Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe — Restaurant in Carlsbad

IMO, Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe has fallen from the mountaintop, in a few key areas. My wife & I've been coming here for years, and recently, we've been disappointed with the food here, plus a few other things.

Several months ago, we came here for dinner. I wanted to branch out and try something different that visit. After noticing a Reuben on their menu, I ordered it. When our server brought this sandwich to the table, I was so eager to devour it! What I got, was an utter disappointment.

The corned beef was sliced really thick, much thicker than most Reuben sands I've eaten, plus it was super gristly & tough. I literally couldn't even chew through it. Not only that, the bottom bread was super soggy. I tried taking a few bites, & just gave up.

The tough corned beef situation I encountered, seems to be a meat quality issue. If you buy quality meats, then you shouldn't have this problem. Also, the extra meat fat in this sandwich, more than likely led to the soggy grilled Rye, which nobody wants to eat.

I sat there, not eating for a moment or 2, before our server came by. He asked, "Is there something wrong?" I told him the meat was so tough, I couldn't eat it. He asked me if I'd like to try something else, & I told him I'd like a cheeseburger.

The cheeseburger, when I got it, was actually good: large, flavorful meat patty, ample cheese, fresh bun, & fries were hot.

Another thing I've noticed here, is their service isn't what it was, in years past. Seems like it takes a bit longer now to place your order, get your coffee cup, or iced tea glass refilled- any of the little things that differentiate good service from bad.

More recently, we came here, on a Tuesday evening, 6/21/22, about 30 minutes before closing. My wife & I craved something sweet, plus a cup of coffee. She got a slice of Boysenberry Pie, because all their cream pies were out, in the pie case. My wife enjoyed her Boysenberry pie with ice cream, & my glazed Lemon Muffin was good, as well. Our server heated both goodies up nicely, so they were even better, than when eaten cold.

The problem with this visit, was the condition of the Men's RR. It was disgusting inside the restroom, with toilet paper all over the floor, as well as a strong smell of urine inside this restroom.

I know it was near closing time, but I also noticed some food debris in several places, on the floor, in the dining area. This isn't good, since people will be walking through this food.

So, to sum up this long review, key areas have slipped at this restaurant.

1. Quality of some meats & ingredients used in the food they serve here, just aren't good, or what they were.

2. Service is noticeably slower, than in the past.

3. I feel like the overall cleanliness of this restaurant has slipped, as well.

Their baked goods are still hauntingly 😋, & perhaps the only reason we'd drop by, now.

It's pity too, as my wife & I used to LOVE...

What a wonderfully quaint and homey diner. This country kitchen is done right. I am so picky about my white gravy. My grandma was from Oklahoma and her biscuits and gravy were to die for. This place served me with the closest thing to Grandmama’s Midwestern biscuits and gravy I have ever had. Mmmmm mmmm, boy I tell you, that hit the spot. Yummy yum yum 🤤 That’s not even mentioning that I ate my home fries without ketchup. I couldn’t. They tasted so good, I couldn’t risk ruining their flavor.

First off, anyone who offers to serve me my dessert BEFORE my meal is my new favorite server. Heck yeah, I want that pecan roll served to me first. You and me, we can be BFFs 😍😄

The hubby can be seen giving a thumb’s up in one of the pictures I posted along with this review. He hasn’t wanted any type of cheeseburger in quite some time so I was surprised by his order. He was not disappointed. Gooey lumps of melted bleu cheese seeped out of his burger. The tomatoes and lettuce were fresh and clean. No bruises, Green Leaf (which I live on any sandwich), the slices of tomato were a vibrant red and not soggy, mushy or old. Nice crispy slices of red onion and a toasted bun. The burger comes undressed with condiments on the side. My husband, also kind of a picky eater, was so appreciative of this measure. He put nothing on his burger. When I asked him why not, he said, “It’s good. It doesn’t need it.” That’s a pretty good review alone, but it’s gonna get better. ^_^

I ordered 2 amazing pies to go home. We do have four crazy kids after all. 😅 The blueberry pie was To Die For 😍 OH MY GOODNESS. I don’t even like blueberries all that much, I ordered it because my girls do and it’s pretty healthy as far as pies go. Full Disclosure: I ate two pieces. Large pieces. I have No Regrets! Hahaha! It was worth every calorie. Every bite was unbelievably delicious 😋 The second pie was with my boys in mind, a chocolate raspberry cream pie. I got two bites. That was it. They wolfed down that pie like it was the first food they had had in months. Um…hello? It’s not like Mom didn’t just make a huge family feast two months in a row. Remember Thanksgiving?? Or Christmas dinner? SMH 😅🤷‍♀️ C’est la vie!

I also ordered a pecan roll to go with the intentions of eating it for breakfast. The hubby and I are guilty and can admit with honesty, that pecan roll never even made it past bedtime. 😈 HAHAHA 🤣 YUM

If you have the hankering for a hot, home cooked meal. I would highly recommend the Village Kitchen and Pie Shoppe. Great service and...

My daughter and I have eaten here or gotten food to go thirty times easily. Each time I want to hug myself and them. The self control it takes to not steal the chefs and take them home with me... I should get a medal. 😁

The COCONUT CREAM PIE is wonderful. It is so fresh and real tasting. It reminded me of a trip to Amish Country. I love the Chocolate Cream, Raspberry Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream and Peanut Butter Pies too. The cream pies are my favorite!

I love the Biscuits & Gravy, Hash Browns, Pancakes and Link Sausage! Being able to get breakfast all day makes them my heroes! I just added the Chicken Fried Steak to my favorites list too.

The Palomar Airport Chicken Salad Sandwich is delicious. It has raisins and chutney, which made it very unique. I loved it on Sourdough bread, not toasted. I tried it toasted, but it's harder to eat.

The BLT with Avocado is heavenly too. The Las Flores Roast Beef Sandwich, Burger, and the onion rings are great. I just tried the Fried Shrimp, with hash browns as a side, and loved that too.

I love the atmosphere and the staff. Fernando has been especially good and makes us feel so pampered. It has an old-fashioned diner vibe inside and a cute little outdoor courtyard too. The prices are great. They always have some beautiful plants and flowers to enjoy too. Lots of love to the hardworking staff that makes all of...