I went here on a Saturday and the place was packed yet the service was great. Our server was quick and attentive (always topped up the coffee AND water). My friend and I read that the biscuits were good - yum... super yum. I recommend the biscuits with the jam they have on the table! I ordered the ARNOLD BREAKFAST. Filling and rich (a little too rich for me, but I knew it would be when I ordered it). If you are like me and can only handle some rich food (and are a normal or female eater), I recommend getting a half order. They don't advertise it on the menu, but you can get half orders of their breakfasts. The Arnold is eggs, ham, on a biscuit with gravy. I got the gravy on the side so that I could eat half with jam and the other with breakfast (GENIUS!). I felt a little too full afterwards, but overall, it is good diner breakfast (great for if you have a hangover). read more

After reading the great reviews, my expectations were quite high so I have to admit I feel a little let down. To be honest, the place is not bad, the food is good, the waitstaff friendly, and prices are reasonable. But I found the menu quite limited (no steak and eggs!!) which left me quite unsatisfied. My fave weekend brunch place in Boulder is still The Original Pancake House down on Canyon and 28th read more

Ohhh how I long for Dots Diner now that I don't live in Boulder anymore. No question the best breakfast place I've ever been to, the breakfast burrito being the crowning glory of Dots, with the biscuits not far behind. My husband and I often stop here first when we roll into town for a visit.... The spot on 28th is so much nicer, brighter and better service than the one on the hill. The coffee was pretty lame, weak and bitter the last couple visits, so that NEEDS ATTENTION! read more

Dot's has got to be some of the best breakfast I have ever had. From their potatoes down to their eggs! I love coming here for their home cooked meals. Their jam that I believe is homemade is incredible especially on a homemade biscuit. The wait staff is always wonderful and awesome because they let me have my breakfast the way I want it! I tend to be a bit picky! I would also suggest getting to Dot's early as it can get pretty packed with such a tiny establishment. read more

Typical diner fare. Portions are huge! Our servers first day, so our order was mixed up a bit. And 2 bucks for a side of salsa that was microwaved? That was a bit weird. Food was pretty good though! No serious complaints! read more

Had a great experience. One thing I was surprised by is that I thought it would be hard to find a spot to park, but that little lot is reserved for only people using that little plaza so at 9:00am there were enough spots for me and the other 5 folks I was meeting there. Biscuits were excellent, service was outstanding and food was great. It's not your fancy Boulder breakfast place, but has that classic diner feel that works. read more

Food is okay, but the service has been variable. When i go with a friend, I am waited on in a normal manner. When I go there alone, the service has been very slow or not at all. I will avoid this place forever because of the service issue. read more

Service was good. Food was good. Music was good. The restaurant is for casual dining and it was clean. Prices were higher than expected but still cheaper than most places in Boulder. read more

They make their own granola, biscuits, hash browns and have great smooth coffee. Chorizo omelet delicious. This place continues the on-the-hill diner experience that harkens back to the 60s till now with the following diners by name: Lil's Drift In, Bob's Shack, Magnolia Thunderpussy, Magnolia, Mother's and now Dot's. Enjoy the great food and Keep on Truckin' ! read more

This place is a-maz-ing! Their breakfast menu is diverse, so there's something for everyone, including lighter options. Their chai tea is delicious, but massive, so I recommend sharing with another person. Their biscuits are divine - large, fluffy and slightly sweet. They are great with their gravy. All in all, my favorite go-to spot for breakfast. read more

I ate at Dot's on my very first morning in Boulder, and it has been my favorite breakfast spot ever since. I love the AM Sandwich, delicious cheese eggs and your choice of ham, avocado or breakfast sausage (I always go for the avocado) on a huge, delicious biscuit - and being from the South, I'm a harsh judge of biscuits. Comes with a side and is more than enough food. The staff is always friendly, and the Valmont location also offers Indian dishes. read more

Service is terrible. We'll try Dot's again in hope of a better experience, but this breakfast visit wasn't so great. I'm adding a star because a diner like this isn't so easy to find in Boulder. My 2 star review is that service is horrible. They were fairly busy and there was one very busy non-smiling waitress. We never did get a refill on coffee from her. Omelet was pretty good, grits were too. The problem is when service is so terrible you really can't enjoy your meal. Taking a second to check back after delivering your food and swirling by with a coffee refill is not too much to ask. Is it? read more

I love it. Simple, diner feel. Nice to have here in Boulder. Great prices. Peppery sliced crispy potatoes, soo good! Service is fine.

Good Food. Get the Biscuit instead of the toast. Closes biscuit from a restaurant that even resembles my Mamaw's biscuits in WV. She has long passed away. But Uncle Connie keeps the Patrick's family Biscuit tradition alive. read more

Great breakfast! I really enjoyed the french toast, egg and sausage combo! I got a biscuit too because of the recommendation of a friend and it was really delicious but definitely way too much food for me! I liked the hippytastic feel of the place - it was my first trip to Boulder and it definitely felt very Boulder-esque. read more

Tastes like home cooking. Feels like grandmas kitchen. Great wait staff, yummy food. Doesn't taste like grill cleaner, not greasy. And, the biscuits with jam are to die for! read more

Awesome place. Loved it. Got the veggie omelette, French toast and homemade biscuit and raspberry berry jam. Recommend if you want a local dining experience with a great environment and amazing food. read more

Dot's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Must have walked in at a good time since I was seated at a table per my preference! All the staff I encountered were friendly and seemed happy to be there. Had an omelet special (broccoli, mushroom, cheddar) which suited me well. Agree with other reviews about the folks who patronize this diner, certainly locals! I enjoyed it and intend to return for diner food with a twist, if you like! read more

The biscuits are really good don't forget to add the fresh raspberry preserves to it. The staff was nice. The menu had a wide variety of stuff and I was told its been the same menu for a long time!! I went with a special ( 3 egg omelet charizo pica cheddar). Came with hashbowns and biscuit. Good stuff. read more

This place is my favorite breakfast spot in town. Everything is amazing here! They use cage-free eggs, organic coffee, and they have almond milk, rice, soy, and cow milk. The place has that old diner feel with some modern touches on the menu. My go to favorite is the AM sandwich with veggie sausage! What! Yeah they offer veggie sausage and the hash brown/ potatoes don't even get me started. Whether you stop at their NBO location or on the hill you will not be disappointed. read more

I work in a restaurant so I understand how hard the job can be. As a server, I am insulted at how bad and non existent the service is here. I never leave a bad tip but having to tip this dude even a dollar made me cringe. My boyfriend and I used to go to Dots every weekend, we love the food. The service just keeps getting worse and worse. Sat there with an empty water glass the whole time while he looked at it and then walked right by. Sat for 10min after our plates were empty for our check. He also didn't check on us once. Last time we ate there we had to go up to the counter to ask for a server because they were all walking right around us but no one came over. That time we said was the last but we tried it out again today and this is definitely the last time. Such a shame because I really like their traditional food :( read more

Easily my favorite breakfast spot in Boulder! Friendly staff, great food, and a cozy, home-y feel. What more can one ask for?

I come here often with my boyfriend and they offer great gluten free options free of charge! The food is really good. However, it's the only thing that keeps me coming back. The service is terrible. You will have to wait at least 20 minutes before a waitress will come and take your order. After about an half an hour or so my boyfriend finally asked her we could get some water and asked where our waitress was and she said I'm your waitress and can't you see that were slammed?!? Well the service is terrible and if that bothers you don't come here, but if it doesn't than the biscuits are really good! read more

I know it was rated the best breakfast for the buck in Boulder for 2008, but breakfast is cheap so you do want competition. Menu was blaaa. Didn't find the omelet I wanted. Food tasted boxy. Might try it one more time to give them benefit of doubt. read more

Dots' used to have a sweet sweet spot on Pearl St. with an outdoor patio that made your breakfast sparkle. After trading it all in for a corner of a strip mall, they seem to have lowered their expectations of themselves a little too- but it is still a very decent breakfast, especially for the price. Dot's does have it all- omelettes, biscuits, toys for kids, too-cool for school waitstaff and loud music. Settle in for a couple cups of coffee, watch breakfast in action and enjoy one of the more normal places to get breakfast in Boulder. The food will fill you up and you'll leave happy that you didn't just spend the last hour in some obnoxious fancypants cafe. Also, the bathroom has two toilets which I've always thought was awesome. read more

Such a wonderful greasy spoon with fabulous,authentic staffers. Do yourself a favor and get the buttermilk biscuit topped with dot of homemade jam on every bite. read more

Affordable and tasty! The option for smaller portions was a welcome surprise as was the perfect - over easy - egg. Vegetarian options, too.

I'm actually sitting in the restaurant waiting for our food. We have been here for an hour an 43 minutes waiting for a sandwich. At this time it doesn't matter how it taste, this place sucks. I've told the waiter we were leaving twice to which he replied "the food is on its way out". read more

Food was good. Nothing to brag about but service sucked. Waiter didn't seem like he wanted to be there and acted like he didn't care if you were either. Passed our table many times and didn't ask if it was good or refill drinks. I heard the people at the next table asking for a drink refill. So clearly he didn't ask them either. I could see my boyfriend getting increasingly annoyed and that made me feel bad because it was my suggestion. Get your food to go, would probably taste better in the parking lot anyways. read more

You can't go wrong at this Boulder historical landmark. They've been slinging hash in Boulder since way before it was legal! Try the breakfast burrito or French toast to recover after a long night or just to start your day with a belly full. The great staff will keep you happy and your mug full. Dot's rocks! read more

If you're a vegetarian, this place is a must. They have plenty of options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, and it's so nice to be able to go somewhere where everyone's dietary restrictions are respected! They have vegetarian sausage, which is my absolute favorite and hard to find served in restaurants. Their biscuits and hash browns are homemade, and you can certainly taste the difference. Love Dot's! read more

Sure, Dot's ain't what it used to be, but there are still good reasons for it. The staples, Breakfast Burritos and Huevos Rancheros, simply cannot be beat! Other stuff is inconsistent; the hollandaise for the Benedicts varies, but when it's good it's very good! Best for me is the "Indian" (Nepalese) food that has been introduced in semi-recent years by the Nepalese guys who work there; it's great! Make sure you get a little extra chutney, though. One can say that as a Boulder institution, it's gone downhill since its forced evacuation from downtown Boulder. It does not retain the vibrant vibe of days of yore, but it's still good at the things it was known for. read more

We went for a Saturday brunch with our two-year old. The waitress was not friendly and eventually deteriorated to being hostile. We usually go to Dot's on the Hill, which I highly recommend, consider this a four star rating for them. I figured the food would be the same but the service was so much less that we left before we ordered. Our ordering process was interrupted twice because our waitress was "in the middle of something" or "had food in the window." We had a plan that we had to change because there was "no half order button on the computer" as we tried to assemble a meal for our two-year old, who is allergic to eggs and cinnamon. Oblivious to the fact that we were changing our order to feed our kid, when I asked about the specials for omelets, my wife leaned to side to the read the board and our ever-endearing, ever-caring waitress assisted us by saying "I have food in the window and you don't even know the menu." I had no idea that knowing a menu was a prerequisite to eating at a restaurant, and I had been in the food and beverage industry for 7 years. Having been offended, we packed up and left. On the way out, our "waitress" passed by me saying "this works great for me." My wife responded with "your service here is fantastic." If not having customers works great, perhaps not having a job would be exquisite. We went to Dot's on the Hill because the food is good and we're not from Boulder and couldn't do the restaurant math. Dot's on the Hill gave us half orders despite not having a specific button on the computer. Evidently, it does require some college to divide by two. When we asked to change tables to accommodate an active 2 year-old, the response was "no problem." The food took a while, but they were busy. If you want a Dot's lunch or breakfast, the only Dot's in Boulder is on the Hill. The other one is, evidently, exclusively for regulars. read more

Have been to Dot's Diner a few times. In general the food and service are good, nothing super special but a good dinner. Today was another story, we get seated and no one comes to check on us for about 15 minutes. After which we order and they are out of some items which is ok and I understand that happens. But the food comes out and I ordered my steak medium, it is beyond well done and I don't think they put any seasoning on it at all. It was like eating a piece of rubber, the eggs and potatoes are still good. After out server vanishes, I get up and find her in a booth with other servers eating food and talking with the others with no regard to the fact she still has customers. We go to pay and I tell her that the steak was bad and you can hear the cook staff/manager complaining about the fact. I give it a 2/5 instead of a 1/5 due to past experiences with this location. read more

Food was decent but the service was very very slow. The service Is what got them a 3 star. From the time we sat down till we paid it took about 2 hours.. which is way to long for breakfast.... Biscuit and gravy was decent but the way the menu is set up you could easily spend $40 on add ons read more

I took some friends to Dot's yesterday for breakfast. On the way there I warned them that the customer service is pretty much the worst around but the food is good. Because of this, I'll go there once or twice a year at the most. It started out a little better than I expected because a hostess did greet us. Usually they ignore you when you walk in; even the ones standing 5 feet in front of you. We got a table pretty quickly and, although the waitress, (an older woman who wears her front hair down in long strands around her face and pulls the rest back in a ponytail) wasn't overly friendly, she did do the usual of taking our coffee order and bringing our food in a timely manner. The food was good, as usual, but here's where this dining experience produced the absolute WORST treatment I've ever received as a customer. The waitress knew the lady dining alone in the booth directly next to ours and sat down to visit with her. It was impossible not to notice they were friends based on their conversation as our backs were literally only separated by the back of the bench. I'd already waited a while before she sat down with her friend to ask for a refill, so five minutes later my coffee cup was empty and now I really wanted a refill. Breakfast without coffee is like spaghetti without sauce. Years ago I worked as a waitress and the big thing I remember is the importance of never letting a coffee cup get more than half empty. She talked with her friend at least 5 minutes. I started thinking her shift must have ended. Since I'd been waiting a long time for this coffee and I had no idea when I'd see her again if she passed by without stopping, I held my empty coffee cup in the hand that faced the aisle, to be sure she'd notice me before walking away. As she swung around to exit the booth she came face to cup and turned to me and said, "I'll get you some coffee; you don't need to shove the cup in my face," and she rushed off, giving me no opportunity to explain that I wasn't meaning to be rude. So when she returned I said I wasn't trying to shove the cup in her face, just trying to get her attention. She ignored me and asked the others at my table if they needed anything. Had she been standing, as is the job of a waitress, the coffee cup wouldn't have been in her face. It would have been being held up to communicate as quickly as possible that I had a request. A good waitress wouldn't find herself in a situation such as this since it is her job to anticipate the desire for drink refills BEFORE the customer has to ask. This morning I went to a lovely breakfast place in Denver, "Syrup" in the Ritz Carlton on 18th. It was excellent and the waitress was perfect. I will be writing that review next. Bye, bye Dot's Diner. Your food isn't good enough to take abuse over. read more

I'm a long time Boulderite and I, like so many of the other reviewers, remember the first Dot's on Pearl. It's appeal was in its greasy spoon quirkiness. They managed to retain that feel when they moved to 28th St. To their credit, they serve Silver Canyon Coffee, which is a longtime favorite of mine. But I'm shocked at how many people say the wait staff is friendly. I almost always order the Swiss Sizzler. That, and absolutely that alone, is what draws me back there about once every 4 or 5 months. The wait staff is far and away the least customer friendly staff I have ever encountered in any restaurant. They can't bring themselves to greet you as you enter, despite it being such a tiny place that at least 2 or 3 of them are no more than 6 feet away from you when you enter. They give no indication that your presence in any way interests them. Not a smile to be found on any of their miserable faces. Not a "Good Morning, someone will be with you in a moment." Nothing. I dine alone most of the time I go there because no one in my circle of friends and family has any interest in going there. So I choose to sit at the counter, which is "seat yourself." When they're really busy they won't seat single diners at a table if there are 2 or more people in a group also waiting, even if the single was there first. The really crummy thing about that is that they don't limit groups of 2 or more from taking the counter spots, so the single diner is really treated like a leper. This morning went like this: The wait staff passes me several times without a word. FINALLY one of the old time staffers approaches, looking at her order pad and says gruffly, "Do you know what you want?" Eventually she brings my coffee and a glass of ice water. I was really disappointed in the coffee. I thought for sure they'd changed coffee companies but they hadn't. Don't know what that's about but it's one less reason to go tolerate the crappy service. The food came reasonably quickly and it was very good, as usual. The home fries were hot and seasoned just right. But the customer service just makes me hesitate to return often. This is the only restaurant I go to where I make a concerted effort to not tip 20%+. Having been a waitress myself a long time ago, I have no desire to affect a person's income, so I do tip the obligatory minimum - - 15% but in truth, that kind of customer service really does warrant stiffing them. read more

solid diner food. nothing to write home about, but a good spot for something hearty. i understand it's a bit of an institution. i can see why. it definitely has a dive appeal, the staff is friendly, service is swift and portions are decent. it's good all around. just very basic stuff. i enjoyed myself, but i can't say i would tell someone from out of town this is a must visit place. though, if i were a local, i'd probably make it out for a meal every now and again. read more

I was excited to try this location of Dot's Diner, as I recently visited the location on the hill, and the hill location was fantastic! When walking in, there weren't too many clean tables to choose from, so my friend and I chose a semi clean table and had a look at the menu. We both ordered a breakfast plate that included eggs, hash browns, and a biscuit. Mine also included bacon. The portions were pretty small (aside from the huge biscuit!) and pretty greasy. What was the most upsetting was that aside from the visible dirtiness in the dining room, as we were paying we could see into the kitchen that was dirty as well, with tons of clutter and holes in the baseboards. The waitress then went outside where she was touching a dog and picnic table, and came back in to our table to clear our plates, and on to another table to bring them coffee and food. All without washing her hands. We left feeling a bit sick to our stomachs. I will definitely be traveling across town to the Dot's Diner on the Hill from now on. It's worth the extra gas for sure! read more

im an asean women and sat at the end of the diner. ask them to clean up the table twice and nobody help me. they cleaned the other peoples table beside us and when i ask the third time the lady shout at me and scolded that shes too busy to clean the table.terrible service...we end up leaving and will never comeback to this mean and rude place. there are lots of breakfast place in boulder, more accommodating and has better food. not recommend this place. read more