Howard Station Cafe
3611 Bohemain Hwy, Occidental, CA, 95465
Howard Station Cafe Menu
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Address :
3611 Bohemain Hwy
Occidental, CA, 95465 - Phone (707) 874-2838
- Website https://www.howardstationcafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Sedona T.
I will just say this: I've had a lot of waffles in my 20 years of life. These were the best. Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. ...I'm afraid I have a new addiction.
(5)Monica K.
From Santa Rosa CA, this is is a good place to visit and eat at if you have time for a leisurely "drive in the country" to get there....it is in the quaint town of Occidental. -Friendly Service -Many Options (but not so many that you can't figure it out) -Loved getting updated when fresh raspberries just came in freshly picked(of course, had to have some!) -Egg-free breakfast options -Everyone in my party has liked or loved their food each time I've been there. -Very good coffee -Fun world map in the hallway by the restrooms where people can pinpoint their land of origin ...it is a bit noisy...but I've found that so are most good breakfast places that aren't carpeted! No credit cards!
(4)Michael B.
Fantastic eggs Benedict, great corned beef hash!
(5)Ernst W.
Drove through that nice little town and needed a place to eath lunch. We made good pick. Decent service, nice people, good atmosphere and decent food. Rather busy and a bit noisy therefore.
(4)Laura M.
It is . . super-amazing good, yummy, definitely a four and half star place but if forced, I could find tiny little spaces in which to design an improvement like . . oh, I don't know, expanded outdoor seating and variations on the coffee (you can have LEADED or . . decaf). Also, I brought my mother here to celebrate her sixty-somethingth birthday and I couldn't sweet talk anybody into fixing her some potatoes without onions. I feel sixty-plus years on the planet should've earned her some potatoes sans on-yahns . . even if she is a bit tactless with restaurant-serving-professionals from time-to-time. Really, its an awesome place and does a brisk business but it suffers a tiny, little bit of super-hot personality disorder in that it can't be bothered to provide any customization.
(4)Winglo A.
I think this place is overrated. Had 3 pancakes ($7)... it was overcooked-dark brown and a hard crust and it tasted like cardboard. I cannot force myself to finish. Then the three little sausages links ($3). Over priced and tasteless. The coffee was okay, a bit weak. The service was good. Too bad there isn't a IHOP or a Denny's in town.
(1)Devin N.
This is a great place to get good food at a good price. Plus it has a little something for everyone with out having a 20 page menu. Good burgers, breakfast and fresh squeezed juice! Careful they are only open for breakfast and lunch.
(4)Wu T.
Howard's continues to be our favorite for breakfast! When we go there we skip lunch because the breakfast can be so hearty! The wait staff is friendly and courteous, the food is well worth the wait (sometimes 20 minutes on busy summer weeekends). We love it & recommend it to veggie lovers, meat lovers and those that love a good old fashioned community. Go there, support them, they are amazing!
(5)Joe B.
Wife and I literally stumbled upon this place on our way to Jenner on a weekday morning. The vibe here is totally cool and the breakfast is just terrific. Wife had a breakfast burrito and I had one of the many benedicts. Coffee is strong too - just right. Can't recommend highly enough. Based on what I saw, you could eat breakfast here every day for a month and not order the same thing. Also, the drive on Bohemian Hwy. to from Rt. 12 to Rt. 116 then to Rt. 1 at Jenner is spectacular.
(5)Sue W.
Howard's Station is simply one of the best places around for breakfast! The food is always good and the staff is cheerful, friendly and professional. Love it!!!
(5)Jody T.
For a place the size of Occidental, this was a really nice find. We were staying at Negri's Occidental Hotel right across the street so this was a perfectly placed restaurant for breakfast. NOTE: Cash only. I ate there 2 mornings. I loved the european style latte-in-a-bowl. The staff was more accommodating to my request for a 'not hot' latte than Starbucks has ever been (I have no idea why Starbucks - multiple locations - insists on fighting with me about the temperature of my coffee!) Howard Station staff acted like it was a normal request and just smiled and made me feel welcome. You can order a stack of pancakes or get just 1, or 2. Maple syrup is available by request. They seemed willing to fix it however you wanted as long as it came off the menu. They had all the standard fare, eggs, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, as well as tofu scrambles, brown rice, 2 different oatmeals were offered (the hawaiian sounded good with bananas, coconut, etc). They have a small bakery case as well, and I believe they listed some smoothies on a board. I gave it a 4/5 because I think there was room to grow in terms of making the food really excellent, but I cannot complain. Staff was great, prices were good, coffee was good... I was very happy.
(4)Tamz O.
After a weekend of wine tasting this place was the best way to really come back to reality without having to leave the gorgeous wine country. Four of us enjoyed and absolutely fulfilling array of breakfast options including the special Irish poached eggs which were cooked perfectly. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention the best breakfast potatoes my tastebuds have ever enjoyed. They must have used all fresh herbs bc the robust flavor were savory with a bite of crunch. Hubby had the best berry pancakes. Friends enjoyed the great shakes and loved their food too!
(5)Charlotte L.
I have had a lot of good breakfasts, and this place serves the best of them all. This is the place I always take friends when they visit me. I always get the eggs benedict and a large orange juice and it is the greatest breakfast of all time. The hollandaise sauce is amazing, as are the potatoes, and the poached eggs are perfect. The feel of the place is great too. I have no idea why anyone would give this place a bad review.
(5)Britta A.
WoW - biscuits! All biscuits from this point forward are fails in comparison to the dense and bready heart shaped goodness served at Howard Station Cafe. They were sweet with honey, and I'm pretty sure orange zest. Perfectly moist and crumbly at the same time. I found myself here on New Years Day for brunch. We had to wait about 20 minutes, the place was packed. But it was worth it. The food was incredibly fresh, and hearty, and crazy with flavor. I had the turkey cranberry sandwich w/ cream cheese. The sandwich was HUGE, with hand carved roasted turkey (not grocery store deli meat), a real cranberry compote (not that weird stuff from a can), and a SLICE of cream cheese - yes a SLICE. The meal came with 2 of those mouth watering biscuits. Our waiter, who was probably one of the most courteous I've ever had, recommended eating the biscuit with butter and honey. OMG - who knew it could get better? He was so great about making sure our coffee was filled, and bellies were happy. I loved it here so much, that I'm willing to drive from Oakland back to Occidental just for another taste awesomeness.
(5)Zoe C.
I am crazy about this place! Best breakfast in Sonoma County, hands down. If you happen to catch their quick lunch, get the chicken sandwich. It is made with some form of highly addictive drug in the sauce, I believe. The smoothies and espresso drinks are unbelievably good and the ingrediants to everything are fresh and organic. The breakfast potatos are the best I have ever had. Serio. The drive there is gorgeous, the wait is well worth it, and the coffee is not only wonderful but fairtrade and made by family of the owners! Taylor Maid is wonderful coffee. Anyone want to go to breakfast tomorrow?! Now I am craving it...
(5)Gem F.
A.ma .zing! Lovely front porch. Fun staff. Excellent classic Benedict. Biscuits & gravy. Yum! Must eat here.
(5)J. Marie N.
This place is amazing. We stopped here on our way back to SF after camping near Russian River. We were just driving through looking for a place for brunch and happened to see it. It was BUSY, but luckily we got seated right away outside. The staff was very friendly and the food was AWESOME! French toast, fresh OJ, perfect latte, and my husband's huevos rancheros were fantastic!
(5)Mark W.
This is a great breakfast spot, tucked away in beautiful Occidental. The guests are a mix of locals and day trippers from Sonoma County and beyond. The choices range from the obvious, like Denver Omelet, to the vegan choices, with rice bowls, etc.. The service if very good, with smiles, efficiency and accuracy. It's apparent that they care. Prices are really easy on the wallet, especially for the quality of food and service. They do have an "express" station, accessible from the side of the bu idling, for coffee and bakery goods (made on site). Go for a visit; you'll be back.
(5)Lisa B.
Amazing find in a classic 'true blood' kinda neighborhood Lol try the pancakes or any of the juices. Top quality, but cash only - so FYI
(5)Chuck D.
This place is so sweet inside, that I have to love it. I have wanted to give it a 1 star rating several times because I have gotten some terrible food and some terrible service, but then I go back and the food is pretty good and service will be excellent. So, I guess I would call it hit or miss. But you have to go out there - its in Occidental, one of the sweetest small towns in northern California! We love to just go out for a drive, for the small town ambience and delightful character of the place. I am really excited about the waffles, though. I have had them several times, and only once were they not good. I love the waffles with the pecans inside and the whip cream. They even have a gluten-free version that my girlfriend gets and she LOVES it! Its pretty close to the original version, a tasty treat! And their coffee is usually pretty tasty. I think its Taylor Maid, maybe - but don't quote me on that.
(3)Victoria K.
This place was very yummy! Very glad we made the trip!! It's located in a very small little town, absolutely adorable! The coffe was the kind that will put hair on your chest, JUST HOW I LIKE IT! The breakfast was so good! They are a CASH ONLY establishment but they do have a ATM in the back that has a $2 service charge which is not bad considering I've paid a lot more elsewhere. This is a must stop! This trip, if coming from Bodega Bay, is only a 10-15min drive and takes you through the city of Bodega, right by the church and school house used in the movie The Birds! Just a great experience all around!
(5)Owen C.
What a hidden gem up in the woods. Nestled in an adorable town, Howard Station is the kind of breakfast you dream about right before you wake up. Everything is so fresh, the ambience is small town but still fast paced, the staff are friendly and pleasant. Per a recommendation from our server added ham to the vegi eggs benedict, a revelation. Also had the waffle which was unreal. Just make sure you bring cash.
(5)Stephanie W.
Almost anyone who knows me in real life can tell you that my favorite meals of the dal thy are cocktail hour, dessert and brunch. Granted, only one of those is an actual meal time... but that means it's still one of my favorites. We arrived at Howard's Station Cafe in the tiny town of Occidental this morning. The town is so small that it's about 3 blocks long, Main Street actually looks like a shopping center parking lot along Bohemian highway and you might miss this great restaurant if you even blinked. Because we arrived so early, we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table for three (as we were leaving at 11, we saw the huge line forming out the door waiting for a table). We were promptly seated and offered coffee, juice, etc. The coffee was a strong, traditional drip coffee. Nothing out of the ordinary, but when I order a drip coffee I rarely want anything out of the ordinary. The waitress was attentive and came back to check on how we were doing, even when we took forever to order off their expansive breakfast menu (about 3 pages of just breakfast items). I ended up ordering the Cajun omelet and my friends had the corned beef hash and veggie benedict. I heard the corned beef hash was great and the eggs on the veggie benedict were perfectly cooked with a great holandaise sauce. My cajun omelet was absolutely fantastic with great spicy sausage, sharp cheddar, jalapenos, onions and avocado. All of these breakfasts were served alongside great country potatoes and my breakfast came with homemade heart shaped buttermilk biscuits. They weren't greasy (if anything, a bit too cakey) and they came with local Clover butter and honey on the side. There was so much food and it was all so delicious at this great time of morning. Although we were all in the mood for savory breakfast, their pastry and fancy coffee selection looked great as well. They also have an express window (walk up) outside that sells ice cream, coffee, pastries and beer (yes, that's what the sign says) Even hours later, I'm still full from breakfast. Howard's has an amazing, home town quality that I find unexpected in today's world. I will have to go back next time I'm around Bodega.
(5)Pam H.
Redefines dog-friendly -- I have never eaten anywhere with a separate dog menu! What fun. My girls and I loved the shady porch and great food! We will definitely be back.
(5)Kait B.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant, EVER. The Howard's Club sandwich is absolutely TO DIE for. The food, atmosphere and overall experience is worth the drive, wherever you are coming from.
(5)Regine J.
This place has personal nostalgic meaning for me as I used to live at the CYO camp and would come up into town for a Salmon Florentine omelette on a regular basis. I don't recall ever ordering anything else, so I really can't review any other meal. But I will say that now that I live in Chicago, I regularly fantasize about that omelette (and yes, yelp, with your little wiggly red line under the word omelette, you CAN legally spell it that way). I recently went to Occi with my fiance and we both had the salmon OMELETTE, and it was to die for!!! Apparently, yelp wants me only to spell it "omelet" and who does that? Not me. The word omelette is now effectively giving me the weirdies.
(5)cecilia k.
Smack, smack.... I love this place. That might have something to do with me wearing pajamas with wine and whiskey stains still drunk with 12 other girls and a banana. BUT it also have to do with my awesome tofu scramble with potatoes and avocado or/and getting a picture of Pocahontas and her baby. This is such a cute place and if you are driving trough Occidental or camping nearby, make sure to eat brunch here!
(5)C-li R.
Ok, the food, is good, but some dishes lack some flavor. But, when you do go, their coconut waffles....are heavenly! So, delicious, fluffy, served with hand whipped whipped cream....*drool* Their potatoes are nice and crunchy on the outside, and fluffy and steam-y on the inside. The biscuits are a bit on the sweet side, but you can tell it's (lovingly) handmade...soft, and crumbly....the sausage gravy is creamy, thick, and I can eat it on it's own. Which I have. Mmm...sausage-licious... The tea is served in a press, with whole leaf tea, not the kind ground and stuffed into little paper filters.... The ambiance is fun, the staff attentive and always circling around with refills for coffee. Talking about this place makes me crave their coconut waffles...drool....
(4)Melissa B.
I've been to this cafe many times for breakfast. Each time my food was cooked perfectly and the staff is very friendly. I usually just get the two egg breakfast or eggs benedict and love them both. My fiance always gets the biscuits and gravy and loves them. He tries biscuits and gravy anywhere we go and believes that they are very well prepared. It is typically pretty busy but the service is great!
(5)jack q.
Awesome, awesome, awesome. Stopped by for lunch and we had the Club Sandwich and the Magna Burger, both with potato salad. The Club was delicous and fresh, the Magna Burger was fantastic with grilled onions, smoked cheddar and great bacon. The potato salad was in a league of its own. I can't remember more than a couple of restaurants that make good potato salad. Most have either disgusting or edible salads, but the one at Howard's is just delicious. And the portions are huge. We could only finish half and at the other half for dinner. Yum-meee! And the place couldn't be more relaxing with great service and very decent prices. Don't missi it if you're in the area!
(5)Alex R.
I have only been here for breakfast, but probably 25 times! It is awesome! I love the potatoes, and I almost always get eggs benedict as it is the best I have EVER HAD! Also, the cinnimon rolls they make are to die for. Even if you don't get one with breakfast make sure to get one to go - trust me, you'll eat it. The only down side to Howard Street Station is the crazy long waits for weekend brunch. Come early on the weekend, or be prepared to wait for up to an hour just to sit.
(4)Beth J.
Being the fan I am of a good homemade soup, I tried the Coconut Curry Carrot. Just the right amount of curried zip. Great little side salad with fresh beets.
(4)H. P.
My friends and I stopped by after a (wonderful) morning going ziplining, and happened on this place -- it was perfect! The food was great, the service friendly, the neighborhood picturesque and the weather was sunny!
(4)Sarah W.
Howard's has a lot of reviews and they have a high average. I haven't read the reviews because I don't want them to cloud mine. The last two times I was there, I had to go refill my own coffee, even after asking the waitress, bus boy, and any worker who passed, for more! Now, I'm not above just getting it myself but when you go out to a bfast place that people rave about, you don't expect to have to beg for service, then not get it. The food is solid, not amazing, but filling and never tastes bad. The huevos rancheros are what I have ordered about 75% of the times I've eaten there over the last 5 years. It is also kinda fishy and a hassle that they only take cash.
(3)Mary L.
Great spot in a beautiful setting. Eat on the front porch and savor an amazing breakfast. Beeny and pancakes were yummo.
(5)kevin w.
Where do hippies go when they die and what--pray tell--are they eating for breakfast on the other side of those trippy-lookin' pearly gates? Howard Station Cafe is as close to a slice of hippie heaven as you're gonna find while on good mother earth. Located along Bohemian Highway in the idyllic town of Occidental, CA, this breakfast hideaway is not to be missed. The staff is warm, friendly, and inviting and the menu features gluten free waffles, tofu scrambles, and the most ORGANIC of all organic ingredients. Not for you? Don't worry because you can load up on bacon, sausage, and eggs with the best of 'em too. Eat your heart out Timothy Leary! It's good for the ecology.
(5)Lisa N.
My family and I had breakfast there. I got the nutty waffles which were delicious, lots of nuts and a very crispy waffle with a chewy and wheaty taste. The whipped cream tasted home made :) I also order a pineapple and kale smoothie...just because and it was yummy. The kale was in the smoothie like little flakes but it was the best way to eat kale ever! The atmosphere was a nice friendly hub made exceptionally nice by the softened sun of fall.
(5)Rob L.
Ok y'all, his place ROCKS solely on the Crab Benedict, OMG that was HEAVEN on a plate!!!! The fresh juices are AWESOME, you can see and hear the juicer going! The biscuits, YUM! Seriously, this place is a slice of heaven, it IS a MUST!!!!
(5)Shelly C.
What a great place. My husband and I went for lunch and it was just awesome. He had the grilled vegetable sandwhich, and I had a giant garden salad. The dressing was to die for, very good. I had the blue cheese, but it wasn't the creamey white kind, it came out green, tons of yummmy flavor. I also had a white mocha, excellent! Go there if you can, I wish I was there right now!
(5)Kelsey M.
I've loved this place forever. I grew up in Occidental and this was always the best place in my mind for breakfast, EVER. However a recent visit makes me hesitate to give them five stars. Their service is usually terrific! On this chilly slow Monday though, the server blatantly ignored the presence of both my breakfast date and I. She literally seated a couple next to us after we had been sitting with our menus closed for 20 minutes (not exaggerating) and got them water, menus, annnnnnd took their order within five minutes. Without so much as a glance at us. I've been here many times since. I love it nonetheless :)
(4)Garth L.
The best breakfast on earth! Lived in South Africa, London, Australia.... Nothing beats this place! Try their Salmon Benedict breakfast!
(5)Randy W.
The village of Occidental is very quaint and this is the best place in town to sit, stop and absorb some of the atmosphere the redwood tree lined area has to offer. Howard's Cafe is the pinnacle of West County earthly comfort food! I've been for both breakfast and lunch and really dig the turn of the century rustic (not run down) atmosphere. The walls are lined with large windows that let's the sunlight flow in and illuminate the historic building's spacious yet cozy interior. The food is fresh and has hippy/sprouty undertones. There's something for everyone, whether you want a bowl of fruit topped with yogurt and granola or are looking for a tall stack of blue berry pancakes. I'm sure someone else will chime in with a better review soon, but you won't be disappointed and owe it to yourself to stop in even if it's just for a cup of tea.
(5)Steve G.
Stopped at Howard's while cruising through West Sonoma based to reviews here. Place is fantastic. Saturday morning, around 11, no wait, immediate seating. Nice friendly waitresses. Quick service. Great food. All together had the Denver omelette, veggie omelette, pancakes and corned beek hash. All were great. fresh squeezed OJ - Yum. Definitely the place for breakfast.
(5)Mark D.
Excellent breakfasts, great menu with a variety of very unique dishes. My wife is a vegetarian and had lots of choices. Will make sure we eat here again when we are in the area.
(5)Kristen A.
Horrible service. Kitchens close at 230 during the week, we arrived at 220 put our order in and the cook refused it. The waitress pleaded with him for twenty minutes we sat with her informing us to stay and wait- he would cook our food. He finally did, however, 2 of the meals were wrong. Never mind that my friend ordered the tuna splash- the kitchen gave her a hamburger. When my friend sent it back the cook he refused to fix it and told us we were out of luck. Horrible experience!!!!!
(1)D. Miguel G.
Get here before 12pm! Otherwise after 12:30 you will have to order from a condensed menu. Booooo! The ride in to town from Bodega Bay took roughly 20 minutes and in itself is enough reason to visit Howard Station Cafe. Occidental is a quaint little town that is surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful trees. When we arrived the place was bustling and had a rustic authenticity about it. The hostess was personable. There is indoor and outdoor seating on the patio. We were seated inside a full house and the noise level was as loud as a football stadium! The service was friendly but stood in the shadows of the food. Everything on the menu sounded tasty and appeared to be organic. Try the Ginger Honey Lemonade. It has inspired me! I didn't care for the Cajun Style Omelette but the potatoes were cooked to perfection. The Tuna Sandwich served on a croissant was great! FYI if you don't like red bell pepper you may not enjoy their tuna. There are soooo many things that I wanted to try so next time I'll be sure to get here before 12:30. I enjoyed this place!
(5)Auspicious T.
On top of their game again. Good picking it up!
(5)Denise N.
What a wonderful find! I yelped prior to leaving Novato to find a place, checked out their menu online....all sounded delicious. The place was busy at 1:00pm upon our arrival, but a few tables were available. Unfortunately, most of the breakfast menu ends at 12:30, but there are a few selections still available such as omelets and rice bowls. We ordered spanish omelets with a side of bacon and italian sausage...YUM! It was a little spicy, but not too much. Orange juice was fresh squeezed...and since I couldn't decide, I ordered a coco loco waffle (coconut waffle). This was probably the best waffle I have ever had...and the whip cream was just as delicious. ;) Anyway, service was great....we were in and out. They are a cash only restaurant.... I did notice that they have a walk up window for ice cream! What a cute place! We'll be back whenever we're in the area...
(5)Ang H.
This is an absolute must stop for breakfast! We were vacationing in the area and went here two days in a row! It was very nice sitting outside despite the mist and coolness-they have heaters. Inside is very busy and noisy but fun. The food is fanstastic! Pancakes are fluffy and yummy as is the hot chocolate. Everything we ate was wonderful. Lots of regulars and lots of funny dogs visiting with their hungry owners. We will definitely be back here. Be prepared to wait on the weekends-we opted to sit outside (it was nicer anyways) and watched many people wait awhile for a table. It is worth it, though, if you're not in a hurry! :) Go across the street to the cute shops and you might meet Manga the dog from the Mad Hatter store. What fun!
(5)Mel G.
From the endearing 1890s charm of this place to to delicious coffee and brunch.. this a must stop in Occidental. I ordered the huevos rancheros which were delicious, and the service was quick and friendly. i wish they were open past 3 pm because I wanted to hang out awhile, but on second thought, maybe there wouldn't be enough folks around that late since Occidental is so small. Coming here was a great escape from SF for the day.
(4)Claire F.
Kind of disappointed. It is such a cute building, it could be an amazing business. When my husband and I went, they were really busy, I was at first impressed with how the servers seemed to be hustling. However, I quickly found out they're hustling but they're not very personable or helpful. The rush-rush-rush attitude made us feel actually like we had to hurry up and eat and leave which was probably what they wanted (to turn over tables). After the reviews I read I expected the food to be really good but it was just ok. My eggs were dry, my pancakes weren't buttermilk and my husbands vegan dish was absolutely COVERED in herbs. I had to hold my nose. The waitress didn't know anything about the pastries at the 'counter', she indicated that my husband should go over and ask the woman that was there because she was rushing around. To top it off my husband immediately got a bad stomach. We thought it would be great to find a new great breakfast place since we already drive 20 minutes every weekend for breakfast. And it looks like we'll be sticking with Dierks Parkside Cafe in Santa Rosa!
(2)Warren C.
We stopped in town to get a drink but ended up sitting down and having a little meal. The malted milk milk shakes were AMAZING!!!!! We also had the Baja Tacos with snapper. Very tasty with fresh cilantro and flour shells. Another important note: cash only. Very unique town with a 60s feel to it.
(5)R. G.
Bring your wheelchair- you'll need to be rolled out the door after this breakfast! When I saw the amazing selection of vegan/ veggie friendly breakfast options (including VEGAN muffins that taste awesome- even my bacon loving bf came back two days in a row for one!) all self control just went out the window. Heart shaped biscuits- how cute and a friendly, non-hungover waitress who never missed a beat keeping our coffee and water full. Thank god this place is not in SF or I would be 30 lbs overweight and late for work every morning!
(5)james s.
Awesooooooome breakfast!
(5)Matt M.
I'll probably go back because it's a great excuse for a motorcycle ride. But... 1. Very loud inside. Hard to converse. 2. They don't serve lunch menu items until 12:30 on weekends. 3. They got three parts of my order wrong. 4. They forgot one whole part of my order. On the plus side they didn't charge me for the part the forgot (and it was delivered after I asked about it.) Also on the plus side one of the employees (owner? manager?) snagged my keys off the table when I went to the rest room on the way out -- met me at the door with them.
(2)Jenna J.
Everything on the menu is the BOMB! I can't really tell you what is the best but I am Irish so I like the Irish Poached Eggs or the Hash. All the Egg Dishes are great and the pancakes with berries are delish. Need I say more.. its in the Redwoods, good food and a beautiful hike later or drive to Jenner and take in the Ocean. Oh.. bring cash because they don't take credit cards. Love this place, its a staple on my dining out card.
(5)LMoo P.
WE stopped here before going to Osmosis Spa, we were looking forward to their breakfast cause all you yelpers wax poetic about them but were disappointed we missed the cut off..now, this is important, they do offer some breakfast dishes after the regular breakfast cutoff time - we weren't told that even though we said we were disappointed we couldn't have their breakfasts - thus the four star not five star experience. The best lattte I've had in a while, yummy lemonade (homemade), the sandwiches we had were huge..huge...huge...we could hardly finish half of them. Yummy leftovers. :P The service was competent and spunky. It was continually busy while we were there so be prepared to wait a bit for a table. They have benches outside so you can wait outside if you need be as the entrance is teeny tiny and people squish each other getting in and out of the restaurant. The washroom, I mean the restroom, was enchanting..really - it's a neat room. I'd go back and this time I'll be back for breakfast!
(4)Ramin R.
I could see going here if I live in town or if I had friends visiting from somewhere else besides the bay area but it's not a place I would go out of my way to go to only for the food. Very cool building and nice service. The French toast was French toast. All I could taste in the biscuits was flour. The crab benedict was good but it lacked a kick I guess. Go but don't center your whole trip around it.
(3)Nat S.
I love how they cook salmon benedict. YUM! and the service is awesome!
(4)Aaron S.
Howard Station Cafe is worth the inevitable long wait outside if you are hankering for a tasty and unique breakfast in western Sonoma. I had a salmon hash for breakfast with brown rice, which was so delicious you forget it is reasonably healthy. The service was good, and the drink selections, from beers to mixed juices, were top notch. It also is a great place for kids (being train themed and all).
(4)Reid L.
If you're a fan of having a little adventure with your breakfast, you should get in the car and drive through the forest to Howard Station! The drive alone is well worth it...You get to enjoy scenic rolling hills and such... This has to be one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Each time I have been, I've ordered something else...I'll be honest though, I have never tried lunch at this place... I try to take out-of-towners here and they always seem to love it! This is also a fun little breakfast date spot! Be sure to bring cash with you though because they only accept cash!
(5)Valerie S.
My husband and I decided to drive out to Occidental to try Howard Station Cafe because so many people voted it as their favorite breakfast spot on biteclub.com . The place was packed but we were seated quickly and received attentive and friendly service although there was a bit of a wait. I had a veggie benedict which was cooked perfectly and very tasty. I ordered tomato juice and was a little surprised because it was fresh, not canned. It was a pleasant experience and we will definitely return because they had so much to offer on the menu. Just be aware...they only take cash.
(4)Todd J.
Wow! The real deal for breakfast and definitely worth a special day trip to Occidental. Also a great base for an afternoon of wine tasting in the Russian River. I enjoyed an excellent cappuccino and perfectly executed blueberry pancakes. My wife's veggie scramble was quite amazing too. The grilled potatoes are stellar... half of them ended up on my plate soon after my first bite. The menu has three entire pages of breakfast delights... I'm thinking it will take a few more trips to understand just how great this place is. I expect it will keep getting better and better.
(4)Adam C.
Really excellent coffee, crisp and savory potatoes, corned beef hash like I make at home, perfectly cooked eggs. This was a highlight of my recent Sonoma County visit. Superb breakfast joint.
(5)Dan A.
Went on a Sunday at around noon and the place was busy but the wait wasn't long. Wife and I enjoyed the crab benedict and the special potato dish with the tomatoes, avocado, and sour cream. The town of Occidental is a treat as well. A great experience.
(5)G And G.
Good for you E.H., sometimes people forget we are all human and some of us make mistakes. Howard Station Cafe is wonderful, we also go for drives and stumbled upon it. I had the Howard Club, it was huge and definitely worth the money. The fries are truly fresh cut and just how I love them, crispy outside, perfectly cooked inside. Ambience is fabulous, eclectic and unpretentious. Service was great, although we always talk with our servers and are always nice to them so perhaps that little extra goes a long way (for some who don't get good service, maybe they just had a lousy customer and just need someone like you to give them a nice smile to give you the great service you so expect and deserve) love to talk with locals. Maybe we got a good day, but if we didn't, we always give our fellow human beings another chance. If they screw up after that... there is always something new to discover around the corner. Life is full of surprises.
(5)Stefan J.
This place is the best. I go here all the time and for good reason. The people are awesome. The food is incredible - both selection and quality. Even when it gets crowded I've never waited for more than five minutes. The gluten free muffin is the best I've had.
(5)Ariel W.
I just love this place. Great options for meat eater and vegan alike. Great service, fine prices, sweet decor. Relaxing spot to hang out while in Western Sonoma. So glad we found it.
(5)Kristina A.
Quaint, organic, healthy and savory. One of the best omlettes I have had in my life....hmmm. Great service, people are super friendly. That small town appeal. I wanna move to a small town now. CASH ONLY!
(5)Mamma B.
Well my bf and I are visiting Bodega Bay for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. As usual, I get to pick the restaurants! Thank goodness for Yelp! Not too many options for breakfast here...so we opted to travel the windy country roads out to beautiful Occidental. Such a quaint and charming little downtown you might miss if you blinked! We found the restaurant after realizing that "Main Street" is like a little frontage road that runs along Bohemian Highway through part of the downtown. You are almost transported back in time as this area and the building the restaurant is in is so very victorian. The place itself is casual and we were greeted by the hostess, who may have been the owner, after she got up from one of the patrons tables (presumably a local as they seem to be on a first name basis with many of them). We were seated promptly and I delayed perusing the menu for a quick trip over to the pastry case. The muffins and cinnamon rolls looked scrumptious! Back to the table I quickly decided we would order and share a side of biscuits and gravy. I oredered the crab Benedict for my meal and the bf ordered the "serious sausage" and a blueberry belgium waffle- he is a big guy with a big appetite what can I say? Now unfortunately, this was one of those very rare occasions when I enjoy his food more than my own. My Benedict was decent, but had I known it would have tomatoes and just the stringy parts of the crab, I would have passed. Being so close to fresh seafood, I expected some good lump crab :( The hollandaise was decent...but didn't really sing in my mouth like some have. The grilled potatoes were also pretty good. Everything was good. Here is what was excellent and what was terrible. Excellent Service- yes contrary to some of the reviews here, I found the service to be fast, friendly and efficient. I even was called "sweety" by a girl young enough to be my daughter. The bf and I had our first "fork war" over his blueberry belium waffle. Now this is something I never would order for myself, I'm more of a savory breakfast person, but after one bite I claimed half. Luckily he doesn't like whip cream so I got the whole side bowl of fresh whipped heaven to myself. The combination was bliss (really). He finished his half and tried to get a little too close to what was left of "my half"....our forks met and he said something he has never said during a meal "you don't have to get hostile!" Well, I acquiesced and I allowed him another nibble. His sausage thingy was also superb. The grilled mushroom, red onions and peppers cooked perfectly leaving me wishing for a heap with MY potatoes. The housemade chicken apple sausage was also good (though he wished for a knife which was mysteriously absent from the table) and he was happy with his scrambled eggs. Not so good... The biscuits and gravy were great for the first few bites, but after awhile that nasty aftertaste pork can have sometimes reared its ugly head messing up what would have been great b & g. I personally would go a little heavier on the cream, but that just me. We ordered the muffins to go. About 3pm we dig in and they are...ummm...dry. Not enough fruit. The cornmeal blueberry had about 4 blueberries in a huge muffin. The lemon poppyseed was much better flavorwise...but again a bit dry. What was terrible... The coffee! Not good. Breakfast joints HAVE to have good coffee! Now I like my coffe rich, dark and full-bodied but not bitter. This was just a bit weak and the flavor of the roast was weird. I ordered iced tea, it was better. Overall, it was a GREAT meal and we will definitely be back. And maybe next time we will unravel the mystery of the missing knives.
(4)Nina H.
Super cute. Right off the Bohemian Hwy, and you can tell. As we pulled into the parking lot, we drove through a dozen floating bubbles from a lady clad in tie dye blowing bubbles below her hanging wind chimes. She smiled as we carefully pulled into a spot so we wouldn't pop any! Then we walked into Howard's. Super friendly. Service right away. I ordered their salad and it was gynormous! So awesome. Packed with avocado, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, sprouts, etc. The dressing came on the side and it was really tasty. A honey viniegrette. But there are plenty of other choices as well. I couldn't even finish it, despite the fact that I was hungry. My boyfriend had the turkey sandwich, and he seemed pretty satisfied with his lunch as well. Next time I'm exploring little Sonoma towns, I'd definitely stop by here again. Maybe try a smoothie or come for breakfast.
(5)Debbie W.
Whenever I'm in the area (unfortunately not often enough), I stop here. Nothing fancy and often crowded, but really good food. I liked the interesting options involving tofu. Not your standard breakfast fare. Also nice bakery items.
(4)nicki l.
***OMG*** Roasted Veggie Sandwich!!!!! I get to Occidental once or twice a year, and believe me all I think about on our way there is the roasted veggie sandwich.... its amazing!!! Blueberry waffels.... Fresh squeezed OJ.....ummmm caramel latte. Just amazing! The staff is friendly, helpful and quick service! Howards IS the BEST! Yum Yum Yum
(5)Clarke J.
Hot summer day, new Triumph Bonneville with racing pipes.....Let's ride! With inland temps nearing 100, it's time to head west near the coast to Occidental, a tiny hamlet in the woods north of highway 1. Off the beaten path, crappy roads, lots of trees, contented cows, mellow farms......a perfect ride. Parking lot full of locals, a sure sign. Had a great Eggs Benedict, wonderful sauce, great ham, english muffin toasted just right. Great potatoes with some secret herb calling out for Cholula hot sauce. Perhaps the best Benedict I've ever had...top five for sure. But the clincher was a specialty juice blend, I think called the Joes Special. Tomato, celery, mystery this and magic that, hint of Tabasco; pricey at $3.50 for a 6 0z. tumbler, but very good. I'd give the Howard Station five stars except for the...rickety front steps and porch boards....you can feel them give and creak with every step.....a little bit TOO rustic. Overall? Very good. Terrific waitress, unique water dispenser, nice service. Great meal, totally California. Casual, good, made for a great ride in the woods. Afterwords, up to the Russian River, then back to 101, on down to Lakeville and then home. Sweet Day.
(4)Philip I.
This place is a jewel. We stopped by yday for brunch. - 30min wait .. but they gave us tasters (waffles, cakes etc) - Great menu, including loads of vegetarian/vegan and freshly squeezed juices - Super friendly - The cofee is good (ok, I am an espresso snob) We will go out of our way next time for another great brunch.
(5)Vera C.
I went there and had the tofu rancheros and they were HORRIBLE. I remember getting tofu scramble once before and it was very good. I told the owners if someone at that crud on their first visit they would never come back. I will give them a second chance but whatever I get better taste better than their ranchers.
(2)Donny P.
Great breakfast! The Cajun omlette is fantastic! Service was great, and friendly. Beautiful surroundings.
(5)Caitlin L.
Came here for lunch after Sonoma Canopy Tours. The only disappointment was that we didn't sample more things on their menu. The grilled vegetable sandwich launched itself into the ridiculous category with the way the feta was slightly melted and how the sourdough was perfectly toasted, not to mention the incredible grilled veggies. The potato salad is a must (way better than the fries that came with my husband's sandwich). However, if you don't care for hard boiled eggs, you might not agree. My meal was proof that food doesn't have to be fancy to be damn good. My husband had the club sandwich including sprouts that for once didn't make you worried you'd get salmonella. Although I didn't taste it, when asked for a recap he gave an awed "it was amazing..." Make sure you bring cash, they don't accept anything else. Terrific service, and they won Best Breakfast in Sonoma County in 2010, but they only serve it until 12:30 hence our lunch choices. Will need to return ASAP to experience that phenomenon as well as to try some of their amazing sounding smoothy and juice options.
(5)j k.
Decent place for breakfast. Food was pretty good, and it's really cool that they have a doggie menu. Long waits. Would come back if I'm ever in the area.
(3)Bridget T.
This place rocks! The food is amazing and the service is fantastic. The owner was very accommodating and even let us use his phone because we didn't have cell service out there. I had the crab benedict and it was one of the best I've ever had. And the potatoes were to die for. Seriously, this is now my new favorite breakfast place in Sonoma County and absolutely worth the drive.
(5)Stacey D.
Perfect for breakfast. So many dishes to choose from and they use organic eggs! It gets noisy, so if you want a mellower meal, sit outside or in the smaller indoor room. Lunch is good too, with many options for vegetarians.
(4)Kathleen K.
The husband and I are on a quest to find the best pancakes in Sonoma County. These are near the top, along with Hallie's Diner in Petaluma and East West Cafe in Sebastopol. It is worth it to pay extra for real maple syrup. Everything else is great too. A friend ordered corned beef hash and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Try one of the smoothies too. My breakfast comes after a 25-mile bike ride, so a short stack and the Gauguin smoothie taste great. Excellent coffee as well. The service gets some knocks from Yelpers, but our servers have always been friendly and fun. Sometimes it is hard to track down a refill on the coffee. I'll give them some slack because the place is nostalgic. We used to live down the road and I would walk to what was then called the Occidental Bakery for an out-of-this-world blueberry muffin with my year-old daughter. Make sure to bring cash.
(4)Ben P.
I celebrated my wife's birthday with a weekend trip to Occidental last year and we loved it so much we went back this year for my birthday weekend. Howard's is certainly one of the cornerstones of the tiny little town that is Occidental and it helps add to the draw. I like the little juice and coffee stand on the side of the restaurant. Not sure why more joints don't deploy this tactic. Their juices are all very unique, real and tasty. Kinda pricy though, but that's how it is when you have drinks that are 100% real. Their coffee and espresso were fine and dandy. The staff is all very pleasant and personable. The menu is large, but not overwhelming and you will certainly find something tasty for your mood. This time around, we sat outside on the porch and enjoyed the pleasant late morning weather. I had a traditional breakfast with eggs, french toast and bacon. There may have been something else in there too, but I don't recall. They must have added some orange zest to the french toast batter. I liked it at first, but by the end of the meal, I wished it wasn't there. The mimosas were good, with all fresh squeezed juice. I had the orange, but they had a coupla other choices as well. My wife had the quinoa special this time around as we heard some of the other patrons creating a buzz about how fantastic it was. They certainly were not wrong. I went in with low expectations for this entree breakfast and left wanting more. They added something to it to make the flavor pop and the end product was something special. Forget what I had last year, but it was all good. They have a cool little train sculpture / sign in front of the place which adds to its charm and makes it fit in quite well with its surroundings. Howards makes it unnecessary for an alternative breakfast joint to be needed in the area. Though, if you are looking for something different your second morning and don't mind a little drive, check out Wild Flour Bread over in Freestone. You will leave your time in the area having been more than satisfied for your first meals of the day.
(5)Debbie D.
It's been well over a year since I've been here, and I still remember how wonderful it was. I'd plan a trip up to Sonoma just to go back to this place. The wait is a little long, but it is so worth it! The menu is pretty extensive, and they have specials to choose from as well. I remember having a coffee drink that was divine. I can't remember what I had to eat, but I remember wanting to crawl inside of it and eat my way out...I think it was a pancake or a French toast dish. They have lots of baked goods and fresh juices and smoothies to choose from as well. If you are going wine tasting in Sonoma, this must be on your list of places to visit!
(5)Vyvyan B.
Loved it for lunch and loved it even more at breakfast! The food, service and atmosphere are great! Thank you Nancy for taking me there!!
(5)Steve L.
Don't know how we found this place, but it's in the best breakfast. Fast friendly service with awesome juices. Recommended !
(5)Shirley N.
4.0 overall 3.5 stars food We arrived near 12:30pm just as breakfast hour was winding down. Our server said she'll make an exception for our party of eight in the event anyone wanted breakfast. Having completed our zip line adventure within the last 1/2 hour, most of us were ready to chow down. What better way than at a diner. So like a country store, this was like a country cottage setting. Long wooden communal table accommodated us. Hubby and I both ordered burgers. I ordered the cheeseburger - medium with jack cheese. Served on a kaiser bun with pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes. The burger was fat and juicy but more medium well. I thought the bun not big enough for the burger size. Plus the fries were somewhat on the skimpy side Food and service was average. I'm not sure what all the hype is about. Is it about the waffles? Will need to revisit and see.
(3)Jennifer K.
We ate there on our way home from the coast. It was very good. The service was a touch slow but the food was very much worth the wait. The coffee and mocha were so tasty. You could tell the food was fresh and not pre made. The wait staff was very friendly. They only accepted cash but they so have an ATM which was good. I will definitely go there again.
(5)E H.
I know most places are hit or miss, but we've come here a couple of times and it's the same. Nice waitress, great food, and kick ass coffee. Plus the people watching is a trip. We normally stay in Bodega Bay, but we won't be anymore. Occidental is the place to kick it, and then drive down to the water. You can't beat H.S.C. for great breakfast. Note: This really is a great establishment, and there will be a handful of negative reviews due to the fact that these are human beings you're dealing with and nothing is perfect. HOWEVER, the big picture is this: Excellent restaurant overall.
(5)Jen L.
My entire family's favorite breakfast place, as well as anyone we bring along. Everything they do here is as close to perfection as breakfast really gets. I must mention I have only had breakfast. However, it is truly the balance of this restaurant that makes it so fantastic, what I mean is it is well priced with high quality ingredients, good portions with great presentation, a seat yourself easy flow restaurant with a great atmosphere and super casual but always clean! It is so hard to find all of this around the Sonoma County area, if it is high quality it is usually expensive and stuffy, if the portions are large it is usually a sloppy diner. Not here! Pancakes are SUPERB, thick and fluffy as big as your plate, the benedicts are all out of this world my personal favorite is actually the veggie benedict (and I am a meat eater)it has grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach and fresh avocado! They have a juice bar for fresh smoothies, juices, and also MILKSHAKES!! The coffee/latte bar is also a treat! I have been here dozens of times and have never had bad service or unmentionable food and I am a menu explorer! MUST TRY!! Oh and CASH ONLY!
(5)Jocelyn L.
First things first: The address is 3611 Bohemian Hwy, not 3811. We were driving around like morons until we finally stumbled upon it. I've submitted the address change to Yelp; hopefully it gets updated ASAP. We had a fairly good b'fast but by no means was this the 'best b'fast ever' as proclaimed by some reviewers (really? Best B'fast EVER?) Don't be intimidated by the seemingly endless lines; it does move pretty fast, but I'd recommend standing near the entrance so you can hear the guy call out your name/ remind him your name. That process was a little messy, albeit friendly. Our server was also friendly but the kitchen messed up on my friend's omelette (left out the chicken apple sausage); it was quickly remedied. I had the crab benedict, which was chock-ful of lumps of crab meat- generous. The eggs, however, were sloppily done and not very tasty. The mimosas were huge (for mimosas). My other friend had the Italian omelette and it was terrible. The italian sausages were really Chunks of black, overdone steak stuffed in an omelette. Really? overdone steak passing off as italian sausages? Yikes. Skip this dish. I wouldn't drive out of the way to visit (and believe me, it was OUT of the way); but if you're in the area, stop by for a quick bite. Cash-only.
(3)Mgh S.
Man what can I say everything here is bomb!! It's so worth the scenic drive. Everything I have had from the menu is delicious from eggs to sandwiches the waffles are amazing and the homemade whipped cream is the best I've had get a side of it!! Oh yea it's cash only!
(5)CJ R.
Outstanding home-style comfort food. Everything we get here is great. The wait can be long but that's because this place is so good. I wish they served breakfast all day, but lunch is also quite good. Tip: If you just want a really good latte, there is a walkup window around the corner.
(5)Kate S.
I've never had a bad meal here. It's a can't fail. The servers are always friendly, even when the place is busy, and the food is truly well-done. Ingredients taste fresh and things aren't over-cooked or over-done with butter and oil. They offer gluten-free options such as gluten-free waffles, and their healthy alternatives menu truly tastes amazing--you could get the brown rice and kale bowl if you don't want the typical sugary breakfast starters, and it's delicious.
(5)Evalena R.
Great food, great desserts, great service, all around a stellar restaurant!
(5)Nicole S.
Have been here a dozen times and never disappointed. Everyone was happy. I hate ice in water so I love the glass bottle I get to refill when I want. Few places I will drink the coffee at!
(5)Brian G.
GO AT YOUR OWN RISK! This place is disgusting. I've eaten there twice. Both times the coffee mugs were not clean. There was an ring of brown ash inside the mug. The second time we walked after after our food was delivered. Please let me tell you why... The place is dirty and not maintained. There was junk on the floor. The bathrooms were filthy. We watched a waitress drop a platter of food on a customer and do a poor job of taking care of it. My girlfriend ordered eggs soft and bacon crisp. The eggs were competently overcooked and looked like yellow pellets. The bacon was not fully cooked and still soft and fatty. GROSS! There was a big hair on my plate. That was the last straw. We called the hostess and she let us walk out. I was not going to order again.
(1)Sarah M.
I have now gone to Howards a handfull of times. I am a fan. I love the fresh juice. Its a bit pricey for what it is I often feel. But the Breakfast is great, and the staff is always friendly.
(4)Crystal S.
We were only in town for one day and stopped here for breakfast. Loved the ambiance of this place - lots of locals here, so that told me how good the food was. We ordered the blueberry pancakes, bacon & sausage and chocolate milk. Everything was GREAT!! The hot chocolates were HUGE - actually came in what looked to be cereal bowls! Glad we made this part of our summer vacation. Would definitely go back if given the chance.
(5)Michael C.
Been coming to Howard's for nearly 25 years. Can't say it better than its already been said. Just like to say that if you're a first timer or a regular you should try the salmon Florentine omelet. Flat out my favorite breakfast choice ever. Also the Celery-carrot juice is amazing.
(5)Desert G.
Love it! Awesome breakfasts!! 5 star food. Sometimes service is slow or poor if you are solo or duo but better if you are a group or you go early. It gets pretty packed after 830am on weekends. Try homemade corn-beef hash or breakfast bowls ! Smoothies and lattes yummy too
(4)Teresa W.
We sat on the porch enjoying the quaint scenery. Breakfast was delicious and the service attentive and friendly. Great place to stop when enjoying a beautiful drive through the country! Couldn't help but be entertained by the antics of a puppy who had come for his first breakfast at Howard's. Very pet friendly! Even have their own menu.
(3)Katie W.
Whyyyyy does this place have to be so delicious?!?! The homemade biscuit...SO good. The mimosas...SOOOOO good. Everything about it....AMAZING. Oh and its so fun that they have a dog menu and a great outdoor patio so you can bring your furry friend and they can eat right next to you!
(5)Ari D.
Howards is consistently delicious, and has been a favorite spot for years. Veggie scramble is always amazing - same with the waffles. Will keep coming back!
(5)Emily S.
After the raving reviews, we were so excited to eat here! I ordered the croissant breakfast sandwich, and the waitress told us they'd stopped serving breakfast 40 min ago. We were so bummed! And then really confused when we saw three different tables get breakfast after we ordered lunch! We inquired and the waitress said only certain items stopped being served. When we pointed out she said breakfast, she said the timeframes are listed somewhere on the menu, which we wouldn't be looking for if we thought she said they were done. I was irritated she didn't take ownership and apologize for giving us false information. Additionally, they were still making sandwiches and all they needed to do was scramble my eggs. I don't understand how that was a complicated enough item to stop making when people were still being served omelets. Tables were really close to each other, I felt slightly claustrophobic the entire time. The lunch we got was good but we left irritated. We loved the town, maybe well try again one day. Maybe not.
(3)Dennis M.
This place is packed on the weekends and always a line out side but its worth the wait.. I brought my 5 year old Son here for the first time. Being that he was there before but only as an embryo when my wife and I announced to our family that we were pregnant. Service is quick and friendly here. The food is great I always order the same breakfast witch is the Crab Eggs Benedict served with a herb country potatoes complimented with a blood orange mimosa. Howard Station Cafe makes the best hollandaise sauce I've ever tasted. You get a good bang for your buck with the prices but if you go here you must bring cash.
(5)Angelique H.
wowwowwow. I love Howards! My girlfriend and I are both gluten free and we can go here and have just about any sammie on the menu. Or the gluten free waffles with peanut butter and bananas. They have this beautiful ginger honey lemonade that is so refreshing! Love love love this place! Great service, too.
(5)Patricia F.
I was there yesterday and they were horribly rude. What a shame. Fortunately there are plenty of better places in Occidental.
(1)Laura P.
This place is a great way to start your morning! My friends and I ate here on the first morning of our vacation, and we were hooked. It is a relaxed atmosphere, yet bustling and vibrant. Excellent coffee and juice/smoothies. The menu has something for everyone, from corned beef hash to tofu scramble. I especially loved the chicken apple sausage and the aloha oatmeal. Plus, the servers are really friendly and helpful.
(5)Tabitha D.
Great breakfast hideaway. A family favorite, we will often choose Howard's for birthday breakfast. I have never had their lunch. It is best to go to Howard's when you have time to linger and cash in hand (otherwise I would have given 5 stars) The Benedict is delicious and on the other spectrum, the brown rice bowl is amazing as well.
(4)Ginny N.
Whenever we travel up the Sonoma coast, we've found it worthwhile to get off the beaten path and onto the Bohemian Highway to stop for lunch at Howard Station Cafe. It is a very casual place in a historic building where the locals, near-locals and vacationers alike come piling in non-stop. It is a reliable layover on a journey that does not have a ton of dining options. They have a huge breakfast menu and continue the omelets and waffles throughout the day; I had a simple veggie and hummus sandwich with potato salad (that was some excellent homemade potato salad, the complete opposite of your usual grocery store paste... it had waxy new potatoes, olives, other stuff). My guy had the quinoa-chicken soup; not a quinoa kind of guy, he pronounced it very good. It came with a generously-sized biscuit (a bit on the sweet side). If you appreciate bottomless iced tea, they've got it. It's a smoothie and juice joint, too. If you are a first-time visitor to Sonoma, know that it is a casual, laid-back and highly diverse Northern California area and enjoy those aspects of it as you wind through the redwood trees and take in the stunning Pacific Ocean as you travel to your next destination. California - I love ya.
(4)Kevin J.
Peanut butter + jelly, and campfire milkshakes? What kind of amazingness was that? Simply delicious food. You might end up with a little bit of a wait considering people come from all over and out of town to visit this historic old railroad breakfast joint. The breakfast options are bountiful and with the wide array of food to choose from it makes it hard to not look at the lunch dishes. There are plenty of healthy options for the weight-conscious or natural eaters out there. But for the rest of us gluttony awaits with pancakes so large and bananas so busy all around plates that you can't help but let your jaw hit the table. Make sure to check out the quick-serve window while you wait with coffee in hand and warm sunshine on your face you'll be glad you did.
(4)Mack S.
For a weekend brunch, this place is so yummy! One warning - they are a cash-only establishment, so hit the ATM first. The place has a nice atmosphere and is bustling with bikers (both the leather, roaring types and the spandex-clad peddling types), families and weekenders. The food came out really fast and our server kept our coffee full. The trip to Occidental is worth it just for the tasty breakfast. Great service and very filling.
(5)Amanda M.
Definitely the best eggs benedict I've ever had, love this place! The mochas and lattes are really good too.
(5)Rebecca F.
Stopped here for some breakfast as part of a romantic get away. The service is attentive and friendly. The food is fresh; and the portions are huge. The coffee was a little weak for my city girl standards, but all in all this place was perfectly filled with small town charm and character.
(5)Lola F.
This is my all time favorite breakfast/lunch joint. The food is amazing and the wait staff has always been very helpful and friendly. We love everything from there delicious nut waffles to there homemade veggie burgers. Everything at this place has been amazing. Just remember, it's cash only...
(5)Leah E.
WEEKEND GETAWAY IN SONOMA: November 20, 2010 Finding Howard Station Cafe was like finding a precious gem when you are not looking for one. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… People at work raved about the City of Occidental when I told them I was going to Sonoma for a weekend getaway. Occidental was tall order for me to fulfill and report back. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… And true to their words, Occidental is a sweet little town nestled with an old country charm in every nook of this very short street full of boutiques, old-style Italian family restaurants and a white church perched on top of a hill. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… Our GPS stopped working at this point after going through the majestic redwoods. We took the scenic route among the woods and it was breathtaking. We were tempted to try the family-style Italian restaurants which were rumored to be run by families from the old country but we randomly picked Howard Station Cafe. We found a brunch treasure. Howard Station is cutely decorated as train depot with lots of shabby chic country furniture and real giant pumpkins. Everybody knew everybody. A staff asked a customer how her job interview went. It was just charming and very cozy. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… My fiance had PLAIN WAFFLES and HUEVOS RANCHEROS. I had the PUMPKIN WAFFLES. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… We were very impressed with our food. My fiance who is a third generation Latino thought the Huevos Rancheros was very delicious and loaded with spices. The staff were very honest in telling us which waffle flavor was from a can or made with fresh fruit. They have glass cabinet full of cookies including the TRAIN WRECK COMPOST COOKIES which as bad as it sounds was actually pretty tasty with kitchen-sinkful of nuts, pretzels, fruits, chocolate chips,etc. yelp.com/biz_photos/grSb… Tab was $37 for two which was not bad including tip and a Diet Coke. If you happen to find yourself among the redwoods of Sonoma and come out hungry, make sure to have brunch at this magical place with friendly people. (Go during the fall. The colors were magnificent!) You are still not convinced, they also serve Mimosas and Bloody Mary. Add this to your "MUST VISIT IN SONOMA" list.
(5)Lisa W.
We had breakfast here on 2 consecutive occasions! The first morning we had biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict - so yummy! On the second day we had pancakes and waffles - so good! The service was great and the flavors were fantastic! Try them for breakfast as you will not be disappointed!
(5)Kory R.
We stopped off before our Sonoma Canopy Tour. We had a breakfast burrito with guacamole and sour cream ($10.25), bagel with cream cheese ($3.25), and 3 pieces of bacon ($3.00). Overall it was good and service was quick and friendly. Don't forget CASH ONLY!!!
(3)Amanda M.
New favorite breakfast place! Fresh juice and coffee! I had the juice special! Something called the "Daily Glow". DELICIOUS. Coffee is Taylor Maid and they have an exceptional espresso menu that I'm dying to try. I had a custom omelette with goat cheese, avocado, apple turkey sausage and mushrooms. House potatoes were seasoned perfectly. English muffins were for sure homemade. One of my friends had the Double Decker waffles. That's on my fat to do list, they looked epic! I also am going back to try their grapefruit mimosa! Our waitress was so sweet and had me cracking up! I bought a gluten free brownie to go and I don't even have a gluten allergy. This place is definitely gluten free friendly and everything tastes amazing! Cute little location in Occidental. Outdoor seating looked nice. The indoor seating was fairly large and open. They even have a walk up to-go window outside for coffee, ice cream and treats. I'm all about this place! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Madeleine T.
Howard Station had the most options and the best food for this traveling vegan on her recent road trip to Guerneville! I was pretty delighted to have more than one option AND have my latte made with almond milk. So great! My sister-in-law and my nieces eyed the coconut kale smoothies listed on the board and said that was when they decided this was the place to go for lunch as clearly it was for me. They were right - and they are very considerate omnivores to travel with though I suspect they think I am a crazy hippie. I got the tofu rancheros with corn tortillas which were delicious - savory and balanced. The plate was very generous! I stuffed the beans, tofu, salsa and guacamole into tortillas to make soft tacos and happily spooned up the extra. I wanted to grab a vegan zucchini muffin for the road but they were sold out! That tells me they are extra delicious. The space is super cute - airy and rustic - and everyone else was happy with their food too! They are cash only but they do have an ATM inside if you forgot to stock up on bills.
(5)Susan T.
This isn't the best breakfast place in Sonoma County....it's the best breakfast place in the world! My husband has been coming to Howard's since he was a little kid and I fell in love about five years ago when I moved to the West Coast from NYC. I have taken all of my family and friends who have come to visit. They all have been beyond delighted with this place. Best eggs Benedict ever! Best gluten free waffles ever! Best smoothies hands down! My husband and I don't even usually eat gluten free but after tasting them we agreed they are even fluffier than their normal waffles. We more recently found out Howard's is pet friendly and your little furry friend can order off of his own menu and is treated just as much as a patron by the staff as you are! Our little miniature wiener dog had the "Rover Easy" and was very delighted! I wish I could give this place ten stars. It's by far our favorite treat. We have come for anniversaries, family days and just plain anytime we are headed out to the coast!
(5)Lea M.
The theme is traditional railroad station with trains all throughout. It's a cozy little cafe that takes cash only but I was okay with it. I needed something in my stomach before I headed to a wedding down the street so I opted for their zucchini soup with a biscuit. I LOVED their zucchini soup and although I shouldn't of had their biscuit, it was sooooo good. The charm of this cafe sold me. It's a MUST do to come back on a little get-a-way to try their other items.
(4)Megan M.
OMG, this place is amazing! First off the curb appeal is just darling. It is an old building with a story to tell, look at the old photos scattered around the room. My son and I went on a Monday morning and it was busy, but we got a table. What we ordered: I had the veggie scramble and it was so good. It came with big tasty potatoes and a cute heart biscuit which was moist and yummy! I had to order some pancakes of course but could not decide. So I ordered one of the walnut banana and one cornmeal blueberry. Both were good, but the walnut banana was by far my favorite. You have to try it! If for whatever reason you find yourself in this charming little town YOU MUST GO HERE! I only wish it was closer to me.
(5)Barbara P.
Excellent breakfast, service and ambiance. We highly recommend a visit next time you are in the neighborhood.
(5)Michelle V.
This was one of the BEST breakfasts I've ever had...EVER! The best way to explore any new town is to experience the FOOD there. Am I wrong? This is the type of restaurant you'd find in Portland or even in Los Angeles. Why? It's all about errrthang organic, healthy and modern! I ordered one of their specials: Organic Quinoa Kale Bowl. Comes with organic quinoa, kale, roasted zucchini, your choice of eggs any style, avocado and tahini sauce. It's basically a bowl of healthy-heavenly goodness!! They also have a juice bar here and apparently some of the best ice cream in the area. The bf decides to order me one of their crazy cleansing health shots which was like carrot juice, garlic, cayenne pepper and lemon. I sure felt "cleansed" after that guy went down my throat for sure. Of course we left with a goody in a paper bag too because they also have an amazing selection of pastries, cake and cookies at the front counter. I'd drive all the way back to Occidental just to eat here again. That's how BOMB it was. p.s. It's CASH ONLY.
(5)Gulliver X.
Don't quite understand the clamor about this place. Went here for a late breakfast and found the staff to be marginally friendly. I ordered the crab benedict (c'mon, it's coastal California, how can you not order seafood?) and found it to be marginal, like the service. All in all, the food and the service were marginal. Are they coasting on awards and reputation? Not sure, but it felt like Barley Hops & Tavern was a better option, particularly as you get away from breakfast and toward lunch and dinner.
(2)Tina K.
Took Nanny and Gerry to here for Mothers Day breakfast. As to be expected it was so busy we had a hard time relaxing and enjoying breakfast as we were right inside the door and felt in the way constantly. I totally get wanting to seat as many people as possible but there is a point when it is just not pleasant for the patron. That is my only complaint. Food was except and plentiful with great seasoning and very appetizing presentation. Customer service was top of the line. The girls haul A** and manage gracefully in the tight confines of the farmhouse style seating. Not a place for Nanny but Connie and I will definitely return on a quieter day.
(4)Carmen V.
I'm all about good breakfast food, and totally willing to make a far drive to a delicious cafe. Howard's got it all. Environment: 4 Ambience: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Pet friendliness: 5 This place is so good that it can be crowded during their breakfast serving time, which is from 7am -12:30pm. I am not a fan of too many people crowding a restaurant so I suggest coming either very early or around 11:00am. I once came at 12:20pm and I felt that the breakfast was put together quickly because they had to get ready for lunch ingredients at 12:30pm. Normally they take their time cooking and making your breakfast look amazing, so be warned that the closer to the end of breakfast serving time, the quicker your mea is put together. Now that's not saying their food doesn't taste good, but they may run low on fresh breakfast ingredients closer to the end of breakfast serving time. Like the saying goes: the early birds get the worms. Drinks: The first thing I order before anything else is their fresh squeezed orange juice. This is my favorite, and the pulp tastes so good! They have other drinks like hot coffee, tea, and other organic fresh blended smoothies. The variety is endless and they have daily specials behind the counter on their chalkboard. Food: the biggest breakfast variety ever! From burritos, to omelettes, to regular hot dishes, to vegetarian breakfasts, etc. I normally order their two eggs, this comes with: two eggs (cooked however you like), toast (whatever bread you want, you can even pick two kinds since they give you two slices) served with their fresh organic homemade fruit preserve, meat of your choice (ham, bacon or sausage -I love how perfectly crispy the bacon is), and their potatoes (it's to die for if you love seasoned potato). Just reviewing and explaining my experience and food is making me salivate! Pet friendly: I recently discover that they have a doggy menu! Howard's allow pets on the outdoor seating, and to keep your dog occupied while you enjoy their amazing food, they accommodate dogs too. We ordered the frozen kong filled with peanut butter for my dog, and he was enjoying it quietly like a good boy! Check out my photo for their doggy menu. Environment: love how it gives me that breakfast diner feel, but sometimes it can be a little too loud when crowded. Service: waitresses I've had provide excellent services! They make sure you always have something to drink and offer refills when you're low, they make sure you have all your sauces (ketchup, hot sauce, salsa verde, etc) for your meals, and they know when to back off when you're eating - this is a bonus point for me because I hate when I'm in mid bite of something, and someone comes to ask "how's everything" If you're in the area, eat here! You won't regret it, and like me you'll always want to pay them a visit when you're in town!
(5)Arlene N.
Hands down best food I've ever had!! I love the environment, the food, and the customer service! Our server's name was Joy and she was amazing! She made sure we were taken care of and made us feel at home:) it honestly felt like I was eating at my own house, so homey like :) They have amazing food choices and lots of healthy stuff! Definitely will be coming back:)
(5)Debbie L.
C'mon guys, great food but customer experience needs improvement. CASH only??? You do realize your ATM machine caps out at 80 dollars per transaction so if your customers have a big group that's twice or triple the transaction fee at both the terminal and bank charges. I ended up paying $4.50 in charges for a $60 breakfast. Please, just charge a bit more to cover your credit card charges and not put your customers through this. Then the service itself. My family was here on a Monday at 10:30am and I had to fetch our own forks, napkins, sugar, because it wasn't stocked on our table and our waitress didn't even bother to check when she served the food and quickly took off. I have attached a picture of how full the restaurant was at the time, and it was not too busy.
(3)Melissa C.
I stopped by before heading to work. INLY got a coffee but boy was it delicious! The waitresses are really sweet and take care of the customer instantly. They only accept cash so I used the ATM they have. It charged me a $3 fee. I would have used those 3 dollars to tip the waitresses otherwise. Next time I'll remember my cash and possibly order a breakfast dish....bc it did look and smell tasty.
(5)Ed D.
This restaurant is very interesting the people were very friendly and the food was excellent I would suggest this restaurant to anyone coming through Occidental California
(5)Heather V.
If you love a good eggs benedict: rich, creamy hollandaise sauce, perfectly poached eggs, toasted english muffin, etc. DON"T COME HERE. They say they are famous for their benedicts and that led me to believe it was because they made a good one, but now I think it's more that they offer a wide variety of different types of benedicts (ie quantity not quality). I've been here three times, (because I'm a fool). After a bad crab benedict (watery, broken hollandaise, overcooked eggs, nearly raw potatoes), I talked myself into believing it was just the cook having a bad day and decided to give them another shot. I thought I'd play it safe by ordering a veggie benedict this time, figuring maybe the crab had been too complicated (or something...) Nope, once more got the broken hollandaise, under cooked sloppily prepared potatoes and this time one ok poached egg and one very not ok, very overcooked, hardboiled type poached egg. Which I sent back and which was returned to me, basically as an inedible watery mess and no apology for what was a $15 plate of sheer disgustingness that left me wondering after I left if it was going to make me sick. Really disappointed.... Two stars for atmosphere and the creativity of the menu-it's possible other menu items are better, but I won't be taking another chance to find out...
(2)Renee T.
I've been dreaming about having Howard Station Cafe oatmeal again. Turns out it's even better than I remember. PRO TIP: This place was really busy when we were there, mid-morning on a summer Sunday. There were loads of families with crying babies. If you'd prefer to have a quieter experience, have your meal on the outdoor porch. It can be chilly in the morning, so bring a sweatshirt.
(5)Mike M.
Short version -- We liked our breakfast experience and we will definitely return some day. Long version -- We were staying right across the street from this cafe and had planned on breakfast at award winning Howard Station as part of our trip. A dense damp fog engulfed Occidental this morning. Coffee would be welcomed to help cut the slight chill on this summer morning. The building is ancient. The tables and chairs thankfully are not. Though the room is large with high ceilings the tables are pretty much crammed together making somewhat cozy. We grabbed some menus and seated ourselves but no one seemed to mind. We had expected a crowd but there were only a few tables occupied at 7:30 on a Saturday. Our server was pleasant and it seemed she expected us to have our decisions made immediately. This menu demanded a little more time. I went for the Serious Sausage Special, opting for the chicken apple sausage. One of the eggs was broken, the biscuit was dry and the veggie mix on top of the sausage was kind of cooked out. The grilled potatoes were exquisite. My wife had two eggs and potatoes. Loved the potatoes, disliked the dry biscuit. Our son had the Station Special with pancake option. He loved the pancakes and shared bites around. We could not identify the source of the unique texture. It was really unusual and very good. Quality maple syrup and butter put the pancakes in the all star camp. If I had to rate this cafe on the biscuits and gravy it would rate very low. The gravy is tragically bland. It's shame. We liked the coffee, we liked the setting and we especially liked watching the barista behind the bakery counter working her machines. She made a lot of noise but no one seemed to mind the grinding and steaming noises emanating from her station. We paid (cash only) and I can't say we paid too much. Even though the food was not great we enjoyed the meal experience. As we stepped off the semi-rickety wooded boardwalk (and rail less stairs) we found ourselves in the parking lot looking across the street into redwood trees on the hill shrouded in the still dense fog. We were truly dining in a redwood forest. We checked out of our hotel an hour later and noticed a line of folks standing in the fog waiting for their breakfast in the redwoods.
(4)Derek S.
Very nice organic juices and waffles! We liked the service (joy?) and the sunlit atmosphere. :) Lots of comfort and love here. Good work, guys!
(4)Leo P.
I been here twice now and it has been 5 stars all the way! Cinnamon Rolls: 5. We only had them the first time we came, they were sold out the second time! Peaches & Cream(Waffles): 5. I had this the second time, and it was sooo good. The warm peaches and the whipped cream, with the thick fluffy waffles, and the amazing maple syrup was just un-describablely good. Atmosphere: 5. I'm big on the way a restaurant feels, and Howard Station is delightfully homey and comforting. Service: 5. Me and and my dad love being in the company of Deeana( I hope that's right ) I look forward to trying their lunch soon!
(5)Andrew K.
Rude staff when coming in to get coffee at the coffee bar close to closing at 2:40 pm on a holiday Monday. Restaurant was full, but staff insisted they were closed. We got our coffee, but got out quick.
(1)Matty B.
Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, food was just ok. Eggs Beni was weak...uncooked English muffin, below average Hollandaise, egg yolks cooked all the way through. Biscuits and Gravy had a weird sweetness and was chalky. Standard 3 star-type breakfast joint.
(3)Ron B.
Very poor tasting food along with Undercooked pork. One side black and the other was not cooked at all. This was my second time at this place. Had the same problem the last time. Undercooked pork I even ask the waiter to have the pork cooked Well done this time. She never even check to see. I don't like to give out bad reviews but I just can't handle undercooked food... along with poor service. I will not go back to Haward's Cafe.
(1)Felicia H.
Great spot! While eating, you can read about the history of Occidental and the surrounding area. Super friendly staff. I love my breakfast.
(4)Rich M.
Had a delightful meal there with my 12 year old son on August 12th, 2015 Got there around 1:30 and was seated and waited on by a charming lady by the name of Deanna. I had a burger and my son had a double decker waffle. Service was prompt and cheerful....food was terrific and priced very fairly . Restaurant feels like a throwback to the 70's....even offers sprouts and tofu along with gluten free offerings. Parking was right out in front and what can beat that? Well done Howard Station Cafe!
(5)Joe G.
Nice place, nice breakfast. Came with my daughter yesterday at about 11:00, it was hopping, we had about a 5-10 min wait before we were seated. I loved the rustic décor charming and the wait staff attentive. This is a case only place, so be ware, they do have an ATM by the restrooms, $2 service fee...not sure what the deal is with not taking credit cards. I had the traditional benedict and it was yummy, I dug the roasted potatoes, they were seasoned nicely...my daughter had the greek omlette and she said it was very good, nice strong coffee. I give Howards a big thumbs up, I will be back, the waffles looked killer!
(4)Mandy L.
I LOVE Howard Station! I am biased because they are gluten free friendly, so I can order a LOT here and not feel like a leper for having a food allergy. This little gem is no where near my home, it is about 1/2 hour away, but is worth every mile traveled to Occidental for some homemade goodness. The restaurant offers a fantastic menu of traditional items such as pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelettes, and huevos rancheros. They always have specials to choose from which only add to the bounty of options. My personal favorite and the reason I travel across county, their waffles! OMG, so incredibly delicious it is out of control. The batter for the gluten free waffle is light and fluffy just like the regular version. They have many fruits and flavors you can mix in or on top of the waffles to mix it up. Seasonal items are added as well such as peaches in the summer. There is a juice bar where you can order fresh squeezed health in a glass. Beautiful combinations of beets, carrots, celery, apples, etc. All healthy goodness that not only does a body good but tastes delicious! My reason for not giving 5 starts, their service can be spotty. It is not enough to deter me from traveling for the food, but it is a grain of salt that needs digesting each time. As we sat on our last trip waiting and waiting and waiting for coffee the decaf people next to us kept getting refill after refill. Finally we helped ourselves to the coffee for refills. This is not the first time we have had to serve ourselves either. It is a little frustrating when you are tipping and paying for the service experience. This place is well worth the beautiful drive out just remember to bring cash because cards are not accepted here.
(4)Meghan M.
I love taking my friends from out of town to eat here. The location is fabulous and their hours sit my schedule. A huge variety of eggs Benedict concoctions and their waffles are divine. I've never been disappointed with the food The service is nice but takes absolutely forever if you air outside.
(4)Sharon L.
Yum, Yum, Yum. I'm giving a 5 even though they forgot to put salad dressing on my salad. Why? Because it tasted so good it didn't need salad dressing. I had the special Grilled Portobello and beet salad with goat cheese. They were very generous with the mushrooms. The greens were fresh, and the salad was tasty. My husband got the special Tuna Pesto wrap and said it was also delicious with just the right amount of zip to it. The server was very friendly, and clearly happy to be working there. I always like to see happy employees. This is a great casual place to stop for lunch. It also looks like they have a great breakfast menu, as well.
(5)Gordon M.
This is one of the best breakfast places in all of northern CA. I go here all the time with my girlfriend and they have great food with great options. They are dog friendly and even have a dog menu. (I'm not kidding) I have to stop by every time we happen to be driving by, and sometimes we even leave San Jose just making this our destination. They do not have a full bar but since the food is so good it does not matter because the Union Hotel is three doors down. I have tried many of their Benedict's and Omelets and they are all great, and my dog always has a Kong (Dog toy) with peanut butter stuffed inside. FIVE STARS
(5)Scott M.
My wife and I were looking to go to another place in town, but saw Howard's Station as we were driving by. We thought we'd give it a chance. We were not disappointed. My wife is vegetarian leaning towards vegan and there were plenty of items on the menu to suit her. I am firmly in the omnivore camp and there were definitely items for me as well. It was delicious. I loved it, my wife loved it, and our 16-month-old loved it. While we were finishing up, the owner came over to see how we were doing and if we enjoyed everything. It was a great gesture. I appreciate an owner that takes pride in how his establishment is doing and cares enough to seek out the patrons. Definitely recommend.
(5)Jonathan G.
Awesome breakfast. I would give them a 5 but they were cash only and nowadays I find that a little hard to tolerate. Breakfast burrito was a great "base" for the day.
(4)Gary R.
We go there all the time and take our grandchildren it's it's a wonderful friendly place and we've been going there for over 20 years...
(4)Jordan G.
I cannot believe I haven't reviewed Howard's before! This is an AMAZING breakfast/brunch spot! Breakfast stops being served at 12:30. Kinda. (You can still order omelettes & etc, like Mar A. mentions...) My go to: the original eggs benedict. Hands down delicious every time. I've had a few other things on their menu, such as the waffles, bite of my man's french toast, and omelettes, but the the eggs benedict has pretty much become my standard here. It's about as close as one can get to the home-made magic my mom makes. Their hollandaise is light, tangy and perfect. Their slices of canadian bacon are thick, but not too thick, so it's still an ease to slice through with your butter knife. All stacked high on an english muffin, not a biscuit - my favorite! The house potatoes aren't anything spectacular - they're nicely seasoned, equally delicious smothered in their house-made hollandaise ;) Your hot cocoa or mocha will be served to you in a bowl. Idk about that one. Looks adorable...but I don't particularly enjoy drinking out of a bowl. Plus that's a lot of hot chocolate! I don't need an entire bowl of hot cocoa! That's bananas! But it's still delectable. I'm not usually one to hate on a CASH ONLY place, but for some reason it truly bugs me that Howard's is. Cash only in this day and age just really doesn't make sense anymore. I haven't entirely minded until this last weekend; there is an ATM tucked away inside the restaurant, but last weekend it was OUT OF ORDER :/ And all the surrounding stores and shops don't offer cash back. So I had to walk quite a few stores down, in the rain, to get cash for our breakfast. Another small complaint of mine - come the end of your meal, your server never really comes around to pick up your check. I think it's a tactic some of these girls employ hoping you'll become impatient and just leave them a rather large tip because you don't want to wait for change (because it hasn't been THAT busy my last 2 visits) I personally know a few of these servers too, so I'll have to ask them what the heck is up next time I'm back. But this place is BOMB-skys! And Ocidental is beautiful, so it's a lovely trip out for brunch :) Enjoy!
(5)Special E.
Stopped on our way up the coast. Stayed at the hotel across the street and wandered in to Howard's on a Saturday morning, and boy were we glad we did! All organic, local produce, great staff and outstanding food. The place has a great vibe from the minute you walk in the door. My test of any breakfast place is their biscuits and gravy and Howard's has some of the best I've ever had. Almost as good as my mom's! The gravy is creamy and not too salty with sausage in every bite. The biscuits have a little sweetness to them that works very well with the salty gravy. Added a couple of eggs over easy on top for a great breakfast. My wife had a breakfast special with potatoes, cheese, avocado and mushrooms with homemade fire roasted tomato salsa and great local roasted coffee. Howard Station should not be missed if you're in the neighborhood.
(5)Louis G.
My favorite place for breakfast in Sonoma County. It's almost always busy and the staff is accommodating and efficient. The town of Occidental is picturesque and perfect for a weekend morning on your way to the beach. They have baked goods, smoothies, waffles and omelettes; all of it great.
(5)Isa T.
Such a great find! Great brunch place with delicious food and great great service. We tried their Vegetable Omelette - loaded with delicious vegetables and topped with sprouts: very delicious! The biscuit and jam that came with it are very tasty as well. The Chicken Wrap was very yummy too. Also try their freshly made juices and smoothies. The service is very friendly - we came 10 minutes before closing time and they were very accommodating. Couldn't ask for more :) We will surely come back when we are in the area!
(5)Mar A.
We were so sad to miss breakfast! If you want breakfast food, make sure you get here BEFORE 12:30!!! However.... you will still be able to order omelettes, primo potatoes, huevos rancheros, and waffles until 3pm (or until they finish their lunch service). I opted for a cajun omelette - homemade sausage, jalapenos, tomatoes, and grilled onions. It comes with home fries and bread (toast, english muffin, or buttermilk biscuit). The sausage had a nice kick to it, but I was hoping for hot links with a crunchy skin (still delicious, nonetheless). The home fries were AMAZING. Creamy and soft on the inside and well seasoned on the outside. I loved the burnt crispy parts that were prevalent enough so you knew they were made just for you. The buttermilk biscuit would have been even more fantastic if they still had their country gravy available - I'm not much of a biscuit person, but it was still yummy. BF had the club sandwich. Thick-sliced bacon paired with freshly sliced turkey made this sandwich amazing. It would have been better if they added sliced tomatoes. French fries were fresh made in house and were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. We dipped these in their ranch and it was magic. Definitely a place to come if you're in the area. We made the detour from Sea Ranch when we were going back to SF, and it was totally worth the trip. The drive there is amazingly beautiful - windy roads with views of the Pacific, and narrow paths that wind through the forest. It's gorgeous. Take the trip. Also... BRING CASH. They don't accept cards.
(4)Bryan M.
I'm sure they're great usually. I chose a bad time to go, I guess. New years eve in th morning they were slammed, I hear that's par for the course round here. I was sat immediately! I ordered the special scramble- feta, spinach, and tomato with coffee. The coffee was burnt, the scramble was undercooked and I had to use their shitty ATM (surcharge $2) because they are cash only. Am I at a corner store or a restaurant? You have an ATM? The waitress was great, she was expedient and professional but the food was gross. I'm tired of businesses subjecting their clients to unreasonable charges like this. So fucking what you pay $.50 per transaction, that's the cost of doing business. I thought about taking the surcharge out of the tip but that would be passing the buck ($2 technically) and the waitress did her job, expertly. Get your shit together Howard's.
(3)Brian S.
TL;DR: really tasty food and very friendly service! I had the peaches and cream Belgian waffle, which was as delicious as it sounds. My lovely partner had the corned beef hash, which she consumed with much gusto. And, most importantly, they have real maple syrup on offer.
(5)Erin B.
Breakfast is all I've ever had there cause who would choose lunch when breakfast is available!?! They're all so sweet here, especially the ones that can't resist babies and give them a free fruit bowl! They have at least five different Benedicts to choose from and all with Howard's own special hollandaise sauce. Heaven. Cash only. But you'll live. And they do have an ATM.
(5)Dani D.
Arrived on patio and was seated. Warm(not room temp but warm water was brought out and served by a snarky waitress that did not even say hi. She let the menus and went inside. I opened the menu to see it said cash only. Cash only? what is this? 1932 scadau Are we at Ma and Pa Kettles General Mercantile?? I got up. I left. I didnt even drink the warm water.
(1)Jim G.
I'm a regular...usually great but had my first mediocre breakfast there recently... Hoping it is an anomaly....
(4)Jessica B.
Wonderful, homey and sweet atmosphere and a generosity and attention among the waitstaff that is uncommon, but highly appreciated! My pancakes were fluffy and scrumptious and my partner's scramble got rave reviews. Healthy portions and yummy flavors...does it get any better? Don't forget it's cash-only! THUMBS UP!
(5)Wally W.
Maybe I should have ordered breakfast, but I ordered a burger instead. It was 30 minutes before closing, but that's not an excuse for the terrible burger I received. The service was good and receptive. I kind of wished the water had ice as it was quite a hot day. Well, back to the burger. It was flavorless. The bun didn't have any mayo, and didn't ask for any since they were already closing up the restaurant. I just used ketchup instead. Still, the thing had no flavor. The fries, way too much salt. It was not good overall.
(1)Chad R.
Best breakfast in west Sonoma County. That is a simple fact. The juice bar is wonderful. The staff is stellar. Taylor Made Farms fresh seasonal ingredients always showing up. Be sure to checkout the blackboard for specials. Lunch is very good too I inly wish they would start serving it a bit earlier.
(5)Ivy R.
Cash only. The food is amazing, vegan food options all over the menu. Order things without cheese like the portobello burger (my favorite). Very friendly service, the beautiful lady with the ear to ear smile, blond hair, very cheerful, very energetic. Good energy at the place. The lady behind the pastry's has always seemed too busy for customers - looked overwhelmed (I think she must have a problem counting cash). Great food, also try the oatmeal with shredded coconut.
(5)Sally T.
Best biscuits EVER!!! We were passing through and shared a sandwich and salad. I couldn't leave without a biscuit when I saw it on someone's plate! I rationed it for 2 days as I didn't want it to end!!!
(5)Lisa W.
Oh man. As soon as I finished eating brunch on Saturday, I couldn't wait to come back to eat brunch again on Sunday. Each day I got the Organic Rice Bowl- and devoured the roasted veggies and kale, having to unfortunately leave most of the perfectly cooked brown rice. The food here is completely prepared with love, and the veggies are possibly the best tasting I have ever had! not sure where they get their produce from but somewhere quite magical on planet earth with excellent soil and farmers! Also had their green machine smoothie ( same delicous kale) two days in a row. I am jealous for folks who live in this town and get to eat here regularly. The only downside was sitting outside and a super loud hostess yelling every ttwo minutes for the large number of folks who were on the waiting list... I would recommend sitting inside if you don't want her yelling in your ear!
(5)Harvey D.
We took our family here for breakfast. All of us loved the food, quick service and friendly staff. It's a bit on the pricey side, but California wine country is just this way. It's worth the price every now and then. Oh yeah, cash only and they have a dog menu which my Pitty just loves!
(5)Melissa C.
When we arrived at the restaurant after driving over from Guerneville, it seemed as though everyone from the next 3 towns over had come here for breakfast. :) And rightfully so, this place was the bomb. We were able to pick our own seating and grabbed a table without having to wait at all. Our waitress gave us menus which were overwhelming at first cuz everything sounded delicious! But our waitress took our orders without being pushy or anything less than bright and chipper, but not annoyingly so. Our food came quickly but not too quick so you felt like you were bring kicked out. I got the mocha Bianca drink and it came in a HUGE mug with no handle/bowl! It was delicious. My bf got the Sonoma drink which I think he was surprised to like cuz usually he doesn't like juices with any kinda pulp in it. I got the special with 2 pancakes, 2 eggs your way (sunny side up), and I swapped the option of any link sausage and got turkey sausage instead. YOM. He got the breakfast burrito and loved it, even with mushrooms in it and he usually won't touch mushrooms! We were both too full to finish so took it to go. I was gonna give 4 stars cuz I didn't realize till the check came that it cost an additional $3.50 to get the turkey sausage instead, which I thought was expensive but it was still really quality meat so I would do it again.
(5)Domenic F.
Always great food and a wonderful setting. Show up and put your name on the list. 30 minute waits for Sunday brunch is common especially on holidays. WORTH THE WAIT!!! We like to order drinks at the take out window on the side of the building while we wait outside. An accordion player has made his way to entertain the hungry troops outside.
(5)Michael A.
This s##t is real!!! Best breakfast this side of SF......great service excellent food awesome selections!!!! loved every bit of it down to the biscuits and jam
(5)Regina L.
I'm normally not a fan of breakfast, which is why I'll never give a 5 star review, but Howard Station Cafe was a really great experience. My girlfriends and I came here during my bachelorette weekend, hungover and super hungry. We only had to wait about 10 minutes even with our big party and the staff was very friendly. They were packed (which seems to always be the case) but still the service was quick and the staff was attentive to our needs (more coffee!!). Their menu is extensive but easy to read, and there were so many delicious-sounding things. My friend and I split the corned beef hash and the biscuits and gravy. The portions were hearty and everything was super tasty. I'm glad I split two items because I enjoyed trying more than one thing. The gravy was a bit bland, but everything else was great. We left full, caffeinated and happy. My biggest gripe with breakfast places, however, is the lasting restaurant smell that lingers in your hair and clothing hours after your meal.
(4)Fatima A.
Don't be fooled yelpers, but be forewarned: CASH ONLY! They tell you they immediately stop serving breakfast at 12:30 p.m., yet you can order omelets all day? We seated ourselves and were given menus at 12:30 and at 12:31 we were asked what we wanted to order. Can you please give us one second? The menu is only a trifold with tiny writing both back and front. I wanted to order eggs benedict at 12:37 and was told they threw out the water they poached the eggs in. You know what we call this? Crap service! Our waitress was so awful we wondered if she was being mean to us b/c I wear a hijab. I was told the salmon omelet was the same thing, I told her no cream cheese in my omelet, guess how my omelet came? W/cream cheese. Guess what an omelet with hollandaise sauce tastes like? Not like eggs benedict! The potatoes on both our plates were both small and large, with the small bits being burnt to the point of being inedible. My husband's potatoes were also strangely intolerably spicy. As an aside I've never see him leave so much food on his plate. The omelet was also rubbery on the edges. My husband is sweet, soft-spoken, and protective of the fact I need to eat gluten-free because I have celiac disease. He just gently double-checked and asked the waitress if the bread on my plate was gluten-free. She had just dropped the plates and was now talking to the table behind us. Rastafarian Lady Gaga didn't come talk to him, but rather impatiently and rudely told him over her shoulder, "YES, it's Udi's!" What she forgot to tell me is that we were going to be charged $1.50 for the privilege. If I had known this upfront when I was ordering, I would have not requested gluten free bread at all, $1.50 for store bought bread is a bit much! He had the veggie omelet and besides the vegetables not being cut all the same size and therefore not being cooked properly, he said there was a strange smell to them. He did say the biscuit was the best thing on the plate. Honestly, we think that the five stars are really unwarranted both for food, service, and arbitrary policies. What's the charm of being family-owned if the service and food are worse than at a chain breakfast restaurant? Never again will we be fooled by your fake reviews!
(1)Thomas M.
I have never had a better breakfast any where. Ranch fresh eggs and everything is made fresh on site including the pastries and juices. The lunches are also great. They don't accept credit card but have an ATM on site. Love this place.
(5)Jayme P.
Clearly, Howard Station is doing just fine without my review. A late Saturday morning visit for brunch revealed a fully packed cafe. Nevertheless, the staff was able to seat us quickly. The interior is adorable -- real North Bay charm. And the menu has a great mix of traditional -- pancakes, corned beef hash, omelettes -- and fresh -- coconut waffles, Irish Benedict, tofu scramble. Nice seasonal touches like sweet potato waffles and Gingerbread lattes. I didn't try the juices or smoothies but they looked great. My hueveos rancheros were a great combo of spicy and comforting corn tortilla. My friend's corn beef hash was delicious, smoky and fresh. The coffee was strong and extra good (Taylor Maid. Local, from Sebastopol), Service was friendly, quick and charming. My only real complaints? The plates were a little empty. Portions are fairly small for the price. I do believe that portion sizes are too enormous and so I don't feel too terrible about it but the corned beef hash was a tiny pile on a big plate. Maybe sides -- toast, fruit, a biscuit -- would be the right choice. Huevos rancheros come with a scoop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives. Again, it looked a bit lonely there. Maybe avocadoes or fruit? I like breakfast to feel abundant with choices. You can certainly add these things on, but when plates already start at $11, and coffee at $2.50, brunch is starting to look pricy. All in all, Howard Station is a fantastic place for breakfast. The food is lovely, delicious and the choices are good. I recommend it highly! Just plan to spend a bit more if you want the full, generous brunch experience.
(4)Mollie F.
Ok food, generic breakfast menu. Our pancakes and waffles came out cold, like they were sitting on a counter for a while before we got it. Good ingredient, but not that special. It's ok since it's pretty much the only place in town, but seems very popular with the locals.
(2)Contessa D.
This is our local diner. I love this place with so many health food options to choose from and really fabulous group of servers. And they have a doggie menu so if you want to sit outside you can bring your dog and order something special for them. My only complaints are: A - why they charge extra for avocado when we are substituting if for cheese? My husband has heart disease and can't eat dairy and the avocado is the perfect substitution. And sadly sometimes I don't realize how hungry I am until they are closed! But we love this place none-the-less.
(5)Rebecca D.
I cannot wait to go back!!! Amazing French Toast. The atmosphere feels like home, like being at grandma and grandpa's place, full of happiness and great hospitality. There is definitely a wait because of its popularity from their great food, but it is definitely well worth the 3 hour drive!
(5)Ally N.
Howard's was awesome! I haven't had a waffle in years and this was great - I had the Peaches and Cream waffle with grapefruit juice. The juice was homemade and the waffle had the fresh peaches on top and was cooked perfectly. I am anxious to go back and try their other items already!
(5)Lauren E.
A dog friendly restaurant! We were on vacation in the area and found this great place on Yelp. They have tons of options for vegetarians and even have gluten free options! They serve breakfast, lunch and have a doggy menu! The food was fresh and the service was super friendly. The best part was the frozen Kong for the dogs. They were entertained for the whole meal.
(5)Walter T.
Damn tasty breakfast, good service and a fun atmosphere. On letters, pancakes, beers n mimosas will make you're morning better!
(5)Amanda B.
The best breakfast place ever! Grew up in occidental and now that I moved away I always get my Howard's fix when I come back to visit (sometimes twice in one trip!) So many vegetarian and gluten free options - best hollandaise sauce EVER - amazing coffee and juices - you can't go wrong with howards!
(5)donna w.
Fantastic breakfast, great service, friendly people...he had the Cajun omelet and I had the crab eggs Benedict. The coffee was relish, as was the fresh unfiltered apple juice. We will be back for more!
(4)Brittney M.
I love Howard's! It's a great breakfast institution. Everything on the menu is good I especially love all the healthy options that are available. Their Taylor Maid coffee drinks are also amazing as well as the great bakery case! I eat there every time I'm home !
(5)Eli G.
Happened to be in this neck of the woods, which is random area for me, being I live in san mateo county... But I was on a 250 mile motorcycle ride & ended up here for lunch. Keep in mind it is CASH ONLY & their ATM seemed to be down at the time. Anyways, cozy place... seems very fresh food, alot of organic options & healthy alternatives too. Portions arent huge, but just right.. and the service was decent too. I got this brown rice bowl that had kale and a couple of veggies with eggs on top.. It was in the healthy alternative section & usually when a restaurant says its healthy it still has oils and sauces and such. I was pretty impressed it was oil free & they brought sauces on the side without even having to ask, that way you can apply however much you want. To sum things up, I dont see why i wouldnt be back, again If I was randomly in the area, which is unlikely.
(3)Jona J.
The food here is excellent. Our only frustration is their refusal to serve "lunch" items until after 12:30. It's just cruel to hand us menus that get us all excited about a particular sandwich option and then refuse to serve that option because it's thirty minutes too early! They serve all the required ingredients at breakfast so WTF? What is so difficult about assembling a sandwich out of those same ingredients? This is our only complaint -- the service is otherwise good and the food excellent.
(3)Shannon L.
I love this place. Lots of character tucked away in the redwoods. I like to recommend this place to out of towners. The food is good, the service is friendly. I was there on a Monday morning and food came quick. CASH ONLY though and I always forget that.
(4)Jessica H.
Love Howard's!! It's very busy on the weekends, so expect to wait for a table, but for a good reason of course, incredible food! We come here a lot as a family, so have tried a wide assortment off their breakfast menu. Our favorites are the brown rice bowl w eggs (my daughter) or tofu (me). My son orders either the peach or chocolate pancakes, with one of the fantastic smoothies, and my husband can't get enough of their corn beef hash w a cappuccino. Even the tap water is nice, served in cute old fashioned capped glass bottles. It's a noisy, bustling place with lots of kids, bicyclists, tourists and of course eccentric locals, but they have experienced wait staff, and plentiful array of healthy, hearty, and/or decadent options to choose from. Wonderful place to enjoy a casual and relaxed late breakfast or brunch.
(5)Hope M.
Dog Friendly! They even have a Dog's Menu. Yummy Almond Butter, Almond Milk Frappe. Fresh squeezed juices. Breakfast served till 2:30. Great Club Sandwich. My husband loved the cole slaw. Cute old country-style house.
(5)Hannah D.
Best place in west sonoma! awesome food and amazing coffee....I also love the accordion player outside the restaurant.
(5)Eric T.
Seriously the best in every way. I kinda want to give them bad reviews so that other people won't go... but that just seems wrong.
(5)Deanne C.
Eh... We got sandwiches there a week or so ago and they were good. So we thought why not try breakfast. We should have stuck with lunch. The food was not that great, service was slow and cash only is annoying. Afterwards we physically felt crappy. Not sure we will be back. I think they are only busy because they are pretty much the only diner in town.
(3)David B.
Great people, great service, great food. Bring cash, no credit cards. Got the pumpkin waffles. Excellent.
(5)Janet W.
I had eggs and hash with a biscuit and they were all great. My husband's fruit salad was uninspired: melon, banana, grapes, yogurt and a little granola. Berries are in season. If they had put some strawberries or other berries in it, I would have given them a five. No complaints re: service. I recommend this place over the little cantina nearby. You can get huevos rancheros at the cantina, but for 50 cents more the food, service and ambiance at Howard Station Cafe was much better.
(4)Kate M.
One of the top three best breakfasts of my life, and the other two are from very different styles of restaurant in the same state, so this basically wins for best breakfast in 49 states. My boyfriend and I loved the homemade corned beef hash, sausage gravy and biscuits, sweet pumpkin bread, and fresh crab meat benedict, but we also imagine there's nothing not to love on the menu. Our server said she's been working there for four years and still eats there on her days off, and I believe her. A must-do if you're visiting Sonoma or the Sonoma coast!
(5)Will C.
At 8:30 on a Saturday morning there was no wait for a table, but it took awhile to have coffee orders taken. I got the biscuits and gravy which I found to be lacking to say the least. the gravy was clod and the biscuit very dense. My cappuccino was quite tasty though. The waffles look amazing.
(2)Christopher M.
Excellent food -- everything was fresh with healthy choices. Good spot for lunch before ziplining nearby
(5)Leslie P.
This was a fantastic roadtrip find. The menu is homey, hearty, and full of items for my boyfriend and my finicky diets. Almond milk? Yes. Gluten-free waffles and baked goods? Totally. I was impressed with the range of options, from traditional diner fare to vegan offerings to various green juices and hippie smoothies. The decor is woodsy and dark. I ate the blueberry cornmeal pancakes (yum!) and had enough leftovers for a second meal. Cash only, but there's an ATM in the powder room. Recommended!
(4)Catalina V.
This place gets ridiculously busy, but the wait is ok, about 25 minutes to get seated. Our waitress was friendly. She kept refilling our coffee and water.I ordered the Californian burger and he ordered the veggie burger. They took 45 minutes to bring our food, it was a bit disappointing because we saw everyone else order and get their food way before us. When our food finally arrived his patty was cold mine was hot and over cooked,and really dry. The food was tasty for what it was. And the service was a bit slow and I was a bit annoyed that no one bothered to give us and update about our food.
(3)Katie B.
This is our favorite breakfast spot. We've been coming here since I was a kid back in the 90s, and the food is even better now. The veggie Benedict is one of my favorites, great fresh smoothies and juices, strong Taylor Maid coffee, prompt service. All around quality place. Be prepared to wait for a while on the weekends unless you go before 9am - popular spot for large groups, can be pretty loud. Very nice on week days when it's mellow :)
(5)Tamara M.
Love this place. Such a fantastic little breakfast spot! I ordered the vegetarian omelette and it was honestly one of the best I've had. Everyone else at the table was raving over their eggs benedict as well. Only problem is it's super noisy inside.
(5)Issy D.
When I close my eyes and picture a breakfast place Howard's comes to mind. The ambience is cozy and rustic. Check! Big portions. Check! Fresh and homemade taste. Check! Friendly service. Check! Hot coffee (bonus lots of unique ones as well...) Check! So overall, do yourself a favor and go to Howards. Sure there might be a wait. And hey, they only take cash. But you are about to have the best god damn breakfast ever. Try the waffles and eggs benedict if you really wanna treat-yo-self.
(5)Joanne L.
Delightful food and company!!! After a hilly ride from Occidental to the coast and back via Coleman Valley Road, my cycling sisters and I were hungry! We were really intrigued by the brown rice bow with kale and tofu but none of us ended up ordering it. We will be back to try it of course! We were a little late by the time we finished our ride so we missed the cutoff time for breakfast. They still served the waffles and some other breakfast things, but you get a limited selection if you miss this time. I had a lovely club sandwich with potatoe salad. The cheese was delightfully tasty in my sandwich, the bacon was delicious... and I ordered a fresh squeezed juice with veggies and fruit. Simply yummy. Really wonderful place, so remember to bring cash! Really nice and clean bathrooms too!!! Yelper approved!
(4)Mary P.
Utterly disappointing and disgusting. Eggs are not difficult to cook. Children cook them for gods sake. Marketed as a breakfast place, they stop serving some breakfast items at 12:30 but do serve all the exact same breakfast items as sides for a higher price. I actually felt bad for the waitress, it was like a scene from Gordon Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares. Why put your employees in a position of telling the customer that they are about to get scammed. Two menus would have solved this issue. One menu could have then cheap prices and the other could include the random higher priced items. Honestly after the menu fiasco I didn't even want to eat here. I could see the food being served around me and wasn't impressed. One person asked for no sprouts and her whole omelette was covered in sprouts and the coffee was weak. My two eggs were arrived floating in yellow grease. I tried to blot off most of the goo but I think they covered the plate with oil, put the eggs on the plate, and then drizzled more oil on top. I ordered a biscuit to compensate which arrived in a cute little heart shape. But there was no heart in this food. It was stone cold and as dry as sawdust. Don't count on being able to smother your sawdust biscuit in a yummy jam, they only have strawberry. Eating a bag of flour would have been a better choice, and cheaper. While you wait for, what this place calls food, you get a flask of tepid water. I wouldn't count on coffee, breakfast was over before mine ever came. The waitress was very nice as she attempted to deal with poor management choices and a bad cook. Obviously this place cares neither for its customers or the employees.
(1)Barbara B.
8 of us went to Howard Station earlier this month for breakfast. Some are picky eaters, some have allergies. This place has a menu that accommodated all of us. Service was quick and friendly, food was excellent. When asked how they made the gluten free Belgian waffle (very good), the server went to the kitchen to find out exactly what flour was used. There were no complaints after the meal, and many of us are looking forward to return.
(5)Diana D.
The smoked salmon omelet was amazing! Best I've ever had! The potatoes were perfect. The biscuit was a little dry (my Southern friends have taught me what a true biscuit should taste like!). Love that they have gluten free options for my friend who went with me. She loved being able to order a sandwich and the bread was good. The service was impeccable. Love their coffee! Wish that they would accept credit cards / debit cards. Would make life a little easier. Other than that I highly recommend eating at Howard Station Cafe.
(5)Iana I.
While I would only give it 3/5, everyone I was with would give it a 5/5. This could also have something to do with the fact that everyone else got breakfast items and I got a lunch sandwich. For those of you up for a breakfast item: their waffles are delicious and served with fresh fruit. They make their jam in-house. Their Spanish omelette is not spicy so don't be scared of those jalapeños.
(3)Nikki S.
The waffles are to die for! I don't come here often but i was here about 4 years ago with my bro in law's family. It's pretty loud but the food & waitress service is great!
(4)Dawn I.
The food and service were great. They have gluten free belgian waffles, which were light and fluffy. They also have an assortment of fresh juices. I would definitely come back.
(4)Charlotte M.
Want good, local, healthy but filling food with lots of options, huge sizes, in a neat restaurant? Well, Howard's is your destination. My mom and I came here today and devoured our lunches of sweet potato and lentil soup (ah-mazing) with a homemade heart-shaped biscuit, a salad that I ended up taking home because it was gargantuan. My mom's veggie sandwich was incredible. We even had cookies that were the size of a baby's head and were probably the best cookies I have had in a long, long time. The servers were friendly, prompt and the food was fast and just plain good. Definitely the place to go. ps. cash only
(5)Adam T.
Go here asap! Bring Cash and be ready to wait but be ready to chow down! Their french toast, peanut butter waffles and their Primo Potatoes are off the hook! I cant wait to come back. Unlike most food snobs, I can be patient for my food! :P
(5)Philip C.
Howard Station has world class breakfasts, great coffee and beautiful waitresses. Max Restaurant in Ghent, Belgium has been rumored to have the best waffles in the world. I have eaten there and the raspberry waffle I had, with a topping of house whipped, local cream was easily 10 times better than what I had in Belgium. The Serious Sausage breakfast is also extraordinarily good. I had it today and my waitress, Kelsey was also exceptional. All of the other breakfasts I have had there have been awesome. Their coffee is strong, local Taylor Maid. I don't think their lunches are quite as good. They have a bunch of smoothies and other stuff in case I ever want to get healthy. In full disclosure, my 94 year old father eats there every day and gets treated like royalty by the attractive waitresses.
(5)Ken N.
I LOVE breakfast joints and Howard Station Cafe hits the spot. Oh how I enjoyed this place so much. I loved the homey, casual and loud atmosphere. It just felt like everyone knew each other. Perfect way to end my Bodega Bay weekend getaway. *ORIGINAL BENEDICT - Both hands down the best I've ever had! I don't even need to say anymore. *BISCUITS - It's OK. If you want to try it, I think 1 per person is good enough. *STATION SPECIAL - GF ordered this with pancakes and those suckers were huge! She said she enjoyed it but could barely finish half of it. Fresh squeezed OJ was a little pricey at $3 a small cup (same size as your cup of water) but it was delicious! Service was on point. We got there around 11AM and only waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Pretty small so I can see why others said it gets crowded. I'm going to end this review now because my stomach won't stop growling as I'm typing this. This is MUST GO if you're in the area.
(5)Abc X.
Cute place. Great food. Friendly service. Good for every kind of diet that's out there: If you are vegan, you will not be having lettuce or some side for a meal. If you are gluten free, you can still have pancakes.
(5)Patrick S.
Great breakfast atmosphere. Pretty waitresses. Good food.
(4)H T.
this is a good place to stop for food if you're in the tiny town of occidental. they have a bunch of juices and smoothies made-to-order. they also have a ton of veg options, including breakfast items. i got a brown rice bowl to-go, which came w/ tofu, kale and carrots w/ tahini and peanut sauces. yum!
(4)Ken M.
I was in Occidental for three weeks for work in Dec/Jan '14... I tried to give this place a chance on several occasions, but left disappointed every time. It's really hard to pinpoint any specific reason, for the staff were friendly enough... But the food was always pretty lame. Many dishes often would arrive cold... And the chef seems to have a fondness for orange zest in all of their baked goods, such as their cinnamon rolls and French toast, with no mention of it in the menu. It's a flavor I don't like in baked goods at all... I eventually gave up on this place and started settling for pre-packaged pastries from the convenience store down the street. It must be bad when I resort to pre-packaged processed food instead. Too bad too, for I liked the staff, with one exception.
(2)Steve T.
I love going to Howard's. We spend almost every Sunday morning there on our weekly motorcycle outing. We roll in with anywhere from 4-15 guys and somehow they get us seated with a minimum wait. The food is consistently great whether we order pancakes or salmon benedict. In fact, you can get just about anything you want. One guy even orders granola with bacon on it! Everything is fresh including the juice, pastries and the coffee. However, the staff is the real reason we keep coming back. The girls are all beautiful, friendly and great sports. It can't be easy to handle a table of flirtatious guys wishing they were 20 years younger- but somehow they do it with big smiles on their faces- and it's wonderful. I can't recommend Howard's enough. It's a little off the beaten path in Occidental, but well worth the trip.
(5)Chelsea D.
My family from the east coast was visiting, so I took them here. I got the Veggie Eggs benedict. Delicious!!! It had mushrooms and avocado. My uncle got the traditional eggs benny, he loved it. My brother and uncle got bacon, eggs, potatoes and biscuits. They loved their bacon and everything else. The orange juice is freshly squeeze, and the apple juice is pressed there! Great service too.
(5)Jacob F.
The place has a certain atmosphere to it that was nice and rustic with a little hipster to it. We ordered the Blueberry waffle and the Salmon Benedict. The benedict was great, rich and creamy. Hot chocolate was good and the coffee too. But the potatoes. Got them and they were both cold and burnt, took one bite and spit it out. Asked for another plate that wasn't burn. Kitchen must have had a burnt out light bulb because the next time I got the same batch but they were hot this time. So after tasting a few of them they were way over seasoned. I pointed this out the waiters who then herself and the cook tasted the potatoes and agreed they had been over seasoned. So did they take $5 off my meal or send me a pecan sticky bun, nope, just sent me on my way. Not even a sorry, just a "yep, they were over seasoned."
(3)Rick V.
The next time you and your pack roar into Occidental on your early morning ride, park your hogs in the lot in front of Howard Station Cafe for a real decent breakfast. Eggs Benedict... Waffles... Omelettes... Hot Cakes, and real good coffee. Stuff costs about $10 on the average. Good service. A bit rustic, but nice. Cash only! Coming in from the cold... the leather isn't as supple when you grabbed it out the closet... you see your breath in the fresh air... relax with that second cup of their good coffee and enjoy life. Eggs, corned beef hash... sausage... Howard Station is cool in the Cold.
(3)Redloci R.
Peaches and cream waffle (fresh peaches)! They did get a bit scared of my husband's beard though...
(5)Sani S.
All Hail Howard for his amazing Salmon omelette, being one of the most amazing Salmon dishes I have ever tasted in my adventurous 23 years of life. Hail that hollander sauce and its tangy cholesterol that adds such decadence to the capers within; the side salad and potatoes which gives you the perfect filling for that brunch you've been waiting to have your entire sorry LIFE! A little crowded on a Saturday morning, which really doesn't matter, especially since all you're greeted with are pretty feminine faces that want to feed you.. and take your money. Money well taken! While you wait for your caloric intake you may drift to a world of fantasy with your selected server, maybe Narnia or the backseat of your truck underneath the stars.. your choice. A very pleasant experience that is for sure, and best of all your pockets aren't badly rattled after all. Might even save a buck or three to go buy yourself some pirate attire down the street from one them hippy stores.
(5)Colin A.
Was here several weeks ago on vacation. They have the best pumpkin flavored product that I've ever tasted! Those waffles were amazing! The service was great both days we came here and everyone was blown away by the food and the atmosphere. I hope that they get a lot of traffic because they are a bit off the beaten path. That's probably a good thing for those of us who stumble upon them.
(5)Aaron M.
Organic, homemade, fresh squeezed deliciousness served with love and big bottle of maple syrup. Cash only.
(5)Zoe J.
Stellar, quick service...always a plus...returned with friends on a busy Sunday morning.....the food was, as usual, delicious...one friend enjoyed the special blueberry poppers, nice little blueberry bits of goodness wrapped up in a breakfast roll form, complimented by maple syrup (pure maple if you request). Another friend opted for the huevo rancheros and yet another enjoyed the Aloha Oatmeal, steel cut oats enhanced with bananas & coconut...very filling, according to him! The menu is so varied, from oatmeal to versions of Eggs Benedict to exotic pancakes & waffles to Vegan rice bowls...truly something for everyone. My only criticism...coffee should be regularly refilled. Waitresses always running around, yet not checking in on coffee refills...very frustrating. We keep coming back...yeah Howards!!
(4)Gail B.
So happy to have found this place on Yelp. What a great little spot. I wish I would have remember what our server's name was because she did a fantastic job. Very knowledgeable about the food. And just super, super friendly, without being annoying. What I really appreciated was when I asked for OJ with ice, she brought the ice in a seperate cup "becuase I want to make sure that you get all the oj you are paying for.". Wow! The food was really delicious. My husband had the homemade corn beef hash and said it was some of the best he's had. I had French Toast and it was really good also. I ended up locking my keys in the car (DUH) and our cell phone service was cutting in and out. They let us use their work phone to call roadside assistance and just asked that we answer the other line "Howard Station Cafe" if it rang. One employee was going to try to see if he could jimmy the car but it's a new model so that wouldn't work. Another employee suggested a local tow truck company that might be faster than our roadside assistance. Just overall a great, friendly, easy going atmosphere with great food. Oh and the cash only thing...there is an ATM a few stores down, no biggie.
(5)Geoff L.
Went here for breakfast this morning and it was pretty good but not amazing. The corned beef hash had too much of an onion taste and not enough corned beef taste. The biscuits were a little disappointing, as was the gravy. The biscuits were heavy, too doughy, and didn't have much flavor. The gravy had a strange consistency, not sure how to describe it... I got to try the crab benedict, and it was quite good. The crab tasted like real crab, but I would have preferred the regular eggs benedict; I feel that the ham adds a texture and a subtle flavor that helps bring out the flavors of the egg and the hollandaise sauce. With the crab benedict, the crab overpowers everything else; I guess that's a testament to how good the crab is! So yea, pretty good breakfast and lunch place but nothing extraordinary.
(3)Matthew K.
I really wish this AMAZING breakfast joint was local to me here in Aptos. I have been to Occidental many times, but never discovered this eatery until I came into town for a workshop. We needed a healthy breakfast early and fast so we could get down to our workshop's meeting place. The food was just delectable, the servers attentive, and the menu was inspired and where food trends are going. Their custom juice bar is to die for, and indicates where food is headed in general. I'll always welcome an opportunity to dine at Howard Station Cafe.
(5)Jennifer C.
My favorite breakfast place in Sonoma County. The best home fries in the world! Always crowded and cash only. This is the place we locals would hobble to on sunday morning (post party) while we were growing up. Yummm Now I go with my honey and we work the crossword puzzle over omelets. Feels like home.
(5)Bryan G.
My sweetie and I went for breakfast at 9:30 on a Monday morning on our way back from a weekend in the Sonoma redwoods. We heard about this place from some of the staffers at a camp, and wow it was great! We sat down and our waiter-fellow swooped down on us with the coffee and smile -- and it was good coffee! He also brought water in a quaint old-timey water bottle with a wire pop-thingy sealing the top. We thought it might be an antique until we turned it over and saw IKEA on the bottom -- how funny is that? The decor was train-themed, and the menu explained: it's named after an old 49er (the gold kind, not the Jerry Rice or Joe Montana kind) named Howard who traded right-of-way for lifetime free rides on the railroad. This station was *his* station, hence the name. The full story is quite colorful and amusing but I'll leave it a surprise for when you visit -- because you will visit! We ordered: she ordered a 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy, and I ordered the smoked salmon Florentine omelette. After our smiley waiter guy took the order I walked outside for a minute to get the local Santa Rosa newspaper. I brought it back and we read each other our favorite sections while we waited. Meanwhile the smiley waiter came by at least three times to refill the coffee -- and it was good coffee -- and the place filled up with a couple large family groups. It was a very happy mood inside! Then, before we knew it the food arrived -- wow! I took some pictures, because it looked THAT GOOD. The biscuits and gravy were top-shelf: amazing honey biscuits with awesome texture, and as my date put it "real sausage gravy". The salmon Florentine omelette was epic. Seriously and for real. Fluffy eggs, with a just-right amount of spinach and onion and sour cream and the SALMON OH MY WORD! It's smoked. It's awesome. Is this the faken-salmon from Costco that comes from some farm far away? No. This is awesome we-got-it-off-a-boat-in-Bodega and SMOKED IT (and salmon's hard to get lit ha ha old joke I know). Super. Awesome. I savored every bite. If that wasn't enough I have to take a special moment to talk about the biscuits. These are biscuit-lover's biscuits. They are not the kind that come from a can where you whack it to pop them open. These are obviously lovingly hand-made with the right little trace of honey mixed in. They have a texture that reminded me of shortbread, and the butter melts right in. These are high-society tea-and-biscuits biscuits, and they show it. So good. So tasty. So biscuity. We nom-nom-ed. We shared bites. We got more refills of the coffee from smiley waiter guy. When we couldn't eat any more, we got the bill. Cash only so quaint but who cares? It was worth it. So good. Bottom line: you gotta go. It's maybe a 15-minute side trip off the Bodega Highway. It's cheerful, a good deal, and AWESOME food. You will love it. Ask for smiley-waiter-guy and tell him I sent you.
(5)Christine Y.
COOOOKIEEEE!! Is SOOOO yummy!!! Train wreck compost cookie (which I was totally hesitant about and my brilliant friend got two of them for us) made of pretzels, coffee grounds, choco bits, and who knows what else is A MUST HAVE!!! Drool... so yummy. We stopped by for lunch after ziplining at Sonoma Canopy Tours; ordered the vegetarian burger and veggie sandwich. I'm not a vegetarian -- my friend is--- and we shared both which were absolutely yum. Honey ginger lemonade can be passed on. It's good, but I could've gone without. Cornmeal blueberry muffin and vegan muffin are delicious too. Their baked goods are worth stopping for =)
(5)Donna R.
Enjoyed our breakfast and the dog friendly atmosphere. The outdoor porch was very pleasant and our puppy, Kali, loved the special "doggie" menu. The Eggs Benedict were fine - nothing really to write home about, though. The grilled potatoes were delicious with a slight citrusy flavor and the coffee was yummy. Wait staff was extremely friendly, efficient and gave special attention to the doggies enjoying breakfast with their humans. If weather permits, sit outside (they have heaters) since the indoor seating was packed and incredibly NOISY! Occidental is a cute little town and a short drive to Bodega Bay - a nice day trip from the Bay Area.
(4)Leslie G.
In a word: Fresh! The food tasted so fresh! And it was well-prepared. The service was friendly. Absolutely a place to stop on the way to and from the coast!
(4)Charles B.
Where are we going? For breakfast? Down this road is a town with a place to eat? Really! I can remember that first drive to Occidental. There were drifts of fog along the way broken by a few scattered patches of sunshine. The drive from Rohnert Park wasn't long, but it was strange to think this trek was worth the schlep. But as we drove into town and found our way to Howard Station Cafe, I knew we'd made the right move. It's now a personal and family favorite whenever I'm in the area. I sing the praises of their egg dishes, baked goods and just about everything else to all my friends. It's a can't-miss experience. The menu is packed with goodness and varied enough to please meat- and veggie-philes alike. And the smiles from the staff begin the moment you walk through the door and never leave even after you have made your way back to the parking lot. Me? I'm a meat-eater, a biscuit lover, a pancake fanatic (blueberry pancakes? Mmmmmmm!) and omelet aficionado. So when I say the oatmeal here is phenomenal, it's because I've skipped over some other personal favorites and devoured it more than once. Yes, it's incredible. I can't really comment on the lunch. I've never gotten past breakfast . Oh, and the service is outstanding. The only two drawbacks are the cash-only policy (and there aren't too many ATMs in the vicinity!) and the crowd you'll encounter on a weekend morning. But those are minor things when deciding to eat at the best breakfast place in NorCal. Sorry, SF, but this place is where I left my heart.
(4)desiree n.
We love it here. It's a gorgeous drive there and back from our house and the foods good. I've had the breakfast a couple times and I won't go as far to say that it is in fact the best breakfast in Sonoma County, but it's pretty darn good. Burgers are a bit on the "meh" side...but their fries are yums. Also I don't like that you can't get breakfast AND lunch since my partner in crime doesn't like breakfast as much as I do. But I'm thinking their kitchen area can't accomodate the two so I'll let this one go.
(4)Bob T.
They do it right, and friendly doing it. Organic: check gluten free: check excellent service:check well cooked good ingredients: check. Bad news is you gotta find it, good news is its worth finding.
(5)Carly W.
Fabulous breakfast joint! The food is fresh and tastes amazing. Baked goods are made on site and the portions are hearty enough to fill you up. Great place!
(5)Jessica C.
Eggs benedict is amazing, as well as the strawberry waffle. The seasoning on the potatoes has me perplexed. This place has never let me down!
(5)Trevar M.
Best breakfast I've had in years. Nice setting, delicious coffee, friendly servers and the most amazing Veggie Benedict and French toast. Each bite was better than the last. Out-of-control delicious. And let's not forget the Mimosa with fresh squeezed OJ! This breakfast spot is the perfect reason (as if you really need one) to take a drive up Hwy 1 and experience the beauty that is northern Marin and Sonoma County.
(5)Marvin N.
This was our breakfast stop on Mother's Day, the line was long, but surprisingly it didn't take us to long to get seated. Again this was another recommendation and it didn't disappoint, even though I forgot what I ordered when it showed up at the table (definitely a 'doh' moment). They have a mix of food, from the good stuff (eggs, pancakes, potatoes, biscuits and gravel, etc.) to the not so good stuff (vegan, tofu scrambles and gluten free waffles ...does that even count as real food? Just asking). Everything we ordered (all coming from the non healthful list) was good if not very good. Our server was feisty, funny and friendly making our meal that much better. My only issue with this place is its' cash only (good for them, bad for the tourist in town. If there was a bank I never saw it) policy so make sure to bring you cash if you want to eat here. Otherwise this is a great spot and worth the wait for a table. ***Just a note about the rating the only reason they are losing a star is for the cash only policy. I would still go back in a heart beat.
(3)Jesse T.
A wonderful place to spend a morning in Occidental, California. The coffee was delicious and the breakfast superior. Lots of variety and great atmosphere, partly due to it being housed in a converted train station. Worth a visit.
(4)Greg S.
4 1/2 stars. I only wouldn't give it a 5 because they don't take credit cards or bank cards, cash only. Please, this is 2009. I know this is a small town, but cash only for a restaurant is something I'm not used to. The food and the service were really great. Had a very nice breakfast. Belgian waffle with Peaches and fresh whipping cream. Very good !!!
(4)M W.
Howard's has been great breakfast since I was a kid, 20 years ago. From standard hearty eggs and toast to the smoothies and vegan stuff of more recent vintage, they do it all well. It's a cool old building and crowded inside on most weekend mornings. You usually have to wait. Remember, CASH ONLY!
(4)Ozzie O.
What Can I say ! We love this place! I have traveled to this Area from Ohio in the past and finally have moved to Folsom California, this past summer. My wife and I travel to Occidental, Sebastapol and Bodega Bay Area quite often and we plan our entire weekend with Howard's for breakfast on Sunday mornings. We are HOOKED!! , The best breakfast I have had anywhere in the country. Fantastic omelets, my wife is hooked on the pancakes and I am hooked on the best Huevos Rancheros anywhere. The Coffee is Outstanding and the energy and atmosphere is Incredible, your Host, Chris and Terry the Owners are Great People. Take your time because you will wait in line, But more than worth it, bring CASH because no credit or debit Cards taken! ENJOY!
(5)Natalie K.
baked oatmeal?????? with raisins, honey, and banana???? my oh my, AM perfection.
(5)jess j.
My favorite place in Sonoma County for breakfast. The blueberry waffles are delish. The fresh-squeezed OJ is a wonderful compliment. The caramel latte's are as good, if not better, than Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. The homefries are yum as well. The only problem I have with it is the windy, twisty turns on the Bohemian Highway, I wish it was a more accessible place.
(4)tkincalifornia k.
What a great brunch spot, yummies for kids, vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Cute small town decor and vibe. The variety was wonderful, one had an organic brown rice bowl with fabulous vege's and tofu, the kiddo had a beligian waffle with fresh peaches and i had a BLT that was very tasty. Would definately come here again.
(4)Ken L.
Great breakfast! I love eggs benedict so I had to have that. My wife loved her biscuits and gravy. We would definitely go back the next time we're in the area.The only downside is they only take cash, next time I'll be prepared.
(4)John S.
This place rocked. I don't remember what I had, I don't remember why I liked it, and I'll never know why I was even in this obscure nook of CA--but everybody said this place had the beast breaky in town and it still rocked my socks off. It's in the middle of nowhere and there aren't really any competing breakfast joints, so if you're there in the morning and hungry, you're probably going to eat there even if I said their food tasted like boiled turds, but I guess I just wanted to throw my two cents in so you can agree with me later. This place is even better than a Behnke Breakfast--believe that!
(5)P.Y. H.
i used to go here every week when i lived in santa rosa. it was great back then. awesome home atmosphere. lines out the door on weekends; even when it was cold out. great biscuits. i judge a good breakfast place by its corn beef hash. this place had one of the best. that was my regular. my wife liked their sausage. me too. why 3 stars. i went back recently. the place has changed. the original owner had passed away :-( and passed it on to his daughter (?) and her partner. they're turning it organic and redecorated it to california fufu. yuk yuk. the end of an era. how was the food? corn beef hash is now corn beef mush. sausage arrived cold. service was slow. crowds were down.
(3)Mel G.
I was so sadly disappointed by this place after reading all the wonderful reviews. I would have given it only one star based on our most recent trip but our first trip was almost a three star rating so 2 stars it is. The first time we went was last Sunday. We were seated at 11:15 but no- one came to take our order until 11:35 so we were told we couldnt order breakfast anymore because it ends at 11:30.....pretty lame since it was their fault we couldnt order it in time. The food we got was pretty good this time but we still wanted to come back for breakfast. So we did a few days ago. First I ordered an ice tea and my boyfriend ordered a chai latte. When it came it was just a regular latte but we didnt complain. I ordered this fruit salad they had with this delicious spice nut yogurt dressing. My boyfriend had ordered it last time and I wanted to have it this time. We had a whole conversation with the waitress about how yummy the dressing is and everything. She brings me a bowl of fruit with plain yogurt poured all over the top of it. I said "this isnt what i ordered" and she said "i know sorry, theres a language barrier". I wasnt sure what she was talking about because she was clearly white and spoke perfectly fine english. So she said she would get me the dressing at least. Instead she walks over with a cup of cinnamon and tells me I can mix it in and it will pretty much be the same thing. Clearly she was NOT going to give me what i ordered. I tried mixing this messy yogurt and spices in the bowl and it was making a gross mess. She finally decided to bring me the dressing after I have already made this gross mess. But I still try to deal with it and I take a bit of the cantalope and it is not ripe at all. Its hard and crunchy and has no flavor. I take a bite of the honeydew.....same thing. Im starving so i pick out the grapes and mushy bananas and eat them. I tell the waitress that the fruit wasnt ripe and this is when it occurs to me that she must be the dumbest human being on the planet because she says "well you can have a pastry from the bakery to make up for it". Why the hell would I order fruit for fricken breakfast if I wanted a pastry? She wouldnt take it off our bill even though I didnt eat it because it was inedible. Maybe I would try this place one more time and request a different waitress.
(2)christian C.
Great breakfast place. Cash only, though. The breakfast croissant and the potatoes were delicious. The serious sausage option (tried the chicken apple sausage) was also good. The biscuits were huge and good, though a tad too sweet.
(4)aynur d.
what a find! we were recommend this place from osmosis spa in freestone. it's just up a ways and took us a few mins to get here. we went for lunch so there was plenty of seating. my friend and i both ordered sandwiches w/ the home made potato salad. awesome! we paid the bill and couldn't resist the home made pastries. chose the station cookie which had raisins, coconut, chocolate chips and oatmeal. it was the size of a plate! split it w/ my friend - sooooo good! i would go out of my way to come here again...this time to try breakfast for sure. the staff was friendly, the place was clean and the best part, they are GREEN! be prepared as they only accept cash!
(5)Robin M.
Went here for breakfast today - best breakfast ever! Hubby had the Howard's Hot Cereal, he said he's never had oatmeal that good. I had a belgian waffle and link sausage - fabulous! Highly recommended if you are in the Occidental area.
(5)Chas F.
1 star is very generous in my opinion. We ordered waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, 2 blt with potato salad and 1 turkey gobbler. Yes the breasfast food was good but seriously how hard is it to mess up waffles, bacon, sausage and eggs? The kids seemed to have ate their blt except they said the crust on the bread was too tough. My turkey gobbler was AWFUL!!! Fatty turkey breast with spicy Dijon mustard, mayo, tiny leaf of lettuce, 2 tomatoes, onions,a HUGE blob of cream cheese(eww!) and a huge blob of that canned jelly cranberry goo! Not a good combo at all, I don't know what they were thinking! Oh wait they weren't! The 1 star is for the potato salad. It was homemade like the menu said, but I did have to spice it up. It had no flavor to it until I added salt and pepper. Also they serve you water, in these glass bottles at lukewarm temp! My daughters glass was either dirty or there was stuff floating around in the water! This place is WAY overpriced too! It was $70 including tip!!! I don't know what people are talking about when they recommend this place!!! Don't waste your time or money, rather drive into Santa rosa and find somewhere else to go!
(1)Hana W.
I'm originally from sonoma county but moved away for school. Every time I come home, no matter how short, I insist on coming to Howard's for breakfast. Best huevos rancheros ever!
(5)Dragonfly C.
I love this place. It is like stepping back in time where hearty breakfasts were the only type of breakfast to have. They are not always on the menu, but I love the pecan pancakes. I also love the eggs benedict. The smoothie bar is an extra added plus. Serving sizes are big so come hungry. Warm wait staff, swift service in a picturesque setting. Take cash as they do not accept credit cards american express or otherwise.
(5)Red D.
Veggies Benedict and a white chocolate mocha from Howard's...yum. Sometimes service can be slow and lacking so minus one star, but the food is always delicious and we love the atmosphere.
(4)J T.
Perfect breakfast and lunch every time without fail. Milkshake of the day, best cobb salad (house roasted turkey breast). The cornmeal pancakes are ridiculous! The owner and staff are delightful and handle the crowds that pour through the doors with genuine enthusiasm. Really make you feel welcome and taken care of.
(4)Alex S.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday morning. We were a little worried about it being too crowded, but we arrived just before it got crowded around 10 am. Ordered veggie hollandaise, came with avocado and mushroom. One of my poached eggs was a little more cooked than i would have liked, but eveyrthing was still delicious. Their home fries are especially good. The best breakfast I have had.
(5)Samantha C.
This place is AWESOME! Only about 20 minutes out of Santa Rosa but it feels like you're on a little vacation when you hit Occidental and the location of Howard's. The service is horrible. In fact, they are known for bad service. In the 6 years that I've been going there I've only met one kind server. If you order coffee, don't expect refills (if you get one consider it a bonus) and plan to hunt the waitress down if you want your check. The food though... ROCKS! Very best breakfast in this area, ever! I've only had their breakfasts so far, not yet ventured out to the lunch menu. The Biscuits and Gravy are incredible. The Primo Potatoes are so freaking good! Oh! Get there early on Sundays because they are usually very busy. Also, there are something that they don't make after 12:00pm so get there before then so that you don't miss out on anything.
(5)Kim-van T.
the breakfast food here looked so good! but we just missed it!!! nooooooooooooo! anyways, i got here after 12:30 so they stopped serving breakfast - although they still offer omelettes, waffles, and huevos rancheros. this was the second stop on the trip so after just coming from wild flour in freestone i wasn't as hungry as i thought. i ordered the cobb salad which was HUGE. it was the size of a pho xe lua bowl (xxlarge). and not fluffy! the salad greens were packed down there! fresh eggs from the chickens raised on the premises, really fresh avocado and other vegetables. everything was very fresh tasting and the salad itself was not overdressed which is a plus for me! i'd love to come back!
(4)Arun C.
Eggs benedict. The eggs were cooked to perfection. Soft but not mushy with bright orange yolks that seeped in to the muffin underneath to give the whole dish a silky comforting flavor and feel. The homefries were excellent, not too greasy. Another bonus was the fresh squeezed orange juice.
(4)Oceana L.
I think Howard's station cafe might be the best brunch in Sonoma county!!!!!!!! They have great service, but on the weekends they have terrible long waits :( I personally think they don't have very good lunch :(,but dint forget they have the best brunch in Sonoma county!!!!!
(4)Ruby D.
We tried Howard Station Cafe for the first time last year, the day after Thanksgiving. We were staying at a hotel across the way and seeking breakfast for ourselves and our four children, ages 8, 12, 12, & 15. I list their ages for a reason. I want readers to see the different ages of our children and know that not only did we think this place was the best breakfast place, but so did our children. You must have breakfast here. Great service.
(5)Bouncy D.
Tasty tasty tasty! A little pricier than we normally pay for breakfast, but so worth it! Fresh squeezed apple and orange juices were fantastic.
(5)Merrilee S.
An amazing chance find! The BF and I were on our way back from a camping trip at Salt Point SP and we got hungry. We saw the sign, and we didn't have any idea what we would find, but figured there'd be *something* to fill our tummies here. But we didn't expect what we got. First of all, it's a cute little sit-down place, and not the counter service type place we expected based on the name. Even the restroom was cute with old-timey railroad prints on the walls. We were there on a Sunday, early afternoon. The place was busy but we were seated immediately. The menu was quite impressive and extensive for breakfast, but they were only serving lunch at 1:30ish. They offered burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. The BF got a club sandwich and I got the baja fish tacos. My tacos with chipotle sauce and smoky salsa were terrific, but I found myself envying the club - which was perhaps the best I've ever tasted - with perfect bacon, sprouts, cilantro mayo and I think it had a light layer of guac as well. Even the potato salad was really good - kind of eggy without the sweet taste that so many potato salads have (and that I HATE). Service was fast and very friendly. I did not encounter the bad service that other reviewers have mentioned. In fact, I really should have gotten the name of our server 'cause she was really sweet and helpful. Howard's employees: if you read this, we were the couple that asked whether the potato salad was sweet or dill pickly and ordered a malted to go. We were very pleased with our service, so this is a shout out to our server! We were surprised to find the they only take cash. I guess it's lucky we had that much cash between us. Anyway, we were still happy to pay the bill which was reasonable for the quality and quantity of food we got. We were both too full to eat dinner that night. Though we live about an hour and half away, I think we're gonna plan a day trip to the area so that we can sample their breakfast fare. So visit an ATM, bring your appetite and enjoy Howard's!
(5)Lauren M.
I'm so glad we decided to swing by here on our way home from a weekend getaway. We did have a bit of a wait, it was the weekend, and a holiday. My salad was huge, and super tasty. I wanted the goddess dressing, but they were out, and a waitress suggested their house blue cheese vinagerette. I'm glad they were out, because the dressing was delicious. Hubby had a great turkey burger. We also ordered juice from their juice bar. We had the carrot apple ginger juice. SO good. I love the way this place makes you feel. It is open, beautiful, bustling with energy and friendly.
(5)Deeanne E.
We have breakfast here every few weeks or so and love it. We went on Father's Day and I had the Blueberry French Toast. It was awesome. The main reason for this review is to so I can ask that it gets put on the menu permanently, or at least offered as a special on a regular basis. When I go out for breakfast, I like to get things I wouldn't cook at home. I can do plain old french toast but love it when a place has a special version. My other favorite dish is the Brown Rice Scramble.
(5)Katie C.
wonderful breakfast and cozy atmosphere. Great bakery for a quick stop, too.
(5)laura b.
this is my favorite breakfast in sonoma county, hands down. the blueberry cornmeal pancakes are like down home southern cornbread with blueberries and maple syrup. not for the fluffy pancake lover, they're dense, heavy, and different from anything I've ever tasted. they also get an A+ for the coffee, mate, juices and cocktails. One piece of advise, though...I'd stay away from the huevos rancheros. Perhaps my alltime favorite breakfast dish, this version is far from what huevos rancheros should be (refried beans....salsa). Everything else I've had there, however, has been lovely. The service can be slow at times, but occidental is a sleepy little hamlet, and that's to be expected. It's a lovely building, so you shouldn't mind the wait, and you can always reread the very interesting story of how howard's came to be, printed on the front of every menu
(5)Mika S.
My husband and I were in Bodega Bay for a few days for some R&R. He had read about Howard Station Cafe from one of the hotel websites he was reviewing. We decided to go first thing in the morning on Sunday. The cafe and its surrounding areas reminded me of "Little House on the Prairie"--quaint, pleasantly comfortable and cozy. The waiter who gave us our table was friendly and attentive to our orders. I ordered a Cajun omelette and it was absolutely the best omelette I've had in a long time. The sausage was spicy and delicious! The jalapeno and onion portions were just right and the avocado slices on top of the omelette gave it a nice sweet balance. My order came with slices of wheat bread and home-style potatoes. I savored every bite! My husband had eggs benedict. It was cooked to his liking! As we enjoyed breakfast, the waiter made sure we had enough coffee and brown-rice green tea. Our meal came up to $26. Reasonable price for a lovely breakfast in the country!
(4)Shiva S.
simply said, best breakfast and lunch menu in Sonoma county!!!
(5)