Yay! A real diner without all the illusion of pseudo-culinary wizardry. Anyone who ever experienced a real diner, (the kind they still have in rural parts of the country) will appreciate Dot's. It's food. Cooked well. So you can eat and get on with your stupid life. No elaborate deep-fried French flapjacks in a ferret-smegma sauce; no Croation cross-cut crap-crêpes, drizzled with the tears of contemplative narwhals. This is dining Americana, as it has existed for a long time, before people lost the ability to know how to not mess with something good. The modern American notion that every instance of dining-out needs to be an "experience" (at least, as restaurants are portrayed and advertised) is pretentious garbage. Just put something wholesome in your stomach so you don't die, okay? Hey -- there's a good name for a restaurant: "Something For Your Stomach So You Don't Die." Anyway... Dot's is great. Try the breakfast burritos. read more

The service was terrible. My mom and I waited a while before someone came over and he was not friendly. The food was decent and cheap. Would probably go back, if I can't find anywhere else to go for breakfast. read more

When I first set foot in this place, I thought, 'YES. This is going to be one of those butt-ugly, dirty, greasy spoons with dismissive service, but FANTASTIC and cheap food.' In other words, I was expecting it to become a regular haunt for me. Everything looked right. The booths for four that weren't really big enough for four. The waitresses running around bumping into each other and slopping gravy everywhere. The line of eager people outside the door. Everyone with a full plate, jolly and laughing - no singles with laptops slowly sipping on tiny cups of fancy coffee. I was so excited! Now, having read Don W's review, I'm willing to admit that it's possible I just happened to order the worst thing on the menu (the Southern Special - biscuits and gravy with grits and eggs), and maybe I should give Dot's another shot. But I literally could not finish my meal, it was so bad. I'm not a grease-o-phobe so I had no problem with the gravy being just about the greasiest thing I'd ever seen in my whole life. The problem was that it didn't taste like anything (except grease)! It was half-congealed, there wasn't enough to cover the dry, cakey biscuit, and my eggs, which I ordered poached, were basically hard-boiled, so there was no egg yolk to spread around in a vain attempt to moisten things up. Also, my grits tasted like unsalted Cream of Wheat. I can think of nothing positive to say about my meal, other than that there was honey at the table. I definitely needed to douse my Cream of Wheat - oh, sorry, 'grits' - with it in order to choke it down. The only reason Dot's doesn't get one star from me is that everyone else at my table finished their food, so it must not have sucked as much as mine. It is true that the people who work here are incredibly friendly, and though I appreciate that, if I want friendliness I'll hang out with my friends, and if I want good food, I'll go to a restaurant that serves good food. Dot's is not that restaurant. read more

We've lived in Boulder since the 1970's and used to go to DD when it was on Pearl Street many years ago. So, when they moved to their new location, we thought we'd give it a try, for old time sake. The food was the same, which is okay for breakfast, however, the service was appalling. The reason? Our waitress was stoned. And she kept going outside on the patio to continue smoking her joint, then, would come back in blurry-eyed and wait on people... reeking of pot smoke. And we're there with our 2 kids... (and we are OLD hippies not prudes by any means). It's the same as a waitperson going outside to drink a vodka and then coming back in reeking of alcohol and waiting on their tables! It was so disrespectful! There is a time and place for getting high/stoned/drunk and it is NOT at work, especially in the service industry. We won't be going back. read more

Let me do you a favor, if you're searching for a good breakfast this isn't it. There's nothing special about the menu and the service was almost non-existent. There's something to be said about a good ole fashioned greasy breakfast, but it needs to deliver more than ole grease. There are so many other places to spend your hard earned dollars for a great breakfast in the Boulder area - The Buff, Janie's (Longmont), and best of all Sundance Cafe (Nederland). read more

My Favorite Breakfast in Boulder! Big and tasty omelette's, Awesome home fries. I love the atmosphere and the wait staff is super nice and friendly. Coffee here is actually really good for a "diner". Their biscuits are big and fluffy and best with the "squeezy jam". Only open until 2pm on weekends, so don't sleep in too late! read more

Dot's is great for a cuppa joe and a delicious breakfast. Maybe you'll be lucky and catch the server on roller skates! For an unassuming meal and a great biscuit with raspberry jam, belly up to the bar or cozy up in a booth. Yum! read more

At Dots, the service and food quality is dropping faster than an unwanted teen pregnancy. Ok, first off, it took 15 min to get drinks & that was from the sketchy busboy, it also took 15 mins to get our check since the waiter lost it, and had to walk to every table to see if he put it there. The food was cold and honestly didn't seem like it would have been any better warm. Coffee was stale, and the idiot waiter gave my wife caffeinated instead decaf, she's pregnant and she can't have caffeine. Somehow we were even overcharged on the bill, even though they supposedly took off for the hash browns etc. This place is messed up. Menus for Indian food as well as greasy diner food how weird and confusing? I do not think the kitchen could have gotten either cuisine right, or the owner knows where this place is going. Stick to one thing and do it well, there are so many Indian restaurants in Boulder already. Maybe they should just try to cook an egg right and actually serve it with very warm cooked home fries? I mean after all they are a Diner????? Honestly even when the service was better I haven't been impressed, but after this experience I will never be back. read more

Food was alright, however the dining experience was terrible. We were seated, took about 15 minutes to get drink orders. Coffee cup went unfilled for over 30 minutes (we had to fill it after becoming tired of waiting). I think we saw our waitress once until the food came. We did receive 50% off of the food due to the excessive wait, which was really nice, but really too upset about waiting a full hour before food came for it to lift our spirits. I would give three stars, however I came back an hour later to retrieve my phone that I had left. I was greeted by an angry server who claimed we treated her badly. I'm assuming she was referring to the low tip she earned. Unfortunately, we won't be back to either location, despite having tasty salsa. read more

If you're like me and sometimes want a hole-in-the-wall greasy-spoon kind of feel, this is the place for you. It is simple, straightforward, and no frills but the food is goooo-ooo-oood, portions great, and oh my goodness, do not miss the house breakfast. I also have special affection for places that offer gluten-free options without charging extra for it. read more

Had heard good things and saw all the positive reviews, so was looking forward to trying Dot's. From the second I walked through the door it was disappointing. The 'host' was completely lost, not organized and not friendly. They don't keep a wait list, so if you have to wait outside, the pushiest people get seated first. Not the sort of experience I'm looking for on a lovely weekend morning. The food couldn't be good enough to make up for the poor customer service. There are too many other great places for breakfast that I'd rather support. read more

I wish that I could give two ratings, one for breakfast and one for lunch. Their breakfast's are a favorite of mine, I usually get the small southern style, sometimes the farmers' eggs. I would rate them a 4 or 5 star for food and a nice, old Boulder ambiance. As far a lunch, I'd give them 1-2 stars. I recently tried the chickpea curry. It tasted like canned chickpeas in a yellow salt sauce and bland rice. The flatbreat tasted like something out of the freezer isle that had been warmed up in a microwave. No chewy, crispy grilled bread there. The food had all the blandness of "health" food without being healthy. read more

We used to come here all the time. I'm sad to say that there is a waiter that audibly talked bad about us to other employees because we made a simple request. I called her out on it and she didn't like it. She didn't apologize and instead said it was our fault (that they gave us cold burnt potatoes) because we were being too picky. It became very heated because I didn't back down about how unprofessional it is to talk bad about customers, especially when they can hear you! We didn't go in for over a year because of this. Today we went in because we were close by, same waiter gave us our food and made a comment that hopefully the potatoes were god forbid, not too crispy. Obviously we felt extremely uncomfortable and left. It's like, really? You're going to hold a grudge about some potatoes a year later! you can't apologize and admit that you were unprofessional and rude? I worked at a breakfast restaurant for 6 years- I know how hard it is. if you want to vent about customers, do it when the store is closed and they aren't sitting right next to you hearing you bitch and moan and complain. It's not that hard to be kind. It's really not. I don't know if anyone else has had this experience there, but it feels pretty terrible to be energetically banned from a restaurant for standing up for yourself and asking for basic respect read more

The staff, food and prices at Dots are unparalleled in the breakfast community around Boulder. Try Dots - you won't regret it!

Sadly Dot's has gone down hill since they moved from Pearl St all those years back. The portions have shrunk (which is actually probably healthier for everyone) but the biscuits aren't that good anymore and the farmer's eggs was bland and blah last 2 times I had it. read more

I'm in from out of town, but will put this on my list of regular stops. The early bird special is great but would gladly pay full price. There breakfast potatoes are fantastic. read more

Really enjoyable eating here. Super diner-esque. I was getting my phone fixed and I needed something to do for an hour so I sat down in Dot's, read a book, and ate the Huevo Ranchero. It was absolutely delicious, and it was huge! I also really f*cking enjoyed the coffee. It tasted super natural and fresh. The place wasn't too pricey and what I really liked is that you have a choice on how big your meal is. It makes for a better experience when you know you aren't wasting food. I'll be back. read more

Good food, but expected a little more given the location and reviews. I think the biggest factor today was the service - Bolder Boulder is one of the busiest days in Boulder, larger staff is needed on this day!! read more

Not a diner..there are no fries. Nothing on the menu I can't make myself. Very mediocre. Have had sour experience with staff. Not worth the hype. read more

Dot's Diner is a Boulder tradition. The food is a fantastic value! Be ready for hip wait staff, tasty biscuits with raspberry jam, hash browns as a staple, and crispy bacon. Coffee is excellent; dark and organic. Orange juice is freshly squeezed... need I say more? Go before 9:30 on weekends if you don't want to wait in any line. Otherwise they might be a 5-15' wait or so (I've never had to wait longer than that). read more

I love Dot's... been going there for weekend breakfasts for years. They have lost a bit of their artsy style, and the waiters aren't as nice as they used to be, but the food is great. I usually get the Swiss Sizzler or the Huevos Rancheros. Their coffee is good too but I hate how they serve lattes in a glass. Not very practical. Pretty cheap in comparison to other breakfast places around. read more

Dots is great. Cool alternative atmosphere. Trivial pursuit cards at the table and lots of other things to play with. I love their breakfast burritos. Prices are very cheap. Service is quick and efficient. Along with Lucille's, it is the best breakfast in boulder. read more

I've been going to Dots Diner for 20 years. Never had a bad meal! The absolute BEST biscuits and gravy.

I grew up eating Dot's. The food isn't really bad or anything, but it isn't all that great either. The staff is usually pretty awesome though. And they have some really good biscuits and gravy. And it actually feels like you are in a diner. Sans smoking, but Boulder does suck like that. read more

Wow... Blows me away that this is considered a diner. More like roadside slop. Boulder really has low standards .

Really good breakfast! If you like biscuits, they're phenomenal and homemade. I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy but everyone always has their own breakfast favorites. read more

Oh my! How has Dot's slipped by my attention without a review (until now). This is probably one of the most wonderful and charming breakfast places you could happen upon in Boulder! I highly highly recommend it. (Though you will have to deal with those nasty college coeds for sure). Okay, the breakfasts are BIG big big, gigantic, actually. Tasty, I would say. Great, in a nutshell! Ooh the biscuits are magnifique! But, my favorite...Luna, all time greatest server (+ Bikram yoga instructor). She is the best and you better tip her well. read more

Ick. I hadn't been to Dot's in at least 5 years. I remember liking it. I won't be going back unless dragged. Poor service, terrible food. How can you mess up a breakfast burrito? read more

Breakfast places in Boulder? Everywhere but here. Go to: Snooze, The Buff, Walnut Cafe, Tangerine, NOT Dot's. I've gone to Dot's several times, and everything I've ordered they've served me burnt to a crisp. So burnt it's BLACK. Even just simple pancakes- who can't cook a pancake? Burnt pancakes happened 3 times. 3 strikes you're out. NEVER AGAIN. read more

I have heard SOOOOO many great things about this place. It may be a case of the over-hype. I love brunch, I LOVE eggy foods, and I love options, all of which Dot's has. I guess I was just expecting more quality in the choices. I thought that my Farmer's eggs were a little gross... and was wishing for the blueberry pancakes after a couple bites. It's great for vegetarians - I really liked being able to sub in veggie sausage, and their biscuits are great, but overall I'm not even close to impressed. The atmosphere is great - very old Boulder. I like that neither the space nor the staff are pretentious at all. I'll be sure to try them again, but more out of wanting to like the place than actually loving it. read more

Something has changed here. New owners (?) appear not to know how to run a restaurant. We went in and stood by the "Please wait to be seated" sign. After a few minutes, after being ignored several times by passing waitstaff, a young teen-age boy, whom I sense is part of the family that now runs (owns?) it, comes and asks what we want. We reply "A table for breakfast". He say "OK" and then PROCEEDS TO BUS A FEW TABLES as we stand there. He comes back to us and says "Just sit anywhere". I wonder "Whats the point of the sign?" . We decide to go outside to the dining patio as the smell and din in the restaurant are a bit much. We sit at a table for 10 minutes with no acknowledgment of our presence from any of the waitstaff that pass us numerous times as they deliver food to others. We get up and leave. read more

This was one of the worst experiences of my life, and I lost my leg in a plane crash. Service was nonexistent, and the food came out cold and they never came around to give us water. The girls next to us had their food given to another table. If I could rate this with negative stars I would. Never go here, stay far away. read more

Stopped in to check the place out. Doesn't look like much from outside, but it was very nice inside. Kind of a cool hippie atmosphere. Organic teas and coffees. House made chai. Gluten-free options. Great breakfasts. Very friendly people. Luna waited on us. Huge biscuits and the ham gravy was great. We will definitely be going back. They have 3 locations. We want to try the one in Nederland. read more

Good basic food with amazing biscuits but the service leaves something desired. So if u want a good American breakfast and can deal with not the greatest service I would recommend. It's a shame they all seem so pissed off and not interested in great customer service as this place could be awesome. read more

Went there for a quick saturday morning breakfast, ended up staying for two hours. The hostess seemed lost, it took 20 minutes to get water and menus. The waitress bluntly told us it would be easier for her if we didn't do split checks. She delivered our food an hour later, plate by plate. By the time i was done eating the person next to me still hadn't gotten their plate. It took forever to get the checks and even longer to get the payment. Not sure if they were having an extremely busy day, it didn't look like it! read more

My god. Their huevos rancheros are so good that you wonder how they have taken the same 5 or so ingredients that every other place uses and made it so amazingly good. Seriously, get the huevos - over easy, black bean, green chili. You won't regret it. I've been going to Dot's at this location and on the hill for over ten years and have never been disappointed by the service or the food. The bacon is always sweet and delicious. The eggs always perfect. The potatoes are always well seasoned. You always leave happy. They have some traditional curries that they rotate on a regular basis, which seems to be relatively new and pretty great if you ask me. I haven't had a chance to try those yet. They have a fairly extensive coffee bar menu as well complete with yerba matte and chai in addition to your basic latte fare. Ambiance is pretty basic. The place is not particularly cozy. If you come on the weekend expect to wait, and you will have to wait outside. If you haven't stopped in yet, get over there! read more

They should consider cleaning the place some time and repainting with kiltz to cover and seal the abundant dirty stains all over the counters and walls. kinda disgusting, but a good source of southern breakfast if you like that style of food. read more

I would have to nominate Dot's as best greasy spoon in Boulder. Friendly waitstaff, good prices, and absolutely Delicious food! Definitely captures the local vibe, super laid back- just a great overall atmosphere. The hot cocoa is always yummy, the OJ fresh squeezed and don't miss the Southern Style Breakfast (I didn't for 4 consecutive years). Breakfast burritos are also high on my list....perfect place for breakie after a late night to soak it all up. read more

Best biscuits in boulder county. The breakfast is hard to beat for the price, they have good coffee and the decor is quintessential boulder!

Love this place! My boyfriend and I are from Chicago and were visiting Boulder for a concert. After driving 1000+ miles and passing out in our room - waking up and finding this place for breakfast was like heaven. Their coffee was fantastic, breakfast was great - I'm not normally a big hash brown fan and I finished my entire plate and some of my boyfriend's! :o The service was friendly but not intrusive. Cute little diner - so glad we stopped in! read more