This is a cute casual spot with a moderately limited menu but certainly has options for all the people in your party. I arrived on crutches, and the staff was more than accommodating! One of the servers made it to the door before I did to open it for me, and they cleared off a table right away that was more accessible. I will say, though, I'm glad I went with crutches and not my wheelchair because it's a tight squeeze if this is important to you. The food and drink were great! Everything came out just how we ordered, extras, and all came out as requested and all at once. Servers came by to check on us throughout the meal. It was an enjoyable experience and would absolutely go back. Parking can be difficult most times of the day. Be mindful not to park in other businesses lots as most do tow.

Fun atmosphere with good selection and oustanding service. Tiny bit elevated price but worth it.

This place is a hidden gem. We had the waffle and the corn beef hash. The waffles was light and crisp and mildly sweet, definitely the best I've ever tasted! There was a wait, but the food was worth it.

This little spot is a must try! Delicious, fresh and on point with service! The house made rye is off the hook...

My absolute favorite palace for brunch. The waffle is exceptional. The only minor thing I would complain is the beverage. Coffee is a bit burn and mimosa is not bubbly enough

One of the best breakfasts!!!!! Great food great ambience. I will come back!

+5

Sequoia diner offers the best breakfast in Oakland, and perhaps the Bay Area. They make their own breads and pastries, cure their own meats, and all of it is delicious. The one quibble I have on occasion can be service. This past weekend, 5 minutes prior to opening, a front person came outside yelling at us to line up at a certain point. I have no problem with forming a line, but it isn't enjoyable being yelled at by a server doing their best imitation of a Marine Corps drill sergeant. They have a mandatory 20% tip, but that incident made me want to reduce my tip in protest of that unnecessary display.

Delicious AND fresh food! The eggs were some of the best tasting that I've EVER had! The fried chicken as AMAZING as well! I actually crave this place! Small spot and totally worth the wait! 💯

+1

Very unusual menu. The bacon eggs and toast is straightforward, but like the shrimp and grits has bacon, sausage, and other stuff in it. Grits could have been more creamy but still very good. They have a hot sauce that is house made that I would love to buy some and take home. All the food coming out of the kitchen looked wonderful. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Time waiting for my food was very appropriate. Wonderful place for breakfast, however get here when the first open or you will wait. Although the wait is worth it.

Wandered in for brunch, there was a little wait, about 15 minutes. Sat promptly as they were able. All the employees were incredibly polite and my food came out quickly! I had the beef hash and it was sublime. The biscuits were tasty and the mocha was fresh. A small venue with wonderful light and airiness.

The pulled mushroom sandwich is the tastiest thing I've eaten anywhere in quite awhile. It reminds me a bit of something Fogeater Cafe in Mendocino would do. Just sensational, spicy, and a great use of pickled vegetables. The iced cold brew is strong and yummy. The service was excellent and they don't rush you. It was so good I texted multiple friends about it. This place rules, and the various hot sauces are all also delicious, spicy, and fun.

Came here on a recommendation through a friend. Went on a Saturday late afternoon. Was quite busy. The food was DELICIOUS! We ordered the pastrami breakfast sandwich as well as the chicken salad sandwich and a biscuit. We also got an orange juice and the turmeric tonic. My favorite was the pastrami sandwich and the breakfast potatoes. Their potatoes were probably the best breakfast potatoes I’ve ever tasted! It was a mix of mashed and hash brown potatoes that were crispy on the outside and super light and fluffy and packed with flavor on the inside. Bread on the pastrami was super buttery, and nicely toasted. The chicken salad was really tasty as well. The version to me wasn’t a classic chicken salad per say but a rotisserie style chicken that was super juicy with a hint of Mayo and then all the fixings on the actual sandwich. It was really good. I would highly recommend this place but tiny downside was the service. It was a little slow but I’m going to blame it covid protocols etc to keep things safe an distance etc. everyone there was super nice and the hostess even came out to the car to grab us when it was our turn to order and be seated. Overall would come back again. The food was delicious and the staff was really friendly. 5 stars!

Lovely brunch at 1pm on a sunday, worth the 40 minute wait. We shared a Chilaquiles verde with house made chorizo and a side of potatoes; both were incredibly flavourful! The lavendar latte was pretty and, though a bit too sweet for my taste, enjoyable. Our server was friendly, attentive, and fast.

Lovely diner, delicious food, and wonderful staff. A friend invited me for brunch, and my food was so good that I cleared my entire plate before she made it even halfway through hers. I’ll definitely be back! The turmeric drinks and lattes were also delightful!

I need a moment of silence for the waffles … those waffles made me feel loved. Every bite was a celebration! And the pecan sticky bun …. Ooooo weeeee babyyyyy so damn good! I love going to this diner whenever I’m in Oakland! It’s a must!

Just out tooling around Jimmy the Fink and Crowbar, we just dropped off a kitchen table and chairs to Fink's daughter at her apartment over by Mills College, and Crowbar slaps out something about stopping at the Sequoia Dinner! Well...it was breakfast time so I made a couple of quick turns, bounced the truck over some dividers, and bam! we were there. The Sequoia puts out about the best breakfast in Oaktown! 5 stars every day. ☆☆☆☆☆

The food is delicious and the service is outstanding. (Thanks Lucy!) Don’t sleep on the pecan sticky bun and the plant-based breakfast.

I love this diner so much. I moved out of the state several years ago but I make a point to come back whenever I’m in town. The staff is exceedingly kind and the food+ drinks are delicious. If I could give more stars I would.

I went nice and early and enjoyed their plant based breakfast with an added poached egg. If you’re a veggie fan, this is delicious. Their hash browns were amazing. Very pleasant ambiance too.

Very friendly staff, delicious food, and locally owned. Everything I ate during my visit was amazing, from the biscuit to the pleasantly surprising grilled tomatoes that came with my CFS. They have a neat waiting area on the street which gives you time to take in the neighborhood and plan on going to the shops after breakfast.

Visiting from Atlanta and we loved absolutely everything about Sequoia Diner! Great vibes, amazing coffee, fantastic menu options and everything we ate was delicious.

My new favorite brunch spot! Don't panic about the wait. I showed up on a Sunday morning and waited 10 minutes. When I left at noon the line was longer but like 3+ tables were turning over all at once. Service= probably the best vibe I've encountered in a long time. super friendly but efficient. Not rushed. felt like all the servers were helping each other out and keeping each other positive. Fresh, superior food. This is like diner energy with California fresh deliciousness. scrumptious rye and sourdough breads. perfect poached eggs. table next to me got incredible servings of chicken n waffles and that's what I'm ordering next time. Damn fine coffee. The ambiance doesn't try too hard. Nice, earthy, basic & just feels very Oakland. Has a counter which is fun + tiles, bench seating. Easy going mixed crowd: young & old. Friends, couples, girl brunches, local families with high chairs, hungover 20 somethings, and middle-aged me with my funny brother. We needed to reignite an old Sunday morning tradition. And I think we found our place. See you there next Sunday!

Little gem in oakland! Unique dishes that were filling, yet not too heavy. My beef hash and eggs were beautifully prepared. Cozy decor with AMAZING staff. Looking forward to visiting again.

Our first time enjoying Sequoia Diner and boy howdy did we love it! We got the breakfast sandwiches, potatoes, pork sausage, and the biscuits with maple butter. It was ALL amazing and the staff were all super lovely! Worth the wait (everywhere has waits now) and worth the money. 10/10 will be back for more!

Just GO and you will enjoy the food! The service is friendly and professional, parking may be a bit if a challenge so try to go during the week to miss the weekend lines. The menu does change which I like and the vanilla bean latte is a WINNER! I have been multiple times and will be back!

Everything was absolutely amazing! Best waffle I've ever had.

Love Sequoia. The sticky bun is incredible. Country breakfast is also a hit with the homemade hot sauce. Fantastic service from some really friendly people.

Amazing cozy Oakland breakfast spot. Come here for a great sit down breakfast complete with INCREDIBLE food and good vibes. Lots of good plant based options for veggie forward folks too. The line gets long on the weekends and they don’t take reservations, so come prepared to wait a few minutes or go early.

Daaaaaaamnnnnn!!!! Can't wait to come back, so so good. Lucy was the best waitress of all time, she hooked my wife up with some vanilla bean sweetness for her coffee. Good mix of vegan and gluten free options.

SD maybe small in square feet but the food is hugely delicious. I recommend you go through the week because on the weekends the wait can be an hour or more but worth it.

+1

Very cute diner experience! Great menu with good options. The wait was supposed to be 30-40 minutes for a table but we got seated in 15-20ish. The service was super lovely and the suggestions of the waitstaff was very helpful in making a breakfast choice. Highly recommend this place the three dishes we got were amazing! Only room for improvement was the coffee but Highwire tends to be more acidic so no real big complaint.

Best breakfast place in Oakland. There’s a plant-based breakfast with delicious mushrooms, braised greens, spinach, hash, avocados and it’s just so amazingly done. The biscuits are outstanding and the Shakshouka is superb! Love their orange juice and tumeric tonic - strong and a knock out! Definitely will b back!

+3

This is a gem of a diner. The food is great, service is quick, smart and friendly, and the vibe is easy going. The special Chile Verde pork with grits and poached eggs was fantastic-a real winner. Breakfast sandwich is a reliable and super delicious standard. Everything is prepared with thought and care. Coffee does its job. Can't wait to get back. I love this place. See you there!

For a place calling itself a diner, Sequoia is a giant amongst diners. Truly. Great options for vegetarians and vegans. I’ve only sat at the counter and visited both on weekends and weekdays, always bustling. Very attentive staff and cool cross section of the olde Oakland diaspora.

The food here is bomb. Everything is fresh, tasty and inventive. There’s a modern take on a classic space, and then menu rotates often so there’s always a reason to come back. The coffee and shandy I had were absolutely astounding. I really appreciate that the business reflects the neighborhood and exists to serve great food to their community.

On my list for a long time and didn’t disappoint. Service was a little slow today, but could have been an isolated issue. Food was tasteful and well prepared and staff was nice. 20% added gratuity to all checks.

Great place to sit for a chat. I had the breakfast sandwich and it was delish. Coffee poured just the right frequency. Crowded for that cozy vibe but not packed. Didn’t feel rushed but was able to have my meeting, eat, chat, and get out in exactly an hour. Perfect.

Love it. We return over and over for great breakfast and lunch dishes, surrounded by beautiful Oakland hipsters and Laurel district local yokels.

Food was delicious and arrived quickly. Everything on the plate was good. Staff were friendly and attentive. FYI, there is a lot of background noise. I would not take my father here, for example, because he has a mild hearing impairment and would not be able to understand anyone at the table. Overall, this is a neighborhood gem and deserves its accolades.

Just had the most killer bacon and waffles I've had in ages. Well worth the long wait in line! Staff was super friendly. Highly recommended if you're looking for a place to splurge on breakfast.

Embarking on my friend Phil's breakfast recommendation led us to an outstanding experience at this establishment. The moment we stepped in, we were met with exceptional hospitality and an atmosphere brimming with positive vibes. The staff demonstrated remarkable service, and much credit goes to the manager, Jaz, who not only sets a delightful tone but also exhibits expertise in running a well-established venue. Conversations with her added to the overall charm. In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this place and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a harmonious blend of good vibes and delectable food! 😄

Had lunch here with a co-worker very recently. Very friendly people. Cozy and clean. The owner who was tending the bar noticed I was trying to get attention of our very busy waiter and was kind to just got me the orange juice I wanted. Highly recommended especially for the positive attitude that this place exudes. If you come during lunch rush, expect to wait 10-15 minutes but worth it for sure. 👍🏻

Dave Dwelley

The food here is delicious, interesting, and many of the dishes are pretty darn healthy. Staff are exceptionally friendly and easy with questions, etc. Four stars for the atmosphere isn't a knock, I tend to be stingy with 5 stars. Atmosphere is fine, just not as awesome as the service and the food

Joshua Michael

Sequoia Diner is such a great spot and absolutely worth the visit. The food alone makes it stand out, and the overall vibe feels cool, laid-back, and very much like a neighborhood favorite. When we arrived, there was about a 45-minute wait, which wasn’t surprising given how popular the place is. We decided to walk around the area while we waited, and it worked out perfectly—they actually called us before the 45-minute mark, which was a nice surprise. Once seated, the food really delivered. Everything we ordered was great, well prepared, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s the kind of comfort food that’s done really well and leaves you glad you waited. The staff experience was a bit mixed. Some team members were very friendly and welcoming, while others were more neutral. Overall, though, service moved efficiently and everything came out smoothly. One quick heads-up for future diners: they do include a service charge that essentially functions as a tip. This wasn’t explained to us at the time, so we ended up tipping an additional 20% on top of the 19% service charge. Not a dealbreaker at all, just something good to know ahead of time. I’ll definitely be back. Great food, a cool vibe, and a well-managed wait make it a spot worth checking out just be mindful of the service charge when the bill comes.

+1

Jessica Heinzelman

My first time! Really enjoyed this elevated diner. The prosciutto toast was INCREDIBLE and the mezcal bloody the best! The server was so nice — he gave us great recommendations and had a nice pace. We were able to enjoy without feeling rushed. We’ll be back!

Elijah Loveraven

Vibes, food, esthetic top notch for our cozy little neighborhood. Ps visit Dear John two store fronts to the left if you're facing the restaurant. Put your name on the list and then go get some cute gifts for your home or friends. It made the time pass quickly as it was such a delight to look at everything Joanne had in her store.

Sam Breach

I just love this place, I’ve been many times over the decade they’ve been open and I am never disappointed. The menu is always mouthwatering, food is always top notch, the staff is cheerful, the atmosphere is buzzing, the interior is cute. I’m not a vegan but I love that they have a variety vegan plate, which I often order. The potatoes here are so good. It’s always worth waiting in line for a seat at the Sequoia table!

Jeff Ryan

Really loved this breakfast! It's so hard to find good biscuits and gravy on the west coast and they NAILED it. The biscuit was buttery, the gravy was savory, the greens had just enough spice. We also loved how friendly the staff was. Our kids felt welcome and the staff were so good with them. The little ones loved the waffles, which were flaky and soft and cooked perfectly. Seating can be tight but it's worth it.

Charlotte Robertson

Really delicious brunch spot! Came here at the recommendation of friends and couldn’t have picked a better spot. Grabbed the biscuits and gravy and a lavender lemonade mimosa.

Gary Heutmaker

The grits were fantastic. The breakfast sandwich in comparison was not. Also of note was the creative invoicing.

Kevin McCloskey

Breakfast cost about $20 per, this is reasonable for the quality and the area. A 20 percent tip was added and the waitress was good enough to explain that. She offered a ' to go ' cup of coffee.

Kyna Byrd

Incredible drinks, friendly servers, and food that made me feel like maybe everything is actually going to be okay? immaculate, 10/10, will be back soon.

Jae DK Szeszycki-Truesdell

Yes yes yes yes yes! Delicious, creative, efficient, diverse, genuine, friendly, high quality, cocktails, custom mocktails, food...yum! Freshly baked, freshly ground and brewed, freshly squeezed, FRESH! Very surprised they don't have a five star average. Recognized Line 51 (family owned Oakland brewery), Hangar 1 (Alameda distillery) and Lagunitas (Forest Knolls to Petaluma brewing company).

+1

Kendall Harden

Sequoia Diner is hands down one of the best brunch spots I’ve been to in the East Bay! We started off with the pecan sticky bun, and wow—warm, gooey, fresh, and just the right amount of sweet. Total perfection. Our server was super friendly and clearly knew her coffee. It was strong, smooth, and exactly what I needed. I ordered the Fish and Grits, and it completely blew me away. The local black cod was tender and flavorful, paired perfectly with creamy heirloom Carolina grits, a poached egg, spring veggies, and a spicy Calabrian chile salsa that brought everything to life. Every bite was comforting and full of bold, fresh flavors. Can’t wait to come back. This place is a must-visit!

Z.

Where to begin? Dining here was exceptional! We enjoyed the special loco moco with perfectly crisped egg edges (how they do it, I do not know) and the signature biscuit breakfast sandwich with bacon and potatoes. The breakfast time adult beverages were nice and strong. It's rare to see a casual breakfast spot with good liquor and cocktail options, meaning we couldn't help but indulge ourselves. Service was both fast and especially kind. One small recommendation would be to add some sort of sound dampening. The place gets to be a bit cacophonous with all the energy and voices in the joint. Will come back soon. Thanks for the exceptional service and excellent food. ✨️

Ari Leventhal

Our favorite spot in Oakland for breakfast. Our server Lucy was kind, funny, and made great recommendations “you can’t share a biscuit” - she’s right - you need your own. This place is always bumping with great music and upbeat bustling atmosphere. Arrive early to get a table or know you’ll have a bit of a wait. Great options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike and always delicious fresh food. Coffee is hot and freshly brewed. Also a beautiful matcha latte.

Ruven Stein

I am so proud for my first review of 2025 to be the magnificent Sequoia Diner! This hidden gem is a must for your first breakfast out in the new year. Quality ingredients, friendly service and a cozy atmosphere. The homemade sauces and jam really tied the meal together. Although I opted for the classic American Breakfast, I appreciate the rotating menu of creative specials.

Ece Turhal

We came with a group of 6 and they were very accommodating. The service was great! Everyone got different dishes and they were all delicious. In fact, one friend thought it was silverware lickin' good. 😅 The drinks were also well made. Lots of parking in the area. Highly recommend!

Ellis Ott

Sequoia Diner is an Oakland MUST for breakfast/brunch. Don’t worry about the wait, it’s worth it. They recently acquired a liquor license as well, so peep their amazing cocktail list, or go with a breakfast staple mimosa! I loved this place so much when I was living in Oakland that I prioritize eating here when I visit. Don’t walk, RUN! To try this amazing place.

+1

Sad to say I don't think it's worth the wait. I went on a day when there was no wait and I can't imagine waiting 30+ minutes for food this mediocre. We tried several things and it was all just...fine. Not really worth the price, but tasty enough. The portions are also pretty small, and while the atmosphere is fun, the service was inattentive even when a few booths and tables were open (not packed inside). We both had "bottomless coffee" but didn't get refills until we were done eating. I would have liked a refill when we got our food to have hot coffee with the meal.

Really loved the atmosphere and food here. The striped back dinner look works very well.

I intended on taking my daughter to a breakfast establishment down the street but had an a bad experience. I'm glad we walked to to the Sequoia Diner! We were greeted as we walked in the door. A bit pricey but the food and service were great!

Vegan chilaquiles were alright but small portions. Salsa tastes a bit burnt. Service was slow bc they were busy but nice staff. Again it was busy so it was loud and very tightly crowded for Sunday brunch.

Great food. some staff not very helpful or present. Others are excellent!

They can get very busy on weekends and they don't take reservations so plan for a bit of a wait. The prices are high but the food is good. Reasonable portions and friendly staff. Some gluten-free options for an added price.

We arrived soon after the diner opened and there were already lots of people inside. It took a long while for us to get water, order, & receive our food. They have a simple but interesting menu. I had mint tea w/milk (great), biscuit & gravy (serving size was 1.5 biscuit, great biscuit but bland gravy), and a side of bacon (3 slices, way too salty). My husband ordered a waffle w/ a side of bacon (2 slices). The waffle was fluffy; better than most breakfast places we've had. & I love that they serve Highwire coffee. The restaurant got loud when it was full. Service timing is spotty, but friendly. Parking on the street, metered. Hard to find.

Food was great, apple cider tastes like apple pie 😍 we had to wait about 35+ mins to be seated, i think they would benefit from a reserving type system :3 waiters nice, food cane out fast, pricey

Delicious little brunch spot, busy on the weekends. Lots of variety, will be back to try more. Be prepared for a wait on the weekends.

+1

It’s a vibe. The food is pretty good. Service was all good as well. Only concern I had is sitting by the bar you can see the kitchen and as a result I observed if you are vegetarian the waffle might be the only thing that you may be able to eat. As everything else appears to be cooked on the same iron griddle with the same utensils. I wasn’t able to eat my seasoned potatoes as a result.

Nice diversity. I had beef hash and eggs, which was slightly bland, but it looked like there were several other options, including drinks, that were very tasty. Servers were personable and decor was homey.

This place has great food. I love the vegetarian/ vegan options. They seem to put extra love into everything. Their biscuits are homemade and everything is extra fresh. The atmosphere is cozy, but on the weekends it just gets crazy. Every yuppie from Sacramento to Berkeley is lined up out front waiting to be seated. So if your headed to Sequoia diner on the weekend be prepared to wait, other than that enjoy!

Awesome brunch spot in Oakland. Good mix of plant based and meat options. ❤️waffles with fried chicken

+6

First time at Sequoia! Servers are friendly and attentive. Patty melt was a bit dry…meat should have more favor. Hash browns side could have been more flavorful as well. I anticipated a 20% tip added to bill automatically, which is not a significant issue when service is good. I plan to try a breakfast dish which may be the restaurant’s strength. I will provide update after my next visit.

This is my first time at this cafe. I was acknowledged as soon as I walked through the door, which was great. My sever brought me water right away. My food came quickly once I ordered. Everything looked good but the food was cold and as a rule of thumb I avoid sending food back to the kitchen. Despite being cold the food was good. The grits were creamy and buttery and the goat cheese omelette was seasoned well. I am used to service charges however I am not used to being made to donate to a charity. A 19% service fee, which I am used to, and 1% charge for Dining for Justice, which is new to me. 1% of the total bill is minimal, however, I would have liked to know beforehand not when my check came. I have not heard of that organization before and I have not been to a restaurant that automatically charges a charitable fee. I don't mind coming back to try something different.

Food was delicious and fresh. We had a decent wait time, we did go on Sunday and expected it to be busy, but it seems like they could have better organization and time management to service facilitate faster table turnover. Overall, worth the wait and I will be back again!

Great ambience and good plant-based breakfast, but wait time for food and overall service were issues. I was looking forward to going here. I’d heard great things about the plant-based breakfast. Even though it was a Sunday morning our wait wasn’t too bad. Love the general ambience of this place. Our orders were taken and our drinks arrived and then…we waited. And waited. No one said anything to us. After 25 minutes we asked someone, thinking maybe our order had been lost. Another 15 minutes and the food arrived. By that time we were starving and our drinks were nearly gone. We were sitting near the kitchen and from what I could see, the long wait for our food had to do with many to-go orders interspersed with in-house orders. And maybe short-staffed? Not sure. The plant-based breakfast was delicious except for overly salted potatoes which had been sitting on the grill for a while. The toast was very good as well, but the size of the slices was tiny, that was a minus. Also, sausages not thoroughly cooked but it had been so long of a wait at that point, my friend didn’t want to send them back. The bill for 4 was $142 (4 breakfasts, 4 non-alcoholic drinks). At that price I really would have expected a bit more. I didn’t mind the 20% surcharge per se (and I appreciate 1% going to a local charity)—but I found it odd that no one ever checked in with us during our long wait. Staff was definitely available if we flagged them down, and friendly enough, but I guess I like having a dedicated server who makes sure we’re having a good dining experience.

$11 for 2 drip coffees is wild. Food is bland and slow to come out. Service is fine. Hipster, retro diner trying hard but delivering a mediocre breakfast. 20% gratuity included. Expect a $60+ bill for 2

The food was pretty good but the prices for what you’re getting is a little too steep tbh. Maybe it was just what we ordered but I walked out paying $68 for 2 ppl. I’m not opposed to smaller portions but it’s what we got. A waffle that was i believe $13 and was literally a waffle with powdered sugar and tiny blop of cream of some sort. Idk usually this comes with fruit but you have to pay an additional $6. The American breakfast is $15 plus $5 if you want a protein which is kinda odd to me bc these types of plates automatically come with a choice of protein. The positives though, the food is decent/good. Sourdough bread is kinda stale not the best or worth being priced in. Eggs, potatoes and side salad were good. They also have fresh squeezed orange juice that is was good. Over all the pricing is just a little odd to me compared to other breakfast spots. And yes like the other reviews have noted, your check automatically has a surcharge “tip” included which makes it’s uncomfortable to tip bc you want to tip good! But the check has already added a good amount of the tip so to be a good patron you end up tipping almost twice. Idk I was super excited to try this spot but it didn’t quite hit all the right notes for me 😓

Average all around, nothing to write home about. The mandatory 20% tip regardless of party size should be dropped (no incentive for wait staff to go beyond average). Small portions for the price. Food ok, not spectacular….

Overall, it's "just okay". This place is always packed so I assumed the food was top notch... It isn't. We came for dinner after our Easter church service yesterday and waited a very very long time to be sat, at least 45 minutes. Once sat the service was good and our servers were friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb special and coconut milk Thai iced tea. Both were underwhelming. The lamb was chewy and not seasoned well, and the Thai tea tasted watered down. The best thing about my meal was the roasted veggies on my plate. I love lamb, I made a garlic roasted lamb chop in my airfyer last week that I'm sure would out sell theirs. Don't let the crowd fool you, it's just that the space is small inside, the meals are overpriced and just okay check the disappointment in my son's face, but he liked his waffle that he ordered lol.

Max Kay

Local American cuisine brunch place with good standard options. It's becoming a very busy place over weekends with long wait time, better make reservation if really interested in trying. IMHO, Some reason for long time would be poor management. Witnessed while waiting for more than 1 hour and finally offered at the bar, guests turnover mismanaged. Food is good but interestingly smaller American portion. Inflation affected. Paid street parking available. Indoor seating only with booth/table and bar seating.

+10

Roy “Knowledge”

Just a “mid” experience all around. The taste of the food was just fine. Mandatory 20% tip automatically charged. Small portions. Not the most attentive service. Had to ask for silverware, had to keep asking for refills of water and coffee. Sourdough “toast” was barely toasted (see pic), not even a little bit of browning. $57 total for 2 people, with those portion sizes, not worth it. Also the place was so packed with tables that I had to literally wait for the next customers to physically walk into the place before I can walk out myself as I was leaving. Waiting for 5 people to walk by you while you’re waiting and hovering over other tables, just felt awkward.

Nice place with a great vibe, but food left something be desired. We were hopeful because the wait for a table was not too bad, but we ended up waiting longer for our food than it took to get the table. Once our food finally arrived it was disappointing. Clearly they source great, fresh ingredients but I found the food to be bland and plain. It's great they have a lot of vegetarian/vegan options but that in itself does not make up for mediocre culinary execution and small portions, especially at their price points. Service was hit and miss as well. Friendly and polite, but lacking in refilling our waters and coffees. The wait is long, not because the crowds, but because the food takes so long to come out. I suppose no matter how nice your servers are, that gets overshadowed by the food not meeting expectations. I did appreciate that their coffee was good.

So. I know when you go out, you’re gonna pay a particular fee for having somebody else cook your food, right? But I do believe in transparency as well and when I asked this girl for takeout she should’ve been like yes but there’s a 19% charge on that. Would you still like to continue? so that I could’ve said hell to the no and walked out the door. but she didnt and I was surprised with that fee as my food was delivered to me. From $39 to $52! Crazy..

I walked in with my sister who came from San Jose happily and excited about having brunch here only to stand in front of the “wait to be seated “ sign . No one greeted us (it was not busy at all) , no one even acknowledged that we went in to spend money at this place . The black woman who has been working there for years looked up and looked right back down as if recognizing it was no one important waiting and went right back to her duties without smiling or simply saying hello. Looks like you are very happy with all of the new consumers in the Laurel. I used to live in Oakland way back when these neighborhoods were a bit different and it was the local community who made these places cool. Looks like you don’t need us anymore . It is important to recognize that if you have a business you must appreciate every customer - whether they “look “ like they may tip or not - they bring money in . Humans beings are human beings - we all live and breath - for anyone who took the time to read this - please acknowledge your fellow human being . Stay humble because one day you are up and the next day you may be down . You are powerless and vulnerable in that sense . You just don’t know …humility holds more power than you know.

After seeing several parties that were seated after us get their food before us, we left. I will not be returning.

Be aware that a 20% service charge is automatically added to the bill, which isn’t clearly stated on the menu. Also, the beef hash was a bit disappointing - it had very little actual beef. Just something to keep in mind when ordering.

Today I had breakfast at Sequoia which I hadn't been to for a while. Unfortunately, it was the worst experience I had in years anywhere. The food was expensive and arrived cold. They over charged us for biscuits. When we questioned it the young Latina waitress was rude and dismissive. She had to recalculate 2x. Then when we were told that a 20% tip was added to the bill automatically 🙄 we were so surprised and asked if that is posted somewhere. She said it's on the menu. I asked to see the menu and found the notice at the bottom of the menu in really small fonts and the ink was also really light and hard to read. I asked to speak to the owner, who I know and was my neighbor for many years. I was told he was too busy. I went to the back to talk to him and he did not look busy 😕. He offered to remove the 20% tip . When I got back to the table the waitress was really rude and argumentive. I told her I would not be coming here again and she said that's fine with her?? I told her that was a rude unprofessional response and I explained i used to be a regular customer and didn't like her attitude. Especially since her job is to be nice to customers. I really used to enjoy eating at this spot for many years. I hope the owner replaces her with someone who really cares about the job and customers. It's unfortunate but I will not recommend this place to anyone. The bill for 2 people was $77.80 for a basic breakfast. It's soo expensive to eat out these days and adding a 20% tip is outrageous especially for bad service. 👎

I got busicuts and gravy and for the price you'd think you'd get 2 maybe even 4 biscuits but you only get 1, and then there's a random $2.50 fee for using a card. i actually just got scammed. Wouldn't recommend

I was really excited to try this place and I’m so bummed that I had a really bad experience. When I checked in, they wrote the wrong # of people in my party down. Then I waited for 20 mins for a table and when I came to be seated they told me that the table was not suitable for my party and we would have to start our wait over again. I am not mad about the simple mistake, however, they were incredibly rude to my party about it and made it seem like we were the ones who made the mistake. They were practically yelling at us. We had such a bad feeling from the interaction that we decided not to stay even though we were very much looking forward to trying this place.

me Garrity

So Disappointed, After waiting an hour we were given the worst server. He couldn’t be bothered and his snails pace made us realize why the wait was so long. NO WHERE on the menu does it state you will be forced to pay a 19% tip/server charge. I guess when you have lousy waitstaff Over priced food…mine came out cold because it sat at the pass for a while since the server tried to give our order to the table next to us. We were so looking forward to a new breakfast brunch spot but who can afford $40 @ person for lousy service and food