Ben Franklin Bistro — Restaurant in Clinton

I am not a local to this area and found myself with a bit of time to burn. I searched for coffee shops, and this place pulled up with great reviews. I love supporting local places, so directed there.

Upon arriving (at lunch time) I glanced around, and it looked like there was a clear dining side and then a side that looked like a coffee shop with two empty tables. I walked up to the bar and asked for a coffee. They quickly said they couldn't make lattes. I then just asked for a regular decaf coffee. Again met with a - sorry, we don't have that. I responded kindly to both "no's" and then asked for a water because I am fairly restricted on what I can eat/drink right now unfortunately. I also asked if it was ok to sit at the table next to the coffee bar and was told yes.

So, I took my water and sat down to knock out a little work. 15 minutes later, the waitress came by and asked if I was going to order anything other than water. I responded respectfully and said no, thank you. 2 minutes later, the manager came over and started berating me and told me I needed to leave since I wasn't going to order anything. I told her I had tried to order and they didn't have what I was asking for - and that I had asked to sit here for a little bit. (Again...I thought this was a coffee shop as Google pulled up - which is totally acceptable behavior in such establishments). The manager wasn't hearing it and repeated that I needed to leave.

I was sitting there quietly, not bothering anyone, getting a little work done. There were open tables in both sections. I was kind and respectful in all interactions. The manager (or possibly the owner) raised her voice at me - for zero reason.

This was my first and last time at this establishment. I was only 5 minutes from dropping a tip for the water and use of the table and going on with my day...instead, I just left saying, "That was...

We have loved Ben Franklin food and coffee for years. Very good quality and most scratch made. We had not been there in maybe 2 years and stopped in today for lunch. I was so excited to get my beloved quiche. I was unable to eat even half of it. The crust was not the normal flaky pie crust but a very bready thick bed that held very little egg custard center which was was dry. Not even a former shell of what they used to make. When I asked the waitress about it she stated that it might be the flour but it was a different recipe than when I had been there before. My daughters sandwich was also not the same it was before. She only managed to eat half. I had no drink she had tea and we both had a peice of dessert to the tune of $30!! Never again. I dont know what has happened but we wont be going back. And no longer the place for neat coffees and a flavor of the day. Dark roast only today. We were just so disappointed and out that much money for a simple lunch

I had to take my daughter to sonic to get something to est as...

We come to Clinton periodically for our children’s sporting events and often look for local establishments to try out. I’m happy this bistro was open at 1pm on a Saturday. This place had something for everyone, including my insanely particular daughter. I enjoyed the building, it maintains a lot of its historic charm. It is quite spacious, and the tables are spaced quite far apart, so you definitely won’t be crowded or bumped into. The sandwiches got good reviews from our party of four, the salad was rated quite high by the aforementioned picky daughter. I guess the only drawbacks were the fact they were out of several things, and ran out of soft drinks so we never got refills… and weren’t really offered an alternative or comped for any, but whatever. The food was better than expected and was delivered promptly despite the staff seeming somewhat unprepared for the rush of people arriving just before close. I’d definitely come back. I’d like to try...