For many years, The Eatery has been a fixture in east-central Lincoln. I'd heard plenty of positive…read morecomments about the restaurant over the years, so I finally decided to stop in for lunch and see what it was all about.
Unfortunately, the first impression could use some improvement. Upon entering, guests step into a small lobby with two interior doors--one designated as the entrance and the other as the exit. Once inside, a host greets you, hands you a menu, and escorts you to your table. Along the way, you pass the restaurant's salad bar, which should serve as an inviting showcase of the food offered inside.
Instead, the salad bar was the low point of my visit. On the day I was there, it appeared messy and poorly maintained. A salad bar requires constant attention to keep it looking fresh, attractive, and clean, and that simply wasn't the case during my visit. Given its prominent location, it creates an impression that management should work harder to improve.
The Eatery's menu, however, is extensive and impressive. There's truly something for everyone. The unlimited salad bar is priced at $14.99, or $7.99 when added to an entrée. Based on what I observed, that seemed a bit steep, so I decided to pass. Instead, I ordered the Smokey Chicken Stacker with fries on the recommendation of my server. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The sandwich was flavorful, the fries were perfectly prepared, and the meal arrived at my table less than ten minutes after ordering--a testament to an efficient kitchen.
Overall, I came away believing that The Eatery serves solid food, but the décor, atmosphere, and overall layout feel somewhat dated and uninspiring. The appearance of the salad bar was the biggest negative of the experience for me. Would I return? If I lived or worked in the neighborhood, probably yes. However, since I don't, it's unlikely that I would make a special trip back.
