Picket Fence Cafe — Restaurant in Columbus

I don’t usually leave negative reviews, but I felt this experience needed to be shared. Yesterday morning, I picked up a to-go order for my family from this breakfast spot, and unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed.

To start, the pancakes were undercooked—doughy in the center and not at all what I’d expect from a place that specializes in breakfast. It felt like the food was rushed and lacked the care you’d hope for, especially from a breakfast-focused restaurant.

What really caught me off guard, though, was the hidden to-go charge added to my bill. This fee was never mentioned during the phone order, wasn’t listed on the online menu, and only came to light when I called afterward to question the total. I was told it’s “posted at the register”—but by that point, I had already paid and picked up my food. That kind of surprise charge feels both unreasonable and deceptive. There was also no effort made to explain it when I placed the order, which just added to the frustration.

Even more surprising were the extra charges per egg—yes, per egg—on meals that naturally include eggs. These surcharges added over $20 to our order, none of which were disclosed up front. When ordering online or by phone, you expect some transparency, and that was clearly missing here.

Between the undercooked pancakes and the unexpected fees, this wasn’t the kind of experience that makes me want to return or recommend this place to others. There are plenty of breakfast spots out there that are more transparent and take greater pride in both their food and their...

Decor needed help. Waitress was clearly in training and a mess. The water was good; the food - not so much. We ordered two of the soup & salad. Today’s soup was turkey and rice. That’s what’s in this bowl. Was lukewarm if thinking positively. We waited for quite a while for the soup, only to be told that it had been sitting out at room temperature all morning in a soup warmer that was turned off. Good customer service looks like offering us an appetizer while we wait or letting us know we would be waiting forever for our food. Also took forever to even take our orders. The place was not busy but the service was super slow. No refills were offered either. This is definitely a can of undiluted cream of turkey & rice condensed soup. It was super salty and tasted terrible. The poor excuse of a salad next to it had large pieces of the bitter lettuce mixed with brown lettuce and subpar cheese and veggies on top. We had a piece of coconut cream pie and a piece of the apple, both freezing cold. The apple pie was runny and the coconut was not even average. Nothing at all was homemade or yummy. We had high hopes for this place, as we are not from the area but we will sadly not be back. The food has not set well with...

Unfortunately, I’m certain there is black mold in the ladies bathroom. I usually love coming here when we visit family in Columbus. I remember coming last year and smelling something off in the bathroom. Now one year later it is undeniably a mold infestation. The paint near the toilet is peeling and the wall chipping and you can see the black mold in the wall. Not to mention the toxic smell. I couldn’t even use the bathroom and had to leave immediately. Unfortunately this is really bad for your health and not good for food as mold spores can spread on food and be ingested. I hope they can get this handled as it is a sweet place otherwise. It is likely a leak in the piping/toilet - while it can be dangerous it is possible and important...