Poor Richards Cafe

Horrible service. Our server never checked on us and never came around with refills. Coffee was cold. Food was mediocre.

Usually good service but I ordered breakfast for pick-​up today and didn’t verify that the waitress heard/​understood my order. Specifically asked for peppers and onions in my hashbrowns with cheese sauce as well. Didn’t get any of it. I ordered the philly cheese steak omelette and there was no peppers or onions in that either (to me it’s not a «philly» cheese steak without them!) also my toast was laid across the top of the omelette so there was cheese from the omelette all over half the toast. I have ordered pick-​up several times with no problems so this is an isolated incident for me but from now on I’ll make sure they repeat my order back to me.

Restaurant was clean, staff were happy to serve you and that about sums up the positives. The food (I had the chipped beef on toast, hash browns and an egg over easy) was bland and the portions were quite small. Maybe being from the country has led me to expect an unreasonably hearty portion from a breakfast restaurant, but the amount would have been disappointing even if it were for a light lunch. It should be noted that I’m an average size guy with a smaller than average appetite for my 6′ 175lb frame. I received one piece of Texas toast lightly covered with a white sauce that I assume contained flakes of meat, but I didn’t see any from my angle. There was a ribbon of hash brown down the center, with the aforementioned egg all alone on the other side of the platter. My friend had the ham and cheese omelet, which she had no complaints about, but to me resembled a larger than normal 99 cent Taco Bell soft taco (read «flat and unappetizing).
If Richard really is poor, it’s not because he spends too much on ingredients.

Great place for hangover food or if you only have $ 5 left in your wallet for a meal. I’ve only been here for breakfast. Staff is super friendly, food served quickly. I usually get an omelet. You get toast and hashbrowns. Huge portions. I like my hashbrowns somewhat burned though, and have learned to specify this when ordering. (otherwise they come out pretty undercooked). All in all, just a good hole in the wall kinda place.

Good food fast, friendly staff however based on the way they run the place you may not see your waitstaff much after you receive you food. I’m typically there hungover so I require a lot of water so that was a downfall. Staff is however very friendly. I’m not crazy about the décor but that doesn’t deter me from a hangover brunch here and there.

Poor Richards is Kalamazoo’s most legendary greasy spoon. This is definitely THE spot for a dirt-​cheap 5:00 A.M. hangover cure.
I ordered the Hungry Man breakfast this morning, and I’m still pretty full seven hours later. Hash browns, two slices of toast, three eggs, ham, sausage patty, two sausage links, and two slices of bacon … all for around $ 7? Come ON.
Service is always friendly and fast. Décor is a kitschy nautical theme. They seem oddly proud to offer a smoking section, and they seem to have it ventilated well, as I’ve never smelled a whiff of smoke while there.
Where do local guys eat breakfast before a day at the plant? Here.

I have had better. I am not really sure why people think it is the best place for breakfast. It was my first time there & I had high hopes. I ordered the omelet with sausage gravy. I had to add hot sauce & pepper to make it good & I was disappointed with how thin it was. Also, the sourdough toast was only okay. Not sure if I will go back.

Love this place! A diner at it’s best with the cost for a meal that keeps bringing me back. It’s a must see if you’re in Kalamazoo!

One of the only things I miss about Michigan. Oh Richard, we were so young. We were just kids you and I, but we made love like a couple of seasoned Jiggalos. Well seasoned. Not unlike your frozen meats.
XO.
–T.

I would place Poor Richards Café near the top of 10 things I miss about Michigan.
For me, they define everything that an American breakfast and diner should be.
Do they still give out 50 cent coins for change?
It’s been about 6 years since I’ve had a meal here and I still miss it so.

As classic as a classic diner can get. The usuals — eggs, toast, hashbrowns and great columbian coffee.
The atmosphere is fun — large fish tanks with eels and boat pictures galore.
Being in Michigan, be prepared for cigarette smoke along with your omelette — but this is a place where you’d expect the waitress to take your order with a smoke hanging out the side of her mouth… haha.
Cheap. Perfect.

When Nate Bandit of Louisville’s Bourbon Bandits described this diner as a place «that gives you the meat sweats,» I knew I had to try it.
Poor Richard’s offers indoor smoking, bottomless cups of coffee and meat-​intensive platters of greasy goodness.
On day one, I had the chicken fried steak, three eggs, hashbrowns and toats. The steak arrived smothered in gravy. The hashbrowns were perfectly crispy, and the toast was two FULL slices of toast. It was enough food to two. I ate the whole thing for less than $ 6.
On day two, I had the biscuits and gravy (again with toast and hashrowns). It was delicious and hugely filling.
Forgot your smokes? You can buy some at the counter. This place is hangover slayer, and every morning is a low-​key party. The tables are big and can be joined together for maximum mob action.
Warning: If you dislike smoke or trashy folk, avoid this place.