I've heard about the Pine Cone Cafe for a while but I'm not often in this neighborhood much and I was a little bit concerned with it's overall Yelp average. That all changed when we hears that the owners of the Zodiac Supper Club and Dusty's has taken ownership of the restaurant. We really like those other two restaurants and so we were eager to try it. We were not disappointed at all when we paid a visit here this past weekend. The food Is definitely breakfast and lunch dinerfare and apparently they will be doing supper eventually. Steve got a great Club Sandwich with fries while I had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with avocado and tomato. I also had a great side salad along with it as well with a yummy sherry vinegarette dressing that went along with it. They had some very fine looking desserts but we passed on it but they looked great! They also serve mixed drinks and craft beer as well. I can't say for sure how the restaurant was like before the old owners sold but I guess the new owners are trying to stick to the original recipes and idea as much as possible. It was remodeled because a customer was here when we were who was a steady one with the previous owners and was quite surprised with how the cafe looks now. Steve and I really liked how the cafe looked when we were there. read more

Perhaps our expectations were too high, but the breakfast was sub par- I was so looking forward to the biscuits & gravy, but they were inedible. I tried to cut into them with a knife, but the biscuit was just too tough to cut. It was also cold, so perhaps it sat under the warming tray too long, causing it to dry out. Eggs were good, hash browns were cool to luke warm in the middle. We might return, and try the pancakes since it's so close and we want to support our local UP businesses. We'll just know to AVOID the biscuits & gravy. Otherwise, the place was clean (& nearly empty for a Sunday am at 8:30am). Our server was very sweet & even comped the biscuits. read more

Service and food are fantastic good size portions . Nice atmosphere. Wide variety of food options

Sometimes very busy making parking and a place to sit a challenge. The staff is fairly friendly even without a smile. Overall good breakfast food and fast. read more

Go eat here if you get the chance! They are doing it all right! Food, service and atmosphere. read more

The Pine Cone - Fluffer Nutter Pancakes! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - University Place, Washington

I liked this place! I went for brunch and it was tasty! I had a Bloody Mary, it was pretty spicy. I had the biscuits and gravy with potatoes. It was a big portion. I liked the biscuits and the gravy was tasty, lots of sausage. I got two fried eggs on top. I'd stop by again sometime. read more

Great little diner! A bit "shop worn" and could do with a bit of a redo on the booths, but everything was clean. Had lunch here earlier this week with three friends. Two of the ladies ordered BLT's, one a Patty Melt and I ordered fish and chips. All came with generous portions of house cut French fries...a nice break from the frozen ones. The BLT's looked delish with lots of bacon and toasted to perfection. The patty melt was huge and also nicely grilled and looked generous. The fish was good...three pieces crisply fried, but seemingly the same kind of frozen battered filets offered in the grocery store. The service was quick and friendly. Seemed only moments from when we sat, the waitress took our orders, and we received our food within 10 minutes of ordering. The place was busy, but not packed. I'd definitely return if in the neighborhood again. read more

We were out in the UP area and were looking for breakfast. We had never been here and like to try new places. We ordered the Monte Cristo and the Chicken Fried Steak. The chicken fried steak was cold, as in hardly warm. The flavor was decent, but the temperature was nothing. The Monte Cristo, looked nothing like the photos I've seen on here of others. This was most disappointing Monte Cristo I've ever had. The bread didn't look like a typical French toast style, it look more like a grilled cheese. It was greasy to touch and so soggy/mushy like it wasn't even cooked after being dipped in egg batter. We decided not to say anything, pay for our meal, and decided we would most likely not visit again. read more

This is one of the best Diners in our area! The staff are warm and welcoming. I change the sandwich to suite my dietary needs and they are more than accommodating. I order the BLT and add Turkey and onions. It's superb! Also their omelets are amazing too!! read more

Best breakfast place I have been too in awhile, The pancakes are my favorite. Would definitely be back soon. read more

We've always loved Pine Cone - it was our go-to for years before the closure. The new owners have brought some of the former staff members and have kept a lot of the charm with some new additions. Thank you for bringing back a family favorite read more

The Pine Cone - Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menu for the new expanded hours! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - University Place, Washington

Hidden gem in University Place with great food and great service. We both had breakfasts in the afternoon... Poutine fries with a perfectly cooked soft scrambled egg and a breakfast burger. Nice that it has a full bar too. We will be back for the Reuben !! read more

This place is magical. The closest thing we have to a diner on the west coast. The wait staff, food, chefs. -mall amazing.

So happy they're back! I had the eggs Benedict and my husband ordered an omelette. Both so delicious. Better than the previous owner, whose food was great too. Rhonda and Mandy are back with the addition of Tessa. All so friendly, they kept the great service. I imagine it'll be hard to get a table soon! read more

Not what it used to be Prices higher. Food marginal, service is lacking. I'll be surprised if they last one year. read more

So happy this place is back open after many years of closer. My go to is the spaghetti! It comes with a salad and some garlic bread. Thanks to the owners for bringing this place back! read more

My first time here after their reopening wIth the new owners. Absolutely the best chicken fried steak around, and I have tried them all -- will be back to try everything on the menu! read more

This is a convenient restaurant with good home made foods. They need more staffing, but the ones that they have do a great job. The have a menu suited for elderly people as well as two year olds. This is a good place to take a family. The one waitress did the work of several and was teh only one that day. But she did a great job without complaining. We try to go once a month. read more

The staff was fun, and punctual. The waiter (bus boy?) was always ready with the coffee, but not obnoxious. The waitress took my order within 10min which wasn't bad considering how busy they were. The biscuits and gravy were ok. The gravy had a standalone flavor which was ok, though I can't describe the taste, it was thick and creamy; I added salt and pepper to appease personal preferences. The biscuit was flaky, moist and delicious! The egg was tasty too. read more

The Pine Cone - Biscuits and Gravy w/ Egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - University Place, Washington

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I just ordered to-go from the Pine Cone Cafe today, I ordered a stack of pancakes, cheese curds, and a club sandwich for my partner and I. This was my first time eating from the Pine Cone and it was ahhhhhmazing. The pancakes were huge and fluffy, the cheese curds were the best cheese curds I've ever had they were garlicky and flavorful they didn't even need sauce, and the club sandwich was grilled perfectly and just so yummy. The fries are like a natural cut fry and they were great too. This place reminded me back home, a lowkey diner vibe that had a great homey feeling but also had cocktails. I will definitely come back with my family to come sit and eat. read more

I don't normally eat biscuits and gravy but I thought I would try theirs since it also included two eggs with it, which is not that common in other diners (you'd usually pay extra for the eggs). If you like lots of sausage in your gravy then you would like theirs; I would go so far as to say that there might be a bit TOO much sausage, as I still want enough gravy in every bite, but not necessarily a lot of sausage. Regardless, it was very tasty. They also give you hash browns (or home fries) and they fill over half of the plate, which I thought was too much and I couldn't come close to finishing them, and I'm usually a big eater. They could easily have given me half the amount of hash browns and it would have been plenty, but hey, that's their choice. Overall, it was a delicious meal and well worth it. Service was also great! read more

Visiting family and wanted to take my sister out for breakfast. Her daughter recommended Pine Cone. We needed to go to a place that was wheelchair friendly. Pine Cone was most accommodating. Great menu. Excellent choices. Fabulous pancakes. Our server was wonderful. Gave us plenty of time to make our choices and kept the coffee coming. Even brewed a fresh pot of decaf for Sis. Wow! Excellent food. My SO had the corned beef hash, which was great. Even had leftovers for later. We never felt rushed. Would I recommended Pine Cone?? In a word-YES!! read more

It is my new favorite breakfast spot. So so delicious! Got the Croque Madam and the French toast bread pudding. So many things to try on this menu read more

Everything I got was pretty good. Great prices and pretty consistent. Always good service. read more

The Pine Cone - Eggs Benedict, strawberry waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - University Place, Washington

I felt the food was blah and not very good. Wait staff and service was excellent though. I didn't come here when it was owned by previous ownership, but have read stuff from a lot of people have. I was disappointed because a lot of people seemed to have raved about this place. I had a really basic breakfast, sausage, eggs, and hash browns. I could see people coming here though who are regulars or maybe just wanting to sit down and have coffee. I did enjoy their coffee. read more

It for sure isn't the Old Pine Cone. S--L--O--W service. Food was maybe 2 star. The running to the back room with my Credit Card to process the card tells me never to return. read more

Good people that work authentically together, good food, environment and energy from staff. When the food came I ate and forgot to take a picture. I will be back sooner than later. read more

We had Autumn who was amazing!! She seriously is too sweet and so lovely it made my morning. She helped explain what a dollar pancake was ! I am truly saddened because I heard great things about this place. I got bland flat pancakes, the potatoes were semi mushy too was crispy, I wanted to go to Sharis but this was right by the house. Wasn't the best food :( and the coffee which I usually love diner type coffee but this was not great at all . It was a cool environment, but It was just bland food. The Marion berry jelly was the most flavorful thing. My husband had an omelet which he enjoyed he said it was pretty good so maybe I'll have to try something else, since did enjoy his . The ham was good , peppers were fresh, cheese was good so he enjoyed his very much !! We might have to try this place again, just to try different items . read more

The Pine Cone - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - University Place, Washington

First time eating at Pine Cone Cafe today. We were really excited to try it as it is in our neighborhood. The food was good, but the server/service was disappointing. We felt like we were bothering her and she didn't seem to like us and was not friendly or welcoming. Appeared very flippant. Sorry we didn't tip you the industry standard because we wanted to. I get that it's Easter and all but maybe be more friendly and welcoming to your customers? Receipt says her name is Me 1 or is it Mel? Idk but we hope you have a better day. Customer service does matter especially in your industry. The hostess was friendly as was the bus girl. read more

New owners and new menus. Still working out the kinks. Good burger. Small glasses for the sodas.

I just revisited the Pinecone today after a couple years of not going. I learned the previous owner had sold it and remodeled part of the restaurant into a new store. This used to be my go to place in University Place/Tacoma. That is when Steve Warp owned it. If todays visit is any indication of what has happened to the place I will never be back. I arrived around 12:30 what should be the height of lunch hour. It took a good 10-15 minutes just to get noticed at the front door. Once seated it took another 10-15 minutes before I was waited on. Once my was taken it took like another 20 minutes to get my food and they weren't even busy. They took another customers before mine because I had accidently spilled my water and the waitress had to get someone else to wipe it up. I don't know why she didn't do it herself, all in all one of the worst experiences I have had in a long time. I don't mind waiting if they are busy but when you aren't to be left waiting for so long is very irritating. read more

The food was great! Healthy portions and home cooked food feel. Our server David was amazing! Super helpful and friendly.

Amazing service and delicious food! Come hungry--plates are large! Lots to choose from the menu. Clean and inviting inside.

Great non chain family restaurant/cafe/diner! Made a visit with my wife back in mid June while taking a break from house shopping near the area. We both had delicious breakfast combos served by a friendly younger twenty something lady. A quick strike up conversation came up by asking our server if she had known anything about the city of Port Orchard and to our surprise, she had lived there and gave us friendly insight about the city. And we are moving there. So give Denny's a break and enjoy great homemade food. read more

The food was good, but they forgot my side of avocado for my omelet so I had to let the waitress know. It was pretty crowded when I went, so I guess it's pretty popular. I didn't feel comfortable using the gender neutral bathroom- a man came in while I was in a stall. The decor was nice though. read more

It's unfortunate that this place wasn't better, as I live so close. We've gone like four times, and it has been pretty average each time. Usually there is a big wait, the staff can be periodically rude (night shift), and the patronage can be loud and vulgar (older fellows at the bar). I've got to say that the cake, has to take it. But, they don't make it. Rather just got to the source directly for parties. I don't get the hype, but you do you UP. read more

I'm one of the many UP residents who grew up eating with my family- perhaps once a week- at the venerable Pine Cone Cafe, and who eagerly awaited its reopening under new owners. Sadly, my recent visit was very disappointing. We'd joined a group for lunch, so I went for the Rueben sandwich, and my wife tried the fish sandwich. We both had the "classic Pine Cone side salad" rather than fries. Both sandwiches were a bit worse than average cafe fare, and the salads were worse still- rather like a handful of grocery store bagged salad, with a limited selection of dressings available. To invite comparison to the "classic" side salad of years back is to court this sort of lackluster review. The fact that all lunch menu items were pricier than most similar cafes (even given post-COVID inflation elsewhere) didn't make a mediocre meal any more enjoyable. Here's the deal: I'd love to hope we caught the Pine Cone on a bad day. I miss having a local alternative to the "chain" eateries. But friends who have recently returned report similar experiences. From the dining table set up in the entry way (who'd enjoy sitting there?) to the subpar food to the hefty price tag, I was impressed- but not favorably. Perhaps I'll try ordering from the breakfast menu next time. read more

New ownership and an internal glow-up tool this UP diner to the next level. So glad it's back open. Run, don't walk, to go check it out.

another great meal. I still order what I love...the mushroom, spinach. and cheese omelette. To die for. service was great, food was great, restaurant was clean. Thank you Pine Cone. read more

Went for late breakfast, has we sat down, the coffee mug was dirty, the waitress exchanged the mug with another from table, put the dirty one down. Waitress was not nice, almost rude. Prices I felt were high for this place. Most likely will not be returning read more