The Ugly Omelet

Today was my second trip to Ugly Omelet, and I spent the entire car ride trying to figure out why I wasn’t fond of the place the first time I went. But our usual place is apparently closed on Mondays, and it had been about 2 or 3 years since the first trip to UO, so I figured, what the hell.
Try as I might, I have nothing good to say about the place. It was clean? The waitstaff was friendly enough. Neither of those outweigh the the crazy prices, the ridiculous wait times, and the sub-​par food.
Prices: Based on other diners I’ve been to, the prices seemed to be at least $ 2.00 more per special. On their sides menu, they listed things such as french fries (for breakfast? okay…) and hash browns as $ 1.95, but if you want some bacon and cheese on them, it bumps the price up to around $ 5.95 – kind of crazy, in my opinion. I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted because I wasn’t sure if the prices were inexcusably high, or if they served a lot of food.
Wait time: We waited for about 5 minutes after being told that we’d be seated in a couple of minutes, which would have been understandable if not for: (a) the place was at least half empty, and (b) when we finally were seated, the waitress simply pointed to a table and said, «That table’s clean for you, have a seat.» (The table had been clean since before we walked in.) It took another 5 – 10 minutes before she took our drink orders (OJ and hot tea with milk), and when she finally came back, she only brought the OJ. I had to wait longer for the tea, and then again for the milk.
Food: I could have (and would have) blown off those two examples easily, but when combined with waiting over 30 minutes for breakfast food after ordering it, only to have the order messed up, was just too much. I ordered over-​medium eggs, rye toast, and grits. After that 30+ minutes, I received flavorless grits, one egg that was over-​hard and the other over-​easy, and burnt toast. It was one of the most disappointing breakfasts I’d ever had, and I didn’t even eat half of it. My husband had to ask for some of the food he ordered to be brought out to him because, like with my tea, the waitress neglected it in the kitchen.
Service: There were two waitresses on for a house that was barely half-​full, and service was still slow, as I previously mentioned. Our waitress checked on us once, but only in literal passing as she walked by our table. When she retrieved my dishes, she didn’t notice (or didn’t care) that about half of the food was still on the plate, and didn’t ask if my food was okay. I’m kicking myself for not saying something then, because I paid full price for food that was disappointing and kind of gross.
All in all, this is the last time we’ll ever go to Ugly Omelet, even when our regular place is closed, because it’s not worth the time or money. Believe me, if the prices were that high and the wait was that long, but the food was out of this world, I would be here applauding instead of complaining, but unfortunately Ugly Omelet struck out on all three levels.

I got a veggie omelet, it was pretty good. Way too much butter on the toast. Decent home fries. «Water and coffee» means we both want water and coffee, not one water and one coffee… Know what I mean? Less than decent service. Don’t like the attitude (posted a picture) of the facility. Not welcoming.

I’m new to town and have been searching for a good breakfast spot and this is our new go to! The food is good, pancakes are delish, coffee is great and I can always take it to go. The wait gets long after 9am on the weekends which is to be expected. The décor could be spruced up but that doesn’t cook my food so I’m alright with it. The waitstaff busts their butts and is always super friendly even at their busiest.

Of the worst dining-​out experiences I’ve had in a long time. We waited a half hour to be seated after being told 15 minutes. Meanwhile there were several vacated dirty tables sitting there with no one bussing them. We waited anther 15 mins to place our order once seated. Then waited anther 30 mins for a wrap and an omelette. Home fries were soggy/​mushy and cold. Server did rectify by getting me something else, which is the only reason I’m giving it 2 stars and not 1. The fastest service we received through the whole experience was when I asked for the check. If you want mediocre food with nearly non-​existent servers and have at least 2 hours to burn, this is your place for sure.

Great place. Our new default weekend breakfast place. Food is fresh. Home fries are ALWAYS the best. Very clean and the staff is wonderful.
Recommendations:
Steak and Eggs
Biscuits and gravy
Pancakes
Owner is very friendly and accommodating.

Slow service, no beverage refills, forgetting order items until we asked for the check, and then the customer near us asked for hot syrup and was told OK, five minutes later the waitress came back to offer room temperature syrup. Warm up the syrup for the customer. Also, at 11 on a Sunday they ram out of cream cheese. SLOW & DISCORTEOUS.

We had high hopes– fun name, cute & kitschy atmosphere, friendly waitstaff. The servers were really the reason I gave two stars; they were quick to seat us, took our order soon without rushing us, and were fast to clean up other tables.
Sadly, everything was bland– the home fries, the corned beef hash (more potatoes than meat), the coffee, even their signature omelet. The only part of the food we enjoyed between 2 full meals was the French toast. It also didn’t help that we were continually waving away large flies and fruit flies. Unless we hear about a radical overhaul of the menu, we won’t be back.

So I had a theory that the cook maybe hid behind a cleaver name to set the precedent for disappointing dishes lacking eye appeal.
Before my theory could be proven, we waited at the «Please Wait To Be Seated» sign much longer than an almost empty dining room should have warranted. When the waitress discovered us she told us to sit wherever we would like, which made the sign seem silly, but whatever.
I didn’t see my favorite breakfast dish on the menu, but it mentioned that the cook took requests. So I asked the waitress if they could make Eggs Benedict. I didn’t think it was a good sign that she had to ask the kitchen, but I was hopeful.
The large exaggerated window between the kitchen and dining area provides a «fishbowl» feel into the kitchen. I heard the cook tell the waitress that he could prepare the Benedict if the customer was not in a hurry. When she returned to the table I told her there was no rush.
To complete my order the waitress asked me if I preferred white, wheat, or raisin toast… Oh no! Was I a part of a first time experiment? I asked if they had English muffins, what a Benedict is traditionally served upon. She then asked if I wanted them toasted or grilled! Perhaps she didn’t know a Benedict is a standard dish unless otherwise indicated by a finicky customer. I heard her say to the other waitress as she entered our order into the computer that she forgot to ask how I wanted my eggs. The other waitress told they were always poached unless the customer specifies. Maybe she just never served breakfast… anywhere.
While we waited, my breakfast companion was entertained by the kitchen staff. The cook’s seemingly one sided conversation centered around a business discussion that I, the customer, didn’t really need to be privy to. Perhaps the kitchen staff should be more aware of the patron in earshot; although I think the cook may have been. His tone had that «putting on a show» level where you can tell they are aware they have an audience, not to mention the other conversationalist’s responses were not audible.
I did get a kick out of the curtain pinned up over the kitchen window. The valance was the style that had 1″ strips that were meant to feed a curtain rod through with a decorative button to secure each strip over the rod. The valances were pinned upside down leaving the 1″ strips to hang downwards as if they were tassels. I guess they really complemented the dopy tchotchke on the walls (for the record I love dopy tchotchke, but really, who was the idiot that pinned the curtains upside down??)
When my dish arrived it looked beautiful, nothing ugly about this Benedict. The plating was a bit sloppy, but it’s a diner, right? I gently shook the plate noting the yolk’s fluid bounce, yes not over cooked! I cut into the egg and took my first bite, alas… disappointment.
The Hollandaise sauce was bland, flavorless. I’ve been known to hold myself back from liking the plate containing the savory sauce. Now I just found myself scrapping the goop off my food.
I thought it had been a good sign of an experienced chef when I saw him separating the egg yolks in his palm; however, he did not execute the technical sauce. Maybe he doesn’t taste his food as he cooks, maybe he just lacks the palate.
«Seth» the cook mentioned in the menu should invest in «Knor powdered Hollandaise sauce», it’s quick, delicious, and idiot– proof. Then his customers wouldn’t have to wait for a home made subpar sauce, and have enough time to notice the curtains are pinned upside down.
I give The Ugly Omelette 2 stars, because one of the eggs was poached to perfection. I assume the other was also, but it was ruptured at plating.

I got the Ugliest Omelet ever! Delicious food, fast service and great coffee!
I’ve been coming to the Ugly Omelet since they were on mass ave. always have had great food.

The WORST coffee we’ve ever had. Instead of offering something else, the snotty waitress claimed to have just received a compliment on the coffee. Have they cleaned the coffee maker in the last year? The «home fries» were soggy and had an off taste like they were three days old. I think the flat top they cooked them on had grease still left from when this was a Chinese restaurant a couple of years ago. The omelet would have been passable if it wasn’t filled with ingredients that were obviously days old. If you like the flavor of old grease and coffee grounds then I highly recommend this place.

I’ve been here several times and always have had a pleasant experience. The food is always great. :)

Never ate there before today. Arrived at 10 AM. We were told that the wait time was 10 minutes. 35 minutes later, we were seated. Waitresses were nice but a bit too relaxed and familiar. Food arrived about 25 minutes later. I ordered the veggie omelet. My wife had two eggs, home fries, bacon, and English muffin. My son had two pancakes.
Coffee was horrible and undrinkable. No amount of «cream» or sugar could fix it. Tap water was passable. My omelet was simply horrible. Although the eggs were ok, the filler was gross. Some veggies were uncooked, others were burnt. The rye toast was burnt. The «home fries» were burnt. I ate about ¹⁄₃ of the meal. My (always hungry) son finished a little more. In my opinion, my son’s pancakes were dry and leathery. My wife had some of her eggs. Her «home fries» were also burnt. The restaurant was unbelievably loud. My tinnitus flared-​up from the noise. Bill came to $ 30 including a $ 5 tip (my wife always insists on tipping no matter how bad the food). After we left, my wife threw up. I didn’t find this out until later. I felt nauseous, but managed to keep what little I ate down. My son liked his pancakes. However, he never complains about food. All in all, the worst breakfast I have had at a restaurant for many years. This restaurant needs a chef.

The food was great as well as the atmosphere. Only down side was the wait which took about 15 minutes. Other than that I would highly recommend it. :)

Food was really great here… service was good as well. I will be going back here soon.

Inconsistent food quality. Used to be great… now just so so. Last time I went my pancake was over cooked and very dry but the loaded home fries were yummy. My husband’s wrap was under seasoned. The time before that my loaded home fries were over seasoned, over cooked, and not as loaded as they should have been but my pancakes were good. Good coffee for sure. I’m hopeful that the food quality will go back to what it used to be and stabilize.

My friend and I enjoyed our visit on August 24, 2014.
We were greeted and seated promptly. The server offered us coffee and indulged our goofy banter while we decided what to eat. I placed a complicated order — eggs over MEDIUM, bacon CRISP, etc — and received it all as requested. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the grits with bacon, cheese and scallions.

We ate on 8÷17÷14 and had a good wait to get in. a good sign for a Sunday morning.
The good news… the signature ugly omelette, eggs w corned beef hash and a breakfast wrap all score high marks. good job in the kitchen!
What didn’t score well was the horrible service. I’ll spare the details out of respect for the waitress, but she was not friendly, not happy and we became invisible to her after we ordered. we watched her refill coffee and water around us while our drinks remained empty for the 45 minute wait for food. When I finally got her attention to ask for more decaf, she told me of a fresh pot brewing and then never returned. I’m assuming with no eye contact and no service we caught her on a bad day.
To the owner, you have a real issue that needs to be addressed… too many choices in town to do that again.

A friend recommended the Ugly Omelet, wish I could have tried the food. Stood at the door because a sign said «wait to be seated» while the waitress at the counter was busy ringing up an order… she never looked up. Brought the bill to customer’s table… never looked my way even though she was 2 feet away. She came back to counter, still keeping her head down and that was when I walked out.
A simple «good morning, it will just be a moment» would have been appropriate. I spent too many years in customer service to put up with that. And I took it as a sign of things to come.

This used to be a great breakfast/​lunch place but it’s really gone downhill. The last two times we went there (the last on 8÷9÷14) the food was burned, except for the eggs which were under-​cooked. I sent it back, they fixed the eggs but left the burnt toast, home fries, and sausage on the plate. They lost a long term customer.

Offering local eggs and local maple syrup. Keeping it local is what we like to see. Lots of daily specials available also.