Old Fashioned Garden Cafe

11040 Oak St, Omaha - 68144
190 reviews
Breakfast
(402) 393-0252

What has happened to the Garden Cafe?? This used to be a lively, joyful, well-respected restaurant. The food used to be fresh and delicious. The servers used to not only care about your experience, but also cared about themselves & how they did their job. Not anymore! Some of the rudest, slowest servers I have ever encountered, have been here twice in six months. Not to mention a filthy restaurant and women’s bathroom. The food is not worth half of its cost. Forget it being the proper temperature or made from scratch. Shall we discuss the 45 minute wait-time, no matter how slow they are? Or the fact that the orders do not come as advertised, let alone as ordered? Don’t waste your time here, anymore. It’s not the Garden Cafe we all remember. It’s just a rundown memory, surviving only on its former status. Such a shame. Zero stars.

It has been a while since the last time we patronized the Garden Cafe, because we don't get down in that part of town often, however when we do, we would order "The Omaha Casserole", and the "Morning Glory Muffins." The last time was around Christmas time last year. We had Robert as our server. He was Great. When we arrived today, I asked about Robert and were told he retired a few months ago. Good for him, he deserved it. Jaysa A. was our server this time. I assume she hasn't been doing this job a long time, but she has good potential for becoming a great server also. First, she asked and took our drink order and brought them promptly. We had looked at the menu and our favorite, "The Omaha" wasn't on it. "The Cheyenne" was the only thing close to it, and to me without the tomato and dill pickle, it's like kissing your sister. Doesn't do anything for me. Another thing, they were out of Morning Glory Muffins.! Oh No! We were batting 1000! We had to settle for Blueberry. We looked at the menu again and didn't see anything to our liking. I guess Jaysa went back, spoke to the cook and he was able to make the Omaha for us after all. Great! When the meal came, I noticed the muffins were not warm enough to melt butter, so I asked Jaysa to warm them up and she promptly did it. I think Jaysa has the potential to be a fantastic server. Of course, it will take time, and she will need to learn what customers want and be able to anticipate them. Thank you, Jaysa! I make it a point to tip the servers well, because I know it is a hard and sometimes thankless job serving the public. And to all the kitchen staff, a Big Thank You also for what you do to give us a pleasant dining experience. Stephen Martins

This place is a joke. I am sure if you wait and eat in, they treat you better. They are overwhelmed and the quality is sub-average. Order for carryout was missing over half my meal and when you call the restaurant afterwards, they just hang up on you. Hopefully the owner finds a way to turn this around before they lose all the customers still willing to give them a chance.

We’ve been buying the Garden Cafes famous carrot cake for over 30 years. We just picked up a cake for our granddaughters baptism. What a shock! Totally disappointed with the out of the box looking and tasting cake. The cake we were accustomed to was amazing and moist with homemade frosting with lists of nuts. $65.00 for a junk cake 1/2 the size and 1/4 as good as they used to be! What a shame!

I don't know what happened. The food was cold only because we had an air plane propeller fan over us. The young lady who waited on us was a gem. She did her best. But my mom didn't want eggs and potatoes instead, we were told no. We would of paid the difference. Place used to be great, the talk of the town.

We've been here a few time. Wait staff is always good. However, for the first time we were served raw eggs in an omelet. Not a big deal, it happens. The Denver omelet cost 12.99 with pancakes & a potato. I politely asked the manager to comp the omelet, he agreed to a discount. Fine. 1/2 off would have been fine. He gave us $1.30 off. We will NEVER be back here & I'll make sure all of my friends know too.

This place is depressing and I have no idea how it is still open. Sunday morning at 11:30, you would expect a wait at any decent breakfast place. There were two tables in use. This should have been our first clue, but the kiddo just wanted a pancake so we gave it a try.We waited quite a while for anyone to greet us. There were signs everywhere about being short staffed, but we saw at least six people out front for the whole six customers.The pies in the case were smashed up and looked like they had been there a long time. The coffee was like watered down office coffee. Little one ate a few bites and was satisfied with her pancakes. The place was dirty- salt and pepper shakers clearly had not been emptied and washed in many months, if not longer.Decorations from the last 4th of July were hanging from the ceiling. Either that, or the owners were the excessively patriotic type.I have no idea how it’s still open, or why. I recall it being a nice little spot a few decades ago- they should have gone out gracefully.

I had heard good things about the Garden Cafe from a friend who has been dining there for several years. I was not impressed with our dining experience. I ordered the Sante Fe omelet with fried potatoes. The omelet was good but my potatoes weregreasy, partially cooked and cold. Others in our group had food that was cold. The waitress did not come back to ask if our food was satisfactory. Another person in our group had chicken breasts that were cold and raw in the middle. He noticed this after a couple of bites from the outer edge that were cooked. He sent them back and was not charged for them. Serving raw chicken can have serious consequences so I hope he is not ill.

Will never eat food from here again. Food was cold when it arrived. The portions were not worth the price. No syrup for my pancake either? The eggs were soggy... the only thing that I liked was the 1 sausage link and 1 little bacon strip that came with my meal. The fruit was even bad. The grapes were shriveled and NASTY!!! Don't waste your money.

I have occasionally eaten at Garden Cafe for years. And always found the staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The food is delicious, plentiful, and reasonably priced. I usually buy cake, or cookies to take with me. Thank you Garden Cafe, you are appreciated.