FOOD REVIEW: Big Breakfasts at R.J.'s Cafe

On a recent, chilly, December weekday morning, my daughter and I headed to R.J.’s Café for a hearty breakfast. Located in the center at the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, R.J.’s isn’t easily visible from the street. As we walked up to the entrance, there were plenty of people eating breakfast at tables on the front patio, despite the cool temperatures. Inside, every table was full, except for a cute table for two, which we were able to nab. There is additional seating on a back patio, which also looked pretty full.

The restaurant is casual and fun, decorated with a Tahitian theme. There are rattan ceiling fans, large paintings of ships and palms, along with a large bamboo sign over the counter, spelling out RJ’s Café. The overall feeling is relaxed and cozy.

The menu offers breakfast and lunch all day and is packed with options. Under “Traditional Breakfasts” are combinations of breakfast meats and two eggs all served with home-fried potatoes and toast or bagel or English muffin. Meat choices range from the usual bacon, sausage and ham to turkey or hamburger patties, Italian sausage, and even pork chops or flat iron steak.

“From the Griddle” choices include stuffed French toast topped with your choice of apples and cinnamon, sautéed bananas, fresh mango sauce or orange-cranberry compote. There are also pancakes in a short or full stack and some made with bananas or fresh blueberries.

R.J.’s Specialties include some tasty-sounding combinations, such as R.J.’s heavenly potatoes, home-fried potatoes, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, onions, jack and cheddar cheese. There is also eggs Milanese, which includes sautéed sliced tomatoes, fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese and two eggs served with home fries and toast. If you are watching your cholesterol, the feta avocado scramble is made with egg whites. If you are not watching your cholesterol, they also offer fluffy biscuits smothered in country gravy. R.J.’s serves classic eggs Benedict, and some unusual variations, such as lox Benedict, veggie Benedict and bacon Benedict. Bagels, lox and cream cheese served with red onion, sliced tomatoes and capers, always a fan favorite, is also available.

For omelet-lovers, R.J.’s has numerous omelet choices, too many to list here. “South of the Border” items include the big breakfast burrito, the Mexican scramble, carnitas and eggs, chorizo, huevos rancheros and carnitas machaca.

While we pondered all of our choices, we each ordered a cup of coffee, which was served in a cute mug, decorated with palm trees. The coffee was strong and pretty tasty. I decided on the French toast ala Orange, French bread in a citrus egg batter, stuffed with cream cheese, topped with powdered sugar and served with warm orange-cranberry compote. My daughter selected the BCA omelet made with three eggs, bacon, cheese and avocado, served with home-fried potatoes and toast.

The restaurant was quite busy and so it took awhile for our food to come, but when it did, it was hot and nicely presented. My daughter loved her omelet and specifically commented about how great the home-fried potatoes were. My French toast looked beautiful. The bread was light and fresh. For me, there was too much cream cheese between the two slices of bread, and I did not really taste the citrus flavor, but the compote and the toast were delicious. The portions were quite large and both of us were only able to eat about half of our breakfasts.

We enjoyed our experience at R.J.’s, the hearty food and the relaxed and casual atmosphere. The servers were friendly and helpful. R.J.’s is open daily from 6:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The lunch menu is packed with sandwiches, melts, salads, soups as well as seafood and steaks. For a complete menu you can check their website at rjscafe.com.

I give R.J.’s Café 3 ½ Patches out of 5.