Ghent Sandwich Shop, a Family Diner — Restaurant in New Bern

Walk in and the place is filthy. Carpet is fraying and coming up, scuff marks and splatters all over the walls. I ordered a basic grilled chicken garden salad. They serve it on a teeny tiny plate so I couldn’t toss it and the chicken tasted frozen. It made me have to use the rest room but judging by the appearance of the resturaunt I was too scared to use their restroom. My husband got a chicken sandwich and they charged us extra to put mayo, lettuce, and tomato on the sandwich?!?? This place robs people. What you pay for is not even what you get. Most of the customers there were older folks and it’s a shame especially for them that they could have gone to the grocery store and made their food better themselves. As we were seated the waitresses were fighting in the back so loud you could hear in the dining room. There is no professionalism here. Waitresses didn’t have uniforms, none of them knew which table they were waiting on. They were all rude because I guess we weren’t “local enough” We waited forever to get our check so we could leave and once we paid the extreme attitude from the cashier came out. They said they have a new “chef” he looks to be about 16 years old and if he can’t make a basic salad or a basic sandwich then this place needs to see Gordon Ramsy!!!! Awful most disgusting food and service I’ve ever had. Definitely won’t be back.. ever!!! They don’t use thermometers to check their meat either. We know this because my husband chicken breast was cut almost in half. How can you run a kitchen without following food safety and having basic equipment to make sure food...

We went for breakfast this morning and the service left a lot to be desired. We ordered and my French toast came out 10 mins prior to my husband's food. The waitress that brought mine asked if I wanted powdered sugar and I said no. I felt like she dropped it in front of me. Never offered syrup or anything. I waited until my husband's food was brought out to get any. They kept walking past the table but never asked if I needed anything thing. By the time I was able to eat mine it was cold. My husband ran out of tea and didn't not have any to finish his mean. We had to ask for the check as she walked past the table. She then preceeded to stop and carry on a casual conversation to a table of 2 that obviously they all know because they got a free meal. There were 2 waitresses and they were not full. One had time to be on her phone up against the bar and carry on a conversation able a house. She picked up someone's food made it halfway across the the restaurant and walked back to the window to continue the conversation instead of delivering food. When we checked out the lady at the register, I assuming an owner or manager, asked how things were. My husband said food was good but that's all I can say. She ignored it and never asked what was wrong. Just means there is no intention on improving. I know everywhere is short staffed, we just got back from NH where there was only 1 waitress most places we ate. We never gave out of anything. They run there butts off and they were not on their phone and carrying on conversation...

First the good news. This cafe has an atmosphere I enjoy, small town old school style. The employees are great, friendly and efficient. The prices are reasonable. Now the not so good news: I have eaten here three times, twice with someone else, once alone. When my wife and I had lunch, she didn't care for her meal and mine was forgettable enough that I can't remember it. When I had breakfast there recently I tried the hubcap pancake... don't bother. It's as bland as it is big. Not a bad place, but if you want Good rather than just filling, I suggest going on down the road.

Follow up to owners response:

My response to the accusation that I brutalized a pancake by ordering a piece of ham is simple: I didn't ask for the ham to be cooked on or served on the pancake and it was not. The ham was served on a separate saucer. Sorry you are so sensitive, but please don't...