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Rudford's Restaurant
San Diego's iconic 24-hour diner serving classic American comfort food since 1949.
4.6
Restaurant
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San Diego's iconic 24-hour diner serving classic American comfort food since 1949.
Rudford's Restaurant is a historic, family-owned diner in San Diego's North Park neighborhood, operating 24 hours a day. Known for its nostalgic 1950s ambiance, friendly service, and extensive menu of American classics, it's a beloved local institution. From hearty breakfasts and famous chicken & waffles to burgers, desserts, and late-night bites, Rudford's offers generous portions at reasonable prices in a welcoming, retro atmosphere.
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Enjoy classic American comfort food any time of day or night in our spacious, retro-style restaurant.
Savor hearty breakfast favorites like French toast, eggs Benedict, and chilaquiles served around the clock.
Feast on burgers, taco salads, chicken and waffles, and other diner staples in generous portions.
Indulge in homemade desserts, including cinnamon rolls and pies, perfect for a sweet treat.
Relax with coffee, hot chocolate, and other drinks in a welcoming, no-rush atmosphere.
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Overall rating
Janelle Vasquez
Taco salad was so good especially with the salsa. She'll was flaky and so fresh. Scooping up the salad with the crispy flaky shell was delicious. My waiter was kind and efficient. Salad would serve two people. Well worth it.
Zan Lee
One of, if not the, oldest diners in San Diego. This 24 hour diner on El Cajon Blvd in North Park is really popular for many reasons but for some reason I had never tried it until this past weekend. I say that as someone from San Diego whose family has been here since the late 1980s. Inside is very large and has many different seating options from booth, to counter, to table. Our server was very polite and everything that we ordered came out very fast. They have a very large menu with all sorts of diner classics on it. There’s also a large free parking lot attached so parking is easy to find. The only issue we had was that the food itself was not the best, it was not bad, but the experience was better than the food. We started off with a Cinnamon Roll and thought it was pretty good, but it was not gooey enough in my opinion, and it was overly large in size but was not large in flavor. For my meal, I chose the Chilaquiles with green sauce and even though I love spicy food, I thought they were overly spicy and my eggs were a bit overdone. It is diner pricing so it’s not really a big deal but I would like to try again to see if I had a one off experience. I would suggest if you are in the area or are interested in San Diego dining history.
Selamawit
Best place for breakfast and quick lunch/dinner.This is a historical Restaurant that takes you back in time. If you are visiting San Diego, I highly recommend that you visit this restaurant. Quick service, very reasonable price for the good portion of food they serve. I felt like, I was having my breakfast from the comfort of my home. Thank you so much for the care and attention you give your customers. I hope to be back soon.
Ashley Karaniwan
Such a fun diner to go to. The vibes and the customer service were amazing. I ordered the hot chocolate and the famous chicken and waffles. Hot cocoa was yummy, but the chicken and waffles were alright. Kind of dry. I would definitely go back just for the service, and maybe try some of their other dishes and desserts.
Betty H
Open 24 hrs, located in North Park on the corner of El Cajon Blvd and Kansas St with a small private parking lot. As we entered, this All-American Diner took me back to the 80's, lovely! It appears that they have a self-seating policy. The restaurant was clean, organized, fully staffed, and has outside seating. We visited this Saturday morning, so it was busy. I had their 'French Toast breakfast'. The toast itself was delicious; thick, with a rich, yellow color, but the bacon was overcooked and dry. My coffee was a little too bitter for my taste, though some creamer fixed it. My cousin's 'Classic Benedict' was prepared well, but we both felt it lacked flavor. Service was good, every staff member was working hard. Our food runner was very friendly as he delivered our meals. Despite the busyness, the staff did not rush customers. Overall we had a good breakfast experience here and will be back to try their 'Chicken & Waffles' and lunch menu items as I kept eyeing their delicious looking, big burgers!
