Love this little diner! Just a little out of the way restaurant. Good, friendly service and delicious food! I find it hard to force myself to order anything there but the orange bread French toast. It's soooo good!
(5)
Denise L.
I was afraid at 11:30 AM on a Sunday that this place would be packed, but it wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait. We were seated near the door in the corner. I was dying. It was a hot 85 degree day and the only fan in the restaurant was facing the booths, so our corner, which was also by the window, was a sauna. I was sweating during the entire meal. It was brutal. They need more fans or A/C. I got an average breakfast plate: -Eggs: Got them scrambled. Decent. -A meat: Got bacon. They give you a lot! -Potatoes: Good. -Bread/pastry: I chose the cranberry and orange scone. It was big but it was so crumbly. Seemed too dry. -Small bowl of fruit: Fresh. No complaints. Overall, it was alright. A little pricier but they do give you a lot. Easy parking along the street.
(3)
Samantha W.
waste of gas to drive even 5 minutes to this place. most mediocre (actually worse) food out there. all our dishes were dry. disgusting.
(1)
Jerriee C.
My husband and I were out for a Saturday morning drive and we found Joann's Cafe through Yelp for breakfast. a small family restaurant from the area to hang out. The menu offers a variety of mouth watering breakfast, such as Portabella mushrooms -eggs Benedict and my favorite Cornmeal pancakes with fruit, peaches , strawberries, bananas, etc.. It was mouth watering, the products were fresh and a warmth of home-made food. The staff was absolutely amazing, they were friendly and great customer service. Therefore, I highly recommend this cafe !! Ambient, great food and friendly staff!
(5)
Juvie M.
Never fails. Love their side of muffin especially their apple walnut something. Small place but fast service.
(4)
Luba P.
Yes the breakfast is simple and delicious. Yes you get fresh fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice. The lunch is great too. But...those muffins though??? WOW. Best muffins I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back to this simple, no none sense, yummy, hidden gem of a diner.
(5)
Anne R.
Came here a couple of weeks ago for breakfast, late lunch. It's a really cute and small cafe and it was pretty packed for a Monday which also happened to be a holiday. So if it is busy, you can expect it to wait a bit to get a table for lunch or breakfast. All the staff there were really kind and seems to really like their job. Main reason for the 3 star review, the food wasn't all that great, well it was nothing that I haven't tried tasted before. I was kinda expecting something more based on the reviews and for how busy it was. The eggs were tasteless, and the potatoes were a bit on the hard side. Overall disappointed but if I ever come back I would try something different but chances of me coming back are low. Parking here is also a mess and hard to find.
(3)
Christine D.
What can I say about JoAnn's.....I visited JoAnn's on Sunday morning at around 10am. Fortunately, the wait was only about 10 minutes. We were seated and placed our orders. I decided to order the Goldie Lox which was basically scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and green onion. The eggs and the smoked salmon with the cream cheese paired well together. It was the perfect combination of creamy and salty. I would definitely order this dish again. The dish came with roasted potatoes and blueberry muffin (you can pick between some toast, a muffin, or a scone). The potatoes were just ok and I wasn't very impressed with the muffin. It was more bready and wasn't as fluffy as I thought it would be. Why the 3 stars? The service! Our waiter was extremely slow that day. He didn't really check up on us if we needed anything. I was literally hunting him down trying to get his attention. He didn't realize he had forgotten our coffees that we ordered until he had given the table next to us their coffees and I pointed out we didn't have ours. He seemed like he was always in a rush to leave our table after we needed something. I had to ask him for a coffee refill, some water, the check (to give the check and to take our payment), and for a carry out box. It seemed like more attention was given to the waving over the waiter than actually paying attention to who you're having brunch with. It definitely took away from the experience which is a shame because the food was pretty good.
(3)
Charlee W.
Awesome place! Menu is great! Service is even greater. Food is the BEST. I love how the items they have are made in that location. For example their sausage and their muffins. I feel like my grandmother was right there cooking for me. Very warm and comfortable environment. DONT LET THE SMALL LOCATION TURN YOU AWAY!!!! It's totally worth it and the wait!!!
(5)
Michelle Z.
Honestly, I had high expectations for this place because of all the reviews. The staff is nice, but the food is just your average breakfast spot. I tried the apple walnut muffin as others suggested, and it was good but I wouldn't come here just for their muffins. Yes, there is a bit of a wait, it's a small place.
(3)
Julie L.
Presentation and flavor are lacking. My smoked salmon omelette had waaaaay too much scallion. Every bite was just scallion. My friend had the club sandwich and the cheese was just thickly sliced and sitting there. Not bad but it wasn't particularly special. Staff is very nice and seated us quickly.
(3)
Angela D.
Really great mom and pop cafe serving up classic breakfast items. I suggest getting the orange french toast- so good! This time I opted for their Special omelette with italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and a huge dollop of sour cream on top. YUM! Wait, if any, is about 10 minutes.
(4)
Cindy C.
I use to love this place until today. I vame in with my sister, mother, and three kids. The old man in the establishment seated us. Already I knew it was not going well based on his face of annoyance when he saw my three toddlers. Once seated my 1 year old son accidentlty knocked over the creamer. Before I had the chance ro clean it the old man handed me the dirty rag and asked me to clean it and to be more careful. That is when I should have just left but having three hungry kids we decided to stay. Being a regular I had the order ready. The young girl that took our order always seem to be in a bad mood. She was short with us and was quickly annoyed when my niece spilled her orange juice. It took more than 20 minutes for our food to arrive. When it came it was cold. My mother's order was incomplete. As we were getting ready to leave my daughter was touching a frame the old man quickly scolded me to tell my daughter to not touch the frame for it could fall and then he could get sued. First, those frames are dirty and dusty. Secondly, if he is so worried about being sued maybe he should move the frames. Third, if you do not like kids do not seat them in areas where they have dangerous decor. We will not be coming back here. Nor will we recommend this place to anyone. This place is not kid and the old man ruins everyone's day with his negative vibe.
(1)
Laura R.
Ate here at fathers day brunch. Please keep the fruit corn cakes on menu forever!!! soooo goood. Best corn cakes ever, even berry butter on top:) Been here a million timrs because the food is excellent. Great renditions of latin breakfast here too!!!!
(5)
Elaine Y.
3.5 stars Came to JoAnn's on a whim and left pretty satisfied. My family tried a variety of Latin breakfasts and traditional square breakfasts and we were all pretty happy with our choices. I ordered the Gaucho with chorizo and found it incredibly filling. The meal was delicious. I mean, what's not to like about chorizo and mushrooms contained in a quesadilla-like shell topped with ample pico and sliced avocado? My only knock on this very tasty meal was that it did get a little acidic at one point. The pico was just a little too overbearing and it was hard to spread out the avocado enough to temper each bite....I ended up stealing my brother's muffin. That muffin though. If it was warm it would have been heaven on earth, but it was not. Still, it was wonderfully fluffy and if you like muffin tops, you'll definitely get your money's worth! Price-wise, it's actually pretty high for a coffee-shop like atmosphere. Plates are roughly $11-12 and drinks tack on another $3 at least. It was good, but was it good enough to warrant a bill close to $70? Not really. That said though, we definitely ordered a few muffins to go - those are a real winner.
(3)
H. C.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall. All my life in the area, I never heard of it until last year when my husband introduced it to me. Ever since then, I've returned and always, ALWAYS ordered the "Gaucho" and hot chocolate. The Gaucho is a tortilla filled with the meat of your choice (I personally like chorizo), mushrooms and jack cheese topped with salsa and avocado. It's infused with spices and flavor which always satisfied me. As for the hot chocolate, it's the BEST I've ever had. They use two kinds of chocolate and top it with their homemade whipped cream which tastes a lot like marshmallow whip. Ahhh, yummy! Thank you Joann's for satisfying my pregnancy cravings.
(5)
Stephanie L.
I guess I had high expectations for JoAnn's after reading all the reviews. But when I came for breakfast/lunch on a Friday, it wasn't as good as I expected. I ordered the gaucho with cajun sausage. I actually wanted some waffles or pancakes, but I assume those are only served on weekends? I didn't see it listed on their breakfast menu or their specials. The cajun sausage was delicious and I liked all the toppings on the guacho. But when I cut into it, a pool of liquid came out. Not sure if it was from the mushrooms, sausage, or pico de gallo, but it made my tortilla soggy, sadness. But overall, big portion and decent tasting. Prices are average, all $10-13 per dish. But their portions are large. Some of their breakfast dishes include toast or their baked goods. Their baked goods are delicious. I had their banana choc chip muffin and the blueberry scone. Yummmm. We were fighting for every last bite. Service isn't super friendly and talkative, but they're quick and efficient, which is much needed since they don't have much seating.
(3)
Julia K.
One of those places that is hard to find, but has super tasty food! Its literally a hole in the wall, but super clean and nice atmosphere inside. I came here with a friend for breakfast last week and we both loved it. The portions were a big size and the prices were awesome. My friend got the poached egg with chicken sausage on toast and I got the scrambled eggs with spinach bacon, and mozzarella cheese. We each also got freshly squeezed orange juice, which was super sweet and fresh. Its a cute, little hidden breakfast/brunch place. Definitely one to keep in mind and try out! Great Service!!
(4)
Eva H.
Food: 4/5 Price: $ Portion: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Appearance: 2.5/5 Presentation of food: 3/5 OVERALL: 4/5 I had their Grand Slam (special of the day), came with eggs scrambled, bacon, and 2 pancakes with fruits. Everything tasted great, my eggs were fluffy and nicely salted, bacon was pretty good (can be a little crispier). The only thing is I didn't notice that the pancakes were their 'special' corn flour pancakes so you can TASTE the texture of a corn bread (which personally I do not like corn bread), kind of ruined the pancakes to me. Besides that everything else was great, small little joint, kind of a mom and pops restaurant. You can tell that locals know this place and that they come every week. (MINIMUM $10 FOR CREDIT CARDS!!!!)
(4)
Bernie C.
This place looks like a cute little family owned place. It doesn't have a parking lot but street parking in the neighborhood was easy to find even on a weekend afternoon. There was no wait when I came on a Saturday afternoon. The waiters and waitresses were very friendly. The food was ok. Had the Eggs Benedict with potato. The potato was amazing. It was really soft. But the Benedict was not the best that I've had. It was a bit too sour for my taste. May not come back next time.
(3)
Harley L.
IN for breakfast again gave it another chance, nope same old stuff infact worse, the place needs an overhaul seats are ripped it smells tile floor is all ripped up,owner needs to dump some money into the place for sure, owner also has no front teeth not a good presents for the owner I'm done with this place and so are my friends.
(1)
Mimie L.
2.5 Stars Quaint diner that I've been wanting to try out for the longest time. I knew it was on the small side, so I had to wait for a day that it would just be me and the hubby. So, we went for brunch on while the kids were in school and we had the day off. We arrived at at around 10:30 and I was surprised to see the place full on a weekday. It looked like a lot of "regulars". We got seated after about 5 minutes. Thankfully booth opened up because I didn't want the table next to the door. I ordered one of their breakfast combo plates which had scrambled eggs, potatoes and 2 italian sausage patties. Hubby opted for a burger. I knew I had to try one of their huge muffins, so I got the banana nut, which I loved. My breakfast was ok. I think the scrambled eggs "stole the show" only because they were so fluffy and creamy. Overall, just basic diner food. Not sure if I'd come back.
(2)
Joanna M.
My dad took my sister and I here for a nice weekend breakfast the other day. He's been going there for years with his friends for work and thought we'd enjoy it as well. And we did! Joann's is a very, very, small place, and they were quite busy when we got there around 9:30am, but we only had to wait a few minutes for a table. The server was quick to get our drinks and take our orders. My sister got the Neapolitan eggs, and even though I'm not a fan of scrambled eggs, I thought they were amazing! They're perfectly cheesy and mixed with chunks of ham, tomato, and green onion, and served with a side of country potatoes. My dad ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes, which were the BIGGEST and FLUFFIEST pancakes I've ever seen served in any kind of restaurant! And even better, they're made with real pumpkin puree, not that "pumpkin spice" stuff you would get at Ihop or Denny's. I wasn't in a very breakfast kind of mood, so I ordered the garden burger, which was described as a "burger with jack cheese, avocado, tomato, pickles, onions, lettuce, and alfalfa sprouts" as well as some sort of mildly spicy sauce that I can't remember the name of. It was listed with all of the other hamburgers, so I was a bit surprised that the patty I received was a veggie burger and not beef. I guess the name "garden burger" hints at that, but for some reason I was expecting a beef patty with lots of veggies on top (which is what I was in the mood for. I love me some avocado!) Regardless, the garden burger was DELICIOUS, I could hardly tell the patty wasn't beef. It was served with some fries that were ever so lightly salted but still were absolutely delicious and full of potato flavor. Overall an amazing little place, the only reason I'm giving four stars and not five is because they do NOT serve hash browns, which are hands down my favorite breakfast food. Definitely a great place to go with family or friends!
(4)
Cathy P.
The food and atmosphere are excellent! It's always a busy place every time I have come to eat lunch here. But when I was here with family, I seem to remember being frequently interrupted by an over-zealous waitress to provide service while trying to enjoy a family conversation. But I would come back again to enjoy a delicious, wholesome meal.
(4)
Todd J.
The scrambled eggs I had are good. The spinach and chorizo were good I the eggs. The muffins are the best thing as they make then there, get the muffins for sure. This is no insult to the restaurant but it's average breakfast fare, nothing unusual or that I'd say you have to go there. Just an average breakfast
(3)
Mae R.
It was Fathers day and there were lines everywhereeee. Luckily Yelp recommended Jo Anns Cafe. The place is small, maximum occupancy about 50 people, but the quaintness of the diner gave it a welcoming ambiance. As soon as we got to the door we were welcomed by a cheery eyed cashier and seated immediately. As we looked through their weekend menu, a man (who i presume to be the owner) roamed about making sure that everyone was well taken care of and that everyone was having a good time. When the food came it was a steaming plate of delicious beauty. My girl got their Orange French Toast and cant stop raving about it. I on the other hand got Pauls Sandwich which had much more bacon than i could have hoped for! All in all we thouroughly enjoyed coming here for the first time and look forward to coming here again. Happy fathers day!
(4)
Alice L.
Cute little hole in the wall with fresh food and great pastries. Orange juice was fresh squeezed and very sweet. The service is friendly but a tiny tad slow. Their prices are comparable to Stacks, but I think Stacks is better. I ordered the Neapolitan scramble and it wasn't anything special that I couldn't stir together in a pan at home. Home fries were a little undercooked, potatoes were very hard but luckily I like them that way. Overall, for $10-12, I was underwhelmed. A bowl of fruit with yogurt was about $10. What others say about arriving early is true, we came soon after they opened and was seated right away, but when we left a little over an hour later, there were several parties waiting outside the door. I imagine parking can get a bit tricky at that time.
(3)
Chiara M.
Had the spinach scramble and it was horrible. My eggs were so over cooked and flavorless. My dad had a Cranberry scone that the waiter recommend and said it was home made but it so dry, almost uneatable. This place is so close to my job I really wanted to like it, the only reason I am giving it two stars is because our waiter was super nice.
Good mom n pops breakfast place. We ordered the veggie omelet n eggs florentine, n lots of options on the menu. Try their specials cos a few other friends got them, n they were great. Great service n always fresh n yummy. They serve fresh baked goods n orange juice n lots of veggie options.
(3)
Andreea M.
This is a very small neighborhood place. It is located in a narrow side street so parking can fill up fast. There are also only a few booths and some seating at the counter so, it is a good idea to come here early as there are often people waiting outside to be seated. Joanns is good for breakfast and lunch. I have come here many many times and have never had a bad experience. The food is consistently good, prices are reasonable and staff is always friendly. Although I usually come here for breakfast I have had a couple of their lunch items as well (sandwiches, burgers, etc) and they're always to my liking. They're orange french toast is delicious and usually my go to for breakfast!
(4)
M M.
Very disappointed with my recent visit to JoAnns. The person who seated us at our window table proceeded to use the menus to smash flies against the window before seating us and handing the fly swatted menus to us. I got fresh squeezed orange juice, but it tasted watered down. I got the original and he got the goldilocks. Both were mushy, soggy, undercooked messes. Unfortunately my burnt home fries tasted like the salmon in the goldilocks. It was absolutely awful. This place used to be fantastic. It might be under new management or just an off day, but it was so far off that I will not be going back.
(1)
Roger P.
For all the years that I have lived in the area, I've never even noticed that Joanne's cafe was even here! And even ate at the long john silvers literally next door! Well thanks to the wonderful world of yelp, I was able to give Joanne's a try. I still say to myself, "hole in the wall restaurants almost always serve the best food". And at Joanne's my thinking was right. I walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 and it was packed inside. That's a good sign! Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right to have the restaurant full. The food is really good. It's like a diner so you can see the cooks cooking right up front. Making everything fresh. I ordered an eggs Beatrice. 2 poached eggs atop grilled garlic sourdough bread with smokey salmon and spinach. Mmmm! Sooo good! The salmon had a nice hint of smokey ness to it. The crisp buttery garlic bread had nice texture as well as taste and complimented the salmon perfectly. But breaking the poached egg and all the rich and creamy egg yolk slowly oozing down over the salmon and bread and spinach was heavenly! It just took me to the next block in flavor town! Next stop, gratification! Oh was I a happy camper. I love really good food. I'm an absolute foodie. Mum only gripe is I wish they served hashbrowns. That would have made it perfect. They only serve country potatoes. I'm not a big country potatoes guy, but there's was good... Start making hashbrowns!!!
(4)
Emily H.
The service was great, which is the only reason I gave it 2 stars. I honestly feel sick to my stomach after eating there. Probably the worst breakfast I've ever had. The omelette was both burned and runny at the same time. The only tasty thing was the muffin.
(2)
Norman F.
We frequent JoAnn's Cafe due to its proximity to my mother-in-law's assisted living arrangement an the South San Francisco Kaiser campus. Not only did we eat lunch here today, but we brought our grandchildren and their parents here for lunch with their grand and great grandparents. JoAnn's accomodated our party of 11 aged 5 to 89 with finess! The Gauch, the Sleeping Beauty sandwich, the salads and pasta dishes are all fresh ingredients. We are at the counter one lunch and learned we know the chef!
(5)
Victoria W.
After reading several of the yelp reviews, I was really hyped up for the pancakes and the orange juice. The pancakes were good, but nothing out of this world. The orange juice, however, was fantastic, fresh and delicious. The diner itself was small but crowded on a Thursday morning. The staff was very good, on point with the service. If you're looking for classic American breakfast, JoAnns will definitely satisfy those cravings.
(4)
Dean M.
every time we go ...its just amazing. place is packed usually from 8am to 2pm you want to get there between 10-12 for the best time of day...oddly you can get in pretty fast on a Saturday or Sunday at this time frame. I'd recommend something, but honestly everything I've tried here has been good to great....no stinkers so far. I want to make this place a habit...maybe I will see you there..if so say hi
(5)
S. M.
This has been my favorite breakfast place I've tried so far since moving from the hecticness of the city. The service was fast & very kind, the potatoes were soo good & they offered a huge fruit bowl which none of the other breakfast spots had. Very weird not to offer fresh fruit on the menu (makes it look kinda sketchy in my opinion). The other food around me that patrons had ordered looked great & the muffin display is dangerously good. All in all I will definitely be back.
(4)
V W.
What can I say about Joann's Cafe? Well it's definitely a hole in the wall joint decked out with a 50's theme, but an 80's feel. The menu doesn't really offer too much variety and it's a bit over priced, but the food itself was pretty darn good. I ordered a 3 egg scramble with chicken sausage, zucchini, bell peppers and asked for them to use oil spray instead of butter, which I'm thrilled they could do for me. I also asked if I could substitute the starchy carbs for sliced raw tomatoes and they did. My food came out in about 5 minutes, which was great and everything tasted the way a lean healthy meal should taste like. My waitress was speedy and efficient, but not necessarily very warm or friendly. Overall I'm glad she did her job, but this kind of service doesn't really make me want to put this joint at the top of my dining list. My only major complaint about Joann's is that my breakfast of 3 scrambled eggs and a side of tomatoes came to $13 and that's just a little too high for me. Not sure if I'd coming back, but glad I got to try it. If your in the neighborhood I'd say go and give this joint a whirl and see if it's worth it.
(3)
Hector G.
Short and sweet review coming up. No wait Food was good Coffee sucks! Service was pretty good Way overpriced. Omelet special was $15.95. For real FOR REALS??
(3)
Jim Y.
We've been frequenting this peninsula institution for more than 20 years and are never disappointed. They make hands down the best omlettes on the peninsula. The orange bread is always a treat and the Joann's special is always a solid go to. Check the daily specials for some unique breakfast or lunch fare. Try a muffin or scone to go if you are on the run.
(5)
Randoll C.
First - get there early or be prepared to wait. Or be okay with seating at the counter. Big portions. Fresh ingredients. Quick and friendly service. Decent food. Pretty much sums up my experience. Sat at the counter so I was able to watch the cooks in action. That was a show in itself. The dining area isn't big either so know that it's not the best place if you're coming in with a large group. Lots of parking though as it's on one of the streets that run parallel to El Camino. But that was on a Sunday morning though so during the week, I don't know what to expect. Food was decent. I devoured my entree and almost didn't have room for my side of fruits. But they were nicely chilled and really fresh so I stuffed myself on some healthy goodness. JoAnn's is ok in my book
(3)
Malvika J.
I've been going to Joann's for many years and it's been great each time. The portion sizes are big and we tend to visit after a good workout. I highly recommend them for breakfast/brunch especially on weekends. I've found they have different staff on weekdays versus weekends. Some of my favs are: Their version of FrenchToast, Gaucho, All their omlette specials and their fresh coffee.
(4)
Eli Y.
Great cafe where you can get a great brunch! So I was up in S. SF for work all day and decided that during my break I'd go to pound town on some brunch. I wasn't feeling particularly exciting so I went with a pretty standard order. I got the JoAnn's Special (2 eggs, choice of meat, home fries, choice of toast, bagel, muffin or scone), and fruit salad. All for 10.95. Not the cheapest but it was worth it for all the food! I got eggs over easy, bacon, and a muffin. It was all on point. The service was quick too. This was definitely a great pit stop and I'll be sure to be a bit more adventurous next time I come back
(4)
Shin T.
Great place. Small and cozy, just the staff is not so friendly she acts like she just want to rush things through. But the food is great, price is reasonable, looks clean, open kitchen. The pancakes are chewy and yummy!
(4)
Stephanie C.
After our workout, my friends and I decided to grab some breakfast at JoAnn's Cafe. JoAnn's is a little hole-in-the-wall diner serving up traditional breakfast and lunch ranging from pancakes and omelettes to sandwiches and burgers. They also serve Mexican breakfast! Everything on the menu sounded good. I was craving pancakes and ordered the buckwheat pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon. The buckwheat pancakes were a little dry, as I expected, but with enough syrup and some bananas, they ended up being pretty good. Scrambled eggs and bacon were pretty standard and in generous portions. The food alone is 4 STARS but the service is what earns JoAnn's 3 STARS. Our server didn't seem in the best mood and wasn't really up to giving any suggestions. I'm one to brush those sort of things off but trying to pay was a problem too. They wouldn't let us split the check three-ways because the cashier didn't know how to. I mean, it's 2013, in this day and age a business should be able to split a check between credit cards. I'd like to go back to JoAnn's to try other breakfast dishes so hopefully the service is better next time.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
This is a breakfast hot spot, especially on the weekends. JoAnn's is quite small, but worth the wait in this quaint venue. My bf and I sat at the counter directly in front of the stove where the chefs were cranking out yummy breakfasts and topping them off with fresh ingredients. People are nice here and deliver great service. Our water glasses stayed full and our coffee mugs brimming. I indulged in the "Gaucho" Mexican breakfast section. You get a choice of chorizo, Cajun sausage, Italian sausage or other which I can't remember. I chose the chorizo which came on a flour tortilla with mushrooms, jack cheese and spinach topped with avocado and fresh tomato salsa. Omg, it was truly amazing and one of the best breakfasts I ever had! My bf had some special omelette which I also tried and was equally impressed with. It had some of the same ingredients: chorizo, mushroom, olives, green onion, tomatoes and sour cream on top We're so satisfied we're juicing for dinner. lol We love this place!
(4)
Michelle C.
Pretty good. I missed the full breakfast menu. So I for sure need to go back here. Ordered the quesadilla, spinach and mushroom. Almost ate the whole thing, but glad I didn't, because it was as big as the plate. My friend shared his potatoes with me, pretty good. Looking forward to my next trip to JoAnns. Street parking is not that bad. If you aren't afraid to walk, then in the neighborhood might have to be an option at one point.
(4)
Ryan R.
Quick tip - Best tasting omelet ever! Pros - Great breakfast menu - eggs Benedict are awesome! Cons - Breakfast and Lunch only. Sometimes there is a long wait. Omelet are suppose to be simple and it seems that places cant get it right. I always do a custom omelet (cheese,mushroom and bacon) and always done perfectly. Most meals are served with potatoes and side of toast. This is my favorite breakfast spot!
(4)
Matt L.
This place is great. Attentive quick service and fantastic food. First time here, but we will absolutely be back!
(5)
Maria L.
If the wait list was more organized (or the guy trying to read it) I.would have given 5 stars. Good is always on hit! Muffins to go...our waitress was a sweetheart, but they need a lil help with that wait list. None the less I will go back. Love the food.
(4)
Siai M.
Had the herbavoracious!! Recently stopped eating meat and this meal was probably the most satisfying vegetarian I've had so far. The place is small and the waitresses are nice. I will definitely be returning soon!!! *support small businesses*
(4)
Marjie T.
minus one star for the confusion of seating...instead of a 15 min wait, it turned into 45 mins and we almost lost our seats the second time. if only they had someone more competent or i need to start putting down "bob" on the wait list for easier name recognition. anyway, the food, though - AWESOME! brunch hit the spot and made that initial impression seem like a distant dream. ORANGE FRENCH TOAST - thick, fluffy with a perfect essence of oranges. EGGS BENEDICT - poached egg, grilled ham, toasted bread, and delish hollandaise...it was all perfect put together, but the added bonus of vinaigrette tomatoes were the best! CINAMMON AND APPLE MUFFINS - these were another great starter. the crisp muffin tops are the only reason to want a muffin top! overall, joann knows what they're doing when it comes to food, just need some work on the faces putting it out there.
(4)
Quality A.
Now this place as far as diner food is concerned is a great place to eat. The food is always fresh made right in front of you, the wait is pleasant and so are the waitresses. After being mistreated at a few other diners, Joann's has won my heart for the local breakfast joint in town, and I am always treated so well here- and at the minimum at least professionally. The food is filling, its tasty, its creative and several times it has been amazing. I made a ritual of always leaving with a bag of muffins on my way out. My favorite is the Amaretto muffin. This is a great small business and I am happy to support it, and I happen to be a big spender when it comes to food. Thanks Joann's! See you there! :)
(5)
Paintball N.
Had a very delicious omelette here. The homefries were ok, nothing spectacular. I could barely finish the omelette, took up most of the plate. It's a small tiny dinneresque, food came out in a blink of an eye. We got lucky without waiting on a Sunday shortly after noon. I would definitely come back and try some of the other items on the menu. Should try their specials!
(4)
Rene K.
Awful and expensive. The restaurant has an odor....like bad eggs. We had the "Denver" and an omelette. The pancakes were dry and overcooked. The bread tasted stale. The coffee was watery and the cream warm. The food was tasteless. Really pricey for what you are given. We would have a better meal at IHOP for less. The staff was efficient and friendly. The service was fast. I do not recommend for breakfast.
(1)
Miss M.
Really? I don't get the hype about this place at all. My boyfriend and I went to have breakfast here yesterday, a Tuesday at about 8:30 AM so the place was pretty empty. The lady "in charge" didn't greet us, barley made eye contact and told us to sit anywhere, ok fine. I ordered the JoAnn's Special with cajun sausage and I added mushrooms and spinach to my eggs. The boy ordered eggs with cheese, sausage patties and a two pancakes. The JoAnn's special comes with a cup of fruit salad that had no flavor at all, nothing tasted fresh or sweet, in fact, it tasted like the fruit had been cut days prior and just sat refrigerated. Nothing on my plate had any flavor except the cajun sausage. The eggs, even though I added mushrooms and spinach had no flavor at all, a little seasoning goes a long long way folks, try it! The sausage patties were super dry and hard and had a funny after taste and pancakes were the doughiest we've ever had and also had no flavor. My Sunday Bisquick pancakes were a 10 compared to what we paid for! We didn't complain, what's the point? The lady in charge didn't check on us or even bother to ask if we needed anything, not even a refill of water. After disappointing food and a $30 bill, the least the lady "in charge" could do was be courteous to customers and send us off with a thank you, but nope, nothing, not even a glance in our direction. Needless to say we won't be back here, EVER. Too bad, I am finding it less and less likely to trust these reviews because this place was horrible.
(1)
Eddie C.
Steel cut oats and standard American faire. The mixed fruit looks great. Actually, the steel cut oats weren't very steel cut. They were just standard Quaker rolled oats. Had I known, I wouldn't have order it. Still, the hashbrowns and omelets are legit.
(3)
ryan k.
The 4 star rating is beyond me... food was average at best. Home fries were one-dimensional, bacon was overcooked, and muffin was dry. Service was sub-par and they need to have their line in order. Won't be coming back.
(2)
Won S.
The service was spotty, starting at the lack organization when putting down for names for a table. The guy at the register didn't see that we just entered the door, as he took down the name of the lady behind me first. Then we had to alert the staff that there was an open table before finally seating us. The food was mediocre. The fruit salad that came with my order was mushy and not fresh at all. The muffins, as good as they looked, were overrated as they were run of the mill and unexciting. The omelette and breakfast burrito were very middle of the road. The wait and aggravation of poor service was not made up for by the food, sadly. I am not sure why the ratings are so high for this place. For faster, better service and food at a better price point, head down the street to Jack's.
(1)
Justin I.
perhaps the best sour dough bread ever
(4)
A M.
This is one of my FAVORITE local places for breakfast. Luckily, I go during those in between hours so I normally get seated right away. Everything is delicious. The staff is wonderful and very attentive and the price is decent. It's a very small place but delivers great tasting food and in a pretty timely manner.
(5)
Loiosh T.
Amazing breakfasts, service is iffy. 5 stars for the food, 3 for the service, so we will go ahead and say 4. They tend to fill up, so come early.
(4)
Pam Y.
They make giant pancakes. You can also customize our omelettes. I made mine with bacon, mushroom, and spinach. It turned out pretty yummy. They serve their omelettes with potatoes and either toast of muffin. The place is small. The service is always great every time I go there. It's nice to find a place like this in this area. If you live in daly city, and do not feel like driving really far for brunch then try this place. Its only competition around here is cafe grillades.
(4)
Helen S.
Great except weak coffee. Service and food was wonderful.
(4)
Robert L.
This breakfast & brunch diner is a great place to settle for a tasty meal. The menu is mostly a combination of mexican and traditional American brunch. You want eggs scrambled with mozerella sausage and diced tomato along with a side dish of roasted potato tots!? Then, I advise you to ride the tidal wave down here at Joann's because they are in possession of some mega mouthwatering dishes. You are going to leave stuffed like a fat shrek - bloated and utterly and completely satisfied! Furthermore, you want awesomerrific customer service, who smile at every inch and every corner of their face, then come here and enjoy the luxury of happiness, where all adults can be kids for one morning, stuffing their faces with deliciously crafted orgasmic food!
(5)
Roland L.
I love the people, the staff and the small town down to earth service here. This cafe has been part of my So. San Francisco life.
(5)
Steven S.
Great breakfast, much better than I have become accustomed to where I live. The first bite was heavenly. Wish I was closer to experience this delicious food more often.
(4)
Marc A.
I hate to tell more people about this gem! If you miss the food from your favorite diner back east, JoAnn's is the spot for you. It's a greasy spoon with incredible food, good service and make sure you tell Carol hello!
(5)
Angie V.
Amazing food! Wonderful service! Adorable place. Try the omelette special, it's a price of heaven.
(5)
Grace M.
Craving a hearty breakfast meal in South city, look no further! Walking in you get to experience the charming diner feel with bustling service. Since it is a smaller location there can be a wait if you are going during rush. Typical breakfast menu: scrambles, meals, muffins! Yumm those huge muffins were so delicious! I ordered the Goldie Lox, lox scramble, and it was so goood! They had other basic choices on the menu as well which made it hard to decide. Good service, pretty fast since their is usually a waiting list. can't go wrong breakfast food!
(3)
Brian A.
Went here for breakfast on September 5th. I had the Santa Fe and side of home fries. My wife had the special, which consists of two eggs, fruit and muffin. Food was very bland. Homefries are just big chunks of potatoes that are lightly browned, raw in the middle and no seasoning whatsoever. There were egg shells in my burrito, chorizo was bland, as was the salsa. All in all, I wouldn't come back. There are much better greasy spoon options in the area. This restaurant has won numerous awards, most of them in the 1980s, which is where their food and service quality seem to have been left.
(1)
Carnley P.
Great breakfast! Get there early or be prepared to wait for a seating on the weekends. Avoid the counter seats directly in front of the griddle when they are super busy unless you enjoy eating in a sauna.
(4)
Ninette B.
Nice find, courtesy of yelp! Came here with my family for my grandpas birthday. It's tucked away in a strip mall, and was crazy packed. We waited maybe 20 minutes for a table. Menu options are great! I made a custom scramble served with corn tortillas that was super good. And walking out, we passed the pastry case. Glad I only noticed it on the way out because it looked amazing and I probably would have gorged.
(5)
David M.
Meh. The highlight of the meal was how well the bread was toasted...and we all know what that means. Also the Italian sausage had nice flavor but unless they are making their own sausage then I can't give them credit for that. Cons: Eggs were severely undercooked, was asked if I would like hot sauce; which never came, instead of individually flavored jam packets they have this weird communal jam at the table, one flavor; and also was asked if I wanted water; that never came either. Pros: I don't have to eat here again. 2 Stars: For the toast
(2)
Jethro B.
I originally learned of this place through Roadfood, and have been going over 10 years. Good food (including orange bread french toast, and buttermilk milkshakes), friendly service, well-priced. Can definitely get crowded at times. Street parking is usually quite abundant.
(4)
Tiffany R.
I saw that this place had 4 stars so I assumed it would be good. When I got there the waitress barely saw me and we had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. The place is very cramped so there was no place to wait. The food is pretty bland and a little over priced. 2 pancakes with fruit isn't worth $13. The muffins as good as they looks. They aren't fluffy or sweet. I wouldn't go back to this cafe.
(2)
Rosita J.
This place is great! Once I was introduced to the Sante Fe breakfast burrito I was hooked. Omg I can't handle its goodness. It's so good I can barely chew my food. I just want to swallow it whole, like an anaconda. Weird? Yeah I know know, a little weird. Also, their seasonal pumpkin pancakes are on point. It seems like it's a family owned and operated business. Service is quick and they are very nice. It's no wonder this place is always packed!
(5)
Christina D.
In town for a few days and looking for a local breakfast place. This place is awesome! Hidden gem in a small shopping center...and has awesome food and great service. I had the orange french toast and it was delicious! Would highly recommend!
(5)
Emma H.
I'm being generous with the 2 stars because the staff was friendly and this seems like the kinda place where u go a few times and then everybody knows your name. The food, however left a lot to be desired. I ordered the Benedict. I was super sad to find out that, even though yelpers have commented on the hash browns in the past-this place only serves home fries :( The Benedict doesn't come with potatoes, it comes with "tomatoes vinaigrette" which means really thin slices of bad tomatoes with a really aggressively sour vinaigrette. I still ate them though, every bite. Our server offered to sub home fries when I asked her about the potato situation goin on there but I said eff it- just add a side of taters-afterall when in South City right? The home fries were horrible just FYI. Awful. It was like they fried them 3 days ago and then just steeped them in some warm oil before putting them on the plate. Greasy, burnt-tasting, not crispy, yet kinda dry. Everything I hate about a home fry. Why can't ppl just get with the program and serve hash browns!?! As for the Benedict- I couldn't even eat half. The poached eggs were totally undercooked- so raw that the whites were completely clear and runny- then covered in bland-not-homemade- hollandaise. Yuck. Also, when one of the severs went to stir the fresh orange juice (that was left on the counter uncovered the whole time we were there- I think that's just where they keep it, it wasn't a mistake) before pouring a glass for a customer, she did it with too-short of a spoon so a 1/4 of her hand was dunked in it while stirring -_- we won't be going back :/ it wasn't even cheap!
(2)
Tommy H.
If you want good food head this way. This place has been held a place as a local favorite for as long as I have known about it. They do lunch & breakfast. Friendly staff, amazing food, it gets packed, but do not be afraid to wait, you will not be disappointed. I would put this as one of the best brunch places in the bay, all hail the lords of breakfast/brunch/lunch
(5)
Sarah W.
Went here after running the nike women's half (go me), with 1300 calories to spare. My bf seemed to emulate my appetite though he hadn't run the half with me for he ordered: 2 stacks of pancakes, the lox scramble, orange juice, and toast. I ordered the Joann's special with bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, a blueberry muffin, and home potatoes. Our bill totalled $34. Pancakes were as big as a clock and as thick as a textbook. Weird analogies yes. My special came with four pieces of perfectly oven-roasted bacon, and a huge blueberry muffin. The 'tates were done well and were very, very satisfying. Eggs of course, very good. Although the staff wasn't welcoming when we walked in (no eye contact, nothing, for a good awkward 5 minutes), the food and speed of service was great. I highly recommend this as a weekend brunch stop in the suburbs of sf. Great prices, HUGE portion sizes, and hey it's really homey in this diner styled breakfast joint. I'd certainly go again after a long run. I hear their omelettes are supposed to be good. They sure looked good.
(4)
Joanna L.
On a Sunday morning, we waiting 15 minutes for two people. We were lucky enough to get a booth and enjoyed watching the cooks prepare the meals. The portions were massive and delicious. I got the pancakes with fruit topping. It was also topped with a berry-flavored butter, although I couldn't taste a difference with regular butter. A part of me kept wishing it was ice cream. And, no need for the syrup, this dish is sweet enough on its own. The next time we're in SSF, we'll be back.
(4)
Stephanie B.
JoAnn's (and to be fair, many breakfast joints) have made me re-evaluate my life. I never EVER eat breakfast. I wake up late, eat lunch, and start my day. Very rarely will I ever eat anything in the morning just by habit because I would honestly rather sleep. But, I'm thinking that this maybe should change because breakfast is just so damn delicious. How can I continue missing out on pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and bacon? Maybe next year. The funny thing about JoAnn's is that it's kind of hidden, easy to miss. They don't have a huge sign, and it's a fairly small cafe wedged and camouflaged on El Camino. Yet when you enter, there's so much commotion and energy. I love it. Their omelettes are yummy! I got an avocado, italian sausage, and spinach one - topped it off with some cholula hot sauce - mmmm, greatness. Although I picked the components, it was well-made. I loved how the avocados weren't so cooked, so it was still kind of refreshing. The spinach also wasn't overcooked. And that italian sausage was plentiful. Oh yeah, and almost each dish comes with your choice of muffin, scone, or sourdough bread....and home fries! POTATOES! Perfectly cooked and diced. Not overly spiced. Very balanced. Top that also with cholula sauce, again greatness! Add that sourdough bread and you're set for the rest of the day. I see myself becoming a regular here as it's pretty near my house. It just has that welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at home. And I don't know why, but I also enjoyed eating on their counter. My friend and I were so comfortable watching food being cooked and catching up - we could have stayed there forever. After eating here, you'll have a pretty good day - I did.
(4)
Michael L.
"JoAnn, I love YOU You're the one The one for ME" I know, I know, Kool and the Gang said Joanna not JoAnn. But close enough. And I do love JoAnn's. I think JoAnn's is one of the best breakfast eateries going in the Bay Area. I've searched all over the Bay for a place like JoAnn's. Nice portions, lots of parking, close to my house, and the not to be overlooked breakfast menu with the Latin Flavor. It makes it unique. When I walked in, it just looks like a regular diner. But when I opened up the menu there was unique combinations of breakfast items to choose from, here's what I ordered: Herbivaracious: it looked like a party on a plate to me. It was a delicious mix of vegetables for I guess vegetarians. But topped off with a generous amount of sour cream to make the dish refreshing. Even a meat lover like myself found this dish great. Omelette: ground beef, onions, tomatoes, chiles, and too many things for me to remember, topped with guacamole. Tasty yet it didn't feel heavy. and it came with a carrot muffin for a contrasting sweet flavor. The latin swag topped off with Sour cream and guacamole make everything better.. Service: my server was friendly and had a great personality, just what I need to get my day started off right. So to JoAnn's, In the words of Kool and THE Gang: Searched so far Searched so long To find someone Someone to count on Now I feel I've got it right here Found it in you, baby You, my dear JoAnn's, I looove you
(5)
Jochy E.
I came out to San Francisco for 4 days and I found this little hole in the wall on google and decided to try it out. I came to this place 4 times for breakfast and I loved it each and every time. The food and the service was amazing. It's small and gets full on the weekends so expect a little wait. Food comes out very fast and it is super tasty, especially the bacon. I recommend this place to everyone and it's worth the wait.
(5)
Dan H.
I'm sure this place is good if you just turn up and wait but we booked a table over the phone, turned up and they had no knowledge of our booking and nobody seemed interested in finding out what happened! Very disappointing. Ended up going to Gunters, who seated us immediately.
(1)
Steven D.
This place is fabulous. I come here about twice a week for lunch and the food is the best. I like the Chicken Little alas, the Southwestern Salad or the Black Bean Salad. I also love the Tuna or Turkey Sandwich. The staff is very good and friendly. I will always recommend this place to friends and colleagues. Give it a try and you will love it.
(5)
Seung Hyun Y.
JoAnn's Cafe is located right off of El Camino Real, next to a Filipino Fast Food joint, but definitely in an area where its easy to miss. SSF Kaiser is close by with KFC around the corner too. Its a bit off the beaten path when we came here in the morning, but since it was 7am, we could see why. FOOD: Fresh Squeezed Oj --- Delicious and refreshing. Omelet (Mozzarella Cheese, Olives, Chicken Sausage) --- Huge portion, couldn't finish it, but for some reason the eggs itself didn't agree with my stomach. I think it is possible that the cafe mixes milk with their eggs or that the eggs are powdered. Very filling. Wheat Toast --- A bit heavy on the butter, but the strawberry jam tasted fine to me. Cubed Potatoes --- A bit too greasy for my taste, but palatable. SERVICE: Not too attentive, but our waitress was friendly.
(3)
Victoria M.
Pumpkin pancakes for $14.00. NO WAY. Go to IHOP. You get fluffy Pumpkin pancakes for $5.99. Also, I had a 3 egg scramble and asked for the veggies inside to be cooked instead of raw. The PRIMA DONNA cook wouldn't do it. Why? Is it that difficult.
(1)
Janice S.
Great little whole in the wall, breakfast joint. The service was awesome! Everybody was so nice and welcoming. I had the eggs Benedict on top of a bed of spinach and smoked salmon. Very good and I liked how it came with a little spinach salad since I was lacking veggies during vacation. BF built his own omelette with sausage and bacon and it was really good! Service was very quick and our food came out fast. Place is super busy, but We probably just beat the breakfast rush as we got a seat immediately and the place started to slow down by the time we left.
(5)
Amica G.
Love this little place for breakfast. A friend told us about it. Then she bought us a certificate to try it for ourselves. Been going ever so often ever since. It gets busy a lot but thats because its so great.
(5)
Karen B.
I come here all the time. Love this place great service great people great good couldn't ask for more
Joann's is a great hole in the wall area. We ordered the pancake special and omelette special. We were leary walking up to it, thinking that this was going to be an interesting experience. But we were instantly greeted with enthusiasm, coffee, and treated very well. Portions are excellent and well worth the price. Healthy options exist too, like egg white omeletes and a good range of vegetables to choose from. Very happy!!!
(4)
Fancypants X.
Cozy, narrow diner. Muffin display case near the register. Ten minute wait for three ladies on a Sunday morning. American breakfast, some dishes using Mexican ingredients. So far, all positives. Huevos rancheros w/ turkey-- omg, like slop on a plate *sad face* Ingredients carelessly thrown together, no distinct flavors. Huge pass.
(2)
Joyce B.
The portions are giant!! So that's the good thing about this place. The food is definitely different as it has a Mexican twist to the traditional American foods. But I have to say the overall quality was okay. We had their orange French toast and Beatrice Benedict. It was good, but I think the price was a little more than I'd be willing to pay for the quality. It's a good hole-in-the-wall mom and pop joint. I highly recommend it if you're hungry and want a hearty meal.
(3)
Amy L.
Went to JoAnn's yesterday with the boy around 4:30 because we hadn't eaten lunch/wanted to eat an early dinner. We split [shoot I forgot the name..] the grilled chicken, avocado, swiss cheese, and 1000 island sandwich [with mushrooms added] on egg bread and were very pleased with the results. The sandwich was huuuuugeee! I ate 1/4 of it, and I was full. There wasn't a dressing overload, thankgoodness. The bread was nice and fragrant, and the mushrooms really added to the taste. The total was around $11, which wasn't bad at all, considering the size of the sandwich and fries. I think this sandwich was good enough for me to bump them up to 5 stars. Love this little diner.
(5)
Jessica R.
Having just moved to South City, my husband and I knew we had to find a good local breakfast joint. We have found that in spades with JoAnn's Cafe. Eggs and bacon are always cooked perfectly. The staff is always super friendly. It can get busy on the weekend, but we've never had to wait for more than 15 minutes for a table for two. So grateful to have found a solid and delicious breakfast place.
(5)
Claudia W.
Really good food. Breakfast is excellent lunch is good too. Restaurant is on the small side. Country potatoes are really tasty.
(5)
Adam G.
Last weekend, we turned up an hour before they were due to close, and they said they'd decided to close early due to lack of customers. The others had even called in advance to check opening hours. They had four customers ready to come in, and they turned all of us away. Won't be back.
(1)
Kyrah A.
Eating here was a great experience. The smell of cinnamon and waffles still haunts me!-LOL Everything on the menu sounded great and every plate that passed looked and smelled just as enticing, which made it hard to choose our meal, but the waitress was very helpful. Great service! Excellent food! Good prices! This longstanding small business doesn't get good Yelp reviews and awards because they paid anyone off. They deserve them. Hope you visit soon and share your experience.
(5)
Debbie W.
I would never have found or tried this place on my own. My car repair service advisor recommended it and even with the address and directions, I passed it by and had to circle back. Definitely unpretentious in a strip mall, but the food is (as he described it), "the bomb". They serve typical diner food, but use good quality ingredients, make your food on the spot, and have a more interesting menu than expected. For example, the Southwest Chicken Salad has freshly grilled chicken breast and real avocado slices, not pre-made guacamole or warmed over items. They offer Latin-themed breakfasts that include black beans, tortillas, salsa, more interesting than your typical eggs and cheese menu. I come here often and it's never very empty!
(5)
Serita M.
Great customer service, will come here again. Enjoyed the Neapolitan and the Herbvoracious. Get there early, seating is limited and it fills up fast.
(5)
Sophie L.
Lots of choices for breakfast, fresh, flavourful food, pleasant service; I particularly like the Gaucho with Cajun sausage. We recently tried the dinners as well and they're just as good, and reasonably priced for what you get.
(4)
Mare P.
I haven't written a review in two years and this pertains to my last visit to Joann's Cafe. I've eaten here in the past and have always thought it was between 3 and 3.5 stars tops. Average food, average service. I came here last weekend and felt ripped off. Way overpriced for what you get. Not many options for kids breakfast, mediocre breakfast plates that needed to be drenched in Cholula sauce and bland breakfast potatoes. I asked the waitress if we can add chocolate chips to my daughter's pancakes and was given a dirty ass look with an attitude. I guess she never heard of chocolate chips in pancakes? Do yourself a favor a head toward Millbrae or Burlingame where there are a variety of breakfast spots that are yummy, less expensive, and better service.
(2)
Diana B.
My friend lived in the area and suggested we try JoAnn's which ended up being a great brunch spot. We arrived at lunchtime on Saturday, and got the last booth. The place is tight, and the servers are pretty nice and attentive. I created my own scramble which lets you choose 3 items - I went with avocado, mushrooms, and spinach. My friend got the JoAnn's special which came with many strips of bacon so she shared some of her bacon with me which was a great addition to my scramble. Our dishes also came with delicious home fries and a choice of toast or muffin. I got the blueberry-orange muffin and she got the chocolate brownie muffin - both were good. We also shared the special cornmeal pancakes with fresh fruits and berry butter. I loved the fresh fruit. The berry butter photographed well, but didn't have much flavor.
(4)
Jason C.
Great diner ambience. I had a chorizo omelet. At first it looked very plain, but then i realized all the omelet ingredients were wrapped int he egg like a pouch. The chorizo packed a mightly flavorful punch. My friend had a mocha, I would say the only way to describe it was "pretty". I had a try at the bacon. Thick cut and very crisp. Good job! Overall food was great. From the outside, this just looks like another resturant that blends into the el camino, nothing special. but try the food. Near top notch diner fair.
(4)
Jacob V.
Nice little joint! Their food is great! Service is fast and their banana milkshake is the bomb. Soup is already prepared which is good so after you order they serve it right away. They should use gloves though when preparing burgers, sandwiches, and etc..
(5)
Rachel M.
I've been going to JoAnn's for over 20 years and I LOVE IT!!! Totally worth any wait or price. The food is so fresh and delicious. The fresh squeezed orange juice is on point! And the muffins are amazing. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants a variety of great food. :)
(5)
Marissa J.
Word of advise if you come here after 11a.m. they start the lunch menu. That sucked for me since that's what I wanted and came for in the first place, but hey, just another excuse to come back right? They do have a all day selection of breakfast items on the menu that was mostly eggs and omelettes. Had a regular cheese burger with fries and a fresh orange juice. The juice was excellent! My burger was a good portion but fries lacked seasoning and were dry. Our server was fast and coffee was always filled in our cups. Bathroom is in an odd spot, behind the counter and thru the kitchen. Small spot, so assuming it is a local haunt I would recommend coming early and not during the rush. Great SSF business.
(4)
Christine M.
After a couple of attempts to find brunch in sf, it didn't happen, everywhere was packed as usual. so we decided to head to the driving range, but there was crazy traffic, so we decided to look for brunch around here. what a nice find! place wasn't too big and pretty packed. luckily there was an open table for two. we over ordered of course: banana pancakes on their special- DELICIOUS! im not a pancake fan, cuz its smushy and blah, but i don't know why I really liked theirs! and the fruits on top were good and I just kept eating it. the special omelette- with asparagus and shrimp and all this jazz, a bit pricey at $14.50 but definitely good. the huervos omelette? - regular on the menu, really good! maybe I just haven't eaten these pretty often so I don't know what it tastes like but i liked it! plenty of cheese and tomatoes, and YUMMMMM orange juice!- i think it was fresh squeezed, definitely refreshing. maybe we were hungry? but i definitely left happy and super full, we definitely had leftovers too. a bit pricey but good! would like to try the muffins next as everyone seems to rave about them. portions are HUGE, wish I took pictures but I was hungry!
(5)
Mike B.
I have to say that I have gone to this place probably a handful of times since they opened up in the eighties. The poor service and attitude continues and has not changed unfortunately. There is an air of arrogance and ego with the employees and with the manager herself. Fast talking and not much patience is a norm. Although the food is not spectacular it is fair but expensive. It seems that maybe management may improve overall satisfaction if maybe they put some stock in being friendly with everyone.
(2)
Doug W.
While motoring south from a trip to Eugene, my Bro discovered this joint on my Ram's GPS and thought we would give it a try and take a break from the road and rain. It' a simple place that even Guy Fieri might like with a few tables and counter seating. We ordered the same off the menu but a couple differences. He ordered the Denny which was eggs over easy, two bacon strips with two buttermilk pancakes and I had the eggs sunny-side up, two bacon strips with two buckwheat pancakes and coffee. All was delicious and filling. On back to the "101 south"
(4)
Tiffany P.
Great go-to place for a bite to eat in South San Francisco. Great service, friendly staff, and great muffins.
(4)
Tim L.
This is our "family's-in-town-let's-grab-brunch" weekend go-to. We're not the only ones who think that so there's generally a wait on the weekends. The wait is worth it though. The food is good, the service is fast & friendly, and it's always fun to sit at the bar and watch the cooks crank through the rush.
(4)
Scio M.
Really good good, a bit on the pricy side depending on what you order an overall great local find :)
(4)
Anne B.
EH. I really had high hopes about this place, but unfortunately I hardly liked my food. I ordered the JoAnn's special, and the eggs were undercooked and I never recieved fruit that it was supposed to come with. I also saw a chef picking at his hair and continue cooking without washing his hands. GROSS! Not coming back here..
FOOD: Although nothing stood out as exceptionally tasty, we enjoyed our breakfast here nonetheless. The dishes were wholesome, robust, and amply portioned. But they consisted of the type of pedestrian breakfast fare (e.g., omelets, scrambles) that I could have made at home at a fraction of the cost. SERVICE: The service was superb. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and efficient. PRICE: The price was a bit steep. Our bill averaged out to around $16 per person.
(3)
Borntoplay D.
Awesome food,awesome service,awesome people!
(5)
eshwar k.
i work in the hospital across the street, so Joann's is a staple kinda like the diner across the street from the hospital in the show "ER". Joann's is very reliable for breakfast entrees and sandwiches for lunch, and they have enough range that their pastas are good too. The food is very fresh and consistent, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)
Gerald H.
Been here once, we had the weekend specials, omelette and buttermilk pancake, a bit pricey but both were good and served in about 5 min. Small but neat place, quick service and good brunch dish. I wish they have waffles though. Other than that, workers were friendly enough.
(4)
Claire J.
2nd time here and it was better for me. Their weekend specia was banan a pancakes with fresh fruits on top. I saw from the next table that it was huge so I thought, ok I'll just get that. My husband got the tortilla breakfast, I forgot the name and he loved it! I liked it too! My pancakes I couldn't finish in one seating so I took it home and ate it from afternoon snack. I love how they utilized the fresh fruits since it's summertime. I loved it so much I actually tried to replicate the pancake. Pancake was good, I just had to get my fresh fruits.
(4)
Mai C.
I went here only because Yelp gave it amazing reviews. It did live up to those reviews. My boyfriend and I received big portions and the waitress was very nice and very accommodating. I forgot what we ordered because it's been a long time since we've been there. I'm just writing the review now. It just sucks because it was so crowded and I couldn't really talk to my boyfriend because there was so much noise. Other than that, the food was amazing.
(4)
Jeff C.
Well, where do I start... I went here due to the great reviews on yelp. My girlfriend and I came here for breakfast thinking it will be good, The blue berry muffins tastes nothing like blueberry it was sooo cold and dry! Not moist at all. The food was just ok at most! I could've made my own bf at home and it would've still taste better than this place. Overall I would not come back to eat here nor recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Auwa H.
Food in general is pretty good. Staff are friendly and attentive. Good energy all around. But there is room for improvement. (1) Would be nice if scones / muffins are served warm (2) More attention could be placed on cooking eggs. First time we came, we ordered an omelette. Well, we didn't really get an omelette. We got a thick egg patty on top of the ingredients. Second time we came, we ordered 2 eggs sunny side up. Eggs are under-cooked. Egg yolks are swimming around the egg white. We told our very nice waitress and she had the kitchen redo the eggs for us.
(4)
Dan A.
There aren't that many places to eat brunch in SSF. Found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try. Portions - huge Quality - great Prices - reasonable I tried the orange french toast and it was very moist and tasty. The pancakes were pretty normal. I was surprised that the granola had seeds, nuts, and dried fruit in it--it was really good! The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because their service was so-so (maybe that's the style of these old-fashioned places) and everything was very buttery (or is it margarine?) Definitely going back to try the other things they have.
(4)
Ladyreyes R.
One of the best brunch meals I've had in a while! The best pancake I've ever had to!. My boyfriend ordered the Santa Fe wchich is one of their house specials, the best breakfast burrito you can have! I had the eggs benedict which was excellent! We split the apple cinnamon pancake which was huge and each bite was heaven! Service was great, fast, efficient, and very friendly. Will be returning for sure.
(5)
Stacy C.
Staff is friendly, food is delicious. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Chad B.
A little gem of a breakfast place in So. SF and if you blink you can easily miss it. You get seated quickly despite the busy brunch mornings and size of the place, plus, service is friendly and quick. Their breakfast and brunch menu offers up a diverse array of food items of American and Mexican dishes. So you've got options and the portions are large. Tip: A place to check out if you've got a big appetite! Overall, since I'm a big breakfast/brunch person. I like the fact that I have the option to go to a place like JoAnn's Cafe especially if I'm not in the mood to go to San Francisco and be bothered with parking on the weekends. Faves: Gaucho and their special of the month: Pumpkin Pancakes!
(4)
Fredo L.
Kind of pricey for what you get, but great service and still pretty good!
(4)
Caitlin H.
The food is amazing. The servers are extremely nice and friendly. Since we came on a Sunday morning for brunch we had to wait a while for our food to be brought to our table but it was definitely more than worth the wait. I got a scramble, my friend got an omelette, and we shared 2 pancakes although we probably should have just shared 1 since they are so big. But I can't wait until the next time I can come back here
(4)
Jane A.
GREASY GOODNESS!!!!! (4 stars) Hidden Gem! Great diner food. Who would have thought..... - Food, delicious - Prices, average - Service, on-point - Ambiance, whole-in-the-wall diner It was Veterans day, I was off on a Friday and hungry. Been hearing about this place by my elite-yelper friend and always tried to find it. The address on yelp is wrong when i look it up in google maps. But it is between Max's Chicken House and KFC. HEFFER-STYLE STATUS. JOANN'S SPECIAL ($9.25) - 2 eggs, your choice of meat (hamburger patty, sauteed spinach & mushrooms, bacon, ham, chorizo, low fat chicken basil or italian or cajun sausage), home fries, fresh fruit salad & your choice of toast, muffin, bagel, tortillas or scone. The plate.... WAS DELICIOUS. had my eggs scrambled up with mushroom, spinach, and low fat chicken basil. They were hefty with their portions and was well worth the money. Home fries were delicious, I sat at the counter and watched them cook away. I got toast but that was my mistake, its recommended to get a muffin or scone. Will I be back? OF COURSE!!!! JABA APPROVED... Until the next review...
(4)
Surge C.
1. Smoked salmon benedict 2. Make your own omelets 3. Baked goods These 3 make JoAnn's an A+ breakfast spot!
(5)
Nina M.
First things first- the parking there is horrible. BUT if you are lucky enough to find a spot this place is amazing. The people who work here are amazing and the food is really good and big portions.
(5)
Mike R.
I just tried this place, this morning for the first time. Overall, it is better than most typical breakfast joints and the chains. I give it a four star rating, but it should probably be a 3.5. The coffee was just average. The egg dish (El Camino Real) was very good and cooked just right. The apple-walnut muffin was served cold, and tasted just okay. I had to sit at the counter, since they did not want to use a table for just one person on a Sunday, which I understand. The counter seat was quite old and quite uncomfortable, but the service was very good. So ..... For the egg dish and the service, I give it above average. It was not amazing, however. In Denver, I have had better breakfasts at La Peep, which is a Colorado chain; just something to compare to, so that it is clear JoAnn's is good but not GREAT. Very friendly staff, too! I will probably come back, but am still hoping I can find something better in the Daly City area.
(4)
Elizabeth A.
On our way to the San Francisco Zoo and wanted to grab some breakfast, did a little search on yelp and found this place. Decided to check it out and glad we did. Breakfast was awesome and the atmosphere is very cozy. Will be back when i am in the area.
(5)
Rochelle D.
I heart JoAnn's Cafe! As a brunch suggestion from a childhood friend, the hubs and I high-tailed it through San Bruno Mountain to Joanne's Cafe. When we arrived, there was a handful of diners waiting out front. Four words, "Put down the menu!" If you're here on the weekend, order one of the specials listed on the chalkboard. It guaranteed to be good. On this particular morning I was tasting the turkey chilaquiles. Sadly, it was not on the specials board. For my alternative I went with the portabello benedict and hubs went with the carne asada omelet. The portabello benedict was beautiful! Perfectly poached eggs that sat a top grilled pods of portabello mushroom in a bed of spinach and side of garlic bread all coated in a hollandaise sauce. One careful cut into one the eggs and yolk oozed over the portabello and the fog in South San Francisco parted with angels singing down on upon this dish! Yes it was that good. My pouch was only able hold 1/2 of this dish, so I took the rest of it home for later! Don't be intimidated if there's a line of folks outside. The whole restaurant only seats about 49 folks, so if you're not here at 7:30am, be prepared to wait. Don't worry...it's worth the wait. JoAnn, we'll be back for them chilaquiles...now if I can figure out when they'll have them on the menu again.
(5)
Kevin J.
JoAnn's Cafe is the kind of place you grew up going to, or wish you did. The plates are classic of old time dinner with food that is enormous enough to wet your appetite but wont keep you up all night. The service is straightforward and to the point just like your family and the cookies are the size of large pies (but flat of course). Make sure to check out Breakfast and Lunch here as I have not had one bad thing on the menu. If you've got special requests I'm sure they'll do their best to accommodate. Just get in, eat and get out because I'm sure there are plenty of others waiting behind you.
(4)
Tatyana F.
So happy we found this place! I took three of my friends there at peak time for brunch, only had to wait about 10 minutes. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. My partner and I have been back at least 4 times. I order something new each time never disappointed. Service- 5 stars The ladies are all really on it and really nice. Only once or twice I had to wait for a refill on coffee or remind about water, which considering how busy they are isn't bad. Food- 5 stars Heard the sandwiches are great, especially with what I think are homemade sliced pickles. Whey with the fresh fruit and fruit butter were amazing! (They were a special, so you may wanna check the board for them.) Home fries and muffins are great options for sides. Decor- 5 stars Its a classic dinner with counter, booths and tables, always clean. You walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom which is nice to see all the fresh produce. Bathroom also has a cute little mural in it.
(5)
Alysia K.
I am a regular to Joanne's and think that the only problem with this establishment is that the owner walks around talking to people while his breath wreaked of booze. It was very gross to be eating and the owner says hello to my table smelling of booze. He was extremely unprofessional. He must of been very intoxicated because right before I left I witnessed him crying and was very upset while talking to a waitress. The owner made my experience awkward, he would probably do better if he did not drink at his restaurant early in the day.
(1)
Christine C.
I ate breakfast here twice. I liked the granola...the buckwheat pancakes were a little dry though...bacon was sublime! Orange juice had to be fresh squeezed! The scone was uninspired...but my husband's & mother-in-law's eggs looked great!
(4)
Karen C.
Like all the other yelpers, I must say that their muffins, which I've tried 3 of, and scones (I have to assume; they're always gone!) are delicious. HUUUUUUGE muffin tops, moist bottoms [sounds dirty, lol] where if you hadn't eaten the tops first you wouldn't know or care what you were missing, no coffee necessary. Just kidding, you always need coffee. Theirs is decent. Anyway, blueberry muffin: Moist, with huge bursting blueberries. Yumyum. Carrot: Yuck for me but it is filled with fresh shreds of carrots which to my bf who loves carrot cake is freaking delicious. o.0 Amaretti: Only got to try a bite of the bottom since the bf got to it first when we bought it for the next morning, but so good! Even one day old. Apple walnut: Oh that makes 4. Ok 4. Again, moist, huge chunks of tender walnut with a nice apple flavor. We also had the gaucho, a grilled thus crisped up tortilla with your choice of meat topped with some sort of salsa. Bf had it with chorizo. Pretty tasty! Was like an amped up pizza pocket that we all used to buy from middle school. Also about the same size, just a warning. I had the orange french toast. Was severely underwhelmed. Hardly any orange flavor, not sweet enough (which is my personal pref that french toast should have a level of sweetness before the syrup), and the batter's egg to milk ratio was off. It was too eggy, and combined with the lack of sweetness resulted in a sort of savory egg toast flavor. Also the imbalance of the batter led to a nice (not) little skirt of, again, almost savory, scrambled egg around the french toast that nobody bothered getting rid of. All that plus patchy service plus being a little on the pricey side for what you get, averages to about an A-OK for me. The muffins really help. Go for baked goods.
(3)
Joanna R.
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. Am I becoming a breakfast eating person? Am I becoming someone who enjoys breakfast? Hmmm... not sure yet. I ordered their famous orange french toast. Tastes like... french toast with a hint of orange flavor. It was good, but nothing super special or mindblowing. Nevertheless, it was a really good meal. I ordered some eggs on the side and had some bacon too. It's pretty cool that you can just watch the chefs cook if you eat at the counter. I don't mind sitting there over the booth, so we got seated as soon as we got there. It really takes you away from the feel of San Francisco. Of course, South SF really is pretty different than the rest of the city. Anyway, good service, good food, nice people, good location. (:
(4)
Ram R.
I have been to JoAnn's twice and both experiences were great. The first time, I had the orange french toast and they tasted really good. There wasn't many people due to the time I visited the cafe. The second visit was on a Sunday morning and it was full. My wife and I, took a friend out for their birthday and we were all satisfied with the breakfast. Two of us had the corn cakes, which are a weekend special, and they were loaded with fruit and a berry butter. All three of us were pleased with the food. The service was good, we didn't have to wait long for the food to arrive and the waiteress made sure that our coffee was filled. The only draw back I see is the price. The charges are litte high, but the food is good enough for me to return again.
(4)
Zack C.
Always busy inside, hard to get a booth. Service is really fast and friendly, the food is delicious. Great for when you're really hungry. Big proportions.
(4)
V. L.
If it's your first time or your Nth time, get the Paul's sandwich w/ a meat of your choice (Italian or Cajun sausage are good) w/ cheddar cheese! Sooo greasily orgasmic!!! But it's only served for breakfast. You might need a nap right after.
(4)
Darryl Y.
I expected a lot from Joann's Cafe, given so many rave reviews from my coworkers. It must have been a busy day, because the waiter was rushed and would not answer our questions. Then, after taking my first few bites of food, I noticed I started to get an allergic reaction something in the "chicken," a dish that would typically not have nuts in it. When I asked the waiter whether or not there was a possibility of there being nuts, which I am allergic to, the waiter immediately went into defensive mode: "well, it says that there are nuts in a dish elsewhere on the menu." Right. Like I read the entire menu word-for-word. Now, I know that most people do not have food allergies and you're probably this was just a special circumstance, but waiters should not be that defensive when a customer asks a question. If JoAnn's had a warning or description under the menu item that does not typically have nuts in it, then this would not have been a problem. One star
(1)
Christine P.
This place isn't bad. My husband and I were starving, hungry and tired. it was early on a Saturday morning and after a week's worth of work and taking care of the baby we just wanted to eat before we treked over to do some grocery shopping. I ordered the orange french toast and my husband had the JoAnn's special. We shared both of our meals and it was more than enough for the both of us. The food is good but since I'm from San Francisco, there are a ton of other places I would rather go than here. the service was also lacking as our waitress never came back to check on us after she gave us our food. Her co-worker did though so that was above and beyond on her part. I would go back if i'm ever in the area and just need a quick breakfast fix.
(3)
Jihee K.
A wonderful place for brunch! I love brunch so much and I'm so glad I found this place. My favorite of all from here is their brioche french toast. I usually go for eggs but once I tried their french toast, I could not go back. You must try it!
(4)
Jennifer L.
First of all, I'm a voracious breakfast/brunch eater. So I'm afraid I cannot comment on JoAnn's lunch options. If I could eat eggs for every meal, I'd be oh so happy. Given my extreme predilection for the sunnier side of cuisine, I'm always on the hunt for great breakfast/brunch venues. JoAnn's definitely qualifies. They have many great egg options - I particularly enjoy their special scramble, which is rich with freshly wilted whole-leaf spinach, chunky white mushrooms, green onion, and whatever meat option you prefer (I order mine with juicy generous chunks of ham). The home fries/breakfast potatoes are very nice; honestly, I usually skip breakfast potatoes, finding them over-salted or greasy, but JoAnn's potatoes are crispy and savory on the outside, soft and tender on the inside...I actually want to eat them! I'm not quite as fond of their muffins, which to me have always seemed a little chewy in a stale sort of way. The scones, though...quite nice! So go figure. As others have noted, JoAnn's is REALLY hard to find if you don't know the El Camino corridor well. Once, my friends' GPS took them WAY off course and they ended up somewhere in the Mission. Shame on them for not paying better attention since they knew they weren't supposed to end up in SF, but they're from Fremont :) JoAnn's has a friendly, casual, family feel, with a comfortable counter and booths for 6. Ketchup and Cholula on every table. It smells like a diner when you walk in, but not in an old dirty greasy way - just homey, delicious food. Even though I wish the coffee were just a smidge better, and the muffins a little more bright and fresh, I'll still happily keep coming to JoAnn's for some delicious eggs!
(4)
Serena C.
Hmm maybe I'm picky? I came here for breakfast with my sister today and it wasn't all that busy. I had the scrambles with chicken sausage, jack cheese, mushrooms and tomato salsa. It came with whole wheat toast and home fries. Portion was very big but the home fries had no taste. It tasted like boiled potatoes. The hot sauce was not spicy at all ...I was hoping for a little kick for the home fries. The scrambles was good. Tomatoes were fresh and nice chunky mushrooms. My sister had an omelette with mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, bacon, and ____. I don't remember the last ingredient. It came with home fries and her choice of a muffin. The muffin had a huge top! She said it was good. She didn't finish her omelette though. Overall, I guess it's a good and close place for breakfast instead of the greasy IHOP or Denny's. Still...stacks is always my favorite though.
(3)
Liane J.
Have been coming to JoAnn's Restaurant since 1988 and it has always been my favorite breakfast place to eat. When JoAnn owned the place, it was a spick and span joint and today with Jose' running the place, it is still very clean. The specials on the board is always good to try; the plus is sitting at the counter and watching the cook's create the meals. That's fun to see. I would say, now that JoAnn's is open for dinner; unsure how long ago they did that -- I'd like to try a dinner meal there soon. Thanks for still being open and thanks for the good food too!
(5)
chris c.
I love coming here, great service, great home cooking and fantastic blueberry muffins!
(4)
Caryl C.
Everything I have tasted here is yummy and despite being busy everytime I've been here the customer service is courteous, friendly and quick.
(5)
Soung S.
It was so good, I went there twice on my 5 day SF trip! That statement up there should say something about this place. I am a breakfast expert! I love everything and anything breakfast and this place does it very well and with a homemade touch to it as well. The muffins are so delicious!!! When you walk into this place, its the first thing you will see and for good reason! I forgot what the name of the dishes I tried were but the one I remember which was unique and delicious was the one with the burger patty and comes with a side of vinegar soaked tomatoes. It was really good and the combination of that with the muffin my mouth was in heaven! If you happen to be in South SF for breakfast, give this place a shot! PS It's quite hidden from the street and honestly I passed this place plenty of times before realizing its on the small side street. They really need to get a bigger sign that can be seen from the main street. Enjoy!
(4)
S Y.
5 star review for my 200th review! The makings of a damn good breakfast place in my book: Sweetness, check. ORANGE FRENCH TOAST. French toast with a hint of zesty, orangey cinnamon goodness! Savoriness, check. THE GAUCHO. Best described as a super, breakfast quesadilla! A grilled tortilla filled with melted jack cheese, your choice of meat- I suggest the chorizo, mushrooms, topped with salsa and slices of avocado. (Also, the burger patty, eggs and potatoes all were PERFECT. Nice sized meat patty, over-medium eggs and potatoes- not too greasy.) Sideness, check. Fresh baked muffins with nice sized muffin tops, fresh fruit, and potatoes. Serviceness (haha), check. Came in pretty early to beat the crowd and our waitress warmly greeted us and gave us our choice of seating. She was quite attentive even as the customers started crowding in.
(5)
Micha M.
Breakfast. My favorite & quite possibly what i consider the most important meal of the day. It sets the tone for the rest of the day so why not give my taste buds a meal it rightfully deserves? Joann's omelettes & orange-battered pancakes? Freaking...yumsies. That's right...i said yumsies. It was that damn good to me. I had a "no yolk" omelette w/bacon, feta cheese & zucchini. I love restaurants that present the opportunity to be creative with your food so I was quite happy and satisfied. The pancakes...with an orange zest added to its' batter? Interestingly tasty. It was also toppled with the "-berry" fam (blue, cran, & straw), bananas & drenched with maple syrup which sealed the deal for me. I realized that it's not breakfast without a good stack of pancakes. JoAnn's?...we shall meet again.
(4)
John H.
Nice little spot, good coffee and good service. Little pricey. My only complaint is that breakfast places should always give you a choice between home fries and hash browns. They only have home fries, and it's like eating baked potatoes with your breakfast, huge chunks. Not a fan of home fries at all, and certainly not cut so big. But the omelet was good and a big one at that.
(3)
Robert Y.
2.5 A traditional breakfast place with a latin twist. Kind of hidden place near Costco and Kaiser with some street parking. The food itself was average at best but they do have some unique stuff such as salmon omelet and some chorizo which is kinda of like mildly spicy ground pork. They also have homemade muffins which were probably the best thing here as its very light on the sugar and with real blueberries you can taste the slight bitterness. The service was good enough but not spectacular. However, the main knock on this place is the prices. All the main dishes are about $10 which is way to much for a average breakfast. I probably will not be back as you can get 7+ costco hotdogs for the price of one dish here.
(2)
Tiffany M.
This place is a great little hole in the wall and we haven't had bad service or food yet and we've been here a half dozen times. It's a pretty tight squeeze. No waiting room, but it is worth the wait. It's a surprise blockbuster hit of the year. Good breakfast and I tried their BBQ bacon cheeseburger today and that was awesomeness in my mouth. This is our go to place when eating in the area. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Sami E.
Super convenient for a quick bite breakfast. The inside looks like an old fashioned diner. Here's what we had to eat. Denny Special - two buttermilk pancakes which were surprisingly really delicious. better than millbrae house of pancakes and Denny's. Two bacon but I substituted for sausage - regretting this decision because I didn't know the sausage wasn't the regular sausage link but more like a hamburger patty. And egg whites! Which were just as good as any other egg whites. Grand Slam Special - 2 buttermilk corn cakes which taste just like corn bread topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and papaya with a delicious berry butter rather than the plain butter you'd normally get! This place will definitely start becoming a regular spot for breakfast for me. Only downfall is that I've lived a mile away my whole life and never even noticed it was there. The sign is so tiny and in the window rather than on top but I guess that's what makes this place a real breakfast gem. Thank Joann's!
(4)
Larisa V.
Hidden Gem! love this place for Sunday brunch! The Esmeralda is delicious, but be warned half the portion will fill you for the day
(4)
Jones T.
Pumpkin pancakes were great. The other dishes were average (ie. eggs benedict, omelettes.) Service was very attentive and quick. Very difficult to seat large parties (ie. more than 4 people). Our party had to to split into two tables.
(3)
Oscar A.
Perfect little cozy diner in South San Francisco that serves a Latin American /American breakfast. I like their speedy service paired up with their reasonably priced plates, it makes for a lovely experience.
(5)
tina l.
The food was real good. We had French toast with orange flavor & Mable syrup & I share the special weekend chorizo Omelet with my son, with blueberry muffin. It was delicious, plus service was fast. Got there @ 9:10 got seated & told them we had to b @ the airport by 10:15am. Coffee was good too. I recommend this place. Not fancy but good home style cooking.
(5)
Ka'Neki M.
Definitely a small mom and pop breakfast joint. Very poor service consistently, but the food isn't bad. I've been here a few times over the years. With some co workers, family out of town and hubby and I for a late lunch. I like the green chili salsa, I like that they serve tortilla and I like their chorizo. I never eat it but only here.
(3)
Janet T.
JoAnn's Cafe is very diner-esque. Small, quaint, quiet, local, loyal locals! I had what I thought was The Original, but really was JoAnn's Special which I couldn't much to be special about honestly. However, they packed my dad's omlet with Chicken sausage and turkey, with a hint of Jack Cheese. It was very basic but I can vouch for him that he enjoyed it. The turkey was dark meat and the Chicken Sausage was seasoned to give a little Mexican-flavored kick (sorry if I'm politically incorrect!). We also had a blueberry muffin, an apple-flavored raisin & walnut muffin that were a little bit stiff (maybe left-over?), and some fruit. Both dishes came with potatoes. I thought JoAnn's was nothing to be excited about. Maybe because the ventilation sucked up that breakfast aroma or that whiff of coffee that helps me associate cafes with breakfast. Service was Okay. When asked for recommendations, I think I got some pretty basic answers. I think that the menu on weekdays is a little different from what is served on weekends. I didn't see any benedicts or salmon lox on the menu but I could be wrong. Next time, I'm ordering according to the specials on the board and am gonna come try their orange juice & benedicts because they look delicious in the pictures!
(3)
D T.
Great breakfast spot. I love this place for what it is or else I would have rated it a 3. Nothing ultra gourmet about this place, just the basics that they have fine tuned and they do very well. The wait moves quickly and the staff is very efficient and kind. I absolutely LOVE the idea that you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom because you really get to see the operation, very clean, tidy and organized. I am a lifer.
(4)
Veronica C.
I wish there was a JoAnn's in Oceanside. I would go there everyday. The food was so good. Big portions. It's a hole in the wall but sometimes those are the best places to eat. I ordered a egg white omelette with avocado, bacon, and cheese. The bacon was legit. The egg was fluffy and not watery. Next time I am in town I will go here.
(5)
T-Bone L.
This is a solid breakfast. Most everything coming out of the kitchen looked good. I tried to be healthy going with a spinach and mushroom scramble, but after reading some reviews walked out with a muffin "for later."
(4)
Dara S.
Little ole diner in South San Francisco. Who would've known? The food was decent and filling. I ordered the Eggs Beatrice and my friend ordered pancakes. This place is probably family owned since they had some teeny bopper working and taking orders.
(3)
Tom C.
Looking for a new greasy spoon to try, the gal and I found JoAnn's on Yelp and decided to give it a whirl. Not disappointed! I tried the Don Pasqual, which was excellent- corn tortillas with poached eggs, black beans, feta cheese and green salsa. The bonus is the fried bananas - they were awesome! The little lady had the special, the corn cakes, and they were awesome as well! plenty of food and my new favorite place - can't wait to come back and try something else!
(4)
Karma B.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE FIND AS OF LATE! I've been spending more time on the peninsula since my girlfriend now lives in Daly City. Oh man am I happy that she lives down the street from JoAnn's. This place is amazing. And the thing is, I've only eaten here for breakfast. I'm sure the rest of the menu is just as great. Now I'm a huge breakfast person. Might be my favorite meal, though I rarely eat it. So coming to JoAnn's on a Sunday morning is the perfect start to my day. I think what I love best is that they have Mexican options for breakfast. Why yes, I would like tortillas in lieu of break along with my omelet. The first time I came I ordered the Huevos. EXCELLENT CHOICE! Nice sized portions and just pure deliciousness all around. I just came back this past Sunday and saw on the menu that they had a Sunday Special: Omelet with mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, CHORIZO served with home fries. IT WAS PURE JOY. Wrap my corn tortillas with some of the omelet. Om nom nom. It was great. Seriously, go find my picture of it and drool at it's deliciousness. The staff is super friendly. Sometimes you'll have to wait, but it's worth it. I'll be coming back here for as long as my girlfriend lives in the area. Even if she moved, I'd still have to come back a few times a month, just to get my desayuno mexicano.
(4)
Angela K.
It's a very small cafe and the signage is not obvious that this IS JOANNA's cafe.. hahah. It's on a little street parallel to El Camino. I'd really just get on the little street, park, and find the restaurant.. it's much easier than driving around trying to look for it and then park- my mistake. I was circling and then I just said "screw it!" parked.. and walked along the block, really looking at the numbers and I finally found it! Maybe it's because in my mind it was going to be bigger- but it's not. Anyways, I ordered the Goldie Lox. Salmon, scrambled eggs, cream cheese, onions, etc. And again, I should have looked more closely at the pictures on yelp because in my mind.. it was going to come out salmon, scrambled eggs, cream cheese divided- but it's all mixed together and scrambled together. It's not bad- it's just not what I was expecting. Although, if I had known it was going to be all scrambled together, I would not have ordered the salmon since I like my salmon smoked and raw, not scrambled and cooked. Potatoes were delicious and so was the blueberry muffin. It was a good breakfast. I would come again- and now that I am more prepared and my expectations has been adjusted I can look at the menu again and order something else. =)
(4)
Regena B.
Classic divey diner. Special gets you a bit of everything. Muffins are homey and fresh. Gorgeously seasoned iron grill top. Mmmmmmm mmmmmmm good. Tiny but fast turnover and experienced friendly service :) perfect for early mornings waiting for Costco to open!!
I don't know about this one--I'm going to have to go against the Yelp community and give this place a 2. This is a hole in the wall joint. It's small and reminiscent of an old school diner where the kitchen is on one wall of the room and the tables are on the other. You can sit on the counter and watch your food being cooked. That being said, you'd think they would make the cooking environment look a little cleaner. Not a stack of bacon sitting on top of towels. I ordered a burrito with eggs, avocado and cream cheese topped with green sauce. I forget the name of it... the Esmeralda I believe. The balance of flavors and textures were off. I didn't like it. Tried bites from everyone's plates (in usual Pillin fashion), the Denver omelet, chorizo plate and pancakes were all mediocre at best. And why were they selling pumpkin pancakes for $14? Seemed a little ridiculous to me. Mehh... and that's all I got to say about that!
(2)
Tatiana F.
Great hole in the wall local diner spot. This place has been here for years, and has a loyal fan base. I tried the oatmeal pancakes, and they were some of the best I've ever had. So good. This is a great place to go for breakfast or brunch in South City.
(4)
Kristy F.
The venue was clean, modest and simple. The breakfast menu was a bit brief but the options were good and the prices are reasonable ($6 for a stack of 3 pancakes is pretty good while everything else ranged around $11) I stuck with the florentine which presented poached eggs (that were sadly slightly over cooked) on top of some toasted sourdough and a bed of spinach with mushrooms. The meal was filling and pretty good. The sauce wasn't bad just slightly bland. I enjoyed the bread and the spinach mostly. The service was decent and my experience was good. I would return but I would order something different next time, I trust most anything from their breakfast menu would be a safe order. Solid 3 stars.
(3)
Faye P.
This is a very popular local breakfast joint that is well liked by the community. You walk in and you see all their awards, reviews and ratings about the place, which is nice. I've been here a few times and I always get good service. The food is okay too, but nothing that stands out to me. A lot of the reviews I saw on the wall talked about the place being affordable/cheap, but this place is actually one of the pricier breakfast spots I've been to. Sometimes I turn down coming here because I know the place is a little pricey, so I opt to go someplace else, but when I do come here I can always count on getting good service.
(3)
Sammie T.
A great hidden place in South San Francisco and an ideal place for breakfast. JoAnn's Special includes potatoes, eggs and a choice of meat. I got the Italian Sausage and it comes in the form of two big patties, also comes with your choice of toast or their muffins (GET THE MUFFIN!) and a side of fresh cut fruit. Yummy! My boyfriend got their Eggs Benedict, that's his favorite for breakfast and he literally cleaned his plate since it was that good. And can't forget the side of buttered toast! Also, get their orange juice--it's FRESHLY squeezed!
(5)
Angela S.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Jo Ann's Cafe. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, it's always delicious. They plate really nicely for a tiny little restaurant. You would seriously not expect some of the things that come out of their kitchen. Consistently every experience here is awesome. We know all of the staff, they are super nice, greet us warmly and our food is always delicious. Some of our favorites are the red clam chowder, the white clan chowder, the boneless ribs (either on the menu or the special, they are both uh-mazing). We love the salads, the corn soup, the patty melt, the marsala chicken, the polenta but get it with the sausage, SO good, the chicken Alfredo with veggies and my boyfriend just tried the turkey burrito which he is still taking about. I started this review a little while ago and was waiting to post pics but I'm here again for breakfast so I will just add all the other pics later. For those of you who haven't been here, you have to try it.
(5)
S T.
One of my favorite brunch places. I love that they have weekend specials. My favorites are any of the special pancakes with loads of fruit on top. And the berry butter!! It makes it even more special. Orange juice is fresh. The muffins (though I've never tried them) are homemade. Their portions are huge and the price is decent. The staff is always friendly.
(5)
Arnie G.
This place has amazing breakfast . The wait staff is very friendly and the food is great . Even with a line of people we got in and out pretty quickly . This is my favorite breakfast spot in San Bruno !
(5)
Denise M.
Milk shake - good Rotelli pasta - good Club sandwich with fries - very good Chicken tacos - excellent!!!
(4)
Brenda M.
Came here because of the reviews of course. I came at around 10am and they weren't really busy so I was seated quickly. Got the omelette wuth avocado, bacon and mushrooms, along with orange juice. The OJ is indeed freshly squeezed and my breakfast came to me hot and steamy. The server quickly changed ny cinnamon raisin bread because it came with butter when I asked for no butter. Quick fast and delicious. Solid place to have great breakfast..
(4)
Cecilia B.
Ordered to go...messed up my order. Didn't even include butter and syrup with my pancakes (wtf! Who does that?!) I'm sure there are a lot of regulars here but as a hungry pregnant woman who is in a rush and needs her to go order correct and complete when I get my food, I won't be back. By the time I got back home, my other food was cold - and nothing special. I knew I should have just gone to millbrae pancake house. Extra star since I at least got an apology but first impressions last forever.
(2)
Lauren C.
Not much needs to be said about this place other than the food is amazing and the service is great. A must for breakfast!
(5)
S. A. Y.
An adorable diner serving fantastic brunch in a quiet neighborhood. I had the Joanns Special with the muffin. The breakfast, as a whole, was excellent! But the muffin- the apple walnut muffin (and the blueberry muffin) was what made it stellar. Do yourself a favor and roll out of bed for this delicious delight!!
(5)
Laura V.
I've been here quite a few times the food was always amazing and definitely good portions. The house fries are always delicious. They have options ranging from the basic bacon and eggs breakfast to a make your own omelet. Pancakes are also super fluffy and yummy! Bar seating is cool too.
(4)
Roca M.
Awesome breakfast!! The scone was delicious!
(5)
Mike O.
My favorite breakfast place back home.Omelets and scrambled eggs are all good. I like to add cheese, avocado, mushrooms, and maybe some meat. The burgers here are pretty awesome as well. And the homestyle potatoes are great as well. You definitely get your money's worth here. Waiter's are all cool people.
(5)
Joel M.
Rude slow service. Lacking customer service skills which I would think is essential for the food industry. Maybe she didn't get a gift for Xmas, and should've called in sick. Food was decent at best, but I guess trying to help out locally owned eateries is not one this place understands or embrace.
(1)
Hannah C.
Summary: decent diner (really more like 3.5 stars), but the lack of good food in South City bumps this place up to a 4 The muffins are indeed as large and tasty as many reviewers have mentioned. The breakfast menu has a good variety of egg dishes, omelettes, and Mexican-style options. I was pleasantly surprised with the fresh ingredients and the less-than-most-diners level of grease. The interior has a traditional charm, but definitely go for a booth over the plain jane (and slightly uncomfortable) tables in the back. Not much to say other than, hooray that I finally found a decent breakfast place in South SF. This place is much cleaner and tastier than Ed's Diner on Grand, but lacks some of the old-school feel generated by the warmth between the staff and the regulars. However, I did appreciate the careful attention of JoAnn's staff in refilling my water glass regularly and being kind and thorough with our meal. It was nice to see families of all ages enjoying Saturday breakfast here as well. The price, while reasonable, is slightly more than I'd like to pay for something I can easily make at home myself, so I probably won't be a regular here. However, I'm definitely keeping this place in my back pocket as a weekend breakfast option when we want to go out! And yes, go for the muffins. They really are quite good. And BIG! :D I enjoyed my banana walnut one, but really want to try the blueberry next time. Also, JoAnn's is actually on a small side street parallel to El Camino that you can access from the Arryoyo Drive intersection. Plenty of street parking.
(4)
Irma I.
The worst service and breakfast I've had! Paid way too much for for greasy bland food
(1)
Shayna M.
Ive been going here for about 2 years and lately the service has been horrible not sure why, but sitting at a table for over 10 minutes is a little annoying after standing in the front waiting for someone to sit us when there where plenty of tables open... like we where bothering them..... not really sure if ill go back.
(1)
Adlyn S.
I'm a regular. Service & Food rates the same...like a B+!! You can make your own customized omelette & scamble with a whole bunch of ingredients listed; choose up to 3! I love the chorizo/avocado/monterey jack combination together. Their blueberry muffins are some of the best I've ever tried! On weekends, the "specials" are usually impressive. Take the plunge. Expect a dainty diner setting with no frills, just good hearty BIG PORTION food. Get's super busy on Sunday mornings. You can order for take out as well. Go SSF!!!
(4)
C. M.
Tried JoAnn's for the first time because I was encouraged by the reviews here and because I happened to finally drive by it and it didn't have a line. I'm a little disappointed, just cause I read so many reviews raving about the place. It's a typical diner/breakfast joint...nothing too special. I read people love the orange french toast and ordered it right away but it wasn't that good. I didn't expect my life to change or anything but the toast had a slight orangy taste and that was it. The toasts were also kind of dry (when the egg/milk batter doesn't soak all the way through the bread). The third star I added was due to service. The folks weren't friendly (and although all of them wore 49ers gear, none of them knew about the game that day) BUT they were quick and attentive.
(3)
Puwett V.
been here a few times, and i always get this chorizo b fast burrito and its hella good. ask for the sauces on the side so you can actually see what you're eating. otherwise., very good, very homey and you'll enjoy it for sure.
(4)
Holly C.
Before I moved to San Francisco three years ago, two separate people gave me copies of the Zagat guide for the Bay Area. I cracked it open on the plane and went straight to the Breakfast listing to see where I really needed to go on a Saturday morning. I think Joann's was number one at the time, so I headed over just as soon as I could. Once I got over the raisins in the sweet potato muffin (not into the raisins in any baked goods) I found a yummy omelette with decent bacon (see my lists on GOOD bacon), solid potatos and tasty pancakes. I put the place on the back burner for future reference. Went again about a week ago and made the mistake of being adventurous and getting a chorizo omelette. Not a good move. I suppose I should have known better, and it's not like it was bad or anything, but the chorizo was all ground up and tasted kind of like spicy manwich housed in an omelette. The amaretto muffin was delicious though, good consistent pouring of coffee and decent quick service. I just am not sure what all the fuss is about.
(3)
Suki S.
this place has been known for great breakfast/ brunch for local.
(4)
James C.
i used to go here for breakfast all the time when i lived in South City. everything on the menu is really good - i used to try to get their daily specials which are almost always right on the mark. many of their specials - the corn beef hash, fish tacos, pancake specials - are all delicious. plus their muffins are amazing, especially the apple carrot ginger muffin. to boot, the service is friendly and prompt.
(5)
Staceage B.
Locals know how incredible this place is. Simply amazing breakfast, and dinner Wed-Sat. Large portions, good prices, friendly service and food you won't soon forget.
(5)
Janelle H.
its a pleasant surprise to find a good breakfast place in my area.(especially since its to popular and one of "city's best') a quaint diner with good breakfast. the orange juice is freshly squeezed and the muffins are moist. the service was friendly and quick, convienent for me since i have to eat fast in order to be punctual for classes.
(4)
Bob H.
Fantastic food a great home town diner. We stopped by while on vacation, had great service and a great meal. Make sure you try the pastries. Muffins and scones are amazing.
(5)
Mauling W.
This breakfast place is always packed on the weekends. Its almost like a diner, but more family oriented. There menu is extensive with omelettes, pancakes, and specials. You have to try there pancake specials. They usually have seasonal fruit like berries and bananas. They even make their own butter! I always go for their benedicts or just omelettes. The portions there are ginormous and I never finish what I ordered. Even the muffins are spilling over at the top. I highly recommend coming here for breakfast. They also have burgers and and sandwiches. The staff there are really attentive and nice. Very busy cafe with lots of charm.
(4)
Crusader S.
HUGE portions. You'll be full after (5) bites. Prices are decent and pastries are like their meals, HUGE! Like the Terminator, " I'll be BACK"
(4)
Sherry C.
This is the only brunch restaurant I would recommend if you want somewhere closer from daly city to san bruno. Food and service is pretty good but still nothing compare to other brunches in millbrae and SF. =)
(3)
Genaro R.
I had the omelet with feta, avocado and spinach and my friend had the fancy french toast. The omelet was good. The toast was awesome with the fresh jam. The fancy french toast was mediocre. Very overpriced. Stick to the basics here.
(3)
Greg J.
One of my very favorite breakfast spots in the Bay Area. Great food, nice people, consistently good. Worth the occasional wait. Go, now!
(4)
Esther Y.
After circling and trying to find this place for 15 minutes, we finally discovered this tiny eatery on the street NEXT to El Camino Real. The first thing we noticed when we walked in was the case full of muffins! I knew I had to try one!!! They overfill the muffin pans so the top overflows and creates these crisp edges to munch on. Coffee: Typical diner coffee, not strong at all but not the worst. Orange juice: Freshly squeezed and delicious! Blueberry muffin: Full of large blueberries and had some orange juice or zest in it. It really added to the flavor. Apple walnut muffin: Much denser than the blueberry muffin and Omelette Special: Filled with asparagus, ham, onions, and bell peppers; topped with a bechamel sauce. This was also served with country fries. The vegetables were so fresh and not overcooked, like a lot of places do. Forgot the name: Hamburger patty cooked the way you liked, topped with mushrooms and served with eggs & country fries. Santa Fe: Giant "burrito" filled with chorizo and eggs ... similar to a breakfast burrito.
(4)
Jessica S.
Delish! Best Omlets and Salads! Love to eat here for lunch. Best bet is to call in your order 10 mins before you pick it up. It will always be ready for you when you get there. -1 star since its a bit pricey.
(4)
Xavier A.
Simple, but very well prepared breakfast food. Nice selection and reasonable prices. Attentive service. Not much to look at from the outside, but cozy inside (if a bit loud). Will absolutely go back.
(4)
John S.
This place is your classic diner. The Eggs Bennedict was fantastic and came with tomato slices in Italian dressing. We also ordered their seasonal pancakes for the table and they were tasty.
(5)
Mrs N N.
Being the place is always packed I expected a LOT better. Today had the omelet special ($12.95) turkey, peppers, cheese, pesto with home fried potatoes and blueberry muffin. The Omelet was pretty good but a bit heavy on the cheese. The potatoes could have used more seasoning. The muffin, basic. I only had the muffin because they were out of the other items listed as my choices - no scones, no apple muffin, no french bread toast - left with a tortilla or blueberry muffin choice. My son had the Gaucho - good, but really runny. There was spinach juice(?) all over the bottom of the plate. He added a load of hot sauce to bring it to taste. The real downside was the obviously tired waitress. Took over 10 minutes to take our order, I had to flag her down to get a refill of coffee and then she just gave me decaf without asking! to coffee drinkers like myself, you just DON'T DO THAT. I drink the real thing so don't give me that decaf stuff! Right after she poured the decaf she plopped the check on the table and that was the last we saw of her. If I do go back, I will need to make sure I don't get her.
(2)
Sabrina L.
I ordered eggs florentine which is like benedict but has spinach instead of ham. the hollondaise was good although the spinach had a tart vinegar taste. my parents enjoyed their food & I ate part of their muffin & thought i'd like to try the other muffins one day. Good solid home-cooked tasting breakfast food & generous portions! My friend GS told me about it a while back but I serendipitously found it on yelp when looking for a local place!
(4)
Melinda Y.
If you're a fan of blueberry muffins I highly recommend JoAnn's Cafe. Not only are the blueberry muffins large and moderately price, the muffin tops have an especially wide surface area! When I first walked into this cozy mom and pop cafe my blueberry muffin radar immediately zeroed in on the blueberry muffins resting inside the bakery display case. You can tell they use fresh blueberries and the muffin may look dense but is actually light and airy. I don't really remember anything else I had that day except for the blueberry muffin. :)
(4)
Anthony L.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place. Very small place with a very friendly pair of waitresses. I think they're sister...I could be wrong. Anywho, came and had breakfast today. I had the Neapolitan. Tasty!!! I loved almost everything about. Almost...The eggs seemed a little over cooked but it wasn't dry. It's weird...Service was nice and fast. Food came in less than 10 minutes. Very nice indeed. My first time coming here so I don't really have much to say. Also, it was early in the morning and I wasn't really all the way awake...That's because I was up past midnight laughing at Adrienne getting her arm violated by a supposedly gay dog...I think the dog is playing gay to get close to the human ladies so he can proceed to pretend to be human and hump away at them...Just my theory... I will hopefully come back to this place but maybe a little more alert. Maybe not go on Yelp and laugh so much when I plan for breakfast again...This place...I tell ya you'll never know what will happen next...
(4)
Dawn D.
*3.5 stars* It's been a couple years or so since I've eaten at JoAnn's cafe on a suggestion of a coworker. I can't remember what I had last time, but I chose JoAnn's Cafe for my post Nike Women's (Half) Marathon meal which was last Sunday. There were 4 of us and despite a crowded looking smallish restaurant, we were seated within 15 minutes. They serve free coffee outside, but it was really watered down and weak. I found myself debating if I should even buy a cup of coffee inside the restaurant. I mean, will the coffee be the same? I looked around for a Starbucks, no such luck. Being the coffee drinker I am, I HAD to get a cup coffee, and thank god it was good. Definitely not the same coffee that was served outside. I ordered "the Original" which had a spinach and mushroom scramble with your choice of meat. I looked all over the menu for what my choices may be. "Where are my choices of meat?" I asked the server and she gave me a few options. I opted for the bacon, but I didn't realize it was going to be included in the scramble and not stand alone. Next time I'll get ground beef or something. The potatoes were really good! I think of the 4 of us, I may have enjoyed my meal the most. My db ordered JoAnn's special. He too was a little confused with the menu on his choice of meat. One of the options was "spinach and mushroom" well, that's not a meat. His special was just eggs, bacon and potatoes. I thought it pricey for 9.75 or something. However db kept asking what is in the eggs..cuz he said they were so light and fluffy! We shared a buttermilk pancake and it was really good. Actually I have never met a buttermilk pancake I didn't like. The hostess who greeted us was really nice and charming. Too bad our server wasn't the same. Our server seemed "not a morning person," but my coffee mug was always fresh and our water glasses always filled. I'm sure to come back.
(4)
Joe J.
Worth ten or more miles drive from the office for a good healthy hot lunch, or a great breakfast or lunch on a day off on the Peninsula. Excellent food all around, especially with a diversity of selection that includes excellent and healthy pastas; where the need to customize a bit, like no tomato, is welcome. Service is efficient and friendly, one might even briefly learn the musical inclinations of your server. The counter is fast, but a bench outside invites a takeout on a nice day. :-) Any time I have a car around lunch time near SSF, I always consider a quick escape to Jo Ann's! :-)
(5)
Ali R.
I used to live in South City and this was by far the BEST breakfast place in town. I think it might even give the Bay Area a run for it's money. You can pretty much have a scramble with whatever you want in it. You can order it made with no butter for lactose intolerants or diet conscious people (also all egg whites). They have HUGE muffins that are really tasty. Everything here is really fresh tasting and nice large portions. Great hangover cure for sure! This place is kinda hard to see or find if you don't know where you're going which is why I wanted to write a review on it. I lived in South City for too long not knowing about this place. You will have to wait for a table but it's worth it.
(5)
Theresa M.
Someone was not manning the pancake station at all. Fortunately, I do like things like bagels, toast, waffles, and pancakes slightly on the dark side. Other than the pancakes being burnt, something about these pancakes was all wrong. It was just not cutting it for me. Not really impressed by them at all. I love me some evenly golden and fluffy/dense (oxymoron) pancakes. These were just subpar. Staff was VERY friendly. I liked them a lot, but I probably wouldn't go back again. I'm not digging the lack of ventilation either. And... why don't they have a classic American breakfast combo like bacon/links, eggs (any way), hash, and pancakes? MUST I order them separately? Annoying, really.
(2)
Zee R.
I used to love this place but now I just like it. I am an avid breakfast goer and because the place is packed (it's a small place and 5 people is considered packed!) I normally just take it to go. They always forget something; if not utensils, then it's my toast or jelly. Lately the last few breakfasts I've had have been so greasy that it's literally dripping. The staff are OK - they are not great. I think I will start going to the Millbrae Pancake House, as they came highly recommended.
(3)
Don J.
3 stars = A-OK. I used to go to this place for breakfast meetings. I decide to return a couple times as I love the Chorizo Scrambles Eggs. I was never a big fan of their bland coffee but it's not bad. $11.95 is a little high for a breakfast dish at a diner. I could get something pretty impressive in San Francisco for that price which makes my visits less frequent. I will still drive to S SFO once in a while to satisfy my craving for Chorizo Scrambled Eggs.
(3)
Bridget M.
I wanted to start with I love diners - the greasier the better. JoAnn's was a small diner, just like I like. Had a counter and booths and a maximum capacity of 49 people according to the fire marshall signs. It was difficult to find even with the address because it is so small stuck between other businesses in kind of a side road paralell to El Camino. We were seated immediately, our order taken and food brought to the table lightening fast. The meal itself was ok, nothing special and sort of bland. The strawberry jam was ok that sits on the table all the time. It was just my husband and I. We each had an omlette and they both came with fried potatos and toast. I had a diet coke and he had water. Our meal totalled $25.75 before tip - I think that is kind of expensive for what it was. I like to try new places and go for the experience. For me JoAnn's won't be a fav for me, but I'm glad we tried something different. Next stop Java House on the Embarcadero.
(2)
Antoinette T.
Arrived today before it opened and there was a line. A good sign for a great cafe! My favorite spot in SSF, its small, cozy, family owned, family friendly, great food, and warm, friendly service. Must try their flavored pancakes off the board, whatever is in season. Although once Fall hits, MUST TRY PUMPKIN PANCAKES! Other favorite, Gaucho! Must try!
(5)
Robin M.
My dad and I go here a few times a year and I've never been disappointed. I love their muffins! For Father's Day they had some wonderful specials that were delicious. I've only had breakfast but I would like to try lunch sometime.
(4)
Nicole L.
Yummy breakfast food that includes your everyday greasy spoon fare (pancakes, omelettes, bacon, etc.) and Mexican breakfast dishes as well. I've been there a few times, and taken out of town guests, and everyone always enjoys. There's usually a wait on weekends, but it goes fairly quickly.
(5)
Sophia C.
Hmmm...talk about a teeny tiny joint! Drove right past it...had to bust a U to get to it. The selection of breakfast options is decent, I'm impressed. I have low standards for breakfast joints in the Peninsular (yea, check out my other breakfast reviews) and this place...turned out decent. Their poached eggs that I ordered were soft...when I requested soft. Their toast was not smushed (definite plus vs. other spots in the area that can't make toast) and the coffee was not burnt. We got here around 10am, so we got to seat quickly. After around 10:30, the joint started to get full. Will definitely be back for another round of breakfast...and perhaps lunch since others have claimed their burgers here are worth a try.
(3)
Lina O.
we had to go into daly city and wanted to eat breakfast in the area. joanns is located on a small street parallel to el camino real in a small strip of stores and restaurants. theres only street parking. we went on a fri morning and felt lucky to find one spot open. joanns is a pretty small place. its narrow with bar sitting on the left and tables lined up to the right and a few tables in the back. i think theres probably like less than 10 tables in there. it was probably more than half full when we got there. we were quickly greeted with a smile and seated right away. breakfast is served all day, but i didnt see any waffles, french toast or pancakes on the menu. maybe its only on the weekend. they had two specials on a chalkboard, both sounded really good. i ordered one of the specials which was an omelet with avocado, bacon, tomato and onion i think. it came with homestyle potatoes and toast, but i got a muffin instead. i ordered the apple walnut muffin per the waitress' recommendation. the omelet was pretty good and the bacon in it was really good. the potatoes were really good too. they were roasted red potatoes. the muffin was pretty good too. it was pretty big and moist. my friend got the blueberry muffin which was also good. the blueberries were plump and juicy. the bf ordered a scramble and picked from a long list of ingredients to put in it. you could also pick what to put in your omelet. he chose bacon, mushrooms and spinach. it was pretty good but mine was better :) a friend got the andys hearty breakfast which was an 8oz hamburger patty with mushrooms and green onions on top with tomatoes, homestyle potatoes and eggs with toast. he made it into a sandwich and it looked really good. he said it was good. it had some green onions in the patty as well. service was good. its a small spot so be kind to your waitresses. they were all friendly and helpful. pay at the counter. seems like a local spot for regulars.
(5)
Christine Z.
Went in to JoAnn's Cafe on 4/21/13 for breakfast. It had been some time since I'd been there and they are just as fabulous as I remember. I had the yummy orange french toast, and my boyfriend had a Denver omelet. We also shared a side-order of their amazing homemade breakfast sausage.... oh my!! Everything was super-fresh and delicious. We didn't wait longer than 5 minutes for a table, and all the employees are very friendly and attentive. I would recommend this to anyone in the area, or if you're just looking for a great breakfast place!! I promise, it won't be so long until we go back there again. Prices were very reasonable for the large portions, too.
(5)
Mariela D.
YESSS! Finally, I am in love with breakfast again. Before I jump into details, you should know this place isn't your average, boring breakfast joint. Everything has a unique and delicious twist...case in point: orange french toast, Santa Fe chorizo breakfast scramble, chicken apple sausage omelettes, corncake pancakes topped w/strawberries, bananas, melon and berry butter....your taste buds will come alive! The place is long and narrow, with booth seating along the right wall ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). You can also sit at the counter on the left. When you first walk in, there's a small dessert and pastry display window to the left(see pic). My fam and I were greeted immediately and told it would be about 5 minutes. Once seated, our server came by right away to take our order. The orange juice came out first, and it was a sign of good things to come. The juice was almost a neon orange color ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). And when I took a sip, I could tell there was nothing but pure fresh squeezed juice in there. They must have used at least 10 oranges. It was sweet with the perfect amount of tanginess, and just a little bit of pulp. Then the food came out and that's where the O.M.G. comes in... - I had the Santa Fe scramble ($8.95), which is a flour tortilla w/ chorizo, eggs, jack cheese topped with sour cream, salsa and green chile ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). I cut into it with my fork and was glad to find the chorizo was shreeded and marinated, not dry and crumbly like in some places. The fluffy scrambled eggs absorbed the spicy red chorizo and was complemented perfectly by the cool sour cream ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). I was in HEAVEN. - My husband had the chicken apple sausage omelette ($10.95), topped w/ sour cream, served with home fries ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ), which were cooked to crispy perfection. As with all of our plates, the omelette was fairly massive and they didn't skimp on anything. He got a buttermilk pancake on the side, which I tried, and it was golden and fluffy and delicious. - My dad and sister got California burgers ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). These were the biggest burgers I had seen in a long time. The meat patty was giant! The burgers came on a sesame bun with the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side. They also came with three thick slices of applewood smoked bacon and huge chunks of avocado. I tried a bit of my sis' burger and it was vbursting with flavor - the meat was actually very well seasoned and surprisingly juicy considering she got the patty cooked well done. The bill came out to roughly $17/person including tax and tip. It's not often that the people at my able obsessively compliment how good the food is, because we're usually too busy talking, but Joann's was definitely front and center in our convo that day. Another bonus is that it's two doors down from my favorite red velvet cupcake place, Auntie Em's...score! The perfect ending to the perfect breakfast.
(5)
xx x.
Don't let the word "cafe" fool you. This place is a diner. And a fine one. I like diners and i love diners with good food. You don't really pay for ambience although they have a charming ambience all their own with oldies on the radio, (band on the run). And this place is a fine example. The menu here includes many diner basics, omelets, burgers, salad, soup, but they also have specials, seafood, and some lovely pasta dishes. I came because of the 4 stars on yelp and I think they're underrated. Salad and bread were both fresh. and my penne pasta was scrumptious. I didn't have time for dessert and mores the pity. The menu, the food, and the presentation were all a good cut above the average diner. My server was stunningly gorgeous too and that never hurts.
(5)
Robin C.
My husband and I stopped in last Sunday for breakfast. There was a crowd outside but they sat us at a 2 seat table up front by the window right away. I got one of the specials - cornmeal pancakes - and hubby got the classic 2 eggs, bacon, hash brown and toast ("test plate" that he orders for any first time breakfast spot we try.) Pros - Both plates were good and a bonus on mine - berry butter - Wow! sooo good! They also served us a fresh fruit cup to start us off. The fruit was fresh and tasty. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was delicious. Cons - The fruit, that came chopped-up on my pancakes, should have been prepped better and the place overall could be cleaner. I also agree with many other reviewers ..a little pricey
(3)
joyce l.
LOVE their dinners- short rib dish and occasionally they make their special: fishermans stew. TO DIE FOR. giant spot prawns in the tastiest broth on earty lunch was ok. breakfast was ok. MUFFINS are rockin!! i always buy at least a box to go for me, and one for my customers btw- since they don't have a liquor license you can bring in as many bottles as you want and they will uncork for free (or feeeeewa in chinese lol)
(4)
Kirby B.
I had orange juice & orange French toast w/ scramble eggs. The juice was freshly squeezed, best I've had. The French toast was delicious & were great. My buddy's was good too. His had fresh veggies in it. Definitely would go back.
(5)
A. Z.
We got there around 1PM and no groups were waiting yet so we were seated right away. Service is very efficient and friendly. They checked back on us several times to make sure everything was okay. They continuously refilled our water & coffee without us having to ask. Food is excellent and pricing is good. We had the orange french toast which was very tasty with just a hint of orange that I loved. We also had a make your own omelette which we had spinach, italian sausage, and swiss cheese and it was delicious. They offered egg white only omelette as well for those looking to eat hearty but healthy! The only thing I did not prefer was that you need to go through kitchen to get to the restroom in the back which was a little awkward. . When we left, a crowd was already formed outside waiting to get in. I can't wait to go back and try their huge and yummy looking muffins next time!
(4)
B P.
Came on a Saturday morning and there was a line. Sat at the bar though which was open to anyone. We were able to see everything that was being cooked (and probably smelled like it afterwards), including our meals. Got the eggs benedict and omelet. Food was meh, nothing too special. Got OJ and coffee too and our bill was about $35, which I thought was pricey for what we got. Service was ok. Definitely has the diner feel.
(3)
Rachel B.
Two downsides: 1. Parallel parking is the only parking option. 2. Their maximum occupancy is 49. Why to go anyway: 1. Their orange French toast is killer, as are their rotating weekend specials. 2. It's a great alternative to going to a chain diner. The wait staff gets you your food quickly, but depending on how busy things are you may find yourself waiting awhile for a coffee refill. They're efficient, but not warm or doting. I've been there 3 times thus far--gotten the orange French toast, pumpkin pancakes, and the Esmeralda--and the food was always delicious and in large, but not overwhelming portions. Pricing is probably only slightly more than hitting Denny's or IHOP, but the quality is better. This place is on my list of regular weekend breakfast haunts.
(4)
Leina K.
To me, this place is just ok. The food is nothing to write home about, but there isn't anything wrong with it either. The service is ok an the food comes out pretty quickly. I'm not hungry when I leave so I guess it does the trick. If I'm not being lazy, I'd probably rather drive down to Burlingame to go to Stacks instead.
(3)
Gris G.
Love the food and the service. Their orange French toast is great, so are their scones and muffins. Weekends can be tricky depending on what time you go but I never have to wait more than five minutes during the weekdays. Go!
(4)
Julie K.
Tiny mom and pop diner that can easily be missed if you're not looking carefully for it... Has a simple menu of all breakfast faves, waffles, hotcakes, omelettes, etc. Service is quick and no non-sense. This place gets filled to capacity real fast so if you don't mind the wait, this is a great place for breakfast.
(3)
Katie S.
Dear JoAnn, My first visit was today and it was a slam dunk. We sat at the counter and got to watch the dance of the short order cooks turn out plate after plate of amazing looking food. The colors of the dishes were like a kaleidoscope; the banana pancake special and the Denver omelet visually blew my mind. I can tell you use only the freshest ingredients. I respect a place that knows the benefits of using a copper bowl for scrambling their eggs. I love that you have Latin breakfast specials on your weekend menu, I can' t wait to visit during the week and check out the dinner menu. Amazing Orange French Toast on your homemade bread and those muffins in the case on the way out may my heart beat a little bit faster. Until we meet again...
(5)
J T.
Nothing but fresh items and amazing dishes! I live there breakfast! Defiantly one of my favorites!
(5)
Nick D.
Breakfast is definitely my most important and favorite meal to be had on the weekends. With that said, Yelp lead us on here on Sunday morning. It's screams the epitome of greasy spoon; the restaurant is long and narrow, with booths lined up on one side of the wall and counter seating. It's an open air kitchen and you can watch the cooks do their thing but at the same time, you'll smell like grease afterwards. Their menu is pretty standard and offered the usual breakfast items. I was in the mood for pancakes, so I tried one of their combos which came with eggs, bacon and fruit. The s/o tried one of their omelets, forgot which one. While waiting, I was looking around and noticed a huge stack of bacon sitting on top of the stove. Frankly, I was kind of grossed out that it was out in the open air, not in a container or even covered. When our food came out, I was had hard time eating the bacon knowing the conditions it came from; it was the thick good stuff too, and I love me some thick bacon! Of course they threw it on the griddle before serving it as it was hot but still. The pancakes were pretty basic, and so were the eggs. The s/o's omelet was seriously huge but halfway the s/o got grossed out when the s/o noticed the omelet was soupy in the bottom, i.e. the eggs were not fully cooked. Man, if you don't know how to cook eggs, you don't belong in the kitchen. On the bright side of things, the s/o had their blueberry muffin and it was good, but that's it. Our bill came out to around $32.00 before tip. That's pretty hefty for a basic breakfast. Needless to say, we're not coming back.
(2)
Joce A.
JoAnn's is a great down-to-earth breakfast joint and I looooooove going there! I found out about them when I was doing a search for a good place to get french toast, and their orange french toast came with rave reviews! Also, apparenly, I didn't know that my sister frequented this place. So, I finally gave it a try and I fell in love. There was a line outside and a short wait (people willing to wait for good food is always a good sign!) Then, we were greeted by the gracious hosts and servers. Everyone was so friendly and real, not pretentious, sleepy or OVERly friendly at all. Then, the food came. wooooow. HUGE servings!!! And big taste. Everything I've eaten has been something I'd eat again. The food is served hot and fresh. They are attentive to their diners. The only thing I noticed that threw me off a bit was that they don't serve breakfast sausage.... But, I can say that their chicken-apple sausage is just as good. The chorizo is delicioso, too. JoAnn's is highly recommended for brunch fare with close loved ones. :o)
(5)
BrElla4eva H.
Decent breakfast/brunch place. Yummy muffins though. They have big muffin tops...which I love. The french toast was nothing special...
(3)
Theresa J.
JoAnn's is one of my favorite places on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and truly, one of the Bay Area's best spots for a hearty and delicious breakfast. My latest favorite is the Chorizo Omlette with added Avacado. It is cooked to delicate perfection and is absolutely amazing as is, without adding another thing! Their freshly baked muffins are yummy as well and, what can I say, they get everything right. The waffles topped with fruit and cream... OMG, don't get me started! There's usually a wait time, but there are a couple of benches outside so you can get comfy. It's a small place, a bit loud inside and the waitresses are moving fast, but they're always friendly and helpful.
(5)
Daniel D.
I'm not sure why my GF and I haven't been here. I guess I just finally typed "breakfast" into my Yelp app and this place was only a few miles away. B R I E F S U M M A R Y -- Street parking ONLY (parallel parking) -- Located on that weird street parallel to El Camino -- ~12 min wait for 2 on Sunday morning at 10:30am (NOT BAD) -- Service was friendly and efficient -- A bit expensive compared to my recent breakfast adventures -- Santa Fe was good/average for a chorizo burrito -- Not a fan of their pico de gallo or salsa verde -- Goldie Lox scramble was unique & fresh (too much green onions) -- Weekend special cornmeal pancakes were good, but needed something -- Lots of fresh fruit with the pancakes -- Fresh muffins which seem popular (lots of people picking them up to-go) -- $10 min for credit card The location is kind of weird but it's managable, just make sure you pay attention. JoAnn's doesn't have a big sign. If you see Max's of Manila, then you have gone too far. Sunday morning had a crowd of people so it wasn't too hard to find. We must have caught it at a good time when tables were being turned over because we only waited about 12 minutes. I expected service to be like some of the reviews that I read, but I thought all the ladies were nice, friendly and professional. Food didn't take that long about 15 minutes and they were pretty attentive to all our needs. They gave me a to-go box and even a to-go container for some syrup. O U R F O O D: -- Santa Fe: I am a huge chorizo fan. As soon as I saw this on other reviews and on the menu, I knew what I was getting. I wasn't so sure about what was on top of it, though. I liked the sour cream but the salsa verde and the pico de gallo or salsa that came on top were kind of bland. I dumped a whole bunch of the hot sauce which sort of saved it. I will say the eggs were super fluffy and the chorizo was very flavorful. I would get it again, just nothing on top. -- Goldie Lox scramble w/ home fries: My GF ate most of her plate except for all the green onions. I got a few bites of it. I thought the smoked salmon and cream cheese were fresh and good, just different. I'm not a fan of the potatoes. They were simple red potatoes, basically bland. -- Cornmeal pancakes (weekend special): I've had really good cornmeal panckaes before so JoAnn's had some competition. I really like the fresh fruit and the fruit butter or whatever it came with. I really liked the pancakes except that they were dry. I feel like the plate was missing something. Maybe some whipped cream or some fruit inside the pancakes would have made it better. Overall the experience was 3.5, above average. I really liked the "hole-in-the-wall" feel and the service. The prices were a bit much but I can manage. I think I'll give it another shot especially since there aren't very many good restaurants in the area near Daly City/SSF.
(3)
Leily P.
This place was a-okay, not bad, but not great. The food was okay - none of the dishes were that appealing but I appreciate any diner that uses real eggs instead of the egg mix (whatever that is, I've seen places use it). Food came out fairly quick.
(3)
Andrea B.
Pretty solid brunch joint down El Camino in South SF. We found JoAnn's, because SF brunch joints all had 1 hour+ waits, and we got a table on a busy Sunday in 5-10 minutes! Parking isn't as bad as other reviewers made it seemed. It was pretty full on the street, but there's street parking near the neighborhood like 20 feet away. My bf, his parents, and I tried every one of the specials - buckwheat pancakes, omelette special, and Machaca, plus the salmon lox omelette. Omelettes come with red potatoes and toast. Some omelettes come with choice of toast, bagel, or muffin. Sad to report the muffins were a bust. They were just not that great, in my opinion. Tasted a bit like boxed muffin mix and also kinda overcooked. My buckwheat pancakes were pretty good. I love buckwheat - though it was on the drier side, they were filled with blueberries and came with an amazing "berry butter" which I've never heard of - delicious. It also came covered in bananas, fresh delicious strawberries, and mangoes. I thought $13.95 was a bit pricey, but the quality of ingredients met my expectations. Machaca and special omelettes looked amazing - hollandaise passed our taste tests. It's easy to mess that up, so I give them kudos. All in all - very decent brunch. Not the cheapest, but quality we could taste.
(4)
Karen H.
Small little diner, but luckily no wait because for the countertop seating. I got 2 pancakes that were huge. I could barly finish one. Also got a side of sautee spinich and mushrooms. Kind of random, but was good. I am not a big breakfast person, so for me to really like breakfast food you really have to surprise me. Staff is nice.
(3)
Melissa B.
New favorite breakfast spot, close to home. Love the orange pancakes and really like all the other items on the menu too!
(5)
Ed B.
The food was below mediocre. The waitress wasn't helpful at all and didn't know anything about the menu, Would never return here.
(1)
Dare A.
Great fast service ...fresh squeezed orange juice ...pick-your-toppings omelettes ...loved this place!
(5)
Rubi G.
THIS FOOD IS GREAT! However it's over priced. my mom and i got 2 pretty basic breakfast platters... eggs, potatos, muffins, and ham. bill came out to 30?! the f*ck?! i could've made this at home for $20 less.
(4)
Jocelyn J.
Really great Eggs Florentine! They really love spinach at this place and so do I. Huge portions and I believe they bake their own bread. Great place even though it's smaller than my closet at home :)
(4)
Juliane N.
JoAnn's Cafe has been on my bookmark list for a while now and I finally had the chance to come here for breakfast with my sister and my nephew on a recent visit. I went in there having my mind set on their orange french toast or pancakes but I was so disappointed! It's weekends only, my fault. So instead, I went with the Original Scramble. It included, spinach, mushroom, onion, a choice of meat, I had the chicken sausage, and also a choice of toast, scone, and even their delicious muffins!!! The scramble itself was just OK. Didn't really impress me. It was bland and filled with liquid from the spinach. The potatoes needed a little more time on the grill, it was cold and needed some seasoning. What did WOW me was their muffins! They are huge!! I love how they have such big muffin tops, my favorite part of a muffin. I had their Apple Walnut Muffin and I just couldn't stop eating it. I would definitely go back just to get one of their muffins, which they sell individually for less then $2.00 I believe. They are also kid friendly! My nephew really enjoyed their kids cheeseburger, so did my sister and I. I would recommend going during weekends, might be a wait but you will have way more choices to choose from.
(3)
Kat P.
I've been here a few times already and honestly haven't been too amazed with the food. Being a really big fan with diners, I find this place a little disappointing. I was actually really bummed that their scones were not all that great. I have yet to find a dish that will actually be well worth the money. (Did I mention her omelettes are a little pricey and for quality, its so-so) I would rather take the drive to Milbrae Pancake House..
(2)
Amy B.
Three words: Orange. French. Toast. Here's three more: Oh. My. Gawd. And three more: Weekend pancake specials. It doesn't get much better than this. We came here for the first time on Memorial Day and, after a slight wait of about 15 minutes, walked into an amazing diner-like cafe with oversized booths and awesome old pictures of WWII planes all over the walls. The staff were all incredibly friendly, and the food came quickly. The coffee, which can be hit or miss in these kinds of places, was extraordinarily good. But it was really the food that blew me away. The orange french toast was just amazing. We also had a side order of their own homemade chicken basil sausage, which was out of this world. And it seems that every weekend there is a pancake special. This time it was cornmeal-yogurt pancakes topped with a mile-high pile of a variety of fresh fruit and berry butter. Everything was really incredible. So incredible, I almost can't wait to go back to Daly City! :-)
(5)
Elaine W.
If it weren't for Yelp, I would have never thought to look harder for this eatery which ends up to be a five minute drive from my house. All those times I've eaten at KFC, Gunter's, and Max's Fried Chicken, JoAnn's Cafe has been less than a block away. It's very easy to miss - even though it has prime viewing as you drive along El Camino Real...look for the Filipino restaurant "Karilagan" as the marker - JoAnn's is right next to it with only a small red neon sign in the window that says so. BREAKFAST!!!! The breakfast menu is definitely the star and even better - it's served all day! Featuring build-your-own scrambles and omelettes, kick ass huevos rancheros, and the most delicious orange french toast...those are some of the options I've tried so far and each have made my taste buds happy. I love the home fried potatoes as well - cooked to perfection with never a raw piece to be encountered. The lunch menu is also appetizing with very large portioned salads and burgers and sandwiches, but I still love the breakfast choices best. Seating can get crowded here, since it's such a small joint - not a good place for large groups. Whenever I dine here I'm either by myself or with 1-2 friends and if we don't get a table, we tend to just eat up on the counter/barstools where we get a clear view of the food prep. I've actually learned how to make a proper omelette by watching the cooks at this place! I love it here. No more Denny's or IHOP as long as I'm having breakfast in South City =)
(5)
Kim A.
JoAnn's Cafe is still the BEST local place in my book. I love their burgers! OK, make that addicted to them. They are always juicy and cooked just how I like them...topped with cheddar and grilled onions. The crispy fries are an added bonus. They are open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday 5-9pm. Their dinners are huge and just as good as everything else on their menu. I stopped in the other night for their killer short ribs but saw a turkey dinner walk by and changed my order. Man, am I glad I did. It was Thanksgiving a little early. The turkey is the real deal, juicy and moist accompanied by totally killer garlic mashed potatoes. The entire plate was covered with the best gravy, YUM!
(5)
Crista B.
Great food in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Great for a relaxed weekend brunch.
(5)
Ed N.
Very nice staff, friendly and quick! I liked the corn pancakes with fruit, it was plentiful and tasty. With just a little syrup, it was just right. We had the Joann Special with spicy sausage and egg whites. Very nicely done, eggs were perfect and love the sausage and home fries. What more can I say, this is a place I will visit again!
(4)
Nicole R.
I don't understand why everyone loves this place. Service was bad and the food was only alright. Everything was overpriced too! EEK!
(2)
Nora Y.
This place isn't what it used to be. The service is mediocre and the food quality has gone way down from what it used to be about 6 or 7 years ago. Wonder if they have a new management/owner? The muffins used to be the best like homecooking but now it seems like they are using boxed Duncan Hines or Pillsbury muffins. Ventilation is poor and hot inside. Person next to our booth kept sneezing so we decided to get out and take our food to go. Then I was utterly shocked to see our waitress touch our food with her bear hands when she was putting it in the to-go box. I asked if I can put our food in the boxes ourselves. She said she would do it and I said fine but pls don't touch our food when you're putting it in the to-go box. She then replied that she didn't. Of course I told her that I saw her touching our pancakes with her bare hands. So she took off the item from our check, the least she can do. Never again will I set foot here. I see the waitress cleaning tables/rags, touching register/money. Disgusting!!!
(1)
Joe G.
Very good omelets and Latin American breakfasts. Like sauteed bananas???...try the Don Pascal! The service was good except they need to do a better job on the coffee refills.
(4)
Nicole M.
So I should first tell you I heart breakfast. I'm a fan of toast, oatmeal, coffee, etc. I should also tell you I love my Sundays and try to make every Sunday great! So I went here a couple of weeks ago before a 49ers game. First off, I did read the reviews beforehand so I knew what I was getting myself into. It is a little gem just 10 minutes away from my place. Really laid back and welcoming. It was crowded and we did have to wait a bit, but I didn't mind. The food is hearty and very homey. I tried the omelet and for my first omelet it was pretty damn good. The portions are big so I suggested that you come hungry. Overall if you are looking for a small hole in the wall place with good ol' diner breakfast food, this is your spot. Enjoy!
(4)
Daniel M.
This place is really easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. Luckily, my cousin recommended it to me. And I'm very glad he did. Because this place is easily one of my favorite spots for breakfast (other than Stacks, which is incredible if you haven't been there). First of all, let me reiterate what other yelpers have said. The muffins here are AMAZING (assuming you got here when they're fresh). And even if they aren't fresh, they're still better than a lot of muffins I've had. I forgot what the name of the dish was (forgive me, friends), but it had egg, spinach, bacon, croutons, and blue cheese. Normally, I'm not a fan of blue cheese. But this dish made me a believer. The croutons added a nice crunch, the bacon was prepared very well, the spinach tasted fresh, the eggs were fluffy, and the blue cheese added a nice strong kick to it. A very well rounded dish. Be warned, it is a bit salty (because of the bacon and blue cheese combo). So if you aren't a fan of salty foods, try another one of their great menu items. The service was very friendly. Our waitress knew when to come by and check on us (not too much and not too little; a very rare quality indeed). Prices are what you'd expect from a sit-down diner (about $8 - $12). Nothing too horrible. Try it out! If you end up being disappointed, then whoops. But also, maybe your expectations shouldn't be so high ALL the time! Ever think of that???
(4)
Elynor V.
We got to JoAnn's Cafe before it opened, and strangely, we were not the only people waiting to have breakfast here. I knew it was a good sign. It's a laid back scene with locals who are regulars, it seems. I liked the atmosphere, from the service to the food - casual and inviting. The fact that my friend is a picky eater and cleaned his plate up was another good sign. The portions are pretty hefty, it might have looked like I didn't touch my omelet, but I ate half! I swear! The house potatoes are on hit, but we really came for the pumpkin pancakes. They're seasonal, so get 'em while you can! I can eat them as is or add syrup. (I'm having one for snack right now!) I'll be back!
(4)
Ben H L.
I drove up to South SF to try this place out and I was pleasantly surprised that it lived up to the hype from all that people had told me. I ordered the Joann's Special, two eggs, potatoes, chicken basil sausage, toast, and cup of fruit. Quality wise, the eggs were fluffy, the potatoes were fresh, and the fruit was sweet. It was a tight squeeze where we sat but there was still a table when we arrived at 10:45 on a Sunday morning. Price wise, everything's around $10 or so with specials going as high as $13-$14. I'd definitely come back if there was no line and ample parking in front.
(4)
ricardo w.
Love this place and so does my son. youtube.com/watch?v=uZ8O…
(4)
Kevin C.
This place is pretty pricey for brunchy food. Dollar-dollar ($$) for sure, unless you purposely buy the cheapest menu items. I love pancakes, and ordering à la carte gives me the illusion of control... so I go with three pancakes ($5.75), two eggs over-easy ($2.50), and a bagel ($1.50). (This also ends up cheaper than most entrees.) My buddy tells me I ordered way too much, because everything's big here. I figure I'm okay because eggs and bagels only really come in one size. The pancakes arrive and they are indeed big, served with a big scoop of butter on the side and a pitcher of syrup. The bagel is lightly toasted and served with a butter packet. Normally I'd order toast with my eggs, but toast at $1.50 is a bigger rip-off than a bagel or muffin at $1.50. Speaking of muffins, they're not quite as huge as they look. The top of the muffin is really wide, but the stump is normal-sized. My friend insists that the muffins used to be bigger. I try his bran muffin, and let's just say I'm glad fruit jelly (apricot?) is available on each table. Service is so-so. Our waters are refilled once, only upon request. It's cool that the cooking area is in plain sight, but incidentally something I see there is the reason I'm not giving a fourth star. There's pounds and pounds of pre-cooked bacon piled up above the cooking surface (and presumably collecting bacteria). That's why so serious, Jo-Ca. Cook it to order please; it'll be worth the wait. 3.25 stars (food: 4... value: 2... service: 3)
(3)
Susan H.
Overall, the food and service were good. However, can't quite bring myself to give JoAnn's 4 stars. I would give this place deserves 3 1/2 stars if I could. Cute little breakfast spot tucked into a strip mall. Don't blink or you might miss it! We had to drive around the block twice to find it. The cafe is on the small side possibly with some counter seating. Luckily we only had to wait 5 minutes for a table. The muffins are extra large. Hubby and I decided to order different muffins with our breakfast entree so we could sample different ones. We chose the Apple and Blueberry. I thought the Apple was tastier and moister. The blueberry was okay, chocked full of blueberries. I had the Andy's special. Scramble eggs with bacon, mushrooms, spinach and cheese. I forgot to ask if the mushrooms were fresh or canned. So happy they were fresh! Tasty combination ~ needed just a touch of Tapatio hot sauce which unfortunately they did not have. Hubby ordered the Original Omelet. Nothing memorable and he felt the eggs were overcooked. I would come back if in the area, but not worth making a special trip.
(3)
Carolyn K.
Dropped by for brunch, first time in a year! It hasn't lost its cozy, home-y feel and the waitress was very polite and friendly. Were their portions always that large? I'm not a huge french toast fan, but their orange french toast is delicious! Also, their smoked salmon dishes use an ungodly amount of cream cheese, so it'd probably be a good idea to ask them to go easy on that. Otherwise, I still love this place.
(4)
Don A.
This place is good for breakfast and the wait ain't bad. It's not a fancy place but the food is hella good.
(4)
Matthew S.
Coffee is amazing. Garden Burger is pretty grand. A little pricey. =]
(4)
Gill C.
I'm craving breakfast right now, and writing this review isn't helping. Anywho, I'll try and power through here. OK, onwards... I love when I find a new spot thanks to my fellow yelpers, and special props to Abby A! Met up with Liezl for a lazy Sunday afternoon brunch. We barely made it before closing (2:30pm on weekends), and both of us were so excited to eat. There are so many great things on the menu (from breakkie items like scrambles, omelettes, pancakes to lunchables like hamburgers, sammies, etc.,) After much deliberation, I decide on the Gaucho, which was one of their specialty dishes. Oh Mylanta! Ay dios mio! This Gaucho was freaking amazing. It was a grilled tortilla with jack cheese (of course!), sauteed mushrooms, and low fat chicken basil (with a choice of turkey, sausage, bacon, ham, or chorizo), and topped with fresh avocado slices and salsa. In every bite, I had at at least two mushrooms, lots of tender and juicy chicken pieces, ample jack cheese and avocado. It was oh so divine! Let's just say that I inhaled this, and is one of the best brunch entrees that I've ever had! Liezl had the eggs benedict, which she really liked, but was too much for her to finish. I didn't get to try it, but it looked like super thick delish ham pieces! I can't believe I haven't discovered this place sooner. It seems like an institution with lots of newspaper clippings and awards on the wall. It's really a cozy place with several booths, back tables, and even seats at the counter. Since we had a late brunch, we didn't have to wait for a table, but could imagine how packed this place gets during peak brunch time. Service was friendly and efficient. We got our menus and waters right away, and our food was ready in less than 10 minutes. We were the last customers there, and just lost track of time girl chating and all. However, they didn't force us to leave, but did ask us to settle the bill since they were cashing out. I'll definitely be back to JoAnn's. Walking out, I saw yummy sweet treats that were calling my name, but was just too full to eat anything else! I love JoAnn's, and can't help but think of that Kool and the Gang song, "JoAnna.. .I love you!!!" Come on, you know it... sing it with me.... Ok, so there's technically no "a" after the "nn"s in JoAnn's Cafe, but you you get my drift. :) Got much love for JoAnn's!
(5)
Mark G.
Just a quick comment on the above average quality omelette plus the above average customer service I experienced. The place is quite dingy but I guess that just adds to its dive quality mystique. My omelette was fluffy and gooey with cheese (however I did order extra cheese). If you aren't incredibly picky and need a quick bite for some pretty tasty breakfast I definitely suggest this place.
(4)
jazzy l.
Started off with a Joanne Special (2 eggs, Potatoes, choice of meat, fruit cup and choice of scone, muffin, toast) $10.50. Nothing special but the food was pretty good for breakfast considering it's a suburban area of SSF. Need to try lunch and dinner.
(3)
ABBY A.
BUH-BYE BORING BREAKFAST! HEL-LOoOoOo flour tortilla grilled to perfection with jack cheese, mushrooms & your choice of turkey, bacon, ham, chorizo, low fat chicken basil, italian or cajun sausage, or spinach; topped with avocado & fresh tomato salsAaAaAhhhh. (whew!) Now THAT'S a mouthfull! (It's actually called a Gaucho.) ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR LIFE. Don't feel like having the same ol' boring breakfast today? You know, eggs scrambled or over-easy, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, zZzZzZz.....JoAnn's makes their meals bursting with flavour! They add just the right amount of spices to their food, including the not-too-spicy chorizo which is just mouth-watering. =P* * * FOR THE HEALTH NUTS, they have healthy meals such as "no-yolk" and veggie omelettes. EASY TO MISS if you've never been because it's the smallest building on the block. BERRY NICE...HOW MUCH? All 4 staff members were very nice. To every person that walks in, the universal greeting seems to be, "Anywhere you'd like." Lite rock, less talk, was blasting in the background to make the experience even more shweeter. I also liked the fact that we didn't have to ask for anything. They anticipated our hot sauce, water, check, and to-go box! Meal prices range from $8-$10, but there are lighter fares for around $5 if you're not so hungry. IT'S GETTIN' HOT IN HERE! There're about 6 tables and the counter, and the place gets packed with the hardcore loyals and in-and-out regulars. But you know what? Everything works out just fine. There isn't a ridiculous line to worry about and parking is ez. I'LL BE BACK. I have GOT to try their Chocolate Soda w/ Vanilla Ice Cream. That's just unheard of.
(5)
Cristina S.
Great food and service. Had to wait a short time but definitely worth it! We enjoyed their buttermilk pancakes and a denver omelet. We'll be back for sure!
(5)
Janet O.
At first you don't succeed, try again! I refuse to believe this cozy diner does not have substance. It is perhaps the only nice breakfast place in San Bruno, so I will go again. Staff is friendly, but it's the food that needs to impress me. The omelet that I ordered was dry and flavorless. The granola came with milk instead of yogurt? As we paid and walked out the door, I did notice a nice selection of baked goodies...Second review on its way
(3)
Walerz B.
The orange French toast was okay, just orangey flavored, no big deal (I'm not a big breakfast fan, though). My BD enjoyed his scrambled eggs and ham and potatoes. I really liked my burger (med-rare with cheddar cheese). The meat was really juicy and tasty. They were pretty busy on a Saturday late morning so service was quick but attentive and kind. We parked in the Long John Silver/ KFC - whoops.
(3)
Jason H.
This place is pretty awesome. I have had a custom scramble that consisted of tomatillo, chorizo and pepper jack. AMAZING - if not ridiculously unhealthy. I also liked the Santa Fe. Orange french toast was yummy too if you are looking for something simple. Warning - they can get busy. Expect a wait if you come during peak hours.
(4)
Joanne D.
I love JoAnn's. Not just because we share the same name (with slightly different spelling), but because her food is goooood. My husband and I lived in South City for 4 years before we got married. JoAnn's was our savior without having to drive into the City. You can only take so much fake breakfast at Denny's. My goto breakfast is the Eggs Benedict. Delish. My 2nd goto was the Spicy Migas. The one thing I loved about JoAnn's is the variety of mexican breakfast she has on the menu. I've never been anywhere else that had that many to choose from. Everytime we went to JoAnn's it was ALWAYS yummy with consistently good service and the muffins were always fresh. We must have gone to JoAnn's at least 50 times in 4 years, probably more. It was the only place to go to breakfast off Westborough! Everything is fresh, delicious and well made. You'll definitely wait on a weekend at peak breakfast time but if you swing by for a late brunch, you'll probably get luckier and wait less.
(5)
Catriona C.
JoAnn's was at the center of a revelation for me yesterday. I have a Sensitive Stomach (SS, for short). Sufferers of the SS will know that beer from the night before, plus eggs the day after, will result in copious hours lying on the couch, feeling like hell. So much curing a hangover. BUT. Yesterday I finally took my habits by the scruff of the neck and said, no more! I shall not eat Goldie's Lox (scrambled eggs with salmon) as I know it will Be No Good for the SS - well, not at that particular time. Instead, I went for spicy, which ironically worked out much better for me and the SS - Herbivoracious. Potato, potato, potato, more potato, spinach, jalapenos, peppers, tomatoes, jack cheese... and an entire pot of sour cream. So I maybe should have asked for that on the side. But all in all, deliciousness, and the monster that is the SS was satisfied, and so was I.
(3)
Jose U.
Went here for breakfast and debated over the full or half order of meat. The full order wasn't all that big (JoAnn's special). The food tasted good, really liked the home potatoes, my gf got an omelet with mushrooms that tasted fresh (portabello). The service was friendly, and the place is conveniently located in an area with plenty of parking. The prices were a tad high. Though the food was good I don't think it was anything outstanding that merited the higher price.
(3)
Rose O.
Read yelp reviews and decided to try. Somewhat disappointed due to some of the excellent reviews. A typical breakfast with home fries chicken basil sausage and eggs was reasonably priced but the sausage while tasted "homemade" was waaayyyy too salty which ruined the overall favor. My husband ordered something similiar and his italian sausage was exactly the same. They really need to tone down on the salt. But he did enjoy the orange flavored blueberry muffin. Service was attentive and above average.
(3)
Paul A.
4 stars for the food! 1 star for the service! Sunday 10/6 at 12! No hello, good morning, or smile. Empty creamer canister, left the empty one in front if me and seemed annoyed that I asked for a new one. Took the order and I never saw my waitress again! No checking up on me! Was asked for the first time if I wanted a refill on coffee after they dropped the check and I was done! Nobody seemed to be smiling! Maybe it was because I was sitting at the counter? Maybe because I was by myself? Sign that says "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" Didn't think you were actually serious about it! Not even a thank you or come again or good weekend on the way out! What a shame! I was wearing glasses, blue shirt sat at the end of the counter and had the French toast! Food is good and the cooks are amazing as I watched them! All you had to do is smile, say good afternoon/morning and refill my coffee when you dropped the food and I would of rated 5 stars and referred but it's obvious your busy so those things don't matter! Get them in and get them out right!
(2)
Gregor E.
Average at best. I've been here about 10 times total because my coworkers have a fascination over it. Well, I'm over it. I think they're only around because people don't think they have any other options during their lunch break. I will say they're coffee is pretty good. But that's all
(2)
Christina L.
They were more than A-OK, but I'm not a fan because I'm not sure when I'll go back again with all the other choices for good breakfast in Pacifica. Long babble short, I'd give them 3.5 stars if I could. Service was superb. Our waitress was super duper nice. She wasn't as responsive as another yelper said by anticipating my needs for hot sauce and a to-go box, but when I asked she responded in a timely manner. Peter got their corn beef hash special. It was not so much like hash browns, and more like shredded corned beef with grits. Nevertheless, it was yummy with the poached eggs and pesto hollandaise sauce. I got their Goldie Lox scramble with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chives. It was also yummy, but not mind-blowing in any way. My scramble came with a blueberry muffin. Peter really liked it, but i felt like it was moist enough.
(3)
Angela W.
Call it a love handle, call it more cushion for the pushin' but when it comes right down to it, no one wants a muffin top. Its squishy, its awkward, and its definitely not sexy especially when spilling out of your pants and folding over your lap. It might even be a deal breaker. Unless.. Its Joanns big mean muffin top!!! and she has a bad case of muffin top syndrome. I wanna be all up in her muffin top and more. Her muffin top is the biggest I've seen, so wide you can barely see the stump of the muffin itself. Joann's family of muffins includes cornbread, blueberry, apple walnut, and oatmeal. I got my mammoth muffin with its Kentucky Derby hat with the salmon lox scramble which came with smoky salty salmon and chunks of cream cheese which I honestly did not care for and picked out and enough green onions mixed in to give you stinky breath for days. Service was hospitable and the waitresses seemed to know everyone and their moms. Three and a half stars!
(4)
Christy L.
Another great Yelp find that makes my tummy happy! The fiancee and I were craving some brunch before we headed out for our motorcycle ride north. JoAnn's was a blessing and a curse in disguise!! First, bring a healthy appetite because you're guaranteed to leave JoAnn's stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey! The portions are GINORMOUS! That's not even a word, but properly describes the hefty portions of food you get! I had to have the pancakes everyone was raving about - since it was the 4th of July weekend, they were offering up a twist on the red, white and blue with their star spangled pancakes. Delicious, tender, buttery, with a hint of cornmeal...oh my! Served topped with raspberry (!!!) butter, fresh blueberries, bananas and strawberries. DELICIOUS! My other half ordered the turkey hash - naturally I needed to sample (marrying me means he is required to always share food - it's in the pre-nup!). It was delicious - and there was SO MUCH! I liked the savory sauce they used...it was savory enough to enhance the natural taste of the grilled turkey hash. They served this topped with two eggs. YUM! The evil part of eating here before our ride was....we were so stuffed that we barely could zip our leathers and the thought of carving up the twisties with our tummies full of food gave me nighmares of puking in my helmet (it happened to a friend of mine...not pretty). Guaranteed we'll be back!
(4)
jen a.
Little neighborhood cafe just down the street from my mom's house. My family has been coming here for some time, but I just had my first meal there last week. Funny, my sibs didn't recommend a particular dish to me, so I was on my own choosing something off their pretty big menu. I ended up getting the Spicy Migas- which was a little one-note for me. It was basically spiced up scrambled eggs, diced peppers and onions, black beans on the side, and a couple of corn tortillas. I ended up eating probably just 25% and bringing home the rest, which I don't think husby even finished. My sibs though, love to have the eggs benedict and the blueberry muffins. I had a taste of my sister's OJ, and it was very good, fresh-squeezed OJ. My other sis had their scramble with lox and cream cheese, which she loved. My bro had some kind of hamburger patty with mushrooms- he didn't seem too into it. I'll have to try something more basic next time to get a better gauge of this place.
(3)
Lauren R.
...was intrigued with the reviews on Yelp and the line every time we pass by, so we decided to check it out. If you love breakfast, not worried about cholesterol, and love homemade meal, definitely go to this place. Staff is genuinely nice! We ordered Paul's sandwich with cajun sausage for $8.75. My toddler had mickey mouse pancake - bit disappointing since the pancake didn't have eyes, nose and mouth :( $5.25 is reasonable for the portion though. We also ordered a burger for $9.00, I think. A bit pricey for breakfast but worth to visit once in a while. I've attached few pictures, so check them out.
(4)
Christina D.
Awesome little breakfast spot! Splurged on french toast (I should say tried to) at another breakfast place down the peninsula 2 weeks prior that was a complete disaster. I wanted a redo... bad! Hubby and I woke up late and went to JoAnn's in hopes to kill my hankering for some french toast but we were too late and they had already moved to the lunch menu with very limited breakfast items. I asked if they could still do the french toast and the guy was super cool about it. It was different than I expected because I was expecting a typical french toast done with cinnamon so when an orange french toast came, I was surprised but it was really good! I've been here a few times, always for breakfast and never has it disappointed. Solid little breakfast spot! Oh... try their granola that they sell to go!!! AWESOME!!!
(5)
Julie T.
Cute breakfast joint. Their breakfast sandwich was so good. Same with the pancakes. Good food, good service, good local spot.
(4)
Chai S.
Real good, hearty breakfast. Fills you up and gets you ready for whatever the day may bring. Delicious, home-made food makes this place famous! Must-try. All omelettes are super delish. Can't go wrong with any of them. All their baked goodies are made from scratch daily. Nice, big portions of food. Super great service!
(4)
Ravena F.
I paid this restaurant a fine compliment by visiting on Saturday - the day before starting a rather austere Migraine Elimination Diet. This means no more yummies like coffee, breads and cheese for 3 weeks! As usual, and even with the hype, JoAnn's did not disappoint. Joann's does a good old fashioned breakfast so well. Don't go lookin' for no fruity mojito-mojo-mimosas here. No sirrees. Instead, amble on in to the laid-back dineresque environment for a perfect omelette, a nice eggs benedict, a fruit-topped stack of pancakes with mango butter, or my personal favorite: Eggs Beatrice. Yum! Poached eggs atop sourdough bread and a bed of spinach, with slices of smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce drizzled over the top. Absolutely delicious. Oh, and whatever you do, do NOT forget to have a muffin. Get it to go if you have to, they are truly divine. Can get pretty crowded on the weekends, though this past Saturday, my hiking buddy and I walked right in to a booth (last remaining) at 10:45 am. Not a huge fan of the coffee - needs to be stronger. But these, for me, are minor drawbacks. Really, it's all about the great, classic breakfast. Guess where I'll be just as soon as this elimination diet is over?!? (Sure hope I don't discover that wheat or cheese is one of my migraine triggers . . .)
(4)
Parul G.
I went to JoAnn's Cafe for Saturday brunch because it had such great ratings on Yelp, and it certainly lived up to my expectations. We got a booth right away. The place was very busy, but the staff was attentive. I have been to other restaurants that are so busy that you feel like you are in their way. That was definitely not the case here. Our waitress was very nice, very polite. I ordered Orange French Toast and it was DELICIOUS. I am not sure what my friend had ordered, but the Italian sausages he got with his meal were great. I will certainly be back soon!
(4)
Cathy D.
I definitely am all for supporting hole in the walls, so our gfs decided on brunch here.... We were surpised to get a booth since it was pretty busy for a Sunday. Had a sort of diner feel to it. Busy and chaotic. Happy people. Unfortunately our waitress for the day wasn't too friendly (maybe because it was packed) and didn't really check on us after we got our food. 3 out of 4 of us had burgers meals....Overall the burger was pretty big, but just ok in taste. I was told by a friend that weekday staff is usually really nice. Guess maybe I'd give this place another shot and go with a breakfast item because that what most of the other costumers were ordering.
(3)
Serena L.
My best friend took me here for breakfast during a recent visit back home. She had warned me about the huge portions but I didn't listen. What do I get? A ton of leftover omelettes! Besides the huge portions, the food was so yummy. Though a bit on the smaller side, the service was rather quick. We came on a weekday and it was nearly full. Can't imagine how it gets on a weekend! Parking was plentiful as it was street parking. Definitely coming back whenever I'm in town!
(4)
Ro B.
Food is decent. Servings are a good size.
(3)
Patrick D.
Had breakfast there with my family. I had the BLT and my son's had the pancakes. The BLT was amazing, and their French fries were a great side. The pancakes were an absolute must try. They had great consistency and taste. Everything tasted great. The mocha had great flavor, too (better than Pete's in my opinion). We will be back.
(5)
L V.
Inspiring menu, poor execution, horrible coffee. I had Sunday breakfast at JoAnn's today for the first time. I was going to be in the area early and wanted a breakfast stop. The place was packed at 10am, but Shawna and I were lucky enough to grab the last booth (one of two tables left). I would give at least 4 stars for the menu options and size of the portions. I love that one of the "meat" options for the egg combo is "spinach and mushrooms" so if you are looking for a vegetarian option, you aren't feeling short charged or that you have to choose a slightly pricier omelette for a more complete meal. Based on a Yelper's recommendation, I chose the Eggs Beatrice and Shawna had the Eggs Florentine. It was a difficult choice, though, with so many yummy options. I was intrigued by the bread choices that included the regular fare, as well as what seemed to be baked on the premises scone or muffin. The Eggs Beatrice includes spinach and smoked salmon with vinaigrette tomatoes on the side (I have no idea why). The two poached eggs sit on lightly toasted sourdough which is on top of a bed of mostly raw spinach. First, the entire meal was drowned in Hollandaise sauce. The sauce itself was well done, but there was far, far too much of it. I would suggest asking for it on the side if you'd like to be able to taste the rest of your meal. The eggs were poached perfectly. However, the smoked salmon is a thick cut and extremely salty. I was not at all impressed by the taste of the meal -- which was completely overwhelmed by Hollandaise and smoked salmon. Shawna had the more unfortunate meal: her last several bites of breakfast was ruined by finding gritty, unwashed spinach and then several pieces of egg shell. We informed the waitress when she came to take out place, with Shawna having left a significant portion of her meal uneaten. I said, "Please tell the kitchen to be more careful" and pointed out the shell and unwashed spinach Shawna had pushed to the side. When the waitress brought us our check, she said she had let the kitchen know, but you can sure bet not a dime was taken off our bill. And finally, breakfast places in the state of California should lose their license to operate for serving watered-down coffee.
(2)
Kevin N.
It is a place that I would be happy to give 3.5. I'm in south sf for a couple of says so I wanted a nice breakfast joint. THIS was exactly I was looking for. MUFFINS are top notch yumminess. Atmosphere is homey, and all egg menu which is kind of a bummer if you don't love eggs. There are meat choices with most menu items, the potatoes are average. I'm very happy with my "goldie lox":samon, cream cheese, tomatoes, green onions
(3)
Q L.
Muffins Muffins Muffins This place is so known for muffins I'm kinda shocked there aren't many reviews about the muffins! So here ya go!.... Yes, there are long lines on weekends...since the 80s, can wait about 1hr sometimes (at least back in the day), but they (at least used to) serve free coffee outside as people waited...standing...and read the paper. They make the muffins next door....highly prized recipes which many tried to steal. JoAnn used to work the cash register and chit-chat with us on the weekends. We never failed to take a bag of muffins....one of each...with us to go. Pancake specials must be tried...look up on the board for those. Buttermilk milkshakes....also yummmmm. If you haven't gotten the message....make sure you try the muffins!...and take some to go! (try em with a little bit o butter...unless you're eating the chocolate one) Seriously....it was super scandaleux way back when this place first gained some notice, soooo many attempting to hijack those recipes! I can't eat 'em these days....so go have a muffin for me!
(5)
Nathan L.
Not bad. Their brunch items are fresh and delicious. Came here for brunch to catch up with a coworker and found the place packed. We ordered the egg white omelette, huevos rancheros, and pancakes. Everything was delicious but nothing was spectacular. Their herby home fries was the only item that stood out. I also didn't like how they crammed one too many tables into their small eating area. It not only made the atmosphere louder but also a bit uncomfortable. I had to almost shout to get heard and my elbows were constantly bumped. I would removed the 1-2 randomly placed tables and serve less people at a time to provide a more quality experience. They'd probably have people lining up out the door but they will wait and come back if everything is done right. Just my two cents.
(3)
Amy B.
YELP SAVES THE DAY AGAIN!!! I was in the area looking for a great breakfast place to meet up with a friend. I found JoAnn's cafe and decided it was our spot. When we pulled up, it wasn't anything special from the outside and I was thinking "Please, Yelp! Don't fail me now!" It didn't! 2 of us had the special corned beef hash (HOME MADE!!!) and as a self-described hashaholic, I have to say, this was excellent! Shredded and fried home made corned beef hash, 2 poached eggs and pesto hollandaise. Holy heaven in my mouth! My friend had the eggs benedict dish but the one with the salmon and spinach. He loved his as well. He also had the orange juice which was fresh squeezed! Can't get any better than that! Seriously, this place rocks. I'd come back here over and over again which is why I'm glad I don't live close by!
(4)
Jeremy L.
Massive breakfast! My wife and I were lost for where to go for breakfast and Yelp was great help in pulling this little gem out! I found out that there are weekly specials and one that caught my eye was Corn Cakes! It's essentially corn bread pancakes made with a hint of yogurt! How was it? I don't know...I didn't get it, but it does sound good! I got the "Original"! It's eggs scrambled with spinach, a choice of meat (hamburger patty for me!), mushrooms, onions, and it came with potatoes and a choice of toast, muffins, bagel or scone. They serve a lot on their plate and it was more than enough for one person to eat! The potatoes were surprisingly soft and flavorful and the combination of the scramble was a good mix of hamburger goodness and fresh vegetables! My wife ordered the "Joann's Special", which was scrambled eggs, choice of meat and potatoes. She got the Italian Sausage and it was really balanced; not too salty. Oh, you must have a freakin' muffin! The muffin top is square and huge! One thing that I am looking forward to in my next visit is the Mexican breakfast! We were seating at the counter and it gave us a great view of the grill! Lots of the food that go through in front of us were appetizing! Do watch out during certain hours, they can be busy, but they'll always look out for you and are very polite. Overall, this is quite a lovely little diner and the breakfast choices are more than intriguing! I'll be back for more for sure!
(4)
Mark W.
Our lunch today was meh-tastic. My breakfast (two eggs + corned beef & hash browns) arrived lukewarm, while my "toast" lacked any heat at all. My colleagues were similarly unimpressed with their orders. The odd thing was the fact that the place was packed with customers -- with so many other options in the area we found it hard to believe JoAnn's could stay so busy.
(2)
Kimberly S.
Pre-Yelp days, I went here often with the family. So when my friends and I decided to have a belated birthday brunch, I was more than happy to introduce them to JoAnn's. I can understand why neither one of them have seen this place - it's so tucked in between other big-sign shops that you miss the small red-lit letters on the practically 2x4 size window. But you definitely can't miss the crowd outside on the weekends! Luckily we only had to wait 20 minutes or so for a seat in this cozy restaurant. We took this time to look over the menu and stare at their blueberry muffins in the glass case. If I hadn't made cupcakes for my girlfriends and I to enjoy at home after brunch, I definitely would have got one with my meal since I know how yummy they are. Oh how I hate temptation, especially when it's staring at you in the face. So many enticing choices, I ended up with The Original - two scrambled eggs with spinach, mushrooms, chicken basil sausage, and green onions with homefries and toast - just delicious! My girlfriends dined on Eggs Benedict and JoAnn's Special. No complaints there, either! I had the most difficult time resisting one of their specials - pumpkin pancakes! =( But I knew I wouldn't even come close to finishing two monstrous pancakes on my own, and my body would hate me if I did! But we did decide to share a buttermilk pancake, just to add a bit of sweetness to our brunch. Mmmm....fluffy goodness just melting in your mouth. Not your average bacon-egg-toast kinda place, but you do get that neighborhood feel with the extremely friendly staff and cozy interior. The menu has a small but appetizing selection of breakfast/brunch/lunch items, along with specials of the day. Good luck picking one!
(4)
Josh L.
Took my visiting parents here for breakfast since it was close to their hotel. Wow. We'll be back. Every dish was great - service was friendly. They even told us where they sourced their baked items and bread. French toast was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!
(4)
Alex H.
Nice hearty breakfast. Everything off the grill was delicious (eggs, bacon, home fries, french toast). They have thick cut bacon. Yum yum. The best thing had to be the meal combinations they have. Lost of choices such as toast, muffin or scone. Though we had the scone it was mediocre. The blue berry muffin looked promising though. Small local dinner that is reasonably priced. Getting here is a bit tricky. It is on small adjacent street to el camino. It is where the KFC/Long John Silvers is.
(4)
Yan G.
Last Wednesday before work I had to drop off my car at the dealer for a routine 15,000-mile service. As I was driving off in my loaner vehicle, I got a call saying that I needed new break pads. Knowing I was already out $700, I was in no mood to spend crazy money on breakfast. I was hungry, and so I needed something quick and inexpensive, but hearty and good. Yelp suggested JoAnn's, and I headed south on El Camino. The restaurant is inconspicuously tucked away in the middle of a strip mall, so it didn't surprise that most patrons were obviously regulars. The place wasn't crowded, but JoAnn's wasn't hurting for customers, either. I picked a booth closest to the entrance and sat down. I studied JoAnn's long menu full of breakfast options for quite some time, partially because I was distracted by the odd and unusual wall art. Old posters were everywhere, and some were enhanced with carefully placed "eat at JoAnn's" reminders. Cute. I finally settled on an omelet with 3 ingredients of my choice (ham, bell peppers and cheddar cheese). The omelet was served with home fried potatoes and toast. I was seriously considering ordering one of the delicious looking muffins, but decided I needed to watch my figure. That's why I ordered a side of two buckwheat pancakes. Before the waitress brought my food, she had to refill my coffee twice. The cups were small, the coffee was weak, and I was bored and sleepy. What's a guy to do? My food couldn't come fast enough. When it did, I was ready to scarf it down. The omelet was very good, with fluffy eggs and big chunks of ham. The potatoes weren't all that great, seeing how they were mildly undercooked. They were a bit crunchier on the inside than they should be. The pancakes were HUGE, but not very tasty. They were really thick and chewy, and I was forced to leave half a pancake on the plate. That's a rare occurrence for me. JoAnn's also ran out of sugar free syrup, which was disappointing. I was waiting for the waitress to bring me the bill, but it just wasn't happening. Finally, I walked up to the counter and asked for the bill at the register. As soon as I gave her my credit card, she stopped paying attention to me altogether. Instead, she was focused on one of the regular who couldn't decide whether he wanted coffee and oatmeal or just coffee. Fascinating. My bill was $16.60, which is NOT cheap for breakfast. I always tip breakfast waitresses especially well, so I rounded it up to $20 (that's more than a 20% tip). Sadly, neither the service (average) nor the food (also average) warranted that kind of a tip.
(3)
Owen R.
Love this place. The fact that you get to add a muffin (blueberry, apple, pumpkin, etc..) to your breakfast bread options is a major bonus. The omelets here are also really good - really light and fluffy, and stuffed with all sorts of different ingredients, all of which is really fresh The fact that you can choose from three types of sausage is a major bonus. The non-omelet options like the florentines and benedicts are top notch, as are some of the "latin favorites" like the spicy migas. I wish they had hash browns instead of home fries, but that's my preference, and they're still pretty good anyway. Regardless, this place succeeds in every way that SF breakfast restaurants normally fail. Good food and decent prices without the oh-so-precious mango mimosa crowd.
(5)
Ashley W.
Good food...but wouldn't substitute pancakes for the bread and potatoes that normally come with a scramble. How hard is that? In the end, the toast never even came. Second time at JoAnn's and much less impressed than the first time. Wouldn't recommend the Goldie's Lox...it has about a half pound of cream cheese in it. Great muffins though.
(3)
Joanna R.
Had some of hubby's pancakes to erase the bad pancakes we had recently at Baghdad's in San Francisco!!! THANK YOU JOANN'S for probably the BEST PANCAKES in the Bay Area!!! Melts in your mouth, buttery, maple syrupy deliciousness!!! :-P~~ And well worth screwing up my diet for those YUMMY pumpkin muffins around Halloween/Thanksgiving time!!! Pumpkin pancakes, of course, is DA BEST!!! :D And yes, this place can be easy to miss... THANK GOD, since if people spot this WONDERFUL little gem, I would NEVER get in for my weekly brunch here!!! :P
(5)
Eric A.
Not a bad little diner. I loved the idea of a mix of American and Mexican food here. I ordered the Santa Fe, boy oh boy, the portion size was huge. It was good, but it didn't blow my mind. I also had the Apple Walnut Muffin, it was solid! but again, nothing over the top. I was definitely full after being here so don't expect small portions
(3)
Dana J.
Tried this little cozy cafe on my hunt for a good brunch place near my new home. It was a little hard to find ... squeezed between two Filipino restaurants with a tiny sign. *Spinach, chicken sausage + mozzarella cheese omelet with home fries. The omelet was nice and fluffy. Home fries were just OK. *BF had one of the specials - chilaquiles (two poached eggs, shredded turkey, chile verde and tortilla strips). Pretty good. *And yes, you should try the muffins. I tried the apple walnut. I want to go back and try them all!
(4)
William W.
I lived in SSF for a while and this was a go to favorite. I still make the trek when I am coming from the South Bay to hit JoAnn's. Love the food and the service is fantastic!
(4)
Fred D.
This is a place where they really cook using basic fresh ingredients. Everything you heard about the wonderful breakfasts is true. Orange pancakes, migas, homefries, and, of course, the muffins are outstanding. Now I am curious about the rest of the menu. We sat at the counter and my fresh off the plane from Tokyo family was amazed at the agility of the cooks. Coffee, that liability of most breakfast places, was excellent. Note the cooked turkey stand guard by the restroom. After your meal, continue north on El Camino to visit the source of much SF lore - the cemeteries at Colma.
(5)
Mosey S.
Great breakfasts!
(4)
Joe C.
Place was busy, but didnt have to wait for a table considering it was a weekend. I had the orange french toast. Never thought orange flavor would be good with french toast...but it works! Wife had the eggs florentine..."it was weird"...def. not ordering this again. The service was good...although I did have to wait a long time before they refilled my coffee. Other than that, they were really nice. We def. plan to go here again to try some other dishes.
(3)
Ann W.
Food is reliable, parking is easy, and service is mixed. It's a smallish diner and seating is uncomfortable unless you can fit into a tiny booth, the coffee is horrendous, and I've no idea why there is ever a waiting line for this place. Yes, the orange pancakes are good and so are the home fries...but, they won't substitute anything and they don't serve breakfast all day. Seriously? A diner is supposed to serve breakfast all day. If you go early, get a booth, and have the orange pancakes you'll likely enjoy JoAnn's. Not really worth it in my book.
(2)
Butch C.
Seems like I visit Joanne's everytime from Watsonville, Ca. Its a wonderful place...the food is awesome and the staff makes me feel as though I'm a regular. I will be returning as often as possible.
(5)
Ian W.
This place is AWESOME!!! The food was great and prices right on. Service was great and and what made it even better was that we unknowingly arrived just before 2:30 and they still welcomed us in for breakfast.
(5)
Anabelle B.
Warning, if you don't like greasy foods or you are a health freak, this place is not for you, but for the rest of you, people like me that enjoy good food no matter how many calories, this place is AWESOME! The place is tiny, all the workers are Latinos and very nice! Muffins and scones are baked in house, fresh everyday but good luck finding some if you go in the afternoon, specially on weekends. The menu is basically divided in two, the American breakfast side and the Latino inspired side, they also have yummy specials. Try the pancakes, they are to die for! I can't pick a favorite meal from here, because they are all wonderful, however, the cream cheese filled wrap with avocado and chile verde is ..... is ..... wow, very wow!
(5)
Karen M.
I read the reviews and thought maybe the atmosphere and the different dishes were reason enough to try it out. Very wrong. Went for a bday brunch and all we ended up talking about was how much we hated the place. The bday boy and I hate onions for our food and mentioned this to the waitress, who had already made a bad impression when we ordered our drinks. We each ordered a plate of the Spicy Latin Dish, and said no onions. The eggs didn't have any, but the rest of the accompanying food on our plate did. We asked the waitress if there were any portions of rice or potatoes without onions and she said 'No, they're premade' and turned on her heel and left. We asked for an order of tortillas that never came until we went to the open kitchen and asked one of the cooks for it ourselves. When she came to ask if we needed anything, not even bothering to phrase it better, we asked for a side of jalapeños and she said 'Do you want to share the ones she has?...She has an order there.' Obviously my friend knew our other friend has her own order, he wanted his own. Sadly, he opted out of his request and we ate the rest of our meal by force. We, all 5, agreed the service was so bad that the bland food didn't make up for it in anyway. We stiffed her on an 80$ bill and none of us regret it. IHOP would have been a better choice. Wont ever make this mistake again.
(1)
monk f.
Can't get enough of "B Street Eggs." A scramble, with bacon, spinach, blue cheese and croutons. After a trip to Kaiser Hospital across the street, this is how I reward/ recover my equilibrium.
(5)
Kara E.
This place is great ! We went there last Sunday for brunch and everything was fabulous - we will definitely return. It's also nice to have such a great place so close to Pacifica.
(5)
Danny H.
dont try to stop me you cannot stop me you get me all stressed im trying to take all that away...at JoAnn's Cafe! - Lady Gaga (Telephone) Small place but good food. We ordered three dishes since they have a pretty varied menu for both breakfast lovers and those who prefer the lunch options. We ordered the JoAnne special breakfast - which includes eggs, choice of meat, fruit, bread/muffin - a mushroom burger - and some sort of pasta puttanesca. The burger and the pasta were both really well done - no complaints there and certainly above average of other diner places similar to this place. The breakfast however, I'm sorry to say, was just adequate. Nothing special from their eggs or bacon or bread - maybe I should've ordered a tortilla dish or an omelette. With so many options here, I'd try something else than their standard breakfast put-together dish. Expect to spend close to $10 a person here. P.S. For people getting lost due to misinformed google maps gps' on phones, this place is next to KFC, it is not the same restaurant as Gunther's which is next to blockbuster. Also, the muffins are as good as advertised yum. Food: 3.5 stars --- Service: 3.5 stars --- Atmosphere: 3 stars --- Price: 3 stars
(3)
temo g.
I've been going there off and on for over 20 years and it's getting worse each time. The service and food are not what they used to be. The wait staff on my last visit, were rude and did not appreciate that I had brought an 18 month old. That was probably the last time i'll eat there. The hamburger I ordered was stale and flavorless. The eggs and bacon my wife ordered were dry and had a chemical residue. The muffins still taste great, and I miss the scones.
(2)
General P.
I've been going to this cafe for years and yet, I'm not considered one of the regulars. The owner greets people around me with a forced cheeriness to drive home the point that I'm not welcome. In fact, the owner consistently glares at me when I walk through the door. So why do I come? One of my relatives loves this place. At first, I attributed this to catching him on a bad day. Frankly, I am at a loss for why this man is so hostile towards me. I am a fairly unassuming person and have always been gracious with the servers and never asked for a thing to be returned to the kitchen even when it hasn't been up to standard. I started to pay attention to his actions and noticed that he purposefully ignores me and greets my guests - each one...individually. And they have noticed this, too. Makes me think of the saying, "It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you." The food when I first visited was phenomenal but the quality has gone downhill as time goes by. I used to treat myself to JoAnn's and I've gone back despite being made to feel uncomfortable. I guess I was hoping that he'd get over it.
(1)
t m.
I'm gonna have to do multiple reviews..just got back from a yum yum breakfast and the place is a 5 star g...str8 up an down haven't been to Joann's since i was like 12....so a good 13 years have passed and reuniting with this old flame definitely made my weekend hostess was cute and very friendly (always a plus) service was prompt and courteous to my child (18mths..loud doesn't begin to describe him) i had the sat omelet special my lady had the corn pancakes with berry buddah (also a saturday special) the food came quick and the kept our coffee full (a must in my book) also the fresh squeezed OJ was high class fo sho....i dont futz wit da carton oj...i like my oj fresh squeezed an outta the cell. the meal was delish...everything was good...the price makes me want to go 4 star..but like everything in life u get what u pay for not saying that their isnt breakfast spots around that are cheaper and just as good...but this spots got moxy kid... 2 dollar signs fer sheez but well worth it
(4)
Christina R.
Great little restaurant. LOVE their tuna salad - the best I have had. Great service also.
(5)
Nick L.
A bit pricy for dinner, but we keep coming back for the Latin Chicken Marsala. They usually have some specials, but this is the anchor dish. Breakfast is usually to crowded to go for us. A small place, but we've come here for 20 years when JoAnne was actually there. If they have any muffins in the case, buy'em.
(4)
Andre B.
Pretty good breakfast spot in SSF. I don't have a favorite dish here, but the service is great!
(4)
rebecca p.
I am amazed that this place isn't busier than it already is. This place is an absolute gem and there are many ways to enjoy it. JoAnn's has fresh made muffins that you can grab at the counter and leave for the rest of your day. My personal way to enjoy this restaurant is to come on a weekend for breakfast. I can't express in words how fabulous this place is. Their breakfasts are so unique and delicious. They always have at least three different specials each weekend and they are usually worth a second glance, such as a pumpkin puree pancake or most recently, a bay shrimp eggs benedict. If none of the specials strike your fancy then there are a few options that will never lead you astray. The first one being the spicy migas. Imagine this, black beans, eggs, cheese, onions, tomatoes and peppers that you put into a corn tortilla and eat. HEAVEN!. The other dish that will never let you down is the eggs beatrice. It's like an eggs benedict but with spinach and salmon instead of ham. It gets a little soggy, but the flavor is to die for. It also comes with a side of tomatoes in a homemade vinegarette that is amazing all by itself. Just be warned that there will be a line on weekends, rain or shine.
(5)
Eli G.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in winter time, don't sit right by the front door if you get cold! but besides that blunder, i was very happy with this yelp find. i flew into SF early AM and was picked up by my equally hungry friend. smartly, i already had directions to this place. so we went, arrived, saw a yelp sticker on the door and were fed. service was excellent and attentive. waitress recommended a splendid pumpkin muffin. my burger and eggs came with fresh tomato slices and crispy potatos. the friend got some spinach chorizo scramble thing that she said was excellent, i agreed. if for what ever reason i'm even in south SF in the AM i would come back here.
(4)
Sam M.
Spending quality time with my cousin today, and she was in the mood for brunch. We found the perfect place on Yelp and it was right by my cousin's new apartment. We sat at the counter and it had a great view of the kitchen, which I find really enjoyable. My cousin ordered scrambled eggs with tomatoes, avocado and spinach, and I had omelette with avocado, salsa and spinach. We had a wait a while for the food, considering the crowd today. Maybe it's because of Easter Sunday, or maybe they are busy like this on any other day, but either way, I didn't mind the wait because there are plenty to watch from the kitchen and I had an Apple Walnut Muffin to nibble on in the mean time. The staff are super nice and were able to accommodate with my cousin's request of no butter with her order and later add-on of a pancake. When the food arrived, it was looking good and I liked big chunked avocados and delicious salsa. The pancakes are huge! As are the portion of the rest of the food, so I wasn't able to finish. Looks like I will have more of JoAnn's omelette to eat later on.
(5)
G S.
Friendly service. Great food. I enjoy the local small town feel. I eat here often and never had a disappointing experience.
(4)
M T.
Went there at 11:30 am today. Only waited a couple of minutes for a table. Towards the end of our meal, some people were waiting outside for a table; maybe we slipped in before the lunch crowd got there. My roasted turkey with cranberry sauce sandwich was ok, and the French fries were ok. My wife's buttermilk pancakes (I had several small pieces) did not have much taste, and my wife agreed with me. Fresh OJ was delicious. Waitress and her service were excellent. Restaurant was extremely noisy, much too much for me. The two main items we ordered were a good value for the quantity of food/money they cost: $4.95 for two large pancakes, and $8.95 for the turkey sandwich with lots of fries.
(3)
Jessica M.
I ate here about a month ago when visiting w/boyfriend and it was FABULOUS! All while growing up, it was not unusual for my family to drive very long distances for a good meal, or to try by word of mouth a great new spot. I currently live in the most southern part of CA one could venture, and I would MOST DEFINITELY travel to this South San Francisco local hub in a heart beat. A little hole in the wall - true, but there's nothing little about the taste. My fav are the cornmeal-yogurt pancakes with a myriad of fruit coating the stack and a side of their oh-so-yummy berry butter. If anyone knows JoAnn's recipe for this heavenly meal for god sakes PLEASE POST!!! I did not have the pleasure of tasting their muffins, but they were most pleasing to the eyes. My boyfriend had eggs, bacon, & toast - traditional, yes but how this little place can take a boring old egg and turn it into the worlds most perfect sunny side up, "I'll have what he's having", highly ordered and good old eggs and bacon is beyond me. You haven't tasted an egg until JoAnn's. If only this family would entertain the idea of opening a second restaurant in San Diego.... a girl can dream can't she!
(4)
AhLin C.
Cranberry apple muffin was awesome! Nestled in a small nook on El Camino, it's across the street from Kaiser. Portions are big and decently priced. I have tried their french toast, and it was yummy. They are now serving pumpkin pancakes and I thought it was just ok. House potatoes are also yums! Be prepared to wait b/c it gets busy during the weekends.
(4)
cali c.
Just had breakfast at JoAnn's this morning. We went at 9:30. It was very busy, but there was no wait for a table-for-2. Tha waitress gave us coffee immediately and it was pretty good. The menu had many options and the prices were reasonable. I had the eggs benedict with my eggs poached "hard" so there's no egg white jelly (eeew) and they were perfect. The ham was thick and had been grilled. The hollandaise was rich and good. It was a perfect portion and I left really satisfied. Hubbs had a 3-stack of buttermilk pancakes with a side of cajun sausage. He ate it all.Yum! I gave JoAnn's 5 Stars because it was low key, good menu, fairly priced, fast service and pretty damn good food. We agreed we'd definately be returning here often.
(5)
Joel Q.
I come here during my lunchbreaks. My favorite is the CornCakes. They only serve them on Sundays but sometimes on Mondays, they have them as their specials.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Ahhh JoAnn's. You hold a special place in my heart. I love your generous sized breakfast plates that fill me up with comfort food, and your strong coffee that wakes me up out of my sleepy morning haze. I crave your chorizo scramble, and fried plantains, and sometimes just your deliciously hearty oatmeal. Yes, your wait can be a bit long at times, and not so pleasant on a cold, windy, and usually foggy morning, but it's okay, I forgive you. Just keep on offering me that coffee and breakfast, and you can do no wrong.
(5)
Kurt S.
Great breakfast, great service.
(4)
Glenn H.
Great breakfast: Great quality, good service, moderate prices (the only thing that would have put a 5th star on it). One of the daily specials (two admittedly enormous pancakes with fresh strawberries and blueberries for $10.25) was a bit steep, so we ordered the scrambled lox and the Joann's Special; $10.75 and $9.25 respectively. Clearly these are large portions. I mean the TWO low-fat chicken basil sausages with my special were large, juicy, and the best breakfast sausage I can remember in ages--they each could have been big enough (4" across each) for a single serving. The lox with cream cheese in a scramble were very good and again plentiful enough that it could have been shared. Both came with big top muffins that were really good; the Special added a very nice cold fresh fruit cup. Even the coffee was good. Home fries were red bliss potatoes that I found really good but my wife found just OK like there was little or no added flavor. I could see why--the fry cook when he put the new batch of home fries on the grill was squirting some sauce over them AND at the same time reading the next order--his eyes more on the order than the grill, so the home fries were hit or miss as to if you got the sauce or not. Picky picky. All in all plenty of interesting choices to be had and we WILL return, but probably respect the size of the portions a bit more.
(4)
Ashleigh B.
I'm pretty picky about breakfast because it is my FAVORITE meal of the day!! And I don't like to be let down early on!! This place had such good reviews we had to try it! I can't say I was disappointed but I just wasn't too impressed! The orange french toast was probably the best thing we had. My omelet left a little to be desired! Lots of locals so maybe it's just popular because there is nothing much around.
(3)
Monica G.
I had several appointments at the Kaiser SSF down the street. I had a break and being from out of the area, I didn't know what was around. I was lucky enough to find JoAnn's - with the help of Yelp of course! I asked the waitress what she recommended. She said the Southwest Chicken Salad. It did not disappoint! The marinated chicken was hot off the grill. The toppings were plentiful and it was accompanied by the perfect amount of a very flavorful dressing. I told my husband about how much i liked it. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Terra C.
I love this place! They have alot of dishes with Spinach so I'm a happy camper. They also have alot of Latin Breakfast options which are my favorite! The service could be better, as well as the location. But I still will drive up from Redwood City to eat here!
(4)
Jin D.
I was first introduced to JoAnn's Cafe when I won a breakfast for two at a local road race as an Age Division prize. I'm very thankful for that prize, because I probably never would have found out about JoAnn's otherwise. I don't head down to SSF very often, but when I'm in the area, I like to stop by JoAnn's. It's great for a meal on the way home from the airport, and my friends are always impressed that I know of such a yummy, homey, sorta hole-in-the-wall type place.
(4)
Melinda J.
I have been here twice and the food has been good both times. The place is a little crowded and seems like your typical greasy-spoon diner but it is worth going to--especially since there aren't many breakfast restaurants to be found in the area. I like the create-your-own omelet. Don't bother with the fruit cup.
(4)
Glenn L.
How did I not review this place before? it is small so if you are coming for breakfast, come early. No lines for dinner though. I am a sucker for the chicken basil sausage - gotta have the Paul's Sandwich with the sausage. Just eggs, sausage, grilled bread and a side of potatoes. But the sausage just works! Also like the B-Street Eggs. Sort of a spinach salad scramble that is really good (different, but good).
(4)
Mindy L.
Wow. I don't know if I've ever given a hole in the wall diner 4 stars before. This place has the best burger's I've ever had. And I'm ranking that against big expensive restaurants, steak houses, fast food, diners - any burger you can think off. THIS is the best. I had their bacon blue burger. Dear god. I watched them make it. I don't know how they get them that juicy. It was dripping with delicious juices, so tender and flavorful, and aromatic. When it was on the grill, I saw the cook grab a huge fistful of crumbling blue cheese, pack into a patty almost as thick as the burger. They put in on top of the patty, covered it with the a lid, and then squirted either hot water or broth underneath, and steamed the blue cheese into soft, moist, hot melty goodness. They then topped it with freshly cooked, think sliced bacon, and added an entire half of avocado (per my request). I have .NEVER. had a burger like that before. I'm usually a pretty healthy eater... But for this burger? Oh man, I think I'd break a ritual fast for this burger. Maybe that makes me a sinner, but dear lord, forgive me. This is a temptation I cannot resist! ;-) Enjoy!
(4)
T. W.
Nice sized portions, home-cooked type full breakfasts---many are accompanied by a fruit cup and either toast/tortillas/ or (my fave) a fresh baked muffin. Ordered off the lunch menu for the first time and had a bbq bacon cheese burger with a side salad for about $10. Tasty, good solid food. Would have liked a fountain soda with refills, rather than the over-priced $1.95 can soda. Not the friendliest servers, but attentive enough since the restaurant is not too large.
(4)
j m.
It's been a while since I ate here so I decided to pay this place a visit. I had the muffins which were ok but I wish they heated it up when they served it. I ordered the salmon scramble which was just ok. The amount of cream cheese in there was way too much. The potatoes were yummy but that was it. My man had the orange french toast which he shared with me and that was also yummy!! The servings are huge so you may want to share a meal. Otherwise, this place is just ok. I've had better.
(3)
William S.
This is a great place for breakfast. This small but very functional diner is awesome. The food comes is large portions that you probably will not finish. I recommend the counter seating as this gives the full experience of the cozy diner. The wait staff is friendly and it is quite a scene watching the two cooks work together to get your food fast.
(5)
S L.
JoAnn's is the type of restaurant people seek out, but rarely find. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, JoAnn's "consistently" puts out absolutely delicious meals! JoAnn's is known for the care that is taken in the food preparation. Everything is fresh, and home prepared. JoAnn's has extraordinary homemade soups (an excellent variety of the most tasty soups ever, rotated daily), homemade salad dressings, tartar sauce, and muffins & scones home baked daily to perfection! Eating at JoAnn's is like having a meal in your own home. The servers and support staff are delightful. They are efficient, attentive, courteous, and friendly. It's no surprise that JoAnn's often has a line of people waiting when they open their doors for service each day. If you are looking for a really delicious well priced meal, JoAnn's is the place to visit. It is one of a kind, and well worth the "5" star rating!!!
(5)
Natasha C.
I have to say, breakfast and brunch are my favorite meals. I've heard about this place from my old coworkers and they raved so I met them here for a late breakfast. I had the huevos rancheros and my friend had the omelet and the third friend had the breakfast that included savory and bananas (forgot the name). The latter was actually quite tasty, who knew that bananas would taste good in a savory breakfast dish? My dish, it lacked refried beans, otherwise the proportions were big and the coffee was hot and overall, not too bad of an experience.
(3)
Sheila G.
I'm always happy to be here. I like that their oatmeal isn't some tasteless gruel with no fibrous value. It comes nice and bumpy, with apple butter, raisins and brown sugar. Mmmm. Their omelets and scrambles are huge and yummy, burgers big enough to put you to sleep, muffins big enough to share. Beware of the Capuccino milkshake; it's so good you get brain freeze...and because it's got all that great caffeine, you'll be buzzin' for hours afterwards! That just kicks Starbuck's right in the culo. I love that JoAnn's is a little out of the way, where not much else is going on. That means I can actually get a seat!
(4)
Tess E.
I can't believe I didn't even mentioned their muffins!! I've gone back here for breakfast a few more times since my last review and the food still was just as good. With certain breakfast orders (or maybe they serve it with any breakfast order??) but you have the option of a muffin, toast, or scone. Go the for muffins!! They are soo good (particularly their blueberry muffin). It seems that when they bake them they overfill the muffin tray so the tops spill over. When it's served you get a pretty decent sized muffin with oddly shaped, extended muffin tops (if that makes any sense). But the edges are so yummy and crisp!! Spread some butter on that bad boy or enjoy it as is! One of the reasons why I like coming here for breakfast!
(4)
Wanster L.
I had the orange french toast and it was delicious. The orange batter was different and fragrant. After my first slice, I felt that it would be too much for one person to finish. I love sweets but this many slices of french toast for breakfast is a cry for potential diabetes. I took bites of my friends' omelets and they were also good. Nothing to write home about but if you're in the neighborhood craving breakfast, I would recommend this place.
(3)
Lauren B.
Wack!!! Was so looking forward to breakfast here given all of the positive yelp reviews. We were just do disappointed with our order. I ordered a mushroom, tomato & bacon scramble. First off it was over salted and they used CANNED mushrooms. How can I be sure? They were dark and flavorless. Yuck. Hubby ordered an omelet and specifically asked for regular white or yellow onions. He got a green onion omelet. Instead of sending it back he ate around the pile of green onions in the middle. Muffins were not made day of but service was very friendly.
(2)
Stephen H.
The Amish Pancakes were ok, an interesting flavor but perhaps an aquired taste, they were flat but dense. The chorizo with spinach was good, a little spicy, but the home fries were just ok, not much flavor to them.
(2)
Angelina M.
B decided to stay home today (yay!) so after wee ones dr. appt we popped in. We waited quite awhile before anyone took our order or even offered coffee and they were not busy. The food was good and I was defiantly full, but I thought it was a bit pricey. I got the original scramble and there was more stuff than eggs which I didn't like. Call me crazy but I like eggs with my mix ins. It's local and independent and clean so we'll be back.
(3)
Ken P.
We don't go out for breakfast much, when we do we are usually disappointed, ie: I could have made that myself, too expensive, and mainly we don't like crowds. JoAnn's was fantastic, somewhat difficult to find, but a treasure incorporating everything I love about a good old fashioned greasy diner, with some southwest / latin hits. Prices were decent and the muffins were delicious. Plan to head back again, this time with guests.
(4)
Saunders C.
This place is popular, I can't dispute that. It also makes a pretty kick-ass banana shake, and you get a ton of it too. But I can't, with good conscience, give it a good rating. We came here for a Sunday lunch. It wasn't too crowded and the wait was relatively short. The service was not unfriendly, but wasn't particularly friendly either. All business I guess. I ordered the special orange buttermilk pancakes ($12.95). Two pretty large buttermilk pancakes with dried cranberries mixed into the batter, topped with sliced bananas and strawberries, and orange chunks. Not bad, but didn't really think it was worth $13. The fruit was pretty fresh. Someone else got the JoAnn's special, which came with some home fries, eggs, and chicken sausage. The chicken sausage was pretty dry and not very flavorful, and the home fries don't have a lot of seasoning either. But the real kicker was the turkey sandwich we got. One bite in... yep... hair. Not one, but a few. OK, it happens, be diplomatic, wave someone down and quietly point it out. She says she'll have them make another one. 5 minutes later, out comes another sandwich. Careful inspection, no hair, good to go right? Wrong. It's not a turkey sandwich, it's a BLT. Again, wave down the waitress, tell her (apologetically) that it's not what was ordered. She kind of gives us that *look*. Seriously? The hair was not our fault, and neither was the wrong sandwich that came out. Turkey sandwich finally comes out, but who has an appetite at that point? I felt like the prices were a little high for the food. Didn't get a chance to try the muffins ($2/each), and I'm afraid I never will.
(2)
Jeff P.
This place is packed with regulars. The people working there seemed to be familiar with a large chunk of the clientele. The food is pretty standard and heavy on Latin style dishes. Great corn muffins!
(3)
Mark W.
Okay dinner food, $15.82 for a Cesar salad, poppy muffin and ice coffee, seems like too much, but the food was good.
(3)
Sophie L.
Whoever said Stack's is the bomb definitely has not been to JoAnn's!! I love their make-your-own scrambles! Avocado, mushrooms, and cheddar = the best scramble ever!! Everything is always so flavorful (and I especially love their sauteed spinach!) Topped with sourdough toast, a glass of deliciously fresh OJ, and potatos...you are on your way to a great morning! I also love the retro diner setting....the people are very nice! BTW, pancake = scrumptious! I love it!
(5)
Jayna B.
Great breakfast! The only downside for me is that it's not in SF. Ordered a scramble today (I usually get an omelet) and I was amazed at how they did not skimp on the ingredients. I chose avocado as one of my three and there was plenty in there. I also like that the majority of home fries are eatable. Too often I've found that brunch potatoes are a blob on your plate and only 10% of what you get are good to eat as the other 90% are either overcooked or undercooked. Prices are consistent with other breakfast/lunch places. I've been here about 10x and have not been disappointed.
(5)
Joc V.
Because I've been eating healthier as of late--which, to me means 2 instead of 4 strips of bacon in my burger--I've added the southwestern chicken salad to my repertoire of dishes I order. Perfect blend of grilled chicken, avocado, corn, and black beans atop greens tossed in mildly sweet, mildly tangy vinaigrette. I don't know what's in that vinaigrette that makes it so magical. But I'm thinking it's red wine vinegar, olive oil and juices squeezed from George Clooney's person.
(5)
Lina M.
The food is okay. I was expect something really delicious. I had the French toast and the machaca. The machaca comes with lots of bell pepper and too much onions. The Orange french toast was okay. I wanted to like this place because it's a mom and pops place, but I don't think I will be coming back. I was not impressed.
(2)
Elly B.
We were looking for a place to eat in Pacifica last night, and Yelp reviews led us to JoAnn's. The food was very good and the staff was friendly. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Ron J.
Love this place I try to go by at least twice a week.
(5)
Shalee S.
Great service. The food was good, light and fluffy omelet. the onion was cooked well. I hate getting raw onion in my omelets. My husband didn't care for the papas but I liked them and they were cooked all the way through which sometimes doesn't happen when restaurants serve red papas. The pancakes were really good and soaked up all the syrup. My only complaint would be that they don't have a pancake combo breakfast. I had to order the pancakes on the side and it's just way to much food for me. You can get just one pancake though so that is a plus.
(4)
Sarah P.
Hearty and quality food. Menu will satisfy anyone. Big portions!
(5)
Coach M.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is so fresh and filling. Not like those fast food production style breakfast restaurants. It can be a bit pricey if your on a budget, but you should try to get here at least once a month. The only thing I do not like about this place is there is always a wait and there is not much seating available.
(4)
Lucas M.
Eeks. Perhaps just a bad experience, but I don't think I'll be visiting again. My wife had been here once before, and had the Pumpkin Pancakes (which she ordered again this visit). I was in the mood for breakfast, so I was pretty excited, being as this is a place known for their breakfast plates. Unfortunately, they didn't have my favorite breakfast plate, corn beef and hash, so I went with the standard bacon, eggs and potatoes plate. The bacon wasn't crispy, the egg had shell in it, and the potatoes weren't warm. The pumpkin pancakes were really good, but I had lost my appetite. The service was nice, but I won't be going back.
(2)
Kat M.
3.5 stars for JoAnn's Cafe. This place is bit tucked away, off El Camino. We drove by it and totally missed it, and ended up having to come back around. This place is pretty small, a very traditional diner. We found JoAnn's on Yelp, and it was 5 minutes away from home so we thought we'd give it a try. We love trying out neighborhood breakfast/brunch places. We got here at 11am and the place was pretty full. Luckily, we got one of the last few available tables. I ordered the eggs, home made sausage, hashbrowns and apple walnut muffin. Hubby got an omelet that also came with a muffin. He got the blueberry muffin. The breakfast was decent, nothing really special but also nothing to complain about. I would say typical breakfast food. Hubby spent 5 minutes picking out the green onions in his omelet. I guess he didn't expect that it would be such a green onion overload. Unfortunately, he didn't like his selection and didn't even finish his breakfast. BUT, what really stood out was the muffin! It was kinda weirdly shaped, not like a typical muffin at all, but I guess that's how you know it's homemade. The muffin top was crispy and crunchy and the inside was soft and moist. The apple and walnuts were the perfect addition to the muffin. The apples added a little bit of sweetness and the walnuts added a nice crunchy and nutty texture. I finished the entire muffin and so did hubby. I still think about the muffin every now and then. It very well could be the best muffin I've ever had. Seriously! The breakfast itself was a 3 star but the muffin pushed it to 3.5 stars. I will come back again to get some muffins to go!
(3)
Bella P.
When I first got here last Saturday, I was a bit thrown off by the pirate costumes many of the staff members were wearing. I wasn't sure if it was a part of the uniforms until I realized that Halloween morning. DUHHH!! The kind pirate took our names down as we looked over our menu waiting for a seat. Granted the wait wasn't too long, but anytime you are waiting in line you are hoping that it will totally be worth the wait. IT WAS SOO WORTH IT!! As I looked over the menu the ENORMOUS muffins were just staring me in the face. Then I realized I could have one of those delicious looking blueberry muffins with my breakfast. YES!! You can have either a muffin or scone in addition to your usual breakfast carb options. Any place that gives you the option of house made pastries is a winner in my book. I got the scramble (forget it's name) with spinach, mushrooms and any meat of your choice. It may have been better with something else then the chorizo I chose, but still good. The house potatoes were ok. Mine weren't crispy enough for my taste, but they were still good. The Blueberry-Orange Muffin was OOOHHH SOOO GOOD!!! Coffee was ehhh. I had a couple of bites of the hunny's Goldie's Lox and that was pretty tasty. Especially good with the Bagel he got on the side. It has actual chunks of cream cheese in it, so it is definitely pretty filling. Even though it's a little hole in the wall the food is good, fresh, and not inundated with grease like many other dive type places. Good breakfast spot we will definitely be returning to. =)
(4)
Feleciana S.
Checked out what was around the area and found this little cafe here on yelp! along with others. This cafe had great reviews and decided to try it myself. Glad I did too! They have great food. If you want a good breakfast, brunch, or lunch this place is the place to go for dive food. I built my own omelette and very pleased with everything. Even the coffee was delicious and not just because I was hungry. The BEST thing about the place though was the homemade muffins. My friend had the burger well done and said it tasted homemade. Just what you want to eat when you don't feel like cooking yourself. The place was packed and it has lots of memorabilia from past years and reviews. Good to know that good food and service lasts. I have now found my new spot for the area. I will definitly go back for another Sunday breakfast/brunch.
(5)
sue s.
Have been going here for breakfast for a long time and its fantastic! Last night we decided to try them for dinner...we both had great meals I had te steak dinner 10oz steak with great mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and you get your choice of soup or salad..we both had the clam chowder..my husband had the grilled salmon dinner with mashed potatoes and mixed vegatables..both were great meals we will be back for dinner!
(5)
Kym T.
One of my favorite go to spots for breakfast. Staff is always friendly, food super fresh & hot. Something exciting is on the specials board daily. You'll find me here almost every weekend.
(5)
Shamiya M.
This is the best breakfast spot in Daily City but the hardest place to find. They have great customer service and there isn't a long wait for food or a seat. The B-Street Eggs are awesome!
(5)
Erin M.
Perhaps I ordered wrong or just went on an off day or maybe even I've just gotten too uppity for my own good. Everything seemed unnecessarily heavy and left a greasy taste in my mouth. I felt the dishes were expensive for a strip mall diner (most were in the 9-10 dollar range). We ordered a custom scramble and the Gaucho. Both were large and just seemed flavorless. For me, none of it seemed to be worth the calories that tagged along. Our waitress would drop plates off and ask how everything was without making eye contact with either of us. You know, where they've turned away and are already moving away from the table as soon as they've approached? Living in Burlingame, it's definitely not worth the trip to South City; I would go to Alana's on Burlingame Ave any day.
(2)
Tes ..
All I can say is..YUM! =D This is one of the best breakfast spots in South City. The food is like stuff you see on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It's a hole in a wall cafe, so it's a bit small, but don't let that stop you from coming here. They make the best scrambles, and good ass Gauchos. They're orange juice even amazes me because it tastes so fresh! Also, they're cookies and muffins are hella good. And to add, my sister loves the dish with the polenta (i forgot what it's called). LOVE the food! GOOD service! Never disappoints! =)
(5)
Setareh N.
My burger was pretty freaking huge and I love how they had a diced jalapeno spread. It was definitely a hard decision between breakfast and lunch and lunch won because of the time. I really wanted to try Paul's sandwich which was two eggs over hard on top of sour dough toast buttered and it came with potatoes I believe.........next time for sure. Its really nice to see all of the interesting pictures on the wall and the diner counter seating is fabulous.
(4)
Mike M.
The reviewer that says the food quality has gone down hill since Jo Anne left is right. I have been there a few times in the last year and have found the omletts are not the same. Not much cheese.Last time I went I go there about 15 minutes before they opened and was greeted with obnoxiously loud mexican music and a waitress who barely looked at me and said"15 minutes" Since I had just come from Kaiser for blood tests and had fasted, the music was frankly making me ill so I left. I will probably try it again but the prices really put me off.It would be one thing if the food was as it was. But it isn't. Would be interested in other comments from people who have went there for a long time. I used to go twice a week until Joanne left.
(2)
Arleen U.
Always a line but well worth the wait. Another great Big Food breakfast/lunch place. My favorite is the Don Pasquale...black beans, tomatillo sauce, queso, over easy eggs on a bed of corn tortillas with...wait for it....carmelized bananas on the side. The sweet of the bananas w/ the tart and mellow of the other ingredients...science never tasted so good!
(5)
David P.
I just came back from lunch today I picked JoAnn's Cafe. This place is small but very well decorated, has a real diner feel. As soon as I sat down I already new what I was going to order. The Burger Basic, 6oz of beef, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheddar cheese on a sesame seed bun. oh and pickles lots and lots of pickles. Seven to be exact! Ever since some other burger joint I went to, only gave me one transparent slice of pickle I've been counting. The meat was perfectly cooked and the fries where not to greasy or salty. For $8.50 it seems reasonable for a Diner in these parts. We where there right before the lunch hour so it was nice and quiet but once 12:30 rolled around it was nothing but hustle and bustle. JoAnn's Diner doesn't get 5 stars, here's why....I felt rushed when they brought out the check way to early into the meal. Granted I was more then half way done with my burger and at least ask if there will be anything else! Maybe I wanted a piece of pie!? Oh and I'm still waiting for my glass of water to be refilled! I kept sliding the glass closer and closer to the edge of the table to see if it would get the waiters attention. Well I did! He glanced over and saw it was empty but did it get a refill? Nope! So all and all I will go there again. I food was good staff needs to improve but overall it was a good experience.
(4)
Seong P.
a good friend of mine introduced me to this place years ago. we'd get a paper and go for breakfast on the weekends. the coffee was always really good and i usually got the chorizo burrito. it was really flavorful and filling but my metabolism is not what it once was so i don't get it anymore. i had a scramble with turkey and spinach recently and it was really good. huge portion too. if you come before noon, there is a wait and there is nothing to do but stand around since it's located in a random strip mall. also, i think it's cash only. still, i know i will be back soon.
(4)
Regina C.
one of many default breakfast spots. huge portions and good food for the most part. sometimes they've got "tropical pancakes." tropical fruits on cornmeal pancakes. oh so good! and their homemade muffins are freaking great. oatmeal or the apple are my favorite.
(4)
BJ A.
I was hungover so I couldn't stomach much. Therefore I ordered the regular Joann Special... nothing really special about it. BUT if I wasn't hung over I would have ordered one of the 3 egg scrambled items that my buddies ordered. I sampled a piece and it was delicious, get a muffin also.
(3)
Laura S.
i go here all the time with my family and have tried lots of stuff on the menu, for breakfast and lunch anyway. i love the pancake specials and french toast. the variety of egg dishes is great and they are tasty. their muffins are good and only 1.50 if you don't feel like waiting in the morning.
(4)
Jamie L.
This is a great place for breakfast with different twists on diner food. Whenever my husband and I go we love to check out the specials. The food is always great. I love the Don Pasqual. It is poached eggs on corn tortilla's with black beans, salsa verde, and fried bananas. So good!!! They sell homemade granola and fresh muffins at the cash register. Service is good and food comes out quickly. We are never let down here.
(4)
Kristy H.
Joanne's is one of my favorite places to go for breakfast or Sunday brunch. I highly recommend the Santa Fe if you are hungry and want a sloppy mess of Mexican goodness. It's basically a chorizo filled burrito, topped with cheese, sour cream, hot salsa. It's amazing. Every friend/coworker that I have taken here, I make them order the Santa Fe and then they start coming here without me just to relive it's goodness (jerks). It's probably best that I don't eat here all the time because the food is very filling. Any chorizo item on their menu is fantastic, it's never too greasy they know how to make it just right. I love their pancake specials on the weekends that are topped with an abundance of fresh fruit. Seriously, it's like a farmer's market of fresh fruit on top of a stack of pancakes. I always have the dilemma of what to order, the Santa Fe (more salty and savory) or the pancake special (more sweet). Their carrot and blueberry muffins are also so fresh and good. If you order the Joanne's special they come with a muffin. Their orange juice is freshly squeeze and amazing. I also love their burger for lunch. It is very simple, yet so juicy and good. It's not a fancy gourmet burger, more simple and classic. I love Joanne's for their consistency, their no BS attitude, and their round the clock breakfast. Their dinner menu is also amazing. You must come here when they have the fried chicken special. It is seriously finger licking good (I know that sounds lame, but trust me it really is that good). It comes with mashed potatoes too, also delicious.
(4)
Tiffany D.
There's no other breakfast like breakfast at JoAnn's Cafe. My dad took me here when I was younger when all I wanted for breakfast was cereal and milk and now I know why!.... If you want a real omelette - come here! They even serve you coffee before you have your table. Hole in the wall cafe so as usual it could get busy with a wait but worth it.
(5)
Rhia R.
I don't have brunch very often, but best believe I'll jump when the opportunity presents itself. We were seated near the back, which was fine since there were 12 of us. It took a few minutes before any of us could figure out what to order. Everything on that menu looked delish. My decision came to the Santa Fe, which was pretty much a breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, and two types of cheese, topped with tomato salsa, sour cream, and salsa verde. Good grief, it was ginormous! Why had I never had anything with chorizo in it until now? NOM! I would have been completely content if I were able to finish at least half of it. Sure enough I did, but I wasn't about to let the rest of this eggy/cheesy/meaty goodness go to waste, so I brought it home. For a hole in the wall establishment, they don't skimp on the portions. And for a party our size, the service was outstanding. I wish I remembered the name of our server--she was awesome! I'm sorry that I didn't notice this before when I'd go to my optometrist or the KFC right next to it. Now that I know where to go for brunch within 5 minutes from my home, I'll never overlook this place again.
(4)
Michael L.
Oh hell. I've been coming here for years and this totally slipped off my radar. Bad me! One of the best breakfast spots south of the city. I can't say much about their other mealtimes ever since their hour expansion because I can't seem to break out of the habit of only coming here for breakfast. Sounds odd, but I had the best damned oatmeal here with a nice side of fixin's. And I still get a kick out of reading their wall. If you ever have to stop by good ol' Kaiser South City for that MRI or leave the emergency room in the morning after an emotion-filled, panicky night, wander across El Camino and stop by Joann's!
(5)
Petunia L.
So i ordered an omelet with spinach feta and turkey YUM....and i thought all those flavors were amazing together but the eggs were a little watered down and I wasnt too thrilled with the dark meat turkey. I know it's my personal preference ...and the menu didn't specify whether the turkey was dark or light but nontheless. All in all though service was good place was packed typical sunday morning i imagine? The waitress was super sweet and the portions are generous. I would definitely go back just next time i'll make sure to order something a little different
(3)
Alex F.
A friend had read a Yelp about this place and since we were in the mode for a burger, decided to go there. First impressions are very important, and I have to say I was not disappointed. It has a very nice diner atmosphere. There are counters on the left side that can seat about 10 people or so and both on the right hand side. It is open seating, so we sat at one of the booths, later on when lunch hour came, there wasn't a seat available. Get here before noon to get a booth, or else you're going to have to sit at the counter. I ordered a Bacon Bleu Burger. It was a 6 oz. patty with 2 huge think strips of bacon, bleu cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pickles and french fries. They serve it on a round white plate. Looking from above, none of the plate showed through, now thats a lot of food. The burger was cooked to my order, the bun was toasted and it had enough mayo on it, the bacon was crispy, the bleu cheese added to the burger, it wasn't too pungent, it was perfect. The veggies all come on the side so you can add to your burger and make it your own, which is much easier then taking things out of a burger. The french fries were not oily and lightly salted. The our waiter kept passing by delivering orders to other customers, and I was greatly impress, their turkey sandwiches had real turkey in them! The grilled cheese with had had a piece of ham steak alteast a 1/4 inch think, and their cobb salad looked great! The only bad thing is the location of the bathroom. You have to cross through the kitchen to get to it, and i have this phobia about walking though kitchens and slipping and spilling a vat of hot oil or soup on me. Also, the waiter dropped of our check half way through our meal. What if I wanted something else? double the work for him. I'll be coming back to taste their breakfast menu which is served all day long.
(4)
Faffy L.
3.5 stars Oldie but goodie. This neighborhood establishment has probably been around 20+ years but it still serves up fluffy omelettes and other brunch/lunch items. I had their New Year's Omelette the other day and it was packed with reaaally crab, bay skrimps, asaparagus and cheeese. It was fresh and tasty. I hear that their muffins are awesome, but I was lame and opted for the usual sour dough toast....which was great too. This is a home fries type of place, but thankfully they were good and plentiful. This is a cool place to even come eat by yourself. There's plenty of old clippings to read on the wall to keep entertained. I'm looking forward to going back to stuff my face for dinner!
(3)
J B.
Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is I wish this place was bigger. Great food, but there is always a wait to get in. My favorite breakfast place.
(4)
R S.
Wholesome delicious breakfast: fulfilling gaucho meal n hot cakes. Small cafe with a few tables and a breakfast bar. Kind of like a Mexican American breakfast I assume. They fill your plate. Its great for what you pay for. Hidden cafe. Great for all ages. I'd definitely go again. Wish they had pictures of the food on the menu though.
(4)
David S.
Wow, found this place and then ate breakfast there for the rest of my stay. Staff were really friendly, food was awesome, great omelets. Place was buzzing but the service was still fast, got my order right. Parking could be an issue its a very popular place. Next time I'm in town I know where I'm having breakfast ....
(5)
DJ D.
Your Plate is always Full!!! Don't wear a sweater! quarters are close and the grill keeps you warm! U wont leave hungry!
(4)
Colleen P.
This place was a major disappointment. All I have to say is hey owner of Joanns reevaluate your wait staff. Service was the pits. Tried to order and had to repeat it twice because she was not paying attention....not that big of a deal. . but I ordered Orange French toast and a side of potatoes. With everyone else's food I got the potatoes, no french toast. After about 20 mins and our waitress not checking back with us I said forget it, it was a sign from the weight loss gods that I should just eat my daughters' side tomatoes and the potatoes and call it a morning. After eating a bit of my daughter's eggs benedict the tomatoes and half of my potatoes, she realizes that she forgot my french toast and brings it to the table. Great. Now I am 3/4 full and have a full meal in front of me. Luckily they actually tasted good and we all shared, hence the two stars, otherwise, the place sucks.
(2)
Freckles H.
Good food, but pricey. I got The Original scramble with ham, egg white only. The portion was generous and it was yummy. I also ordered a pancake, but it was $3.50 so I wouldn't say it's worth the price. The coffee wasn't strong, according to the fiance. He did like his omelette though and devoured it, as usual. I was a lady and could only finish half my meal along with the toast and half of the pancake. Our meal came up to about $32 w/ tip. Minus 1 star for the price, but service and food are good.
(4)
anne m.
I am a huge breakfast fan...I may go as far to say that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Joann's serves up excellent, home-made breakfasts. When I say home-made I mean they bake their own muffins from scratch, make their own salsas and jams, and squeeze their own juice. They offer a damn good mexican breakfast, pancakes, or just plain old eggs and bacon. Don't forget to try their specials. The place is tiny so it's best to get there early especially if you're hungry. Joann's is the only reason I miss living in this neck of the woods...
(5)
Cesar F.
I went in here after the great reviews on yelp, and was expecting to be overwhelmed when i walked in. I saw the great reviews from articles, newspapers, magazines plastered on their wall. I said ok, this place has to be amazing since it is rated best in the peninsula. Well, ladies and gentlemen i was greatly disappointed. The food was okay, it was not the greatest place to eat. The atmosphere was good, very family oriented restaurant, but there is better out there. I reccomend MIllbrae Pancake House over this. This place is overhyped, or just lost the flare it had in the late 80s, early 90s. (According to the review dates).
(2)
Aaron W.
This place is MONEY... instant 5. Lots of great memories here too....... get one of the homemade muffins, whatever you do... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)
Anne A.
I've heard about JoAnn's for a few years before finally having the chance to try it myself. Though I'm sorry it took me so long, I'm happy to report that it is as good as I expected. The home fries are really good here which is a rare and pleasant surprise. These home fries have a brown, crispy exterior and a tender, steamy interior. The baked goods rock, the eggs are fresh and the coffee re-fills are frequent. On our second visit, my husband opted to have toast because he noticed the chilled pot of apricot jam on our table. It looked so good, I had to take a bite and ended up enjoying an entire slice of toast slathered with that fresh tasting jam. JoAnn's is my new favorite breakfast spot!
(4)
Nancy L.
i've been coming here for over 20-yrs. and even though i've moved to san jose i still come at least a couple of times a month. we are usually here sunday for lunch. in all my 20-yrs. i have never been disappointed. i've brought various friends over the years and they are always impressed. the staff is welcoming and happy to offer any assistance (i.e. i brought my toddler godson and they brought him a plate of sliced banana right away). very thoughtful. the turkey is freshly roasted (what a treat) ! all the food is excellent quality. dinners are fabulous and the quality would cost you much more elsewhere (especially the fish and seafood items). they are very creative with their special offerings. awesome (real) milk-shakes, excellent soups (only during the week unfortunately). the turkey dinner is like having thanksgiving. yummo. come and enjoy, but please don't come on sunday. we have to wait long enough as it is. lol !
(5)
El N.
This was cafe was good. I ordered the JoAnn's special with comes with two eggs, choice of meat (I ordered the chorizo, which I later regretted), country potatoes, toast and a small bowl of fresh fruit. Everything was good but I didn't care for the chorizo too much, they added some different seasoning that threw the taste off a bit. The fresh squeezed OJ was delicious. The waitresses were cool and the cash register man "Armando" was very friendly as well. I recommend this breakfast spot if your out in South City.
(4)
Bernice C.
I agree with others that the prices have gone up and the quality is not as good as it used to be. But I still feel that for a breakfast joint, this is still one of the better ones. The quality is waaay better than Gunters (next block over) and all others around the San Mateo area . I feel that it's even as good or better than many breakfast/brunch places in the city. The omelettes are truly the best here over all other restaurants. How they get their omelettes so fluffy and perfect looking is beyond me. The ingredients they use are really fresh compared to other local restaurants. I never leave feeling heavy like I inhaled lard.
(4)
Alison ..
I hadn't gone to JoAnn's in many years. The last time I went, my date was showing me places around his old neighborhood around the Christmas holiday. That was almost nineteen years later. The same date (now husband) and I decided to try them out again. It was good and just as yummy as before, happy to say. Service was top notch, too. Anyway, you can't go wrong with this one, and the blueberry muffins are very, very good. Yes, I'm glad they're still there.
(4)
Katniss B.
I was excited about coming to JoAnn's because I've heard that they have good food. I ordered the pancakes and my husband ordered a regular omelet. The omelet was very mediocre and my pancakes were chewy and dry. Other than the mediocre food, the customer service was bad. One of the waitress' was nice, but there were two others that were just plain rude. My friend asked the guy (I'm guessing he is probably one of the manager or owner) for water and he said "yea" with an attitude. Don't these people live off tips? Or care about the reputation of their business?? I guess not!
(2)
steezy e.
I had a late breakfast here one day, and the food was excellent, the muffins were good, and the combo plates were filling! price is kinda steep, especially in these hard times, but well worth it for a Sunday breakfast hot spot. They even include some Mexican dishes, which i appreciate.
(4)
Lindsay B.
JoAnn's is a small hole in the wall diner that we would have never tried had it not been for Yelp. I drive by it all the time on my way to Trader Joe's and never saw it. The place was totally full and we happened to arrive right when a table was leaving. We were seated right away. The servers were quick with the coffee and refills and the food came out fairly quickly. I ordered the omelette special with ground beef, chiles, tomatoes and jack cheese with guacamole. It was really good and enough for two meals. It was $12.95, but I did not mind since I took half home for later.
(4)
T H.
I wish that I could give this place negative stars because that is what they deserve!! They offer lackluster meals at overpriced rates. After having a long conversation with my husband about why we never went back there after our initial experience a year ago. He told me that I should not write off a place after a one time experience. My past experience at Joann's left a lot to be desired. In order to give it another chance and hope that I was wrong the last time we decided to head over there this morning for breakfast. After standing the doorway and being completed ignored by all of the women who worked there for at least 10 minutes, we asked if there was a list or a wait. The very irritated server then rolled her eyes and asked the cashier if there were any available seats. She then told us that there was some seats open in the back or we could wait for a booth. We decided to head over to the back and have a seat. I was not very hungry so I ordered fruit. It was nothing special...some old assed watermelon and cantaloupe and honeydew. Which cost me a whopping $2.80. My husband ordered a coffee and he received it right away but waited another 10 mins to get his cream....which by the way is not cream but milk. I really hate it when a "diner" type establishment offers up milk with a cup of coffee. At least give me the option of weather I want milk/cream. The coffee was watered down and tasted like coffee flavored water rather than a steaming cup of wake me up goodness. Right there I knew this was not going to be a good experience. A breakfast place should make a good cup of coffee. My husband ordered a Denver omelette with bacon instead of ham well he should have ordered the a pepper and onion omlette because that is mostly what he got with perhaps one slice of bacon inside of it instead of ham. The egg used for the omlette had a weird texture and a rubbery feel to it. They must use a boxed egg type thing rather than real eggs which cook up fluffy and yummy. My husbands bagel tasted like a buttered piece of cardboard and we had to ask for more butter. Eating at Joann's is like going over to your cheap assed relative's house for breakfast and they scrimp on the food because they want to save. I mean we were paying here so give us some damn butter.The server was rude and non-caring I get that they are wonderful to their regulars but they should treat paying customers with the same respect. Another restaurant pet-peeve that came about here at Joann's was the server gave us the hot plate to set down ourselves rather than do it. We decided that we would have been better off going to Denny's because the food and the service there would have been better than at Joann's. In their window it says that they are Zagat rated we think that they stole this sign because there is no way that this egg in a box place could be Zagat rated. Their prices are really expensive for crappy food. Their special this morning with turkey, sausage and pesto was something like $12.75 that is a bit ridiculous to pay for a fucking omelette. Sorry Joann's I wanted to like you but yet again due to your crappy food and bad service I will drive by you and wonder what all the people who eat there see in you.
(1)
Bradley L.
Esmeralda is phenomenal!
(4)
Pacifica D.
JoAnn's is the best breakfast place in the area. I've been eating here for years. Try one of the daily specials or build your own omlete/scramble. I love the corn cakes but they rarely have them. The huevos are great.
(5)
Elaine M.
I'm pretty sure I started eating breakfast at Jo Ann's sometime in the early 1990s. It's still my favorite breakfast place in the vicinity, and doesn't show any signs of deteriorating. Just good, fresh, well-prepared food, every time. Their omelets are excellent, and you can build your own from a large list of ingredients. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the prices fair for the portion size.
(5)
Sienna L.
Been a customer of Joann's for many years, and I have never had a bad meal here. Period. They knock it out of the park every time. They'd been my favorite breakfast place forever, and when they added dinner it was as good as breakfast. A family-run business, they never fail to greet you warmly and serve you excellent food at reasonable prices. Joann's is simply awesome.
(5)
Mama S.
I hadn't been to this place since I was a preteen. I took my hubby recently and he decided that's where he wanted to go for father's day. The food is made from scratch w/ top of the notch ingredients & the price is just right. I love how their muffins are huuuge & wholesome. Oh & did I mention this place is chuck full of locals - who obviously come here daily. We will frequent this place.
(5)
yohs m.
You must try the corn cakes with fruit on the weekends. Also a side of the sauteed spinach with mushrooms will surprise you. For those of you who know Ella's in the city, Joann's is less pretentious and the food is just as good if not better. One of first breakfast places I think of first when I get up on the weekends. You'll spend $15 but the food is well worth it. Get your breakfast and then do your costco run then hit lidia's deli for lunch.
(4)
Jeff W.
solid breakfast place with fluffy Amish pancakes, good breakfast potatoes, thick cut bacon, and the usual suspects. fresh squeezed o.j. is also a nice touch. the coffee could be a little more robust, but other than that, well worth the drive to SSF. Down the street from the SSF Kaiser. same block as KFC. Check it out.
(4)
Sarah W.
Brunch is off the hook!! The egg dishes are fantastic, and the pancakes are perfect. Good coffee, nice service, generous portions, and a great deal, too :) Yay for JoAnn's. There might be a wait for a table, but it's worth it, so come hungry!
(5)
Moko S.
i love joann's. must try their scramble and muffins.
(4)
Mario P.
I went for breakfast today with my brother-in-law. We've been here before and the food was always consistently good. Today was no exception. Got JoAnn's Special (eggs however you want, your choice of meat, assorted cut-up fruit bowl, potatoes and bread). You can ask for "no yolk" if you want (which I did). Delicious! Portions are more than what you would expect (no empty spaces on the plate). Nothing felt like it was pre- made or came in a box from Costco. Service is also consistently friendly and quick. Go as early as possible on the weekends because it fills up fast. My brother loves the "made from scratch" muffins. Give it a try! Prices are reasonable.
(5)
Brian M.
JoAnn's is definite a small, cute, out of the way cafe in South City. It took one or two passes to find it because it such a small hole in the wall. The seating of the cafe is rather limited, so parties larger than say more than 4, get there early, put your name in, and be prepared to wait. There is almost always seating at the counter. The food is excellent!! The omelets came out nice and fluffy, as so did the buttermilk pancakes, which are some of the best I had ever eaten. The other breakfast entrees were very tasty, and satisfying. Prices were a little on par with the amount and quality of food served.Overall a great little restaurant to have breakfast on the weekends.
(4)
Tracie P.
This place has a green salsa breakfast burrito with cream cheese and just enough pico to make my heart go pitter patter......a really nice place but be prepared to wait on the weekends or if you have a larger group.
(4)
Art S.
I used to like it here. I enjoyed the breakfasts and the coffee seemed a little better than you'd expect. But that was a few years ago. Of course I noticed that the place was slipping a little, but I told myself that it was only to be expected. As the quality of my experience dropped, my visits became more and more infrequent. Then it happened: the one event I couldn't ignore. We were seated at a table right next to the kitchen and I remember thinking that the guy at the prep station was doing a great job of keeping his area clean. I saw him wash his hands and he was using a dish towel to wipe down the area. It was getting late so I decided to order a bacon cheeseburger. So we were talking and kind of absently watching the food getting prepared. After a short while the prep guy set up plates for two burgers and then disappeared from view. Moments later the fry cook plated two meat patties, but was left with a third pattie and no place to put it. He stood there for a moment with a quizzical look on his face and proceeded to put the third pattie on top of the dirty rag. I decided to keep my eye on that pattie. Well, my suspicions turned out to be true. The prep guy returned and plated the pattie, then with a big Ole grin he turned around and reached over the short wall between his station and my table and placed that very same burger right in front of me. "Never More" P.S. Some people wanna know what happened next: Well, I refused the burger and managed to embarrass my daughter at the same time. Sometimes you just can't do anything right.
(2)
mai g.
love their scones and muffins service is great breakfast is good...better than dennys and ihop busy on weekends
(4)
Tastebud S.
Well it's hard to say anything exciting about this place. It's small, limited seatings. Not a full breakfast menu. What I mean by that is, they do not have some of your standard breakfast like oatmeal or cream-of-wheat hot cereal, etc. They don't cater to kids, so no kids menu. One thing they did have that most cafe/restaurants don't have is a freshly baked muffins. Luckily my son did find something he wanted to eat that morning, which was there brownie cupcakes. So overall it's not a place I would take my kids for breakfast. Food was just so-so.
(2)
Gordon S.
A nice little gem in the South San Francisco area. There is usually a small wait on the weekends but well worth it. I have only been there for breakfast so I can't speak for the lunch or dinner menu. JoAnn's has an old school coffee shop look to it but has a wonderful menu that has a slightly upscale touch. I particularly like the dishes with a Hispanic flair. Absolutely delicious.
(4)
Natalie G.
Let me start off by saying, Daily City and South San Francisco were created to get me mind-boggingly lost. It's like the most difficult Sudoku puzzle you can think of. The second you think you are getting somewhere you realize just how incredibly screwed you are and you are so far lost that you don't even know where the mistake was made. So...after about 2 hours of wandering around stopping off at every stop we could find to try to obtain accurate directions we FINALLY got to JoAnns (this is after we passed it miles ago and had to turn around). The wait was long but I am sadly accustomed to waiting at good breakfast joints. By the time we snagged a booth we were starving and eager to chow down. We ordered the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and the orange french toast; both of the dishes were very enjoyable. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and tender served with cream cheese and chives. The French Toast was thick and well drenched in custard. There were several other items I was curious about (including the milkshakes and muffins which I have both heard awesome things about). Oh..and the bathroom was kinda outside..and down stairs..I don't know something about it was off putting -yeah I didn't go... I'll totally come back if I get good directions and go to the bathroom before hand
(4)
One-cent L.
this is the best place to bring your friends and/or out of town visitors for breakfast. this was the place i first tried pumpkin pancakes-they are the best (and their orange french toast is delicious as well)--everything is....GO--if you haven't already been....
(5)
Karen B.
4 1/2 to be exact...although my husband says I should give it a 5...pretty damn good fresh breakfast!! My breakfast was a typical egg and home fries with the best swine I've had in a while...i was expecting it to be very salty but to my surprise it wasn't!! My poached eggs were PERFECT...now for what hubby ate. He had the Neopolitan i think and it was very good...the eggs were cooked soft, the veggies they used were crisp and fresh and again NOT salty at all...this place is pretty close to perfect..PRETTY CLOSE...OH....how could I forget the muffins and scone...YUMM-Y!! ****** EDIT 1/28/07***** I have changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars...here's why...just came back from breakfast and I had myself the FLUFFIEST omelet...FLUFFY...the eggs were whipped to perfection, the bacon was plentiful, the avocado pieces (NOT SLICES) were perfect and the green onion was crisp...okay...if you sit at the counter the cook will most likely chat it up with you...VERY NICE MAN...if you go here it's for their egg dishes...I kid you not..the omellete is FLUFFY and SOFT...it almost elevated off my plate...
(5)
Hank S.
I haven't been here in a while, but I used to enjoy it every time I went. I'm not really in to "American Style" breakfast (i.e. pancakes and omelettes) so their Mexican style fare (most not really Mexican) is what I like there. Also, the coffee is decent for diner style joints and the staff is great.
(4)
Pippi L.
Mmmmmm this place is pretty good. Their breakfast food is the best. It's funny because I've never noticed the place until I read a review about them on CitySearch for having the best brunch. Usually places like that are in the city with non-existent parking. But this is in South City and close to where I live! With parking!!! And it's free! (parking, not the food)
(5)
Y r.
Ive been going to Joann's since I've discover it thru a friend. You can get a great breakfast at Joann's. I love the omelette's there. Its a bit small so on holidays its packed. They are open till 2pm breakfast and lunch only. The waitstaff does a good job. They always have the coffee in hand ready to pour, prices are excellent too.
(4)
Vicki M.
A quaint little cafe tucked in an off the El Camino location, holds its own when it comes to filin' your belly. Big homemade muffins and tasty breakfasts. The coffee is a nice complement to the meal. A big juicy hamburger for lunch and you'll be ready for the afternoon nappy!
(5)
Aaron I.
Fresh homemade muffins, mmmmmmm!
(3)
Casey W.
this place is incredible - great service and incredibly fresh and flavourable food. try the el gaucho or the southwestern salad!
(5)
Leigh R.
Very much your local "hole-in-the-wall" type place. Its definitely tiny, and not exactly a looker, but the food is fabulous. I usually get The Denny: 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 pieces of bacon. Of course, I never quite finish it! Best pancakes ever!
(5)
Judy L.
Greasy spoon just beyond the reach of San Francisco and a short ride to the Colma Costcto away. Great muffins and sweet staff. Huge portions. The lines aren't too long and apparently they now serve dinner.
(4)
Jasmine D.
I love breakfast food. I'll eat breakfast food for lunch and dinner if I can get away with it. ANYTHING off their breakfast menu is a sure thing. YUM.
(5)
Tin-Tin M.
i have wonderful memories of mexican breakfast extravaganzas here. they have scones, tasty potatoes and tasty breakfast meats. i still have not had those famous corncakes, but i have never been disappointed with the food i do get.
(5)
Pearl Z.
Awesome place to eat with great service. Lunch time is usually packed with people so you may need to wait a few minutes, but the food is worth the wait!
(5)
Margie N.
Excellent food and service, I was thoroughly impressed with this little hole in the wall. My Cobb was perfect, one of the best I've had with generous portions of all the ingredients and real turkey! [As opposed to the sliced turkey you usually get in crappy little salads.] Be warned that this is a tiny place, so you may have to wait a bit for a table, and try not to bring your parkas [I don't care if SF is going to freeze this weekend!] and giant Lindsay Lohan purses, there's just no where to put them, and they take up way too much room.
(4)
Dave B.
They have Migas, real migas...yummy. They also have weekend specials. A touch pricy for a diner, but portions are huge. Also have to-go muffins, real fresh squeezed OJ. Sometimes a little packed on weekends...but very very good
(4)
Debbie Y.
A great breakfast diner find, I've never noticed it before. There's an extensive menu and the breakfast sophistication was a pleasant surprise, they have dishes like eggs florentine and eggs benedict. The apple walnut muffin was delicious and the home fries were good too...next time I'm going to go for the orange french toast or amish pancakes. Great way to start a morning.
(4)
c c.
Love, Love this place. Their corn pancakes are the best! Their yougurt is homemade too!
(5)
C A.
foood is very very good! service could use some work. giving the place 4 stars for the food alone. would give the service a 2.5.
(4)
Dan L.
Sort the reviews by date and you will find that the ratings have gone down quite a bit in the past year. I have been going there for over 10 years and used to go there when it was owned by Joanne. She sold it to several of the former cooks and it has gone down hill. She sold it a number of years ago, and at first it was just as good as the cooks kept the same menu, but lately they have cut portions and the quality of the ingredients while raising prices. It is definitely expensive for what you get. The service is pretty bad with waitresses who work for their favorites but blow off most other people. The food is still OK. but for the price, service and location, I can only give it 2 stars.
(2)
Jarjar B.
Dined here with some pals...I had an omelette which I'll have to give 3 stars. It didn't appear to have the cohesion of ingredients I prefer. It's decent but I've tasted better...will give it another shot with a burger order perhaps.
(3)
Scott B.
Seriously. You need to go here.
(5)
Rick P.
great ol skool diner type of place, with counters and stools that you can imagine regulars pulling up to several times a week. the spanish inspired dishes are where it's at. i had the chilaquiles (two perfectly poached eggs over generous amounts of moist, shredded turkey, on a bed of tortilla chip strips, jack cheese, topped with a tangy roasted tomatillo sauce) which was filling and satisfying, while resembling something fairly healthy. my friend had the chorizo burrito with cheedar and tomatillo sauce which was pretty hearty (might have been a lil too hearty for me, if i had consumed the whole portion). coffee was decent and service friendly and fast.
(4)
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Address :1131 El Camino Real
South San Francisco, CA, 94080
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Victoria L.
Love this little diner! Just a little out of the way restaurant. Good, friendly service and delicious food! I find it hard to force myself to order anything there but the orange bread French toast. It's soooo good!
(5)Denise L.
I was afraid at 11:30 AM on a Sunday that this place would be packed, but it wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait. We were seated near the door in the corner. I was dying. It was a hot 85 degree day and the only fan in the restaurant was facing the booths, so our corner, which was also by the window, was a sauna. I was sweating during the entire meal. It was brutal. They need more fans or A/C. I got an average breakfast plate: -Eggs: Got them scrambled. Decent. -A meat: Got bacon. They give you a lot! -Potatoes: Good. -Bread/pastry: I chose the cranberry and orange scone. It was big but it was so crumbly. Seemed too dry. -Small bowl of fruit: Fresh. No complaints. Overall, it was alright. A little pricier but they do give you a lot. Easy parking along the street.
(3)Samantha W.
waste of gas to drive even 5 minutes to this place. most mediocre (actually worse) food out there. all our dishes were dry. disgusting.
(1)Jerriee C.
My husband and I were out for a Saturday morning drive and we found Joann's Cafe through Yelp for breakfast. a small family restaurant from the area to hang out. The menu offers a variety of mouth watering breakfast, such as Portabella mushrooms -eggs Benedict and my favorite Cornmeal pancakes with fruit, peaches , strawberries, bananas, etc.. It was mouth watering, the products were fresh and a warmth of home-made food. The staff was absolutely amazing, they were friendly and great customer service. Therefore, I highly recommend this cafe !! Ambient, great food and friendly staff!
(5)Juvie M.
Never fails. Love their side of muffin especially their apple walnut something. Small place but fast service.
(4)Luba P.
Yes the breakfast is simple and delicious. Yes you get fresh fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice. The lunch is great too. But...those muffins though??? WOW. Best muffins I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back to this simple, no none sense, yummy, hidden gem of a diner.
(5)Anne R.
Came here a couple of weeks ago for breakfast, late lunch. It's a really cute and small cafe and it was pretty packed for a Monday which also happened to be a holiday. So if it is busy, you can expect it to wait a bit to get a table for lunch or breakfast. All the staff there were really kind and seems to really like their job. Main reason for the 3 star review, the food wasn't all that great, well it was nothing that I haven't tried tasted before. I was kinda expecting something more based on the reviews and for how busy it was. The eggs were tasteless, and the potatoes were a bit on the hard side. Overall disappointed but if I ever come back I would try something different but chances of me coming back are low. Parking here is also a mess and hard to find.
(3)Christine D.
What can I say about JoAnn's.....I visited JoAnn's on Sunday morning at around 10am. Fortunately, the wait was only about 10 minutes. We were seated and placed our orders. I decided to order the Goldie Lox which was basically scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and green onion. The eggs and the smoked salmon with the cream cheese paired well together. It was the perfect combination of creamy and salty. I would definitely order this dish again. The dish came with roasted potatoes and blueberry muffin (you can pick between some toast, a muffin, or a scone). The potatoes were just ok and I wasn't very impressed with the muffin. It was more bready and wasn't as fluffy as I thought it would be. Why the 3 stars? The service! Our waiter was extremely slow that day. He didn't really check up on us if we needed anything. I was literally hunting him down trying to get his attention. He didn't realize he had forgotten our coffees that we ordered until he had given the table next to us their coffees and I pointed out we didn't have ours. He seemed like he was always in a rush to leave our table after we needed something. I had to ask him for a coffee refill, some water, the check (to give the check and to take our payment), and for a carry out box. It seemed like more attention was given to the waving over the waiter than actually paying attention to who you're having brunch with. It definitely took away from the experience which is a shame because the food was pretty good.
(3)Charlee W.
Awesome place! Menu is great! Service is even greater. Food is the BEST. I love how the items they have are made in that location. For example their sausage and their muffins. I feel like my grandmother was right there cooking for me. Very warm and comfortable environment. DONT LET THE SMALL LOCATION TURN YOU AWAY!!!! It's totally worth it and the wait!!!
(5)Michelle Z.
Honestly, I had high expectations for this place because of all the reviews. The staff is nice, but the food is just your average breakfast spot. I tried the apple walnut muffin as others suggested, and it was good but I wouldn't come here just for their muffins. Yes, there is a bit of a wait, it's a small place.
(3)Julie L.
Presentation and flavor are lacking. My smoked salmon omelette had waaaaay too much scallion. Every bite was just scallion. My friend had the club sandwich and the cheese was just thickly sliced and sitting there. Not bad but it wasn't particularly special. Staff is very nice and seated us quickly.
(3)Angela D.
Really great mom and pop cafe serving up classic breakfast items. I suggest getting the orange french toast- so good! This time I opted for their Special omelette with italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and a huge dollop of sour cream on top. YUM! Wait, if any, is about 10 minutes.
(4)Cindy C.
I use to love this place until today. I vame in with my sister, mother, and three kids. The old man in the establishment seated us. Already I knew it was not going well based on his face of annoyance when he saw my three toddlers. Once seated my 1 year old son accidentlty knocked over the creamer. Before I had the chance ro clean it the old man handed me the dirty rag and asked me to clean it and to be more careful. That is when I should have just left but having three hungry kids we decided to stay. Being a regular I had the order ready. The young girl that took our order always seem to be in a bad mood. She was short with us and was quickly annoyed when my niece spilled her orange juice. It took more than 20 minutes for our food to arrive. When it came it was cold. My mother's order was incomplete. As we were getting ready to leave my daughter was touching a frame the old man quickly scolded me to tell my daughter to not touch the frame for it could fall and then he could get sued. First, those frames are dirty and dusty. Secondly, if he is so worried about being sued maybe he should move the frames. Third, if you do not like kids do not seat them in areas where they have dangerous decor. We will not be coming back here. Nor will we recommend this place to anyone. This place is not kid and the old man ruins everyone's day with his negative vibe.
(1)Laura R.
Ate here at fathers day brunch. Please keep the fruit corn cakes on menu forever!!! soooo goood. Best corn cakes ever, even berry butter on top:) Been here a million timrs because the food is excellent. Great renditions of latin breakfast here too!!!!
(5)Elaine Y.
3.5 stars Came to JoAnn's on a whim and left pretty satisfied. My family tried a variety of Latin breakfasts and traditional square breakfasts and we were all pretty happy with our choices. I ordered the Gaucho with chorizo and found it incredibly filling. The meal was delicious. I mean, what's not to like about chorizo and mushrooms contained in a quesadilla-like shell topped with ample pico and sliced avocado? My only knock on this very tasty meal was that it did get a little acidic at one point. The pico was just a little too overbearing and it was hard to spread out the avocado enough to temper each bite....I ended up stealing my brother's muffin. That muffin though. If it was warm it would have been heaven on earth, but it was not. Still, it was wonderfully fluffy and if you like muffin tops, you'll definitely get your money's worth! Price-wise, it's actually pretty high for a coffee-shop like atmosphere. Plates are roughly $11-12 and drinks tack on another $3 at least. It was good, but was it good enough to warrant a bill close to $70? Not really. That said though, we definitely ordered a few muffins to go - those are a real winner.
(3)H. C.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall. All my life in the area, I never heard of it until last year when my husband introduced it to me. Ever since then, I've returned and always, ALWAYS ordered the "Gaucho" and hot chocolate. The Gaucho is a tortilla filled with the meat of your choice (I personally like chorizo), mushrooms and jack cheese topped with salsa and avocado. It's infused with spices and flavor which always satisfied me. As for the hot chocolate, it's the BEST I've ever had. They use two kinds of chocolate and top it with their homemade whipped cream which tastes a lot like marshmallow whip. Ahhh, yummy! Thank you Joann's for satisfying my pregnancy cravings.
(5)Stephanie L.
I guess I had high expectations for JoAnn's after reading all the reviews. But when I came for breakfast/lunch on a Friday, it wasn't as good as I expected. I ordered the gaucho with cajun sausage. I actually wanted some waffles or pancakes, but I assume those are only served on weekends? I didn't see it listed on their breakfast menu or their specials. The cajun sausage was delicious and I liked all the toppings on the guacho. But when I cut into it, a pool of liquid came out. Not sure if it was from the mushrooms, sausage, or pico de gallo, but it made my tortilla soggy, sadness. But overall, big portion and decent tasting. Prices are average, all $10-13 per dish. But their portions are large. Some of their breakfast dishes include toast or their baked goods. Their baked goods are delicious. I had their banana choc chip muffin and the blueberry scone. Yummmm. We were fighting for every last bite. Service isn't super friendly and talkative, but they're quick and efficient, which is much needed since they don't have much seating.
(3)Julia K.
One of those places that is hard to find, but has super tasty food! Its literally a hole in the wall, but super clean and nice atmosphere inside. I came here with a friend for breakfast last week and we both loved it. The portions were a big size and the prices were awesome. My friend got the poached egg with chicken sausage on toast and I got the scrambled eggs with spinach bacon, and mozzarella cheese. We each also got freshly squeezed orange juice, which was super sweet and fresh. Its a cute, little hidden breakfast/brunch place. Definitely one to keep in mind and try out! Great Service!!
(4)Eva H.
Food: 4/5 Price: $ Portion: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Appearance: 2.5/5 Presentation of food: 3/5 OVERALL: 4/5 I had their Grand Slam (special of the day), came with eggs scrambled, bacon, and 2 pancakes with fruits. Everything tasted great, my eggs were fluffy and nicely salted, bacon was pretty good (can be a little crispier). The only thing is I didn't notice that the pancakes were their 'special' corn flour pancakes so you can TASTE the texture of a corn bread (which personally I do not like corn bread), kind of ruined the pancakes to me. Besides that everything else was great, small little joint, kind of a mom and pops restaurant. You can tell that locals know this place and that they come every week. (MINIMUM $10 FOR CREDIT CARDS!!!!)
(4)Bernie C.
This place looks like a cute little family owned place. It doesn't have a parking lot but street parking in the neighborhood was easy to find even on a weekend afternoon. There was no wait when I came on a Saturday afternoon. The waiters and waitresses were very friendly. The food was ok. Had the Eggs Benedict with potato. The potato was amazing. It was really soft. But the Benedict was not the best that I've had. It was a bit too sour for my taste. May not come back next time.
(3)Harley L.
IN for breakfast again gave it another chance, nope same old stuff infact worse, the place needs an overhaul seats are ripped it smells tile floor is all ripped up,owner needs to dump some money into the place for sure, owner also has no front teeth not a good presents for the owner I'm done with this place and so are my friends.
(1)Mimie L.
2.5 Stars Quaint diner that I've been wanting to try out for the longest time. I knew it was on the small side, so I had to wait for a day that it would just be me and the hubby. So, we went for brunch on while the kids were in school and we had the day off. We arrived at at around 10:30 and I was surprised to see the place full on a weekday. It looked like a lot of "regulars". We got seated after about 5 minutes. Thankfully booth opened up because I didn't want the table next to the door. I ordered one of their breakfast combo plates which had scrambled eggs, potatoes and 2 italian sausage patties. Hubby opted for a burger. I knew I had to try one of their huge muffins, so I got the banana nut, which I loved. My breakfast was ok. I think the scrambled eggs "stole the show" only because they were so fluffy and creamy. Overall, just basic diner food. Not sure if I'd come back.
(2)Joanna M.
My dad took my sister and I here for a nice weekend breakfast the other day. He's been going there for years with his friends for work and thought we'd enjoy it as well. And we did! Joann's is a very, very, small place, and they were quite busy when we got there around 9:30am, but we only had to wait a few minutes for a table. The server was quick to get our drinks and take our orders. My sister got the Neapolitan eggs, and even though I'm not a fan of scrambled eggs, I thought they were amazing! They're perfectly cheesy and mixed with chunks of ham, tomato, and green onion, and served with a side of country potatoes. My dad ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes, which were the BIGGEST and FLUFFIEST pancakes I've ever seen served in any kind of restaurant! And even better, they're made with real pumpkin puree, not that "pumpkin spice" stuff you would get at Ihop or Denny's. I wasn't in a very breakfast kind of mood, so I ordered the garden burger, which was described as a "burger with jack cheese, avocado, tomato, pickles, onions, lettuce, and alfalfa sprouts" as well as some sort of mildly spicy sauce that I can't remember the name of. It was listed with all of the other hamburgers, so I was a bit surprised that the patty I received was a veggie burger and not beef. I guess the name "garden burger" hints at that, but for some reason I was expecting a beef patty with lots of veggies on top (which is what I was in the mood for. I love me some avocado!) Regardless, the garden burger was DELICIOUS, I could hardly tell the patty wasn't beef. It was served with some fries that were ever so lightly salted but still were absolutely delicious and full of potato flavor. Overall an amazing little place, the only reason I'm giving four stars and not five is because they do NOT serve hash browns, which are hands down my favorite breakfast food. Definitely a great place to go with family or friends!
(4)Cathy P.
The food and atmosphere are excellent! It's always a busy place every time I have come to eat lunch here. But when I was here with family, I seem to remember being frequently interrupted by an over-zealous waitress to provide service while trying to enjoy a family conversation. But I would come back again to enjoy a delicious, wholesome meal.
(4)Todd J.
The scrambled eggs I had are good. The spinach and chorizo were good I the eggs. The muffins are the best thing as they make then there, get the muffins for sure. This is no insult to the restaurant but it's average breakfast fare, nothing unusual or that I'd say you have to go there. Just an average breakfast
(3)Mae R.
It was Fathers day and there were lines everywhereeee. Luckily Yelp recommended Jo Anns Cafe. The place is small, maximum occupancy about 50 people, but the quaintness of the diner gave it a welcoming ambiance. As soon as we got to the door we were welcomed by a cheery eyed cashier and seated immediately. As we looked through their weekend menu, a man (who i presume to be the owner) roamed about making sure that everyone was well taken care of and that everyone was having a good time. When the food came it was a steaming plate of delicious beauty. My girl got their Orange French Toast and cant stop raving about it. I on the other hand got Pauls Sandwich which had much more bacon than i could have hoped for! All in all we thouroughly enjoyed coming here for the first time and look forward to coming here again. Happy fathers day!
(4)Alice L.
Cute little hole in the wall with fresh food and great pastries. Orange juice was fresh squeezed and very sweet. The service is friendly but a tiny tad slow. Their prices are comparable to Stacks, but I think Stacks is better. I ordered the Neapolitan scramble and it wasn't anything special that I couldn't stir together in a pan at home. Home fries were a little undercooked, potatoes were very hard but luckily I like them that way. Overall, for $10-12, I was underwhelmed. A bowl of fruit with yogurt was about $10. What others say about arriving early is true, we came soon after they opened and was seated right away, but when we left a little over an hour later, there were several parties waiting outside the door. I imagine parking can get a bit tricky at that time.
(3)Chiara M.
Had the spinach scramble and it was horrible. My eggs were so over cooked and flavorless. My dad had a Cranberry scone that the waiter recommend and said it was home made but it so dry, almost uneatable. This place is so close to my job I really wanted to like it, the only reason I am giving it two stars is because our waiter was super nice.
(2)R D.
Juicy Burgers & Crispy Fries!!! Great casual atmosphere - enjoyed lunch w/my daughter & nephew
(3)ThuZ W.
Good mom n pops breakfast place. We ordered the veggie omelet n eggs florentine, n lots of options on the menu. Try their specials cos a few other friends got them, n they were great. Great service n always fresh n yummy. They serve fresh baked goods n orange juice n lots of veggie options.
(3)Andreea M.
This is a very small neighborhood place. It is located in a narrow side street so parking can fill up fast. There are also only a few booths and some seating at the counter so, it is a good idea to come here early as there are often people waiting outside to be seated. Joanns is good for breakfast and lunch. I have come here many many times and have never had a bad experience. The food is consistently good, prices are reasonable and staff is always friendly. Although I usually come here for breakfast I have had a couple of their lunch items as well (sandwiches, burgers, etc) and they're always to my liking. They're orange french toast is delicious and usually my go to for breakfast!
(4)M M.
Very disappointed with my recent visit to JoAnns. The person who seated us at our window table proceeded to use the menus to smash flies against the window before seating us and handing the fly swatted menus to us. I got fresh squeezed orange juice, but it tasted watered down. I got the original and he got the goldilocks. Both were mushy, soggy, undercooked messes. Unfortunately my burnt home fries tasted like the salmon in the goldilocks. It was absolutely awful. This place used to be fantastic. It might be under new management or just an off day, but it was so far off that I will not be going back.
(1)Roger P.
For all the years that I have lived in the area, I've never even noticed that Joanne's cafe was even here! And even ate at the long john silvers literally next door! Well thanks to the wonderful world of yelp, I was able to give Joanne's a try. I still say to myself, "hole in the wall restaurants almost always serve the best food". And at Joanne's my thinking was right. I walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 and it was packed inside. That's a good sign! Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right to have the restaurant full. The food is really good. It's like a diner so you can see the cooks cooking right up front. Making everything fresh. I ordered an eggs Beatrice. 2 poached eggs atop grilled garlic sourdough bread with smokey salmon and spinach. Mmmm! Sooo good! The salmon had a nice hint of smokey ness to it. The crisp buttery garlic bread had nice texture as well as taste and complimented the salmon perfectly. But breaking the poached egg and all the rich and creamy egg yolk slowly oozing down over the salmon and bread and spinach was heavenly! It just took me to the next block in flavor town! Next stop, gratification! Oh was I a happy camper. I love really good food. I'm an absolute foodie. Mum only gripe is I wish they served hashbrowns. That would have made it perfect. They only serve country potatoes. I'm not a big country potatoes guy, but there's was good... Start making hashbrowns!!!
(4)Emily H.
The service was great, which is the only reason I gave it 2 stars. I honestly feel sick to my stomach after eating there. Probably the worst breakfast I've ever had. The omelette was both burned and runny at the same time. The only tasty thing was the muffin.
(2)Norman F.
We frequent JoAnn's Cafe due to its proximity to my mother-in-law's assisted living arrangement an the South San Francisco Kaiser campus. Not only did we eat lunch here today, but we brought our grandchildren and their parents here for lunch with their grand and great grandparents. JoAnn's accomodated our party of 11 aged 5 to 89 with finess! The Gauch, the Sleeping Beauty sandwich, the salads and pasta dishes are all fresh ingredients. We are at the counter one lunch and learned we know the chef!
(5)Victoria W.
After reading several of the yelp reviews, I was really hyped up for the pancakes and the orange juice. The pancakes were good, but nothing out of this world. The orange juice, however, was fantastic, fresh and delicious. The diner itself was small but crowded on a Thursday morning. The staff was very good, on point with the service. If you're looking for classic American breakfast, JoAnns will definitely satisfy those cravings.
(4)Dean M.
every time we go ...its just amazing. place is packed usually from 8am to 2pm you want to get there between 10-12 for the best time of day...oddly you can get in pretty fast on a Saturday or Sunday at this time frame. I'd recommend something, but honestly everything I've tried here has been good to great....no stinkers so far. I want to make this place a habit...maybe I will see you there..if so say hi
(5)S. M.
This has been my favorite breakfast place I've tried so far since moving from the hecticness of the city. The service was fast & very kind, the potatoes were soo good & they offered a huge fruit bowl which none of the other breakfast spots had. Very weird not to offer fresh fruit on the menu (makes it look kinda sketchy in my opinion). The other food around me that patrons had ordered looked great & the muffin display is dangerously good. All in all I will definitely be back.
(4)V W.
What can I say about Joann's Cafe? Well it's definitely a hole in the wall joint decked out with a 50's theme, but an 80's feel. The menu doesn't really offer too much variety and it's a bit over priced, but the food itself was pretty darn good. I ordered a 3 egg scramble with chicken sausage, zucchini, bell peppers and asked for them to use oil spray instead of butter, which I'm thrilled they could do for me. I also asked if I could substitute the starchy carbs for sliced raw tomatoes and they did. My food came out in about 5 minutes, which was great and everything tasted the way a lean healthy meal should taste like. My waitress was speedy and efficient, but not necessarily very warm or friendly. Overall I'm glad she did her job, but this kind of service doesn't really make me want to put this joint at the top of my dining list. My only major complaint about Joann's is that my breakfast of 3 scrambled eggs and a side of tomatoes came to $13 and that's just a little too high for me. Not sure if I'd coming back, but glad I got to try it. If your in the neighborhood I'd say go and give this joint a whirl and see if it's worth it.
(3)Hector G.
Short and sweet review coming up. No wait Food was good Coffee sucks! Service was pretty good Way overpriced. Omelet special was $15.95. For real FOR REALS??
(3)Jim Y.
We've been frequenting this peninsula institution for more than 20 years and are never disappointed. They make hands down the best omlettes on the peninsula. The orange bread is always a treat and the Joann's special is always a solid go to. Check the daily specials for some unique breakfast or lunch fare. Try a muffin or scone to go if you are on the run.
(5)Randoll C.
First - get there early or be prepared to wait. Or be okay with seating at the counter. Big portions. Fresh ingredients. Quick and friendly service. Decent food. Pretty much sums up my experience. Sat at the counter so I was able to watch the cooks in action. That was a show in itself. The dining area isn't big either so know that it's not the best place if you're coming in with a large group. Lots of parking though as it's on one of the streets that run parallel to El Camino. But that was on a Sunday morning though so during the week, I don't know what to expect. Food was decent. I devoured my entree and almost didn't have room for my side of fruits. But they were nicely chilled and really fresh so I stuffed myself on some healthy goodness. JoAnn's is ok in my book
(3)Malvika J.
I've been going to Joann's for many years and it's been great each time. The portion sizes are big and we tend to visit after a good workout. I highly recommend them for breakfast/brunch especially on weekends. I've found they have different staff on weekdays versus weekends. Some of my favs are: Their version of FrenchToast, Gaucho, All their omlette specials and their fresh coffee.
(4)Eli Y.
Great cafe where you can get a great brunch! So I was up in S. SF for work all day and decided that during my break I'd go to pound town on some brunch. I wasn't feeling particularly exciting so I went with a pretty standard order. I got the JoAnn's Special (2 eggs, choice of meat, home fries, choice of toast, bagel, muffin or scone), and fruit salad. All for 10.95. Not the cheapest but it was worth it for all the food! I got eggs over easy, bacon, and a muffin. It was all on point. The service was quick too. This was definitely a great pit stop and I'll be sure to be a bit more adventurous next time I come back
(4)Shin T.
Great place. Small and cozy, just the staff is not so friendly she acts like she just want to rush things through. But the food is great, price is reasonable, looks clean, open kitchen. The pancakes are chewy and yummy!
(4)Stephanie C.
After our workout, my friends and I decided to grab some breakfast at JoAnn's Cafe. JoAnn's is a little hole-in-the-wall diner serving up traditional breakfast and lunch ranging from pancakes and omelettes to sandwiches and burgers. They also serve Mexican breakfast! Everything on the menu sounded good. I was craving pancakes and ordered the buckwheat pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon. The buckwheat pancakes were a little dry, as I expected, but with enough syrup and some bananas, they ended up being pretty good. Scrambled eggs and bacon were pretty standard and in generous portions. The food alone is 4 STARS but the service is what earns JoAnn's 3 STARS. Our server didn't seem in the best mood and wasn't really up to giving any suggestions. I'm one to brush those sort of things off but trying to pay was a problem too. They wouldn't let us split the check three-ways because the cashier didn't know how to. I mean, it's 2013, in this day and age a business should be able to split a check between credit cards. I'd like to go back to JoAnn's to try other breakfast dishes so hopefully the service is better next time.
(3)Elizabeth S.
This is a breakfast hot spot, especially on the weekends. JoAnn's is quite small, but worth the wait in this quaint venue. My bf and I sat at the counter directly in front of the stove where the chefs were cranking out yummy breakfasts and topping them off with fresh ingredients. People are nice here and deliver great service. Our water glasses stayed full and our coffee mugs brimming. I indulged in the "Gaucho" Mexican breakfast section. You get a choice of chorizo, Cajun sausage, Italian sausage or other which I can't remember. I chose the chorizo which came on a flour tortilla with mushrooms, jack cheese and spinach topped with avocado and fresh tomato salsa. Omg, it was truly amazing and one of the best breakfasts I ever had! My bf had some special omelette which I also tried and was equally impressed with. It had some of the same ingredients: chorizo, mushroom, olives, green onion, tomatoes and sour cream on top We're so satisfied we're juicing for dinner. lol We love this place!
(4)Michelle C.
Pretty good. I missed the full breakfast menu. So I for sure need to go back here. Ordered the quesadilla, spinach and mushroom. Almost ate the whole thing, but glad I didn't, because it was as big as the plate. My friend shared his potatoes with me, pretty good. Looking forward to my next trip to JoAnns. Street parking is not that bad. If you aren't afraid to walk, then in the neighborhood might have to be an option at one point.
(4)Ryan R.
Quick tip - Best tasting omelet ever! Pros - Great breakfast menu - eggs Benedict are awesome! Cons - Breakfast and Lunch only. Sometimes there is a long wait. Omelet are suppose to be simple and it seems that places cant get it right. I always do a custom omelet (cheese,mushroom and bacon) and always done perfectly. Most meals are served with potatoes and side of toast. This is my favorite breakfast spot!
(4)Matt L.
This place is great. Attentive quick service and fantastic food. First time here, but we will absolutely be back!
(5)Maria L.
If the wait list was more organized (or the guy trying to read it) I.would have given 5 stars. Good is always on hit! Muffins to go...our waitress was a sweetheart, but they need a lil help with that wait list. None the less I will go back. Love the food.
(4)Siai M.
Had the herbavoracious!! Recently stopped eating meat and this meal was probably the most satisfying vegetarian I've had so far. The place is small and the waitresses are nice. I will definitely be returning soon!!! *support small businesses*
(4)Marjie T.
minus one star for the confusion of seating...instead of a 15 min wait, it turned into 45 mins and we almost lost our seats the second time. if only they had someone more competent or i need to start putting down "bob" on the wait list for easier name recognition. anyway, the food, though - AWESOME! brunch hit the spot and made that initial impression seem like a distant dream. ORANGE FRENCH TOAST - thick, fluffy with a perfect essence of oranges. EGGS BENEDICT - poached egg, grilled ham, toasted bread, and delish hollandaise...it was all perfect put together, but the added bonus of vinaigrette tomatoes were the best! CINAMMON AND APPLE MUFFINS - these were another great starter. the crisp muffin tops are the only reason to want a muffin top! overall, joann knows what they're doing when it comes to food, just need some work on the faces putting it out there.
(4)Quality A.
Now this place as far as diner food is concerned is a great place to eat. The food is always fresh made right in front of you, the wait is pleasant and so are the waitresses. After being mistreated at a few other diners, Joann's has won my heart for the local breakfast joint in town, and I am always treated so well here- and at the minimum at least professionally. The food is filling, its tasty, its creative and several times it has been amazing. I made a ritual of always leaving with a bag of muffins on my way out. My favorite is the Amaretto muffin. This is a great small business and I am happy to support it, and I happen to be a big spender when it comes to food. Thanks Joann's! See you there! :)
(5)Paintball N.
Had a very delicious omelette here. The homefries were ok, nothing spectacular. I could barely finish the omelette, took up most of the plate. It's a small tiny dinneresque, food came out in a blink of an eye. We got lucky without waiting on a Sunday shortly after noon. I would definitely come back and try some of the other items on the menu. Should try their specials!
(4)Rene K.
Awful and expensive. The restaurant has an odor....like bad eggs. We had the "Denver" and an omelette. The pancakes were dry and overcooked. The bread tasted stale. The coffee was watery and the cream warm. The food was tasteless. Really pricey for what you are given. We would have a better meal at IHOP for less. The staff was efficient and friendly. The service was fast. I do not recommend for breakfast.
(1)Miss M.
Really? I don't get the hype about this place at all. My boyfriend and I went to have breakfast here yesterday, a Tuesday at about 8:30 AM so the place was pretty empty. The lady "in charge" didn't greet us, barley made eye contact and told us to sit anywhere, ok fine. I ordered the JoAnn's Special with cajun sausage and I added mushrooms and spinach to my eggs. The boy ordered eggs with cheese, sausage patties and a two pancakes. The JoAnn's special comes with a cup of fruit salad that had no flavor at all, nothing tasted fresh or sweet, in fact, it tasted like the fruit had been cut days prior and just sat refrigerated. Nothing on my plate had any flavor except the cajun sausage. The eggs, even though I added mushrooms and spinach had no flavor at all, a little seasoning goes a long long way folks, try it! The sausage patties were super dry and hard and had a funny after taste and pancakes were the doughiest we've ever had and also had no flavor. My Sunday Bisquick pancakes were a 10 compared to what we paid for! We didn't complain, what's the point? The lady in charge didn't check on us or even bother to ask if we needed anything, not even a refill of water. After disappointing food and a $30 bill, the least the lady "in charge" could do was be courteous to customers and send us off with a thank you, but nope, nothing, not even a glance in our direction. Needless to say we won't be back here, EVER. Too bad, I am finding it less and less likely to trust these reviews because this place was horrible.
(1)Eddie C.
Steel cut oats and standard American faire. The mixed fruit looks great. Actually, the steel cut oats weren't very steel cut. They were just standard Quaker rolled oats. Had I known, I wouldn't have order it. Still, the hashbrowns and omelets are legit.
(3)ryan k.
The 4 star rating is beyond me... food was average at best. Home fries were one-dimensional, bacon was overcooked, and muffin was dry. Service was sub-par and they need to have their line in order. Won't be coming back.
(2)Won S.
The service was spotty, starting at the lack organization when putting down for names for a table. The guy at the register didn't see that we just entered the door, as he took down the name of the lady behind me first. Then we had to alert the staff that there was an open table before finally seating us. The food was mediocre. The fruit salad that came with my order was mushy and not fresh at all. The muffins, as good as they looked, were overrated as they were run of the mill and unexciting. The omelette and breakfast burrito were very middle of the road. The wait and aggravation of poor service was not made up for by the food, sadly. I am not sure why the ratings are so high for this place. For faster, better service and food at a better price point, head down the street to Jack's.
(1)Justin I.
perhaps the best sour dough bread ever
(4)A M.
This is one of my FAVORITE local places for breakfast. Luckily, I go during those in between hours so I normally get seated right away. Everything is delicious. The staff is wonderful and very attentive and the price is decent. It's a very small place but delivers great tasting food and in a pretty timely manner.
(5)Loiosh T.
Amazing breakfasts, service is iffy. 5 stars for the food, 3 for the service, so we will go ahead and say 4. They tend to fill up, so come early.
(4)Pam Y.
They make giant pancakes. You can also customize our omelettes. I made mine with bacon, mushroom, and spinach. It turned out pretty yummy. They serve their omelettes with potatoes and either toast of muffin. The place is small. The service is always great every time I go there. It's nice to find a place like this in this area. If you live in daly city, and do not feel like driving really far for brunch then try this place. Its only competition around here is cafe grillades.
(4)Helen S.
Great except weak coffee. Service and food was wonderful.
(4)Robert L.
This breakfast & brunch diner is a great place to settle for a tasty meal. The menu is mostly a combination of mexican and traditional American brunch. You want eggs scrambled with mozerella sausage and diced tomato along with a side dish of roasted potato tots!? Then, I advise you to ride the tidal wave down here at Joann's because they are in possession of some mega mouthwatering dishes. You are going to leave stuffed like a fat shrek - bloated and utterly and completely satisfied! Furthermore, you want awesomerrific customer service, who smile at every inch and every corner of their face, then come here and enjoy the luxury of happiness, where all adults can be kids for one morning, stuffing their faces with deliciously crafted orgasmic food!
(5)Roland L.
I love the people, the staff and the small town down to earth service here. This cafe has been part of my So. San Francisco life.
(5)Steven S.
Great breakfast, much better than I have become accustomed to where I live. The first bite was heavenly. Wish I was closer to experience this delicious food more often.
(4)Marc A.
I hate to tell more people about this gem! If you miss the food from your favorite diner back east, JoAnn's is the spot for you. It's a greasy spoon with incredible food, good service and make sure you tell Carol hello!
(5)Angie V.
Amazing food! Wonderful service! Adorable place. Try the omelette special, it's a price of heaven.
(5)Grace M.
Craving a hearty breakfast meal in South city, look no further! Walking in you get to experience the charming diner feel with bustling service. Since it is a smaller location there can be a wait if you are going during rush. Typical breakfast menu: scrambles, meals, muffins! Yumm those huge muffins were so delicious! I ordered the Goldie Lox, lox scramble, and it was so goood! They had other basic choices on the menu as well which made it hard to decide. Good service, pretty fast since their is usually a waiting list. can't go wrong breakfast food!
(3)Brian A.
Went here for breakfast on September 5th. I had the Santa Fe and side of home fries. My wife had the special, which consists of two eggs, fruit and muffin. Food was very bland. Homefries are just big chunks of potatoes that are lightly browned, raw in the middle and no seasoning whatsoever. There were egg shells in my burrito, chorizo was bland, as was the salsa. All in all, I wouldn't come back. There are much better greasy spoon options in the area. This restaurant has won numerous awards, most of them in the 1980s, which is where their food and service quality seem to have been left.
(1)Carnley P.
Great breakfast! Get there early or be prepared to wait for a seating on the weekends. Avoid the counter seats directly in front of the griddle when they are super busy unless you enjoy eating in a sauna.
(4)Ninette B.
Nice find, courtesy of yelp! Came here with my family for my grandpas birthday. It's tucked away in a strip mall, and was crazy packed. We waited maybe 20 minutes for a table. Menu options are great! I made a custom scramble served with corn tortillas that was super good. And walking out, we passed the pastry case. Glad I only noticed it on the way out because it looked amazing and I probably would have gorged.
(5)David M.
Meh. The highlight of the meal was how well the bread was toasted...and we all know what that means. Also the Italian sausage had nice flavor but unless they are making their own sausage then I can't give them credit for that. Cons: Eggs were severely undercooked, was asked if I would like hot sauce; which never came, instead of individually flavored jam packets they have this weird communal jam at the table, one flavor; and also was asked if I wanted water; that never came either. Pros: I don't have to eat here again. 2 Stars: For the toast
(2)Jethro B.
I originally learned of this place through Roadfood, and have been going over 10 years. Good food (including orange bread french toast, and buttermilk milkshakes), friendly service, well-priced. Can definitely get crowded at times. Street parking is usually quite abundant.
(4)Tiffany R.
I saw that this place had 4 stars so I assumed it would be good. When I got there the waitress barely saw me and we had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. The place is very cramped so there was no place to wait. The food is pretty bland and a little over priced. 2 pancakes with fruit isn't worth $13. The muffins as good as they looks. They aren't fluffy or sweet. I wouldn't go back to this cafe.
(2)Rosita J.
This place is great! Once I was introduced to the Sante Fe breakfast burrito I was hooked. Omg I can't handle its goodness. It's so good I can barely chew my food. I just want to swallow it whole, like an anaconda. Weird? Yeah I know know, a little weird. Also, their seasonal pumpkin pancakes are on point. It seems like it's a family owned and operated business. Service is quick and they are very nice. It's no wonder this place is always packed!
(5)Christina D.
In town for a few days and looking for a local breakfast place. This place is awesome! Hidden gem in a small shopping center...and has awesome food and great service. I had the orange french toast and it was delicious! Would highly recommend!
(5)Emma H.
I'm being generous with the 2 stars because the staff was friendly and this seems like the kinda place where u go a few times and then everybody knows your name. The food, however left a lot to be desired. I ordered the Benedict. I was super sad to find out that, even though yelpers have commented on the hash browns in the past-this place only serves home fries :( The Benedict doesn't come with potatoes, it comes with "tomatoes vinaigrette" which means really thin slices of bad tomatoes with a really aggressively sour vinaigrette. I still ate them though, every bite. Our server offered to sub home fries when I asked her about the potato situation goin on there but I said eff it- just add a side of taters-afterall when in South City right? The home fries were horrible just FYI. Awful. It was like they fried them 3 days ago and then just steeped them in some warm oil before putting them on the plate. Greasy, burnt-tasting, not crispy, yet kinda dry. Everything I hate about a home fry. Why can't ppl just get with the program and serve hash browns!?! As for the Benedict- I couldn't even eat half. The poached eggs were totally undercooked- so raw that the whites were completely clear and runny- then covered in bland-not-homemade- hollandaise. Yuck. Also, when one of the severs went to stir the fresh orange juice (that was left on the counter uncovered the whole time we were there- I think that's just where they keep it, it wasn't a mistake) before pouring a glass for a customer, she did it with too-short of a spoon so a 1/4 of her hand was dunked in it while stirring -_- we won't be going back :/ it wasn't even cheap!
(2)Tommy H.
If you want good food head this way. This place has been held a place as a local favorite for as long as I have known about it. They do lunch & breakfast. Friendly staff, amazing food, it gets packed, but do not be afraid to wait, you will not be disappointed. I would put this as one of the best brunch places in the bay, all hail the lords of breakfast/brunch/lunch
(5)Sarah W.
Went here after running the nike women's half (go me), with 1300 calories to spare. My bf seemed to emulate my appetite though he hadn't run the half with me for he ordered: 2 stacks of pancakes, the lox scramble, orange juice, and toast. I ordered the Joann's special with bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, a blueberry muffin, and home potatoes. Our bill totalled $34. Pancakes were as big as a clock and as thick as a textbook. Weird analogies yes. My special came with four pieces of perfectly oven-roasted bacon, and a huge blueberry muffin. The 'tates were done well and were very, very satisfying. Eggs of course, very good. Although the staff wasn't welcoming when we walked in (no eye contact, nothing, for a good awkward 5 minutes), the food and speed of service was great. I highly recommend this as a weekend brunch stop in the suburbs of sf. Great prices, HUGE portion sizes, and hey it's really homey in this diner styled breakfast joint. I'd certainly go again after a long run. I hear their omelettes are supposed to be good. They sure looked good.
(4)Joanna L.
On a Sunday morning, we waiting 15 minutes for two people. We were lucky enough to get a booth and enjoyed watching the cooks prepare the meals. The portions were massive and delicious. I got the pancakes with fruit topping. It was also topped with a berry-flavored butter, although I couldn't taste a difference with regular butter. A part of me kept wishing it was ice cream. And, no need for the syrup, this dish is sweet enough on its own. The next time we're in SSF, we'll be back.
(4)Stephanie B.
JoAnn's (and to be fair, many breakfast joints) have made me re-evaluate my life. I never EVER eat breakfast. I wake up late, eat lunch, and start my day. Very rarely will I ever eat anything in the morning just by habit because I would honestly rather sleep. But, I'm thinking that this maybe should change because breakfast is just so damn delicious. How can I continue missing out on pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and bacon? Maybe next year. The funny thing about JoAnn's is that it's kind of hidden, easy to miss. They don't have a huge sign, and it's a fairly small cafe wedged and camouflaged on El Camino. Yet when you enter, there's so much commotion and energy. I love it. Their omelettes are yummy! I got an avocado, italian sausage, and spinach one - topped it off with some cholula hot sauce - mmmm, greatness. Although I picked the components, it was well-made. I loved how the avocados weren't so cooked, so it was still kind of refreshing. The spinach also wasn't overcooked. And that italian sausage was plentiful. Oh yeah, and almost each dish comes with your choice of muffin, scone, or sourdough bread....and home fries! POTATOES! Perfectly cooked and diced. Not overly spiced. Very balanced. Top that also with cholula sauce, again greatness! Add that sourdough bread and you're set for the rest of the day. I see myself becoming a regular here as it's pretty near my house. It just has that welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at home. And I don't know why, but I also enjoyed eating on their counter. My friend and I were so comfortable watching food being cooked and catching up - we could have stayed there forever. After eating here, you'll have a pretty good day - I did.
(4)Michael L.
"JoAnn, I love YOU You're the one The one for ME" I know, I know, Kool and the Gang said Joanna not JoAnn. But close enough. And I do love JoAnn's. I think JoAnn's is one of the best breakfast eateries going in the Bay Area. I've searched all over the Bay for a place like JoAnn's. Nice portions, lots of parking, close to my house, and the not to be overlooked breakfast menu with the Latin Flavor. It makes it unique. When I walked in, it just looks like a regular diner. But when I opened up the menu there was unique combinations of breakfast items to choose from, here's what I ordered: Herbivaracious: it looked like a party on a plate to me. It was a delicious mix of vegetables for I guess vegetarians. But topped off with a generous amount of sour cream to make the dish refreshing. Even a meat lover like myself found this dish great. Omelette: ground beef, onions, tomatoes, chiles, and too many things for me to remember, topped with guacamole. Tasty yet it didn't feel heavy. and it came with a carrot muffin for a contrasting sweet flavor. The latin swag topped off with Sour cream and guacamole make everything better.. Service: my server was friendly and had a great personality, just what I need to get my day started off right. So to JoAnn's, In the words of Kool and THE Gang: Searched so far Searched so long To find someone Someone to count on Now I feel I've got it right here Found it in you, baby You, my dear JoAnn's, I looove you
(5)Jochy E.
I came out to San Francisco for 4 days and I found this little hole in the wall on google and decided to try it out. I came to this place 4 times for breakfast and I loved it each and every time. The food and the service was amazing. It's small and gets full on the weekends so expect a little wait. Food comes out very fast and it is super tasty, especially the bacon. I recommend this place to everyone and it's worth the wait.
(5)Dan H.
I'm sure this place is good if you just turn up and wait but we booked a table over the phone, turned up and they had no knowledge of our booking and nobody seemed interested in finding out what happened! Very disappointing. Ended up going to Gunters, who seated us immediately.
(1)Steven D.
This place is fabulous. I come here about twice a week for lunch and the food is the best. I like the Chicken Little alas, the Southwestern Salad or the Black Bean Salad. I also love the Tuna or Turkey Sandwich. The staff is very good and friendly. I will always recommend this place to friends and colleagues. Give it a try and you will love it.
(5)Seung Hyun Y.
JoAnn's Cafe is located right off of El Camino Real, next to a Filipino Fast Food joint, but definitely in an area where its easy to miss. SSF Kaiser is close by with KFC around the corner too. Its a bit off the beaten path when we came here in the morning, but since it was 7am, we could see why. FOOD: Fresh Squeezed Oj --- Delicious and refreshing. Omelet (Mozzarella Cheese, Olives, Chicken Sausage) --- Huge portion, couldn't finish it, but for some reason the eggs itself didn't agree with my stomach. I think it is possible that the cafe mixes milk with their eggs or that the eggs are powdered. Very filling. Wheat Toast --- A bit heavy on the butter, but the strawberry jam tasted fine to me. Cubed Potatoes --- A bit too greasy for my taste, but palatable. SERVICE: Not too attentive, but our waitress was friendly.
(3)Victoria M.
Pumpkin pancakes for $14.00. NO WAY. Go to IHOP. You get fluffy Pumpkin pancakes for $5.99. Also, I had a 3 egg scramble and asked for the veggies inside to be cooked instead of raw. The PRIMA DONNA cook wouldn't do it. Why? Is it that difficult.
(1)Janice S.
Great little whole in the wall, breakfast joint. The service was awesome! Everybody was so nice and welcoming. I had the eggs Benedict on top of a bed of spinach and smoked salmon. Very good and I liked how it came with a little spinach salad since I was lacking veggies during vacation. BF built his own omelette with sausage and bacon and it was really good! Service was very quick and our food came out fast. Place is super busy, but We probably just beat the breakfast rush as we got a seat immediately and the place started to slow down by the time we left.
(5)Amica G.
Love this little place for breakfast. A friend told us about it. Then she bought us a certificate to try it for ourselves. Been going ever so often ever since. It gets busy a lot but thats because its so great.
(5)Karen B.
I come here all the time. Love this place great service great people great good couldn't ask for more
(4)S. B.
Came here with my munchkin for some breakfast on a Saturday morning due to the reviews I saw on Yelp. Heads up, they open at 8am on a Sat. Not 7:30 likes it's listed on Yelp. My son had an order of pancakes off the kids menu. What surprised me about the kids menu especially since it is breakfast time, was that they had only one breakfast dish on there. I like the fact that they put bananas and some bacon with his pancake meal. The pancakes were just like any regular ole pancakes; nothing too special. I had the dish with over hard eggs in between buttered toast. I did change my eggs to over easy though since I do love runny yolks! I also ordered sautéed spinach and mushroom on the side and I was pleasantly surprised that, that was even option. My home fries were so-so, not too much to them. The million dollar question, would I eat here again? I would knowing that the food is good enough to eat, portions are under control, but not the breakfast/brunch place I'd rave to my friends about. But maybe my next experience will be something to talk about.
(3)Seiji C.
Joann's is a great hole in the wall area. We ordered the pancake special and omelette special. We were leary walking up to it, thinking that this was going to be an interesting experience. But we were instantly greeted with enthusiasm, coffee, and treated very well. Portions are excellent and well worth the price. Healthy options exist too, like egg white omeletes and a good range of vegetables to choose from. Very happy!!!
(4)Fancypants X.
Cozy, narrow diner. Muffin display case near the register. Ten minute wait for three ladies on a Sunday morning. American breakfast, some dishes using Mexican ingredients. So far, all positives. Huevos rancheros w/ turkey-- omg, like slop on a plate *sad face* Ingredients carelessly thrown together, no distinct flavors. Huge pass.
(2)Joyce B.
The portions are giant!! So that's the good thing about this place. The food is definitely different as it has a Mexican twist to the traditional American foods. But I have to say the overall quality was okay. We had their orange French toast and Beatrice Benedict. It was good, but I think the price was a little more than I'd be willing to pay for the quality. It's a good hole-in-the-wall mom and pop joint. I highly recommend it if you're hungry and want a hearty meal.
(3)Amy L.
Went to JoAnn's yesterday with the boy around 4:30 because we hadn't eaten lunch/wanted to eat an early dinner. We split [shoot I forgot the name..] the grilled chicken, avocado, swiss cheese, and 1000 island sandwich [with mushrooms added] on egg bread and were very pleased with the results. The sandwich was huuuuugeee! I ate 1/4 of it, and I was full. There wasn't a dressing overload, thankgoodness. The bread was nice and fragrant, and the mushrooms really added to the taste. The total was around $11, which wasn't bad at all, considering the size of the sandwich and fries. I think this sandwich was good enough for me to bump them up to 5 stars. Love this little diner.
(5)Jessica R.
Having just moved to South City, my husband and I knew we had to find a good local breakfast joint. We have found that in spades with JoAnn's Cafe. Eggs and bacon are always cooked perfectly. The staff is always super friendly. It can get busy on the weekend, but we've never had to wait for more than 15 minutes for a table for two. So grateful to have found a solid and delicious breakfast place.
(5)Claudia W.
Really good food. Breakfast is excellent lunch is good too. Restaurant is on the small side. Country potatoes are really tasty.
(5)Adam G.
Last weekend, we turned up an hour before they were due to close, and they said they'd decided to close early due to lack of customers. The others had even called in advance to check opening hours. They had four customers ready to come in, and they turned all of us away. Won't be back.
(1)Kyrah A.
Eating here was a great experience. The smell of cinnamon and waffles still haunts me!-LOL Everything on the menu sounded great and every plate that passed looked and smelled just as enticing, which made it hard to choose our meal, but the waitress was very helpful. Great service! Excellent food! Good prices! This longstanding small business doesn't get good Yelp reviews and awards because they paid anyone off. They deserve them. Hope you visit soon and share your experience.
(5)Debbie W.
I would never have found or tried this place on my own. My car repair service advisor recommended it and even with the address and directions, I passed it by and had to circle back. Definitely unpretentious in a strip mall, but the food is (as he described it), "the bomb". They serve typical diner food, but use good quality ingredients, make your food on the spot, and have a more interesting menu than expected. For example, the Southwest Chicken Salad has freshly grilled chicken breast and real avocado slices, not pre-made guacamole or warmed over items. They offer Latin-themed breakfasts that include black beans, tortillas, salsa, more interesting than your typical eggs and cheese menu. I come here often and it's never very empty!
(5)Serita M.
Great customer service, will come here again. Enjoyed the Neapolitan and the Herbvoracious. Get there early, seating is limited and it fills up fast.
(5)Sophie L.
Lots of choices for breakfast, fresh, flavourful food, pleasant service; I particularly like the Gaucho with Cajun sausage. We recently tried the dinners as well and they're just as good, and reasonably priced for what you get.
(4)Mare P.
I haven't written a review in two years and this pertains to my last visit to Joann's Cafe. I've eaten here in the past and have always thought it was between 3 and 3.5 stars tops. Average food, average service. I came here last weekend and felt ripped off. Way overpriced for what you get. Not many options for kids breakfast, mediocre breakfast plates that needed to be drenched in Cholula sauce and bland breakfast potatoes. I asked the waitress if we can add chocolate chips to my daughter's pancakes and was given a dirty ass look with an attitude. I guess she never heard of chocolate chips in pancakes? Do yourself a favor a head toward Millbrae or Burlingame where there are a variety of breakfast spots that are yummy, less expensive, and better service.
(2)Diana B.
My friend lived in the area and suggested we try JoAnn's which ended up being a great brunch spot. We arrived at lunchtime on Saturday, and got the last booth. The place is tight, and the servers are pretty nice and attentive. I created my own scramble which lets you choose 3 items - I went with avocado, mushrooms, and spinach. My friend got the JoAnn's special which came with many strips of bacon so she shared some of her bacon with me which was a great addition to my scramble. Our dishes also came with delicious home fries and a choice of toast or muffin. I got the blueberry-orange muffin and she got the chocolate brownie muffin - both were good. We also shared the special cornmeal pancakes with fresh fruits and berry butter. I loved the fresh fruit. The berry butter photographed well, but didn't have much flavor.
(4)Jason C.
Great diner ambience. I had a chorizo omelet. At first it looked very plain, but then i realized all the omelet ingredients were wrapped int he egg like a pouch. The chorizo packed a mightly flavorful punch. My friend had a mocha, I would say the only way to describe it was "pretty". I had a try at the bacon. Thick cut and very crisp. Good job! Overall food was great. From the outside, this just looks like another resturant that blends into the el camino, nothing special. but try the food. Near top notch diner fair.
(4)Jacob V.
Nice little joint! Their food is great! Service is fast and their banana milkshake is the bomb. Soup is already prepared which is good so after you order they serve it right away. They should use gloves though when preparing burgers, sandwiches, and etc..
(5)Rachel M.
I've been going to JoAnn's for over 20 years and I LOVE IT!!! Totally worth any wait or price. The food is so fresh and delicious. The fresh squeezed orange juice is on point! And the muffins are amazing. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants a variety of great food. :)
(5)Marissa J.
Word of advise if you come here after 11a.m. they start the lunch menu. That sucked for me since that's what I wanted and came for in the first place, but hey, just another excuse to come back right? They do have a all day selection of breakfast items on the menu that was mostly eggs and omelettes. Had a regular cheese burger with fries and a fresh orange juice. The juice was excellent! My burger was a good portion but fries lacked seasoning and were dry. Our server was fast and coffee was always filled in our cups. Bathroom is in an odd spot, behind the counter and thru the kitchen. Small spot, so assuming it is a local haunt I would recommend coming early and not during the rush. Great SSF business.
(4)Christine M.
After a couple of attempts to find brunch in sf, it didn't happen, everywhere was packed as usual. so we decided to head to the driving range, but there was crazy traffic, so we decided to look for brunch around here. what a nice find! place wasn't too big and pretty packed. luckily there was an open table for two. we over ordered of course: banana pancakes on their special- DELICIOUS! im not a pancake fan, cuz its smushy and blah, but i don't know why I really liked theirs! and the fruits on top were good and I just kept eating it. the special omelette- with asparagus and shrimp and all this jazz, a bit pricey at $14.50 but definitely good. the huervos omelette? - regular on the menu, really good! maybe I just haven't eaten these pretty often so I don't know what it tastes like but i liked it! plenty of cheese and tomatoes, and YUMMMMM orange juice!- i think it was fresh squeezed, definitely refreshing. maybe we were hungry? but i definitely left happy and super full, we definitely had leftovers too. a bit pricey but good! would like to try the muffins next as everyone seems to rave about them. portions are HUGE, wish I took pictures but I was hungry!
(5)Mike B.
I have to say that I have gone to this place probably a handful of times since they opened up in the eighties. The poor service and attitude continues and has not changed unfortunately. There is an air of arrogance and ego with the employees and with the manager herself. Fast talking and not much patience is a norm. Although the food is not spectacular it is fair but expensive. It seems that maybe management may improve overall satisfaction if maybe they put some stock in being friendly with everyone.
(2)Doug W.
While motoring south from a trip to Eugene, my Bro discovered this joint on my Ram's GPS and thought we would give it a try and take a break from the road and rain. It' a simple place that even Guy Fieri might like with a few tables and counter seating. We ordered the same off the menu but a couple differences. He ordered the Denny which was eggs over easy, two bacon strips with two buttermilk pancakes and I had the eggs sunny-side up, two bacon strips with two buckwheat pancakes and coffee. All was delicious and filling. On back to the "101 south"
(4)Tiffany P.
Great go-to place for a bite to eat in South San Francisco. Great service, friendly staff, and great muffins.
(4)Tim L.
This is our "family's-in-town-let's-grab-brunch" weekend go-to. We're not the only ones who think that so there's generally a wait on the weekends. The wait is worth it though. The food is good, the service is fast & friendly, and it's always fun to sit at the bar and watch the cooks crank through the rush.
(4)Scio M.
Really good good, a bit on the pricy side depending on what you order an overall great local find :)
(4)Anne B.
EH. I really had high hopes about this place, but unfortunately I hardly liked my food. I ordered the JoAnn's special, and the eggs were undercooked and I never recieved fruit that it was supposed to come with. I also saw a chef picking at his hair and continue cooking without washing his hands. GROSS! Not coming back here..
(1)Rodney H.
It's been a long time coming, but I finally decided to go to JoAnn's Cafe on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. Ordered The Gaucho because it looked really good on the Yelp pics. And it was!! My only bone to pick with it was that they went really crazy with the tomatoes ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ). Otherwise, it was a great entrée and I loved the chorizo! Service was great here and very friendly. I loved the old diner look to the place. It's not a place that'll blow you away with the decor, but that's not their intention anyways. Just really good comfort food and friendly service. I'll be looking forward to my next visit here and try one of their burgers!
(4)Subrosa I.
FOOD: Although nothing stood out as exceptionally tasty, we enjoyed our breakfast here nonetheless. The dishes were wholesome, robust, and amply portioned. But they consisted of the type of pedestrian breakfast fare (e.g., omelets, scrambles) that I could have made at home at a fraction of the cost. SERVICE: The service was superb. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and efficient. PRICE: The price was a bit steep. Our bill averaged out to around $16 per person.
(3)Borntoplay D.
Awesome food,awesome service,awesome people!
(5)eshwar k.
i work in the hospital across the street, so Joann's is a staple kinda like the diner across the street from the hospital in the show "ER". Joann's is very reliable for breakfast entrees and sandwiches for lunch, and they have enough range that their pastas are good too. The food is very fresh and consistent, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)Gerald H.
Been here once, we had the weekend specials, omelette and buttermilk pancake, a bit pricey but both were good and served in about 5 min. Small but neat place, quick service and good brunch dish. I wish they have waffles though. Other than that, workers were friendly enough.
(4)Claire J.
2nd time here and it was better for me. Their weekend specia was banan a pancakes with fresh fruits on top. I saw from the next table that it was huge so I thought, ok I'll just get that. My husband got the tortilla breakfast, I forgot the name and he loved it! I liked it too! My pancakes I couldn't finish in one seating so I took it home and ate it from afternoon snack. I love how they utilized the fresh fruits since it's summertime. I loved it so much I actually tried to replicate the pancake. Pancake was good, I just had to get my fresh fruits.
(4)Mai C.
I went here only because Yelp gave it amazing reviews. It did live up to those reviews. My boyfriend and I received big portions and the waitress was very nice and very accommodating. I forgot what we ordered because it's been a long time since we've been there. I'm just writing the review now. It just sucks because it was so crowded and I couldn't really talk to my boyfriend because there was so much noise. Other than that, the food was amazing.
(4)Jeff C.
Well, where do I start... I went here due to the great reviews on yelp. My girlfriend and I came here for breakfast thinking it will be good, The blue berry muffins tastes nothing like blueberry it was sooo cold and dry! Not moist at all. The food was just ok at most! I could've made my own bf at home and it would've still taste better than this place. Overall I would not come back to eat here nor recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Auwa H.
Food in general is pretty good. Staff are friendly and attentive. Good energy all around. But there is room for improvement. (1) Would be nice if scones / muffins are served warm (2) More attention could be placed on cooking eggs. First time we came, we ordered an omelette. Well, we didn't really get an omelette. We got a thick egg patty on top of the ingredients. Second time we came, we ordered 2 eggs sunny side up. Eggs are under-cooked. Egg yolks are swimming around the egg white. We told our very nice waitress and she had the kitchen redo the eggs for us.
(4)Dan A.
There aren't that many places to eat brunch in SSF. Found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try. Portions - huge Quality - great Prices - reasonable I tried the orange french toast and it was very moist and tasty. The pancakes were pretty normal. I was surprised that the granola had seeds, nuts, and dried fruit in it--it was really good! The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because their service was so-so (maybe that's the style of these old-fashioned places) and everything was very buttery (or is it margarine?) Definitely going back to try the other things they have.
(4)Ladyreyes R.
One of the best brunch meals I've had in a while! The best pancake I've ever had to!. My boyfriend ordered the Santa Fe wchich is one of their house specials, the best breakfast burrito you can have! I had the eggs benedict which was excellent! We split the apple cinnamon pancake which was huge and each bite was heaven! Service was great, fast, efficient, and very friendly. Will be returning for sure.
(5)Stacy C.
Staff is friendly, food is delicious. What more can you ask for?
(4)Chad B.
A little gem of a breakfast place in So. SF and if you blink you can easily miss it. You get seated quickly despite the busy brunch mornings and size of the place, plus, service is friendly and quick. Their breakfast and brunch menu offers up a diverse array of food items of American and Mexican dishes. So you've got options and the portions are large. Tip: A place to check out if you've got a big appetite! Overall, since I'm a big breakfast/brunch person. I like the fact that I have the option to go to a place like JoAnn's Cafe especially if I'm not in the mood to go to San Francisco and be bothered with parking on the weekends. Faves: Gaucho and their special of the month: Pumpkin Pancakes!
(4)Fredo L.
Kind of pricey for what you get, but great service and still pretty good!
(4)Caitlin H.
The food is amazing. The servers are extremely nice and friendly. Since we came on a Sunday morning for brunch we had to wait a while for our food to be brought to our table but it was definitely more than worth the wait. I got a scramble, my friend got an omelette, and we shared 2 pancakes although we probably should have just shared 1 since they are so big. But I can't wait until the next time I can come back here
(4)Jane A.
GREASY GOODNESS!!!!! (4 stars) Hidden Gem! Great diner food. Who would have thought..... - Food, delicious - Prices, average - Service, on-point - Ambiance, whole-in-the-wall diner It was Veterans day, I was off on a Friday and hungry. Been hearing about this place by my elite-yelper friend and always tried to find it. The address on yelp is wrong when i look it up in google maps. But it is between Max's Chicken House and KFC. HEFFER-STYLE STATUS. JOANN'S SPECIAL ($9.25) - 2 eggs, your choice of meat (hamburger patty, sauteed spinach & mushrooms, bacon, ham, chorizo, low fat chicken basil or italian or cajun sausage), home fries, fresh fruit salad & your choice of toast, muffin, bagel, tortillas or scone. The plate.... WAS DELICIOUS. had my eggs scrambled up with mushroom, spinach, and low fat chicken basil. They were hefty with their portions and was well worth the money. Home fries were delicious, I sat at the counter and watched them cook away. I got toast but that was my mistake, its recommended to get a muffin or scone. Will I be back? OF COURSE!!!! JABA APPROVED... Until the next review...
(4)Surge C.
1. Smoked salmon benedict 2. Make your own omelets 3. Baked goods These 3 make JoAnn's an A+ breakfast spot!
(5)Nina M.
First things first- the parking there is horrible. BUT if you are lucky enough to find a spot this place is amazing. The people who work here are amazing and the food is really good and big portions.
(5)Mike R.
I just tried this place, this morning for the first time. Overall, it is better than most typical breakfast joints and the chains. I give it a four star rating, but it should probably be a 3.5. The coffee was just average. The egg dish (El Camino Real) was very good and cooked just right. The apple-walnut muffin was served cold, and tasted just okay. I had to sit at the counter, since they did not want to use a table for just one person on a Sunday, which I understand. The counter seat was quite old and quite uncomfortable, but the service was very good. So ..... For the egg dish and the service, I give it above average. It was not amazing, however. In Denver, I have had better breakfasts at La Peep, which is a Colorado chain; just something to compare to, so that it is clear JoAnn's is good but not GREAT. Very friendly staff, too! I will probably come back, but am still hoping I can find something better in the Daly City area.
(4)Elizabeth A.
On our way to the San Francisco Zoo and wanted to grab some breakfast, did a little search on yelp and found this place. Decided to check it out and glad we did. Breakfast was awesome and the atmosphere is very cozy. Will be back when i am in the area.
(5)Rochelle D.
I heart JoAnn's Cafe! As a brunch suggestion from a childhood friend, the hubs and I high-tailed it through San Bruno Mountain to Joanne's Cafe. When we arrived, there was a handful of diners waiting out front. Four words, "Put down the menu!" If you're here on the weekend, order one of the specials listed on the chalkboard. It guaranteed to be good. On this particular morning I was tasting the turkey chilaquiles. Sadly, it was not on the specials board. For my alternative I went with the portabello benedict and hubs went with the carne asada omelet. The portabello benedict was beautiful! Perfectly poached eggs that sat a top grilled pods of portabello mushroom in a bed of spinach and side of garlic bread all coated in a hollandaise sauce. One careful cut into one the eggs and yolk oozed over the portabello and the fog in South San Francisco parted with angels singing down on upon this dish! Yes it was that good. My pouch was only able hold 1/2 of this dish, so I took the rest of it home for later! Don't be intimidated if there's a line of folks outside. The whole restaurant only seats about 49 folks, so if you're not here at 7:30am, be prepared to wait. Don't worry...it's worth the wait. JoAnn, we'll be back for them chilaquiles...now if I can figure out when they'll have them on the menu again.
(5)Kevin J.
JoAnn's Cafe is the kind of place you grew up going to, or wish you did. The plates are classic of old time dinner with food that is enormous enough to wet your appetite but wont keep you up all night. The service is straightforward and to the point just like your family and the cookies are the size of large pies (but flat of course). Make sure to check out Breakfast and Lunch here as I have not had one bad thing on the menu. If you've got special requests I'm sure they'll do their best to accommodate. Just get in, eat and get out because I'm sure there are plenty of others waiting behind you.
(4)Tatyana F.
So happy we found this place! I took three of my friends there at peak time for brunch, only had to wait about 10 minutes. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. My partner and I have been back at least 4 times. I order something new each time never disappointed. Service- 5 stars The ladies are all really on it and really nice. Only once or twice I had to wait for a refill on coffee or remind about water, which considering how busy they are isn't bad. Food- 5 stars Heard the sandwiches are great, especially with what I think are homemade sliced pickles. Whey with the fresh fruit and fruit butter were amazing! (They were a special, so you may wanna check the board for them.) Home fries and muffins are great options for sides. Decor- 5 stars Its a classic dinner with counter, booths and tables, always clean. You walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom which is nice to see all the fresh produce. Bathroom also has a cute little mural in it.
(5)Alysia K.
I am a regular to Joanne's and think that the only problem with this establishment is that the owner walks around talking to people while his breath wreaked of booze. It was very gross to be eating and the owner says hello to my table smelling of booze. He was extremely unprofessional. He must of been very intoxicated because right before I left I witnessed him crying and was very upset while talking to a waitress. The owner made my experience awkward, he would probably do better if he did not drink at his restaurant early in the day.
(1)Christine C.
I ate breakfast here twice. I liked the granola...the buckwheat pancakes were a little dry though...bacon was sublime! Orange juice had to be fresh squeezed! The scone was uninspired...but my husband's & mother-in-law's eggs looked great!
(4)Karen C.
Like all the other yelpers, I must say that their muffins, which I've tried 3 of, and scones (I have to assume; they're always gone!) are delicious. HUUUUUUGE muffin tops, moist bottoms [sounds dirty, lol] where if you hadn't eaten the tops first you wouldn't know or care what you were missing, no coffee necessary. Just kidding, you always need coffee. Theirs is decent. Anyway, blueberry muffin: Moist, with huge bursting blueberries. Yumyum. Carrot: Yuck for me but it is filled with fresh shreds of carrots which to my bf who loves carrot cake is freaking delicious. o.0 Amaretti: Only got to try a bite of the bottom since the bf got to it first when we bought it for the next morning, but so good! Even one day old. Apple walnut: Oh that makes 4. Ok 4. Again, moist, huge chunks of tender walnut with a nice apple flavor. We also had the gaucho, a grilled thus crisped up tortilla with your choice of meat topped with some sort of salsa. Bf had it with chorizo. Pretty tasty! Was like an amped up pizza pocket that we all used to buy from middle school. Also about the same size, just a warning. I had the orange french toast. Was severely underwhelmed. Hardly any orange flavor, not sweet enough (which is my personal pref that french toast should have a level of sweetness before the syrup), and the batter's egg to milk ratio was off. It was too eggy, and combined with the lack of sweetness resulted in a sort of savory egg toast flavor. Also the imbalance of the batter led to a nice (not) little skirt of, again, almost savory, scrambled egg around the french toast that nobody bothered getting rid of. All that plus patchy service plus being a little on the pricey side for what you get, averages to about an A-OK for me. The muffins really help. Go for baked goods.
(3)Joanna R.
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. Am I becoming a breakfast eating person? Am I becoming someone who enjoys breakfast? Hmmm... not sure yet. I ordered their famous orange french toast. Tastes like... french toast with a hint of orange flavor. It was good, but nothing super special or mindblowing. Nevertheless, it was a really good meal. I ordered some eggs on the side and had some bacon too. It's pretty cool that you can just watch the chefs cook if you eat at the counter. I don't mind sitting there over the booth, so we got seated as soon as we got there. It really takes you away from the feel of San Francisco. Of course, South SF really is pretty different than the rest of the city. Anyway, good service, good food, nice people, good location. (:
(4)Ram R.
I have been to JoAnn's twice and both experiences were great. The first time, I had the orange french toast and they tasted really good. There wasn't many people due to the time I visited the cafe. The second visit was on a Sunday morning and it was full. My wife and I, took a friend out for their birthday and we were all satisfied with the breakfast. Two of us had the corn cakes, which are a weekend special, and they were loaded with fruit and a berry butter. All three of us were pleased with the food. The service was good, we didn't have to wait long for the food to arrive and the waiteress made sure that our coffee was filled. The only draw back I see is the price. The charges are litte high, but the food is good enough for me to return again.
(4)Zack C.
Always busy inside, hard to get a booth. Service is really fast and friendly, the food is delicious. Great for when you're really hungry. Big proportions.
(4)V. L.
If it's your first time or your Nth time, get the Paul's sandwich w/ a meat of your choice (Italian or Cajun sausage are good) w/ cheddar cheese! Sooo greasily orgasmic!!! But it's only served for breakfast. You might need a nap right after.
(4)Darryl Y.
I expected a lot from Joann's Cafe, given so many rave reviews from my coworkers. It must have been a busy day, because the waiter was rushed and would not answer our questions. Then, after taking my first few bites of food, I noticed I started to get an allergic reaction something in the "chicken," a dish that would typically not have nuts in it. When I asked the waiter whether or not there was a possibility of there being nuts, which I am allergic to, the waiter immediately went into defensive mode: "well, it says that there are nuts in a dish elsewhere on the menu." Right. Like I read the entire menu word-for-word. Now, I know that most people do not have food allergies and you're probably this was just a special circumstance, but waiters should not be that defensive when a customer asks a question. If JoAnn's had a warning or description under the menu item that does not typically have nuts in it, then this would not have been a problem. One star
(1)Christine P.
This place isn't bad. My husband and I were starving, hungry and tired. it was early on a Saturday morning and after a week's worth of work and taking care of the baby we just wanted to eat before we treked over to do some grocery shopping. I ordered the orange french toast and my husband had the JoAnn's special. We shared both of our meals and it was more than enough for the both of us. The food is good but since I'm from San Francisco, there are a ton of other places I would rather go than here. the service was also lacking as our waitress never came back to check on us after she gave us our food. Her co-worker did though so that was above and beyond on her part. I would go back if i'm ever in the area and just need a quick breakfast fix.
(3)Jihee K.
A wonderful place for brunch! I love brunch so much and I'm so glad I found this place. My favorite of all from here is their brioche french toast. I usually go for eggs but once I tried their french toast, I could not go back. You must try it!
(4)Jennifer L.
First of all, I'm a voracious breakfast/brunch eater. So I'm afraid I cannot comment on JoAnn's lunch options. If I could eat eggs for every meal, I'd be oh so happy. Given my extreme predilection for the sunnier side of cuisine, I'm always on the hunt for great breakfast/brunch venues. JoAnn's definitely qualifies. They have many great egg options - I particularly enjoy their special scramble, which is rich with freshly wilted whole-leaf spinach, chunky white mushrooms, green onion, and whatever meat option you prefer (I order mine with juicy generous chunks of ham). The home fries/breakfast potatoes are very nice; honestly, I usually skip breakfast potatoes, finding them over-salted or greasy, but JoAnn's potatoes are crispy and savory on the outside, soft and tender on the inside...I actually want to eat them! I'm not quite as fond of their muffins, which to me have always seemed a little chewy in a stale sort of way. The scones, though...quite nice! So go figure. As others have noted, JoAnn's is REALLY hard to find if you don't know the El Camino corridor well. Once, my friends' GPS took them WAY off course and they ended up somewhere in the Mission. Shame on them for not paying better attention since they knew they weren't supposed to end up in SF, but they're from Fremont :) JoAnn's has a friendly, casual, family feel, with a comfortable counter and booths for 6. Ketchup and Cholula on every table. It smells like a diner when you walk in, but not in an old dirty greasy way - just homey, delicious food. Even though I wish the coffee were just a smidge better, and the muffins a little more bright and fresh, I'll still happily keep coming to JoAnn's for some delicious eggs!
(4)Serena C.
Hmm maybe I'm picky? I came here for breakfast with my sister today and it wasn't all that busy. I had the scrambles with chicken sausage, jack cheese, mushrooms and tomato salsa. It came with whole wheat toast and home fries. Portion was very big but the home fries had no taste. It tasted like boiled potatoes. The hot sauce was not spicy at all ...I was hoping for a little kick for the home fries. The scrambles was good. Tomatoes were fresh and nice chunky mushrooms. My sister had an omelette with mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, bacon, and ____. I don't remember the last ingredient. It came with home fries and her choice of a muffin. The muffin had a huge top! She said it was good. She didn't finish her omelette though. Overall, I guess it's a good and close place for breakfast instead of the greasy IHOP or Denny's. Still...stacks is always my favorite though.
(3)Liane J.
Have been coming to JoAnn's Restaurant since 1988 and it has always been my favorite breakfast place to eat. When JoAnn owned the place, it was a spick and span joint and today with Jose' running the place, it is still very clean. The specials on the board is always good to try; the plus is sitting at the counter and watching the cook's create the meals. That's fun to see. I would say, now that JoAnn's is open for dinner; unsure how long ago they did that -- I'd like to try a dinner meal there soon. Thanks for still being open and thanks for the good food too!
(5)chris c.
I love coming here, great service, great home cooking and fantastic blueberry muffins!
(4)Caryl C.
Everything I have tasted here is yummy and despite being busy everytime I've been here the customer service is courteous, friendly and quick.
(5)Soung S.
It was so good, I went there twice on my 5 day SF trip! That statement up there should say something about this place. I am a breakfast expert! I love everything and anything breakfast and this place does it very well and with a homemade touch to it as well. The muffins are so delicious!!! When you walk into this place, its the first thing you will see and for good reason! I forgot what the name of the dishes I tried were but the one I remember which was unique and delicious was the one with the burger patty and comes with a side of vinegar soaked tomatoes. It was really good and the combination of that with the muffin my mouth was in heaven! If you happen to be in South SF for breakfast, give this place a shot! PS It's quite hidden from the street and honestly I passed this place plenty of times before realizing its on the small side street. They really need to get a bigger sign that can be seen from the main street. Enjoy!
(4)S Y.
5 star review for my 200th review! The makings of a damn good breakfast place in my book: Sweetness, check. ORANGE FRENCH TOAST. French toast with a hint of zesty, orangey cinnamon goodness! Savoriness, check. THE GAUCHO. Best described as a super, breakfast quesadilla! A grilled tortilla filled with melted jack cheese, your choice of meat- I suggest the chorizo, mushrooms, topped with salsa and slices of avocado. (Also, the burger patty, eggs and potatoes all were PERFECT. Nice sized meat patty, over-medium eggs and potatoes- not too greasy.) Sideness, check. Fresh baked muffins with nice sized muffin tops, fresh fruit, and potatoes. Serviceness (haha), check. Came in pretty early to beat the crowd and our waitress warmly greeted us and gave us our choice of seating. She was quite attentive even as the customers started crowding in.
(5)Micha M.
Breakfast. My favorite & quite possibly what i consider the most important meal of the day. It sets the tone for the rest of the day so why not give my taste buds a meal it rightfully deserves? Joann's omelettes & orange-battered pancakes? Freaking...yumsies. That's right...i said yumsies. It was that damn good to me. I had a "no yolk" omelette w/bacon, feta cheese & zucchini. I love restaurants that present the opportunity to be creative with your food so I was quite happy and satisfied. The pancakes...with an orange zest added to its' batter? Interestingly tasty. It was also toppled with the "-berry" fam (blue, cran, & straw), bananas & drenched with maple syrup which sealed the deal for me. I realized that it's not breakfast without a good stack of pancakes. JoAnn's?...we shall meet again.
(4)John H.
Nice little spot, good coffee and good service. Little pricey. My only complaint is that breakfast places should always give you a choice between home fries and hash browns. They only have home fries, and it's like eating baked potatoes with your breakfast, huge chunks. Not a fan of home fries at all, and certainly not cut so big. But the omelet was good and a big one at that.
(3)Robert Y.
2.5 A traditional breakfast place with a latin twist. Kind of hidden place near Costco and Kaiser with some street parking. The food itself was average at best but they do have some unique stuff such as salmon omelet and some chorizo which is kinda of like mildly spicy ground pork. They also have homemade muffins which were probably the best thing here as its very light on the sugar and with real blueberries you can taste the slight bitterness. The service was good enough but not spectacular. However, the main knock on this place is the prices. All the main dishes are about $10 which is way to much for a average breakfast. I probably will not be back as you can get 7+ costco hotdogs for the price of one dish here.
(2)Tiffany M.
This place is a great little hole in the wall and we haven't had bad service or food yet and we've been here a half dozen times. It's a pretty tight squeeze. No waiting room, but it is worth the wait. It's a surprise blockbuster hit of the year. Good breakfast and I tried their BBQ bacon cheeseburger today and that was awesomeness in my mouth. This is our go to place when eating in the area. You can't go wrong.
(5)Sami E.
Super convenient for a quick bite breakfast. The inside looks like an old fashioned diner. Here's what we had to eat. Denny Special - two buttermilk pancakes which were surprisingly really delicious. better than millbrae house of pancakes and Denny's. Two bacon but I substituted for sausage - regretting this decision because I didn't know the sausage wasn't the regular sausage link but more like a hamburger patty. And egg whites! Which were just as good as any other egg whites. Grand Slam Special - 2 buttermilk corn cakes which taste just like corn bread topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and papaya with a delicious berry butter rather than the plain butter you'd normally get! This place will definitely start becoming a regular spot for breakfast for me. Only downfall is that I've lived a mile away my whole life and never even noticed it was there. The sign is so tiny and in the window rather than on top but I guess that's what makes this place a real breakfast gem. Thank Joann's!
(4)Larisa V.
Hidden Gem! love this place for Sunday brunch! The Esmeralda is delicious, but be warned half the portion will fill you for the day
(4)Jones T.
Pumpkin pancakes were great. The other dishes were average (ie. eggs benedict, omelettes.) Service was very attentive and quick. Very difficult to seat large parties (ie. more than 4 people). Our party had to to split into two tables.
(3)Oscar A.
Perfect little cozy diner in South San Francisco that serves a Latin American /American breakfast. I like their speedy service paired up with their reasonably priced plates, it makes for a lovely experience.
(5)tina l.
The food was real good. We had French toast with orange flavor & Mable syrup & I share the special weekend chorizo Omelet with my son, with blueberry muffin. It was delicious, plus service was fast. Got there @ 9:10 got seated & told them we had to b @ the airport by 10:15am. Coffee was good too. I recommend this place. Not fancy but good home style cooking.
(5)Ka'Neki M.
Definitely a small mom and pop breakfast joint. Very poor service consistently, but the food isn't bad. I've been here a few times over the years. With some co workers, family out of town and hubby and I for a late lunch. I like the green chili salsa, I like that they serve tortilla and I like their chorizo. I never eat it but only here.
(3)Janet T.
JoAnn's Cafe is very diner-esque. Small, quaint, quiet, local, loyal locals! I had what I thought was The Original, but really was JoAnn's Special which I couldn't much to be special about honestly. However, they packed my dad's omlet with Chicken sausage and turkey, with a hint of Jack Cheese. It was very basic but I can vouch for him that he enjoyed it. The turkey was dark meat and the Chicken Sausage was seasoned to give a little Mexican-flavored kick (sorry if I'm politically incorrect!). We also had a blueberry muffin, an apple-flavored raisin & walnut muffin that were a little bit stiff (maybe left-over?), and some fruit. Both dishes came with potatoes. I thought JoAnn's was nothing to be excited about. Maybe because the ventilation sucked up that breakfast aroma or that whiff of coffee that helps me associate cafes with breakfast. Service was Okay. When asked for recommendations, I think I got some pretty basic answers. I think that the menu on weekdays is a little different from what is served on weekends. I didn't see any benedicts or salmon lox on the menu but I could be wrong. Next time, I'm ordering according to the specials on the board and am gonna come try their orange juice & benedicts because they look delicious in the pictures!
(3)D T.
Great breakfast spot. I love this place for what it is or else I would have rated it a 3. Nothing ultra gourmet about this place, just the basics that they have fine tuned and they do very well. The wait moves quickly and the staff is very efficient and kind. I absolutely LOVE the idea that you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom because you really get to see the operation, very clean, tidy and organized. I am a lifer.
(4)Veronica C.
I wish there was a JoAnn's in Oceanside. I would go there everyday. The food was so good. Big portions. It's a hole in the wall but sometimes those are the best places to eat. I ordered a egg white omelette with avocado, bacon, and cheese. The bacon was legit. The egg was fluffy and not watery. Next time I am in town I will go here.
(5)T-Bone L.
This is a solid breakfast. Most everything coming out of the kitchen looked good. I tried to be healthy going with a spinach and mushroom scramble, but after reading some reviews walked out with a muffin "for later."
(4)Dara S.
Little ole diner in South San Francisco. Who would've known? The food was decent and filling. I ordered the Eggs Beatrice and my friend ordered pancakes. This place is probably family owned since they had some teeny bopper working and taking orders.
(3)Tom C.
Looking for a new greasy spoon to try, the gal and I found JoAnn's on Yelp and decided to give it a whirl. Not disappointed! I tried the Don Pasqual, which was excellent- corn tortillas with poached eggs, black beans, feta cheese and green salsa. The bonus is the fried bananas - they were awesome! The little lady had the special, the corn cakes, and they were awesome as well! plenty of food and my new favorite place - can't wait to come back and try something else!
(4)Karma B.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE FIND AS OF LATE! I've been spending more time on the peninsula since my girlfriend now lives in Daly City. Oh man am I happy that she lives down the street from JoAnn's. This place is amazing. And the thing is, I've only eaten here for breakfast. I'm sure the rest of the menu is just as great. Now I'm a huge breakfast person. Might be my favorite meal, though I rarely eat it. So coming to JoAnn's on a Sunday morning is the perfect start to my day. I think what I love best is that they have Mexican options for breakfast. Why yes, I would like tortillas in lieu of break along with my omelet. The first time I came I ordered the Huevos. EXCELLENT CHOICE! Nice sized portions and just pure deliciousness all around. I just came back this past Sunday and saw on the menu that they had a Sunday Special: Omelet with mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, CHORIZO served with home fries. IT WAS PURE JOY. Wrap my corn tortillas with some of the omelet. Om nom nom. It was great. Seriously, go find my picture of it and drool at it's deliciousness. The staff is super friendly. Sometimes you'll have to wait, but it's worth it. I'll be coming back here for as long as my girlfriend lives in the area. Even if she moved, I'd still have to come back a few times a month, just to get my desayuno mexicano.
(4)Angela K.
It's a very small cafe and the signage is not obvious that this IS JOANNA's cafe.. hahah. It's on a little street parallel to El Camino. I'd really just get on the little street, park, and find the restaurant.. it's much easier than driving around trying to look for it and then park- my mistake. I was circling and then I just said "screw it!" parked.. and walked along the block, really looking at the numbers and I finally found it! Maybe it's because in my mind it was going to be bigger- but it's not. Anyways, I ordered the Goldie Lox. Salmon, scrambled eggs, cream cheese, onions, etc. And again, I should have looked more closely at the pictures on yelp because in my mind.. it was going to come out salmon, scrambled eggs, cream cheese divided- but it's all mixed together and scrambled together. It's not bad- it's just not what I was expecting. Although, if I had known it was going to be all scrambled together, I would not have ordered the salmon since I like my salmon smoked and raw, not scrambled and cooked. Potatoes were delicious and so was the blueberry muffin. It was a good breakfast. I would come again- and now that I am more prepared and my expectations has been adjusted I can look at the menu again and order something else. =)
(4)Regena B.
Classic divey diner. Special gets you a bit of everything. Muffins are homey and fresh. Gorgeously seasoned iron grill top. Mmmmmmm mmmmmmm good. Tiny but fast turnover and experienced friendly service :) perfect for early mornings waiting for Costco to open!!
(5)Mark T.
I loved your food years ago but haven't had the chance to re-visit in a long time. My friend and I walked up to the restaurant yesterday afternoon and were shocked with your prices! Seriously, you're a hole-in-the-wall café not the Westin. After seeing the prices for your food we ended up going to Gunter's.
(2)Pillin L.
I don't know about this one--I'm going to have to go against the Yelp community and give this place a 2. This is a hole in the wall joint. It's small and reminiscent of an old school diner where the kitchen is on one wall of the room and the tables are on the other. You can sit on the counter and watch your food being cooked. That being said, you'd think they would make the cooking environment look a little cleaner. Not a stack of bacon sitting on top of towels. I ordered a burrito with eggs, avocado and cream cheese topped with green sauce. I forget the name of it... the Esmeralda I believe. The balance of flavors and textures were off. I didn't like it. Tried bites from everyone's plates (in usual Pillin fashion), the Denver omelet, chorizo plate and pancakes were all mediocre at best. And why were they selling pumpkin pancakes for $14? Seemed a little ridiculous to me. Mehh... and that's all I got to say about that!
(2)Tatiana F.
Great hole in the wall local diner spot. This place has been here for years, and has a loyal fan base. I tried the oatmeal pancakes, and they were some of the best I've ever had. So good. This is a great place to go for breakfast or brunch in South City.
(4)Kristy F.
The venue was clean, modest and simple. The breakfast menu was a bit brief but the options were good and the prices are reasonable ($6 for a stack of 3 pancakes is pretty good while everything else ranged around $11) I stuck with the florentine which presented poached eggs (that were sadly slightly over cooked) on top of some toasted sourdough and a bed of spinach with mushrooms. The meal was filling and pretty good. The sauce wasn't bad just slightly bland. I enjoyed the bread and the spinach mostly. The service was decent and my experience was good. I would return but I would order something different next time, I trust most anything from their breakfast menu would be a safe order. Solid 3 stars.
(3)Faye P.
This is a very popular local breakfast joint that is well liked by the community. You walk in and you see all their awards, reviews and ratings about the place, which is nice. I've been here a few times and I always get good service. The food is okay too, but nothing that stands out to me. A lot of the reviews I saw on the wall talked about the place being affordable/cheap, but this place is actually one of the pricier breakfast spots I've been to. Sometimes I turn down coming here because I know the place is a little pricey, so I opt to go someplace else, but when I do come here I can always count on getting good service.
(3)Sammie T.
A great hidden place in South San Francisco and an ideal place for breakfast. JoAnn's Special includes potatoes, eggs and a choice of meat. I got the Italian Sausage and it comes in the form of two big patties, also comes with your choice of toast or their muffins (GET THE MUFFIN!) and a side of fresh cut fruit. Yummy! My boyfriend got their Eggs Benedict, that's his favorite for breakfast and he literally cleaned his plate since it was that good. And can't forget the side of buttered toast! Also, get their orange juice--it's FRESHLY squeezed!
(5)Angela S.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Jo Ann's Cafe. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, it's always delicious. They plate really nicely for a tiny little restaurant. You would seriously not expect some of the things that come out of their kitchen. Consistently every experience here is awesome. We know all of the staff, they are super nice, greet us warmly and our food is always delicious. Some of our favorites are the red clam chowder, the white clan chowder, the boneless ribs (either on the menu or the special, they are both uh-mazing). We love the salads, the corn soup, the patty melt, the marsala chicken, the polenta but get it with the sausage, SO good, the chicken Alfredo with veggies and my boyfriend just tried the turkey burrito which he is still taking about. I started this review a little while ago and was waiting to post pics but I'm here again for breakfast so I will just add all the other pics later. For those of you who haven't been here, you have to try it.
(5)S T.
One of my favorite brunch places. I love that they have weekend specials. My favorites are any of the special pancakes with loads of fruit on top. And the berry butter!! It makes it even more special. Orange juice is fresh. The muffins (though I've never tried them) are homemade. Their portions are huge and the price is decent. The staff is always friendly.
(5)Arnie G.
This place has amazing breakfast . The wait staff is very friendly and the food is great . Even with a line of people we got in and out pretty quickly . This is my favorite breakfast spot in San Bruno !
(5)Denise M.
Milk shake - good Rotelli pasta - good Club sandwich with fries - very good Chicken tacos - excellent!!!
(4)Brenda M.
Came here because of the reviews of course. I came at around 10am and they weren't really busy so I was seated quickly. Got the omelette wuth avocado, bacon and mushrooms, along with orange juice. The OJ is indeed freshly squeezed and my breakfast came to me hot and steamy. The server quickly changed ny cinnamon raisin bread because it came with butter when I asked for no butter. Quick fast and delicious. Solid place to have great breakfast..
(4)Cecilia B.
Ordered to go...messed up my order. Didn't even include butter and syrup with my pancakes (wtf! Who does that?!) I'm sure there are a lot of regulars here but as a hungry pregnant woman who is in a rush and needs her to go order correct and complete when I get my food, I won't be back. By the time I got back home, my other food was cold - and nothing special. I knew I should have just gone to millbrae pancake house. Extra star since I at least got an apology but first impressions last forever.
(2)Lauren C.
Not much needs to be said about this place other than the food is amazing and the service is great. A must for breakfast!
(5)S. A. Y.
An adorable diner serving fantastic brunch in a quiet neighborhood. I had the Joanns Special with the muffin. The breakfast, as a whole, was excellent! But the muffin- the apple walnut muffin (and the blueberry muffin) was what made it stellar. Do yourself a favor and roll out of bed for this delicious delight!!
(5)Laura V.
I've been here quite a few times the food was always amazing and definitely good portions. The house fries are always delicious. They have options ranging from the basic bacon and eggs breakfast to a make your own omelet. Pancakes are also super fluffy and yummy! Bar seating is cool too.
(4)Roca M.
Awesome breakfast!! The scone was delicious!
(5)Mike O.
My favorite breakfast place back home.Omelets and scrambled eggs are all good. I like to add cheese, avocado, mushrooms, and maybe some meat. The burgers here are pretty awesome as well. And the homestyle potatoes are great as well. You definitely get your money's worth here. Waiter's are all cool people.
(5)Joel M.
Rude slow service. Lacking customer service skills which I would think is essential for the food industry. Maybe she didn't get a gift for Xmas, and should've called in sick. Food was decent at best, but I guess trying to help out locally owned eateries is not one this place understands or embrace.
(1)Hannah C.
Summary: decent diner (really more like 3.5 stars), but the lack of good food in South City bumps this place up to a 4 The muffins are indeed as large and tasty as many reviewers have mentioned. The breakfast menu has a good variety of egg dishes, omelettes, and Mexican-style options. I was pleasantly surprised with the fresh ingredients and the less-than-most-diners level of grease. The interior has a traditional charm, but definitely go for a booth over the plain jane (and slightly uncomfortable) tables in the back. Not much to say other than, hooray that I finally found a decent breakfast place in South SF. This place is much cleaner and tastier than Ed's Diner on Grand, but lacks some of the old-school feel generated by the warmth between the staff and the regulars. However, I did appreciate the careful attention of JoAnn's staff in refilling my water glass regularly and being kind and thorough with our meal. It was nice to see families of all ages enjoying Saturday breakfast here as well. The price, while reasonable, is slightly more than I'd like to pay for something I can easily make at home myself, so I probably won't be a regular here. However, I'm definitely keeping this place in my back pocket as a weekend breakfast option when we want to go out! And yes, go for the muffins. They really are quite good. And BIG! :D I enjoyed my banana walnut one, but really want to try the blueberry next time. Also, JoAnn's is actually on a small side street parallel to El Camino that you can access from the Arryoyo Drive intersection. Plenty of street parking.
(4)Irma I.
The worst service and breakfast I've had! Paid way too much for for greasy bland food
(1)Shayna M.
Ive been going here for about 2 years and lately the service has been horrible not sure why, but sitting at a table for over 10 minutes is a little annoying after standing in the front waiting for someone to sit us when there where plenty of tables open... like we where bothering them..... not really sure if ill go back.
(1)Adlyn S.
I'm a regular. Service & Food rates the same...like a B+!! You can make your own customized omelette & scamble with a whole bunch of ingredients listed; choose up to 3! I love the chorizo/avocado/monterey jack combination together. Their blueberry muffins are some of the best I've ever tried! On weekends, the "specials" are usually impressive. Take the plunge. Expect a dainty diner setting with no frills, just good hearty BIG PORTION food. Get's super busy on Sunday mornings. You can order for take out as well. Go SSF!!!
(4)C. M.
Tried JoAnn's for the first time because I was encouraged by the reviews here and because I happened to finally drive by it and it didn't have a line. I'm a little disappointed, just cause I read so many reviews raving about the place. It's a typical diner/breakfast joint...nothing too special. I read people love the orange french toast and ordered it right away but it wasn't that good. I didn't expect my life to change or anything but the toast had a slight orangy taste and that was it. The toasts were also kind of dry (when the egg/milk batter doesn't soak all the way through the bread). The third star I added was due to service. The folks weren't friendly (and although all of them wore 49ers gear, none of them knew about the game that day) BUT they were quick and attentive.
(3)Puwett V.
been here a few times, and i always get this chorizo b fast burrito and its hella good. ask for the sauces on the side so you can actually see what you're eating. otherwise., very good, very homey and you'll enjoy it for sure.
(4)Holly C.
Before I moved to San Francisco three years ago, two separate people gave me copies of the Zagat guide for the Bay Area. I cracked it open on the plane and went straight to the Breakfast listing to see where I really needed to go on a Saturday morning. I think Joann's was number one at the time, so I headed over just as soon as I could. Once I got over the raisins in the sweet potato muffin (not into the raisins in any baked goods) I found a yummy omelette with decent bacon (see my lists on GOOD bacon), solid potatos and tasty pancakes. I put the place on the back burner for future reference. Went again about a week ago and made the mistake of being adventurous and getting a chorizo omelette. Not a good move. I suppose I should have known better, and it's not like it was bad or anything, but the chorizo was all ground up and tasted kind of like spicy manwich housed in an omelette. The amaretto muffin was delicious though, good consistent pouring of coffee and decent quick service. I just am not sure what all the fuss is about.
(3)Suki S.
this place has been known for great breakfast/ brunch for local.
(4)James C.
i used to go here for breakfast all the time when i lived in South City. everything on the menu is really good - i used to try to get their daily specials which are almost always right on the mark. many of their specials - the corn beef hash, fish tacos, pancake specials - are all delicious. plus their muffins are amazing, especially the apple carrot ginger muffin. to boot, the service is friendly and prompt.
(5)Staceage B.
Locals know how incredible this place is. Simply amazing breakfast, and dinner Wed-Sat. Large portions, good prices, friendly service and food you won't soon forget.
(5)Janelle H.
its a pleasant surprise to find a good breakfast place in my area.(especially since its to popular and one of "city's best') a quaint diner with good breakfast. the orange juice is freshly squeezed and the muffins are moist. the service was friendly and quick, convienent for me since i have to eat fast in order to be punctual for classes.
(4)Bob H.
Fantastic food a great home town diner. We stopped by while on vacation, had great service and a great meal. Make sure you try the pastries. Muffins and scones are amazing.
(5)Mauling W.
This breakfast place is always packed on the weekends. Its almost like a diner, but more family oriented. There menu is extensive with omelettes, pancakes, and specials. You have to try there pancake specials. They usually have seasonal fruit like berries and bananas. They even make their own butter! I always go for their benedicts or just omelettes. The portions there are ginormous and I never finish what I ordered. Even the muffins are spilling over at the top. I highly recommend coming here for breakfast. They also have burgers and and sandwiches. The staff there are really attentive and nice. Very busy cafe with lots of charm.
(4)Crusader S.
HUGE portions. You'll be full after (5) bites. Prices are decent and pastries are like their meals, HUGE! Like the Terminator, " I'll be BACK"
(4)Sherry C.
This is the only brunch restaurant I would recommend if you want somewhere closer from daly city to san bruno. Food and service is pretty good but still nothing compare to other brunches in millbrae and SF. =)
(3)Genaro R.
I had the omelet with feta, avocado and spinach and my friend had the fancy french toast. The omelet was good. The toast was awesome with the fresh jam. The fancy french toast was mediocre. Very overpriced. Stick to the basics here.
(3)Greg J.
One of my very favorite breakfast spots in the Bay Area. Great food, nice people, consistently good. Worth the occasional wait. Go, now!
(4)Esther Y.
After circling and trying to find this place for 15 minutes, we finally discovered this tiny eatery on the street NEXT to El Camino Real. The first thing we noticed when we walked in was the case full of muffins! I knew I had to try one!!! They overfill the muffin pans so the top overflows and creates these crisp edges to munch on. Coffee: Typical diner coffee, not strong at all but not the worst. Orange juice: Freshly squeezed and delicious! Blueberry muffin: Full of large blueberries and had some orange juice or zest in it. It really added to the flavor. Apple walnut muffin: Much denser than the blueberry muffin and Omelette Special: Filled with asparagus, ham, onions, and bell peppers; topped with a bechamel sauce. This was also served with country fries. The vegetables were so fresh and not overcooked, like a lot of places do. Forgot the name: Hamburger patty cooked the way you liked, topped with mushrooms and served with eggs & country fries. Santa Fe: Giant "burrito" filled with chorizo and eggs ... similar to a breakfast burrito.
(4)Jessica S.
Delish! Best Omlets and Salads! Love to eat here for lunch. Best bet is to call in your order 10 mins before you pick it up. It will always be ready for you when you get there. -1 star since its a bit pricey.
(4)Xavier A.
Simple, but very well prepared breakfast food. Nice selection and reasonable prices. Attentive service. Not much to look at from the outside, but cozy inside (if a bit loud). Will absolutely go back.
(4)John S.
This place is your classic diner. The Eggs Bennedict was fantastic and came with tomato slices in Italian dressing. We also ordered their seasonal pancakes for the table and they were tasty.
(5)Mrs N N.
Being the place is always packed I expected a LOT better. Today had the omelet special ($12.95) turkey, peppers, cheese, pesto with home fried potatoes and blueberry muffin. The Omelet was pretty good but a bit heavy on the cheese. The potatoes could have used more seasoning. The muffin, basic. I only had the muffin because they were out of the other items listed as my choices - no scones, no apple muffin, no french bread toast - left with a tortilla or blueberry muffin choice. My son had the Gaucho - good, but really runny. There was spinach juice(?) all over the bottom of the plate. He added a load of hot sauce to bring it to taste. The real downside was the obviously tired waitress. Took over 10 minutes to take our order, I had to flag her down to get a refill of coffee and then she just gave me decaf without asking! to coffee drinkers like myself, you just DON'T DO THAT. I drink the real thing so don't give me that decaf stuff! Right after she poured the decaf she plopped the check on the table and that was the last we saw of her. If I do go back, I will need to make sure I don't get her.
(2)Sabrina L.
I ordered eggs florentine which is like benedict but has spinach instead of ham. the hollondaise was good although the spinach had a tart vinegar taste. my parents enjoyed their food & I ate part of their muffin & thought i'd like to try the other muffins one day. Good solid home-cooked tasting breakfast food & generous portions! My friend GS told me about it a while back but I serendipitously found it on yelp when looking for a local place!
(4)Melinda Y.
If you're a fan of blueberry muffins I highly recommend JoAnn's Cafe. Not only are the blueberry muffins large and moderately price, the muffin tops have an especially wide surface area! When I first walked into this cozy mom and pop cafe my blueberry muffin radar immediately zeroed in on the blueberry muffins resting inside the bakery display case. You can tell they use fresh blueberries and the muffin may look dense but is actually light and airy. I don't really remember anything else I had that day except for the blueberry muffin. :)
(4)Anthony L.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place. Very small place with a very friendly pair of waitresses. I think they're sister...I could be wrong. Anywho, came and had breakfast today. I had the Neapolitan. Tasty!!! I loved almost everything about. Almost...The eggs seemed a little over cooked but it wasn't dry. It's weird...Service was nice and fast. Food came in less than 10 minutes. Very nice indeed. My first time coming here so I don't really have much to say. Also, it was early in the morning and I wasn't really all the way awake...That's because I was up past midnight laughing at Adrienne getting her arm violated by a supposedly gay dog...I think the dog is playing gay to get close to the human ladies so he can proceed to pretend to be human and hump away at them...Just my theory... I will hopefully come back to this place but maybe a little more alert. Maybe not go on Yelp and laugh so much when I plan for breakfast again...This place...I tell ya you'll never know what will happen next...
(4)Dawn D.
*3.5 stars* It's been a couple years or so since I've eaten at JoAnn's cafe on a suggestion of a coworker. I can't remember what I had last time, but I chose JoAnn's Cafe for my post Nike Women's (Half) Marathon meal which was last Sunday. There were 4 of us and despite a crowded looking smallish restaurant, we were seated within 15 minutes. They serve free coffee outside, but it was really watered down and weak. I found myself debating if I should even buy a cup of coffee inside the restaurant. I mean, will the coffee be the same? I looked around for a Starbucks, no such luck. Being the coffee drinker I am, I HAD to get a cup coffee, and thank god it was good. Definitely not the same coffee that was served outside. I ordered "the Original" which had a spinach and mushroom scramble with your choice of meat. I looked all over the menu for what my choices may be. "Where are my choices of meat?" I asked the server and she gave me a few options. I opted for the bacon, but I didn't realize it was going to be included in the scramble and not stand alone. Next time I'll get ground beef or something. The potatoes were really good! I think of the 4 of us, I may have enjoyed my meal the most. My db ordered JoAnn's special. He too was a little confused with the menu on his choice of meat. One of the options was "spinach and mushroom" well, that's not a meat. His special was just eggs, bacon and potatoes. I thought it pricey for 9.75 or something. However db kept asking what is in the eggs..cuz he said they were so light and fluffy! We shared a buttermilk pancake and it was really good. Actually I have never met a buttermilk pancake I didn't like. The hostess who greeted us was really nice and charming. Too bad our server wasn't the same. Our server seemed "not a morning person," but my coffee mug was always fresh and our water glasses always filled. I'm sure to come back.
(4)Joe J.
Worth ten or more miles drive from the office for a good healthy hot lunch, or a great breakfast or lunch on a day off on the Peninsula. Excellent food all around, especially with a diversity of selection that includes excellent and healthy pastas; where the need to customize a bit, like no tomato, is welcome. Service is efficient and friendly, one might even briefly learn the musical inclinations of your server. The counter is fast, but a bench outside invites a takeout on a nice day. :-) Any time I have a car around lunch time near SSF, I always consider a quick escape to Jo Ann's! :-)
(5)Ali R.
I used to live in South City and this was by far the BEST breakfast place in town. I think it might even give the Bay Area a run for it's money. You can pretty much have a scramble with whatever you want in it. You can order it made with no butter for lactose intolerants or diet conscious people (also all egg whites). They have HUGE muffins that are really tasty. Everything here is really fresh tasting and nice large portions. Great hangover cure for sure! This place is kinda hard to see or find if you don't know where you're going which is why I wanted to write a review on it. I lived in South City for too long not knowing about this place. You will have to wait for a table but it's worth it.
(5)Theresa M.
Someone was not manning the pancake station at all. Fortunately, I do like things like bagels, toast, waffles, and pancakes slightly on the dark side. Other than the pancakes being burnt, something about these pancakes was all wrong. It was just not cutting it for me. Not really impressed by them at all. I love me some evenly golden and fluffy/dense (oxymoron) pancakes. These were just subpar. Staff was VERY friendly. I liked them a lot, but I probably wouldn't go back again. I'm not digging the lack of ventilation either. And... why don't they have a classic American breakfast combo like bacon/links, eggs (any way), hash, and pancakes? MUST I order them separately? Annoying, really.
(2)Zee R.
I used to love this place but now I just like it. I am an avid breakfast goer and because the place is packed (it's a small place and 5 people is considered packed!) I normally just take it to go. They always forget something; if not utensils, then it's my toast or jelly. Lately the last few breakfasts I've had have been so greasy that it's literally dripping. The staff are OK - they are not great. I think I will start going to the Millbrae Pancake House, as they came highly recommended.
(3)Don J.
3 stars = A-OK. I used to go to this place for breakfast meetings. I decide to return a couple times as I love the Chorizo Scrambles Eggs. I was never a big fan of their bland coffee but it's not bad. $11.95 is a little high for a breakfast dish at a diner. I could get something pretty impressive in San Francisco for that price which makes my visits less frequent. I will still drive to S SFO once in a while to satisfy my craving for Chorizo Scrambled Eggs.
(3)Bridget M.
I wanted to start with I love diners - the greasier the better. JoAnn's was a small diner, just like I like. Had a counter and booths and a maximum capacity of 49 people according to the fire marshall signs. It was difficult to find even with the address because it is so small stuck between other businesses in kind of a side road paralell to El Camino. We were seated immediately, our order taken and food brought to the table lightening fast. The meal itself was ok, nothing special and sort of bland. The strawberry jam was ok that sits on the table all the time. It was just my husband and I. We each had an omlette and they both came with fried potatos and toast. I had a diet coke and he had water. Our meal totalled $25.75 before tip - I think that is kind of expensive for what it was. I like to try new places and go for the experience. For me JoAnn's won't be a fav for me, but I'm glad we tried something different. Next stop Java House on the Embarcadero.
(2)Antoinette T.
Arrived today before it opened and there was a line. A good sign for a great cafe! My favorite spot in SSF, its small, cozy, family owned, family friendly, great food, and warm, friendly service. Must try their flavored pancakes off the board, whatever is in season. Although once Fall hits, MUST TRY PUMPKIN PANCAKES! Other favorite, Gaucho! Must try!
(5)Robin M.
My dad and I go here a few times a year and I've never been disappointed. I love their muffins! For Father's Day they had some wonderful specials that were delicious. I've only had breakfast but I would like to try lunch sometime.
(4)Nicole L.
Yummy breakfast food that includes your everyday greasy spoon fare (pancakes, omelettes, bacon, etc.) and Mexican breakfast dishes as well. I've been there a few times, and taken out of town guests, and everyone always enjoys. There's usually a wait on weekends, but it goes fairly quickly.
(5)Sophia C.
Hmmm...talk about a teeny tiny joint! Drove right past it...had to bust a U to get to it. The selection of breakfast options is decent, I'm impressed. I have low standards for breakfast joints in the Peninsular (yea, check out my other breakfast reviews) and this place...turned out decent. Their poached eggs that I ordered were soft...when I requested soft. Their toast was not smushed (definite plus vs. other spots in the area that can't make toast) and the coffee was not burnt. We got here around 10am, so we got to seat quickly. After around 10:30, the joint started to get full. Will definitely be back for another round of breakfast...and perhaps lunch since others have claimed their burgers here are worth a try.
(3)Lina O.
we had to go into daly city and wanted to eat breakfast in the area. joanns is located on a small street parallel to el camino real in a small strip of stores and restaurants. theres only street parking. we went on a fri morning and felt lucky to find one spot open. joanns is a pretty small place. its narrow with bar sitting on the left and tables lined up to the right and a few tables in the back. i think theres probably like less than 10 tables in there. it was probably more than half full when we got there. we were quickly greeted with a smile and seated right away. breakfast is served all day, but i didnt see any waffles, french toast or pancakes on the menu. maybe its only on the weekend. they had two specials on a chalkboard, both sounded really good. i ordered one of the specials which was an omelet with avocado, bacon, tomato and onion i think. it came with homestyle potatoes and toast, but i got a muffin instead. i ordered the apple walnut muffin per the waitress' recommendation. the omelet was pretty good and the bacon in it was really good. the potatoes were really good too. they were roasted red potatoes. the muffin was pretty good too. it was pretty big and moist. my friend got the blueberry muffin which was also good. the blueberries were plump and juicy. the bf ordered a scramble and picked from a long list of ingredients to put in it. you could also pick what to put in your omelet. he chose bacon, mushrooms and spinach. it was pretty good but mine was better :) a friend got the andys hearty breakfast which was an 8oz hamburger patty with mushrooms and green onions on top with tomatoes, homestyle potatoes and eggs with toast. he made it into a sandwich and it looked really good. he said it was good. it had some green onions in the patty as well. service was good. its a small spot so be kind to your waitresses. they were all friendly and helpful. pay at the counter. seems like a local spot for regulars.
(5)Christine Z.
Went in to JoAnn's Cafe on 4/21/13 for breakfast. It had been some time since I'd been there and they are just as fabulous as I remember. I had the yummy orange french toast, and my boyfriend had a Denver omelet. We also shared a side-order of their amazing homemade breakfast sausage.... oh my!! Everything was super-fresh and delicious. We didn't wait longer than 5 minutes for a table, and all the employees are very friendly and attentive. I would recommend this to anyone in the area, or if you're just looking for a great breakfast place!! I promise, it won't be so long until we go back there again. Prices were very reasonable for the large portions, too.
(5)Mariela D.
YESSS! Finally, I am in love with breakfast again. Before I jump into details, you should know this place isn't your average, boring breakfast joint. Everything has a unique and delicious twist...case in point: orange french toast, Santa Fe chorizo breakfast scramble, chicken apple sausage omelettes, corncake pancakes topped w/strawberries, bananas, melon and berry butter....your taste buds will come alive! The place is long and narrow, with booth seating along the right wall ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). You can also sit at the counter on the left. When you first walk in, there's a small dessert and pastry display window to the left(see pic). My fam and I were greeted immediately and told it would be about 5 minutes. Once seated, our server came by right away to take our order. The orange juice came out first, and it was a sign of good things to come. The juice was almost a neon orange color ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). And when I took a sip, I could tell there was nothing but pure fresh squeezed juice in there. They must have used at least 10 oranges. It was sweet with the perfect amount of tanginess, and just a little bit of pulp. Then the food came out and that's where the O.M.G. comes in... - I had the Santa Fe scramble ($8.95), which is a flour tortilla w/ chorizo, eggs, jack cheese topped with sour cream, salsa and green chile ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). I cut into it with my fork and was glad to find the chorizo was shreeded and marinated, not dry and crumbly like in some places. The fluffy scrambled eggs absorbed the spicy red chorizo and was complemented perfectly by the cool sour cream ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). I was in HEAVEN. - My husband had the chicken apple sausage omelette ($10.95), topped w/ sour cream, served with home fries ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ), which were cooked to crispy perfection. As with all of our plates, the omelette was fairly massive and they didn't skimp on anything. He got a buttermilk pancake on the side, which I tried, and it was golden and fluffy and delicious. - My dad and sister got California burgers ( yelp.com/biz_photos/AJ6Y… ). These were the biggest burgers I had seen in a long time. The meat patty was giant! The burgers came on a sesame bun with the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side. They also came with three thick slices of applewood smoked bacon and huge chunks of avocado. I tried a bit of my sis' burger and it was vbursting with flavor - the meat was actually very well seasoned and surprisingly juicy considering she got the patty cooked well done. The bill came out to roughly $17/person including tax and tip. It's not often that the people at my able obsessively compliment how good the food is, because we're usually too busy talking, but Joann's was definitely front and center in our convo that day. Another bonus is that it's two doors down from my favorite red velvet cupcake place, Auntie Em's...score! The perfect ending to the perfect breakfast.
(5)xx x.
Don't let the word "cafe" fool you. This place is a diner. And a fine one. I like diners and i love diners with good food. You don't really pay for ambience although they have a charming ambience all their own with oldies on the radio, (band on the run). And this place is a fine example. The menu here includes many diner basics, omelets, burgers, salad, soup, but they also have specials, seafood, and some lovely pasta dishes. I came because of the 4 stars on yelp and I think they're underrated. Salad and bread were both fresh. and my penne pasta was scrumptious. I didn't have time for dessert and mores the pity. The menu, the food, and the presentation were all a good cut above the average diner. My server was stunningly gorgeous too and that never hurts.
(5)Robin C.
My husband and I stopped in last Sunday for breakfast. There was a crowd outside but they sat us at a 2 seat table up front by the window right away. I got one of the specials - cornmeal pancakes - and hubby got the classic 2 eggs, bacon, hash brown and toast ("test plate" that he orders for any first time breakfast spot we try.) Pros - Both plates were good and a bonus on mine - berry butter - Wow! sooo good! They also served us a fresh fruit cup to start us off. The fruit was fresh and tasty. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was delicious. Cons - The fruit, that came chopped-up on my pancakes, should have been prepped better and the place overall could be cleaner. I also agree with many other reviewers ..a little pricey
(3)joyce l.
LOVE their dinners- short rib dish and occasionally they make their special: fishermans stew. TO DIE FOR. giant spot prawns in the tastiest broth on earty lunch was ok. breakfast was ok. MUFFINS are rockin!! i always buy at least a box to go for me, and one for my customers btw- since they don't have a liquor license you can bring in as many bottles as you want and they will uncork for free (or feeeeewa in chinese lol)
(4)Kirby B.
I had orange juice & orange French toast w/ scramble eggs. The juice was freshly squeezed, best I've had. The French toast was delicious & were great. My buddy's was good too. His had fresh veggies in it. Definitely would go back.
(5)A. Z.
We got there around 1PM and no groups were waiting yet so we were seated right away. Service is very efficient and friendly. They checked back on us several times to make sure everything was okay. They continuously refilled our water & coffee without us having to ask. Food is excellent and pricing is good. We had the orange french toast which was very tasty with just a hint of orange that I loved. We also had a make your own omelette which we had spinach, italian sausage, and swiss cheese and it was delicious. They offered egg white only omelette as well for those looking to eat hearty but healthy! The only thing I did not prefer was that you need to go through kitchen to get to the restroom in the back which was a little awkward. . When we left, a crowd was already formed outside waiting to get in. I can't wait to go back and try their huge and yummy looking muffins next time!
(4)B P.
Came on a Saturday morning and there was a line. Sat at the bar though which was open to anyone. We were able to see everything that was being cooked (and probably smelled like it afterwards), including our meals. Got the eggs benedict and omelet. Food was meh, nothing too special. Got OJ and coffee too and our bill was about $35, which I thought was pricey for what we got. Service was ok. Definitely has the diner feel.
(3)Rachel B.
Two downsides: 1. Parallel parking is the only parking option. 2. Their maximum occupancy is 49. Why to go anyway: 1. Their orange French toast is killer, as are their rotating weekend specials. 2. It's a great alternative to going to a chain diner. The wait staff gets you your food quickly, but depending on how busy things are you may find yourself waiting awhile for a coffee refill. They're efficient, but not warm or doting. I've been there 3 times thus far--gotten the orange French toast, pumpkin pancakes, and the Esmeralda--and the food was always delicious and in large, but not overwhelming portions. Pricing is probably only slightly more than hitting Denny's or IHOP, but the quality is better. This place is on my list of regular weekend breakfast haunts.
(4)Leina K.
To me, this place is just ok. The food is nothing to write home about, but there isn't anything wrong with it either. The service is ok an the food comes out pretty quickly. I'm not hungry when I leave so I guess it does the trick. If I'm not being lazy, I'd probably rather drive down to Burlingame to go to Stacks instead.
(3)Gris G.
Love the food and the service. Their orange French toast is great, so are their scones and muffins. Weekends can be tricky depending on what time you go but I never have to wait more than five minutes during the weekdays. Go!
(4)Julie K.
Tiny mom and pop diner that can easily be missed if you're not looking carefully for it... Has a simple menu of all breakfast faves, waffles, hotcakes, omelettes, etc. Service is quick and no non-sense. This place gets filled to capacity real fast so if you don't mind the wait, this is a great place for breakfast.
(3)Katie S.
Dear JoAnn, My first visit was today and it was a slam dunk. We sat at the counter and got to watch the dance of the short order cooks turn out plate after plate of amazing looking food. The colors of the dishes were like a kaleidoscope; the banana pancake special and the Denver omelet visually blew my mind. I can tell you use only the freshest ingredients. I respect a place that knows the benefits of using a copper bowl for scrambling their eggs. I love that you have Latin breakfast specials on your weekend menu, I can' t wait to visit during the week and check out the dinner menu. Amazing Orange French Toast on your homemade bread and those muffins in the case on the way out may my heart beat a little bit faster. Until we meet again...
(5)J T.
Nothing but fresh items and amazing dishes! I live there breakfast! Defiantly one of my favorites!
(5)Nick D.
Breakfast is definitely my most important and favorite meal to be had on the weekends. With that said, Yelp lead us on here on Sunday morning. It's screams the epitome of greasy spoon; the restaurant is long and narrow, with booths lined up on one side of the wall and counter seating. It's an open air kitchen and you can watch the cooks do their thing but at the same time, you'll smell like grease afterwards. Their menu is pretty standard and offered the usual breakfast items. I was in the mood for pancakes, so I tried one of their combos which came with eggs, bacon and fruit. The s/o tried one of their omelets, forgot which one. While waiting, I was looking around and noticed a huge stack of bacon sitting on top of the stove. Frankly, I was kind of grossed out that it was out in the open air, not in a container or even covered. When our food came out, I was had hard time eating the bacon knowing the conditions it came from; it was the thick good stuff too, and I love me some thick bacon! Of course they threw it on the griddle before serving it as it was hot but still. The pancakes were pretty basic, and so were the eggs. The s/o's omelet was seriously huge but halfway the s/o got grossed out when the s/o noticed the omelet was soupy in the bottom, i.e. the eggs were not fully cooked. Man, if you don't know how to cook eggs, you don't belong in the kitchen. On the bright side of things, the s/o had their blueberry muffin and it was good, but that's it. Our bill came out to around $32.00 before tip. That's pretty hefty for a basic breakfast. Needless to say, we're not coming back.
(2)Joce A.
JoAnn's is a great down-to-earth breakfast joint and I looooooove going there! I found out about them when I was doing a search for a good place to get french toast, and their orange french toast came with rave reviews! Also, apparenly, I didn't know that my sister frequented this place. So, I finally gave it a try and I fell in love. There was a line outside and a short wait (people willing to wait for good food is always a good sign!) Then, we were greeted by the gracious hosts and servers. Everyone was so friendly and real, not pretentious, sleepy or OVERly friendly at all. Then, the food came. wooooow. HUGE servings!!! And big taste. Everything I've eaten has been something I'd eat again. The food is served hot and fresh. They are attentive to their diners. The only thing I noticed that threw me off a bit was that they don't serve breakfast sausage.... But, I can say that their chicken-apple sausage is just as good. The chorizo is delicioso, too. JoAnn's is highly recommended for brunch fare with close loved ones. :o)
(5)BrElla4eva H.
Decent breakfast/brunch place. Yummy muffins though. They have big muffin tops...which I love. The french toast was nothing special...
(3)Theresa J.
JoAnn's is one of my favorite places on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and truly, one of the Bay Area's best spots for a hearty and delicious breakfast. My latest favorite is the Chorizo Omlette with added Avacado. It is cooked to delicate perfection and is absolutely amazing as is, without adding another thing! Their freshly baked muffins are yummy as well and, what can I say, they get everything right. The waffles topped with fruit and cream... OMG, don't get me started! There's usually a wait time, but there are a couple of benches outside so you can get comfy. It's a small place, a bit loud inside and the waitresses are moving fast, but they're always friendly and helpful.
(5)Daniel D.
I'm not sure why my GF and I haven't been here. I guess I just finally typed "breakfast" into my Yelp app and this place was only a few miles away. B R I E F S U M M A R Y -- Street parking ONLY (parallel parking) -- Located on that weird street parallel to El Camino -- ~12 min wait for 2 on Sunday morning at 10:30am (NOT BAD) -- Service was friendly and efficient -- A bit expensive compared to my recent breakfast adventures -- Santa Fe was good/average for a chorizo burrito -- Not a fan of their pico de gallo or salsa verde -- Goldie Lox scramble was unique & fresh (too much green onions) -- Weekend special cornmeal pancakes were good, but needed something -- Lots of fresh fruit with the pancakes -- Fresh muffins which seem popular (lots of people picking them up to-go) -- $10 min for credit card The location is kind of weird but it's managable, just make sure you pay attention. JoAnn's doesn't have a big sign. If you see Max's of Manila, then you have gone too far. Sunday morning had a crowd of people so it wasn't too hard to find. We must have caught it at a good time when tables were being turned over because we only waited about 12 minutes. I expected service to be like some of the reviews that I read, but I thought all the ladies were nice, friendly and professional. Food didn't take that long about 15 minutes and they were pretty attentive to all our needs. They gave me a to-go box and even a to-go container for some syrup. O U R F O O D: -- Santa Fe: I am a huge chorizo fan. As soon as I saw this on other reviews and on the menu, I knew what I was getting. I wasn't so sure about what was on top of it, though. I liked the sour cream but the salsa verde and the pico de gallo or salsa that came on top were kind of bland. I dumped a whole bunch of the hot sauce which sort of saved it. I will say the eggs were super fluffy and the chorizo was very flavorful. I would get it again, just nothing on top. -- Goldie Lox scramble w/ home fries: My GF ate most of her plate except for all the green onions. I got a few bites of it. I thought the smoked salmon and cream cheese were fresh and good, just different. I'm not a fan of the potatoes. They were simple red potatoes, basically bland. -- Cornmeal pancakes (weekend special): I've had really good cornmeal panckaes before so JoAnn's had some competition. I really like the fresh fruit and the fruit butter or whatever it came with. I really liked the pancakes except that they were dry. I feel like the plate was missing something. Maybe some whipped cream or some fruit inside the pancakes would have made it better. Overall the experience was 3.5, above average. I really liked the "hole-in-the-wall" feel and the service. The prices were a bit much but I can manage. I think I'll give it another shot especially since there aren't very many good restaurants in the area near Daly City/SSF.
(3)Leily P.
This place was a-okay, not bad, but not great. The food was okay - none of the dishes were that appealing but I appreciate any diner that uses real eggs instead of the egg mix (whatever that is, I've seen places use it). Food came out fairly quick.
(3)Andrea B.
Pretty solid brunch joint down El Camino in South SF. We found JoAnn's, because SF brunch joints all had 1 hour+ waits, and we got a table on a busy Sunday in 5-10 minutes! Parking isn't as bad as other reviewers made it seemed. It was pretty full on the street, but there's street parking near the neighborhood like 20 feet away. My bf, his parents, and I tried every one of the specials - buckwheat pancakes, omelette special, and Machaca, plus the salmon lox omelette. Omelettes come with red potatoes and toast. Some omelettes come with choice of toast, bagel, or muffin. Sad to report the muffins were a bust. They were just not that great, in my opinion. Tasted a bit like boxed muffin mix and also kinda overcooked. My buckwheat pancakes were pretty good. I love buckwheat - though it was on the drier side, they were filled with blueberries and came with an amazing "berry butter" which I've never heard of - delicious. It also came covered in bananas, fresh delicious strawberries, and mangoes. I thought $13.95 was a bit pricey, but the quality of ingredients met my expectations. Machaca and special omelettes looked amazing - hollandaise passed our taste tests. It's easy to mess that up, so I give them kudos. All in all - very decent brunch. Not the cheapest, but quality we could taste.
(4)Karen H.
Small little diner, but luckily no wait because for the countertop seating. I got 2 pancakes that were huge. I could barly finish one. Also got a side of sautee spinich and mushrooms. Kind of random, but was good. I am not a big breakfast person, so for me to really like breakfast food you really have to surprise me. Staff is nice.
(3)Melissa B.
New favorite breakfast spot, close to home. Love the orange pancakes and really like all the other items on the menu too!
(5)Ed B.
The food was below mediocre. The waitress wasn't helpful at all and didn't know anything about the menu, Would never return here.
(1)Dare A.
Great fast service ...fresh squeezed orange juice ...pick-your-toppings omelettes ...loved this place!
(5)Rubi G.
THIS FOOD IS GREAT! However it's over priced. my mom and i got 2 pretty basic breakfast platters... eggs, potatos, muffins, and ham. bill came out to 30?! the f*ck?! i could've made this at home for $20 less.
(4)Jocelyn J.
Really great Eggs Florentine! They really love spinach at this place and so do I. Huge portions and I believe they bake their own bread. Great place even though it's smaller than my closet at home :)
(4)Juliane N.
JoAnn's Cafe has been on my bookmark list for a while now and I finally had the chance to come here for breakfast with my sister and my nephew on a recent visit. I went in there having my mind set on their orange french toast or pancakes but I was so disappointed! It's weekends only, my fault. So instead, I went with the Original Scramble. It included, spinach, mushroom, onion, a choice of meat, I had the chicken sausage, and also a choice of toast, scone, and even their delicious muffins!!! The scramble itself was just OK. Didn't really impress me. It was bland and filled with liquid from the spinach. The potatoes needed a little more time on the grill, it was cold and needed some seasoning. What did WOW me was their muffins! They are huge!! I love how they have such big muffin tops, my favorite part of a muffin. I had their Apple Walnut Muffin and I just couldn't stop eating it. I would definitely go back just to get one of their muffins, which they sell individually for less then $2.00 I believe. They are also kid friendly! My nephew really enjoyed their kids cheeseburger, so did my sister and I. I would recommend going during weekends, might be a wait but you will have way more choices to choose from.
(3)Kat P.
I've been here a few times already and honestly haven't been too amazed with the food. Being a really big fan with diners, I find this place a little disappointing. I was actually really bummed that their scones were not all that great. I have yet to find a dish that will actually be well worth the money. (Did I mention her omelettes are a little pricey and for quality, its so-so) I would rather take the drive to Milbrae Pancake House..
(2)Amy B.
Three words: Orange. French. Toast. Here's three more: Oh. My. Gawd. And three more: Weekend pancake specials. It doesn't get much better than this. We came here for the first time on Memorial Day and, after a slight wait of about 15 minutes, walked into an amazing diner-like cafe with oversized booths and awesome old pictures of WWII planes all over the walls. The staff were all incredibly friendly, and the food came quickly. The coffee, which can be hit or miss in these kinds of places, was extraordinarily good. But it was really the food that blew me away. The orange french toast was just amazing. We also had a side order of their own homemade chicken basil sausage, which was out of this world. And it seems that every weekend there is a pancake special. This time it was cornmeal-yogurt pancakes topped with a mile-high pile of a variety of fresh fruit and berry butter. Everything was really incredible. So incredible, I almost can't wait to go back to Daly City! :-)
(5)Elaine W.
If it weren't for Yelp, I would have never thought to look harder for this eatery which ends up to be a five minute drive from my house. All those times I've eaten at KFC, Gunter's, and Max's Fried Chicken, JoAnn's Cafe has been less than a block away. It's very easy to miss - even though it has prime viewing as you drive along El Camino Real...look for the Filipino restaurant "Karilagan" as the marker - JoAnn's is right next to it with only a small red neon sign in the window that says so. BREAKFAST!!!! The breakfast menu is definitely the star and even better - it's served all day! Featuring build-your-own scrambles and omelettes, kick ass huevos rancheros, and the most delicious orange french toast...those are some of the options I've tried so far and each have made my taste buds happy. I love the home fried potatoes as well - cooked to perfection with never a raw piece to be encountered. The lunch menu is also appetizing with very large portioned salads and burgers and sandwiches, but I still love the breakfast choices best. Seating can get crowded here, since it's such a small joint - not a good place for large groups. Whenever I dine here I'm either by myself or with 1-2 friends and if we don't get a table, we tend to just eat up on the counter/barstools where we get a clear view of the food prep. I've actually learned how to make a proper omelette by watching the cooks at this place! I love it here. No more Denny's or IHOP as long as I'm having breakfast in South City =)
(5)Kim A.
JoAnn's Cafe is still the BEST local place in my book. I love their burgers! OK, make that addicted to them. They are always juicy and cooked just how I like them...topped with cheddar and grilled onions. The crispy fries are an added bonus. They are open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday 5-9pm. Their dinners are huge and just as good as everything else on their menu. I stopped in the other night for their killer short ribs but saw a turkey dinner walk by and changed my order. Man, am I glad I did. It was Thanksgiving a little early. The turkey is the real deal, juicy and moist accompanied by totally killer garlic mashed potatoes. The entire plate was covered with the best gravy, YUM!
(5)Crista B.
Great food in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Great for a relaxed weekend brunch.
(5)Ed N.
Very nice staff, friendly and quick! I liked the corn pancakes with fruit, it was plentiful and tasty. With just a little syrup, it was just right. We had the Joann Special with spicy sausage and egg whites. Very nicely done, eggs were perfect and love the sausage and home fries. What more can I say, this is a place I will visit again!
(4)Nicole R.
I don't understand why everyone loves this place. Service was bad and the food was only alright. Everything was overpriced too! EEK!
(2)Nora Y.
This place isn't what it used to be. The service is mediocre and the food quality has gone way down from what it used to be about 6 or 7 years ago. Wonder if they have a new management/owner? The muffins used to be the best like homecooking but now it seems like they are using boxed Duncan Hines or Pillsbury muffins. Ventilation is poor and hot inside. Person next to our booth kept sneezing so we decided to get out and take our food to go. Then I was utterly shocked to see our waitress touch our food with her bear hands when she was putting it in the to-go box. I asked if I can put our food in the boxes ourselves. She said she would do it and I said fine but pls don't touch our food when you're putting it in the to-go box. She then replied that she didn't. Of course I told her that I saw her touching our pancakes with her bare hands. So she took off the item from our check, the least she can do. Never again will I set foot here. I see the waitress cleaning tables/rags, touching register/money. Disgusting!!!
(1)Joe G.
Very good omelets and Latin American breakfasts. Like sauteed bananas???...try the Don Pascal! The service was good except they need to do a better job on the coffee refills.
(4)Nicole M.
So I should first tell you I heart breakfast. I'm a fan of toast, oatmeal, coffee, etc. I should also tell you I love my Sundays and try to make every Sunday great! So I went here a couple of weeks ago before a 49ers game. First off, I did read the reviews beforehand so I knew what I was getting myself into. It is a little gem just 10 minutes away from my place. Really laid back and welcoming. It was crowded and we did have to wait a bit, but I didn't mind. The food is hearty and very homey. I tried the omelet and for my first omelet it was pretty damn good. The portions are big so I suggested that you come hungry. Overall if you are looking for a small hole in the wall place with good ol' diner breakfast food, this is your spot. Enjoy!
(4)Daniel M.
This place is really easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. Luckily, my cousin recommended it to me. And I'm very glad he did. Because this place is easily one of my favorite spots for breakfast (other than Stacks, which is incredible if you haven't been there). First of all, let me reiterate what other yelpers have said. The muffins here are AMAZING (assuming you got here when they're fresh). And even if they aren't fresh, they're still better than a lot of muffins I've had. I forgot what the name of the dish was (forgive me, friends), but it had egg, spinach, bacon, croutons, and blue cheese. Normally, I'm not a fan of blue cheese. But this dish made me a believer. The croutons added a nice crunch, the bacon was prepared very well, the spinach tasted fresh, the eggs were fluffy, and the blue cheese added a nice strong kick to it. A very well rounded dish. Be warned, it is a bit salty (because of the bacon and blue cheese combo). So if you aren't a fan of salty foods, try another one of their great menu items. The service was very friendly. Our waitress knew when to come by and check on us (not too much and not too little; a very rare quality indeed). Prices are what you'd expect from a sit-down diner (about $8 - $12). Nothing too horrible. Try it out! If you end up being disappointed, then whoops. But also, maybe your expectations shouldn't be so high ALL the time! Ever think of that???
(4)Elynor V.
We got to JoAnn's Cafe before it opened, and strangely, we were not the only people waiting to have breakfast here. I knew it was a good sign. It's a laid back scene with locals who are regulars, it seems. I liked the atmosphere, from the service to the food - casual and inviting. The fact that my friend is a picky eater and cleaned his plate up was another good sign. The portions are pretty hefty, it might have looked like I didn't touch my omelet, but I ate half! I swear! The house potatoes are on hit, but we really came for the pumpkin pancakes. They're seasonal, so get 'em while you can! I can eat them as is or add syrup. (I'm having one for snack right now!) I'll be back!
(4)Ben H L.
I drove up to South SF to try this place out and I was pleasantly surprised that it lived up to the hype from all that people had told me. I ordered the Joann's Special, two eggs, potatoes, chicken basil sausage, toast, and cup of fruit. Quality wise, the eggs were fluffy, the potatoes were fresh, and the fruit was sweet. It was a tight squeeze where we sat but there was still a table when we arrived at 10:45 on a Sunday morning. Price wise, everything's around $10 or so with specials going as high as $13-$14. I'd definitely come back if there was no line and ample parking in front.
(4)ricardo w.
Love this place and so does my son. youtube.com/watch?v=uZ8O…
(4)Kevin C.
This place is pretty pricey for brunchy food. Dollar-dollar ($$) for sure, unless you purposely buy the cheapest menu items. I love pancakes, and ordering à la carte gives me the illusion of control... so I go with three pancakes ($5.75), two eggs over-easy ($2.50), and a bagel ($1.50). (This also ends up cheaper than most entrees.) My buddy tells me I ordered way too much, because everything's big here. I figure I'm okay because eggs and bagels only really come in one size. The pancakes arrive and they are indeed big, served with a big scoop of butter on the side and a pitcher of syrup. The bagel is lightly toasted and served with a butter packet. Normally I'd order toast with my eggs, but toast at $1.50 is a bigger rip-off than a bagel or muffin at $1.50. Speaking of muffins, they're not quite as huge as they look. The top of the muffin is really wide, but the stump is normal-sized. My friend insists that the muffins used to be bigger. I try his bran muffin, and let's just say I'm glad fruit jelly (apricot?) is available on each table. Service is so-so. Our waters are refilled once, only upon request. It's cool that the cooking area is in plain sight, but incidentally something I see there is the reason I'm not giving a fourth star. There's pounds and pounds of pre-cooked bacon piled up above the cooking surface (and presumably collecting bacteria). That's why so serious, Jo-Ca. Cook it to order please; it'll be worth the wait. 3.25 stars (food: 4... value: 2... service: 3)
(3)Susan H.
Overall, the food and service were good. However, can't quite bring myself to give JoAnn's 4 stars. I would give this place deserves 3 1/2 stars if I could. Cute little breakfast spot tucked into a strip mall. Don't blink or you might miss it! We had to drive around the block twice to find it. The cafe is on the small side possibly with some counter seating. Luckily we only had to wait 5 minutes for a table. The muffins are extra large. Hubby and I decided to order different muffins with our breakfast entree so we could sample different ones. We chose the Apple and Blueberry. I thought the Apple was tastier and moister. The blueberry was okay, chocked full of blueberries. I had the Andy's special. Scramble eggs with bacon, mushrooms, spinach and cheese. I forgot to ask if the mushrooms were fresh or canned. So happy they were fresh! Tasty combination ~ needed just a touch of Tapatio hot sauce which unfortunately they did not have. Hubby ordered the Original Omelet. Nothing memorable and he felt the eggs were overcooked. I would come back if in the area, but not worth making a special trip.
(3)Carolyn K.
Dropped by for brunch, first time in a year! It hasn't lost its cozy, home-y feel and the waitress was very polite and friendly. Were their portions always that large? I'm not a huge french toast fan, but their orange french toast is delicious! Also, their smoked salmon dishes use an ungodly amount of cream cheese, so it'd probably be a good idea to ask them to go easy on that. Otherwise, I still love this place.
(4)Don A.
This place is good for breakfast and the wait ain't bad. It's not a fancy place but the food is hella good.
(4)Matthew S.
Coffee is amazing. Garden Burger is pretty grand. A little pricey. =]
(4)Gill C.
I'm craving breakfast right now, and writing this review isn't helping. Anywho, I'll try and power through here. OK, onwards... I love when I find a new spot thanks to my fellow yelpers, and special props to Abby A! Met up with Liezl for a lazy Sunday afternoon brunch. We barely made it before closing (2:30pm on weekends), and both of us were so excited to eat. There are so many great things on the menu (from breakkie items like scrambles, omelettes, pancakes to lunchables like hamburgers, sammies, etc.,) After much deliberation, I decide on the Gaucho, which was one of their specialty dishes. Oh Mylanta! Ay dios mio! This Gaucho was freaking amazing. It was a grilled tortilla with jack cheese (of course!), sauteed mushrooms, and low fat chicken basil (with a choice of turkey, sausage, bacon, ham, or chorizo), and topped with fresh avocado slices and salsa. In every bite, I had at at least two mushrooms, lots of tender and juicy chicken pieces, ample jack cheese and avocado. It was oh so divine! Let's just say that I inhaled this, and is one of the best brunch entrees that I've ever had! Liezl had the eggs benedict, which she really liked, but was too much for her to finish. I didn't get to try it, but it looked like super thick delish ham pieces! I can't believe I haven't discovered this place sooner. It seems like an institution with lots of newspaper clippings and awards on the wall. It's really a cozy place with several booths, back tables, and even seats at the counter. Since we had a late brunch, we didn't have to wait for a table, but could imagine how packed this place gets during peak brunch time. Service was friendly and efficient. We got our menus and waters right away, and our food was ready in less than 10 minutes. We were the last customers there, and just lost track of time girl chating and all. However, they didn't force us to leave, but did ask us to settle the bill since they were cashing out. I'll definitely be back to JoAnn's. Walking out, I saw yummy sweet treats that were calling my name, but was just too full to eat anything else! I love JoAnn's, and can't help but think of that Kool and the Gang song, "JoAnna.. .I love you!!!" Come on, you know it... sing it with me.... Ok, so there's technically no "a" after the "nn"s in JoAnn's Cafe, but you you get my drift. :) Got much love for JoAnn's!
(5)Mark G.
Just a quick comment on the above average quality omelette plus the above average customer service I experienced. The place is quite dingy but I guess that just adds to its dive quality mystique. My omelette was fluffy and gooey with cheese (however I did order extra cheese). If you aren't incredibly picky and need a quick bite for some pretty tasty breakfast I definitely suggest this place.
(4)jazzy l.
Started off with a Joanne Special (2 eggs, Potatoes, choice of meat, fruit cup and choice of scone, muffin, toast) $10.50. Nothing special but the food was pretty good for breakfast considering it's a suburban area of SSF. Need to try lunch and dinner.
(3)ABBY A.
BUH-BYE BORING BREAKFAST! HEL-LOoOoOo flour tortilla grilled to perfection with jack cheese, mushrooms & your choice of turkey, bacon, ham, chorizo, low fat chicken basil, italian or cajun sausage, or spinach; topped with avocado & fresh tomato salsAaAaAhhhh. (whew!) Now THAT'S a mouthfull! (It's actually called a Gaucho.) ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR LIFE. Don't feel like having the same ol' boring breakfast today? You know, eggs scrambled or over-easy, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, zZzZzZz.....JoAnn's makes their meals bursting with flavour! They add just the right amount of spices to their food, including the not-too-spicy chorizo which is just mouth-watering. =P* * * FOR THE HEALTH NUTS, they have healthy meals such as "no-yolk" and veggie omelettes. EASY TO MISS if you've never been because it's the smallest building on the block. BERRY NICE...HOW MUCH? All 4 staff members were very nice. To every person that walks in, the universal greeting seems to be, "Anywhere you'd like." Lite rock, less talk, was blasting in the background to make the experience even more shweeter. I also liked the fact that we didn't have to ask for anything. They anticipated our hot sauce, water, check, and to-go box! Meal prices range from $8-$10, but there are lighter fares for around $5 if you're not so hungry. IT'S GETTIN' HOT IN HERE! There're about 6 tables and the counter, and the place gets packed with the hardcore loyals and in-and-out regulars. But you know what? Everything works out just fine. There isn't a ridiculous line to worry about and parking is ez. I'LL BE BACK. I have GOT to try their Chocolate Soda w/ Vanilla Ice Cream. That's just unheard of.
(5)Cristina S.
Great food and service. Had to wait a short time but definitely worth it! We enjoyed their buttermilk pancakes and a denver omelet. We'll be back for sure!
(5)Janet O.
At first you don't succeed, try again! I refuse to believe this cozy diner does not have substance. It is perhaps the only nice breakfast place in San Bruno, so I will go again. Staff is friendly, but it's the food that needs to impress me. The omelet that I ordered was dry and flavorless. The granola came with milk instead of yogurt? As we paid and walked out the door, I did notice a nice selection of baked goodies...Second review on its way
(3)Walerz B.
The orange French toast was okay, just orangey flavored, no big deal (I'm not a big breakfast fan, though). My BD enjoyed his scrambled eggs and ham and potatoes. I really liked my burger (med-rare with cheddar cheese). The meat was really juicy and tasty. They were pretty busy on a Saturday late morning so service was quick but attentive and kind. We parked in the Long John Silver/ KFC - whoops.
(3)Jason H.
This place is pretty awesome. I have had a custom scramble that consisted of tomatillo, chorizo and pepper jack. AMAZING - if not ridiculously unhealthy. I also liked the Santa Fe. Orange french toast was yummy too if you are looking for something simple. Warning - they can get busy. Expect a wait if you come during peak hours.
(4)Joanne D.
I love JoAnn's. Not just because we share the same name (with slightly different spelling), but because her food is goooood. My husband and I lived in South City for 4 years before we got married. JoAnn's was our savior without having to drive into the City. You can only take so much fake breakfast at Denny's. My goto breakfast is the Eggs Benedict. Delish. My 2nd goto was the Spicy Migas. The one thing I loved about JoAnn's is the variety of mexican breakfast she has on the menu. I've never been anywhere else that had that many to choose from. Everytime we went to JoAnn's it was ALWAYS yummy with consistently good service and the muffins were always fresh. We must have gone to JoAnn's at least 50 times in 4 years, probably more. It was the only place to go to breakfast off Westborough! Everything is fresh, delicious and well made. You'll definitely wait on a weekend at peak breakfast time but if you swing by for a late brunch, you'll probably get luckier and wait less.
(5)Catriona C.
JoAnn's was at the center of a revelation for me yesterday. I have a Sensitive Stomach (SS, for short). Sufferers of the SS will know that beer from the night before, plus eggs the day after, will result in copious hours lying on the couch, feeling like hell. So much curing a hangover. BUT. Yesterday I finally took my habits by the scruff of the neck and said, no more! I shall not eat Goldie's Lox (scrambled eggs with salmon) as I know it will Be No Good for the SS - well, not at that particular time. Instead, I went for spicy, which ironically worked out much better for me and the SS - Herbivoracious. Potato, potato, potato, more potato, spinach, jalapenos, peppers, tomatoes, jack cheese... and an entire pot of sour cream. So I maybe should have asked for that on the side. But all in all, deliciousness, and the monster that is the SS was satisfied, and so was I.
(3)Jose U.
Went here for breakfast and debated over the full or half order of meat. The full order wasn't all that big (JoAnn's special). The food tasted good, really liked the home potatoes, my gf got an omelet with mushrooms that tasted fresh (portabello). The service was friendly, and the place is conveniently located in an area with plenty of parking. The prices were a tad high. Though the food was good I don't think it was anything outstanding that merited the higher price.
(3)Rose O.
Read yelp reviews and decided to try. Somewhat disappointed due to some of the excellent reviews. A typical breakfast with home fries chicken basil sausage and eggs was reasonably priced but the sausage while tasted "homemade" was waaayyyy too salty which ruined the overall favor. My husband ordered something similiar and his italian sausage was exactly the same. They really need to tone down on the salt. But he did enjoy the orange flavored blueberry muffin. Service was attentive and above average.
(3)Paul A.
4 stars for the food! 1 star for the service! Sunday 10/6 at 12! No hello, good morning, or smile. Empty creamer canister, left the empty one in front if me and seemed annoyed that I asked for a new one. Took the order and I never saw my waitress again! No checking up on me! Was asked for the first time if I wanted a refill on coffee after they dropped the check and I was done! Nobody seemed to be smiling! Maybe it was because I was sitting at the counter? Maybe because I was by myself? Sign that says "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" Didn't think you were actually serious about it! Not even a thank you or come again or good weekend on the way out! What a shame! I was wearing glasses, blue shirt sat at the end of the counter and had the French toast! Food is good and the cooks are amazing as I watched them! All you had to do is smile, say good afternoon/morning and refill my coffee when you dropped the food and I would of rated 5 stars and referred but it's obvious your busy so those things don't matter! Get them in and get them out right!
(2)Gregor E.
Average at best. I've been here about 10 times total because my coworkers have a fascination over it. Well, I'm over it. I think they're only around because people don't think they have any other options during their lunch break. I will say they're coffee is pretty good. But that's all
(2)Christina L.
They were more than A-OK, but I'm not a fan because I'm not sure when I'll go back again with all the other choices for good breakfast in Pacifica. Long babble short, I'd give them 3.5 stars if I could. Service was superb. Our waitress was super duper nice. She wasn't as responsive as another yelper said by anticipating my needs for hot sauce and a to-go box, but when I asked she responded in a timely manner. Peter got their corn beef hash special. It was not so much like hash browns, and more like shredded corned beef with grits. Nevertheless, it was yummy with the poached eggs and pesto hollandaise sauce. I got their Goldie Lox scramble with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chives. It was also yummy, but not mind-blowing in any way. My scramble came with a blueberry muffin. Peter really liked it, but i felt like it was moist enough.
(3)Angela W.
Call it a love handle, call it more cushion for the pushin' but when it comes right down to it, no one wants a muffin top. Its squishy, its awkward, and its definitely not sexy especially when spilling out of your pants and folding over your lap. It might even be a deal breaker. Unless.. Its Joanns big mean muffin top!!! and she has a bad case of muffin top syndrome. I wanna be all up in her muffin top and more. Her muffin top is the biggest I've seen, so wide you can barely see the stump of the muffin itself. Joann's family of muffins includes cornbread, blueberry, apple walnut, and oatmeal. I got my mammoth muffin with its Kentucky Derby hat with the salmon lox scramble which came with smoky salty salmon and chunks of cream cheese which I honestly did not care for and picked out and enough green onions mixed in to give you stinky breath for days. Service was hospitable and the waitresses seemed to know everyone and their moms. Three and a half stars!
(4)Christy L.
Another great Yelp find that makes my tummy happy! The fiancee and I were craving some brunch before we headed out for our motorcycle ride north. JoAnn's was a blessing and a curse in disguise!! First, bring a healthy appetite because you're guaranteed to leave JoAnn's stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey! The portions are GINORMOUS! That's not even a word, but properly describes the hefty portions of food you get! I had to have the pancakes everyone was raving about - since it was the 4th of July weekend, they were offering up a twist on the red, white and blue with their star spangled pancakes. Delicious, tender, buttery, with a hint of cornmeal...oh my! Served topped with raspberry (!!!) butter, fresh blueberries, bananas and strawberries. DELICIOUS! My other half ordered the turkey hash - naturally I needed to sample (marrying me means he is required to always share food - it's in the pre-nup!). It was delicious - and there was SO MUCH! I liked the savory sauce they used...it was savory enough to enhance the natural taste of the grilled turkey hash. They served this topped with two eggs. YUM! The evil part of eating here before our ride was....we were so stuffed that we barely could zip our leathers and the thought of carving up the twisties with our tummies full of food gave me nighmares of puking in my helmet (it happened to a friend of mine...not pretty). Guaranteed we'll be back!
(4)jen a.
Little neighborhood cafe just down the street from my mom's house. My family has been coming here for some time, but I just had my first meal there last week. Funny, my sibs didn't recommend a particular dish to me, so I was on my own choosing something off their pretty big menu. I ended up getting the Spicy Migas- which was a little one-note for me. It was basically spiced up scrambled eggs, diced peppers and onions, black beans on the side, and a couple of corn tortillas. I ended up eating probably just 25% and bringing home the rest, which I don't think husby even finished. My sibs though, love to have the eggs benedict and the blueberry muffins. I had a taste of my sister's OJ, and it was very good, fresh-squeezed OJ. My other sis had their scramble with lox and cream cheese, which she loved. My bro had some kind of hamburger patty with mushrooms- he didn't seem too into it. I'll have to try something more basic next time to get a better gauge of this place.
(3)Lauren R.
...was intrigued with the reviews on Yelp and the line every time we pass by, so we decided to check it out. If you love breakfast, not worried about cholesterol, and love homemade meal, definitely go to this place. Staff is genuinely nice! We ordered Paul's sandwich with cajun sausage for $8.75. My toddler had mickey mouse pancake - bit disappointing since the pancake didn't have eyes, nose and mouth :( $5.25 is reasonable for the portion though. We also ordered a burger for $9.00, I think. A bit pricey for breakfast but worth to visit once in a while. I've attached few pictures, so check them out.
(4)Christina D.
Awesome little breakfast spot! Splurged on french toast (I should say tried to) at another breakfast place down the peninsula 2 weeks prior that was a complete disaster. I wanted a redo... bad! Hubby and I woke up late and went to JoAnn's in hopes to kill my hankering for some french toast but we were too late and they had already moved to the lunch menu with very limited breakfast items. I asked if they could still do the french toast and the guy was super cool about it. It was different than I expected because I was expecting a typical french toast done with cinnamon so when an orange french toast came, I was surprised but it was really good! I've been here a few times, always for breakfast and never has it disappointed. Solid little breakfast spot! Oh... try their granola that they sell to go!!! AWESOME!!!
(5)Julie T.
Cute breakfast joint. Their breakfast sandwich was so good. Same with the pancakes. Good food, good service, good local spot.
(4)Chai S.
Real good, hearty breakfast. Fills you up and gets you ready for whatever the day may bring. Delicious, home-made food makes this place famous! Must-try. All omelettes are super delish. Can't go wrong with any of them. All their baked goodies are made from scratch daily. Nice, big portions of food. Super great service!
(4)Ravena F.
I paid this restaurant a fine compliment by visiting on Saturday - the day before starting a rather austere Migraine Elimination Diet. This means no more yummies like coffee, breads and cheese for 3 weeks! As usual, and even with the hype, JoAnn's did not disappoint. Joann's does a good old fashioned breakfast so well. Don't go lookin' for no fruity mojito-mojo-mimosas here. No sirrees. Instead, amble on in to the laid-back dineresque environment for a perfect omelette, a nice eggs benedict, a fruit-topped stack of pancakes with mango butter, or my personal favorite: Eggs Beatrice. Yum! Poached eggs atop sourdough bread and a bed of spinach, with slices of smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce drizzled over the top. Absolutely delicious. Oh, and whatever you do, do NOT forget to have a muffin. Get it to go if you have to, they are truly divine. Can get pretty crowded on the weekends, though this past Saturday, my hiking buddy and I walked right in to a booth (last remaining) at 10:45 am. Not a huge fan of the coffee - needs to be stronger. But these, for me, are minor drawbacks. Really, it's all about the great, classic breakfast. Guess where I'll be just as soon as this elimination diet is over?!? (Sure hope I don't discover that wheat or cheese is one of my migraine triggers . . .)
(4)Parul G.
I went to JoAnn's Cafe for Saturday brunch because it had such great ratings on Yelp, and it certainly lived up to my expectations. We got a booth right away. The place was very busy, but the staff was attentive. I have been to other restaurants that are so busy that you feel like you are in their way. That was definitely not the case here. Our waitress was very nice, very polite. I ordered Orange French Toast and it was DELICIOUS. I am not sure what my friend had ordered, but the Italian sausages he got with his meal were great. I will certainly be back soon!
(4)Cathy D.
I definitely am all for supporting hole in the walls, so our gfs decided on brunch here.... We were surpised to get a booth since it was pretty busy for a Sunday. Had a sort of diner feel to it. Busy and chaotic. Happy people. Unfortunately our waitress for the day wasn't too friendly (maybe because it was packed) and didn't really check on us after we got our food. 3 out of 4 of us had burgers meals....Overall the burger was pretty big, but just ok in taste. I was told by a friend that weekday staff is usually really nice. Guess maybe I'd give this place another shot and go with a breakfast item because that what most of the other costumers were ordering.
(3)Serena L.
My best friend took me here for breakfast during a recent visit back home. She had warned me about the huge portions but I didn't listen. What do I get? A ton of leftover omelettes! Besides the huge portions, the food was so yummy. Though a bit on the smaller side, the service was rather quick. We came on a weekday and it was nearly full. Can't imagine how it gets on a weekend! Parking was plentiful as it was street parking. Definitely coming back whenever I'm in town!
(4)Ro B.
Food is decent. Servings are a good size.
(3)Patrick D.
Had breakfast there with my family. I had the BLT and my son's had the pancakes. The BLT was amazing, and their French fries were a great side. The pancakes were an absolute must try. They had great consistency and taste. Everything tasted great. The mocha had great flavor, too (better than Pete's in my opinion). We will be back.
(5)L V.
Inspiring menu, poor execution, horrible coffee. I had Sunday breakfast at JoAnn's today for the first time. I was going to be in the area early and wanted a breakfast stop. The place was packed at 10am, but Shawna and I were lucky enough to grab the last booth (one of two tables left). I would give at least 4 stars for the menu options and size of the portions. I love that one of the "meat" options for the egg combo is "spinach and mushrooms" so if you are looking for a vegetarian option, you aren't feeling short charged or that you have to choose a slightly pricier omelette for a more complete meal. Based on a Yelper's recommendation, I chose the Eggs Beatrice and Shawna had the Eggs Florentine. It was a difficult choice, though, with so many yummy options. I was intrigued by the bread choices that included the regular fare, as well as what seemed to be baked on the premises scone or muffin. The Eggs Beatrice includes spinach and smoked salmon with vinaigrette tomatoes on the side (I have no idea why). The two poached eggs sit on lightly toasted sourdough which is on top of a bed of mostly raw spinach. First, the entire meal was drowned in Hollandaise sauce. The sauce itself was well done, but there was far, far too much of it. I would suggest asking for it on the side if you'd like to be able to taste the rest of your meal. The eggs were poached perfectly. However, the smoked salmon is a thick cut and extremely salty. I was not at all impressed by the taste of the meal -- which was completely overwhelmed by Hollandaise and smoked salmon. Shawna had the more unfortunate meal: her last several bites of breakfast was ruined by finding gritty, unwashed spinach and then several pieces of egg shell. We informed the waitress when she came to take out place, with Shawna having left a significant portion of her meal uneaten. I said, "Please tell the kitchen to be more careful" and pointed out the shell and unwashed spinach Shawna had pushed to the side. When the waitress brought us our check, she said she had let the kitchen know, but you can sure bet not a dime was taken off our bill. And finally, breakfast places in the state of California should lose their license to operate for serving watered-down coffee.
(2)Kevin N.
It is a place that I would be happy to give 3.5. I'm in south sf for a couple of says so I wanted a nice breakfast joint. THIS was exactly I was looking for. MUFFINS are top notch yumminess. Atmosphere is homey, and all egg menu which is kind of a bummer if you don't love eggs. There are meat choices with most menu items, the potatoes are average. I'm very happy with my "goldie lox":samon, cream cheese, tomatoes, green onions
(3)Q L.
Muffins Muffins Muffins This place is so known for muffins I'm kinda shocked there aren't many reviews about the muffins! So here ya go!.... Yes, there are long lines on weekends...since the 80s, can wait about 1hr sometimes (at least back in the day), but they (at least used to) serve free coffee outside as people waited...standing...and read the paper. They make the muffins next door....highly prized recipes which many tried to steal. JoAnn used to work the cash register and chit-chat with us on the weekends. We never failed to take a bag of muffins....one of each...with us to go. Pancake specials must be tried...look up on the board for those. Buttermilk milkshakes....also yummmmm. If you haven't gotten the message....make sure you try the muffins!...and take some to go! (try em with a little bit o butter...unless you're eating the chocolate one) Seriously....it was super scandaleux way back when this place first gained some notice, soooo many attempting to hijack those recipes! I can't eat 'em these days....so go have a muffin for me!
(5)Nathan L.
Not bad. Their brunch items are fresh and delicious. Came here for brunch to catch up with a coworker and found the place packed. We ordered the egg white omelette, huevos rancheros, and pancakes. Everything was delicious but nothing was spectacular. Their herby home fries was the only item that stood out. I also didn't like how they crammed one too many tables into their small eating area. It not only made the atmosphere louder but also a bit uncomfortable. I had to almost shout to get heard and my elbows were constantly bumped. I would removed the 1-2 randomly placed tables and serve less people at a time to provide a more quality experience. They'd probably have people lining up out the door but they will wait and come back if everything is done right. Just my two cents.
(3)Amy B.
YELP SAVES THE DAY AGAIN!!! I was in the area looking for a great breakfast place to meet up with a friend. I found JoAnn's cafe and decided it was our spot. When we pulled up, it wasn't anything special from the outside and I was thinking "Please, Yelp! Don't fail me now!" It didn't! 2 of us had the special corned beef hash (HOME MADE!!!) and as a self-described hashaholic, I have to say, this was excellent! Shredded and fried home made corned beef hash, 2 poached eggs and pesto hollandaise. Holy heaven in my mouth! My friend had the eggs benedict dish but the one with the salmon and spinach. He loved his as well. He also had the orange juice which was fresh squeezed! Can't get any better than that! Seriously, this place rocks. I'd come back here over and over again which is why I'm glad I don't live close by!
(4)Jeremy L.
Massive breakfast! My wife and I were lost for where to go for breakfast and Yelp was great help in pulling this little gem out! I found out that there are weekly specials and one that caught my eye was Corn Cakes! It's essentially corn bread pancakes made with a hint of yogurt! How was it? I don't know...I didn't get it, but it does sound good! I got the "Original"! It's eggs scrambled with spinach, a choice of meat (hamburger patty for me!), mushrooms, onions, and it came with potatoes and a choice of toast, muffins, bagel or scone. They serve a lot on their plate and it was more than enough for one person to eat! The potatoes were surprisingly soft and flavorful and the combination of the scramble was a good mix of hamburger goodness and fresh vegetables! My wife ordered the "Joann's Special", which was scrambled eggs, choice of meat and potatoes. She got the Italian Sausage and it was really balanced; not too salty. Oh, you must have a freakin' muffin! The muffin top is square and huge! One thing that I am looking forward to in my next visit is the Mexican breakfast! We were seating at the counter and it gave us a great view of the grill! Lots of the food that go through in front of us were appetizing! Do watch out during certain hours, they can be busy, but they'll always look out for you and are very polite. Overall, this is quite a lovely little diner and the breakfast choices are more than intriguing! I'll be back for more for sure!
(4)Mark W.
Our lunch today was meh-tastic. My breakfast (two eggs + corned beef & hash browns) arrived lukewarm, while my "toast" lacked any heat at all. My colleagues were similarly unimpressed with their orders. The odd thing was the fact that the place was packed with customers -- with so many other options in the area we found it hard to believe JoAnn's could stay so busy.
(2)Kimberly S.
Pre-Yelp days, I went here often with the family. So when my friends and I decided to have a belated birthday brunch, I was more than happy to introduce them to JoAnn's. I can understand why neither one of them have seen this place - it's so tucked in between other big-sign shops that you miss the small red-lit letters on the practically 2x4 size window. But you definitely can't miss the crowd outside on the weekends! Luckily we only had to wait 20 minutes or so for a seat in this cozy restaurant. We took this time to look over the menu and stare at their blueberry muffins in the glass case. If I hadn't made cupcakes for my girlfriends and I to enjoy at home after brunch, I definitely would have got one with my meal since I know how yummy they are. Oh how I hate temptation, especially when it's staring at you in the face. So many enticing choices, I ended up with The Original - two scrambled eggs with spinach, mushrooms, chicken basil sausage, and green onions with homefries and toast - just delicious! My girlfriends dined on Eggs Benedict and JoAnn's Special. No complaints there, either! I had the most difficult time resisting one of their specials - pumpkin pancakes! =( But I knew I wouldn't even come close to finishing two monstrous pancakes on my own, and my body would hate me if I did! But we did decide to share a buttermilk pancake, just to add a bit of sweetness to our brunch. Mmmm....fluffy goodness just melting in your mouth. Not your average bacon-egg-toast kinda place, but you do get that neighborhood feel with the extremely friendly staff and cozy interior. The menu has a small but appetizing selection of breakfast/brunch/lunch items, along with specials of the day. Good luck picking one!
(4)Josh L.
Took my visiting parents here for breakfast since it was close to their hotel. Wow. We'll be back. Every dish was great - service was friendly. They even told us where they sourced their baked items and bread. French toast was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!
(4)Alex H.
Nice hearty breakfast. Everything off the grill was delicious (eggs, bacon, home fries, french toast). They have thick cut bacon. Yum yum. The best thing had to be the meal combinations they have. Lost of choices such as toast, muffin or scone. Though we had the scone it was mediocre. The blue berry muffin looked promising though. Small local dinner that is reasonably priced. Getting here is a bit tricky. It is on small adjacent street to el camino. It is where the KFC/Long John Silvers is.
(4)Yan G.
Last Wednesday before work I had to drop off my car at the dealer for a routine 15,000-mile service. As I was driving off in my loaner vehicle, I got a call saying that I needed new break pads. Knowing I was already out $700, I was in no mood to spend crazy money on breakfast. I was hungry, and so I needed something quick and inexpensive, but hearty and good. Yelp suggested JoAnn's, and I headed south on El Camino. The restaurant is inconspicuously tucked away in the middle of a strip mall, so it didn't surprise that most patrons were obviously regulars. The place wasn't crowded, but JoAnn's wasn't hurting for customers, either. I picked a booth closest to the entrance and sat down. I studied JoAnn's long menu full of breakfast options for quite some time, partially because I was distracted by the odd and unusual wall art. Old posters were everywhere, and some were enhanced with carefully placed "eat at JoAnn's" reminders. Cute. I finally settled on an omelet with 3 ingredients of my choice (ham, bell peppers and cheddar cheese). The omelet was served with home fried potatoes and toast. I was seriously considering ordering one of the delicious looking muffins, but decided I needed to watch my figure. That's why I ordered a side of two buckwheat pancakes. Before the waitress brought my food, she had to refill my coffee twice. The cups were small, the coffee was weak, and I was bored and sleepy. What's a guy to do? My food couldn't come fast enough. When it did, I was ready to scarf it down. The omelet was very good, with fluffy eggs and big chunks of ham. The potatoes weren't all that great, seeing how they were mildly undercooked. They were a bit crunchier on the inside than they should be. The pancakes were HUGE, but not very tasty. They were really thick and chewy, and I was forced to leave half a pancake on the plate. That's a rare occurrence for me. JoAnn's also ran out of sugar free syrup, which was disappointing. I was waiting for the waitress to bring me the bill, but it just wasn't happening. Finally, I walked up to the counter and asked for the bill at the register. As soon as I gave her my credit card, she stopped paying attention to me altogether. Instead, she was focused on one of the regular who couldn't decide whether he wanted coffee and oatmeal or just coffee. Fascinating. My bill was $16.60, which is NOT cheap for breakfast. I always tip breakfast waitresses especially well, so I rounded it up to $20 (that's more than a 20% tip). Sadly, neither the service (average) nor the food (also average) warranted that kind of a tip.
(3)Owen R.
Love this place. The fact that you get to add a muffin (blueberry, apple, pumpkin, etc..) to your breakfast bread options is a major bonus. The omelets here are also really good - really light and fluffy, and stuffed with all sorts of different ingredients, all of which is really fresh The fact that you can choose from three types of sausage is a major bonus. The non-omelet options like the florentines and benedicts are top notch, as are some of the "latin favorites" like the spicy migas. I wish they had hash browns instead of home fries, but that's my preference, and they're still pretty good anyway. Regardless, this place succeeds in every way that SF breakfast restaurants normally fail. Good food and decent prices without the oh-so-precious mango mimosa crowd.
(5)Ashley W.
Good food...but wouldn't substitute pancakes for the bread and potatoes that normally come with a scramble. How hard is that? In the end, the toast never even came. Second time at JoAnn's and much less impressed than the first time. Wouldn't recommend the Goldie's Lox...it has about a half pound of cream cheese in it. Great muffins though.
(3)Joanna R.
Had some of hubby's pancakes to erase the bad pancakes we had recently at Baghdad's in San Francisco!!! THANK YOU JOANN'S for probably the BEST PANCAKES in the Bay Area!!! Melts in your mouth, buttery, maple syrupy deliciousness!!! :-P~~ And well worth screwing up my diet for those YUMMY pumpkin muffins around Halloween/Thanksgiving time!!! Pumpkin pancakes, of course, is DA BEST!!! :D And yes, this place can be easy to miss... THANK GOD, since if people spot this WONDERFUL little gem, I would NEVER get in for my weekly brunch here!!! :P
(5)Eric A.
Not a bad little diner. I loved the idea of a mix of American and Mexican food here. I ordered the Santa Fe, boy oh boy, the portion size was huge. It was good, but it didn't blow my mind. I also had the Apple Walnut Muffin, it was solid! but again, nothing over the top. I was definitely full after being here so don't expect small portions
(3)Dana J.
Tried this little cozy cafe on my hunt for a good brunch place near my new home. It was a little hard to find ... squeezed between two Filipino restaurants with a tiny sign. *Spinach, chicken sausage + mozzarella cheese omelet with home fries. The omelet was nice and fluffy. Home fries were just OK. *BF had one of the specials - chilaquiles (two poached eggs, shredded turkey, chile verde and tortilla strips). Pretty good. *And yes, you should try the muffins. I tried the apple walnut. I want to go back and try them all!
(4)William W.
I lived in SSF for a while and this was a go to favorite. I still make the trek when I am coming from the South Bay to hit JoAnn's. Love the food and the service is fantastic!
(4)Fred D.
This is a place where they really cook using basic fresh ingredients. Everything you heard about the wonderful breakfasts is true. Orange pancakes, migas, homefries, and, of course, the muffins are outstanding. Now I am curious about the rest of the menu. We sat at the counter and my fresh off the plane from Tokyo family was amazed at the agility of the cooks. Coffee, that liability of most breakfast places, was excellent. Note the cooked turkey stand guard by the restroom. After your meal, continue north on El Camino to visit the source of much SF lore - the cemeteries at Colma.
(5)Mosey S.
Great breakfasts!
(4)Joe C.
Place was busy, but didnt have to wait for a table considering it was a weekend. I had the orange french toast. Never thought orange flavor would be good with french toast...but it works! Wife had the eggs florentine..."it was weird"...def. not ordering this again. The service was good...although I did have to wait a long time before they refilled my coffee. Other than that, they were really nice. We def. plan to go here again to try some other dishes.
(3)Ann W.
Food is reliable, parking is easy, and service is mixed. It's a smallish diner and seating is uncomfortable unless you can fit into a tiny booth, the coffee is horrendous, and I've no idea why there is ever a waiting line for this place. Yes, the orange pancakes are good and so are the home fries...but, they won't substitute anything and they don't serve breakfast all day. Seriously? A diner is supposed to serve breakfast all day. If you go early, get a booth, and have the orange pancakes you'll likely enjoy JoAnn's. Not really worth it in my book.
(2)Butch C.
Seems like I visit Joanne's everytime from Watsonville, Ca. Its a wonderful place...the food is awesome and the staff makes me feel as though I'm a regular. I will be returning as often as possible.
(5)Ian W.
This place is AWESOME!!! The food was great and prices right on. Service was great and and what made it even better was that we unknowingly arrived just before 2:30 and they still welcomed us in for breakfast.
(5)Anabelle B.
Warning, if you don't like greasy foods or you are a health freak, this place is not for you, but for the rest of you, people like me that enjoy good food no matter how many calories, this place is AWESOME! The place is tiny, all the workers are Latinos and very nice! Muffins and scones are baked in house, fresh everyday but good luck finding some if you go in the afternoon, specially on weekends. The menu is basically divided in two, the American breakfast side and the Latino inspired side, they also have yummy specials. Try the pancakes, they are to die for! I can't pick a favorite meal from here, because they are all wonderful, however, the cream cheese filled wrap with avocado and chile verde is ..... is ..... wow, very wow!
(5)Karen M.
I read the reviews and thought maybe the atmosphere and the different dishes were reason enough to try it out. Very wrong. Went for a bday brunch and all we ended up talking about was how much we hated the place. The bday boy and I hate onions for our food and mentioned this to the waitress, who had already made a bad impression when we ordered our drinks. We each ordered a plate of the Spicy Latin Dish, and said no onions. The eggs didn't have any, but the rest of the accompanying food on our plate did. We asked the waitress if there were any portions of rice or potatoes without onions and she said 'No, they're premade' and turned on her heel and left. We asked for an order of tortillas that never came until we went to the open kitchen and asked one of the cooks for it ourselves. When she came to ask if we needed anything, not even bothering to phrase it better, we asked for a side of jalapeños and she said 'Do you want to share the ones she has?...She has an order there.' Obviously my friend knew our other friend has her own order, he wanted his own. Sadly, he opted out of his request and we ate the rest of our meal by force. We, all 5, agreed the service was so bad that the bland food didn't make up for it in anyway. We stiffed her on an 80$ bill and none of us regret it. IHOP would have been a better choice. Wont ever make this mistake again.
(1)monk f.
Can't get enough of "B Street Eggs." A scramble, with bacon, spinach, blue cheese and croutons. After a trip to Kaiser Hospital across the street, this is how I reward/ recover my equilibrium.
(5)Kara E.
This place is great ! We went there last Sunday for brunch and everything was fabulous - we will definitely return. It's also nice to have such a great place so close to Pacifica.
(5)Danny H.
dont try to stop me you cannot stop me you get me all stressed im trying to take all that away...at JoAnn's Cafe! - Lady Gaga (Telephone) Small place but good food. We ordered three dishes since they have a pretty varied menu for both breakfast lovers and those who prefer the lunch options. We ordered the JoAnne special breakfast - which includes eggs, choice of meat, fruit, bread/muffin - a mushroom burger - and some sort of pasta puttanesca. The burger and the pasta were both really well done - no complaints there and certainly above average of other diner places similar to this place. The breakfast however, I'm sorry to say, was just adequate. Nothing special from their eggs or bacon or bread - maybe I should've ordered a tortilla dish or an omelette. With so many options here, I'd try something else than their standard breakfast put-together dish. Expect to spend close to $10 a person here. P.S. For people getting lost due to misinformed google maps gps' on phones, this place is next to KFC, it is not the same restaurant as Gunther's which is next to blockbuster. Also, the muffins are as good as advertised yum. Food: 3.5 stars --- Service: 3.5 stars --- Atmosphere: 3 stars --- Price: 3 stars
(3)temo g.
I've been going there off and on for over 20 years and it's getting worse each time. The service and food are not what they used to be. The wait staff on my last visit, were rude and did not appreciate that I had brought an 18 month old. That was probably the last time i'll eat there. The hamburger I ordered was stale and flavorless. The eggs and bacon my wife ordered were dry and had a chemical residue. The muffins still taste great, and I miss the scones.
(2)General P.
I've been going to this cafe for years and yet, I'm not considered one of the regulars. The owner greets people around me with a forced cheeriness to drive home the point that I'm not welcome. In fact, the owner consistently glares at me when I walk through the door. So why do I come? One of my relatives loves this place. At first, I attributed this to catching him on a bad day. Frankly, I am at a loss for why this man is so hostile towards me. I am a fairly unassuming person and have always been gracious with the servers and never asked for a thing to be returned to the kitchen even when it hasn't been up to standard. I started to pay attention to his actions and noticed that he purposefully ignores me and greets my guests - each one...individually. And they have noticed this, too. Makes me think of the saying, "It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you." The food when I first visited was phenomenal but the quality has gone downhill as time goes by. I used to treat myself to JoAnn's and I've gone back despite being made to feel uncomfortable. I guess I was hoping that he'd get over it.
(1)t m.
I'm gonna have to do multiple reviews..just got back from a yum yum breakfast and the place is a 5 star g...str8 up an down haven't been to Joann's since i was like 12....so a good 13 years have passed and reuniting with this old flame definitely made my weekend hostess was cute and very friendly (always a plus) service was prompt and courteous to my child (18mths..loud doesn't begin to describe him) i had the sat omelet special my lady had the corn pancakes with berry buddah (also a saturday special) the food came quick and the kept our coffee full (a must in my book) also the fresh squeezed OJ was high class fo sho....i dont futz wit da carton oj...i like my oj fresh squeezed an outta the cell. the meal was delish...everything was good...the price makes me want to go 4 star..but like everything in life u get what u pay for not saying that their isnt breakfast spots around that are cheaper and just as good...but this spots got moxy kid... 2 dollar signs fer sheez but well worth it
(4)Christina R.
Great little restaurant. LOVE their tuna salad - the best I have had. Great service also.
(5)Nick L.
A bit pricy for dinner, but we keep coming back for the Latin Chicken Marsala. They usually have some specials, but this is the anchor dish. Breakfast is usually to crowded to go for us. A small place, but we've come here for 20 years when JoAnne was actually there. If they have any muffins in the case, buy'em.
(4)Andre B.
Pretty good breakfast spot in SSF. I don't have a favorite dish here, but the service is great!
(4)rebecca p.
I am amazed that this place isn't busier than it already is. This place is an absolute gem and there are many ways to enjoy it. JoAnn's has fresh made muffins that you can grab at the counter and leave for the rest of your day. My personal way to enjoy this restaurant is to come on a weekend for breakfast. I can't express in words how fabulous this place is. Their breakfasts are so unique and delicious. They always have at least three different specials each weekend and they are usually worth a second glance, such as a pumpkin puree pancake or most recently, a bay shrimp eggs benedict. If none of the specials strike your fancy then there are a few options that will never lead you astray. The first one being the spicy migas. Imagine this, black beans, eggs, cheese, onions, tomatoes and peppers that you put into a corn tortilla and eat. HEAVEN!. The other dish that will never let you down is the eggs beatrice. It's like an eggs benedict but with spinach and salmon instead of ham. It gets a little soggy, but the flavor is to die for. It also comes with a side of tomatoes in a homemade vinegarette that is amazing all by itself. Just be warned that there will be a line on weekends, rain or shine.
(5)Eli G.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in winter time, don't sit right by the front door if you get cold! but besides that blunder, i was very happy with this yelp find. i flew into SF early AM and was picked up by my equally hungry friend. smartly, i already had directions to this place. so we went, arrived, saw a yelp sticker on the door and were fed. service was excellent and attentive. waitress recommended a splendid pumpkin muffin. my burger and eggs came with fresh tomato slices and crispy potatos. the friend got some spinach chorizo scramble thing that she said was excellent, i agreed. if for what ever reason i'm even in south SF in the AM i would come back here.
(4)Sam M.
Spending quality time with my cousin today, and she was in the mood for brunch. We found the perfect place on Yelp and it was right by my cousin's new apartment. We sat at the counter and it had a great view of the kitchen, which I find really enjoyable. My cousin ordered scrambled eggs with tomatoes, avocado and spinach, and I had omelette with avocado, salsa and spinach. We had a wait a while for the food, considering the crowd today. Maybe it's because of Easter Sunday, or maybe they are busy like this on any other day, but either way, I didn't mind the wait because there are plenty to watch from the kitchen and I had an Apple Walnut Muffin to nibble on in the mean time. The staff are super nice and were able to accommodate with my cousin's request of no butter with her order and later add-on of a pancake. When the food arrived, it was looking good and I liked big chunked avocados and delicious salsa. The pancakes are huge! As are the portion of the rest of the food, so I wasn't able to finish. Looks like I will have more of JoAnn's omelette to eat later on.
(5)G S.
Friendly service. Great food. I enjoy the local small town feel. I eat here often and never had a disappointing experience.
(4)M T.
Went there at 11:30 am today. Only waited a couple of minutes for a table. Towards the end of our meal, some people were waiting outside for a table; maybe we slipped in before the lunch crowd got there. My roasted turkey with cranberry sauce sandwich was ok, and the French fries were ok. My wife's buttermilk pancakes (I had several small pieces) did not have much taste, and my wife agreed with me. Fresh OJ was delicious. Waitress and her service were excellent. Restaurant was extremely noisy, much too much for me. The two main items we ordered were a good value for the quantity of food/money they cost: $4.95 for two large pancakes, and $8.95 for the turkey sandwich with lots of fries.
(3)Jessica M.
I ate here about a month ago when visiting w/boyfriend and it was FABULOUS! All while growing up, it was not unusual for my family to drive very long distances for a good meal, or to try by word of mouth a great new spot. I currently live in the most southern part of CA one could venture, and I would MOST DEFINITELY travel to this South San Francisco local hub in a heart beat. A little hole in the wall - true, but there's nothing little about the taste. My fav are the cornmeal-yogurt pancakes with a myriad of fruit coating the stack and a side of their oh-so-yummy berry butter. If anyone knows JoAnn's recipe for this heavenly meal for god sakes PLEASE POST!!! I did not have the pleasure of tasting their muffins, but they were most pleasing to the eyes. My boyfriend had eggs, bacon, & toast - traditional, yes but how this little place can take a boring old egg and turn it into the worlds most perfect sunny side up, "I'll have what he's having", highly ordered and good old eggs and bacon is beyond me. You haven't tasted an egg until JoAnn's. If only this family would entertain the idea of opening a second restaurant in San Diego.... a girl can dream can't she!
(4)AhLin C.
Cranberry apple muffin was awesome! Nestled in a small nook on El Camino, it's across the street from Kaiser. Portions are big and decently priced. I have tried their french toast, and it was yummy. They are now serving pumpkin pancakes and I thought it was just ok. House potatoes are also yums! Be prepared to wait b/c it gets busy during the weekends.
(4)cali c.
Just had breakfast at JoAnn's this morning. We went at 9:30. It was very busy, but there was no wait for a table-for-2. Tha waitress gave us coffee immediately and it was pretty good. The menu had many options and the prices were reasonable. I had the eggs benedict with my eggs poached "hard" so there's no egg white jelly (eeew) and they were perfect. The ham was thick and had been grilled. The hollandaise was rich and good. It was a perfect portion and I left really satisfied. Hubbs had a 3-stack of buttermilk pancakes with a side of cajun sausage. He ate it all.Yum! I gave JoAnn's 5 Stars because it was low key, good menu, fairly priced, fast service and pretty damn good food. We agreed we'd definately be returning here often.
(5)Joel Q.
I come here during my lunchbreaks. My favorite is the CornCakes. They only serve them on Sundays but sometimes on Mondays, they have them as their specials.
(4)Jennifer W.
Ahhh JoAnn's. You hold a special place in my heart. I love your generous sized breakfast plates that fill me up with comfort food, and your strong coffee that wakes me up out of my sleepy morning haze. I crave your chorizo scramble, and fried plantains, and sometimes just your deliciously hearty oatmeal. Yes, your wait can be a bit long at times, and not so pleasant on a cold, windy, and usually foggy morning, but it's okay, I forgive you. Just keep on offering me that coffee and breakfast, and you can do no wrong.
(5)Kurt S.
Great breakfast, great service.
(4)Glenn H.
Great breakfast: Great quality, good service, moderate prices (the only thing that would have put a 5th star on it). One of the daily specials (two admittedly enormous pancakes with fresh strawberries and blueberries for $10.25) was a bit steep, so we ordered the scrambled lox and the Joann's Special; $10.75 and $9.25 respectively. Clearly these are large portions. I mean the TWO low-fat chicken basil sausages with my special were large, juicy, and the best breakfast sausage I can remember in ages--they each could have been big enough (4" across each) for a single serving. The lox with cream cheese in a scramble were very good and again plentiful enough that it could have been shared. Both came with big top muffins that were really good; the Special added a very nice cold fresh fruit cup. Even the coffee was good. Home fries were red bliss potatoes that I found really good but my wife found just OK like there was little or no added flavor. I could see why--the fry cook when he put the new batch of home fries on the grill was squirting some sauce over them AND at the same time reading the next order--his eyes more on the order than the grill, so the home fries were hit or miss as to if you got the sauce or not. Picky picky. All in all plenty of interesting choices to be had and we WILL return, but probably respect the size of the portions a bit more.
(4)Ashleigh B.
I'm pretty picky about breakfast because it is my FAVORITE meal of the day!! And I don't like to be let down early on!! This place had such good reviews we had to try it! I can't say I was disappointed but I just wasn't too impressed! The orange french toast was probably the best thing we had. My omelet left a little to be desired! Lots of locals so maybe it's just popular because there is nothing much around.
(3)Monica G.
I had several appointments at the Kaiser SSF down the street. I had a break and being from out of the area, I didn't know what was around. I was lucky enough to find JoAnn's - with the help of Yelp of course! I asked the waitress what she recommended. She said the Southwest Chicken Salad. It did not disappoint! The marinated chicken was hot off the grill. The toppings were plentiful and it was accompanied by the perfect amount of a very flavorful dressing. I told my husband about how much i liked it. We will definitely be back!
(5)Terra C.
I love this place! They have alot of dishes with Spinach so I'm a happy camper. They also have alot of Latin Breakfast options which are my favorite! The service could be better, as well as the location. But I still will drive up from Redwood City to eat here!
(4)Jin D.
I was first introduced to JoAnn's Cafe when I won a breakfast for two at a local road race as an Age Division prize. I'm very thankful for that prize, because I probably never would have found out about JoAnn's otherwise. I don't head down to SSF very often, but when I'm in the area, I like to stop by JoAnn's. It's great for a meal on the way home from the airport, and my friends are always impressed that I know of such a yummy, homey, sorta hole-in-the-wall type place.
(4)Melinda J.
I have been here twice and the food has been good both times. The place is a little crowded and seems like your typical greasy-spoon diner but it is worth going to--especially since there aren't many breakfast restaurants to be found in the area. I like the create-your-own omelet. Don't bother with the fruit cup.
(4)Glenn L.
How did I not review this place before? it is small so if you are coming for breakfast, come early. No lines for dinner though. I am a sucker for the chicken basil sausage - gotta have the Paul's Sandwich with the sausage. Just eggs, sausage, grilled bread and a side of potatoes. But the sausage just works! Also like the B-Street Eggs. Sort of a spinach salad scramble that is really good (different, but good).
(4)Mindy L.
Wow. I don't know if I've ever given a hole in the wall diner 4 stars before. This place has the best burger's I've ever had. And I'm ranking that against big expensive restaurants, steak houses, fast food, diners - any burger you can think off. THIS is the best. I had their bacon blue burger. Dear god. I watched them make it. I don't know how they get them that juicy. It was dripping with delicious juices, so tender and flavorful, and aromatic. When it was on the grill, I saw the cook grab a huge fistful of crumbling blue cheese, pack into a patty almost as thick as the burger. They put in on top of the patty, covered it with the a lid, and then squirted either hot water or broth underneath, and steamed the blue cheese into soft, moist, hot melty goodness. They then topped it with freshly cooked, think sliced bacon, and added an entire half of avocado (per my request). I have .NEVER. had a burger like that before. I'm usually a pretty healthy eater... But for this burger? Oh man, I think I'd break a ritual fast for this burger. Maybe that makes me a sinner, but dear lord, forgive me. This is a temptation I cannot resist! ;-) Enjoy!
(4)T. W.
Nice sized portions, home-cooked type full breakfasts---many are accompanied by a fruit cup and either toast/tortillas/ or (my fave) a fresh baked muffin. Ordered off the lunch menu for the first time and had a bbq bacon cheese burger with a side salad for about $10. Tasty, good solid food. Would have liked a fountain soda with refills, rather than the over-priced $1.95 can soda. Not the friendliest servers, but attentive enough since the restaurant is not too large.
(4)j m.
It's been a while since I ate here so I decided to pay this place a visit. I had the muffins which were ok but I wish they heated it up when they served it. I ordered the salmon scramble which was just ok. The amount of cream cheese in there was way too much. The potatoes were yummy but that was it. My man had the orange french toast which he shared with me and that was also yummy!! The servings are huge so you may want to share a meal. Otherwise, this place is just ok. I've had better.
(3)William S.
This is a great place for breakfast. This small but very functional diner is awesome. The food comes is large portions that you probably will not finish. I recommend the counter seating as this gives the full experience of the cozy diner. The wait staff is friendly and it is quite a scene watching the two cooks work together to get your food fast.
(5)S L.
JoAnn's is the type of restaurant people seek out, but rarely find. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, JoAnn's "consistently" puts out absolutely delicious meals! JoAnn's is known for the care that is taken in the food preparation. Everything is fresh, and home prepared. JoAnn's has extraordinary homemade soups (an excellent variety of the most tasty soups ever, rotated daily), homemade salad dressings, tartar sauce, and muffins & scones home baked daily to perfection! Eating at JoAnn's is like having a meal in your own home. The servers and support staff are delightful. They are efficient, attentive, courteous, and friendly. It's no surprise that JoAnn's often has a line of people waiting when they open their doors for service each day. If you are looking for a really delicious well priced meal, JoAnn's is the place to visit. It is one of a kind, and well worth the "5" star rating!!!
(5)Natasha C.
I have to say, breakfast and brunch are my favorite meals. I've heard about this place from my old coworkers and they raved so I met them here for a late breakfast. I had the huevos rancheros and my friend had the omelet and the third friend had the breakfast that included savory and bananas (forgot the name). The latter was actually quite tasty, who knew that bananas would taste good in a savory breakfast dish? My dish, it lacked refried beans, otherwise the proportions were big and the coffee was hot and overall, not too bad of an experience.
(3)Sheila G.
I'm always happy to be here. I like that their oatmeal isn't some tasteless gruel with no fibrous value. It comes nice and bumpy, with apple butter, raisins and brown sugar. Mmmm. Their omelets and scrambles are huge and yummy, burgers big enough to put you to sleep, muffins big enough to share. Beware of the Capuccino milkshake; it's so good you get brain freeze...and because it's got all that great caffeine, you'll be buzzin' for hours afterwards! That just kicks Starbuck's right in the culo. I love that JoAnn's is a little out of the way, where not much else is going on. That means I can actually get a seat!
(4)Tess E.
I can't believe I didn't even mentioned their muffins!! I've gone back here for breakfast a few more times since my last review and the food still was just as good. With certain breakfast orders (or maybe they serve it with any breakfast order??) but you have the option of a muffin, toast, or scone. Go the for muffins!! They are soo good (particularly their blueberry muffin). It seems that when they bake them they overfill the muffin tray so the tops spill over. When it's served you get a pretty decent sized muffin with oddly shaped, extended muffin tops (if that makes any sense). But the edges are so yummy and crisp!! Spread some butter on that bad boy or enjoy it as is! One of the reasons why I like coming here for breakfast!
(4)Wanster L.
I had the orange french toast and it was delicious. The orange batter was different and fragrant. After my first slice, I felt that it would be too much for one person to finish. I love sweets but this many slices of french toast for breakfast is a cry for potential diabetes. I took bites of my friends' omelets and they were also good. Nothing to write home about but if you're in the neighborhood craving breakfast, I would recommend this place.
(3)Lauren B.
Wack!!! Was so looking forward to breakfast here given all of the positive yelp reviews. We were just do disappointed with our order. I ordered a mushroom, tomato & bacon scramble. First off it was over salted and they used CANNED mushrooms. How can I be sure? They were dark and flavorless. Yuck. Hubby ordered an omelet and specifically asked for regular white or yellow onions. He got a green onion omelet. Instead of sending it back he ate around the pile of green onions in the middle. Muffins were not made day of but service was very friendly.
(2)Stephen H.
The Amish Pancakes were ok, an interesting flavor but perhaps an aquired taste, they were flat but dense. The chorizo with spinach was good, a little spicy, but the home fries were just ok, not much flavor to them.
(2)Angelina M.
B decided to stay home today (yay!) so after wee ones dr. appt we popped in. We waited quite awhile before anyone took our order or even offered coffee and they were not busy. The food was good and I was defiantly full, but I thought it was a bit pricey. I got the original scramble and there was more stuff than eggs which I didn't like. Call me crazy but I like eggs with my mix ins. It's local and independent and clean so we'll be back.
(3)Ken P.
We don't go out for breakfast much, when we do we are usually disappointed, ie: I could have made that myself, too expensive, and mainly we don't like crowds. JoAnn's was fantastic, somewhat difficult to find, but a treasure incorporating everything I love about a good old fashioned greasy diner, with some southwest / latin hits. Prices were decent and the muffins were delicious. Plan to head back again, this time with guests.
(4)Saunders C.
This place is popular, I can't dispute that. It also makes a pretty kick-ass banana shake, and you get a ton of it too. But I can't, with good conscience, give it a good rating. We came here for a Sunday lunch. It wasn't too crowded and the wait was relatively short. The service was not unfriendly, but wasn't particularly friendly either. All business I guess. I ordered the special orange buttermilk pancakes ($12.95). Two pretty large buttermilk pancakes with dried cranberries mixed into the batter, topped with sliced bananas and strawberries, and orange chunks. Not bad, but didn't really think it was worth $13. The fruit was pretty fresh. Someone else got the JoAnn's special, which came with some home fries, eggs, and chicken sausage. The chicken sausage was pretty dry and not very flavorful, and the home fries don't have a lot of seasoning either. But the real kicker was the turkey sandwich we got. One bite in... yep... hair. Not one, but a few. OK, it happens, be diplomatic, wave someone down and quietly point it out. She says she'll have them make another one. 5 minutes later, out comes another sandwich. Careful inspection, no hair, good to go right? Wrong. It's not a turkey sandwich, it's a BLT. Again, wave down the waitress, tell her (apologetically) that it's not what was ordered. She kind of gives us that *look*. Seriously? The hair was not our fault, and neither was the wrong sandwich that came out. Turkey sandwich finally comes out, but who has an appetite at that point? I felt like the prices were a little high for the food. Didn't get a chance to try the muffins ($2/each), and I'm afraid I never will.
(2)Jeff P.
This place is packed with regulars. The people working there seemed to be familiar with a large chunk of the clientele. The food is pretty standard and heavy on Latin style dishes. Great corn muffins!
(3)Mark W.
Okay dinner food, $15.82 for a Cesar salad, poppy muffin and ice coffee, seems like too much, but the food was good.
(3)Sophie L.
Whoever said Stack's is the bomb definitely has not been to JoAnn's!! I love their make-your-own scrambles! Avocado, mushrooms, and cheddar = the best scramble ever!! Everything is always so flavorful (and I especially love their sauteed spinach!) Topped with sourdough toast, a glass of deliciously fresh OJ, and potatos...you are on your way to a great morning! I also love the retro diner setting....the people are very nice! BTW, pancake = scrumptious! I love it!
(5)Jayna B.
Great breakfast! The only downside for me is that it's not in SF. Ordered a scramble today (I usually get an omelet) and I was amazed at how they did not skimp on the ingredients. I chose avocado as one of my three and there was plenty in there. I also like that the majority of home fries are eatable. Too often I've found that brunch potatoes are a blob on your plate and only 10% of what you get are good to eat as the other 90% are either overcooked or undercooked. Prices are consistent with other breakfast/lunch places. I've been here about 10x and have not been disappointed.
(5)Joc V.
Because I've been eating healthier as of late--which, to me means 2 instead of 4 strips of bacon in my burger--I've added the southwestern chicken salad to my repertoire of dishes I order. Perfect blend of grilled chicken, avocado, corn, and black beans atop greens tossed in mildly sweet, mildly tangy vinaigrette. I don't know what's in that vinaigrette that makes it so magical. But I'm thinking it's red wine vinegar, olive oil and juices squeezed from George Clooney's person.
(5)Lina M.
The food is okay. I was expect something really delicious. I had the French toast and the machaca. The machaca comes with lots of bell pepper and too much onions. The Orange french toast was okay. I wanted to like this place because it's a mom and pops place, but I don't think I will be coming back. I was not impressed.
(2)Elly B.
We were looking for a place to eat in Pacifica last night, and Yelp reviews led us to JoAnn's. The food was very good and the staff was friendly. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Ron J.
Love this place I try to go by at least twice a week.
(5)Shalee S.
Great service. The food was good, light and fluffy omelet. the onion was cooked well. I hate getting raw onion in my omelets. My husband didn't care for the papas but I liked them and they were cooked all the way through which sometimes doesn't happen when restaurants serve red papas. The pancakes were really good and soaked up all the syrup. My only complaint would be that they don't have a pancake combo breakfast. I had to order the pancakes on the side and it's just way to much food for me. You can get just one pancake though so that is a plus.
(4)Sarah P.
Hearty and quality food. Menu will satisfy anyone. Big portions!
(5)Coach M.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is so fresh and filling. Not like those fast food production style breakfast restaurants. It can be a bit pricey if your on a budget, but you should try to get here at least once a month. The only thing I do not like about this place is there is always a wait and there is not much seating available.
(4)Lucas M.
Eeks. Perhaps just a bad experience, but I don't think I'll be visiting again. My wife had been here once before, and had the Pumpkin Pancakes (which she ordered again this visit). I was in the mood for breakfast, so I was pretty excited, being as this is a place known for their breakfast plates. Unfortunately, they didn't have my favorite breakfast plate, corn beef and hash, so I went with the standard bacon, eggs and potatoes plate. The bacon wasn't crispy, the egg had shell in it, and the potatoes weren't warm. The pumpkin pancakes were really good, but I had lost my appetite. The service was nice, but I won't be going back.
(2)Kat M.
3.5 stars for JoAnn's Cafe. This place is bit tucked away, off El Camino. We drove by it and totally missed it, and ended up having to come back around. This place is pretty small, a very traditional diner. We found JoAnn's on Yelp, and it was 5 minutes away from home so we thought we'd give it a try. We love trying out neighborhood breakfast/brunch places. We got here at 11am and the place was pretty full. Luckily, we got one of the last few available tables. I ordered the eggs, home made sausage, hashbrowns and apple walnut muffin. Hubby got an omelet that also came with a muffin. He got the blueberry muffin. The breakfast was decent, nothing really special but also nothing to complain about. I would say typical breakfast food. Hubby spent 5 minutes picking out the green onions in his omelet. I guess he didn't expect that it would be such a green onion overload. Unfortunately, he didn't like his selection and didn't even finish his breakfast. BUT, what really stood out was the muffin! It was kinda weirdly shaped, not like a typical muffin at all, but I guess that's how you know it's homemade. The muffin top was crispy and crunchy and the inside was soft and moist. The apple and walnuts were the perfect addition to the muffin. The apples added a little bit of sweetness and the walnuts added a nice crunchy and nutty texture. I finished the entire muffin and so did hubby. I still think about the muffin every now and then. It very well could be the best muffin I've ever had. Seriously! The breakfast itself was a 3 star but the muffin pushed it to 3.5 stars. I will come back again to get some muffins to go!
(3)Bella P.
When I first got here last Saturday, I was a bit thrown off by the pirate costumes many of the staff members were wearing. I wasn't sure if it was a part of the uniforms until I realized that Halloween morning. DUHHH!! The kind pirate took our names down as we looked over our menu waiting for a seat. Granted the wait wasn't too long, but anytime you are waiting in line you are hoping that it will totally be worth the wait. IT WAS SOO WORTH IT!! As I looked over the menu the ENORMOUS muffins were just staring me in the face. Then I realized I could have one of those delicious looking blueberry muffins with my breakfast. YES!! You can have either a muffin or scone in addition to your usual breakfast carb options. Any place that gives you the option of house made pastries is a winner in my book. I got the scramble (forget it's name) with spinach, mushrooms and any meat of your choice. It may have been better with something else then the chorizo I chose, but still good. The house potatoes were ok. Mine weren't crispy enough for my taste, but they were still good. The Blueberry-Orange Muffin was OOOHHH SOOO GOOD!!! Coffee was ehhh. I had a couple of bites of the hunny's Goldie's Lox and that was pretty tasty. Especially good with the Bagel he got on the side. It has actual chunks of cream cheese in it, so it is definitely pretty filling. Even though it's a little hole in the wall the food is good, fresh, and not inundated with grease like many other dive type places. Good breakfast spot we will definitely be returning to. =)
(4)Feleciana S.
Checked out what was around the area and found this little cafe here on yelp! along with others. This cafe had great reviews and decided to try it myself. Glad I did too! They have great food. If you want a good breakfast, brunch, or lunch this place is the place to go for dive food. I built my own omelette and very pleased with everything. Even the coffee was delicious and not just because I was hungry. The BEST thing about the place though was the homemade muffins. My friend had the burger well done and said it tasted homemade. Just what you want to eat when you don't feel like cooking yourself. The place was packed and it has lots of memorabilia from past years and reviews. Good to know that good food and service lasts. I have now found my new spot for the area. I will definitly go back for another Sunday breakfast/brunch.
(5)sue s.
Have been going here for breakfast for a long time and its fantastic! Last night we decided to try them for dinner...we both had great meals I had te steak dinner 10oz steak with great mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and you get your choice of soup or salad..we both had the clam chowder..my husband had the grilled salmon dinner with mashed potatoes and mixed vegatables..both were great meals we will be back for dinner!
(5)Kym T.
One of my favorite go to spots for breakfast. Staff is always friendly, food super fresh & hot. Something exciting is on the specials board daily. You'll find me here almost every weekend.
(5)Shamiya M.
This is the best breakfast spot in Daily City but the hardest place to find. They have great customer service and there isn't a long wait for food or a seat. The B-Street Eggs are awesome!
(5)Erin M.
Perhaps I ordered wrong or just went on an off day or maybe even I've just gotten too uppity for my own good. Everything seemed unnecessarily heavy and left a greasy taste in my mouth. I felt the dishes were expensive for a strip mall diner (most were in the 9-10 dollar range). We ordered a custom scramble and the Gaucho. Both were large and just seemed flavorless. For me, none of it seemed to be worth the calories that tagged along. Our waitress would drop plates off and ask how everything was without making eye contact with either of us. You know, where they've turned away and are already moving away from the table as soon as they've approached? Living in Burlingame, it's definitely not worth the trip to South City; I would go to Alana's on Burlingame Ave any day.
(2)Tes ..
All I can say is..YUM! =D This is one of the best breakfast spots in South City. The food is like stuff you see on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It's a hole in a wall cafe, so it's a bit small, but don't let that stop you from coming here. They make the best scrambles, and good ass Gauchos. They're orange juice even amazes me because it tastes so fresh! Also, they're cookies and muffins are hella good. And to add, my sister loves the dish with the polenta (i forgot what it's called). LOVE the food! GOOD service! Never disappoints! =)
(5)Setareh N.
My burger was pretty freaking huge and I love how they had a diced jalapeno spread. It was definitely a hard decision between breakfast and lunch and lunch won because of the time. I really wanted to try Paul's sandwich which was two eggs over hard on top of sour dough toast buttered and it came with potatoes I believe.........next time for sure. Its really nice to see all of the interesting pictures on the wall and the diner counter seating is fabulous.
(4)Mike M.
The reviewer that says the food quality has gone down hill since Jo Anne left is right. I have been there a few times in the last year and have found the omletts are not the same. Not much cheese.Last time I went I go there about 15 minutes before they opened and was greeted with obnoxiously loud mexican music and a waitress who barely looked at me and said"15 minutes" Since I had just come from Kaiser for blood tests and had fasted, the music was frankly making me ill so I left. I will probably try it again but the prices really put me off.It would be one thing if the food was as it was. But it isn't. Would be interested in other comments from people who have went there for a long time. I used to go twice a week until Joanne left.
(2)Arleen U.
Always a line but well worth the wait. Another great Big Food breakfast/lunch place. My favorite is the Don Pasquale...black beans, tomatillo sauce, queso, over easy eggs on a bed of corn tortillas with...wait for it....carmelized bananas on the side. The sweet of the bananas w/ the tart and mellow of the other ingredients...science never tasted so good!
(5)David P.
I just came back from lunch today I picked JoAnn's Cafe. This place is small but very well decorated, has a real diner feel. As soon as I sat down I already new what I was going to order. The Burger Basic, 6oz of beef, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheddar cheese on a sesame seed bun. oh and pickles lots and lots of pickles. Seven to be exact! Ever since some other burger joint I went to, only gave me one transparent slice of pickle I've been counting. The meat was perfectly cooked and the fries where not to greasy or salty. For $8.50 it seems reasonable for a Diner in these parts. We where there right before the lunch hour so it was nice and quiet but once 12:30 rolled around it was nothing but hustle and bustle. JoAnn's Diner doesn't get 5 stars, here's why....I felt rushed when they brought out the check way to early into the meal. Granted I was more then half way done with my burger and at least ask if there will be anything else! Maybe I wanted a piece of pie!? Oh and I'm still waiting for my glass of water to be refilled! I kept sliding the glass closer and closer to the edge of the table to see if it would get the waiters attention. Well I did! He glanced over and saw it was empty but did it get a refill? Nope! So all and all I will go there again. I food was good staff needs to improve but overall it was a good experience.
(4)Seong P.
a good friend of mine introduced me to this place years ago. we'd get a paper and go for breakfast on the weekends. the coffee was always really good and i usually got the chorizo burrito. it was really flavorful and filling but my metabolism is not what it once was so i don't get it anymore. i had a scramble with turkey and spinach recently and it was really good. huge portion too. if you come before noon, there is a wait and there is nothing to do but stand around since it's located in a random strip mall. also, i think it's cash only. still, i know i will be back soon.
(4)Regina C.
one of many default breakfast spots. huge portions and good food for the most part. sometimes they've got "tropical pancakes." tropical fruits on cornmeal pancakes. oh so good! and their homemade muffins are freaking great. oatmeal or the apple are my favorite.
(4)BJ A.
I was hungover so I couldn't stomach much. Therefore I ordered the regular Joann Special... nothing really special about it. BUT if I wasn't hung over I would have ordered one of the 3 egg scrambled items that my buddies ordered. I sampled a piece and it was delicious, get a muffin also.
(3)Laura S.
i go here all the time with my family and have tried lots of stuff on the menu, for breakfast and lunch anyway. i love the pancake specials and french toast. the variety of egg dishes is great and they are tasty. their muffins are good and only 1.50 if you don't feel like waiting in the morning.
(4)Jamie L.
This is a great place for breakfast with different twists on diner food. Whenever my husband and I go we love to check out the specials. The food is always great. I love the Don Pasqual. It is poached eggs on corn tortilla's with black beans, salsa verde, and fried bananas. So good!!! They sell homemade granola and fresh muffins at the cash register. Service is good and food comes out quickly. We are never let down here.
(4)Kristy H.
Joanne's is one of my favorite places to go for breakfast or Sunday brunch. I highly recommend the Santa Fe if you are hungry and want a sloppy mess of Mexican goodness. It's basically a chorizo filled burrito, topped with cheese, sour cream, hot salsa. It's amazing. Every friend/coworker that I have taken here, I make them order the Santa Fe and then they start coming here without me just to relive it's goodness (jerks). It's probably best that I don't eat here all the time because the food is very filling. Any chorizo item on their menu is fantastic, it's never too greasy they know how to make it just right. I love their pancake specials on the weekends that are topped with an abundance of fresh fruit. Seriously, it's like a farmer's market of fresh fruit on top of a stack of pancakes. I always have the dilemma of what to order, the Santa Fe (more salty and savory) or the pancake special (more sweet). Their carrot and blueberry muffins are also so fresh and good. If you order the Joanne's special they come with a muffin. Their orange juice is freshly squeeze and amazing. I also love their burger for lunch. It is very simple, yet so juicy and good. It's not a fancy gourmet burger, more simple and classic. I love Joanne's for their consistency, their no BS attitude, and their round the clock breakfast. Their dinner menu is also amazing. You must come here when they have the fried chicken special. It is seriously finger licking good (I know that sounds lame, but trust me it really is that good). It comes with mashed potatoes too, also delicious.
(4)Tiffany D.
There's no other breakfast like breakfast at JoAnn's Cafe. My dad took me here when I was younger when all I wanted for breakfast was cereal and milk and now I know why!.... If you want a real omelette - come here! They even serve you coffee before you have your table. Hole in the wall cafe so as usual it could get busy with a wait but worth it.
(5)Rhia R.
I don't have brunch very often, but best believe I'll jump when the opportunity presents itself. We were seated near the back, which was fine since there were 12 of us. It took a few minutes before any of us could figure out what to order. Everything on that menu looked delish. My decision came to the Santa Fe, which was pretty much a breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, and two types of cheese, topped with tomato salsa, sour cream, and salsa verde. Good grief, it was ginormous! Why had I never had anything with chorizo in it until now? NOM! I would have been completely content if I were able to finish at least half of it. Sure enough I did, but I wasn't about to let the rest of this eggy/cheesy/meaty goodness go to waste, so I brought it home. For a hole in the wall establishment, they don't skimp on the portions. And for a party our size, the service was outstanding. I wish I remembered the name of our server--she was awesome! I'm sorry that I didn't notice this before when I'd go to my optometrist or the KFC right next to it. Now that I know where to go for brunch within 5 minutes from my home, I'll never overlook this place again.
(4)Michael L.
Oh hell. I've been coming here for years and this totally slipped off my radar. Bad me! One of the best breakfast spots south of the city. I can't say much about their other mealtimes ever since their hour expansion because I can't seem to break out of the habit of only coming here for breakfast. Sounds odd, but I had the best damned oatmeal here with a nice side of fixin's. And I still get a kick out of reading their wall. If you ever have to stop by good ol' Kaiser South City for that MRI or leave the emergency room in the morning after an emotion-filled, panicky night, wander across El Camino and stop by Joann's!
(5)Petunia L.
So i ordered an omelet with spinach feta and turkey YUM....and i thought all those flavors were amazing together but the eggs were a little watered down and I wasnt too thrilled with the dark meat turkey. I know it's my personal preference ...and the menu didn't specify whether the turkey was dark or light but nontheless. All in all though service was good place was packed typical sunday morning i imagine? The waitress was super sweet and the portions are generous. I would definitely go back just next time i'll make sure to order something a little different
(3)Alex F.
A friend had read a Yelp about this place and since we were in the mode for a burger, decided to go there. First impressions are very important, and I have to say I was not disappointed. It has a very nice diner atmosphere. There are counters on the left side that can seat about 10 people or so and both on the right hand side. It is open seating, so we sat at one of the booths, later on when lunch hour came, there wasn't a seat available. Get here before noon to get a booth, or else you're going to have to sit at the counter. I ordered a Bacon Bleu Burger. It was a 6 oz. patty with 2 huge think strips of bacon, bleu cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pickles and french fries. They serve it on a round white plate. Looking from above, none of the plate showed through, now thats a lot of food. The burger was cooked to my order, the bun was toasted and it had enough mayo on it, the bacon was crispy, the bleu cheese added to the burger, it wasn't too pungent, it was perfect. The veggies all come on the side so you can add to your burger and make it your own, which is much easier then taking things out of a burger. The french fries were not oily and lightly salted. The our waiter kept passing by delivering orders to other customers, and I was greatly impress, their turkey sandwiches had real turkey in them! The grilled cheese with had had a piece of ham steak alteast a 1/4 inch think, and their cobb salad looked great! The only bad thing is the location of the bathroom. You have to cross through the kitchen to get to it, and i have this phobia about walking though kitchens and slipping and spilling a vat of hot oil or soup on me. Also, the waiter dropped of our check half way through our meal. What if I wanted something else? double the work for him. I'll be coming back to taste their breakfast menu which is served all day long.
(4)Faffy L.
3.5 stars Oldie but goodie. This neighborhood establishment has probably been around 20+ years but it still serves up fluffy omelettes and other brunch/lunch items. I had their New Year's Omelette the other day and it was packed with reaaally crab, bay skrimps, asaparagus and cheeese. It was fresh and tasty. I hear that their muffins are awesome, but I was lame and opted for the usual sour dough toast....which was great too. This is a home fries type of place, but thankfully they were good and plentiful. This is a cool place to even come eat by yourself. There's plenty of old clippings to read on the wall to keep entertained. I'm looking forward to going back to stuff my face for dinner!
(3)J B.
Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is I wish this place was bigger. Great food, but there is always a wait to get in. My favorite breakfast place.
(4)R S.
Wholesome delicious breakfast: fulfilling gaucho meal n hot cakes. Small cafe with a few tables and a breakfast bar. Kind of like a Mexican American breakfast I assume. They fill your plate. Its great for what you pay for. Hidden cafe. Great for all ages. I'd definitely go again. Wish they had pictures of the food on the menu though.
(4)David S.
Wow, found this place and then ate breakfast there for the rest of my stay. Staff were really friendly, food was awesome, great omelets. Place was buzzing but the service was still fast, got my order right. Parking could be an issue its a very popular place. Next time I'm in town I know where I'm having breakfast ....
(5)DJ D.
Your Plate is always Full!!! Don't wear a sweater! quarters are close and the grill keeps you warm! U wont leave hungry!
(4)Colleen P.
This place was a major disappointment. All I have to say is hey owner of Joanns reevaluate your wait staff. Service was the pits. Tried to order and had to repeat it twice because she was not paying attention....not that big of a deal. . but I ordered Orange French toast and a side of potatoes. With everyone else's food I got the potatoes, no french toast. After about 20 mins and our waitress not checking back with us I said forget it, it was a sign from the weight loss gods that I should just eat my daughters' side tomatoes and the potatoes and call it a morning. After eating a bit of my daughter's eggs benedict the tomatoes and half of my potatoes, she realizes that she forgot my french toast and brings it to the table. Great. Now I am 3/4 full and have a full meal in front of me. Luckily they actually tasted good and we all shared, hence the two stars, otherwise, the place sucks.
(2)Freckles H.
Good food, but pricey. I got The Original scramble with ham, egg white only. The portion was generous and it was yummy. I also ordered a pancake, but it was $3.50 so I wouldn't say it's worth the price. The coffee wasn't strong, according to the fiance. He did like his omelette though and devoured it, as usual. I was a lady and could only finish half my meal along with the toast and half of the pancake. Our meal came up to about $32 w/ tip. Minus 1 star for the price, but service and food are good.
(4)anne m.
I am a huge breakfast fan...I may go as far to say that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Joann's serves up excellent, home-made breakfasts. When I say home-made I mean they bake their own muffins from scratch, make their own salsas and jams, and squeeze their own juice. They offer a damn good mexican breakfast, pancakes, or just plain old eggs and bacon. Don't forget to try their specials. The place is tiny so it's best to get there early especially if you're hungry. Joann's is the only reason I miss living in this neck of the woods...
(5)Cesar F.
I went in here after the great reviews on yelp, and was expecting to be overwhelmed when i walked in. I saw the great reviews from articles, newspapers, magazines plastered on their wall. I said ok, this place has to be amazing since it is rated best in the peninsula. Well, ladies and gentlemen i was greatly disappointed. The food was okay, it was not the greatest place to eat. The atmosphere was good, very family oriented restaurant, but there is better out there. I reccomend MIllbrae Pancake House over this. This place is overhyped, or just lost the flare it had in the late 80s, early 90s. (According to the review dates).
(2)Aaron W.
This place is MONEY... instant 5. Lots of great memories here too....... get one of the homemade muffins, whatever you do... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)Anne A.
I've heard about JoAnn's for a few years before finally having the chance to try it myself. Though I'm sorry it took me so long, I'm happy to report that it is as good as I expected. The home fries are really good here which is a rare and pleasant surprise. These home fries have a brown, crispy exterior and a tender, steamy interior. The baked goods rock, the eggs are fresh and the coffee re-fills are frequent. On our second visit, my husband opted to have toast because he noticed the chilled pot of apricot jam on our table. It looked so good, I had to take a bite and ended up enjoying an entire slice of toast slathered with that fresh tasting jam. JoAnn's is my new favorite breakfast spot!
(4)Nancy L.
i've been coming here for over 20-yrs. and even though i've moved to san jose i still come at least a couple of times a month. we are usually here sunday for lunch. in all my 20-yrs. i have never been disappointed. i've brought various friends over the years and they are always impressed. the staff is welcoming and happy to offer any assistance (i.e. i brought my toddler godson and they brought him a plate of sliced banana right away). very thoughtful. the turkey is freshly roasted (what a treat) ! all the food is excellent quality. dinners are fabulous and the quality would cost you much more elsewhere (especially the fish and seafood items). they are very creative with their special offerings. awesome (real) milk-shakes, excellent soups (only during the week unfortunately). the turkey dinner is like having thanksgiving. yummo. come and enjoy, but please don't come on sunday. we have to wait long enough as it is. lol !
(5)El N.
This was cafe was good. I ordered the JoAnn's special with comes with two eggs, choice of meat (I ordered the chorizo, which I later regretted), country potatoes, toast and a small bowl of fresh fruit. Everything was good but I didn't care for the chorizo too much, they added some different seasoning that threw the taste off a bit. The fresh squeezed OJ was delicious. The waitresses were cool and the cash register man "Armando" was very friendly as well. I recommend this breakfast spot if your out in South City.
(4)Bernice C.
I agree with others that the prices have gone up and the quality is not as good as it used to be. But I still feel that for a breakfast joint, this is still one of the better ones. The quality is waaay better than Gunters (next block over) and all others around the San Mateo area . I feel that it's even as good or better than many breakfast/brunch places in the city. The omelettes are truly the best here over all other restaurants. How they get their omelettes so fluffy and perfect looking is beyond me. The ingredients they use are really fresh compared to other local restaurants. I never leave feeling heavy like I inhaled lard.
(4)Alison ..
I hadn't gone to JoAnn's in many years. The last time I went, my date was showing me places around his old neighborhood around the Christmas holiday. That was almost nineteen years later. The same date (now husband) and I decided to try them out again. It was good and just as yummy as before, happy to say. Service was top notch, too. Anyway, you can't go wrong with this one, and the blueberry muffins are very, very good. Yes, I'm glad they're still there.
(4)Katniss B.
I was excited about coming to JoAnn's because I've heard that they have good food. I ordered the pancakes and my husband ordered a regular omelet. The omelet was very mediocre and my pancakes were chewy and dry. Other than the mediocre food, the customer service was bad. One of the waitress' was nice, but there were two others that were just plain rude. My friend asked the guy (I'm guessing he is probably one of the manager or owner) for water and he said "yea" with an attitude. Don't these people live off tips? Or care about the reputation of their business?? I guess not!
(2)steezy e.
I had a late breakfast here one day, and the food was excellent, the muffins were good, and the combo plates were filling! price is kinda steep, especially in these hard times, but well worth it for a Sunday breakfast hot spot. They even include some Mexican dishes, which i appreciate.
(4)Lindsay B.
JoAnn's is a small hole in the wall diner that we would have never tried had it not been for Yelp. I drive by it all the time on my way to Trader Joe's and never saw it. The place was totally full and we happened to arrive right when a table was leaving. We were seated right away. The servers were quick with the coffee and refills and the food came out fairly quickly. I ordered the omelette special with ground beef, chiles, tomatoes and jack cheese with guacamole. It was really good and enough for two meals. It was $12.95, but I did not mind since I took half home for later.
(4)T H.
I wish that I could give this place negative stars because that is what they deserve!! They offer lackluster meals at overpriced rates. After having a long conversation with my husband about why we never went back there after our initial experience a year ago. He told me that I should not write off a place after a one time experience. My past experience at Joann's left a lot to be desired. In order to give it another chance and hope that I was wrong the last time we decided to head over there this morning for breakfast. After standing the doorway and being completed ignored by all of the women who worked there for at least 10 minutes, we asked if there was a list or a wait. The very irritated server then rolled her eyes and asked the cashier if there were any available seats. She then told us that there was some seats open in the back or we could wait for a booth. We decided to head over to the back and have a seat. I was not very hungry so I ordered fruit. It was nothing special...some old assed watermelon and cantaloupe and honeydew. Which cost me a whopping $2.80. My husband ordered a coffee and he received it right away but waited another 10 mins to get his cream....which by the way is not cream but milk. I really hate it when a "diner" type establishment offers up milk with a cup of coffee. At least give me the option of weather I want milk/cream. The coffee was watered down and tasted like coffee flavored water rather than a steaming cup of wake me up goodness. Right there I knew this was not going to be a good experience. A breakfast place should make a good cup of coffee. My husband ordered a Denver omelette with bacon instead of ham well he should have ordered the a pepper and onion omlette because that is mostly what he got with perhaps one slice of bacon inside of it instead of ham. The egg used for the omlette had a weird texture and a rubbery feel to it. They must use a boxed egg type thing rather than real eggs which cook up fluffy and yummy. My husbands bagel tasted like a buttered piece of cardboard and we had to ask for more butter. Eating at Joann's is like going over to your cheap assed relative's house for breakfast and they scrimp on the food because they want to save. I mean we were paying here so give us some damn butter.The server was rude and non-caring I get that they are wonderful to their regulars but they should treat paying customers with the same respect. Another restaurant pet-peeve that came about here at Joann's was the server gave us the hot plate to set down ourselves rather than do it. We decided that we would have been better off going to Denny's because the food and the service there would have been better than at Joann's. In their window it says that they are Zagat rated we think that they stole this sign because there is no way that this egg in a box place could be Zagat rated. Their prices are really expensive for crappy food. Their special this morning with turkey, sausage and pesto was something like $12.75 that is a bit ridiculous to pay for a fucking omelette. Sorry Joann's I wanted to like you but yet again due to your crappy food and bad service I will drive by you and wonder what all the people who eat there see in you.
(1)Bradley L.
Esmeralda is phenomenal!
(4)Pacifica D.
JoAnn's is the best breakfast place in the area. I've been eating here for years. Try one of the daily specials or build your own omlete/scramble. I love the corn cakes but they rarely have them. The huevos are great.
(5)Elaine M.
I'm pretty sure I started eating breakfast at Jo Ann's sometime in the early 1990s. It's still my favorite breakfast place in the vicinity, and doesn't show any signs of deteriorating. Just good, fresh, well-prepared food, every time. Their omelets are excellent, and you can build your own from a large list of ingredients. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the prices fair for the portion size.
(5)Sienna L.
Been a customer of Joann's for many years, and I have never had a bad meal here. Period. They knock it out of the park every time. They'd been my favorite breakfast place forever, and when they added dinner it was as good as breakfast. A family-run business, they never fail to greet you warmly and serve you excellent food at reasonable prices. Joann's is simply awesome.
(5)Mama S.
I hadn't been to this place since I was a preteen. I took my hubby recently and he decided that's where he wanted to go for father's day. The food is made from scratch w/ top of the notch ingredients & the price is just right. I love how their muffins are huuuge & wholesome. Oh & did I mention this place is chuck full of locals - who obviously come here daily. We will frequent this place.
(5)yohs m.
You must try the corn cakes with fruit on the weekends. Also a side of the sauteed spinach with mushrooms will surprise you. For those of you who know Ella's in the city, Joann's is less pretentious and the food is just as good if not better. One of first breakfast places I think of first when I get up on the weekends. You'll spend $15 but the food is well worth it. Get your breakfast and then do your costco run then hit lidia's deli for lunch.
(4)Jeff W.
solid breakfast place with fluffy Amish pancakes, good breakfast potatoes, thick cut bacon, and the usual suspects. fresh squeezed o.j. is also a nice touch. the coffee could be a little more robust, but other than that, well worth the drive to SSF. Down the street from the SSF Kaiser. same block as KFC. Check it out.
(4)Sarah W.
Brunch is off the hook!! The egg dishes are fantastic, and the pancakes are perfect. Good coffee, nice service, generous portions, and a great deal, too :) Yay for JoAnn's. There might be a wait for a table, but it's worth it, so come hungry!
(5)Moko S.
i love joann's. must try their scramble and muffins.
(4)Mario P.
I went for breakfast today with my brother-in-law. We've been here before and the food was always consistently good. Today was no exception. Got JoAnn's Special (eggs however you want, your choice of meat, assorted cut-up fruit bowl, potatoes and bread). You can ask for "no yolk" if you want (which I did). Delicious! Portions are more than what you would expect (no empty spaces on the plate). Nothing felt like it was pre- made or came in a box from Costco. Service is also consistently friendly and quick. Go as early as possible on the weekends because it fills up fast. My brother loves the "made from scratch" muffins. Give it a try! Prices are reasonable.
(5)Brian M.
JoAnn's is definite a small, cute, out of the way cafe in South City. It took one or two passes to find it because it such a small hole in the wall. The seating of the cafe is rather limited, so parties larger than say more than 4, get there early, put your name in, and be prepared to wait. There is almost always seating at the counter. The food is excellent!! The omelets came out nice and fluffy, as so did the buttermilk pancakes, which are some of the best I had ever eaten. The other breakfast entrees were very tasty, and satisfying. Prices were a little on par with the amount and quality of food served.Overall a great little restaurant to have breakfast on the weekends.
(4)Tracie P.
This place has a green salsa breakfast burrito with cream cheese and just enough pico to make my heart go pitter patter......a really nice place but be prepared to wait on the weekends or if you have a larger group.
(4)Art S.
I used to like it here. I enjoyed the breakfasts and the coffee seemed a little better than you'd expect. But that was a few years ago. Of course I noticed that the place was slipping a little, but I told myself that it was only to be expected. As the quality of my experience dropped, my visits became more and more infrequent. Then it happened: the one event I couldn't ignore. We were seated at a table right next to the kitchen and I remember thinking that the guy at the prep station was doing a great job of keeping his area clean. I saw him wash his hands and he was using a dish towel to wipe down the area. It was getting late so I decided to order a bacon cheeseburger. So we were talking and kind of absently watching the food getting prepared. After a short while the prep guy set up plates for two burgers and then disappeared from view. Moments later the fry cook plated two meat patties, but was left with a third pattie and no place to put it. He stood there for a moment with a quizzical look on his face and proceeded to put the third pattie on top of the dirty rag. I decided to keep my eye on that pattie. Well, my suspicions turned out to be true. The prep guy returned and plated the pattie, then with a big Ole grin he turned around and reached over the short wall between his station and my table and placed that very same burger right in front of me. "Never More" P.S. Some people wanna know what happened next: Well, I refused the burger and managed to embarrass my daughter at the same time. Sometimes you just can't do anything right.
(2)mai g.
love their scones and muffins service is great breakfast is good...better than dennys and ihop busy on weekends
(4)Tastebud S.
Well it's hard to say anything exciting about this place. It's small, limited seatings. Not a full breakfast menu. What I mean by that is, they do not have some of your standard breakfast like oatmeal or cream-of-wheat hot cereal, etc. They don't cater to kids, so no kids menu. One thing they did have that most cafe/restaurants don't have is a freshly baked muffins. Luckily my son did find something he wanted to eat that morning, which was there brownie cupcakes. So overall it's not a place I would take my kids for breakfast. Food was just so-so.
(2)Gordon S.
A nice little gem in the South San Francisco area. There is usually a small wait on the weekends but well worth it. I have only been there for breakfast so I can't speak for the lunch or dinner menu. JoAnn's has an old school coffee shop look to it but has a wonderful menu that has a slightly upscale touch. I particularly like the dishes with a Hispanic flair. Absolutely delicious.
(4)Natalie G.
Let me start off by saying, Daily City and South San Francisco were created to get me mind-boggingly lost. It's like the most difficult Sudoku puzzle you can think of. The second you think you are getting somewhere you realize just how incredibly screwed you are and you are so far lost that you don't even know where the mistake was made. So...after about 2 hours of wandering around stopping off at every stop we could find to try to obtain accurate directions we FINALLY got to JoAnns (this is after we passed it miles ago and had to turn around). The wait was long but I am sadly accustomed to waiting at good breakfast joints. By the time we snagged a booth we were starving and eager to chow down. We ordered the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and the orange french toast; both of the dishes were very enjoyable. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and tender served with cream cheese and chives. The French Toast was thick and well drenched in custard. There were several other items I was curious about (including the milkshakes and muffins which I have both heard awesome things about). Oh..and the bathroom was kinda outside..and down stairs..I don't know something about it was off putting -yeah I didn't go... I'll totally come back if I get good directions and go to the bathroom before hand
(4)One-cent L.
this is the best place to bring your friends and/or out of town visitors for breakfast. this was the place i first tried pumpkin pancakes-they are the best (and their orange french toast is delicious as well)--everything is....GO--if you haven't already been....
(5)Karen B.
4 1/2 to be exact...although my husband says I should give it a 5...pretty damn good fresh breakfast!! My breakfast was a typical egg and home fries with the best swine I've had in a while...i was expecting it to be very salty but to my surprise it wasn't!! My poached eggs were PERFECT...now for what hubby ate. He had the Neopolitan i think and it was very good...the eggs were cooked soft, the veggies they used were crisp and fresh and again NOT salty at all...this place is pretty close to perfect..PRETTY CLOSE...OH....how could I forget the muffins and scone...YUMM-Y!! ****** EDIT 1/28/07***** I have changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars...here's why...just came back from breakfast and I had myself the FLUFFIEST omelet...FLUFFY...the eggs were whipped to perfection, the bacon was plentiful, the avocado pieces (NOT SLICES) were perfect and the green onion was crisp...okay...if you sit at the counter the cook will most likely chat it up with you...VERY NICE MAN...if you go here it's for their egg dishes...I kid you not..the omellete is FLUFFY and SOFT...it almost elevated off my plate...
(5)Hank S.
I haven't been here in a while, but I used to enjoy it every time I went. I'm not really in to "American Style" breakfast (i.e. pancakes and omelettes) so their Mexican style fare (most not really Mexican) is what I like there. Also, the coffee is decent for diner style joints and the staff is great.
(4)Pippi L.
Mmmmmm this place is pretty good. Their breakfast food is the best. It's funny because I've never noticed the place until I read a review about them on CitySearch for having the best brunch. Usually places like that are in the city with non-existent parking. But this is in South City and close to where I live! With parking!!! And it's free! (parking, not the food)
(5)Y r.
Ive been going to Joann's since I've discover it thru a friend. You can get a great breakfast at Joann's. I love the omelette's there. Its a bit small so on holidays its packed. They are open till 2pm breakfast and lunch only. The waitstaff does a good job. They always have the coffee in hand ready to pour, prices are excellent too.
(4)Vicki M.
A quaint little cafe tucked in an off the El Camino location, holds its own when it comes to filin' your belly. Big homemade muffins and tasty breakfasts. The coffee is a nice complement to the meal. A big juicy hamburger for lunch and you'll be ready for the afternoon nappy!
(5)Aaron I.
Fresh homemade muffins, mmmmmmm!
(3)Casey W.
this place is incredible - great service and incredibly fresh and flavourable food. try the el gaucho or the southwestern salad!
(5)Leigh R.
Very much your local "hole-in-the-wall" type place. Its definitely tiny, and not exactly a looker, but the food is fabulous. I usually get The Denny: 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 pieces of bacon. Of course, I never quite finish it! Best pancakes ever!
(5)Judy L.
Greasy spoon just beyond the reach of San Francisco and a short ride to the Colma Costcto away. Great muffins and sweet staff. Huge portions. The lines aren't too long and apparently they now serve dinner.
(4)Jasmine D.
I love breakfast food. I'll eat breakfast food for lunch and dinner if I can get away with it. ANYTHING off their breakfast menu is a sure thing. YUM.
(5)Tin-Tin M.
i have wonderful memories of mexican breakfast extravaganzas here. they have scones, tasty potatoes and tasty breakfast meats. i still have not had those famous corncakes, but i have never been disappointed with the food i do get.
(5)Pearl Z.
Awesome place to eat with great service. Lunch time is usually packed with people so you may need to wait a few minutes, but the food is worth the wait!
(5)Margie N.
Excellent food and service, I was thoroughly impressed with this little hole in the wall. My Cobb was perfect, one of the best I've had with generous portions of all the ingredients and real turkey! [As opposed to the sliced turkey you usually get in crappy little salads.] Be warned that this is a tiny place, so you may have to wait a bit for a table, and try not to bring your parkas [I don't care if SF is going to freeze this weekend!] and giant Lindsay Lohan purses, there's just no where to put them, and they take up way too much room.
(4)Dave B.
They have Migas, real migas...yummy. They also have weekend specials. A touch pricy for a diner, but portions are huge. Also have to-go muffins, real fresh squeezed OJ. Sometimes a little packed on weekends...but very very good
(4)Debbie Y.
A great breakfast diner find, I've never noticed it before. There's an extensive menu and the breakfast sophistication was a pleasant surprise, they have dishes like eggs florentine and eggs benedict. The apple walnut muffin was delicious and the home fries were good too...next time I'm going to go for the orange french toast or amish pancakes. Great way to start a morning.
(4)c c.
Love, Love this place. Their corn pancakes are the best! Their yougurt is homemade too!
(5)C A.
foood is very very good! service could use some work. giving the place 4 stars for the food alone. would give the service a 2.5.
(4)Dan L.
Sort the reviews by date and you will find that the ratings have gone down quite a bit in the past year. I have been going there for over 10 years and used to go there when it was owned by Joanne. She sold it to several of the former cooks and it has gone down hill. She sold it a number of years ago, and at first it was just as good as the cooks kept the same menu, but lately they have cut portions and the quality of the ingredients while raising prices. It is definitely expensive for what you get. The service is pretty bad with waitresses who work for their favorites but blow off most other people. The food is still OK. but for the price, service and location, I can only give it 2 stars.
(2)Jarjar B.
Dined here with some pals...I had an omelette which I'll have to give 3 stars. It didn't appear to have the cohesion of ingredients I prefer. It's decent but I've tasted better...will give it another shot with a burger order perhaps.
(3)Scott B.
Seriously. You need to go here.
(5)Rick P.
great ol skool diner type of place, with counters and stools that you can imagine regulars pulling up to several times a week. the spanish inspired dishes are where it's at. i had the chilaquiles (two perfectly poached eggs over generous amounts of moist, shredded turkey, on a bed of tortilla chip strips, jack cheese, topped with a tangy roasted tomatillo sauce) which was filling and satisfying, while resembling something fairly healthy. my friend had the chorizo burrito with cheedar and tomatillo sauce which was pretty hearty (might have been a lil too hearty for me, if i had consumed the whole portion). coffee was decent and service friendly and fast.
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