Maid-Rite — Restaurant in Dubuque

Well, let's say it has gone downhill a bit since my first review.

Police, the manager Morgan yelling and cussing at disabled elderly folks, being kicked out, unable to speak with the owner regarding the POLICE being called. This seems to be the new way of managing here.

On 2/21/25 around 3pm Two elderly disabled customers enter with beverages from another establishment. Understandably they're asked by the young server to remove the beverages. As they're disabled and unable to jump up and run to the car, they ask to speak to the manager. An employee named Morgan (manager?) comes over to speak with them and says she's the manager. As the customers are beginning to explain their situation and ask if there is another solution so they don't have to get up (ex. put the beverages under the booth, maybe the employee can set them outside/set them out of sight, or any sort of accommodation so they don't have to get up again) they're cut off and told no. No explanation or further discussion. Customer calls Morgan some form of snot or snotty. Morgan looses all control and begins to yell, kicks the customers out and ends up calling the police while repeating "BYE." Police come, take statements, customers leave.

Customers look to speak with owner on Monday 2/24/25 regarding the incident, but she's not available. On 2/25/25 via phone owner is reached and customers are told that they will not be able to discuss what occurred as the customer was wrong in the first place for bringing in an outside beverage.

I guess the moral of this story is that if you bring in an outside beverage you're signing up to be berated, belittled, cussed at, kicked out and have the police called on you, all without being able to discuss the events with the owner.

This is taken from their corporate website:

Corporate Philosophy

Legendary food and great service don’t just happen overnight. At Maid-Rite we have spent 99 years building lifelong relationships with our customers while constantly striving to serve the best tasting food in a clean and inviting environment. Our mission is to provide well-prepared nutritious meals, made from the freshest ingredients, at a fair price, and in a timely manner. Our customers are our number one priority and we emphasize the importance of giving back to the communities in which we are a part of.

It seems like Dubuque Maid Rite didn't get that message. What could have been a simple 15 second discussion turned into a yelling cussing manager who called the police (two squad cars came) over an outside beverage.

Previous review:

It's a blast from the past. Great food, friendly fast service and its like you're in an old timey diner. It's a hidden gem of Dubuque. The only tough thing may be finding parking as it's a small parking lot with several stores in it. Onion rings are a must, and the chili on the chili maid rite is like eating a delicious...

Nice treat, great onion rings... If you like onion rings, they hand dip theirs right before they fry them. Really good. French fries are pretty run of the mill, but still good. The sandwich is much as I remember from years ago, except for one thing, it's not as greasy. (I haven't lived near a Maid-rite for a number of years). The lady who worked there said the company adjusted the recipe to make it a bit healther. Service was fine when I was there. Enjoyed the looks of the place, sort of a throw back to the 60's. The red walls with the white and red metallic booths is fun. Place was neat as any other restaurant, in fact they were wiping and cleaning the cooking area/ grill area when I was there. I had a nice lunch at a reasonable price, good service, and some nice conversation. What more could I expect from a neighborhood Maid-rite! I'll be going back!

Went back a second time and had another very good Maid-rite and some more of those hand dipped onion rings! Good stuff!! The hand dipped ice cream shakes are really good, too!

Couple of other things I forgot to mention: They do have a nice breakfast menu and open at 7 am. Also, the juke box is interesting; filled with 45's and music from the 50's and 60's. Not only does it work, but it also has those stations at every booth that were so popular years ago. Yup, a piece of history...

The first time in there, I even told the young man that behind the counter. Got their special, two eggs over easy, hashbrowns extra crisp on them, bacon and wheat toast.

The positives; Hashbrowns had the right crisp, bacon was cooked perfect, and the over easy eggs were spot on. The feel of the cafe is spot on. it sounds like it has been a staple in the Dubuque area for a long time.

The negatives; Hashbrowns had no flavor, I don't think any salt was used to cook them. The service was not good. Had to ask for my first refill of coffee, and then my water and coffee ran out. There were only two other tables in the cafe, then just me. I even put the glass and cup further out on the table, but no one came to ask or refill.

I love mom and pop type cafes, but the service has to be spot on. One of my pet peeves is drinks. Keeping them topped off.

I will probably give them one more try, but if that service isn't better, it will be the last time in there.

Normally, I tip very well. Today, there is no tip. I wonder if that will...