We brought our bikes across the bay for a quick morning coffee run and chose Clayton’s takeout window. Lana ordered the Blueberry Crumble Latte hot. Kyle ordered the Butterscotch Macchiato iced. Neither drink gave us a reason to order it again.
Kyle’s macchiato had gobs of butterscotch clumping up as he drank it. Lana’s latte was also a miss. The sprinkled and chocolate glazed donut holes looked impossible to resist in the case, but both were among the driest we have ever eaten.
We are not done with Clayton’s. We think we came for the wrong things.
While Kyle filmed around the property, he spoke with a server who told him Clayton’s is really known for its cinnamon roll and fresh baked apple pie. That was the moment we wished we had chosen a table and ordered breakfast. This is not a complete review of everything Clayton’s can be. It is our experience at the quick coffee window, and next time we would visit the place differently.
A Coronado diner since 1938
Clayton’s originally opened as Gerry’s Coffee Shop in 1938. Its horseshoe dining counter is the last original one remaining in San Diego County, and the classic booths, vintage jukebox and bakery case made the diner feel like the real experience.
That history, along with the care a server took to point us toward the cinnamon roll and fresh baked apple pie, is why the story of this place gave us a reason to return even when our first order did not.
Why we would go backGood ideas that did not deliver.
Blueberry Crumble Latte
Ordered hot. The flavor did not impress Lana enough to order it again.
Butterscotch Macchiato
Ordered iced. The butterscotch collected in heavy clumps while he drank it.
Donut Holes
We tried both sprinkled and chocolate glazed. They looked tempting in the case, but both were among the driest donut holes we have ever eaten.
LDK Pick: No pick from this coffee window visit.
What we would order again: Nothing from this order.
What we would try next: A seated breakfast with the Homemade Granny Smith Apple Pie or the Homemade Cinnamon Roll with cream cheese frosting.
The details worth knowing
Choose table service
The diner seating is for table service. If you want the full Clayton’s experience, skip the quick window and sit down.
Know the different hours
The donut window opens daily at 5 AM. The diner opens at 6 AM and currently closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM Friday and Saturday.
Take the ferry with bikes
We rode from the Coronado ferry landing. Bicycles ride free, and eligible weekday morning commuters may receive a same day return ticket. Check the current Flagship schedule first.
Parking: We arrived by bike, so we cannot give a firsthand parking recommendation.
