Spanky's Cafe

We were staying nearby and Spanky’s was recommended. Food was great, and the children options were just perfect. They also have a back patio with a secure play area for the kiddos. We ended up eating here twice during our stay and we recommend it!

This restaurant is quite the gem! My breakfast scramble was delicious and they had the best pancakes I have EVER tasted. It is cash only (there is an ATM available onsite). The back patio is very cute. A great stop!

Beautiful and cute diner. It's like walking through a time portal. The food is absolutely amazing. Best eggs Benedict and chicken fried steak I've ever had. Love this place!

The owner is awesome and the food is tip notch. Love it here!

Absolutely my favorite breakfast place. Great food, great atmosphere, great service, and great prices. Where else can you sub out toast for a generous helping of biscuits and gravy. Ashley is the best. Nearly every weekend I order the basic 3 egg scramble with potatoes and biscuits and gravy and am never disappointed. If you want something upscale and fancy, you should probably take a pass. But if you are a fan of the basic small town American diner, this is your place.

So we visited the area about 2 months ago and picked a random place to eat breakfast. We got here and they were so busy and had no seats inside. We thought we'd have to find someone else to eat. Well it turns out they have a beautiful outside dining area in the backyard. Now beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but we thought it was absolutely charming. The service and food was amazing and just what we wanted. We felt like we were at someone's house eating real food. I felt like I was a true guest and me and my party was very well taken care of. I'll definitely go back when we visit again, it's a must now. I feel bad I don't remember our servers name, she was awesome. It was busy and so was she bringing out hot food with a smile and happy to run and grab whatever you needed so you could enjoy your meal.

This place was awesome! We are in town for a wedding and one of the guests recommended we give this place a try - we were NOT disappointed. We split the croissant French toast and breakfast burrito, and both were absolutely detectible. They are cash only, but have an ATM in the waiting area. The staff is friendly and aims to please. I thought the curtains were a fun/cool way to use up fabric scraps, & there's a bunch of stuff on the walls that are fun to look at. The eating area is limited as is the parking lot, so I recommend ordering to go, but I highly recommend trying their food in some way, you won't be disappointed.

It's only been about 4 or 5 times eating here but I'd solidly and confidently say that spankys earns all 5 of these stars. The wait staff are friendly, quick, and on top of it. The food on the menu has been delicious every time. The real kicker however is their specials which are unique and delectable. The chefs working at the heart of this restaurant are hard at work to make some wonderful foods. Portions are just right and to top it all off with a cherry the atmosphere is lovely. Definitely a good choice to stop in from 7 - 2 whenever you get the chance.

Favorite breakfast spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains! Spanky's never disappoints. My husband says their chicken fried steak is the best he's ever had (and he's had a lot, seriously). The gravy is hearty and delicious. Eggs Benedict is stellar. We LOVE their salad too! We've never had lunch but the burgers look amazing. Staff is awesome!!! Now with Covid, great outdoor dining too.

The best breakfast diner I've been into in a very long time. It's small, cute, and "Little Rascal" themed. The service is amazing, and our server Paula was very informative and gave us a little history of the place. I highly recommend the eggs benedict with bay shrimp and avocado. It's nothing short of amazing!

Loved our breakfast here. Their pancakes were so light and fluffy. Staff was so friendly. Cash only, so make sure to bring some else, there's an ATM on-site.

Absolutely delicious! The French toast croissant is my new favorite. Every time we’re in the area we are going to eat here. Our waitress was attentive, kind, and not annoying. 5 stars all the way

The chicken fried steak is homemade and the best I’ve had in recent years! The place is cute and laid back and our service was excellent! The prices are more affordable than I’m used to and I’ll definitely be going back!

Been coming to spanky's for 30 years through multiple owners and it has maintained the charm and food I love all the way back in the 90s. This is my favorite breakfast spot in the entire area

Best breakfast. I had the Corn beef hash and my husband had Chicken Fried Steak and both plates were delicious, even the coffee was amazing! Stop by fall for their food as we did. Definitely going back soon !

The food was really really good, everything came out really quickly and was amazing!

My dad couldn't help but hint at the places we were going on our trip. "You won't believe what the breakfast place is called" "Yeah right dad I've seen everything because I'm 15 and I know everything or something" So anyways we pull into this town in the middle of a forest. As we drove to the hotel, my eyes caught sight of the sign. "Does that say 'Spanky's'??" So in the morning, we went. And while the building may have looked vividly like a cross between a rosy maple moth and Perry the platypus, I'd be lying if I said this place wasn't the best breakfast place I've been to.

Such a great quirky little spot with incredible food. They even had a kids area to hang out! We got the chicken and waffles and an omelete. The waffles were crispy with cinnamon sugar and butter and the chicken was flavorful. With a side of warm maple syrup and sausage gravy it was perfect. The omelete was nice and flavorful. The home fries were so crispy and soft. And the side of biscuits and gravy were perfect.

This tiny diner has some of the best food! It's totally worth it to travel up to the redwoods to have a delicious breakfast followed by a hike in one of the local parks. They have excellent potatoes, vegetarian eggs benedict, added avo and shrimp, Hollandaise sauce is delicious, the breakfast burrito and the omelets and even the pancakes are so good. Hats off to the great chefs at Spankys and the friendly wait staff!!!!

My favorite place to breakfast in the valley! Cash only. Nice places to sit outside. The croissant French toast is the secret weapon... 🤫🤯😎👍. Chicken fried steak is amazing too. It's a small place so take your time.

It's been at least a decade since I've enjoyed this establishment and how comforting that in this world of decay and decline, they remain unchanged...delicious. Thanks for the nostalgia and a wonderful breakfast.

SCRUMPTIOUS!!! Home cooking country kitchen. Corn beef hash 😋 savoring to the last morsel. Everything tastes soooo good! Santa Cruz mountains been cooking up some good stuff! 👍🏻🌲

Delicious! Must try the french toast croissant...to die for...also had corn beef hash and that was was different from what I usually expect. This hash was more like hash browns , nice and crispy, I really enjoyed the taste and textur,yummy goodness!

TeriAnn Henson

The chicken fried steak is homemade and the best I’ve had in recent years! The place is cute and laid back and our service was excellent! The prices are more affordable than I’m used to and I’ll definitely be going back!

Community Vibes Garage

Been coming to spanky's for 30 years through multiple owners and it has maintained the charm and food I love all the way back in the 90s. This is my favorite breakfast spot in the entire area

Anali ZC

Best breakfast. I had the Corn beef hash and my husband had Chicken Fried Steak and both plates were delicious, even the coffee was amazing! Stop by fall for their food as we did. Definitely going back soon !

Margaux Tendero

The food was really really good, everything came out really quickly and was amazing!

Cyhusk

My dad couldn't help but hint at the places we were going on our trip. "You won't believe what the breakfast place is called" "Yeah right dad I've seen everything because I'm 15 and I know everything or something" So anyways we pull into this town in the middle of a forest. As we drove to the hotel, my eyes caught sight of the sign. "Does that say 'Spanky's'??" So in the morning, we went. And while the building may have looked vividly like a cross between a rosy maple moth and Perry the platypus, I'd be lying if I said this place wasn't the best breakfast place I've been to.

Jeff Wuorenmaa

Such a great quirky little spot with incredible food. They even had a kids area to hang out! We got the chicken and waffles and an omelete. The waffles were crispy with cinnamon sugar and butter and the chicken was flavorful. With a side of warm maple syrup and sausage gravy it was perfect. The omelete was nice and flavorful. The home fries were so crispy and soft. And the side of biscuits and gravy were perfect.

Ann “Woodsy” Black

This tiny diner has some of the best food! It's totally worth it to travel up to the redwoods to have a delicious breakfast followed by a hike in one of the local parks. They have excellent potatoes, vegetarian eggs benedict, added avo and shrimp, Hollandaise sauce is delicious, the breakfast burrito and the omelets and even the pancakes are so good. Hats off to the great chefs at Spankys and the friendly wait staff!!!!

Alan

My favorite place to breakfast in the valley! Cash only. Nice places to sit outside. The croissant French toast is the secret weapon... 🤫🤯😎👍. Chicken fried steak is amazing too. It's a small place so take your time.

KDiddle Daley

It's been at least a decade since I've enjoyed this establishment and how comforting that in this world of decay and decline, they remain unchanged...delicious. Thanks for the nostalgia and a wonderful breakfast.

Cynthia Vaca

SCRUMPTIOUS!!! Home cooking country kitchen. Corn beef hash 😋 savoring to the last morsel. Everything tastes soooo good! Santa Cruz mountains been cooking up some good stuff! 👍🏻🌲

Eleanor Lopez-Dominge

Delicious! Must try the french toast croissant...to die for...also had corn beef hash and that was was different from what I usually expect. This hash was more like hash browns , nice and crispy, I really enjoyed the taste and textur,yummy goodness!

Ladan Khalili

Delicious food, a little pricy and you have to have cash.

I haven't looked forward to a breakfast this much in 15 years. A friend brought me here a few weeks ago and I had the corned beef and hash (homemade corned beef). It was out of this world delicious so of course I had to come back. The staff is very friendly, kind, and genuine. And the resturant is clean and nostolgic. It's amazing nice place to sit and enjoy a meal. I highly recommend it.

Had dinner here last Thursday night and it was amazing, had the chicken fried steak and fries and it was so tasty! The people I was with had the flatbreads and loved them and a salad! Such a great option for all meals in BL!

Nice vibe, great service, amazing biscuits and gravy. Love it here. My wife and I are going to make this a regular breakfast spot.

I had the potato scramble with corn tortillas (no gluten for me), and it was AWESOME. Props for frying up my tortillas.

Mark Roost

Nice vibe, great service, amazing biscuits and gravy. Love it here. My wife and I are going to make this a regular breakfast spot.

Anthony

I haven't looked forward to a breakfast this much in 15 years. A friend brought me here a few weeks ago and I had the corned beef and hash (homemade corned beef). It was out of this world delicious so of course I had to come back. The staff is very friendly, kind, and genuine. And the resturant is clean and nostolgic. It's amazing nice place to sit and enjoy a meal. I highly recommend it.

Morgan Desantis

Had dinner here last Thursday night and it was amazing, had the chicken fried steak and fries and it was so tasty! The people I was with had the flatbreads and loved them and a salad! Such a great option for all meals in BL!

James Sutherlin

Spanky's Cafe in Ben Lomond is hands down the best breakfast spot in the San Lorenzo Valley! The food quality is exceptional, the service is consistently friendly and attentive, and they never miss a beat when it comes to delivering a great experience. Compared to other breakfast places nearby, Spanky's stands out for its consistency and well-prepared dishes that truly hit the spot. Some of my go-to favorites include their perfectly crispy chicken fried steak and their classic breakfast of two eggs with sausage and hash browns. Everything on the menu is well-made, so you can't go wrong with trying something new. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Spanky's Cafe is the ideal spot for a satisfying breakfast that keeps you coming back for more.

Very sweet. Good food. Relaxed atmosphere. Welcomed my very well behaved pup 👍 BUT, lost some stars today, because of cleaners smells STILL present and mops hanging on the fence/entrance to an otherwise, very well done patio. If me and my dog are being sent to the back, it should still be quaint and colorful all the way through to my seat, and not look and smell like the kitchen back alley. While the kitchen is right there, yall will have to find a better spot for the mops. Also, today, as it has been for some years, a cleaner smell that burns my eyes and etches itself on the inside of my nostril and sinuses, is ever present in the side and back patio. That was the last time I'm putting myself through that. Don't know what it is, but it feels toxic and effects the experience pretty badly. It was drizzly and chilly today. The sun shifted behind a cloud as I settled in. So, all I had was the food, in the cold, w toxic smells.....

💵CASH ONLY💵 they also have ATM The food was AMAZING. Their chef did not miss a beat. I have gone here twice with different people. Everyone loves it. The setting gives you a bit of a throwback with the references to the rascals! Service is good, just be kind and patient. You can tell they're short staff 💜

What a great restaurant up in the mountains. I would come here every time I'm in this area. Get the mess and if you don't get that definitely get the biscuits and gravy. Amazing!! 💪🏾

Had the Hash and eggs and it was delicious! The hash is a bit different, made with hash browns and very crispy. But you could still taste the corned beef and it was very yummy. My husband had bacon eggs and hot cakes. The bacon was really good! Very generous portions. Lovely staff.

Really like this diner. Perfect food stop when planning a drive, ride and/or hike in the Santa Cruz mountains, Big Basin areas. We had biscuits and gravy and a reuben sandwich which felt home made in the best way. If I lived and worked nearby, I would be a regular. Very good ingredients and great preparation with very reasonable prices.

Great little local eatery. House made corned beef hash. Great pancakes, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle!

Mad Professional

What a great restaurant up in the mountains. I would come here every time I'm in this area. Get the mess and if you don't get that definitely get the biscuits and gravy. Amazing!! 💪🏾

Michelle D

Had the Hash and eggs and it was delicious! The hash is a bit different, made with hash browns and very crispy. But you could still taste the corned beef and it was very yummy. My husband had bacon eggs and hot cakes. The bacon was really good! Very generous portions. Lovely staff.

Frank Satchel

Really like this diner. Perfect food stop when planning a drive, ride and/or hike in the Santa Cruz mountains, Big Basin areas. We had biscuits and gravy and a reuben sandwich which felt home made in the best way. If I lived and worked nearby, I would be a regular. Very good ingredients and great preparation with very reasonable prices.

Hitsomeballs

Great little local eatery. House made corned beef hash. Great pancakes, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle!

This is not a fancy place. It feels like home-cooked food made by someone who wants you fed and happy. For this Gen X-er, it brings me right back to high school mornings at a friend’s house—real plates, real food, everyone sitting down together. The food comes out quickly, it’s solid and satisfying, and it tastes the way these things are supposed to taste. Blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, regular coffee. The service is friendly and efficient. Indoor and outdoor seating are both an option, but sitting outside feels like you’ve landed at an old roadside diner in Tennessee—country, slightly antique-y, almost Southern in spirit. Charming, unpretentious, and oddly grounding. It’s always busy because locals love it, so parking can be a bit of a hunt—but there is street parking if you’re patient. For locals, this place is a staple. For non-locals, it’s an ideal stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner if you want a real feel for the area. And getting here is half the magic. Whether you’re coming from Santa Cruz, San Jose, San Francisco, or Scotts Valley, the drive through the Santa Cruz Mountains is gorgeous—towering redwoods, winding roads, little communities every few miles, wineries, shops, trails, and countless memory-making opportunities. If you’re visiting the Bay Area, a drive through the Santa Cruz Mountain towns is non-negotiable. It simply must be done. And while you’re here—stop at Spanky’s. Drink a big mug of regular Joe under the trees. Eat the blueberry pancakes. And remember how lucky we are to be alive and part of it all. ⭐️

Food was very bland. Ordered French toast and pancakes, no flavor. The biscuits and gravy were the only thing that was good. I expected more with the 4.6 stars reviews I read about. Nice server but she got our drink order wrong so that was a rough start. It was very busy so maybe it is better when it's not so busy 🤷‍♀️

Good food easy access. Friendly staff. Be there before 1:30 for lunch.

Nice breakfast place, a lot of locals seem to enjoy it. Friendly service.

Back in the day with the original owners Spankys breakfast couldn't be beat. Granted now days, because of Insane President and his tariffs, portions have gotten smaller but I would expect hashbrowns to be more than 5-6 bites and both sides cooked. The biscuits should be flakes not doughy and English muffins should be crunchy not chewy. I used to buy the commuter breakfast sandwich at least twice a week on my way to work. They were a meal in themselves and delicious. Now they are tiny, greasy and the English muffin is basically raw. The eggs Benedict can be eaten with your hands rather than smothered with sauce so you need a fork to eat it. It's so disappointing knowing how excellent spankys used to be and how far it's fallen. It's an absolute insult to the original owners that this place is still called spankeys. I used to crave the stuffed French toast there and now I wouldn't eat it if it was free. Between small portions, the Grease and things being under cooked I'm sad to say spankys Cafe is no longer a place i will eat breakfast. Over the years ive hoped the new owners would step up their game but its just gone dowmhill every time ive been there since they bought the place. I honestly feel bad about this review because for so many years it was the best breakfast in the valley. I know times are tough and cutting corners is a must but have a little pride in your product and at least cook your food all the way.

Good food, nice patio atmosphere but unfriendly and dishonest staff. We had a large group and most of us enjoyed our breakfast, with the exception of the huevos rancheros (2 eggs on top of a flour tortilla with a side of pico!). From the beginning the service was questionable, there was only one other table dining, yet we were told that “it would take time” before we could even get menus. Once we ordered, everything came out pretty quick. The problem was when the check came. It seemed to be high, so we decided to do the math ourselves. When our waitress noticed that, she came over to “remind” us that the tax is 9.75%, she also offered to give us an itemized receipt and for the first time she showed some friendliness. Once we did the math, her total was indeed considerably higher. Turns out she had already tip herself, but failed to mention it or itemize it, probably in hopes that we wouldn’t notice and tip again. Not only did she include the tip without mentioning it, she added tip to the tax amount as well. And to top it all off, they ONLY take cash. As we were walking out, I noticed that the only other people dining there were also doing the math in their cellphone. If I have to imagine their bill also “seemed” high! And just to be clear, we like to take care of our servers, but hiding the fact that the tip is already included is absolutely dishonest.

We were served quickly. The food was okay, but not great. Breakfast potatoes, hash browns, and corned beef hash was all burnt. The waitress never came back to check on us or refill drinks. We thought our check was rather high, and we were overcharged about $10. We think the waitress had already tipped herself.