Jessica Ussher
Investigative Reporter
While many restaurants serve good food, Penfold’s Cafe offers an outstanding edge to the culinary industry–the blend of wholesome food shrouded in the warmth of family and community.
Established in 1986 and purchased in 1996 from Ladd Penfold, owners Steve and Kim Love continue to pride themselves on sustaining the richness of a family-owned business, with two of their three children very active in the restaurant’s day to day operations. “Being part of an established restaurant business is incredibly rewarding, my team and I have had the privilege of serving generations of wonderful families whose grandparents, parents and children have frequented Penfolds for years. The restaurant is a beacon of community, and I am proud to be a part of it” said Nick Love, the son of Penfold’s owner Steve Love.
Other guests spoke of the warm ambience Penfold’s offers. “We have been dining here for years and we keep coming back because the food is excellent and we just love how the place feels. It just feels inviting and warm, we feel like we can relax when we eat our breakfast which is nice. It’s a nice escape from a busy life. The servers know our names and always remember our likes and dislikes. Stuff like that makes all the difference.”
Sharing a similar sentiment was a long-term senior waitress of Penfold’s Cafe. She recalled her treasured moments working at Penfold’s saying, “I have attended weddings, funerals and other events that my guests have invited me to. My customers are family, I am not simply serving them breakfast or lunch, they make up a valued part of my day and I hope I do the same for them.”
Beyond Penfold’s genuine hospitality is an exquisite breakfast and lunch menu. “Our ingredients are fresh and locally-sourced to provide the best dining experience to our guests,” said Love. Penfold’s menu offers a creative twist to traditional breakfast and lunch dishes, allowing guests the option to personalize their selections. The menu boasts a flurry of flavors which includes the sweet and woody taste of cinnamon roll french toast, succulent and crispy chicken and waffle and a heavenly creamy chicken noodle soup.
The newest addition to the menu is the crab omelet, “We use beautiful jumbo lump blue swimming crab. It’s sustainably sourced with fresh spinach and fresh hollandaise,” said Love. Love also highlighted a local favorite, saying, “Our best seller is the Penfold’s omelet, it’s a hearty but fresh dish that is tenderly made with bacon, sausage, onions, tomatoes, jack and cheddar cheese topped with country gravy. This has received countless compliments to the chef.” Guests also comment on the delectable assortment of beverages that compliment their meals. Penfold’s offers richly blended coffees as well as flavorsome teas and lattes. Guests also have the option to indulge in alcoholic drinks ranging from Mimosas to Baileys and coffee.
Monday through Fridays, Penfold’s also offers breakfast specials which are served until 9 a.m, “It’s just a nice little break for working people monetary wise, for them to be able to come in, and get breakfast for a little bit less. We aim to help the community we serve,” said Love.
A frequent diner said, “I have been eating here for 13 years about four times a week and the food is great and made with care. But what draws me back here are the personalities of the owners and the staff. Their personalities do a wonderful job of building real relationships with the people they serve. It’s based on genuine authenticity.”
Penfold’s Cafe is an integral and historical part of the City of Temecula. It has, and continues to cater to generations of families and workers. It is rare to dine at a restaurant that offers exceptional customer service, delicious food and the warmth of an inviting ambience. Their opening hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and the website can be found here: https://www.penfoldscafe.com. Not to experience dining at Penfolds would be remiss.
