Fred's Coffee Shop

Needing a great breakfast spot in Sausalito, I read a bunch of reviews and figured Fred's was it. What a huge mistake. This is not a best breakfast spot by any stetch of the imagination. My first impression was that it was just a not so good coffee shop when I walked inside. But I was seated quickly, actually a nice table on the sidewalk. I looked at the grill and looked at some of the good being served and wasn't impressed. The menu was simply boring. If you were creative, you could probably craft a decent breakfast.\r \r But what really got me was the wait for even the slightest acknowledgment. I was seated for 20 minutes and never once got even a glance from the waitress passing me by. I noticed that some of the tables that arrived before me had the same sense. I gave up and went to the Lighthouse (fabulous).\r \r Don't get sucked in by the favorable reviews. This is hardly a best breakfast spot. more

ignore the haters this place is bombass. yes, that's right, i said bombass. like everyone else says, the French toast at Fred's is kickass as is the rest of their food. everything from the burgers to the eggs to the orange juice will all delight your tastebuds. the service is super friendly and if you go regularly they will remember your name and your regular order.\r \r do yourself a favor and visit God's favorite diner. Pros: all of the food, the staff, the atmosphere Cons: they close. more

FRED IS DEAD!! FRED HAS LEFT THE BUILDING FOR SURE!! Was traveling to Napa and absolutely LOVE Sausilito. Read the glowing reports and decided to give it a try. Don't mind sharing a table, but the French Toast, oh my GOD. Past posts said it's the best. I was expecting some light french toast with a sprinkle of powder sugar.... what did I get .. something that was thrown into a deep fryer. Gag me with a spoon. It was by far the worst, I repeat, the worst french toast I have ever tried. One bite and that was it! The place was not that clean either. Yes, it was busy and most of the clientel were 70+. Nothing wrong with age of course, but perhaps food is just eating to pass time. Did I mention the fresh orange juice. Tasted like it was fresh orange juice but was watered down. If you are looking for good food, keep driving. Pros: PARKING Cons: DEEP FRIED FRENCH TOAST more

My wife and I recently moved to Sausalito from San Francisco and we were skeptical about the restaurants in Sausalito. Until we found FRED'S! We absolutely LOVE this place. Other than my wife's home cooked breakfast, this has to be the BEST place to have breakfast. Everything is amazing here. The omlettes, FRENCH TOAST, pancakes and chorizo, mmmmmmmm. DELICIOUS. I would recommend going to this restaurant for everyone if you love the classic american breakfast. This is the place to be. The weekends are ALWAYS crowded but who cares! Pros: Service, Food, Price Cons: Litlle parking more

The Insider Tips says you should bring lots of cash. That was the ""old"" Fred's. The new Fred's takes credit cards.\r \r I gave it 5 stars because the food is awesome and service is great. Pros: share a table with others Cons: their specials never change more

Until moving to Sausalito, I had always considered The Pantry in downtown LA as America's best breakfast joint. Freds changed everything. I never liked French Toast previously, but I cannot get enough of the French Toast at Freds. It's different than what you'd expect French Toast to be and ten times better. I recommend swapping out the hash browns for French Toast on any order. Freds does all your basic breakfast favorites BETTER than anywhere else. Words don't do it justice. Find out for yourself. Pros: The Food - All the basics done GREAT! Cons: It's crowded on weekends, yet well worth the wait. more

We have breakfast at Fred's every Saturday - the food is always good and the service is excellent!!! The pancakes and freFrench toast are the best.....and now they have Latte's and Eggs Benedict - my husbands favorite....We always take out of town guests to Fred's and they love the food and want to go back everytime they visit.... Pros: The wait staff are all efficient and friendly more

We've been making our way across the Bridge from SF to Fred's pretty much every week for the past 7 years and it's remained a consistent favorite. The French Toast and Pancakes are both incredible and since it changed hands a year or so ago the new owners have kicked it up a notch with real maple syrup, great fresh fruit, and the addition of a credit card machine. They were smart enough to leave the basic character of the place intact and they still deep fry the french toast and squeeze the orange juice right there at the counter. There's also a wide range of sausage available from chicken apple to lincuica to bratwurst served with mustard. They bought an espresso machine recently but I'd be ashamed to order a latte there, out of respect for Fred's ""greasy spoon"" past.\r \r I almost hate to review Fred's because it's getting to be a longer wait for a table and we'd like to keep it a secret. Still, they always remember our order and take such great care of us so they've earned it. Plan a 10 - 20 minute wait or a table if you get there after 10:00 on a Saturday or Sunday. Pros: Awesome breakfast! Cons: It's starting to get pretty crowded. more

Fred's is by far the best breakfast spot in Sausalito. The food is consistently great and the service is excellent and friendly even on crowded weekends. If you sit at the bar you can watch the cooks, who have been there for 30 years or more, skillfully cooking multiple dishes all at once as if it is choreographed. If you are a french toast or pancake fan there is none better than Fred's. The omeletes and scrambled eggs are light and heavenly - nothing like we have experienced anywhere else. Some people are put off (at first) sharing tables but this is part of Fred's tradition. After a few moments everyone relaxes and start exchanging stories which adds to the fun atmosphere that is unique to Fred's. You have to try this place!\r Vicki & Robert Rawlings\r Pros: Consistently well prepared food. Cons: You might have to wait for a table on weekends. more

Fred's place is truly an institution, offering table-sharing at big oak tables for the fluffiest, most delicious scrambled eggs, French toast (the secret is a dab of Vanilla ice cream in the batter), thin, German-style pancakes, good coffee, Bratwurst, as well as tasty hamburgers and other diner fare, at a very reasonable price. Ask for the ""Swedish"", an incredible melange of tastes and textures made up of of over-easy eggs, sauteed onions, a Hamburger patty and cheese, over toasted bread, a filling breakfast at a reasonable price. There is even a special ""Stammtisch"" table, usually occupied by group of us regulars that have been convening there for breakfast for decades. A sometimes loud, always informal coffee shop, crowded on weekends, with a warm, clean, and cozy ambience that was recently updated. Plenty of parking in back, and only a short walk from the center of Sausalito and the Ferry landing. Credit cards are now accepted. Pros: Quality of food, ambience, easy parking Cons: Gets crowded on weekends more

I work across the street so I get to enjoy their food every week. Honestly, I've never had thicker, tastier bacon than at this place. Also, their omelettes have some sort of magic ingredient that makes them taste incredible. I've heard the french toast is to die for, but I haven't tried it yet. My favorite is the club sandwich. Any time you're driving up to Marin from the city, this is a great stop for breakfast or lunch. more

Got roped into the rating for this, and was excited to visit. Located in Sausalito, about 15 minutes from SF. Have wooden tables, that feel ""country"", very good service, and nice breakfast. Awesome french toast that had a ""funnel cake"" type feel and flavor--YUM--AWESOME! ""Homefries"" taste a bit bland, but it seems like they do everywhere, no matter what city or state. Wood definitely visit again for its homey feel, and the fact that many locals seem to eat there regularly (staff knows them by name). Pros: Homey atmosphere, good coffee, friendly staff Cons: Bland homefries (does SF flavor their potatoes?:)) more

Whenever I take day trips to the wine country, I stop by the Freds for breakfast. Usually the restaurants in Sausalito are overpriced and targeted toward the tourists. However, Freds Place Coffee Shop is the exception. Its over forty years old. Generally cater to locals. Toto, the cook, has been dishing out the breakfast for over twenty years there. Their Swedish Pancakes are huge, delicious and served with Real maple syrup. And their French toasts are unique and amazing at the same time. If you are looking for hearty and delicious breakfast, this is the place in Sausalito. Ask any locals. Seating arrangement is good for big groups. Parking is easy too. Pros: food, smile, service more

located in the middle of Sausalito away from busy tourist shopping area is this little gem of cafe. Old, quaint, friendly, and did I say old? 40 years and counting. Try their french toasts, you won't regret it. Pros: food, location, ambience more

My wife and I visited San Francisco and Sonoma on our honeymoon. We had breakfast here on the way to Sonoma. The french toast is the best I've ever tasted and the eggs are perfect. I don't know the secret to the food here, but it is truly a great place. We loved it so much, we ate there on the way back into San Fran. This place is truly a must for anyone that drives past Sausalito. Pros: FRENCH TOAST!!! more

Fred's is great if you want simply the best tasting breakfast. There is simply no one else that does eggs as fluffy! Portions are huge and the staff is friendly. The place is no nonsense. Be prepared for a wait on weekends, and to share tables with others. Not the place to be if you want an intimate conversation. Pros: Food more