The Mining Camp Cafe

29701 Mactan Rd, Valley Center
(760) 913-5323

Recent Reviews

Randy Rowell

They are never open so why even bother

Aaron Gonzalez

Can I show up to the cafe on my dirtbike

Autismmama

(Breakfast review only). Unique, surprising restaurant located in a rural residential area. (I believe they have a special permit exempting them to run restaurant in residential area via property is a historical site). Parking is in a dirt lot next to a church, where you then walk down a very narrow wooden bridge to the restaurant site. Bridge is NOT wheelchair friendly. Moderately priced. The restaurant itself sits on a camping site. Inside is ample seating with a larger room in a separate room for bigger parties. Music is played from numerous wall mounted TVs, so the sound is bit off. Owners are friendly. Staff is attentive, but the breakfast was blander than a sedated Al Gore. Absolutely no spice, no flavor, you could hear the hashbrowns begging to be cooked in salted butter. Eggs Benedict were tart, too much lemon, which soaked into the toast and made it into a citrus scone. The side order toast was well done. And the coffee, which seemed a pour over, was more bitter than Hillary Clinton on her best day. No bueno. Hopefully, the food will improve because it's a cute place with an interesting history and I want them to succeed, but when you have food this shockingly bland, someone has to say something. This isn't a nursing home or hospital, right? Bland food would be expected there to avoid upsetting people's health. This is a restaurant. Nobody here is in need of bland food unless they asked for it. Almost every table had asked for hot sauce, what does that tell you? If I owned this place I'd be mad if the cook I hired was serving such bland food and bitter coffee. The site also features GLAMPING.

kgaccount

(Breakfast review only). Unique, surprising restaurant located in a rural residential area. (I believe they have a special permit exempting them to run restaurant in residential area via property is a historical site). Parking is in a dirt lot next to a church, where you then walk down a very narrow wooden bridge to the restaurant site. Bridge is NOT wheelchair friendly. Moderately priced. The restaurant itself sits on a camping site. Inside is ample seating with a larger room in a separate room for bigger parties. Music is played from numerous wall mounted TVs, so the sound is bit off. Owners are friendly. Staff is attentive, but the breakfast was blander than a sedated Al Gore. Absolutely no spice, no flavor, you could hear the hashbrowns begging to be cooked in salted butter. Eggs Benedict were tart, too much lemon, which soaked into the toast and made it into a citrus scone. The side order toast was well done. And the coffee, which seemed a pour over, was more bitter than Hillary Clinton on her best day. No bueno. Hopefully, the food will improve because it's a cute place with an interesting history and I want them to succeed, but when you have food this shockingly bland, someone has to say something. This isn't a nursing home or hospital, right? Bland food would be expected there to avoid upsetting people's health. This is a restaurant. Nobody here is in need of bland food unless they asked for it. Almost every table had asked for hot sauce, what does that tell you? If I owned this place I'd be mad if the cook I hired was serving such bland food and bitter coffee. The site also features GLAMPING.

Herb S.

Great Food Great Service Excellent Prices Beautiful Atmosphere Very Country We had the Hot Ham & Cheese & BLT & Macaroni Salad & Chocolate Malt Everything Was Yummy & Way Too Much Food Tons of Leftovers

Samantha G.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is very intimate and clean. The service was superb as well as the food. We definitely will be coming back and trying the breakfast in the future! Only gave it 4 stars for the limited menu but it's understandable with it being so new. Overall great restaurant!

Heidi R.

Nice restaurant and friendly staff - but the prices are too high. $15 for a ok bbq burger and $3 to substitute potato or mac salad for the potato chips that come with it just wasn't worth it. I really wanted to like this place, but they need to drop the prices a few dollars.

Sharon B.

Food is great. Limited menu, but everything they have is very good. Nice atmosphere. Fast service Food cooked the way you ask it to be cooked. Very nice staff. Our second time tonight and will definitely go again. SO nice to have another place to eat in Valley Center. Can't wait to try them for breakfast!

Nick B.

Glad there's finally a yelp page to review. I've eaten at the mining camp probably 20 times for both breakfast and dinner and the food is great. Not just valley center it's convenient great but ACTUALLY great. Spinach and artichoke dip is a must. Burgers are actually hand made patties cooked on a real grill and have a lot of the upscale options you'd see in high end restaurants in a downtown restaurant at prices that are beyond reasonable. Steaks are super tender and amazing. Their salad dressing is homemade and probably the best blue cheese dressing I've ever had. Desserts are good. Their breakfast is tasty and will keep you full most of the day and once again great on price. The food gets an A+ The owners are some of the hardest working and nicest folks you'll ever meet. They're constantly cleaning tables and both the dining area and kitchen are spotless. It's common to have the owners and the chef stop by your table to make sure your meal is nothing short of perfect. The waitresses are awesome. Super friendly and genuinely care about giving you the best service possible. I've never had my drink refilled so many times in one meal. Seriously these young ladies are wonderful. Staff gets an A+ The interior of the restaurant is freshly remodeled and once again sparkling clean. It has a really cool decor that isn't subtle or overdone but is homey and cool. It is a very family friendly place and the outside has some seriously great scenery. Ambiance gets an A+ In short this place has all the benefits of a high end restaurant with the prices and welcoming feel of a quaint country restaurant. Great for a night out or an after church breakfast.

Craig W.

Awesome little place with a rustic appeal as the name implies. First time there for breakfast today. We will be back!

Chuck C.

We've lived in Valley Center since 2004 and couldn't be more excited about having a new sit down dining option with good food in our beloved hometown. With our kids home for college we tried their breakfast Friday and had dinner on Saturday. Staff are very friendly, proactive and customer service friendly. Traditional breakfast, eggs thick cut bacon, home made hashbrowns and hot coffee. For dinner, the bbg, bourbon, bacon (CAB) burger was the highlight, however the homemade triple berry cobbler w/vanilla bean ice cream cant be beat. Loved the food and VC dining like experience. We'll be back for sure!

H J.

I love the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff!!! I would eat here every night if I could. Tres hermanas salsa selection was unique and yummy (but not for those who can't handle a little spice!). I need to go back to try the giant s'more...

Sara G.

My husband and I recently moved from Chicago to downtown San Diego, then bought a home in Valley Center. We couldn't be any more happy. We are a young(ish) couple who enjoys the outdoors, and were seeking some peace and quiet from living an urban lifestyle for years. We now own 2 acres, with a killer view and beautiful, brand new home, thanks to our awesome local realtor, Chuck Crist, who specializes in Valley Center. Soon after we moved here, this restaurant opened. We had a wonderful breakfast by a wood burning fire. This place is so charming and lovely. They welcomed us with smiles. The food was great, fresh, quality ingredients. I loved their coffee, and am pretty picky. I highly recommend whether local or a city dweller, come check out the area (visit Bates Nut Farm and Brick n Barn) and grab a meal at this adorable destination restaurant.

Jeff A.

Great food and service! Staff said they are planning to expand the menu and add specials! If they keep this up, we'll be regulars for sure! Hope they also expand their hours, especially on Saturdays and Sundays!Have tried to eat here five time during posted hours and have only been successful twice! Burgers are good, as is the spinach avocado dip. Other sandwiches are dry and could be toasted better. Hearing from some locals tHat it is closed?

Jessica M.

The burgers were crazy good but the Mac and cheese and turkey sandwich was bland. Stuck to burgers !

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