Mid Cities Cafe — Restaurant in Bedford

Became a semi-frequent regular here over the past 2 years or so. The food portions are enormous compared to contemporary competition, and have a freshness to them you won't get from nearby Ihop or Denny's while being priced a little less.

Fried food is where it's at in this diner; they give you a small mountain of anything potato-based. My roommate and I joke that they shove a whole potato through a grinder for each serving. The fried chicken and sweet breakfast breads (pancakes, waffles, french toast) are of the best things here and all big portions. But their sandwiches are surprising too, crunchy and plentiful. My favorite lunch item is the catfish (not fried); a bit salty, but extremely flavorful.

Kids meals aren't pre-microwaved garbage. The kid's fried chicken for example will be the same as what's on your plate.

The grits are hit-or-miss depending on who's back there. Usually it's nice and thickly, but on occasion it's very watery. Sides for lunch items are about average, more than acceptable, burgers are big but ok.

You won't find unlimited pancakes or kids-eat-free deals.

I wish the restaurant were cooler, but they probably have an old kitchen duct system that combats the A/C, with windows facing the sunrise. Winter it's perfect. The seating and such is a little worn for wear but it's not gross or destroyed.

Note, this little diner has some supply chain issues, so sometimes items will not be available. They also prep their hamburger meat fresh daily, so don't expect to get a cheeseburger before 10am. Some of the salad dressings vary in availability (unless you want ranch).

And fyi, some of the regular customers can get very loud, especially when they talk to each other. Conversations are mostly harmless, just loud.

The most complaint I'd have is staffing. The wait staff have to double as hosts and bussers, and get very, very little complete training. So most of what they learn is on-the-job through regulars like myself. I can't seem to establish a regularly preferred waitress because they come-and-go every few weeks or months, almost always due to quitting by finding something better. Some waitresses have been terrible in terms of asking for help and maintaining traffic (people getting up and leaving because too many customers; unless you're a 15-year diner veteran, you can't handle 13 tables by yourself), but lots of places have staffing issues in this economy. This has also led to the cancellation and ignoring of dine-out orders.

The Korean lady who currently runs the place is very nice, hard working, determined, and very enjoyable to speak to. She has 2 sons who often come in on the weekends and holidays after 8:30 to 9am or so and they are some of the best waitstaff I've seen...

I'm sorry. I like to be positive, especially when it means people's livelihood. My husband and I wanted to see if this would be our new favorite stop for breakfast or lunch. Disappointing. We like the small, quaint business. The restaurant floor is well laid out for flow of traffic, serving, and clearing tables. Restrooms are clean (big thing for me). The background music is charmingly mood setting. We were provided seating and beverage, and our order taken in a reasonable amount of time. From there on it was downhill. It took quite some time to receive our food. Clearly it had been sitting for a while because it was cold. The flavors weren't there - bland. Our server was absent much of the time. Our table was cleared while already awaiting the check. Waiting another length of time, it didn't show until we finally got up to leave (a lady standing outside the kitchen saw us getting up as a queue and brought it to us). The prices were a little expensive, especially for the food we were served. I would like to note that there was one server who was a pleasure to watch in action. He was the most patient, pleasant server and was always on the floor. No names here, but this young man deserves a raise and could probably turn that place around...

Terrible service. Was there over an hour before food came out on a Sunday mid morning when the place was over half empty. They advertise as "kid friendly" but do not have a kids menu. Requested water that we never received. Waitress was friendly, but very poorly trained. Ordered my burger well done...it arrived pink. Overall food was pretty good, but everything else is sub par. Management is HORRIBLE. Witnessed the owner speak to an employee in a very unprofessional way in clear view of customers. Our check was wrong and when we pointed it out to the lady who was running the place (owner I assume) she basically ignored us, began talking about us to her co-worker in another language ( a language I just happen to be fluent in) saying disrespectful things about my family. She then placed the correct check down on the counter and walked away never acknowledging us or apologizing. As she walked away I told her to have a nice day in her native language that she had just been "covertly" disrespecting my family in. The look on her face....PRICELESS! Needless to say I will not return. My recommendation is that you avoid this place. There are plenty of options for breakfast/lunch. Try a...