Hoot Owl Cafe — Restaurant in Ponderay

We arrived just before 1pm knowing they served until 2, and wanting brunch. There was a person behind the counter that gestured to the area of the restaurant where we should go while counting out her bills on the front counter getting ready to leave for the day. The host was great and probably the only saving grace from the experience, filled our coffee after the server never came back and got us water when it was empty. Ordered eggs over medium and they came out barely over easy with uncooked runny whites. When our sides arrived the hollandaise looked like it had been microwave boiled and doused with paprika to cover it up. The avocado side for $2.25 was barely 1/4 of an avacado...crazy and I asked if that was all and the server was just like, yep that's it. The toast wasn't even toasted. The bacon was excellent, but hard to get over undercooked eggs especially these days. By the time the server came back to check on how we were doing, she had brought our check to drop it off...and had never to that point asked how everything was...am I supposed to, then, send back these eggs? I've been here 20 minutes since getting my food with no check in, no warm up on my coffee, some 13 year olds sweeping and clanging chairs behind me closing the dining room we were still eating in...clearly everyone is trying to leave already. Luckily my date had ordered extra eggs and those ones were cooked, but also her toast wasn't even toasted...so weird. Look up and the gross fake deer, fluorescent light bulb fixtures and every window sill and chachke is covered in dust. Wanted so bad to love the place and we're pretty humble patrons but these guys seem like they checked out and stopped trying a long time ago, and it's basically the first day of summer. No spring cleaning? Manager or owner maybe just sitting at the end of the diner counter while everyone else is working to leave for the day an hour before close? Needs a deep clean and an attitude adjustment in my opinion. People shouldn't just be expected to pay and tip if you aren't going to try. Better off going into town and being overcharged but getting cooked food and good service...

Only went there once. Got pancakes 🥞 ,they were good but they heat the syrup (not maple) in its plastic container in a crock pot. I'm surprised the health department let this slide. How much of the leached plastics ends up in the syrup? I talked to the owner about this and she was ok with it. She was ok with it since the health department didn't have a problem with it. Made me wonder what else slides by. My other problem was an employee eating opposite of me while the place was packed. I found it odd that employees take a break during such a busy time ,usually restaurant employees take a break when the rush slows so the service doesn't suffer and didn't like the employee sitting three feet in front of a customer eating. I've worked in the restaurant business for many years and find this place is ok with such low standards. It's very busy all the time so I guess this is passable for some. I won't be back.

Ok so I got a reply and I do have to apologize for my post. I assumed that the things were still the same as when I went in four years ago. My bad I was happy to hear you've changed what I wrote about. BUT I did read the other comments that did a one star and didn't like their experience . The one thing I noticed that you respond like you did with me a negative demeaning comment. You know people read these and how does that look replying in a negative way? The comment I got mentioned that a small town eatery may not be for me. So by that I should expect less in a small town restaurant than any other restaurant? That's the best you can do from my reply? So if my reply was valid I think the response could have been a lot better. You seem to put down those that don't give you a good review with a negative response. If you have given a better reply I would have considered another visit. Well that's out the window for me and your place isn't the only place in town. Suggestion, Maybe you should have someone else respond to you...

Charming Local hole in the wall with Big Hearty Portions! and Friendly Service

The Hoot Owl Café is exactly the kind of place I hope to find on a road trip :) — a cozy, rustic mom-and-pop diner that feels like stepping back in time (in the best way). It’s a standalone wooden building with lots of fresh flowers out front and cute, quirky signs inside that give it a 50s farmhouse vibe. Even the mismatched stools at the counter add to the charm.

The atmosphere is warm, comfortable, and welcoming. Everyone working there was incredibly friendly, and you can tell this place has a loyal local following. There are indoor restrooms, and the whole café is clean and inviting.

Now for the food — huge portions, homemade goodness, and great prices. My cousin ordered the smaller portion of the chicken fried steak, and it still took up three-quarters of a long plate. The hashbrowns were piled an inch high, crispy and perfect. I had a full breakfast plus one of their giant homemade cinnamon rolls to go — seriously, it nearly filled an entire takeout box and was light, fluffy, and delicious.

They make their own biscuits, the orange juice was real O.J. and reasonably priced, and when I went up to pay with cash, the cashier surprised me by taking the drinks off the bill — a rare and much-appreciated gesture!

All in all, a fantastic local breakfast spot with great food, generous portions, and genuine hospitality. My full meal plus the cinnamon roll came to just $22 — a steal for what you get. If you’re in the Sandpoint area, don’t miss the Hoot Owl Cafe! While they are mostly for breakfast, they did have a burger and other lunch items and I believe they close at 2 o’clock or...