Capital View Cafe
637 Smith Ave S, Saint Paul, MN, 55107
Capital View Cafe Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Capital View Cafe
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
637 Smith Ave S
Saint Paul, MN, 55107 - Phone (651) 290-0218
- Website https://www.capitalviewcafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Samuel W.
Just an initial word of caution; DO NOT sit on the left side of the restaurant in their larger dining area. It's like the Hunger Games over there except everyone looks hungrier. How far left is too left, you ask? If you see a sign that says, "Where is your God now?" and you hear the distinct weeping that comes with someone making the decision to barter their firstborn child for toast crumb remnants, you've gone too far. That being said... I've been here several times now and I've noticed that, above all, this place's biggest downfall is their lack of consistency. You never quite know if you're going to be treated like a paying customer or a temporary annoyance by the staff. I've walked in and waited twenty minutes for someone to half-ass acknowledge me and take my drink order before. The food, too, alternates between delicious and meh (but it would be good to note that I've never eaten anything markedly disgusting here). Their Mexican offerings are pretty solid and good to start out with if you've never been here. The red pork lunch (or anything with red pork) is nicely flavored and tender. My girlfriend really likes their reubens and tuna melts as far as more traditional fare goes. The Cajun Breakfast is nice (get it with chorizo) and the Dublin Benedict isn't too shabby, either. The steak and eggs breakfast? Meh. The cut of steak is the typical cheap, sinewy variety and the price is higher than the quality. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're in a rush because of the speed inconsistencies but it's an acceptable place to grab breakfast and lunch every now and again.
(3)Lxs S.
Nice neighborhood cafe. Contradicting other recent reviews, our service was top notch! We arrived on a rainy Saturday late in the morning. We were promptly seated, with menus, offered coffee, and were then left to read the menu. Within a couple minutes the waitress was back to take our order and within 10 minutes, breakfast was served. Portions are generous. I had the South of the Border omelet with chorizo. Excellent!!! Chorizo flavorful, perfectly melted cheese, nice spicy salsa with creamy sour cream on top. The accompanying hash browns were crispy outside with creamy potato goodness inside. More than I could finish so brought it home for a light dinner. Nice local neighborhood gem!
(3)Karin M.
Perfect place for a casual, family weekend breakfast. The menu has offerings for all palates - spicy Mexican, American with pancakes and waffles, to omelets. This morning hubs had the blueberry pancakes that were the size of the plate and a side of crispy bacon, the teen had the steak and eggs cooked just the way it was order, and I tried new to me Mexican dish with beef, peppers and onions, scrambled eggs, with corn tortillas and a side of salsa. It was fantastic - not necessarily a pretty dish but it was so tasty. Today our server was outstanding and kept our coffee cups and waters filled. We will defiantly continue to include Capital View in our breakfast rotation.
(4)Darryl L.
The only thing better than their food is the service. Excellent food, whether breakfast or lunch. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We would highly recommend Capital View.
(5)Victor M.
The service was slow. This was our first time going to the capital grill. We sat down and it took us like 15 min before we even got a menu. We went to the grill on the 4th for breakfast. The food was ok i lacked flavor and well i do not think i will return to this location. The people working were kinda snobby. With service like this they will never attract new clients. The old people that are regulars will die eventually then the place will be out of business. I gave it 2 stars only because i like to support local businesses. I tried to have a better experience but it just did not happen ..
(2)T B.
I really enjoy coming to Capital View especially for breakfast. They have large filling portions & the waitresses are always wonderful. I feel at home dining here. Typically I order the everything omelette (minus the ham), hash browns & rye toast. Delicious every single time. Its served super fresh & hot. They bring out one slice of toast & inform me if I want more let them know. I love that idea because I won't waste the bread & more ordered would be nice & freshly toasted. The price is right at this place. The taste is perfect. Today I came later in the day. (They close at 2pm) so I ordered a grilled turkey, bacon & swiss sandwich with homemade potato soup. Excellent choice! I live nearby I should come here more often! I'm actually craving an omelette right about now!
(4)Josh K.
St.Paul Classic not uncommon to see local politicians eating breakfast and rubbing elbows here. Great breakfast and Mexican food so get both, pocket French toast is pretty epic too.
(4)Gwyn B.
I know there are some here who like corporate chain restaurants where there is total consistency of food and decor. If you're one of those people, you probably won't like the Capital View Cafe. That's okay. They seem to be doing quite well without you, and I'm so glad. I love this place. I can only think of two other places in St. Paul that hold a candle to the Capital View. I'm giving it 5 stars. It's not perfect, but it's way above average. I'd describe the Capital View as "funky" in the best possible sense of the word. It's unique; a one-off casual restaurant that lets its history and personality hang out. The layout is awkward, the chairs don't all match, and the service can be slow at times, though always friendly. It's reasonably priced, comfortable and I've never had service that was actually bad. Most importantly, the food I've had there has always been very good. And I'm perfectly happy with allowing a chef some room to move. Extreme consistency is extremely boring. This isn't fine dining and doesn't pretend to be. It's simply great, honest everyday fare at good prices. A few cautions are in order. Street parking only, though there's usually plenty of it. Avoid parking on the opposite side of Smith Avenue if you can. It's a very busy street. And be warned--they close for the day at 2 pm. I wish I could order smaller portions at reduced prices. Most of the time I have to leave food on the table or carry it home, and I'd rather just pay a little less for a smaller portion. But that's probably my senior citizen status showing. I don't eat much Mexican food, so I haven't explored that side of the menu. But the traditional American offerings I've had have always been well-prepared and excellent. The french fries are frozen, so I usually go with the hash browns, but both are very good. And they have some great "early bird specials" daily from 7-9 am. Big thumbs-up!
(5)Troy J.
You won't find friendlier service. If you're looking for a hearty American-style breakfast with a Mexican flair, Capital View is an excellent destination. They offer an excellent all-day breakfast menu, so I haven't tried anything else. Great eggs and great takes on eggs benedict. I'm generally a fan of biscuits and gravy -- but the ones offered here were a disappointment. The biscuits were small and pasty. The gravy was uncharacteristically bland. Thankfully, there are many other, better breakfast options.
(4)Nicole H.
Cute, quaint little cafe that I'd happily return to. Tasty, filling comfort food and cheap prices. Not sure what else you could ask for. The menu is big but not too much - they keep it simple sweetie, with classic diner breakfast and lunch with a mexican flair. Lots of reviews had nitpicky complaints, but my experience was spot on. The service was attentive but not aggressive. My water and coffee stayed full. I was in town covering hockey, a friend drove down from St. Cloud and we sat for an hour on a Sunday morning chatting and catching up. We walked in and waited just a minute for a table to be cleared. We each had a benedict and one of my eggs was a little overcooked, but other than that, the food was perfect.
(4)Matthew O.
Very good food I have been here for breakfast and lunch they close at 2 pm. They have a good menu and a lot of seating the service is good even when it's busy. I don't eat here often enough.
(5)Dani C.
Really disappointed with the young staff. While our waitress was great, I did decide to buy a cinnamon roll from the cashier. The cashier, who was also a waitress, looked at me and walked away. I was at the counter with money in my hand... Apparently that's not enough of a sign that I'd like to buy something. My small fruit salad for $4 was nothing special. Oh well. Customer service needs to be better. Long lines with "hosts" saying "go sit at the chair over there by the window". I understand that it is busy, but please be professional and walk your customers to their tables and give menus! Hire additional staff, it's obvious that you need it!!!! I won't be returning even though our waitress rocked and tried to make it better.
(1)L R.
It was charming at first, but there were too many little annoyances and one big one. The blueberries on my oatmeal were clearly from a can (or maybe thawed frozen berries), the menu promised whipped cream but there was none, I had to ask again for the side of scrambled eggs I'd ordered, and the food took a long time to come out. Then to lower the experience from mediocre to "I won't be back," I took out a gift certificate I'd bought a few months back, and even though it explicitly said it had no expiration date, they declined to honor it. With only the explanation that they'd decided to stop accepting them. Not cool. Not going there again.
(2)Jenny A.
Capital View is the epitome of neighborhood cafe. There's nothing about this place that even kind of looks like it's trying too hard. From the cluster of random pictures and plaques and knick knacks stuck to the wall, to the windows cluttered with random decorations and an inconveniently placed electric fireplace.. it looks like the owner has a thrifting addiction. That's not to say it's a bad thing. It just is what it is. And it is definitely.... quirky. The service here is kind of a toss up. There are a lot of teenagers working here and working together which doesn't always ... work. But, much of the time you get an attentive, nice enough waitress who keeps your coffee cup full and stays out of your hair. There are 3 sections here I have learned to avoid. -The first section is the dining area to the left when you walk in. It's easy to be forgotten over here but it's spacious so you decide which quality you prefer. -The second is the area of booths at the right side of the restaurant. It's hidden from view when you walk in and it's easy to get forgotten here as well. Not to mention that this particular section of the restaurant has no windows, so it feels claustrophobic even though the space is large. -The third section is a very itty bitty tiny little uncomfortable wood booth that is supposed to sit two. It doesn't. I'm a small girl and it's uncomfortable for me if I have a guest with. Sit here only if you're alone and the size of a 7th grade girl. Also, the backs of the benches are hard wood and sticking up as perfectly vertical as they can be, you cannot slouch in this booth. Now onto the food. I usually go here strictly for breakfast or in my case, brunch, because I'm lazy; but I have had a couple lunch options, my favorite being the Chipotle Red Pork. The meat is tender, the sauce is smooth and has a nice smokey heat to it. The tortillas are a waste to me. It's just filler, really. I've also had their Tuna Melt. I'm a huge fan of Tuna Melts but this one I did not like. It was too wet and too basic. The Breakfast Menu gives you a ton of options and if you know what you like and how you like it, you won't be disappointed. I've tried everything from sweet to savory and no matter what I crave they always have something that fits the bill. The portions here are generous so I doubt you'll leave hungry. They have decent coffee but if that doesn't suit your palate, head down the road to Amore. Capital View gets a few brownie points from me for a few reason. 1) It's super close to my house 2) It's cheap 3) It's so tacky inside that I don't feel bad if I just rolled out of bed and wandered in. 4 stars for this local institution. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(4)Emily V.
Actually, more like a 3.5. Service was excellent and friendly. Atmosphere was great...seemed like a community gathering place. Hashbrowns were perfectly done, eggs were a little over done (and the machaca, which my husband was very excited about, was lacking in actual meat). We'll be back!
(4)J. E.
I have to say, I've been here 4 times and 2 out of the 4 were great, and the other 2 were pretty bad. I would suggest something without hollandaise (it's weak and watery) but their hash browns are fantastic! Overall, I really like this little place, and it is definitely worth a try. Also, their baked goods are great. Their caramel pecan roll is my favorite!
(4)Annie D.
Everything on the breakfast menu is big enough to share. With, like, three other people. One of my friends lives in West St. Paul and a group of us ended up here a few weeks ago after a sleepover at her place (following a wonderful night of West Side adventures). She smartly brought us here for breakfast. I had the Cajun breakfast, which was totally unnecessary health-wise, but was good idea according to my hangover. It comes with hashbrowns (which I wanted to be crispier), fried onions, green peppers, mushrooms and over easy eggs with hollandaise. I added chorizo instead of andouille sausage because I like it a bit better. Much like chilaquiles, this is one of the more serious hangover helpers... a pile of food that should probably ONLY be eaten during hangovers. Capital View's version wasn't mind-blowing (I like The Uptowner's better), but it was solid. They also have a full lunch menu and Mexican options too. The staff was so nice there and the coffee flowed freely. It's just a warm, neighborhood place. So even though the food isn't going to win any awards, I just plain liked this cafe a lot.
(4)Ken P.
Really good fish fry. Pollock. Crispy and light batter. Highly recommend the Friday fish fry. We also had the ribs. That was good but I've had way better ribs. I guess it's not really a rib joint so that's understandable. Ok but I wouldn't order them again. French fries were disappointing. Some were thin and nummy; some were thick and mushy. We saw a lot of people with other dishes that looked really good. Total bill for a huge fish fry a gigantic plate of ribs: $20. Really not too bad. We will definitely be back for more.
(4)Mahva J.
This used to be one our regular places for weekend breakfast. We also used to go because of Restaurant.com certificates. They no longer take these, and their food quality has gone wayyyyyyyyyy down. To me, I'd rather get something from a fast food place if this were my only other alternative. In addition to the lacking food quality, the wait staff is highly inconsistent. Once, we were completely ignored after being seated, so we left after 20 minutes. The last two times we went, we had to keep asking for the same things, including portions of our meal, repeatedly. From now on, I'll pass.
(1)Brian R.
Alyssa R took off of work on Friday, which made this Lunch All-You-Can-Eat Friday Fish Fry possible for us. We packed up Pheona & made our way to the Capital View Cafe. I called ahead, asking what time it is served until and was told 2 PM. We pulled up around 1 and found ample street parking available. They don't have a parking lot. The entrance is in the middle of the place with seating on your left and right. We saw a sign that said to seat yourself, so we choose a booth just to the left of the entrance. Our server came very quickly dropping off menus and welcoming us to the restaurant. I had been here once before, while this was Alyssa's first time here. She dove into the menu narrowing down what she wanted to eat. She was torn between the Cajun Breakfast and the AYCE Fish Fry. When our server came back so we could place our order, Alyssa let her know she was thinking about those two. The server gave a great description of the Fish Fry that influenced Alyssa to go that route. Alyssa also went with a coffee. I did a lemonade. The Fish Fry comes standard with Hand Breaded Haddock, French Fries, and Coleslaw. We took in the place while we waited for our order. It's full of knick knacks on shelves and pictures on the walls. Lots of plants, too. There is plenty of natural light that comes through the windows. They have framed newspaper articles and local folklore highlighted throughout. They had music playing which was mostly classic rock. The place was quite busy. Over half of the tables were filled. Being right by the entrance, I saw a steady stream of people walk in. Some were known by first name. This place is popular. Our wait was just over 10 minutes. My first impression was, "Golly! This plate of food sure looks swell!" Coleslaw was colorful and creamy. Purples and Oranges mixed in. The two pieces of Fish had dill flecks in the breading. Truly looked amazing. A perfect wedge of lemon was included on the plate. The fries were your standard O'rida crinkle cut kind. They house make the tartar sauce, and they give you a huge ramekin of it. We got our fries salted and peppered & our Fish lemoned, and dug in! Great Haddock is cooked here. They hand bread it in a flour mixture with Dill flecks. It fries up perfectly golden tan. Fantastic crust surrounding those full flaky fillets. The Fries were alright. About as good as O'rida Crinkle Cut French Fries can get. It was cute watching Pheona eat 'em. The Coleslaw was a little different. It was highlighted with Green Pepper, but not overwhelming it. It got better with each bite. The house-made Tartar sauce was great. Not too tangy. More of a lemon flavor. Nice and chunky with pickles in it. Our server came back at the perfect time to ask about a reorder. I asked for two, while Alyssa asked for just one. When that arrived, within 5 minutes or so, we got more like 5 pieces. I also asked if everything was AYCE or just the Fish. The server told me that just the Fish is, but if I wanted more Fries or Coleslaw to just ask her and she'd get it. I had to ask for extra tartar, as for that didn't come with the reorder. Lemon did, though. Same great Fish for our reorder. Lots of eye appeal with those flecks of Dill. Steamy, white, flaky Haddock exposes itself when you cut in with your fork. Really great Fish. Our bill came to a total of 24 bucks and change after tax. We paid with our debit card with no issues. The All-You-Can-Eat Friday Lunch Fish Fry costs $9.25. That is an awesome price point. This is a great Fish Fry. If you have off on a Friday afternoon, we think this is a perfect spot to grab some lunch or a late breakfast.
(4)Amy R.
Really good place for breakfast and even better that it cost next to nothing. Took advantage of my complimentary groupon deal. Luckily, it was for this place. Have always wanted to try it anyway. The place is much bigger than I thought it would be. Plenty of tables, booths and little booths scattered through out the restaurant. Also a little country store attached quaint and not in an over priced cheesy cracker barrel way. Food was great. Service was great! I ordered the country benedict with sausage patties and gravy. Nutrition wise probably not the best, but whatever. It was very good. The american fries were really cooked to my liking as well. J ordered the cajun burger which they subbed with a turkey burger. They use the good kaiser buns. He said it was a good burger. Very cute place. Remined me of something we would see in Elgin or Streamwood, IL Would defintely go back for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Brent S.
I had the chili red pork... on top of 2 eggs, beans and corn tortillas. Yum!! Fun and local flavor make this a great choice any day of the week.
(4)Brad W.
Very typical diner fare. Nothing remarkable. Went around 11:30 on Sunday during their brunch rush. Waited for over an hour and a half to get food. When it did come, it was cold. Would definitely not recommend. They seemed rather disorganized.
(1)Daniel J.
We have been to this place 4 times already. 2 times, our server was MaryBeth and she was absolutely phenomenal. My family loves her. She is kind, attentive, and doesn't forget anything in regards to your order. However, we are giving it 3 stars. Here is the good and the bad. Pros: The food is great. It's always hot and always fresh. I have never had a bad tasting meal here. The food normally comes out very quickly after ordering, especially on e busy days, ie Saturday and Sunday. Cons: There is no consistency in regards to the food. I ordered an omelette 4 times and each time I got a different portion and kind of potato although I ordered the same American fries. One day the omelet is cheesy, the next day it's not. One day I get 4 pieces of toast with my breakfast, the next day I get 1. Still tastes great, but it sucks not knowing how much food I'm going to get. This right here is the biggest drawback. I hate inconsistency. The left half of the restaurant is very noisy. We are forced to raise our voice when putting in our order. Not cool. All the negatives aside, this place does have good food. Just don't expect to get it the same way each time you order it. Check out Groupon before you go because they always have a 10 for 20 going on. If you can, ask for MaryBeth. She rocks.
(3)Rachelle S.
Great neighborhood gem to grab breakfast or lunch. We went for breakfast. Both kids cleaned their plates. Service was great! Our coffee cups were full and hot.
(5)Cecelia R.
I've only ever been here for breakfast. The place is always packed, which means be prepared to be here a while. It takes a long time for your food to arrive. They do a good breakfast. I've had the Caramel Apple French Toast and the Banana Chocolate Chip pancakes. The French toast was actually too sweet for me, but the pancakes were fantastic. Someone said they don't take credit cards, but I don't remember that being an issue. I never carry cash and I know we didn't spend $50!
(3)Suzy K.
What? View? Where? Stand out in the middle of the street, look south, and you can see the Capitol. What? Service? Where? The waitress takes forever to even get us a menu. Guess how long it took to get water and coffee....and then our order placed....and then to actually receive our food...and then the items that she forgot.... Why is everything SO hot and SO flavorless? No view, no service, no taste, no thank you. Oh - and why do they have deodorant in the women's bathroom for public use? One stick. For anyone. Gross!!!
(1)Jennifer S.
In for a late breakfast on a Friday morning. We sat on the right hand side of the room. Lots of windows facing Smith Ave. allow plenty of morning light in. Our server was cheerful and pleasant. Coffee was average. We ordered our meals and we requested that our orange juices be brought with our meals. A while later, we received our meals and no juice. We were unable to get our server's attention as she speedily flitted around the place. Eventually, we got another server's attention and she brought us our juices. I don't get why when a server asks whether you'd like your juice "now" or "with your meal", and your answer is "with my meal", that it is always forgotten. It has to be re-requested. When, oh when, will I learn this? I had the Cajun with hollandaise on the side. It was good, nothing special. If I come here again, I might consider ordering some of their pancakes or Mexican food items.
(3)Linda H.
I promise, unless something drastically changes again, this will be my last update. The only reason I am even bothering with keeping current on this Cafe is because I really like it! I like the concept of family-owned, working together in the community and all that mushy stuff! Had I updated this a month ago, it would have gone down to a two or one but I waited, gave it one last chance, and so glad I did because I figured it out people!!!!!! Sit to the right!!!! Yes, when you walk in the door, sit to the right for great service and sit to the left if you want to wait on yourself! (Fellow yelpers, I have been there right with you, getting my own coffee, locating missing items in your order, etc.) The times I have had terrible or unusual service ( children or busboys serving) happened to always be on the left side. When we sit to the right, service is spot-on, food is hot and complete with all items, and we are happy happy! I must mention our last dining experience this past week. Our waitress was super! We were waited on immediately, given water and menus, and ordered. She brought us our own water carafe, Yippee!!!! and refilled my DC without my asking and get this---She even noticed I might have wanted more syrup for my french toast (which is delish BTW, nice thick pieces of cinnamon swirl bread)... I felt like I had stepped back into how things used to be at CVC! If you want to like this place as much as I do, then give them another chance or give them a try. P.S. Remember to sit to the right!!!!
(4)Kayla S.
I have been here a couple of times and the experience was not as good as I expected. We sat in a little booth and we were there at around eleven thirty to get brunch and I ordered something very simple pancakes and eggs. My mom got eggs and bacon and toast. And I thought there was no absolute way you can mess up two simple orders like that. When our food came out it was cold and the waitress just re heated it in the microwave and when it came out it was still disgusting, My pancake was not throughly done and my eggs were not even done either. My moms meal was not good the bacon was pitch black and her eggs were not done and the toast was burnt also. We asked if there was a way to get different food and they said there was no absolute way. So we left on a hungry stomach and plus we had to pay for it. And the crazy thing is the waitress was expecting a tip. I will now never be heading back to Capital View Cafe. They just Lost two customers.
(1)Paul P.
I read quite a few reviews of this place about their breakfasts. So many in fact, I had to try it out for myself. I walked in and was greeted quickly with a "good morning, sir". I found a small table and sat down. Promptly asked if I wanted coffee. Sure. Was quickly poured. Server forgot the water. Maybe it is not standard to give water. I thought it was. I was given a menu to look over and decided quickly I wanted eggs, toast, chorizo and hash browns. Waitress came by to take my order. Food was prepared quickly and served. I have not ordered chorizo before, so I was a little surprised that it was served in a Ramkin size bowl. Not a big deal. Quite a few reviews mentioned the portions being so large, you get enough to share if 2 people are light eaters. Looking at my plate, I wonder how that could be. I did not think it was a large portion. Not small either. Normal is what I would say. I am not good at looking at eggs and determining what size eggs they use. Certainly not Jumbo though. Large at best. Maybe even Medium. Eggs were cooked correctly, hash browns were nice and crispy. Toast, hard to screw up toast. Though some like it a bit darker. I do not, so it was toasted properly for me. The food was very good. Chorizo was spiced perfectly for my taste buds. After I finished my food, my issues with this place started. I got the check. $11.23. Huh? I got what is a #5 on their Early Bird Special menu. It was supposed to be $6.99 plus tax. Beverage is included on the Early Bird Specials. Maybe I was supposed to say I wanted the special. But I should not have to. I was pointing at the menu they gave me when I placed my order. So they hooked me into another $3.75. I contemplated mentioning I thought it should be $6.99 plus tax and pointing to the little menu at the table. I decided not to. I am not going to teach people how to treat customers. BTDT. It does not work. Sure, they will apologize and in this case, make the correction to my bill. But they will not do what is necessary to take corrective action to make sure it does not happen again. I paid, left a tip and left. I do not know if I will be back. I liked the place, the food and the service. But I do not like being charged more than I am supposed to. I guess I need to be in business to understand why a place will not take Debit or CC for purchases. I read that they do not unless the order is over $50.00. I have read a street vendor can take Debit or CC, using a small device on a smart phone, I-Pad or I-Pod for just 2.7 percent. No set up charges, no transaction charge other then the 2.7 percent. Why oh why, would a business not be willing to give up 27 cents to get $10.00 from a customer. It is not a deal breaker, since I do not like charging each and every expense I have. I prefer to pay cash mostly. It is just mind boggling to me that a business does not accept cards..
(2)Kyle K.
I have eaten here for breakfast many times over the last few years and the experience has always been great. The food is delicious, the service is good and they give generous portions. I will admit the room on the left is a little weird but overall the atmosphere is pleasant. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a neighborhood cafe with an authentic Mexican addition.
(5)Anna G.
this is the third time I've given this place a chance and it was a very gross again the first two times I tried breakfast and it was burnt!so I gave one to try somebody suggested the chimi changas so I got it it was covered in enchilada sauce it was very nasty tasting the beans n rice for rock hard and ice cold like its been sitting there for 5 daysmy friends sandwich was good he got a Reuben and it looks halfway decent his fries were good I ate mostly his fries and the chili that we ordered I didn't touch my lunch gross I will never go there again 3times is not a charm and I will tell them on my friends not to ever go here it is gross you people need to tell your s*** how to cook or taste your food
(1)Rhonda G.
I don't know how I missed this place, but I rode by and noticed signs offering Mexican food. There's lots of room inside. There were a few specials but the enchiladas with onions caught my eye. They load them with onions. I got a cup of the chili, and even though there were lots of beans in them, they were chili beans, and it was really good on this cold, gray day. A diverse menu for whatever you're in the mood for. They close at 2 every day. I had good service too.
(4)Crysta M.
It's your basic diner, but a little nicer. Place is bigger, food is nicer, and prices are higher (still very reasonable), than your average diner, but despite all that it still feels like a small town diner. I've only ever been here for breakfast, even though they do serve lunch and dinner items. Their french toast and their pancakes are delicious, and as others have said, their coffee is also tasty. The service has always been friendly and prompt when I go. And I'm fairly certain they think the world will end if your coffee cup gets below 50%
(4)Dan B.
I love breakfast. There is nothing I dislike when it comes to the breakfast menu, though I will admit that I prefer egg dishes to pancakes. One of my favorite spots to in Saint Paul to grab breakfast is Capital View Cafe. Capital View Cafe is located on Smith Street at the high end of the bridge, and when you arrive it's easy to tell why they call it Capital View Cafe. Right outside its front door is a great view of our state's Capital, and if you walk a block north you have a great view of all of downtown. Now a great view may nourish the soul but it will not fill the belly, so let's talk about the food. Capital View Cafe has all the traditional offerings that any self respecting breakfast joint should have: a solid eggs benedict, great waffles, hearty biscuits and gravy, and big ol' omelets. It also has a couple of tasty variations on the classics, like my favorite- the Dublin Benedict. In this version of eggs benedict, they sub in corned beef hash for the canadian bacon. Wicked yummy. Now you might be saying to yourself, "Sold. This place sounds great, I'm going to try it this weekend." (Which you should) But Capital View Cafe is just getting started. Everything I have mentioned is great, but I really go there for the Mexican breakfast selections. This is not the New Louisiana Cafe (one of the most overrated breakfast spots in Saint Paul) where they top eggs and cheese with salsa and call it Tex Mex. We are talking about authentic Mexican selections like chipotle red pork chili, huevos con chorizo, and machaca (seasoned shredded beef, onions and peppers scrambled with eggs). All of which are served with refried beans, fresh corn or wheat tortillas, and your choice of homeade salsa (I like to mix the hot and mild). They also serve the best Tex Mex burrito I have found in Saint Paul, as well as classic mexican dishes like huevos rancheros. Every time we go to Capital View Cafe, I have a devil of a time deciding on what to order. Occasionally one of the more traditional american dishes will sneak in, though those days are few and far between. I seriously go there for the Mexican options. My only complaint is that the staff at Capital View Cafe may be too friendly. The clientele is largely regulars, and my wife and I have had slow service on a few occasions when the staff is chatting with the regulars. This is a small complaint, and I hate to point it out because I love the food so much. However, if I don't tell you the truth then my opinion won't mean squat. Capital View Cafe is also open for lunch and has free wifi. I can't say that I have made it in for lunch, but if the authentic mexican lunch options are as good as the breakfast options are, then I am depriving myself of a tasty, tasty midday meal. Give Capital View Cafe a shot dear readers, and I promise you will find the food to be exceptional!
(3)Debra S.
I had the Machaca and loved it. Who would think shredded beef in eggs would be good but it really was. I will definitely be back.
(5)Steven S.
Fantastic service, friendly people, excellent food and an exceptional value and generous portions. I'm a regular and an early bird.. The coffee is usually waiting on my table before I sit down. I have brought many people here and they all say they will be back. it is my favorite restaurant. It can get busy on the weekends. Most places are. During the week is the best time to go if you don't like crowds or do t want to wait. Take advantage of the early bird specials from 7 to 9 mon -friday. You are never rushed, the environment is nice and the Internet is good. I highly recommend it. Give it a try.
(5)Bill P.
The food is pretty good but is often covered in oil and the hash browns are always undercooked. The place is always packed on the weekends, so be prepared to wait. I have never had bad service and the staff is pretty friendly.
(3)Crystal S.
I really want to like this place, I really really do! Its family owned, super close, and has that great small town atmosphere. But no, I just can't do it. We went in for breakfast today and the service was just not acceptable. We were greeted right away and told to seat ourselves, which we did. Less than 5 minutes later someone came by to ask if we wanted coffee and brought it out quickly (side note: this guy was actually really attentive and great! He was a bus boy though, not a server. He looked really young, so maybe that was why, but I would have been more than happy to have him be our server). Anyways, the server finally came over about 10 minutes later to ask if we were ready. We didn't even have menus at this point. After abruptly leaving and then wordlessly dropping them at our table, she left us for about 15 minutes before taking our order. Then came the worst part, she never came back for the next 40 minutes until our food finally came, 40 freakin' minutes!!! We were starving!! I was a server for 5+ years, I know it gets busy, I get that. But, the least you can do is come by and apologize, she literally never even acknowledged the fact that we were in there for over an hour without food. The food itself was pretty subpar also, really blah and basic boring breakfast. We could have (and should have!) made better at home. The coffee was good, all 5 mugs that we drank down while waiting for our food. And again, the bus boys and coffee refillers were awesome, we were never without liquid or left with dirty plates.....if only I could say as much for the service or the food. I was going to write this off as an isolated bad experience, maybe they were just busy. After reading about 10 reviews of the exact same experience though, I can't give them the benefit of the doubt. So, unfortunately I will not be back. I really wanted to like this place :(
(2)Gennifer J.
Never been there until today. Service was great, no complaints there. But the food is bad. I ordered the "Corned Beef and Hash". What they brought to my table was something I easily could have bought myself at the grocery store that very much resembled Mary Kitchens canned hash and it tasted like it. Not a good eating experience. Will not be returning there again.
(1)Irene D.
My boyfriend just moved to the neighborhood so we decided to check out some local joints. This place looked promising, it advertised breakfast and seems to be packed with people. There were reports that Garrison Keillor is a regular customer here...but frankly...I was disappointed. First of all, the service. I am usually not picky about service, I frequent many Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants where the service is abrupt and don't think twice about it. But the service here was just...awkward to the point where I was starting to think they didn't want us there. We walked in and waited cluelessly for about 2 minutes. Were we supposed to seat ourselves? Was the hostess going to seat us? There were no signs to indicate the protocol. We waited for at least someone to give us directions. The 5 people behind the counter seemed to ignore us. Countless waitresses rushed past us without eye contact. I felt like I had walked into an exclusive club. Finally, we found a 2 seat booth that was vacant and sat down. We saw other people who came in after us seat themselves so we were sure that we had followed the correct protocol. There were no menus on the table, so we thought that someone would bring us a menu. Few minutes pass...still no menus. I go to the front and find some paper menus and bring them back to our table. A few minutes later, a waitress appears and tells us, "You don't have to look at those, I have some actual menus." Well, by golly, we wouldn't have even known. Our waiter finally comes by and gives us waters and awkwardly greets us. We order, the cajun breakfast for me and biscuits and gravy for the boy. Our food arrives. The waiter then clarifies what kind of toast I wanted. I told him wheat and he disappears again. The cajun breakfast was your run of the mill greasy spoon menu item. Tons of stuff, fried in oil piled on top of each other. It was quite tasty, but I really couldn't get over how unbrowned the hashbrowns were....even when I had ordered them well-done. They were not even hash tans...the were still hash-white! The "hashbrowns" were sauteed with a scant amount of greenery and were floating in a pool of grease that would make a Chinese take out joint cry. This combined with the hollandaise sauce all over the top...it was too rich even for me. Boy's breakfast was fine, but he isn't as opinionated. Though he did comment that he had had better elsewhere in the city. Also, didn't the waiter tell me I was getting toast? I guess I will never know. I went up to pay and was ignored for a good 2 minutes once again before someone offered to help me. Not even eye contract from a waitress who was waiting for a pot of coffee to fill up. Usually, if the food is up to par, I would overlook any service hitches, but in this case, no dice. The incredibly awkward atmosphere definitely overtakes the mediocre food by a longshot. So all in all...a 2 star experience. I have never been a place with more awkward exchanges. Maybe I will come back on a less busy day and order something else....but probably not.
(2)Dan S.
I'll confirm that they added a no credit card for under $50 rule, but the rule seems to be a little flexible if you ask nicely or are a good customer. I'm writing also today about their Cajun Eggs Benedict. It was friggin awesome! 'Nuff said. Also, I brought my nephew here this weekend and they have a great kids menu. It's $3.99 for breakfast or $4.99 for lunch and comes with a drink. The little guy got two huge pancakes, two large pieces of bacon and apple juice. It was the adult sized portions for kids prices. This benefited me because he could only eat one pancake. I should also mention that you can get a $10 coupon at restaurant.com for $3 for this place.
(5)Griggs N.
Read this complete review, I am recommending this establishment with severe reservations. We ate at Capital View again today. First, the food here is typically very good, and the portions on the large side. We actually like going there. The service is friendly, we like the place. REALLY. HOWEVER... The reason I'm writing today and rating only two stars (I almost went to one star, and I'd really like to give it a four) is that they've recently instituted a cash only policy for food bills less than $50. They will accept a credit card if your food bill is over $50. They've also added an ATM, "for your convenience." Someone who I believe is the owner, saw us hesitate in the doorway as we read the notice. Since he recognized us as repeat customers he called out, "We're just trying to minimize the fees we pay. You can still pay by credit card." The poorly worded and spelled sign in the door, the new policy and how the owner handled it with us really worked its way under my skin while we were there. 1) Why would *any* business (in this economy especially) make it more diificult for a customer to do business with them? One of the goals as a busines is to make it easy for customers to give you their money, isn't it? 2) Merchant rules for both VISA & Mastercard state that no merchant accepting VISA (or Mastercard), whether a mom-and-pop store or a government body like a university, may establish any minimum purchase, maximum purchase, or surcharge for any VISA (or Mastercard) transaction. 3) The ATM on site is not free. It is a fee imposing ATM, from which, I'm sure, the business owner collects a commission or receives a portion of the fees collected. This all adds up to skanky business practicies, is disrespectful of their customers, and just plain wrong. Dear Mr. Restaurant Owner: If you are looking for ways to make more money or cut costs, 1) Watch your waste, 2) Control your portions (I had what looked like 4 scrambled eggs on my plate when 2 would have been more than sufficient), 3) Invite repeat visits, 4) Don't piss off the customer - we have a lot of options out there. I will modify or update this review as things change at Capital View.
(2)Lisa R.
We waited for 1 1/2 hours to get our breakfast. My hashbrowns were not edible since one side was burned black and the inside was not cooked. Gave us $2 off, wow, thanks.
(2)Krysten R.
Oh Capital View - I've spent quite a few mornings sipping a bottomless cup of coffee, enjoying tasty Mexican breakfast dishes, but today will be my last day. When we arrived, our party of four was told the kitchen was running behind (20 - 30 minutes) - we weren't thrilled, but it happens, and we decided to sit down (read: mistake #1). It took more than 20 minutes to be asked if we wanted coffee (by our waitress, a child of 14 years old who repeatedly called me "hun"), another 10 minutes before we were served said drinks, then about 40 minutes later our food arrived. We're not picky eaters, but we did have a few substitutions and extra items ordered - they were forgotten. Our food was so-so, but at that point we were too hungry to complain. I guess I feel they made a bad situation (a slow kitchen) worse: Front of the house should space out seating so that they can catch up/run at a better pace; offer customers free chips/salsa so they don't get gut-rot from drinking 8 coffees during the wait; check on tables often. Prior to this visit, I've enjoyed eating here, though this isn't the first time service has been an issue. The family-run vibe usually adds charm, but this time it equated to amateur-hour as staff tried but failed to address their limited capacity. With so many other brunch options to explore, I'd rather take my chances with the unknown.
(2)Dee T.
I totally dig the vibe here. I love the old lino floor tiles and the tchotchkes dangling from the ceiling and lining the window sills. The sun streams in and the effect is really cheery. The food is pretty good, too, at least for breakfast. Portions are more than decent. I like the huevos Rancheros. The Cajun breakfast is a heart attack on a platter but oh-so-tasty. Our service has always come with a smile; sure, it has a tendency to be a little slow, but our waitress works the whole room and freaking relax a bit for once, mkay? I'll have to remember to try their Mexican lunch items sometime. Duly noted: bring cash. Not really a big deal at all, because it's not La Belle Vie prices.
(4)Charles P.
Very good breakfast. Service was excellent. Had huevos rancheros and it was delicious. Will definitely be coming back. Price is reasonable also. Recommend !!
(4)Thaddeus S.
This is a great local restaurant in WSP. I have only been here for breakfast, but I have to rate this place as one of my favorites. As Dan S has said, the Cajun Eggs Benedict is fantastic. Probably the best hollandaise sauce I've had in the TC area so far. The menu has a Spanish flair to it, but also has all the normal American favorites. Being that I like this place so much, I keep expecting to have to wait for a table when I get there, but due to its descent size I've always gotten a table right off the bat. I'll add updates to this review if I can ever get myself to order something other than the C.E.B. This is defiantly a must try if you are in the area. And yes they have a view of the capital if you stand in the middle of the street. Just don't' get hit by a car. Unless you like that sort of thing...
(5)Sarah G.
My first worry was about the no Credit Cards under $25.00 (we were told but there was a sign that said $50.) I just had a feeling when we walked up to the cafe that they did not take Credit Cards. There is an ATM to the left of the front door and it's a minimal charge of $1.95 to take out some $$ - if your bank does not charge and your desperate - it's not a huge hit to the piggy bank. This place looks like it should be on Diners, Drive in and Dives. We stopped before going to the Science Museum hoping that the meals would cover us until dinner. The portions were HUGE, I only ate half of my tex-mex and saved the rest for dinner. It was a great meld of eggs, potatoes, sausage & texas sauce. Matt had a build your own omelette with toast & potato. We sat in the back corner in a cute little booth for 2,nice and cozy &slightly romantic for a diner at 9 am. It is a nice hidden gem in St. Paul.
(4)Patrick F.
The only place in the cities forSouthwest US Mexican-American breakfast. This place is really outstanding for breakfast. The portions size is huge, so be ready to eat. I moved here from Denver, and this the only place in the cities I have found that you can get a smothered breakfast burrito. (Always looking for others, let me know if they are out there). If you have spent any time in Colorado, New Mexico, or other parts of the Southwest US, you know what green chili is. The CVC doesn't have green chili, BUT the ranchero sauce is good. It is not authentic green chili--not really even all that close--but it fills a void in my stomach... Overall, this pace is outstanding. Yes, service can be on the slow side, but on a weekend morning, I am in no rush. The credit card thing is annoying, and unfortunately becoming more common. If you are going to the CVC, bring cash, bring the paper or some good company, and go a weekend morning. The food is totally worth the wait.
(5)Becky S.
One of my favorite cafes. Huge portions and yummy comfort food. I LOVE the Cajun Breakfast! Their catering is fantastic. I used them for my store opening and Glen, one of the owners, was very accommodating and open to my suggestions. I had prime rib, cut for little sandwiches and a beautiful cheese and fruit tray. Just lovely. Most of the time customer service is great. Sometimes a little sketchy.
(3)