Penelope's Lil' Cafe — Restaurant in Lincoln

I like to start with the best part of the experience! Service wins here!

Service 5* The cafe was super busy, the servers were working their tails off trying to get food out and make sure customers were taken care of. Our server was very friendly and checked in a few times throughout the meal.

Atmosphere 4* On a Sunday morning it was super busy, which is always a good sign! Restaurant was clean, a few places inside for parties to wait on a table. I like that you just sign in yourself. 😃

I personally don’t like the small tables right next to others. I enjoy a little space between me and other diners. It was a colder morning, think in the 30’s. With all the people in and out I never could get comfortable, even leaving my jacket on the whole meal.

Food: 4* Eggs, hash browns, and toast were great! Over easy eggs were cooked well, hash browns were crispy. I was really excited for the funnel cake French toast, however it had an over oily taste to it. Not sure if it was older oil, or just wasn’t drained after pulling.

Husband said his chicken fried steak was similar to other restaurants. I enjoyed the crispy shell, but the gravy was not my favorite due to the consistency.

I would try this restaurant again, we were talking with a family in the waiting area (before eating) and they go here every Sunday. Heard another server say “see ya next Sunday” to another customer as they were leaving. They clearly have great service here and connection...

Husband wanted to substitute somethingon on his order asked the waitress (Dee) she gave a weird looked and said “we don’t substitute”. I ordered a veggie burger, the pattie tasted like meat and waited for the waitress to ask what was the pattie made of but she took so long to go back (there were only like 4 more tables with customers and another waitress) I asked another waitress that was walking by she said she was going to find out what they were made of but never came back. I ended up not eating the pattie I’ve had many veggie hamburgers at different restaurants but this one did tastes like meat like tuna with chicken. Coffee tasted like it was burnt. We were surprised because the reason we chose that restaurant to go to was because of the good reviews. A nice waitress would’ve made a difference but since she was rude since the beginning and took forever to check on us we didn’t feel confortable asking her about the veggie pattie or letting her know about the coffee. Oh, my husband had to get up to get napkins since the waitress took forever to...

This small eatery is a hidden favorite in Lincoln. The management cares for the staff like family, and in turn this is reflected how customers are treated here; like family. They have traditional American style breakfast and lunch menu items. Thursday through Sunday they offer a fried chicken dinner, that I feel is in the the top three for small to mid-sized non-commercial restaurants in Lincoln. Beer and Liquor are served here. Mimosa and Bloody Mary's are the house specialties.

Getting a table here can be fairly fast. They can accommodate large parties, but I would call in advance to notify them so they can arrange the seating. Saturday and Sunday can be very busy. They have limited seating at the bar and seasonal patio tables.. Parking at the location can be tight. There is street parking and a parking lot across the street you can utilize. Avoid parking at the car wash next to the restaurant at all costs.

If you plan on meeting family, friends. Planning a business lunch, or treating yourself. Penelpe's is the...