TLDR: A takeout breakfast burrito took 20 minute to come out while 2 other guests who arrived after me got their food before I did. The breakfast burrito was cold when I bit into it immediately once I got to my car.
I arrived on Saturday morning with excitement because I heard great things and it was my first time trying Ancora. I ordered a Breakfast Burrito and a Morning Bun to go. Got the Morning Bun right away since it was in the display case and the Breakfast Burrito I imagine would take 10-15 minute max, if not sooner. I was really hungry and needed to get to a meeting by 10AM so I was watching the clock pretty closely.
As I waited I observed the cafe atmosphere - it was cozy with multiple families and friend groups enjoying brunch. It felt like a home for Madisonians of all walks of life which I appreciated. I kept my eye on the counter as well incase my order would be called out.
As I watched, 2 groups of people arrived within 3 minutes of my order. By the 12th minute mark, I watched their food delivered to both the groups. I figured something might have gone wrong and they might be remaking my food so I decided to go up and ask moments after I saw the second group get served. I was told that it was going to only be a few more minutes without any indication of why.
I was a little hangry that it was taking this long but I gave them the benefit of the doubt - local cafe that means a lot to our city, sometimes things aren't going to go perfectly. I figured it would be nice, warm, and tasty and all my elevated energy will melt away at the first bite.
When my order was announced, I was met with a smile and a sorry for the delay. Great customer service throughout besides the time it took. When I got to my car, unwrapped the burrito and took a bite, I was taken aback because it was cold. Not even slightly warm, sitting on a heat rack - straight up cold as if it was sitting on a counter for the last 15 minute before it was brought out. Its one thing to take 20 minutes for a breakfast burrito, another thing to serve others who arrive after me before my food comes out, but the fact the food was cold was something that drove me to write this review. I know everyone is trying their best and sometimes mistakes get made but these are a series of mistakes that indicate a sincere lack of care, at least for my order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
April Nicholson
Today for first time ever I had a very disappointing and disturbing experience at Ancora restaurant. When our food came I noticed that the egg on my sandwich was really overcooked and dry to the point it looked like a fake overly fried egg. I asked the waitress if I could get an egg that was not so overly fried and she said yes. I patiently waited until everyone at my table was finished with their meals. No one came back to let me know when or if that egg I requested was ever coming. By this time my food was cold and my table was done eating. Since no one ever came back to our table I went to the counter to see what the update was on my egg. I never raised my voice never was mean to anyone I simply asked when my egg was coming. A young lady shouted at me that they were are really busy and really working hard and they are working on your egg. Granted I requested the egg a good 20 minutes ago so someone shouting at me that they are working on my egg was a bit hilarious. I sat down again and waited on that egg. It didn’t come. So I brought my plate back to the counter and asked if I could have a new sandwich being that at this point my food was cold. A young lady snatched my plate and said yes. I sat down again. A few minutes went by and then a very nervous and angry woman with red hair came to give me my food. She held my plate while she gave me a speech about how her staff works really hard and the egg on my sandwich comes fried and next time I need to let them know I don’t want a fried egg and then she had the nerve to falsely state that I was rude to her staff and that in the future I should not be rude to her staff!! She dropped the plate down and abruptly walked away!! All I wanted was an egg that wasn’t fried to death on my sandwich but instead I was subjected to someone’s misplaced anger!! Everyone at my table including me were shocked and disappointed on how this egg request was mishandled. I have been a waitress and I know the pressures and hard work that come with that job but this was totally unnecessary, disrespectful and disturbing. And no one should be subjected to this type of passive aggressive behavior over a overly fried egg! FYI the sandwich was delicious but it was hard to totally enjoy it after being mistreated by your staff! Communication is key. This whole situation was so unnecessary!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Valerie Renk
Nice food in a convenient location. Interesting menu!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
M
The quality of the drinks and food are not worth the prices. Looking for a quality cappuccino? Not here. The portions are sometimes hilariously small and nothing special in flavor. However, the atmosphere is calm, good for working, clean and the workers are unfailingly kind and friendly which is why I still come back, just not for meals.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Rick Thiel
Stopped in for breakfast after my bus route. I ordered the Hella Stella breakfast sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. It is made with Stella's spicy cheese bread. OMG
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
yepmer parlar
Disgusting cold egg
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Alexandra Wilburn
I've been to multiple locations and they're very cute, the coffee is good and the smoothies are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Lane
I frequent the Sherman Ave location and everytime time I go it’s a great experience. The staff is always so friendly! Today I did a pick up order for my coffee and the barista working on it was quick to welcome me and let me know she was just finishing it. I swear I’m not exaggerating but that first sip was heaven. That coconut cold foam was on point! If you haven’t been you need to go! Keep an eye out for their blueberry lavender donuts when they’re available. They’re amazing! You can’t go wrong with the coffee or even the tuna sandwich. Check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Devon Steiger
Great food, very comfortable environment, very chill place
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Terri Lynn Price
Matcha latte, Chai latte, hot honey bacon biscuit and hot honey sub with impossible sausage egg white biscuit. Super delicious. Very filling.
TLDR: A takeout breakfast burrito took 20 minute to come out while 2 other guests who arrived after me got their food before I did. The breakfast burrito was cold when I bit into it immediately once I got to my car.
I arrived on Saturday morning with excitement because I heard great things and it was my first time trying Ancora. I ordered a Breakfast Burrito and a Morning Bun to go. Got the Morning Bun right away since it was in the display case and the Breakfast Burrito I imagine would take 10-15 minute max, if not sooner. I was really hungry and needed to get to a meeting by 10AM so I was watching the clock pretty closely.
As I waited I observed the cafe atmosphere - it was cozy with multiple families and friend groups enjoying brunch. It felt like a home for Madisonians of all walks of life which I appreciated. I kept my eye on the counter as well incase my order would be called out.
As I watched, 2 groups of people arrived within 3 minutes of my order. By the 12th minute mark, I watched their food delivered to both the groups. I figured something might have gone wrong and they might be remaking my food so I decided to go up and ask moments after I saw the second group get served. I was told that it was going to only be a few more minutes without any indication of why.
I was a little hangry that it was taking this long but I gave them the benefit of the doubt - local cafe that means a lot to our city, sometimes things aren't going to go perfectly. I figured it would be nice, warm, and tasty and all my elevated energy will melt away at the first bite.
When my order was announced, I was met with a smile and a sorry for the delay. Great customer service throughout besides the time it took. When I got to my car, unwrapped the burrito and took a bite, I was taken aback because it was cold. Not even slightly warm, sitting on a heat rack - straight up cold as if it was sitting on a counter for the last 15 minute before it was brought out. Its one thing to take 20 minutes for a breakfast burrito, another thing to serve others who arrive after me before my food comes out, but the fact the food was cold was something that drove me to write this review. I know everyone is trying their best and sometimes mistakes get made but these are a series of mistakes that indicate a sincere lack of care, at least for my order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Today for first time ever I had a very disappointing and disturbing experience at Ancora restaurant. When our food came I noticed that the egg on my sandwich was really overcooked and dry to the point it looked like a fake overly fried egg. I asked the waitress if I could get an egg that was not so overly fried and she said yes. I patiently waited until everyone at my table was finished with their meals. No one came back to let me know when or if that egg I requested was ever coming. By this time my food was cold and my table was done eating. Since no one ever came back to our table I went to the counter to see what the update was on my egg. I never raised my voice never was mean to anyone I simply asked when my egg was coming. A young lady shouted at me that they were are really busy and really working hard and they are working on your egg. Granted I requested the egg a good 20 minutes ago so someone shouting at me that they are working on my egg was a bit hilarious. I sat down again and waited on that egg. It didn’t come. So I brought my plate back to the counter and asked if I could have a new sandwich being that at this point my food was cold. A young lady snatched my plate and said yes. I sat down again. A few minutes went by and then a very nervous and angry woman with red hair came to give me my food. She held my plate while she gave me a speech about how her staff works really hard and the egg on my sandwich comes fried and next time I need to let them know I don’t want a fried egg and then she had the nerve to falsely state that I was rude to her staff and that in the future I should not be rude to her staff!! She dropped the plate down and abruptly walked away!! All I wanted was an egg that wasn’t fried to death on my sandwich but instead I was subjected to someone’s misplaced anger!! Everyone at my table including me were shocked and disappointed on how this egg request was mishandled. I have been a waitress and I know the pressures and hard work that come with that job but this was totally unnecessary, disrespectful and disturbing. And no one should be subjected to this type of passive aggressive behavior over a overly fried egg! FYI the sandwich was delicious but it was hard to totally enjoy it after being mistreated by your staff! Communication is key. This whole situation was so unnecessary!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Nice food in a convenient location. Interesting menu!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The quality of the drinks and food are not worth the prices. Looking for a quality cappuccino? Not here. The portions are sometimes hilariously small and nothing special in flavor. However, the atmosphere is calm, good for working, clean and the workers are unfailingly kind and friendly which is why I still come back, just not for meals.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Stopped in for breakfast after my bus route. I ordered the Hella Stella breakfast sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. It is made with Stella's spicy cheese bread. OMG
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Disgusting cold egg
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
I've been to multiple locations and they're very cute, the coffee is good and the smoothies are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I frequent the Sherman Ave location and everytime time I go it’s a great experience. The staff is always so friendly! Today I did a pick up order for my coffee and the barista working on it was quick to welcome me and let me know she was just finishing it.
I swear I’m not exaggerating but that first sip was heaven. That coconut cold foam was on point!
If you haven’t been you need to go! Keep an eye out for their blueberry lavender donuts when they’re available. They’re amazing! You can’t go wrong with the coffee or even the tuna sandwich. Check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, very comfortable environment, very chill place
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Matcha latte, Chai latte, hot honey bacon biscuit and hot honey sub with impossible sausage egg white biscuit. Super delicious. Very filling.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
A little pricey, but delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for brunch. Good vegetarian and vegan options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great ppl. Great food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ancora has wonderful views and wonderful food and drinks. I often do work while sitting there. Nice staff and menu :)
Vegetarian options: Some good options.
Parking: Parking is no problem.
Kid-friendliness: Kids are fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast VG N
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