10/04/02

Tooo Slow

by alex78

I visiteded Sunday morning after reading the review in the Sentinal, I was looking forward to a good dining experience. I was very disapointed in everything from the service to the food. I went knowing it would be busy and even settled for a seat outside. After being seated for about fifteen minutes and still no sgn of drinks for the table Iwent looking for the waiter. Breakfast was eventually served in about fifty minutes. People aronnd me where all complaining. Food was just o.k,I don't think I'll be going back to give it another try.

• Pros: inexpensive
• Cons: crowded, poor service

04/09/09

Yuk!

by DSWP101

If you ever see a posting for a position here. Run the other way. No matter how desperate you are. That restaurant is so filthy and nasty I cannot believe anyone actually eats there. Just check out their recent health inspection... Public information (https://www.myfloridalicense.dot com) My favorites are listed bellow. 20 critical violations....

1. Critical. Observed food stored on floor.French fries,walk in freezer. Repeat Violation.

2. Critical. Observed encrusted, soiled material on slicer. Repeat Violation.

3. Critical. Observed interior of reach-in cooler soiled with accumulation of food residue.Strong odor inside cookline cooler opposite stove. Repeat Violation.

4. Critical. Observed combined ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food held more than 24 hours not date marked according to earliest date of opening/preparation.Cut melon cookline cooler

5. Critical. Observed raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit/during preparation.Beef over seafood in w walk in freezer.

Please note, repeat violations.

As a former employee. Heed my warning...

• Cons: Everything

12/29/08

Discusting Kitchen & young Stupid Servers

by L2theE

The Briarpatch used to be "the Best" cafe on Park Avenue....low and behold, over the years the services has gotten worse. The servers are young, college students and the owner cares nothing about them. She actually takes their tips, no wonder they don't work hard. The food, used to be superb...actually there are certain meals that are fabulous. But, if I can say to the diners of this retsuarant...the kitchen is filthy! I have been in the back, see how the food is made and the cooks are so unsanitary, the area where the food is kept is horribly discusting and filthy.

Don't waste your money, so on down the street to a high class restaurant where the money you spend will be worth it and clean!

• Pros: Certain meals are GREAT!
• Cons: service, management/owners, unsanitary

10/02/08

Excellent food but crowded

by Kayla17

I always head to the Briarpatch when I come to town and I have yet to be disappointed with the food.

The pear and gorgonzola omelette is fantastic!

I find the menu caters to everyone and would gladly recommend the restaurant to my friends.

The only downside is the crowded dining area but this leads me to believe that the Briarpatch is truly a favourite with many return customers.........yum!

• Pros: Different twists on regular meals
• Cons: Lack of seating

12/27/07

Worst omelet ever

by orlandomapper

Once a good place but no longer. Rickety tables, no silverware, way too young and inexperienced staff, no manager on duty, and the worst omelet ever!!! Our meals did arrive timely; however, the omelet was a disaster - Overcooked from too high heat, too fast, to the point that it was burned and smelled of sulfur. The plate upon which the omelet ?floated? was filled with a brown watery liquid. As I cut into the omelet, another ? cup of liquid flowed out from the mushrooms. It was gross and inedible. Furthermore, no fruit accompanied the dish as stated on the menu. If they can?t find a chef, or teach a chef, to saute mushrooms correctly (until they?re cooked) and cook an omelet correctly (slowly over low heat), then the item should not be offered on the menu. My guest's "Ultimate grilled cheese and ham" was not much better. Lousy hot cocoa - powered with no whipped cream or marshmallows. It's Park Ave, come on, dress it up.

I once recommended this place - no longer.

09/13/07

What a disappointment

by heyjuli

The $8 fruit bowl was very small with just strawberries and grapes. They were out of the cottage cheese that comes with it so they offered cream cheese instead. What? Then still charged us full price. The tuna wrap had to be the most boring sandwich I've ever had. The special said cranberries and walnuts. Mine came with onion and cheese. No tomato, no mustard or lettuce, nothing. $12. We waited over 20 minutes for these two dishes and nothing was even cooked! The table next to us sent back their meals for being wrong too. For these prices I'll never return.

• Pros: location, homemade ice cream
• Cons: high prices, boring food, long wait

08/14/03

Casual eatery is known for its superb sandwiches and breakfasts.

by Contributor

The Scene
With its wooden floors, antique soda fountain and artwork in childlike colors, Briarpatch is one of the most casual eateries on Park Avenue. The waitstaff, mostly college-aged, sometimes get so involved in chatting with each other that service can suffer.

The Food
The turkey Reuben, thinly sliced turkey piled with sauerkraut, is one of the best sandwiches available and comes with thick home fries. The Chicken Briarpatch--grilled strips of chicken and artichoke hearts cooked in light cream sauce and served over an ample portion of angel hair pasta--is also worth trying. Breakfast dishes are unique (egg-white omelet platter anyone?) and hearty. Homemade desserts, showcased in a rotating glass cabinet, are a highlight, not to mention the fresh ice cream. Although chocolate lovers may want to try the layer cake, you can't go wrong with a plate-sized slab of moist red velvet cake with sour cream icing; it's more than enough to share. Steer clear, however, of the egg creme.

07/06/03

Not consistent

by PaulC

Being a life long resident of Winter Park Ive seen my share of restaurants that start off great but over the years decline not only in food quality but service as well. The Briarpatch is no exception to this. The last couple times I have gone there, both the food quality and server has just plain been bad. Usually I can count on good food even is the service is slightly slow, but not lately. It is a shame it has come to this maybe you will have better luck than me here, as I can no longer dine here.

• Pros: Quaint
• Cons: Slow Service, Inconsistent Food, Crowded

11/15/02

Awesome!

by ztaucfkimmy

Their breakfast is great, their lunch/dinners are great! The desserts - AWESOME! I mean people are complaining because they cost so much - give it up - have they seen the size --- you can feed a small army with those things...try making one of those and see what happens and how much it costs. Small in size compared to other establishments, but still worth at least one dining experience! LOVE IT! (Try the pancakes!!!)

• Pros: dessert, taste, area
• Cons: size