Emerald Cafe

Crooks. One of their employees cashed a check at my business and the check was returned due to no sufficient funds. I contacted the owner who said he would pay me and never did. Then after we visited him at the business, he said sue me!

I’ve come here 3 times but always for breakfast burritos. It’s conveniently located near my work and a good size bb cost $ 3.50 without meat or a little more with meat choice. The first two times I was served same girl who was friendly and quick she toasts the burrito and asks how well you like it. Would be 3.5 stars for decent food but today was disappointing though– my bb didn’t have potatoes! This is half the ingredient of the meatless option. I tried calling as I couldn’t go back and the number is out of service! I’m disappointed!

The new owner is doing great things! The menu is great! This is my new favorite Deli. I can’t wait to see how it changes in a few weeks.

I really enjoy going to places that have staff with authentic personalities. Sorry but the two ladies here had no welcoming face, spoke so low and unclear and so they of course got my order wrong. The sandwich was good (after I had them fix it) but it would have been better with chips (but they didn’t have any-​no sides of any kind). The place looked as if was going out of business, no music in the back ground, no tv, no friendly or trained staff. Wow. But we were in a rush, as usual with limited time for lunch. The prices were reasonable but with a good sandwich should come a good experience. Note to manager, keep up on supplies, hire people who are not shy, who have a personality, can speak with enthusiasm, be self motivated and speak up. When we got there we were just standing there and finally one of the girls said I will be right with you.

The sandwiches are HORRIBLE. The meat was dry, the bread was stale. If you want a successful café at the bare minimum invest in quality bread. Golden Hill has several bakeries where you can buy fresh bread. Costco bread is not going to cut it downtown.

I stayed at the W and decided to get a breakfast platter to go instead paying a crazy price for breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast platter was horrible. I received to half pieces of bacon, the hash brown was like one from McDonald’s, only soggy and wet. The toast was only warm bread and not toasted. Eggs were ughh. I should have just ordered breakfast at the hotel or walked to Brugger’s Bagel down the street. It was all horrible, a waste of time and money.

It was okay. Service was very sweet as the young man waited on us since we were the only ones there. I ordered the breakfast plate and it was ok. The hash brown was yummy. my cappuccino was not great but I’m really picky and I only want it made as a 6oz not 20oz. My little ordered a Mega C smoothie and loved it. I didn’t think it was clean: dirty windows, 2 of the tables we sat at had crumbs, floor was dirty too. All in all it was a good place for a quick grab for a bagel or sandwich nothing special but the service.

I visited Emerald café for the first time two days ago and I was very pleased by the customer service. The sandwich I ordered was a spinach wrap which I absolutely enjoyed. The café was clean and they had many sandwich options to chose from. My sister and I both tried their smoothies and we LOVED them. We actually decided to go in because they were sampling some outside. It was a hot day so smoothies sounded PERFECT!
I will definitely be going again whenever I stay at the Westin!
If you are in downtown walking around on a hot summer day then you should definitely check this place out to get a smoothie, you’ll want to try a sandwich after seeing all the delicious options though!

I use to frequent this café years ago… don’t go often anymore with all of the other choices nearby. This visit reminded me why I don’t go.
Cure café, small, two young ladies behind the counter. A few gentlemen ahead of me but not busy, looked a bit haphazard back there.
Anyway, order the breakfast burrito. The lady who took my order looked confused and the other lady was telling her what to do. Add the eggs, add the …, etc…
The scrambled egg tray was almost empty but she was scraping the sides until every nugget of egg was out of it. Didn’t care for this much at all, got short changed on my eggs.
Fast forward… I also ask for bacon and ham. Usually comes with one meat. Ok. Also, upon paying asked for salsa but was ‘reminded’ that it came in the burrito — asked for extra on the side.
So I pay and sit down to eat. Well, first, no extra charge for the second meat. Oversight on their part. Ok, time to eat. Burrito she’ll is hard (over warmed in the oven), burrito has NO hash brown and NO salsa. Ugh… wtf.
Too hungry to argue and have them remake it, plus I figured it would probably be worn again.
Burrito was OK for what was in there.
Ladies here are nice so added back one start.
Won’t be returning, too many other good places within a few blocks for better breakfast at similar price points.

Bought an Italian sandwich and it was not very good. First time here but not impressed.

I really enjoyed the California wrap I had here for lunch yesterday. It was well prepared and the staff were wonderful.

I had coffee and a snack here, and thought that it was great.
The gold mine for this place is that they are so close to the courthouse. Starbucks probably gets jealous if this location. Nice friendly service and plenty of sandwich selections here from the look of it (I did not have a sandwich).

Keep walking. I hate to do this to this small place but that was one of the worst sandwiches I have ever had. I should have kept walking to a safer option– subway in the courthouse… But noooo, wanted to give this place a chance.
Got their lunch special sandwich $ 3.99. Wanted to get their soup– no soup of the day… Okay, fine. Got the roast beef sandwich. Said no mayo, guess what I got? A bunch of mayo on it! Drenched actually. And they also drenched it with mustard. Only thing they didn’t «drench» is the meat. Literally there were 3 slices of roast beef. The sandwich looked so pathetic that I didn’t bother taking a pic of it. Save them the embarrassment. I know I sound mean, but gosh, this place was so bad. The sandwich was disgusting… I ate half and couldn’t stomach the rest.
I think I’m gonna be sick. Take a few more steps and go to subway or another sandwich place!

Family owned and super friendly team! I come by a lot for coffee (it’s like crack) and just recently enjoyed a deli sandwich! Impressed by the way I was able to say I’m starving I have no idea what I want and W A L A Kamal made me the best one ever!

Stopped in for breakfast as I walked to my conference. The menu is super cheap. I got the bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and toast option. It was cheap in cost and quality. Super fast (scooped the items into my to-​go container). About the same as McDonald’s I’d say. I added pepper, hot sauce, and salsa, which added a LOT of flavor and made it totally reasonable for the price.

I visit Emerald Café when I don’t bring my own lunch to work, and it never disappoints me! The service is great; Kamal is very friendly and helpful. My sandwiches/​wraps are always ready in a couple of minutes. I’m not sure how busy it gets during lunch rush, though, as I always eat my lunch later than most people. The shop has a few tables outside so you can enjoy the Downtown San Diego outdoors and people watch!

Day 3 of jury service, and I had skipped breakfast heading to the Hall of Justice. I kept passing Emerald Café on my way there the previous mornings, and their ad about having the best breakfast burrito in San Diego kept catching my eye. So, I decided to test that claim.
The burrito is made with scrambled egg, cheese, hash browns, salsa, and for a little extra, your choice of sausage or bacon (I went with sausage). The staffer manning the counter cut the burrito in half after she prepared it — nice touch, as it’s a decent size. As for the burrito itself, while it’s not the best breakfast burrito in San Diego that I’ve had, it still does a good job filling you up. (Maybe they should change it to «best breakfast burrito in downtown San Diego.») And at a price point of under $ 4.50, not too shabby, considering the price of most restaurants and cafes in the area.
There’s quite a few sandwiches that caught my eye at Emerald Café, so if you’re looking for an affordable lunch (they close after 2, FYI), give this place a shot.

Walking from the trolley to Jury Duty & I saw — $ 3.50 for breakfast. Now this I have to see!
Sure enough, choose a bagel, egg and cheese or make a breakfast burrito out the same ingredients for less than $ 4! I chose the burrito. It wasn’t necessarily speedy service, but it was quick and friendly. I opened the burrito once I arrived in the Jury Lounge and the wonderful aroma of egg, cheese and salsa made my stomach grumble. It was really good! The eggs were scrambled just right, the cheese was fully melted and the salsa had a great kick. I was full, satisfied and even happier it cost me only $ 3.50 — score one for Emerald Café!

I had an hour to kill before taking Amtrak to LA and decided I should probably get a snack before. Emerald café was super close and looked fast, so I walked in. The guy taking orders and manning the register was nice enough and made my salad and smoothie super quick. For $ 10 I got a smoothie, full sized salad and a bag of chips!!! Maybe it’s because I’m from Hawaii and am used to paying this much for lunch, but I thought it was incredibly reasonable. I disagree with everyone who thinks this place is expensive.
The guy, who I suspect was the owner, had his daughters behind the counter. They were the cutest! I talked to them while their dad made my food. :) so sweet! I wish I could come back often.
My only complaint is that the Greek salad, which is less than $ 5(!!! Unheard of!), was a little sparse. I guess that is what you get for $ 5 The huge bed of lettuce was topped with peppers, cucumbers, cheese and black olives (not Kalamata Olives, like advertised).

Stopped in this afternoon to buy a muffin because I was hungry for a snacky snack. I used to come here all the time for lunch. But then I acquired the skill of preparing meals from home (ahem, saving dinero). Also I realized I could make half the items on the menu (namely the salads and sammiches) myself.
The wraps here are the best. The coffee… not so much. The staff is very friendly. The prices… not so much.