Morongo Valley Cafe

This place is fantastic! The food is delicious and the staff is super friendly. The sign says it is also a museum. There are lots of great pictures on the wall, and the menu has a hilarious history printed on the back.
The food tasted great, there wasn’t a long wait, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect for a quick breakfast.

Greatly surprised, new owners I heard, sorry don’t get out often, good food, good service, clean place, definitely will visit again, highly recommend,

Delicious roadside diner that hits the spot! Great service too. Banana crunch french toast was amazing!

The breakfast is the best! Lunch not too shabby, but I come from the land of diners so I am picky

We almost drove past this little gem. The people working there are very nice and the food is very good. You’ll a couple chuckles while reading the menu, too. Look for it as you’re driving out to Joshua Tree National Park.

What a lovely little spot for breakfast! We stayed overnight at a nearby ranch and decided to stop for a bite. I had a delicious turkey BLT with avocado and fries as a side. My boyfriend had scrambled eggs, a sausage patty and the garden potatoes. He says the garden potatoes were outstanding. Our coffee was also above average and the service was fantastic. I believe our main server was Ruben and he noticed that my sandwich had mayo on it (I’d asked for mustard instead) and had it re-​made before he brought it to me. Everyone was pleasant and polite. It’s a little slice of home in Morongo!

Great grilled cheese. Great iced tea. Great service. Charming diner atmosphere. A favorite stop for lunch while driving through the high desert.

As I was enroute to Twenty-​Nine Palms Marine Base with a load of fuel for the MCX, when I decided to look at all the restaurants and take a mental note on which ones I might be able to park my rig at and get a bite to eat on my way back. As soon as I got up the hill, (or at least the first hill), I noticed this Café. I knew about this place from when I used to drop fuel at the Circle K right there, but never gave it any thought. Rolling out to the base, there were several places I noticed as possibilities along the 62.
I got to the base, and even though I have been there many times, it took longer than I thought to get in and drop. So when it was time to leave, I decided to get some distance between me and the base. I remembered this was my last hope for a bite before the Casino Morongo area. So I kept it moving past all the other places, and made my way here. I parked my truck by the vacant house (not in the dirt road) across the side street from the café.
Walked into a packed restaurant. I could either sit at the smallest counter in the world, or the one table that was available. I chose the little table, and was greeted by a Waiter, a real Gentleman by the name of Ruben. Welcoming and friendly, he handed me a menu and took my drink order. I perused the menu hoping for a great lunch, but I was a tad disappointed by the selection. A few burgers, some sandwiches, some salads. Perhaps my expectations were too high…
My Iced Tea came out, and I asked him what a «Turkey Melt» consisted of. He pretty much told me it was a grilled cheese with turkey. So I ordered the Tuna Melt on sourdough w/​fries.
My food came out rather quickly, and what I got was a little sandwich, with a little bit of little fries. It tasted good, but it was pretty much a small grilled-​cheese sandwich with tuna and celery bits in it. The fries were alright as well. Thin-​cut fries that got cold quickly. Not bad, just not great either. My Iced Tea was just standard as well.
It became apparent that this is a breakfast spot. I seemed to be the only one not eating breakfast, and it was 1300! I think I saw a Lady eating a salad in the corner, but EVERY other table had a huge pile of Biscuits and Gravy on them, and they looked GOOD! Hashbrowns being served also looked really good too! Then a family of four sat next to me in a recently vacated table, and ordered nothing but Cinnamon Rolls?! I got it when they came out, they were huge as well! Knife and fork Cinnamon Rolls! I doubt I will come back here for lunch, but I am definitely intrigued by all the breakfasts I witnessed being served, and I have to try it someday when I’m out here hungry in the morning.
The prices were a tad steep for what I got ($ 12 plus tip) but the food was alright.
The restaurant was clean, and the staff was pleasant. The Menu is a funny read too.

I ordered the garden hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and notice the food is not consistent notice smaller portions flavors are different no salt or seasonings. I was disappointed again! I hope it gets better if not, driving a little further would be best.
Listen to the guest we want better food.

We spent the morning walking the trails and birdwatching at Big Morongo Canyon, so to say we were starving.
Rather than go back to the valley, we decided to check out this local joint. What a treat. When you think café, this is exactly what you would want. Small, friendly and breakfast ALL day.
I had a breakfast burrito and pancake and my wife had grilled cheese w onion rings. All were excellent by diner standards. Service was speedy, the place is clean and all was good. It could probably be a 5 star café, but is that possible? I would absolutely go again. Great find.

Friendly staff, edible food… Not great but edible… The original plan was Uncle Willie’s but they were closed…

Great breakfasts, especially the omelets.

It use to be good!!! After new owner it has gone down hill, I have given it two chances and no good anymore. The order came out wrong and the food was plane and disappointing. I don’t recommend, Denny’s is better and I hate them

It’s a bit of a drive, from Yucca Valley, but, kind of worth it.
The bacon and eggs were cooked nicely and good quality.
The coffee was okay, the English muffin was toasted nicely, and the hashed browns, while not crispy and golden brown, seemed to be fresh.
All in all, very good. I hope to come back.

What a great throwback. Good food in a clean if dated setting. The chili was the right spice level, the side of fruit fresh and substantial, the slaw nice and creamy, and the omelet fluffy and well filled. The bathrooms are clean and the service friendly and fast. This place is a gem for breakfast and lunch.

Attitude, laughter, sarcasm, smiles and awesome food. What more could I ask for on a Sunday morning!
September 1 Update: John sold the café and fired everyone!
No warning, No severance. John gets the money and the staff gets screwed

I have had lunch and breakfast at this great little restaurant. The food is always good but I must admit I love going for the banter with the staff. Always a good time, even when I am in a sour mood and need to snap out of it. Thanks MVC.

Feel like eating cheap grub with a bunch of townies on your way home from j-​tree? This is your spot.

Ordered the Ribeye medium with hash browns, two eggs over medium and white toast, recieved a well done steak and wheat toast. Service was good, maybe the cook just can’t read?

Don’t let the understated signage or the dirt parking lot scare ya. This place is clean friendly and delicious! We both ordered omelettes and they were so good. Hash browns perfect. We’ll be back. Great little spot in the middle of nowhere.