Delray Café, located just outside of DC in Alexandria, VA, was disappointing, as I read more than one review that indicated this was a brunch place I wouldn’t want to pass up. I headed in with 3 friends, and we were seated at the top of the steps, during a slower time of day on Friday morning.
A huge menu consisting of asterisks and not all day, all day, only on weekends options, had me a bit turned off. A little KISS would go a long way, for sure. Starting with my must-have, the coffee was a whopping $4 a cup, watery and bitter. No deliciously bitter. Burned, in the pot too long, bitter. Unsavory to say the least.
We opted to split an order of French toast between 3 people, which was a solid choice, as somehow it was super dry. An unfortunate occurrence to a breakfast item dredged in liquid before cooking. Truly an uncomfortable bite to say the least, but the accompanying compote was super yummy. However, having to eat a sugary side to enjoy breakfast defeats the purpose of the star of the dish. So I took a hard pass on finishing and instead delved into the tiny fruit cup. Ordering a side of bacon, a beautiful plate with 4 thick-cut strips on it arrived. When served, it looked really good. Crispy, just dark enough… however it was like the smoking went awry. A very heavy charred taste, bordering on the bitterness one can only achieve through burning and then attempting to scrape off the black parts. Again, a hard pass on finishing my plate. To not finish a plate of bacon? Very unlike me.
At least we had a good time!
The experience was not enhanced by the atmosphere of slow service on a slow day, albeit always with a smile. We asked for sharing plates while ordering, but they didn’t come for 5 minutes after we got our food. All-in-all, not the best way to start my day. Breakfast of champions, this was not.
Location: 205 East Howell Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301 www.delraycafe.com
This post is a part of a brief but informative eatDC and drinkDC series being released all week. Reviews were not paid nor partnered by establishments or anyone associated with.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy your breakfast, but I really do appreciate you sharing your honest review of this cafe so that I know to stay away if I am ever in the area!
Such a bummer!
Mmmmm! Look at that food – it looks SO good. I have to make note of this place for the next time I am in DC!
Man, what a bummer experience! That sucks you left so disappointed!
Jeni Hawkins recently posted…Morning Coffee (10/16) The Last Jedi, Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream, Bumblebee, Fruit Shapes + More
Ahh! That food looks so good! Their bacon is EXACTLY the way I love it. I would love to have breakfast. there. Om nom nom.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…Entenmann’s Little Bites Pumpkin Muffins Halloween Class Party Snack Kabobs #LoveLittleBites
It always sucks when something you’re excited about going to ends up disappointing you. I definitely appreciate honest posts. It’s one of those things that I might consider trying it again maybe they had an off day but it would not be at the top of my list.
Jeanette recently posted…Tips for Traveling with Your Dog
I hate bad bacon. I can’t believe it wasn’t good enough to eat. That would have ruined my day.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom recently posted…10 Reasons I’m the Worst Mom Ever
I appreciate your honest opinion and it is too bad that ths place was so disappointing. I am not in DC to often and I will make sure none of my DC relatives goes there.
Melissa Chapman recently posted…3 Tips to Be Present When You Are With Your Kids
Ugh that is the worst! I am always grateful for honest reviews like this! The cafe looked so cute too.
Looks like a good option that just went wrong – I have always wanted to go to DC. It looks like a ton of fun.
krystal recently posted…Business Spending With Big Rewards: Tips to Get Started
Ouch! $4 for a cup of nasty coffee? And the slow service? I would have been so annoyed. I am glad to hear you had a good time though.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…LipSense Is A Long Lasting Lip Color For A Reason!
Oh no that is such a bummer. It always makes me crazy when places get such good reviews and your experience doesn’t live up to that!
I love eating at cafes. This one sounds great too. The food sure looks delicious! I could go for that right about now.
That’s a bummer … hopefully they were just having an off day.
Oh yikes! At least you tried the place out. I’ve definitely been mislead by restaurant reviews before. Not fun!
Oh man, I do love crispy bacon too, but I feel like that is too far gone. Thank you for at least being honest!
Oh man, I do love crispy bacon too, but I feel like that is too far gone. Thank you for at least being honest!!
This looks like such a great little cafe. All of the food that you shared looks like it was amazing.
Delray Cafe looks so cute! It’s a shame that it was such a disappointment! At least you had a good time anyway! 🙂
Lisa Joy Thompson recently posted…Turkey Rice Crispy Treats Recipe: Rice Crispy Treats For Thanksgiving
I hate it when I am excited to try a restaurant and they do not live up to all the hype. It is not a fun way to start your day.
That looks like a charming restaurant. So glad to see you & your friends enjoyed it. We are going to DC soon so I will have to see if I can check this restaurant out.
janis @mommyblogexpert recently posted…Holiday Entertaining Prep with Samsung Connected Kitchen Appliances from Best Buy
Aww..aside from money wasted for this breakfast, time was wasted too! I hate slow service. Good to know you had fun with your friend anyway.
I’ve been to this location once before and the food is so good the bacon was well cooked and the fruit was fresh. We had a good time.
Fruit was great! …Wish I’d had the same experience with the rest as you did!
Sorry you had a bad experience.
It is so disappointing when you go out to eat and leave hungry. I can’t stand it when a place ruins Bacon! NO!
How do you ruin Bacon? Just NO! Good grief. I can’t believe it.
What a disappointing dining experience. Even the picture of the food doesn’t look appetizing.
Stacie recently posted…Fiddle Diddles
I love eating at Cafe’s! This one sounds like an awesome one with some yummy dishes.
I’m glad you had a fun trip! It looks like you had a lot of a good eats!
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