The National Cafe — Restaurant in Milwaukee

Me and my husband decided to try it because it was close to our home and we are trying new things, and honestly, I did hate everything about the experience!

The space: it was a cozy , but tables are really close to each other. They have 3 church benches with 4 tables displayed in each of them, so there is not a lot of space to have a good conversation and relax, it’s LOUD and really uncomfortable, there is no personal space at all, this was a big con for me.

The service: they were friendly, but I think it’s kinda “abusive” to charge at least 15% tip when the restaurant expects you to clean your table...

The wait: we waited, at least 20 minutes for our cappuccinos, they were good, but didn’t really worth the wait.

The food: same thing, it’s good, but it doesn’t really worth the experience. I ordered a salmon toast, it was 12 dollars for a single toast with a chunck cold salmon piece, tomatoes, onions and a sauce I couldn’t really taste. I honestly expected more! My husband ordered the stuff French roasts and he said the ham didn’t feel fresh.

The price: we payed 35 dollars for our meal, in Milwaukee you can get much better food at this price. We didn’t feel like it worth it.

If you are looking for a new experience, it can be a good one, the place looks really nice and it’s definetely cool to take pictures, food is good too (even though I thought they look better on the internet). If you are looking for a good experience, I don’t recommend, we just wanted to start our days in a positive way and we got really frustrated. . . [EDIT 1] Since the house answered and I can’t answer back I’ll just add more here: As a not white person, living in the neighborhood (mostly poor and non white), I think you are really misunderstood of what “social business” model is. I was one the few non white there, I feel like as a social business, you should at least care more about it. A social business offers free coffee for neighbors looking for job, for example. What social acts are you working on? Charging 12 dollars on a single toast is not social, despite what you are saying on your profit. And this is the main problem of the business, you expect people to thank you for doing a business based in a nice speech and “somewhat” different food that is not really that different.

I didn’t say it wasn’t good or I wasn’t expecting it cold, I just said I WAS NOT IMPRESSED! And I’m still not, using a real good quality cucumber doesn’t make it taste differently at all!

About the cappuccino: I didn’t wait 20, I wait 17...you shouldn’t wait more than 5 for a cappuccino!

About the tip: if you are working on a self service basis, do a tip jar, but suggesting a 15% on the payment screen tip and expecting people to be “polite” just because you have a “social business” is pathetic!

I don’t care about being right or wrong, I had an horrible experience...and you keep making it worse.

You should be worried in make your business better, if “client is always right” was your politic, maybe it would be a less...

For a while there, the National seemed to change its menu to have less vegan options and we then stayed away, but I'm happy to say they've reversed that trend and now have MORE vegan options! I ordered for the first time the Vegan Brekkie Sammy and it was wonderful. It was hearty and filling and genius - veggie sausage patty on top of hash browns, smothered in guac! Um, YAY! I hope they keep this trend up so I can keep coming back. I also tried their Vietnamese Baguette, which I believe can also be called a Banh Mi - fantastico! With all the delicious vegan "meats", "fish" and "cheeses" available now, I hope they will soon offer vegan versions of their Muffaletta, BLT, and Panini. And if they used Good Catch brand "tuna" think of the mind-blowing tuna salad sandwich they could make!!! Creative chefs at The National coming up with vegan meals that everyone will crave. Just need to get a tiny bit more creative with the new ingredients out there. If Vanguard can make mouth-watering vegan brats and sausages, I have faith that The National can make a Good Catch Tuna Sandwich that will melt my face off! I also must mention that they’ve changed the interior of the cafe a bit. The cold case is gone and a bar or counter is in its place. There is contactless ordering and paying at the table where you seat yourself. They still have a server bring your food out to you, though, but on busy days you will have to wait kind of a long time. The giant menu board that used to hang above the cold case is gone, too, since you don’t come up to the cash register to order or pay anymore. All good things to keep people safe. Thank...

As an out-of-towner, I am trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, and hoping I came on an off day.

Things I wish I knew beforehand: There are no menus or service. Even for dine-in, you must order entirely from your phone and bus your own table. If you have any dietary restrictions or concerns, the online menu will not have enough information to guide you. You will have to find a way to approach the waitstaff, and even polite questions or requests will be met with disdain. Unless you place a single online order, for the full table, food will be served at vastly different times. You will have to make the decision whether to let your food go cold, or be done eating long before the rest of your table is served. Even if the restaurant seating is at half capacity, you may have to wait upwards of 45 minutes for very simple food.

As for the meal. I ordered the chorrizo sandwhich. It didn't taste bad, but it wasn't what I was expecting either. It was basically a sloppy joe, with the strongest notes being catsup and sugar. I've had deeper and richer flavor profiles over a boy scout's campfire. I hope other items on the menu bring more to the table.

Pros: The coffee was good. It's the perfect atmosphere if you're craving a dine-in experience, but hate the idea of service or basic human interaction.

Cons: You may have to wait an inexplicably long time for food that feels like it was tossed together in...