09/07/09

good weekday breakfast

by mehungry32

I first brought my wife here on a Sunday morning. Big mistake! I had no idea we would have to wait nearly an hour for our food, but it was worth it. The food was hot and fresh(I got the sweet potato pancakes, my wife had an omelet) and sitting in the garden was nice. I went back on a week day since the staff assured me they weren't as busy then. I did not have to wait in line, and the restaurant was not packed like it was for my previous visit. I will be going back, but not on a Sunday as they seem too busy.

• Pros: Good food, relaxed atmosphere, garden in back,friendly staff
• Cons: Busy on weekends, long wait for food

03/22/09

service is terrible and could care less

by ponyscott

They had terrible problems with their delivery of food after ordering and were totally unprepared and unprofessional when confronted about waiting for over an hour for the food to the table. The staff was surley and were quick to pass the buck on someone else as if it were the patrons fault.

Please don't waste your time here.

• Pros: plenty of parking
• Cons: they could care less about their patrons...apathetic

12/27/08

Crappy food

by OCMichelle

My first indication that this wasn't going to be great. Bottled, and way past its prime OJ. I received my large glass of old oj before we had finished paying. The cashier complained to the cook when he asked about why the OJ was pulled, said that I had said it was 'gross'. Wrong! I said it was turning bad, and 'tangy'. She did not offer to replace it with a free beverage and refund my money for the bad oj. The only beverage available was lemonade was from a mix that had tons of sugar. The hot chocolate was powdered mix. Ick. There was 1 kind of hot tea available, and not one I liked. The omelette I ordered was greasy, the biscuit looked like a mistake. I think it was supposed to be a 'drop' biscuit, but it looked like leftover dough. The hashbrowns looked like they came out of the frozen food section. The bacon my daughters got with their food, was 90% fat. My husband's oatmeal was bland. He asked for more brown sugar, so they did that 'passive aggressive' move of giving a side of about 1/2 cup of brown sugar. That is so RUDE.

This is the 2nd time I have eaten here, and trust me I won't be going back. And of course on a Saturday am at 11, it should have been a minimum of half full. There were 2 other tables there. . . That was a sign we should have turned around and left.

My other pet peeve, and I have been to great restaurants all over the US; when you walk in, there was no 'good food' smell. It didn't smell like anything. That should have had me turned around and walking out the door.

So to consolidate my lengthy review. DONT' GO HERE. You'd get a better breakfast with much less attitude from McDonald's. . .

• Pros: good if you're starving
• Cons: everything else

09/10/08

Mediocre food

by bigdwmn

One visit to this Garden Cafe is enough. Staff is not very welcoming as you walk in the door unless you are a regular. You would think they want patrons to return. I am not sure why some of the reviewers state the food is fresh. Did you see where they pick out the sausages? In addition, order orange juice, they pour it out of a gallon from under the register. Come on! No freshness here. Coffee was watery. The pancakes were to thick. I could of made my own breakfast at home. I must say the best thing out of the Garden Cafe was the garden/eating area out back. I wouldn't reccomend this restaurant to anyone.

• Pros: Seating outside
• Cons: Food and service

11/02/07

Nice brunch spot

by dallasdood

I like to bring the family here and sit out on the back patio if weather permits. After we eat, we walk it off a little by wandering around the garden. The staff behind the counter is busy, but they are always nice. The food is seriously a hidden gem. All the patrons are nice, too.

07/06/07

Great breakfast/lunch!

by justme29

A little gem in Dallas! Great place to go with families or just to relax on your own. Nice outdoor sitting with a large garden. Friendly staff. Great, fresh food with high quality ingredients. Love that they have fresh mint sprigs to add to your water. Vegetarian and kid friendly!

• Pros: great food, nice crowd, great fresh, garden grown concept
• Cons: closed on mondays, only open from 8 am to 2 pm

East Dallas hidden gem serves fresh-from-the-garden ingredients in a sophisticated, yet relaxed ambiance.

by Nathan Stull

In Short
Among the renovated homes of east Dallas rests a small building housing several businesses, including Garden Cafe. Behind the building, a large garden surrounding the patio grows herbs and vegetables used in the kitchen. Inside, brick walls serve as a gallery for art and the wooden tables and black booths fill up on weekends. The cheerful counter service, which includes the chef, serves elegantly comprised American dishes. The menu rotates with the garden and market.

07/17/05

nice little joint

by tommyspi

We love this place. It's away from the noise and off the beaten path. Great food and nice people.

04/25/05

Hidden treasure of fresh food.

by elidar

If your not looking for this place, you wont know where to go. I can't beleive the 7.1 rating this place is great. I have taken all my friends there to eat. It is only open til 2 p.m. It is a breakfst and lunch place. I highly reccomend the sweetpotato pancakes (no syrup need for these sweet jacks). I also highly reccommend the catfish. The vegtables are always fresh from the garden out back or the farmers market. Great little find tucked behind homes.

• Pros: price, food, staff
• Cons: N/A