My wife and I have visited this restaurant numerous times and have noticed a decline in the service in the past few months. We both have worked in the restaurant business and frequently give the benefit of the doubt to the staff when something doesn't go as it should. Today, we simply couldn't do that and it will be quite some time, if ever, before we try the Country Cafe again.

My wife ordered the Sunday special (biscuits and gravy), which we thought included a pancake. The special is $6.95 and the way it looked on the menu, one could reason that it included a pancake. However, we learned that indeed did not come with a pancake; you could choose to have your gravy poured over a biscuit OR a pancake OR toast. We read it as "Biscuits and gravy with a choice of toast, pancake, English muffin, etc.". An explanation from our waitress would have easily clarified this misunderstanding. However, in the end, we paid seven dollars for a biscuit split in half with a ladle of gravy poured over it. We added a pancake (which we didn't realize as when we asked about it we just got a funny look and an extra charge instead of an explanation), which was an additional two dollars. So nine dollars for one biscuit with some gravy and a pancake. Ouch!

Service-wise, my wife did not get a refill on her tea and I did not get a refill on my coffee. It seemed that most of the service staff had blank looks or scowls on their faces and when I went to examine my bill, the lady behind the counter (I am assuming she is the boss) pointed out that the special did not include a pancake and walked away as though I was trying to get away with something, an implied accusation through rude body language.

My bill for breakfast was over $20.00, which I am happy to pay for good service and excellent food. However today, I received neither. Their food and service isn't free; being courteous and understanding with good customer service skills should be included in the price. I gave three stars because in the past (six months ago) our experiences were quite different.

If you go to the Country Cafe for Sunday morning brunch, expect to be treated like a suspicious inconvenience and pay four-star prices for three-star food. There are plenty of other places around where breakfast is hot and the service is friendly.