A couple things before I get into my review of this new breakfast/lunch site in Blair, Nebraska:
1) I know breakfast and what makes a good and bad experience. You can see, in my reviews, that I've left ratings up and down the scale.
2) I went to this new place THREE (3) times before I wrote this review. I wanted to make sure my experiences were consistent.
Now, let's get on with it.
I really, really, really wanted this place to be great, not just good. I was hoping they would absolutely blow me away across the board. Unfortunately, they did not. I think the rating is actually 3 1/2 stars but I shaded toward 3 for reasons you'll read below.
Decor/Ambiance/Interior: Top-notch! It's a new place and it is clean! The benches, booths, chairs, and tables are all of great quality. Dulce Vida did not skimp on furnishings. It may look small from the outside but there is plenty of room in the bright and wide open interior. Definite 5.
Service Staff: Always greeted and escorted to the table. The servers have been friendly and attentive (except for one visit with a young male who was pretty much ambivalent and absent). 4.5 stars.
Coffee: Like the fact that they give you your own thermos/pitcher to pour coffee out of instead of waiting to get a refill. Sugar and creamer already at the table. The taste is slightly above average. At least it's not watered down and weak. 4 stars
Food: ok, here's where it gets marginal and some of you will get all pissy about my critique and perhaps Dulce Vida will ignore it but again, I've been there three times now and it has been the same each and every time.
My breakfast choice is simple. Eggs, meat, starches (potatoes and bread). The BIGGEST problem is the food temperature. EVERY VISIT I was served with lukewarm eggs, cold toast, cold potatoes, and crispy bacon. I know exactly what is happening. The chef/cook is preparing the potatoes and bread products ahead of time and then they just sit there...getting cold.
Two of the three times I've been there, the customers were minimal so the breakfast should have been COOKED TO ORDER. This means everything at the same time so it comes out hot. When the butter does not melt on the toast or pancakes and the potatoes are room temperature, you're not doing yourself or your restaurant any favors. Very disappointed in this. The bacon always came out crisp and firm...I asked for 'floppy' or softer on one occasion but still got firm. And I know eggs are eggs but something about where they get theirs is off. They have zero taste. 1.5 stars
Dulce Vida: you have got to get this figured out!
On a side note, the plates used in the restaurant are huge. See my pictures. My egg/meat/potato/pancake breakfast came out on TWO plates that had to be at least 10x10" (maybe more) and just sitting by myself, it took up alot of real estate. If there are four of you in a booth and getting the same breakfast, you will not be able to fit eight plates, 4 cups, and silverware on the table.
Pricing: as one person stated, the price is probably about 15% too high. 2 stars
Check Out: pay at the front with cash or card. They do offer a QR code to check out using Toast and that is convenient. An automatic 15% tip is pre programmed so you have to manually change it to increase or decrease. 4 stars
Parking is easy right on the street or in spaces next to Fastwyre on 16th street.
Dulce Vida has a WIFI set up that says DULCE VIDA GUEST but then tells you they don't have WIFI. Be different DV! Set up WIFI for your patrons. 1 star
Again, I really wanted this place to be good but I probably won't be back until I hear/read about improvements with the food. I am not a fan of Billy's Cafe which has very rude staff but at least the food is hot and the price is right. You're better off going to AJs Cafe on 90th Street or the Cornstalk Cafe in the gas station in Missouri Valley. Both are excellent.
I'm begging you Dulce Vida...in a city that has NOTHING worthy for a nice sit down breakfast, you have got to improve the operation and taste of your food. Please. read more