Cottage Cafe & Fireside Lounge

Stopped in on our way to Seattle for some lunch. The club was delicious.🤤 Thick bacon and meats. Fries are delicious. They were busy but service was still quick. Bloody Mary was also delicious.

As somebody who travels around for work frequently I always love finding a diner that offers home cooked meals. The drink menu did not disappoint and played into the seasonal ambiance with many selections. The two I chose were delicious, not overly sweet and def not lacking in spirits. But onto the food, if you are someone like me and you're just driving through on the highway, I guarantee this is not a spot that you want to pass by. It was more than decently priced and the portions were large! The food was mouth watering and that is downplaying it because im in a food coma and cant think of a better description. I chose the turkey dinner based off of the waitresses recommendation between that or the pot roast and it brought me right back to being home during the holidays in the south. It was so good I actually had to send a photo to my mom. I live hundreds of miles away and wish I could put this place in my pocket because everything about it was wonderful and 10 stars to my server (Susi M.) who took care of the entire restaurant with only the support of the kitchen, she had at least five or six tables while I was dining and did not make me feel rushed or ignored. If I am ever back in this direction I will definitely make it a point to stop again.

Yum! This place has got some good food. We were in town for vacation and ate here the first night. My sister and husband came here on their last vacation and said it was good. Sure was! The friend pickles were really good. Salad was good. Chicken sandwich was good. My fiance got the pork chop and applesauce and said it was great. Service and atmosphere was great. I would definitely be back if I come back to town.

Was hungry driving through Cle Elum and I didn't want fast food so decided to stop in and try this diner based on the $10-$20 Google cost reference. Most items on the menu fall within this range, although closer to the higher end. I was nervous after ordering the eggs Benedict, but was not disappointed when I saw the portions were very generous. Anytime I see large portions, I worry about the quality...no issue here. This eggs Benny was perfectly poached, the ham was sliced thin and blackened slightly, and the hollandaise was among the best I've had. I am a big hash rown fan, and the included side was crispy on the outside and buttery in the inside. Outstanding. Will stop here again!

This is a family-style restaurant with traditional American food. The food was somewhat oversalted and oily, and the service felt inattentive. I understand they might have been busy, but I hoped for a little more attention.

If you’re debating whether to eat here, stop the madness and just go! You will not regret it! This is an old-school diner like you’d find at a truck stop in the 1970s. The prices are very reasonable. The waitresses are like ones you see in movies that over-exaggerate southern hospitality. However, these waitresses here are genuine. They are kind, informative, and have the best customer service I’ve seen in decades. They were all Flo from Mel’s Diner in the 70s sitcom, Alice. Even if they served horrible food, I think I would eat there three times a day because of the customer service. The decor is something from decades ago, but it serves a purpose and fits the setting perfectly. Yeah let’s get to the food. I will cut to the chase and say that this is the best breakfast I’ve had in years. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The sausage patties weren’t the best I’ve ever eaten, but they are still an 8+. I just like Sausage with a little kick to it. That is my preference. The French toast is the best I’ve ever eaten. I don’t know how they get it layered like that, but it is phenomenal. Usually, a place will have good sausage gravy, but with rocks for biscuits, or biscuits that taste like garbage. Not this place. The biscuits were very fluffy, warm and delicious. The gravy was the best I’ve ever eaten. This was the perfect meal for me. It is not on the menu, but it is something that I put together because I really wanted to try everything. I wish I would’ve had more room to have ordered hashbrowns, their country, fried steak, and about 80 other things. I was just too full. It is one of the few times I wished I were a cow and had 4 stomachs. As my uncle used to say whenever he had an amazing meal but couldn’t fit another bite, “I wish I had a belly on my back.”

Great restaraunt and amazing food. The Eggs Benny was perfectly cooked and tasted sooo good!! Highly recommend.

Pork chops very thin and almost overcooked. Applesauce in tiny cup would have liked more . LOTS OF CORN. Lots of mashed potatoes, homade I think. Husband had chicken fried steak. He doesn't think it had any breading.

Fireside Lounge: We stopped in here on a Thursday night around dinner hour. We chose to sit in the lounge in the back and not the cafe space out front (lounge does have it's own entrance or can be entered from inside the café). There was a pre-season Seahawks game on one of the TVs and baseball on the other. There are only five or six tables in the lounge but one of them is round and probably seats 6+, along with 10ish stools at the bar. Not too busy, just enough people filtering in and out. Our delightful server, Bobby Jo, was running the lounge like a master. She was so friendly and attentive to everyone. The vibe was intimate local watering hole. We sat at the table by the fireplace, Bloody Mary and a beer first. Hubs ordered the Turkey Dinner and I had the Blue Cheese Steak Salad. Both delicious with just the right portion sizes. We shared a piece of peach cobbler a la mode. Soooooo good. We will have to plan for a breakfast stop and try the café.

I have been coming here for years and the quality of both the service and the food has gone down quite considerably. I ordered 2 sides of wings, and fries TO-GO, after 15 minutes of waiting I went to the front desk and my order was supposedly ready but only the fries had been cooked. The server bagged my fries and asked about my wings which had not been started, so she asked them to be dropped in the fryer. After 5 minutes I realized what happened and asked for new, fresh fries because they get soggy sitting in the TO-GP box for another 10 minutes on the counter while the wings get cooked. She told me to calm down, like what I asked was rude, and I was out of line. She told the cook to "drop some more fries for him" rolling her eyes. I then asked for a refund and was treated like a bag of garbage. My friends and family will not be back for a good while based on this experience and lack of any compassion for an obvious mistake made by them. A simple apology would went a long way especially after a $53 bill for wings and fries, cooked separately like its normal.

I love these little cafes. We stopped there after a little off-roading in the woods super hungry. Service was good and the food was awesome. I ordered the patty melt and it was tasty, seasoned well, great onions and flavor, I wish the burger was bigger but great overall. And the tater tots, they were on point. A definite must order!! I have been spending a lot of time exploring the woods here and I will definitely stop in again. Nice work guys!

Homestyle cooking in a warm and inviting environment. Old school. Everyone is so nice despite being so busy! Food is awesome - just order your fave. Affordable. Plenty of parking. Did I mention they're packed?

This place is the absolute bomb! Only spot open on NYD on our way back to Seattle from an awesome visit to Leavenworth. Absolutely crazy busy but all the ladies hustling had smiles on their faces and kind words. Great prices. Huge portions. Get the hash - it's awesome!

Omelette with 3 pounds of meat & cheese, was epic to experience & enjoy to the fullest. Gotta do again, and tell family & friends about the Cottage

Great food looks like a mom's cafe!! Old school food and bakery! If you're in the area 20+$ is a good deal for a good meal!

I was with some people and I told about this place. Walking in you can hear people talking and it was loud. The place was packed with people inside. Didn't take too long to be seated. I ordered the pancakes with strawberries, hash browns & bacon. Pancakes were good....Hash browns were good.....bacon was kinda burnt but ok. I forgot to take a picture....I was hungry...Everyone I was with enjoyed their food. I recommend this place to everyone.

Food is cold . Toast is not toasted. Just dont get the popularity off this place. Way too expensive!

So in a drive back from Leavenworth WA we needed to get dinner. We found this place (yup you guessed it) that n Yelp and it was on the way back to Seattle. It's just as advertised, a local place with a welcoming atmosphere and good food. The food is good and the portions are very good so you will not leave hungry. Everything was done well except the Mac and Cheese as it was a bit dry and under seasoned. It took a lot of salt and pepper to get the flavor up but still a dry dish. Service was good and friendly and we were very happy with everything. So if you're driving I-90 or going or coming back from Leavenworth you must stop and have a very good meal.

Our server was a very nice lady. That is all I can say good about our dinner. The food we ordered ( a soup and separately the meatloaf) were barely edible. I haven't ever, I don't think, had such low quality food. The meatloaf was gross. No flavor and a soggy texture. I stopped eating it because I literally couldn't stand the texture ( almost like jello) or the weird lack of flavor. The mashed potatoes were , in no way, from actual potatoes. They also were tasteless. The gravy? Yep, was flavorless. The vegetables were steamed and also had no flavor. You know the stereotypes of prison food or cafeteria food or Hospital food? This good had that. This food was exactly what that stereotype was. I can't believe I haven't gotten sick, it was so gross.

While vacationing in Ronald, my family and I visited the Cottage Cafe, which came highly recommended as a local gem. The place itself is charming--very cute and cozy--with attentive wait staff that made us feel welcome. If memory serves, it's been around since 1937, adding a nostalgic touch to the experience. Our drinks were solid choices: I had unsweetened iced tea, my grandson enjoyed what tasted like freshly squeezed lemonade, and the rest of the crew opted for sodas. We kicked things off with fried pickles, which were a crowd favorite--crispy, tangy, and addictive. For my meal, I ordered the pastrami on rye. It was decent, though the coleslaw on the side lacked any real seasoning. My oldest granddaughter had the meatloaf, and unfortunately it was a major miss. The gravy was bland and off-putting, the texture of the meatloaf was reminiscent of spam, and the vegetables looked far from fresh. She didn't eat her meal at all. My youngest granddaughter tried the mac and cheese, but the sauce tasted more like flour than cheese--definitely underwhelming. Thankfully, my daughter's turkey dinner redeemed things a bit. She said it was delicious, well-seasoned, and satisfying. If you're planning a visit to the Cottage Cafe, it's worth going for the cozy vibe and good service, but I'd steer clear of the meatloaf and mac and cheese.

The Cottage Café Fireside Lounge is a gem -- and Jennifer made our visit unforgettable. From the moment we sat down, Jennifer gave us the kind of warm, attentive, and genuinely kind service that you hope for every time you dine out, but rarely get. Hands down, the best service I've had in ages -- and it made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The food? Absolutely spot on. Classic café comfort food made with obvious care and skill. I ordered their scramble and added a side of country gravy -- savory, rich, and totally crave-worthy. The English biscuit tasted homemade and was so fresh it practically melted in my mouth. My kiddo got the pancakes and orange juice -- and those golden edges on the pancakes? Perfectly cooked. Clean plates all around. Every bite felt like it was made with intention, not just tossed on a plate. This place has heart -- from the food to the service to the cozy atmosphere. We'll be back every time we're in town. Highly, highly recommend!

We both had Combo omelettes with sour dough bread. We brought half of it home for breakfast tomorrow. It was outstanding and the service was 5 star. Cottage Cafe will be our Cle Elum go to breakfast place.

Always remember to stop by the Cottage cafe . Highly recommend the cottage Café try their chicken fried steak. You won't be disappointed, clean bathrooms, friendly atmosphere attentive service love this place. Been coming here for decades.

The breakfast was great. The only reason they didn't get a 5 star is because the hash browns weren't crispy and over medium eggs were actually over easy. Service and hospitality were top notch. The French toast and biscuit were the best things we tried.

Burger was really tasty, salad was fresh. I had a great meal and will be back. Our waitress was really nice as well

Friendly service and very generous breakfast portions! Bacon was especially great, nice and crispy. Oh and wonderfully huge pancakes. Yum!

We love stopping here for breakfast or lunch and our way through! Have been coming here for many years. Always friendly quick service and delicious food! Thanks!

Sat in the Fireside Lounge. Much quieter and cozy there. The service was great and the food was plentiful and delicious!

Memorial Day weekend stopped by for brunch on our way to Chelan. The food was good but I am a little upset because additional items were added to our bill.

Awesome cafe with a good menu to satisfy your needs. I was in town for a fly fishing trip and wanted breakfast before my trip back home. Seated right away and greeted with a fresh pot of coffee. Went with the pork chops, eggs, and toast. Huge meal and packed with flavor. Friendly waitress and great atmosphere. I didn't get to try the dessert they have on display but they looked amazing.

So this is an update to my review I wrote 8 years ago (December of 2015 which I gave this place 5/5). Mom and I shared a homemade apple crisp and then I got the Cottage Omelette and subbed the toast out for a pancake while mom got the Denver Omelette. We also had a surprise tax of 4% added to each item we ordered on our receipt and then the normal 8.1% tax after everything was added up. I'll explain at the end of my review. So the good news first. The pancake still tastes amazing and is one of most satisfying pancakes I've eaten at diner or breakfast place. Still warm, soft, moist, airy, buttery, and like last time, after a drizzle a syrup it just melts in your mouth. Delicious and I highly highly recommend getting them! I ate half of mom's Denver omelette which was also fantastic. They really stuff the omlettes with toppings and the cheddar cheese compliment the flavor very well. That's also a solid choice! And now for the bad news. First, with my omelette, the swish cheese just was not a winning combo. Could have been because I never use that kind of cheese with eggs when I make something myself, but the flavor of that specific cheese degraded that the sausage that was actually pretty dang good on its own. The apple crisp was still good but it came out more warm than hot so it was cooled to room temperature soon after. The topping wasn't the crunchy topping I remember but a soft, almost bland topping as it really just soaked into the apple crisp instead of being a topping for it. And finally, the 4% additional tax per item. So both our omelettes were 17.99. Total on the bill was 18.75 each. The apple crisp was 7.99. Total on the bill was 8.31. The Diet Coke mom ordered was 2.99. Total on the bill was 3.11. I'm looking at these numbers very confused as I knew the menu prices and could see the normal 8.1$ tax added to our total. I asked our waiter why these prices for each item were more expensive than the listed menu price and she said, "if you're using a card, we charge an extra 4% fee per item." or something along those lines. The point is, if you use a card here, which most people do I'm sure, you have to pay an extra 4% *per item*. I did the math and to get 18.75 from 17.99, it's actually 4.2% (4.2% of 17.99 is 0.75558. 17.99 + .76 = 18.75) To get 8.31 from 7.99, that is actually just 4% (4% of 7.99 is 0.3196. 7.99 + .32 = 8.31) To get 3.11 from 2.99, that is also just 4% (4% of 2.99 is 0.1196. 2.99 + .12 = 3.11) I docked a point for the food being a hit and miss this time around, but I docked another two points for this scummy business practice. Our waiter just said she was new and this was a new system so that was unhelpful. If there is going to be a 4% additional tax *per item*, it needs to be either shown on the front page of the menu or needs to be communicated to us before we order so we know. Even something as simple as the waiter saying, "Also, we've implimented a new policy with cards so nothing changes if you pay with cash but if you use a card, we charge an extra 4% per item ordered." I'm sure this place gets a lot of business from tourists visiting the area and this feels like a way to take advantage of them. The awesome pancake doesn't make up for this kind of hidden stunt. Please communicate with your customers better and don't hide extra fees or taxes until it we get the receipt. And actually none of the receipts we had even had that 4% shown, just the new totals I listed above. The waiter asked if I wanted an itemized version as she said that would show the extra taxes but she came back and apparently once you print a new receipt off or something, you can't go back and get a previous one so we never got that. Sure, it's only a few bucks, but that's just bad business behavior so hopefully this review helps any future tourists.

The food was really good with big portions. I really liked the staff. Very friendly atmosphere.

My family stopped here on the way home from Ellensburg. It had great reviews onYelp so we we thought we would give it a shot. This cute little cafe was BUSY but it is obviously a well oiled machine. We were sat and waited on promptly by a sweet, efficient, and friendly server. The menu was diverse with good classic diner fair as well as some unique and creative dishes. I had biscuits and gravy and they did not disappoint. They serve large portions so you will either have some food left over for later or you will wish you had shared. Reasonable prices for the portions. We will definitely stop here again whenever we come through the area.

We stopped in looking for dessert, and we were NOT disappointed! Chocolate Peanut Butter pie, Apple Crisp, and Cherry pie -all very good! Excellent service too!

Bartender was amazing, vibe was great, and I had some nice conversation at the bar. Definitely coming back to play some pull tabs and eat more mashed potatoes.

Enjoy stopping here whenever we drive East on I-90. Food is good. Cinnamon rolls are to die for! We stopped in last week just to buy a warmed up cinnamon roll to go and ate it on the road. Fed husband while he was driving. Today on our way back home we stopped for a bowl a soup. I had broccoli cheese. Husband had a bowl of chili. He also had a slice of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Two weeks ago we stopped in with my brother. He loved it! We always stop in for a meal and/or a cinnamon roll!

Always a great place to eat. We were starving and looking for a late dinner at 9:30pm. Everything was closed in town. We were greeted kindly and also able to order dinner, even though they would be closing soon. Thanks for the great service and late night option!

Just a perfect diner, large portions and friendly staff. The menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Loved to see the smaller portions on the menu too.

This place is fine as long as you keep it basic. bacon, hash browns and toast all fine. desserts are fine but basic. Once you step out of this and get real dinners, the quality does decline. It's very hospital cafeteria style of the olden days. The staff are fast and proficient.

Have only been here a few time But WOW. what a great place. Unis was our server.. Just amazing. Food was big and wonderful.

Basically good diner food. I was a little surprised by the kids meals being $10. I had the hot turkey sandwich and it was good. They provide a pamphlet of patriotic games and facts for the kids (it's not a menu). Little too much about Chris Columbus, if you ask me. Overall it was fine but I'd probably try their baked goods next time

The food was terrible, we have stopped in for a variety of meals for 20 years. Chicken fried steak didn't look like it and didn't taste like it. $22.00, for good mash potatoes and Salad. Barely ate the Meat and veggies where so so.

I love finding new places on Yelp. Usually ratings are pretty accurate but every now and then Yelp is WAY WRONG!!! Having a breakfast in a "cottage" sounded like a good idea. Arrived and the inside was not cute and looked nothing like a cottage. Service was slow and not very attentive. I ordered eggs Benedict and it was the WORST version of Eggs Benedict I have ever had. What they don't know how to POACH an egg. Eggs were done over easy with a crappy hollandaise sauce (probably from a powder). Two slices of lunch meat ham sat on a nothing special English muffin. I couldn't even eat half of the dish. Don't put something on your menu if you can't make it!!!

Great meal! Dinner time but I'm still too full from a super yummy breakfast! Food was so very yummy!! The BLT is 5 stars!!

I went there with a dear friend for breakfast/brunch. Our server was so rude and unattentive that it killed my appetite and I ended up not eating what I ordered. She (a middle-aged woman with dark hair) was condosending, not knowledgable about the menu, and not willing to help. It took a very long time for her to take our orders and took even longer to get the food. The pancakes were huge- larger than any pancakes I have seen in my life, and my friend didnt find them tasty. I ordered the veggie omlette but didnt eat it. Avoid this place if you can drive a few miles further.

Stopped in Cle Ulum, WA for breakfast at the Cottage Cafe. My husband had pancakes, ham and an egg over easy. I had a buttermilk biscuit with a side of crispy bacon. Tried the Marionberry jelly and it was great. Everything was cooked perfectly and our waitress was delightful. They have a bakery case of homemade pies, rolls, etc. that looked yummy. Very nice place.

Never disappointed here! Huge portions and great service. The biscuit and gravy and the Eggs Benedict are always delicious The cinnamon rolls are crazy good

My dad recommended this place and stated that they have the best biscuits and gravy. For me, that's a very big statement to make since I judge country gravy very harshly. It needs to be flavorful with a high amount of sausage to gravy ratio. This is exactly what this gravy has. The biscuits underneath the yummy gravy were soft and pillowy. The gravy was layered on top of deliciously cooked hashrowns. The price of the food was much higher than I expected it to be but the portions were large, allowing for a second breakfast tomorrow. The service was excellent, and very friendly. Don't know when I'll be back to Cle Elum but if I do, I'll make a stop.

Friends and I have stopped here for dinner a couple of times in the past few weeks after some property showings in the Cle Elum area. And from my experience, depending on what you order from the menu, the food could either be great or just meh. I do like how their breakfast/brunch menu is offered any time of day. Our first time there, our friends ordered breakfast plates, my fiance got the burger with fries and I got the chicken fried steak dinner (which came with mashed potatoes and veggies). Lets just say everything on my plate was mushy. Chicken fried steak did not taste fried or crispy at all. The veggies were very mushy as if they were frozen then microwaved or something (I've made frozen veggies before and it tasted the same!) also they were bland with no seasoning or flavor whatsoever. The mashed potatoes were okay. I tried the burger and fries which were both good. Second time we went, I ordered the club sandwich with fries and my fiance got the nachos. Everything that time was good. And the food comes out pretty quick. Also both times we chose to sit in the bar area vs the restaurant. There is a separate entrance for bar area. I think moving forward if we go back, I will stick to their sandwiches and burgers. :)

My girlfriend and I stopped into Cottage Cafe for lunch on our way to Yakima. Free parking can be found in the parking lot. Discover is an accepted form of payment. Cottage Cafe offers a family dining area and a lounge. Lounge offers a full bar as well as a few draft beer choices. Pull tabs can be purchased and played for ones entertainment. Breakfast is served all day long. While considering the menu, we each sipped on a double Bloody Mary for $10 apiece. We shared the Triple Decker Clubhouse Sandwich for $15.99: ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayo on toasted bread. We chose the fries as our side. Our sandwich was tasty and filling. The fries were hot and crisp, just the way that I like them. Service was minimal but friendly. Overall, I would stop into Cottage Cafe aging when in the area.

The service at this cafe is incredible. I was so impressed with our waitress (Amber) and her attention to detail and taking care of our table. I really appreciate her and highly recommend anyone to visit this restaurant.

It looks like my party is in the minority regarding our experience at Cottage Cafe. I'll start out with prices. We each had a burger (with included side) and a coffee. The bill came to $51 and change. Ouch. If I compare a rural diner to any premium burger place on the west side, I'd be hard pressed to top this bill. The food. One regular and one rare came to the table as two well done. The very thick layer of sweet relish was off-putting. Soup was under seasoned. Tots were cool and not cooked through. The buns were dry and crumbly. Coffee? Blech. I can genuinely hope this was a consistency issue and that legions of locals continue to support a community business. For us, prices alone will prevent us from returning. I can only hope

Had dinner in the Fireside lounge last night for our 3rd time. Not sure what changed but definitely not up to the standards we experienced the first 2 times. I had the club sandwich on sourdough, the bread was dry, and the fries which I usually LOVE were kinda firm, like undercooked on the inside. My husband had the fish & chips which were beyond awful, the fish was chewy, and very fishy tasting, we did tell the waitress who was very pleasant btw, and she offered to get him something different or take it off the bill. We are pretty bummed because we had really liked this place and have had wonderful breakfasts at the Cottage side of the restaurant.

Everything you want from a local diner and more! The perfect pit stop for a warm breakfast, and the serving sizes are just as generous as the hospitality. Cottage Cafe keeps it simple, but it's damn good - hard to go wrong with a full breakfast spread of hashbrowns, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and pancakes. There's truly something for everyone, and you will leave with, not only, a full belly, but a full heart.

Great food and great service from a long standing family restaurant. Adding more words to the review because it's required.

Food was delicious! The corned beef and hash was the best we have ever had. I had the special which was a prime rib omelet-just amazing! Very friendly staff and great service!!

Well I really expected better but I've been to several hole in the wall breakfast places and this, while it doesn't quite classify as that, is mediocre at best. The chicken fried steak was terrible. The gravy almost sour. Basic fried eggs hash browns and toast were fine. Anything else was problematic. Not sure why there is a huge wait for this spot - maybe because it is the only option for miles?