Hamilton’s Cafe

Small town Americana probably best describes this place. Breakfast is always good, you really can’t go wrong. I’ve tried several items on the breakfast menu, I like their omelets and biscuits and gravy.
The only negative for me, like others have said at times service is a little slow. That said, service is usually decent and the waitress are friendly.

Super cool little diner out in this small community. Everything was spotless and the food was better than expected. Friendly service without being all hokey.

small town diner… few spaces up front… sprinkling of people during lunch hours… menu and drink order first… bit slow to take orders… browsing menu and taking a daily special of tri-​tip sandwich, bag of chips and a soda $ 8.50 before tax… taking quite a long time for the sandwich… self-​grab of a bag of chips near the center counter… taking a ruffles… past «best by» date, but still crunchy and okay… sandwich finally delivered with a side of mayo and bbq sauce… finding the tri-​tip tender and good inside a small hoagie roll bread similar to or is from costco… it’s a small sandwich, but decent… prices are bit high for menu items…

I was out with a couple of riders, going to skate parks, and we stopped in Hughson, just to go to Hamilton’s Café for the amazing food. One of them went here for his before-​game ritual, and since he didn’t live in the town any longer, he wanted to stop, as it was on the way to somewhere else.
The location seemed odd because it seemed to be a house from the street off the highway but turning onto Hughson Avenue, you see a traditional diner shape.
Inside, there is a counter and a row of stools, just as it should be. There are booths around the inside of the building. They’re fairly comfortable, also.
The gentleman who waited on us was friendly. He asked for a drink order first, and he returned fairly quickly with the biggest sodas I’ve seen in a restaurant.
The menu is varied, with breakfast and burgers and much more. I ordered fish & chips, but was tempted by the mushroom burger. I asked for cocktail sauce instead of tartar sauce, and I was told that it was no problem. My buddies ordered the chicken strips and a breakfast burrito.
It took a while, even though it wasn’t particularly busy. That’s actually a good sign that everything is cooked to order. When it arrived, it was hot, hot, hot.
I got two pieces of fish and a lot of fries. The breakfast burrito was huge – as big as you would see from various Mexican places. The chicken strip basket, I believe, had 4 chicken strips and a load of fries. We ended up with boxes when we could not finish. The taste was good but not enough to make me drive out of the way for it.
At just less than $ 25 for three people, it wasn’t expensive. As a cultural experience, more people should visit this restaurant to see how a diner from the 1960s would operate, instead of one of those places you can find on TV.

I love the small town feel of this place. The owner is friendly and the Friday clam chowder is yummy. When you walk into the place you feel at home and comfortable. I enjoy coming ere when I get the chance.

Very slow, the waitress keeps you waiting to long, the prices need to be lowered, food is great though

I go here for lunch at least twice a month.
Food is okay. all the food prices need to be reduced by a dollar.
For some reason they are slowwwwww. How slow? I work IN Hughson, I have a 1 hour lunch, and I still come back late! WTF? This happens EVERY time I go there too. it’s not just a slowness anomaly.
I ask for a water to drink usually and the guy, although friendly, pretty much every time goes into the back of the kitchen, but the fountain drink station is right behind the counter! eventually he pops back out and gives me my water but it’s like what the heck?
I’m usually sitting for like 10 minutes before he even gives us a menu.
food is alright though.

Very nice little diner. Here for the first time last week. Service was great and so was the food. Only giving 4 stars because it was a little pricey.

This little diner is a landmark of Hughson, CA. For generations my family has gone there for breakfast, lunch & dinner… or sometimes just for coffee & to visit with friends. It’s nothing fancy, but the environment gives you that old, small town welcoming feeling. Though it’s been managed by different folks over the years, they’ve kept the diner looking good… which I’m happy to see. I find their breakfasts particularly good — especially the biscuits & gravy! Yum!
If find yourself in Hughson looking for a place to eat, give this one a chance!

Just a local hangout, always great to find a nice meal off the beaten path. Had the mushroom burger, very tasty! They kept the ice tea full and everything was fresh.

As I sit here enjoying my Sunday morning on this beautiful, crisp fall day, I must say that this mom and pop place is an absolute gem!!! We had the best food in this diner and the customer service is beyond amazing! Highly recommended and I will make this local restaurant a favorite place to visit. Thank you!!!

Best diner in Hughson:) Chicken sandwich was the greatest and even when I asked to have it a little different they made it just the way I asked:)

Its a older diner. There are a lot of elderly people that frequent in the mornings and they tend to not be so kid friendly. I have seen a cockroach 1 morning in the bathroom. Food is decent, nothing that stands out. Price is average.

This little diner is the jewel of Hughson! We’ve had breakfast and lunch here and each visit never fails to please! Paul is very attentive and gives great service. The grilled turkey & bacon melt sandwich is incredible as are the fries. The drinks are served in large cups and refills are free! It has been there forever and appears to have been the 50’s hang out for burgers and shakes! Not much has changed over time… Go enjoy their comfort foods and I think you’ll agree that this place rocks Hughson!

We live in Hughson and feel privileged to have a great little diner like this. We mainly come for breakfast. Sometimes it takes a few more minutes than the next place to get served but I won’t deduct a star because Hamilton’s breakfast is worth the wait! Simple, cheap breakfast that doesn’t fail to fill you up. Biscuits and gravy to die for. Excellent country potatoes. Yummy French toast and great corned beef hash. The waitresses seem like family; very nice gals and work their butts off. If it’s not too cold out we take advantage of their lovely outdoor seating. Love this place.

We’ve come here a few times and have been pleased every time. The burgers are great. When in season, the pie is from the local J & J fruit stand, and is amazing. I take a star off because the ice cream tasted like it was slightly freezer burnt. Hopefully that was just a fluke. Other than that, we’ve enjoyed it enough to go back for a burger and fries.

Nice Mom & Pop diner, relaxed and friendly atmosphere with good variety of meals (they serve breakfast all day) with counter, tables, booth and outdoor seating. Service gets a little slow during nearby high school lunch break. My meal was average but will definitely go back and often too. Just heard about this place today and it’s less than 15 minutes away for a home cooked meal.

Awesome home town diner! Home made soups daily are a specialty! And good friendly service. They make you feel right at home here. They are only open a couple evenings per week, is the only drawback if you want somewhere close and good for dinner.

We have eaten here so many times over the years of commuting between Hughson and Merced. The meatloaf is to die for. Good, friendly, home style food and service. But, sadly, our last trip was a bit of a surprise. I ordered a patty melt and it came so crispy and burnt I could not eat it. We returned the sandwich and asked for another, which came once everyone else was done eating. It looked okay until you cut into it, perfectly, completely raw. I was stunned, and left hungry. I was even more angry when a few days later, a friend who eats there assured me that was a flip off from the cook. An apology is in order. It took everything I owned not to call the management. We will not be back.

What a dandy little café. It took me back to the 50s when every town and by-​way had these rectangular buildings with booths along the insides and stools along a counter. Kitchen through an opening into the counter area.
Excellent menu. Plenty of hearty plates and then senior plates at about half size. For instance, regular burgers, yum, were Angus and half pounders. Senior portions were same, but quarter pounders. Very flavorful and you got all the «fixings» to doctor it your way.
Fresh-​made soups, thick, creamy clam chowder on Friday. Varies every day.
Tri-​tip sandwich with fires and a drink for $ 7.50. A lot of entres were at $ 5 up to a huge full pound burger for $ 12. Very reasonable and the portions were nothing short of generous.
Two waitresses and a lot of attention to customers who ranged from the counter regulars to passer-​bys.
Sure did like it and Hughson is in the country outside of Modesto. Old ag town with its main street (Hughson Ave). The Hughsons founded the area by putting in extensive almond (pronounced here as aaahmun) orchards and a little town come up on the perimeter. Only 6000 people, so is quiet and rural.
A number of other cafes and restaurants are nearby, some Mexican, others pan-​cuisine.
I think this is a special find.