Located in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of San Mateo, only a few blocks from Highway 101, Nini’s has remained a local favorite for breakfast and lunch since opening over forty years ago. Though foot traffic in this area is pretty light, it’s no surprise to see diners patiently waiting outside with their coffee, all waiting for their name to be called from the clipboard full of names. So why do so many make the trek? Reasons would include a diverse menu of delicious and homemade breakfast and lunch dishes, large portion sizes, and friendly service.

Once inside, one immediately notices the time capsule of memorabilia that decorates the walls, the old style counter with orange seats, rings coming from the old cash register, and the oversized menu detailing all the choices posted right above the kitchen window. Such a large menu requires numerous repeat visits, but my favorite dish since discovering this place over 15 years ago has always been the Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy, served with two eggs any style and home fries with the option of onions and peppers. My other go-to is the Bacon Special Omelette Scramble, which is served with sour cream, cheddar, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, chives, a side of toast and their signature home fries. Other popular dishes include their huge pancakes, sandwiches and their large selection of breakfast combinations, which are all worth sampling. Nini’s is one of the best places I can think of for breakfast in the Bay Area, definitely worth the drive and wait.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 6:30am – 3pm
Sat-Sun: 7:30am – 2:30pm

Located in an area of the city mostly known for its relics of San Francisco’s shipping industry, Just for You Cafe is helping to redefine the Dogpatch district as an up and coming neighborhood worth visiting. While many of the large industrial spaces still remain as reminders of this district’s roots, the local landscape is also a blend of live/work lofts, restaurants, and a growing arts scene. Situated on a sunny block of 22nd Street, the cafe is conveniently located near the T-Third Street Metro line, which makes the trip from Downtown only a few short stops.

Upon entering Just for You Cafe, the eyes are quickly drawn to the many posters and memorabilia that adorn the walls. This urge usually subsides in favor of making the difficult decision of what to eat from their large menu. Patrons love their customizable egg scrambles, Mexican breakfast specialties, chili, burgers, and po’boy sandwiches. The freshly baked beignets, biscuits, and cornbread are all made in-house, and much of their food comes from local and sustainable sources. This place is also one of the few places in the city that offers buttermilk, cornmeal, buckwheat, and oatmeal pancake varieties. |Just for You Cafe|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Tues: 7:30am-3:00pm
Wed-Fri: 7:30am-9:00pm
Sat-Sun: 8:00am-3:00pm
Cash only and no cell phones at the table.

2330 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 776-8735

Not far from the Powell Street cable car line turnaround, Pat’s Cafe is an unpretentious, charmingly small North Beach restaurant, best known for their brunch and breakfast dishes. I like this place for the neighborhood cafe feel, the personable service, and convenient North Beach location.

Let the tourists wait in line at all the crowded traps (i.e. Mama’s) around Washington Square; I’d rather not start my day with a hour plus wait just for some hearty breakfast. My favorites include the French toast, pancakes, and the scrambled eggs with cheese and chicken-apple sausages. The free Wi-Fi is a nice perk, and I heard they recently started dinner service. |Pat’s Cafe|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 7:30am-2:30pm
Wed-Thurs: 5:30pm-9pm
Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm

At risk of increasing the already long wait times at Chloe’s Cafe, I was initially reluctant to write about this Noe Valley gem. The cafe is tiny, the kitchen is even tinier, and getting a coveted table in the sun outside can take upwards of an hour on the weekends. The breakfast is that good here, that I am willing to give up parking in the Marina and drive across town to Noe Valley, just to wait in line for a table.

My favorites include croissant french toast with fresh strawberries, customizable egg scrambles, and fluffy banana & walnut pancakes. I love this place for the fresh avocados in the scramble, the locally baked rosemary toast, fresh fruit instead of home-fries, and a patio that is sunny most of the year.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Fri: 8am-3pm
Sat-Sun: 8am-3:30pm
Cash only.