The brown sugar maple bacon pancakes are amazing! There are real strips of bacon embedded inside the fluffy decadent pancakes. The eggs and smoked sausage were good. The coffee was really good. I really enjoyed my visit. Service was great and the food was amazing. read more

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I've been to True Flavors several times and usually enjoy it, but our visit last week was disappointing. We were a party of four, though only three of us had arrived. The hostess asked us to wait until all four were present, which was reasonable. When we realized our fourth friend might not make it, we let her know we'd like to be seated and order anyway. She was surprisingly rude in every interaction. The restaurant was not busy as there were several empty tables and no one waiting. When we were finally seated, she removed the extra chair in an exaggerated way, as if to make a point that our missing friend wouldn't be welcome. It felt unnecessarily hostile and set a negative tone for the visit. The irony is that our server was wonderful and the food was great--otherwise we likely would have left. I rarely leave negative reviews because I understand people have off days, but the level of unprofessionalism and rudeness was over the top. It's disappointing to see that kind of attitude at a place we've enjoyed for years, and unfortunately it makes us hesitant to return. read more

I wanted to take my friend from out of town but they were closed on Friday May 8th at 11:30am. There was no signage that indicated why they were closed. Very disappointed in the lack of communication about accurate open times. read more

True Flavors Diner it has been way too long. New remodel new biscuit menu, new schedule. The meal was excellent, I do not know how they could excel the meals in the past but they pulled it off. I ordered the fried chicken biscuit, two fried breasts, egg over easy, and potatoes covered in gravy. It was delicious from the first bit. The mixture just melted in your mouth. All the flavors blending together. I will not wait so long to go back, Wednesday to Friday 8:00am to 2:00pm. The schedule is locked in my memory now. read more

True Flavors Diner - The fried chicken biscuit. - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This was probably the best breakfast I've ever had. Everything was quality and I wish Iived in the state so I could be a regular. The waffle I had was perfection and the peach French toast my brother got was also perfection. The restaurant makes their own flavored butters and I cannot speak highly enough of our experience. Bacon was perfection, everything was great quality and if we visit again we will definitely be back. read more

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Cute little place- I think they are rebranding away from Lou's because it seems to be one and the same. We went on a Saturday and it was not too busy but a good number of people. Lots of available parking, easy to access. The food was pretty pricey for what it was but my partner loved his fried chicken- really good. I got the waffles and eggs with bacon. Bacon and waffles were really good but the eggs tasted fishy for some reason so I didn't eat them. Biscuits were tasty too Overall, most of the food was pretty good, but for the price it just was pretty expensive so we probably wouldn't be back read more

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We stopped by True Flavors for Sunday brunch and had a bit of a wait, but honestly, totally worth it. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the quality of both the service and the food matched that vibe perfectly. We arrived a little later into the brunch rush, so they were out of some ingredients, but that just tells me their stuff is fresh and the place is clearly loved by locals (and now by me too). I ordered the peach cinnamon buttermilk pancakes, so good! It came with a thick, juicy slice of ham that hit the spot with some eggs on the side. If I had one tiny wish, it'd be for a little more egg action on the plate. Overall, great spot with a great atmosphere. I'll definitely be back! read more

True Flavors Diner - Peach Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This restaurant is located in a shopping plaza with shared parking outside. The dining area is kind of small. This is my second time at true flavors. The employees that I engaged with were not personable at all. The original meal that I wanted wasn't available so this time I got the brown sugar peach French toast, with eggs and sausage. It was ok. I would not get it again. read more

True Flavors Diner - Brown sugar peach butter French toast, sausage, & eggs - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Management was extremely personable and attentive in finding out what about the mac & cheese wasn't favorable. Outside of that everything we ordered was absolutely amazing. This is my second time visiting while in the area and I look forward to trying out their Durham location they just opened in the future, when in town. read more

My friends and I visited Saturday morning during brunch. We picked this restaurant after we heard great things about this place. We arrived around 10 and there was a short wait about 10-15 minutes. The service was great, everyone was friendly and efficient. They have a rotating menu that changes every so often. We found this out when we looked at photos of the menu online and noticed it did not match the actual menu. Nonetheless, they had a broad selection of brunch foods, all which sounded great. I ordered french toast and it was delicious. Overall, we had a great time at this diner. It's a good spot for a quick and simple brunch. read more

This diner in Durham is the BEST!!!!! The food is amazing, unique & as flavorful as any food we have had in NC!!!! Thank you True Flavors!!! We'll be ordering carry out again soon!!! The BISCUIT THOUGH?!? Shut the front door!!!! read more

Very good food in an inviting and casual atmosphere!! We had the Ultimate biscuits and gravy and the fried chicken and waffles! Both were delicious but we did miss out on the "complimentary" biscuits which we should have beef served while waiting for our order! We will be back! Highly recommended! read more

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I invited a friend to visit True Flavors for brunch this morning with the goal of supporting a minority owned business on Juneteenth. Upon arrival my friend had not made it into the restaurant as yet. The woman who greets patrons at the door asked that I step outside until my friend arrived as they do not seat you until all members of the party are present. This is a very small storefront diner. So I understood how crowded it can get. However, her delivery may not have carried so well with someone else. There was a gentleman in the kitchen, perhaps a head cook, who greeted us pleasantly when my friend arrived. I wish this demeanor had been carried out throughout the dining experience. We were seated and given 1 menu to share. Table settings had been left out and uncovered at the table. I asked our server for dining recommendations. I decided on the hazelnut iced coffee and the Fish & Grits which is served with 2 eggs of your choice. I ordered mine over easy. Mini Biscuits were delivered to the table. I did not enjoy these. Lackluster. My meal arrived and the presentation was spot on. I enjoyed this dish. The green onions and grits were very flavorful. I would compare the cheese grits to Mac & Cheese. it being served in a small skillet was a nice touch. The fish was fried very similar to chicken and was not overly seasoned or salted. I enjoyed my meal, however, the lack of courteous customer service was a big miss for me here and I don't have a reason to return. Often, when I attempt to support local businesses with staff of my own race, they low ball on the service and up charge on the dime. I have to dine where my dollar is appreciated & presence is valued. read more

True Flavors Diner - Fish & Grits with 2 Eggs Over Easy. Excellent dish. - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Please, please, please check this place out. The biscuits are HUGE, the flavor combinations are crazy inventive, and everything is so so tasty. This place is in an old strip mall. It gets busier as the morning goes on. There is plenty of parking but the close parking goes very quickly. The interior is very small so you may have to wait a bit but it's never been too long for us. Beware...this isn't a great place if your group is bigger than 4. Most of the waitstaff is friendly and helpful. I just really, really loved the chicken chipotle blueberry biscuit. Amazing. I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it! read more

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I arrived early. Not much of a warm welcoming more transactional than anything after they noticed the person joining me wasn't with me. I told them I'd come back. I had the veggie hash. This was filling. No complaints other than heavy amounts of seasoning (almost salty) that wasn't really needed for this dish. The side bacon was crispy and good. The biscuits were decent for something to snack on and I even enjoyed these with my food later. The server service was a bit subpar. Not offering an extra menu for a table of two, no substitutes of any sort and never asking the kitchen. Just a flat No. Service could be better here. Nothing to write home about. read more

my boyfriend enjoyed his pork chop but I shouldve listened to my server when he told me not to get the chicken biscuit anf gravy. Absolutely nauseating. We also had a side of mac n cheese, not great. this place used to be packed but thr quality of the food was better. idk what happened but I probably won't go back, read more

True Flavors Diner - pork chop - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Every thing is amazing. If they serve it you will want to eat it. I've been here multiple times over many years and never EVER been disappointed on any level. The service, the vibe, AND the food are always exceptional. If you ever visit Durham and have the time...GO. read more

True Flavors Diner - Smokey Carolina Bacon Smash Burger - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I arrived at 9:32am on a Sunday morning in a party of two. We were seated promptly. The table looks like it was meant to be sideways to fit 4 people which created an unusual distance between us. Our waiter came over at 9:35pm. He didn't introduce himself and stated that he will get us waters and asked if we wanted something else. We received the waters quickly. He returned a couple minutes later to inquire if we had questions about the menu, which we did. I also asked about Debbie Lou's Sandwich shop. He said it used to be separate until COVID. Then, they combined and were doing two separate menus. Now, they combined the menus and switch it up every couple months. At 9:50am, we ordered. I got the strawberry butter French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. The other party got the cinnamon sugar waffles with bacon and side of cheese grits. At 10:02am, we received the food. Food Quality: 3/5 -At 9:52am, waiter brought over complimentary biscuits. The butter on top was visible and it was paired with a strawberry jam. The biscuits were soft, fluffy, and down right delicious! -Cheesy Grits: You must stir it because the cheese is at the bottom melting. My date stated "it's good grits" -Bacon: The first piece of bacon I tasted was not warm at all and was chewy. Of my 3-4 pieces of bacon, only a small piece was warm and crispy like I expected. This was disappointing. My date's bacon was the perfect temperature and crispiness. The disparity questions consistency. -Eggs: Perfect temperature but lacked seasoning or flavor. I added salt and pepper and it was fine. -French Toast: Very thick. The cream cheese was too much, in my opinion. This was evident when I cut into it and it basically drowned my French toast with the syrup. I was expecting fresh strawberries but it wasn't. It tasted like strawberry crumbs as it was somewhat hard and crunchy. The edges of the French toast were a little over cooked and burnt in some places. The interior of the fresh toast was soft and delicious. -Waffles: My date said the "Cinnamon sugar was perfect." I tasted it and they indeed were flavorful and delicious! Presentation: 5/5 -Well-presented, neat, and appetizing -Whipped cream butter on my French toast was in an excessive amount -There was a green garnish on the eggs, which was in excessive and overpowered the eggs. If there were only a couple Service: 4/5 -Per receipt, our waiter was "Isaiah M." He was friendly and attentive. Outside of not introducing himself (which is a personal pet peeve), the service was great. He attempted to help me decide which entree to get as I was deciding between the strawberry butter French toast and cinnamon roll pancakes. He noted they both were great options and are a consistent menu item even as they rotate out the menu. Ambiance & Cleanliness: 5/5 -The music was great! It was mostly R&B, which is our favorite genre! -On the table, they have sugar, salt, pepper, creamer, and a container of straws. -The place was clean and tidy. Staff went around to clear plates and tables. Value for Money: 4/5 -For the two entrees and side of grits, the total was $41, which isn't bad. -The side of eggs was tiny. It honestly shocked us. My date is allergic to eggs, so I ate his (which they did put on a separate plate) Overall Experience: 4/5 -My date said it was the "Best breakfast place I had in a while." For him, his food and everything was perfect. He disliked they he was unable to substitute the eggs, which he is allergic to. This caused him to give me his eggs and pay for a different side. Total: 25/30 5 star: 29-30 4 star: 24-28 3 star: 19-23 2 star: 14-18 1 star: 6-13 read more

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A MUST TRY!!! The menu entices you to try EVERYTHING!!! So tasty and always delicious!

The service was great. It has the best brunch and breakfast menu in the area. We try to get over there whenever we can.

We were so pleasantly surprised and will definitely be back again! We got a little lost trying to find them in the parking lot because it seems they have rebranded from Debbie Lou's to True Flavors Diner a little less than a year ago. What a hidden gem! The inside was tiny but gorgeous and so beautifully decorated. They have an open kitchen so you can see the love going right in. The staff was so friendly. The food is absolutely fantastic and the presentation is stunning. We agreed it was some of the best if not THE BEST biscuits we had ever had. They were perfectly buttery and salty with a nice fluff. The chicken was soooo juicy and crunchy. The blueberry compote and sugary vanilla icing paired with the chipotle was outstanding. It's a large portion and we had leftovers. A must try for sure! read more

True Flavors Diner - Chipotle Blueberry Chicken Biscuit - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Unfortunately, the experience started off on the wrong foot due to the hostess. From the moment we arrived, her attitude was hostile and unwelcoming, which immediately set a negative tone for the visit. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty and there being plenty of space between tables, she refused to allow us to turn a table slightly so our group could comfortably sit next to each other. The request was reasonable, and the refusal felt more about control than policy. What stood out most was the rudeness--there was no attempt to be accommodating or even polite. First impressions matter, and this one made us feel uncomfortable before we even sat down. After reading other reviews mentioning similar negativity from the hostess, it's clear this isn't an isolated incident. Because of this experience, we wouldn't return, which is disappointing because the space itself had potential. Management should seriously address front-of-house hospitality, as it can make or break the entire experience. Will not be returning. read more

This was our second visit to True Flavors for weekend brunch. Be prepared to wait at least 30minutes to an hour. You can put your name on the list and get texted when your table is ready. You will receive a 5 minute grace period to arrive when your table is ready. We went to Starbucks down the road to wait since it was a colder morning. When we were seated, we could tell it was a very busy and hectic morning for the wait staff. It's important to be patient. I ordered the biscuits and gravy. The gravy is very savory compared to sweet. It is a generous amount of gravy poured on top of a GIANT biscuit. My friend got the strawberry French toast which was a 4inch thick cut slice of bread, perfectly toasted on the outside. Unfortunately, the point of sale system was down by the time our meal was over and we had to sit and wait for 30minutes before it was running again. That was not in the restaurants control but added to our waiting time as well and none of us had cash on hand. read more

True Flavors Diner - Complimentary Biscuit Appetizer with Jam Side order of cheese grits served in a skillet - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This would've been 4 stars based on food but customer service was disappointing. Our food arrived staggered with the first dish arriving a good 5 or minutes before any other dish. Our waiter also seemed very distracted and was so hard to hear. We really enjoyed the tender and tangy biscuits, good coffee and fresh ingredients. On another note the toilet in the women's bathroom was not working and was full of TP, I tried to kindly and quietly tell the host and I was met with a very brusque reply. We don't live in the area but will be visiting frequently, we will probably try this place again and keep our fingers crossed! read more

This used to be our family's favorite breakfast place, recommended to my friends in the past. Not anymore, service is horrible! I'll take my business someplace where they know how to treat customers well! read more

A local Durham favorite! Very laid back vibe but still excellent service and the food is incredible!!!! They can take something as simple as a ham and cheese omelet and make it unique and so tasty. Great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch! But fyi they don't have alcohol if you're looking for it. However the food is so good I still highly recommend! read more

True Flavors Diner - Omelet - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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A group of friends and I met for brunch and we all enjoyed the small, family owned feel and delicious food. The service was spectacular as well. read more

I've been here a couple of times, not too often but each time I come I have a great experience. The service is always good and the food comes out very fast but it always very hot and fresh. For my most recent visit I came on a Sunday morning and there was no wait so I was pleasantly surprised about that. The inside is small but very cute with the old school dinner type feel to it. We were lucky enough to get in on a Sunday with no wait. Because it's so small there is usually a little bit of a wait. The service has always been very friendly there. I never have any complaints and this time was no different. Our drinks were always filled and the service is quick. We ordered our food and not to long after our biscuits came out. I always worry when the food comes out too fast that it's not going to be fresh but they were very hot and very delicious. The amount of food they give you is great. It can be a little expensive but it's not a small portion at all. If you ever want to indulge in some great food then I will definitely recommend this place. They have some unique options in terms of biscuits and I don't think one could go from coming here! read more

True Flavors Diner - Chicken and gravy biscuit - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Was finally able to come after hearing about this place so much! Came with a party of 4 and didn't have to wait too long. There is plenty of parking in the strip mall though there are only a few spots available directly in front of the restaurant. My wife and I got the duck ragu over the Parmesan grits and the sweet chili roasted duck biscuit. Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4.5/5 This is elevated southern food! We loved both the things we got. I especially loved the duck biscuit- the sweet chili complemented the duck really well and the biscuit was on point Price: 4/5 Next, I'll have to try their French toast! read more

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It is delish! The portions are big! Couldn't it all. I had the sweet potato pancakes. I chose it to convince myself I was eating "healthy". Didnt taste like a "tater" at all, but full of goodness. The scrambled eggs had the right amount of cheese. And believe it or not, the coffee was on point that day. Go. Get there before 11 am on a Sunday. It is small and quaint. It fills up quickly. It isn't the place for large groups. read more

True Flavors Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I am confused by all the 5 stars. This is a restaurant that will not see me return. Service is good, the food looks like high end fare and the exorbitant prices back it up, but the taste is flavorless, or just salty. Food served in delayed pieces and you get teeny tiny biscuits with a teeny tiny smear of jam to share. I omelet was 21.00. You do the math. read more

This was my fourth dining experience at True Flavors Diner, and it was one of the best. The wait was about 40 minutes on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in November and worth every minute. We were seated and our server brought us the delicious buttermilk biscuits right away. The jam of the day was blueberry and it was so delicious. We finally figured out what we wanted and the food came pretty quickly for a busy Sunday afternoon. I had the sweet potato waffle, topped with whipped butter and a amazing pecan sauce, I loved every single bite. My friend had the cheddar waffle with the fried pork chop. The flavor was absolutely amazing. I'm not normally a pork chop fan, but I could've eaten that one. The menu changes every weekend, so I'm excited to go back soon and try something new soon. read more

Customer Service. The host was very rude. She could be having a bad perhaps, although is bad business. Never coming back. read more

Mom and pop brunch vibes, but artfully created dishes without compromising for value. Wait time was not terribly long- about 30 minutes (have to go in to get on wait list) and we got there at 11 on a Sunday. I got the quiche that was surprisingly in a mini cast iron skillet so it was slightly crispy and nicely hot. The truffle oil on top was a nice touch. I was also able to get a huge pancake in the side for only 4.50 but it's dressed in powdered sugar and butter. One of the best pancakes in the area, and their maple syrup is nice and hot! The fried chicken dishes are also good, and everything is aesthetically pleasing. The food comes out relatively quick and there's complimentary biscuits and jam (a bit too buttery but the jam is good!) read more

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Food was really good, a bit expensive but portion size made it worth it. Service was quick. Good experience and a good hidden gem.

I first heard about this place on Facebook, the review wasn't a nice one. A food critic had a very bad experience, and posted the exchange for all to see w/ commentary. I'll admit, I said if I ever visited that area, they would not be on my list. Let me tell you, I'm so happy this place snuck up on me. My only request, while on vacation, was to eat somewhere that was a community staple and that's what I got! To start: The biscuits: They were good. I don't think they were worthy of writing home, but, when paired with the delicious jam, it elevated the overall taste. That was a great way to start our lunch. The BLT+E w/ the garlic aioli and mac n' cheese: The BLT was so good, and so different. I'm a fan of BLT's, but they switched the game up a bit and added an egg. I tell you what, that egg added a layer of goodness, that I could eat over and over (ouch, the carbs). The garlic aioli, was the perfect compliment to the sandwich, another great choice. They didn't cheat when it came to the bacon, everything was plentiful. The only drawback, I could take from this. The bread was toasted in butter, and after a couple of bites and combined with the mac n' cheese, it became a bit heavy. Mac n' cheese: It was gooey, and everything you'd expect mac n' cheese to be. Again, if there were any drawback, I'd say it could use a bit of seasoning. When you're dealing something where a lot of cheese is included, sometimes the cheese doesn't always speak for the whole dish. The cheese, also, added to the heaviness, and I expected that. Even so, it was dang delicious! The staff were kind and very pleasant, they made us feel welcomed the moment I walked in. This diner is definitely worth the visit, you owe it to yourself. read more

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I definitely understand why this place is so busy and has a waiting time- definitely a great Sunday brunch treat! Though there is a wait time (and be ready to wait) they have a pretty good system set up and if you don't want to wait, you can also wait curbside and order. They have different menus, a weekday and weekend one, we came here on a Sunday- their menu is very versatile, you can find something for everyone and it's super unique, including crocodile nuggets, to duck, to chicken and even some vegetarian options. A mix os sweet and savory! The music inside is pretty fitting and adds a great vibe to the place, not too loud, just right. Everyone working here is very kind and attentive! Their service is really fast, we got all our food within 10 minutes of ordering- Including the complimentary biscuits and this time we had their mandarin orange jam with them. The portions are huge (see the photo with my hand compared to the sweet chili roasted duck crackle biscuit) and their gravy smothered biscuit is a must! Though their biscuits aren't the absolute moist or best I've ever had, they're still really buttery and the complex flavors that compliment it makes it so good. Definitely recommend the sweet chili roasted duck crackle biscuit- they give you a lot of duck and everything compliments one another! I would wish for a but more of the sweet chili but overall really good. I have to come back to try their other menu and other options! read more

True Flavors Diner - Sweet Chili Roasted Duck Crackle Biscuit - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It was a treat to find a seat without having to wait 30 minutes or more. The service was good and the tasty small biscuit bites were delicious. Staff recommended fish and grits. Both were good but I didn't like them together. I am boring and associate grits with shrimp or gumbo. But I ate them both but not together. Not sure I needed poached eggs too. It was a lot of food. My colleague got biscuits and gravy. She was expecting more southern biscuit and gravy but it was elevated to a cheese sauce with a side sausage Pattie. Again very good but a bit too much for her and a bit too salty. For me- salt is flavor to them- sugar adds flavor. Please try this local gem despite our slight criticism. Sometimes different is good and this is delicious. Regarding size of meal- it is worth every penny and bring a to go box. Coffee was delicious, service attentive and meal was delicious with large portions. read more

I came here for my birthday brunch. There was a tiny wait but not a problem. We had issues with our waiter, cleanliness, and the food. Our waiter was visibly overtaxed. He gave me a coffee with a coffee cup that still had a lipstick stain. I asked him for a new cup but 15 minutes later, no coffee. When my boyfriend followed up with him for my cup of coffee, in case he forgot, the waiter was extremely rude to him. My coffee arrived after I had finished my meal. My omelet was overcooked and burnt. The grits had no salt. The Mac and Cheese was ok. My homemade Mac and Cheese is 10X better. I was disappointed by this meal as I have heard great things over the years. They certainly have a following, but would never go back. read more

Wow! This is not your typical diner! The food is super fresh and made to order. The omelet was so light and fluffy. The hardest part is deciding what to order. The have some cool offerings like wild boar, duck and elk. Seriously this isn't your grandpa's diner. We will be back to try some of the other things on the menu. read more

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