Freeland Café & Bar — Restaurant in Washington

If you are new to the area or visiting. Do not stop here for good food or vibes. We walked in, the waiter saw us and said oh you can sit over there." Brought us water, did NOT bother to ask if we wanted anything else to drink. Ok, cool, I'll drink your water instead. We looked over the menu. He came to our table with an attitude of "we are bothering him." I placed my order, and my daughter asked what the servings were for the french toast. He explained 1 piece 5, 2 is 7, and 3 is 9. The menu did not have this on it. Prices only. She was about to order her food and he rudely said, "Do you want me to come back. She said no, and he took our order. I ordered the ham and cheese omelet with sautéed veggies. It came out looking good except that there was barely any ham and cheese and was overwhelming, mostly all veggies. The hashbrowns were cold except for the burnt pieces, like really basic cooking here. The toast was the only thing truly good on my plate, buttttt I had to get his attention by waving my hand, yet 1 minute or less he was asking the table behind us if they needed anything. My hand gesture was not nasty. He said, "Wait a minute," as if we were bothering him again. He came over asked "what we needed." Not how can I help you. Really? I asked for jelly, and he asked how many? I replied just one. He brings it out and practically shoves it across the table. Ok. Cool, your tip is dropping with the quickness at this point. My daughter, who does not like conflict, will usually eat food whether it's tasty or just ok. She just won't return. She ordered the club sandwich and usually can't go wrong with those. She ate 2 corners of the sandwich and couldn't or wouldn't finish it because it was so not a club sandwich. It's more like turkey between 3 pieces of bread. We wanted to leave and were waiting for the waiter to bring the check so we could leave. The owner finally noticed us and brought the check to us. The rude waiter walks up as she walks to our table with the check. She asked us if everything was okay. I hesitated at first and said yes, well, no, not really. I originally was going to go with my daughter and get the check and leave a small tip. The owner asked what it was that was wrong. My daughter started speaking, and the owner actually said, "If that's the only thing I can fix that." I jumped in and said, "Hold up, you're going to entertain that, and oh, and there was more. I proceeded to tell her about the issues we had with her waiter. She said oh I will use this as a training lesson, and that he's one of our best that works here." At this point, she is not getting it and kept avoiding the real issue at hand. I looked down at the check, got cash out to pay, it was $40.26, and now there will be zero tip. She was kind enough not to make me pay the 26 cents.Bad food, bad service, and now bad owner. She blocked me in against the wall. So I could not get out the way I came in. I had to walk around a table to get out of this restaurant. I'm not sure what her deal is with not taking criticism about her service and food. The food is not good, I hope they noticed what was left on the plates. If not, shame on them for not paying attention.My daughter heard her say he was new and still learning. What is it? Is he new or just not good at his job? As a newcomer to the island. Avoid this cafe while checking out the island. Edit: We won't be back, I promise, and I also promise by word of mouth that you don't get the business.You don't need an app for that.It's my freedom of speech that allows me to write about your business.You can't take constructive criticism as an owner as written in your reply. You can call the sheriff, I broke zero laws. What is pitiful, is entertaining your waiters' behavior and by not allowing me to leave when you blocked me against the wall.Or did you forget that part? People typically do reviews based on their job performance or lack of in your case. Did you not review the similar reviews?You the owner is very...

Very upset that I have to leave a bad review. Never left a review for anyplace in general but mine and my family’s experience here this last week was not delightful at all.

My family & grandparents have been coming here every year while we’re in town for decades even before I was born. This was my first time coming to this cafe and while I was excited to eat some yummy food in a place that my family talked so highly of, I was disappointed.

First one of my family members had asked for a salad I believe and asked for the tomatos to be put on the side of the plate instead of ontop of the salad so that another family member can have those tomatos without it being mixed into the salad. Our waitress (who my family have had problems with in the past years as well) said she cannot put the tomatos on the side of the plate. (If we had ordered the salad WITH tomatos it wouldve been ontop. On the side like we wanted wouldve been 2 inches away from the salad so the denial of our request did not seem fair).

Next, I had ordered a chicken fried steak that comes with eggs. Now I am deadly allergic to eggs that are served by itself so I had asked if I was able to substitute the eggs for something else. Our waitress says ,”Of course what would you like to substitute them with?” I asked for fries or hashbrowns instead. Our waitress THEN says, “Oh no we cant do that.”

1. Her attitude and tone was very rude. I went ahead and just ordered a burger with fries even though we came there for brunch.
2. If I was not able to subsitute the eggs for anything then why would she say she could of course can and go ahead and ask me what I would like to substitute them with?
3. She kept saying they were too busy for the cook to allow her to write down any extra requests from us. Mind you, there was only 1 other table with customers eating there at the time.

I find this very disrespectful and not professional at all for being a cafe that’s been around for years.

The waitresses tone and attitude was the icing on the cake that upset us the most. If she had said no to these requests but with a nicer attitude and maybe coming up with a better solution that made them and the cook happier as well instead of just saying “no”, then things wouldve gone better and we wouldve been happy. But my family have decided after this being the 2nd time we were not pleased, that we are no longer coming here. It’s upsetting that it has come down to this when my grandparents came here when they were younger and it’s a generational tradition that could’ve been carried on for...

Picture this. You roll into Freeland Café and Bar half awake, just looking for a decent breakfast. Then boom. Your whole morning shifts. You’re suddenly eating one of the most surprisingly unforgettable meals on the island

We came for breakfast and went all in. That Spam Musubi? Unreal. It showed up crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. I’m not exaggerating when I say it straight up stole the spotlight. This was not some throwaway breakfast side. It was the reason I’m still thinking about this place

We also dove into the Eggs Benedict, a scramble, and Steak and Eggs with a side salad that was so fresh and bright it could have its own fan club. The steak was juicy, seasoned just right, and paired perfectly with those eggs. Everything felt homemade and hearty, like someone’s grandma was back there cooking with love and zero shortcuts

Other folks are obsessed with the Fish and Chips and the burgers, and after seeing those plates come out, I get it. That’s next on my list, no question. Reviews don’t lie, and clearly the locals already know what’s up

So yeah, the wait was long. Like over an hour long. But it was worth it. This place is a local legend for a reason. It’s got that small town, old school vibe where people know each other, and the food is the kind that fills your stomach and your soul

The staff? Mostly awesome. A couple folks were absolute stars, super friendly and doing the most to keep things running. One server seemed a little short, but honestly it was slammed and probably just one of those mornings. No biggie, because once we got seated, it was all smooth sailing

Want to make the most of your visit? Get there early or be ready to wait Do not skip the Spam Musubi Bring a good appetite and chill vibe Take your time and soak it all in

Final word? Freeland Café and Bar is the real deal. It’s that rare mix of comfort food greatness, local charm, and food that makes you feel things. If you’re on Whidbey Island and miss this spot, you’re doing it wrong

Now go order the Spam Musubi and tell...