Shade — Restaurant in Heath

August 3, 2024 update:

We’ve been coming here less and less. Their salads are no longer good. Today my husband and I each got different chicken salads. Both are supposed to come with tomato and cucumber. My salad had a total of 2 tiny grape tomatoes, and a 1/2 slice of cucumber. My husbands was pretty much the same, except he got three tiny tomatoes. We used to come here several times a month. Sadly, we’re going to be looking for a new place now. Service is also spotty now.

The food here is always very good, and today’s visit was no exception. Our server, Kate was excellent. She was very attentive. My husband dropped his fork, and before we even had a chance to ask for a new one, Kate brought one over. Their salads are delicious and HUGE. The salad I have most often, comes with blue cheese, and since I don’t like blue cheese, I normally get feta instead. Today is the first time that they charged us $1 extra for substituting the feta for blue cheese. We were in a hurry to get home, so we didn’t say anything. It’s only $1, but I don’t think it’s appropriate. The salad is almost $10 already, and normally blue cheese is more expensive than feta cheese. Also, if there’s an up charge, they should probably tell you when you order. I’ll definitely ask them next time when we order. Or maybe we will try a different restaurant next time.

*Update August 7, 2025

I didn’t realize it, but it’s been an entire year since we’ve been here. I didn’t remember what I’d written in my review last year, but one year later the salad is still the same. 1/2 slice of cucumber and 2 tiny grape tomatoes. Too funny! I guess that’s the policy. Only positive is that they did NOT charge me extra for replacing cheddar with feta. Maybe we’ll be back in...

It’s sad that the service is completely lacking, because the food is good. The last two times we ordered a La Cafe Chicken Salad, the dressing was nothing but oil. We had to ask for another dressing both times. This time, the order was to go. I ordered a half La Cafe Chicken Salad (the girl who took our order called it the El Cafe Chicken Salad, but whatever), and we had a lengthy discussion about the dressing. She said I could “shake it”and it would be fine. Knowing you can’t shake a salad to mix up the dressing, I then asked if I could just get the dressing on the side. She told me I would still have to shake it. Thanks, Captain Obvious. Long story longer, when we got home - 20 minutes away - I opened my salad, and THERE WAS NO DRESSING. I called to let them know they messed up yet again, and the girl (same one that took our order) said “I’m sorry. We’re open ‘til…” and I cut her off. I had JUST told her that we DON’T live close, and I’m NOT driving back into town for dressing. Thanks for...

Waited over an hour for food for 2 because a table of 11 sat when we did, this was the explanation we got. Although several customers who came after us were served, ate and left before we even got our food. Then fries came before meal 'because wings take a long time' and arrived cold and nasty. I asked for a side of ranch with my meal, didn't come until I went up and asked for it. It arrived as we're done eating, but I was charged twice for a tablespoon of ranch. They took the fries off the bill and gave a discount but overall, underwhelming at best. Chairs are so uncomfortable I had to stand. Bathroom was a complete nightmare. So, waited in total 1 hour for 10 wings, soggy/nasty fries and a chicken Philly. First and LAST Shade experience. Server was fine, kept apologizing for the delay but if the owner had sent a free dessert or something, I wouldn't be writing this. Instead HE used the party of 11 and subpar kitchen staff. Sir, sounds like you need to work...