Service was excellent and food was just as great! We went this morning and the place was packed! We just moved to Pompton Lakes so it was great to see all the staff greeting and hugging since they know each other. Very homy environment. Highly recommend the Huevos Rancheros and the French Toast! read more

Cardinal Cafe - French Toast with Bananas and Huevos Rancheros - Cafes Near Me - Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

The best breakfast around. Wholesome homemade tasty food. Friendly people own and run the cafe.

I used to come here almost every day my Senior year of HS for lunch. I always got the grilled cheese platter--- I think I got my freshman 15 while I was still in high school. I came here for breakfast during Pompton's latest power outage. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Hot coffee with endless refills. Delicious breakfast. Not the healthiest of options available but the price is right if you're looking for a quick and easy meal. read more

GREAT little lounchenotte in good ol pompton lakes....came here this past sat. and had french toast /w ham steak /w ic tea and it was quit tasty.....fast service and very friendly... toilets are also real clean....they get u in and out....ckeck it out, i don't think you will be disappointed! read more

Awesome place for a great meal. It's a diner so expect typical diner food (burgers, wraps, etc). But it's homemade & really good. The owner stops at every table to make sure you are ok. Your glass is never empty for long. Great prices for good food. read more

A local favorite. Wait staffs were super friendly. My eggs, wheat pancakes were perfect. Did notice the bacons were over cooked and the side orders were slightly more expensive. Go for the 2-2-2 specials, skip the bacons, get the hams instead. read more

Awesome place! The staff is super friendly and attentive! Our first time here! I had a chicken cutlet on a roll..expecting the pre-made chicken patties.. Not here! Its fresh chicken pounded very thin and deep fried to perfection! My husband had 3 eggs over easy with sausage.. He didnt have the home-fries that comes with it.. instead he had sliced tomato and avocado on the side.... He said it was very good! Cant wait to go back and try there other items on the menu! read more

The wings are highly recommended. Our waitress was very sweet & patient. Come early because they are always packed and usually have a wait. Will return for more comfort deliciousness. read more

The food here is absolutely phenomenal and the staff is by far the friendliest around. This is the place that you want to become a regular at because it is just that good and the small-town atmosphere is very welcoming. I can sum up this review with two words: EAT HERE. :) read more

After yesterday's experience, I will never go back...that after eating there regularly for 20 years. Arrived at 950, and ordered at 10:00. The place was very busy. At 1010, 4 people were seated next to us. They ordered and their food arrived at 1020. 2 other tables who came in after us were also served shortly thereafter. At 1030, I motioned to Gladys, the owner, what about our food? She said " Another minute, coming right up. 10:30....nothing. 10:40...nothing. So this was a lie, as the eggs when they finally arrived were hot. The food arrives at 1045, and was thrown together, I have ordered that dish 100 times. When I express my displeasure, Gladys says "We only have one egg-poacher". 2 of the 4 people next to me had poached eggs, and got them a half an hour before us. The correct answer would have been "You order got shuffled to the bottom, my apologies". But that was not forthcoming. She showed me her true colors and that she didnt give a crap about us. Like I said, their food is generally very good as are her waitresses....but I cannot patronize a person that simply play-acts and really doesnt care. read more

Such a terrible business owner...even after I told her I was pregnant and I was so upset (hyperventing) about how judgement and rude she was, she made no effort in providing quality customer service. I've never felt so disrespected in my life. read more

Good prices, friendly atmosphere, and best of all, delicious food. Whether for breakfast or for lunch you will not be disappointed. This establishment has a local vibe with comfort food that will satisfy any craving. I highly recommend this place to anyone and the Cardinal Cafe will become a quick "regular" spot for anyone willing to experience their great food. read more

I was in Cardinal Cafe this past Sunday and this woman started a fight with the owner. To everyone's surprise, this woman wasn't happy with any answer given to her by the owner and started flipping out. Yelling, dropping the F bomb over and over. The many small children present nor there parent we not at all pleased with her conduct. What a classless whore. P.S. My food was outstanding. read more

Excellent place,excellent food!! Gladys is a great person with an exceptional personality. Clean place, waitresses are friendly, knowledgeable, and very efficient. Recommend to everyone who may pass this cafe , the edit is not long fir the quality, variety and deliciousness of their food !!! read more

Really pretty good. The prices are reasonable. Service is fast food quality is good. Burgers very good. Watch out during the week it is packed with the local HS kids for lunch from 11ish to 1230pm or so. Week ends busy with all locals eating. With that in mind...you know the food is good. read more

My gf and I come here every weekend! Both days! The staff is amazing and hard working! The food is Amazing! The prices are great! Try the 2-2-2! I get it everytime and it's always delicious. We love it here and so will you! read more

Great breakfast spot and great service. Hoping they would offer VEGAN options at their new location.

My husband and I eat breakfast there nearly every Sunday! The food is delicious and very consistent. The wait staff treats us like family; Gladys, the owner, is always smiling, and Chelsea is the best!! We love this place! read more

This is the absolute best place for a great meal and a great experience. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often. My wife and I go there when ever we get the chance. The staff and owners are extremely warm, friendly and welcoming. They exceed my expectations every time we visit. Everyone there is grade A. read more

Great food, excellent service, and fair prices. Coffee was some of the best I've had. Cheesesteak was very good. I will definitely be going again if I'm in the area. read more

My review is based only on breakfast. We ordered pancakes and they were hands down the best I've ever had. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Plenty of food and at a great price. Will be back for sure! read more

Quintessential small town diner. Great food, cozy atmosphere, and good service. You will run into someone you know every time you go. The cardinal has the best home fries in the world. read more

Great place. Just moved to town and all the staff here are very friendly. Had breakfast here the first time, french toast was perfect. For lunch had the buffalo wrap, also would recommend that. Not open for dinner but they open early for breakfast. Felt like a nice cafe/diner combo. Can't beat the prices either. This will be a regular stop for us. read more

Is annoying and won't let me order what I want. Overall made me really mad and now I think different of this place. I think they should let you order whatever I want no matter where it is on the menu read more

FOOD WAS ALright . A bit pricey but better than the DIner. I don't come here to often but when I do I order the chicken salad. Or the coleslaw. They are both good. I will be back. read more

My absolute favorite place to go for breakfast on the weekends! The staff is fantastic and extremely attentive. I've been coming here on a regular basis for about 3 years--Gladys (one of the owners) knows me by name and she always makes a point to say hi! My usual meal for breakfast is the 2-2-2 with your choice of 2 pancakes or french toast, 2 eggs, and two pieces of bacon, sausage, or taylor ham. I also highly recommend trying the soups I was never a soup person until I started coming here. My absolute favorite is their cream of mushroom soup with corn chowder and cream of zucchini coming in as a close second and third. I am always talking about the Cardinal and constantly recommend this place to my family and friends! read more

The quality of food has improved since the name change. They serve comfort food plus some Latin dishes. The wait for lunch was a little long, but you can say that about many places. I can't believe they are not open for dinner. They close at 300pm. I think this establishment would best be described as a luncheonette, not a cafe. read more

Great little place in town. Food is consistent and really good. Love their pancakes, bangers breakfast plate.

Cardinal Cafe is a fantastic restaurant with friendly people working there and friendly patrons who enjoy their delicious food! Small town charm, work ethic, great food, and always a welcome hello and often a funny wise crack from everyone there makes the Cardinal and everyone there institutions! Highest recommendation possible! A thousand out of 10! read more

The staff must be so used to their regulars that they are rude and obnoxious to all their customers. We went in and our waitress kept bragging how she was there for over 8 years (congrats! you can hold a job!) and saying how she was allowed to be obnoxious and loud. She was rude when we placed our order and made uncalled for comments. Then when we went to pay, the lady at the register tried giving my bf a candy so he would be quiet. Will not be going back. My omelette was also nothing above less than average (it was square shaped and was not too yummy). My bf was criticized on his order, saying that no one had ever ordered it like that before! (who cares!!! you take an order and walk away, you would think that after 8 years you would know...). The treatment between outsiders and regulars is very obvious. The staff should learn to be polite and RESPECTFUL to ALL CUSTOMERS! read more

Delicious food- have not been disappointed yet. Staff is very friendly! Great place. It can get very busy at peak times on the weekends.

My favorite breakfast place by far.. The food is good but the atmosphere is what keeps me coming. Such a sweet staff.

Mediocre diner food, the staff started taking my plate away while I still had the fork in my mouth, as if to say "don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out". read more

Great familiar atmosphere. Food is great and has homemade touch. I love their veggie wraps(they will grill your favorite veggies to order). Stuff is very friendly. Too bad they don't do dinners. One complaint we need more veggie options. I cannot have french fries as they are cooked in same grease with meat. read more

Went to see if the Pompton Lakes Diner re-opened but it didn't. On my way back home, someone told me about the Cardinal Café. I gave it a try and to my surprise it was really good. Went back two more times and the quality was consistent. Their prices are reasonable and the staff is very attentive so I will be back often. I will be a steady customer. Even if the Pompton Lakes Diner re-opens, I will split my visits between the Cardinal and Pompton Diner. read more

Always great food, I have never been disappointed. Love their french toast and the chicken cutlet sandwich!

The owner is very rude and always has a bad attitude. We were charged the wrong amount on our bill and when we brought it to her attention she got very defensive and made a huge scene. Stating she was not trying to take our money. After we tried to calmly explain the matter further, her and her husband (the cook)...told us "We don't need your money". Really? You don't need my money? Every month I spend about $200 there (isn't that the cost of a bill)? Not only did she lose my business, they just lost about 15 other peoples business which monthly comes to about $2000 (now that's a few bills worth there). We have been going there for two years, because the food is good, but the owner is always rude, and very fake. From what I hear, a lot of people don't do there because of her. I should have listened. read more

Great little breakfast place right on Wanaque Ave. We've been here a few times and the food is consistently good, as is the service. It is a little confusing sometimes to figure out your waitress as they all seem to pitch in, but everyone is helpful, so you can ask whoever walks by. Basic breakfast fare of eggs, pancakes, omelette's, taylor ham egg and cheese, etc. Food comes out hot and quick and service is friendly and ready refills on your coffee. Your basic good local breakfast place with reasonable prices, good food, and nice service. Much better than the local diners, which can get pricey for breakfast. The place is usually busy when we have been there, which is a good sign---and you can tell many of the people are repeat/regular customers as the waitresses greet them by name. We will be back there again soon. read more

Good food, Great service and a Great value. I thought this was a high school kid hang out! I was wrong, its a real diner hidden with the name Cafe. Try it you wont be disappointed. read more

I was looking for a girls lunch spot and this just didn't work. The wait staff was helpful and the place was very clean. The biggest problem is that we came during the school lunch hour. The place was instantly packed with high schoolers and it felt like we were in the school cafeteria. So beware of the time you go. My review may have been very different at a different time. read more