Lakewood Cafe — Restaurant in Hayward

I would like to say how horribly disappointed I am in the service I and my family received. There were 7 of us. Most of us have worked in the service industry at some point in our lives so are very patient when a restaurant is busy. However, this was not the case on this visit. We were seated and our drink orders taken by our waitress (5 coffees and 7 waters. Waters were already at the table (brought by the busboy). After waiting for over 5 minutes for the coffee to be served I went and requested it be brought to the table. We received the coffee from another server. Several minutes later our waitress then came to the table to take our order, at that time we requested a second cup of coffee. Again, no coffee.. again went to request it be brought(even joked she should just leave the pot to make it easier on her) After waiting over 30 minutes for our food and watching others walk in and order and be served (smaller groups) I went again to ask when our food would be out. I was told (very rudely by the person I assume was the head waitress) that since we had a large table it would take longer and smaller tables would be served 1st and we needed to be patient. When our waitress finally served our food she was very angry and was rude to every one at the table. I told her she needed to lose her attitude. She explained they were all new and trying. (only been open a couple of weeks) So when paying my bill I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and requested to speak to her. I attempted to apologize and explained that had she come to the table with an apology for the food taking so long all would have been good and tried to hand her my bill with a 12.00 dollar tip on a 28.00 bill. (former waitress always good tipper) She then told me I did not need to tell her how to do her job, she had been working there for 5 years and she did not want my money and to keep my tip). Mind you the place has only been open a couple of weeks and her previous excuse was they were all new . Needless to say she lost out on not only my very generous tip but the tips of the other 6 in my group that all tip about the same. So a tip that would have been close to 100.00 became 0 and you have lost 7 customers and as many of my friends as I can talk to an relate this horrible experience to. With the tourists you will do well, but know that the locals talk...

Management clearly not prepared for busiest weekend of the year (Saturday morning after 4th of July). Woefully understaffed (by at least 3-4 wait staff) and unprofessional behavior all around. Hostess crying in the bathroom. Staff loudly complaining to each other how busy they are and how glad they are that some customers just got up and left. Manager (owner?) announced to waiting customers that they’re short staffed bc one waitress called out hungover. Bussing staff slamming plates into bus bins so hard I’m surprised she didn’t break something.

Deplorable communication from staff. 30+ min wait to be seated, another 20 minutes just to be acknowledged and place our orders. ANOTHER 25 to actually receive the all the drinks. ANOTHER 30 for some of the food to arrive. Add 10 more minutes to get the rest of the food only for the order to be incorrect. ZERO communication from waitress the entire time.

In fact, our Waitress seemed to be ACTIVELY ignoring our table-she’d check on the larger party of regulars next to us and then leave the room making sure to study the ceiling so we couldn’t catch her eye. My Husband finally had to stand up and wave at her to get her to begrudgingly look our way so we could ask about the aforementioned 25 min drinks.

Food was decent but had clearly been sitting under a heat lamp for quite some time- warm outside, cold inside. Pancakes were gummy. Omelet had incorrect ingredients.

Judging by other reviews, maybe they can handle a non-peak crowd but management clearly not ready for prime time. If you’re coming from out of town on a busy summer weekend,...

I never write reviews, good or bad, but this place was worthy of me taking my time to write one. From the moment I walked in, through the door a kind older gentleman who I believe is the owner or GM, held for me, even though I’m a very able-bodied mid-30 year old guy, until the time I left, I felt at home, actually, like I was at my grandma’s house. The staff were so inviting, friendly, staying busy, and even sharing hugs with one another in encouragement and appreciation. The food (French toast with all the meat sides) was excellent. The restaurant is very clean, looks recently remodeled. I originally was going to stop at DQ next door for a quick lunch, but the line was atrocious. I think I was able to have a full very tasty sit down meal, feel like a family member, and still get out of town faster than had I gone to the fast food joint next door. I will definitely be back to Lakewood Cafe on my next trip through...