Curbside Cafe

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 2:30pm

Gotta Go To! - Fantastic



Curbside Cafe is San Diego County's own Paris Sidewalk Cafe. Paris cafes are possibly the most well-known image of the City of Light. Analogous to Paris, San Diego County's own Curbside Cafe is becoming one of the most well-known images for Vista, the City of Art.



World-renown Paris cafes are more than places to sip coffee, they are institutions in Paris, magnets for tourists, cultural phenomena. No trip to Paris is complete without a relaxing, long sit with some fascinating art-viewing and people-watching at a Paris cafe... Curbside Cafe is Southern California's Paris sidewalk cafe/art gallery where people come to sip strong, freshly ground, dark roast coffees, espressos, and fun blends like Mexican Mocha, Peppermint Patty, Monkey Mocha, Snow Cap, Almond Joy, and Milky Way, and to bring their out-of-town/international friends/family, many of whom request to visit the Curbside Cafe for the first time and many who request to visit again because the food is "amazing." Wanting to come back for the consistently great food, they also want to engage in the cafe's rich, intellectual consortium, to view art, to people watch, and to say hello to the owner, John Randall, on whom they depend to be there, friendly, consistent, steady. (When we were there, an eight-year-old personally handed him a handwritten Thank You card for one of his contributions, which he modestly downplayed. He thinks you should always generously contribute to your community, and not ask for fanfare.) People also flock to Curbside Cafe to celebrate different occasions, like birthdays. The deceptively large, 2,200-sq.-ft., cafe easily accommodates, seating 100 comfortably inside and on the patio.



Behind most Paris cafes, there's passion and a story.

Uniquely, even for Paris cafe owners/managers, Curbside Cafe's owner worked both the "front and back of the house" at four- and five-star resorts, so he understands every restaurant aspect firsthand. Owning his own cafe is something he's always wanted to do. With 30 years in the business, he finally felt ready. Then, he "fell in love with the charm of Vista," and learned of the plans to build the Krikorian Premiere Theatre and expand downtown Vista. He took over the original Curbside Cafe in 2002, charting immediate improvement. He said, "You have to have a passion. I love it. It's a dream come true for me."



His passion extends to his hours and his food. At 4:30am every day, he arrives to bake his homemade cinnamon rolls - on which he does not make a profit. During the day, he "works the floor," and shops for fresh produce at the local markets, where he's increasingly recognized. (He smiled and sheepishly laughed when recanting his newfound celebrity experiences.)



John exudes incredible business acumen, reflected in no server shift schedule changes or layoffs, flying in the face of the economic downturn of 2008-2009. In fact, he maintains 0% attrition, and does not plan to change his price list. He's also having a bit of fun with his "everyone wins" drawings; you drop your card into the bowl, and you get a gift certificate to come back - along with a personal handwritten Thank You card of gratitude from John himself.

Curbside Cafe is San Diego County's own Paris Sidewalk Cafe. Paris cafes are possibly the most well-known image of the City of Light. Analogous to Paris, San Diego County's own Curbside Cafe is becoming one of the most well-known images for Vista, the City of Art.



World-renown Paris cafes are more than places to sip coffee, they are institutions in Paris, magnets for tourists, cultural phenomena. No trip to Paris is complete without a relaxing, long sit with some fascinating art-viewing and people-watching at a Paris cafe... Curbside Cafe is Southern California's Paris sidewalk cafe/art gallery where people come to sip strong, freshly ground, dark roast coffees, espressos, and fun blends like Mexican Mocha, Peppermint Patty, Monkey Mocha, Snow Cap, Almond Joy, and Milky Way, and to bring their out-of-town/international friends/family, many of whom request to visit the Curbside Cafe for the first time and many who request to visit again because the food is "amazing." Wanting to come back for the consistently great food, they also want to engage in the cafe's rich, intellectual consortium, to view art, to people watch, and to say hello to the owner, John Randall, on whom they depend to be there, friendly, consistent, steady. (When we were there, an eight-year-old personally handed him a handwritten Thank You card for one of his contributions, which he modestly downplayed. He thinks you should always generously contribute to your community, and not ask for fanfare.) People also flock to Curbside Cafe to celebrate different occasions, like birthdays. The deceptively large, 2,200-sq.-ft., cafe easily accommodates, seating 100 comfortably inside and on the patio.



Behind most Paris cafes, there's passion and a story.

Uniquely, even for Paris cafe owners/managers, Curbside Cafe's owner worked both the "front and back of the house" at four- and five-star resorts, so he understands every restaurant aspect firsthand. Owning his own cafe is something he's always wanted to do. With 30 years in the business, he finally felt ready. Then, he "fell in love with the charm of Vista," and learned of the plans to build the Krikorian Premiere Theatre and expand downtown Vista. He took over the original Curbside Cafe in 2002, charting immediate improvement. He said, "You have to have a passion. I love it. It's a dream come true for me."



His passion extends to his hours and his food. At 4:30am every day, he arrives to bake his homemade cinnamon rolls - on which he does not make a profit. During the day, he "works the floor," and shops for fresh produce at the local markets, where he's increasingly recognized. (He smiled and sheepishly laughed when recanting his newfound celebrity experiences.)



John exudes incredible business acumen, reflected in no server shift schedule changes or layoffs, flying in the face of the economic downturn of 2008-2009. In fact, he maintains 0% attrition, and does not plan to change his price list. He's also having a bit of fun with his "everyone wins" drawings; you drop your card into the bowl, and you get a gift certificate to come back - along with a personal handwritten Thank You card of gratitude from John himself.