Rooster Café

Service: there was a male cashier that made some really good suggestions. We ordered the breakfast burrito and the huevos rancheros and he suggested having over medium eggs inside the breakfast burrito. Excellent recommendation. So great job on the service and suggestive selling.
Ambience: at a little hole in the wall but I like the vibe! I enjoy non corporate eating. It’s the type of place where you order at the register and sit down with a number
I did ask for lemon and the female cashier told me I could only have 1. That was kind of weird. Why just one?
Huevos rancheros-​the potatoes tasted undone in the center. The plate itself wasn’t too enjoyable. Tasted bland.
Breakfast burrito– really good! Once again, eggs over medium was an excellent suggestion.
Overall, wouldn’t come here again but it was a cool, chill vibe

Solid 3.5 stars. Great breakfast options. Served all day until 3 pm. Just the spot after a long night of partying. No frills, no overpriced menu items. Just good breakfast and lunch options, big portions at good prices.
My favorite breakfast option was the bfast burrito. Great salsa that made the whole thing very savory.
The chicken pesto sandwich was also well made. Breaded chicken that’s slightly seasoned.
Free parking which is always a plus.
The place closes at 3 pm on weekends but serves breakfast all day, which is somewhat hard to find.
Service is fast, friendly and efficient.
The homemade potatoes, hash brown and the omelets were decent but nothing extraordinary.
Some indoor and outdoor seating options available.
Coffee was also decent and strong.

Went for their breakfast burritos and kept coming back again and again.
They do the simple stuff really well. Breakfast done right is an important thing to me and during the dozens of times I’ve been here I’ve not once had a meal be any different than the time before.
So happy with consistency of a great restaurant. Many of you know the woes of ordering something amazing once and getting a different experience the next time but this has never happened.
Awesome staff that I’ve seen time and time again be super helpful and understanding when peoples orders don’t show up as requested. Always go for a cup of coffee because that stuff is delicious and I swear the do something special to it even though I’ve seen that there isn’t.
Keep up the great job team Rooster!

Been eating here since it opened. Owner needs to teach arrogant employee not to f-​ing argue with customer who’s been grinding his own coffee beans since employee was still in his mommy’s womb, that the shit floating around in my coffee cup was NOT coffee grounds! Wow.

I love coming here for breakfast and do about once a week for almost 2 years now. Everyone here is great especially Jared! He takes the time to know his customers and remembers details about what is ordered. He is friendly, customer service oriented and just a good guy.
Now for the food… YUM! I have tried almost everything and have never had a bad meal! The breakfast tacos and scrambles are probably my favorite. Oh and the Portuguese sausage… delish! And I can’t not mention the coffee… so good and in my opinion, makes or breaks a good breakfast spot.
Rooster Café is a consistent, good tasting, fresh food, local place… shop & dine local!

Breakfast burrito! Nates korner is my all time favorite spot to get breakfast burritos and I have to say this place comes really close. The ratio of everything was perfect and it’s pretty big. I was really full afterwards. The parking area is kinda small, so during lunch hrs it will be crowded even on weekdays.

Food is excellent but the service here is way beyond any other breakfast spot I go to. They take good care of their customers and start to remember them by names and orders. That makes each experience here that much better.

Rooster Café is tucked right behind The Camp in Costa Mesa. They have tiny little parking lot in front of the restaurant which is impossible to park in given the amount of customers they attract. Your best bet is trying to find street parking and just walking.
This place is so packed that I’m surprise we even found parking/​seating. Which is kind of annoying because after you order you kind of just awkwardly stand around until someone is finished/​leaves their table.
The breakfast was so good except for the fact that it took an eternity for our food to come out. I did not mind it too much because I didn’t really have anything too urgent to do after breakfast. However it was super surprising that they took so long because the café looks like it would be one of those fast causal places. I would not recommend coming here if you’re looking for a fast breakfast.
I believe I got the 2 egg breakfast and my boyfriend got the hearty scrambler. Both were good and the portions were huge and very affordable. I would definitely come back.

I’ve been there twice and the breakfast and potatoes are awesome. And it’s very filling to a point that you can share it with someone.
Yes, it’s almost $ 9 but everywhere you may go for breakfast is close to that price so no one should complain.
The regular coffee is tasty and bold AND very good. Now the coffee is overpriced especially if you have to pay $ 1 for a refill.
(And that would be one thing I would change especially if you buy a $ 9 breakfast. At least 1 free refill with the meal, right)
But I digress since I’ve only been there twice and have ordered the same meal.
Until then a 4 star is well worth going back again here and there.
Great place to sit outside and relax since it’s a side street and quiet most of the time.

I ordered a parmesan chicken sandwich via Postmates and it was absolutely delicious! For only $ 8.29, I got a giant parmesan chicken sandwich– both the chicken and buns were cooked crispy. Enough meat and sauce, stuffed with lettuce and tomatoes. It wasn’t overstuffed or anything– I loved it!
Definitely worth the money and filled me up big time! Breakfast/​lunch at Rooster Café never disappoints. :)

If you know how to make eggs with bacon and potatoes and wrap it up in a tortilla then there’s definitely no need for you stop by this place. I ordered the breakfast burrito with bacon and it tasted fine. Actually, I could make it at home and it would taste better. It definitely wasn’t anything special. The salsa it comes with was ok also, not spicy at all which was a bummer for me since I love spicy salsa! I do wish the burrito came with more bacon in it, it had plenty of eggs and potatoes. The upside was that it wasn’t greasy at all, some might consider that a downside though. My husband ordered the hearty scramble and that was alright also, again, nothing special and I could make it better at home as well. Maybe we didn’t order the best things on the menu but this is definitely not a place we’d have to stop by for breakfast.
The atmosphere is real laid back. You could show up in pj’s and not feel out of place, not that I would but if that’s your thing go for it! There’s indoor and outdoor seating available and each table has a bottle of tapatio and salt and pepper, none of which we used since my order came with salsa.
The service was fine, only had to interact with them when we ordered and paid. They gave us a number and we found a table outside. They brought our order out to us and that was it.
Overall experience was ok but I don’t think we’d come back again.

This place was simply ok. The food was solid, but a bit bland. I won’t go into too many details, but it’s your typical breakfast /​brunch joint. Fin.

Based on Take Out:
This is the quality of your take out– 30 min wait. Dried up eggs, not enough Portuguese sausage ratio to eggs. Also no toast. Not your best quality or even at a standard breakfast. Totally disappointed.

Second time here this morning and while the food is good, the took us over 45 minutes to get it. The place was packed but 45 minutes to get some eggs and bacon is ridiculous.
We won’t be coming back here. I’d much rather go to a breakfast place where we receive our food before breakfast time has ended.

Friendly fast service, it was super busy when we get there and I had high hopes to get something delicious since this place was packed and rating on Unilocal was pretty high. We ordered their Pastrami sandwich and Turkey Melt, also Mexican Cocoa and Mexican Mocha .
We were super hungry but food slightly disappointed us, it was too salty for me and my wife. She couldn’t finish her Turkey melt but I did finished my Pastrami since I was super thirsty. Also we were a bit disappointed about taste of our drinks. It didn’t say anywhere on the menu that drinks spiced with cinnamon which we do not really like. Overall the service is food, prices cheap but not our type of food.

Only open during the day. Parking options are limited and may have trouble finding parking on the street. Finding table more than for two can be challenge if it rains. Casual dining where you go to the counter first order and pay then sit down and wait for the scrupulous meal to come out. Expect to wait when it gets crowded because everything and I mean everything is made from scratch from the Mexican cocoa to scrambled eggs. So was it worth wait, parking, and limited seating? That would be a definitive Yes. Tired of the standard American breakfast then come here for deep flavor where you can be yourself in a non pretentious environment.

Though there’s always a wait, it makes sense after eating the food. Made to order goodness like it was your own kitchen but even better because, No Clean Up! I love coming with friends and splitting meals so my stomach can be as indecisive as it wants. :)
Super Plus: I watched multiple people come and go and each table was cleaned quickly and completely. The staff took the syrup and ketchup bottles to the back kitchen and wiped them thoroughly. I’m one of «those weirdos» who uses a napkin to handle the bottles at the table so my fingers stay sanitary. Not here!
We ordered the breakfast burrito w/​BACON! Duh! And the Texas Combo with an extra slice. I’m excited to try something new.
Thanks for caring about more than just my food.

Mexican Mocha: EXCELLENT.
Huevos Rancheros: TRULY A BLESSING. Served on a bed of black beans, you get two perfectly cooked eggs with salsa, avocado, and a side of roasted potatoes.
Breakfast Tacos: MUCH WOW. Two huge tacos with scrambled egg topped with pico de gallo, salsa and avocado with a side of roasted potatoes.
Delicious Mexican-​inspired food, with affordable brunch pricing. It’s in a really fun part of downtown Costa Mesa near a beautiful artsy shopping complex. Parking is a mess but the food is great so I continue coming back.

Rooster Café serves up simple, homey breakfast with fresh ingredients.
With quality comes crowds. Be prepared to wait for your food! I came in around 10:30AM and there was already a line forming out the door. I came with two other girlfriends and we were lucky a couple was leaving from the bar seating right next to where we were standing… scoping for seats like vultures. The restaurant is quite small, so some even sit outside on the curb!
The food is a priced right for the type of breakfast they serve, however, what makes it stand out is the quality of the ingredients. Everything was so fresh! My girlfriends got the infamous breakfast burrito and the huevos rancheros while I went with a hearty, cheesy scramble. They were all so filling, plenty of leftovers. It was nice to sit at the bar, too, and get to see the cooks in action. This place moves really fast!
I enjoyed the food and the buzz from the patrons. However, I may not be back except to order takeout because the stress of standing around and not being able to find a seat and relaxing, and having people watch you while you eat is a little uncomfortable for me. So if you hate standing around, order to-​go and eat it across the street at the Lab! Or walk down to Barley Forge, grab a beer and enjoy your afternoon. Lots of options!
See you soon for that burrito. :)

Parking on the lot or the street! You may have to drive around a few times if you’re coming during peak hours.
This place gets really packed really fast and it’s first come first serve. You order your food at the counter then you look for a seat. They have outdoor seating and indoor– all limited so keep your eye out for people who are finishing up. Sometimes the employees help you out when spots open up but for the most part, you’re on your own.
The food is good but nothing phenomenal. They serve Mexican bfast (like burritos, rancheros) and American (French toast, pancakes). We got the rancheros and pancakes with bacon. The bacon was a little overcooked, even for me (and I like them crunchy) and the pancakes were alright. The rancheros was good but they put too much beans and not enough other ingredients to balance it out. I was also hoping for some kind of meat in there but forgot to add it on… so if you like meat and you order that, make sure to add some!
Overall it was an okay experience. It took a while for the food to come out– maybe 20 minutes after we ordered (i’ll give it to them though, they were hustling and it was busy). Staff was nice but they only came when they brought the food and drinks and that was it.

If 5-​stars warrants going out of your way to eat at the place, and 4-​stars is an all around solid establishment, then I’d have to say this place is a good 3 (maaaybe 3.5).
1. Food: decent. Solidly done eggs. Guy got the Breakfast Burrito and I took the Portuguese Scramble with rice. The burrito looked good; he liked the eggs. I wasn’t feeling the sausage nor the rice.
The food is good, the portions are good, everything is good and basic. But, imo, for eggs and sausage I’d rather cook at home and add some green onions, herbs, and seasoning into the mix. :\
2. Ambience: casual vibe, good music, very clean, loud, scraping chairs. Also lots of banging from the kitchen. Grab a table outside if weather permits.
3. Final thoughts: decent place of you happen to be in the neighborhood or waiting for your car next door. Otherwise, I’d pass.

I started my morning getting my tires changed across the street. I finished my morning eating a delicious quesadilla while listening to Stairway to Heaven.
Customer service was awesome from everyone and even the other customers I interacted with were really friendly. My amazing looking quesadilla had a couple people asking me «what is that?» I’m assuming that’s because I got the special, it’s not something they’ve seen before.
Overall, very pleasant. I don’t eat breakfast or brunch often, but I’ll definitely bring my husband here sometime.

First time here and will definitely be back! I was tempted to dock a star for the restaurant being too small for the crowd but we did find a table and we did go for Sunday breakfast, which I’m assuming is their busiest time.
I would plan on coming here with no more than 4 people. 2 is ideal as the tables are pretty small inside. There are a few outdoor tables but those were all taken by families and it looked like they were there for awhile and planned to stay there for awhile.
The food was very good and reasonably priced. My husband and I both ordered omelettes, mine was egg whites only. The portion was perfect, not too much but definitely plenty of food filled us up!
The food was a little greasy but nothing too crazy. But if you are a health-​nut, this place probably isn’t the best place for you. Although the egg white omelette with veggies was probably pretty healthy. At least I hope so! And the potatoes, while not the healthiest, were amazing, I’m glad I didn’t substitute them for anything else!

I got the Texas toast combo which was roughly 9 bucks.
It came with 1 texas toast sliced in half with powdered sugar & syrup.
It also came with one egg of your choice and 2 slices of bacon or 4 pieces of Portuguese sausage.
In my opinion, I don’t think this place is completely worth it. After ordering the combo, I felt cheated… It was not a lot of food. I was still hungry. I understanding they get most of the food from local sources, so I guess that’s where the price premium is coming from. i guess next time i want breakfast, i’ll just go to norms or denny’s. lol
The parking lot of this place is kinda small, but I think its fine to park on the street.

My boyfriend and I visited here on a Saturday morning for a quick and easy brunch.
He got the Huevos Rancheros and after some contemplation, I finally chose to get the French Dip. He absolutely loved the Huevos as that’s the type of food he likes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that into my French Dip. There wasn’t anything special about it that made me want to have it again. There was too much onion that dominated the taste of the sandwich and some parts of the beef were dry. The dipping sauce was also just OK. I barely finished half before I handed it over to my boyfriend.
I liked the vibe of this place. Despite my experience, it seems very popular and all the tables were full when we arrived. Parking lot is small and the restaurant is pretty small.

My breakfast burrito was delicious. The salsa was fresh with chunks of onion (yummy but the passengers on the plane probably did not appreciate me so much). A very good find!

Fresh Ingredients!
3.5 Stars.
The last time I was here was when the place was sub leased in the evenings to a tapas place. It is very small inside, but they do have outside tables also. Expect a breakfast and coffee to run somewhere around $ 12-​$ 15.
They have your typical breakfast foods plus some unique items such as breakfast tacos and they have espresso.
~Huevos Rancheros-​4 Stars!
This dish was stood out and it had very fresh ingredients including avocado. I would eat this again.
The rest of the items were AOK. The latte was good. If I were eating here again, I would stick to the huevos rancheros. Service was average and parking was tight.
Without a doubt Orange County does lack in the breakfast brunch category. There are not many places to choose from in the area.
Overall, aok. I am almost a fan.

This place was delish.
Definitely worth the drive from LA. I love a good ol breakfast spot! & this one indeed did hit the spot.
The staff was very friendly. & They also have outdoor seating, in case you want to take your fur child with you!
The wait wasn’t so bad. But I would def. return back here again.

Cool little spot.
Got the basic two egg breakfast with portugeuse sausage, hash browns and toast.
Asked for my eggs basted soft, and they came out perfect. The portuguese sausage had a little something sweet on them — tasty! Nice big cup of coffee to wash it all down. Great way to start your morning!

I’ve been going to Rooster Café for years… Just for their breakfast burrito! So I’m dedicating this review solely on the breakfast burrito because I guess their breakfast burrito is a big «hype» in the OC.
Breakfast burrito $ 7.25 — burrito has scrambled eggs, hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, choice of meat (bacon, sausage or both) & a side of their salsa.
— Portion size:
I started eating here around 2010 and the burritos back then were smaller than the burritos now. A plus to that! The burritos now are huge and I can barely finish it. Mainly the size is huge because they load it with a lot of eggs.
— Cost:
A little pricey for a burrito. No sides included. For the portion you’re getting now, it’s worth the $ 7.25. They use local and fresh ingredients too.
— Inside the burrito:
Lots of eggs, good amount of meat portions. Definitely recommend the sausage because they use Portuguese sausages! Hash browns though… They’re not crispy anymore! Why!!! Other than that, it’s delicious!
— Salsa:
Their homemade salsa. A little chunky and hard to pour it in my burrito. But the mix of the salsa was fresh and on point.
Overall, ⁴⁄₅ star breakfast burrito rating!

I walked here after dropping my car off to my mechanic, whose shop is nearby, early on a Saturday morning. I’d heard this was a breakfast and lunch joint so thought I’d get a bite to eat.
Rooster Café is one of those «order at the register and they bring the food to your table» places. There are a few tables outside and maybe 6 or 7 inside as well as a counter. All but two were full when I arrived at 8am but there was no line to order. That changed a few minutes later when a constant line became the norm until I left at 8:45. The interior is acoustically noisy and while I was here the sound system was playing 50s rock with some Stray Cats mixed in.
I ordered the Texas french toast combo. This consisted of two pieces of thick french toast (one piece of bread cut in half), egg (scrambled for me) and a choice of bacon or Portuguese sausage (I chose sausage). I also ordered a Mexican mocha.
The guy at the counter who took the order was very friendly and made pleasant conversation. I paid with plastic and, as they use an iPad for transactions, was confronted with that annoying issue where it asks for a tip before any real service has been rendered (how tip-​worthy is having your order dropped off at your table?).
I was handed my drink before I took my numbered placard to a table to sit. The Mexican mocha had a nice hint of cinnamon. I enjoyed this drink and would order it again if I were to return.
My food came out in 5 minutes. There was a bountiful amount of egg and the french toast was done perfectly and came with a big side of syrup that allowed me to dip pieces into it rather than have to pour it over the plate. The pieces of sausage were the star of the breakfast — so flavorful! I wanted more!
Ultimately a solid breakfast, well done but nothing out of the ordinary: 3.5 stars rounded up.