Del Monte Cafe & Lounge

I figure I do owe a review to the former Del Monte Café in Watsonville. Especially as it was owned by the Koviavich family in from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. For a train enthusiast this was the perfect place to grab breakfast as it is next to the Union Pacific Santa Cruz Branchline. Before that it was owned by Southern Pacific, and the corner of Del Monte Café was unqiue. Across the street is the old SP depot contructed in the 1880’s, Buchwald’s cold storage whom shipped many refrigirator cars was also there at the corner of Beach and Walker. Then for a railfan’s delight two wig-​wag crossing signals protected that intersection for many years, until being replaced in 2001.
The Del Monte served great hearty breakfasts. I think what I remember most were the breakfast sausages. The pancakes were outstanding. The inside of the café remained unchanged from the turn of the century until it was bought again, and changed the name to Mi Rancho last year. The Del Monte’s neon sign advertising broiled steaks has sadly been taken down. It’s a shame as the Del Monte Café was one of Watsonville’s famous institutions, and I was glad to be there during its good days!