Perkins American Food Co. — Restaurant in Cedar Rapids

After an arduous journey encompassing three different flights, my companions and I found ourselves at Cedar Rapids airport only to discover that our luggage was temporarily lost in transit. United Airlines informed us, much to our chagrin, that in an effort to save weight, our belongings would be arriving on a later flight. Faced with time to kill in an unfamiliar city, we sought solace and comfort at a local establishment - Perkins Restaurant, situated cozily in the heart of Cedar Rapids, IA.

From the moment we stepped through Perkins' welcoming doors, the ambiance promised a reprieve from our travel-induced tribulations. The staff greeted us with such warmth and understanding that we could almost forget the stress and frustration of our luggage ordeal.

Now, let's talk about the real game-changer - the food. We indulged in a selection of desserts that not only tantalized our taste buds but also lifted our weary spirits. The Raspberry Lemon Drop cake was nothing short of a masterpiece. The balance between the tartness of the lemon and the sweetness of the raspberries demonstrated a level of culinary artistry that was both unexpected and highly appreciated. Every bite was a symphony of flavors, with the fresh, zesty fruitiness perfectly cutting through the rich, moist cake.

But the delights didn't stop there. The sugar cookies we ordered were a nostalgic trip down memory lane, offering the classic, comforting sweetness that reminded us of home and simpler times. They were baked to perfection—crisp edges with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. Each cookie was a little parcel of joy that somehow made the world feel right again.

And the pièce de résistance, the chocolate chip cookies, were divine. They were generously laden with chocolate chips, providing a luxurious texture and richness with every bite. These weren't just any ordinary cookies; they had that perfect balance—crunchy on the outside, yet gooey on the inside—which is the hallmark of a truly great chocolate chip cookie.

Beyond the excellence of the desserts, it's worth noting how the overall atmosphere at Perkins contributed to our positive experience. Despite our late-night visit, the staff was alert, friendly, and incredibly efficient, making us feel right at home. Their smiles were genuine, and their service was attentive without being overbearing, striking just the right note of hospitable warmth.

In conclusion, our visit to Perkins was a serendipitous delight in the midst of a taxing day. It's rare to find a place that offers not only mouth-watering treats but also a genuine human connection and comfort away from home. For anyone finding themselves in Cedar Rapids, whether you're a weary traveler or a local looking for a culinary hug, Perkins is your go-to spot. Their delightful desserts and heartwarming service are sure to turn any frown...

So we have our favorites in Cedar Rapids. They're some of the best restaurants. This isn't one of them. While the food was good, the service was mediocre at best. The atmosphere was the same as it was when I was there in the 90s and 2K and 2010s. That's nostalgia or consistency, I guess. Well, let's unpack the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Good - the food: probably the best of the three categories, the menu is straightforward, they have tried and true cuisine like all chain restaurants. What's nice is that the food looks like it does in the menus. The blueberry pancakes are scrumptious. I ordered the blueberry platter with a side of hashbrowns. While she ordered the oatmeal with aside of blueberries. It hit the spot! The Bad: Well, not really bad, just less than good. Our hostess waited five minutes before casually adding us to the waiting list. Failed to inform us that even though they had a lot of empty seats, they didn't have the staff to serve a full house. (Years in the industry teach you how to read the signs). The waiter took our drink order and had them out in a reasonable amount of time. However, we waited 15 minutes to order just the food we ate. Then we waited. And waited, and after 38 minutes, we were served a bowl of oatmeal and a plate of blueberry pancakes with scrambled eggs and two small strips of bacon and a side of hashbrowns. Remember the signs of the understaffed? Well, the Now hiring signs don't tell the half of it. After this lengthy journey and waiting for the ticket- ( we even had our table cleared and still waited for five minutes before we got it). We weren't asked anything, nor we were thanked for our patronage. As we saw others pay at the table with card readers, it made me feel like they cared less about us and more about clearing the table for the next chumps. We paid, and left. The atmosphere when we walked in said it all, the other parties that were standing around were reading menus, this is a sign that locals who come often will do because they know the service is lacking. The empty seating and use of the whole restaurant made servers work harder because they have to cover more ground. Cleaning up and clearing tables is harder because you have to spend more time running around. This restaurant is a lesson in how to take a fairly straightforward concept of providing good food and service and lowering expectations for anyone who doesn't care about it. Like I...

I recently had an incredibly frustrating experience at Perkins restaurant, all within a single visit. It was a series of disappointments that left me feeling unsatisfied and disgusted.

To start, I ordered scrambled eggs, expecting a simple yet satisfying breakfast. However, what I received was far from acceptable. The eggs were practically raw, barely cooked at all. It was both unappetizing and potentially unsafe. I was appalled by the lack of attention to detail and the blatant disregard for basic food preparation standards.

Thinking it couldn't get any worse, I decided to order a burger and specifically requested no bacon. As a customer who doesn't eat bacon, I made it clear to the waiter about my preference. Unfortunately, my hopes were crushed when my burger arrived. Despite my explicit instructions, there it was, hidden beneath the toppings: a slice of bacon. I felt deceived and disrespected as a customer. It seemed as though they completely disregarded my request, assuming they could simply slip it by unnoticed.

The most frustrating part of this entire ordeal was the manager's lack of concern. When I brought up the issues with my food, the manager displayed a complete indifference to my dissatisfaction. There was no genuine apology or effort to make things right. It felt as though my concerns meant absolutely nothing to them, and that level of customer service is utterly unacceptable.

To make matters worse, the combination of raw eggs and hidden bacon had severe consequences. Shortly after consuming the food, I became nauseous and had to rush to the restroom to vomit. It was an embarrassing and unpleasant experience that I should never have had to endure.

Experiencing all of these problems in a single visit to Perkins restaurant was beyond disappointing. The repeated mistakes in preparing my order, the complete disregard for my specific requests, and the manager's apathy have left me with a negative impression that I simply cannot overlook.

Based on this terrible experience, I cannot recommend Perkins restaurant to anyone. The lack of attention to detail, the failure to accommodate my request to omit bacon, and the manager's indifference make it clear that customer satisfaction is not a priority for them. Save yourself the frustration and find a dining establishment that truly values...