The Rookery Cafe — Restaurant in Juneau

Best breakfast I've had in while. Been wanting a Benedict done right. Came to this spot from a cruise ship tour. I was dying for a difference in taste after 7 days of what started to seem like blah...

The woman up front was warm, cute and funny. Didn't have an interaction with anyone else. Not my reason or fault.. It was kind of weird being called up to get my own hot chocolate drinks from the bar. I thought that's what the woman walking around was for.. She wasn't. My food was passed to me by a gentleman from the back, but I assume we couldn't pick up our own because he came from upstairs and that's probably a liability.. We noticed a self filling water station and a sign the read out out free refills and WiFi RIP. (Found it extremely funny because I've seen the barnacles that just attach to a table and think it's cool to stay and work for 4 hours with the purchase of 1 coffee! Yes. Goodbye to them...) But that was that we were at the absolute back of restaurant. Wouldn't have seen the water without that.

I have a negative... It's the tipping thing. I was asked if I wanted to leave a tip at a restaurant where I stood on line to put my order in. I don't leave tips where I have to stand on line in most cases. Fine, no problem.. If you're going to ask for a tip BEFORE we receive service maybe let the client know there will be no additional service given afterwards and basically you are volunteering yourself to say.. "Yes, I believe I do want to pay and additional 20% for the same meal for nothing in return"

The woman walking around didn't ask if we needed water or additional anything... This a restaurant or what?

I guess I'm taken aback by what would've been an automatic 18 percent minimum tip because that's the "NORM?" I wanted to leave a tip, but couldn't because now there's no way to leave a tip if I wanted to and I would have since I enjoyed my meal..

Words of my wisdom from a tip fatigued American.

Loose the pre tip before service is rendered, allow your waitress to use her smile and memory and tattoos to win over the client and work for her 18+%

My wife left a dollar. I told her no, since a dollar is like a smack in the face. Almost better to leave zero at that point. She declined..

Or... maybe that's just how things are done in Alaska... If so, be glad my stars given are still 5. My goal isn't to tank your business or Google rating (I know it can make you or break you). It's to make you better at it, or to make the client experience better.

1 more thing, please stop serving ketchup at a refrigerated temperature for hot potatoes.. Absolutely kills it. In general restaurants go through ketchup fast enough to not need it refrigerated. The vinegar will do it's thing.

Bottom line, I would love to go again. It was the best breakfast I've had in 10 days... Would you have me back, probably not lol.. I still left you 5 stars 😉 and want you to prosper.. You can't fix what you don't know is a...

If I could rate this place lower than 1 star I would. I have given this place two tries and both were less than satisfactory. The first time we went our food and drinks were cold when they were served to our table and 2/3 dishes had burnt items on the plate. We had gone close to their closing time, so we decided to give them a second chance earlier in the day to redeem themselves. We went in, it was fairly crowded, with about two people in line in front of us. We grabbed a menu from the counter which said “take me with you”, so we sat a small table while we decided what we wanted to eat. About 5 minutes later I went up to the counter to order. I was asking her what pastries she would recommend but she was distracted by another costumer who came up next to me to ask for a coffee refill. I waited a few minutes then resumed giving her my order. She continued to be distracted and interrupted me multiple times. After placing my order and paying she asked for my name and if I had a table, which I said yes, right over there. She rudely responded “ well that table actually belongs to the gentleman waiting on the bench. You have to order before you can sit at a table”. I apologized but said there is no sign stating this unspoken rule. We moved to the bench to wait for a table. A table then became available which she then gave us permission to sit down. We picked up our 2 coffee beverages which were both incorrect. We got the breakfast sando which was nothing special. As we were eating multiple other people came in and sat down at a table prior to ordering. Very poor system and poor costumer service. If you are going to have rules you have to be consistent. Definitely will not be eating here again...

Food is usually great and the atmosphere feels warm. Today the service from one specific server was rude/callous and my food got cold before I got it. I felt as if my order was purposely left to get cold while I waited in the front for them to call my order. Usually this complaint could be without merit considering the rush servers have to deal with. I understand things get busy but I watched anxiously for my order because I was running late. Just to find out they stuck it in their “to-go” drawer for 15 minutes. While I stood there.

I’m giving this one star for that specific server. And the other servers saying the called the order name. They did not! I wasn’t distracted I was literally 5 feet away from the counter. After 20 minutes I was wondering why it took so long to make eggs. First I blamed the rush then saw people who came in after me get their plates. That’s when I realized my order was never called even after getting glares from the server who took my order 20 minutes prior. I tried to get an update from the server and they just walked away from me.

Again, usually a good place to eat. I understand it’s difficult being in the service industry. But at least treat people with basic human decency. I will probably delete this review before long. I don’t believe this one interaction with a server merits a drop in ratings for...