Ericas Cafe — Restaurant in Citrus Heights

I don't usually write reviews this bad but the experience was one that I would save as many people from as I can. I didn't take any pictures but the level of disgust that I am experiencing is beyond words, however I will do my best to inform you of why you should not spend your hard earned money at this "restaurant".

First, the atmosphere: One server asked another table, while they were eating, to move to another table. The other diner relocated and the staff had to reorganize the tables to accommodate a larger party of people, if I was the diners I would be annoyed. The space itself is very small and I had a feeling of being cramped the entire time I was there. Not very inviting at all.

Second the service: Our server seemed unhappy to be taking our order, took a few minutes to arrive and clearly didn't understand what I asked for when I ordered.

Last is the food: I cannot fully comprehend what I just experienced. I asked for my hash browns with my chicken fried steak to be cooked extra almost to cremation, and the eggs to be cooked over easy. The gravy was the best part of the plate. The chicken fried steak was soft and soggy, the egg whites were runny, the hash browns were still white and barely cooked. The toast was cooked but the butter they use was stored in an open and uncovered container right next to the toaster. I ate the eggs and the chicken fried steak but I regret the decision, my stomach is now bubbling and I am still hungry. My girlfriend ordered the new York with chilaquiles, medium on the steak. The steak itself was still red/purple on the outside and rare in the middle. The steak was not a good cut, it was more than the normal fatty content in that it had fat throughout the entire cut. There was no seasoning to speak of. She was not happy and neither was I. The chips were soggy because the sauce was dumped haphazardly and the avocado was brown where it should have been green. The plate was unacceptable and the food was inedible.

Overall, this experience was one that I would not wish on anyone. If you are taking the time to read this, do not eat...

First off this place has made huge progress since originally opening. When I first visited the food was less than desirable. I gave it another chance about a year later(today)and wow! What a huge difference, the place was packed.

At first glance when I walked in, clean and tidy, floors clean restaurant over all, I was welcomed, seated and given a nice clean menu. The menu had a good amount of items, but not too much as often I see restaurant with too many items and that can be a red flag in my eyes. I looked at other patrons and everyone seemed happy and enjoying what they ordered.

I asked the kind waiter about the Eggs Benedict and if the hollandaise was made in house. The waiter said yes it is. I went ahead and placed the order. The wait time was pretty quick and received the eggs benedict rather quickly. The potatoes were very good, the eggs benedit was made with real poached eggs, generous slice of ham, which was not sweet(sweet ham is not customary so I was glad of that). The hollandaise sauce was ok, but lacked a bit of luster. I would have liked it to have a bit more zip with maybe a bit of lemon in the sauce, a bit more salt and maybe a touch of Tobasco. Overall everything was very good. The coffee was served in a nice embellished cup and was very good as well.

In closing:

-Atmosphere was very good, tables and booths. -Food good quality excellent and all tables had been served. -Food was not too much but just the perfect amount. -Tables were very clean, floors clean, bathroom very nice. -Silverware shiny and clean. -Condements were wiped off and clean as well. -Waiters were very kind and professional. -POS system was used to expedite food preperation. -Food hot and very fresh

My recommendation to anyone that wants a hot nice breakfast or lunch, this is a good place to visit!

Five stars in my book and was very impressed.

Keep it...

We were very disappointed in their service and our meal. There is no sign when you walk in that tells customers to wait on a waitress or just take a seat. We waited a couple of minutes before someone even acknowledge we were there. The waitress just told us to find a seat. There were a few seats but they had not been bussed. We both ordered omelettes, but it took almost 25 minutes to get our meals. Our omelettes were smaller compared to other restaurants we've visited in the area. The menu said 3 egg omelettes, but it looked like 2, and the potatoes were still raw in the center. We were given only one napkin each and had to ask for more, and our waitress gave us only one more each(WOW). The English muffins were barely toasted, like they were put in the toaster for 20 seconds, if that. We ordered water because their coffee comes from Farmer's Brothers coffee(restaurant coffee, garbage stuff). We put our water glasses on the edge of the table to be refilled, and about 10 minutes later the busser(busboy) came over and asked if we wanted some more water. When we finally saw our waitress again, she was bringing us our check, and the busboy followed and started picking up our plates. My co-worker was done eating, but I wasn't. He didn't even bother to ask if we were done, he just started grabbing our plates. I have to ask, have these people ever been in the restaurant...