Perry's Cafe

Located below where the I-5 and I-8 freeways intersect, at the point where Taylor Street crosses Pacific Coast Highway, and become Rosecrans. Kitty corner from the Old Town Transit stop, is the place we call the "truck stop". You can call it the "greasy spoon" or the diner, or by any other name, that would be still be Perry's Cafe:

Early in the morning it's not unusual to see Big Rigs parked in the over sized parking lot, later in the morning the lines will usually be out the door. The people who eat at Perry's come from all walks, from working stiffs to people who looked like they've just awakened. And they probably have....this stretch of Pacific Highway is a favorite mooring spot for RVs. Being at the intersection of the 5 and 8 freeways has its hazards as well.

My favorite time to eat at Perry's is at about 11-1130 am, you won't have to deal with the crowds, and I think breakfast for lunch is sometimes nice. Plus, Perry's is just close enough for me to grab a quick bite, and just far enough so I can escape... As you can tell by the facade, Perry's is happily stuck in the 60's and 70's time warp, down to the faux wood grained plywood!

Though the menu is pretty extensive, I come to Perry's for one thing......

The Hashbrowns (a side order $2.25). When you think about it, it is "just" hashbrowns, nothing fancy, probably frozen. But they just do it right at Perry's. Golden brown on the exterior, soft and piping hot in the interior. I call it perfect Sysco-fied goodness.

Everything I order has those hashbrowns on it. And I've learned to keep it simple at Perry's. I've never enjoyed the frittatas, "Mexican" breakfasts, or other items I've ordered. But have always been satisfied with something simple, like the Corned Beef Hash and Eggs ($6.95):

Nothing fancy, corned beef hash(undoubtedly canned), brown and crisp on the outside, 2 eggs, usually either scrambled, or over-easy(better for mopping up with toast), hashbrowns, and whole wheat toast(I find the muffins really greasy....). Whole generations have been raised on this stuff.

If I'm not feeling like eggs, I'll order a basic diner standard, like the French Dip($7.50):

Nothing particularly exciting about the French Dip, the meat was on the tough and dry side...this wasn't going to make anyone forget Phillipe's anytime soon. But there was one thing that made this quite good....

I got hashbrowns instead of fries, and poured the jus all over them......mmm-yoso!!! The waitress told me, "that's a stroke of genius, honey, its going to taste pretty darn good." Yes, Perry's is the kind of place where the waitresses call you "honey", balance 4-5 plates on their arm, and are very efficient.

Funny thing, I started a post on Perry's over 2 years ago, but for some reason never finished it. Other than that first photo of the hashbrowns, the only other thing I kept, was a photo of a waffle. So long ago, I don't even remember it.

But I am sure of one thing..... I had hashbrowns with it.

Perry's Cafe
4620 Pacific Hwy
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 291-7121

Open Daily 6am-2pm

Comments

[Christine D.]

They should make a waffle with a hashbrown patty cooked right into the center. Now THAT, you would remember! =D

[janfrederick]

And fried chicken of course. :)

We used to go here all the time when we lived in Mission Hills. Fun place. And yah, that ramp from NB 5 to EB 8 seems to have 2-3 accidents a year.

[nhbilly]

Everything taste good withe gravy or au jus ;-). LoL was at Costco this week and bought the big bag of white potatoes and proceed to make garlic mash potato I'm half way done. Now I got to figure out what to do with the rest. I think making hashbrowns its called for... :-D

[Carol]

Oh nice! The Mister is a corned-beef hash junkie and loves his potato hash. Hash and waffles, that's my kind of breakfast. Perry's is getting added to the breakfast list. :)

[jim]

One thing you forgot to mention about Perry's is the amazing service. On several occasions, the waitress asked if I wanted coffee, and then poured the coffee upon my saying yes, before my butt hit the seat.

[Reynila]

i've always wondered what it was like inside perry's, having passed by it many times on the freeway. those hash browns looked really good! great post as always.

[Kathy]

Ooooh man, it's been FOREVER since I've had hash browns! I loved the ones from McDonald's growning up...hehe, and I still do! Gotta find me some 'real' ones though! ;)

[RONW]

those are hash browns?....hehe, they do look different from McDonalds'.

[The Guilty Carnivore]

I love the crispy sysco-browns myself. And Perry's, a familiar haunt - many a hungover breakfast was had there back in the day. Old skool and really hits the spot.

[howie]

This is one of those places I've passed every day for 5 years, and I haven't managed to make it inside. Looks like a nice little breakfast spot.

[Kirk]

Hi Christine - For some reason what you described sounded like something you'd get at the county fair!

Hi Jan - Fried chicken...well that gives me something new to try next time!

Hi Billy - That's a lot of potatoes.....

Hi Carol - Perry's is good old-school.

Hi Jim - The service is always efficient...even with the masses.

Hi Reynila - The hash browns at Perry's are always cooked right.

Hi Kathy - McDonalds???? That's a deep fried potato cake....

Hi RONW - I guess there's a generation or two who think hashbrowns are supposed to look that way.

Hi GC - I'm guessing Perry's was just the right cure for a hangover.

Hi Howie - Perry's is nice old school....

[The Office Goat]

I always get the nopales cactus & eggs (with beans & tortillas for sides) and maybe an order of pancakes or something just to fill in the corners.

[Kirk]

Hi TOG - It seems that everyone has their favorites at Perry's..... anything with hashbrowns is mine.

[Mary]

Have you guys tried The Old Townhouse Restaurant in Ocean Beach? Food is much better than Perry's. Not bagging Perry's but The Old Townhouse is cheaper and friendlier service.

[Kirk]

Hi Mary - One of the good things about San Diego is the availability of good breakfasts....I think one could go into almost any neighborhood and get a nice breakfast. Thanks for the recommendation.

[liver]

Oh NO!!!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/19/fire-perrys-cafe/

[Kirk]

Hi Liver - I saw that on the news the other night...something like 200k in damages.....I hope they get things repaired and are back in action soon.

[Loren]

Because no one has posted since, this place has definitely been up and running again

[Kirk]

Hey Loren - I posted an update here:

http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2010/04/saturday-stuff-perrys-reopens-a-walk-around-hillcrest-cali-deli-pho-fifth-avenue-and-other-stuff.html