Welcome to Mama Kat's Restaurant
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950 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078 Hotline: (760) 591-4558
Welcome to a slice of culinary cozy charm in the heart of San Marcos, California: Mama Kat's Restaurant. Nestled at 950 W San Marcos Blvd, this breakfast and brunch haven specializes in American fare, inviting diners to indulge in a symphony of flavors that cater to a variety of dietary preferences.
Mama Kat's is more than just a restaurant; it's a community hub where familiar faces gather to enjoy delicious meals that evoke a sense of home. The friendly atmosphere, coupled with a dedicated staff, ensures that every visitor feels like part of the family. As one patron, Heihachiro K., rightly puts it, it's your “friendly neighborhood breakfast joint.”
- Menu Diversity: The extensive menu balances traditional favorites with innovative plant-based options. Guests can savor dishes like the Cinnamon Roll French Toast, a standout that marries the warmth of cinnamon rolls with the nostalgia of classic French toast, or dive into the hearty Tofu Scramble Breakfast, which satisfies both the palate and the conscience.
- Signature Sweets: Don't miss out on Mama Kat's homemade pastries. The Cinnamon Rolls and assorted Muffins create the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or brunch martini. The pastries are not only a treat for the taste buds but also the soul, providing a warm welcome with every bite.
- Community Atmosphere: The warm décor and inviting setting are ideal for casual meet-ups or lively family gatherings. Regulars are often spotted, exchanging friendly banter, and new guests quickly become friends. Each visit may reveal joyful exchanges, as witnessed by Makenna D., who has shared memorable breakfasts with friends here since high school.
Food lovers flock to Mama Kat's not only for the impressive portions and reasonable prices but also for its commitment to quality. The establishment offers splendid coffee selections that cater to the “coffee nerds” among us, ensuring every cup is brewed to perfection. As Emily Z. reported, the Calico and Tabby Lattes are a delightful prelude to a magnificent brunch experience.
For those who crave heartier dishes, the Breakfast Burritos are substantial and scrumptious, featuring perfectly cooked carne and a generous helping of potatoes. Customers rave about the Hash Browns that are crisped just right, a side that elevates any dish to a satisfying meal. As Krystal R. noted, the fusion of flavors in the Chorizo Burrito is a must-try, showcasing Mama Kat's authentic approach to American breakfast classics.
Whether tackling post-hike hunger or simply chasing down the perfect brunch spot, Mama Kat's has consistently earned its reputation as a local gem. Visitors should anticipate some wait times, particularly on weekend mornings, but trust us—it’s worth it. Take the opportunity to soak in the ambiance, connect with the staff, and anticipate delicious food that feels lovingly prepared just for you. Mama Kat’s Restaurant is where family traditions and culinary passions meet, promising a delightful experience every single time.
In the spirit of community and good eating, if you find yourself in San Marcos, or nearby, make sure to drop by Mama Kat's and experience the heartwarming fusion of flavors, stories, and smiles that have made this establishment beloved by so many.
For reservations or inquiries, you can contact them at (760) 591-4558. Enjoy the culinary adventure!
Your friendly neighborhood breakfast joint. Solid breakfast with lots of options. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the menu items. They have a great coffee bar with espresso and other fancy stuff for you coffee nerds out there. I usually go for the scrambles/omelets and always always the hashbrowns. Easy parking Family owned Great service
Passing by on a trip to San Diego and found this cute local breakfast spot, some of the best to ever eat at! Inside feels like a warm home and well decorated! I got the cinnamon roll French toast and it was sooo good, very soft and not too sweet! Honestly some of the best French toast I've ever had! I paired it with some cold pressed orange juice and it was delish! Service was also super attentive and fast! 100% recommend this spot overall
San Marcos is my hometown and I started coming to Mama Kats during high school. My friends and I would always meet up there on Tuesdays for breakfast since we had late start. I've always been a fan of the bacon breakfast burritos the best part about them is the delicious home fries. I also love the waffles and their pies are to die for. A few years ago they started to expand their coffee selection which is an awesome addition. Shout out to my sister's friend Stephanie who is now a talented barista there. After 15 years I'm writing a review based on my most recent experience. What sets this place apart from most places these days is the atmosphere. It's a true mom and pop place with homey vibes. If you go early enough you'll see regulars sitting at the counter with their senior specials who have been loyal everyday customers for years. If you sit down next to them they'll happily chat you up about anything. You'll see Eddie who is a gem of a person and an all around cool dude. He's been at mama Kat's for over a decade. I can't say enough good things about Eddy. If you go to mama Kat's you'll often seen Michael and at least one of his four daughters. Michael is the owner (aka mama Kat's son) who now runs the show. He does a great job. Okay now my most recent experience. I came home for the weekend (I live in WA now) and on the day before I leave (3/16/25) my mom expressed that my dad and grandma had been craving a mama Kat's pie. Her and I head over there where Michael is at the front managing the chaos that is a busy place on a Sunday morning (don't let the wait deter you). He lets us know that he didn't have any pies (he said he's been throwing a lot out because people aren't buying them.. (so buy a pie when you go in.) I told him that my 88 year old grandma and dad had been craving it all week and I was headed home to Washington the next day. He said he was making pies in the evening for the week and that we could come by at 4 to pick it up. We were thrilled. Fast forward to four and Michael let us know that he was running late and would drop the pies by the house (my parents and grandma live down the street). We went out for dinner and when we got back around 8 we were devastated that we didn't see any pie. I was honestly in shock it didn't sound like the Michael that I had grown to know over the years. Fast forward 20 minutes later we take the dogs out and we see him pull up in the drive way with the pies. He apologized for being late and told us his daughter had gone into labor a few hours earlier. We were not only thrilled to get the pies but also so touched that despite the circumstances he still made the pie delivery. This story is important because Michael and the Mama Kat's team go out of their way to make everyone that walks in the door feel like family. I'll always return to Mama Kat's when I come home. To sum it up if you're in the area or live close by and haven't tried them I highly recommend you stop by. Enjoy the food and the atmosphere because the people that work and run Mama Kat's are what makes it special. Don't forget to buy a pie
Cute breakfast joint close to home! It has the small diner feel but the prices are not. Everything will be close to or more than $20. Oh those good ole days when you can get breakfast for 2 for around $20. Good thing Mama Kat's is good! I got the breakfast burrito and it came with carne, potatoes and eggs. It was hearty and huge. I only ate half. I wish they had better and spicy salsa. But it was good. We also got a French toast to share, it was delicious. My husband got the California scramble and they were able to sub out the meat to sausage. My chai latte with oat milk was one of the best. It was nice and creamy. Not too sweet and just right. Service was good. It was busy on a Friday morning! I can't imagine a weekend. They do have reservations but they charge for it. There's a bar and outdoor for additional seating too. Parking lot is small and packed.
Mama Kat's - San Marcos, CA I have had Mama Kat's on my list for a very long time. The wait to be seated was always too long for us. But after 10 years, I finally got my chance to dine here. You can say four times a charm. We just finished a hike from Lakeview Park to Double Peak Park. Post hike we were ready to feast and it worked out perfectly. Mama Kat's is near Double Peak Park, and they were closing within the next 60 minutes. I had that feeling that this would be our only chance. We got lucky and only waited 20 minutes for a table. It was about 15 minutes before closing by the time we were seated. Service started out great and at no time did we ever feel rushed to eat our meals. When it comes to breakfast or brunch, I really like to keep it simple. I had their 3-Egg Omelet with American, Chicken, & Sausage, two slices of wheat toast dry, side of hash browns extra crispy, and just to keep it light, only two extra eggs. It was a great third meal of the day, and I left the restaurant fully satisfied. Mama Kat's did not disappoint, and I am a fan of their food. The are so many options on their menu and it comes down to what you're craving and what your gut can afford to fit in. The portions are big, and the prices are consistent with what other breakfast joints charge. I really cannot give a good review of the ambience since we dined here so close to closing. By the time we were seated, over half the tables were empty, and the employees were already prepping for the next day. That said, the restaurant is spacious and clean. So, was Mama Kat's worth the 10+ years wait? I'm sure I will be back at some point. 2025 Yelp Review #5
We came here on a Sunday a little before noon for brunch and were not disappointed! The restaurant is massive and they accommodated us really quickly. I think they told us 15-20 min but it only took 5 min! We tried their calico and tabby lattes and enjoyed both of them. The calico is a lot less sweet than the tabby. For our entrees I got 2 flavors of egg benefict - I did one with avocado and one with bacon and I loved both! They were also very generous with the hollandaise sauce. The portions were huge so I was only able to eat one egg benedict. The hashbrown is also really good super crispy and pairs great with everything. My bf got the chicken fried steak and he said it really hit the spot. He also had a side of biscuit and it was super soft, crumbly and light. I'll definitely be coming back to try their other items!
Ambiamce is great and there are a ton of people waiting on a Sunday morning. We are a party of five and we did wait for over an hour to get our table. The group did strategize and had their orders ready as soon as we Sat down. We ordered vegan veggie scramble, havanna Skillet, bougie avocado toast, biscuits and gravy with hash/sausage/eggs. Everything tastes great and the consensus was the wait was worth it. Everyone loved their choices and everyone was happy. This place is worth a few visits to try their other offering and just be ready for the wait. It is not a chain restaurant so we supported a local business.
I had a delicious chorizo burrito. It had eggs, cheese, avocado (extra cost), and potatoes in it. Really good. My wife had biscuits and gravy with a side of fruit. She said it was good, the only thing she would change is having the biscuits more moist. She said they were a tad on the dryer side. We picked up some pressed juices, as well. Haven't tried them yet, but super excited. We thought it was a great price for what we are getting! We only had to wait 10 minutes, not bad at all for a Saturday morning around 830! Plenty of seating. Cute ambiance. Service was awesome in the beginning, but then we were waiting around for a bit because our waitress got caught up behind the pastry to go counter. Other than that we will most definitely be coming again! Great portions, great food, great pricing! Thank you!