My last review stands but with updates. While I'd still say this has to be the best place available…read morein Peru, there are some inconsistencies.
The ordering process is quirky. During the day, you order at the counter. Menus on a barrel to peruse. Nothing on the wall. You normally receive a number (not today) & your beverages & food are brought to your table. Today, I was given my coffee & water at the counter to carry, but my food was brought out. So, it's counter prepay, & you tip at that time, but it's also self serve at the condiment station while you're also being waited on table side somewhat, some of the time. Confused yet?
I did dine here once during dinner hours. Since I was used to the other process, I didn't know you are seated in the evening & fully waited on. I like dinner time best though it's busier.
You can get takeout anytime & sweets to go from the case or table. I believe they cater & might possibly deliver, at least for groups. There is also a section which can be reserved.
I hadn't been in for a couple months, & hadn't seen my favorite lady for even longer. From chatting today, I don't think she remembered me. The man working the floor is especially great. He's a food runner & busser, etc.
I was confused today, as was he, as he'd set something on my table while I was prepping my coffee at the sugar station. He asked if I'd had a bread stick or a pretzel, so I responded it was a pretzel because I had indeed ordered a pretzel stick from the menu. He ended up bringing out a full size pretzel after I sat down, & I felt badly because he thought I'd ordered that. I discovered the pretzel STICK is the same as a bread stick. He was friendly & told us to enjoy the mistake.
The person with me was happy to find a device charging station. I'm not sure those are available at every table nor if WiFi is offered. The first timer liked her peach tea. You can get sweetened, unsweetened, or half n half. Cheese sauce is nacho with a lil kick.
I fully appreciate that the staff will make me a fresh pot of decaf when I come in. Apparently, decaf isn't too popular around here, I'm finding. I rolled with it, but Garden Gate had Folgers in the past. The Kroger brand they used today definitely didn't taste as good. When I walked up to get a refill, I noticed it was really weak & watered down. I could see through it more than tea. Sometimes you get refills at your table. Not consistently anymore. None today. No non-dairy creamer or milk options nor raw sugar. Again, I roll with it. It's not really a coffee shop per-se. However, with "cafe" in the name...
Garden Gate has surprisingly good spaghetti. Not like what I can make at home, but far better than what I expected during visits before today. I would like to see more plant based options, but I remember what town I'm in. You get used to making due with what you can get around here. No fish on the menu either nor any fried foods. Sandwiches come with chips or slaw. They do have a fired pizza oven. If you like meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green beans, this would be the perfect place for you. They have daily specials on a board.
Their veggie wrap is okay. The bread/pretzel sticks are buttered & also okay. Mashed potatoes, great. Never had the green beans since may contain bacon. Garden Gate good with accommodating substitution requests.
I do like the long bench in back so you can sit as you wait for carryout or to be seated in the evening. Quality furnishings & ambience although the barrels from the brewery this once housed don't exactly jive.
It's nice there is a private parking lot with a side door since street parking downtown can be hairy, especially this close to the courthouse. Some outdoor seating. A lot more seating inside & much better air conditioning than the old location. Better tables and chairs which are actually comfortable unlike the old place.
I don't like that they pool tips. I tip extremely well, & I would like it to go to the person I tipped. I'm also not a fan of tipping at the beginning of the visit. I'll over tip & not get stellar service afterward. Did they even see it? Now I feel like George Costanza. I have been given rather large to go cups of decaf in the past. I didn't even want to ask for one today.
It's usually clean though sometimes the tables & ladies' room could use extra care. Dirty tables can pile up at times.
Confusing system. Good food but not much that I want. I really just go to have somewhere in this town to sit & to KNOW it's actually decaf in my cup. Sometimes it's loud, sometimes not. Service isn't quite what it was when this location first opened. It can be hit or miss where I can feel #1 or forgotten. Service usually good but not above and beyond like 6 months ago.
I'm sure I'll return because, honestly, where else am I going to go? Possibly the best in Peru, yes, but I'm adjusting stars for everything stated above. It could easily be a five with some tweaks, but I won't hold my breath.
