Stable Cafe

This was a really bad experience. Everything came with a hint of dirt and cigarettes…

Don’t expect linen napkins but do expect quality ingredients and attentive service. The pancakes are ¾ inch thick yet light and tasty. I was warned that a short stack plus eggs potatoes and toast would be too much. She was right! I recommend you ask for dry toast as the spread was a bit thick for my preference. I loved seeing pink snowballs for sale and a box of donuts from the donut wheel. Get off your high horse and enjoy real food in a real café!

The food is tasty and plentiful, the owner/​chef is so friendly, patient and helpful! My friends gather here frequently after our Saturday walks for a late breakfast. The owner waits on us and she warns anyone considering ordering more than one pancake that she’ll bet you can’t eat more than one — they are HUGE (and delicious). I like to order the bacon and egg sandwich, but everything I’ve had here is wonderful. Be aware that it opens very early morning and closes early (somewhere around noon, I believe) and that it is cash only. This café is at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds race track, and when the guard stops you, just say you are going to the Stable Café. I love this place for its small, casual, friendly atmosphere, its great food, low prices and the lovely woman who owns and operates it!

We found this place through a Unilocal search and we were pretty pleased. I was looking for a mom and pop breakfast place and found this place through Unilocal.One thing I will say is the phone number on Unilocal is disconnected. It is located inside the fairgrounds, so it’s a little hard to find unless you’re familiar with the area. I thought the food was good, but what really made me like the place was the lady and what looked like her son working there. She was really friendly and started a conversation with us almost as soon as we got there. I think this place is worth a try for the food and service.

A little bit of country living in Pleasanton, Stable Café has to be of the best kept secrets in the area. Nevermind the fact that you have to go through a security guard checkpoint just to get there — the cartoons on the walls, pool table in the corner, and one-​woman operation give it a lot of character.
The food here is mighty hearty too. Even a shortstack of two pancakes can finish a man off after the first flapjack. Omelettes are mighty fine too, as is the coffee. Just be warned — this place is cash only.

We stable and train our race horses in Pleasanton and have been coming to the Stable Café for years. Ester, the owner and cook, has been running this place for decades and remembers everybody’s name and favorite order. She can turn simple ingredients into mouth-​watering taste treats that exceed your taste buds expectations every time. My current favorite is the Muffin Special for $ 2.95; hot buttered English muffin sandwich with an egg, ham and melted cheese. SO GOOD; WORDS CAN’T DESCRIBE! Be clear though, this is a Stable Café and not the Hilton or breakfast at Tiffany’s; set your expectations appropriately and you will not be disappointed. Be prepared for some seriously tasty, unpretentious, home cooked breakfast or lunch. Come hungry and come often ’cause this is great food at a great value. Seating is functional; not elegant or formal. TV is usually turned on to horse racing channel so it can be a little loud but not too bad. Again, remember the setting is at the race track so that is the theme and ambiance; appropriately so. I love it here when I come to the P-​town track to see my horses.

I love it. I can see myself coming here regularly for a long, long time. Breakfasts and lunches are very good, and you really can’t beat the price.
I take Gate 12 at the fairgrounds, off of Valley Avenue, and just keep driving to the back. You may need to tell the security guard where you are going.
If you eat here and enjoy it, you’ve finally gotten Pleasanton figured out.

Back in 1990, I went to the Alameda County Fair for the first time. I got there early from a running event that I attended in Lake Chabot. Since the fair was not quite opened yet I had breakfast at this café. At the time, I thought it was a place for the employees and volunteers to eat when they were at work. This place looks a lot different than any café you would find in California. It looks like the cafes did back in the 50’s and 60’s. At first, I was concerned about how the food was going to taste since I was not used to this kind of café. I was surprised when I had my meal of how great it tastes. Every year since that time, I go to this great fair and before I go I treat myself to a great breakfast meal before they close at noon. For the price, the quality and amount of food you get is a real great deal. I was there on opening day and Ester was pouring the coffee herself as she always does for her customers. In reality, this is the fair’s hidden jewel. It is a great attraction in itself. I like the cheese omelets. You get potatoes and toast with the meal. When I go again, I am going to try their scrambles eggs with a burger patty like I had on my first meal there.

Some friends and I try to get together here regularly on Friday mornings. This place has an old diner feel, with good home cookin’. The menu is pretty basic and simple. Ester is always there to make great conversation and keep your coffee full, and the food is good too. Things can get a little backed up with 5 or 6 of us walk in at one time, but for some reason, you feel like this is the way it should be here. It’s a requirement to not be in a hurry here. Life the way it used to be!

This place may not be for everyone. You wouldn’t get dressed up and bring your mom her on Mothers day. Now if your mom wanted a decent breakfast with no fuss and frills, this is the place to go. Lots of hard working people who get up early in the morning may be next to you. Don’t worry about your hair, put a hat on. Walk in the door, order, pay and then sit down. Your food will be there shortly. Enjoy your day. Cash only.

Almost fair time again, yay for an awesome & inexpensive breakfast! Boys and I will be in soon again for huge pancakes, and delicious bacon and some strong coffee will get us going for a day of fun, rides and mutton busting! Can’t wait to see ya Esther, Dawn & kiddos!

Damn restaurant hours are 4:30am-12:00!!!
I heard they have decent food but what I found out is that that food is mainly for ranchers but the rest of us have to eat too.: P
Come on… at least wait till 1pm to close

this place looks like a dump on the outside and inside but it’s actually a pleasanton best kept secret. the reason for this is because most will never even know about it because it’s located at the fairgrounds next to the race track. you can find it along with the stables and is open long before the sun rises and greet the jockeys, trainers, owners and locals who stop by for breakfast. the place is one of a kind with tables that don’t match, a pool table and even a old fashioned jukebox that plays old vinyl records.
the menu is perfect for fans of hearty omelets, bacon and eggs or spicy linguisa. the stable café is open through the lunch hour monday through saturday, and longer during the alameda county fair in the summer.
trust me and check this place out! the very first moment you step foot inside they make you feel like a giant. i love this place because i feel so darn tall with all of those horse jockeys that are eating there.