The Happy Camper - San Felipe Restaurant

The Happy Camper

You know that meal you crave when you wake up after a night of one too many shots at Parrot’s Cracker and margaritas at The Taco Factory? That meal that will give you the energy you need to conquer another day of fun in the sun? The Happy Camper specializes in that meal. Comfort food is what The Happy Camper does best. From big fluffy pancakes to omelets stuffed with meat, chesses and veggies, this tucked away little restaurant is a great option for visitors wanting a break from quesadillas, burritos and tequila.

For visitors driving into town on Highway 5, The Happy Camper can be found at marker 181 near San Felipe Storage Company. This restaurant used to be called Roadrunner, and then changed its name to The Diner before finally becoming The Happy Camper. Don’t let the exterior fool you. It may look like you stepped into a Road Runner and Coyote cartoon, with long dusty roads and flatlands for as far as the eye can see. But once you walk in, you will realize this isn’t a cartoon, and that you just stumbled upon what could be some of the most delicious American comfort food south of the border. Inside of this little square building on the side of the road, set against San Felipe’s mountainous backdrop, are frying pans sizzling with bacon, pancakes dripping with syrup and buttery biscuits that are still steaming when they come to the table. And the diner doesn’t do just lunch. Their lunch menu consists of a variety of sandwiches and wraps, served with piping hot seasoned fries.  Order the meatloaf with a cup of soup on the side for hearty lunch that will keep you full all day. If you're looking for heartier options, order a mouthwatering burger or big plate of pasta. 

There is an outdoor seating area that is covered, as well as tables and chairs inside for air-conditioned dining.  Many downtown San Felipe restaurants have an ocean view, but The Happy Camper takes you a little further out from the city, for breakfast or lunch with a few of the gorgeous mountain side.  The Happy Camper opens at 7 am, and is the perfect place to grab a big breakfast to start your day.  The eggs benedict is a popular breakfast choice, served with a cold glass of orange juice or hot cup of coffee. If you’re starving, an attempt at devouring the HUGE portion of biscuits and gravy might be a feat you should try.  Not only do you receive a large bowl of four freshly home made biscuits, but the classic gravy that the biscuits are covered in will leave you asking for more. And if that wasn’t enough, you get two juicy sausage patties on the side. If it’s the kids who have you up with the sun and ready for breakfast, they’ll be excited about the kid sized portions and assortment of milk and juices to go along with it. They might see the options on the regular menu and want to skip the kid’s menu altogether. And who could blame them?! Let them experience the crunchy bacon, the pancakes covered in whipped cream, or the cinnamon rolls drenched in icing. You can always take whatever is left over in a to-go box and they can have it later (or you can munch on it after they go to sleep!)

If you left your pesos to dollars converter at home, you won’t have to worry about paying the correct amount when you come here, because the entire menu is in dollars. And speaking of dollars, each breakfast averages about $7-$10. Not only is The Happy Camper very clean and the food extra delicious, it is affordable too. If you get here and decide you want a beer with your breakfast, you're out of luck, as The Happy Camper doesn't serve alcohol. However, they do allow you to bring your own for no charge. 

You waiters and waitresses at the Happy Camper live up to the name of the place they work. Since the restaurant is on the smaller side, you never have to wait very long for your server to check on you, refill your drink or bring you extra condiments for your meals.

One thing that makes this place different than a lot of other places in San Felipe (and anywhere else for that matter) is that they don’t need fancy websites (or a website at all) or a million followers on Facebook or Twitter (won’t find them there either) to attract a crowd of people on a daily basis. The food and the service speak for themselves, and word gets around that the breakfast and lunch specials are worth coming out here for. The building is not fancy; they don’t need to spend time and money on big billboards across Baja California. They just continue to put out food that hungry families are craving, and let the rest fall into place. There is something different about visiting a place that is good just because it’s good, without all of the bells and whistles. It is obvious the owners, cooks and servers like being here and stand behind what The Happy Camper has to offer hungry travelers.

The Happy Camper is open daily between 8am and 8 pm. Say hello to owner Jesse Eudave. He;s always there, making sue that everything that leaves the kitchen and goes to your table is perfect. 

Whether you stop in for breakfast, lunch, or just a sweet glass of ice tea, you’ll leave this San Felipe hot spot one happy camper. 

The Happy Camper Restaurant Specialties:

• Fresh homemade cinnamon rolls with special stuffed french toast dish.
• Pancake sandwich with fruit topping.
• Eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon
• Prime Rib sandwiches.
• Italian sausage omelet with marinara sauce
• Deep fried Man and Cheese
• Mountain of meatloaf
• Shrimp and Crab Benedict
• Reuben Sandwiches.

• Address: KM 179 San Felipe-Mexicali Highway 5, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, 21850
• Telephone: +52-686-184-2692