Restaurant “Re-review”
Point Break Cafe
2743 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
619-758-9870
pointbreakcafe.com
I have been asked by many of my readers if I ever revisit places that I reviewed in the past, either to see if the quality of food has changed or if menus have changed. Since several of the places I reviewed last year – and gave less than a stellar rating have closed – I decided I would start out the new year with a revisit every month or so. The first place I went to is the Point Break Café.
(Here is Judi’s first review of the restaurant in July 2013.)
Irene and I had decided earlier to go up to Ft. Rosecrans to visit our husbands for the New Year. (And I have to say that the cemetery looked 100% better than when I wrote about the deplorable conditions in 2014.) The Point Break was on the way home – sort of.
After parking the car we attempted to open the door off the parking lot to enter the facility. I honestly thought it was closed, because I could not get it open. It had rained recently and the door was swollen shut. We saw the menu board outside and knew it must be open, and with a huge tug, Irene managed to open the door.
One of the things I said in my July 3, 2013 review was how dingy the place looked. My husband and I used to frequent the restaurant when it was the Boll Weevil. In 2013 I said it needed a new coat of paint; I don’t think they did that, because it still looks dingy.
This is a direct quote from my review in 2013:
“I have to say a thing about cleanliness. Marilyn went into the bathroom and came out telling me that she wished she had never gone into it at all. The bathroom floor where the commode is was filthy, or least it gave that appearance. There was tissue on the floor; the floor looked stained, etc. I think a new coat of paint – or new tiles could have eliminated it. “
I wish I could say things have changed but they hadn’t. There was still paper on the floor; and the sink was dirty. If the floor had been painted it didn’t show it, and it gave me a bad feeling because I know that many of my friends eat there often. I felt that one of the electrical sockets was a hazard and although I did not think I would be using the plug, it shows me a negligence I do not want to see in an eating establishment.
the Fun Breakfast
There is a nice menu with many offerings that sounded delicious. There are 7 different breakfast combinations listed in addition to 4 Benedicts 9.45-$12.50); Eleven omelets from $9.95-11.95; Eight Scrambles from $8.95-10.25. The griddle selections were numerous – and something I have not seen before in restaurants was the ability to purchase the entire order, or a short stack, or just one pancake. I like that idea for several reasons – one is that you can sample different pancakes if you want to. There was “Other Stuff”, wraps sides, etc.
When it came to make a decision, our waitress put up with our questions and answered them gracefully. (When we originally sat down we found that we were seated near the recorded music and it was just too loud for us. We asked to move after we had been given menus. There was no difficulty in doing so.)
Irene ordered the “Fun Breakfast” – two pancakes, two strips of bacon, 2 sausages, and two eggs for $7.75. She had her choice of buttermilk, banana nut, coconut pineapple, blueberry, chocolate chip or apple cinnamon pancakes. She chose the buttermilk pancakes.
Florentine Benedict
I had a difficult time deciding between the Fernando scramble, chorizo, tomato, onion and mushrooms for $8.95; the Chorizo scramble – $8.95; or the Machaca scramble – $9.95 and the Florentine Benedict, with Ham and Spinach for $9.95. All of the scrambles came with your choice of grilled potatoes, hash browns, black beans, or refried beans, and choice of toast or tortillas. The Florentine came with my choice of hash brown potatoes, fruit, or grilled potatoes. I chose the Florentine because the waitress said it was her favorite.
I asked if they had any gluten–free breakfasts and I was told that they did not have any French toast, or pancakes that were gluten free. They do serve corn tortilla’s, and they can make eggs any way I might want them.
I sat facing the kitchen and watched them making our order. I cannot understand why, when we were served, that the eggs were only luke-warm as were the pancakes. I saw them making it. It was only steps away to our table, yet I almost sent mine back to be reheated.
Irene said that everything she had was very good – just wished it had been hotter. I was disappointed in my order. I never add salt to anything. Yet I found that I had to put salt on the eggs and on the hash browns. The sauce was good with the additional salt, but I could not eat the hash browns. I ordered them crispy, and that they were, but they were tasteless. Eating warm Benedicts in not very appetizing, and I was sorry that was what I had ordered.
Our total bill, not including the tip, came to $21.98. The service was good but I do not think that I will be returning to this restaurant again. I just wish that they would put on a new coat of paint – at least in the restroom. One should not feel that they were as “dirty” going out as they were coming in.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I too used to go there when it was a Boll Weevil. In fact I did my re-enlistment ceremony there in the mid 90’s. I’ve been to Point Break once and honestly though it sucked and based on your review gong there again recently I’m amazed it’s still in business. Another place near by you should check out (I like it) if you haven’t already is Harbor Town Pub on 1125 Rosecrans.
To say I was disappointed is minor. I used to love the Boll Weevil; have fond memories of the place, but I am amazed that so many people keep on going there. One of the things may be that they have a large beer selection. Since I don’t drink beer, that has no appeal to me. But the feeling of it being dirty just turns me off.
They do have a large beer selection but so do many other places. Who knows? Yes that place IS pretty dirty. Oh well, there’s no shortage of other place I’m amazed are still around.
I went there with a friend for dinner in October because everything else in the village was crowded. There were plenty of empty tables; we were seated near the kitchen. Ceiling lights glared in my eyes (I’m short), even though we changed seats. Evidently the lights cannot be adjusted. We were sitting with our drinks and reviewing the menu when a HUGE rat ran across the floor from the front door into the kitchen. He acted like he knew just where he was going–probably to visit his family. That was enough for us. We paid for our drinks and left, resolving to never go back.
We went there once in 2010 for. Sunday Breakfast.
Never went back. Slooooow service, Dining area very distressed and soiled floors, bathrooms deplorable, value back then was very questionable. We left praying for no food poisoning. I honestly don’t know how they stayed open. It was so bad I can’t even described the burnt toast, salty eggs, soggy waffles, super salty bacon, dirty beverage glasses. Bone Appetite.! I called the owner later and he was not at all concerned re any complaints.
And yet they remain open. I should have looked for the Health Department rating, but thought of it too late.
Man! If I had known that I wouldn’t have gone for my “revisit!”
FWIW, the building that houses Point Break used to be a topless go-go bar in the 60s.
I agree with Chris – for great food in the Shelter Island area try Harbor Town Pub on Rosecrans and Canon.
Going there this week! Anything special you recommend?
Ahi sandwich………..
The building was originally Der Wienerschnitzel. We remember it as the Boll-Weevil, a take off on the high-end Cotton Patch restaurant. But what was the name of the bar in-between those two? Yes, I remember going there.
My whole family used to go to Boll Weevil when it was in operation in the 90’s, every week after church on Sundays. I have some GREAT memories of shooting pool there and enjoying their burgers, which were quite good as I remember. Sad to hear the building is such a dive now.
PS. THANK YOU FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE INFORMATION, JUDI!! I really, really appreciate it.
Heck, our whole collective would go down to the Boll Weevil in OB, right where Pizza Port is, and have a week’s worth of greasy burger.