I believe that it is always appropriate to express both the good and the bad, and so my review…read moreoffers a little of both. We had just finished our 8 mile excursion at Rail Explorers last Friday and could not wait to get a bite to eat. We worked up quite an appetite, but did not mind that there was a line out the door. It would be worth it. We were told 20 minutes and so proceeded to wait patiently, just like everyone else. 20 minutes came and went and I was starting to feel my blood sugar plummet. We decided to wait in the bar area where I thought I could at least get started with one of their specialized breakfast drinks, but no one working behind the bar even asked if I wanted anything. I was ready to pay and tip appropriately, but it was like I wasn't even there. They were busy, so I chalked it up to that and waited until we were seated to order something to drink. We were seated at 40 minutes of waiting. Not a problem for me because I knew they were busy. We had agreed to a counter spot, but after waiting beyond the 20 minutes we were told, it would have been nice to have a two person booth. Our server, Kate, was very friendly and took our drink orders immediately. As our drinks arrived, we were joined to our right at the counter by a couple that had been on our excursion. There was another couple to our left, that were into their meals already and enjoying their food. We ordered our food and enjoyed the bustle of the diner. There were so many delights on the menu, but I was like...I just worked my butt off, I'm going to try something decadent and new. I ordered the jalepeno popper hash-browns. A little out of my comfort zone, but I knew they would be good. Within a few minutes our fellow excursion couple received their food. No big deal, right? Sometimes that happens. We waited...and waited. Coffee was refilled and Kate came over to ask if we wanted more juice. I'm thinking, yes! The food should be coming out soon. I watched the kitchen counter like a hawk...my stomach was now growling. The people to our left had left and a new couple arrived, the people from our excursion were finishing up their meal. Yes, that's right, the people that arrived after us were finishing up and we had still not been served. Kate, as sweet as she was, did not come back to reassure us that the food was coming, or notify us of any issues with the preparation of our food. We didn't order anything that would need 40 minutes to cook, so it was odd.
Our excursion people left, the new people ordered and we were finally presented with our food. Kate did offer a "sorry about the wait". I smiled as I was just happy to finally have food presented. The people to our left received their food immediately after ours came, so the kitchen was working efficiently for everyone around us.
My food was very good. It was an odd choice for me, but the jalepeno popper was decadent and Just what I needed after being there for about an hour and a half total. My fiancé's food....not so much, but I'm sure you will hear from him. All I have to say about his food is that he never complains....ever, but this time, I could practically see the steam coming out of his ears, as it was most certainly not coming off of his plate. He ordered a griddle meal, and oddly enough, it came out cold, lackluster and after the wait we had, it pretty much was the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm thinking that something happened with my meal which caused his meal to have to sit under the lights for 30 minutes....regardless, we should not have been served well after the people who sat down beside us were done and on their way out the door and a griddle meal should be so hot that you have to be careful not to burn yourself.
Am I guilty of not expressing how I felt that day and instead choosing to write this review. Yes. But we were annoyed and looking at a 2 hour plus drive into the city and mainly just wanted to get out of there.
Saving grace- sweet and friendly Kate and your adorable logo. I was totally going to buy some merch before the experience took my desire for a cute sweatshirt, bucket hat and cookbook to go flying right out the window.
No complaints about the price. I too believe in supporting local and paying employees what they deserve.