Tonis Courtyard Café - Merced (CA)

5 /5 N. M.: Update** I came back about a year and a half later and it was a great experience. They seated us right away and asked us if wed like to eat inside or outside. We picked outside and they sat us next to this cute little waterfall. The waitress was very kind and the food was amazing. I got the country benedict and my sister got the biscuits and gravy combo. We both loved our food and it was filling. Overall wonderful experience and I would love to come back sometime.

2 /5 Jennifer Velazquez: I was excited to try this restaurant I love breakfast so it seemed like a great idea, when I came in I wait in the entrance since it clearly says “wait to be seat”. However, after waiting and even tho some waitresses saw us we didn’t got a table. 2 customer arrived and they got seat right away, after they got seat we didn’t, until I asked someone to give us a table. During our time we had 3 different waitresses, and some others just gave us dirty looks. I order cranberry juice and it was $6 but it was a super small cup really overpriced The food was good but the service was really bad, I certainly won’t come back. I spent around $60 for 2 person’s breakfast

4 /5 Lenore Aldridge: My family and I enjoyed a weekend brunch here when we came to Merced to helped my niece return to college and helping her moving in to her dorm. I had the chorizo special, pumpkin bread, and sweet tea. I wish I had ordered the blueberry lemonade, as that was homemade and fresh squeezed! I got dispenser sweet tea, not homemade. The fresh, homemade pumpkin bread was very moist and yummy! I did not love their chorizo dish. It was all potatoes. There was hardly any chorizo on the plate! I literally had to dig and look for any chorizo remnants under the pile of potatoes and feta. It was literally a plate of breakfast potatoes and feta cheese, with a side of avocado. The special came with eggs, but I do not eat eggs (allergic) so requested a substitution of spinach. I appreciate that the staff was willing to make the substitution. It was the complete lack of chorizo, what should have been the main ingredient in the dish, that made this dish such a disappointment. The customer service was unremarkable; nothing extraordinary or subpar. The patio seating was nice, minus the occasional mosquito that came to bug us. I don’t think I would patronize Toni’s again, but would try another breakfast/brunch spot.

5 /5 Joshua: Ive been going to this place for years, and is definitely a hidden gem in this small town of Merced! The customer service is always on point, drinks are never low, and the quality of food matches their pricing. Doesnt matter if its breakfast or lunch, this place doesnt miss the mark. All of their food is freshly made, and the biscuits are to die for. Their gravy is REAL country gravy with chunks of sausage, and you cant get that at many places anymore. Ive never had a bad experience here, and thats why I continue to go back. If youre a breakfast or brunch person, this place is for you.

3 /5 Ana Jimenez: Ive been to this cafe a few times. I have mixed feelings about Tonis Cafe. I think the food is decent but Im not thrilled about the struggle to get a seat. The first time I went in to eat, the hostess automatically started taking my order for take away when I wanted to be seated. It wasnt a big deal, especially because she and the other waitress were very attentive. I drink a lot of water and can say that my cup never ran dry. I ordered the brekfast burrito with veggies. It was a decent burrito, but the veggies lacked salt or spices. They also had limited hot sauce options. I did like the cheese frico seal on the burrito. The second and third time I went in, I was attended to by the same lady. Again, excellent service. The sandwiches that I had were alright. The chicken was a little dry on the Italian Chicken Melt and I expected turkey meat and not turkey ham on the Turkey Avocado Melt but the sandwich breads were good. The potato salad was delicious. As a sidenote, she suggested the churro cheescake and it was as delicious as it sounds. In fact, I came the next day for brunch again. Of the desserts I tried when I went in, the churro cheesecake was one that stood out for the flavor and I wanted to eat it again the next day. Unfortunately, the same person was not working. Instead, a woman with bright pink hair was at the register. She definetely had her hands full with all the people in line. Apparently their wifi doesent extend to the patio so people would have to come inside to pay (they may benefit from a  wifi mesh or extender . . . ). Again, not an issue there for me. It may be for diners paying with cards. What did ruffle my feathers was that she greeted me when I first stepped inside and said "Ill be right with you." She finished up the line of people trying to pay and then addressed two ladies that came after me. When the kind ladies asked if anyone else was there first, she said no. The two ladies assured her that I was there first and it was only then that I was seated. Again, nothing against the waitresses because they have always been great. Its just that I have to struggle to get seated as a lone diner. The food is decent but I went back because I looked forward to trying their pastries. This encounter soured my visit though and theres enough places elsewhere that I dont think Ill be coming back here again. Tl;dr: Food is good. I recommend the churro cheesecake over other pastries. Dont expect to be seated if youre a lone diner.