Spring Lake Cafe

While the food here looks AMAZING (hence the reason we decided to brave the Saturday morning crowd), the service is less than stellar. The older lady/​hostess was sweet and attentive, we got our drinks in a timely manner and looked over the selections and made a quick decision. Both of our menus were flat on the table and both of us were looking towards the 2 waitresses standing behind the counter gabbing about person affairs.
I get it, sometimes we get off track at work, no big deal… BUT the hostess approached the waitresses 3 times on our behalf (guessing she could see the perturbed look on my face) and they weren’t even paying attention to her.
We walked up to the counter with the waitresses still talking, asked how much our two drinks were that we had taken a sip from. $ 6… It was only as we handed the money over disgusted from the lack of service that Ivy the waitress even noticed us. We paid and left.

Two or three stars, I’ve been going back and forth, so if I could give half stars it would be 2.5.
My dining experience had both good and bad.
The atmosphere wasn’t as inviting as I expected it to be, they have colorful walls, but I think that the décor fell flat maybe, I’m not sure, but it wasn’t very warm, or welcoming.
I was happy that this place was opened on a Monday as many locally owned eatery establishments are not open on Mondays.
I was disappointed that this place is listed as a brunch place, however they only have one breakfast item available after 11am. McDonalds has one thing going for them right now, is that they understand the value, profit, and importance of serving breakfast longer, I wish a place that’s listed on Unilocal as a brunch place would get that as well.
I ordered their fish and chips; the cole slaw that came with it was so bad that I had to spit it out, and I never spit my food out no matter how bad, but it was so old tasting that I feared getting sick, so I spit that stuff right out.
The Ketchup is cheap ketchup, it left a huge puddle of water on my plate when I tried to use it.
Their fries and fish however were good, fairly decent, nothing amazing though.
In the end I spent almost $ 20 on myself for lunch, for something at truly wasn’t worth it.
The service was so-​so as well, one somewhat nice server, but something was amiss, again contributing to the not feeling welcome vibe.
Would I come again, or recommend someone else going… most likely not.

I was desperate to find a good breakfast in Tacoma near this part of town and found a good one here. Nice staff, real food done well, tad on the greasy side. If ordering the scramble get the ½ order. Coffee was solid. Regular neighbor customers good company. I’ll be back for waffle Wednesday’s next time in town.

Really great food and lovely people. Me and my husbands new favorite breakfast café. Will be returning soon.

Super yummy. Nice wait staff. Didnt take too long for us to get our food. I’ll be back

We arrived around 1:00 in the afternoon. What I liked is that although they stopped serving breakfast earlier, at least one breakfast entrée remained on the menu (eggs, potatoes, breakfast meat and toast). I dislike potatoes but theirs are amazing. Their country potatoes made a potato lover out of me-​crispy exterior, soft middle, with just the right amount of seasoning, onions and bell peppers. Their bacon, on the other hand, was disappointing. I even sent it back to have new bacon prepared but the new bacon tasted the same. My daughter had their spinach salad with grilled chicken, blue cheese, cranberries and walnuts. It was exquisite. Our server was really sweet and accommodating, thought she might have checked on us a littler earlier after our meal was served so as to address the bacon issue. I will definitely return as it looks like they have good breakfasts.

Had a fabulous breakfast last week. A scramble with sausage, egg, asparagus and cheese. Soooo yummy. I ordered the smaller portion and it was enough to take home for another meal.

Disappointing. The dining room was so small it would crate a fire hazard. Our waitress was attentive and we got a seat (on a Sunday) within 5 minutes. The seat was near the door and it was chilly sitting there.
I got the breakfast burrito and it was delicious, albeit too big for my appetite. My husband got biscuits and gravy, eggs and pan fries.
My husband’s biscuits were flat, not fluffy and the eggs undercooked. He stated even the potatoes were bland but the gravy helped those out a bit.
A mediocre place at best with way too many people waiting near our table and a parking disaster as well.
Pass by, there are other places much, much better than this one.

A bit disappointed. We arrived here looking for brunch and were informed after sitting down that only lunch menu was available. It is noon on a weekend in a café that advertises brunch! What the heck!

This place was full on a weekday morning, around 9. We got the last table. Overall, the experience was mixed. Here’s the breakdown:
Atmosphere: cute, clean. 4*
Service: there was only one waitress for the entire restaurant. She seemed to do her best, but there’s only so much one person can do. 3*
Food: I had the sausage scramble, and hubby had french toast. The apple cinnamon sausage was very good, as was the french toast. 4*
Price: man, this place is pricy for what you get. Our meal, plus two coffees was around 40 bucks!!! Not worth it. 2*
Survey says: While the food was good, we probably wouldn’t come here for breakfast again, given the high cost.

The weekend spot to get breakfast. We’ve had excellent food every time with their different specials like the steak and eggs or the banana walnut pancake, bacon and eggs. And the service has been friendly and welcoming!

Another local fave that’s gone down the hill. Heavy, greasy, overwrought foods on our last visit — what happened? It used to be so good — now it’s just all greasy, sloppy and not what it once was.
I ordered basic bacon and eggs. The bacon was good as it’s always been. But the eggs were greasy beyond belief — like «wrap in a napkin» greasy. Anne ordered the Egg White Omelette, ostensibly for the health benefits, but it too was smothered in grease. She had to leave most of it behind it was so bad.
And both plates were SMOTHERED in greasy giant chunks of fried potato. They call it «Potatoes O’brien» on the menu — but it’s just great big hunks of crazy greasy potatoes fried in, well, grease I guess…
Not sure if there’s been a chef change, ownership change, or what… but it was pretty awful and we won’t be back.
2 stars only because the service was pretty decent.
Amazing the difference 4 years can make since our last reviews.
Dave & Anne

We come here often because we live around the corner but we started coming even when we lived near Shakabrah and Old Milwaukee. Every meal has been great. Huge and perfectly cooked home fries, crispy and well seasoned. burgers worth the price. Egg white omelette stuffed with veggies. Mugs of decaf. Quiet enough to have a conversation but also a good place to bring toddlers. Service is always friendly and attentive. You can get a basic breakfast all day but if you want pancakes or waffles come before noon.

Quite good food. We’ve been for breakfast a couple of times. Both times have been delicious. They are a small restaurant and get busy early on the weekends. The service has been excellent despite the crowd.

Not much too say about this place. Very quaint and located along a small strip of other businesses in an otherwise residential neighborhood. The customer service was excellent! However the reason I’m only giving 3 stars is the food. The food was presentable and quality ingredients (from what I could tell) it’s just that the food was so bland. Also, they have specific breakfast and lunch times where the menu changes. Went for a Reuben, ended up with a «mayor dave’s scramble». At $ 12 a plate, I would’ve preferred Denny’s.

Perfect morning and afternoon café. You’ll be surprised to walk in and see that every table is full and the customers are happy. The meals were quick and served with a smile. Staff was delightful. ordered the prime rib hash. I’m a hungry man, so along with taste I need a healthy portion and it was both of those things.

We stopped in for a quick bite after running the narrows bridge. It was busy but we were seated right away. The hostess was friendly.
The breakfast was on of the best I’ve had in a long time. A friend had the spencer scramble I think with asparagus and sausage and it was delicious (I was sad I didn’t get it) my sister had the ham and eggs and the steak was huge! She loved it.
I went with just bacon and egg breakfast. The best part about the meal was the potatoes! Perfectly cooked and delicious.
Reason for 4 stars is the service was a bit slow.
I will definitely be back!

The best places often emerge for me on the way to other places and events. This was one of those.
Ashley set me up at the bar with some unnecessary self-​deprecation about something called «the Sunday rush,» which, apparently, I had just missed as I arrived here a little after noon. What I saw was a cozy, sunlit, family-​oriented café where mom and dad might comfortably sit next to a table of Tacoma scenesters just waking up after last night’s garagecore show, and a poet writing in her moleskine.
My choice, «The Scottie Scramble,» featured three eggs scrambled with apple sausage, asparagus and red onions, potatoes, topped with shreds of Monterrey Jack cheese.
The asparagus was tender but not overdone, the eggs and potatoes just right, and the tasty sausage made the dish, but even the buttered sourdough toast screamed that this restaurant deserves recognition beyond its sleepy Fircrest environs.
I learned that there was a Spring Lake nearby at some point, but this meal prepared me for a day of kayaking, or, in this case band practice.
The food, atmosphere, staff, and chef are all worth making a special visit to meet.
Go here.

This is me and my girlfriend’s favorite breakfast spot and they have some awesome lunch items as well. Solid portion sizes and all ingredients seem to be top notch.
All of the waitresses are very friendly and accommodating, Spring Lake is truly worthy of a 5 star rating!

This place is great… Friends and fast service. Good is great and you get a lot for your money.