Visiting Mama Kat’s new location in San Marcos last Friday Morning, I found the large parking lot packed and a wait of an hour or more to be seated. This popular Americana-style breakfast café has always been a go-to dining experience in San Marcos, and the much larger new location has only added to its popularity. The new location, at 288 Rancheros Drive, is the former location of My Yard Live Restaurant & Brewery. It is located just around the corner from the San Marcos Civic Center.
Owner Michael Herrera has been in the restaurant business since he started working with his mother in 1993. In 2005, he purchased Grandpa Allen’s Family Restaurant and renamed it Mama Kat’s in 2009, after his mother. The former location was at 950 W. San Marcos Blvd. in a small strip business shopping area where he shared parking with several other businesses.
It was here that Mama Kat’s grew in popularity and their menu expanded, adding not only delicious breakfast items but tasty fresh baked cream pies and pastry items featuring their popular cinnamon roll. Michael, wife Kristen and their four daughters work at the restaurant along with an expanded staff of 60. Michael was checking in patrons that Friday, asking if they wanted indoor or outdoor seating and giving them their waiting time for seating. Mama Kat’s now has several areas where patrons can sit and wait to be seated.
The remodeled restaurant has both table, counter, and booth seating as well as two separate outdoor, shaded eating areas. It also has a pastry and coffee counter where customers can purchase items to go. Some of the brewing equipment remains from the previous owner, and someday you may see Mama Kat’s beer on the menu. Currently,
Mama Kat’s is open from 7:30 am–1:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 7:00 am-1:00 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Mama Kat’s menu has remained basically the same as it was in the previous location. The large menu begins with the Traditional Breakfast, featuring 2 eggs with hash browns, home fries, fruit, black beans, or rice. You can add 11 optional selections to the Traditional Breakfast. A variety of Pancakes, Waffles and French Toast with various toppings are available.
The large menu lists 6 Scrambles, 5 Burritos, 7 Skillets, 13 Benedicts, and 7 House Specialties that will fill you up.
The menu also includes Fried Chicken meals and Avocado Toast options. You can also Build Your Own Breakfast if you are undecided. Oatmeal and Grits are also available. If you have a morning sweet tooth there are 7 muffin styles or the large Cinnamon Roll to choose from.
To quench your thirst there are 10 coffee styles, 9 Signature coffees, Cold Brews, and Refreshers like Sweet Tea, Iced Coffees and a variety of juice mixes. If you have time for the wait to be seated, you will definitely not leave hungry at Mama Kat’s.
For more information go to www.mamakats.com or call 760-591-4558.
