At Budget Caf, it's as much about serving up a sense of family as it is about serving up good, hearty food. The business originally opened its doors in the mid-1980s near downtown San Luis Obispo. However, it has spent more than two decades at its current location on lower Higuera in the strip mall with blue awnings across from the DMV.
Admittedly, there's nothing fancy about this place. It's got the typical diner vibe - booths, tables, counter seating, handwritten specials boards, and never-empty cups of coffee. However, if you pay attention to who's sitting around you, you'll notice that they come from all walks of life, and that most of them know each other and the caf staff.
Admittedly, there's nothing fancy about this place. It's got the typical diner vibe - booths, tables, counter seating, handwritten specials boards, and never-empty cups of coffee. However, if you pay attention to who's sitting around you, you'll notice that they come from all walks of life, and that most of them know each other and the caf staff.
Services
Boneless chicken grilled or fried to perfection Served on a French roll with mayo, lettuce & tomato. Delicious meatless patty served on toasted bun with mayo, Thousand Island, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Deli roast beef dip served on toasted French roll with au jus sauce on the side for dipping. Grilled with onions and bell peppers, topped with melted cheese and served on a toasted French roll.
Reviews (24)
Mary N.
Dec 26, 2021
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This is one of my favorite places to go eat! My boyfriend and I have called it "The Happy Cafe" for years. Generous portions of classic breakfast foods. Light fluffy pancakes for me and the pork chop breakfast for my honey make our weekend special every time. Consistently wonderful wait people make you feel like you are coming home.
Aiko OwO
Nov 02, 2021
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Blank Reg
Oct 29, 2021
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Good selection of full breakfasts on the menu and on the special menu. Eggs are cooked properly so are the potatoes whether you get hash browns or home fries they'll even cook them crispier if you want them to a wide range of meats to go with those usually toast is included also. The breakfast range from about $11.50 to $12.50 for today's higher prices with everything that's going on it's very reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get not to mention good service.
Pamela Kay
Sep 25, 2021
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Angela Butcher
Sep 18, 2021
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Luis C.
Sep 12, 2021
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Nancy W.
Sep 08, 2021
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Alan O.
Sep 07, 2021
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Thanks to Yelp, we discovered this diner which was completely full with mostly locals (they knew the waitresses and vice versa). It's a fun place that was worth a visit.
My wife ordered Joe's special, eggs with spinach mixed with a ground beef patty, quite good. My son's omelette at first seemed to have only a dusting of cheddar cheese, until we realized there was an abundance of dairy once you cut into the dish. My younger son had the country fried steak, nicely prepared with a generous helping of gravy. I had the strawberry waffle special, at first I was a bit surprised it lacked
My wife ordered Joe's special, eggs with spinach mixed with a ground beef patty, quite good. My son's omelette at first seemed to have only a dusting of cheddar cheese, until we realized there was an abundance of dairy once you cut into the dish. My younger son had the country fried steak, nicely prepared with a generous helping of gravy. I had the strawberry waffle special, at first I was a bit surprised it lacked
Kyle Neal
Aug 28, 2021
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Erica Chuvichien
Jul 13, 2021
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Danielle Marty
Jun 28, 2021
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No frills. Food is ok. It was hit and miss. Eggs cooked well but lacked seasoning. Biscuit and gravy: had 2 bites and gave up on it. Hash browns: delicious. French toast: lacked flavor and texture. All meals were around $12 each. Overall, it was ok. Nothing terrible, nothing to make me want to go back.
Patu Q.
Jun 21, 2021
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Jack J.
Jun 06, 2021
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Not cheap and not great. It should be called the 'moderately priced cafe'. Slow, unattentive service with a very average breakfast. Five of us paid close to a hundred with a tip. I think 5 breakfast burritos for 7 dollars a pop from somewhere else would have been more satisfying on our belly's and our pocketbooks
Victor B.
May 20, 2021
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Might not be much to look at from the outside or even inside for that matter, but really really enjoyed the food. Just went this morning and got the Country Scramble. It was off the hook good and the cashier/waitress lady was super friendly and eager to let us know options and how we liked it. Order was perfect and very tasty made just perfect. Highly recommend!
Lynda M.
May 10, 2021
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Amy H.
Mar 27, 2021
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Peter M.
Nov 02, 2020
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If you are a meat eater like me, you will love this place since their portions are very hefty and chock full of meat. I will say that I ordered an omelette, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy. The biscuits and gravy was nothing to write home about and the hash browns while delicious were very heavy on butter so I would keep that in mind since it was super heavy. The omlette portion-you literally get what you pay for, if you ask for linguica and pepper jack cheese, you get those two things in your omlette in full but nothing extra. I thought it was delicious, but didn't feel a sense of satisfaction
Isabel G.
Oct 01, 2020
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We went here on Friday morning, September 25,2020. This little breakfast spot was perfect. Typical breakfast items but I believe the staff made everything taste exceptional. They were so kind and attentive. They moved tables out side for our group of 5. The coffee was great & refilled in a timely manner. I don't remember our servers name but a big thank you to her for starting our morning off right!
Angela M.
Mar 10, 2020
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This is a simple, can't fail you breakfast establishment. The place was super busy and the staff is rather small but friendly. The food was good and served rather rapidly. The club sandwich was good but didn't really have any outstanding over the top flavor, the chicken fried steak was good but the gravy was yummy. The prices were great and the coffee was HOT! When I'm a hurry this is a good go to place that has a small home cooked resemblance and taste. The prices were good and comparable to Denny's or IHOP for breakfast.
Miguel R.
Jan 25, 2020
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Terry C.
Nov 23, 2019
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This cafe is located directly across the street from the DMV on South Higuera St. The restaurant is a little hard to see from the street, as it is somewhat hidden in a small strip mall. They have been in business for over 20+ years, and appear to be frequented by regular customers.
One may choose a table, booth or counter seating for one's dining experience. The decor is simple & comfortable, yet a bit tired & dated with stained carpeted floors, and a few tears in the booth seats. The restrooms were not clean.
Their menu offers a huge selection of breakfast offerings, with early
One may choose a table, booth or counter seating for one's dining experience. The decor is simple & comfortable, yet a bit tired & dated with stained carpeted floors, and a few tears in the booth seats. The restrooms were not clean.
Their menu offers a huge selection of breakfast offerings, with early
Sharon F.
Aug 24, 2019
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Mary Garza
Jul 04, 2019
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We Googled places to eat and this place came up. I like the menu &
pictures of food. It was a small restaurant... it that was fine with us. Our waitresse was very nice . We didn't have to wait long to be seated, order our food or get our food after we ordered. Everything looked delicious and tastes good. If were in the part of town again. Will be sure to come back again
Thank you for your pleasant hospitality and yummy food..🤓
pictures of food. It was a small restaurant... it that was fine with us. Our waitresse was very nice . We didn't have to wait long to be seated, order our food or get our food after we ordered. Everything looked delicious and tastes good. If were in the part of town again. Will be sure to come back again
Thank you for your pleasant hospitality and yummy food..🤓
Eliza J.
Apr 09, 2018
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To me, Budget Cafe is definitely a 5+ stars!
Budget Cafe is a locals lil gold nugget on the Central Coast. It's tucked away with a tucked away, cozy, warm atmosphere.
As soon as you walk in you're warmly greeted. There's lots of smiles, chatters, clanking plates/flatware. Bottomless hot coffee. Conversation. As you eat you're swayed by some good ole Motown, 50's, 60's, 70's in the background.
NOT ON MENU, but WILL BE MADE FOR YOU :-)!:
Loco Moko w/ground beef patty or Spam; Monday is Shanghai Fried Rice; Tuesday Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry over rice
Budget Cafe is a locals lil gold nugget on the Central Coast. It's tucked away with a tucked away, cozy, warm atmosphere.
As soon as you walk in you're warmly greeted. There's lots of smiles, chatters, clanking plates/flatware. Bottomless hot coffee. Conversation. As you eat you're swayed by some good ole Motown, 50's, 60's, 70's in the background.
NOT ON MENU, but WILL BE MADE FOR YOU :-)!:
Loco Moko w/ground beef patty or Spam; Monday is Shanghai Fried Rice; Tuesday Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry over rice
