The Runway Cafe — Restaurant in Woodlake

The Runway Cafe is unfortunately NOT a safe place for disabled service dog owners. Owner Charlotte Scott is not educated on service dog laws and because of this, I had a heartbreaking and humiliating experience at what used to be my favorite restaurant. Although I had brought my service dog, Lucy in with my family to eat countless times before (so much so that the servers knew our names and orders) for some reason, on February 2, 2018 Charlotte stopped me at the door and told me that I would have to eat outside with my service dog. I calmly explained to her that Lucy is my service dog and held up her tag, which was already in plain sight. Charlotte then asked me for "paperwork" to prove my dog is service, which is against the law. As I started trying to explain service dog laws, I brought them up on the ADA website on my phone and asked her to read them. She refused and again told me that I had to sit outside with my service dog. She claimed that "another man" brought his "service dogs" in all the time and he always had "paperwork" for his dogs. There is no such legally required paperwork and it is a crime to ask for proof of a service dog. As I continued to try to explain the laws to Charlotte, she called the local police to have me removed. Unfortunately the officers that arrived were also ignorant of the law and ended up asking me to leave. I left in tears. I have since resolved the situation with local police to my satisfaction and the officers have been educated on the laws. I offered to resolve this with Charlotte through civil discussion and have made several attempts to meet with her or even just to chat online. She seemed willing to meet at first, but after making several excuses, has since cut contact. Most unfortunate as I only wanted to educate her and be sure that nobody else was humiliated the way I was. I very much hoped to go back to The Runway with my family. Before this abuse of my rights, we were regulars. I highly recommend those with service dogs take their business elsewhere so nobody else suffers the same humiliation and...

The Runway Cafe is the epitome of small town charm and hospitality. Growing up in Exeter, I ate here often and have continued to when I’m home visiting family. It was an especially meaningful spot for my Grandpa - everyone in my family had special moments and life chats with him at the Runway Cafe.

I can’t speak highly enough about the current ownership. They go above and beyond to welcome everyone warmly and provide hearty meals. It’s the kind of place where you’ll always see a familiar face and know you’re home.

The food is exactly what it should be here - simple, affordable, filling and delicious! This last visit I tried the waffle with strawberries and whipped cream and HOLY MOLY have I been missing out. It’s the best I’ve ever had! The hash-browns are always the right amount of crispy, eggs aren’t overdone, and your coffee cup will never be empty.

Thank you for all that you do, Runway Cafe Team!...

The place lives up to the HYPE!

Located off a side road that makes you wonder if there anything at the end of the golden brick road, but yes there is. The cafe is small and not too many employees there make you wonder how fast and if they were busy how quick would they get to you. Well don’t let that fool you one bit. The staff is quite friendly and very fast in getting you drinks, your food and your refills!

Both my partner and I got a omelette and don’t let the pictures fool you. As much as they make your mouth water, the taste and flavor matches what you see. For being 3 egg omelette they sure come out looking like it was half the carton. The plates come out filled to the top, colorful and taste great!

On the plus side even on this terrible summer if you come early enough you can still enjoy the view of planes taking off without you melting!

I will definitely be back again and this...