Rj's Cafe

I've driven past this restaurant for a few years and finally decided to give it a try on my day off today.  When I walked in, the man at the counter (was this RJ?) was busy talking with an customer who was obviously one of his regulars.  I stood there for several minutes as they engaged in conversation. He finally looked up and asked me if I needed a table.  Really?  Nothing bothers me more than stupid questions.  He then pointed to a table that had not yet been set up and said I could sit there.  At this point I would normally have left due to poor service, but I figured I'd give it a chance to see if things got better.  As I sat down I noticed that the man at the counter sat down at a table with the regular customer he was talking with and continued their conversation.  Not once did he communicate with his waitstaff to indicate I had been seated.

I sat at the table for several more minutes...10 minutes to be exact ...before someone brought me a glass of water...several more minutes passed before a waitress stopped by to ask me if I needed a menu.  Again, really?  At this point I just assumed this was the level of service and rolled with it.

The interior of the restaurant is in need of updating.  Tired, worn and stained carpet, dark tables, obligatory pictures of sailboats on the walls and tropical ceiling fans..Bleh.

The small restaurant was packed with locals so I figured at the very least the food must be good.  I ordered the french toast and it looked and tasted good, but was covered with a quarter pound of powdered sugar which I had to scrape off.  My water glass was only refilled after I finished my breakfast. The room temperature syrup was in a sticky bottle.  Warm syrup in a cup would have been a nice (and expected) touch.

When the bill came (delievered by someone other than the waitress), I discovered they don't take American Express.  How does a restaurant in South County OC not accept AMEX?  Dumb.

Will I be back?  I don't know.  I'm a Dana Point local and firmly believe in supporting our local businesses.  However, I didn't feel welcome here.   I'll probably just stick with Proud Mary's at the harbor.  The owner there is just wonderful and attentive to everyone who walks through his door.  Here-no one welcomed me or thanked me for patronizing the restaurant.

Positives: decent, inexpensive food.  Good location near the harbor.

Three stars are for the food only.  The service did not even warrant one star.

I have never had worse service in my life!! My husband and I took his grandparents for the first time. We requested an indoor table and were seated with no problem after waiting about twenty minutes, not a big deal. A waitress didn't come by the table for another ten minutes. Grandma had a few questions for the waitress about items on the menu, having never been there before. The waitress was exasperated and annoyed by the questions, and was quite rude with her answers. About two minutes after placing our order another rude waitress came to our table with what she called a "dilemma." She proceeded to explain that our table was actually reserved for a large party that had been waiting before us and we needed to move to a table outside. Number 1: it was 60 degrees outside and we were with grandparents in their 80s. Number 2: it was not our fault the hostess sat us there 15 minutes prior. Number 3: she could have asked us if we minded moving instead of telling us. The waitress was of course annoyed we wanted to sit inside. A table was cleaned and we moved. Having worked at a restaurant more up scale than RJ's Cafe for 6 years, I know a thing or two about customer service. I never in a million years thought I would be told to move tables and treated so rudely in the process! This place would have got a 1 star rating had the food not been good.

We take a group of seniors out to breakfast at least once a month. This was their first visit to RJ's. We sat in the separate room next to the patio. It was perfect! There are two large doors, so when they are opened its like sitting outside. Our waitress was Joanie. I have to say this was, by far, the best service we have had so far! She wrote each name on the order and could easily figure out who ordered what. It's a great "locals" spot. Lot's of pups on the patio. Food was tasty and generous. Great spot for a small meeting or party.