Broken Yolk Cafe — Restaurant in San Diego

Ok the food is phenomenal. The decor, sublime. But this isn't a review about those things.

This is a review about the best server I have ever had. It's been a few weeks since the last time I was in there, but I think his name was Christian. Might be his last name. To provide a little backstory, I was a server at a variety of restaurants when I was younger, so I'm familiar with the demands of the position — and what makes a good server and a great one.

So, it had been about 6 months since the last time I visited. Christian not only remembered me, but he remembered where I sat, what we had talked about. The couple next to me were impressed that he had remembered them from the day before — they were amazed he remembered me from 6 months previous. But lest you think it was just me, he called out to some regulars walking in and asking why they weren't in the previous Friday. I fully believe that he can carry thousands of relationships in his head — this sort of familiarity is likely to be treasured by patrons, whether they live locally or visit San Diego for business several times a year.

Ok, great recall, but what else? Well, he was able to carry on running conversations with me and other tables. And he had at least 10 tables when I left. And yet, he never felt rushed. He provided personal touches and everything came out incredibly smoothly. Again, I was a server for years — it takes an elite level of concentration, recall, and mapping out decision trees to operate even several levels down from what Christian was displaying with ease.

You'll love the food, lots of options, big portions, delicious. You can't go wrong for great breakfast in the downtown area. And if you're lucky enough to get sat in Christian's section, you're in for an even...

I’ll start by saying San Diego is one of my favorite places ever to visit. I love how nice most people are and I love the vast food options. This place however was a huge miss. I ordered the sweet trio and it was burnt under the cinna pancakes, the other French toast options severely lacked flavor. I decided to make it a combo and the hashbrowns came out ice cold. After hunting down the waiter to fix the issue the new plate arrives with better hash browns but the bacon was so burnt and had the worse after taste. The waiter is no where to be found until I’m ready to leave. She comes by to ask if I’m ready for the check in which I reply yes and show her the bacon. She says oh yeah that is really burnt. Ive never been to an establishment where the waiter doesn’t check on you during your meal to make sure everything is good. She didn’t come over once other than the time I literally flagged her down in the beginning. She brings the check and only $2 is comped. I’m like whatever I will take the L, better luck next time. I go inside to pay because I don’t feel like waiting 10 mins for her to return and meet with who I presume was a manager. He asks me how everything was and I say not good. He asks why and I tell him this story as he swipes my card seeming as if he could not care less. He ends by saying I hope this doesn’t deter you from coming back? Is this a joke? Of course I’m not coming back and wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. I took pics of what I remembered but it really doesn’t showcase how...

Broken Yolk Cafe is a Gaslamp Quarter spot that's perfect for fueling up before a day of exploring. Open until 2:30 or 3:00 PM, depending on the day, this two-story joint offers a fun atmosphere with some signature themed cocktails. The lower level even has a full bar for those looking to unwind.

We visited during the craziness of Comic Con, so the place was vibing. The cafe definitely got into the spirit with a comic-themed menu and some cool superhero decor – the Hulk on the wall was a nice touch.

Our server, Serafin, was a total rockstar. Juggling multiple tables, bussing dishes, and seating new guests, he never missed a beat. Our drinks were always full, and he was super friendly. Seriously, this guy deserves a raise!

The food was decent, but nothing mind-blowing. I tried the chicken sandwich with Carolina BBQ sauce, which was okay. I prefer a whole chicken breast instead of chicken fingers, but the gold BBQ sauce was a tasty twist. The Belgian waffles were a hit with others at our table – perfectly cooked with those crispy edges. Next time, I’m definitely trying the Tiki Toast. It looked delicious made with Kings Hawaiian bread and coconut.

Overall, Broken Yolk Cafe is a solid choice for breakfast or lunch in the Gaslamp that will not break your budget. The fun vibe and great service make it a standout spot. Just be prepared for a crowd, especially during...