Butterhills Cafe Northbrook — Restaurant in Northfield Township

I had a voucher, when I arrived, for a free drink, and while the voucher was really old and I explained to the server that I'd understand if they didn't accept it, she said that it'd be fine, and I could have a free drink. So, I was really excited for what eventually turned out to be a great meal with an even better drink. And yet, the curtains were pulled on this sham of a restaurant when I received my receipt, showing my drink at full price, with no discount taken out. After I addressed this with my server who immediately denied any responsibility in this heist of my otherwise pleasant breakfast, I asked to see a manager, in the hopes of alleviating this problem and recommencing a fine and wholesome dining experience.

However, when the manager arrived, she criticized my thought that the voucher may not work--even while I addressed, prior to ordering the drink, it may not be a functional voucher, and I'd be happy to imbibe solely a glass of water, instead--and proceeded to demand that I pay full price for this drink. At this point, I knew that the family friendly atmosphere of Butterfields is nothing more than a charade, a ploy to reel in customers suspecting a discount, allow them to order with a discount in mind, and levy them with the full price of the meal, without giving them any chance at recourse. I had none of it.

I responded by repeating that I had ordered the drink with the clear and verbal understanding that it would be free, given the voucher, which I had clearly presented at the beginning of the meal. Once again, the manager attempted to force me into her utterly fallacious reality, in which I should somehow actually have to pay the whole price for the meal, but I reminded her, once again, that the understanding of the voucher had been clear and verbal. Finally, after her long-lasting attempts to harangue me and harass me into paying much more than I actually needed to, she allowed me to only pay what had always been clearly understood as the correct amount on the bill: the meal and the drink, minus the cost of the drink.

It's true: The problems I list here largely relate to a single voucher, and this reality may not be the case for every customer at Butterfields. But, this was a case of a server and a customer forming a strong relationship built upon trust for the duration of the meal, only to be shot down and concretized in harassment by the end of the morning. That trust is universal, for all dining establishments, built upon positive relationships between community members and their servers. However, it was nonexistent on that fateful morning at...

We had take out here several months ago and it was very good. So we decided to try dine-in. It was very disappointing; and needless to say we won't be returning here simply because there are plenty of other good breakfast places nearby to choose from (such as Walker Bros). We were here before the 'Church Crowd' and it was all hands on deck getting prepared for this 'Sunday Rush'. The problem was it came at our expense in terms of receiving basic service since our server was also partaking in getting everything ready; we had to keep waiving down someone for our coffee to be refilled. We were missing sugar, silverware, and napkins. The food was: Meh. The hashbrowns were cold. The scrambled eggs had no flavor, at all. And no one ever stopped by to see how everything was because they had more important duties to take care of in preparation of the expected Church Crowd. And this was not the servers fault - they were working very hard. We had front row seats. This was all on the Manager. We should've known we were not going to be happy when we asked for a 4-Top outside, but instead was shown a booth in the back corner next to the server's station. The restaurant was pretty empty, except for 2 other table of diners. So....we walked through an entire empty restaurant to the back corner. Also, the Manager decided his mask just covering his mouth, and not his nose, was good enough. So he probably also doesn't care about any of the food safety measures in the kitchen to protect our health, as well. Because, whatever they are doing in the BOH, is probably good enough. Our bill was almost $50. I would rather just go to a Dennys next time since my expectations will be better managed. Oh - they also have rocks in their bathroom sinks. Which I found pretty gross. I dont know how this could be acceptable. But, whatever. I did feel sorry for the...

Very Impersonal. Very few people inside at 10 am? Not a good sign !

Waiter aked me if I wanted coffee, it was poured in a Very small cup. However my wife sitting across from me, who doesn't drink coffee was NEVER asked what she wanted to drink. She had to wait until he came back, to take our food order. The ice tea finally arrived after i finished my first cup of coffee!

The ice tea glass was tiny, waiter says the big glasses break, so when a big glass came available I could get one he said. No apology- just a statement?

My wife drank her little glass of tea, when empty; the glass was visible to the many staff walking by including our waiter. Our waiter passed by three times- once saying "I will bring you a refill". He did not. I finally had to ask for it.

All our dirty dishes remained on the tables edge ready for removal,visibly to all the staff constantly walking by. No one picked them up till almost end of meal. Again restaurant was not busy.

My breakfast tasted like left overs & dry and the hash browns tasted old and freezer burnt! I asked for side of avocado and the waiter assured me there would be plenty for the cost of it. It was less than 1/2 an avacado? More like 1/4 piece.

Given a dirty spoon in my wrapped sealed napkin. I asked the waiter for a new one The waiter brought a fresh spoon back and lifted it up to my face with a remark "this is what it should look like". I really didn't need the new spoon in my face! Or the attitude!

I expressed my concern with my meal to the waiter. No appoplogies, but I was told my meal could be discounted 5% BUT "if I paid cash it would be more" How rude!

Definitely not going back.

Oh and in the washroom, outdoor rocks are in the sink!! Looked dirty and odd! So you wash up and the dirt and soap scum clings to rocks?! Yuck!

Must have changed owners. ...