Rise Cafe — Restaurant in Mooresville

I had extremely high expectations of the Rise Cafe as the menu looked amazing and all the Google reviews are extremely positive, so my husband and I made a visit on Saturday morning. We got there around 10:30AM and were seated quickly but asked to move to a back booth b/c the sun was BLAZING in through the windows, increasing the temp by about 20 degrees. The lady who came to take our drink order threw down the menus, didn't greet us or tell us her name, and asked what we wanted to drink in a manner that made it seem like she was SUPER busy; in fact, the whole place seemed extremely chaotic, despite there being at least 3 other servers and a GM walking the floor and about 4 or 5 open tables at any given time (up until we left).

Now on to the food. The coffee was the worst I've EVER had, including that from gas stations and hotels - incredibly bitter even after adding 6 creamers and a BUNCH of sugars. At one point the GM came to check on us so we requested more creamers, but she never came back so we wound up asking another server to get them for us (which he thankfully did). I got the cinnamon roll waffle, which was actually pretty tasty (and fluffy), but the sausage patties (that were an extra $2, which wasn't mentioned or I would NOT have ordered them) were PAPER thin and overcooked. My husband got the southern omelet with grits and Texas toast and the omelet was also ok, but the grits were obviously the cheap kind and had been reheated, due to the texture.

The total was around $36 if you paid with cash but there was an added charge for CC payments, bringing that total to $38ish (which is NOT right - you don't make your customers cover the CC processing fee at a RESTUARANT). Luckily we had cash so we brought it up to the front and asked the girls if we could just leave it - the blank look they gave us, you would have thought we had just asked if we could pay with gold coins. Everyone there seemed like they were either too good or too busy to help us (except for the aforementioned guy who got us the creamer - I didn't get his name but I know he had tattoos on his arms). It may sound like I'm being harsh but both my husband and I have worked at every kind of restaurant imaginable - from cafes to fine dining and everything in between - and we have also patronized all sorts of restaurants all over the country - and the service and food we got here was some of the worst we've ever received. We rarely tip less than 15% but just didn't feel it was worth leaving more than 10% - and it could have been easily remedied by just a little more courtesy (or eye contact), and slightly better food! Sadly, we will not...

Rise Café is a locally owned spot with a great story behind it. Owned by Lake Norman/Charlotte native Christina Bartolotta and her husband, Titus, Rise Café has two locations, one in Mooresville and another in Huntersville. I was hosted at the Mooresville location, where I had the pleasure of meeting Christina and hearing about her journey from childhood homelessness to military service, food service, car dealership management, culinary school, and ultimately, realizing her dream of opening Rise Café.

The menu offers a solid selection of breakfast and lunch favorites, all scratch-made and prepared to order. Breakfast choices range from omelets, waffles, and Benedicts to hearty platters and breakfast sandwiches. The lunch menu features hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, salads, and even a build-your-own sandwich option. Their kitchen is gluten-free friendly for those with sensitivities, featuring a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

Service was exceptional, with my waitress Georgiana being an absolute sweetheart, checking in just the right amount to make sure I was enjoying my meal. I started off with a glass of chocolate milk, which was generously portioned and served with an adorable heart-shaped straw. I was also treated to a strawberry hot chocolate, served in a large mug with a giant marshmallow on top. Rich, creamy, and indulgent, it was everything you'd want in the perfect hot chocolate on a cold winter day.

For my meal, I ordered the Southern Omelet, which was cooked exactly how I like it, fluffy but not too airy. Stuffed with sausage, onions, peppers, and plenty of American cheese, it hit the spot. Speaking of cheese, I opted for grits with mixed cheese as my side, and they did not disappoint. A nicely browned layer of cheese on top, creamy grits inside, and an impressive cheese pull made them a standout.

Rise Café and the Bartolottas take pride in sourcing quality ingredients, and the care put into every dish is evident. If you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying breakfast or lunch in a welcoming space, this spot is well...

Monday I stopped by Rise Cafe after a recommendation from a friend. They told me to ask for the "tall country girl with dark hair" lol they couldn't remember her name. Well her name is Amanda and she is tall and country 😂, but more than that she is an amazing server. The place was packed and she was on the move non-stop to tables, the kitchen, the register and even to hold the door!! She kept a smile on her face even though you could clearly see she was working hard! Not only that but the Manger/cook even came out to bring a couple tables food. When the crowd started to dwindle down another kitchen staff member (I later learned her name was Ms. Kathy) came out and started clear tables. It was amazing teamwork!

I sat there enjoying the coffee, she never let run out, and watched. Amanda then brought me a special St. Patrick's Day surprise!! A shamrock ☘️ shot!! She explained the day before her and the Manager (Kayla, I think) were brain storming on what to do and they came up with this delicious treat!! Key lime pie with Andes candy and pistachio crumbles in an espresso cup. It was so cute and surprisingly very tasty!!!

I just wanted to give these fine ladies a huge shout out for all the hard work and...