Sidetrack Cafe II — Restaurant in Watervliet

What a wonderful blast from the past. This place reminded me of the small town cafe my dad would go to meet his buddies for coffee and breakfast. It is very local, you open the door and everyone looks to see who’s coming in, not to judge but to see which friend is arriving. Not filled with screen zombies, rather people talking about life and razzing each other. Might not be the atmosphere for everyone but it is for me. I’m lucky to live a few blocks away!

The food, I had a 1/2 order of the garbage plate and a side of chicken fried steak. Wow, the chicken fried steak with their made from scratch gravy was unbelievably tasty and crunchy. So good. The garbage plate is biscuits with American fries and gravy on top and an egg crowning it. Again very tasty, the gravy is very good, thick and seasoned perfectly, egg cooked as requested and American fries lightly browned. Very satisfying breakfast.

The staff were friendly and attentive. I felt very welcomed for my first visit. Happy I finally stopped at this gem of a cafe, don’t be put off by the reviews about feeling outcast if not local, I experienced none of that.

This will be one of my go to breakfast places while I’m living here. Come on...

Drove 15 miles or more for breakfast. Went in sat down,took almost 5 minutes to acknowledge us, I guess older white locals took priority. Ordered drinks took more than 5 minutes just to bring can soda with glass of ice. Coffee was strong an kinda scortch tasting. Was hectic in small area. A local homeless man was there and said he gave a $20, not sue but they said he only gave $5. And his bill was $6 and something. So she said she paid for him. He swore it was a $20, he left upset. Which made me uncomfortable and upset. Directly following his departure another customer starts saying how the waitress can't help people like that(meaning homeless) then proceeds to actually spit out his mouth that this poor man and others like him choose to be homeless. Are you kidding me. The staff didn't say this but they allowed this customer and then other talk about and bash homeless people. I was totally disgusted, lost appetite and asked for a box and paid my bill. I don't think I'll be...

A big enough misunderstanding I'd never wanna spend a penny here come in for a walk-in Togo ordered and made it known rite away I wasnt staying as she seated me anyways. Remind you I'm walking so I have my coffee cup,my RedBull, headphones around my neck etc. I told her it was a direct TOGO before she smarted off to me but no! Let's mouth off to me. Why would I want your coffee for a Togo order? Michigan is stand your ground. Better think before you act tuff and say hey pal come on back! Yeah, last thing they wanted was this smoke. I promise that.. anytime like I said I'm easy to find you can share that with them and let them know to come and find this review. All I ask for you is to swing on me first that's all I need and the rest is history. We can handle this outside of direct eyes if they're so big and bad and they want to run that mouth and threaten me as I walk away. Ain't no threats to nobody I'm just stating what will happen if they feel froggy and you want to...