Swami’s Café delightful in dishes served, but does murals injustice

A swami is a master who has exchanged their social and or worldly status in order to follow a righteous path. Swami’s Café in La Mesa abandons the social convention of unhealthy fast food with wholesome provisions in rapid fashion.

A swami is a master who has exchanged their social and or worldly status in order to follow a righteous path. Swami’s Café in La Mesa abandons the social convention of unhealthy fast food with wholesome provisions in rapid fashion.

Nestled in the quaint La Mesa Village, a charming five-square block mecca of bars, antiques, retail and dining, Swami’s café shines with delightful character. Swami’s busy atmosphere is understandable with a café of this caliber. At a bit after noon, the restaurant is a packed house, with more folks waiting to scoop their lunches and hit the road. For a restaurant as busy as Swami’s, the wait was considerably short. 

Diners piled in to fill the line as soon as it began to disappear. The service was adequate, friendly but rushed, which is to be expected in a place as busy as Swami’s.

The décor however, leaves much to be desired. Stunning, picturesque murals adorn the walls of the café. On one side, the sublime surf of the California Coast, on the opposite the very block that the café rests on, La Mesa Boulevard. The dim restaurant lighting does the murals, painted by Encinitas mural artist Kevin Anderson, an injustice. The bare bones furnishings of the café are more than made up for in the cuisine. 

Swami’s menu is as diverse as the city its in. 

The French toast ($6.95) is two thick slices of bread egged and browned to perfection. It comes draped in delectable sliced strawberries and dusted with powdered sugar. Maple syrup is served table side in a modified Mexican Coca-Cola bottle. 

Plus for another couple bucks, one can add in a pair of scrambled eggs and thick sliced bacon. For the vegetarian, ovo-lactos, and vegans all the dishes at Swami’s can be substituted with mock meat or tofu. 

The eggs benedict ($7.95) was impressive with two poached eggs (and thankfully they know how to poach an egg) and crispy thick sliced bacon served on a toasted English muffin topped with a house made hollandaise sauce. Extraordinary to say the least.

And that’s just breakfast.

Swamis feature an extensive lunch menu featuring many of the classic café favorites. Best yet, Swami’s houses a juice bar that serves nothing but fresh squeezed juice and wheatgrass. 

All in all Swami’s is definitely worth paying a visit.

Swami’s café is located at 8284 La Mesa Blvd La Mesa, CA 91942 Monday – Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Check out the menu at www.swamiscafesd.com.