Address: | 4302 N George Street Extension, Manchester, PA 17345, USA |
Phone: | +1 717-266-3887 |
Site: | manchestercafepa.com |
Rating: | 4 |
Working: | 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–9PM 7AM–2PM |
A
A Private User
On a Tuesday evening, my teen son and I visited the Manchester Café for the first time. Upon entry, one is reminded of an aging state-run home for elderly, with the sloppy mint paint with black trim, accompanied by worn and food-spotted carpeting. The booth seats sag and poke under one’s butt, sinking so that the table is chin level. It’s a poorly lit eatery, lacking any personality north of life, and the menu contains numerous selections, the insert full of misspellings and confusing entries. (Chesser mashed potatoes anyone?) The lady who seated us looked about as worn and tired as the carpeting, with a splash of something wet darkening the front of her grey shirt. She avoided eye contact as much as humanly possible and the iced tea she brought was so bitter, it was undrinkable. Several minutes after being seated, while we watched those around us waiting for their food (oddly enough, although the restaurant was fairly full, not many were eating), our waitress approached to take our order. I asked about the “Cranberry salad” listed as a vegetable option. I was told it was “cranberries and pineapple smashed together”—complete with hand gestures to demonstrate the smash. On a whim of suicide, I ordered it to accompany my broasted chicken and cup of beef noodle soup (the soup listed under the daily specials). My son ordered the hot turkey sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The beef noodle concoction was hardly soup, but a clump of sodden noodles in a paste-like gravy. I couldn’t have spotted beef had someone offered me cash to do so. The best thing about the soup was the packaged saltines which accompanied it. During our nearly 45 minute wait for our meal (yes, we timed it), we watched plate after plate come by our table. The standard meal appeared to consist of either french-fries or gravy. Not to be outdone, when my son’s hot turkey sandwich arrived, it was white bread with slices of turkey, in between layers of gravy. The coleslaw was bits of cabbage, floating in a vinegary cream base. The broasted chicken, while having a nice crust, was nearly flavorless and the breast meat was close to sandpaper dry. After 45 minutes, I was nearly ready to eat my shoe, and maybe would have been better off to do so. The smash of cranberries and pineapple were so sweet, it would have melted my teeth had I eaten more than the two bites I tried. (One bite was to see how it tasted, while the other was to affirm that the first had been as horrible as I believed it to be.) I never did get my roll with butter that was advertised on the menu (but maybe that was a typo as well?). This little adventure cost me slightly over $15 (not including tip), but I would have been better off going to McDonalds across the street. I hate eating at a place where the thought runs through my mind of, “I hope I don’t get food poisoning from this”.
SC
Scott Cochran
I guess when you are the only diner in town, logical customer service doesnt matter! I moved my family to the area about 6 months ago and have eaten here many times and have even suggested it for my Dad when he visits to take my kids for diner on their birthdays. This in spite of the mediocre food and service (again only diner in town). I am type 2 diabetic so I avoid bread and potatoes as a rule. A few times a month I go into this diner. When I first started eating here I was offered an extra egg for passing on the hash browns and toast and have done it on several occasions. Keep in mind with coffee and the 20% to 30% tip I regularly leave on small bills this is a minimum of a 10 to 11 dollar breakfast of 3 eggs and a slice of scrapple. So imagine my surprise today when a new waitress asked the owner about the extra egg and he insisted I pay another 1.50 for the third egg! So in his eyes a pile of hash browns and two slices of bread that I pass on still doesnt cover the cost of one egg! I decided to head to Giant where I bought 12 eggs and two pounds of of Rapa Scrapple for 6 bucks! Now he lost my breakfast, lunch and occasional diner business as well as my fathers. Lastly I will mention something I had given them a pass on. Two weeks ago I was in for diner and got the 4 piece broasted chicken. What a disappointment! Its like fried flavorless flour covered chicken, with a super dry breast. I guess the owner sees spices like a 15 cent egg, too costly and out of the question! Penny wise and dollar foolish is never a good mindset when operating a customer service business. In closing if you are looking for a bare minimum experience, with so so fare this is your place!
TH
TheProperEdikit
Update: Returned after months. Prices have been raised and are now comparable to Round the Clock Diner & Central Family Restaurant. Food is still good. Service is borderline ok. And cleanliness is still lacking. Wont be returning, when I can get great service, food and cleanliness for the same price. -------------------------------------------------------------- Price is great. Food is good. Service is ok. Cleanliness is lacking. Always need table re-cleaned (for years). Havent been in a while....
A
A Private User
This place suck I have had better actually it tasted like it was brought out of a trash can and better yet the employees are rude same with the manager. I think they should be shut down. Ok maybe not but i think they can do alot better i had an alergic reaction to something I ate there. They can do better. Anyway there was one good thing i saw my local friends were their.
DI
Diana Miller
You can tell the servers are more interested in their regular customers, which I get..however, this isnt the right position to work in to continue that habit. Drinks werent refilled, when asked, even though server was standing in front of me working on the silverware. Food was yummy, tho, so might return for that reason.
BR
Brandon P
Ok place to eat, this is the only type of restaurant in this area so there isnt much competition for this place. The food is alright to eat but nothing special or spectacular. The place is older and the interior shows that without much upgrading. The staff are adequate but dont expect the best service when you visit.
NA
Nathan Stone
My wife and I have been enjoying breakfast here for most Saturdays of the year since we moved to Manchester in 2009. There is a reason we keep coming back...food is fantastic, value is superb and the staff are friendly. Definitely a family-friendly atmosphere.
ZA
zach Hagarman
We went for breakfast today, and the people were not customer friendly, we were willing to sit 2 separate tables of 4 and 5 people, but they still sat people who came in after us. Looks like McDonalds got our business instead. Better customer service
BU
Burnie Lenhart
Terrible customer service! We were told they were too full to accommodate a party of 9. We offered to sit in two separate areas. However the the proceeded to tell us we shouldve called ahead. We have no room for your party.
FR
Fred Irvin
Where the locals go. Eat here, youll know why. Tasty meals, served promptly and priced reasonably plus youll meet old friends from northeastern York co! Might just be rumor, but its said the PA Guv stops in too!