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    Culp's Cafe

    3.7 (48 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Services - Culp's Cafe

    Catering services

    Culp's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CULP'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Culp's Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sasha M.

    The food was cooked to perfection. This is the first time I've had over medium eggs that were over medium. The potatoes were crispy outside and pillowy inside. Delish! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a neat step back into the past too with the decor and the uniforms.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waitress was great also!

    The apple desert tart with goat milk Carmel sauce was amazing
    Dan S.

    Fun evening for a wine pairing dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was festive with live music and the staff were busy bring out each round of food and the wine pairings were spot on.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were just their for the wine and desert and I think that was a mistake, next time I'm ordering the dinner as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The live music was very good as well[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Chicken and waffles

    First of all, just let me say that the ambience as soon as you walk in to the point of where you sit down, it's just a beautiful bright café. The customer service was wonderful! It is a family-owned family-ran business and I loved seeing the family work together. You could feel their closeness. I love that! My husband and I were celebrating our 19th anniversary and the owner was so nice. She gave us a milkshake on the house. The food came out and it looked simply amazing. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled so good! My husband got the All-American breakfast and I got the chicken and waffles and tried the fried green tomatoes. Everything looked great and tasted as good as it looked. It was fresh and you could tell it was all made from good quality ingredients. Best dining experience in a long time. And right here in our hometown of Dayton, Ohio! Where have I been?! Carol was a fountain of information about the area & was sooo personable! She even asked if she could hug me on the way out. She is just a warm person and I am so glad that we had this experience and that this was our first step on our anniversary day! Culp's Café definitely set the standard & tone for OUR day.

    Train car dining!

    We are from Columbus and every time we are in Dayton we try to stop at Culp's Cafe. It's such a nice experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We always try to dine in the train car.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We have always been greeted and seated promptly and service has always been wonderful. Food is delicious. My son always takes the opportunity to get a cherry phosphate too. Dayton is lucky to have such a wonderful historic park and such a great cafe too. We've created many memories just even visiting only the cafe.

    Entrance from inside the visitors center
    Marissa C.

    Very cute location right in the visitor's center for Carillon Historical Park! There is a restored interurban railcar in the back, which caught the kid's attention from the front desk where we purchased tickets. The Culp's staff was so friendly and gladly invited him into check it out and walk around. They had a little screen showing before and after pictures for the restoration, and you can sit inside it when you eat (which we did later, when we returned for lunch)! They also have a soda fountain with stools that you can sit at, as well as standard tables and chairs out on the floor. They serve breakfast and lunch, with a kid's menu, and you order and pay at the counter and then they bring it out to you. We opted for some burgers - the Kid's Burger came with a choice of drink and side (kid went with fries) and the standard menu offered the Culp's Smash Burger, which came with pickle spears and chips. They also had some goodies on display at the soda fountain, and we couldn't resist getting a slice of cake, which was rich and delicious (chocolate cake with vanilla frosting). They also had brownies and muffins at the time of our visit, which looked delicious, as well. You do not need to pay entrance fees if you just want to eat at the restaurant, and it is a good option if you are going to the park and want to eat onsite too. There is a good sized paved parking lot available outside of the visitor's center/restaurant area.

    Susan S.

    we had a family birthday with 11 of us. wonderful service. sofie took such good care of us. and the food was delicious. the new management (Carol) has improved the service and food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]it's quaint..in carrillon historical park.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] it's the place to visit in dayton!

    Caroline M.

    This cafe is at Carillon Park. You can enter the cafe without paying for the park. I had the double cheeseburger with fries. It was delicious. I loved the ambiance. We were 4 so we couldn't sit in the train as tables are for 2. Next time. It was quiet and kind of exclusive in there. You order at the counter and they bring you your food. I'd prefer ordering at the table but oh well. The servers were great and offered refills on drinks.

    Not busy at all, so I'm still wondering why there's an incredible lack of service.

    This was my second time to Culps Cafe. The first visit did not start out well because I sat for twenty minutes before anyone waited on me. A nice server actually picked our table up and turned what was a disappointment into a decent experience. I reached out to the manager, Carol, and shared with her my experience. Carol and I had a great exchange and she invited me back for a second visit. Today I returned for a second chance at a first impression and it did not go well at all. Once again, I was seated and it all went downhill from there. Six servers on staff and not one of them stopped by my table to take my order or anything. I waited twenty minutes and then I left. On my way out of the door, I stopped and asked to speak with a manager and when I told him what was happening, he just shrugged his shoulders and said , sorry. I asked for Carol and another employee went and got her. Carol and I spoke again and she was very nice and apologized again, and she offered to purchase my breakfast for today, but I declined because after two visits and the very same thing happening, I just wasn't in the mood. I'm sure Carol will reach out again and we'll speak again. If you're thinking of dining here, just be aware that the service is very lackluster and Culps should consider training their staff to better accommodate and serve their guests in a much more timely manner.

    Tuna melt
    Melitta S.

    I was looking forward to breakfast but unfortunately they had an incident where they had no eggs available. So we opted to get sandwiches. My tuna melt was good. Service was extremely friendly and charming. It reminds me of a soda pop shop.

    Chicken and waffles
    Jill S.

    We sat outside on a Saturday late morning. We were seated immediately and a server brought water and menus. We did sit a while before another server came to answer questions about the specials and take our order. The chicken and waffles had two huge pieces of chicken. The chicken was delicious-crisp and moist. The waffle was good. The chicken salad sandwich was solid; could be better with more lettuce and tomatoes. The patio is very pleasant with umbrellas, plants, and a fountain.

    Kimberly M.

    This is a completely adorable brunch spot located in the middle of Carrolin Park. I was shocked to discover how large the interior was, there is even an entire train car located in the center of the restaurant. There is also a beautiful old fashioned soda counter with bar stool seating. We were seated without a wait at 9:30am on a Sunday. Both of our entrees were very good. He had a build your own breakfast wrap with turkey sausage and I enjoyed the quiche of the day (veggie quiche with peppers and onions). We also felt the pricing was reasonable. We will return.

    Bloody Mary & mimosa
    Tulsi P.

    A great addition to the lovely town of Dayton. This place is so nice, inside and out! It has so much character. The menu is so simple and delicious, a perfect breakfast place. The blueberry pancake was so delicious! Crispy edges and fluffy, a wonderful meal. The biscuits and gravy were also great and very flavorful! I was also a huge fan of their breakfast potatoes, they had a nice seasoning and crunch to them. The quiche of the day was a broccoli cheddar quiche, it was alright, nothing too impressive The drinks were also great and at a great price! The mimosa and mango Bellini were delicious. The Bloody Mary had an awesome spice to it. I would love to try the milkshakes next time. This is a great Dayton find and is attached to a very cool museum and the Carillon Brewery! A great day for a family fun day.

    Bar
    Libby V.

    Culp's has been around in one form or another since my childhood, and I've loved it in all it's forms. But now it's the "new kid" on the block at Carillon Park and it's beautiful. Right inside the front entrance with windows on the Bell Tower (which transforms into a beautiful lighted Christmas Tree this time of year) We had brunch, and it was oh so good. Chicken and Waffles with blueberry butter and syrup for me, and pancakes for Bob. There is even a bar now...I saw Bloody Mary's on the menu but didn't indulge. Usually only open until 4 PM, during the Christmas season they do serve dinner. And it's on my bucket list to sit at one of those windows and look at that lit tree. Hope to see you there...it would be so worth it!

    Breakfast sandwich and the tastiest potatoes ever

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    Review Insights

    1 month ago

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

    The food is excellent, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the atmosphere[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and service. They have won themselves a regular customer.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Will update when they are open. It's June 19th and they are still closed for "spring".

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

    July 29, 2021 they are still closed "with no reopening date." Sad. We all wish them well.

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    3 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Simple concept diner. Prices are reasonable and portions are good. After a fun day at Carillon Park, it was nice to grab a bite to eat.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Culp's Cafe

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    Let's start with the Staff If you want to go through the…read moremost stressful wedding planning this is your place! Let's start with my first ever walk through. We got there on time and the venue coordinator rushed us the whole time! When we told her we weren't having alcohol at the wedding she said "well that's odd" (meanwhile you have to purchase all alcohol thru the venue "$$$ hungry place" ) I also explained how I would like to rearrange some things regarding the layout and was told it wasn't going to add any additional cost... I received the contract to book and they added a fee at the last minute. I reached back out and they literally made a fee of something they told me during my walkthrough was going to be free. Not good communication on this fee and no apology on giving false information. I wish I could tell you that being discriminated against regarding alcohol was the worst but it's not. (The reasoning for our wedding not having this was due to religious reasons which was on my file) Please read on. The owner The owner is honestly a horrible person. She would reach out to me with an attitude everytime there was issue but then also said the issues never happened. My coordinator never handled any of the questions I ever had. The last phone call I had with the owner (meanwhile this was our 45 day out call) she started with "So are you wanting to cancel because I don't think we're a good fit for you" first thing out of her mouth plus this was told to a bride 45 DAYS before her wedding?! The biggest day of her life!? Not only that I explained how I just been hurt by so many situations from the staff here (all upper management) and how all of this could be easily moved on if I just had an apology she replied "well that's not going to happen so anything else" Plus she even said how she was thinking of canceling my wedding and wouldn't confirm if she would or not. After my phone call I wanted to get this in writing so I emailed her. (Disclaimer : With this location if it's regarding anything important, make sure you have it on email because anything else said during tours or phone calls they will not respect or act like they heard it) on the image below, you can clearly see how she's not even willing to give me an apology or confirm that she's not canceling my wedding 40 days out. Everything that was true stated by staff that I voiced to the owner was responded by saying "that didn't happen move on" "my staff wouldn't say that they're trained better" always disregard anything I said. You will never feel heard here. Unfortunately after only a couple months booked with them I realized every phone call and in person interaction needed to be recorded. I have proof of all of this. Unfortunately google will not let you put voice memo in the review. Our last meeting / walk thru During the 45 day out meeting the owner brought in the building manager and the venue coordinator including herself and her non staff husband. She would not speak to me and just look at her husband to answer. After the meeting we had our final walk thru and she was talking awful about me to the building manager. Then just left. After we were finished with our walk thru getting everything ready the building manager came up to me and my family and apologized and said "I don't know why Ashley (the owner) said you guys were an escalation you seem like great people. (Again I have this recorded) The good. I was assigned to a new venue coordinator who actually respected me. She told me she was not going to let the owner cancel the wedding and explained how that would literally be the worse thing someone could ever do to a bride. Helped me work seating charts back and forth. Katie was the only person who gave me peace of mind. Email from the owner below with no apologies or explanation of why she acted the way she did. Why I still booked I've got a lot of questions about why did I still book but if you live in the Dayton area you know there's not much to pick from to stay in budget. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful location it's just the staff. Until I thought The venue was disgusting. See photos below. I had a bridesmaid go there before anyone to take picture so we could have before and after just in case if they kept our security deposit. The stairs were filled with dirt. The white walls had black marks on them. The bathrooms were not cleaned. The toilets were disgusting! Hair all over the floors. Trash not taken out. Let's just say I was only there for an hour before my feet were completely black on the bottom. There's even cobwebs in almost every single corner of the venue. AGAIN SO MUCH DUST. Just look at my feet completely black from one hour in the bridal suite. I hope this helps a future bride to save tears during a season that's supposed to be exciting not heart breaking time filled with stress due to the staff. I hope you can feel safe going to a 45 days out meeting and know that you're being heard. Most importantly I have you hav

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