Joanie’s is a staple on California Ave, having been around for more than two decades. After many years, I decided to revisit the place recently.
Some things have changed but the place has mostly stayed the same as I remember it. With good service, decent food options, and lovely atmosphere, Joanie’s is a solid choice.
In the past, service has been a mixed bag. When we went recently it was mostly solid. There were quite a few instances where it took a lot of effort on our part to get a hold of a waiter but when we did, they were friendly, efficient, and got the job done.
The atmosphere, just like most of California Avenue, is more laid back, quiet, and communal. The lovely dining options outside, coupled with the beautiful weather, made the meal more pleasant.
The food itself is solid but nothing exceptional or mind blowing. While many restaurants have evolved over the years, it seems like Joanie’s in many ways is stuck in the past. While their French toast was yummy, their potato options (both the hash brown and potatoes) were just ok and a bit flavorless. The eggs were cooked exactly as requested but the beef hash left a bit to be desired. It seems like while others are innovating, here time has stopped.
Overall, Joanie’s is a classic that’s sticking to their roots while many places are evolving to better serve their customers. What may have been ok 20 years ago doesn’t necessarily make it good enough in today’s competitive landscape. The most I can rate Joanie’s Cafe is 4 stars.
Larry Lopez
Great food and staff. Their pancakes are off the charts.
Susan O'Brien
Always fresh, hot and delicious. The staff are very efficient and friendly. Great farmers market on a Sunday.
Chris Crasto
Palo Alto prices, average food quality. Great location, but not worth a revisit personally.
Jonathan Calixto
The food was amazing! The peach muffins made-in-house were to die for!! The servers were kind and respectful, but also quick and easy to talk to. The plates are delicious and there’s a variety of options to choose from.
Anthony Cesnik
Pretty tasty, but I'm not sure I was prepared to part with nearly $40 with tax & tip for two eggs, GF toast, hashbrowns, bacon, and coffee for just me. 😅 That said, the gluten-free toast was better than most places.
Z Z
Every staff was so nice and chill. Waiting time during weekend is a bit long but that’s expected for any good restaurants. Good portion and taste. Waiters were attentive and always available. Will definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mustardseedseeds
Amazing service, my waiter was very attentive to my needs.
Dietary restrictions: I ordered the eggs Benedict without the English Muffins; I asked for the eggs to be put onto hash browns instead and the waiter and the cook nailed it. So delicious!
Kid-friendliness: My waiter was so sweet, he nailed my food restriction order and added a bowl of fresh fruit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alan Liss
We make a point to have breakfast at Joanie's whenever in the area. Each meal is fantastic and only matched by the great service. In the less trendy part of Palo Alto, you will never leave this cafe starving or unhappy. 5 stars in every category!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Borboa
Joanie’s was just awesome. Every time we go there they knock it out of the park. Food value for $$$ is best around. Service is family style every time.
Steak and eggs - great; atmosphere - excellent; service - outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak and Eggs
Rovik Robert
Classic breakfast/brunch spot at above-average prices. Food was good not great but sometimes that’s all you need in the morning to get your day started. It can get quite busy so service can be inconsistent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dennis Haas
Overall very good, as usual. But our group of six made an error, and our server slightly snookered us: we failed to take into account we were charged a party-of-six-or-more 18% gratuity so we paid an additional $40 tip. We had asked for the check; our server told us the tab was ~$206---including the 18% we later learned--- but provided no written copy. We unthinkingly added a tip, too--the total bill thus being $246. Alarm bells should have rung when we decided we each owed $41---that's a lot for an egg dish plus coffee!!! (But post-pandemic, breakfast meals have doubled in price, so...) Anyway, be wary of your charges and ask the server for a written check!!!
Hearty breakfast! Had the ham avocado omelette and it was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gus Cee
This was one of the best places I've been to. Every single thing was incredible. The staff was incredibly nice, very attentive, and food came out fast. Will definitely be back.
Joanie’s is a staple on California Ave, having been around for more than two decades. After many years, I decided to revisit the place recently.
Some things have changed but the place has mostly stayed the same as I remember it. With good service, decent food options, and lovely atmosphere, Joanie’s is a solid choice.
In the past, service has been a mixed bag. When we went recently it was mostly solid. There were quite a few instances where it took a lot of effort on our part to get a hold of a waiter but when we did, they were friendly, efficient, and got the job done.
The atmosphere, just like most of California Avenue, is more laid back, quiet, and communal. The lovely dining options outside, coupled with the beautiful weather, made the meal more pleasant.
The food itself is solid but nothing exceptional or mind blowing. While many restaurants have evolved over the years, it seems like Joanie’s in many ways is stuck in the past. While their French toast was yummy, their potato options (both the hash brown and potatoes) were just ok and a bit flavorless. The eggs were cooked exactly as requested but the beef hash left a bit to be desired. It seems like while others are innovating, here time has stopped.
Overall, Joanie’s is a classic that’s sticking to their roots while many places are evolving to better serve their customers. What may have been ok 20 years ago doesn’t necessarily make it good enough in today’s competitive landscape. The most I can rate Joanie’s Cafe is 4 stars.
Great food and staff. Their pancakes are off the charts.
Always fresh, hot and delicious. The staff are very efficient and friendly. Great farmers market on a Sunday.
Palo Alto prices, average food quality. Great location, but not worth a revisit personally.
The food was amazing! The peach muffins made-in-house were to die for!! The servers were kind and respectful, but also quick and easy to talk to. The plates are delicious and there’s a variety of options to choose from.
Pretty tasty, but I'm not sure I was prepared to part with nearly $40 with tax & tip for two eggs, GF toast, hashbrowns, bacon, and coffee for just me. 😅 That said, the gluten-free toast was better than most places.
Every staff was so nice and chill. Waiting time during weekend is a bit long but that’s expected for any good restaurants. Good portion and taste. Waiters were attentive and always available. Will definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing service, my waiter was very attentive to my needs.
Dietary restrictions: I ordered the eggs Benedict without the English Muffins; I asked for the eggs to be put onto hash browns instead and the waiter and the cook nailed it. So delicious!
Kid-friendliness: My waiter was so sweet, he nailed my food restriction order and added a bowl of fresh fruit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We make a point to have breakfast at Joanie's whenever in the area. Each meal is fantastic and only matched by the great service. In the less trendy part of Palo Alto, you will never leave this cafe starving or unhappy. 5 stars in every category!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joanie’s was just awesome. Every time we go there they knock it out of the park. Food value for $$$ is best around. Service is family style every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Joanies French Dip, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito, Fries, Toast
Restaurantji Recommends
Steak and eggs - great; atmosphere - excellent; service - outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak and Eggs
Classic breakfast/brunch spot at above-average prices. Food was good not great but sometimes that’s all you need in the morning to get your day started. It can get quite busy so service can be inconsistent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Overall very good, as usual. But our group of six made an error, and our server slightly snookered us: we failed to take into account we were charged a party-of-six-or-more 18% gratuity so we paid an additional $40 tip. We had asked for the check; our server told us the tab was ~$206---including the 18% we later learned--- but provided no written copy. We unthinkingly added a tip, too--the total bill thus being $246. Alarm bells should have rung when we decided we each owed $41---that's a lot for an egg dish plus coffee!!! (But post-pandemic, breakfast meals have doubled in price, so...) Anyway, be wary of your charges and ask the server for a written check!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Hash, Eggs Benedict
Hearty breakfast! Had the ham avocado omelette and it was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was one of the best places I've been to. Every single thing was incredible. The staff was incredibly nice, very attentive, and food came out fast. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Hash, Muffin
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