- Cafe On Park
- Cuisine: American , Bistro , Eclectic/ International
- Neighborhood: Hillcrest
- 3831 Park Blvd.
- San Diego, CA 92103 (Map)
- (619) 293-7275
- http://www.cafeonpark.com/
Recommended by 1 local
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Parking: metered street parking. Mass transit: Bus routes 1, 10. Nearest freeway access: CA-163, Washington St. exit (eastbound).
Transit & Parking Info
Hours of Operation 
Sun: 8am to 2pm
Mon: 8am to 2pm
Tue: 8am to 9pm
Wed: 8am to 9pm
Thu: 8am to 9pm
Fri: 8am to 9pm
Sat: 8am to 9pm-
Updated: 01/07/07
Here’s to !
Tired of waiting in line at Hash House a Go Go? Give Café on Park a try.
There’s something really cool about discovering a hidden gem that’s been right under your nose the whole time. Sure, you might have missed out on some good meals, but it’s almost like a new place opened up -- new to you, at least.
We stumbled on Café on Park a few weeks ago while looking for breakfast near the Sunday Farmer’s Market in Hillcrest. When we lived in the area I think we made our way through most of the other breakfast joints and cafes in North Park in Hillcrest -- but somehow we managed to miss this one. As I recall though, back then Café on Park always had a crowd. If there’s one thing my husband hates to do, it’s wait for weekend breakfast, so that’s probably what kept us away.
If the crowd has moved on, they might want to think twice. Café on Park serves up hearty, creative, home-style food in an inviting atmosphere -- a perfect combo with your morning coffee and Sunday New York Times. Its close proximity to the Farmer’s Market also makes it a great stop for a pre- (or post-) shopping meal.
The dining room is a cheerful mix of artsy-industrial funk and retro-country diner, with concrete floors, a cast concrete bar with varnished wood top, and butter-yellow walls. The art exhibits on the walls change frequently and lend the place a cosmopolitan vibe. Beverages other than coffee are served in glass mason jars. The coffee is good and strong, and they keep it coming.
If you’re like me and have a hard time deciding between sweet or savory breakfast, the good news is you can’t go wrong here. The scrambles and hashes are every bit as satisfying as the French toast and Cap'n Crunch pancakes. Wait a minute -- don’t those sound familiar? Cereal in pancakes, where have I seen that before . . . ah yes, Hash House a Go Go! In fact, I noticed several similarities between this place and the Hash House, such as the artsy/industrial décor, quirky ingredient combinations, pots of homemade jam on the tables, and last but not least, pancakes the size of bicycle tires. It turns out the owner and chef of the Hash House actually worked at Café on Park for five years before moving on to open his own place. He may have taken them over the top, but arguably some of his best ideas are still here in their original form.
We especially enjoyed the French toast (pay extra for the real maple syrup, it’s worth it!), poached eggs with pan-fried potatoes, thick bacon and toast, and the bacon, avocado, tomato and cheddar scramble. Another friend recommends the Bugs Benny – a stylized eggs benedict with artichoke hearts, spinach and basil hollandaise.
Café on Park serves breakfast and lunch daily, and Thursday thru Saturday they offer dinner as well. (On the days they are open for dinner, they close between 2 PM and 5 PM, other days, they close at 2.) I haven’t tried them for lunch or dinner, but if I lived nearby I’m sure I’d drop on in. I’d be willing to bet that they fly even further under the radar in the afternoon and evening hours, and if their way with a burger is even close to the breakfast, it would be well worth a visit.