Cafe Cravings — Restaurant in Gem Lake

I was part of a company lunch where I was able to choose the eating establishment for the occasion. Since all of my favorite places were out of reasonable commute range I browsed the internet and chose Cafe Cravings. Setting was a bit pedestrian but that was fine. Service was adequate but we were not demanding customers so not much was required. I wanted to order the stuffed french toast however they were out for the day; that can be very understandable as it was later in the day at lunch hour and they only would prep so much of the item. So I ordered the regular french toast and a fried egg and cheese biscuit. The person I was with ordered a bread bowl with wild rice soup and some beverage with Kiwi. For one it cost an extra 2.50 just to have a squirt bottle of maple syrup, of which I would only just a small amount, when most places I think syrup is generally included with this food item. With or without the syrup the french toast was palatable but underwhelming. The fried egg biscuit looked pretty good, but didn't actually have much taste or balanced flavors; the egg was kind of diminutive and buried and the cheese was not noticeable. All I really tasted was the heavy and very average biscuit. The biscuit was not soft and hot like a fresh dinner roll like I was hoping. The person that I was with was not very impressed with the bread bowl and only ate about half of it. Overall the food was not outright poor yet just very bland and the reality is that there was nothing served to us here that I couldn't make better at home with a modest effort, and I'm not exactly an executive chef. Since I didn't have to fund this meal I can't say that I have buyers remorse, more like a bit of choosers remorse. Nothing we had would persuade us to make a return trip and try...

Mixed feelings. Employees appeared to be sparse. The gentleman taking orders was concerned and very busy.

This place just wasn’t for for our group. Perhaps it is for you/others.

Not the establishment’s fault, this is just my personal and honest opinion.. the food was ‘okay’ (nothing wrong with it but nothing that stood out to be special or different..) small and simple menu options.

Our group didn’t realize this was more of a fast-food establishment; it was everyone’s first visit here.

I personally didn’t try the coffee. Other did, (plain black coffee not additives)and they didnt think there was anything special about it.. just more costly than it should have been. There was a busy and concerned man who took all of the orders.. orders got messed up when food came with everyone in the establishment. I’m sure it doesn’t happen everytime. However; seeing the “help” that the order-taker did have, wasn’t too ambitious. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sad, that just seems “normal” for employees now days

FYI: This establishment has no servers.

Quick info for anyone new: Small establishment, has a drive through, or go in & you may (or may not) wait in line, order at a counter, pay & tip before your meal, wait at a table or standing.. mediocre coffee, small menu, simple food with different food-made options (ie: gluten free). Find out...

Not sure what happened to the old staff bit the new staff is quite young and the inexperience mixed with non caring attitude leaves a different experience than we are used to. Food was made incorrectly and was cold instead of fixing it the guy in the kitchen rudely shouted at the girl working the counter who then passed the argument on to me. I showed her the menu so she could show him the description of the item. Another customer noticed the interaction and explained the staff was all new which was obvious. She also expressed her frustration with her experience. The item came back obviously put in the microwave and was disgusting. No check back no desire to make it right by anyone. Instead they sat on their phones and acted bothered when i requested silverware which was empty from the place they directed me to to get it. I was unable to eat the food because the quality was so poor but no one seemed to care or mind. This was a place we used to frequent its extremely disappointing the quality has dropped so drastically. I get its difficult to get new staff but perhaps they need more training or incentive to care even a little bit. As for the man in the kitchen I would just maybe start over there and hire someone who is willing to learn the menu and put even the slightest effort into quality and pride in what...