Perkins American Food Co. — Restaurant in Sioux Falls Township

We went last night 6/25/25. The food was great, as at any Perkins. Overall environment was great too!

But 2 issues were: staff mishandling being understaffed/too busy, and hearing/seeing what's going on in the kitchen/back area.

I've been a server for years at a similar restaurant style to Perkins so I understand how it goes. They were short staffed (understandable that it happens) but there was an employee (seemed like a host) that was cleaning tables (when there were still available tables) or not doing anything, and he should have been helping get drink orders for us and 3 other tables not yet served in our section. Also, he was not at all friendly and seemed annoyed the entire time. I saw an additional server who was not taking tables (it seemed like she was getting off her shift, but then later put her apron back on so maybe taking a break?) But she should have jumped in to at least greet a few tables and get drink orders to help the other servers out. So, one issue is that the staff need to be better trained for how to run things when they are short staffed/overly busy.

The other issue is that we were seated right by the kitchen entrance, and there is no door. Problems with this are: we can see right in so it's not very appetizing (can see employees half eaten food and drinks, etc) you can hear the music in the kitchen (which isn't the same as the guest area, if there even was music in the guest area?) and can hear staff singing/talking. That is understandable for them to have their own music and be talking/etc, but we as customers should not be hearing that. I know servers come in and out, but you could put a swinging door (or something that allows for servers to go in and out without potentially running into each other) or set it up so that it's open but there's some sort of hallway/area that creates a visual and sound barrier. Even a nice curtain of some sort...

I went there at 815 this past Friday morning. I was seated by the waiter who took my drink order right away. It took 20 minutes for him to actually come back with my coffee and water, just as I was about to get up and leave. I should've left. He did actually take my order though. I could hear him telling other people to seat themselves, as he was the only one working the front of the house. People were walking in, looking around, and not finding a place to sit, because none of the tables had been cleaned off. Another couple sat in the booth behind me, and were having the same experience. After taking my order. It was another 1/2 hour before my food actually came out. One of the cooks actually brought it out to me, and said "Oh, I guess you get hashbrowns with that, I'll bring some out to you. THAT took another 20 minutes, and I was done eating my omlette. She also didn't give me any syrup, and never came back until she brought my hashbrowns. I asked her if the manager was there, and she said she went to the bank. After I had eaten, the people behind me asked to see the manager, because after being there an hour, they still hadn't gotten their food. The manager said we'll make it for you right now, and the people said, "We've already been here AN HOUR, we are going somewhere else." If it weren't for the Saturday/Sunday breakfast and church crowd, I'd say this place would be out of business within two years. Not going back to this location again. If they were on YELP, I'd put this review...

I haven't given Perkins a chance in over a decade. I seen a coupon in my email for a free breakfast for my birthday, so my partner and I decided to give it a try. I showed my birthday coupon to our server even before she took our drink orders. She took our drink orders and then told us it was free pie Monday. Super cool! I chose apple and my partner banana cream. I upcharged my pancakes to blueberry for over $2 which was crazy but not a real issue as it was my choice. The blueberry pancakes had a lot of blueberries but really no flavor. Sausage was ok and eggs seemed buttery, not a fan. We were given our bill and proceeded to the counter. Up until this point service was fine. The GM was the one ringing up at the counter. She deducted the free pie slices basically as I told her about the birthday coupon, and she explained she couldn't do both. I explained that I showed our server almost immediately after we were seated and was instructed to pick out pies - no mention of not being able to do both deals. She proceeded to have a poor attitude about even choosing to be a GM and tapping the screen loudly, did further deduct my birthday meal, which I appreciate. I went without Perkins for over 10 years and will continue without it again. Choose a...