Mary's Family Restaurant

For many years I’d pass by Mary’s and keep walking by just because it reminded me of 1970s Hill Street. After seeing eager patrons waiting to get a table time after time, I needed to check this place out myself. I took my friend early on a Friday morning. Sure enough the place had that 70s feel to it. I’m glad I came for my first visit. It beats the franchise restaurant chains any day. The service came with a friendly smile and endless refills of coffee. The food was excellent in my opinion. My country-fried chicken steak was plump and served just right with gravy, a generous portion of hash browns, and 3 eggs over easy. I look forward to trying the fried chicken and fries next time.

My most recent visit in March 2024. Prices have increased with inflation. Noticed a service fee added to check. In short, breakfast and fair tip was just short of $30 for one person.

I've a soft spot for Mary's Family Restaurant, as we stop and eat there every vacation. Built and managed as a quick and friendly eat-and-run for area military personnel on their lunch hour, Mary's offers vast pancakes and generous portions of every menu item. Wait staff circle back and check on you often, with boxes ready if you can't finish the meal in the one sitting. There's no leaving the place hungry. As a bonus, and because my mother's name is Mary, we routinely also pick up a Mary's Family Restaurant tee in her size; by now she's collected all the shirt colors!

When I’m in Oceanside, I have to have breakfast at Mary’s family restaurant. Lynnette was the best! She was all over it. The service was the best and the food is so good. I call it Texas portions. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Lynnette for taking care of of us.

Your classic All-American diner, good food, great service and happy vibes.

I enjoyed a basic sausage patties, eggs and hashbrowns breaks. No complaints 👌

The minute I walked into Mary's I knew that I was in a good place because of the wonderful aroma. I had the Fish and Chips and I was completely satisfied. I'm looking forward to visiting Mary's Family Restaurant again soon and trying some of the other dishes that I saw being served. I highly recommend. They are currently only open for breakfast and lunch. It can get busy but the service is fast.

They have huge homemade cinnamon rolls for $6.50. We got the kitchen sink and strawberry French toast. Everything was delicious and when you leave you will need a nap. The only negative I can say is we went around brunch time and the doors were open causing the restaurant to be a little warm but it was well worth the food.

Hands down the best place to get breakfast! The food is absolutely amazing, and very reasonably priced! The service was excellent, the coffee kept pouring, and our whole family thoroughly enjoyed their time. Other places nearby are a bit pretentious, but here they make you feel at home! The cinnamon roll is huge, and melts in your mouth! The French toast also is just the best. I got the huevos rancheros and it was incredible!!! Perfect proportions of eggs, ranchero sauce, and carne asada! It has a decent kick, but was even better with Tapatio! I wish I took a picture of it all, but we were hungry. This is the only breakfast place we will go to in Oceanside!

Went here with my boyfriend while in town. It was a good surprise! My boyfriend ordered the chicken fried steak and I got the French toast! We shared the biscuit and gravy! My boyfriend liked the chicken fried steak! But we both loved the French toast! It was different compared to others but it was a a good surprise! Yummy!

Holy Cow.. Who Knew!? Check out the size of that cinnamon roll… baked in house… and the plate of chicken and waffle was delicious! I don’t do fried chicken much especially from fast food places and I have a favorite in Phoenix when I get in the mood for it, but this chicken was yummy! Not greasy and nicely crispy.. awesome staff, and it seems like a busy place with a possibility of a wait ( totally worth it ) - parking is always a coin toss in that area but they have a 4 hour parking lot behind the establishment.

Great breakfast. Flavors were out of sights. This is a full baking sheet of cinnamon rolls. If you go you have to try them. Gravy is unreal. Pork chops were incredible. If you are in town on business or pleasure you owe it to yourself to stop in and enjoy a meal.

I had Corned beef and eggs, hash browns with toast and waffle. The meal is amazing. Compliments to the cook.

Waiter was hoisting a lot of customers in house but was fast and effective at delivery. Took my order and food arrived within minutes. Friendly and engaging; ensuring good customer service. Recommend for all who appreciate a great appetite.

Great place to eat breakfast and lunch.
Menue with so many choices.
This time I ordered chorizo and eggs with hash browns. It came with nice sliced avocado and salsa, some lettuce and tomato chunks in the middle, also toast of your choice. All fantastic to the max.

Stopped in with my wife for breakfast. Immediately we were made to feel at home.
Food was fantastic. Generous portions made to order.
We highly recommend visiting Mary's!

Loved our visit to Mary's. Food was really good, the service was even better.
I'll be going in everytime I'm in Oceanside. Thanks!

I believe that I've found the best breakfast restaurant in Oceanside. Our waitress was so friendly and attentive. I wish I asked her name. The food was just what we needed after attending a wedding the night before. The pancakes and the machaca eggs were fantastic. Next time I'm in town I'll be back.

Great little family restaurant in the heart of Oceanside with some very “high’s” but a couple of “lows”.

The highs - Fried chicken! Was crispy and delicious. Definitely worth a return trip. The huevos rancheros might be the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Even the tortillas they were on was delicious. I usually don’t eat that part, but ate every bite. Side salad add on for a $1. Large side with great tasting blue cheese dressing for just a buck! Finally the service was attentive, friendly and quick. They have make shift tables outside due to Covid so the servers have to cover a lot of ground and they did great.

The lows - veggies on the chicken dinner was definitely canned. Should offer the side salad as a substitution and they may have gotten five stars from me. Carne asada that came with my huevos rancheros was a bit chewy and not flap meat. Should just say Mexican style steak and I would have been ok with it. But then again, I really wanted ranchero style carne asada. The huevos rancheros were a pleasant surprise, so I may have never gotten to try it otherwise. For $18, maybe offer a smaller piece of real carne asada?

Everything else was ok to good, like mashed potato’s and pancakes so not planning to go into detail, but will say it was worth the visit overall and will know what to avoid the next time.

We went here to meet our son for lunch. This place is really cool. If you are looking for "fancy" or upscale this is not the spot. BUT if you are looking for awesome down home cooking then make sure to step in for a meal. I had the power breakfast and it was wonderful and filling. The service was very friendly and prompt. The interior makes me think of a 50s diner. AND it's a very patriotic spot, which is not surprising given its proximity to military installations. Loved it and if I'm in the area I would definitely eat here again.

Real small ma & pa cafe that serves amazing French toast! Was originally walking down the street to another place to grab breakfast when I discovered this cool little place. 10/10 would return.

I've been going here for a few years now and cannot recommend it enough. The food is fantastic and all the staff is super friendly. I've brought a lot of people here with me over the years and after the meal they all understand why I keep coming back and you will too.

Great food here. When we were here Sunday for breakfast there was a line out the door. Though I ended up getting a patty melt that was perfectly done. Others in our party had pancakes and sausage which the also enjoyed. Love the decor from the patriotic sign to all the murals.
The most amazing thing was the massive delicious cinnamon roll. Not to be missed. We took it home and 3 days later still haven't finished it all. Sevice was friendly and excellent. Highly recommend. This place is walking distance from the pier area.