Alexander's Cafe — Restaurant in Dundee Township

Edit: This was handled so promptly and kindly by Alexander’s Cafe’s manager. I really appreciate the sincere customer service I was treated with, and he took my experience seriously and resolved it in the best possible way. Thank you and I hope to visit again soon!

Just moved into the area and decided to go here with a coworker for dinner this last Thursday night. After spending a little time debating the menu, we both ordered the Brioche French Toast from the All Day Breakfast menu. Our meals are set in front of us in good time! As the waitress sets mine down she says “yours just looks flatter because we ran out of brioche”. Ah. Disappointed but not wanting to make it an issue, I just went with it. As I prepared to eat it, it became clear that, okay, it was not Brioche... nor was it even really passable for French Toast at all. What I had been given was a stack of plain white bread with a dribble of egg on a side (both sides if I was lucky... did they run out of eggs, too?) and burnt to a near black on the bottoms. I could not cut the bread with a fork as a result of its charred and crispy (yet tough and chewy?? How did this happen?) nature and the only thing that seemed to redeem it was the fact that I paid extra to have blueberries and whipped cream on top to cover the disaster below. My coworker felt so sorry for me that she gave me a piece of Brioche from her plate. More than anything, I’m frustrated that I was not made aware of the issue... or asked if I was okay with the substitute.... or even or even given the option to order something else. I ended up paying full price for a dish that wasn’t what I had ordered and that I could have made better at home. I had a great time at the Alexander’s in St. Charles, but I’m super hesitant to come back to this location after this really depressing first time French...

If I had the option to leave a flat ZERO on this place I would. Don’t get me wrong the food is mediocre but the service is the absolute worst especially the manger who I spoke with over the phone.

Now I called at 10:45 originally just to ask how much the breakfast special was which they said $6.99 and then i asked if I can order over the phone and willing to pay ahead of time using my card. The only reason I didn’t place the order yet was because a friend was going to pick it up so I figured I’ll wait about 10 min so my food doesn’t get cold. I called back at 10:55 to place the order and I promise it sounded like the line was disconnected. I called twice after and still nothing. I figured ok maybe they’re busy I’ll try again in 5 min. the call finally went through so I proceeded to order. I asked for the same breakfast sandwich special that I had originally asked for and she told me it was $9.99 because i wanted the special which ended at 11am. It was 11:05. Do I care about a $3 difference? No. I’m a store manager for a nearby Location and trust me when I say this, customer service is my main priority. The way she went about handling my concern was extremely unprofessional and told me she doesn’t care who I spoke to before that these out their set prices since she couldn’t “adjust the price in her system” even though I know you can. So trust me...I notice the fake smiles upon entering but true colors come out when you try and place an order over the phone. You once gained me as a loyal customer especially one who brought plenty of new customers to this restaurant but not i will NEVER return to this location ever again and neither will my...

I recently had an extremely disheartening experience at Alexander’s Cafe that I feel I must share. Upon arriving to pick up an order that was not ready, I had to wait. During this wait, while positioned at the bar, a bartender told me, a black woman, to move to make space for a white couple. This request was shockingly reminiscent of discrimination practices from a past era and left me feeling marginalized and disrespected.

Seeking resolution, I approached the manager, but rather than diffusing the situation, it escalated. The manager, who was loud and condescending, failed to provide the understanding or apology one would expect. In defending her actions, she inappropriately cited her family's racial background as if it were relevant, which only served to intensify my discomfort.

This experience was about more than a simple delay—it was about a fundamental lack of respect and racial sensitivity. The behavior of both the bartender and the manager at Alexander’s Cafe was not only unprofessional but also deeply troubling. I advise caution to potential patrons, particularly those of color, as this establishment clearly requires comprehensive training in customer service and racial awareness.

Update: notice how the manager who I am referring to responds to this comment not denying the situation happened. So as a human I am not allowed to sit as I wait for an order? This is continual proof of the trash behavior from the manager and establishment at hand. This is who they let run...