Five Star Day Cafe

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

My family has eaten at this EAST SIDE LOCATION of the Five Star Day Cafe about 8 times in the past year or so. We've always enjoyed our meals there -- especially the daily specials and the banana pudding. Unfortunately, our last visit really bounced them off of our "favorite restaurant in Athens" list.

We arrived around 5 on Friday for an early dinner; the place was empty. My husband ordered all of his usual items: "Hot Buttered Soul Chicken" -- listed on the menu as "a half chicken basted in herb butter and coated in our nine-spice blend of jamaican seasoning," a cup of their chicken and dumplings for an appetizer, and inquired about their banana pudding, since there was none in the refrigerated case. (Some was found in the back).

I ordered my usual "Lone Star Trout" -- rainbow trout dusted in cornmeal and pan fried, served over rice with a side of fried green tomatoes.

Our daughter ordered the stuffed meatloaf.

My husband found the chicken and dumplings (which used to be one of his favorites) inedible. It had been watered down and was thin and tasteless. His half chicken arrived as two pieces: a wing and a blackened chicken back.

My rainbow trout had such an unnatural and unpleasantly strong "fishy" taste that I could not eat it. (Trout should never have a fishy smell -- it suggests that the fish is well past its prime.)

Our daughter had no complaints about her meatloaf. The fried tomatoes were good; my corn muffin was mediocre.

When my husband inquired as to where his "half chicken" was, the server brought him an additional chicken breast -- no sign of the half chicken they've always served in the past. The server comp'ed me for my disappointing trout by offering a second banana pudding dessert.

Unfortunately, whoever made the banana pudding must not have read the label on the instant pudding box and used lemon pudding instead of banana or vanilla pudding with the Nilla wafers, which resulted in a very peculiar taste. (I'm trying not to think that it may have been made with bad milk.) The pudding was also watery and was missing the meringue advertised in the menu. We barely touched both desserts.

I don't know if the restaurant has a new owner, manager, cook or what, but this $40 meal was a total waste of our money. None will be spent there in the future.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This has consistently been some of my favorite food in Athens, and that's saying a lot. I love all the veggies (the salad dressings are fabulous) and daily specials. I'd never had sweet fried green tomatoes before them, but now I crave them. The thing about the service is that it's kind of an order at the counter, fill up your drink, and be prepared to be left alone thing... I personally like that. If you need something, you just walk the 3 feet to the counter. I love how the place is decorated with the mismatching floral tablecloths and local art. For a less crowded experience, go to the one on the east side... not as much people watching, but great food and lots of parking!

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5 star day is what make Athens, Athens. People who are expecting to be treated like a queen, need not come. 5 star day is a laid back place, which is more a serve yourself kinda place. The foods is the best! They have the best fried green tomatoes, collard green and the best gravy. Everything is always fresh and homemade. Just be nice and not stuck like some of the out of town college people who visit here and return back to their spoil lives in atlanta. Ask for what you need. They are always nice and helpful to me. They always give you and homemade muffin with your meal and price wise they are pretty fair. They have local art hanging on the walls for sell. They have a new items for the day, everyday. They also carry homemade dessert which are always good. Banana Pudding is mine fav. Athens wouldn't be athens without the good soul food of 5 star day! Try it for yourself and see! Everything I have ever had has always been good.

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