Have you ever noticed that some of the tastiest food and friendliest service is found in the most unassuming restaurants? These places might not look extra-fancy from the outside, but what they lack in exterior beauty they make up in delicious comfort food. Try these 12 restaurants – they don’t look like much from the curb, but you’ll be back over and over again after you try the food! These are listed in alphabetical order.
- Abby’s Diner, Los Angeles
Jennifer T./Yelp
bianca b./Yelp Abby’s has tasty burgers and sandwiches, and delicious breakfast offerings! The building is small and kind of plain, but the food is fabulous. Located in Eagle Rock at 4862 Eagle Rock Blvd N., Los Angeles.
- Brother’s Family Restaurant, San Diego
Brett P./Yelp
Lisa M./Yelp It’s nothing special on the outside, but wow! The biscuits and gravy are incredible. 5150 Waring Road, San Diego.
- Cajun Kitchen Cafe, Santa Barbara
Jarrett G./Yelp This little Cajun place is located in a boring building, but the Cajun food is anything but. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but you definitely want to save room for the beignets. 901 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara.
- Classics Malt Shop, San Diego
Elizabeth V./Yelp
Dania N./Yelp This strip mall-style joint looks like just another restaurant…but you’ve gotta try the mushroom burger! 3625 Midway Drive, San Diego.
- Family House Of Pancakes, Chula Vista
Kimberly D./Yelp
Anne C./Yelp Is there anything better than banana pancakes on a weekend morning? These people know it’s true…be prepared for a wait! 562 Broadway, Chula Vista.
- Langer’s, Los Angeles
Hazel C./Yelp
Jennifer N./Yelp Everything on the menu is wonderful, but you’re crazy not to order the pastrami. Langer’s is in Westlake at 704 S. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles.
- Milt’s Coffee Shop, Bakersfield
Kimmy T./Yelp Milt’s looks like just another plain-Jane diner, but it has excellent food. Try the California burger. 6112 Knudsen Drive, Bakersfield.
Cyndi H./Yelp
- Nick’s Cafe, Los Angeles
Sherrie V./Yelp
Van N./Yelp Located in Chinatown, Nick’s has the best ham and eggs in the city. 1300 N Spring Street, Los Angeles.
- Nick’s Coffee Shop, Los Angeles
Diana H./Yelp
Tara C./Yelp This plain little coffee shop does have a super cool vintage sign, and you need to try the eggs Benedict! 8536 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
- Norton’s Pastrami and Deli, Santa Barbara
Glen B./Yelp
Werner V./Yelp Trim and clean, this unassuming little deli offers up some seriously tasty pastrami! 18 W Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara.
- Red Hill Cafe, Santa Ana
Rob W./Yelp
Nahid D./Yelp This little red-and-white building is sweet and unobtrusive…and it has the world’s best pancakes. 420 E Dyer Road, Santa Ana.
- Village Cafe, Barstow
Qingtian/Yelp
Anna G./Yelp Delicious Chinese and American food! 205 E Main Street, Barstow.
What is your favorite restaurant in California that might not look like much from the outside, but has a lot to offer inside? Tell us!
Jennifer T./Yelp
bianca b./Yelp
Abby’s has tasty burgers and sandwiches, and delicious breakfast offerings! The building is small and kind of plain, but the food is fabulous. Located in Eagle Rock at 4862 Eagle Rock Blvd N., Los Angeles.
Brett P./Yelp
Lisa M./Yelp
It’s nothing special on the outside, but wow! The biscuits and gravy are incredible. 5150 Waring Road, San Diego.
Jarrett G./Yelp
This little Cajun place is located in a boring building, but the Cajun food is anything but. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but you definitely want to save room for the beignets. 901 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara.
Elizabeth V./Yelp
Dania N./Yelp
This strip mall-style joint looks like just another restaurant…but you’ve gotta try the mushroom burger! 3625 Midway Drive, San Diego.
Kimberly D./Yelp
Anne C./Yelp
Is there anything better than banana pancakes on a weekend morning? These people know it’s true…be prepared for a wait! 562 Broadway, Chula Vista.
Hazel C./Yelp
Jennifer N./Yelp
Everything on the menu is wonderful, but you’re crazy not to order the pastrami. Langer’s is in Westlake at 704 S. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles.
Kimmy T./Yelp
Milt’s looks like just another plain-Jane diner, but it has excellent food. Try the California burger. 6112 Knudsen Drive, Bakersfield.
Cyndi H./Yelp
Sherrie V./Yelp
Van N./Yelp
Located in Chinatown, Nick’s has the best ham and eggs in the city. 1300 N Spring Street, Los Angeles.
Diana H./Yelp
Tara C./Yelp
This plain little coffee shop does have a super cool vintage sign, and you need to try the eggs Benedict! 8536 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
Glen B./Yelp
Werner V./Yelp
Trim and clean, this unassuming little deli offers up some seriously tasty pastrami! 18 W Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara.
Rob W./Yelp
Nahid D./Yelp
This little red-and-white building is sweet and unobtrusive…and it has the world’s best pancakes. 420 E Dyer Road, Santa Ana.
Qingtian/Yelp
Anna G./Yelp
Delicious Chinese and American food! 205 E Main Street, Barstow.
If you’re looking for more delicious dining options in Southern California, try these 9 Awesome Diners!
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