BEWARE: Nate’s is NOT Kid-Friendly—They’ll Shame Your Child and Charge You Double for It
After a sleepover, I took my young daughter and her two friends to Nate’s for breakfast, expecting a fun, easy meal before our planned activity for the day. One of the kids was excited to order a Belgian waffle. She must have only seen the word “waffle” on the menu and didn’t fully realize it came with butter and powdered sugar on top. She later told me that, in her experience, the butter is usually served on the side—just like the syrup was. When her waffle arrived, her excitement immediately faded. She didn’t want, and couldn’t have the toppings on the waffle.
I apologized to the waitress and explained the mix-up, assuming it would be a simple fix. She took the plate to the manager, and I expected they’d just bring out a new waffle. Instead, the manager came to our table, rude right from the start, and said he would make another one—but I’d have to pay for both because the menu stated it came with butter and powdered sugar. I was stunned. A small child had overlooked a garnish in her excitement, and we were being charged double because of it?
The menu also states the waffle comes with syrup, but that was served on the side. So if she did read it, maybe she assumed the butter and powdered sugar would be, too. Or maybe she was just excited and only saw the word “waffle.” It doesn’t matter. What matters is that this was some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced.
In all my years dining out and working in restaurants, I have never seen anything like this. Even when adults make an honest mistake the majority of restaurants try to make it right without charging the customer. And this was a child. I spent over a decade working in a high-end steakhouse and more than five years in diners and other restaurants. Not once did any of these establishments treat a customer this way. And to charge double over a quarter cup of batter that costs less than the ladle used to scoop it? Absolutely absurd.
To make matters worse, my daughter’s friend was on the verge of tears, feeling so guilty that I was being charged double because of her. I had to console her and reassure her it wasn’t her fault—something I should never have had to do. What kind of establishment makes anyone, let alone a kid feel this way?
I’m an easygoing, reasonable person. I truly don’t expect much, especially these days. I know costs are high, and I always try to be realistic and understanding. But this was ridiculous. There was no attempt to be kind or accommodating—just a rigid, heartless, “policy” and a manager without a shred of empathy. He literally walked away before I even had a chance to respond to his cold, “We’re charging you double for this.” The waitress, on the other hand, looked mortified and she apologized profusely after he stormed away. I saw her whispering to another server a few minutes later, clearly sharing what happened, and her expression said it all—she was just as disgusted as I was, they both were.
After I left, I felt terrible about the entire situation. I reached out through Nate’s website using their contact form, summarizing what happened and asking for someone to please provide an explanation for why this occurred and whether this behavior was typical for them. Two weeks went by without a response. I followed up, expressing my frustration and requesting at least the courtesy of a reply. I made it clear that if I continued to be ignored, I would have no choice but to share my experience with my fellow Clevelanders, who deserve to know the truth about Nate’s so-called “kid-friendly” environment. Now, over three weeks later, I have been completely ignored and disrespected by the ownership too. Despite my attempts to address this privately, I have been left with no other option.
It genuinely pains me to have to write this, as I never want to damage a restaurant’s reputation. However, I have given them more than enough time to make things right, and they have refused.
From the start, they failed on every level—rude management, a c
Nick Hamper
Great food and the place to be
Parking: General small to large
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup, Reuben
Lisa L.
Great breakfast menu
Vincent Palmieri
Great food and service!
Jennifer Williams
The food is good and inexpensive. The servers are great. It's clean and bright.
Henry Chaski
Service is exceptional! Food is always good. Remodel looks nice but can be a little loud if you go with a soft talker or someone who is hard of hearing. May be hard for someone with sensitivity issues.
jane ehrbar
I've always loved your corn beef sandwiches. I had a craving for one on Saturday and placed an online order. Bread was stale corned beef was dry with no flavor and skimpy. Not at all like the sandwiches I used to love from notes. Really disappointed.
Charlotte Smith
My husband and I come here frequently and I must say through every single breakfast/lunch it’s been amazing every time! I always get the pancakes and taste whatever my husband gets and the sandwiches are delicious and good size. Dining room is a bit small but it’s always busy. Truly recommend this place to anyone that wants a filling and inexpensive meal!
Foods good been coming here for for years. The girls there are just starting to get real rude. Don’t even think i’m gonna be going back there going somewhere else. My order was given to someone else i just got off work with my baby and i never heard an apology once the lady was so concerned about calling her friend that got the wrong order.
Francis Gibbons
Very nice clean small neighborhood, Deli, excellent Breakfast & Lunch. Very good service, staff friendly and efficient!
Kara cutino
Great great food and good service a must try !!
Marji Lightbody
Staff is so friendly! Good is delicious! Prices are great!
Jerry Sedlecky
Love this place... usually pretty easy-going and reasonably priced food
BEWARE: Nate’s is NOT Kid-Friendly—They’ll Shame Your Child and Charge You Double for It After a sleepover, I took my young daughter and her two friends to Nate’s for breakfast, expecting a fun, easy meal before our planned activity for the day. One of the kids was excited to order a Belgian waffle. She must have only seen the word “waffle” on the menu and didn’t fully realize it came with butter and powdered sugar on top. She later told me that, in her experience, the butter is usually served on the side—just like the syrup was. When her waffle arrived, her excitement immediately faded. She didn’t want, and couldn’t have the toppings on the waffle. I apologized to the waitress and explained the mix-up, assuming it would be a simple fix. She took the plate to the manager, and I expected they’d just bring out a new waffle. Instead, the manager came to our table, rude right from the start, and said he would make another one—but I’d have to pay for both because the menu stated it came with butter and powdered sugar. I was stunned. A small child had overlooked a garnish in her excitement, and we were being charged double because of it? The menu also states the waffle comes with syrup, but that was served on the side. So if she did read it, maybe she assumed the butter and powdered sugar would be, too. Or maybe she was just excited and only saw the word “waffle.” It doesn’t matter. What matters is that this was some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced. In all my years dining out and working in restaurants, I have never seen anything like this. Even when adults make an honest mistake the majority of restaurants try to make it right without charging the customer. And this was a child. I spent over a decade working in a high-end steakhouse and more than five years in diners and other restaurants. Not once did any of these establishments treat a customer this way. And to charge double over a quarter cup of batter that costs less than the ladle used to scoop it? Absolutely absurd. To make matters worse, my daughter’s friend was on the verge of tears, feeling so guilty that I was being charged double because of her. I had to console her and reassure her it wasn’t her fault—something I should never have had to do. What kind of establishment makes anyone, let alone a kid feel this way? I’m an easygoing, reasonable person. I truly don’t expect much, especially these days. I know costs are high, and I always try to be realistic and understanding. But this was ridiculous. There was no attempt to be kind or accommodating—just a rigid, heartless, “policy” and a manager without a shred of empathy. He literally walked away before I even had a chance to respond to his cold, “We’re charging you double for this.” The waitress, on the other hand, looked mortified and she apologized profusely after he stormed away. I saw her whispering to another server a few minutes later, clearly sharing what happened, and her expression said it all—she was just as disgusted as I was, they both were. After I left, I felt terrible about the entire situation. I reached out through Nate’s website using their contact form, summarizing what happened and asking for someone to please provide an explanation for why this occurred and whether this behavior was typical for them. Two weeks went by without a response. I followed up, expressing my frustration and requesting at least the courtesy of a reply. I made it clear that if I continued to be ignored, I would have no choice but to share my experience with my fellow Clevelanders, who deserve to know the truth about Nate’s so-called “kid-friendly” environment. Now, over three weeks later, I have been completely ignored and disrespected by the ownership too. Despite my attempts to address this privately, I have been left with no other option. It genuinely pains me to have to write this, as I never want to damage a restaurant’s reputation. However, I have given them more than enough time to make things right, and they have refused. From the start, they failed on every level—rude management, a c
Great food and the place to be
Parking: General small to large
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup, Reuben
Great breakfast menu
Great food and service!
The food is good and inexpensive. The servers are great. It's clean and bright.
Service is exceptional! Food is always good. Remodel looks nice but can be a little loud if you go with a soft talker or someone who is hard of hearing. May be hard for someone with sensitivity issues.
I've always loved your corn beef sandwiches. I had a craving for one on Saturday and placed an online order. Bread was stale corned beef was dry with no flavor and skimpy. Not at all like the sandwiches I used to love from notes. Really disappointed.
My husband and I come here frequently and I must say through every single breakfast/lunch it’s been amazing every time! I always get the pancakes and taste whatever my husband gets and the sandwiches are delicious and good size. Dining room is a bit small but it’s always busy. Truly recommend this place to anyone that wants a filling and inexpensive meal!
Excellent food and very friendly people.
Food was delicious and hot.
Restaurantji Recommends
Foods good been coming here for for years. The girls there are just starting to get real rude. Don’t even think i’m gonna be going back there going somewhere else. My order was given to someone else i just got off work with my baby and i never heard an apology once the lady was so concerned about calling her friend that got the wrong order.
Very nice clean small neighborhood, Deli, excellent Breakfast & Lunch. Very good service, staff friendly and efficient!
Great great food and good service a must try !!
Staff is so friendly! Good is delicious! Prices are great!
Love this place... usually pretty easy-going and reasonably priced food
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