The Early Bird — Restaurant in Ellensburg

It has potential to be great with just a few minor improvements. While we’ve only been once and are a bit hesitant to try it again, we likely will one day.

The menu has great offerings, but we were sadly disappointed by our two meals. The berry waffles off the main menu was pretty dull and was served cold with cold “syrup” on a cold plate. The syrup was not real maple syrup and not at all flavorful, so bland.

The Très Leches French toast from the specials would have been great had it been served warm on a warm plate with warm maple syrup (real maple, not imitation).

First, it’s so disappointing when cafes/restaurants serve food cold and don’t place hot/warm dishes on hot plates so that they retain their warmth. This is especially beneficial with breakfast as most breakfast dishes tend to cool down rather quickly.

Second, serve syrup warmed, not ice cold and please either use real maple syrup or offer an upgrade to real maple and charge a buck or two for 1/8-1/4 cup. If you can’t get it from your supplier, Costco has it reasonable and you’ll make money on the offering.

Lastly, it’s so disappointing to see so many cafes and restaurants serve conventional grocery store tea with so many wonderful independent tea producers/importers around. Why would anyone pay an inflated price for a mediocre tea they can get anywhere? Even some of these are available in some grocery stores and I’ve found numerous cafes and restaurants around the state and nation that do serve nicer teas, so it is possible. Offer something special, something folks can’t get as readily. You’ll make money either way and maybe...

I felt transported to Hawaii when eating their waffle with bananas, macadamia nuts, and toasted coconut. The toppings were generous, including the nuts. It was served with whipped cream on top and a side of vanilla sauce that added exactly the right umami to the dish. It was also served with full pieces of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. I also ordered a fresh squeezed orange juice that was delicious. The atmosphere was clean, large but intimate seating, and bright with windows all around. I was seated, and my order was taken as soon as i was ready. I came at a slower time, which I understand lasts only an hour or so. Within 10 minutes, the restaurant filled up. My server was awesome. She consistently checked on me without being intrusive and was friendly and smiling the entire time. I watched as the servers dealt with a coyple of rude or irritable patrons, and they never once dropped their professional and friendly disposition. I have saved the retaurant in Maps and will be sure to hit them up next time I head through. Try it. It's kind of across town from I90, and you'll pass many other options. DON'T STOP!!! Keep goung until you get to The Early Bird cafe. You'll be...

The food was OK . My rating for restaurant is low because of their strict pet restriction policy. Not allowing dogs inside is completely understandable due to food regulations and that is normal everywhere . But not allowing dogs even in their patio area is astonishing to me . May be their past experiences with the dogs were not good I am not sure but you could be kind in situations where we have to leave our dogs in the car when the temp are over 80. Believe it or not sometimes as dog owners we don't have options . We were visiting the city for a weekend and since it's just 1.5 hrs drive from seattle , taking our dog with us so that he could enjoy little bit was not much to ask . But it seems most of the restaurants in the city are very harsh in their pet policy any ways . I still do not understand the rationale behind this policy where u don't allow dogs anywhere near the restaurant. We live in Seattle where dog population is tremendous so patio can get overcrowded with dogs . But here in this small dead city ??? How many dogs are u gonna get a time for brunch ...