Deli Lane Cafe & Sunset Tavern — Restaurant in South Miami

After years of being a frequent customer, I finally met the owner + because of that I will NEVER return.

I used to come here every Saturday with my mother for breakfast + often by myself during the week before work. The staff has always been wonderful, often bringing my cappuccino without me even asking. A regular.

This time I was with my partner, who tips 25%-40% regardless of time or place. We sat at a large table in a quiet dimly lit corner. The place was empty when we arrived. My partner likes that table because it’s away from the crowd. We were getting some work done while he ate his favorite omelet + veggies. I was enjoying a hot tea. He had a cappuccino when the following incident occurred...

I’m writing this publicly because I hope the owner sees it + reflects on his interaction, improving his approach to customer service for future customers, even if I won't be returning.

SCENE: We were both on our second drinks while on our laptops. A man approached our table with no uniform or name tag. I assumed it was a stranger who wanted to ask us a question. He opened the conversation...

OWNER: I see you guys here doing your thing, + I appreciate that, but I just really gotta ask you how do you feel about sitting at a big table for hours when it’s just you guys. Like, do you really think that’s right?

PARTNER: Sorry, do you need this table?

ME: Hours? We’ve been here for an hour-ish

OWNER (directed at partner): Last week YOU were here for 5 hours

I had a small panic attack. I've been an entertainer for about 20 years + have a following so unfortunately I've had a few stalker instances. This was my first thought since I had no idea who this man was who now revealed he'd been watching my partner from afar. But before freaking out completely, I took a breath + asked him...

ME: Sorry, are you a manager or something?

OWNER: Yeah, actually this place is mine. I’m the owner.

PARTNER: We can just move if you need us to. ME: So as the owner you know that I'm a regular here multiple times a week.

OWNER: I just need to know, do you guys really think it's considerate to sit here for hours + hours?

ME: We have a tab open right now, we're still drinking our coffees...

PARTNER: If you need the table we can move to another one whenever you need.

OWNER (laughing sarcastically): When customers come in here... nobody is gonna ask you to move when they come in here, alright?

ME: Don't worry it's fine, we'll just pay the bill + go.

I start putting things into my bag. The owner leans over the table getting uncomfortably close to my face...

OWNER (sarcastically): You are just a sparkle of joy!

After being extremely intrusive with this parting shot, he stormed off into the kitchen + did not come out again.

END SCENE.

This interaction starkly contrasts with the warm atmosphere created by the staff. Just minutes before, a waiter had complimented my smile over hot water (because of the tea).

From one business owner to another, here’s how the owner could have handled it better: “Hey, I’m [Name], the owner. I know you guys are regulars, but we like to keep this table open for bigger parties. Could you move to a smaller table next time?”

Instead, the owner seemed intent on arguing, insinuating we were inconsiderate, + speaking to us with sarcasm, without context for his feelings.

Last week, my partner + I discussed bringing a large group of Miami CEOs/entrepreneurs, Miami Moneymakers, to meet here monthly at this very table.

It’s disheartening to cross off what used to be one of my favorite breakfast spots. I'll miss my cappuccinos + the lovely staff, but I won’t tolerate being patronized.

To the staff: Thanks for years of kindness, great service, + yummy food.

To the owner: I’m a business owner, published author, creator with followers looking for things to do in Miami, retired actress, award-winning feature film producer, sometimes introvert, always ambitious, mostly level-headed, who loves food, dogs, travel, + kind people. I don’t want a response, an apology, or an explanation. I’m never...

I am updating my review because apparently my original review was not helpful. The owner also wished me "good luck" not sure for what but thank you good luck to you as well and hope you like this review better. I have been coming here for 15 years ( started going when Matt, brian, Andrea, christine and kim worked there) I would usually go late at night and to the bar side at least 4 times a week or I used to go when happy hour had $1 apps with purchase of each drink and highly recommended this place for drinks and food. I still give the bar side 5starts but the deli lane side has been horrible! I have recommended this place to many people who have also not been pleased. It was not fun making long lines to order since there was no table service even way past covid. I waited in line for 25 min to order and then was told I was 8 min late and couldn't order eggs Benedict because it was after 2. Well if i hadnt waited in line 25 min i woukd have been able to order what i wanted. I have gone 3 times since table service came back and the service was horrible. The day I left my original review we waited 45 min for our food and the waitress forgot my entire meal and the meals that did show up for the other people were missing items as well or just not what they ordered. Instead of getting an apology or a "let me have the kitchen make your missing meal as soon as possible" we were told if I still wanted my food it would be another 20 to 30 min. I finally got my food ( the tortellini pasta that I have always ordered) the chicken wasn't Blackened as ordered and the pasta was undercooked (cheese inside super cold and chewy) and when I asked where the bread was I was told " you didn't ask for the bread" why would I ask for something I know it comes with since I've ordered it over 20 times? But anyways my mom's toast finally arrived with the bill. Meaning she got her food waited 20 min to get mine then waited 10 min for me to kinda eat what I could from the half cooked pasta and then got her toast. This was just 1 of the not so great experiences I have has recently. It's very sad because I have always loved this place and loved the food and atmosphere but sadly the service and quality of food in general has gone down. I didn't want to write this all in a public post which is why I put the 3 starts and no written review but since it was pointed out to me that that was not helpful I hope...

This restaurant is beautiful and has amazing food! But there’s a HUGE DOWNSIDE!! The cashier was extremely rude and gave me lots of attitude , when I was placing my order I had asked for advice if it’s better to sit outside or by the bar because I was dinning alone and she said and I quote “well is it hot outside ? *with a grumpy attitude tone * , I responded with no and she also said “well are you sweating🙄 *same rude tone * , I responded with no? Then she told me “well then go sit outside then don’t sit at the bar and rolled her eyes at me , as I went to sit down outside I was handed my food and my soda , After a while no one passed by to ask if everything was alright or if needed a refill , only one busboy came pick up my plates for me , and I asked him for a Togo box that is all . Once I finished my food I wanted to head to the bar to purchase a corona so I waited sitting at the counter for 15 minutes and as I waited I tried to get the bartenders attention but one of them was clocking out(they were two bartenders at this time) and doing her side work I had gotten her attention finally and told her that I’ve been waiting to place an order she told me she was sorry and that she was about to clock out and that the other bartender was busy and I understand that but atleast she coukd have told me “hey give me a second “ or least greet your customer not just make eye contact with me for 15 minutes while I’m trying to get your attention to place an order . I felt like I had gotten the worst customer service that day and maybe the servers and the bartenders had a rough day but there’s no excuse for them to treat me the way they had treated me that is bad customer service. I have been a server for about three years and even I know that you have to have common courtesy and the best customer service you can even when you’re having a rough day and to always acknowledge the customer or greet them or let them know that you are busy and to tell the customer “please give me a second”. The manager working that day was Greg , and I didn’t get to know the cashiers name . After everything I still left tio because I know they divide the tip between bartenders servers and busboys due to Covid. Over all it was horrible for me as a 22...