Portions were decent, but the value felt a little inconsistent depending on what you ordered.

I've been wanting to come here for years, but never found the chance until today. This place has been here since 1989 and has now racked up nearly 1200 reviews. As many yelpers have already mentioned, this is a quirky, unique restaurant known for its award-winning desserts and eclectic American comfort food. One thing that had me concerned was the parking situation, but my fears were relieved when I pulled into the lot behind the restaurant where 3 to 4 dozen spaces were waiting. This restaurant is ideal for groups and special occasions as certain areas can be partitioned off. Once I picked up the lunch menu, I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the prices were. Nothing over $27. The dinner menu is about the same, but some items are close to $50. One thing I was glad to see, which most restaurants no longer do, is to start off with a complimentary basket of warm bread and smokey oil. We started with their brussels sprouts and their shrimp appetizers which were excellent. We moved on to the various dishes on the menu. All were well plated and perfect for the average appetite. I got the pizza which was well made and large enough for me to take 3 slices to go. After the meal, we were handed a very extensive decadent dessert menu that no one in Austin can compete with. Once those desserts hit the table, that cinched the 5 star review. The leisurely lunch service was on point. They have the right formula working for them here which explains their long running presence. Keep in mind, this place is popular, so you'll need to make a reservation for those special holidays. Check out these informative photos. read more

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Chez Zee has been on my list of places to try for quite sometime now. When a colleague suggested it for lunch, I was all in. I have to start with the decor and layout. It is nothing short of whimsical. A neon sign amongst a trestle of braided tree branches welcomes you in. This takes you down a side patio with table seating and curves around to additional outdoor seating (loveseats, chairs). There are decorative throw pillows on the outdoor furnishings, cocktail tables, etc. A decorative water fountain feature adorns the exterior wall of the restaurant. There is a ginormous "fun chair" at the restaurant entrance (see pics) and the patio extends past the restaurant entrance for additional al fresco dining. Directly across from the restaurant building entrance is another entrance to an area called 'The Gallery'-this is an event space for private parties & events. Peeked my head in and it is very well appointed. The outdoor patio decor is rustic, shabby chic, farmhouse meets carefree whimsy. The theme carries through to the restaurant where there are 2-3 rooms of ample interior seating, a bar, a baby grand piano (they often have a piano player performing) and of course, I can't forget the Zee Marketplace...this is the finest dessert case you may ever come across. They've got peanut butter pies, Italian cream cakes, cheesecakes (variety of flavors), key lime pie, cookies,and so much more. The top of the case has dry goods on display available for sale (herbs, oils, etc.). Pies and cakes can be bought by the slice or whole. Decadent doesn't even begin to describe the goodness. That Italian cream cake is insanely delicious. As I mentioned, this was a lunch with colleagues, six of us to be exact. Seating was comfortable and we had plenty of room for our meals, plates, and glasses. I am quite an indecisive person and the menu was a little overwhelming for me (in a good way) because of the many choices. I ended up getting an app that I had no business getting. It's called Lucinda's Basil Cheese Torta (please look for the pic I posted, OMCheese). The reason I had no business ordering this is because it would be the same as putting out a cheeseball at a party for several people. I was only able to eat 3-4 bites before I was STUFFED! No worries, I took it home for my boyfriend who devoured it. This thing was absolutely incredible! It was made up of basil pesto cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, toasted pine nuts and layed with provolone cheese (served with crostini).It was mind-blowing good! Two people in our group had the chicken-fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, another had chicken-fried steak with the same sides. Everyone loved their entrees. In fact, we joked because one person in our group never eats much at all when we go out and she literally cleaned her plate. Another member of our crew had pecan-encrusted salmon with a side of veg and she raved about it. Finally, the last member in our group had the Zee bacon cheeseburger with mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and onion. Came with a side of sweet potato fries. The burger was HUGE! She had to cut it in four pieces to be able to get her mouth over it. Needless to say, she took half of it home because it was very filling. Service was efficient, friendly and patient while the lot of us tried to make up her minds because there were so many good choices available. I, for one, cannot wait to get back there again. Perfection. PS: They get busy and the lots fill up (one on the side and one in the back). No worries, they offer free valet service! Make sure to take some cash to tip the valets. read more

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Chez Zee is a long time staple in Austin and I always enjoy when I get to meet someone here for lunch. I love their quiche and salad or soup. This time I got the soup. My friend got one of the salads. We stayed longer than usual as we hand't caught up in years. Our server was helpful and patient. I was able to get a parking lot spot that didn't require valet. I remember the days when Chez Zee didn't have valet options and you would just self park in the entire lot or have to find a spot across the way. I'm sure I will be here again soon! read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - veggie quiche and chicken + artichoke soup - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Few things to consider here... This place is awesome for families, the service is phenomenal, and I love the quirky Austin vibe it holds onto that's merged with a French inspiration. The food is also good, but some items are hit or miss. For example, I got the polenta Benedict and it was average at best. My spouse got the biscuits and gravy and said they were good. The spinach and artichoke dip was also very good, and the chips that came with them were excellent and thick. I love that they provided a croissant per person as soon as we sat down. Much needed when you have a hangover! We will definitely be back. I love their pecan crusted chicken they have... And I'm hopeful that there are better brunch dishes for me. read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Polenta Benedict - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Best pecan waffle ever! The food arrived quickly, even during a busy Sunday brunch. I came with a small group of four and got there before it got crowded. They also offer complimentary valet parking, which saved me since I was running late after I finished the Cap10k. Not sure how it would be with a group of 20, but it was a great experience with a small group. read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Pecan Waffle Platter - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

We recently hosted a rehearsal dinner at Chez Zee! It exceeded my expectations in every way! The food was delicious, the service was very friendly and attentive, and the private room had great ambiance. We were a party of 60 and it's hard finding an affordable place that is indoors that can seat that many people. I feel like they went above and beyond for our event. We are a Coors Light crowd and even though the restaurant doesn't serve it, they made sure to have plenty on hand at our party. I highly recommend Chez Zee for any party or function. I was blown away! Classic Austin venue that still holds up! read more

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I think this is a really cute local diner. The interior is decorated so cute and the staff really went all the way with decorating our table for a birthday. The complimentary breakfast croissants here are soooo yummy with the strawberry butter! read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

This was our first trip and it didn't disappoint. Friends made the reservations and we met them at 6:00pm. Our server, Grace was just the best and she gave us just the right amount of attention. Great smile and friendly. I like the cozy vibe with nice benches and chairs circa 1990's and the food! I ordered the Fettuccini Alfredo with the pecan crusted chicken! Amazing! I complain some times that restaurants never get the chicken right but Chez Zee did a perfect job. Food was great, atmosphere casually elegant and the service 5 star! We'll be back read more

Chez Zee is a unique and special eatery where food is prepared with care, love and thoughtfulness. A place is exceptional because of its people, and the staff here is exceptional. From the Hostesses at the door who smiled and seated us on a busy day when we didn't have a reservation to the magnificent Sara, our server, who is incredibly attentive, kind and knowledgeable. I had the Kale/humus salad with the best grilled chicken I ever had, it was so well seasoned and juicy. The fries were outstanding, they have a secret that makes them delectable. They brought us fried pickles to try, they were Delicious. My brother had this amazing eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and the jalapeño grits that were so balanced and creamy I almost snatched them off his plate. We concluded with dessert, carrot cake and chocolate cake with gooey something and ice cream which were the center jewels of the meal. The place has a homey, sweet and cozy feel even though it is large and accommodates many patrons. We rolled out of there full and contented. I can't wait to go back and try other dishes on their menu. read more

Heard great things about this tenured spot. It appears to be a popular brunch spot. Cute interior. Lots of tables and a counter. Service was great and friendly. Overall, wasn't impressed by the food. The highlight was the complimentary croissant and the accompanying butter jam combo. Seriously the jam! I would go again for the live jazz music an Le the croissant! It is an ideal place to choose for brunch with a group! read more

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The service, drinks and meals sre always superior!! Kevin and the staff make us feel like we are family, not just guests. The ambiance is just so inviting. We love everything about this place! It never disappoints. read more

Had a lovely brunch at Chez Zee with my mom, and it definitely lived up to the hype! The restaurant has such a cute and lively atmosphere--perfect for a weekend brunch. We started with the complimentary croissants and butter, which were flaky, buttery, and a great little treat to start the meal. I got the French Toast Breakfast, and it was perfection: thick, fluffy slices accompanied by eggs, bacon and breakfast potatoes. My mom went with the All American Breakfast, a classic done right. Everything was fresh and delicious. Service was great too--friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially for the croissants alone! Highly recommend. read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Traditional French Toast Platter - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

The Eggs Benedict here are absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere is amazing. Such a great place to relax, enjoy a meal, and have a wonderful dining experience! read more

This place sucks, my lord the food is bad. Service clueless and slow. . Nice atmosphere, I guess. But the food. Yuck Update: I emailed Kevin, thanks for responding Update: no response from Kevin, here is what I sent him with more details about our experience: My family (party of 10) visited Chezzee on Saturday May 9 to celebrate our son's graduation from UT. We had a 4:00 reservation, which should have left us plenty of time to arrive at the stadium by 5:30. We arrived early. We were seated promptly and everyone was friendly. After drink orders was when it started to break down. I was probably 20 minutes before the server returned with cocktails for 5 of the party, everyone else got water. That put us in a bit of a time crunch. Server didn't seem to really understand the menu and was friendly enough, but just seemed sort of uninterested. Kind of the typical Austin, too cool for school server attitude. Entrees probably took another 20 minutes. I can't speak for anyone else's meal, but mine was just really, really sad. I got the stuffed jalepeno cornbread chicken breast. First off: the mixed vegetables were just pathetic. Cold. Undercooked. No flavor. It really tasted like someone plopped a thawed serving of frozen veggies on my plate. My mother said the same about her veggies. The chicken was dry and barely warm. It was also very thin. The stuffing was just gross, flavorless and the texture was off. Finally, two raw sliced jalapenos on top of a sad little chicken breast does not jalapeño cornbread make. Honestly, to call it stuffed was a stretch, it was just 2 really thin, cold overcooked chicken breasts with a huge plop of mushy, flavorless stuffing between them. The sauce was OK. I didn't see anyone cleaning their plates - the pizza was OK, but nothing to write home about. The trout looked overcooked to me, but I didn't eat it. Macaroni side was rated maybe a 4/10. Anyway, it was packed that day and I can see the service slowing down a bit, but there is no excuse for cold food that is both overcooked and undercooked, not for a $700 meal. Had we not been pressed for time and celebrating, I would have sent it back and complained, but just wasn't worth the time and energy. Bottom line: Food was subpar bordering on awful, service was slow and atmosphere not enough to make up for it. read more

Our party of 7 came in for a 1 PM birthday brunch reservation. Parking was pretty hectic. They offer free valet, but it was still backed up to the street with cars. Luckily while waiting some guests were leaving and we were able to snag a spot on our own. We were sat near the piano. The piano player was definitely a nice touch. Young man...played beautifuly, but kind of didn't look too happy to be there. Maybe he was having a bad day. Smile and be happier and hope his day got better They were running a drink special for $5 bloody Marys and $3 OJ mimosas. Only OJ. If you ordered another juice price would go up. We don't like lots of OJ in our champagne and the waitress was able to bring us the OJ on the side to pour ourselves. I love it when restaurants are able to do that. They bring you complimentary delicious and quite large croissants for the table with a yummy butter. Butter is mixed with something delish. We decided to split the Classic Eggs Benedict entree with one sausage pattie and one Canadian Bacon. Swapped out the side potatoes for fruit and added a side of bacon. I love when restaurants voluntarily serve your split meal on two plates without your request. The boyfriend requested the side of bacon and I the tomato basil soup. The soup was good, but not the texture I was anticipating. I enjoyed the crispy croutons, but the soup was more of a marinara dip than soup. Kinda of chunky consistency. I dipped the croissant in it. Our table ordered a bowl of Bacon and that was so delish with the maple syrup. Can never have too much bacon! To close out the birthday girl chose a chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. Both absolutely delicious. read more

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I had an amazing experience at Chez Zee. The customer service was phenomenal. From the hostess, to our sweet server Ruth, to the manager who gave us a free appetizer because of a spill that occurred close to our table, everyone was amazing. Now on to the food ... Complementary croissants: great. Soft on the inside and flaky on the outside. It comes with strawberry butter (love the fresh strawberries in it) French Toast - comes with bacon, eggs, and potatoes. Lots of food for just $14. It was good. The bacon was cooked to perfection. My friend got the crab omelette - SO GOOD. If you like crab, I 10/10 would recommend. The atmospherics are also so unique and cute. It feels like a fun, eclectic home. In conclusion, GO TO CHEZ ZEE. The food is great and I could literally feel the love in the room. read more

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Came here for a brunch date at 1pm on Sunday and it was quite busy! The parking was a bit tight but they still had a pretty decent parking lot. They offered complimentary fresh made croissant with strawberry butter upon sitting down. The croissant was delicious! The menu was quite extensive so it took us a while to figure out what to order. We ended up getting a slice of the crème brûlée French toast, crab cake Benedict and shrimp and grits. All of these were delicious. I'd definitely come back again to try other items on the menu. read more

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Love the food here! Let them know if you're celebrating a birthday and they will give you a free dessert.

This is an above 5 star experience. The food is excellent but the staff is actually even more excellent than the food if you can believe it. Today i was served excellently by Kylie and then Wesley happened to walk by and jumped in "just because". The experience is above and beyond. I am officially a fan. There also was a nice lady don't know her name but she worked the door and had on an ocean green shirt and glasses, she showed me to my seat. She was wonderful too! read more

Chez Zee is a reliably good restaurant, still popular after decades in business. There are many choices on a six page menu, all good choices including the TexMex. They are slammed for Sunday brunch but the service is still remarkably good. Expect a wait to be seated even with a reservation. It's a big space and not very noisy. Valet parking. read more

We met friends for a Friday night date night and it was so good. I had Steak Frites. my husband had the pork chop. my friend is gluten free and loves this place because she has so many options. Service was perfect and dessert was WOW! Loved the free valet parking too. they had some really good live music when we were there -the place was packed, great vibe all around. Cute patio too it was a great night. will be back, read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - My drink was called The Bee's Knees. So good! - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Talk about a hidden gem: chez Zee is the an under the radar neighborhood spot serving some of the best breakfast in Austin. The restaurant has a good sized parking lot and it feels like a home turned into restaurant space. There are a lot of families visiting the place. The food is French inspired American food. We went for brunch and we all got different omelette variations to try. The home fries were very good and they also gave us a basket of strawberry biscuits to share at the table. The service was great and honestly so nice because we were chatting for so long and they didn't push us to give up our table. The ambiance is cute and gives 90s vibes. The food is relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of Austin's brunch scene and I'd definitely come back to get brunch at very reasonable prices. read more

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The food was great, but the atmosphere and especially the music (John Burnett's Bluesettes) was unexpectedly good. We sat literally arms reach of the musicians, and were thoroughly pleased. Another plus is the location: easy in/out, parked within steps of the door, so much better than the downtown scene. We will be back. read more

Always delicious, consistent. Support local. One of the very few places my picky kid will eat macaroni and cheese - some places doesn't even eat more than a bite - she cleans her plate here. I love the fish and I've also enjoyed the chicken fried steak. Also one of the few places in town I'll order iced tea bc it's fresh and strong like I like it. Also been there for brunch on Sundays and the magician is great. A big plus, they give back to the community. I have been coming here for years and will continue to. read more

Chez Zee is an old school Austin favorite and I'm glad to see it's still here. I haven't been here forever and came to town for 4th of July and enjoyed lunch there yesterday. They have added a private banquet building and additional outdoor seating since I was here last. There is a bubbling fountain outside and a variety of seating options. Right near the entrance is a red baby grand piano, I would love to see music here some time! Also, there is a bar with a few seats around and a pasty case. There are string lights hanging through out give a warm glow. The walls are painted a cheery yellow with artwork for sale on the walls. There looks like an addition to the side with additional seating. Since I went at lunch they had portions closed off. I ordered a mimosa and enjoyed it while trying to narrow down my option for lunch. I had the Brussels spouts to start. They were wonderfully seasoned and drizzled with balsamic. I tried the shrimp and corn bisque soup and had a small side salad. All was delish. The restaurant was never too full while I was there but I imagine it stays quite busy in the evenings. If you looking to sample an Austin original, be sure to give Chez Zee a try! read more

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Chez Zee is the most amazing restaurant! The menu is fabulous- lots of choices and absolutely delicious! If you haven't had the chance, go there on a Friday night for Jazz in the Crescent! The music adds even more ambience to this delightful place! I cannot say enough great things about Chez Zee! Love, love, love! read more

We went specifically for the desserts after having dinner elsewhere. There was a jazz band playing and the staff was so friendly. Our desserts were good. I had the bread pudding and my husband had cheesecake. Ambience was giving New Orleans. Bathrooms were nice and tidy. We enjoyed our after dinner drink and desserts. read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Bread pudding - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Office wanted a change of venue from our usual holiday soirée joint and Chez Zee got the nod. Scheduling was okay - not terribly responsive but not ghosted. Day of: arrived 15 minutes early to find all of the food laid out (it was supposed to come in waves). Everything was cold by the time the majority of our group arrived. Isn't there a code about warmers? No one got sick, so I guess it's okay? Food was good despite being cold. Semi-private room. Carpet in restaurants is weird and gross, especially when it's "sticky." At least the cocktails were good and service was pleasant, but we'll head back to our usual haunt next year. read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Food laid out. Prior to group arrival. No warmers. - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Crazy busy but we knew it would be. We sat at the bar area. Justin was our guy. He was one busy dude. We loved everything we ordered. It's a really cozy place and the staff seem to all work well together. Check out the special of the day! The sandwiches are great. And that chicken fried chicken was some dam yummy chicken. There's a piano so they must have a performance during brunch. I used to come here often for happy hour after work. I'll have to see if they still have one. read more

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Service was good could be better, but it was good for a busy night. The dill chips and burger were delish. The Ancho soup was delish and the sweet potatoes were so fresh! This was an excellent meal. I also love that this restaurant has something for every budget. The Piano was a nice plus! read more

Chez Zee American Bistro - Fabulous dill pickles - Desserts Near Me - Austin, Texas

We tried this place for the first time a few months ago and were hooked. The breakfast is so very good. This from a married couple where the wife is a lover of almost all things breakfast and it is their favorite meal and me who can take it or leave it. We both agreed this place is amazing. Since I got the breakfast last time I went with a burger this time while Shana tried a different breakfast as she does. She got a Pecan Waffle plate which had quite a bit of food and I received a bacon Cheeseburger with fries of course. I do want to talk about the rolls/bread and the butter they bring as the opener. The butter is flavored and is amazing and the bread is soft and tasty so you have to stop yourself from eating too much and filling up before the food comes. The first trip here they had us wait in a area that seems to be used for parties or group functions. Had its own little bar area, places for buffet style food service and even a piano! It was not in use so they seemed to be putting people to wait in there while their tables were prepared to keep the walkway clear maybe or people out of the cold as this was during December. It may have been in use on our more recent visit as everyone was just kept outside in the walkway area in the heat. They did have water for you which was nice. That may be the one sticking point, even if you reserve your table you are waiting. Get there early or on time and there will still be a wait. The staff is fast and friendly, the drinks are good and so far we have enjoyed all the food we have tried. Nothing has been subpar, we had favorites but nothing was underwhelming. The décor is fun and unique and the place has a fun vibe. Classy without losing charm if that makes sense. They have free valet parking as well which is nice as parking is never good in Austin. Shana wanted it mentioned that she LOVES everything about it, the food, the services, the drinks, the decorations and lighting. She has nothing bad to say. Which means we will be returning for sure! read more

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Was working in the area, enjoying a colleague for dinner here tonight. Older building with a breezeway in from the parking lot that was very interesting. Seems like they do jazz concert here and our world famous for their bakery. Great place! I had a whiskey themed dinner! Right up my alley! Had a chicken breast that was in a pecan crust that had a whiskey gravy underneath it that was really quite good. Great veggies and really enjoyed the brussels sprouts as an appetizer. We decided to have dessert and I opted for the whiskey, pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, which was phenomenal! If you don't mind coming on Thursday, good specials on Thursday nights... read more

We were looking for a new lunch place we love trying new places. I looked on yelp and we decided to try this place. The place was very busy but, we had a reservation. The service was awesome the food was also great. I hate that I forgot to take pictures. We enjoyed our experience. We planto come back. I've already told people about this place. read more

Review for Chez Zee American Bistro, Austin TX We parked in the handicap spot at Chez Zee--my husband is a disabled veteran on full-time oxygen. Unfortunately, the spike securing the cement parking block was loose and sticking up. After lunch, when we backed out, the spike ripped the protective plate under our brand-new Lexus, triggering warning lights and causing $500 in damage. The manager on duty, Kevin, came out immediately, apologized, took photos, and assured us the restaurant would cover the repair. At their request, we provided the Lexus dealer's estimate. Since then, we've stopped in twice and called at least six times, also speaking with Sarah. Each time, we're told someone isn't available or "out for coffee." This has been incredibly frustrating. We trusted the manager's word, but weeks later we are still chasing them for accountability. As a family already managing serious health challenges, this added burden is unacceptable. Enough is enough--Chez Zee needs to honor their commitment and make this right. Rating: 1/5 - Poor follow-through and lack of responsibility . read more

The ambiance is certainly one-of-a-kind and I'll post some pictures below. The food is great, but the service was even better. At every brunch spot, I always seek out the crab cake Benedict, and this place's version is a bit small, but possesses wonderful flavor. Storytime: my friend and I were under the impression that the crab cakes would be a bit larger and only ordered two for the both of us, but we were mistaken. So, we decided to order a chicken fried chicken and split it. The waitress noticed this and offered the split the plate without us even asking. Tip generously. These are great people. Cheers! read more

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Wow what delicious meals! The pecan crusted chicken was delicious as was the steak and eggs for breakfast the next today.

Bishop was phenomenal! Best waiter ever! Should be on American Idol, but in the meantime, he's exceptional in hospitality!

Chez Zee holds so many memories. The food is outstanding. The hospitality of the staff is unmatched. I guess I love Chez Zee because it's always great! I've never not had an amazing dining experience in over twenty years. They absolutely have the best desserts in town. Strawberry Palooza, Lemon Rosemary Cake, and Carrot Cake are my favorites. read more

Went for brunch on a Sunday with a reservation. They have a live piano player and were also hosting an Austin Jazz event that day. We sat on the patio. Great food, great prices, decent bubbles selection and list (although bottles were definitely on the pricey side - likely priced so they can slash to 50% off during happy hour but wish it was more affordable for every day). Dessert list was fire. We had the biscuits and gravy, crème brûlée french toast (very dense, more of a dessert), pecan chicken and fried chicken. Also had bloody marys and bubbles by the glass. Everything was lovely... just good, solid food overall and friendly service. :) read more