Welcome to Cafe 222
Cafe 222, located in San Diego, is a charming diner-style spot offering a wide variety of breakfast and brunch options. Their famous waffles, like the Blueberry Cornbread Waffle and Strawberry Shortcake Waffle, are a unique and flavorful twist on traditional favorites. Customers rave about the friendly service and delicious dishes, with highlights including perfectly executed Eggs Benedict and a hearty American breakfast with tasty tamales. The attention to detail, quality ingredients, and warm atmosphere make Cafe 222 a must-visit spot for a satisfying and memorable dining experience.
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222 Island Ave San Diego, CA 92101222 Island Ave San Diego, CA 92101 Hotline: (619) 236-9902
Welcome to Cafe 222, a delightful breakfast and brunch destination nestled in the heart of downtown San Diego at 222 Island Ave. Known for its vibrant diner atmosphere and a menu brimming with creativity, Cafe 222 has become a beloved spot for food lovers seeking a special morning experience. The charming eatery has earned a reputation for its attentive service, warm ambiance, and an eclectic mix of breakfast offerings that cater to all tastes.
One can’t mention Cafe 222 without highlighting its breakfast specialties. The famous Eggs Benedict is a must-try, served with perfectly griddled potatoes and a hint of lemon that elevates the dish to new heights. The restaurant shines with its innovative twist on classics, like the Blueberry Cornbread Waffle, which combines the texture of cornbread with the sweet burst of blueberries. Diners have expressed their delight in dishes like the hearty Joes Special frittata and the comforting Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, each prepared with high-quality ingredients that don't scream for attention but instead let the flavors speak for themselves.
Guests rave about the breakfast burrito, a standout that captures the essence of a fulfilling brunch experience. With quality ingredients and generous portions, it has left diners like Raoul U. eager for a return visit. Reviewers often laud the friendly and efficient service, where the staff seem genuinely invested in providing a great experience. It’s not just about the food; it’s the warmth shared, which turns meals into cherished memories.
As for the drinks, Cafe 222 offers an array of options, including freshly brewed coffee and creamy cappuccinos, perfect companions for any breakfast spread. Though some may find the pricing on beverages a tad high, the overall value is perceived positively, especially when paired with the heartwarming environment.
Don’t just take my word for it—customers like Desiree L. and Raymond A. enjoyed their visits, praising the restaurant's charming decor and wide menu selection. The cozy diner vibe, complete with quirky t-shirts and the chatter of happy patrons, fosters a community feeling, making every meal not just about food, but about connection.
Despite the occasionally busy atmosphere, with diners often having to wait for a table, the experience at Cafe 222 remains rewarding. It’s a place where delicious breakfast food meets a lively ambiance, creating a perfect storm for a satisfying dining experience. Just remember to plan ahead for parking, especially during peak hours!
In summary, Cafe 222 is more than just a café; it’s a culinary gem in San Diego that invites you to savor the pleasures of breakfast. With every bite, you will understand why it has become a staple in the area—as they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and here, it’s done right!
Nice quant diner style breakfast spot. They adapt well and provide great service!! Lots of variety on the menu. I had the American breakfast with a side of tasty tamale. Alll was good!! Hot chocolate was good aa well.
Cute diner with friendly service. Food was good, but not great, portion size was good and it was filling. I would come back to try other dishes.
Ordered: Blueberry Cornbread Waffle (~$15) + Combo (~$8): comes with 2 eggs (over-easy) and 2 strips of turkey bacon House-baked Buttermilk Biscuit (~$4) Orange Juice (~$6) Aya's take: Now this is a breakfast! I don't think I've ever had a waffle made with cornbread before but this Blueberry Cornbread Waffle was delicious. You really taste the crunchy, corny batter in every bite that's nicely complemented by the sweetness and tartness of the blueberries. Making it a Combo was worth it to me as it adds some savoriness to the breakfast. The Buttermilk Biscuit was golden brown, buttery, and a bit flaky too. Using that to make a breakfast sandwich would be so bomb! The Orange Juice wasn't fresh squeezed (I don't think) so ~$6 for this small glass was not worth it, in my opinion. Other than that, the food is definitely worth a try if you're in the SD area.
Cafe 222 is a fun discovery that we will be adding to our rotation whenever we're in downtown San Diego. The food is fantastic. They nailed the eggs benedict (a dish I commonly use to judge the quality of a breakfast/brunch restaurant); it was much better than usual and had just the right amount of lemon. My partner had the breakfast burrito, which they feature prominently on their website, and he loved it so much that he ate the whole thing in one sitting! The service is attentive and knowledgeable--everyone was great. And Cafe 222's ambiance is quirky and fun. It's a small but bright space that allows diners to share a good time with others. We greatly enjoyed interacting with the next table over! Also, the Cafe sells humorous and kitschy t-shirts right in the restaurant. We will definitely be back!
We went back again and it was just as delicious and amazing as the first time we went. The staff and owner were friendly and welcoming. The service was quick and food was served hot. The gravy was STILL top notch. I even say that they serve organic strawberries. This isn't something that they use as a selling point which I found nice because they just use good quality ingredients. A couple things to note: There is a parking lot near the restaurant and parking prices can vary and sometimes it's up to $35. If they are really busy they will not take Togo orders. :( There is a cool park nearby. If you have kids it's the perfect place to wait for a table. (Someone will have to stay there though to hear when the table is ready.) This is not the place to go and hang out after your meal. You will have to eat then go quickly. They don't rush you out, but with so many people waiting, you know not to like get.
Short & sweet - the service here is phenomenal. I was greeted by a gentleman who was genuinely welcoming. At that moment I knew the hype was real. He was able to find my order in seconds, and although the interaction was brief, it helped start my day on the right track. I order a la carte - ham, potatoes, a biscuit, and one egg. I asked that they put it all in one container as to not create more waste than necessary and they happily obliged. The food was one of the best breakfasts I had in San Diego! The biscuit was soft and buttery, the ham was juicy, the potatoes were crunchy and well seasoned, and the egg was fresh. I wish I had another day added to my trip to go back for more, but at least I was able to commit this meal to memory.
No notes, this is breakfast perfection. Greeted and quickly seated by Sarah, who literally whipped up a table for us on the upper patio out of thin air. She let us know Jessy would be our server, and the specials of the day. Jessy was at our table within minutes (the restaurant was still slow, we ate around 9, not San Diego breakfast time). She had hubs tea and my latte out to our table super quickly, and we were literally "waffling" between two waffle options, she helped us decide on the blueberry corn (SO GOOD). Hubs and I were trying not to gorge, so we ordered country-fried steak and eggs, sourdough toast, side of sausage links, and aforementioned waffle. She brought us sauces, and like poof! Magic! Our food had arrived. If you haven't had their potatoes, you haven't lived. The gravy is amazing; and "secret recipe" sausage, aka sausage cooked on a griddle with butter (restaurant style) is KILLER. Speaking of killer - Jessy is so warm, fun and friendly, you'd swear she was already a member of your family, that's how insanely good she is at giving world class service. I could see her in fine dining, she's so attentive and good at reading her tables. But I'm glad she's here because Cafe 222 is one of our faves. Hubs summed it up perfectly as we were leaving "we never go wrong with Cafe 222" today the potatoes were awesome, and we had a great time with Jessy. So great that you forget the mob of construction workers a table away from you who forgot their manners at home and literally invented new ways to use the "f" word for half an hour, Or the guy who blew his date acting like a bro. Food so great, the entertainment is just a bonus!