City Cafe Diner — Restaurant in Cleveland

As a fervent food enthusiast always on the hunt for hidden culinary gems, my recent visit to City Cafe in Cleveland, TN left me with a taste that was far from satisfying. With high hopes of discovering a new culinary haven, I ventured into this eatery only to be met with a medley of disappointments that left a sour taste in my mouth.

The menu, touted as an assortment of culinary creations, turned out to be a labyrinth of choices that felt overwhelming rather than exciting. For a first-time visitor like me, the sheer multitude of dinner combinations was a daunting task to navigate. To my dismay, the servers showed little patience in guiding patrons through this maze of options. Their apparent indifference to my struggle only added to my growing sense of unease.

Upon being seated, I was introduced to my server who instantly began recounting her grueling 12-hour shift. While I understand the desire to empathize with employees, I couldn't help but feel that this information was irrelevant to my dining experience. Her lack of professionalism became painfully evident as the evening progressed. Instead of providing attentive service, she was conspicuously absent for a significant portion of my meal, failing to offer refills on my drink. This negligence spoke volumes about the establishment's commitment to its customers.

The centerpiece of any dining experience is, undoubtedly, the food. Sadly, City Cafe's offerings were far from extraordinary. As each plate arrived, it was apparent that the food lacked the touch of culinary craftsmanship that elevates a dining experience from ordinary to memorable. The dishes resembled pre-packaged fare, as if they were sourced directly from a restaurant food vendor and reheated without any attempt to enhance their presentation or flavor profile. This lack of effort was disheartening, leaving me to wonder if the kitchen's creativity had been replaced with complacency.

One redeeming aspect, albeit a small one, was the selection of cakes. The dessert display showcased a tempting array of sweet treats that hinted at the potential the establishment held. However, even this bright spot was overshadowed by the overarching issues that marred my visit.

In the end, the presence of an extensive cake selection couldn't salvage my impression of City Cafe. The unprofessional and inattentive server, coupled with lackluster and uninspiring cuisine, left an indelible mark on my experience. The unappetizing food presentation and the apparent plea for a higher tip overshadowed any potential enjoyment I might have had. Regrettably, I find it hard to imagine returning to City Cafe anytime in the near future, as there are undoubtedly other dining establishments in Cleveland, TN that can provide a more satisfying...

Will not return. Food isn't worth the treatment.

Tonight was the last straw for me when I ordered my children their children's spaghetti & meatball. I asked for a side of extra spaghetti sauce (because they always seem on the dry side and my daughter likes extra). The waitress double-checked because she thought I meant marinara (that came as a tiny condiment with my omelet meal), but I reiterated that I wanted a side of spaghetti sauce for my kid's spaghetti, then I cupped my hands to show the size of the small bowl it normally is brought in.

Once the food finally arrived, there was no side of spaghetti sauce and the noodles appeared a little dry, as is typical. So I asked the waitress and she said she already put it on them and that they normally don't have as much. (Mind you, I only ordered a side for my daughter, but she 'added it to all of them'.) I said okay and let my children eat as I had a huge headache and didn't want to bother since they were hungry and the food took a while to finally arrive.

Well, fast forward to the bill... $10.50 charge for 3 sides of meat sauce! Jaw-dropped, I asked the waitress why the charge when I only asked for a side of spaghetti sauce (I believe it was usually around $1.25?). She said the manager told her to ring it up that way. I disputed as that's not what I asked for. She checked, again, and he said since it was consumed it was on us. (WHAT?!) So I asked for him personally. He stood his ground (included with an attitude from approach), even after I asserted that all I asked for was "A SIDE OF SPAGHETTI SAUCE," and instead a meat sauce was added to all of the plates and my hungry children ate it because it looked like it always did; that because they ate it, it would cost us. I didn't order it. I didn't order it as a "meat sauce" (I order spaghetti sauce). I didn't order THREE! I didn't order it ON THE PLATES. BUT I was billed for it--AT $3.50 PER PLATE (on a kid's plate, at that). Their small plates of spaghetti cost almost $11.50 each! (More than my adult meal!)

Company error, customer pays for it... It was a small, low-cost, issue that could've easily been rectified, but was handled very poorly (and the manager was very rude, from approach to departure, and completely unapologetic). I have zero plans to ever step foot in this establishment, nor recommend them, again. Better training is needed all...

Below this update is my review from our previous visit. Look at the difference two years made even in the pictures.

I raved about this place and have been anticipating our return two years later. Broke my heart that the Greek food has taken a drop in quality. I'm Greek, and whoever was cooking did a horrible job on my plate. The gyro meat was burnt, the grilled steak and chicken were dry and tough, tzaziki was bland, and the spanikopita was not fresh. I was shocked and looked at my photo from the last visit and could see the difference.

My wife tried the chicken pot pie and was pleased. The crust was a little overcooked, but not an issue. All the teenagers with us liked their food as well. One got the gyro plate and noted it wasn't as good as what we get at home.

Honestly, the Greek food reminded me of items bought at the state fair from a food truck. I pray that in two years, things will return to the past.

OLD REVIEW It has been years since we had the opportunity to eat in a diner and what a treat we were about to have. The menu was impressive and full of options for anyone. You could eat here every day for a month and choose something different each time. The décor and cleanliness were in order as we entered. They were busy but that did not delay our prompt seating and service.

The sweet tea was delicious, and we enjoyed the bread appetizer while we decided. Everyone found something they wanted but I was in for a super treat. I am Greek and had no idea that I would see a menu with several Greek items available. My choice was the Greek Combination Platter, and it was outstanding. The portions were huge and at such a great price that I understood why it was so busy for a Monday evening. This meal would be easily sharable for a couple and the feta cheese was flavorful.

I had no room for dessert, but the wall of treats was too much for my girls to avoid. They decided to share a piece of Baklava Cheesecake and bragged about how good it was. I think I gained ten pounds just looking at the display and will stop again when in the area.

The ownership has done a great job in executing their vision and I wish them many years of success. The menu was diversified for many tastes yet classically designed for the diner-lover inside each one...