In thinking that we found the “Chef” on a day off, we tried the “Family Homestyle Café” a second time. On our follow up visit we passed on the pancakes and ordered the good stuff! This visit we ordered a Chili-Cheese Omelet, Country Fried Steak and eggs, plus rib-eye steak and eggs. Loads of food, and with 6 people at the table we figured this would be about the right amount!

Once again the size is about all that impressed everyone at the table. The food was poorly cooked, and lacked any attempt at plating presentation. Somewhere in the kitchen we assume there is a grill cleaning stone, but it was lost when they cooked our steaks. Both steaks were undercooked, tough and had the taste of dirty grill grease and seasoning salt; Not Good Eats! The waitress was apologetic and placed a re-order on both items.

The 6-egg chili-cheese omelet was gigantic! Clearly size also counts here, and fluffy omelets are something the “Family Homestyle Café” excels at making! The chili made this meal a favorite, and after requesting additional chili became everyone at our table favorite item. The omelets, bacon and sausage seem to be the restaurants forte, because they were good.

This said, somewhere on our order, in the translation of “Extra-Crispy Potatoes” the chef interpreted it as petri-fried, and they came out triple extra crispy… they were extra-over cooked, but crispy.

The country fried steak was presented looking semi-well cooked on the outside, but still had partially under cooked areas showing… it was returned for a “re-order,” as was the almost raw rib-eye steak. We are not sure the “Chef” was impressed with our re-order as the re-cooked steaks were returned not much better.

It is possible the cook was having another day off, because the country style gravy was a mass of flavorless milk and undercooked thickening flour. The gravy was thick, lumpy, and lacking any reasonable attempt at seasoning. Somewhere we all missed the attraction drawing the crowds to this Loma Linda diner. Should we say “disappointing” again?

In closing; “Family Homestyle Café” makes an attempt at serving good omelets. We are talking absolutely huge; easily big enough for 2. Lost in the huge proportions are the fillings and toppings for these oversized omelets, and you would be wise to ask them for “Extra” everything; in our case the chili.

On the positive side: The sour-dough toast was all cooked just about perfect, and the jelly is good. The service was friendly, but clearly not impressed with our complaints. Menu prices are on the moderate to high side for typical breakfast items, unless you factor in the double sized portions (not typical).

Once again, considering the café was busy each time we reviewed it, not everyone in Loma Linda agrees with our opinions. We are confident that the food can only improve, so they may just be early while waiting for a better meal.

NOTE: “Family Homestyle Café” will probably receive rave reviews from the “Let’s Dine Out” guys... Allen has been on his “Jenny-Craig” diet for so long he has to appreciate a meal that doesn’t fit into a 4-inch square box!