The Sundial Cafe

Ok, took 25 minutes so far to get seated and order food. Well its Valentines day and a festival going on. BUT, what we didn’t like was charging $ 2.50 to split a plate. Well they did give an extra side salad so that made me happy. But still… for the prices, felt a tad high. They are dog friendly which is a plus. So not giving a high score or low, just middle of the road.

We tried a new spot this Sunday. The Sundial café is next to its namesake (The Sundial) in Carefree, AZ. Nice lil breakfast place hidden away. Good for the standard egg, bacon, sausage, home fries and toast breakfast. Nothing fancy, just good stuff. The ice tea (crystal clear, smooth and refreshing) was exceptional. Great outside patio too.

We have always been fans, unfortunately this morning ruined it. I took my son and his friend out for breakfast. My son ordered French toast and when he poured his syrup it was saturated with ants. (Thankfully I poured it into a bowl and not directly onto his food.) I wasn’t upset, I’m in the industry and understand stuff like this happens. I brought it up to the server, as she never stopped back to see how we were doing and very politely told her about the ants. I was very calm and kept my voice low as to not disturb other guest dining in the establishment. She seemed completely annoyed that I would bring this up to her and point it out! She didn’t even apologize. Just brought it back to the kitchen and yelled to the cook. She brought out new syrup and made a point to tell me that it was fresh, but failed to mention that she overheated it in the microwave, and my son burnt his mouth on the SCALDING hot syrup. The only time she came back to the table was after the nice young man cleared out plates, so she could drop the check. (No discounts were given or expected) I went to pay the $ 40 tab and she still didn’t apologize for anything. In the past the food has been delicious but now I question the cleanliness it this establishment. They are lucky to have such a prime location, but the service is severely lacking! Unfortunately we will not return and will look for a new breakfast hangout in Carefree.

The atmosphere, service, and food are great. However the over abundance of awful 80’s love music was enough to upset my stomach. If Olivia Newton John, Whitney Houston and Air Supply is your «go-​to» music genre, this place is perfect. We’ll be back but wearing headphones.

Turkey sandwich was great and the chili was fantastic. Service was fast and nice people that work here. I’ll definitely be coming here again!

My husband and I went here for breakfast and it was very disappointing. We both ordered the sample platter. It was a very skimpy sampler plate. The bacon was paper thin, French toast was very small. Definitely not worth 9.25. When I commented it to one of the waitresses, she shook her head, said «no I don’t think so» and walked away. She was so rude! I was astonished. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT. Go to Black Mointain Café instead. You get your money’s worth.

I’ve had lunch here twice now. Both were very good. The salads are big and satisfying. The service was great; prompt with a smile. The extra carafe of beverage is a fun treat and sitting outside on the patio is just yummy!

Service is fair food is great prices are a little high, overall I come for the food and it is really good

I enjoy the café for lunch with girlfriends — the patio has ample seating and is covered, so there’s plenty of shade. The menu is great — my favorite is the Café Sandwich… yum! The servers are always pleasant and the service is fast. I would recommend this restaurant for lunch to anyone visiting or heading over to Carefree.

Well, I really wanted to find a great place for lunch while in Carefree, AZ one day… I guess I’ll have to keep looking :(
It would have been nice if EITHER of the ladies working in the dining room seemed happy to see me. It would have been nice if I wasn’t over-​charged for a skimpy, wimpy BLT with not-​so-​fresh avocado and the crumbs from the bottom of the Lay’s potato chip bag. It would have been nice if the other customers, at least, looked happy with their orders as they arrived or by the time they finished.
But none of this happened on the day I visited. Bummer for me.

I dream about the turkey sandwiches from this place. I have yet to find an equal and that includes Chicago (our primary city of residence). The turkey is always ultra fresh. On top of that, the bread sticks to the top of your mouth devouring each bite. Something I look for… however rarely find.
Another reason I love this place was after the 3^rd day of dining in they had remembered our names and our orders which is always a testimony about the service/​staff.
Establishment is very small, but really what do you expect from a lunch spot in Carefree on Easy Street? I enjoy the location and my wife loveees shopping at the strip mall after we finish eating. Oh, btw plenty of parking no matter what time you go.
The menu boast all kinds of sandwiches and salads… and even has a selection of beer on it. Something I didn’t expect from a lunch place… esp. like this.
We visit Carefree yearly for about a week and each time we do we get our daily lunch from the Sundial. This place rocks and we can’t wait to come back. In addition, that translates into leaving the bitterness of Chicago for a mild Arizona one. Can’t wait. See you soon!
Updated as of 3÷23÷10: Sandwiches still rock… just got back from AZ and had the pleasure of dining here again. Only reason for taking away the fifth star was the idea of a $ 12 sandwich with a regular portion of meat. Can’t really justify spending that type of money for a deli sandwich. I translate that into simply paying The Boulders prices.
My sandwich starts at 7.99
add cheese 1.00
add avocado 2.00
Grand Total 10.99 (ouch) tax not included.
Note: these were the only ingredients I added… you can add many others, but of course… for a nominal fee.
I am in the wrong business.

I came up to the Cave Creek/​Carefree area today and while killing time I went into the Sundial Café for a coffee. It’s a really simple little café, and there were only a few people dining so the service was prompt. The ladies in there are also very nice. Their menu is actually pretty extensive, they had some really yummy looking salads and big sandwich selection. While I was having coffee two different customers came in to pick up pies that they had ordered for thanksgiving, and another came in asking if they had extras, so i’m guessing they are pretty good!