It would be nice if they were actually open - like ever. Why bother ousting the hours you’re open if you are never there? How do you have a lodge with no restaurant? I guess at one time, this was a thriving business, now it’s just a blight
Rachael Lipps
Delicious food, really big servings, and great service. It's really nice having a full blown restaurant at the hotel, but if I lived in the area, I would go here for breakfast every chance I got.
Bpclay
Some of the best classic diner food I've ever had. Big servings and very affordable. Jesus was particularly accommodating, and a great cook.
Jai Bird
Great food and service. We go there after almost every Fleetwood Macramé show. Proper hashbrowns.
K C
My family and I have been visiting the Brookdale Lodge regularly since it reopened after the renovations. The first few years were fantastic—the family running the cafe was welcoming, and the service was consistently excellent. Unfortunately, something changed recently, and the quality has been on a steady decline ever since.
During our recent visit, we were met with a chaotic atmosphere: tickets were scattered across the counter, and the place felt messy and disorganized, yet we were the only customers. It’s disappointing because the location has so much potential as a fun place to relax, enjoy live music, and grab a bite. We want this to be a spot where we can come together and have a great time, but sadly, the food quality and organization have slipped significantly over the last year.
In our last three visits, half of the menu items were unavailable, staple items. My order was wrong, and my wife’s was missing, the staff had to be reminded. We attended a Mother’s Day event last year where they charged $45 for a “Prime Rib” lunch that turned out to be a poor-quality meal. While the service is usually friendly, I worry about the food being served and the overall disarray of the cafe.
I want to emphasize that this review is solely about the cafe/diner and does not reflect the hotel itself.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Ian Irwin
Howdy. I'm loathe to write bad reviews most of the time. I'm more of a "bad places will inevitably get what they deserve" kind of person. However, I went to the Brookdale Cafe this week and had an overall poor experience. It was about an hour after they opened and when we arrived there was only one other table with people. They were clearly understaffed and the only waiter was running around trying to make things happen. I appreciate the effort but clearly they didn't have what they needed to run a good business that day. All the tables had not been cleaned from the previous day and he apologized as he wiped ours down after we were already seated. He had trouble remembering what we ordered and we had to repeat our simple order a few times. The wait time for food was surprisingly long considering there were only 5-6 customers total. The food itself was fine. I've never been to this place before but from the looks of other reviews it used to be a cute and reliable place to get breakfast. Maybe they had a change of ownership or they're just unable to hire the people they need. Either way, I won't be going back to this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jess Ta Minute
The chicken avacodo sandwich was tasty, came out fairly quickly, place was spotless and the staff was friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Be Van Arsdale
Great place for breakfast! I had the 3-egg veggie eggs Benedict that was delicious with fresh squeezed orange juice. You a tell the owner takes great pride in his food. Cool retro 50s atmosphere hidden away in the back corner of the Historic Brookdale Lodge.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristina Kinstler
My husband and I have been going to this diner since it has opened and it was always great. The staff were on top of it and the food was always great and consistent. However, I believe they’ve gotten new ownership in the last 5 months or so and ever since the quality of service and food has completely plummeted. They don’t answer their phone anymore, they run around like chickens with their heads cut off, forgetting food items, completely ignore their customers and are actually rude and dismissive when asked questions. The price is constantly different for the same exact food. Food is bland and often toast isn’t toasted. We are beyond disappointed because we loved that there was a good diner in Brookdale close to where we live but at this point I don’t think we’ll be going back since the last incident on Mother’s Day where they yet again didn’t answer their phone so we went in and were greeted rudely when trying to place an order. Then we were told they were only doing a buffet breakfast and it was $35 a plate limited to only potatoes (no hash browns) eggs and bacon or sausage. Literally no pancakes, or French toast or anything else. We had 3 people total which would have been over $100 for just a basic breakfast. They then started arguing with my husband and we ended up just leaving. Couldn’t be more disappointed with the staff and management. Adios Brookdale cafe
This is one of those wonderful little cafes that many folks just don't know about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia Frank
We were the only people in the coffee shop, waitress was lazy and all but ignored us, cook brought out out food, she never even asked how we were or warmed up our coffee. We had to track her down to get our bill and a to go container. This place is so cute inside, but with this kind of service and the prices it can’t last. Left a nice tip but who do you tip? The cook did more than she did. Shameful service, good food but not even toast with your eggs and hash browns. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Paul Izor
Whoa! What's happening? We arrived Wednesday about 1:20 for a later than average lunch to show visiting family our favorite burger place. The cafe was dark and closed. No sign on the door of an emergency closing and no one was in the hotel registration office. For me, advertised and posted Hours are an important promise to the public that must be delivered. An operating hotel without dependable food service is not acceptable. After so many wonderful previous meals, our large group was very disappointed and Brookdale missed out on a generous bill.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Loretta Bowen
My favorite band was playing. I love The Joint Chiefs! The fireplace was lovely. Also really enjoyed the popcorn. We ate at the place next door, so we could hear the music from the side patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
David Hart
Great food, really good service. What more could you ask for?!
Kid-friendliness: We are a larger family (four kids) and, not only were they warm and welcoming to us all, they also rearranged tables to accommodate us more comfortably. Thanks!
It would be nice if they were actually open - like ever. Why bother ousting the hours you’re open if you are never there?
How do you have a lodge with no restaurant? I guess at one time, this was a thriving business, now it’s just a blight
Delicious food, really big servings, and great service. It's really nice having a full blown restaurant at the hotel, but if I lived in the area, I would go here for breakfast every chance I got.
Some of the best classic diner food I've ever had. Big servings and very affordable. Jesus was particularly accommodating, and a great cook.
Great food and service. We go there after almost every Fleetwood Macramé show. Proper hashbrowns.
My family and I have been visiting the Brookdale Lodge regularly since it reopened after the renovations. The first few years were fantastic—the family running the cafe was welcoming, and the service was consistently excellent. Unfortunately, something changed recently, and the quality has been on a steady decline ever since.
During our recent visit, we were met with a chaotic atmosphere: tickets were scattered across the counter, and the place felt messy and disorganized, yet we were the only customers. It’s disappointing because the location has so much potential as a fun place to relax, enjoy live music, and grab a bite. We want this to be a spot where we can come together and have a great time, but sadly, the food quality and organization have slipped significantly over the last year.
In our last three visits, half of the menu items were unavailable, staple items. My order was wrong, and my wife’s was missing, the staff had to be reminded. We attended a Mother’s Day event last year where they charged $45 for a “Prime Rib” lunch that turned out to be a poor-quality meal. While the service is usually friendly, I worry about the food being served and the overall disarray of the cafe.
I want to emphasize that this review is solely about the cafe/diner and does not reflect the hotel itself.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Howdy. I'm loathe to write bad reviews most of the time. I'm more of a "bad places will inevitably get what they deserve" kind of person. However, I went to the Brookdale Cafe this week and had an overall poor experience. It was about an hour after they opened and when we arrived there was only one other table with people. They were clearly understaffed and the only waiter was running around trying to make things happen. I appreciate the effort but clearly they didn't have what they needed to run a good business that day. All the tables had not been cleaned from the previous day and he apologized as he wiped ours down after we were already seated. He had trouble remembering what we ordered and we had to repeat our simple order a few times. The wait time for food was surprisingly long considering there were only 5-6 customers total. The food itself was fine. I've never been to this place before but from the looks of other reviews it used to be a cute and reliable place to get breakfast. Maybe they had a change of ownership or they're just unable to hire the people they need. Either way, I won't be going back to this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
The chicken avacodo sandwich was tasty, came out fairly quickly, place was spotless and the staff was friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for breakfast! I had the 3-egg veggie eggs Benedict that was delicious with fresh squeezed orange juice. You a tell the owner takes great pride in his food. Cool retro 50s atmosphere hidden away in the back corner of the Historic Brookdale Lodge.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I have been going to this diner since it has opened and it was always great. The staff were on top of it and the food was always great and consistent. However, I believe they’ve gotten new ownership in the last 5 months or so and ever since the quality of service and food has completely plummeted. They don’t answer their phone anymore, they run around like chickens with their heads cut off, forgetting food items, completely ignore their customers and are actually rude and dismissive when asked questions. The price is constantly different for the same exact food. Food is bland and often toast isn’t toasted. We are beyond disappointed because we loved that there was a good diner in Brookdale close to where we live but at this point I don’t think we’ll be going back since the last incident on Mother’s Day where they yet again didn’t answer their phone so we went in and were greeted rudely when trying to place an order. Then we were told they were only doing a buffet breakfast and it was $35 a plate limited to only potatoes (no hash browns) eggs and bacon or sausage. Literally no pancakes, or French toast or anything else. We had 3 people total which would have been over $100 for just a basic breakfast. They then started arguing with my husband and we ended up just leaving. Couldn’t be more disappointed with the staff and management. Adios Brookdale cafe
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Staff incompetent. Food awful.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
This is one of those wonderful little cafes that many folks just don't know about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were the only people in the coffee shop, waitress was lazy and all but ignored us, cook brought out out food, she never even asked how we were or warmed up our coffee. We had to track her down to get our bill and a to go container. This place is so cute inside, but with this kind of service and the prices it can’t last. Left a nice tip but who do you tip? The cook did more than she did. Shameful service, good food but not even toast with your eggs and hash browns. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Whoa! What's happening? We arrived Wednesday about 1:20 for a later than average lunch to show visiting family our favorite burger place. The cafe was dark and closed. No sign on the door of an emergency closing and no one was in the hotel registration office. For me, advertised and posted Hours are an important promise to the public that must be delivered. An operating hotel without dependable food service is not acceptable. After so many wonderful previous meals, our large group was very disappointed and Brookdale missed out on a generous bill.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
My favorite band was playing. I love The Joint Chiefs! The fireplace was lovely. Also really enjoyed the popcorn. We ate at the place next door, so we could hear the music from the side patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great food, really good service. What more could you ask for?!
Kid-friendliness: We are a larger family (four kids) and, not only were they warm and welcoming to us all, they also rearranged tables to accommodate us more comfortably. Thanks!
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