Starduster Cafe Inc. — Restaurant in Independence

I'm dropping my review to a single star, though it breaks my heart to do so. We've been going to this place for a long time and it's always been amazing. However, today it felt like we weren't wanted. We sat ourselves inside with a waved hand, were brought our orders... and then forgotten. I wanted a refill on my drink, and to ask for a scoop of ice cream since I still had a little room. After nearly a half hour of waiting for somebody -anybody! - to come check on us, I was too annoyed and disappointed to bother. We asked for the check when the busser stopped by... and we waited another ten minutes before giving up and just walking to the front ourselves to go get it.

We've never had this poor of service from this place before. I don't know if it's under new management or what, but it's strikingly disappointing. It wasn't like the place was super busy, either. We've had better service on days when there wasn't a seat left in the house.

I'm also going to voice my dismay and disappointment at the notice on the front door that confrontationally challenges the mask mandate. I get that it's a private business, but businesses are licensed and beholden to OSHA rules. To be so flagrantly dismissive and thumb their nose at the rules seems both spiteful and churlish in a time when the entire public is at risk of serious disease. It is equivalent in my eyes to saying they aren't going to wash their hands before preparing food.

No longer recommending this establishment. We have gotten better service from literally every other establishment we frequent, and it's a shame that the service here has gotten so poor. I don't understand why it is so difficult to just check on a table every now and then - and as I've worked in good service in the past, I don't think there was any real reason for their delays.

The snotty reply below just proves my point. Lost my business and everyone I've recommended to you will be hearing about your rude and passive-aggressive response. I have the time punches on my phone: it was actually 37 minutes, but just a half hour. Nice...

The view was the best part of my experience. I ordered over medium on my eggs and I received runny whites. Then I asked politely to have it remade to get the same egg back well done 😝. FYI. You don't re-cook the same egg you messed up on. The steak for was like a thick piece of jerky with salt and pepper on it. I wouldn't feed to my dog. I told the owner I'd like the check and told her about the eggs and steak and she said forget it Don't pay. I insisted I pay for my meal and the owner refused to take my money. Listen lady, I'm not the usual a-hole that might come in to get a free meal, I can afford my own meal and always pays. Not taking my money was very insulting even when my dine-in experience was horrible. You could of made it better. I left $10, that's all I had in cash as they refused to take my card. I called her to make it right and she didn't care, we're just a number. The place has a help wanted sticker on door as I left, looking for a cook/dishwasher with experience - Someone looking for a job, help her out please. Make the food better -

Cleanliness - 5 Friendliness of Staff - 3 - Besides the owner making known she's the owner... Others in her staff did well, great interaction with others. Location - 5 - Beatiful scenery of airport Food - 2 - Toast was good. That's all. Dress Code for employees - Casual

Overall experience with closing check and meal .... I gave a 2 Stars.

Additional note: The establishment is in a great place. I think the food is overpriced for the experience and the quality you get. You should never have a dishwasher and a cook as the same person. It sounds unsanitary. A cook is dealing with raw foods and a dishwasher deals with dirty dishes. When you are busy, contamination can...

Went here for breakfast and to watch arrivals at the EAA Van's Homecoming fly-in (this diner is right on Independence State Airport) with my wife and infant son. We arrived around 8 and while the place wasn't packed, things were picking up. We were offered a booster seat for our baby and we elected to sit out on the deck. Great way to watch the planes roll in.

The menu is larger than what you'd expect for a small town airport restaurant. Prices very fair. I had the Bomb Raider skillet which was very large. Service was prompt and they were great about checking up on us throughout the meal (don't know if they have new staff or what- some previous reviews ding them for rudeness but the people we interacted with could not have been more pleasant). My food was very good though the jalapeños (much as I love jalapeños) overpowered the other flavors. Eggs were cooked to my preference and the biscuit-and-gravy side that came with the meal was delicious (I should have just ordered biscuits and gravy for my meal).

The building itself is not beautiful. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, this just isn't a good place for picky folks (and I get it: when you're choosing where you want to spend your money, maybe pickiness is your prerogative). The outside seating is just old patio furniture and the cushions were damp from having been left out all night. Not a big deal for us, probably a sin for some others.

Overall: thoughtful and attentive staff, slightly above average food at a very good price, great casual atmosphere. Would be the perfect fly-in restaurant since it is basically on the ramp (a big plus for geeks like myself that just like to watch the planes)....