Original Mikes Diner — Restaurant in California

I really dislike not giving a positive review, but we always rely on reviews to refer us, just as we did this time when trying out this diner. So in all fairness, I feel a need to pay it forward. First let me say, the host was very friendly, and the restaurant was a fun environment, and clean. That being said, we arrived around 1:00, and it was about 50% full, with plenty of staff. We waited 15 minutes before our waitress finally greeted us, and that was 5 minutes after the host walked by, and we told him we’d like to order. He did go tell her, however we still waited even though she was standing at the counter for a long time, doing something I could see. Our waitress was friendly, so we were gracious and ordered without complaining about the wait, thinking we’d cut her some slack. She brought the wrong beverage for my husband even after double checking to make sure she had the right thing. We then waited 25 minutes for our food, which seemed ridiculously long, considering it was not busy. I had ordered the Hot Turkey Open Face Sandwich. It came and was simply a few slices of thinly sliced turkey lunch meat that had been fried on the grill, then thrown on top of some bread, and mashed potatoes, with gravy over it. Usually, an open face turkey sand, is chunks of fresh roasted turkey... I thought, I’m starving, I’ll just eat it and keep my mouth shut. BUT, it tasted horrible. I though if at least the gravy was good, it would camouflage the rest, but I really couldn’t eat beyond 2 bites, it tasted so bad. Several minutes later the waitress came by and I let her know it was inedible. She did apologize and take it off our bill, but by that time, my husband and son were almost finished with their meal, so I certainly wasn’t compelled to order something else, and wait another 25 minutes. My husband and son had ordered steak and eggs, which they both said was mediocre. We really wanted to like this place, but needless to say, won’t be going back. Just too many strikes...

So I took my family out to dinner and thought we try some place new in Elk Grove. We went to Bravo's but they were closing, so we decided to go to Mike's Diner. There was this beautiful couple there from New Orleans and they advised us that the fried chicken was great. I was in the mood for breakfast, but chicken and waffles sounded great! When the waitress brought out the fried chicken I went into a state of shock: the chicken was fried so long the drumstick was 3 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter. WOW! I advised the waitress and she said it wasn't a drumbstick, but part of the chicken wing. We showed her the wing and how the drumbette was still attached; she replied, " it looks good to me!" I was so upset that I handed her the plate with the deep, deep, deep, over fried chicken; it was like the chicken was fried twice, and ate the waffle with discuss. I couldn't believe what was happening. The chicken dinner with two sides was only $9.00. When the waitress came to our table with the bill, she advised she took the chicken off our tab. However, when I looked at the tab, she added on $6.50 for the waffle. What an underhanded, low, disrespectful, condisending, just all together wrong thing to do!!!!!!!! I asked to speak with a manager and she said she is the manager and I had to pay for what I ate! I explained to her that I do not have a problem paying for what I ate, as long as I know the price upfront, so I can make a choice if it is worth the price. I advised her that I will pay for my Families meal, but refused to pay the under handed, evil crafted, $6.50 waffle. The lady advised she would get the other manager. The other manager and the pretend manager, waitress approached me with an attitude. I asked to speak only with the new manager and the witch left with her attitude. I explained what happened and finally she agreed to take off the waffle from Hell. I left a $5.00 tip and left with the intent never to go...

I will NEVER patronize here again! I am very well connected in the community and i will make sure my friends, family, and any other associations refrain from going here for this reason: Last night while attending a Market 99 movie night with my two nieces who are 3 and 5, I asked the hostess if they could please allow for me to take them to the restroom. Both kids had waited until the last minute to say they needed to go potty and Mikes was the closest place for me to take them. The hostess responded by saying "No, our restrooms are for customers only." Mind you, I had bought two hot chocolates from them earlier that evening but I guess that didn't constitute me as being a customer. I asked to speak to the manager and was told again "No, it's for customers only." To me, their response was insensitive and inhumane. You see I have two small children with me who needed to use the restroom, but it was too much to allow for me to take them to the restroom in your establishment? One of the purposes of events such as the one we were attending, is to bring attention and business to the surrounding businesses...an attitude such as theirs is off putting and not welcoming at all. Because I had to try find another restroom, both of my nieces had accidents on themselves which completely ruined the evening. They just lost business because of...