The Whistle Stop Cafe - Hillsdale

We had a delightful family breakfast to celebrate Mother's Day. Despite the busy atmosphere, the staff was efficient and attentive, ensuring smooth service throughout our meal. We were seated right away, our drinks arrived promptly, and our food was ordered and served quickly. My daughter enjoyed the Empire Bowl, while I opted for the Country Breakfast, both of which were excellent. My wife and daughter also had their combo meals, which were just as satisfying. The coffee was great as well. Prices were reasonable. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

We've been visiting Hillsdale every year for the past 12 to 15 years, and we had no idea this restaurant existed! It felt like a blast from the past, almost like stepping back into the 1950s. The waitresses were friendly, and the food was enjoyable. While the place could use some updates, it really fits the charm of the town. I ordered the palace scramble, and I noticed it was cash only, which seemed a bit unusual but wasn't an issue considering it's a small town.

We dined here on our third day in Hillsdale, and it was just okay. Nothing really stood out—everything felt rather ordinary. The sausage lacked flavor, the eggs were unremarkable, and the French toast was rather bland. The service was fine, but keep in mind it’s cash only. The decor had its charm, but overall, it was a very mediocre experience.

The prices here are reasonable, with a deluxe burger and fries costing $6.67. While they do give you a generous portion of fries, they have always come out limp and soggy in my experience. The burger itself is decent—I've certainly had worse, but I've also had much better. What bothers me the most is that they don’t accept credit cards. They do have an ATM, but it charges a $3 fee, which brings the total cost of my burger to $9.67. At that price, I know I could go somewhere else with a much better burger and perfectly cooked fries. Additionally, some of the staff aren’t very friendly, especially when it comes to the credit card issue. I can understand their frustration; if I had to repeatedly tell customers that we don't take credit cards, I would feel a bit annoyed at my job too.

This is a small diner located in the historic district of Hillsdale. We visited for breakfast, and it was excellent! We ordered the breakfast sandwich, a simple dish, but they found a way to elevate it from what I typically make at home. We also tried the cinnamon roll pancakes—two was too much because one is enormous and absolutely delicious. A couple of things to note: they strictly enforce a no outside beverages policy, and they only accept cash. However, the prices are low enough that this shouldn’t be an issue. It's definitely a place you should visit, and seeing lots of locals dining here is a good indication of its quality!