Best Diners in Little Italy

"Harry Rudolph moved from Brooklyn to Southern California not long after his dearest Dodgers, for whom he was once a batboy, headed west intent on establishing a new legacy in the golden state. Although his favorite baseball team called Los Angeles home, Harry preferred life in the jewel of California and opened up his very own diner-style coffee shop off Girard Avenue in 1960. He and his wife, Catherine, fostered a classic American atmosphere that conveyed the same nostalgia, neighborhood comfort, and friendliness that was found on so many street corners throughout the New York City boroughs they came from."

"Harry’s Coffee shop has been around since 1960 and boasts the title of La Jolla’s oldest diner. Patrons enjoy revered yet straightforward all-day breakfast favorites like eggs Benedict, scrambles, pancakes, and French toast."

"A pure dose of dining nostalgia, this San Diego landmark has been serving up generous portions of classic American comfort food since the mid-1940s. With an expansive menu, dishes like the homemade roast beef hash and traditional eggs Benedict have kept customers coming back for more."

"Hob Nob Hill, known for their breakfast, has been serving up American eats since 1944. Don't forget to check out their selection of fresh bakery items while you're there."

"This Bankers Hill eatery has been feeding San Diegans since 1944. Their popular prime rib dinners mean homemade roast beef hass at breakfast-time."

"A post shared by Corvette Diner (@corvettediner) on Dec 6, 2016 at 4:47pm PST. This 50s style diner is complete with waitresses in bouffant hairstyles and poodle skirts. If the cotton candy platter, root beer floats, handmade shakes, and malts are not enough of a draw for the children, the Corvette car in the middle of the diner should be!"

"Have a blast from the past by taking your family to Corvette Diner in Liberty Station. This restaurant is more than a place to eat, it’s a true experience!. Retro decorations, car-themed booths, music, and wait staff full of character and decked out in full costume make this a place treat to remember."

"If dancing servers doling out thick milkshakes and tempting diner fare sounds like your family’s jam, you’ll love Corvette Diner at Liberty Station near downtown. This restaurant features themed dining areas representing the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Burgers are the specialty here."

"Serving hungry locals for over 90 years, this café has been operating out of its current location since 1954!. Known for huge plates sure to fill any appetite, they serve breakfast all day and on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer months, they are open 24/7 for you to enjoy lunch and dinner too. The café still boasts its original diner décor, a 100-year old flat top grill and an iron hood that was salvaged from an old ship over 125 years ago!"

"In-N-Out Burger is just a classic fast food chain out West, it originated in California in 1948. It’s famous because the chain has barely changed since then. Stepping into an In-N-Out Burger will take you back to the 40’s with its interior design, same small menu, similar prices, and high quality!"

"If Rudford's had chrome instead of stucco, it would be a genuine diner, because it has the bay windows and mid-century signage. In any case, it's a landmark (and just down the street from the Chicken Pie Shop). Basic comfort fare here, which gets mixed reviews."

"Equally popular with the early bird special crowd and after-bar party goers; both sets agree that the biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak at this 24-hour diner are first rate."

"It’s great to sit out on the outdoor patio and watch the fishermen coming and going. It’s a local haven for omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fish tacos, and fish & chips. Plus, they also serve mimosas, bloody mary’s, and craft beer!"

"Amazing place in the heart of Coronado, SD. Lines were around the block, but definitely worth the wait, both for Breakfast and for Lunch. Menu is great, full…”more"

"Babycakes is a colorful little bakery chain that greets you with adorable, tasty sweets and beautiful cakes. They have created fun, festive, and breath-taking wedding cakes for clients for many years and offer a wide variety of award-winning cakes and cupcakes for almost any occasion you can think of. They also offer a menu of American fare and dessert beverages."

"Babycakes specializes in oversized cupcake that you can get in an assortment of flavors. From Blood Orange to Tres Leches to Chocolate Peanut Butter, there's a flavor for everyone."

"Just north of the better known Sichuan Province sits Shaanxi Province (not to be confused with the neighboring Shanxi Province), known for the Terracotta Army, the Hukou Waterfall and biang biang noodles, which is famously the most complex Chinese character, having 57 strokes. Long, broad, and chewy, the hand-ripped noodles are smothered in a ground chili and soy-based sauce. Other menu standouts include the Yang Rou Pao Mo, a savory lamb soup studded with cubes of dense bread that take on a dumpling-like consistency after they’ve soaked up the broth, and tofu pidan, a simple, inexpensive dish of silken tofu, a thousand-year-old egg, minced garlic, spring onion drizzled with soy sauce, and Chinese vinegar."

"From burgers and noodle soup to buns and satays, Shan Xi Magic Kitchen serves the best Asian food prepared in an authentic style and presented with modern techniques. The restaurant also features online ordering with the same menu. Their burgers are definitely the opposite of famous American burgers and feature stewed pork and spicy cumin lamb."

"Another great brunch spot that I used to go to all the time when I lived in North County. It has a Mexican food twist to all the dishes, but super CLEAN & fresh. I get the yin & yang breakfast which is rosemary potatoes, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, red bean, avocado, cheese, sour cream, salsa, & a tortilla (I add poached eggs on top) & their golden fairy dust latte which is chai tea, ginger, cinnamon, sub the soy milk for almond milk… to die for!!!"

"First, choose between a basic buttermilk or organic whole grain gluten-free batter for your pancakes. Then, add the toppings of your choice from wild blueberry to toasted coconut and mango. Moreover, there are vegan pancakes too."

"Claire's on Cedros, located in Solana Beach, is an award-winning breakfast and lunch spot. The in-house bakery produces breakfast delights such as scones, cookies, muffins and more. The rest of the breakfast and lunch menu is made up of bistro classics using the finest, locally-sourced ingredients available."

"If I am headed to north county this is my go-to brunch spot. It is so quaint & just a classic spot that has been around for ages. It is always packed, so be prepared to wait a bit, but there is a cafe next door so you can grab a coffee."

"What's a good way to get your half-pint to eat a multi-grain pancake?. Easy, just head to Claire's on Cedros. For one thing, kids chow down these pancakes topped with powdered sugar and chocolate chips."