Cafe One Eight — Restaurant in Lancaster

Been coming here...5 or 6 years? Finally decided to give a review as my feelings have changed on the location.

It's really gone downhill in the last year or so. I used to come in every day to get my coffee before classes and the occasional meal. Everyone was really nice and actually knew me after a bit and it felt nice to have a place to go to for studying and work and I didn't feel like I was taking up space when all I could afford was a cup of coffee and sit there for hours. Food was always delicious, atmosphere was AMAZING and the staff was super friendly. This was always my #1 recommendation for a café and breakfast in the city to anyone I could brag about the place to. Well that's changed a lot since then. Mind you I spent my entire undergrad coming here.

I've noticed in the past year it's really not as friendly as it once was, as I still came here since starting my career. All the familiar faces I knew are gone and the staff that's replaced are not friendly or inviting. They're really not. It makes me sad to see other reviews reflect the same opinion. They're very short, and it feels like an inconvenience to stand there thinking about my order if I have to. I haven't sat down to eat there since last summer due to how the vibe had changed and switched mainly to to-go orders as I still wanted to support the business. But as of late even going to get my to-go order just feels off. You don't even get acknowledged half the time anymore and even if you do it just feels forced.

The baked oatmeal is still amazing, and the food is still pretty good. But I don't know...cafes in the city really don't have the same warm and inviting atmosphere as they once did. Starbucks is in fact more friendly and I find that same warmness I used to...

The menu was simple yet thorough. Typically, a small menu leaves somebody in your group having to compromise, but I was happy to see there was an option for every taste. The cafe interior was full of happy patrons. A good sign that I was in for a good meal. Everything was clean and the staff was attentive and courteous. I was feeling a vegetarian meal tonight, and the only veggie spot I was familiar with in Lancaster was a place called "Root". Root is a great place to go if you and your friends' diet is geared only towards vegetarian or vegan dishes. Yet, the varied offerings from Cafe One Eight gives you a place to take everyone. Which, in my opinion, makes it a far more sensible choice for the everyday bite. The vegan lentil soup was thick, but still thoroughly moist. Well seasoned, as a potage should be. Seldom does a vegan soup sooth your soul on a 20° evening. I found my hunger, as well as my apprehensions, were completely settled. So satisfying, I had to save the salad I had ordered for a few hours later. My maple tahini bowl salad was mixture of thoughtfully prepared ingredients. While served separated, sitting side by side in stark contrast to one another, complimented each other the way friends from different walks of life do. The stress of the day had been completely masked over by the many tastes this single dish offered. If I didn't live two hours from Lancaster, I would be strongly consider eating here every time my day needed a...

Today was the second time I have been to this location. I was at it once before and was not the biggest fan of the drink that I had purchased. I have ordered this drink other places and it did not taste the same or remotely close. The drink is called a London Fog. So I just didn't go back until today. They are one of the only cafes open in Lancaster with inside seating available. I was killing time before a doctors appointment and needed to get some computer work done. So I gave it a second chance. The experience I had today was wonderful. The baristas were friendly, kind, and answered all the questions I had. This time I tried another regular drink I get and it was really great honestly. I also purchased food this time as well. My only other complaint is that even though the food I ordered tasted great it was overpriced for the portion size. I don't eat a lot in general so that should say something. My suggestions would be to lower food costs slightly and work on the london fog recipe. But again to each there own. Others may love the prices and the london fog. Its just not my cup of tea. LOL You see what I did there?! Anyways I will be back again I just may not get food next time. That is why I rated Cafe One...