# Denica’s Real Food Kitchen

> Family-owned breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant and bakery with an island twist, serving homemade food since 1999. Four kitchens in California’s Tri-Valley and East Bay: Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore and Castro Valley. Founded by James Freitas (“the Cookie Man”) and Denica Freitas (“the Cake Lady”). Known for ube pancakes, loco moco, Mochiko chicken & waffles, chilaquiles, giant cinnamon rolls and fresh-baked cookies in the signature blue box. Named among Eater SF’s top Bay Area brunch spots.

## Key facts
- Cuisine: breakfast, brunch and lunch; Hawaiian/island, Mexican and American comfort food; in-house bakery
- Meals: breakfast through early afternoon only (no dinner)
- Ordering: online pickup at https://order.denicas.com/ (24/7; ready in about 20–25 minutes during business hours), phone, or walk in
- Seating: first come, first served, indoor and patio; private parties by email at info@denicascafe.com
- Complimentary house-made chips with three salsas while you wait
- Soufflé pancakes: Pleasanton and Dublin only
- King Kamehameha Loco Moco (Angus prime rib): weekends and holidays at all locations, while it lasts
- Kids: Keiki menu. Vegetarian/vegan: “Mostly Green” menu section
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denicasrealfoodkitchen/

## Locations & hours
- Pleasanton — 4503 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588 · 925-230-3500 · Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat–Sun 7am–3pm
- Dublin — 6058 Dougherty Road, Dublin, CA 94568 · 925-829-6200 · Daily 6am–2pm
- Livermore — 2259 Las Positas Road, Livermore, CA 94551 · 925-447-9500 · Daily 7am–2pm
- Castro Valley — 2723 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 · 510-537-1100 · Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat–Sun 7am–3pm

## Pages
- [Home](https://denicascafe.com/): overview, signature dishes, FAQ
- [Menu](https://denicascafe.com/menu.html): full menu for each of the four kitchens
- [Locations & hours](https://denicascafe.com/locations.html): addresses, hours, maps, contact
- [Catering & bakery](https://denicascafe.com/catering.html): catering trays with prices, cookie and pastry list
- [Our story](https://denicascafe.com/story.html): history since 1987, press and videos
- [Biographies](https://denicascafe.com/biographies.html): founders James and Denica Freitas

## Menus (PDF)
- [Pleasanton menu](https://denicascafe.com/assets/menus/pleasanton-menu.pdf)
- [Dublin menu](https://denicascafe.com/assets/menus/dublin-menu.pdf)
- [Livermore menu](https://denicascafe.com/assets/menus/livermore-menu.pdf)
- [Castro Valley menu](https://denicascafe.com/assets/menus/castro-valley-menu.pdf)

## Archive: blog 2007–2025
Older posts from the original denicascafe.com, kept at their original URLs. Hours, prices and menus in them may be out of date; the pages above are current. Every archive URL, including photo and PDF pages, is listed in https://denicascafe.com/sitemap.xml.

### Recipes
- [Not Denica’s Oatmeal Cookie Recipe, but oh so good!](https://denicascafe.com/not-denicas-oatmeal-cookie-recipe-but-oh-so-good/) (2019)
- [Lolita’s Paella Valenciana](https://denicascafe.com/lolitas-paella-valenciana/) (2016)
- [Recipe of the Month: Oven Fried Chicken](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-oven-fried-chicken/) (2015)
- [Recipe of the Month:  Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding Heaven](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-chocolate-banana-bread-pudding-heaven/) (2013)
- [Recipe of the Month: Pecan Cranberry Salad](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-pecan-cranberry-salad/) (2012)
- [Recipe of the Month: Parmesan Asparagus](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-parmesan-asparagus/) (2012)
- [Recipe of the Month:  Roasted Root Vegetables with Maple Glaze](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month/) (2011)
- [Recipe of the Month:  Balsamic Artichokes](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-balsamic-artichokes/) (2011)
- [Recipe of the Month:  Emergency Chocolate Cake](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-emergency-chocolate-cake/) (2011)
- [How to make a perfect salad at home](https://denicascafe.com/how-to-make-a-perfect-salad-at-home/) (2011)
- [Recipe of the Month: Artichoke Linguine](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-artichoke-linguine/) (2010)
- [Recipe of the Month:  Broccoli Mac and Cheese Gratin](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-broccoli-mac-and-cheese-gratin/) (2010)
- [Recipe of the Month: Brie-and-Caramelized Onion-Stuffed Chicken Breasts](https://denicascafe.com/recipe-of-the-month-brie-and-caramelized-onion-stuffed-chicken-breasts/) (2007)

### Stories & news
- [Honoring the Moms at Denica’s](https://denicascafe.com/moms/) (2019)
- [start small](https://denicascafe.com/start-small/) (2017)
- [The Power of Charm](https://denicascafe.com/the-power-of-charm/) (2017)
- [James’ Secret Spot: Lake Faucherie](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-lake-faucherie/) (2015)
- [Location #4 coming soon!](https://denicascafe.com/location-4-coming-soon/) (2015)
- [All Hail the Kale!](https://denicascafe.com/hail-kale/) (2014)
- [Look at Life Differently, Let Go of Stress](https://denicascafe.com/look-at-life-differently-let-go-of-stress/) (2013)
- [We are growing! Walnut Creek this week, Livermore right behind it…](https://denicascafe.com/growing-walnut-creek-week-livermore-right-behind/) (2013)
- [Tour De Palm Springs](https://denicascafe.com/tour-de-palm-springs/) (2013)
- [How do you eat your Burrito?](https://denicascafe.com/2007-12-how-do-you-eat-your-burrito/) (2013)
- [James’ Secret Spot:  Biltmore Four Seasons Hotel, Santa Barbara](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-biltmore-four-seasons-hotel-santa-barbara/) (2013)
- [Chocolate Indulgence-Denica’s Cookies and Milk](https://denicascafe.com/chocolate-indulgence-denicas-cookies-and-milk/) (2013)
- [Who knew a Havanese would steal our hearts!](https://denicascafe.com/who-knew-a-havanese-would-steal-our-hearts/) (2013)
- [Impress a chef](https://denicascafe.com/impress-a-chef/) (2013)
- [De-Stress in 3 Minutes or Less](https://denicascafe.com/de-stress-in-3-minutes-or-less/) (2013)
- [Fun in the Mud](https://denicascafe.com/fun-in-the-mud/) (2012)
- [Real Food at Denica’s](https://denicascafe.com/real-food-at-denicas/) (2012)
- [Surefire Way to find True Love](https://denicascafe.com/surefire-way-to-find-true-love/) (2012)
- [Easy, Edible Centerpiece Idea for your Holiday Table](https://denicascafe.com/easy-edible-centerpiece-idea-for-your-holiday-table/) (2012)
- [Changing My Focus](https://denicascafe.com/changing-my-focus/) (2012)
- [The Rules for Being Human](https://denicascafe.com/the-rules-for-being-human/) (2012)
- [James’ Secret Spot:  Big Sur](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-big-sur/) (2012)
- [Our New Name!](https://denicascafe.com/our-new-name/) (2012)
- [Four Locations to serve you!](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-denicas/) (2012)
- [Catering](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-denicas-5/) (2012)
- [Cookies](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-denic/) (2012)
- [Breakfast](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-denicas-4/) (2012)
- [Lunch](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-denicas-3/) (2012)
- [us](https://denicascafe.com/owner-biography-denica-freitas/) (2012)
- [Keeping Love Alive: Secrets of a Happy Marriage](https://denicascafe.com/keeping-love-alive-secrets-of-a-happy-marriage/) (2012)
- [Menu](https://denicascafe.com/menus/) (2012)
- [Cookies](https://denicascafe.com/cookies/) (2012)
- [Hello world!](https://denicascafe.com/hello-world/) (2012)
- [Buddy, Buddy and Buddy (Or the story of Three Golden Retrievers)](https://denicascafe.com/buddy-buddy-and-buddy-or-the-story-of-three-golden-retrievers/) (2012)
- [Don’t miss the moment](https://denicascafe.com/reminders/) (2012)
- [What Goes Around,  Comes Around](https://denicascafe.com/what-goes-around-comes-around/) (2012)
- [Welcome to Holland](https://denicascafe.com/welcome-to-holland/) (2012)
- [The Rule of Threes/Survival Preparation](https://denicascafe.com/the-rule-of-threessurvival-preparation/) (2011)
- [Best Buddies: Giving Back](https://denicascafe.com/best-buddies-giving-back/) (2011)
- [James’ Secret Spot:  Las Trampas Regional Wilderness](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-las-trampas-regional-wilderness/) (2011)
- [Go ahead—Take a Nap](https://denicascafe.com/go-ahead-take-a-nap/) (2011)
- [Valuable Denica’s lessons learned](https://denicascafe.com/valuable-denicas-lessons-learned/) (2011)
- [Bad Moods](https://denicascafe.com/bad-moods/) (2011)
- [James’ Secret Spot:  Calf Creek, Utah](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-calf-creek-utah/) (2011)
- [The Perfect Christmas Gift](https://denicascafe.com/the-perfect-christmas-gift/) (2010)
- [What’s Going On… It Takes Two to Tandem](https://denicascafe.com/whats-going-on-it-takes-two-to-tandem/) (2010)
- [My first half marathon!](https://denicascafe.com/2008-10-my-first-half-marathon/) (2010)
- [Slow down- you’ll go faster](https://denicascafe.com/slow-down-youll-go-faster/) (2010)
- [Propane Vs. Charcoal](https://denicascafe.com/propane-vs-charcoal/) (2010)
- [Sunday Outing: USS Hornet](https://denicascafe.com/sunday-outing-uss-hornet/) (2009)
- [James’ Secret Spot: Fernwood Resort](https://denicascafe.com/james-secret-spot-fernwood-resort/) (2009)
- [Top 14 Things My Mother Taught Me](https://denicascafe.com/top-14-things-my-mother-taught-me/) (2009)
- [Get Moving](https://denicascafe.com/get-moving/) (2009)
- [What’s Going On… 2009 Goals](https://denicascafe.com/whats-going-on-2009-goals/) (2009)
- [Salad every night](https://denicascafe.com/salad-every-night/) (2008)
- [Thank you](https://denicascafe.com/2008-4-thank-you/) (2008)
- [“When are you going to gain some weight?” and other silly questions people ask](https://denicascafe.com/2008-when-are-you-going-to-gain-some-weight-and-other-silly-questions-people-ask/) (2008)
- [Back to School](https://denicascafe.com/2007-9-pinecrest-photos-back-to-school/) (2007)
- [Thoughts on Motivation](https://denicascafe.com/2007-sept-thoughts-on-motivation/) (2007)
- [Sunday Outing: Oakland Zoo](https://denicascafe.com/2007-5-sunday-outing-oakland-zoo/) (2007)
- [Tom Sawyer](https://denicascafe.com/tom-sawyer/) (2007)
- [It’s all about the Dads!](https://denicascafe.com/dads/) (2007)
- [It’s I love Moms month](https://denicascafe.com/its-i-love-moms-month/) (2007)
- [Our Big Family….](https://denicascafe.com/2007-6-our-big-family/) (2007)
- [Interview: James and Denica Freitas](https://denicascafe.com/food-for-thought-denica-freitas/) (2007)
- [What’s New at Denica’s-Breakfast!](https://denicascafe.com/2007-1-whats-new-at-denicas-breakfast/) (2007)
- [You Wanted to Know…](https://denicascafe.com/first-issue-you-wanted-to-know/) (2007)
- [10 Years of Denica’s](https://denicascafe.com/10-years-of-denicas/) (1999)