While the location is historic and visually appealing while waiting for your food, the food itself is only average, and the service is alright. Regarding the food, the bread was old, and the vegetables were barely cooked despite the long wait time. Instead of toasting the croissant, which would have crisped it up, it seemed to be heated up in another way, making it warm but not addressing the other issues. The vegetables were good, but barely sautéed. The composition of the sandwich was not great, with the bottom falling apart and the insides falling out - but it was great to eat with a fork. With that said, the portion size is on the smaller side for the price point. Regarding service, the cashiers took a while to process orders, and overall, the service could be improved. The manager (?) was rude to a customer while we waited for our food, which doesn't add to the overall impression. However, the building is a historic landmark and is quite lovely to sit outside or inside, enjoying the architecture.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Vincent
Love this place, food is great, ambiance is great, but I’m not sure what happened this time. Food was still good, but portions shrunk considerably for the surf’s up, which is a major bummer. I even tipped 20% before sitting down and still got shorted, so it wasn’t that. Who knows, maybe an off day, but might go somewhere else when eggs bacon toast potatoes is 15 bucks and you get a pretty light spread.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Noel Noblett
Extensive gluten free options, I had a GF turkey and bacon sandwich which was very tasty!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Abe Rey
Love the coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jill Petersen
So we didn’t actually eat here . We walked up and then went back to our car and left. The purpose of this post it to save other tourists the hassle of driving here and leaving . They advertised indoor seating but they make you wait in line out side and order outside and pay before you can sit down. The inside of the cafe was basically empty with 20 people sanding in-line outside the menu is on the side with the line of people blocking it . It was written on a small chalk board and there writing was very small . So you can’t even figure out what you want to order until you get up to the register we stood there for 15 mins while it took a group of people trying figure out what they wanted to order. Then we realized there were 5 other groups of people ahead of us we would be standing there for quite a while . It seemed like a ginormous waste of time because nobody can figure out their order until they get closer to the menu. And that’s why everyone ahead of us was taking so long to order at the register. Grossly inefficient. It also looked very rundown and the building was dumpy . California is a weird place .
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Kuba Drahotsky
Cashier looked angry that she needs to take our order. Coffee and Chai latte were at average at best. Except cool building, we don’t recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Erik Anderson
A few very solid vegan options. Very tasty food and a cute place!
Michael Rothwell
I woke this morning craving some good old fashioned biscuits & gravy. I live just a couple of blocks from the Windmill and thought I'd try my luck there. Unfortunately there was no biscuits and gravy this morning, so I thought I'd give the traditional Surf's Up a go. Very simple, just scrambled eggs, two sausage links, fried potatoes, and one slice of toast. The potatoes and eggs were both top notch and delicious... The only reason I'm giving the food 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the quantity of food! After paying over 20 bucks for breakfast and coffee, I like to get filled up! Still this service was pleasant and atmosphere homey and comfortable... I intend to give them another chance and try their breakfast burrito next week
Tom McCarthy
Great little place
Fred Geiger
Great funky Santa Cruz atmosphere and menu! Will go back.
Rude and food very not worth it. The tofu scramble was so bad and when we let them know they were rude and our replacement dish took forever. First and last time visit.
Simone Harms
Very cute spot right of East Cliff. Locally run they serve delicious locally sourced food with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Their coffee is delicious as well.
Frazier Scott
Friendly, good people, delicious food!
L.Andres Espinosa.B
I found hairs in my food 🤢 then there answer was they were about to close so they couldn't refund me or exchange my food 😒 I had very high hopes this place because it looked good and the menu seemed promising and I thought it will be one of my favorite places to have a really good breakfast but I was completely disappointed 😔 and will never be back there again. Nor recommend anyone. 😕 Maybe other people might have better luck than what I went through. 😞 Ps: Google doesn't allow me to download pictures from the food I purchased.
Brian Hinton
The ambiance is pleasant with a laid-back vibe. The food is decent and works if you need a quick breakfast, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I was surprised by the limited egg options, as they only serve scrambled eggs. The mocha definitely tasted like it was made using Hershey's syrup.
While the location is historic and visually appealing while waiting for your food, the food itself is only average, and the service is alright. Regarding the food, the bread was old, and the vegetables were barely cooked despite the long wait time. Instead of toasting the croissant, which would have crisped it up, it seemed to be heated up in another way, making it warm but not addressing the other issues. The vegetables were good, but barely sautéed. The composition of the sandwich was not great, with the bottom falling apart and the insides falling out - but it was great to eat with a fork. With that said, the portion size is on the smaller side for the price point. Regarding service, the cashiers took a while to process orders, and overall, the service could be improved. The manager (?) was rude to a customer while we waited for our food, which doesn't add to the overall impression. However, the building is a historic landmark and is quite lovely to sit outside or inside, enjoying the architecture.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Love this place, food is great, ambiance is great, but I’m not sure what happened this time. Food was still good, but portions shrunk considerably for the surf’s up, which is a major bummer. I even tipped 20% before sitting down and still got shorted, so it wasn’t that. Who knows, maybe an off day, but might go somewhere else when eggs bacon toast potatoes is 15 bucks and you get a pretty light spread.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Extensive gluten free options, I had a GF turkey and bacon sandwich which was very tasty!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Love the coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So we didn’t actually eat here . We walked up and then went back to our car and left. The purpose of this post it to save other tourists the hassle of driving here and leaving . They advertised indoor seating but they make you wait in line out side and order outside and pay before you can sit down. The inside of the cafe was basically empty with 20 people sanding in-line outside the menu is on the side with the line of people blocking it . It was written on a small chalk board and there writing was very small . So you can’t even figure out what you want to order until you get up to the register we stood there for 15 mins while it took a group of people trying figure out what they wanted to order. Then we realized there were 5 other groups of people ahead of us we would be standing there for quite a while . It seemed like a ginormous waste of time because nobody can figure out their order until they get closer to the menu. And that’s why everyone ahead of us was taking so long to order at the register. Grossly inefficient. It also looked very rundown and the building was dumpy . California is a weird place .
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Cashier looked angry that she needs to take our order. Coffee and Chai latte were at average at best. Except cool building, we don’t recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
A few very solid vegan options. Very tasty food and a cute place!
I woke this morning craving some good old fashioned biscuits & gravy. I live just a couple of blocks from the Windmill and thought I'd try my luck there. Unfortunately there was no biscuits and gravy this morning, so I thought I'd give the traditional Surf's Up a go. Very simple, just scrambled eggs, two sausage links, fried potatoes, and one slice of toast. The potatoes and eggs were both top notch and delicious... The only reason I'm giving the food 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the quantity of food! After paying over 20 bucks for breakfast and coffee, I like to get filled up! Still this service was pleasant and atmosphere homey and comfortable... I intend to give them another chance and try their breakfast burrito next week
Great little place
Great funky Santa Cruz atmosphere and menu!
Will go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Rude and food very not worth it. The tofu scramble was so bad and when we let them know they were rude and our replacement dish took forever. First and last time visit.
Very cute spot right of East Cliff. Locally run they serve delicious locally sourced food with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Their coffee is delicious as well.
Friendly, good people, delicious food!
I found hairs in my food 🤢 then there answer was they were about to close so they couldn't refund me or exchange my food 😒 I had very high hopes this place because it looked good and the menu seemed promising and I thought it will be one of my favorite places to have a really good breakfast but I was completely disappointed 😔 and will never be back there again. Nor recommend anyone. 😕 Maybe other people might have better luck than what I went through. 😞
Ps: Google doesn't allow me to download pictures from the food I purchased.
The ambiance is pleasant with a laid-back vibe. The food is decent and works if you need a quick breakfast, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I was surprised by the limited egg options, as they only serve scrambled eggs. The mocha definitely tasted like it was made using Hershey's syrup.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
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