Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

My family has been going here for years — — we were in RF for graduation on Saturday and we were celebrating my grandson’s birthday on Friday evening — we avoided the busy dinner hour and were encouraged when we heard the manager sending 2 waitstaff home because the rush was over. We did have a group of 6, and had a large table by the kitchen door. One booth was finishing dinner and there were two tables of two also ordering in our section of the dining room. I have never been to a Perkins and was really looking forward to a good meal — — even checked the on-​line menu so that I knew what I wanted. Our drinks were brought quickly and we did order onion rings as an appetizer, and my side salad that I ordered instead of fries also came out in a timely manner — About 5 minutes after we ordered… After that, we fielded a couple of celebratory phone calls and then we waited, and waited and waited… My daughter checked her phone and her dad had called after the appetizer had been delivered — — and she checked her phone — — - 47 minutes, and we still were waiting… When the food came, it was unsatisfactory, but no one came to check on us… Hash browns were blackened and the whole ‘patty’ could be picked up off on the plate without bending… My fish and shrimp were on a heated plate, but were only warm in the center… Eggs looked right but were not hot… Chicken fried steak was lukewarm and overcooked. The pancakes got mixed reviews — — two folks were satisfied, but two had warm soggy pancakes… My son in law had to ask twice for a refill of the syrup container. A side of some kind of potatoes came late, but it was properly prepared and fresh… We had to remind the ‘one apology’ (sorry, we were really busy) waitress that the birthday boy had been promised a free piece of pie… A manager, with his arm in a sling did bring drink refills when we were almost finished… My daughter expressed her feelings of disappointment to the cashier who kind of shrugged and said nothing… If we hadn’t been so exhausted from packing up a truck and trailer and getting ready for graduation the next afternoon, we probably would have made more of a fuss… We just wanted to be out of there and I, for one, will never go to a Perkins again… And on top of that — — by the time we got out of there, it was too late to go for a swim at the hotel pool — — I had been looking forward to that for a couple of months… I know that the restaurant had a good reputation and this review won’t mean much, but it is not the only place in town… I hope that they straighten up their business practices…

Updated review! We gave them a try again yesterday morning for breakfast, and not only was the service excellent, but the food was much improved. My husband’s Mediterranean omelette was decadent, and my son loved his cinnamon apple french toast (new menu item). I had one of their free mini chocolate muffin samples on my way out and it put me in a good mood all day. Moist and delicious. Hurray!
Thanks!

Pancakes reliably good, but wow, breakfast is expensive these days, isn’t it? And 2 giant pet peeves that reminded me why I don’t get milk at restaurants. 1. If I order skim milk and you bring me 1%, I know the difference. Just tell me you don’t have it and I’ll stand pat on the water or get chocolate milk, OK? 2. Does any restaurant serve cold milk? Is refrigeration banned here? Thought my 1% spent some time in the sun before it was brought to the table.
Other than that, service was good, they did a good job with our big group, but I’d try the family restaurant across the street next time. I mean, how tough can it be to serve good pancakes & cold milk, right?

We have been going to this Perkins for years. They key to have a good time at this Perkins is to know what times to avoid such as the after church crowd Sunday at noon. Our service been a little hit or miss but the food has always been good. My two favorite things are the wonderful raspberry muffins, and their pancakes are just about the greatest pancakes on the face of the earth.
One of the reasons I am giving this Perkins 3 stars is that their prices keep going up and up. Last time I was there they wanted $ 2.29 for a glass of pop! I am sorry but that is outrageous. Yes I realize a lot of places are doing it but that doesn’t mean I am ok with it. Also the size of the pancakes has shrunk down to the point now where they are more like silver dollar pancakes. Even 10 years ago the pancakes hung off the plate!!!
Overall this location is pretty good but they could work on pricing and the servers a little bit and probaly make it to 4 stars in my book.