Plenty Cafe

I have come to this store before. The food was good though slightly pricey. The treatment I got was usually gruff and impatient, but never over the top rude. I am also a New Yorker, and it’s a myth that being from New York should give one a pass to be rude, as if they are somehow victims of their breeding. People know when they are being impolite. And it’s all the more baffling when people treat clients this way. Anyway, I was about to order breakfast from them for the first time this morning (usually I walk in), but I wanted to let the people who have been treated badly know, especially the mothers and children, that not only am I not ordering, but I am also never going back. You can’t change a tiger’s stripes…

I’ve always loved the pastries here, and still do, but the service, which appears to be run by family, is really pretty weird. 5 of us were in there today having coffee and pastries. We entered around 5, it’s Sunday, only one other table taken. We were immediately barked at by the blond cashier to shut the door. She looks so flustered and unhappy, I tried to be kind, but they really do not make you feel welcome here. My friend, a dedicated environmentalist, brought her own cup for tea and was charged for a large «because it’s a large cup.» It’s almost funny. You aren’t paying for a cup, get it? This could be a neighborhood gem, it’s kind of cute and everyone seems to love the food, but I fear it isn’t going to last with all these negative reviews about the service. If you don’t want people hanging around, why not downsize and just do takeout and delivery?

I went in today to grab a «6 dollar» coffee with a friend, and dealt with the rudest cashier which I assume was one of the older owners. When asking her if she can make it without milk, she responds «such as!!!» Like I was bothering her! Why I’m really writing this review is I just realized that when adding tax to my coffee which was 4.95. She added 21 percent tax herself making it 6.05, 21 percent on coffee? Is there some embargo trade tax on the coffee you’re not telling me about? So let me get this straight on top of me and my friends being treated like crap, you’re charging me 21% tax? Please don’t tell me I’m wrong. «I’m sure she will be looking at the comments. It’s 9% I regret sitting down and having my coffee there as well, especially while having to watch her yell at employees in the back. This woman should not be cashier. She should be working in the back far out of sight of paying customers, or she should retire. She clearly doesn’t have personable skills and doesn’t know how to charge people either. (example) My friend had to be called back to redo his transaction which she rung up wrong. He was happy to redo and with far less attitude than her. No way I’m coming back to waste my money on this place. Be very surprised if they are still in business come next year with a owner like that.

Great coffee but treated HORRIBLY by the owner. Caution mommas– Don’t bring your strollers to this joint. Almost left in tears and finished feeding my baby his bottle standing outside in the cold. She should be ashamed of herself.

Ordered and paid for food at 8:30pm, order confirmed. Now 9:30. No Food. No one answering the phone because apparently the restaurant has closed for the night despite confirming the order. WTF.

I should’ve known better from the reviews that mention grumpy workers…
Placed my order for a sandwich and a cookie.
Accepted by seamless.
Received a confirmation text that my food was in the works.
Received a SECOND text telling me my food was out for delivery.
After an hour from the second text I called and the response was incredibly rude — «That’s impossible. You’re out of our range. That’s Seamless’ fault.»
Never before has a restaurant been in the search parameters on Seamless yet would not deliver. Pretty sure that’s a decision you make as a business… Seamless doesn’t just sign you up for this.
Edited to Add: In case it wasn’t clear, there was no «delay» — I was refused delivery point blank, and quite rudely. The follow up email I received from Seamless made it very clear it was no «bug» because their response indicated «Plenty Café changed their delivery zone and failed to notify us.» Please don’t try to save face now by making it appear I just received food late. I placed an order, waited 90 minutes, called, and whoever answered was nasty and didn’t make any moves to rectify the issue other than canceling it.

If there was a NO STAR I would have chosen it. I don’t know what was worse, to witness the curly haired sluggo owner verbally berating his sweet counter lady, or this rude, obnoxious, and overly entitled witch of a woman who rides the broom from the back to the front, chasing patrons away from the bathrooms. This place Plenty sucks.

OMG! There are no words to describe how much this place reminds me of home. Their bacon egg and cheese biscuits taste like my southern roots in Alabama. Do not miss a chance to come here.

I don’t know why I keep coming here. They may have an adequate product but their customer service leaves much to be desired. For a Manhattan business owner, to actively work to reduce the likelihood that a customer will return is incredible… well all I can say is mission accomplished !!

I LOVE their food. The baked goods are amazing. The salads/​sandwiches are so good. That breakfast sandwich — unbelievable. The people that own it are a bit grumpy BUT, the food makes up for it. I LOVE it there.
I wish it was a bit nicer so people can sit there. I bet more people would come in to have lunch, if they could sit comforablly.

Parents, please do not bring your rowdy children to this café. The server at counter told my 3 year old to hush and be quiet. Way to go for customer service! Apparently they do not welcome children!!!

Perfect place on the UES for healthy and filling lunches or to-​go dinners. The pasta-​free lasagna is delicious. But my favorite dish here is the grilled chicken — a combo of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, chickpeas, goat cheese and grilled chicken in what seems like an endless, satisfying bowl.

Every time I go huffing out of this place, wanting to Unilocal how horrible they are, my partner gives me the whole «they’re a mom and pop» sob story and convinces me not to. Well I’M DONE! After looking through more reviews I am surprised anyone still goes in the place.
The food is very good. I used to order several times a week off Seamless. But I have come to the determination that the older blonde owner of this restaurant is hands-​down one of the most awful people in the world.
I was just banished from the counter with a dismissive wave because I had the audacity to ask if they had «chicken salad» instead of «CHUNKY chicken salad.» Literally, I left out the word «chunky» and was screamed at in front of the entire store.
Well believe you me, I’m a born and bread New Yorker and I told that bitch about herself! For every reviewer who has ever been treated badly (and from the looks of the reviews here, it’s a lot) I want you all to know I avenged you!
Read my lips potential customers — WALK AWAY NOW!!!

One of my favorite family owned coffee places. Though I think the Mom hates me, coming from a Jewish background, I get it. The food is delicious as well.

Started by a CBS alum, this place does lunch and catering for office events just the way it should be. Light, quick bites that can be taken on the go. I am a huge fan of them — I think we’re ordered quite possibly everything on their menu. Their veggie sandwich is so good — I would’ve never thought to put sweet potato on a sammie (definitely get this if you are vegetarian). They deliver and are always on time with great customer service for catering orders.

Similar to other reviews their food is really good but way overpriced. Despite that, I’ve tried their breakfast sandwiches, veggie sandwich, and carrot cake — all delicious and I was looking forward to keep trying more. Never had issues with delivery until today — hubby and I were starving and ordered breakfast sandwiches. Estimated 25 – 35 mins. An hour and a half later still did not get our food and so we called and cancelled. Our eggs were «in transit» for an hour.gross. Kind of nuts since they also charge a delivery fee. Now just hungry and ordered from somewhere else. At least guy who picked up was reasonable enough to let us cancel. Wish we could have tried that cookie that we ordered though considering all the reviews. Oh well. Some places aren’t worth the $ and hassle.

Food was ok. The owner yelled at a delivery guy for over 10 minutes in front of us and other customers. I would hate to work here seeing the guy operate. Unfriendly service all around. Plenty of places to get a sandwich without dealing with that.

I went in on a whim and ordered the Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich and the Buttermilk Biscuit.
The Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich was delicious — very, very flavorful. This is definitely a high quality sandwich shop. You can practically taste the freshness. The Buttermilk Biscuit was yummy, too, but, in hindsight, I could’ve skipped it because the sandwich was so filling.
I deducted one star because the counter service was super slow. Placing my order and paying took entirely too long. At one point, I almost walked out (I hadn’t yet placed my order.) I don’t want to blame the cashier (I don’t like calling people out)… but, she could’ve picked up the pace. The food, however, came out within minutes.

Hands down my favorite coffee shop in the city, mostly because none of you know about it.
Things I love about it:
— the menu changes
— the cakes, pies and cookies are phenomenal
— the food here is awesome. I recommend any of the salads, meatballs or the veggie sandwich. You can do healthy or some chicken and biscuits here
— illy coffee
— fast delivery. On seamless.
— fresh
— on my corner
— never a long wait
— clean
— apple juice in fridge
— CARROT CAKE
— BANANA CAKE
— ALL CAKE

Used to like this place – nice cashier in the morning, decent food and coffee, though everything is overpriced. What turned me to the «I’m never going here again side» was an interaction with who I presume to be the owner.
I wanted to eat and poop – humanities prime needs right? So I go in there and head to the bathroom. The owner sees me coming and blocks the door.
«Hi»
“Hi – can I use the restroom?”
«Are you a customer here» she said, fairly politely.
«I will be»
«How about you order first then come back,» she flips the door open to reveal an empty bathroom, «someone is using it now.»
I roll my eyes and stand in line to order. While in line I think, do I really want to support this woman in anyway? Me having to poop did exactly what to her business? Cause her to loose a few pennies per flush?
I looked at the sandwiches I’ve ordered in the past that were pretty decent. 11.50 bucks. But they suddenly became not decent at all considering the lady wouldn’t let me shit at her establishment until I handed over some money. That’s not a successful business plan. Sometimes you do someone a favor because your kindness will come back to you, it will keep that person coming back for more, it will keep them happy to pay way too much for your food. I live around the corner. I’ve eaten plenty of their overpriced sandwiches. But considering the brains behind the operation, I’m never stepping foot in there again. I will take my money (and my poop, if it bothers you so much) elsewhere.