So stopped in again almost 9 years to the day since my last visit. My waitress was the same waitress I have had since I was probably 14 years old coming in with my dad. Now I'm here with my oldest son. She still ran that place with great efficiency but it was slower than I remember so I asked how things are. She made mention that the hay day with all the businesses leaving isn't what it once was but they still do a good business on most days. I looked over at the old timers table and personally didn't recognize any of them. Then she looked off in the distance and mentioned we've lost a lot of our main customers over the years. I could tell what she meant not by them going to another Cafe just aged out. This is one of those last true Americana locations and worth your time to bring your cash (they dont take cards) and have a great meal with HOT coffee. I still have never seen the bottom of a coffee mug here. Also my biscuits and gravy medium order was still $5.50. So as I remember it's been the same price since 2017 maybe longer. Awesome Job, Betty's!!! Love everything about you read more

The was a very good off the path local breakfast restaurant. Quick service and fair prices. Pancakes served with hot syrup. read more

Betty's Café - Eggs, bacon, pancakes - Cafes Near Me - Saint Joseph, Missouri

Service was excellent as always, as was the food. Typically busy but in waves. Cash Only. Best biscuits and gravy around. Great corn beef hash. Their "Bubba" hash browns (extra crispy with onions, jalapeños, and gravy are great and very filling. Prices are very fair and you can't beat the daily specials. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Fantastic pies, you should order your pie when you sit down to guarantee it being there in time for desert. read more

Betty's Café - Small biscuits and gravy with side of crispy bacon special (Fridays) - Cafes Near Me - Saint Joseph, Missouri

Got to breakfast restaurant. Biscuits and gravy is my go-to. Excellent service and home style dining experience. Can be a little busy in the mornings! read more

If you are seeking a friendly hometown diner, Betty's Cafe is the place. We visited on a Saturday morning and the place was packed. We sat at the counter and had the best waitress- Alexia. A true pleasure! read more

Dropped in because of the great reviews. Hadn't been here in years. Not near as good as I remembered (sadly). Ordered the Philly steak omelette, which was small (2-3 egg max), and had mediocre flavor. Had the grits, which were the highlight of the meal (they were great). And a pancake (charged me $2.75 for the pancake even though menu said it was included). Pancake was on the small side, but had great flavor. Service was the biggest negative today (hope it isn't the norm). The young lady never refilled my coffee or water even once. The other server noticed, and topped me off a couple of times. Overall I wasn't impressed. Hoping it was just an off day based on other reviews. read more

The food is always good and I especially like the side choices. The service is top rate and the other patrons are friendly. I hope to get back next week. read more

I've been going to Betty's for decades and it's one of my favorite restaurants in town. Honestly, it's not quite as good as when Betty, the original owner owned it but the current owner certainly tries to maintain a high standard. All of the food is made fresh. I've had to go in to work in the early mornings (4 or 5 am) and seen the cook through the window making the pies for the day. I have a place in my heart for the waitresses who served me for so many years, they ran their tails off taking care of their customers but for some reason they are no longer there. I hope they have been able to retire and enjoy life. Regardless, the current waitresses are great too and will take good care of you. It's a small basic building but the food makes it well worth the drive. We always get full on our meals but make sure to get a couple of their deserts to go. By the way, I have never once had anything I didn't like at Betty's. They even serve some of the old fashioned foods that older people enjoy such as brain sandwiches, liver and chicken gizzards. read more

EVERYTHING!!! Service was great. Food was excellent. LOVE small town's & small town restaurants!!! Husband & I would definitely make the hour drive back up here again. read more

Driving past St Joseph and saw all the good reviews at this place so we decided to have lunch there. Simple home style Cafe and it was pretty good. I like the small simple menu and they have different specials everyday. Very good prices too. I ordered the Taco Burger with fries and it was really good. Everything tasted nice and fresh and good quality food. I like the crinkle fries. Wife ordered the "special" which was ham and bean soup and it was above average good. Plus she got three small sides with it and all three were good (deviled eggs, macaroni salad and potato salads). My daughter ordered the Philly cheese steak sandwich and it looked and tasted very good. If you order a cinnamon roll go light on the icing bc they put a lot on it, but it was good. We got there at 1:35pm and they close at 2pm. They were very nice and had no problem seating us with less than half hour of closing. The service was great and the waitress was very friendly. I highly recommend this place. read more

Betty's Café - Ham and bean soup w/cornbread biscuits - Cafes Near Me - Saint Joseph, Missouri

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Never a bad meal or service just remember to bring cash Love their specials and prices read more

Classic, cash only down home cafe serving breakfast and lunch. Delicious, generous portions with friendly and warm staff. Don't miss this hometown gem. Fun atmosphere! read more

-people :: friendly. helpful. attentive. -ambiance :: clean. small-town charming. inviting. -food :: five million thumbs up. **TRY THE FRIED MUSHROOMS read more

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Drove up from KC to have breakfast with our daughter - this is my new favorite breakfast spot - old school diner feel, busy and bustling and the best restaurant breakfast I've had in years! read more

Delicious greasy spoon diner . Massive portions for super affordable prices! We had the chicken and biscuits plus the Bubba Hash Browns! So yummy the chicken is to die for! Note: THIS IS A CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT! read more

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This place literally brought tears to our eyes and down our faces!! It reminded us if your Momma's ! We both had the beans and ham and we both had a side salad and then he got cottage cheese and deviled eggs and I got the eggs and potato salad!! The eggs had me crying because they reminded me of my Mommas ! She passed away in 2006 ! Our waitress was so sweet and kind to us and to customers that werent even hers! We are going back for breakfast asap!! Bring cash because they will take that but not your fancy plastic!! Oh we also had apple dump cake which reminded me of my Mawmaws!! Keep doing what yall do because it is amazing!! read more

Betty's Café - Deviled eggs and potato salad!! Yummy!! - Cafes Near Me - Saint Joseph, Missouri

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This is not fancy food. This is a throwback to mom and pop diners by the gas station on the side of the road. The waitresses have been here forever and the cooks for even longer. Had fried ham with pickled beets, deviled egg, and macaroni salad. The service was quick and on point. Hubby had the meatloaf special. Again, nothing fancy, just good old fashioned Mom's meatloaf cooked just right. They had coconut cream pie and apple cobbler. We had one of each, with ice cream on the warm cobbler. Fresh, homemade, with meringue on the coconut pie a mile high. We will most definitely be back but they are closed on Sundays. REMEMBER...CASH ONLY. read more

Excellent service, delicious food, great variety. Good prices as well. Atmosphere is the perfect privately owned cafe. read more

Very important. CASH ONLY!! But those in the know are very aware of this. What a fantaaastic mom and pop place this is. All homemade food all the way down to the lumpy mashed potatoes. It has been passed down to the daughter. Mom (Betty) is resting comfortably in heaven with a huge smile on her face with the knowledge that this place is pleasing many customers daily. We heard the servers (more fantastic people) calling customers by their names. Lotsa regulars. Ok so let's talk PHOOD! I had the meatloaf. It was made today as was the mashed potatoes. All made daily and it tasted like it. I also had corn and a salad the salad was fresh so we knew it wasn't sitting in the fridge forever. Wifey had the fried hamsteak. And she looved it. Ooohhhh I had the apple cobbler. Heated it up with ice cream. It was a very very good cobbler. Crust was flakey apples were.sweet and tasty. read more

This is a great small town diner. I ate here with my grandparents when they were still alive, and I still eat here with my mother and children. The tables promote local business owners in the community and staff is always welcoming! read more

Betty's is a down home little diner and we are lucky to have. Food is great and service is even better! I love finding places like this.

CASH ONLY, so odd. A very small restaurant, cramped, no way to social distance. Loud-mouthed grand-standing waitress going on and on how she "has a doctor note to not wear a mask" , bragging about suing anyone who demands she wears one. Seemed to need the attention. We ordered the bbq beef dinner & chicken fried steak dinner. BBQ sandwich had to be eaten with a fork, too soggy to pick up and eat. Mashed potatoes very bland, green beans ok. Chicken fried steak kinda small. Prices good, our waitress at least had a mask on, but not over her nose. Would not recommend. read more

I have been going to this greasy spoon since before I could walk. My family is all originally from St. Joseph and I know the town well! This little diner has been redone a couple times, but inside it still looks like it did 30+ years ago! If you stop by for breakfast, don't even bother looking at a menu...go for the biscuits and gravy! Small, medium, or large are your choices...I have never been able to order anything more than the small. With a side of bacon and hot coffee, you cannot go wrong! They offer daily whiteboard specials including mama made classics like meatloaf and chicken fried steak. If you are a calorie counter, I would stay away from this one...I don't even think they offer salad. The only drawback; they allow smoking. This place isn't even big enough to separate sections, so you just have to take it. It gets a little thick in the morning crowd, so be weary. read more

Betty's Café - Small biscuits and gravy - Cafes Near Me - Saint Joseph, Missouri

What a nice little place to get breakfast the way mom or grandma used to make !!! Bacon just the way you order it, I like mine crisp, not limp or burnt. Good homemade hash browns, good hot coffee. Friendly staff and helpful, nice little secret in the south end of St Joesph. Will be back again. read more

Great down home cooking cafe. Have great daily specials and the wait staff are always friendly! I think breakfast is better then lunch, but they both are good. I got pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, and toast. All was delicious! Other person in my party got chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, & salad. The potatoes were only luke warm, so just wish they would have been hot. All in all great place to eat and great service! read more

They sold out of homemade cheesecake... before noon. Enough said. Eat here. Return visit... they sold out of homemade desert at 10am this time. read more

Having been raised in the Southside of Saint Joseph Missouri, having breakfast at Betty's Cafe is like coming home. Today, I had the $5.00 small biscuit & gravy plate, with an over easy egg and two pieces of bacon. There is nothing small about this meal, for $5 you leave very full. One can say "You can get that meal anywhere", and one would be right. However, the food didn't come from a corporate chain kitchen. The food came from an old Mom and Pop Cafe, where the food is made with love and the service is genuinely friendly. When we come home, we try to eat at least one breakfast meal here. When you step into the diner, you take a step back in time. A gathering place where you can slow down for a moment, have a cup of coffee or two, share a few laughs and be served a warm and delicious breakfast...it's the ultimate comfort food, with all the feels of home. The buttermilk biscuits are both dense and fluffy, which is no easy task. The gravy is creamy and silky, with all the home cooked flavor that takes you back to Mom's house. The bacon is thick and cooked just right, it is salty, chewy, and crispy. The menu offers an array of items from breakfast to lunch. There is something for everyone. If you are ever in Saint Joseph Missouri, be sure to stop in and have a meal. It's like coming home. read more

After being disappointed by driving out from Lee's Summit to catch the Chiefs Training, only to find out they only practice for one hour in the morning, we were cheered up by the delicious, home style cooking here at Betty's. When I first looked at the menu and saw Brain, I was a little nervous. But I took a chance and ordered eggs with hashbrowns and toast and it was delicious !!!! My dad ordered the Roast Beef which came with mashed potatoes, greens beans and a salad. Those mashed potatoes were really creamy and yummy. The green beans were seasoned perfectly. I would highly recommend this little diner. From the outside. the surrounding buildings look dated and worn down, but after entering the cafes you're instantly greeted and surprised by the sweet smell of home cooking. I will come back, maybe not for the Chiefs, but for the food here. read more

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What a friendly and warm little cafe. Wonderful staff with a fantastic demeanor. Their menu mainly consists of country style favorites priced at low country style prices. The hash browns are incredible! And there chicken fried chicken or steak are crispy crunchy goodness. read more

I was visiting my daughter in ST. Joseph Missouri and I wanted to go to a mom-and-pop place and Google suggested Betty's Cafe so my daughter and I went there. The atmosphere was great the workers were hard at work constantly and it was always busy which is a good sign. The food and the price was great, you know if there's a lot of people you know the food would be great and soon as the table was cleared more people came in. The place was clean even the bathroom. Our waitress was Jeri (however you spell her name)and she was an excellent waitress. I had the roast beef open-faced sandwich and potatoes which was excellent and my daughter had the Fried Chicken special with potato salad and she said it tastes like Grandma's. When I come back to St Joseph MO I will come back. Cathy Carley (Lawrence KS) read more

The food is delicious. The building is exquisitely clean. I only wish they were open later!

This is about as "authentic" (the word is way overused nowadays, but totally applicable here) as a down-home American greasy spoon cafe can get anywhere in this great country of ours: delicious all-American eats, the nicest waitresses around, absurdly good prices, and ambience to match. A hidden Midwestern gem for breakfast and lunch. read more

Best breakfast diner, ever! Service is fast and friendly. Kitchen knows exactly what an over medium egg should be...and most breakfasts come with this question...."you want gravy on that, Hon?" Love me some Betty's! read more

Betty's is the best cafe in northwest Missouri. The service is always great the people are great, and best of all it is family owned and operated. read more

If you're looking for a good old fashioned, early opening, good food, local greasy spoon this place is it in St Joe. I stumbled across this place somewhere in the mix between local folk lure and useful site called Yelp. The map location does not lead you to the right place though, unless it's been updated recently. They have great food at very reasonable pricing. The staff is as sweet as can be. The service was quick and attentive. I'll be back here again. CASH ONLY, so don't be that goober that doesn't read the signage all over and orders without cash anyway. read more

Great place for a very casual breakfast or lunch. They keep the place small and home like which can be very nice but hard to get in if you are in any type of hurry. The staff is friendly. The food is good. read more

This here is a St. Joe classic been around for ages good friendly waitresses with good friendly food but food is not all the and rather expense for a small diner. Just cashing in on there mill ticket while it lasts. read more

I've been eating at Betty's since I was able to chew food. My grandpa would bring me in there with him almost every morning (him and betty were also really good friends) If you live in St.Joe you know betty's has the best breakfast around! read more

They have the best biscuits and gravy!!! Always friendly and happy to meet you. Please come find this mom and pop breakfast and lunch restaurant. You don't know what your missing. read more

The smoking needs to be addressed first, it's bad, and why this gets a lower review. We both would have enjoyed it more if we didn't have to shower afterwards. People there old-school smoke before during and after their meals, one guy two tables from us never seemed to have an unlit cig. I'm very thankful the table behind us wasn't smoking, I would have left. The breakfast was good, well cooked eggs and beef, plain canned like gravy both brown and white. Everything served quick and hot. We wanted to love it and come back, but due to the smoke, it's not even a possibility. I also believe they are closed on Sundays, at least they were when we tried a few weeks ago. read more