The Riverhouse Cafe — Restaurant in Milford

Firehouse Café in Milford is the culinary equivalent of a hug from a friendly firefighter – warm, comforting, and always there when you need it. This isn’t just a café; it’s a local legend, where the staff, despite sometimes being outnumbered by the hungry hordes, battle the breakfast rush like culinary firefighters, extinguishing hunger with skill, speed, and a sprinkle of humor.

Upon entering the café, you’re immediately wrapped in an ambiance that feels like a quirky tribute to both firefighters and food. The décor is a charming mishmash of firehouse memorabilia and cozy diner, creating a vibe that’s both unique and inviting. It’s like eating in a museum where you can, thankfully, touch and taste the exhibits. The walls tell stories of heroic feats and breakfast feats, while the aroma of coffee and sizzling bacon writes a tantalizing narrative in the air.

The menu at Firehouse Café is a testament to classic diner fare, with a twist of home-cooked goodness that makes each dish feel like a creation from your grandma’s kitchen (if your grandma cooked in a firehouse). Their pancakes are so fluffy, they’re practically clouds on a plate, and their omelets are packed with ingredients and served with a side of witty banter from the staff. Even during a rush, with a staff team that’s sometimes more like a brave duo, every dish is served with care and a smile, making you feel like part of the Firehouse family.

But it’s not just the food that makes Firehouse Café a Milford must-visit; it’s the heart and soul poured into every aspect of the experience. The staff, though few, are mighty in spirit and efficiency. They multitask with the precision of a well-orchestrated ballet, all while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and friendliness. Their ability to remember regulars’ names and orders is akin to a superpower, making every patron feel like a VIP guest.

In short, Firehouse Café is more than a place to grab a bite; it’s a delightful escape where the coffee is always hot, the pancakes are always fluffy, and the service is always sprinkled with joy and jest. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Milford, a visit to Firehouse Café promises not just a meal but an experience that’s as heartwarming as it is delicious. So, grab a seat, order a cup of their finest brew, and enjoy the culinary coziness of this charming little...

Stopping at the Riverhouse Cafe was a the perfect t start to our day! We walked in and were greeted right away by the host. From there we were seated and the waitresses came up to us within the first three minutes of sitting down. We received our coffees right away. Additionally, I had questions about the menu, and the waitresses were able to answer all my questions and explain some of the items on the menu to me. Let’s get down to the food, my husband ordered the chicken fried steak breakfast. I was a little skeptical because we are from Texas (The home of chicken fried steak, lol) So I do not like trying it another states. But it was A big chicken fried steak that was pretty thick. The crust of the chicken fried steak was perfect, it was not greasy or soft! Additionally, the gravy has a really good flavor to it. Not peppered, but a little bit of sweetness, and you can completely tell that this gravy is house made! The hashbrowns were also very tasty. They were crispy on top but served as a thick so the internal layer was soft. I ordered the the Barnyard Riverhouse Stack and I was not disappointed! A river house stack is essentially a layer of their cheesy hashbrowns stuffed with the toppings that you choose from the different choices on the menu topped with another layer of cheesy hashbrowns. The barnyard included, bacon, sausage, eggs, and topped with their delicious country gravy. It was so good that I had to get an extra side of their country gravy to pour more on top. The bacon and the sausage were cooked just right, they were not too crispy nor were they undercooked, they were a perfect match for this dish. My son ordered a kids breakfast with hashbrowns, toast, scrambled eggs and bacon. He devoured it! As we were at the restaurant, the waitresses checked up on us a good amount of times, to make sure we were all squared away. On another note, this restaurant is located in a super cute area, filled with some little shops and serves as a cute environment...

Poor service and food. My "rare" burger was so, so overcooked, like beyond well-done with no pink, completely solid gray all the way through with that toughness that comes from overcooked meat. There were even some crispy black parts on the outside, almost as if it were an attempt at blackened or charred or chat broiled or something, when it was only supposed to be grilled. Service was strange and slow - our waitress came to take our drink order and when we stated that we were actually also ready to order our lunch because we knew what we wanted (due to having been seated for quite some time), the waitress refused to take our order because of something confusing and rude about there being other tables that were ahead of that needed to order first. In my experience, if you're seated first in a restaurant but not ready to order, and another table seated later is ready to order, the servers don't generally make all the other tables wait for you too catch up. Also, it just wastes time to not take an order that is ready, even if it isn't going to be immediately sent into the kitchen, because it forces the server to go all the way back and forth to your table a second time (which during a busy Saturday lunch rush is an egregious waste of time in my opinion) to come back for an order even though you were already ready to place it and nothing was stopping them from writing it down on their order pad and dropping it off in the kitchen whenever they were ready, even if it stayed written down in the pad for a few more minutes because they weren't ready to give it to the kitchen just yet. I would not recommend this place, nor will I ever go back when there are so many other restaurants in downtown Milford right...