Village Grill
2833 State Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-729-3601
By Judi Curry
Once again a few members of my support group decided to hop on the Coaster and spend the day in Carlsbad. We did this last year and really enjoyed ourselves and thought it was time for an encore.
The Coaster left the Old Town Trolley Station at 9:50am and by the time we arrived in Carlsbad we were hungry. We decided to stop for breakfast before we did anything else, and stopped at the “Village Grill” within shouting distance of where we got off the Coaster.
The restaurant is a funky, outdoor place and when we looked inside there was a small counter and one table indoors. The chefs cooked just behind the counter.
We started out by having a cup of coffee and it was one of the smoothest tasting coffees we have had in our four years of knowing each other. We asked Barbara, our waitress, what kind of coffee it was and she said it was “Farmer Bros.” and they grind it themselves. It was served with cream, and flavored creamers for people like me that do not like the taste of coffee. We had our choice of Hazelnut or Vanilla creamer. There was no bitterness; no sharp flavor. Just smooth and mellow.
Two eggs, hash browns,bacon
We all had decided that we were going to have something off of the extensive breakfast menu but the decision was a difficult one. The menu started out with Breakfast selections at $6.95 – 2 eggs, potatoes and toast and went up to $11.95 for country fried steak with eggs, potato and toast. The Omelet section began at $7.75 – $11.95 for 3 eggs, hash browns or home fries, and toast. There was a Special section ranging from $4.60 – $8.50 which included Croissant or Bagel, with bacon, sausage or ham, eggs, cheese and fruit.
Also on the menu was a long list of Griddle Cakes ranging from $2.85 to $9.25 and a Scrambled section for $10. There is a Kids menu as well as a Senior menu available.
In addition to the breakfast menu, there is also a lunch menu. There are many different selections of hamburgers that begin at $6.10 and go up to $8.35. Interestingly enough, there is a separate section called Burgers and Fries that range from $8.95-10.95. There are sandwiches – some with fries; salads, tortilla soup – $4.-5.50; chili, and a variety of sides and beverages.
Griddle cakes
Both Irene and Ro ordered off of the senior menu – Irene had the pancakes, two scrambled eggs and 2 slices of bacon. The coffee was part of the $7.95 price. Ro ordered two eggs, crisp bacon, sour dough toast and crispy hash browns. Again, the coffee was part of the price.
The omelets were listed as three egg omelets but I asked if I could have a two egg one instead. Barbara said it was no problem and I had the spinach, mushroom and jack cheese omelet with home fries and rye toast. The cost was the same as Ro and Irene – $7.95. We were asked if we wanted salsa and both Ro and I said “yes.” It was a nicely flavored, slightly spicy addition to our breakfast meal.
Spinach, jack cheese and mushroom omelet
Irene said that she wished that her eggs had been a little hotter, but they were very good. The pancake was delicious, and all of the tables had large bottles of Log Cabin Syrup available.
Ro specified how she wanted her eggs cooked and she said they were perfect. My omelet was very good; the spinach was very fresh and the mushrooms were not canned. Our total bill came to $36 with the tip.
Would we go there again? Yes. No question about it. Not only was Barbara a good waitperson, the other waitress also filled our coffee; thanked us for being there, and asked if there was anything else she could get us. It was a nice experience with good food and pleasant surroundings.
Judi Curry
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Sounds like my kind of place. Good idea taking the Coaster. Another place you might consider reviewing is the “Night and Day” on Orange Ave in Coronado. We were there Sunday and the food is pretty amazing for a little “hole in the wall” kind of place. They are open 24 hours a day. There is one cook and one waitress, and sitting at the counter and watching the cook is a show in itself.
Thanks, John. It has been years since I went to “Night and Day.” Both my mother and daughter lived in Coronado and we went there several times. Will put it on my list. And you are right – the Coaster was a fun trip. Was going to get off in Encinitas before coming home, but time got away from us. Next month we will take the Coaster up to Carlsbad again to see the small theater production of “To Kill A Mocking Bird.”
John, I’ve been to the Night and Day and it is a fun place. Love that in the middle of upscale Coronado, the diner has maintained its character.
As for the Carlsbad Village Grill, I loved it. Sitting outside in the fresh air, watching people, visiting with close friends, eating good food and drinking coffee….who could ask for more. And, as a bonus, if you are a senior, the round trip Coaster from Old Town to Carlsbad Village is just $5.50!
Judi, I’m ready to go again.