Will be coming back as the price and quality of food can't be beat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raine Hilborn
I am deeply disappointed and saddened to learn that 541, an organization that prides itself on community, has decided to axe the youth program—especially at a time when there is already a lack of free and accessible spaces for young people. I was only part of the youth team for one summer, and even in that short time I witnessed how important that program was for the kids. It was a safe space for them to live, learn, and create a chosen family for themselves—something they might not experience in their actual homes.
It was a place where they could feel empowered and find a sense of belonging. It was a place to relax, escape stress, and connect with their peers and positive adult role models. It was a place where they learned healthy interpersonal skills and gained the tools they needed to be set up for success as adults.
These important teachable moments are often not found in other areas of these kids’ lives, and by getting rid of the youth program, you are depriving them of that opportunity.
I, like many others, truly believe that not finding a way to keep the youth program was a huge mistake and will have a significantly negative impact on the community.
Katelyn Hardy
We have been going to 541 since 2017 and have done everything we can to support their efforts to be a safe place for the disadvantaged in our community. I’m sad to give a poor review because I have always loved the concept of the pay it forward dining and the programs offered in this space. Finding out that the youth program was abandoned without an effort to fundraise and that the organizer is longer on staff is heartbreaking. It’s also unclear why this decision was made. The quality of the food has also gone downhill, it was always a reliably excellent and well priced meal, clearly made with love. My most recent visits to 541 have been disappointing with a very different vibe and ambience, no more familiar faces and just lacking the spirit that made it magical and special. Buying buttons felt like being part of something bigger and something important. Communication and transparency are now lacking and it’s sad to remember what it was. I hope it can be restored and that the programs can be brought back. That was why we went, why we donated and fundraised in past years. Our community needs safe spaces like this and I hope the board hasn’t lost perspective.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Megan
if i could give 0 stars i would do that. My name is Megan Bergie and i want everyone to know who the director Ameriga Alonzo really is. I have been apart of 541's youth program since late 2017, since i was 9 years old. 541 for years has been a place where ive felt welcomed, comfortable, heard, and safe. And Ameriga is taking that away from me and many other kids after empty promises. Eric O'Neil has been the most supportive person in my life, he's not just a leader or a mentor, he's a second family. Every problem i have had with school, home, etc Eric was there, When I needed guidance in my life Eric was there, When my dad passed away in 2021 Eric was there when no one else was. I have seen Eric go out of his way for not only me but all of the other kids involved in both programs and it is heartbreaking and sickening to me that someone who claims she cares about the community could rob us from this, could rob me out of 8 years of my life. A lot of these kids don't have the support at home and school like they do with Eric, coming from what I have seen and personal experience. To Ameriga, i hope taking multiple kids support systems away from them makes you happier and provides you more money. I hope my feelings linger with you for the rest of your life. I hope you know you failed multiple kids. You're nothing but selfish, ESPECIALLY after firing Eric when you had a whole staff vote saying you shouldn't. Ameriga is also someone who doesn’t keep to her word. In this letter i received i have highlighted “we are welcome to questions” because when my youth group was sat down and told the news, she left before we could ask questions, then when I asked Eric if he could ask her to come back she drove away, and then has yet to respond to my email.
Amelia
Anytime I visit Hamilton I make sure to stop in at 541 Eatery. I love the community outreach and support programs they run and the opportunity to give back by purchasing buttons for those in need to get a meal when required. Quick, efficient and friendly service and delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Matt Donnelly
Great place to have a quick easy meal. Good food friendly service and a great place overall. Only place around where you can literally pay with buttons!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Gerald K
Staff are really friendly. The food is great for the price. (Most meals under $8!) They are vegan friendly! (Brownie is really good, and dense/filling) The atmosphere inside is quaint and cozy. And they are a non-profit business!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ari Young-Sabourin
AMAZING FOOD, AMAZING STAFF (I LOVE YOU GABE) I LOVE GETTING THE GRILLED CHEESE AND THE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD IS SOOO GOOD! GO TO 541 NOWWWW!!!!
Caity W
Such a great place. Prices are great. Staff are amazing and friendly. Seem to really prioritize giving back to the community. The interior decor was adorable and felt so homey and cozy but still clean and well kept. Food was delicious with excellent portions!
Elizabeth Broadbent
It was our first time and 5 of us went. It was a great surprise. There was a good menu choice and the prices were so reasonable and you had plenty to eat. The staff were very friendly and the customers were also friendly. The button system is a great . You can buy a button for $1 and these buttons go into a jar for anyone to use if they can’t afford a meal . It was a feel good visit. We will be back.
Amazing staff thank you every one fire the delicious food and helping the community. Ur doing an amazing job I'm forever adore you! God bless keep it up!
Crypto Biker
An amazing place with great food, doing amazing things for the community. If you are in Hamilton , they deserve your support
Kayla Leanne
541 Eatery & Exchange is an absolute gem. Not only is the food consistently delicious, but the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and filled with purpose. The café operates with a beautiful mission at its heart — providing meals for those in need through their unique button system.
Every time I visit, I’m reminded that good food and good people can change lives. The staff are kind, the vibe is cozy, and the community impact is real. Don’t forget to buy a few buttons on your way out — it’s a small act that makes a big difference for someone who can’t afford a meal.
Highly recommend supporting this amazing space. Five stars all the way!
James Amatuzio
This place is great for so many reasons. They are serving some excellent breakfast foods at very reasonable prices. Their coffee is delicious. Their atmosphere is warm and inviting. And they are doing so much for the community. If you can visit, buy some buttons to pay it forward for those who can’t afford. Worth the visit hands down.
Great food and great, kind staff.
Will be coming back as the price and quality of food can't be beat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am deeply disappointed and saddened to learn that 541, an organization that prides itself on community, has decided to axe the youth program—especially at a time when there is already a lack of free and accessible spaces for young people. I was only part of the youth team for one summer, and even in that short time I witnessed how important that program was for the kids. It was a safe space for them to live, learn, and create a chosen family for themselves—something they might not experience in their actual homes.
It was a place where they could feel empowered and find a sense of belonging. It was a place to relax, escape stress, and connect with their peers and positive adult role models. It was a place where they learned healthy interpersonal skills and gained the tools they needed to be set up for success as adults.
These important teachable moments are often not found in other areas of these kids’ lives, and by getting rid of the youth program, you are depriving them of that opportunity.
I, like many others, truly believe that not finding a way to keep the youth program was a huge mistake and will have a significantly negative impact on the community.
We have been going to 541 since 2017 and have done everything we can to support their efforts to be a safe place for the disadvantaged in our community. I’m sad to give a poor review because I have always loved the concept of the pay it forward dining and the programs offered in this space. Finding out that the youth program was abandoned without an effort to fundraise and that the organizer is longer on staff is heartbreaking. It’s also unclear why this decision was made. The quality of the food has also gone downhill, it was always a reliably excellent and well priced meal, clearly made with love. My most recent visits to 541 have been disappointing with a very different vibe and ambience, no more familiar faces and just lacking the spirit that made it magical and special. Buying buttons felt like being part of something bigger and something important. Communication and transparency are now lacking and it’s sad to remember what it was. I hope it can be restored and that the programs can be brought back. That was why we went, why we donated and fundraised in past years. Our community needs safe spaces like this and I hope the board hasn’t lost perspective.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
if i could give 0 stars i would do that. My name is Megan Bergie and i want everyone to know who the director Ameriga Alonzo really is. I have been apart of 541's youth program since late 2017, since i was 9 years old. 541 for years has been a place where ive felt welcomed, comfortable, heard, and safe. And Ameriga is taking that away from me and many other kids after empty promises. Eric O'Neil has been the most supportive person in my life, he's not just a leader or a mentor, he's a second family. Every problem i have had with school, home, etc Eric was there, When I needed guidance in my life Eric was there, When my dad passed away in 2021 Eric was there when no one else was. I have seen Eric go out of his way for not only me but all of the other kids involved in both programs and it is heartbreaking and sickening to me that someone who claims she cares about the community could rob us from this, could rob me out of 8 years of my life. A lot of these kids don't have the support at home and school like they do with Eric, coming from what I have seen and personal experience. To Ameriga, i hope taking multiple kids support systems away from them makes you happier and provides you more money. I hope my feelings linger with you for the rest of your life. I hope you know you failed multiple kids. You're nothing but selfish, ESPECIALLY after firing Eric when you had a whole staff vote saying you shouldn't. Ameriga is also someone who doesn’t keep to her word. In this letter i received i have highlighted “we are welcome to questions” because when my youth group was sat down and told the news, she left before we could ask questions, then when I asked Eric if he could ask her to come back she drove away, and then has yet to respond to my email.
Anytime I visit Hamilton I make sure to stop in at 541 Eatery. I love the community outreach and support programs they run and the opportunity to give back by purchasing buttons for those in need to get a meal when required. Quick, efficient and friendly service and delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Great place to have a quick easy meal. Good food friendly service and a great place overall. Only place around where you can literally pay with buttons!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Staff are really friendly.
The food is great for the price. (Most meals under $8!)
They are vegan friendly! (Brownie is really good, and dense/filling)
The atmosphere inside is quaint and cozy.
And they are a non-profit business!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMAZING FOOD, AMAZING STAFF (I LOVE YOU GABE) I LOVE GETTING THE GRILLED CHEESE AND THE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD IS SOOO GOOD! GO TO 541 NOWWWW!!!!
Such a great place. Prices are great. Staff are amazing and friendly. Seem to really prioritize giving back to the community. The interior decor was adorable and felt so homey and cozy but still clean and well kept. Food was delicious with excellent portions!
It was our first time and 5 of us went. It was a great surprise. There was a good menu choice and the prices were so reasonable and you had plenty to eat.
The staff were very friendly and the customers were also friendly.
The button system is a great . You can buy a button for $1 and these buttons go into a jar for anyone to use if they can’t afford a meal .
It was a feel good visit.
We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Staff are friendly and curtious.
Amazing staff thank you every one fire the delicious food and helping the community. Ur doing an amazing job I'm forever adore you! God bless keep it up!
An amazing place with great food, doing amazing things for the community. If you are in Hamilton , they deserve your support
541 Eatery & Exchange is an absolute gem. Not only is the food consistently delicious, but the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and filled with purpose. The café operates with a beautiful mission at its heart — providing meals for those in need through their unique button system.
Every time I visit, I’m reminded that good food and good people can change lives. The staff are kind, the vibe is cozy, and the community impact is real. Don’t forget to buy a few buttons on your way out — it’s a small act that makes a big difference for someone who can’t afford a meal.
Highly recommend supporting this amazing space. Five stars all the way!
This place is great for so many reasons. They are serving some excellent breakfast foods at very reasonable prices. Their coffee is delicious. Their atmosphere is warm and inviting. And they are doing so much for the community. If you can visit, buy some buttons to pay it forward for those who can’t afford. Worth the visit hands down.
Loading...