The Porch — Restaurant in Mansfield

My daughter was admitted to the Hospital on an emergent basis across the street from The Porch. I flew in to be with her and had been there all week. During this time I'd walked and eaten at a few places. 10/08/23, I decided that I would give them a try for breakfast. My server was Claire. I ordered breakfast sampler. I asked if their Key Lime pie was available, she stated she would check. The grits could be poured from the bowl into my plate, the 2 slices of bacon were the consistency of jerky, and the sausage was a hockey puck. The pancake was so cold that the scoop of whipped butter NEVER melted. I don't know why she thought any of this food was servable. The eggs were palatable. She said that she would bring me another pancake and some hash browns. The hash browns were both burnt and cold, I have no idea how that happened nor do I understand why she felt that I would eat them. She never came back. I came in to pay and reminded her that she never brought my pancake. She asked did I want it to go, I said no, but I would like my bill so that I could pay. She proceeded to ring the purchase up and told me the amount due. Again, I asked, can I have my bill. That's when she forgot that she was the HELP, and that she unfortunately had to be off service. She said that they were busy and that I was being difficult. I reiterated again, and reminded her that everyone else had a bill, and can I please have my bill. Meanwhile, I also reminded her that she was supposed to check to see if they had the Key Lime pie. She said that she had forgotten, and yes, they do have it. I told her that I would like two pieces and did they put whip cream on it. She said no, but I could add it for a charge. I said that I didn't want the whip cream. When she brought the pies to me she adjusted the total price for the bill and said what the total was. Again, I said, can I have my bill. I still don't understand why was it so difficult for her to extend to me the small itemized document that everyone receives. I asked her how much was the pie, she said 1.99 each and finally gave me my bill. I asked her again how much was the pie and she repeated, 1.99. I then showed her the bill and asked her why does it indicate 9.99 for two slices of Pecan pie, I ordered Key Lime pie. She said oh yeah, that's how much it is, (good help and competent people are so hard to find). I told her, I don't want the pie, she said you don't want the pie, I said no, I just want to pay for my food. She was irritated because I no longer wanted the pie. She printed a new bill and I paid. Monday, 10/09/23, my daughter-in-law called to speak to the manager regarding the disrespectful treatment that I received the previous morning. She spoke to Angie, who stated that she was the manager. She explained everything that had occurred. Angie apologized and said that I could come back and receive the meal and the pies for the inconvenience and the unacceptable food that I had received. When I got there, I asked for Angie. When she came I asked her if we could speak outside. Once outside I told her that I didn't want any food, but I did want to explain the experience that I had with one of her employees and the fact that she served me food that should never have left the pass. As we were talking a different employee came outside and said that she was needed for something. I understood, she said she would be back. I waited, then I went inside and waited. What I didn't know is that while I was waiting they called the police for disturbing the peace and failure to leave. It's unfortunate when someone who believes that they are superior to others, finds themselves being the HELP, the one who because of their poor choices in life have to serve people that they believe is beneath them. That is what the staff at this particular establishment personifies. They may serve customers from all races, but trust and believe, they stand behind some of the most racist standards that I have encountered. This could've ended very negatively because they LIED to the police. Check food...

Very disappointing. First visit after driving by, so dropped for a quick pick up for lunch. Ask for recommendations from the menu and was promptly told the pot roast, so I ordered.

The wait was almost 20 minutes. Never offered to 'sit' and wait, so I stood at the front door.

Collected my money before the food came out or I probably would have left (lunch breaks at hospitals aren't that long). Asked the hostess if she could check on it, but gave me the 'You're being a bother. There's another order being filled,' glare, but she did. (BTW, my order was taken at least 5 minutes before this person arrived. Maybe it was an online order, but she still left only moments before my order was up. Nothing like being pushed aside and told so-- someone else is more important.)

Came back with an answer of, 'less than 5 minutes.' 7 minutes after they collected my money, my food arrived.

Watched as the server brought the to-go pack, swinging the package at an angle, and I KNEW there would be gravy all over the packaging/contents. Sure enough there was.

The pot roast was mediocre at best (tasted frozen, thawed and reheated), and the extremely small portion was propped on two thick slices of bread. For $12.99 with 2 sides, I expected "home cooking" portions (or at least something close to it), but this was barely a small portion. Took 4 small bites to eat the pot roast. (I'm not a large person and cannot gulp food.)

I chose green beans and cabbage as my sides. I was duly warned they were cooked with bacon. I was okay with that (that's how I cook), but... again the portions were tiny, and there was so much bacon grease and overcooked, both tasted like an ashtray smells.

Overall, too pricey for lunch, portions are not commiserate with pricing, service much less than excellent. Needless to say, I made a mistake and...

Meh. If you're not a discerning diner then this could be for you. I went once when they first opened this location and had an issue that I can no longer recall, and, it seems those issues haven't been corrected. To start, the menu is a bit misleading in it's descriptions. Several breakfast dishes are described to have items served atop quesadillas and that is not really what they are. Layers of tortilla and cheese, but, not quite a quesadilla. Second, the server, when asked whether they were corn, or, flour tortillas indicated the former, but, alas, the dish was served with the latter (not a good sign). Thirdly, the home fries were, literally, deep fried diced potatoes (probably frozen); unseasoned and unappealing. Next, my dish; the Texas Scramble. Oy. Scrambled eggs served atop a chicken fried steak atop flavorless, unseasoned, (possibly fresh), but, definitely undercooked hashbrowns atop unbuttered toast. The hashbrowns were described to contain jalapenos. One might assume they were sauteed with the potatoes, but, no, they were just dropped on the unseasoned potatoes resulting in a wholly unremarkable, if not disappointing, meal. As a corporate Executive Chef, one of my goals is that food is seasoned and flavorful enough that a diner need not add salt. Lastly, the place has no heart. There is just no ambience. The light fixtures don't match, or, compliment the stark, open ceiling decor. All in all, I'm not impressed. The Burleson location was better, and has more charming appeal, but, haven't been...