Loaded Cafe Restaurants Santa Ana First Street - Santa Ana (CA)

2 /5 Alberto Rodriguez: First time visiting this location after seeing the positive reviews, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing. David, the gentleman who attended us, was dry and unwelcoming, almost as if he didn’t care. But that wasn’t even the worst part the restaurant had a very strong smell of urine, and the carpets looked extremely dirty. The odor was so overwhelming while eating that I started feeling nauseous. I ordered the menudo, hoping it would be good, but was told it was two days old. While I appreciated David’s honesty, the dish itself was unappetizing overcooked, stiff meat, and a tasteless, thick broth. I had to use all the lemons and chiles just to give it some flavor, but it was still absolutely unpleasant. The tortillas were no better; they tasted like they had been microwaved, coming out hard and half cold. The only positives were the horchata, which was delicious, and the fresh conchas that David gave us at no charge to make up for the bad experience. For that effort, I’m giving 2 stars instead of 1, but I definitely won’t be coming back.

2 /5 Salvador Covarrubias: 1st Time coming, Order Little piggy and the Asada Chilaquilles. Pancakes were really bad consistency on the mix is bad. Asada Chilaquilles a little better but only Had a Couple of Chips in the Mix. Drinks are small for the price there packed with Ice. Will give them a second chance. Hopefully they do better. Conchas are provably the only good tasting thing here.

5 /5 Jeff Taylor: Visiting from Galveston, TX and the pancakes, crispy bacon eggs over medium was perfect. The server was so gracious and kind, so helpful. There was an equipment issue, but he handled it like a true professional. I came back for more

3 /5 Belem Ramos: This spot has been a regular for me over the years, and I’ve found that the service tends to vary depending on how busy they are. When it’s quieter, the staff is much more attentive, but when the place is packed, it can feel like they’re stretched thin. The food, however, has consistently been solid. It’s your classic American diner fare with a unique twist, often incorporating some Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s a great option for larger groups—perfect for catching up over breakfast, brunch, or lunch. So far, no complaints about the food, and the atmosphere is ideal for a relaxed, casual meal with friends.

5 /5 Gabriella D: Delicious way for us to end our trip in LA before going to the airport! I ordered chilaquiles with steak and hashbrowns and it was divine. My friend also enjoyed his meal, which was an omelet with veggies and hollandaise. Our waitress was nice and attentive too! Pricey but very good - I also have to remember everything in CA is more pricey so maybe a $21 breakfast plate is tyoical. Id come again though.