Studio Diner
| Address: | 4701 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123, USA |
| Phone: | +1 858-715-6400 ext. 2 |
| Site: | studiodiner.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5:30AM–12AM 5:30AM–12AM 5:30AM–12AM Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours 5:30AM–12AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
PA
Paul Chintawat
I went here for the first time for lunch with some friends. The parking lot is tiny. But you can park on the street or in an adjacent parking lot. We walked in, 10 minute wait for a table. We opted to sit at the bar, no wait. The waitress was pleasant, attentive, and very helpful. There is so much on the menu that I wanted to try. I settled for the hot pastrami sandwich, then right at the last minute went for the prime rib sandwich. It was great. It was a thick slice of prime rib on a buttered toasted french roll. Add sides of horseradish, au jus, and a pile of waffle fries. Perfect lunch. My friends had the monte cristo and fish & chips. Huge portions. The clam chowder is recommended. All their soups are made fresh and are all good (according to the waitress). The chocolate milkshake is very good and worth the extra indulgence. You better come here hungry, because youll need that extra space in your belly. Ill come back. But not for a week or so, thats when I think Ill be hungry again.
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Henry Sherrell
Came here for a friends birthday, this is the place he chose and he chose wisely. This is a typical American style diner with variety of dishes and they serve breakfast all day. The menu had such a range of different options ,it was hard to choose from. I felt like a sandwich that day and decided to go for the King of Clubs with avocado and cheese. Waitress brought the sandwich out with fries, I noted how huge the plate was and she said most people get part of it to go, because the portion is so huge. Challenge accepted, finished this dish and left happy. The sandwich was a perfect combo of meats and cheese. The wheat bread also tasted great. The french fries were so-so. My friends all enjoyed their entrees as well. Service was great here even when they were busy, the server was both friendly and attentive with re-filling our drinks. Since this place is open late (not twenty four hours anymore) its a great place to come late at night.
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Jason L
Studio diner is not as good as it used to be when I would venture out late into the night for diner food. My go to items I usually order are the Samson steak, Atlantic fish & chips, or the king of clubs. The menu itself has changed, but still with the usual popular items. The prices have gone up about $1.00 to $2.00 an entree and they are getting chincy with the fries. The diner used to be known for their huge portions, great prices, and friendly service. Service is still ok, but food declined and prices increase. This last time I went the fish and chips had barely any chips. The batter is not too flavorful either. The tartar sauce seems more like store bought kraft brand. Samson steak we got with onion rings and only got like 5 rings. The flavor was still good though their bread roll is smaller. I would come back again, but wouldnt be my top choice anymore.
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J Union
First things first; Ive been coming to this establishment for about four years now. This Was my familys favorite diner...until today. My waitress Amberline thought it was more important to sit down and flirt with some random man several minutes at a time leaving patrons waiting for service. At the end of our meal I asked for the check and a refill of water. We watched as our waiter walked back over to the random man sat down and flirted with him for 4 more minutes. She then came back and asked "what was it you needed again?" Again the request was made. She came back with a pitcher, filled up the glass and then spilled it all over the table and my blouse! She chuckled and said " I was just trying to cool you off." Needless to say this was the WORST customer service my family and I have ever had.
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Robert Oliphant
Where do we start, found this little gem of a diner by accident and boy are we glad we did! Once we found it we kept going back and in half a dozen visits, never had anything to gripe about. Smart, friendly servers, are attentive without ever being intrusive unless you want to chat and then they do that too! As for the food, great choice, all fantastically tasty, my wife in particular described the Macaroni Cheese as the best she has ever tasted, and she likes/knows her pasta! I couldnt pick a favourite I had, they were all fantastic including some serious to die for desserts! The prices are excellent too and we always felt the need to leave a healthy tip but were never pressed to like some places we visited elsewhere. If we ever go back to San Diego this will be our first port of call!
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Steve Schwartz
This is a composite review of my two visits to Studio Diner. Since I only waited to be served the first time, I can say that the food was decent, not expensive, but served by wayward children. The second time, after sitting at the counter for nearly 10 minutes without anyone even acknowledging my presence, I just left. I watched several of the servers standing around and chatting at the door to the kitchen, but not even a glance in my direction. It was Thanksgiving morning, and nothing else was open, so I guess they dont see the need for service. Come to think of it, they are pretty much the only game in the local area open late, so I guess they take things for granted. The service staff are just unprofessional kids. Pay a few bucks, and hire experienced servers, guys...
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Paul Fitzpatrick
In San Diego on business. Eaten 2 dinners, 1 breakfast in 3 days. Excellent! Service always great. Had Chicken Fried Steak. Two hearty fork tender steaks. Batter light and crisp. Mound of mashed potatoes. Tasty country gravy. Yum! Came back next morning for Crab Cake Benedict. 2 poached eggs over crab cake patties on English muffin smothered in Hollandaise. Side of Hash Browns. Another "hit it out of the park." Back again for Fish & Chips. Huge Haddock fillet. Batter light and crispy. Fish tender and flaky despite being an inch and a half thick. I live in Annapolis, MD so I know crab cake. Lived all along east coast, NY, NJ, MD. I know diners. Studio Diner is the real deal, east coast diner. San Diego, youve got a gem. Might go again tomorrow!
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Allen Fuqua
This diner resonates with me for its themed as my other love, movies. Its a diner of a higher quality and serves it so 24/7. I can think of no other place Id rather be eating at 4am in SD than here. The meat loaf was surprisingly good. The clam chowder is of good stock. The counte of monte cristo sandwich is a crowd pleaser and rightfully so. The chicken pot pie is passable. The shakes are given w/ the extra serving in a tin used to make them. Dont get the peanut butter shake. Sounds good in theory but the chunks dont break up well enough and just end up being clobs that mess up the flows of the shake. They dont skimp on the banana split.
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Drt
I agree with the comments about the poor service. Ive been coming here off and on for a few years and it has definitely has gone downhill. Went in the other morning for breakfast, sat at the counter, and 3 waitresses chatted constantly and one was busy telling her life story to some guy sitting 3 stools away. I just left---and nobody cared. For a good breakfast with great service go to Maggies on Greyling. I promise I have no stake in Maggies, they just have better service. In another time those waitresses would be fired on the spot. I guess like everything else, Studio Diner is getting the money they need, why should they care, right?
