Riley’s Cafe

For the first time, we ate at the Sylvia location. We had six people, walked in and stood by a large table that needed to be cleared as it was the only big table left. As waitresses walked by (one with cell phone in hand) we were not even acknowledged. Finally we just put tables together on our own. Two families walked in after us, and sat down. They had drink orders and food orders taken before we were even asked for drinks. Four men walked in, the 35 – 40 ish blonde waitress acknowledged the group of men right away and took their drink and food orders. After receiving our drinks, we waited for fifteen minutes and finally a different waitress took our food orders after we were forced to ask. Four groups of people that came in after us received their food before us! The same waitress ate food behind the counter while on duty! I was so distraught by the service that the food seemed just okay! Will never visit this location again!

Steak and eggs were wonderful. We got there pretty late for lunch but they took us in anyway. Waitress was very friendly and personable. Just a tad smaller than the other one on center point, but the food is consistent and tasty. Steak was very well marinated, did not even need any steak sauce (I LOVE A1) bc it was so well marinated and juicy! The only reason why I would give this place 4 stars instead of 5 was not the quality, but the quantity discrepancies between the Rileys. I got the same steak and eggs at the other one, and this one was significantly smaller. Nonetheless, decent meal and great quality food. Good value!

Great ambience. I had a steak omelette, while my daughter had the Turkey Club. Broad menu selection with prompt and courteous service.

Stopped for breakfast and experienced one of the rudest servers ever. She was extremely unpleasant, seemed put-​off by anything we asked, spilled water all over the table and didn’t bother to come clean it up. Definitely better places in CR to visit with better food and staff that is pleasant. I overheard her complaining to a co-​worker about my mom as she sat at the bar on her cell phone.

Boo! I guss their breakfast is the only thing made fresh because my hot beef sandwich was clearly nuked and cold in the middle. I sent it back and got back the same plate, nuked more (because the edges were dried out) but it was still cold. I won’t go back. There are plenty of better places to eat in CR

Great place for breakfast or lunch. Got there for late breakfast/​early lunch and had a short wait. Ended up at a big table with six of us. Everyone loved their food including omelettes, eggs Benedict, pancakes, a shipwreck and a burrito. Great service that never said no to our variations on menu items. I’d recommend to anyone who likes good food in locations with character.

What’s better than breakfast food? Breakfast food served ALL DAY! LOVE the breakfast here, and the staff is super accommodating with special requests and modifications. The atmosphere is eclectic and funky. All the portions are LARGE! Enjoy!

I was driving from Minnesota to St. Louis with my dad today and we wanted a nice breakfast café to eat at. This did not disappoint! I got the philly cheese omlet which was smothered in delicious cheese sauce and served with American fries and toast. The service was friendly and the food came up fast. It’s a cute little diner– stop here for a great breakfast in Cedar Rapids.

I was in town overnight on a business trip and looked this place up for a non-​chain breakfast. I was not disappointed.
Had a goat cheese and chicken omelette I wish I could find the equivalent of where I live. That was probably the best omelette I have ever had. I also got some old-​fashioned coffee cake that was just delicious. I have not had that in decades.
I will return for breakfast if I am ever in the area again.

In a new city and craving a burger close to the hospital. There was Riley’s. A breakfast and lunch spot. I ordered off the menu and happy that substitutions are offered. I enjoyed a turkey burger with onion rings the 1^st visit then went back the next day for grilled chicken sandwich anf waffle fries. The service is okay but I won’t recommend coming here is you have a short lunch break and need fast service.

This is down-​home, no-​frill food made well. We had omelettes, French toast and cinnamon roll French toast. All were delicious, served by a friendly, and attentive staff. The only down side is there is very limited seating.
I loved all the vynil albums covers on the south wall.

Riley’s used to have real butter on the tables. They changed this about a year ago to margarine, WHY? They also changed the qualities of the jelly’s they were using. So to save a few pennies, they took away the one thing that differentiated them from other cafes, relative to breakfast.
My wife and I generally were eating breakfast there. We had lunch, and dinner there once, which was not acceptable. Cook over did the hamburger, sausage sandwich.
The service is highly dependent on the server.

Amazing food!!! Great prices!!! Always friendly!!! Between the atmosphere and the tastiness, a sure go to restaurant.

Cool retro atmosphere – a lot of flair!
Have been here twice for breakfast, and I can only review it for that, but both times it was excellent. Some of the best bacon to be found in Iowa.
I had a question about a building for sale I drove by and the waitress didn’t know, but she introduced me to the member of the city council who was sitting in the next booth to explain the situation to me.

Hard to find a better, local breakfast spot in the Cedar Rapids area. The food was reasonably priced and very good. The atmosphere and wait staff only enhance the experience. Good old fashioned breakfast in an authentically Iowan establishment, right down to the individualistic coffee cups.

I found This diner on Unilocal and we are so happy we did!!! The atmosphere, service, and the food was phenomenal. We were in town from Colorado visiting family and will be back every time we’re in town. Great family place. The staff (Kiah) and the owner Phil have done a great job.

Great atmosphere, quaint diner feeling. Service is great although waited a while for food during peak hours. First come first serve self seating but you won’t have to wait long if there aren’t any available tables.
Great breakfast menu selections and delicious coffee. One of the best places for breakfast in Cedar Rapids.
Accepts credit cards but not great for huge groups, as it is tiny inside (Mac occupancy 48 people).

This place ROCKS!
Clean.
Funky.
Awsome food… HUGE servings… I love this as a fat ass guy!!!
Eclectic customer base… great gurl watching… LOL.
There is NO better breakfast in the Cedar Rapids area.
Bisquits and gravy… awesome.
Chicken fried steak and gravy-​also AWESOME… take it froma 6’6″ fat man… the food ROCKS!
Bisquits are nice and fluffy-​all you need…
Cream gravy… good…really good… but not the best I have ever had… but GOD DAMN close! :-)
In 4yrs I have NEVER had a bad meal here… really…

Unless you are specifically looking for Riley’s, it is quite easy to drive past in a fit of hanger (hunger + anger) and end up sitting like the rest of the sheep in a fast-​food hell drive-​thru. I can assure you Riley’s is worth seeking out if you are in the Cedar Rapids area — and should you arrive at the busiest time, it is well worth the wait.
The service is quick — even when busy — and the coffee is hot and delicious. I destroyed a couple of menu items, including one of the many «Shipwrecks» which was loaded with bacon, sausage, potatoes, eggs, and veggies. Delicious!
Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I also took down one pancake. This fluffy, tasty disc of cooked batter was as big as my head. Add blueberries and granola, plus a dash of syrup, and this would have been just fine on its own.
The restaurant is filled with lots of historic Iowan «stuff» — old license plates, signs, décor, etc. Perhaps the most famous of these items is the area of wall space autographed by President Obama, along with the line «Great food!» I like to think I sat at the same table as Mr. Obama. Don’t kill my dreams by suggesting otherwise :-)
Riley’s was good enough — and has a large enough menu — that I would definitely return upon my next visit (or detour through) Cedar Rapids. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the place remained packed within 15 minutes of our arrival until our departure an hour later. Solid place for eats, even if it is so easy to miss while driving by on 1^st Street.
Summary: get the shipwreck!

I needed a good lunch option while in town for work, and a friend recommended Riley’s for lunch or breakfast.
Parking is a little tricky (if you can’t find a spot on the street, go behind the building. Do NOT park at the hospital clinic unless you feel like being towed.)
The place looks quiet, relaxed, and covered in the kind of memorabilia that Applebees tries to make work. I was a little disappointed that they were out of the locally made root beer, but I decided to try one of their lunch plate specials, the hot tenderloin sandwich, and enjoyed it quite a bit! The pork tenderloin was pounded out, breaded, fried, and served with potatoes and gravy, but didn’t feel heavy or greasy.
Even better, I got a HUGE lunch for all of $ 9 (plus tip), so can’t complain about that one bit.
My server was very friendly, but she also seemed to be the only one working when I stopped in, so things got a bit hectic. I’d try to avoid the lunch rush and go a little early or a little late.