Very disappointing. Place is supposed to be a Santa Cruz institution. Hamburger was overcooked and dry - waitress never asked me how I wanted it. She also didn't ask about which of 3 sides I wanted. Coffee was cold. Syrup with French toast order was sugar syrup - apparently one has to specifically ask for Maple syrup and pay extra. I guess this is another form of shrinkflation. Ambiance is okay but nothing special.
Erich Bitonio
Awesome portions and Great Food!!! Love Mike's Mess, Breakfast Burger and the Cinnamon Nut Coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Henry Andrus
They were very busy but we were immediately seated and given coffee. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Excellent service. Food was brought out quickly and was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tad Leckman
Been coming to Zachary's since the early '90s. Does not disappoint!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nothing but the truth But the truth
Love this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard N.
Zachary's gets two stars because our first experience was good enough that we came back. I won't return a third time. TBH, they didn't stand a chance after the waitress beckoned us from halfway across the dining room from the front door, snapping her fingers to sit at a makeshift table next to where they drop dishes in a plastic tub rather loudly. The two waitresses on that side of the room were way too familiar with each other, fluffing each other's hair and jewelry and holding hands - all without washing their hands... Over easy eggs are served watery. Gross.
Susan H.
We were a group of friends getting together in the Santa Cruz area. A friend suggested Zachary's. He said he heard positive things about the restaurant, but had never tried it. Initially service was good. After we were seated...our server came immediately to take our drink orders. We were a party of 8, waiting for 2 people to find parking so we ordered (2) Bluberry Crème coffee cakes for starters. A Yelp review highly recommended the Blueberry Crème coffee cake and it did not disappoint. We ordered a Junior Mess (2 eggs) a smaller version of Mike's mess and the Chili and Eggs. Hubby said chili lacked flavor. Portion was generous so it was filling. The Junior Mess was home fries topped with a little of everything besides the kitchen sink. Bacon, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, green onions, sour cream. The description sounded good and several reviews recommended the dish. Overall it was okay. Not good...not bad. Once our meals were served...our server seemed to have disappeared until it was time to bring the check. I guess in his defense the restaurant was pretty busy. The best part of the meal was the Blueberry Crème coffee cake. Would I return? Most likely not...but at least I can say I tried Zachary's.
Kristin P.
This breakfast location had food that was very good with a unique flare! The breakfast sandwich may be the best sandwhich that I had ever had for breakfast as the added hash brings the flavor over the top! Love this local spot in downtown
John Richardson
OMG THE BEST PANCAKES I'VE EVER HAD!!!!!Bread and corned beef are made in house. Our server's name was Dylan and I can't remember the last time. I had such an attentive and helpful server. Everything in this restaurant is top notch. If you're going out for breakfast or lunch in Santa Cruz, I highly highly recommend it.
Party of 6 went on a Saturday at noonish. Ate outside which was nice. Had an umbrella over the table for shade and a heating lamp if it got too cold. I ordered the Italian scramble. Good things first - said it was two eggs but seemed like much more! Sausage was tasty and fresh. The potatoes were delicious, nice and a bit charred but not burnt! Onions were big enough for me to pick out. Now for the not so nice. Asked for jalapeño cornbread instead of toast and they charged an extra $1.75 though I didn't see that it was extra on the menu. Wouldn't have minded if it was good. I LOVE cornbread but this one was a bit flavorless! No corn taste though there was corn bits in it. No real jalapeño flavor (that's what I wanted!) and it had onions in it! Yuck! It should state this on the menu too. I let the others in my party taste it in case my taste buds were off but they agreed it lacked corn bread taste. Sorry.... I also ordered and ice tea and it was chai! Yuck... please put these important details on your menu. I hate chai... it was NOT good to me at all. I would not have ordered it if I knew it was chai. Would I go back? Yes but I will not get the cornbread or ice tea. I would definitely try a sandwich and get a coke! They just need more details on the menu.... Could have been me though, maybe I missed the small print. The place was packed so they are doing something right!!!
Mariah M.
This is not an angry review, this is an honest review, as I see this place is beloved by many in the area - which is why my husband and I decided to go. It was a calm morning and not much happening. We were seated and off the bat Our silverware was dirty.. upon telling the waitress this she was very snippy and wanted us to order fast. Decided on a make your own omelet and my husband got the Denver special, also ordered the sourdough pancakes since they seem to be the hype (which is not shown in the receipt - we were waiting for them but our quick waitress never put them in and we didn't know until they handed us the check) When receiving the food the waitress asked if we would like any hot sauce or salsa, we said yes! She asked if we wanted the spicy kind or not spicy kind and we asked for the spicy since we like the heat... she brought us a massive cup of what tasted like tomato sauce and did not disclose that salsa would cost $3.50?! What in the world is that?! As far as the omelets go, the menu says 'fresh spinach' the spinach was the frozen kind, not fresh at all, very soggy. They stuffed my omelet with an entire green bell pepper (more bell pepper than egg) and put brown avocado INSIDE of the omelet... typically when you order avocado it's put on the top so this was just weird to me. Warm avocado is just not my thing... moving onto when we got the check which was handed to us by a completely new waitress who didn't know what was going on, our eyes were shocked... we asked about where our pancakes were and she said they were never put in... we barely ate what we could and left. I would never recommend this place to my worst enemy.
Dee M.
We went for breakfast Saturday, and, while the food was good, witnessing a drug deal while I was with my small kid waiting on the rest of our family directly in front of the restaurant that included either a staff member/patron from the restaurant (white, long-haired dude, brown flannel) was...not good. I get that restaurant doesn't have control over what goes on outside their doors, but seeing someone leave the restaurant for a drug transaction out front when we just wanted our eggs and toast doesn't make me want to go back.
Caitlin M.
I've grown up on Zachary's. The sourdough pancakes will ruin you for any other pancake. Mike's Mess, Oatmeal Molasses bread, corned beef and hash. Unlike any other breakfast/ diner food you will find. The ambiance is chill, with local art, and plants hanging down from tall ceilings. This is old school SC to perfection. Can be very busy, but the staff are up to the task. They are all professionals here, they can throw down humor or sass depending on the vibe you're throwing down. This place is legend. Don't miss it.
Very disappointing. Place is supposed to be a Santa Cruz institution. Hamburger was overcooked and dry - waitress never asked me how I wanted it. She also didn't ask about which of 3 sides I wanted. Coffee was cold. Syrup with French toast order was sugar syrup - apparently one has to specifically ask for Maple syrup and pay extra. I guess this is another form of shrinkflation. Ambiance is okay but nothing special.
Awesome portions and Great Food!!! Love Mike's Mess, Breakfast Burger and the Cinnamon Nut Coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They were very busy but we were immediately seated and given coffee. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Excellent service. Food was brought out quickly and was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been coming to Zachary's since the early '90s. Does not disappoint!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zachary's gets two stars because our first experience was good enough that we came back. I won't return a third time. TBH, they didn't stand a chance after the waitress beckoned us from halfway across the dining room from the front door, snapping her fingers to sit at a makeshift table next to where they drop dishes in a plastic tub rather loudly. The two waitresses on that side of the room were way too familiar with each other, fluffing each other's hair and jewelry and holding hands - all without washing their hands... Over easy eggs are served watery. Gross.
We were a group of friends getting together in the Santa Cruz area. A friend suggested Zachary's. He said he heard positive things about the restaurant, but had never tried it. Initially service was good. After we were seated...our server came immediately to take our drink orders. We were a party of 8, waiting for 2 people to find parking so we ordered (2) Bluberry Crème coffee cakes for starters. A Yelp review highly recommended the Blueberry Crème coffee cake and it did not disappoint. We ordered a Junior Mess (2 eggs) a smaller version of Mike's mess and the Chili and Eggs. Hubby said chili lacked flavor. Portion was generous so it was filling. The Junior Mess was home fries topped with a little of everything besides the kitchen sink. Bacon, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, green onions, sour cream. The description sounded good and several reviews recommended the dish. Overall it was okay. Not good...not bad. Once our meals were served...our server seemed to have disappeared until it was time to bring the check. I guess in his defense the restaurant was pretty busy. The best part of the meal was the Blueberry Crème coffee cake. Would I return? Most likely not...but at least I can say I tried Zachary's.
This breakfast location had food that was very good with a unique flare! The breakfast sandwich may be the best sandwhich that I had ever had for breakfast as the added hash brings the flavor over the top! Love this local spot in downtown
OMG THE BEST PANCAKES I'VE EVER HAD!!!!!Bread and corned beef are made in house. Our server's name was Dylan and I can't remember the last time. I had such an attentive and helpful server. Everything in this restaurant is top notch. If you're going out for breakfast or lunch in Santa Cruz, I highly highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Homemade Bread, Corn Beef Hash, Home Fries, Jalapeno Corn Bread, Pancake Breakfast
Great Place(if you can get in the door lol)! Definitely one of my Absolute Favorites. Check it
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Party of 6 went on a Saturday at noonish. Ate outside which was nice. Had an umbrella over the table for shade and a heating lamp if it got too cold. I ordered the Italian scramble. Good things first - said it was two eggs but seemed like much more! Sausage was tasty and fresh. The potatoes were delicious, nice and a bit charred but not burnt! Onions were big enough for me to pick out. Now for the not so nice. Asked for jalapeño cornbread instead of toast and they charged an extra $1.75 though I didn't see that it was extra on the menu. Wouldn't have minded if it was good. I LOVE cornbread but this one was a bit flavorless! No corn taste though there was corn bits in it. No real jalapeño flavor (that's what I wanted!) and it had onions in it! Yuck! It should state this on the menu too. I let the others in my party taste it in case my taste buds were off but they agreed it lacked corn bread taste. Sorry.... I also ordered and ice tea and it was chai! Yuck... please put these important details on your menu. I hate chai... it was NOT good to me at all. I would not have ordered it if I knew it was chai. Would I go back? Yes but I will not get the cornbread or ice tea. I would definitely try a sandwich and get a coke! They just need more details on the menu.... Could have been me though, maybe I missed the small print. The place was packed so they are doing something right!!!
This is not an angry review, this is an honest review, as I see this place is beloved by many in the area - which is why my husband and I decided to go. It was a calm morning and not much happening. We were seated and off the bat Our silverware was dirty.. upon telling the waitress this she was very snippy and wanted us to order fast. Decided on a make your own omelet and my husband got the Denver special, also ordered the sourdough pancakes since they seem to be the hype (which is not shown in the receipt - we were waiting for them but our quick waitress never put them in and we didn't know until they handed us the check) When receiving the food the waitress asked if we would like any hot sauce or salsa, we said yes! She asked if we wanted the spicy kind or not spicy kind and we asked for the spicy since we like the heat... she brought us a massive cup of what tasted like tomato sauce and did not disclose that salsa would cost $3.50?! What in the world is that?! As far as the omelets go, the menu says 'fresh spinach' the spinach was the frozen kind, not fresh at all, very soggy. They stuffed my omelet with an entire green bell pepper (more bell pepper than egg) and put brown avocado INSIDE of the omelet... typically when you order avocado it's put on the top so this was just weird to me. Warm avocado is just not my thing... moving onto when we got the check which was handed to us by a completely new waitress who didn't know what was going on, our eyes were shocked... we asked about where our pancakes were and she said they were never put in... we barely ate what we could and left. I would never recommend this place to my worst enemy.
We went for breakfast Saturday, and, while the food was good, witnessing a drug deal while I was with my small kid waiting on the rest of our family directly in front of the restaurant that included either a staff member/patron from the restaurant (white, long-haired dude, brown flannel) was...not good. I get that restaurant doesn't have control over what goes on outside their doors, but seeing someone leave the restaurant for a drug transaction out front when we just wanted our eggs and toast doesn't make me want to go back.
I've grown up on Zachary's. The sourdough pancakes will ruin you for any other pancake. Mike's Mess, Oatmeal Molasses bread, corned beef and hash. Unlike any other breakfast/ diner food you will find. The ambiance is chill, with local art, and plants hanging down from tall ceilings. This is old school SC to perfection. Can be very busy, but the staff are up to the task. They are all professionals here, they can throw down humor or sass depending on the vibe you're throwing down. This place is legend. Don't miss it.
Place was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5