Cafe Gouda

This place has progressively gone down hill. The first time I dined here several years a ago, I would rate it 4 stars easily. Multiple visits since up to today when I ate a very cold fish that was supposed to be hot. If anyone reading the has influence with the kitchen, tell them they can do better. Much potential there, just need to get back to doing it right.

it’s grungy, it’s slovenly, it’s loud, it’s overpriced. it’s got a giant tv looming over everything with queen latiffa holding forth. the service was brusque to non existent. want butter on your pancakes? try 4 mini pads, frozen solid. the sausage links were large, but cold and like sawdust. speaking of dry, adequate fluids are hard to come by here. we were there for breakfast, next time were going to macdonalds for the «big breakfast». it’s cheaper and gourmet by comparison

Love this place for breakfast and lunch and when the weather allows me to eat outdoors. It can be crowded and a bit dirty during peak times. several vegetarian choices — I love the Becca’s Garden

Here every Saturday! Although one can definitely cook all of this at home,(they desperately need a menu update) something about this place brings you back. One of my favs, would definitely recommend it :)

A little pricey but the food is great and made to order. Their special changes daily, you never know what’s going to be on the board. It’s always good though!

I have to say I am surprised by the negative reviews which almost put me off from trying this place, glad I gave them a try. They have a huge menu, they are open on Sunday which is rare around this area, the place was clean and the people working the day I was there were friendly and the food we got was good!!! I dont understand the bad reviews (except the nut allergy, thats a biggie) I had a Harley sandwich and coffee (it was in a thermos but was hot and fresh. The sandwich was grilled really nicely, all buttery and crispy. They have lots of space and a nice outdoor area with tables and umbrellas. Really glad I went.

Very good food, prepared well and staff is very pleasant. I have done custom orders and never had a problem. Breakfast is hit and miss but lunch is always solid.

Ate here for the first time last weekend and I was unpleasantly surprised. The food wasn’t terrible but it also wasn’t anything special. I tried their broccoli and cheese soup and I didn’t like it at all. It was way to chunky almost like eating broccoli and cheese, nothing about it screamed soup. I didn’t like the way the restaurant was laid out. We had to go between tables of people on one side to refill our drinks or on the other side try to get through the small line of people waiting to order to refill our drinks. Based on our first visit, it is safe to say we will not be returning for a second visit.

Used to be a great lunch spot. It feels worn out and like they just don’t care anymore. The size of items has been cut way back. The dinner time specials are not great. Just lunch menu for dinner, but you have to then tip waitress. If they are going to serve dinner, then they need more dinner items that are different than lunch. I have always loved this place, but It isn’t my favorite anymore!

We were on our way back home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and in the mood for brunch but didn’t want fast food and Cracker Barrel looked crowded. The prices are good and the menu items all look interesting enough to give a try. I had the grit cakes with eggs on top and toast; husband had egg and sausage sandwich on sourdough. The place was a much better option than fast food but still lacking in places– especially décor — it’s kinda cheesy. But, we ate and were happily back on the road in about 40 minutes.

Great little café with a great variety. Our group of four enjoyed breakfast and the pimiento cheese burgers.

The attitude and service have gone way beyond downhill and the tables were dirty. It was as if the cashier was doing us a huge favor to wait on us. I was also informed that I could now no longer get a glass of water. They, of course, offered to sell me a bottle of water with their label. With all of the new choices, in addition to the long established and more highly rated restaurants located on Hwy 127, this is the last time my friends and I will be going there. I have always tried to support our local establishments and driven past three of the other new chain coffee shops to eat at Café Gouda. This restaurant is a disappointment.

It’s always a pleasant surprise to become a duke after only two check-​ins! I’ve been coming here to get some work done over a cup of chai tea latte. I am rating this 4-​stars because I personally think it is the best local café to get some work done in the Hickory area. Other options are Starbucks, Panera, or other random cafes without free wifi that are closed on Sundays. Finding a place that is open even for a few hours on Sunday is actually really difficult in Hickory, because everything completely shuts down on Sundays which is very unfortunate because that is the day when I feel too lazy to cook.
I’ve tried their Reece’s cookie, some sort of Gouda sandwich, and their chai tea latte. The menu is extensive and there are a lot of breakfast items I would love to give a shot. I enjoyed everything I ate and have no complaints with the food. This must be a great place to visit during the summer because they have a really nice outdoor seating area. I only wish it the staff cleaned up the dining area more frequently. It was a little difficult to find a table without old food morsels on or under the table.
Concluding Haiku
Open on Sundays
Yahooo whooohooo yay yay yay!
Free wifi tastes good

Great food! Reasonably priced. Good local people who are always accommodating and appreciative of business. Peanut butter/​banana/​granola and yogurt fruit wraps are wonderful and great for breakfast. Egg sandwiches =wonderful! Lunch — sandwiches and salad will fill you up in a healthy way!

It pains me to write this, having been a fan of Café Gouda for years, but their service and quality of food have diminished terribly over the past few months. Case in point, this AM they gave my son the wrong order (banana nut muffin instead of blueberry) and we didn’t realize it until after he’d taken a bite. He has a severe nut allergy and when we informed them of the mistake and his condition, the response was, «Oh, so do you want something different?» The acted as if we were to blame for wanting the right order and were totally obtuse to the fact that their error could have killed him (fortunately the muffin had walnuts and not one of the nuts he has a more severe reaction too).
Poor service, snobby attitude and the food isn’t worth it. We won’t go back.

Great place for breakfast or lunch (they also serve dinner, but I haven’t been there for that yet). Offbeat menu. It has the feel of some coffee shops I’ve been to that served quirky sandwiches or burritos, except the menu here is more extensive. A little bit of a hippie vibe just judging by the menu, but very nice and casual.

My wife had been here once or twice and really enjoyed it; this was my first time visiting. Employees were neither friendly nor unfriendly. Breakfast sandwich was a great idea: egg, provolone cheese, tomato, sprouts, and Turkey sausage on sourdough bread. Unfortunately the tomatoes were near white and tasteless. The other ingredients were nearly as bland. We also ordered pancakes and they were some of the worst I’ve ever had. Water is only available as bottled, and we were offered two plastic cups with it. How about saving some plastic with tap water and glasses? Prices would be reasonable, if the food was up to par.

Big fan of Café Gouda. The scene is enjoyable — smells of sandwiches and freshly brewed coffees. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the staff is super friendly. A chalk board features a great menu (breakfast sandwiches/​wraps, lunch sandwiches, quesadillas, salads, soups).
Each time, I struggle deciding what to order. The Hot Brown has been my favorite sandwich here.
Highly recommend Gouda.
Advice: Bring your own drink. They charge upwards of $ 2 for a cup (refillable), or you can pay for a bottle of water with their logo. Tap water would be more sustainable, but maybe that’s something for the future.

Café Gouda picked up a fan in me. Typical setup, you order at the counter and they bring you the food at your table.
I ordered the Chicken Salad Sandwich and it was one of the better ones I’ve ever had. They put the grapes, raisins and nuts into the salad mix which added some texture to the sandwich made it better.
The friend I was with ordered an extra item that I sort of. some type of banana wrap with peanut butter and granola in it but I tried a half of one and it was gooooooood!
Nice place, very busy at lunch time. Worth a stop if you are looking for a deli style lunch and in the area.

Visiting family from out of town, we were looking for a place to grab breakfast that wasn’t McDonalds or Bojangles. Oh yeah, and it’s Sunday morning. After discovering that the 14^th St. café was demolished (literally), we drove over to Café Gouda.
Great little place for breakfast, with a nice ambience. Waffles for the girl, and yummy breakfast sandwiches for wife and me. Great coffee, though a little heavy on the flavored choices for my taste. Friendly service. Will return.