Mike & Gayle’s Cafe

Closed and out of business, various furniture and kitchen stuff is being auctioned off. I’m going to miss that Hashbrown Supreme!

Most meals are OK. Prices are reasonable and portions are adequate ‚. Have always gotten good service.
Had a chocolate cherry waffle for breakfast that was to die for.

I went back because I’m obviously a masochist. The food was much worse — everything tastes like it was canned and dumped on a plate. I ordered the macaroni and cheese and it was literally pasta with cheese dumped on top and microwaved (you can tell because the pl ate is burning hot,) and I sent it back. So I tried a grilled artichoke crab sandwich and it was awful, it tasted totally canned and was cool to the touch, so they literally dumped a half-​can of crab on toast and they’re charging $ 12? So I tried to send it back and the waitress said, «The manager won’t let you send back more than one dish. You will have to pay for one.»
I can’t say how much I dislike this restaurant and haven’t been back (nor will I) since. Most of the photos and reviews are from breakfast, so I assume that’s what this place does that doesn’t suck.

This place is ok. Not very impressed with all the food selection or the quality of the food vs the price. A lot of the food I have seen done much better at a lower price with bigger proportions. There have been a few times of eating here where I have gone home hungry, but overall just satisfied with the food. I have to say the best quality of this business is the friendliness of the staff, but it doesn’t make up for the quality of the food.

I love Benicia — so don’t get me wrong, Mike & Gayle, I’m quite ready to elevate my rating if you can get a few things straightened out:
*Service: Entered at around 11am on week day holiday. The restaurant was busy but not packed. I stood obediently at the «Please wait» sign. And I stood. Two more parties came in behind me as the hostess told me to wait a moment while she cleared a table. There were several OPEN, SET tables available. Why would you make a customer wait when you have clean tables (in the front section) available? You’re not saving any work — you’re going to have to clear both tables either way.
We were then sat at a table next to several small children. I requested a different clean table but was told that neither of the other two sections were open — again — how much work do you really save by closing off the airiest, most pleasant portion of your restaurant and displeasing customers? Uncool.
*Food Quality to Value Ratio: The food is fine if not extraordinary. Hashbrowns are great — with just a little finesse and some breakfast specials (like quiche or local produce omelettes), I bet the food good be a huge draw. And this should be done as prices are a bit high for «meh».
My biggest issue, however, remains the service. It is friendly but inefficient and not overly accommodating. I think the party behind me left while waiting to be seated — rule number one — get ‘em seated. Customers quickly and happily seated are much more likely to return, tip well, and bring others.

A friend of mine posted about this place on Facebook. So, after further research, I decided their menu had a twist. For example, quiche omelet and fresh carrot, beet, apple and ginger juice. So why not give it a shot!
Because of the different name and somewhat unique menu, I had this place pictured down by the water. Unfortunately, I found it in place of the old country waffle. Boring.
The food however, was good. The juice was healthy but tasted like beets. I don’t fault them for that. The service was good. The prices were just about right if not slightly overpriced for pancakes. Most every review mentions the tasty potatoes… and they were!
Living in Vallejo and not Benicia, I wont go out of my way to come back here but would certainly come again.

Discovering and covering the local breakfast spots in Benicia, I decided to give Mike & Gayle’s a go. My daughter and I came here for breakfast one Saturday morning. For a Saturday, it was actually reasonably busy. We were sat immediately upon arrival, but the drinks and ordering part took a few extra minutes than normal. My daughter ordered their Mickey Mouse pancake with bacon on the side (LOL — thought it was funny that this was the only item my daughter would go for). I ordered their #1 traditional egg breakfast. The portions were quite large for two eggs, bacon (four strips!), hashbrown and toast. Simple, hearty, and not too pricey ($ 9.95). I also noticed that M&G’s serves Mimosas and apparently has a decent beer selection; not that I ordered any.
I also noticed that aside from the time frame of ordering and getting drinks, the servers busted their butts. I noticed how a toddler was getting fussy and crying nearby when the hostess actually swooped by the table to give the toddler a toy that was held on a cabinet next to our table. Instant happiness of the toddler and total ease to the parents. I was definitely impressed. I would like to definitely be a returnee.

I gave Mike and Gayle’s Café three stars for yummy food, poor service and questionable prices.
My first time here was a Sunday afternoon at about 1PM. It was fairly busy (as expected on a Sunday) but they were obviously short-​staffed. We waited for more than five minutes before anyone even acknowledged us, and then waited at least another ten minutes for a table (party of 2).
Our server, without even greeting us, asked us for our drink orders and rushed away. Several minutes later, she came with our drinks (my «large» orange juice that cost $ 2.75 was served in a short tumbler glass filled about half-​way). From then on, we saw our server one more time before she gave us the check.
I had breakfast, of course (my fav), but the prices were just a liiiiittle steep. Not bad, but $ 10.75 at Mike and Gayle’s will get you one order of french toast and bacon, whereas $ 10.75 elsewhere might get you french toast, hash browns, eggs, and bacon. Not the greatest value in town.
I had the Fruit and Cream French Toast, which came with fresh strawberries and bananas on top (soooo good!) and french toast slices with cream cheese on the inside. The order also came with two strips of bacon.
Overall, I loved the food. I wasn’t crazy about the expensive half-​glass of orange juice, but I thought everything was delicious. Our server was OK, but she seemed too rushed. Whether she was busy or not, it’s important to make every customer feel welcome. I didn’t feel welcome at Mike and Gayle’s.

food is good, neighborhood is good. Had that country feel to it. Chicken Fried Steak and gravy was great. Daughter had chocolate chip pancakes which were huge and she enjoyed them. Looking forward to visiting again.

After people read my original review and suggested that I must have been drunk or in the wrong restaurant, I opted to give Mike & Gayle’s another shot. It was further suggested that I go in for breakfast as that is really what they specialize in.
I have to admit, not bad. Once you are seated in a place where the servers see you, the customer service level goes up quite a bit.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict and everything about it was tasty and well prepared. The service was efficient and friendly.
Price is still a factor for me, and it is what is keeping this review at a cool 3 stars.

First time, and last time at this restaurant.
We had high hopes upon entering the place. Good remodel from the former Country Waffles roach motel.
It was downhill from there. The service was abysmally slow. My husband ordered the mushroom Swiss burger. The bun was burned black on half of the inside, and was cold. The burger was cooked to the texture of a hockey puck, and the mushrooms were way overcooked and chewy. He said his onion rings tasted like old, sour oil. He didn’t even finish them.
I ordered the Greek omelet. Plate overflowing with food, which would have been great had it been GOOD food! The eggs were fine, but the filling was pretty gross. So much feta, it overpowered everything else. The spinach was blackened throughout, and the tomatoes tasted funny. The hash browns were incredibly over salted.
But hey, the toast was good!
Sorry Mike and Gayles, but we will never be back. Yuk!

This place has moved — I tried to edit the Unilocal address but it wont let me
I have yet to try a burger, but I will testify — their breakfast is OUTSTANDING.
I usually have the bacon and eggs — The eggs are light and fluffy, the bacon has plenty of flavor, and both the bacon and potatoes are crispy — a MUST… The portions are also hearty for your buck!
A friend of mine had the biscuits and gravy and that was tasty as well.
The reviewers do not lie — the service there is terrible. I believe it has to either be poor management or a lack of workers. The servers spend half their time in the kitchen. If they could work that out, I bet it would do even more business. But until then, I typically call in an order of breakfast to go, which still tastes amazing even after a short car trip.

Mike and Gayle’s is now in the Southampton shopping center in a pleasant new building.
The atmosphere is great and the servers are extremely friendly.
Everything I have had there has been excellent, particularly for breakfast.
Try the pulled pork sandwich, the Irish Breakfast or any of the omlettes. The meatloaf is also good and the portions are HUGE!
They give free refills on many of the drinks which is great, and they are quite generous about it.
Please support this new location, I don’t think I can handle it if another great place in Benicia goes under.

I went here for breakfast with my parents and brother one morning. It took about 10 min before anyone bothered to seat us (the place wasn’t even full, mind you). It took another 20 min for the waitress to take our orders, and another 20 to get our food. There was a family of 7 who was seated about 10 min after us, and they received their food before us!!! THE HORROR!!! Anyway, the potatoes were soggy and the pancakes tasted like it was bisquick. Simply, Mike and Gayle’s serves poor and overpriced food.
This place has so much potential. You could tell the owners were trying to go for that Diners, Drive-​Ins, and Dives feel, but the food and service and food are just plain LAME.
Try it. Find it unsatisfactory. Don’t repeat.

All you need to know is that Denny’s is better.
Overpriced, slow service and your typical overcooked greasy Benicia grub. One of the very few times in my life when I didn’t leave a tip.
Not enough pot in the world to make you want to eat here.

Great Old Timey American Food with a Modern Flair. The new spot in the Southampton shopping center suits them well and add a touch of class to the typical shopping center atmosphere.
The breakfasts are beautiful, filling and delicious, with special kudos to the hash browns. The dinners are so fresh and good, with a nice variety of options, from burgers to steaks, Every thing is good and fresh and oh so yummy.
The atmosphere is lovely as well. We had no problems with the service nor wait time with any of our visits, and the employees were super friendly.
We will definitely be going back. Probably Often.

A friend of mine says he never goes to chain (or franchise) restaurants, but after visiting Mike & Gayles Café there you start to notice all of those things that you take for granted at those chain restaurants.
The initial impression was sort of fresh but only because the previous tenant of the location made you feel like you were in a Little House on the Prairie reunion. Mike and Gayle’s makes you feel like you’re watching design on a dime: bright paint and re-​purposed building materials for wainscoting. Although I did like some of the old furniture.
We got a seat at a wobbly table, and were given our server’s name and told that he would be with us shortly. Evidently, they just painted existing, cracked slab floor so chairs and tables wobble. After waiting for some time, I asked someone working near the kitchen if she knew where are server was. Fortunately I knew his name because our host let us know, but we just kept waiting. Fortunately another server recognized us from another restaurant that we wish she still worked at and brought us some coffee. Finally our server comes by and takes our order. It was very apparent very quickly that he’d never done this kind of work before.
Then we waited and waited and waited and finally got our very mediocre breakfast. Mine was a breakfast burrito with salsa. Now, I know that salsa has become a very common, imitated and varied condiment in recent years, but I don’t think that it’s supposed to taste like marinara sauce. With every bite of my breakfast, all I could think was «That’s Italian!» And this dish cost more that $ 13. I don’t mind paying for good food like at the Dead Fish or even Benicia’s First Street Café, but this place is overpriced.
Franchise restaurants can seem bourgeoisie, but they often offer trained staff familiar with standard operating procedure, prices that make sense and this place could really use a little of both.

Amanda, our server, was bright, very attentive,
and was very informative about the menu.
I had the Mexican Chicken Salad. It was
very good and just the right size. I plan on
coming back and trying more of there menu.

When I saw the open sign at Mike and Gayle’s in the Southampton Shopping center, my heart smiled. i love this place! BEST Eggs Benedict in town, I would say Papa’s is number 2 on the list. The Hash-​brown Supreme is ridiculous and delicious.
Its not cheap, but the great taste and service is WORTH EVERY Cent. The homemade hash browns and fries are both AWESOME. I’m in love, and will always be a returning customer, as I have for the past 6 years. SO GLAD you RE_​OPENED after the move!

We just had breakfast here at Mike & Gayle’s. Sadly my wife started feeling ill immediately as we sat down (which I assure you has nothing to do with Mike & Gayle’s) right after we ordered.
I ordered the Hashbrown Supreme, an insanely huge portion of hashbrowns, melted cheese, a couple of poached eggs. My wife ordered the California Benedict with crab. Of course by the time we got our food she was in pain so I ended up eating most of her food, which doesn’t really keep, and taking most of mine home to eat leftovers over the next 2 or 3 days (yes, the portion is *that* huge!)
Service was spotty and the bill came up to $ 52 when you count tax & tip. That’s pretty damn pricey. In fact, it’s so pricey that I was tempted to give them 3 stars instead of 4… but then again there was plenty of food and it was good so I’m letting it pass.
The coffee was pretty tasty. They said it’s from the Duvall Coffee Roasting Company… Serious gourmet shit!!!
We’ll be back. It was pretty darn good for breakfast and it’s enjoyable to follow up breakfast with a stroll on 2^nd street.