Gilou's Cafe — Restaurant in Abingdon

I was in with my husband after hearing great things about this place. We usually go to Sister’s at the Martha, or Rain when we are in town for lunch but a nurse at the doctor’s office I go to in Abingdon recommended we try out this cafe.

Where to start… the restaurant was hot. Stuffy hot to the point of uncomfortable. Considering it was freezing outside, this should be a good thing, but it was nearly hard to breathe it was so warm.

The service wasn’t great. There was only one server and he was rude. My husband was asking questions about the menu and he seemed annoyed to answer them even though the place was dead empty aside from one other patron who already had their food. His cologne was overwhelmingly strong, too. Between his frustration to answer questions and his smell, we were ready to leave but decided to try and stay. The female cook seemed like a sour puss too. Like she didn’t want to be there.

The food was okay. Nothing to write home about. Tiny portions that don’t reflect the pricing. Husband had a quiche and it was cold and rubbery. Probably microwaved. I had an omelette and it was overcooked.

It’s clean. That’s a plus, but the restroom is outside and you have to get a key. Gross.

All in all we won’t be back. There’s so many better places to go in town, where the service is great and the food is better and matches the prices. I doubt this place makes any money at all. It’s just...

[Update] I finally had a chance to go back. I was the only one there at first. Service was good. I had the Turkey sandwich lunch special with apple coleslaw. The food was good.

[Old review] I don't normally give 1-star reviews, but in this case I will. Today (Friday) my wife and I went to Gilou's to eat. We sat down outside. The waitress got our drink orders. She brought them back and we were still deciding on the order. It was a long time before she returned. It got busy. Lots of people getting check. After probably 20 minutes she came back, got order, and we wait....and wait...and wait.

Finally we decided to leave (some others got up to leave) after almost 1.5hrs. On the way out I asked if our order was ready to box up. The waitress said it should almost be ready. The lady doing the cooking said that they didn't have anymore pesto chicken. At no time did anyone tell us that they were going to run out of pesto chicken. We left angry.

At some point I'll go back and give it a chance, but it will be awhile. I know the pandemic has made things difficult. Telling us that things are taking a long time and giving us an option to leave sooner (to go back to work) would not have made us angry. I probably wouldn't be leaving this 1-star...

Spring break having a father son day went to try a new place for breakfast. I ordered the egg croissant with sausage and a large milk my son ordered the stuffed French toast no cream cheese and a Pepsi. He said his Pepsi was flat. Atmosphere inside is nice a quaint and tight. The service was ok , the little older lady was pleasant . 4 more guest came in after us and there was only one person doing it all in the Cafe she Def got a bit overwhelmed she was the only reason I gave 2 stars otherwise would be a 1 or less. Our food came and my sons French toast was cold the strawberries runny and smooshed he said and didn't taste good. My croissant was large and soft and pleasant. The eggs and sausage a different story, sausage slightly overcooked but the main thing is that there was a fish smell and slight fish taste in the eggs and sausage. No thank you. It's like the grill or pan was used to cook fish and not cleaned right. My milk was delicious!!! After leaving my son asked " Next time we go out for breakfast can we go to McDonald's at least they have better food there" He's eight and he is right. He and I both will not return again, bad food over priced. We love abingdon...