On the corner of E Thompson Blvd. and Santa Cruz St. lies a mainstay of midtown, Art’s Corner Cafe. By 9 a.m., customers mill about the small parking lot waiting for a table at the recently remodeled breakfast joint. The restaurant changed ownership in 2023 and features classic diner foods with some Mexican cuisine influence.
Parking was a bit difficult since the cafe produces a swarm of cars throughout the neighborhood behind it. However, once you make it to the hostess stand, you’re greeted by the smiling faces of a friendly staff. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with a healthy amount of umbrellas and heaters on the patio. We sat down in the sun next to a row of cactuses, surrounded by the congenial hustle and bustle of light conversation, plates and footsteps.
The waitress produced the menu and we chose our food. They also serve lunch later in the day, but this review will focus on breakfast only. There was a slight misunderstanding in our order, at the fault of myself, but the staff managed it easily and without delay.
For our order, we chose the following:
Spinach & Mushroom Omelet
The omelet looked and tasted delicious. The spinach and mushroom wrapped inside paired nicely, complimenting each other’s flavors and textures. The omelet exterior was covered and filled with a thick layer of melted cheese and tasted great, even if it was a little bit spongier than I would have liked. The omelet also came with a side of house made o’brien potatoes, as well as a biscuit making a hearty addition to the meal. This dish was well-rounded and had good taste and texture, just what I wanted when I ordered an omelet.
Rating: 8/10
Fried Chicken & Waffles
This dish was solid. The waffles had good flavor and texture as well as the feeling of melting in your mouth, and they contrasted the chicken’s more savory taste well. The sauces provided on the side also complemented the dish nicely. With the mixture of syrup and a chili sauce, you really got the most out of every bite. The chicken, however, almost ruined the mood. It was crunchy on the outside and bouncy on the inside, in a bad way. Something must have gone wrong in the fryer. The fried chicken and waffles were overall a solid meal, but I would probably not order them again.
Rating: 6.9/10
Chilaquiles
From the “Mexican Favorites” section of the menu comes the Chilaquiles. A bed of tortilla chips covered in a layer of fried eggs, avocado and a variety of sauces, alongside a healthy serving of hash browns. A large platter, but every bite was delicious nonetheless. I thought the chips would be soggy, but they held their own against the deluge of toppings. The flavor in this dish was amazing, as well. Each element making a stand, but not overpowering the others too much. I had never heard of Chilaquiles before, let alone tried them. But I’m induced, they’re delicious.
Rating: 8.5/10
Cinnamon Roll
I never knew a cinnamon roll could taste this good. Everything about it was perfect. The ratio of cinnamon to dough to glaze was on point. Every bite was consistent with the last, and none of the bun was too doughy or crunchy. It had just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy but not overpower. I couldn’t find anything wrong with this dessert. As the menu states, “World’s Best Cinnamon Roll.”
Rating: 10/10
“I am very happy with the success of the business,” Jorge Rubalcava, one of the cafe’s newer owners said. He explained that since the ownership change, the customers coming in have gotten much younger. “Before, the crowd was 50-plus,” Rubalcava said. “Now, the crowd is anywhere from 25 to 50.” According to Rubalcava, “the special thing about the food is that we make as much as we can homemade.” He feels lucky to have had such success and support from the community and says the staff will “continue to strive to become even better.”
Art’s Corner Cafe is a great addition to the breakfast scene in Ventura. With its amazing food as well as the helpful staff and relaxing atmosphere, you couldn’t ask for more. A perfect place to sit down and enjoy a meal with your family and friends on a Saturday.
