Sidewalk Cafe

Under new management, friendly staff. Bummed that some of the items were removed from the menu but my Chicken Ceasar wrap was pretty fabulous. Can’t wait to try the Gyro. Good luck ya’ll!

I have always received outstanding service. One of my favorite meals is the gyro and salad combo. It always tastes really fresh.

I’ve lived in the Circle for over a decade now and Sidewalk Café was a local institution. It’s been my «go to» lunch spot whenever I’m not traveling. I’ve been friends with and loved almost every generation of employees that have worked there over the years.
This restaurant was recently taken over by new management and although I appreciate the energy and the desire to shake stuff up, I feel like they took away much that was good and changed things in ways that don’t add value.
1) Menu Changes
They removed number of items from the menu and changed a number of the recipes. Their chicken philly used to be one of my favorite sandwiches and to my taste, it is now overly seasoned, salty and buttered. It is still a decent sandwich, and many will likely enjoy it, but I did prefer the old style.
I also preferred the previous menu’s dressing and tea.
2) Change in service
This admittedly is a matter of preference, but I did prefer ordering at the front rather than full service. White table cloth doesn’t match the concept, in my mind. I love Sidewalk because it is a bit quirky — own it.
3) Fairly slow
Everything seems 2x slower. You used to be able to run in, order a meal and be out the door in 10 minutes max: now even the simplest sandwich seems to take an eternity. If you need it quick, make sure you call ahead.
4) Brunch (both good and bad)
Brunch is a stellar idea. It’s an interesting concept, but during these hours, they will only serve you those specific brunch items. They won’t serve you anything else, even to go.
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I do have to say that the new staff and management is extremely nice. I do hope they succeed and flourish. They deserve it. They have the right type of attitude.

We walked in on Saturday at 10:20AM and were amazed as to how quiet it was!
We were greeted very warmly. Even the cook said «Good morning,» to us from the back!
The Cowboy Omelette was delicious and the coffee was AMAZING!
I usually use sweetener and cream in my java but this LavAzza Java need none of that!

I ordered a large greek salad with chicken to go. It took forever to get my order and it sat in the window waiting for the homemade salad dressing that tasted like plain oil and vinegar. I also thought they over charged me so I called to verify the price. Nope, the price was $ 11.45, which I would not mind if it looked and tasted like it was worth $ 11.45. Uh, I feel like I was swindled. :-(Well, I guess I will stick to only ordering coffee.

Not a fan. If they got their crap together PRIOR to opening, it would have been a different story I think.
Pros– 1. very very nice staff — Restaurant was taken over about 6 weeks ago by one of the two ladies that were in the back cooking; talked to her and the waitress quite a bit as we were the only guests there. 2. They have lots of fun stuff they want to do — trivia on Tuesdays, cards against humanity on Wednesdays and acoustic music on Thursdays. Great venue for those kinds of things.
3. Great venue– big for a café but still small and quaint. Comfortable looking booths with outlets to plug in electronics (thought maybe it’d be a good place to work out of for the day, when I needed to get out of the house) I asked about wifi («it’s spotty») they’ve got it! Cool décor, perfect for Addison circle. 4. Great vision with new ownership, with variety of food and a full bar! 5. My food tasted fine. Exactly like we could have made at home but whatever, we didn’t have to do the cooking.
But now for the cons…
1. As we started ordering, we were looking at the chalkboard asking questions about the menu. She handed us a menu as well. They didn’t correspond– at all. We would ask questions, she would answer to the best of her ability, but about 6 of the 16 questions we asked, she had to run to the back and ask. (Not hard questions, but rather-​” how many pieces of toast come with the French toast?” Type questions, as it wasn’t stated on chalkboard menu or paper menu.) we figured, hey they’re brand new, trying to remember a huge menu is hard! Not a big deal. 2. I was given coffee with 2 TINY black hairs on the rim. No, it wasn’t in my coffee. No it didn’t look like anything but static electricity had grabbed the hair from a shirt or something and got stuck on the rim. It truly COULD have been just two little black pieces of curly thread from a blanket that the cup (totally could have) touched. Maybe… At least that’s what told myself. Didn’t drink it, but honestly wasn’t horrified yet. Just didn’t want coffee anymore. 2. I asked for the French toast with potatoes. It was $ 13.99. «How many pieces of toast?» Answer after she got back from asking «two but with a HUGE portion of potatoes» hmm. that seems really steep for two pieces of French toast but I’m craving it, and it’s one of the more expensive items on the menu so surely they’re large pieces of Texas toast. Ordered them. My husband ordered the the breakfast wrap ($ 7.50) got our food… I was served two thin pieces of the same bread I have at home for sandwiches, and a side of fried potatoes that took up no more room than a slice of bread. Plenty more room on the plate. I asked for their topping on the side. It came on the side In a ramekin. (Cinnamon apples something or other) tried one, it was good! Started to pour them onto my French toast. Big long curly black thick strand of hair almost plops out onto my food. Immediately stop pouring, shovel all off of my food (had barely started, just a few specs had gotten on) and trying not to gag. It was the texture of the topping and watching it plop and then seeing that– it was awful. I’m a wuss, didn’t say anything. Put it all to the side and pretended it hadn’t happened. Asked for maple syrup. She brought out yet another topping, said they didn’t have regular but that they had homemade syrup with vanilla, cinnamon, and other stuff. Ughh okay whatever. Tasted it, it was also good and hair free! Poured. It was totally not syrup, but was fine. Began eating– the food tasted fine. Like stated above– same as at home but we didn’t have to cook it ourselves. My husband on the other hand, said his was blah. The eggs were just regular scrambled eggs. No salt pepper, no sauces. The sausage had no spices and tasted like they had recooked it from the freezer.
#?- asked for Bloody Mary– the mix was opened and not in fridge, but rather beside fridge. It’s supposed to be refrigerated. The bottle was very warm as the fridge lets out heat on the outside where the bottle was kept. Too freaked out by this to order one so we quickly cancelled that drink order. Maybe would have been fine, but didn’t want to chance it.
Overall, it has potential. They definitely should have closed down, trained their staff and then had a soft opening. Once they got feedback from family and friends after the soft, they could have had a huge success of a grand opening with the general public and had good reviews with loyal customers.
Gave it three stars instead of two, as I believe this place has what it takes– they just need to figure it out quickly as they’re open and have customers coming in expecting it to be at 100%. Hairs happen– everywhere! Understood. But multiple in the same visit.
This all being said– we totally should have said something to them– we were the only ones in there! We just are not people who feel comfortable sending food back or critiquing. But I wussed out. So I told them here.
Overall– it should get better with time

Very cool place to hangout. They have different events everyday. I came on acoustic night and the guy playing was pretty good. The drinks were strong and that’s a big thing for me. The food was ehh. It was my first time trying falafel and it was gross but I think that’s a universal thing. The staff is really friendly and we got complimentary champagne!

Very friendly unpretentious place in Addison Circle. The homemade Tomato Basil Soup is more like my own secret recipe… love it. So much better than LaMadeline. My chai latte was also so good! With tax and tip all under $ 10. I am a very happy lady :) I will be back for sure.

This is a great place to hang out very good social atmosphere. If you live anywhere near the Addison Circle area this is the place to be Tuesday night trivia night Wednesday night cards against humanity. Have a great patio with a good great peope and social night and food is good.

We were luck enough to stop in during their inaugural brunch service and we will be back. First of all the location on a great 70 degree January day is tremendous. Wide sidewalk, park across the street makes for a smog free outdoor café. Inside is roomy and bright, My bloody Mary was one of the best I’ve had with just enough spice, My wife’s Mimosa also very nice. French toast, omelets highly recommended and the coffee is something special. This place is family operated by new ownership so you can’t beat the service.
These folks have their act together and it is a big step up from former ownership. can’t recommend more highly.

Under New Management!
(Note: I have lived here for over 10 years and I’ve ordered takeout from this place once a week every week ever since I can remember.)
When they answered the phone, they said, «Sidewalk Café AND WINE BAR…»
Tonight, at 7pm, I tried to order our favorite takeout items. The girl answering the phone had to ask her Manager about every item I tried to order (A male voice could be heard in the background telling her what to say)…
Filet mignon kebabs… «sold out»
Mahi mahi… «sold out»
The Mediterranean tour now does not have a salad that comes with it anymore.
Was told they no longer carry chicken tenders, fries and something else (that I can’t remember, was probably a good move on their part, since I’ve never ordered them before…)
I ordered the Mediterranean Tour and said I want to add a side of Gyro bread (not the cheap pita bread that comes with it, and is sub-​par) I heard the manager say No, we can’t do that, and I said what do you mean you can’t do that? You can up charge me… They said No, we can’t add Gyro bread to the Mediterranean Tour ($ 15 alone) and I said not even for an up charge? No, he told her. So I said that I wouldn’t be ordering, and hung up the phone.

Probably one of the best food shops on Addison circle. I’m a sucker for a great hangover gyro, and given the spiced beef and absolutely delicious tzatsiki sauce, and their insistence on the availability of espresso when the sun has gone doubt, makes this place a must visit before or the morning after a hard night!

Cute little place in the middle of addison circle. People are nice, music is wonderful. Come for atmosphere.

Basic food– easy stop if you’re in a hurry and need something cheap. I had the chicken avocado sandwich– the avocado ‘sauce’ was a sloppy mess, chicken was bland and bread was ok. My husband’s Philly Cheese Steak sandwich was good. The kids shared a gyro plate which came with a side salad that was a mix of wilted lettuce & fresh tomatoes/​cucumber drenched in vinaigrette dressing. The gyros texture was weird but the taste was good. Comes with toasted pita.

We have take away dinner last night for the first time in this place, we live right in front and the food was orrible… the rise, the vegetable, the chicken… everything was precook and frozen, i cant describe how disgusting were the sauces. i throw them on the trash, my bf ask to the guy if for my meal was possible replace the rice with a different side and he rudely said no! He paied almost 26 $…We will not go back here and we will keep going to Antonio restaurant and Salata where we are always treat nicely and we are not afraid of what we eat!

Yum! This place was delicious. At first, I was a little hesitant because we arrived about 11:40 for lunch and there was NO ONE around, I thought we had definitely picked the wrong place. Turns out we just beat the lunch crowd. It’s near the Mucky Duck, beautiful courtyard right in front too. Quiet, peaceful.
The food was delicious– I ordered the traditional gyro with lamb and beef and a side of the cold pasta salad. There aren’t so many choices that it’s overwhelming and it’s easy to navigate, friendly staff. The food came out really quickly. The meat was tender, tzatziki sauce was delicious, gyro bread toasted nicely. The salad had a plethora of different vegetables with spinach and pasta salad. That entire meal cost me $ 12, not too shabby. I could’ve opted for the gyro and chips, which is the traditional lunch special, but the combination of a greek salad and pasta was too tempting to pass.
I will come back, there was a guy eating spaghetti (I know, not mediterranean at all), but it looked and smelled delicious. My friend got the dolma and said it was the best dolma she had ever eaten. Perfect lunch spot!

Mediterranean sandwich shop. I had the #10 on recommendation of the cashier. It was a chicken avocado sandwich (it’s huge) and it came w chips. Meal was around $ 10 with drink.
The sandwich was good with moist chicken breasts and melted cheese but not crazy about the avocado mixture on the sandwich. It was not guacamole and it wasn’t sliced avocado. It was something in between like mixture of avocado and mayo maybe?
I will try it again since I live nearby and it’s convenient but i will probably get same sandwich hold the avocado. Then I will rate again.

This is a great café for lunch if you work near Addison Circle. The food is consistently excellent and the service is accommodating & always genuine.
I order the filet mignon combo almost every time because the filet is so tasty, über-​tender and it is served with a yummy Greek salad & lots of grilled veggies.
On the weekend, the food is just as delicious & the dinner prices are not that bad at all. And the television does not just broadcast American football games but international soccer games as well. The ambiance is inviting and you also have the opportunity to dine alfresco, if you so desire.

Nice café tastefully decorated serving very delicious food. At first look it might appear overpriced however when the food came I realized that’s it’s actually underpriced. I ordered the chicken avocado sandwich which was huge and had two chicken breasts in it. I could only finish half. For 7.99 including a bag of chips two people can have lunch. And the quality is second to none. The service is amazing despite the high volume of customers in this establishment.

I had some nearby training and this place seemed like a somewhat healthy option that could make the whole group happy. It was primarily mediterranean.
Café sums it up, typical cafeteria type place. You order and then they bring it to your table. Nothing fancy.
I ordered the chicken avocado sandwich and it was pretty good, chicken slightly dry. A coworker order the chicken plate and his chicken was severly dry, you could tell by looking at it. Another ordered the gryo and enjoyed it. Another ordered the gryo plate and felt it was just a deconstructed gyro.
I don’t think I’d go back. I felt like there was a lot of pressure to order a drink and chips that I didn’t want. The guy at the registered almost seemed annoyed that I didn’t want this «deal.» He, at one point, claimed it was cheaper than just the sandwich… wait, sandwich is $ 7? sandwich plus two things is somehow less than $ 7? No, so don’t tell me that. I like free but if I don’t want either of the items it is not a deal. It was just pushy and annoying.