Welcome to Shirley's Kitchen
At Shirley's Kitchen, located in La Mesa, CA, you can expect a cozy diner experience that serves up homestyle American breakfast and brunch dishes. With a Latinx-owned business, Shirley's offers a variety of classic breakfast options, omelets, and breakfast dishes with a touch of Mexican flair. Customers rave about the hearty meals and friendly service, with standout dishes like the Country Fried Steak and fluffy pancakes. Despite some parking challenges, loyal patrons appreciate the nostalgic diner vibe and consistently delicious food. Overall, Shirley's Kitchen is a must-visit for a satisfying breakfast experience.
- 7118 University Ave La Mesa, CA 91941 Hotline: (619) 462-5732
Shirley's Kitchen is a hidden gem in La Mesa, California, offering a delightful array of homestyle classics and breakfast delights. Located at 7118 University Ave, this Latinx-owned diner provides a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for diners.
The menu at Shirley's Kitchen boasts an extensive selection of favorites, from hearty classics like Country Fried Steak and Pork Chop to delectable omelets like Meat Lovers and Seafood options. For those craving a touch of Mexico, dishes like Huevos Rancheros and Chorizo and Eggs are sure to satisfy.
What sets Shirley's Kitchen apart is not only the diverse menu but also the exceptional service provided by their team. Customers rave about the friendly and attentive staff, creating a pleasant dining experience for all. The restaurant's commitment to quality and attention to detail shines through in every dish served.
Whether you're a regular visitor or a first-time guest, Shirley's Kitchen promises a memorable culinary experience. Don't miss out on their Happy Hour specials, outdoor seating, and the option to bring your own container for leftovers. Take a break from the ordinary and treat yourself to a delicious meal at Shirley's Kitchen today.

Great little diner. It's small but the food is fantastic. The better buzz next door can make it challenging to get in the driveway.

This little hole in the wall has the best food and service in La Mesa. I can always count on a good home style cooked meal!

The food is great for a hearty breakfast. We're visiting from out of town and we always have breakfast here when we visit.

Mine and my family's favorite breakfast place! They have amazing food with plenty of options and the best environment for everyone. Jose and Stephanie are the absolute best servers. Highly recommend for a yummy breakfast.

The food was great! Super fresh and filling. The staff were also friendly and attentive! It's cozy inside and always pretty busy when I come. They've been around for awhile and I've never had a bad experience.

Neighborhood locals hang out better but ruined the parking access and for that reason I won't go there any more the city failed to take that into consideration and need to reengineer the access with a safer access I've witnessed to serious rear ended accidents on the blind curve!!!

Food was pretty good for its quantity. Was definitely full. I didn't get the servers name but he recommended the country fried steak. I was stuck between that or the corn-beef hash. So I went with the CFS. The gravy was a little watery but I powered through it. The steak was good but the hash browns were amazing. I'm a hash brown kinda guy so the hash browns saved the experience. Pancakes were amazing. I love me a nice fluffy pancake. I loved the at home feel. Inside could use a little updating but it was nice. Overall had a good experience. Who knows I might come back again and try the Corn Beef hash next time.

This place has such and old school diner vibe food was delicious taste just like home , the interior has never change you can tell they kept it they way it was probably first open which I love , I'm not it to Aesthetic in into quality and this place is it

Fast friendly service. Small diner. Very casual. Some outside seating with umbrellas. Parking lot is small. Waitress was very attentive. Coffee was good. Love the flavor creamers. I had the Country fried steak sandwich. I had them add cheddar cheese on it and a jalapeno. Sandwich comes with no Condiments. Steak patty was pretty big but lacked flavor. Seasoning needs more salt & pepper. I really think this sandwich needs to come with a choice of sliced cheese. It was lacking something. I added mayo to sandwich. It was ok but didn't wow me and chicken fried steak is my favorite. I order all the time. My Husband got the steak and eggs breakfast. He said it was good. Not overcooked and portion was a good size. It had a good taste to it. My Daughter ordered the French toast combo. And she says it is exactly as she remember and didn't disappoint. She really enjoyed it. We haven't been at Shirley's in over 4 years so it was nice to stop by. Beware the lines from Better Buzz can get crazy so be patient pulling into parking lot for Shirley's

Honestly a great experience here. First time visit, and left a great impression on me. The country fried steak was good but could have been a little crispier. But still a good steak. I would give it a 4/5. Ortega burger was good as well! The bun was a little burnt but not too bad. The burger was cooked well and had lots of flavor. Fries were average. Could use seasoning. 4/5 Pancakes definitely were amazing? Definitely amazing. Tasted homemade and had plenty of flavor and were super fluffy. 5/5. Service was great as well. Jose was a really good hostess and waiter. Appreciate his recommendation and service!!!