Driftwood Cafe - South Lake Tahoe

Warm and welcoming, although you have to wait a short time due to the number of diners who also want to enjoy the good food in the restaurant.

My family and I came here early morning on Mother's Day. We were seated quickly as it wasn't busy yet and our drinks and orders were taken promptly as well. That's where the positive experience ended. The coffee was burnt tasting, very dark roast.The kids mickey mouse pancakes were brought out with the side of fruit we ordered first. We weren't given silverware though and couldn't find a server so my husband used his coffee spoon to butter them. The pancakes were slightly over cooked, a little tough and the ears were an after thought. (pictures included) The fruit was not fresh at all, it was either defrosted from frozen or a day+ old.The rest of the food came out while we were taking the kids to the bathroom, again we were still without silverware. My husband had to get up and go find a server (they were clustered around the coffee bar chatting) to get us forks, knives, and napkins.I ordered the high sierra omelet with home fries. The omelet outside was dry with overcooked eggs but then was totally undercooked in the middle with raw spinach and unmelted cheese. (picture included) The home fries were greasy and soggy, the toast was either unbuttered or burnt.The worst part, no one came back by for a full 20 minutes. My husband's omelet was also overcooked but he was starving so he ate it. I didn't touch mine. My kids got unruly (not the restaurants fault) and my husband flagged down a server and asked for our check (we still had not been checked on or spoken to, no drink refills either). She offered me a box, I told her it was terrible (I could have been more polite, I feel bad now) and gave her the plate (as pictured, untouched other than the first bite).I hauled my kids out and my husband stayed back to pay. They still charged us for the omelet, my husband had to speak to the manager (definitely not the owners that I see were in a recent review) and he said we should have said something before we got our check. My husband then told him we were never given the opportunity, and the server and the manager spoke to each other in a language other than English in front of my husband. The manager said okay then that is on us and he comped the omelet.The total with the comp was $56. We left a 22% tip (we've both worked in restaurants and can't stomach not tipping). What a waste. Would not recommend and will not be back.

Very good food and friendly service!! Will be back again.

Idk why so many ppl like this place.. it is so.. pointless flavorless... waitress never came back.. steak overcooked.. biscuit cold and shrunk slow svc.. slow food.. ppl were returning meals..

What a gem!! We had breakfast and it was so yummy!! Service was excellent and very quick!! We will definitely be coming back!