Frequency Asked Questions
Last Updated: December 12, 2014
What is the restaurant's mascot suppose to be?
It is an egg.
What are Home Fries?
They are country-styled fried potato cubes or chunks. Our Home Fries commonly includes onions and bell peppers, but you may explicitly request to have either one or both not included in your order. You may also add cheese and extra onions to your Home Fries for $1.50 extra.
I know that I can add cheese and onions to my home fries or hash browns for $1.50 extra, but can I add it to other food items? Can I also add only cheese or only onions?
Yes, you can. If it's not on hash browns or home fries, most people add it on top of their eggs or scrambled with their eggs, but you can also add it to other food items if that is your preference. You can also add only cheese or only onions to any food item.
What types of soup do you serve?
It depends on the day, because it's usually not the same. Please ask a server or find and look at the whiteboard to know about the soups of the day. In the past, we had served clam chowder, green chili soup, chicken noodle soup, beef vegetable soup, etc. Popular soups tend to be more recurring than others. Soups aren't commonly available early in the mornings. It is normally not available during weekends.
Do you have daily specials?
Yes, we do. Daily specials are commonly written on the whiteboard near the entrance. Also, check our Twitter (follow @Tommys_Cafe209) to view our daily specials online or on your mobile device #tommyscafe
Do I have to wait for one of the servers to let me sit at a table?
No, you may sit at any open table you may like once you enter the restaurant. If you want a particular table, like the booth, please wait for the people to finish eating and for it to be cleaned. Tell a server your intention so that there will be communication among the staff, and you will be more likely to secure your desired table. During very busy hours, if you arrive and sit at a dirty table, please tell a server that you have just arrived and that you weren't the previous people who have just finished their meal. We will get someone to clean it, and there will be less problems with miscommunication. Sometimes, you may stand closer to the desired table to secure it as long as you don't obstruct pathways; otherwise, you would have to stand and wait near the door.
I want to reserve a table. How should I do this?
Please call the specific restaurant location ahead of time, specify the number of guests expected, and the time and date you are expected to arrive. We will try our best to schedule and accomodate a table for you. Certain days may be very busy, and it may be hard to accomodate a large group last minute. For very large groups, the best location to accommodate the size is on the restaurant on Wilson Way. Otherwise, please expect a waiting period while you stand if you still desire to arrive in-person on a walk-in basis.
Can I place a to-go order?
Yes, you can. You can place a to-go order on the phone ahead of time and come pick it up at the restaurant. (Make sure you call the correct location if you plan to go pick it up.) You can also place a to-go order in-person and wait until its done. If you want to know what is on the menu, then look at the menu posted on this site or pick up a physical to-go menu at either restaurant location. The physical to-go menus are typically located on the bar counters, near the cash registers. Waiting time varies depending on how busy the day is, the cooking time & quantity of the food item(s) that you ordered and how many servers and cooks are staffed on that day. This may be more convenient for you if dining at a table is not feasible, and you don't mind waiting.
Is there delivery available?
Unfortunately, it is currently not available. However, you could place a to-go order via phone or in-person at any restaurant location and pick it up at that specific location.
Am I allowed to switch to another table / sit together at another table with other patrons who arrived earlier or later / pay for another table?
Yes, you can. Nonetheless, please inform your server of your decision. Different servers may be serving different tables, so it would be pleasant to be informed beforehand. The information on the computer and on the receipts would be under different server names and/or table numbers. There is no current possibility to merge different tables (especially from different servers) in the computer programming, so you will expect separate checks. Communication is key to prevent future issues.
Do I pay at the front counter or wait at my table until my server picks up the money or card that I left on the table, cashes out my check for me and returns with the change and receipt copy?
A majority of the time, you pay at the counter where the cash register is located. This method is preferable, especially on busy days as the latter method would cause you to wait even longer. If you haven't received your check yet but would like to pay, don't be afraid to come to the front counter and ask for it. Just make sure to have an idea of who your server was (mainly the person who took your order) and what table number you sat at.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we do! We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover ONLY! Unfortunately, we do not currently accept American Express. We are sorry for the inconvenience on that part.
May I request for a to-go box?
Yes, you may. You may ask your server to bring it for you or you could come to the front counter and request for it. Just specify how many boxes and what size(s) you would like (large or small.)
Do you sell gift certificates or gift cards?
We currently sell gift certificates. Just ask for one with your specified amount of money at the cash register. It is not redeemable for cash once purchased, however. In addition, it is preferable to use it in the same restaurant location that you purchased it from as both locations use completely different computer programs to process and deduct your balance on your specific gift certificate, and these computer programs are not currently linked.
Why did some menu items and/or prices change?
Menu item changes depend on its popularity; whereas, the price changes depend on the current economy and changing food prices.
You used to have dinner. Why did you stop?
Our breakfast and lunch were more popular, so we decided to dedicate more towards that.
When did you implement the new business hours change?
We implemented our new business hours (6am-3pm everyday) in mid-October 2014. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We plan to change the hours on the large sign soon.
What kind of potatoes do you use?
Idaho potatoes. We currently don't have red potatoes.
Are the fruits and vegetables fresh?
Yes, they are fresh. They arrive fresh, and we prepare and cut them daily. Just know that the plentifulness of certain fruits will depend on the season. Not all fruits are naturally available in large quantities season-round.
Are the green beans canned?
No, the green beans are delivered to the restaurant fresh, and it is cooked and boiled during the preparation of the dish.
Why do certain items take longer to make?
Meats, especially thicker cuts of meats, typically take longer to cook than certain items like eggs, toast, or pancakes. We do not cook the meats ahead of time and reheat it, so a longer waiting time is expected. We do not wish to serve you raw meat.
May I order lunch items for breakfast and vice versa?
Yes, you may. However, soup may not be instantly available in the early mornings. It takes time to prepare a large, fresh batch from scratch, and it's preferable that it will be hot & ready for the lunch hour.
How big and how many pancakes come with a dish/meal?
In the short & tall pancakes, it is the size of a large plate. A short stack of pancakes consists of 2 pancakes. A tall stack of pancakes consists of 3 pancakes. In the pancake combo, it consists of 2 pancakes that are the size of a salad plate. As a side in the traditional breakfasts or as its own side, it consists of 1 pancake that is the size of a salad plate. In the Little Tommy's Silver Dollar Pancakes, it consists of 3 pancakes that are slightly smaller than the size of a salad plate--not literally the size of a silver dollar.
What kind of gravy do you serve?
We primarily serve homemade country gravy, which is the white-colored one. We also serve brown gravy, but it's mainly for lunch. If you prefer a particular gravy, please explicitly and clearly say so during your order.
Do you have sugar-free syrup?
Yes, we do. We don't normally place it out on the tables, but we have several bottles in the back. Just ask your server for a bottle of sugar-free syrup.
May I have a bottle of ketchup, mustard and/or mayonnaise?
Yes, you may. Ketchup bottles are usually placed on the tables everyday at 6:00am until we take it back in the kitchen to store in the refrigerator at 12:00pm. For mustard and mayonnaise, you would have to request for it to be brought out to you as it is not commonly placed on the tables daily.
Do you have A1 Steak Sauce?
Yes, we do.
On which drinks do I have free refills on?
Water, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, sodas and lemonade. No free refills on milk, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, milkshakes, soda floats and juices--excluding lemonade.
Is the iced tea flavored? Is it brewed or instant?
The iced tea is not flavored. It is plain, unsweetened tea. However, you can request for lemon or extra lemons for a slightly citrus flavor in your iced tea. Normally, lemon is always placed in the iced tea, but you may request for "iced tea with no lemon." We also have a variety of sugars or sugar substitutes on the tables to let you adjust your sweetness preference. If there are no more particular sugars or sugar substitutes on the table that you are sitting at, you may request for a server to bring some to you. The tea used for the iced tea is always brewed. We brew a fresh batch of tea every morning at 6:00am.
What brand of Root Beer do you have?
We currently have Barq's Root Beer. If you're also curious, it does have caffeine in it.
Is the lemonade flavored?
No, it is not flavored; it is plain lemonade. Also, you can have free refills with lemonade as it is listed within the soft drinks section--no free refills for other juices though.
Do you have creamers?
Yes, we do. We usually place bowls of creamers on the tables everyday at 6:00am. After 12:00pm, we take all bowls of creamers from unoccupied tables back in and place it in the refrigerators. At this point, you would have to ask for it. On busy days or with popular tables, bowls of creamers may be empty before 12:00pm; just ask your server for more creamers.
Do you have any flavored creamers for coffee?
As of now, we only serve plain half & half. You may request for a specific flavored creamer, and if we get enough demands for it, we may consider it for the near future.
What should I do if I find the coffee too strong for my liking?
Unfortunately, we don't serve lighter roastings of coffee, like the Cinnamon roast or the New England roast (or the Blonde roast, if you're used to Starbucks terminology.) However, you may add more creamer or request for hot water to adjust the intensity of your coffee. You may also add sugar or a little bit of salt to reduce the natural perceived bitterness of coffee. Otherwise, feel free to ask for a new cup of coffee or another drink instead.
May I request for toast with no butter? May I request for toast with more butter?
Yes, you may (for both questions!) If you would like toast with no butter on it, you may tell the server that you would like "toast with no butter" or "dry toast." If you would like more butter, just ask for more butter on the side. As always, please and thank you is much appreciated.
For the Half Sandwiches, may I order a salad instead of a soup?
Yes, you may order a side salad instead of a cup of soup.
When are your busiest days?
The busiest days are commonly during the weekends or holidays. On the weekends, Sundays are usually the busiest with more parties and to-go orders. On a normal weekday, busy hours are usually 9-10am and 12pm. During the weekends and holidays, busy hours are usually 8am-12:45pm. If you would like to come on a less busy day or hour to secure a nicer table and get better service, now you know.
When did you open?
Our first restaurant that is located on Pacific Avenue was officially opened on Monday, January 09, 2012. Our second restaurant that is located on Wilson Way was officially opened on Monday, October 06, 2014.
I want to apply for a position. Where and how should I apply?
Job application forms are only available on-site at the restaurant on Pacific Avenue. Please come pick one up and complete it. To optimize your chances, it is best to have your resume on hand and submit it with your application--this is especially helpful if we happen to run out of forms and a resume suffices on its own. You may submit it to either the restaurant on Pacific Avenue or Wilson Way. Make sure to write out which location you would love to work at; it is also possible to write out that you would love to work at both. We will call you in for an interview when a position is open and available.
If you do not know what to put on a resume, a quick Google/Bing/Ask/other search engine search will provide a good general idea and information of a resume format or a generic resume template. Resumes are usually 1 page long. A general resume would consist of the following (most important are in bold):
-Your full name, your address, your phone number and your email address
-A short & simple objective as to why you want this particular job and what type of role you would like
-Your high school and/or college education (Name of school, degrees completed, (expected) graduation date)
-Work Experience (name & location of job, your job title, name of supervisor(s), start & end salary, start & end dates, short description of job role)
-Other activities, such as volunteer work or internships [Optional]
-Personal Skills & Talent (preferably skills related to your desired job role)
-Related certificates or certifications (like a non-expired Basic Food Handler Certificate)
-Personal references who are not your family (Name, relationship to you and phone number)