We were looking for a nice place to have brunch outdoors, and decided to try Katy's.
Rarely do I ever rate anywhere with two stars, and that was because the food was adequate, and our server quite pleasant despite the overpriced food.
We were initially seated in the corner of the patio next to the funky wait station (see photo). One of us was expected to sit between it, and the table and there was not enough space. We both chose to sit side by side and pulled another table over.
Our server was prompt and pleasant - Sirenia I believe? I requested coffee at $6.00 with refills, and was told they had no non dairy creamer alternatives.
Our food order consisted of corned beef hash with medium eggs, house potatoes and toast.
My daughter ordered the regular Benedict with Canadian bacon.
The two stars are for the nice flavor of the home made corned beef hash with hearty pieces of brisket. The potatoes were a bit dry, so I added salsa and that softened things up nicely.
My daughters benedict was acceptable but not outstanding at $22.00.
Our server disappeared at some point with no explanation, and I would suspect the forthcoming conversation at the register likely would not have ever occurred should I have been able pay at our table.
So here goes; as I made my way to the front of the eatery my path was blocked by a gentleman standing in the aisle in conversation with a customer. I politely said "Excuse me" and he did not turn to me, nor step out of the way, so I waited a few moments and repeated a little louder, "Excuse me" and the customer pointed to me and the man said something like, "What do you want"? I then pointed, and said I would like to get over to the door and pointed at the register, whereupon he began to move towards the register.
He then said, " When you get old you don't have good peripheral vision anymore, I nodded and then handed him my credit card whereupon he said we don't take credit cards, and I asked, "Well what do you take", and he said "We only accept cash." I replied "Well it would have been helpful to know that in advance", whereupon he said "there are signs everywhere, look at your check". I looked and there in the lower corner it did state "No credit cards cash only". At that point the man could have stopped, but he chose to hold up the menu, and point to the wording on the front - no credit cards cash only. I then said "I believe you have made your point and asked where the nearest ATM was located"?
He gave some vague directions and asked for me to leave my license. He had not stopped pointing out signs all during this interchange, and I then said a bit testily,
I admit, "Well this is not the nicest way to treat a local." Not to be outdone he then stated very sarcastically "Well it's worked for us for forty years."
I'm not altogether sure they realize cash is actually not encouraged anymore anywhere since Covid, nor do they appear to care.
I then handed him my license, and asked him to please take good care of it, and I would return soon to pay the bill. Finding the bank was not easy despite using maps and when we returned with the cash I knew I was still too upset so I asked my daughter to take the money in and pay the bill, and retrieve my license for me.
The summation of her experience is none of the staff could locate our bill to verify the amount although we knew exactly what the outrageous total was with tax. The man who I'm thinking was some sort of manager although he never gave his name told my daughter he had closed out the register (despite knowing we would return). She had given him the cash, $60.00 and also asked for a receipt. He then informed her he could not provide a receipt as he had closed the register. She politely said, "Well we still need a receipt" as it's been paid in cash.
He then did something rather unexpected, and a tad redeeming which also lends to the two stars.
After all this back and forth he informed her "Well I already paid your bill." He then just looked at her, and she had to point out that he still had the money she gave him, and to ask for the money back. Neither did he offer to return my license, so she asked for that as well, as he appeared to have forgotten about holding it. Most definitely a strained and odd exchange.
The only redeeming factor here is after all was said and done our meal was free. It does not change the fact that in all my years of frequenting restaurants, working in my families restaurant, nor in any retail transaction have I ever experienced such a degree of disrespect and been treated with such rudeness by anyone, much less by someone in management.
We have no plans to return to this over priced, local
eatery which is not on a par with any of the other eating establishments in Carmel.
I see now there are several reviews that mention It being a challenge that the restaurant only accepts cash, and that the management is sometimes not considered friendly. Sadly I am in good company. read more