Side Street Cafe — Restaurant in Thousand Oaks

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review for Side Street, I am always in a happy food comma post-brunch and forget. Side Street has long been my absolute favorite restaurant in Ventura County! When it comes to the menu at Side Street, you genuinely can't make a wrong choice. Personally, I'm hooked on their country fried steak and waffles. Hands down the best gravy you'll ever have! There's something about the way they make their coffee that has me drinking half a pot of coffee I swear. When I go out to eat, I expect the food to be better than what I could make myself at home. It's a standard that so many breakfast/lunch restaurants seem to miss, but Side Street consistently exceeds these expectations without fail. What sets Side Street apart is not only the outstanding food but also their commitment to keeping prices reasonable. You definitely get more than your money's worth here! So many of their dishes come with 1) eggs, 2) toast or biscuits & gravy, AND 3) home fries or hash browns. It's a breakfast lover's dream come true!

In the post-COVID era, the closure of so many beloved family-owned restaurants was heartbreaking. Side Street not only weathered the storm but continues to thrive. Stepping into Side Street feels like entering a home away from home. Suzanne, the owner and founder, is a constant presence, working alongside her husband, Ryan, and son, Drew. This is as family-owned as it gets, and that authenticity resonates in every corner of the restaurant. What truly makes Side Street special is the family environment. Every member of the staff makes the atmosphere so welcoming. It's evident that they take pride in providing exceptional service, making each visit a memorable experience.

In a time where good, family-owned establishments are hard to come by, Side Street stands out as a beacon of what going to a restaurant should be. From the warm atmosphere to the delicious food and impeccable service, this restaurant will always be my go-to. If you haven't experienced the magic of Side Street, it's about time you do! Truly a hidden gem of...

One of many enjoyable things I like to do is to go out for breakfast. My favorite is finding a 1930's to 1950's original diner like Rae's In Santa Monica on Pico Blvd. At a setting like Rae's it is not about the food, the food just has to be ok and I'm good. At Rae's it's about the legacy and vibe. I stumbled upon a Side Street Cafe review a couple weeks ago for this place. Not only was a I attracted to trying a new breakfast place, but one of my favorite breakfast places was Side Street Cafe in Costa Mesa on Newport Blvd. [not related to this place and sadly they closed earlier this year]. If you are not going to some crazy high end restaurant like, for example, Redbird DTLA and spending $100 on breakfast [not that I have done that, it's just my son works there]; and you want to go to a typical family restaurant, THIS IS the place. Only been here twice, but: 1) EXCEEDINGLY NICE STAFF (TWICE), 2) scrambled eggs are nicely cooked, chicken sausage was very good with a little spicy bite to it, 3) pancakes were the best of all my local places where I live in Woodland Hills [yes, I drove here twice 25 minutes each way]. I do not leave many reviews...this places deserves your...

I happened to stop in during a very busy time, but that didn’t matter. There are quite a few employees in the front and back of the house. I sat there and marveled over how well all these people worked together. Very minimal conversation, they saw something that needed to be done, they took care of it, didn’t matter who’s order or who’s table/section. They got it done while dancing around each other in tight quarters like they were choreographed movements.

Within a minute of being seated, I had my drink and setup in front of me. My order was taken and 7 minutes later I was eating.

I looked around and saw that the place was full, even most of the tables outside (90 deg). This is definitely a well oiled machine.

Now, as for the food itself, good diner food. Putting cold whipped cream on anything hot is a recipe for disaster. But for the most part, the food is good. I give this place 5stars for everything but the food. The food is good, fair priced and will definitely fill your stomach, but is nothing extra ordinary.

Having said all that, you have to try this place. It’s off the beaten path but definitely worth the 2 minutes extra it takes to find it’s tucked...