Testy Chef Cafe

Really good breakfast with amazing service. I do wish they took credit cards but the cash only thing only adds to its charm.

I always like to try out small café’s and diners that are not a chain. Unfortunately, this place is not for me. The service left a lot to be desired when we came in it felt like we were a bother. The waitress was really not friendly and after receiving our food we felt like she was rushing us even though no one was waiting to sit down. Don’t dare ask if they accept anything except cash because she was pretty rude about it. The food was ok but we left wondering how the reviews on this place are so good. I would not recommend.

I came here for a late breakfast last Saturday at the behest of my sister who really likes this place. It is a small, diner style building with a patio overlooking the cedar river. They only accept cash, so come prepared! Our waitress was a total grump and when she wasn’t completely ignoring us she was rushing us through our breakfast. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian options, but they are able to make certain dishes without meat which is great. The food itself was just OK, nothing very exciting or well executed. I probably wont come here again, but I encourage meat eaters and people who like mediocre breakfast foods to try it and give their opinions.

The best burgers and the best outdoor setting in MV. Had the garlic burger and although the patty seemed small, the flavor was unbelievable. Nothing more to say other than I will be back soon, ready and willing to fork over my cash and feel good about it. Prices were fair, they could use a better beer/​wine selection but I get it, not really why they are there.

Gave it a try based on the reviews. Eh. It’s ok. Tiny, long waits, cash only. The food was ok, as in just about a bazillion times better than Denny’s, but I’ve had better breakfasts. The (nice) waitress said the special was Peach and Blueberry Cobbler French Toast with BACON on the side. I didn’t ask, but I expected peaches and blueberries. I didn’t get it. It was peach/​blueberry bread made into French Toast. I’m not sure what the cobbler component was. It was ok, the whipped cream was ok, the french toast was ok, but it was nothing to write home about. I swiped a bite of my husband’s hashbrowns with gravy. The gravy was fresh, and it was ok, but salty. Husband liked the hashbrowns — said they were good. Don’t get me wrong — it wasn’t BAD, I wouldn’t complain if we were in the area or someone suggested it — but between the wait times, the bitty dining area and the decent but not amazing breakfast, I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

Tried this place for breakfast the other day and after waiting for 15 – 20 minutes for a table, I really don’t understand why. The food was mediocre. The service was OK and they were kid-​friendly (they brought colors and a coloring book to entertain our daughter). Everything was a bit greasy, and if you’re looking for healthy, you’d have better luck at IHOP. This tiny space is falling apart, too. It’s definitely a hole in the wall, along with holes in the wall, the baseboards, etc. Needs a good wipe down and updated menu options. I love supporting local business, but this place has too many downsides for me to return.

I really want to like small places like this that are popular with the locals, but how this place has such a positive rating is beyond me.
I’ll start with the good: All of the staff were super friendly. The view of Cedar River from the back patio is nice. Portions are huge for what you pay. That’s about it, though.
The food is mediocre at best: Pancakes and coffee were decent. Biscuits were nothing special and we saw them pulling them out of a ziploc, far from fresh. The eggs in my benedict were overcooked and came with a full cup of sauce, which I hesitate to call béarnaise because it didn’t taste anything like one (and it was already separating when I got it). Not to be outdone on the sauce front, the biscuits and gravy came with maybe half a GALLON of gravy (I’m only exaggerating a little here) and the only flavor I could detect was a strange sulfur-​like aftertaste. The canned corned beef in the hash was reminiscent of cat food.
The restaurant itself is in need of lot of TLC; the building is in various states of disrepair and could use a thorough cleaning inside and out. It is extremely cramped inside. The patio is much better and is thankfully covered and heated during cooler months. Due to the limited seating, you’re guaranteed a wait weekend mornings, and you’ll need to stand outside to do so.
My suggestion to the owners would be to educate the cook on quality/​consistency (or get a new one) and adjust the portion sizes downward. The added margin could then be used saved to fix this place up before it falls apart. Until then, I’d rather eat at IHOP in Covington.

Best breakfast in MV, hands down. The servers and cooks are friendly and quick. Best part: sitting outside year round with heaters and a great view of the river. There can be a wait on weekends.

This place is horrible, food is super greasy and the restaurant does not look clean. We sat on the patio and when the manager (owner?) cleared our dishes, the remnants of the drinks were thrown over the handrail. Extremely low class

Our new favorite breakfast place in Maple Valley! Very good down-​home cooking. We sit at the counter and watch the kitchen commotion, marveling at how the cook keeps it all together on the grill and how the gals work with each other. The food is very good, generous portions. They don’t take credit/​debit, so come with your checkbook or cash.

Always a great breakfast. The service is always friendly and a great atmosphere. The décor is rustic but it sits on the Cedar River.

Delicious huge «Denver» omelette filled with plenty of cheese and green chilis. The side of toast and hash browns made for a filling meal at a decent price.

The Testy Chef is an itty bitty landmark here. We had basic breakfast fare and it totally hit the spot. Corned beef and hash, delicious coffee. The staff was somewhat gruff but they were packed and kept the coffee cup full, one lady was super sweet. I’d return but not with the family. I sat at the bar next to some foul mouthed men…

Have been coming to the testy chef since I was 6 years old. We used to come every Sunday after church with my grandparents. 13 years later I still come here with my family and take my girlfriend here for breakfast. It’s very small on the inside but very home feeling with the girls who have worked there forever and do a good job of keeping the customers happy. The testy mess is the best thing you’re going to order on the menu, lots of cheese and yummy green onions. I prefer to sit outside where you can over look the Cedar River. There’s these really old trivia cards on every table to mess around with while waiting for your food. I have never had one complaint while coming here all these years.
They only take cash!

So it was about a week ago that I got invited by my friend Lauren to come try this cute little place out and can I just say it was the best place I’ve had breakfast in a long time?!
The decorations inside were so cute and the theme they had going on gave it a home inviting feeling. It made me feel like I came into grandmas house or something! The service was excellent from the moment we came in to the moment we left. We first got seated at a table for four facing the road and I noticed across the restaurant they had an «outside» seating section with a view. We politely asked if we could take the table and without hesitation she told us we could go for it. We had the coolest view from our table over looking the table and perfect amount of lighting.
I ordered apple juice, the biggie, and the buttermilk pancakes. I like how the lady offered us coffee and when I said no she looked at me and knew exactly that I wanted juice lol when the lady served my friend Lauren her coffee, it came in the cutest Christmas mug ever! I think those details are to die for.
Now I’m a huge sucker for country fried steak and eggs and so I was really surprised of the amount of food I got on my plate. It was so delicious and creamy and the right kind of texture. I was literally smiling so big when I was eating my food. Definitely recommend you to try it!
The buttermilk pancakes came last and I was so full at this point but I had to try them. Let’s just say I was not disappointed. They were so soft and huge! I ate one full pancake with the help of my friends of course.
I would really recommend anyone to try this place out! ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would recommend

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: I’m in love with this place.
I expected there to be a hefty wait because of the reviews on Unilocal… Glad to find the place was only ¾ of the way full! We were seated in the front portion of the restaurant but we asked if we could move to an empty seat in the back on the heated, covered patio overlooking the river. The waitress gladly let us move. :)
Décor: This place definitely has the homey/​cutesy thing going for it. It’s in a very small building with lots of cute touches. The patio we were seated on even has a little fireplace with a Christmas tree on it and everything. It was adorable. The seats out on the covered patio overlook the river and trees which was an awesome backdrop to a great breakfast.
Service: Everybody that works at Testy Chef is super nice! From the lady that let us move to the back to our actual waitress, I have no complaints. Our waitress was very accommodating when we decided to order pancakes a little bit after we finished our main meals and she made conversation with us throughout our entire time there.
Food: Deeelicious diner food. I’m a sucker for breakfast and brunch and this place hits the spot!!! I ended up getting «The Biggie» Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs. The gravy and the chicken fried steak were perfect. The gravy was full of flavor and the chicken fried steak was cooked to perfection and had a great crunchiness to it. I asked for my eggs scrambled with cheese and I sure got cheese… So much cheese. I loved it. Their hashbrowns are super good too — nice and crispy, just the way they should be! My friends and I also split an order of the buttermilk pancakes… So amazing. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Overall this place is a gem. I love it and I’m going to be back. I have to bring my family, my boyfriend, and anybody else who enjoys breakfast!

Maple valley is beautiful and if you eat out in balcony watching the river while you eat your breakfast and lunch. The food is good and fresh taste homemade nine if that microwave stuff.

We have lived in Maple Valley for over 15 years and this is our first visit. I wish we would have dined here much sooner.
Service is friendly and food is very good. Make sure you bring your appetite. I was not able to finish the breakfast I ordered, since the portions are very large.
I highly recommend this place and will be back.

I really wanted to like this place. However it was pretty disappointing. There may be 1 or 2 happy/​friendly employees the rest are pretty unwelcoming –1 star. The coffee was horrible! Incredibly bland, Luke warm and watered down –1 star. And the dirty silverware we had to send back cost them another star. Parking is horrible… The spots are so narrow that you can almost guarantee a fresh door ding after your meal. I did give them 2 stars because the food itself was pretty good and the place itself has character. Overall I think it’s safe to say I will not return.

Love love love!!! ’twas a dark rainy autumn Sunday morning, (today) and bigdaddy and I were thinking we were just going to look for a easy breakfast joint to check out nearby our new home. And had no idea we would find the best breakfast place I’ve EVER been to! I’m not even kidding! I am so happy to find Testy Chef!
It looks TINY from outside. But it seats I’d say…13 or so tables? Plus cute little country type bar seating right in the entryway, you know the type… local older gentleman heads down over their black coffee, big ol plates of bacon and eggs in front of them, friendly… but happy to keep to themselves except for the little small chat with the waitresses and other locals… it seriously set the scene for us.
Now, everything was fabulous here. But what really set this place apart from other restaurants/​diners, was that they leave the outside deck open for business even when it’s snowing or storming or whatnot, but they heave a thick clear plastic enclosure completely covering the whole deck, plus heating, so you see outside but completely incased and warm!!! Now… I’m a girl that could live in the midst of a cold rainy, leaves falling, day non stop. Who needs seasons?!? :D So getting to enjoy the outdoor storm, feeling you’re sitting in the middle of if, but warm and toasty and drinking coffee, with a rushing river just feet below you, amazing. Ya… I don’t believe there is anything better then that. I want to post a million pics and transport you here so you felt like I felt. Seriously… I can go on and on… it was perfect. Oh and btw they open more decks in the summer, so more seating.
The food was great also! :) The bacon is thick, the hashbrowns are moist, the omelets are cheesy, and oh my the gravy is to die for!!! They also have a full espresso bar. And they serve wine and beer and mimosas. And I see that they serve yummy looking burgers, so we will try them for lunch too soon. The service was impeccable and lovely. Just everything was lovely. I’m happy. :)