Joe's Cafe - Sterling

Best breakfast in town Things to try: French Toast Corned Beef hash Biscuits and sausage gravy are my favorites.

This is a very popular restaurant with a line out the door during a snowstorm (outdoor heaters provided, which is a very nice touch).

So so good! We are from MD and had to drop someone off at the airport when I remembered my toddler and I hadn't had breakfast yet.

Although I've lived in Sterling for years I had never been to Joe's Cafe until recently. I've gone now on two occasions and left disappointed, contrary to the experience of the reviewers below.Driving up you can clearly see a line at the door and a full restaurant, which I understand to be the norm. Once stepping inside it is utter chaos with people standing and sitting while blocking the entryway, and no restaurant staff visible to direct it all. After negotiating my way through the crowd, possibly cutting off others who were trying to be greeted, I looked for a host/hostess or clear directions about what to do. If you don't know who to talk to and not a regular you're left to fend for yourself because (in both experiences) NO server or staff person stopped to speak with me for several minutes although many walked by. In my second experience going to Joe's, having learned my lesson from before, I attempted multiple times to make eye contact with the older male manager. He was standing in the back talking with a booth/table for several minutes, laughing and scrolling through a cell phone which apparently belonged to a woman at the table, and did not once look to the front door. Next to him was an empty booth, ready to be seated, although several parties were/had been waiting. When he finally looked up in my direction, he indicated he'd be there shortly, continued his to finish his conversation and then approached me. When asked about the availability of the empty booth and possible wait time, he brushed off the question and seemed to be annoyed that I would inquire. From there the interaction continued to go poorly as it was mentioned that we had been waiting to be greeted for several minutes, and he argued that he saw and acknowledged us the minute we stepped in the door. Unfortunately this was not true and only fueled the feeling of being dismissed. Astonished by his reaction and response, we stated plans to leave and we're told That's fine, we don't need your business anyway followed by Fine , Get out , and Leave While I know this is a family run establishment and not a corporate chain, for a restaurant that prides themselves on their food AND their customer service I would not have expected the manger to demonstrate such poor service and disrespect, and in front of other customers waiting like us. How does that fit with the family atmosphere that you wish your restaurant to portray? Having formerly worked in the restaurant industry myself, I understand a manager taking time to talk with guests to ensure they enjoy their visit and feel welcome. This is part of their role... to oversee how the restaurant is being run and ensure the best service is being provided. But then someone else should handle the role of host/hostess, but cause you clearly can't do both.... or possibly just acknowledge that you did not notice us standing there and apologize for the delay.... so simple. Since I've only eaten there once, I will say that the food is good and once making it to a table the service is much better. I will say that our wait time during that first visit was also not the minutes as someone else mentioned... it was closer to an hour. It also seems that if you are in the know and a regular that your experience is night and day different than my own both times because during my first visit I watched as parties who arrived after me were seated before me although I was told there was no call-ahead-seating Others have told me that years before my experience would not have occurred, and that management was much more gracious and customer oriented... what ever changes that have been made are clearly not for the better. It seems this restaurant is only still open due to reputation alone....

This is truly my Best breakfast spot in this area! Not only is Joe's Cafe a great restaurant but the entire staff is outstanding! The food is always fantastic and customer service is also. I've been in the Hotel Hospitality field over years here in Loudon County Virginia and I believe wholeheartedly in rendering awesome guest service. I'm also a retired disabled Marine, so I love Professionalism.I send a lot of guest from the near by hotel where I work over to Joe's Cafe and they come back telling me how much they love the place,and acourse the delicious food. I don't give out many reviews but this review is well worth it!!<br br