The Garden Gate Cafe — Restaurant in Four Corners States

Wow, this place has really gone downhill!

It’s too bad too. It has always been overpriced for breakfast, but in the past at least you could count on having a decent experience and getting decent service. It seems to have been gradually going downhill for the past year or so. The current staff is not shy about letting you know how little your presence means to them. There is zero ambiguity to the fact that they would much rather be somewhere else.

You know how it feels when your drink goes untended for the majority of your meal. And then when you do get a refill it’s practically tossed at you, no wasted effort with regards to grace. Or how it feels when you just need a togo container, but you can’t figure out what on earth happened to your waitress. Or you need change, if only there was someone to help. Welcome to The Garden Gate Café folks.

Have you ever finally had to walk up to the counter to request a togo container, only to have TWO employees BOTH turn their backs to your request and pretend like they don’t care? News Flash! They actually don’t care and they are unconcerned about who knows it. There must be either an absence of ownership, an absence of standards, or both.

Either way, don’t waste your money here folks, it is not appreciated! The chef is decent, but prices have been raised both upfront and through portion reduction....

My friend and I have been going to the Garden Gate Cafe in Niwot ever since we first tried it out a few years ago (I think in 2019) but the last 3 visits have been a disappointment. I won’t go into detail on the 1st and 2nd occasions but I can say that today’s visit (2-14-2022) was probably the last time we’ll go to the Cafe for the foreseeable future. We had a table outside and had to ask for sugar for the ice tea, then salt and pepper for the FF. Small things, I know, but weird that they wouldn’t think of supplying those things from the beginning. The food came out without waiting too long but my Club Sandwich was missing the promised layer of avocado and my friend’s Mixed Greens Salad with grilled chicken arrived with slabs of chicken seasoned in teriyaki sauce! There was only iceberg lettuce and one small piece of avocado. I’ve had both of these items in the past and they were scrumptious and I’ve never minded paying the $13.40 plus beverage, tax, etc.. We asked if there was a new chef and they said yes and that they are working out the kinks. I truly hope so, because this was our all time favorite place to eat (We drive from Golden and Boulder, respectively)and it’s sad that it has slid so far ‘south’. Please consider making some changes so you don’t lose your loyal clientele and future...

Go anywhere else!

The service was awful. The server was rude, mean and terrible.

The atmosphere is bad. Bathrooms are atrocious.

The food is ok, if it's actually cooked. Best of luck getting what you order.

Extremely over priced. Not worth the time or money.

Wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy.

The steady decline of the restaurant is tragic. After over 10years they have gone down hill every year. Our last visit resulted in an ice cold skillet with uncooked spinach, raw mushrooms and no cheese or bacon anywhere. Our other dish was a luke warm but mostly cold burrito. The burrito was filled with uncooked hash browns, cold eggs and 2 cut up sausage links. Both dishes left much to be desired... we sent the "sizzling" skillet back for being cold. After 5min we were only to be served by another cold skillet. Not even warm to the touch. Nothing was cooked or even warm.

All and all. We will never be eating here again. We would recommend going anywhere else for breakfast.... even the gas station...