Spruce Goose Cafe — Restaurant in Indian Island

My wife is off work for the week, for the schools spring break. It's rare that we find ourselves off during the week together so Friday afternoon we decided to go have lunch at the Spruce Goose. Huge mistake!

First thing was that a group of 15 showed up for lunch so all the tables were taken on the patio and the inside was full. We stood and waited patiently. As the table of 15 broke up, two other tables cleared out as well. Us and the folks that were waiting that came in "after us" were pretty much all seated at once four different tables. Except for the table directly next to us, they came in 5 maybe 10 minutes after we did.

The waitress who I later found out is now one of the owners took their drink order as well as all the other 3-4 tables on the deck and ignored us. She set their drinks on the table in front of them and went back inside like we weren't even there. I had to ask the bus person for drinks, she's always very pleasant and a joy to be around unfortunately she's not a waitress.

I pretended to go to the bathroom, to address the waitress so as not to upset my wife any further, I literally had to walk up to this person in the middle of the restaurant and ask her if she was working our section, to which she replied "she'd be right out".

She did eventually come out, took our order but brought out the food to the people sitting next to us a full 5 to 10 minutes before we got ours. Everyone else pretty much, on the patio had their food and drinks by the time we got ours, even though! we were the first ones there, waiting for the large group and a couple other tables to get up and leave.

Unfortunately being a person of color, in a small town especially, means that sometimes we have to deal with this. I have been in the Spruce Goose a few times before and had a really pleasant experience. That was then and this is now and apparently new owners, of which I'm told she was one.

I was a chef for many years, as well as having worked every position in a restaurant that you can work, including washing dishes and tending bar, coincidentally my wife spent many years in the restaurant industry, both as a waitress and manager. Point being is that we are both extravagant tippers so she definitely cheated herself out of at least a $20 tip not that she cares. She's not counting on tips for a living wage.

More importantly in my opinion, is the fact that, its 2025!? And still,,, we're having to deal with this crap from myopic narrow-minded racists. It's been my habit over the years to more often than not, speak up or speak out about these kinds of things but I'm just so sick of it, I had to say something!

Moreover, when you're in any kind of position in the service industry, especially the restaurant industry! It's like having someone in your home, it's an unspoken vow that it's up to you to make sure that you do everything you can do, to make sure that your guests have a good experience in your home, when you fail to do that and instead quite pointedly ensure that they do not have a pleasant experience, that is disgusting! Which makes you a disgusting person.

We came in, waited patiently, sat down and talked quietly, you wouldn't have known you were there if you couldn't see us. The ideal customer except for the obvious (in their mind) thing about me that I guess just doesn't sit well with her or people like her

I know that no one's going to read this and think, oh well we're not going back there anymore, and she'll say whatever she'll say to make it about me and that I imagined it. But the truth is you're disgusting! So overall the "last time" I went to the Spruce Goose it was a very unpleasant experience.

HAVING READ THE OWNERS RESPONSE! Just wanta say it had nothing to do with being busy or any other thing, she completely ignored us! It's just as simple as that. But I expected nothing less than your...

We visited the cafe because of the good reviews. We weren’t disappointed.

Imagine being able to fly into the Jefferson County International Airport and share a meal at this quaint Cafe. We drove to the cafe but one can dream! We enjoyed watching the planes fly in and out of the airfield while we were there.

There are model airplanes hanging from the ceiling with other memorabilia on the walls. A Christmas tree occupied one corner. The ambiance was nice cozy and comfortable. The children enjoyed looking at all of the memorabilia and the were given gliders to assemble which we brought outside to fly. They also offer for purchase, posters and the glass with their logo.

The employees were so patient and kind. We were also given good selection tips.

The children started out with a vanilla and a chocolate shake. They were enormous! Their eyes got so big when the waitress set them down on the table. Ecstatic was an understatement! They enthusiastically started to devour them and from the smiles on their faces, they were extremely delicious.

My friend got the Runway Reuben. She said it was the best Reuben that she has ever eaten. The Monte Cristo was also very good! I had the fish and chips. The fish was crispy and delicious and the fries were good too. I wasn’t a fan of the coleslaw that came with the fish and chips.

We finished off the meal with a slice of Apple Pie and Ice Cream and a slice of a berry pie with ice cream. Both were wonderful!

Picky eater ratings: Off of the children’s menu, grilled cheese and chicken tenders! Both scored high marks along with those milkshakes.

The cafe was neat and clean. There is the option to dine outside and during cold months the outside area is covered.

There is a nice playground on the side of the cafe that was enjoyed by the children.

There was a sign on the drive to the cafe that said the restaurant was for sale. Someone snatch up this little gem and don’t let it close!

Happy...

Wow, what a great place. Top stars for the two top reasons to eat at any restaurant: Service & food. The Spruce Goose was recommended by a barista at Starbucks and she was spot on. Sarah (hope I spelled her name correctly) was our server and she was great. We asked what she would order if she was looking for a good lunch dish -- she recommended the Monte Cristo with the homemade raspberry jelly and man was that good. My wife and I split it (per Sarah's suggestion) and there was plenty for both of us. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were crispy and salted well. We also had pies (apple pie for me and marionberry for my wife) and they were homemade as well. How were they; let me put it this way; "yummmm!" We engaged Sarah in conversation and she was very friendly and funny. When we are in the area again we will defiantly stop in for another good time and more good food. Anyone reading this review; the Spruce Goose a bit out of the way but it is worth the trip. Thank-you Sarah for helping to make our 31st wedding anniversary a bit...