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A bit of History
     The cafe opened on Orange Ave, Coronado, California in 1927. It opened as the D and D Cafe, located about two doors down. 
In 1954, Paul Zeller bought the cafe and moved it to its current location 847 Orange Ave. He then renamed it The Night and Day Cafe. He operated, cooked and managed the cafe serving up hearty breakfasts, burgers and comfort food. It was a lively cafe, serving the locals.
 

   The cafe went through a few more owners, through the years, each one adding their own touches to the decor and menu selections but keeping it a traditional American Diner. 

    In 1996, Mario Esquer took over the cafe after working more than 20 years managing for Miguel's and later the Brigantine Corporation. With the help of his older brother, Hector Esquer, Mario kept the cafe open 24/7. The cafe retained the original decor, the counter service, with the low stools and the 100 year old flat top grill along with the iron hood that was salvaged from an old tuna ship from 1929. 

 

Mario kept the menu the same. Breakfast all day, homemade hash browns, large omelettes, with names like the "Porker" (ham, bacon, sausage, cheese and veggies), the "Garbage" (consisting of everything but the kitchen sink). We named the cafe's most popular burrito, Mario's Surf and Turf after him. The cafe remained a favorite with the military and the bar scene, keeping it open 24/7.
 

Tragically, Mario passed away in 1999, leaving Hector to run the cafe with the help of managers as he had a full-time job outside the cafe. In 2012, Sigi, a former partner, remodeled the cafe and added Mexican food. The cafe is no longer 24/7 but retains late night hours. Friday and Saturday we are open till midnight and hope to continue to expand them. 

The Esquer family has owned and run the cafe, since 1996.

1954 Paul Zeller
2012
2016
1998
The Esquer Family
From left to right
Sophie, Chelsea (Coon), Jody, Hector, Doerte (Oma), Lina(sister) and Allie
1996 Mario Esquer
NightDayCafe-6679-5.jpg

2020

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