Stars Cafe — Restaurant in Town of Shelter Island

Rude The whole staff looked like they did not want me to be there and asked if I was getting my food to go . I definitely did NOT feel welcome. 2nd trip there and both times same vibe. Won’t get my money again. Soda Fountain on corner was very pleasant and knows what customer service is. Burgers not as fancy but simple is sometimes better when you feel welcome. A girl holding the broom asked “how can I help you ?” When I walked in. I was the only costumer. How is a girl holding a broom going to help me? I need one at the cash register to help me. Of course I came here to order food . What’s the girl with a broom going to do for me? Sweep me a path to the register? And whit would you ask if you could help me do that? If you want to do something for me with that broom then Show me what you can do with that broom. I have no idea what tricks you may possess

The server did bring the food out politely and I do want to say she was the only one smiling

We went to the Marie French place on the water a few days later. (It was closed when we sent to stars). The line was long and people waited for the food and service. All employees smiling and happy to be at work. Stars needs to take notes. You want customers out the door? Wear a smile. Make people like you. Monkey see monkey do. “What are those guys doing different than we are” is what you need to be asking yourself. If you cared to grow your business you would try. What i experienced was no one there cares if you turn around and walk out or if you stay and eat. And the line to the register shows that I am not the only one that...

It always pays to visit a place more than once before writing a review. This morning, I visited Stars Cafe and the experience was just what I would expect from Shelter Island: Friendly proprietor, great and helpful service. To top it off, I had the best black beans I've had in years. So well seasoned, perfectly cooked.

It was so good, I thought I'd go back in the afternoon to get a pint of rice, an order of sweet potato fries, and a pint of black beans whilst my partner chose a burger.

What a difference a few hours make. The afternoon crew was rude, incurious and lazy - all of the things you don't want in customer service.

We were told 15 minutes. So I took a seat in the uncrowded, indoor dining area. It was me, two customers and about 10 large flies buzzing around and, from time to time, landing on the sticky tables or scooping up morsels of food from the unswept floor. It took 3 times as long even though the place wasn't crowded. But that was not the problem.

And my order came out all wrong. A single order of rice and beans in a small container instead of a pint of each, sweet potato fries combined with the burger instead as a separate side. Worst of all they left me waiting for 30 minutes and did not tell me when my order was up. When I called them on it, they actually rolled their eyes.

There are a lot of great places in Shelter Island even during the off season. The locals are warm and inviting and we're having a great time here. If you don't want to put up with nasty workers, go elsewhere.

Don't ignore my advice -...

Lets start with the positives. The Cuban sandwich is good + you will wait for it. The girl who works at the counter has a lovely personality. + The music is really good most of the time.

Now the rest of the story. You would do better to have a salad at McDonald's. At the very least you would save $17. Their salad dressings seem flat + the guy who took my order had no idea what the options for that were... + The fried flounder on the fish tacos is lesser quality than what one would buy at a supermarket when getting fish sticks. Add to that, an interior that's nearly swarming with flies + air conditioning that rivals the 89° temperature you would endure sitting outdoors under their umbrella tables. The lemonade is mediocre,,there seems to be zero knowledge of how to brew an iced tea + no variations of iced drinks can be managed outside of what can just be poured from bottles.

For what it will cost you, it makes better sense to walk down to the ferry landing + jump over to Anker in Greenport or plan all your meals when on Shelter Island at Maria's Kitchen instead. If there is absolutely NOTHING else available, then stars cafe. But its worth it to go...