We stopped at Kelly’s Diner after checking into our hotel because not much was open, and it came recommended to us.
The restaurant itself is nice and clean, with well-kept furniture and an overall neat appearance. Our server, May, was absolutely wonderful—adorable, very sweet, accommodating, and attentive. She truly made the experience better and deserves recognition for her service.
That said, there were a couple of issues. The first thing we noticed was that there was no hot water in the bathroom. Given how cold it was, this was uncomfortable, and from a hygiene standpoint, hot water is important for handwashing.
Ray ordered the ribeye steak and was disappointed. While it was priced at $28, it lacked flavor and was gray rather than having a nice sear or crust. It just didn’t feel like it matched the price point. I ordered the vintage burger on toasted sourdough, and that was actually very good—I really enjoyed it and found it flavorful and satisfying.
Overall, the service—especially from May—was excellent, and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. However, the lack of hot water and inconsistency in food quality made it hard to give a higher rating. With a few improvements, this could be a much stronger dining option in Willits.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ryan Kelly
Kelly’s Diner was absolutely fabulous! We ordered the skillets and they were amazing — hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The portions were generous, the food came out quickly, and everything tasted homemade. The service was just as great as the food: friendly, attentive, and welcoming. We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend Kelly’s Diner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
eric dieck
I just had breakfast here and I am extremely disappointed. This use to be my go to spot in Willits but service has diminished! My experience today was beyond horrible I order the country skillet. The eggs normally come scrambled I asked for them to come over easy and to add an egg. They come scrambled and no extra egg even though I was still charged for it! The waffles use to be so good here now they don’t taste the same and half the time they don’t give you the whipped cream.
For a small community where you depend on locals you should do better.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Justin
Great food, Great Service, They keep the heat on in the winter and A/C on in the summer stop in anytime of year for a delicious bite to eat
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John pattee
Always
Robin
Excellent breakfast, tea, hot fudge!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shannon
One of our favorite brunch spots. Affordable diner with great drinks and friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Castle
Pleasantly surprised by this diner! Great fresh food, fast service, cozy space, they have it all. I avoided it for over a year because I thought it would be just another greasy spoon, but it's so much better than that. I got the Irish Skillet with corned beef (delicious, filling, fresh!) and my husband got the California Benedict which looked amazing, but I didn't get a bite before he ate the whole thing. 10/10, we will be going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
cudelalex
Great quick service and excellent food! Excellent prices to for big portions
Personally, I wish the bacon was more crispy though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Boone
Stopped here on the way down to the city for a show, service was great and fast and the server was very friendly and nice. We are on a gluten-free diet and they offer gluten free bread for sandwiches, which we were very happy about because finding options can be difficult. The reuben was very tasty with lots of meat, and my partner enjoyed the veggie burger too. Garlic fries were crispy and loaded with garlic, and their caesar dressing is phenomenal, I could tell it's house-made and a very unique recipe that I've never had before. Very modern vibe, felt like a hip bougie cafe in the city in the best possible way. Definitely stopping here again next time we go through Willits.
Service was great, all the staff were friendly and hospitable. Meal was delicious, I got the pancakes and my friend got the strawberry waffle, both were tasty and the food came out fairly quickly. Definitely worth the stop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lynnie champion
Awesome atmosphere, great food and service. My favorite place in Willits to eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bnb soren
EAT HERE!.... Fresh, Tasty, Attractive Food with Amazing server & cook...These mom & pop places are the best.... Breakfast was outstanding...Come-Enjoy-Eat Well
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
American Angler
Kelly's Diner is about the best thing in Willits...Not counting Helga Goehstoggler the ex roller derby star and main attraction to the Saturday night Roller Derbys at the Oakland Coliseum. She even claims that Main Street is named after her, because she was the main attraction every Saturday night. Well, she's all alone now out there on Kilterfester Lane since Hobert passed away. I always stop at Kelly's Diner for a hearty breakfast every time I go through Willits, and think of good old Helga slamming heads together on the derby oval, it always brings on a smile just like the 3 egg breakfast with everything, from Kelly's! 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
We stopped at Kelly’s Diner after checking into our hotel because not much was open, and it came recommended to us.
The restaurant itself is nice and clean, with well-kept furniture and an overall neat appearance. Our server, May, was absolutely wonderful—adorable, very sweet, accommodating, and attentive. She truly made the experience better and deserves recognition for her service.
That said, there were a couple of issues. The first thing we noticed was that there was no hot water in the bathroom. Given how cold it was, this was uncomfortable, and from a hygiene standpoint, hot water is important for handwashing.
Ray ordered the ribeye steak and was disappointed. While it was priced at $28, it lacked flavor and was gray rather than having a nice sear or crust. It just didn’t feel like it matched the price point. I ordered the vintage burger on toasted sourdough, and that was actually very good—I really enjoyed it and found it flavorful and satisfying.
Overall, the service—especially from May—was excellent, and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. However, the lack of hot water and inconsistency in food quality made it hard to give a higher rating. With a few improvements, this could be a much stronger dining option in Willits.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Kelly’s Diner was absolutely fabulous! We ordered the skillets and they were amazing — hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The portions were generous, the food came out quickly, and everything tasted homemade. The service was just as great as the food: friendly, attentive, and welcoming. We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend Kelly’s Diner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just had breakfast here and I am extremely disappointed. This use to be my go to spot in Willits but service has diminished!
My experience today was beyond horrible I order the country skillet. The eggs normally come scrambled I asked for them to come over easy and to add an egg.
They come scrambled and no extra egg even though I was still charged for it! The waffles use to be so good here now they don’t taste the same and half the time they don’t give you the whipped cream.
For a small community where you depend on locals you should do better.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Great food, Great Service, They keep the heat on in the winter and A/C on in the summer stop in anytime of year for a delicious bite to eat
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always
Excellent breakfast, tea, hot fudge!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of our favorite brunch spots. Affordable diner with great drinks and friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pleasantly surprised by this diner! Great fresh food, fast service, cozy space, they have it all. I avoided it for over a year because I thought it would be just another greasy spoon, but it's so much better than that. I got the Irish Skillet with corned beef (delicious, filling, fresh!) and my husband got the California Benedict which looked amazing, but I didn't get a bite before he ate the whole thing. 10/10, we will be going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great quick service and excellent food! Excellent prices to for big portions
Personally, I wish the bacon was more crispy though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped here on the way down to the city for a show, service was great and fast and the server was very friendly and nice. We are on a gluten-free diet and they offer gluten free bread for sandwiches, which we were very happy about because finding options can be difficult. The reuben was very tasty with lots of meat, and my partner enjoyed the veggie burger too. Garlic fries were crispy and loaded with garlic, and their caesar dressing is phenomenal, I could tell it's house-made and a very unique recipe that I've never had before. Very modern vibe, felt like a hip bougie cafe in the city in the best possible way. Definitely stopping here again next time we go through Willits.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food and very nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was great, all the staff were friendly and hospitable. Meal was delicious, I got the pancakes and my friend got the strawberry waffle, both were tasty and the food came out fairly quickly. Definitely worth the stop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome atmosphere, great food and service. My favorite place in Willits to eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EAT HERE!.... Fresh, Tasty, Attractive Food with Amazing server & cook...These mom & pop places are the best.... Breakfast was outstanding...Come-Enjoy-Eat Well
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly's Diner is about the best thing in Willits...Not counting Helga Goehstoggler the ex roller derby star and main attraction to the Saturday night Roller Derbys at the Oakland Coliseum. She even claims that Main Street is named after her, because she was the main attraction every Saturday night. Well, she's all alone now out there on Kilterfester Lane since Hobert passed away.
I always stop at Kelly's Diner for a hearty breakfast every time I go through Willits, and think of good old Helga slamming heads together on the derby oval, it always brings on a smile just like the 3 egg breakfast with everything, from Kelly's!
5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Food: 5
Service: 5
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