Brookside Cafe — Restaurant in Norwood

Brookside Cafe is a great breakfast place and the food is good but not great. I have been going to Brookside over 4 years now and it is a family Sunday tradition. The reason for my three star rating is more than just the food and I will explain.

If I wrote this review four years ago, I would have given Brookside '5' stars. The food was excellent, coffee was great and the overall quality was decent for breakfast.

Over the last few years I have watch Brookside's quality go down and the 'up charges' go up. The pancake syrup use to be name brand, now it is not and this is the case for a lot of other products. The cost for sides and extras is crazy where you pay anywhere from $1.50 to $4.00 for sides! Finally the cost of coffee is staggering! $2.05! When you look at the bill for your breakfast and 15% of the cost is coffee, that is crazy! Remember the days when the 'special' breakfast included the coffee? Let's face it, the coffee brewed at Brookside is a write-off. The coffee is horrible! Hopefully they take this as constructive criticism and attempt to fix. We are not looking for Starbucks, just a decent cup of flavorful coffee.

The food is another area for debate. The quality really depends on who is cooking. The weekend cook is typically the best. I have gone on weekends and weekdays. The weekdays are inconsistent with food quality. Recently we have watched the quality of the food on the weekends go up. I think it is because they recently hired a new cook along with a veteran cook. End of the day the food is decent but not the best and is definitely not the quality it once was.

The cost is a bit high in my opinion, especially for a business where the food cost overhead is a bit more predictable. The average cost of a typical breakfast with coffee is ~$12.00 (no tip) depending what you order. That is almost $30 with tip for two people to eat a simple breakfast that consist of 2-3 eggs, two pieces of toast, maybe a meat and potatoes. I would wager to bet the actual cost is less than $1.00 and if you add meat, maybe $1.50 (based off my household costs). You add on the cost of the help and the overhead and OK, maybe the cost makes sense but end of day, it is high. A simple thing like including the coffee goes a long way.

The best place I have ever eaten breakfast is a place called Renee's Cafe in Somerville, MA. My advice to the owner of Brookside is to go eat there one day and you will see why. Same with the Spot Cafe in Watertown. What makes them different than the usual Breakfast place? They add in value with a unique offering. At Renee's it is they creative dishes with fresh ingredients. At the Spot it is their bread. Brookside has the potential to be more than just a diner style breakfast place. Source your bread from a local Norwood business the Breadbasket Bakery with is owned by a Norwood resident. Get Bagels from the Spot. Get your coffee from Perks. Offer up gluten free options. The options are endless! End of day, breakfast while simple, is a fun american tradition that many do! Why...

Neighborhood Favorite with Hearty Portions & Friendly Vibes

We visited Brookside Cafe twice during our stay, and each visit reaffirmed why this spot is beloved in the neighborhood—everyone is incredibly friendly, and it genuinely feels like “everybody knows everybody.”

First visit: I had the Steak & Eggs—a generous portion of tender sliced steak served with two eggs and hash browns—exactly the hearty breakfast you want to power through a busy morning. My girlfriend opted for the Breakfast Burrito Wrap (packed with eggs, ham, sausage, onions, peppers, and potatoes, plus salsa and home fries), which was so large neither of us could finish it

On the Second visit: I went for the Brookside Sampler, a classic combo of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, hash browns, and two buttermilk pancakes—the ultimate comfort breakfast that’s perfect for sharing . My girlfriend once again chose the burrito—and surprise—it was still too big the second time!

A fun little local touch: some folks just pop in daily for a muffin—it’s clearly a community staple.

What stood out:

Hospitality is top-notch—staff greet you like family in this cozy setting.

Portions are enormous—you’ll leave full and satisfied, especially if you’re hungry.

Menu has serious variety—from classic steak & eggs to sampler platters, burritos, pancakes, omelettes, everything feels fresh.

If you're in Norwood or passing through, Brookside Cafe is a must for breakfast—just come prepared for big servings and a...

BEST BREAKFAST IN NORWOOD! Just Left The Brookside. Go there 3 or 4 Times a month. NEVER been disappointed. I had The Bacon Tomato and Cheddar Omlette with a Side of Mike's Famous Home Made Hash. My Son had Steak Tips and Scrambled. I am what a kind person would call a pORtLy gentleman. I would post a pic but I don't want to Scare the children. The Brookside is ALWAYS Clean, service is great, and the food is incredible. Mike's Home Made Hash brings tears to my eyes. It's The Hash Nana always tried to make but couldn't get right. Seriously it's Outstanding. Mike stopped by the table this morning and gave us a wink and a nod. Hard workin Classy Guy.The staff is friendly and always refilling coffee etc.If you're lookin for a Step UP from the Usual try The Brookside. You WON'T be...