Early Bird Cafe — Restaurant in Plastow

We’ve been going to Early Bird Cafe at 160 Plaistow Rd, Plaistow, NH for decades. It was our family favorite for generations. But after today’s visit, we will likely scratch it off our list. What was once a fresh and clean restaurant, seems to be getting tired and dirty and seems to have lost its heart. The wait help is always nice, I will always defend them, but the food has gone so far down hill over the years. The attention to detail is gone. I ordered one over easy egg which was cooked perfectly, I asked for a side of soft/wiggly bacon, which came hard and over cooked (see video), and a blueberry banana pancake, which came with a long hair on it (unfortunately I didn’t notice it till I’d already eaten 1/4 of it 🤢) but also, the pancake wasn’t as good as they used to be! There was barely any fruit and the actual batter had changed so that instead of being crispy on both side, with a high puffed airy center, it was pale, limp and had no puff. Believe me I’ve ordered tons of pancakes 🥞 there over the years and I know how they are supposed to be! Even without the hair it would have still been a disappointment. My hubs got hash n eggs and it was adequate, though dry, and one piece of French toast which he said tasted good. I can remember the day that they used to garnish every plate. Now it’s just plopped on a plate and set on the table. The bottom of my plate was a huge oil slick! I don’t know what they set it in, but there was a lot of oil on the table when I lifted my plate. Thank goodness I wasn’t wearing long sleeves. So…in conclusion…there are three other breakfast restaurants nearby, that are newer, cleaner, more up to date, and where they care more about what they’re serving to people. I would rather go to any of them before going back to Early Bird Cafe, unfortunately. I say it with sadness and nostalgia for the great place it used to be.

UPDATE: the hubs wanted to go back again. The experience was much better. First, it looks like they cleaned some. Not all, but some. They got rid of that horrible black smudge below the bar area, yay! Our table was still held together with duct tape…charm? I don’t think so, it’s still a place for germs, dirt, bacteria to grow, right next to where your food is served. They did clean and wax part of the floor. Positives: my bacon was cooked the way I asked. The server was very friendly. The food was overall better. Instead of putting that enormous amount of butter on the food, they now offer it in pats. All of these things were so much better and big bonus….drum roll…I didn’t get any hair in my food. 🎉🎉. Is it the best tasting food in the area? No. But it is an old...

Very busy on a Sunday morning 🌄. I would recommend you call ahead about wait time. They do not accept reservations. Check in with the host/hostess upon arrival. They will call you. I had a wait because the hostess checked in the people before me but I wasn't. I got her attention and she said a space was available at the counter. Check the board up front for specials. I ordered the breakfast 🍳 special, two 🕑 🥚 eggs with onions 🧅 and cheese 🧀 with toast and a side order. Sourdough and homefries. Bottomless coffee ☕, your choice of jam, preserves or jelly, multiple bread 🍞 for toast and choices on hot 🥵 sauces. Portion to price was good. Food tasted good 😋. Newspapers 🗞️ provided for customers. The staff and line cooks have a very efficient service. All of the staff were wearing facemasks. A customer forgot hers and she was provided one. Quick service and cleaning 🧹 after a customer leaves. My wait time for my breakfast 🍳 was short. Service was friendly. The phone 📞 must have rung every five 🕔 minutes for take out and questions. Diner was decorated for Easter. There isn't any plexiglass between booths. It's not an issue with me, but, if you are nervous about being close to others, I would recommend takeout. There was "social avoidance, err, distancing" in the waiting area. People were waiting outside to get in. Bathroom was "meh". I use to run janitorial crews so I noticed what was missed. Well stocked for supplies. Facemasks required to enter. I recommend a visit. Plaza parking 🅿️ lot has narrow spaces. Large vehicles beware that you may not be able to open your 🚪 doors if you park...

When going to a diner I want good service, quick food off the griddle and something that doesn't break my wallet, the Early Bird Cafe delivers on all of this! Especially the service, it was honestly the best service I've had at any restaurant including hi-end places. I got the Eggs Irish (eggs benny with corned beef hash) and cinnamon roll pancakes both of which were outstanding, definitely on the higher end of diner food that I've had, with the cinnamon pancakes being a unique item I have not seen offered in other establishments. The corned beef hash is made in-house which is evident from the taste in my opinion, although I found the hollandaise sauce to be equally good but different from what I've made at home. After asking, the wait staff confirmed that it's McCormick Hollandaise sauce, but it honestly tastes better then Hollandaise sauce I've had at any other diner so hats off to them. What really made the most difference to me between a 4 and 5 star however is the SERVICE and oh my goodness was it good. I'm a fairly neurotic customer myself and always like my water to be filled at all times and find I generally have to get up and ask for the check. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the wait staff work as a team rather than individuals: one getting my coffee, another getting extra napkins (when it was evident I needed them), one taking my order and everyone pitching in with water. They anticipated everything I needed without me needing to ask for a single thing, INCLUDING THE CHECK! Their service is legendary in my book, thus earning...