Honey Berry Pancakes and Cafe — Restaurant in Thornton Township

First and foremost - I would like to let those considering this restaurant know that there is an automatic 20% gratuity added to your bill. The responses to reviews say that there is a sign (or multiple signs) posted throughout the establishment and that the server is supposed to verbally inform you of this fact - the signs (if they exist) are so unnoticeable that my husband and I were entirely blindsided by the gratuity. And the server did not inform us at the beginning of our service that a gratuity is automatic.

Usually the idea of "gratuity" is when there is a party of more than a certain number - not an everyday party of 3 adults and two under two. Additionally - and I understand this is something I will have to just "live and learn" about - since I wasn't sure what the gratuity was, I tipped in addition to the bill, so for Biscuits and Gravy, Nutella Pancakes, and Corned Beef Benedict with two coffees and a strawberry smoothie... our bill was almost $100 total. Can't say that I expected that, and I will have to consider taking out if I ever order from here again.

Speaking of which, a couple of weeks ago I had attempted to use the online ordering system, from multiple devices, and it would not let me past the cart to order. And we tried to phone in an order, and you cannot phone into this establishment to order.

Now to the food quality - I will give them that their pancakes are pretty good. However, the Corned Beef Benedict is not something I will order ever again. I subbed out the Chipotle Hollandaise for Original Hollandaise - and it was sweet? Also, it was as if someone shaved nutmeg onto my eggs? It was not my favorite flavor palette. The coffee is okay - nothing special, but not swill.

Before someone comes at me for the "we add the gratuity to protect our staff!!" I get it. THEN MAKE THE SIGNS BIGGER. Let people make their decision. It seems deceptive to come on these reviews and clutch your pearls that people didn't see the signs that are in 12-point Times New Roman on a corner of the wall and your staff mumbles under their breath about the gratuity. At least being honest means you get the business that you want without the negative reviews you don't deserve. I am not writing this off entirely, but I will have to be more strategic in the future.

EDITED TO ADD: Thank you for your kind response. I would like to specify that the order was attempted to be placed on a Tuesday morning, so I'm not sure if the system just happened to be down at that time. I have hopes for ordering take out in the future - and was not aware that the gratuity is for 4 or more...

I’ve never written a review for a restaurant before, but my experience at Honey Berry was so disappointing that I felt compelled to share it. I visited the restaurant on Friday December 20th with friends, and our server was Joanne P. From the start, she seemed a bit annoyed, though I initially brushed it off. Placing our orders went smoothly, but issues arose shortly after. One of my friends ordered sausage, and instead of asking if he preferred links or patties, Joanne brought sausage links. When he asked if patties were available, she replied curtly, saying he didn’t specify. In most restaurants, the server typically clarifies this detail upfront. Additionally, Joanne brought out an order of hash browns that no one had ordered, which she took back. However, when the bill arrived, we noticed we had been charged for an extra order of bacon that no one at the table had ordered or received. When I brought it to Joanne's attention, she insisted we had ordered it and claimed she had placed the bacon in the middle of the table. This made no sense to me—why would an order be left in the center of the table instead of being served to the person who ordered it? I explained to her that only two people had ordered sides of bacon, not three. She left and returned after processing our payment, and I assumed the issue had been resolved. However, upon reviewing the receipt, I saw we were still charged for the extra bacon. I went to the front desk and asked to speak with the manager. I explained the situation, and the manager said that Joanne insisted we had ordered the bacon. With the manager present, I asked Joanne who specifically ordered the extra bacon, and she claimed it was my friend sitting to my right—a petite woman who clearly wouldn’t have ordered six to eight pieces of bacon. After more back-and-forth, the manager finally instructed Joanne to refund the charge, remarking dismissively, “We’re going to refund the card since they want to complain about it.” In most restaurants, when mistakes like this happen, management tries to make it right with a small gesture, like a discount or a voucher for a future visit. Instead, we were met with hostility and poor customer service. It’s clear that Honey Berry doesn’t value its customers, and I’ll be telling everyone I know to avoid this place unless they want a...

UPDATE: Next time, please have someone respond to a constructive review who is not defensive and has customer service skills. I’m certain there are some people who like your music you don’t need to tell me that in your response. This is my individual review and I can only respond based off of my experience there today. You don’t need to defend your music choice by telling me some people like it. Also, I did not know I could ask for the music to be turned down. I would have no insight that you have different playlist either because the same music you blasted today is the same music you blasted a week ago when I was there so if you have different playlist, please consider my constructive review and think about playing something else in the morning there is such a thing as dining music and what you’re playing is not it The reason I’m giving this information to you and the review is that hopefully you will consider it and be more proactively, thoughtful going forward in the mornings when playing music. I visit restaurants all over the world. I’m giving you constructive criticism as a new restaurant in this community. I don’t know that you’ll see me again. Because there was nothing about the response that makes me feel welcome to return because you’re unable to process constructive criticism and make me feel as a customer that you are sincerely considering the feedback and will implement some changes as there are many other places in the area I enjoy that do not play music at all such as Contentinal Pancakes in SoutH Holland. Good luck.

Original Review: Please turn down the music in the morning and also consider a different selection. I know what you play is considered soft rock but for people who just want a quiet, early morning meal all that guitar is unnerving. You also should keep in mind there are many who suffer with sound and sensory issues. I urge you to consider soft instrumental jazz or...