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Foster Farms Corner Cafe as been an Livingston icon for many years, as it's been know for service some of the best fried chicken in the Central San Joaquin Valley, as well as for stick-to-your-ribs breakfast, served by friendly staff at a fair price. As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: Foster Farms Corner Cafe is located just off Campbell Ave. in Livingston, California. All is quiet at 0745 on this warm late spring morning on Sunday, June 03, 2018. The restaurant has only been open for 15 minutes or so, and I'm one of the first customers to trickle in, but things will soon change, as in a half hour or so, the restaurant will get busy. All hasn't been quiet here, as prior to December 1996, Campbell Ave. was California Highway 99, and unfortunately, was the location of the last, and only traffic signal on Route 99, between Bakersfield and Sacramento. Back in "the day" this was not only a major traffic headache, but it was dangerous, and frequent accidents occurred, especially during the winter, when the area frequently experiences pea-soup fog. At the time, this fine restaurant as located just off the highway, and attracted truckers, vacationers, and everybody who traveled the busy highway. The town of Livingston was finally bypassed by a freeway, the traffic signal was removed, and today Foster Farms Corner Cafe most caters to the tastes of the Livingston locals. Back in the 1970's, I lived in Turlock, and would frequently travel Highway 99 between Turlock and Merced, and I can remember, especially on holidays, traffic delays around this notorious signal that ate away many minutes, and sometimes nearly an hour. I have passed by this amazing restaurant many times, but today is the first time I've paid the restaurant a visit. I know what I've been missing out on for the last 50+ years...
Photo: As you walk in the restaurant, you'll notice the dining counter, which reminds me of a restaurant from the 1970's. However, the dining room has been significantly modernized, yet is very reminiscent of a highway diner of the 1980's. Now that the freeway has bypassed Livingston, and this fine diner, things are much quieter than they were before 1996.
Photo: On this early Sunday morning, the dining room is light, cheerful and lightly seated. Before the freeway bypassed the town of Livingston, Foster Farms Corner Cafe used to be located at the last stop light on Highway 99 between Bakersfield and Sacramento, and I recall passing by this fine restaurant many times, on the way home to Turlock after visiting my family in Merced.
Photo: In Central California, the name "Foster Farms" is synonymous with "chicken" as Livingston as been the home of Foster Farms, one of the biggest growers and processors of chicken on the West Coast for 70+ years. It's only fitting that this fine restaurant specializes in fried chicken, as it's located near the huge plant. I should have asked the staff if fried chicken could be served for breakfast... fried chicken and eggs anyone? Sounds good to me.
Photo: The breakfast menu includes all your favorites, covers all bases, and offers something for every taste. This fine diner is serious about breakfast, as breakfast is served anytime the restaurant is open. As I "google" information on this restaurant to publish this article, I notice this restaurant has been known as "Foster Farms Restaurant," and "Foster Farms Livingston Cafe." There is also a framed photo, from the 1950's posted near the entry door, of a restaurant known as "The Palms Drive Inn" which resembles the way the exterior appears today.
Photo: My friendly server, Heather, poses at the computer terminal - bet this restaurant didn't have computers when I frequently passed by in the 1970's! - as I snap her photo. I had placed my breakfast order before taking the photo, and it took about 20 minutes for my breakfast to arrive. We're not talking "fast food" at this restaurant, as we're talking GREAT FOOD!
Photo: Definitely "old school," as the chefs place my order on the counter, waiting for Heather to deliver it to my place at the breakfast counter.
Photo: Heather brings my breakfast to me with a downward glance, as she gently places it on the counter in front of me. Thanks for the great photo and allowing me to take your photo!
Photo: I am definitely hungry, and I'm in the mood for a great breakfast at Foster Farms Corner Cafe.
Photo: I carefully pondered the breakfast menu, but I just couldn't get away from linguica and eggs, which is a very popular breakfast in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The menu describes it as "Spicy sausage with two large eggs, choice of hash browns, fruit or cottage cheese, and toast." My choice of eggs was my de facto standard of over easy, my choice of sides was hash browns - naturally - and I chose sourdough toast. Great choices! Oh yes, I couldn't resist temptation and I order a side of country gravy. The breakfast was cooked perfectly, as the photo shows. Check out the grill marks on the linguica... amazing! The eggs over easy were definitely the way I like them, the hash browns were crisp, golden brown on the outside, chewy tender on the inside... perfect. I loved the buttered sourdough toast, and Heather brought jelly, but I love my toast either buttered or dry. Such a great breakfast! As I had been passing by this amazing restaurant for as long as I can remember, it was a joy and a pleasure to finally enjoy a delicious breakfast in this iconic Livingston restaurant. The service was laid-back and friendly, the food was great, and the dining room afforded lots of pleasant nostalgia, as it reminded me of a 1970's dining room. My breakfast was definitely delicious, and could be described as "Central Valley Diner Cusine," which is the sort of food I love. Such a great Livingston restaurant! Foster Farms Corner Cafe Copyright(c) 2018 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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