The White Sheep — Restaurant in Orland Township

• lengthy post review*

The food is always tasty! I really enjoy their Hash Bowls and Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast. However, I was surprised and unhappy regarding the customer service I received involving a refresher drink I ordered.

I ordered the hibiscus passion fruit refresher. The item contains pink lemonade, hibiscus syrup, passion fruit syrup and it has a few hibiscus flowers on the top. The drink was extremely sweet. If I was able to drink it, I would have. I explained to my waiter that the drink was extremely sweet and asked could I get something else. She explained that per policy, if it’s made correctly by the restaurant, she can not provide the customer another drink.

She suggested that I add club soda to my drink to see if that would help with the taste. Even though I was reluctant, I decided to try it. OMG, it didn’t help and made it worse lol. I informed my waiter that I tried what she suggested and it didn’t help. I asked would it be possible for me to pick something else.

She then went to her manager to see what could be done. The manager came to me and suggested that I pour some water in the drink after I already explained what I tried to do to lessen the sweetness of the drink.

The manager reinforced what my waiter explained to me regarding no exchanges. She stated if it’s made correctly on their part, then basically they’re not liable. My question to her was, who determines if it’s made correctly? lol. She stated that the menu shows what’s in the drink. Yes, she is correct. However, it’s not like it shows the amount of syrups added or ratio of pink lemonade etc.

• I get really annoyed when people try to make unnecessary statements and try to provide a mediocre fact.**

She later came back and asked if I would like a donut. I explained that I don’t eat donuts, maybe another slice of French Toast? The only reason I said French toast is because, she offered me a donut versus another drink.

She left and came back stating the regional manager didn’t approve of that because the French Toast are made fresh in house and the cost varies. She then offered some coke products. By this time, I am exhausted from the unnecessary back and forth and said a Sprite would be fine.

She then brought me a small cup of Sprite. Sooo, I paid $6 for a small cup of Sprite lol. As stated before, I enjoy the food and have been going to White Sheep since the opening. However, the way my situation was handled put a nasty taste in my mouth. I wasn’t trying to get over or anything. I merely asked could I get something else to drink because the drink was extremely too sweet.

I don’t know if the policy is like that across the menu. However, just know, if you order a refresher and it’s too sweet, it’s too bad...

My review is based on two different dining experiences.

There first experience was in a Saturday for breakfast around 10AM. I was pleasantly surprised that the wait time for two adults and a child was only 15 minutes given the amount of people there were waiting outside.

Once seated, the server was very polite and took our drink order. It took an extremely LONG time to get the drinks (mimosas from the bar). The server even apologized for the wait. Then, once out food came out we were told that our pancakes would be out shortly and that the kitchen was a little busy. The food was delicious! Steak was tender and the Mac and cheese was PERFECT! While enjoying my food a dirty fork fell on my hair and then down my arm. Apparently the busboys were placing dirty plates on a ledge just behind me. He never apologized until I looked back and his apology was very careless. Also, we never received our pancakes which was disappointing and we had to remind our server. She apologized and packed them to-go. Based on the service during this experience I would have rated it a 3⭐️....

BUT, my husband and I really enjoyed our food that we wanted to give it another try just a few days later.

Our second experience was far different and for the better. The wait time was only 20 min on Memorial Day. We ordered drinks from the bar again and they came out in a timely manner. Our food once again was delicious. The portion sizes are perfect unlike many other breakfast places that are very oversized. Based in this experience I would have rated it a 5⭐️.

A few notes in the atmosphere: there are two outdoor dining areas, they have a beautiful arrangement of gourmet donuts, the tables are well spaced apart, the dining room is very airy with (2) living walls and features a couple skylights.

We have already talked about returning with friends and family. When I dine at a restaurant I expect consistency. I will update my review if the better...

Food: I ordered the Hangover Sandwich. It was very savory however I thought that the bread was extremely oily to the point that it was teetering on the edge of being soggy. I only had a few bites- I couldn't stomach the all the oil on top of all the mushy texture.... took it to go & reheating it in the air fryer gave the bread the crisp that it needed for a better texture contrast. My cousin ordered the Breakfast Gnocchi and she was obsessed with it. I tasted it and agreed that it was very thick and savory. I think it might be a very heavy dish on the stomach for the morning for me personally, but try it for yourself. My aunt ordered a custom omelette that seemed rather simple, however on a positive note she noticed that they didn't skimp her on the added ingredients to customize her omelette, but rather more than enough. I order the black and white latte which presented with whip cream and drizzle in the most adorable mug and it tasted great, so that I would recommend. The donuts here are the MAIN winning piece of this place for me. We each got a donut. Each one was perfectly fresh and fluffy. I've been craving another donut from there ever since...

Service: We had a very animated waiter who gave us a lot of insight into popular items ordered as well personal preferences on the menu. Checked on us frequently despite the packed room.

Atmosphere: If you don't come early, be prepared to make a reservation. This place gets packed and quick. Lots of open lighting and faux greenery. They have regular tables and booths available for seating. And for the ladies, there's a very cute honeycomb theme in...