True Flavors Diner Lakewood

Happy Sunday to you all. I usually don’t do this, but I must share an unpleasant (quite horrendous actually) experience that me and my husband had this morning. I took my husband out to a brunch spot in Durham (off HWY 55) called True Flavors Diner. I learned about this place from an Instagram reel created by @joyeatsworld22. It’s his birthday weekend, so we have been celebrating. Once we got to the restaurant, we were seated, and met with the waitress. She asked us what we would like to order. We proceed to ask questions regarding the food options on the menu. Her communication with us was covered in feistiness and a terrible attitude. Once we placed our order, we decided to just play along with it, enjoy our food. This waitress comes back with our food, however the order was incorrect. For example, I stated, “sorry mam, we asked for the cinnamon pancakes” after she brought waffles to the table. She responds, “No mam, you stated waffles”. The attitude was just appalling. I stood up and walked towards a group of employees and asked, “Can I speak with the manager”. My goal was to try to get another waitress who would give us a better experience. The same waitress who was working with us states, “What is the problem?”. Again, the same attitude and feistiness. I respond, “Your energy is just a bit too aggressive for us”. I asked to speak with the owner. She then states “I am the owner”. Shocked, I stated, well your customer service is uncomfortable… it's inappropriate for you to talk to two professionals like this”. I regrettably shouldn’t have mentioned the “professional part”, as I never want to come off as elitist. However, she treated us as less than human, like we weren’t important. This waitress was rude, rolled her neck, and used hand gestures. She then states, “You know what, you can get out!” My husband and I, stunned, just left. We didn’t argue. After all, you never want to stay in places where you are not welcomed. We both have never in our entire lives been kicked out of any establishment. We are quite gentle and soft-spoken people (particularly my husband). I am not too sure what the lesson is here, but I know for that I will not be supporting True Flavors Diner. This was the most traumatizing experience that I have had in the context of customer service. To the owner, I hope you get a chance to read this. I highly suggest anger management or some sort of therapy to help you work through your emotions so that you aren’t projecting this to your customers. As a black woman, I sympathize and empathize with you. I know you are tired. I know you are busy. I know you are potentially stressed from work and life demands. However, your attitude nearly ruined what was supposed to be a happy weekend for my husband. We sincerely wish you all the best and success in your business after you have made corrective changes in your behavior. You seem to already have reached successful milestones. Your food reviews are great and you have a large following on Instagram. But your customer service is disgraceful. You have several reviews stating that you have also kicked your own customers out of your establishment. The pattern of this behavior is very telling, you are clearly the common denominator. Respectfully, please take this advice. Kindly, Ruka

PACKED!!! Their location stay packed!!!! We had to wait an hour BUT, the food.... The food was well worth the wait!!! Excellent service too!!!! Definitely try brunch!!!!!! A must sleeper gem for Bull City!!!!

Ate here on the way to an event. We were surprised at the selection and diversity of the menu. The wait staff was very attentive and prompt. Food came out quickly. The dishes we had were very tasty, each having its own unique twist on a classic favorite. The only thing we had a problem with was how greasy and heavy the food was, and some of the flavor combinations seemed a bit off or just didn't meld as expected. We ate during the breakfast period and the prices were quite high for breakfast dishes.

By far the best breakfast spot in the area. Recently moved to the triangle area and this is my second visit here. Love this placeThey never disappoint. Great menu selections , friendly staff just a hidden gem . I strongly recommend. Edi P.

Good food. POOR customer service. Manager/owner and servers are rude and unaccommodating . Sanitation rating is consistently POOR. I have not had a bad interaction with staff but have seen the owner rudely interact with customers. It’ a shame the service is BAD because the food is good!

Excellent smash burger, ketchup in bottles on the table! Fast service, comfortable chairs. I had a very nice lunch and left thinking this is a great diner.

The food is amazing. Our new favorite breakfast spot. Service is quick. Cozy comfy location. We had the bourbon French toast and split it. The eggs are fresh. Love that they source locally.

I find it rare to go to a diner for breakfast and find something truly unique. I ordered the blueberry chipotle chicken biscuit. The biscuits were amazing by themselves. I was surprised by the taste of the sweet (there is a little glaze poured on the dish), savory and slight spice of the blueberry chipotle. Every bite provided an amazing combination of flavors. We went on a Sunday morning. There was a constant line to get in, but it moved quickly. Recommend True Flavors Diner, especially if you want to try something different for breakfast. They do have plenty of common items on the menu.

If I could give 6 stars - I would. Amazing place that my son-in-law recommended. Don’t know where to start in my review but trust me - this is a must for breakfast (and maybe other times as well!). All dishes are uniquely prepared and the portion size is amazing. Every meal our group ate was outstanding. Flavorful in every aspect of the meal. Don’t hesitate - give it try.

I ordered the fish and grits and immediately was thrown off by the sheer amount of cheese that was included in my dish. Took one bite and decided I didn’t want it and was told I cannot comp the meal because the menu says it is a four cheese dish. The menu however did not specify that it would be nasty. I was served potatoes in a skillet that were cold. Also, my pregnant girlfriend was served caramelized apples that had a strong smell of alcohol, I’d assume because they were fermented. On top of all that, their sanitation score was a 90 which in food terms may as well be a D+. Would not recommend.

I went for the 1st visit to p/u an order, there was a mix up and my order wasn't prepared. I asked to reorder & wait, the hostess was so rude to me, it left me never wanting to go there again and spend my money. Either this hostess needs cust svc. training or needs to be replaced. I went on a Sat. This represents the company because she is the first person you see and speak to. I never tasted the food so I can't review that. Such an unfortunate experience.

Showed up at 1:30 but was told they weren’t seating anymore even though there were some open spots and they don’t close until 2 so bad to get my order to go. Had the blueberry waffles and fried chicken and it was phenomenal. Will be back at an earlier time so I can get a table.

Excellent biscuit and crispy duck. Enjoyed this sandwich a lot!!! You can order and pickup. The juice selections are tasty as well.

The food is delicious. For take out, we decided to all go and pick it up so the food would be hot and fresh as if we were dining in. We have a tendency to try the Creative menu options. I have tried this place 4 times and have never been disappointed. I look forward to the dining space opening so we can have the full experience.

I would not recommend under any circumstances and here’s why...After the year we’ve all had thus far and the challenges that businesses have faced as a result of this pandemic, the last thing that a consumer expects is that they would receive subpar service (over the phone) from a restaurant. Well, enter True Flavors Diner on Lakewood. After unsuccessfully attempting to order last weekend based on the hours listed on the website, I was turned around because they stated that they were closed. No problem at all, I just decided that I would try again today. After experiencing some technical issues with True Flavors website and multiple failed attempts at refreshing my computer and phone in hopes of rectifying the issue, it was to no avail. So I decided to call in my order. When I called and a woman answered the phone and I stated that I would like to place an order for pick-up. She said “you can do that online.” I responded by saying “I did try, but I’m experiencing some technical issues in accessing it which is why I’m calling to order over the phone.” She replied, “well I can’t take your order, I have to keep the phone lines open for curbside service. Try refreshing your screen.” I said, “Ma’am I did try that several times, but to no avail.” She then says, “well I can’t help you, I have 17 cars waiting outside.” I said, “well, may I come to the location and just place my order there?” She said, “you can come and scan the code that takes you to our website to order online.” I then said, “how would that help me if I’m currently experiencing issues with the website? Can’t I just order over the phone?” She says, “I don’t have time to take your order over the phone.” I then replied by saying “I will be quick, I actually know what I want.” She said, “it’s going to take too long because I have to get your credit card number and information and I don’t have time.” The first thing that I would like to note is that in the time she took to decline taking my order over the phone, she could’ve had my order and payment info completed. She clearly was just too lazy to do so. Second, to assume that (1) your website won’t have technical issues that prevent customers from ordering online and/or (2) not acknowledge that some customers do not have internet access is signs of poor management and ownership. My grandmother is 95 years young, still in great health, drives herself, cooks for herself, etc. She does not have a computer or cell phone to access online ordering. So for a business to disregard an entire subset of the population who do not have access to technology or know how to operate it is careless and inconsiderate on the True Flavors part. Third, I’m wondering how she could see 17 cars waiting outside and the “parking lot” only has THREE handicapped parking spaces? If you are trying to park there you either have to park on the street around the corner or in the retail parking lot that sits behind/to the side of the restaurant. The point is, it’s not possible for 17 cars to even be visible from the restaurants vantage point so this was a bold face lie. Lastly, I requested to speak to a manager before disconnecting the call and the woman replied, “Ma’am I am the owner, what can I do for you?” All I could do is shake my head. This entire experience is a bit mind-blowing to me, but if a business owner and a business does not have the “time” to meet your needs as a customer by simply taking a phone order then they are not deserving of your or my business. Marketing 101 teaches us that it is easier to retain an existing customer than it is to go out and find a new one. Clearly this business did not get that memo. Needless to say, True Flavors Diner will not see another penny of my money ever again. The food itself is not even good enough to overlook this incident.If you are anything like me, meaning you appreciate quality customer service and doing business with people who value your business, then take my advice and steer clear of this place—both locations!