Since 1983, Busy Bee has proudly been serving Ventura a wide range of delicious comfort food. Sit down at one of the red vinyl booths; each one has its own personal programmable mini jukebox. Order and old-fashioned beverage: Root beer Float, Lime Phosphate, Egg Cream, Black Cow, Coke (chocolate, cherry or vanilla), Malt or Shake.
See the kitchen and hear the sizzling sounds and smell the burgers cooking on the grill. Pair a beer or other drink with your meal from the full bar. The menu offers a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items as well as a Vegetarian selection.
See the kitchen and hear the sizzling sounds and smell the burgers cooking on the grill. Pair a beer or other drink with your meal from the full bar. The menu offers a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items as well as a Vegetarian selection.
Reviews (19)
Jacob G.
Jan 22, 2022
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For being a family run company from Latin America. I find this place to be an adequate locating to get a basic breakfast. Everything I had was delicious but everyone seemed stress and exhausted. I do recommend their omelets and potatoes . Who every owns this restaurant please respect your workers and have some common decency to also respect minors who work at this establishment.
Angie L.
Jan 19, 2022
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Bloody Mary's!!! They are the best in town!
Huge portions! Their chicken fried steak is always on point. Wniught for two.
Burgers are fresh and delicious. Oh and the wedge fried with ranch... yum! Chilli its goodness!
High recommended. Staff its friendly fast and really fun! They offer good beer on tap. They have even gone above and beyond to order certain beers on request. It's always a great spot that never fails.
Huge portions! Their chicken fried steak is always on point. Wniught for two.
Burgers are fresh and delicious. Oh and the wedge fried with ranch... yum! Chilli its goodness!
High recommended. Staff its friendly fast and really fun! They offer good beer on tap. They have even gone above and beyond to order certain beers on request. It's always a great spot that never fails.
Nam W.
Jan 18, 2022
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Absolutely fell in love with this cafe. Breakfast is served all day, cocktails, beers, and milkshakes are available. They also have vegetarian options as well. My parents are picky when it comes to American food but this place is so flavorful. We definitely found a new family favorite place and will be back to try their breakfast. The 50s style theme is adorable and is very clean. Our server was very helpful and kind. You can look to spend about $12-23 for a plate.
John S.
Jan 08, 2022
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We always used to look forward to going to the Busy Bee whenever we were in Ventura. It was such a good restaurant before. I don't know what happened. The last two times we went for dinner the food was really not good. The first time we had the chicken basket, and the chicken was really dried out and did not taste very good. The second time, we had the baby back ribs. They were very dry and the sauce was not very good. We substituted mashed potatoes and gravy for the macaroni and cheese, and the gravy was so bad we couldn't really eat the potatoes at all. I hope the Busy Bee will do something
Emma G.
Jan 07, 2022
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This place is absolute joke. Over priced. Today I went in and ordered a club sandwich with onion rings and the onion rings were horrible. I didn't eat it and when the bill came I noticed it was $3.50 for awful onion rings. I asked the waitress who by the way is the wife of the owner...to please take the onion rings off because I didn't eat them and they were awful. She put her finger in my face and told me never to come back again. No problem. The food is not great. I had to chase her down for my check, a refill and for a to go box. Not a problem on not being able to go back and miss
J. C.
Nov 26, 2021
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We have been looking forward to our return to Busy Bee for Thanksgiving since before the pandemic. It was everything we had remembered. We sat in the back of this comfy 50s diner and were given the the huge menu plus a sheet with all of the day's specials - turkey dinner with a choice of soup (butternut squash - DELICIOUS) or salad, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, rolls and a slice of pumpkin pie OR you could order the honey baked ham, prime rib or turkey legs. Most of us had the turkey dinner and though it might not have been the huge selection you get
Umami T.
Nov 13, 2021
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Perfect stop for breakfast on a beautiful day in Ventura. Ample outdoor seating, friendly and efficient service and most importantly... the food was very good. If you're in a hurry, this place won't disappoint as the food came seemingly minutes after ordered. Bacon (thick) cooked to perfection, waffles crispy on the outside and soft inside, blueberry pancakes loaded with fresh blueberries. We brought our coffee with us from Cafe du Suro, a few doors down. If you're not in a hurry, you're welcome to stay and play on your laptop as the gentleman next to us enjoyed multiple coffee
Blakely H.
Oct 02, 2021
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Nina W.
Sep 11, 2021
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Jennifer S.
Sep 07, 2021
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We were hanging in downtown Ventura & decided to get a little brunch. We were seated within 10 minutes & water was brought, & orders taken quickly. We ordered a meat lover omelet with toast & hash brown. The food did take some time to hit the table & when it came out it wasn't very warm. The price is fair for portion size & the taste was ok too. Would still come back to try their lunch menu at some point. Service was friendly!
Andrew C.
Aug 14, 2021
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Liz S.
Aug 13, 2021
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Consistently solid.
I've been coming to Busy Bee Cafe for over 25 years now and as a child, it was the yummy pancakes and jukebox that I loved - and as an adult, it's the memories and food.
Busy Bee has a sprawling menu with anything that you could possibly want, including killer breakfast and comfort lunch/dinner dishes.
Don't miss their corned beef or chicken fried steak!
I've been coming to Busy Bee Cafe for over 25 years now and as a child, it was the yummy pancakes and jukebox that I loved - and as an adult, it's the memories and food.
Busy Bee has a sprawling menu with anything that you could possibly want, including killer breakfast and comfort lunch/dinner dishes.
Don't miss their corned beef or chicken fried steak!
Michelle A.
Aug 12, 2021
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We typically have a nice time at Busy Bee. Unfortunately, the last few visits have been less than enjoyable. Our last visit was on Aug 3, 2021, at 7 pm. We got to the restaurant at about 6 pm. The outside patio had 2 tables full when we initially sat down. Within about 15 minutes a few other tables were filled. The service was probably the worse we've had at Busy Bee. The server, Jessica, served all of the other tables prior to ours. Not only did the other tables get their food and drinks before our table, but it also took almost 20 minutes for our server to come let us know they were out
Jadri L.
Jul 30, 2021
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Yes, 5 stars they get. Amazing all around, for a diner.
Simply put, you will be satisfied no matter what you get.
I had the chicken and waffle and boy am I glad I did. The chicken, perfectly fried. The waffle, so fluffy and soft but at the same time well cooked. I've never tried such delicious chicken and waffles. Roscoes, move over, these guys take the price.
5 stars forbthe following:
Portions are nice and big
Prices are just right for what you get
Location, inside and out is very nice
Staff,very friendly and attentive
You have to try it for yourself, you will be back, I promise
Simply put, you will be satisfied no matter what you get.
I had the chicken and waffle and boy am I glad I did. The chicken, perfectly fried. The waffle, so fluffy and soft but at the same time well cooked. I've never tried such delicious chicken and waffles. Roscoes, move over, these guys take the price.
5 stars forbthe following:
Portions are nice and big
Prices are just right for what you get
Location, inside and out is very nice
Staff,very friendly and attentive
You have to try it for yourself, you will be back, I promise
Wendy R.
Jul 25, 2021
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Ate brunch on Sunday July 25, 2021
The ambiance and the servers were nice
But the food taste like the chef was over worked,
And working with no pride in his work.
Four meals brought to our table was nothing
To come back for.
Please owner or manager the back kitchen needs some supervision.
Next time someone invites me, I'll only order a shake
Maybe a pie or sweet roll, but no meal.
The food was disappointing.
The ambiance and the servers were nice
But the food taste like the chef was over worked,
And working with no pride in his work.
Four meals brought to our table was nothing
To come back for.
Please owner or manager the back kitchen needs some supervision.
Next time someone invites me, I'll only order a shake
Maybe a pie or sweet roll, but no meal.
The food was disappointing.
Rosmond P.
Jul 08, 2021
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There location is great, as a passerby you see the smells and the ambiance that drew us in. We sat down quickly and new what we wanted to eat right away. There breakfast items are delicious. The Chicken Fried Chicken was good and so was the mashed potatoes and gravy. But the Fish and chips was horrible!!!!!! It was flaky not crispy at all. It tasted like the same batter as the Chicken Fried Chicken. Service was great.
David B.
Jul 04, 2021
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If you're someone who likes to spend money on cold cafeteria food, warm mimosas and unseasoned vegetables then this is the place for you. I am so not impressed with the endless menu either.
The best thing about this place is the location. Although, I don't think the menu has been updated since the 60's. I ordered the "HOT" brisket sandwich. My daughter had a barbecue brisket sandwich also was supposed to be "HOT". That was so not the case!!!
The best thing about this place is the location. Although, I don't think the menu has been updated since the 60's. I ordered the "HOT" brisket sandwich. My daughter had a barbecue brisket sandwich also was supposed to be "HOT". That was so not the case!!!
Heather K.
Apr 30, 2021
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If you're visiting Ventura, or even if you're a local, you need to stop by the Busy Bee at least once in your life. I have eaten here many times and it's a staple and usually the place I will have lunch if I have friends visiting the area.
Love the vibe and décor inside the restaurant. Always reminds me of a restaurant from the 50's or the Happy Days era. This most recent visit had to be outside because of the c0vid, but even though it was a nice day, it was very windy and blustery. Would have preferred to eat inside. But, anyway...
Food was fine. Service was fine.
Love the vibe and décor inside the restaurant. Always reminds me of a restaurant from the 50's or the Happy Days era. This most recent visit had to be outside because of the c0vid, but even though it was a nice day, it was very windy and blustery. Would have preferred to eat inside. But, anyway...
Food was fine. Service was fine.
Chris M.
Mar 17, 2021
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Sometimes it feels good to feel normal again...
I decided to take the family out for a fun day by the beach and the Busy Bee was the perfect stop for some dessert. It was an absolutely beautiful day and Busy Bee had a terrific outdoor set up right in front of their place. We got a table after a short 5 minute wait then decided to order just about everything on their dessert menu. All our choices were spectacular and the portions were all very generous. I think the hot apple turnover ala mode was the crowd favorite, though the strawberry shortcake was no slouch either.
Busy Bee was always a great
I decided to take the family out for a fun day by the beach and the Busy Bee was the perfect stop for some dessert. It was an absolutely beautiful day and Busy Bee had a terrific outdoor set up right in front of their place. We got a table after a short 5 minute wait then decided to order just about everything on their dessert menu. All our choices were spectacular and the portions were all very generous. I think the hot apple turnover ala mode was the crowd favorite, though the strawberry shortcake was no slouch either.
Busy Bee was always a great
