Welcome to Beginners Diner
At Beginners Diner, nestled within the historic Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Blvd, a blend of retro charm and modern sensibilities awaits. Committed to providing a delightful dining experience around the clock, this 24-hour diner caters to both late-night cravings and casual brunch outings. With a diverse menu featuring everything from classic Benedicts to sumptuous boozy shakes, there's something for everyone—though menu lines can be a bit thin. Ethically conscious, Beginners Diner uses compostable containers and promotes a plastic-free environment. The stylish decor and inviting atmosphere make it a trendy spot for groups or a romantic evening, fostering a memorable culinary adventure.
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2223 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92104 United States Hotline: (619) 296-2101
Welcome to Beginners Diner, a delightful gem nestled within the historic Lafayette Hotel in San Diego. This trendy 24-hour diner redefines casual dining with its retro decor that gives a nod to the classic American diner experience, all while serving up a modern twist on favorite comfort foods.
What sets Beginners Diner apart is not just its convenient 24-hour availability but a diverse menu that caters to both early risers and the late-night crowd. From hearty breakfasts served until 1 PM to comfort food staples, this diner has something for everyone. Enjoy dishes like the Chicken Schnitzel, crispy patty melts, or a hearty classic Benedict— each promising generous portions and satisfying flavors.
While the diner is known for its boozy milkshakes and decadent desserts like lemon meringue pie, diners should be mindful that some menu items may not be available around the clock, so planning your visit and cravings is key.
- Reservations and Accessibility: Beginners Diner takes reservations and is fully accessible, making it a perfect spot for groups, casual outings, or a romantic date night under flickering diner lights.
- Eco-Friendly Practices: This diner stands out with its commitment to sustainability, utilizing compostable containers and plastic-free packaging—an appealing factor for environmentally conscious diners.
- Ambiance: Boasting an inviting atmosphere, the diner features outdoor seating, welcoming both furry friends and patrons seeking a lively dining environment.
- Service Style: The diner offers waiter service alongside a full bar, ensuring that guests enjoy their meals without long waits, although some reviewers have noted that timing can vary depending on peak hours.
Customer experiences at Beginners Diner offer a mixed yet intriguing tapestry of feedback. While some diners rave about the clean ambiance and exceptional service, others express concerns about occasional wait times and item availability. Nevertheless, the overall vibe and dedication to quality leave a lasting impression. Most will agree that the shakes are worth the trip alone!
If you’re in San Diego and yearning for a fun, retro dining experience with quirky charm and delectable bites, look no further than Beginners Diner. Whether you’re there for a late-night feast or a cozy brunch, add this diner to your culinary must-visit list!
Location: 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
Phone: (619) 296-2101
They have pretty good food and drinks for a 24 hour diner, though my favorites tend not to be served at the wee hours. The chicken pate was a large portion at a good price but I wouldn't say the other items are steals. Though, the boozy shakes are tasty. Salk said, I would much rather be eating here than at any other 24 hour diner. And, while there has always been some kind of wait at all my visits, they do text you that your table is available sooner than expected.
This place is in the LaFayette, it's expensive as hell!! The food is edible, but still came out piece by piece. It's uncomfortable to eat while one person is still waiting, and waiting, and waiting for their food to arrive. Half the menu is unavailable, which is to say, breakfast is not available 24hrs. The reason people go to a diner, right? It strives for a retro theme but it's just a shiny wannabe. This is one of those places you go once and you're over it. Save yourself the money and just skip it.
Retro diner decor, very cute, very Johnny Rocket's. Honestly, I was a little skeptical about the food. Many places with too fancy a decor or one that is too on-the-nose usually have sub-par food. We came on an early Sunday for breakfast (brunch menu starts at 9 if you want that) and there were less than 10 people (yay!). I got the classic benedict and my dining partner got the 2 eggs breakfast. They were both decent and not too insanely-priced. Nothing to rave about but also not disappointing.
Food was very very good. Wish we lived closer. The cleanest diner I ever been in. They serve break till 1pm which is mega crazy awesome. The fries are one of the best we had. The shakes are good, wish they had more options but maybe they aim for consistency and that's cool with us. Wish they gave us crayons or stuff for kids while we waited. All in all we will be back
Came in for a Sunday brunch and my friend and I were able to snag a table inside right away. Even though our food was good and presented well, I think it's pretty overpriced for what it is and the portion size. The service also forgot about us a lot. I definitely wouldn't wait a long time to eat here just for the ambiance.
This is a good diner experience. We came here on New Year's Eve Night for dinner. The place was packed but there is so much space that anywhere you were in the hotel, it was a comfortable time. We waited in a line to get on the wait list for dining. The wait was 45 mins. While we waited for our table, we explored the pool area, bar area, non gender restroom, hotel check-in area, Christmas Tree Photo Scene, etc. The decorations and Holiday Spirit was abundant at The Lafayette Hotel and the diner is a bonus. They even had nets of balloons in the rafters near the ceiling for the NYE release at midnight...CLASSY! Our food was well prepared. Our server was customer service oriented and kind. The malts were PHENOMENAL! We will surely come back. Loved it!
This super cute 24 hour diner is located inside the Lafayette Hotel. It's modern yet has those nostalgic retro vibes through both the menu and decor including counter seats to sit at and comfy booths. I had the Chicken Schnitzel which was fabulous but truly so many things on the menu sounded tasty. I'll be back for one of those boozy milkshakes.
Stayed at the Lafayette and of course had to try the diner. It's popular with people not staying so be prepared for a wait. The brunch menu is smaller than main menu with still plenty to choose from. The patty melt was buttery, crispy, cheesy and well seasoned. Grab a side of fries or onion rings but most importantly ask for extra homemade ranch! That was amazing!!! A slice of lemon meringue pie is perfect to take back to your room and eat in the claw foot tub. Heavenly! I'll be back as the Benedict's looked amazing!! Ambiance is fun and grab a seat at the counter for diner feel!