of french fries with my sandwich I opted for Onion Rings and let me tell you.... I ate all the onion rings before I took a bite of my patty melt. AMAZING!!! Their coated in a thick batter then flashed fried to golden brown perfection. Dunked them in buttermilk ranch and this fellow yelper was a happy camper. When you come to the Potato Shack don't be afraid of large portions, greasy food, or pancakes the size of J-Lo's Booty! This is Heather E. Signing out saying..."Are you gonna eat that?"
(4)Dan N.
I really like this place, but the portions are way too big and it's definitely greasy. I've tried a variety of omelets, waffles, and pancakes; all have been delicious. I really love the salsa.. Of course their potatoes are very good and hence the name. I'd suggest sharing ONE dish for two people here. The only bad thing is every time my boyfriend eats here he gets sick.. but I never have. He refuses to go back so I go with other friends. He has had a bad stomach from there 3/3 times so I can't blame him. Inner decor is really cute with the tree cut style tables. I've never had to wait more than 3 minutes to get somewhere to sit, even on the weekends. Staff is nice and fast with bringing out the food. It's way better than a lot of other breakfast places.
(3)Christopher R.
As a local, I like to support local establishments but there's a line. Food nothing special, prices on the high side, menu was dirty, and they don't take credit cards. I don't mind paying cash, but they don't make it clear enough about the cash only policy. Some others will say "it's posted above the cash register," but that doesn't cut it. Unless you're looking for it, you won't see it. But never worry, they have an ATM machine right there for you to get some cash, of course for a nice profitable fee...
(2)Sasha R.
I wasn't totally "WOW-ed" at the Potato Shack. The food was mediocre (with exception of my friends enormous chocolate chip pancake). Surprisingly enough, none of us liked the taste of the home fries. Tasted like they were cooked in ocean water? The service was good, however I wouldn't go out of my way to have breakfast there again. Unless I was going for a huge chocolate chip pancake.
(2)David K.
A real case of quantity over quality at the Potato Shack Cafe. Locals have flocked to Potato Shack for decades for filling, huge quantities to follow a dawn patrol and morning surf. It's packed on weekends, and it's difficult to understand why. It is akin to a dump truck of food being dumped into your mouth. If you want dry, flavorless pancakes that are as large as trash can lids, then Potato Shack is your place. I found the namesake potatoes to be burned and dry. The salsa was mediocre and left my eggs tasting like chemicals. To Potato Shack's credit, my plate of food was perhaps 3 pounds, for whatever that's worth. The decor is cool, and I liked the booths built out of logs, and the tables made of cross sections of trees. But I didn't come here to look at wood, I came here to eat. And the eating wasn't very enjoyable. It's hard to avoid Potato Shack if you live in the area and want to meet up with people, just due to it's popularity. Be prepared to beach yourself following this unsatisfying but overly filling meal.
(2)Jill E.
So we're driving to the airport after spending a week in Carlsbad and of course needed breakfast. I have my trusty Android phone with the Yelp application open and as we're driving around the block I spotted the Potato Shack Cafe and since it had more than two stars we stopped. It's old, but clean. The staff was friendly and very prompt in spite of what a couple of the reviews stated. The portions are large and while we opted not to have one of the pancakes, folks around us were eating them and smiling. Hubby and I both had omelets, yum. But the best part was the salsa they bring you to top off your eggs. Made on the premises and what a great taste. Had we not been going home I would have gotten some to take with us. One thing we didn't know before and didn't see a sign, they don't take credit cards. Fortunately for a change we actually had money.
(4)Kathalyn N.
I hate writing 2 Star reviews, but trust me, there are places in Encinitas that are way way better than Potato Shack...unless you want a humongous pancake. I met my sisters for a Sunday brunch at Potato Shack, and I really do love the homey cafe decor. It makes you feel like you are about to have breakfast at grammys house...until the food comes out. The Potatoes--which I thought would be stellar, seeing as how this place is named Potato Shack--were mediocre at best. Actually, my potatoes tasted like clam juice. I vocalized this thought as if I were on autopilot, and it really freaked out my vegetarian sister. They were bland, not brown and crispy, but white, under seasoned, and a little under cooked. You can order toppings for $.70, but the cheese I ordered on my potatoes was scant. Eggs, huevos rancheros, denver omelet, BACON...so much was seriously muted in flavor. It was really weird. It was like all my taste buds had been removed, and I was just chewing and swallowing because I was hungry. My sister said the coffee tasted like poison, BUT, we came to the conclusion later that there may have been something wrong with the Splenda packet, because her next cup was fine. It was just one of those things that added to a very vanilla breakfast. There were 2 excellent food items that came to our table. The biscuits and gravy and the sourdough toast. And the service was really great. Our waitress was super nice, and the food came out fast. So I guess, if I ever had a mad craving for some serious carbs served with a smile, I may come back here--but not before then.
(2)Aaron W.
We went to brunch at the potato shack prior to a day at moonlight beach. I remembered the potato shack as a good and funky breakfast place from year's past. Either things changed or I "misremembered". The service was really pathetic. No refills on coffee were offered, and I had to hunt someone down for more water. It took 45 minutes from the time we ordered to get our food and the place was half empty. Were talking eggs toast and potatoes here....it's not rocket science. Add in two kids over-anxious to get to the beach, and as you can imagine, I was not a happy camper. The food was fine. Like I said, it's pretty much classic breakfast grub. Solid, but nothing extraordinary. One other thing....cash only. For a place like this, I find it somewhat obnoxious. Cash only is a huge inconvenience for customers and most cash only establishments somehow make up for that inconvenience--maybe by being low priced, having some sort of novelty (i.e., Peter luger's in NYC is famously cash only) or giving some sort of little freebie to the customer --am I asking too much here? In summary, good location, solid breakfast food, slow kitchen, poor service, annoyingly cash only.
(2)Melinda D.
Nice little shack for breakfast or lunch. We had the "C" special the pancake is larger than a dinner plate and the French toast huge. It's all basic American breakfast here without the chain feel. Good coffee, attentive service. Has indoor or outdoor seating and a nice south 101 location off the main street.
(3)Frank D.
Solid breakfast. Excellent ranch fries...battered with ranch seasoning, wedge cut potatoey goodness, oh, I just busted the button on my shorts. Oh yeah, they serve killer bread, big thick pieces, possibly home-made. Even have squaw bread!
(4)Brittany Y.
Big menu, great coffee, lots of outdoor seating! I definitely recommend this place. We went for brunch on a Saturday, even with most of the tables full, our food came out from the kitchen in about 7 minutes. It was awesome!
(5)Kevin A.
as you can see i do not write many bad reviews, but this place is very bad, i went on a nice weekday, service was great, food came in no time, ok, lets start, we had two different orders, me, chili from a can omelet and the worst potatoes ever, dry her, worst chicken fried steak we have had, bis. and gravy had no flavor , normally i give a place a second chance, not this one, not when there was not even one good item, the coffee was even week, please go to cafe' 101
(1)M P.
I had the make your own Egg omelet- spinach, jack cheese, avocado- Oh boy, there was a entire package of spinach leaves in my omelet, it was way too much. Potatoes that comes with my dish- bland, no seasoning or anything ... At least sauté onion or something. French toast- alright. Was not cheap for breakfast... $ 3.95 for a side of bacon? Does not accept credit card.
(3)Jason C.
Meh. I live in Encinitas, but I've only been here a couple times (only for breakfast) because both times I've been terribly underwhelmed. Ironically, though most of the food was passable, the thing I really disliked at the Potato Shack was the "American" home fried potatoes. They use the starchier red potatoes, and the lower sugar content means that they don't brown very well or develop the sort of flavor you usually get in home fries. They are extremely bland, and they charge you an arm and a leg to pretty them up with enough toppings to make them edible. That brings me to another sticking point: they are a bit pricey. They charge you $7 for a plain 3-egg omelet, and a dollar for each filling. Even more egregious are the aforementioned potatoes, which run $5 for a plate of plain home fries and $1.20 per topping. $1.20 for some cheese? Or onions? Or a dollop of sour cream? Really? Basically, this is a bunch of run-of-the-mill breakfast food whose only outstanding quality is the enormous portions it comes in, with a proportionally enormous price. Maybe they have good lunch food, but I don't know because I'm not in a big hurry to go back.
(2)Erin M.
I stopped eating here regularly about ten years ago. The owners plastered "freedom" over everything that said french (e.g., french fries, french toast). Our food was mediocre then. I put aside my experience, decided to give it another chance and went back five years ago. The pancakes were soggy and the potatoes were greasy. Incidentally, they changed "Freedom" to "American". Potato Shack is a prime example of how to alienate your clientele. There are much better and more comfortable places to eat in Encinitas that don't inundate you with their political beliefs.
(1)Deb N.
Lucked out on parking on Friday at 11:15am, right in front, they have a lot next door. Did get the #3 manhole cover plain pancake with eggs and sausage, $9 then the baked potato with the works to go, $8. So much food! Service was good, had a great lady, it does get busy at lunch. Couldn't finish the pancake. Look at the photos and you will see why. Two dining rooms and patio dining out front. Cash only.
(4)Justin C.
I love this place. Potato Shack is an essential element of my hangover recovery plan; Onion Rings, Fries, Biscuits and Gravy, Chili Cheese Omelet, all will put you back on the track to recovery. If you're a health conscious burnout, I've been told that the Acai (I still don't know how to pronounce correctly) bowl is awesome. Be wary though, this restaurant is on my "Shit List"; this is not a bad thing, just ensure you are within 10 minutes of a private restroom following your last bite.
(4)Leigh K.
So, I've been to this place before. I always wondered why in the back of my mind I didn't consider returning... Then I came back for one last visit and decided, yep, I'm done. Honestly, the menu here is terrible. They don't offer much in the way of breakfasts that have variety... it's pretty much all potatoes, loaded with cheese if you want to pay $1.20 more, loaded with sour cream if you want to pay $1.20 more, or enjoyed as bland as they are in the regular breakfast price. I'm not much for "sweet" breakfasts, and I'd rather have a bite of a pancake or waffle rather than order one for myself... so that left me with either an omelet for nearly $10, or something more simple. I opted for the breakfast with eggs, toast, and potatoes. It was awful. It was so boring, so unflavored, so blah that I had to make myself eat it. And the thing cost $7... just for that! In addition, I had a little friend with me-- a sweet nine year old girl. And where is the children's menu???? There is NONE. So that means I paid nearly $10 for her breakfast, $7 for mine, plus coffee and milk sent us up to $22.50. She picked at her breakfast, asked me why they didn't have a children's menu... and her words were, "They should know I can't eat all this. I'm not a grown up." She said the bacon tasted "yucky." I wouldn't have minded a mediocre experience. I don't find breakfast to be something that most restaurants make to be "amazing," but I do expect it to be decent. I think what bothers me about eating bad breakfast is that I go out to breakfast so seldom that I want it to be enjoyable. Breakfast out is a treat. So... that was the food. The service was also lousy. I had to ask my server for a coffee refill-- three times. I had to ask my server for a box to take leftovers (the sweet little girl with me hates wasting food, even if it's bad) -- five times. Yeah... unacceptable. I did what I've never done before. I didn't leave a tip at all. I was appalled. Take my money, too much of it... the food was garbage... then throw in lousy service. I'll tell everyone not to come here. There are a ton of good places nearby. Just pick any one of those. It'll be better than Potato Crap. Also, they are cash-only.
(1)sherrie n.
This is an awesome place that truly hit the spot after surfing all morning. Super fresh ingredients from produce to turkey to bread. The handcut fries were amazing with good seasoning and were really thick, almost like steak fries. Huge portions, definitely shareable. Friendly staff. Good bathrooms. Outside seating. Awesome!
(4)Jennifer P.
2nd time here, first time AWESOME! This time sucked, and sadly changed our minds on this place. First impression was fantastic! All American place and PROUD. Nice server, good food. Had cash on us.. perfect.. This time, DIFFERENT PLACE! 20 minutes to even get water, yes, it is a busy place, but that is standard. I am in the restaurant industry and that was a bit much. Server was disinterested at best in her job and it showed. Food was super disappointing, then when we went to use the ATM, it is so worn out from EVERYONE having to use it, the buttons barely respond, just more annoyance. I am sure they own the machine (and if they don't, they should!) it needs service.. I can understand cash only for bill averages that are 20 bucks, but not for an average of 15 bucks a person. It just screams tax evasion, not that I am judging, but seeing that it is a MANDATORY cash only place, give a break to the customers as well! Sorry, will not be back.
(2)Mama T.
This only place gets Four Stars because: 1- I can make everything on the menu at home 2- They don't take Credit cards - CASH ONLY 3- They stop giving me coffee the MINUTE they give me the check, Now, the good points. 1- Its consistent. They have the good food - its Good "American" style Food. Nothing fancy here, but Bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes and potatoes. Oh, and they have WAY better coffee than St. Germain. 2- KID FRIENDLY - yep.. that's right.. you can bring your kids, and they don't mind. 3- It/s not expensive. My family of 5 can eat out for $30.00. The waitresses are great, but the minute you get that check.. they wipe their hands of you... my biggest pet peeve of all dining peeves. TIP: They have 2 kitchens, the east kitchen has the better chef. ;) Earlier you come, the better (8-9 is best). Also - they have outdoor dining, and people bring their dogs..
(4)Mick G.
Potato Shack is excellent for what it is, a tremendously average, gigantic portion American Breakfast Eatery! Famous for copious quantities of culinary conglomerations, the quality of the said sustanance is sometimes lacking and rarely delicious. It is a spot that is hard to get into on a weekend, but in the right frame of mind and in the right set of needs, is a place that delivers everything you need for the quintessential plate overloading of a post binge drinking hangover releaving meal. The Pancakes are manhole sized (nearly) and are not too bad for having to find a way to cook these bad boys. The egg dishes are OK, and generally err on the side of too much additional material and not on the side to delicately balanced flavors. For weekends post drinking, this is your spot in Encinitas.
(3)Giulia L.
Had a fabulous breakfast here: just the right size for me (not too too big, but filling) and the best tasting eggs (steam poached to my specs) I've had in a long time. The ham steak was lightly grilled, the potatoes freshly done and perfectly sauteed. Buttery English muffins, great hot coffee with quick refills. I sat in the sun, read the paper and had a thoroughly nice time. The price is right too. I recommend highly this place.
(4)Tim K.
I echo other reviewers who say there are many better options in the Encinitas/Leucadia area. Their breakfast menu is completely unimaginative, and that's a big reason for the two-star rating. When you serve thigns I can make at home, it needs to be spectacular. My wife and I ate here for breakfast. My wfie had the "c" special, which is your typical breakfast plate. For a place that calls itself "The Potato Shack," their home fries were incredibly bland and undercoocked. It's hard to screw-up bacon and sausage, and the eggs were overcooked. I had the chicken fried steak with eggs and a pancake. The steak was good. They tout their pancakes as "manhole covers," but size doesn't disguise mediocrity. Lastly, their coffee was of average diner quality. Go around the corner to St. Germain's and order their granola pancakes; it's a much better option, and the coffee is much better.
(2)Andy C.
I came here today. All I have to say is....MAN HOLE PANCAKES. hahahhaa, I giggle everything I think about it or I even say the words..... MAN HOLE. hahahhaa...man....hahahhaa....MAN HOLE....hahahhaa!!!!! anyways, delicious food and awesome service!!!!! hahahaha, MAN HOLE!!!!!
(4)L S.
One of my favorite breakfast joints! Be hungry, especially if you order the manhole sized pancakes. They don't take credit cards, but there is an ATM in the restaurant.
(4)Kristy H.
I absolutely cannot believe I've lived in Solana Beach for over a year and tried this place for the first time just a month ago! So close and such a perfect spot for slightly-hungover-Sundays (or Saturdays). My first time, I got the Huevos Rancheros and it hit the spot. Everything was fresh and our waittress was on top of the coffee refills (KEY). My second time, I was feeling boldy and decided to create my own omelette. Feta, jalapenos, and bacon. DUDE. It was SO good. I suppose I can't give them ALL the credit since I created it. After ordering, I was slightly concerned because usually bacon is sparse in omlettes and I love me some bacon (said the former vegetarian). Omelette arrives and it is PACKED with bacon and just the right amount of feta and peppers! If you like spicy and bacon, try my creation! Two other things I like about this place: hilarious and friendly host (possibly owner?) and very doggy-friendly (outside seating)
(4)Ric B.
Biscuits and gravy were fantastic! I didn't think the French toast was all that good, but my friend gave me a bite of their manhole sized pancake with walnuts, man that was good. Great service too. Outside and inside seating available. When I go again, definitely getting walnut pancakes.
(4)Jay S.
OK OK I know they have these man hole sized pancakes...Actually the size of a regular plate.They are BIG but bigger ain't necessarily better! (sacrilege, I know) The texture is rubbery, dense and tasteless.The blueberries, although copious, were not sweet,large or tasty and the syrup they use is awful and unappealing. A little vanilla and sugar in the batter would go a long way. The omelet was thin but potatoes were good. Nice sitting outside and fine service but there are much better places to go nearby.
(2)Cindi W.
Ok first off, even though I liked the place, give up on "Freedom Fries" What a "Bushism" Grow up would ya. Now to the REAL deal...the food. It is the real deal. It is good. My hubby ordered the manhole cover sized pancakes and yes, they are manhole cover sized. They hung over the side of the plate (word to you, get a plate that fits!) They are good too and he couldn't finish it. A rarity! I had biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs and it was quite tasty. Cash only. It was worth it!
(3)Katy H.
Very average breakfast.
(2)Amber C.
We came here today to try it out based on a purchase on a deal site. Friday at lunch - place was pretty slow. I am pregnant and had my 2 small children in tow (by myself) - any moms out there can appreciate and understand that was a brave move by me! Food was average - overpriced for basic sandwiches and for a place that is known for potatoes, the fries were over-cooked. The reason for this review is to comment on the HORRIBLE service and UNPROFESSIONALISM of the wait staff. I waited tables through 5 years of college so I know it sucks when small children sit at your table and make a mess. So, I always over-compensate on the tip to make up for that (in this case, left a 30% tip for service that was very mediocre). My 1-year old daughter made a mess of the floor with her scrambled eggs and blueberries, but no one was in the restaurant, so the waitress definitely had time to clean it up. Also, isn't that part of her job??? I apologized to our waitress for the mess 3 times throughout the process of me trying to get my daughter strapped into her stroller, box up our food and watch my 3-yr old so he didn't "escape" out the door that was propped open. I cleaned up the table and stacked all plates (totally unnecessary on my part) to help out. My kids were antsy so we left the restaurant and as I was in the doorway on my way out, I heard the waitress loudly comment to the other party that was eating lunch in the restaurant "I would never do this to my waitress" - I turned around and saw that she was cleaning up the mess on the floor. I walked back in and was furious - I yelled back at her for her comment and again apologized but said I wished that I wouldn't have left her a 30% tip. Did she really expect me to clean the floor of the restaurant and let my one child run out the door into the street? Come on...that is ridiculous. I have NEVER had any waitstaff act so unprofessionally in my life. You can think what you want about your customers, but you never voice it to others in the restaurant. Maybe she needs to rethink her choice of profession. DEFINITELY NOT A FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT. Would not recommend for anyone with small children as they obviously cannot handle any extra work on their part. WILL NEVER COME BACK HERE AND WILL MAKE SURE ALL OUR FRIENDS KNOW AS WELL.
(1)Andrew B.
One of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Portions were huge and the wait wasn't that long at all. The pancakes are HUGE and tasty. If you're in the area, definitely go here for breakfast. The food was great and the service was great as well.
(5)Jessi M.
I love Potato Shack. Always have. Always will. Here are a few reasons why: -Their breakfast is the BEST I have EVER had! -Everyone there is friendly and attentive. The owner even hangs around and talks to people for the heck of it. -It's close to the beach. You can eat breakfast then go for a stroll on the sand. -They sell t-shirts! I collect t-shirts from random places. Now a few reasons why Potato Shack is not always my first choice: -Street parking only. It can get difficult when Encinitas is crowded. Which is pretty much all the time. -This place reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. -There's always a wait to be seated. -The dining room is a bit crowded. Large, odd shaped tables make it hard to maneuver.
(5)Chris C.
Wife and I were in the area and decided to stop off at Potato Shack Cafe for breakfast before we were on our way home. Located on a side street, parking at the Potato Shack can be hard to find but it may be worth it if you like breakfast. We decided to eat outside since it was a nice and warm sunny day. The menu for breakfast is a good size with plenty of options. Pricing here starts at $5 and goes up to $10 for breakfast. You're looking at your standard omelets, eggs and sausage, and of course their breakfast specialty pancakes that comes in flavors such as blue berry, banana, and chocolate chip to name a few. I decided to get one of their combos that included the French Toast and Eggs and sausage patty and the wife opted for the breakfast burrito. Food took about 15 minutes to arrive and when it did, I have to say the portion size here are HUGE. The french toast which was made from wheat bread tasted fresh and were fluffy. They had a nice nutmeg taste to it and was pretty good. The eggs here - well they were scrambled - not much to say about that. I did get some of their "famous" salsa that they also sell, while it was good, it wasn't anything you couldn't get a half decent mexican restaurant that makes their own salsa. The sausage patty was also very good and tasted fresh. I shared in my wife's burrito and it was pretty big. If we just got this and say a serving of french toast, we would have been ok. But this could have put us both in food coma because of the amount if we ate it all. We probably only ate about half and the combination of eggs, peppers and topped with sour cream and some of their house salsa was very good. Probably one of the better Breakfast Burritos I've had in a while. The Potato Shack is CASH ONLY so be aware of that. I fortunately had enough cash and came out to be around $30 including tip. A bit high for breakfast, but we both came away full and the service here was friendly. As to rating, the food and service here was good. The portion size here is excellent but you do pay a bit more. As to rating, 3.5 stars but for yelp purposes the food was good enough to round up to 4 stars and worth a stop if you're looking to stuff your face with good food.
(4)Greg F.
Just found this place and ate here for the first time after hearing great things from friends. What a find! I fellt like I had won something! Great food, location and they're fast! It was just myself and my wife but looking forward to taking the kid here next time and wow him with the "Manhole cover " pancake.
(5)sheridan r.
Any place the specializes in potatoes has got to be a place I try. Friends brought us here for brekkie and it was good. I had traditional biscuits and gravy - perty tasty. MK had the MANHOLE pancake (which is just fun to say: MANHOLE) and it was pretty good. Weird thing I didn't like: the water and the coffee. Otherwise a nice way to start the day.
(3)Oby H.
Not coming to beautiful Encinitas often drove me to find a local favorite. So here I was 2 blocks away from the beach when I asked a "brah" where a good breakfast joint was. "potato shack, bro" he replied in a laid-back stoned manner. Anywho I ate decided to eat outside because it was a typical San diego day (frikkin awesome!) and they had ample amount of room both inside and out. Inside, however showcases all the different celebrity memorabilia and autographs and such. Seeing as there name was potato shack I wanted to try out some potato's. I ordered the breakfast platter A I believe. I waited a little more than I would've liked but it was no big deal. However while I was waiting I saw delicious looking sandwich platters other people ordered, which warrants a second visit I guess. Maybe years down the road my sweet Encinitas. I eventually get my breakfast which consisted of chicken breast, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and toast. The breast was bland, but the salsa they make does help. The eggs where not very warm, which doesn't help me. Now the potato's! ...well it wasn't up to my expectations for a place that reps it. It tasted almost raw. The toast was good :) So not excellent, not bad, but not memorable. I should come back a second time for their lunches....however there were a bunch of other places to try. I say, give it a shot.
(3)T P.
Pretty good, not stellar, not horrible. Service is above average few times we went. as grandma used to say "oh Lordy!" the pancakes are huge! and are really pretty good. Scrambled eggs / bacon (hard to mess up) were also good. Coffee is simple, hot and tastes ok+....and they make the rounds often enough you dont end up having to ask for refills. As the name would imply, if you like breakfast potatoes prepared 6 ways from sunday, this is the place, however, I like my breakfast potatoes on the well done side, seems like they have so many going they dont leave em on the skillet long enough. If you are on the big size (read: either tall, chubby or both) you will have a hard time fitting in here.....the restaurant is on the small side and the booths are definately snug. Outdoor seating is available, but consists of less than stellar plastic outdoor furniture. Good (+ or -) place to try if you want to carb load on the pancakes....
(3)Greg J.
Mammoth sandwiches! If you've got a normal appetite, order one and split it with your friend. While cruising around the neighborhood we stopped here for lunch. Lots of outdoor seating. It's a side street off the Coast Hwy making for pleasant outdoor dining with less auto traffic. Tuna salad sandwich was delicious. Not too much mayonnaise, and a more-than-generous portion of everything. I think they used half of an entire loaf of thick-sliced sour dough bread. I see reviews both panning and praising it for breakfast. I guess I'll have to come back and give it a try for b-fast. Lunch was good!
(3)L T.
Cute little place off the beaten path - sat on the patio which is right on the street... chili was pretty good. family had lunch which they said was pretty good... not great but a cute spot that wasn't too crowded.
(3)Samantha A.
Hands down best breakfast place I've been to. The toast itself is reason enough for me to drive to Encinitas. The owner is super friendly...he sat down with us and chatted before our food came. Pancakes the size of man-hole covers, home fries that are juuust the right crunchy, just the right softness and full of flavor. Good stuff.
(5)Jeff A.
I had a bacon, cheddar and Avocado omelet.. It was heavenly. The potatoes are what you'd expect... special and delicious. I try to go here whenever I can.
(5)Marion B.
This was a pretty good place to eat. They keep some great hours closing at 2:30p on a Saturday... you better make sure to plan ahead for this spot. The pancakes are ridiculous in size (giant) but very tasty and the service was good. We loved the ranch fries and would eat here again... though it would be nice if they had a larger veggie friendly menu for when you wanted something on the lighter side. All in all ... a really nice spot to eat!
(4)angela t.
This is a cute little breakfast place just off the PCH in Encinitas. The staff is old-school nice and might call you honey or sweetie, although i haven't had my cheek pinched yet. Good, reliable breakfast staples and yes, the pancakes are HUGE. If you're lucky the owner might stop by for a chat and some sage advice on life. yeah, we got that at a breakfast place. go figure. Check it out if you're up for a drive up the coast or live nearby. me gusta el potato shack. or is it me gusta al potato shack? oh man, my spanish teacher would kill me.
(3)Jill S.
Come hungry to the Potato Shack! It is a coastal breakfast dive serving up huge portions of delicious breakfast items. I loved the cozy atmosphere and warm, friendly service. In addition to the tasty, generous portions it is also affordable! But be prepared -- they only take cash. This is one reason I can't give it five stars! I mean, who carries cash anymore?
(4)Ani K. O.
I'm sad. I used to go to the potato shack about 8 years ago and I had such fond memories of the place. I just went back this past weekend and was disappointed. I ordered French toast, with two eggs over hard and bacon. The food, was at best, sub par. The bacon had grisly charred grill remains. The french toast was soggy and the eggs were super oily. Oh, and the waitress! I wasn't expecting much but really, when you pour coffee, you may want to make sure that that most of it gets in the cup and not on our hands - EVERY time. The other thing i didn't like about the place was its level of cleanliness. You could see a bunch of dead stuff in the fluorescent light covers. I guess it's true what they say - you can't go back...
(2)Jason J.
Used to be good but lately one waitress that works there has the crappiest attitude ad horrible service. I'd be better off getting up and getting my own refills and food. If u see an old lady without a friendly look, ask for another server. Other than that, I'd still give this place 4 stars for the taters' n salsa.
(2)Robin L.
You know, my good friend has raved about this place for ages. And apparently she's not the only one who loves it; the place is super crowded and there's usually a wait to get in on the weekends. So I came hungry and excited. And I ordered one of my usuals - french toast. Mmmm....I was so damn piqued for that first bite. But it was about as anti-climatic as the ending of Vanilla Sky. It was very *average*. A little dry, not particularly tasty. The sausage was pretty decent, but it tends to be at eat-out breakfast places. Maybe they have 'specialties' that I should have shot for instead, but I think if a breakfast place can't get one of the most popular breakfast items right, then they should be thankful for 3-stars.
(3)Don G.
Breakfasts are great here and worth the wait, but lunch is just as good. I had a HUGE sandwich. It wasn't manhole size, but I couldn't finish it and that's saying something. This place is an Encinitas institution and never lets you down.
(5)Suzanne H.
Coffee is great, service is good and the food is delicious. My husband and I love this place and drive down as often as we can. They are busy so keep that in mind. And only take cash as payment so come prepared. We especially like the fact they support the local community and the military. An asset to Encinitas.
(5)Brady B.
I am always a fan! The family and I are always willing to make the 45 min drive to have a great breakfast or lunch at the Potato shack; just because or to treat a visitor. Seriously the BEST pancakes I have ever had! Seriously the best Patty Melt I have had (get the ranch fries, they are little wedges deep fried with a ranch batter) Portions are huge so bring your appetite! The pancake IS about an 18" cake... of fluffy breakfast goodness. I just wish they were open a little later........
(5)Jennifer H.
Another great breakfast space and it has lots of table to sit outside. They made some great potatoes here, but also the pancakes are delicious and huge (as in they won't fit on your plate). You can have them in sweet or savory form. To be honest some of the food is not presented on the most yummy why, but once you start eating you will see that it's delicious. Most dishes come with fried though, so you will have to pay to get potato patties but they are home-made and well worth it. The omelets here are also really yummy, all in all a great place for breakfast as it has a big menu were everyone will find something delicious.
(4)Eartha H.
This place was laid back and fun. It was really busy too but the wait wasn't too long. They have outdoor seating but we were seated indoors. The food portions were huge - no way you can finish everything on your plate unless you are just starving. I ordered a basic breakfast of bacon, eggs, and 1 pancake. I had no idea about the size of the pancakes - wow. I didn't even put a dent in it. Overall, it is a fun place to dine but good luck trying to find parking. Seemed like every street was full during the morning rush.
(3)Marsha W.
Another awesome breakfast place in Encinitas. Your plate will be overflowing with food! I love the the homey mom and pop feel of this place. Wait staff rocks and is friendly.
(5)A, S.
Great grub. Not fancy at all. Manhole pancake is crazy! Cash only is anoying.
(5)Hayley H.
The Potato Shack is notorious for its manhole size pancakes. So naturally, I had to get a pancake, add chocolate chips. I think anyone who goes to the Shack would agree that they've had better pancakes, but that's not the point of the restaurant. The sheer size of these bad boys is enough for me to drag my friends here on the weekend to stare in awe. You could probably split a pancake between 2-3 people. The location is great (in a beach town) and there is almost always a line out the door.
(3)Josh S.
At the coast, somewhere near Encinitas in SD and NEED BREAKFAST? HIT THE SHACK! Worth the wait! Make it a brunch because you won't be able to eat again until dinner time. Pancakes are seriously the size of manhole covers. The omelets (my FAV) are also HUGE and stuffed with goodies. AND they are famous for their potatoes. We're not talking just hash browns here. If you want curly fries at 8am, you got em! Waffle fries, country fries, french fries, steak fries, hash browns, they have potatoes COVERED. There may be a wait but it will go fast and then you can gorge. Like I said, don't plan on needing lunch though.
(5)Kathy B.
Too much food but otherwise quite tasty. I had the American potatoes with the Works and brought home half of it. Diced sauteed potatoes with broccoli, mushrooms, several types of cheese, bacon bits, jalapenos, etc. all piled on top of it. Not a low cal meal!
(5)Walter M.
Almost gave this place 5 stars, but it's not the best in North County, but it's in the top 2. Manhole sized pancakes that don't lake flavor. It's a smaller joint, but the hashbrowns are really good. The wait is sometimes long, especially on weekends. The atmosphere is great and they have some things on their menu that most other breakfast nooks don't. Service is good and fast. Portions are large so you might want to get different things from your guests and split them so you'll know better next time, oh and their will be a next time. I've never met anyone whose eaten there and not gone back for more or just straight up become a fan.
(4)Robert B.
Of course the food is great, the portions are HUGE and, the service is friendly and, helpful... Much like most of the small breakfast places that are staples of this beach community. It ranks highly on my list of great places to go for breakfast. Only complaint (like the other small breakfast places around town) is that it's too small/busy... Of course, I would love to have this place all to myself. As will you when you go.
(5)Brendon M.
big portions coma educing joyous feeling upon leaving the BEST recipe for a lazy Sunday
(5)Margo E.
I come here a lot when I have guests visiting San Diego or I'm meeting with friends who have never been here before - pretty much JUST to show them their giant pancakes (even though I think they might have gotten a little smaller than they were a year ago.. they're still pretty big though). The "C" combo is a pretty good value - it comes with one of those giant pancakes, 2 eggs, and bacon or sausage. I've always thought the pancakes were pretty good, but I went a few weeks ago and it was really dry... I don't know if it was a bad batch or what... but it was kind of painful. Huevos Rancheros are pretty good too and they give you a pretty big plate of it. One little thing that I HAVE to recommend is their sourdough toast.. I don't know what makes it better than regular old sourdough toast, but its amazing. It can get kind of crowded sometimes on the weekends. So you might have to wait for a little bit. Besides the one time having a really dry pancake and the crowd (sometimes), I still definitely recommend this place! Especially for meeting with people or bringing guests!
(4)Chris G.
My wife found Potato Shack on signonsandiego's top breakfast in SD. This place was probably the biggest disappointment in breakfast history! The food was greasy, tasteless and for a place that prides themselves on their potatoes, this place should be ashamed. After settling the bill I quickly told my wife to cross this place off the list and that Denny's would have been better choice. If you want a good breakfast go elsewhere but if you just want to eat a bunch of gross, greasy food that will will make you sick to your stomach then go to the Potato Shack. Y-U-C-K-!
(1)Mark D.
After running a half marathon, this is the place to go. We didn't wait too long to get seated. We had a party of 7 and got seated fast. It was pretty busy also. When we sat down, I noticed the size of the food on the plates. They were humongous. The called them man hole size and they were. I ended up ordering the Albacore melt and I substituted the fries with ranch fries. I ended up sharing my food with my brother who got the Chicken Fried Steak with biscuits and gravy. I thought all the food was ok. I did get full though. Being on a diet doesn't help at all. I still ate everything. I loved the fries though. The service is good though and the people there were courteous. I would go again for a good fill.
(4)Ruth M.
This place is Outrageous! SOOO Yummy.. and the size man you get your moneys worth.. manhole cover size.. but that does not diminish from the taste.. we took of family to legoland and made a slight detour here.. so much better than Ihop or Denney's or any other place we have been too since.. if your in the area planning a trip to Disney or Legoland or San Diego stop here.. yes it is small but soo worth it ... great wait staff.. great smiles... the one and only draw back is that they don't take credit cards or debt cards.. CASH only..
(5)Jennifer P.
The crew came down here again this year and decided to go here for breakfast once everyone got done with the morning exercise and showers. For a Saturday late morning, they were able to seat us quickly inside at a table for 9. We ordered breakfasts and lunches from the menu. We got everything from Omelets, pancakes, eggs, POTATOES, etc. Everyone was happy. Even mom and dad who came down to spend the day with all of us. I have to admit that I ordered tomatoes instead of potatoes. Sorry, just did not want all the extra calories.
(4)Collin J.
Went up for a special b-day breakfast and sat outside on the sidewalk. Service was good and the food was pretty tasty. Nothing really spectacular though. I got a chocolate chip/banana pancake with the side of sausage gravy and biscuits and my wife got an egg white omelet and some of their special potatoes. Gravy had some good spice and the pancake was really delicious (only ate half but finished it a few hours later) but the potatoes weren't out of this world. Probably won't go back as there are lots of other places to try.
(3)Kevin J.
I lived down the street from this place for awhile. The food is very good and reasonably priced. The service is moderate; the waitresses often seem overwhelmed, so wait times for refills can be lengthy at times. They have cool customizable things on the menu, home fries with almost ANY topping, man hole cover pancakes..etc. Very good after a night of drinking or simply a morning where you are hungry, but too lazy to cook and clean for yourself. My biggest gripe about this place is that it is cash only (get with the times people). Overall, I highly recommend paying this place a visit.
(4)Eugene A.
I like the atmosphere here and the food was as I expected. Generous portions, attentive service, and good coffee. I think I liked the coffee the most about the whole place. The staff is laid back and this one cook sometimes hung out in the dining area. I for one, don't like looking at a dirty apron with the stains of the different food items this person prepared or handled. Not appetizing! It's off Coast Highway a bit but not hard to find. There's ample parking and the street scene is quaint with umbrella'd tables outside. Inside there's a wall with signed photos of many football players from back in the day until now. It's interesting. The only bummer is they only take cash (or a hot check)! Oh well, then. As long as you know ahead of getting there.
(3)Sarah J.
Although I have been here a bazillion times, being an Encinitas native, I am still disappointed in this place for various reasons. First I'll start with the positives. 1. The waitresses work their butts off, always are prompt, friendly, and never mess up your order. 2. The omelettes are good, especially the veggie one, and to make it non-vegetarian we usually add bacon. 3. The portions are huge, so if you're hungry, you'll be more than satisfied. 4. The sandwiches on the lunch menu are great. The turkey is not lunchmeat - it's actually carved turkey. I could eat the Clubhouse every day. The negatives mostly surround the fact that the portions are RIDICULOUSLY big. I have a big appetite and so does my hubby, but we have never, ever finished a plate here. It's almost obnoxious how much they pile on a plate. I get that it's their 'schtick' but it's beyond cute - it's downright wasteful. And who do you think is paying for that 17 lb plate of potatoes? Me, the customer, and that annoys me. I'd rather have a normal to large portion, and have my meal cost $1 to $2 less, than have a massive pile of food that I just end up throwing away. Breakfast leftovers are NEVER good, so you really are wasting food every time. The other thing, which I have seen mentioned in pretty much all of the other reviews, is the fact that the POTATOES at the POTATO Shack are really bland and boring! It baffles me that the Potato Shack (read: famous for potatoes) serves these cubes of bland, sometimes soggy starch alongside your omelet. They need to be WAY crispier, have WAY more seasoning, and be served in a normal portion. If using a standard ladle, they must serve you 8 scoops of these things. If they were delish, I probably wouldn't complain, but they are SO boring. The worst part is, they come completely plain, and they offer you about 20 different toppings at $1 each. I think they should at least let you pick one or two on the house, and then you have to pay if you want to add more. They are so bland on their own, that you really need to order cheese or onions or something on them, or else they are just "there" next to your food. Overall, it's not a bad place. I will probably be back because there aren't tons of breakfast places in the area, and like I said I do enjoy the veggie omelet + bacon every time. But I think I'll order mine sans potatoes next time, because quite frankly there's no point in eating the potatoes at the Potato Shack, no matter how ironic that sounds.
(3)Samantha E.
After arriving to this joint in my boyfriends 1937 Plymouth, we actually found a rad parking spot right in front on a Saturday. We got there around noon which I thought might be a bad idea. We got seated right away. The booths there are AWESOME!! The tables are all made out of cut trees that have been stained. Just be careful where you put your awesome coffee cause it might slip into the rings of the old trees. I ordered steak and eggs. The steak was cooked perfect along with the eggs. The boyfriend ordered a turkey avocado bacon sandwich. He ate it all so I am guessing it was good. The service was so so. The gal that was helping us out seemed a little scatter brained. Just a word of advice: If you like salsa on your eggs they have the BEST! Fresh and homemade.
(4)H K.
A- OK. didn't blow us away or anything, but was a good breakfast. One thing i was surprised at was the orange juice. i love pulp in my oj. (even if it's from a carton, it makes me think is fresh) their oj has no pulp.
(3)Julie U.
Do you want a pancake the size of a manhole? One that is ACTUALLY CALLED a "manhole-sized pancake" on the menu? I don't. Gross. It has been years since I ate at The Potato Shack so I probably shouldn't knock it. I just felt so bad for bagging on them, actually, that I added a third star. Honestly, it's fine as long as what you're looking for is greasy eggs and greasy bacon with greasy potatoes and greasy toast served alongside bad coffee on a table carved right straight out of the trunk of a tree. Be careful not to drop your fork through one of the holes. I'm just sayin'. They've been there since the dawn of time, so they must be doing something right.
(3)Douglas R.
This place didn't get the best reviews but there was a lot of people waiting to get in so my wife and I decided on eating here. I got the omelet and home fries, the omelet was ok , but the home fries tasted kinda weird . I'm not sure if this was just a rare occurrence, but i was disappointed. I probably could have gone to Denny's and wouldn't have to wait in line.
(2)Michelle A.
The food is really just fine; not as tasty as it sounds. A nice atmosphere, however, with outside seating and a mellow feel. Lots of pancakes. Be sure to bring cash; I think they don't take credit cards.
(3)will o.
OK there is no way someone said "best pancakes ever" unless they got some special batch. Mine sucked- and I did not like the plate marks on my cakes from the waitress resting the top plate on it while bringing out our order. So, chewey pancakes, NOT fluffy and not good taste. NOTHING special about them. Other breakfast itmes VERY plain and avererage, as was the coffee. We wanted to like this place, as it is a cute location. But it gets a real "no bueno" from me.
(1)Maynard D.
Cheap breakfast food and large quantities too. Go early if you are going on the weekend and don't forget you can always split a meal. The pancakes are huge..hence the name manhole covers and they serve a wide variety of potatoes and fix'ins. Pretty casual environment and nice staff.
(3)Regina V.
You can make everything on the menu by yourself, even if you are prone to burning toast. Not to say Potato Shack is horrible, it's just totally boring and expensive for what it is. Maybe the problem was that I went there for lunch and deciding on something light, got the vegetarian sandwich. It was so plain, and I know vegetarian options aren't the most exotic, but come on. I HAVE been there for breakfast and the pancakes are indeed tremendous. But honestly..you can do better at Denny's.
(2)Jeff C.
Wow! I am really shocked this place only has 3.5 stars, it is by far some of the best breakfast I have had. They do all the normal breakfast staples, but for some reason theirs stand out. I love this place and would recommend anything under the breakfast menu.
(5)M S.
Most of what we ate was really good. My huevos rancheras came out a little cold but it was still yummy. The salsa is better than in some Mexican restaurants. The pancakes are HUGE for one is definitely enough. The potato "pancakes" are super yummy too. All very reasonably priced. It is cash only with an ATM inside.
(4)Kristen R.
Potato Shack is one of the best places in Encinitas to eat breakfast. There are many great breakfast restaurants in Encinitas, so that being said, it makes the Potato Shack even more of a contender. Pretty much everything on the menu is big and tasty. Last weekend we had a giant apple cinnamon pancake and it was to die for! It's not the cheapest place to get breakfast and be prepared to wait on a weekend. But they do the best they can to get you seated quickly. Anyway, it's one of our favorite places in north county. Go!
(4)Allen P.
This is your old school diner-style American cafe with large portions, greasy food, and just good old family-style cooking. The potatoes are the main attraction here, and for unlimited potatoes, they're quite tasty and filling. Never undercooked, and never burnt, they were just perfect with a little ketchup and Tabasco. Beyond that though, they just make some good family breakfasts. Their eggs are done well, as is their bacon and sausages, which are thick, juicy, and truly delicious. Then you have their manhole-cover-sized pancakes, which are not just quantity, but quality as well. Ultra fluffy and full of fresh fruits or whatever fillings you had, these are quite delicious, even without any syrup or honey. Finishing it is a completely different story, but it's definitely worth ordering.
(4)Kim W.
Just had lunch here today. I had the grilled cheese on sourdough and it was HUGE! Very tasty. And the curly fries were to die for. Yum. I am looking forward to trying it for breakfast soon.
(4)Paula E.
So good we ate there two days in a row. The first day we had a pancake that was huge and wonderful! The second day our waitress suggested onions on my potatoes, I wish the waitress the day before had told me about the onions, because it was delish! They need to up their coffee detail, cuz I sat empty for a while. I always feel if a waitress is walking around with a full coffee pot, they should check every table, not just their own tables.
(4)Glen I.
Wow, the food was so good! Breakfast was the best but looking around the lunches looked just as good. Now I have to figure out how to get down here again! I live in MV!
(5)Tom h.
Went here for the second time today and this place is becoming my favorite spot for breakfast. They serve the biggest pancake I have ever seen and the service was good again. Warning though come with a big appetite. It is always a battle to finish my plate when i come here. CASH ONLY!
(5)jim p.
First time here, we brought friends from Georgia. Excellent food, frienly service. Huevos Rancheros, applewood bacon, biscuits and gravy- all excellent. Sublime location.
(4)Jiim F.
I find myself at the potato shack cafe nearly every weekend now. Its a great little breakfast place that doesn't disappoint. Friendly people, large portions, tasty food, and great service are all aspects that make this place my favorite breakfast destination. I will gladly put my money down for a heavenly plate of chicken fried steak or a manhole sized pancake. the place sort of gives off that mom and pap feel to it that really creates a comforting setting. the place is fairly clean and theres little to complain about. The only things i could say that are a negative is that they only take cash, but this is quickly solved by having an atm inside right next to the register. Other than that the only other negative is that a few of the waitresses push you to try their salsa to almost a scary extent. its great salsa i must say, i just am not a fan of having it over eggs....if only i had some chips
(5)Christopher H.
Just ate there this morning and I have mixed feelings.The food was decent but a bit over priced.Our server didn't appear to be happy being there.......really? at least try and fake it.The coffee was mediocre at best and the refills (one) were a LONG time coming.The topper was the waitress pointing to our plates expecting us to hand them to her because she was too lazy to circle the table! NEVER had that happen before.Not the worst but considering the price I was underwhelmed.
(2)Cam P.
Not a fan. The server was terrible & rude and the food was dry & flavorless.
(1)Ren D.
Good ol' Potato Shack, home of the Manhole Size Pancakes! It's been a treat to dine here since I was a kid, although in lieu of the chocolate-chip pancakes I used to gobble down, now I go for a fruity pancake or even their less-famous breakfast items: burrito, biscuits & gravy, etc. I usually end up eating outside to enjoy the weather and mellow I-Street atmosphere, but the inside is cozy. Good, friendly and efficient service. Always get treated like local friends by the management. The cash only policy can catch you off guard if you're not prepared, but those in the know...
(4)Scott C.
I have loved this place since it first opened. While I do not live in CA anymore, I still make a point of dining here whenever I get down that way. The food is great. the portions are huge (frankly bordering on the ridiculous.) But, I love it. the pancakes, omelets, biscuits and gravy, and of course, the potatoes. It's just good.
(4)Marco S.
An Encinitas staple for any local! Try anything on this menu and you won't be let down. This is a must eat if you are in the area!
(4)Pete F.
Great little diner. My omlette was great. Girlfriend's pancake was gi-normous. Service was great too.
(5)J C.
Tons of people here. The pancakes are gigantic almost like manhole covers . Come with a hungry crew or hangover. Definitely comfort food.
(4)Autumn C.
We got to the Potato Shack at 1:59 and they were nice enough to seat us...The Shack closes early at 2PM! I shared a huge clubhouse and a side of the home cut french fries...There was quite possibly enough food for 3 people...and those fries! Wowee! Looking forward to going back for those "Manhole covers" and the biscuits and Gravy!
(4)Jen S.
I had the rancho hueveros. Over easy eggs were made perfectly and topped with sharp cheddar cheese. The mexican sauce was quite flavorful.
(4)Critic's Choice L.
one of the best breakfast places in North county. Courteous staff, great location, easy parking, cozy ambiance, excellent food. Their manhole sized chocolate chip pancake is the best!
(5)E C.
YUUUUMMMM. What can I say about this place. I previously thought the service was bad, but upon another trip to the shack, I was surprised with the awesome service. The waitress brought me seconds on the fries even before I asked for them! I usually get the fries with garlic, cheddar and sour cream. Last time I went, I ate so much potatoes, I was afraid that I would go blind. Bring cash guys...this place doesn't accept plastic...
(5)Sherri S.
Great breakfast, affordable, great place to be. I go there a couple of weekends a month. I love the omelets, and potatoes. If you're into pancakes, theirs are delicious and huge. The chicken fried steak is like you get down south and the gravy is almost as good as down south, about as close as you can get in southern California.
(5)Jaymi W.
Went here with a group of 7 adults, 2 toddlers and an infant...and they were able to seat us on a busy Sunday morning within 3 minutes. That was pretty impressive. Star alone for that. They have these weird tables made of cut wood inside which aren't really great for a group, though. I ended up sitting where there was a piece of wood sticking out that looked like Florida, and my plate wouldn't fit or balance on it so I had to sit 3 fit away from my boyfriend. Take away a star. The A/C on the inside was not cranking, so it was REALLY warm, even though we sat need the doors. I was sweating during our entire meal. Ok, now for the food. The make your own omelet was decent, nothing to write home about. It was a bit too greasy for my taste and I am not a fan of massive portions. I guess I just think they look garish on the plate! But for those of you that are hungover and looking for a giant greasy breakfast, this place is for you. I did have one of the banana pancakes, "manhole"...wow, that was BIG. Here's the thing. They could have put the same amount of banana in a pancake 1/3 of the size and I would have enjoyed it WAY more. This pancake batter was dense and tasty but really the best parts were the parts that were surrounding the banana. I found myself digging out the little pieces of banana and leaving about 85% of the pancake behind. It just seems wasteful and unnecessary. The service was fine, she seemed really busy, but she was attentive. The place is not spotless and I had to ask for a new spoon that looked more clean. I would go back if I was REALLY hungry or nursing a hangover, but other than that, I might go to the place across the street (the name eludes me) that looked a little nicer.
(3)Liz B.
Paying $5 for plain "American"potatoes and then $1.20 per topping can get expensive FAST. The make your own omelet isn't a better deal, considering that a plain (no cheese) omelet starts at $6.95 and fillings (including cheese) are an additional .90 each. The manhole pancakes are prob the best deal, but don't expect an equal or even proportionate ratio of pancake to fruit (tiny little blueberries in our case). Coffee will run you $2.30 in a small mug, and you may or may not feel you get enough refills to make that worthwhile - we sure didn't. This place was a fun after surf spot 10 years ago, now it seems pricey with indifferent service. And the all cash thing? The ATM is prominently placed in the main dining room, but a sign on the outside of the door sure would be nice.
(2)Jennifer W.
The portions are large, but most of your meal is going to waste if you happen to be at all picky about temperature, texture and/or seasoning. If all you're concerned about is bulk, it might be a good deal. I'm not sure if they're going for a retro look, or they just don't bother keeping the place up. The decor is old and tacky. Wherever you parked, there are better breakfast joints within walking distance.
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