SAN DIEGO — If you've never eaten at Perry's Cafe, you've probably seen the popular breakfast spot from the I-5 freeway near Old Town.
After decades in business, the family-owned restaurant is closing its doors on August 15. The current owner, Perry Eulmi, said it will be turned into apartments.
While many customers are saddened by the news, Perry said it's time for this chapter to close.
"We hate to see Perry go, we’ve been coming here for so long when she was working with her dad," Barbara Saba said.
Barbara and her husband Doug have been coming to Perry's and Sambo's, the previous restaurant, for 50 years.
"It's just kind of like old school San Diego, like a hometown, something that’s always been here for us and we can depend on," Longtime customer Veronica said.
"It's like a second home for a lot of people, they like to come here for breakfast because it feels like they’re coming home to a home-cooked meal," Perry said.
Perry took over the family business from her parents after they passed.
"My father used to be a Sambo's manager here back in the 70’s when it was a Sambo's," Perry said. "Then in the early 80’s when it came up for sale, for sentimental reasons my parents went ahead and bought the property."
The Old Town location has been open for 39 years. An El Cajon location opened five years earlier but was sold in 2021.
After decades of hard work, Perry sold the three-lot property as she plans to retire.
"I appreciate the fact a lot of people have had a lot of memories here, a lot of employees have worked here, some have worked here for 30 years, so it’s going to be very bittersweet for all of us once we close the doors," Perry said.
She said the staff feels like family to her after all the years of working together.
"We’re all family here, especially since I’m an only child they’re my extended brothers and sisters, we work as a team," Perry said.
Perry's Cafe is also a place full of tradition and memories.
"I have a tradition, my daughter’s 28 but since she was little kid we’ve been coming here and we always split the broccoli frittata, so I’m having one last one for both of us," Veronica said.
Now, Perry is figuring out her plans for retirement.
"Travel, and get to know who Perry is," she said. "I’ve always been either the mom or the restaurant owner but now I’ll get to find out who Perry is."
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