The Highlands — Restaurant in Washington

I’ve been to this restaurant one time before and ordered the shrimp po’boy, which was good. Today, 11/29/21, I decided to go back and bring my mother and sister along. The young, skinny boy brought water to our table, but while my sister and I had ice in our water, our mother was given lukewarm water with no ice. I asked him to bring ice for my mother and he did. It’s weird that she was given water with no ice. I ordered the fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, my sister ordered the Cajun pasta (shrimp, chicken, and sausage) but asked for her sausage to be on the side, and my mother ordered cheesesteak, fries, and the grits and shrimp to go. We were given dirty plates for the fried green tomatoes. I said something to my mother and I guess the woman who brought out the fried green tomatoes heard me because she brought me a clean plate, but not my mother, who had dried sesame seeds on her plate, was not. The first time I visited this location the fried green tomatoes were delicious; this time they were cut thick and oily. The chicken came out hot, but the waffle and eggs were lukewarm. At first, we thought my sister only had one shrimp in her pasta and we brought it to the boy’s attention. He told the manager and she brought out ONE additional shrimp. My sister did find one more shrimp in her pasta, so she had a total of three shrimp in her pasta for $18.00. The sausage on the side were two tiny pieces of meat. The boy forgot to put in the order of fries for my mother. The boy did check on us once and we had to ask him to bring us napkins.

After we were done eating, I paid for my food at the counter and selected no tip. I opted to have my receipt texted to me. The boy came to our table and got my sisters debit card. He brought her card back, but with no receipt. Then he got my mother’s debt card and she gave him a $5.00 tip, because that’s what we felt he deserved. He brought my mother’s card back and she asked him for a receipt. Then he asked my sister did she want a receipt, too, and she said yes. When he brought their receipts back to the table, we discovered that he added a 20% gratuity without asking. I checked my receipt and saw that he added a 20% gratuity to my check as well, so he received almost a $20.00 tip that he did not deserve. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR RECEIPTS AND MAKE SURE HE ISN’T ADDING GRATUITY.

Overall, we did enjoy the food, but I highly doubt I’ll be back because of...

I so want to give this place a 5 for multiple reasons - (1) It's minority-owned. You gotta support brown businesses. (2) It has an authentic, DC feel. Only true locals and long-term transients know about it. (3) The food is DELICIOUS. I have never had a bad meal from here. (4) I like the cafe feel - I can dine alone and do work here comfortably.

However, I am forced to give it a 1. After calling the cafe 5 times to place my carry out order and getting an answering machine each time, I trekked to the cafe anyway.

Desperate for some Cajun Pasta, I waited in line patiently about 10 minutes before placing my order with the rudest waitress ever. She didn't even say hello. I was still in bliss though, because I knew my Cajun Pasta was coming. So I did a little work and before I knew it 40 minutes had passed. Where the hell was my food??? I waddled back up to the counter and inquired about the status of my order...politely. The rude waitress said..."I don't remember taking your order. Where's your receipt?" At this point, I'm trying to remain cool and let her know I clicked "no receipt" on the little fancy iPad register thingy. She said "Well, I don't remember taking your order." Eventually she found my order and said she "forgot to put the ticket up for the chef, but my order would be up soon. It'll take a minute." There was no apology or remorse for this error. She even looked annoyed with me as if this was my fault.

After 20 more minutes and about 6 more patrons ordering and walking out in front of me, I still don't have any Cajun Pasta. At this point I am PISSED. After an hour and five minutes pass, I finally burst and say, "Yo, where is my food?" An older woman, who I heard referred to as Juanita walks over and says, "Oh, the computer is broken." I reply "No, I ordered an hour ago when the computer was fine." Juanita looked stunned and immediately went to the kitchen and came back 5 minutes later with my pasta. She brought it over and said under her breath "Sorry". She's right - it was the sorriest apology I've heard in my life.

Bottom line: I felt like my money didn't matter. My patronage was not appreciated. And like I was annoying them by coming in their establishment to purchase food and service. Service was an F-. But quite honestly, I know in a week, I'll still be craving their Cajun Pasta and Steak Sandwich... Food vs. service. Why can we have...

A Breakfast Adventure at Highlands Cafe & Grill: Sweet and Savory Delights with Room for Improvement

Recently, I visited Highlands Cafe & Grill in Washington D.C. for a breakfast experience that offered a mix of delightful successes and minor shortcomings.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the chicken and waffles. The chicken was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and juicy within. It paired beautifully with the light and fluffy waffles, creating a sweet and savory combination that was truly delicious.

However, the eggs were a bit of a letdown. Unfortunately, they were overcooked, resulting in a watery consistency.

Next came the Cuban sandwich. While it was enjoyable, it didn't quite reach the lofty heights of the best Cuban sandwiches found in Florida. The flavors were balanced, and the ingredients seemed fresh, but perhaps it lacked the unique character and bold taste profile one might expect from a truly exceptional Cuban sandwich. I opted to skip the chips that accompanied the sandwich, but the plantains were a revelation. Sweet, savory, and perfectly caramelized, they were a true highlight of the meal. As the saying goes, "plantains are life," and these lived up to the motto!

The cafe con leche was another clear winner. Rich, creamy, and boasting a bold coffee flavor, it was a delightful beverage, hitting all the right notes from the first sip to the last.

Rounding out the savory side of things, the pollo con queso empanada proved to be quite satisfying. The filling was flavorful, and the crust was perfectly flaky.

The service at Highlands Cafe & Grill deserves special mention. My waiter was attentive, friendly, and made the dining experience all the more enjoyable. There was a sense of genuine hospitality that added a positive touch to the entire visit.

In conclusion, Highlands Cafe & Grill offers a solid breakfast experience with some clear standouts. The chicken and waffles were exceptional, the plantains delightful, and the cafe con leche a must-try. While the Cuban sandwich and eggs fell a bit short, the friendly service helped to elevate the overall experience. If you're in the DC area and looking for a casual breakfast spot with a mix of sweet and savory options, Highlands Cafe & Grill is...