Mimi's Cafe

5180 Mission Center Rd, San Diego
(619) 491-0284

Recent Reviews

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Rod Gullo

Good food but overpriced. Update: Got the Jambalaya pasta and the mixed berry muffin sundae. Both were very good. Prices are steep, but service was very good.

Parking: Plenty of parking in the shared parking lot.

Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible parking, entrance, and seating.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Technology Partners, Inc.

The service is not fast, the taste of the food is good, but the bad thing is the parking spaces. too tight, you can't get out of your car without damaging the car next to you. Inside the restaurant, everything is fine!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Orange Creme French Toast, French Pot Roast, Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict

Deirdre Bramberg

Holiday gathering so many tasty treats

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

CJ Toby Welch

Slow, land and avoidable...

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Hondo Rubio

Absolutely awful Management! Lazy and incompetent. I feel sorry for the staff. Overrated!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Yongshan

This was an absolutely unacceptable dining experience! The food I was served had visible mold on it (photo attached). This shows a blatant disregard for basic food safety and customer health. The lack of hygiene and proper food management is appalling and completely untrustworthy. Serving moldy food is not only irresponsible but also deeply disrespectful to the customers. I strongly urge you to take this matter seriously and address these issues immediately, instead of brushing them off. I will not be returning and will make sure to warn others about this experience!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Jorge Silva

Bad service, dirt entrance

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Elka

I hope that they can accommodate people with hearing problems. Someone in our party is hard of hearing with a hearing aid. We asked for the Christmas music to be turned down in one room. We were told they could not do it or they would have to turn it off for the entire restaurant. It was difficult for everyone to hear. We had appetizers like crab cakes, chicken strips, quesadillas, and artichoke dip. The chicken was hard, the dip was runny, and the crap cakes were not hot. Usually, there is no food left over, but folks left food on the table. The servers forgot to check in and bring plates and flatware. I usually like Mimi's and haven't been in awhile, but this was a bit disappointing. The plus side was there was plenty of parking.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

David Contreras

A place for American breakfasts

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

SC Photography

Mimi’s Café: A Thanksgiving to Remember in San Diego

It is rare to find a dining establishment that captures not just the taste but the soul of a holiday feast, and yet, Mimi’s Café in San Diego managed to do exactly that with their Thanksgiving offering. Walking into this unassuming gem, you’d never guess that behind its warm, family-friendly facade lies a team capable of crafting a culinary experience that rivals the artistry of Michelin-starred chefs.

From the moment I placed my order, it was evident that Mimi’s Café runs like a well-orchestrated symphony. The staff displayed not just professionalism but a palpable passion for their craft. They walked me through every detail of the menu with precision, answering questions with the kind of knowledge and enthusiasm that can only come from a genuine love for food.

The Thanksgiving feast itself arrived with the clarity and organization of an exceptional dining experience—but make no mistake, this was no sterile exercise. Each dish came with simple, foolproof reheating instructions that even a kitchen novice could follow, ensuring the flavors remained as vibrant as the day they were prepared.

And oh, the flavors. Where to even begin? The turkey was the Platonic ideal of its kind: tender, perfectly roasted, and seasoned with a subtlety that elevated the bird without overshadowing its natural richness. The stuffing—a masterpiece of balance—was savory yet nuanced, with just the right amount of herbaceous brightness to cut through its hearty texture. The mashed potatoes, velvety and buttery, served as the ideal canvas for a gravy that can only be described as liquid gold.

What truly set this meal apart, however, was the symphony of contrasts on the palate. Sweetness met savoriness, richness met lightness, and every bite seemed to tell a story of Thanksgiving reimagined. The cranberry sauce, tart and slightly spiced, was more than a condiment; it was a revelation, a nod to tradition with a whisper of innovation. The green bean almondine had the crunch and freshness of a dish that could have come straight from the farmer’s market that morning.

Dessert, as if the meal hadn’t already reached a crescendo, was a triumph in its own right. The pumpkin pie was a silky custard dream encased in a crust that was equal parts flaky and buttery—a rare feat that even fine dining establishments often struggle to achieve.

In the end, what Mimi’s Café delivered wasn’t just a Thanksgiving meal; it was an experience. It felt personal, as though a Michelin-starred chef had taken residence in my kitchen for the day, pouring their heart into every dish. This wasn’t food designed merely to impress; it was food designed to connect, to comfort, and to elevate the very concept of Thanksgiving.

San Diego is blessed to have such a place—a restaurant that understands that great food is more than just technique; it’s a bridge between people, a celebration of flavors, and a memory waiting to be made. If you missed this year’s feast, I suggest you clear your calendar for next year. Mimi’s Café isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a Thanksgiving tradition in the making.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kathy Edmonds

Everything we had was delicious. True GF available. All yummy!

Dietary restrictions: True GF friendly place!

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Carl Nieland

Very nice Thanksgiving dinner.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Turkey

Dr. Maryam D. Far

We have eaten here many times. Consistent. Allow time to park. Great food and good service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A J (Mean AJ)

Wheelchair accessibility: It's wheelchair accessible 😎

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Olive T

Our first visit to Mimi Cafe in Mission Valley was a pleasant surprise as it exceeded our expectations. Parking lot is decent, however, it’s weird that they put the handicap parkings far away from the front entrance. Guessing that the restaurant gives parking priority to the “pickup” orders. We liked the cozy yet charming outdoor seating area by the front entrance. Inside ambiance was calm and relaxing, rustic inspired and the interior had a fake balconies and pictures of bikes and things. This place has an old time diner feel in a nice way. Reading the room, it appears that this place is popular amongst the seniors. We came on a Tuesday around 12:30pm and only a few patrons when we got there so we were seated immediately. Waitstaff was patient, gave us enough time to look over the menu. After taking our orders, waitstaff brought out a complimentary basket of warm bread with butter. We were pleased that the bread were made fresh and served warm. At our request, waitstaff even gave us basket of jams. A nice touch! Our food came out fast and surprisingly delicious. We were not expecting much at this chain restaurant but the food execution and taste exceeded our expectations. Waitstaff was welcoming and helpful and patient. After our meal, waitstaff didn’t rush us out and allowed our group to just sit and chitchat. This place would not be our top choice for restaurants for special occasions but we will visit again because it is located conveniently by the Hazard Center in Mission Valley, easy access to the freeway entrance, decent casual food and attentive waitstaff.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

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