The Flying Biscuit Cafe — Restaurant in Columbus

Something as minuscule as their drink rule is why I’m going to pass on going back. Overtime it’s the little things that keep customers or turn them off to your business. It’s about running a business ethically for me and their drink system feels like a way to nickle and dime customers vs running all ends of this business like a professional establishment.

Been here twice. The space is nice, food is ok but a few issues. My meal the first time was completely screwed up when I got home. I was given someone elses order. Should be able to trust you're given your own meal without needing to verify.

Second time they nickle and dimed me with something as small as orange juice. I ordered a large OJ, no ice. OJ isn't commonly served with ice. Then they give me this unfilled cup that I didn't take a drink from yet, the cup itself being medium sized in comparison to 90% of establishments, so not a large in the first place. And I asked her to fill this (medium sized) cup to the top since I ordered a large. She said this is how much you get with no ice. I'm like its like the amount for a small orange juice with not you guys not filling the cup. She's like yea you pay per drink, our OJ comes with ice (to give customers less) we pour into our (small) plastic cups to measure, dont do refills…they won't even give me a full medium sized amount when paying for a large. When you make customers feel like you're scheming them over small petty things you start losing return customers.

It felt petty, I get she was following their rules but like, give people a full cup to drink. People shouldn't have to pay for refills in the first place but at a minimum give people full size drinks and stop playing games with the ice no ice.

You do seem to get less food when taking it to go.

Food ok, inside looks nice and new which is appreciated, their outfits are cool, I like the vibe here, but over priced and they're not fair about drinks and the lady seemed annoyed when I asked about the reimbursement for the first time I came there. I had called when we got home the first time when meal was messed up, had my receipt, offered to take a pic. He just took my name and said to mention it next time I came in. The do stay busy, morning waits can be over an hour requiring you to get on list way ahead of time.

Pics: I have small women’s hands. This is not large cup. Your cup gets filled for a large OJ with “no ice” to about the height of my thumb in the second pic for a large to go. I didn’t drink from it yet. The amount of juice is maybe a small yet you get charged for a large. Then they look at you like you’re dumb if you want no ice...

This is the kind of place that starts out with a good reputation, a good product, and great buzz/word of mouth. But then inconsistency and complacency ruins it. I've eaten from here about 5 times in Columbus and experienced great food (hot grits, hot biscuits...) Unfortunately, I've also experienced mediocrity and poor quality.

My most recent experience 8/8/24 (Columbus), I ordered a large bowl of grits, and a biscuit to-go from the website. I placed my order at about 1:35pm, not long before they close at 2pm. When I opened my order in the car, the grits were greasy and had a weird taste and texture. ...almost like these were the last of the grits in pot. I believe that the product you serve a customer 30 minutes before you close should be the same quality as the product served an hour after opening. Otherwise, just say you're out of that item. It was disappointing because the grits are the best thing at the restaurant to me. The biscuit also wasn't hot.

On another visit (prior to the one above), I ate inside the restaurant for the first time and it simply felt chaotic. The seating and expediting station are strange. There are narrow walk-ways so it feels very congested. And the food sits out at near waste level which is a bit odd. I think this will increase the odds of hair or something falling in the food. Just a theory.

My waitress was fine, but she didn't come to the table as often as I'd have liked. I just assume it was because they were busy, so it didn't ruin my meal. This time, I ordered a large grits, beyond sausage, and toast instead of biscuit. The grits were hot & delicious! The toast tasted like the day-old toast you make french toast with. It was stale.

Here's my thing, the one thing folks expect from their favorite restaurant is consistency and quality. We don't expect Michelin star service/food/ambiance but we do expect the food to be made at the same standard each time. If you must, remove some items from the menu so you can get the core items right each time. Hire more staff. Spend more time completing the orders. People would rather wait longer for high quality than get mediocre food quickly.

I'm truly rooting for this place. There aren't many places in this area to get really good grits when you don't feel like cooking them at home. Take your time with hiring, bring in a consultant if you must. I'm...

This is our second visit at the Columbus location. The employees did not smile, greet or act one bit eager to be serving anyone entering the doors. The woman and young man at the check-in desk did not say hello, good morning, anything. Their first sentence was “It’s a 40 minute wait, are you still wanting to wait?”

We arrived mid morning, it was 40 min (expected) wait. We sat in the lobby and watched how the team members interact with each other and patrons. It’s a tight space, almost too tight. The kitchen space is large, the bar for food is in the center of where patrons are walked to their tables. It kind of feels like you are hovering over other customers at their tables with food when you are walked to your own. The design of the location seems a bit odd.

We were seated and it was over 15 minutes before our server approached our table. There was no introduction, it was simply “I’ll take your drink orders, and if you’re ready for food I’ll take that too.”

We waited about 30 min for food to come out. We ordered a Benedict (no taste, loaded with cayenne), strawberry French toast(it was ice cold once arriving). We did not see our waitress out side of taking our order and when I requested the French toast to go back and providing the check.

The French toast breakfast arrived about 15 min before the Benedict. We asked to send it back because it was that cold. The manager very kindly made sure they both came out and apologized serving us himself. We really appreciated that! The French toast when arriving fresh was delicious!

We love Flying Biscuit in other cities we’ve been too and we are hopeful these are growing pains for a newer location!

Our takeaway was employees were at the check-in, serving, and bussing all at the same time. It seemed unorganized and bound for someone to forget something with that. There are so many tables elbow to elbow. I almost wonder if reducing the center floating tables for less seating would make it more welcoming!

We will try again but todays visit...