On the way to Palm Springs for our two-year anniversary, my boyfriend Juan and I made our first stop in Pasadena for coffee at Bevel Coffee for none other than coffee. It’s a necessary start to any road trip for me.
Just over an hour later, we found ourselves in Redlands. And more specifically, sitting inside Carolyn’s Café, the first official food stop I had planned for the day.
I came across the café the way I find most places: a mix of curiosity and glowing reviews. The breakfast menu looked like it had something for everyone, but what really stood out was the coffee cake. The way people talked about it didn’t feel casual, it felt like a recommendation you follow without hesitation.
My boyfriend, who has fully leaned into trusting my food decisions at this point, didn’t ask questions. Just needed the address. And just like that, we were there with menus in hand, deciding how hungry we actually were. I decided to keep things simple, but strategic.
I ordered the Coffee Cake Combo ($12), which came with their signature coffee cake, scrambled eggs, and bacon. It felt like the right balance of something savory to ground me and something sweet to make the stop memorable. The eggs and bacon were exactly what you want them to be: no-frills, reliable, and satisfying. The kind of plate that does its job without doing too much.
But the coffee cake? That’s the reason you go.
It arrived warm, with butter slowly melting into every corner, finding its way through the soft layers and onto the plate. The cake itself was moist, lightly sweet, and topped with a crumble that added just the right amount of texture to each forkful. It’s the kind of bite that makes you pause for a second before going in for another and another. What I appreciated most is that the café knows the cake is the star. They don’t hide it. Instead, they make it easy to add to different combos, letting you build your meal around it without overcomplicating things.
Juan, on the other hand, went all in. He ordered the Chorizo and Egg Scrambler ($17.99). Three scrambled eggs mixed with well-seasoned chorizo and topped with melted cheddar cheese. It came with hashbrowns and gravy and biscuits on the side. It was hearty, flavorful, and the kind of dish that leaves nothing behind on the plate. Between the two meals, it felt like we got the best of both worlds: comforting, classic breakfast and something a little more indulgent.
Carolyn’s Café feels like the kind of place you hope to find on a road trip. Welcoming, consistent, and known for doing one thing especially well. Whether you’re passing through Redlands or just looking for a solid way to start your morning, this is a place where you should take a seat at the table.
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Address; Suite A, 1150 Brookside Ave, Redlands, CA 92373
Phone: (909) 335-8181
Hours: Daily – 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
Social: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.
