Debbie’s Restaurant & Pie Shoppe

Keep in mind that this is a diner when you see the 5*, its rated as a diner, not a top of the line restaurant. I eat here several times a week, it’s that good! They are open for breakfast/​all day and lunch, they are not open for dinner. They have daily specials and everything I have tried is excellent! You will see regulars here daily, on a first name basis, very friendly servers. I don’t often get their pie because quite honestly, their portions are good sized so I don’t usually have any room left but I have tried the lemon meringue, chocolate cream and pumpkin and that are all delicious.

A good breakfast restaurant. The food was good and reasonably priced. The waitresses were friendly and attentive. Definitely deserves 4 ½ to 5 star rating.

Had lunch there yesterday and really enjoyed it. Not the least expensive, but worth the price. Wanted something light so went with the ½ sandwich and Caesar salad for $ 8.95. The Caesar was an extra buck which didn’t matter since it was great! A large salad that was full of croutons and grated parmesan and with what tasted like home-​made dressing. The half grilled ham and cheese on sourdough was also very good. Perfectly done and full of both ham and a nice cheddar. After all said and done, not so light a lunch after all.
Server was attentive and friendly although I didn’t get her name. Mostly home-​style meals, meatloaf, liver and onions, etc. I’d go back again if I’m ever up that way and need food.

We finally came here late last year even though we have been seeing it for years. Glad we did. It’s our favorite place for breakfast now. They have good bacon and fluffy hot cakes. Plenty of food and reasonable price.

First of all… grits! This southern girl was super stoked to find them at all and they were well made. My entrée was the California Eggs Benedict. It was phenomenal! I’m pregnant, so I asked for the eggs hard poached… no problem! They were done, but not tough. Heard someone at the table behind me make a special request as well and they were very accommodating! Good service, good food, at a good price. Highly recommend!

Food was great– generous portions– very friendly staff. Very busy on the Sunday morning that we were there. Had to wait just a bit longer than expected but it was busy.

LOVE this place! I have been to Debbie’s several times and always walk away satisfied. I had the mushroom and cheese omelette. They use fresh mushrooms, not canned, and the omelette was light and fluffy and delicious. The home fried were great too. I have had the liver here and that was wonderful as well.
Today I came in for pies for Thanksgiving, and also got a single slice to go. I couldnt resist. Her pies are amazing, and the customer service is the best. I am always greeted right away with a big smile and warm service. Thank you so much and I will be back for sure!

This place is great!
I came here this morning with my bf so I can try something different since I suck at trying things!
I really like the fact that when my first foot in the door felt cozy and then I saw a lot of grandmas and grandpas. Whenever I see a lot of them in one place, I get excited since they are more blunt with their dislikes, so this place has to be good I thought.
I ordered the San Marcos special. My meal had two original, fluffy, pretty brown pancakes, 4 slices of bacon that were nice and chewy, grits, scrambled eggs, and one slice of an Orange. The Orange slice was the only thing I ate entirely by myself.
The breakfast was so huge and filling. I also ordered a hot chocolate and it came in a mug with a lot of whipped cream. It was very sweet and delicious!
My bf ordered a corn beef hash which came with a cinnamon roll. I guess I’m way too accustomed to Cinnabon because this was just okay to me. The corn beef hash was a first for me and to my taste buds, that was okay as well. His order also came with grits, and his eggs were over medium. He was happy with his meal and all his coffee with French vanilla creamer.
We also took home two slices of pie. One was a snickers and the other was Dutch crunch Apple. We’ve yet to eat them yet, but I’m sure they’re delicious.
The crew there are so friendly as well which makes a big difference of restaurants, so I thank them for this.
All in all, I’ll be back to this place! Plus, they mimosas at $ 3.95 that I need to try :-)

Came here on a weekend for breakfast and we grabbed the last table available inside. Immediately I was overcome with a clostrophobic feeling. We were crammed into the restaurant like sardines in a can. The noise level of screaming children was almost unbearable. The waitress was slammed and it took a while for our order to be taken, but the food came out pretty quick. It was OK. Based on Unilocal reviews I had higher expectations. A bit on the bland side. Sticky tables, old décor, crowded, ok food. It has its following (clearly by the crowd), I just wasn’t all that impressed.

This is my fave breakfast spot in North County! Good home-​cooking plates. I haven’t met a pie there that I don’t like! But what really sells this place is the service. Great, quick, and personable servers. Luv, luv, luv!

Came here looking for simple breakfast (eggs, grits &toast) and was not disappointed. Service vas quick and friendly, the waitress even made sure the pats of butter were spreadable.
First time here, only negative would be for noise and would return.

Came in on a Sunday morning early enough to beat the rush. Before we arrived called in to ask how fresh the pies are and if they use real fruit and not canned. Was told yes and then the story changes once we are here. Only two pies use fresh fruit. Strike 1
After being seated the busboy with the drinks was GREAT! he was doing a better job then the waitresses. Order was taken and we patiently waited for our food. Cinnamon roll came AFTER I asked about and was given the excuse that they are running behind and they are busy. Still my 8 year old daughter noticed other tables had their roll that came in long after us. Strike 2
I had to get up and speak to the manager and ask why our food was taking so long and the my daughter kept noticing that everyone after us was getting their food. I overheard our waitress tell the owner that they are busy but still we as the customers were never told there was a delay. There was a table that sat behind us that came in was served and ate and still left before we were done. Strike 3
Food is bland and nothing interesting that you can find somewhere else. Since moving to San marcos we have tried many places. So far Mama Kats is the best in the area just be ready for a wait but it’s worth it…
Even after speaking to the manager seems like they don’t care. They only cater to the regulars and I can see why. Being the only dark face in the room we seemed to be invisible.

We went here off of Unilocal and we were not disappointed.
The food was really good, the green peppers were sweet and not strong. Our waitress, katie, was so nice and on point. The bus boy was quick on the coffee refills, tables cleared of plates locked cleaned and went to each table to make sure everyone was happy. Lots of seating and awesome atmosphere

Today I very first time. I would always see it when I would go to Costco or Walmart. I noticed it a while back ago and I love trying new breakfast places and I’m glad I came here. The food was pretty good. I got the San Marcos Special and it was $ 10.95, it was worth the price! I really enjoyed the home fries, they were different (in a good way) I recommend to order this plate. They coffee was the only thing that could improve but overall it was a great meal! The host was very friendly, he was super nice and checked on me very so often. My waitress (not sure what her name is, never told me) was nice too and helpful.
Good jobs guys! I’ll be back :)

We went here for breakfast. This place is just okay. Nothing spectacular. Food took awhile to be brought to our table and we were just the third table on an early Sunday morning at about 8 am.
When the food came, the food was relatively cold already. I ordered the San Marcos special with pancakes, ham, eggs over easy, and hash browns. Nothing special. Ham was a very thin piece.
This place seems really popular. I dont see why. North County does not seem to the breadth of breakfast places that San Diego has.
Service was okay. Only one waitress was serving the entire room. There were a couple helpers to serve coffee, water, and clean your table.
I dont think we will be back.

Had steak n eggs w cinna roll and used a 10% Unilocal coupon. Thanks for the discount. They did ask to see my review before honoring discount. That’s was kinda weird. Either way I enjoyed the meal.

One of my favorite breakfast places! Love there Cinniman rolls!!! Yumm, a great alternative to toast. They have a great selection along with some nice variety like grits.
The pricing is good along with great portion sizes. Always have plenty of leftovers.
As for the service, my experience has not been the friendliest. We get the same waitress every time when we go on Saturday mornings, who just seems somewhat irritated that she has to serve us. She does her job and all but doesn’t smile. Thought at first maybe it was just that particular day but we went back on another day weeks later and had the same experience. I wouldn’t say the service all around is bad. The rest of the staff is very nice.
The place has a very antiquated grandmas homey type feel to it which is nice.

ma and i went here for brunch. I ordered the california eggs benedict and ma ordered fish and chips. The size portions were small but the whole thing was filling. The lady gave the salsa late after I finished my plate but it’s okay. My ma said her plate was pretty good too. I wanted a piece of pie so I headed to the display. It was messy-​looking; some of the pies were partially uncovered and they didn’t look as appetizing as the descriptions on their menu.
The staff was nice, the décor’s got that «feel at home» feel. It’s sort of like Denny’s or IHOP.

Had breakfast with hubby and son during Christmas season and it was wonderful and different… let me explain. It’s not IHOP (and that’s a plus) and it’s not The Broken Yolk. Debbie’s is a quiet little place where we received an excellent breakfast at a fair price. I had over easy eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. I got a side of «grits» I added sugar and butter and they were fair.
Overall, our food was just like mom would make and we loved it! The place could use a little updating BUT, maybe it would kill the charm of the intended atmosphere. Kiddos Debbie!
Next time: dessert, didn’t order pie as we we satisfied after eating breakfast. Update to come…

Debbie’s is the kind of mom and pop shop that is characteristic of North County. Located off the Nordahl exit of the 76, it is easy to miss; it is in the same plaza as Manna BBQ and Baskin Robbins. The inside is as unpretentious as the outside, with basic restaurant furniture and nostalgic trinckets hanging from the walls.
Four stars for customer service. One word to describe their service is: real. It’s not overly sweet to the point of being fake, nor is it distant and nonexistant. It is what it is and it feels real, which I liked and appreciated.
Food to me was three stars. Does its job and fills you up but is not extraordinary by any means. I ordered the San Marcos Special; I chose hot cakes, turkey sausage, and hash browns. Funny, I thought it came with eggs as well, but was content with the quantity of my order and didn’t want to pester them. My friend and I also decided to try the pie that they are known for. We ordered a slice of peach pie, which tasted… ok. The peach part was fantastic, but the filling tasted like melted caramel which I was not expecting. Plus, I do not like caramel; even if it wasn’t caramel, the texture sure resembled it. I would give their pies another shot at redemption, but next time I’d try another flavor and a la mode.
Ironically, the thing that bothered me most did not have to do with the service or the food. It had to do with the typos I noticed on the menu! On the front page of the menu, there is a short story on how Debbie’s Restaurant & Pie Shoppe came to be. I noticed that «than» and «then» were used interchangeably, when in fact they have two different meanings. I think there were a few other typos, but this irked me the most. Love, your neighborhood grammar police.