Buttermilk Cafe — Restaurant in Downers Grove

Dear Buttermilk Management,

This afternoon (Saturday, the 20th), my family and I had lunch at your Downers Grove location. Overall, we enjoyed our time and would like to share both the highlights and a concern we hope can be addressed.

When we arrived, there was a short 10–15 minute wait, which was understandable given how busy the restaurant was. During that time, I spoke with Michelle, the host. She was extremely friendly, welcoming, and spoke very highly of the restaurant and staff. Her professionalism set a wonderful tone for our visit.

Once seated at table 213, Mario was our server. Although the restaurant was bustling and our food took longer than expected—arriving before some of our drinks—Mario remained kind and professional. He was clearly doing his best to balance many tables, and we would gladly return to be served by him again.

However, we did encounter one issue that I feel is important to bring to your attention. The manager, dressed in a blue shirt, was visiting tables to check in with guests. When he came to ours, he placed his hand on the edge of our table, and I couldn’t help but notice visible dirt under his fingernails. Given the standards associated with a restaurant of Buttermilk’s reputation, this was concerning. Hygiene is an essential part of the dining experience, and it left us with a negative impression at the end of an otherwise enjoyable meal.

We chose Buttermilk because of its outstanding reputation, and I trust that this matter will be taken seriously and corrected immediately. I am sharing this feedback in the hope that it helps maintain the high standards your restaurant is known for.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to visiting again...

My first visit to Buttermilk in Downers Grove was absolutely awful, and I will never be back. Our server, Erin (with space bun hair), was shockingly rude, unprofessional, and clearly discriminatory in the way she treated our table.

From the moment we sat down, we were made to feel like an inconvenience. Erin took forever to greet us and even longer to take our order. When the food finally arrived, she didn’t check on us once. She barely acknowledged us during the entire visit—avoiding eye contact, staring off into space, and making no effort to be present or attentive.

The table was never cleared, even once. We had to ask for salad dressing and whipped cream, and because our table was so cluttered from her never removing anything, it fell off—creating a mess we had to clean up ourselves. A busser actually noticed and came over to help while Erin blatantly ignored us and even glanced back with a smug, nasty grin. Completely unacceptable.

Our coffee came to the table literally overflowing, dripping everywhere as it was set down—no apology, no cleanup. Just a mess, both literally and in terms of service.

On top of all this, she didn’t offer to-go boxes or ask if we needed anything else. We had to try flagging her down just to get basic essentials, which felt like an impossible task.

This visit was uncomfortable, frustrating, and frankly disturbing. If Erin’s behavior reflects the service standard here, I’m appalled. Not only did she neglect our table, but her attitude made us feel unwelcome and disrespected. No one should leave a restaurant feeling this disrespected...

My friend got there before me and asked for Barbie.. we've followed her thru her last few jobs..we love Barbie..my friend asked for her section..she got sat in another section..server said to move my friend to her section,but it was full at the time,so my friend had to go back up front to wait..I get that,but as Barbies tables opened up they wouldn't let Barbie take her to her section..host kept saying she'd do it,but didn't..she eventually got to Barbies section,but what's going on? New people? Possibly,but Barbie knows what she's doing..if someone asks for a server they should get sat in their section..she shouldn't have to have been shuffled around.. she's an older lady..next time(we may not have come back if Barbie wasn't there) I'll ask Barbie where her section is and seat ourselves if we have to..I should've been there to stick up for her..glad we got Barbie in the end..it's just not great customer service to shuffle someone around and make them wait when they asked for a specific server,and seat them in someone else's section..we both enjoyed our French toast with strawberries,but the strawberries were not good warm..once they cooled off they were great..very noisy when you're busy..good thing Barbie knows...