Santa Fe Express Cafe

Visited the Fullerton Transportation Center March 12, 2016. The staff in the
station were helpful and cordial. The young lady in the Santa Fe Express
Café was very busy multi-​tasking. It is obvious the owner of this establishment
could care less about its clients. My husband & I are in our 70’s & 80’s. we
travel extensively, and know how to use our credit cards. Cash is not «King,»
or «Queen» these days. It’s just a means to avoid Uncle Sam.
We can’t find words to describe the bathroom facility. Deplorable, foul-​smelling,
and filthy are a few that come to mind. Do not visit the restroom if you intend
to consume anything edible there. Where’s the Health Department when you
need them!
P. S. We’d like to frequent this spot, but not under these conditions.

Burgers are the bomb!!! Santa Fe cheese burger all the way!!! So bomb. White and yellow American cheese a really good secret sauce (thousand island) on the burger, lettuce and tomato. Fries are good too!!! Love to come here and watch trains and have a really good burger. This place rules. They have beer!!!

Food is made to order so it takes an extra minute for it to come out, I have never been disappointed by anything I’ve ordered. Right next to train tracks with a great view of the platform in the patio section. Very relaxing apmoshpere and a great place to grab a beer, read a book, train watch, and grab a bite to eat. Food is a bit expensive but I’m sure the overhead for a café in downtown Fullerton is expensive itself.

It’s a cool spot to hang out and wait for the train but I didn’t care for my food. My breakfast burrito was bland. Service was great

This place is fun and has it all! Specialty dogs, sandwiches and some of the best sourdough bread in Fullerton!
I ordered the Stretch Dawg (nachos cheese, bacon and a all beef dog) and it was amazing! Completely hit the spot!
This place has beer! Friday’s are $ 8 domestic and $ 10 import pitchers! Great deal.
It’s right next to the train station so it’s a great last stop before a trip!
Would highly recommend it!

If you are arriving or departing on Amtrak or Metrolink it’s a godsend for coffee, snacks or hot food off the grill. Their cold box stocked with drinks has something for everyone. We attended the Fullerton Rail festival on the grounds and arrived early for breakfast. Recommend the Eggs Everything, scrambled with bacon, fried potatoes and toast (sourdough was delicious). Note the potatoes are «Carlos O’Brien» or California style with hot green peppers instead of the usual mild bell pepper you might be used to (they were great). Our food was brought out to us on the patio for al fresco dining watching the trains roll by the platform. This is a conveniece spot at the train station, and if high end dining is your aim you’ll be happier elsewhere. We’ve liked the place since it opened and think you will too.

Review is only for beer service! I have never eaten here with the exception of a pack of starburst. However I come here once in a while for a cold brew after walking down here to meet my husband who takes the train to LALA land for work daily.
The beer is always super cold and the staff very friendly. I also happen to think the beer is fairly priced. $ 3.50 I think or less I’m not exactly sure, for a cold corona. $ 8 pitchers of cheap domestic beer and $ 10 for craft beer. I’m pretty sure it is less expensive to get a pitcher of Palamino Pale Ale here than to buy it from Bootleggers down the street.
And they never mind that I have my beastly dog with me. Bonus, because biggish dogs like him often get the stink eye. But not here!
The restroom situation is a drag but luckily I’m never there long enough to need it, except that one time.
There is usually plenty of seating in the patio area but I have seen it get full. They are also open late however I haven’t been there much past the 6pm mark.
Comic bookstore is in the same building if you’re into that.
Great place to grab a beverage while you wait for your train or wait for someone to arrive by train. Maybe one day I will order food but it doesn’t seem likely.
If you plan on having 2 or more beers, go for the pitcher! Really is a good deal.

My husband & I were there on March 19, returning home via AMTRAK from Fullerton & wanted a good, quick, sandwich to take on the train. We were overwhelmingly happy & satisfied with 1. very clean; 2. the friendly service; 3. the speed, & 4. sandwiches were EXACTLY as we had requested!!, Plus, we got a free pickle! Happy applause for a good job, everyone, & we’ll certainly put out the good word. If we’re EVER in the area again, we will definitely stop by & treat ourselves.
Thanks,
Mr. & Mrs. G. R.

The people are really nice here but everything is extremely over price… i know how much your paying for soda… stop over charging

I work in Fullerton and often take the Metrolink/​Amtrak up to Union Station If my band is playing a show up there or to meet my girlfriend for dinner in DTLA. I love getting off work and coming here for a beer, they have Bootlegger’s Palomino Pale Ale on tap and plenty other craft beer bottles to choose from. You get to enjoy your beer on their patio watching trains pass by. I wish we had better transportation infrastructure here in LA/​OC, I would be taking the train everywhere. So if you’re coming to Fullerton Station make sure you give yourself a little extra time to enjoy a pint at a historic depot built over 80 years ago.

Get ready to pay. Add .50 cents to your bill. RIP OFFS. I know it’s not the employees fault they just wrk there. Who owns this place? Knickle and dimming customers. BOOO!

Café’s | Food Carts | Restaurants
Relatively Close To: Fullerton Train Station
Public Transportation: Yes.
Valet Service: No.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Service Pet Allowed: Yes.
Parking: Public private parking lot.
Popularity: Lots of commuters come here for breakfast while waiting for the Amtrak train.
Reason of Visit: I had a 30 plus minute wait for the train.
Cellular Reception: Yes,
Free Wifi: Yes,
Outdoor Space: Yes.
Cleanliness: Fairly clean.
Lighting: Sufficient lighting.
Presentation: Has a train station feel.
Ownership: Privately managed.
Items Ordered: Hotdog, chips, pickle and a coke.
Check-​in Wait Time: 8 minutes.
Temperature: °83
Staffs knowledgement of business and or amenities: I like this place when I need to use the train. The people here are very nice and if your use Unilocal to review you will get a 15% off coupon.
Overall Service: Pretty good for a small snack shop.
Staffs response on compliments: I did not give one.
Staffs response about complaints: I did not give one.
Recommendations:
Two ** stars or less dont consider.
Three *** stars be cautious.
Four **** stars or more highly recommended.
Quick Notes: I give the girls credit they try to make peoples visits satisfying. However the owner charges .50 cents to use a credit/​debit card and most of the items are over priced. The burgers, hotdogs, and fries taste pretty good and the fountain drinks are a little expensive.
My reviews are structured and rated in many areas. I believe that my experiences will provide consumers satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity information.
I hope this particular review has helped you carefully decide whether or not to give this venue your business.
Enjoy, Jonathan

— Locale Destination —
It’s on E santa Fe Ave and Harbor Blvd in Fullerton.
It’s located at a train platform, next to «Fullerton Transportation center».
It’s a little more than just a kiosk since they do offer beers ;p The size is kinda small but it’s filled with tons of stuff — drinks, snacks, some travel needs. Lots of seating inside and outside. It’s kinda old and dingy inside. Nothing fancy about this place. You can’t take your booze out of the outside gate! Plenty of parking. Service is chilled.
Get a token at the register for the bathroom usage! There’re lots of homeless people here and the front side of this establishment kinda stinks (thanks to them or drunk people), though downtown Fullerton is getting cleaner and cleaner… So I tend to avoid using the bathroom due to it, not because of the actual bathroom here ;p
Be careful if you eat outside — when the trains come, they will blow your plates and stuff (I’m not kidding). It is located right in front of the platform. Except the wind blowing and loud sounds.
You see trains and the train fanatics carrying a camera and video and chasing trains while you enjoy your beers outside. They said «people don’t understand us (train fans) nor trains!». It’s kinda funny to see those fanatics ;p Well, I don’t understand them much, lol, but it’s cool to watch the trains and sunset for free (while enjoying beers).
Menu: Sandwich to burgers — along the line. Draft pitcher while watching the sunset and trains is the way to go here. Domestic pitcher $ 8, import $ 10. They have daily special deals for food — take advantage of it!
Happy hours: 3−5pm, $ 3 or $ 3.50 on draft (glass), not on the pitcher.
— Conqueror’s Deduction —
Draft beers: The one I tried was very watery since I’ve tried craft beers a lot. It makes me appreciate those craft beers a lot more. The local «Bootlegger’s» is light, smooth and decent one. Good for the hot day!
Tuna sandwich: Decent yet small size. I think it’s way expensive for the portion.
French fries: They are thick, big and yummy!
Nacho: spicy nacho cheese on top of tortilla chips — nothing else. $ 3.99. Avoid.
Egg sandwich: Very decent — boiled egg, lettuce and tomato. I got it for the daily special — it comes with a drink (refill is $ 0.50) and chips.
— Conqueror’s Deduction —
Well, well, well… I Unilocal so much all the time and sometimes I forget to write the reviews. Though I came here so many times, its review slipped through.
Foods are just OK, good enough for munching while drinking a beer.
But something just cool about this place — trains, sunset and draft beers. It’s kinda hidden gem in downtown Fullerton. 4 star isn’t for the food obviously — I just like to chill here with «Bootlegger’s»…

Everything was ready when I got off the train. Everytime. Never have the employees at this location been late or disrespectful. The Jalapeño hot dog was delicious. Thank you guys for helping us commuters stay nourished and on time to our destination~

Went for the first time even though I’ve by numerous times in the last 15 years. Had the breakfast burrito and coffee for 5 bucks. Well worth it. Will come by st another time for the beer and train watching.

Home of the Blandest Breakfast Burrito in Town!
Okay, that’s not what the sign said, but it doesn’t make it any less true. When you’re heading to San Diego on a 6AM train, this is the only place open… somehow that gives them the right to have mediocre food. Seriously, you’d be happier at some crappy diner.
That being said, the food is cheap and is prepared to order, nice and quick. A dry breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee is just $ 3.99, and it’s yours within 5 minutes. In a world without options, I’m glad the Santa Fe Express Café is here, but I think next time, I’ll just eat on the train.
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Notes:
* $ 0.50 fee added to credit card transactions
* Beer available upon request =D

Hey, something is better than nothing right?!
I never actually knew that they have beer here despite the sign on the back. This place is pricey for what you get and as another reviewer pointed out, they do nickel and dime you. Its a quarter to use the restroom (its hella cleaner than the Amtrak one), fifty cents per transaction if using a card to pay. This adds up if your train is late and you want to knock back another drink. The food is basic, though a larger than expected selection for such a tiny place. Surprisingly, your allowed to smoke at the outside tables which is nice. Overall, its better than nothing but if your familiar with Downtown Fullerton, they have a lot of other places walking distance near by.

I wasn’t very impressed with this place. It looks like they’re trying to run a café in a hole in the wall. The cleanliness is… well, I guess it’s not bad, but it makes you wonder!
The prices are a bit steep for what you get. It seems that they will nickel and dime you for everything as demonstrated by the assortment of notes listing things that they charge for.
I got the roast beef grilled cheese sandwich. It wasn’t bad, but the grilling part overcooks the roast beef into a dry leathery tastelessness. The grease lubricated it enough to swallow. (no that wasn’t a figure of speech, I meant exactly what I said)
They charge quite a bit for the drinks as well. They charge $ 1.85 for a 16.9oz bottle of water. Later, I found that the soda machine outside of the café sells 20oz bottles of water for $ 1.50.
There is a corner in the store with stuff like aspirin, toiletries, etc for those who forget to bring them. That’s handy… I guess.
The place is a bit small and not air conditioned so on hot summer days, it may be more comfortable to go somewhere else!

Came in 20 minutes before my train was supposed to arrive on the opposite track. Asked how long a hot dog would take since I’m on a time crunch. She said 10 minutes. I asked for a bottle of beer, Newcastle. She told me I needed to physically pick it up out of the refrigerator and bring it to her. I walked three steps away, turned around with the beer in hand, and two other people who were next in line were having their order taken. First of all, RUDE. They heard me say I was in a rush, heard that I apparently had to physically walk to the fridge to grab the beer, and they still cut in front of me. Second of all, they decided to chat about what kind of beer they wanted right there with the girl working the counter. She completely ignored me, as if I hadn’t been there 30 seconds before trying to order a stupid lunch in a rush.
I’m starving and annoyed and I’m NEVER coming back. You are at a TRAIN STATION. If a customer tells your their train is arriving soon, try to show a little bit of understanding! What the f

I was out in the Metrolink/​Amtrak station area yesterday filming for a news segment regarding Kelly Thomas I’m doing for my journalism class, and after feeling hungry I decided to stop by here.
Such a neat place really, especially the outdoor dining area right by the tracks. I thought the insides of the café was unique as well. I ordered a cheeseburger combo which was fairly good. The food was freshly made so that was nice. The prices are cheap as well, so it’s great for people arriving here from their treks.