Main Street Cafe

This place has always been pretty good, however they seem to be slipping lately and today I was completely disappointed. They have a "specials" board when you walk in but nothing to remind you what they are once you are seated. Where the board is located , you have to stand directly in the way of other patrons and servers attempting to pass through. As a result, you ate hurried and cannot remember what you read. You are also told by every staff member to "have a seat wherever"...ok...but I'm still trying to read the board... The waitress attempted to tell me what the specials were and it was so noisy, I had a hard time hearing her. I ordered what I thought she had said to be a "crispy grilled chicken Caesar salad" . At first glance I should have sent it back. The chicken was breaded and fried. The crust turned out to be VERY hard and took a very long time to chew. They had already put the salad dressing on (sparingly as it turned out) and tossed it themselves. The croutons were indistinguishable from the chicken and also rock hard. I should have returned it but I guess at the point I was at, I felt I had eaten too much of the lettuce. I did tell the waitress it was very disappointing but was told that no one else had complained . She could bring me more if the same but my companion had finished and it had taken quite awhile to get the food in the first place I figured live...learn and write about it on Yelp. Last week we had eaten breakfast there and the food was not that great either. So...I won't be going back . The staff didn't offer any help other than bringing more of the same.  All towns such as these word gets around. I know this place has a hard times king it right when a customer is disappointed. Also...I realized as I left that I was supposed to have a dessert with the special. They did not advertise it on the board or offer it to me. I only knew because of past times. So...it's like the "if they don't ask...don't tell " of restaurants.

I wanted to say that on the canopy outside it says Main Street Cafe, the place mats inside say Main Street Diner. I'm going to stick with diner..

I gave five stars because this is as good as it gets for your small town diners.

Portions are huge, prices are ridiculously affordable and food is fantastic! Servers are personable, the atmosphere in this place is comfortable and cozy.

We live within a 15 minute drive of four other diners, drive past two of them on the way, and we drive all the way to Valatie to go to Main Street.

We're there every chance we get.

Make sure to try the carrot cake!

So few choices in the Valatie/Kinderhook area for restaurants opposed to where I live but with this place, who needs options?  Portions are ridiculously large, prices are insanely reasonable and the quality is fantastic!!  Breakfast, lunch or dinner you can't go wrong at this gem!  Just be sure to go hungry and ask for those take home containers because you will need them!!