Black Walnut Café

Black walnut is just OK… Food is average for the local area but the prices are above average. Inconsistent execution from the kitchen leaves you wondering if you ordered the same meal as you did last time. Not a fan of having to go get my own food, I also believe the layout of the restaurant is wrong which causes confusion when ordering and picking up your food. Better options available in Allen.

When you walk in, you order your food then get a seat. There are no waiters for breakfast. I had the french toast, eggs, turkey sausage and breakfast potatoes. French toast was incredible! I definitely recommend it since its made with challah bread. Everything else was okay. but do not get the breakfast potatoes. They chop the potatoes into little tiny cubes, almost the size of those frozen diced carrots you get in the store then they add a ton of onions to it. That wasn’t home fries to me. But the atmosphere was pleasent. They have an outside patio which is nice. Overall, the breakfast was just okay, nothing spectacular about it.

Had migas yesterday and chicken fried steak today. Migas were more stacked than traditional casserole but flavor and feta cheese were excellent. The CFS was fork tender and a nice breading. Only one suggestion: more gravy, please! One daughter had pot roast grilled cheese. She says she would have like some au jous on the side. Other daughter had steak and eggs. Says she would have them again. Wife had American breakfast and a croissant… all were very nice, especially the breakfast potatoes.

We tried this place for the first time. Great ambience. Spacious, nice seating. Centre bar. We tried their Texas cut challah french toast and tex mex omlette. Both were yummm. Would love to try more stuff on menu. Great place to hang out with friends.

Ambience was nice, food was just okay. I had Lobster Tacos and Cesar Salad. Nothing special, should serve with some type of sauce. My cousin ordered a burger and sweet potato fries. The fries were cold but staff was nice in replacing them. The manager came by to ask if we were satisfied. I went for a Strawberry Green Tea, had to pour it out, seemed to be watered down or not mixing properly. The Mango Tea was better but not great. I gave two stars for the atmosphere only and the effort of the staff. The food needs work.

The buzzer went off, we got our food, we ate, we left a review. My girlfriend stubbed her toe on the artichoke.

Overall I would say that this is a very cute eclectic café that offers a nice variety of healthful, tasty foods.
As someone that does not particularly care for too much bread, I was a bit disappointed to see that there was an overwhelmingly large proportion of entrees that include in pasta or bread. I had the grilled chicken breast with vegetables and potatoes. I’d say it was pretty good even though the chicken breast was overly salted.
I also had the Frappuccino which is spectacular. It is what Starbucks Frappuccinos really should be.
I do not think that there should be a tip line at all. You as the patron have to fetch your food and drink you find a seat for yourself. Not that it is a bad thing, I just don’t think that this warrants a tip really.
I really hope that the owners of this Café are not under paying their staff and depending upon the public to tip the employees– IE to pay the restaurant owner’s bills. Now for the bar area, that is a different thing altogether: yes, you should tip. But for the rest of the area– no tip should be necessary when the patron is doing all the work.
I would like to add that the atmosphere is really beautiful and laid-​back.

Came here last night for dinner even though this is probably more of a lunch place. My husband and I weren’t too hungry, so we decided to check this place out. You order your food first, then pay, then you receive a pager, get your own drinks, and the rest you self serve.
Atmosphere: Very casual. Several seating areas. There’s 2 dining room areas to the left with bigger seating tables. There’s a bar area with booth and tables. There’s a casual lounge area right in the front with tables and also couches with tables. And then there’s a patio also, but not much light was available at night. Good to come with a group of friends.
Food: I ordered the Turkey burger with sweet potato fries. It was huge !! The patty was much bigger than the bun and equipped with lettuce, tomato, and avocado. I couldn’t finish it. The sweet potato fries were yummy. I really enjoyed my meal.
My husband had the New Orleans/​Louisiana pasta. I forgot the actual name. They had plenty of ingredients in the pasta such as shrimp, crawfish, and sausage. The sauce was tasty. It was also accompanied with garlic bread. The portion was just right for one person. You’ll be nice and full afterwards. The only thing we didn’t like was how soggy the noodles were. We tend to like them more al dente.
Service: It was pretty quiet in the evening, but they would still make an effort to come to our table to see how we were doing. Even the manager came by to say hi and acknowledged the soggy noodles. He just apologized for the consistency due to making a huge pot of pasta is difficult to get the right texture.
Overall it was a pretty cool hang out spot for lunch. I’ll be back in the future.

It’s more of casual upscale café. You order at the register, and they provide you a pager to alert you when the food is done. Seating is first come, open style, you chose your table or booth. They will assist I delivering your food to your table.
They have a full service bar, and customers sitting at the bar can order food directly from bartender.
We like several items with lobster benedict being a favorite.
Overall we enjoy Black Walnut, but for the price they should bring your food to the table. Even Chick Fil A does that for dine in customers.

The food was edible. And the manager guy was very nice and helpful. But the setup of the restaurant is the worst of cheap service you can get. At least at normal quick service places they don’t ask little old ladies to carry heavy plates full of food across a packed dinning room. It’s just a ridiculous situation that I can only imagine leads to messes and maybe someday a lawsuit.
Also don’t order the hummus it comes with fried wontons not pita. Just in case you didn’t read the fine print like us…

This place is great and has become a staple. Food has been food and staff is always friendly, not to mention they always got the game on tv. Sometimes it’s taken a long time to get our food when it was very early and that’s the only downside. This a great pick for some homestyle cooked food with nice expensive gelato for desert

Way too long lines as if they are selling «quality.» But it was not even close.
Disoriented order takers at the counter. Cashier said they have boiled eggs but after a wait of 45 min, we were told, they dont. No one ever apologized and the manager on top of it showed rudeness. I dont understand how such people and such businesses survive the industry for this long.
Definitely not going back. Menu is over priced for the quality and bland taste, wait is way too long and even then the order comes messed up. All can be ignored, may be, if they learn to accept mistakes and start apologizing regardless of origin, skin, and gender of the customer. It spoiled a perfect morning for our guests that we wanted to make very memorable. Lolz They still remember it (its been 3 months now) but with a bitter memory.

This location and the newer one in Frisco are on our regular rotation. The counter service works well. The people are eager to explain the menu items to you. Lots of choices on the menu for everyone — even fussy kids will find something here. Menu is combo of new american and italian with a bit of mexican thrown in. We’ve always been happy to come here. Very good food in a really nice atmosphere at a reasonable price.

When Saturday morning arrived, I was tired of my usual bagel or bowl of cereal and decided to try the Black Walnut Café. I arrived at about 10:30 a.m. (CST) to find the restaurant seating area crowded but no patrons in line to order breakfast. My order was taken quickly. The staff was friendly and very helpful as I navigated the menu. I decided on the Eggs Benedict with a side of bacon and orange juice. I was given an electronic pager and told to find a seat.
Finding a seat was difficult as many patrons were enjoying the breakfast and lingering over their morning cup of coffee. I located an empty table near the front door but soon realized that every time the door opened I was treated to a cold blast of Texas winter. It was time to find another table. I stood up from my table and started looking for another located further from the door. I did not find an open table immediately. I kept an eye open for patrons ready to leave and soon found a promising table where a couple were putting on the coats. As soon as they walked away from their table, I put my coat on the chair and started bussing the table. I picked up the dishes, stacked the glasses, and collected various items. Oops, the couple previously at the table had forgotten their iPhone, keys, and glasses. I gathered these items and made haste to the parking lot where I found the couple returning for their forgotten items.
Back at the table, I found the bussers tray and deposited the dishes and wiped down the table. Sitting down, I discovered that orange juice was waiting for me at the fresh juice bar and the Eggs Benedict was ready as well. The juice was the perfect blend of fresh oranges. The Eggs Benedict was perfect. The poached extra large eggs were filled with a warm yolk that spread nicely over the English muffins. The Hollandaise sauce was citrusy with just a bit of heat from Cayenne pepper. The side of artisanal bacon I ordered was a bit too peppery for my taste. I finished the rashers but I wouldn’t order it again.
As I finished my breakfast, I noticed more and more folks wandering around the restaurant looking for a place to sit after ordering their meal. The lunch crowd had started to arrive at the restaurant and the line was to the door. Not wanting to be «that guy» who just sat their after finishing his meal, I picked up my jacket and walked to the door. I look forward to returning to the Black Walnut Café for lunch. But, I’ll avoid the lunch (or dinner) rush so I can take a little longer to enjoy what I’m sure will be a wonderful meal.
Give the Black Walnut Café a try. As a popular new restaurant, you might even run into a family member, a neighbor, or a friend.

Food was fine. Concept of a counter service café was almost a deal breaker. Can get full service at the bar.
Seem to have a faithful clientele. Business was brisk.
Just not my cup of tea.

Black Walnut is relatively new to Allen. I’ve visited this location around 5 times or so. Here’s what I think. It’s located on Stacy Road and it’s pretty easy to get to. The parking is pretty good and there’s never a problem finding a spot to secure my vehicle. B
Upon entering, the place is actually very clean, you walk in and the feel is secure and comfortable. The place was designed to accommodate a nice size crowd, or just a couple people. Your food is ordered at a register, so when you walk in, you grab a menu and make your selection. Typically, it’s pretty fast to order, get your table and have your food ready. When your food is ready, there is a buzzer that goes off, you get your own food, but they will help you carry it to your table. B
The food selection is good, there’s a variety of entrees to order, it’s enough to please a large crowd with different taste buds. B
There is a bar there in case you want to order a cocktail or beer. The bar is attached to the gelato and pastry bar. I found the person that tends these areas to be less responsive than the rest of the restaurant. It wasn’t bad service, just not above the top. I’ve had more than one experience where I’m waiting to order a beer, or a gelato or a cookie, and I’m watching one or to people behind the bar chatting. While I understand that it’s important to discuss last nights episode of Game of Thrones, can I please have my cookie and Shiner? C–
The food is pretty good, but nothing really stands out. I’ve gone through the burger menu and had everything from turkey burgers to blue cheese burgers. Not bad, but not incredible. The good news is the kids like it and the food comes pretty fast. To categorize this place, I’d say that nobody in my family ever screams «lets go to Black Walnut», but if I suggest it, nobody ever sayd «lets not!». B–
My overall impression is that it will do in a pinch. If I find myself in the area and we want something to munch on, this place is always a viable option, it just depends on what it is you are looking for. They can accommodate a family sized crowd and it’s far away from the outlets to not be impacted by the traffic.
Overall score — B-​, which isn’t bad.

Interesting concept. Having not read anything about the restaurant beforehand I was a little surprised. The restaurant feels like upscale fast food. The food was good but the restaurant isn’t really my style.

There’s no real service here. The food takes forever to become available. The staff are not good with eye contact. We won’t be going here again.
***
This post is in regards to the comment from:
Reah J. of Black Walnut Café
Business Manager
12/​28/​2015 Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing. We hope that you will give us another chance, your experience is very important to us and we wish that we had impressed you more. Also we do offer full service when seated at the bar and thanks for letting us know about your comments. Have a great holiday season.
***
My reply to this is that your establishment disappointed us very much. When told that «full service» was available at the bar, we went there and sat there like complete suckers for ten minutes. This isn’t «full service». This is being ignored, and an establishment like this knows that.
I had the Steak & Eggs, while my fiancée has the Migas. The steak was overcooked for having it requested as medium rare. No love in the presentation or the taste. It was bland as boringness could be. The eggs were runny for being scrambled. I suspect that the eggs were not fresh, but rather some egg product poured from a carton. Disappointing.
The Migas were ordered. Not great. Pico de gallo is not just tomato sauce and a sprinkling of cilantro. No love there, either.
I’m sure some people love this place, but we’re not those people. We came in expecting good things on a Monday, and your establishment was the stereotype of a bad Monday experience. Good luck in whatever you end up doing.
Sincerely,
Drew {:)
***

Food, very low quality and mostly served cold and Ned’s to be sent back to be re-​heated.
Price, very pricey for what you get. My kids get 3 regular size pancakes for $ 7? Really!
And management and as you can see from all the answers on previous reviews — they do not give a damn, you guys need to trust your customers when they tell you that water drinking glasses stink of eggs. DO NOT tell them on its the smell of the water in the dishwasher .
That is also disgusting .
Plates, every plate had finger prints on it from the kitchen staff, how appetizing .
Ordering line, horrible system to order and pick up your food yourself and forget about service but yet pay a premium price.
Upscale sitting, I like … But it is all over the place … The bar eats the majority of the design and not the best promotion for families who try not to mix their kids up with any displayed alcoholic drinks … This place is right in your face .
Quality– ½ star
Management –0 stars
Prices — 1
Overall — 1 star

On a Tuesday not very busy so food didn’t take long. I got the turkey burger and it was delicious. Really moist and tasty. The pesto mayo is a great touch, wheat bun and sweet potato fries on the side also good. Nice ambience too, didn’t realize it was the setup including a bar and Gelato area. This one will go into the quick meal bucket of restaurants.

This place is a little odd. Its sort of fast casual concept. However, many of the things seems to indicate its wants to be more upscale then that — some of the menu items, using real dishes, price and décor. I was definitely put off for this price that I had to order at the counter and pick up my own dish. Since it was a heavy and large dish it was actual complicated to carry it outside through the heavy doors. If you were trying to carry more then one it would definitely be difficult.
I thought my food was pretty good. The menu was all over the place and too big and I had a hard time deciding. I got the pot roast grilled cheese with salad. It was a large portion, but the price was too high for a grilled cheese in my opinion. It was rich and decadent and had a rich flavor. The bread was very good. The salad was pretty basic. While I was happy with the salad, It would have been nice to have a side choice.

Atmosphere is nice. Menu has a lot to offer. You order at the counter and pick up your food when it’s ready.
What I didn’t like about the process is when it gets busy, everyone is hovering over the food as they are ready to be picked up. Some people pick up food by accident then put it back. I’m not a fan of people breathing over my food so the experience was disturbing.
Food is average. For similar food at the same price I’d go elsewhere.

I had my first experience at The Black Walnut Café. I had no expectations but was really pleased at how great the food is! We had 11 people in our party and everyone enjoyed their food.
I was not prepared for ordering my food at the counter and having to go pick it up myself as I like to go out and be served but because the food is so good, I will definitely return.

Yeah I didn’t want to give it a star. We went right after it first opened. The food was decent but crazy overpriced.
We’ve been back twice and have ultimately decided not to go back. The food went downhill fast. It’s so bland. And I think the portion size shrinks every month.
The last and final straw for us was the other night. Hubs ordered the Cobb salad which has maybe a half of a piece of bacon in it and if there were avocados in there we couldn’t find them. I ordered grilled cheese and tomato soup. My soup was sort of the color of tomato but tasted nothing like it. You could see the oil floating on the top too. The grilled cheese was just ok. Save your money and go to Sonic instead! Their grilled cheese is just as good, perhaps better!

Was a perfect environment for a working brunch. No wait staff, so we could take as long as we wanted. I had the big breakfast. Pancake wasn’t the best, but potatoes were really good. My coworkers got a turkey burger and their main bacon cheeseburger. Both were great!
Highly recommend for slower meal consumption and good conversation

It’s definitely a great place for a quick meal on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning. You order your food at the take out counter and then get a number, pick a table and they buzz you when food is ready. Even on their busiest days… food is no more than 8−10mins of wait. Today, we waited maybe 5 mins before our food was done and it was fast and efficient and exactly what we ordered.
It’s a great alternative to Panera and most casual restaurants.

I came here for brunch, and I simply love this place; the food was delicious, the service fast & friendly, and the ambiance is great!
I had the blackened salmon Caesar salad. I have to that I don’t have a favorite salad, but now I do! The blackened salmon was either pan-​seared or lightly fried to bring out the smokey-​ness of the salmon; it was soft and crunchy! The garlic bread was warm and soft with a light crunchy to it! The croutons were a bit hard.
Overall, I like black walnut café; I would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner!
FOOD: ⁵⁄₅
SERVICE: ⁵⁄₅
AMBIANCE: ⁵⁄₅

Completely underwhelming.
Pulled pork is almost inedible, Cuban… blech.
Only thing that salvaged 2 stars was the sweet potato fries. Taste is good (think tarot chips)

My wife and I have been here a couple times now. My wife got a turkey sandwich the first time and wasn’t crazy about it. But came back and tried the grilled cheese which my wife said was the best she has ever had. She also liked the tomaro soup that came with it. We came for brunch and loved everything we got (breakfast enchiladas, challah french toast with sausage and fresh strawberries, Carmel machiatto). My mother in law and sister in law loved the Andersons about time chicken sandwich they got and also the doohickey sluthwestern egg roll.
Love that they don’t have waiters so that you don’t have to pay the extra cost for tip. Prices are pretty reasonable across the board. We will be back for more!

Great place for brunch or eating during «off» hours. I was a little thrown aback because I thought it was a restaurant, but it’s actually just casual dining, like a café. You walk in, check out the menu and order. Your food’s ready, the buzzer goes off and you pick it up. You’re able to eat at your own pace and enjoy your coffee or ice cream after. There’s no rush!
They have a wide range of selection from salads, to sandwiches, to pot roasts, to omelets, to desserts and ice cream. Great place to grab your friends and family and catch up!