Restaurant Review: Another Broken Egg Cafe in Dallas’ Casa Linda Plaza

CitizenKane, says:

I don't doubt that this place will be successful. But then America's food bar is extremely low.

There is nothing special about another corporate franchise chain restaurant that serves factory food. Additionally, it isn't inexpensive.

It's concept is "Cracker Barrel" without the front porch rockers.

Give me small mom+pop owned/operated places over these kind of consumer rippoffs any day.

xdavidwattsx, says:

ABE is a corporate franchise chain?

jtmbls, says:

oooo...beer biscuits...oooo

bigeholmz, says:

any shop that's willing to open up in casa linda (especially in this economy) shouldn't be poo-pooed because its not locally owned and operated. i would imagine 95% of the folks that have been to abe live in the casa linda area and have spent their fair share of time at barbecs over the years. it's something different that's all, and there's obviously a demand for some morning dining alternatives. ultimately, we need all businesses to succeed in casa linda so it will be more attractive to any business owners (local or national). just my two cents.

eld11, says:

Absolutely bigeholmz! I think I've been to Barbec's hundreds of times and having a new place in the 'hood is great for everyone. A rising tide lifts all boats and that's a good thing for Casa Linda and the nieghborhood as a whole.

Billusa99, says:

Reviewers: What is the coffee like? Seems like that is a key part of any breakie review. Please post back and let us know, as it otherwise sounds like a great place to try. Casa Linda needs the place, chain or not!

esmith, says:

We went to ABE last weekend and the food was terrific. What I didn't like was the 30 minute wait after being told 10-15 minutes. I don't care if it's a long wait, but tell me that up front. We were seated for about 10 minutes before we got our waiter over to us, even though he was at both tables on either side of us just asking them if they needed more water. Food took a long time but by then we expected that. I think once they get some more experience under them, it will be better. They should consider opening the back room for more seating.

xdavidwattsx, says:

I think sentiment is the same. Not all franchises are worth boycotting. Sure, buying and supporting local is always a preference but a decent breakfast place shouldn't be discouraged from opening, providing jobs and paying local taxes. Especially in this economy.

I do think I will wait to go there until they get their service issues worked out but I will certainly try it at some point. More eating choices is usually a good thing.

piltdown70, says:

Great! An alternative to the Goldrush Cafe, which is a little far to travel for breakfast. I just can't get on board with Barbec's. Just an opinion, but that place is highly overrated.

pabloindallas, says:

Barbec's: Underpowered and overrated. I could make better gravy while sleepwalking. The waitstaff IS sleepwalking!

jtmbls, says:

I haven't been to Barbec's since the 90s due to my change of address. It was, at the time, the best hangover breakfast on the planet. I have often contemplated making the drive just for the beer biscuits alone but always seem to opt for something closer instead. Good to know that I haven't been missing what I thought I was missing.

DarrylC, says:

I haven't been to the new ABE in Casa Linda, but I used to patronize the location in Tallahassee, Florida when I lived nearby. If this location equals or surpasses the one I knew in the quality of its food and service, then I will go out of my way to eat there once in a while. (I don't live near this location; I just spend lots of time at White Rock Lake.)

As another poster wrote, not all corporate chains need to be boycotted. I also doubt they'd be able to drive Barbec's out of business. Maybe Barbec's will improve to compete better.

El_Zoido, says:

FINALLY! Probably the only other place to get an incredibly great breakfast (see Lucky's Cafe). The variety is fantastic and will please both those who want their bacon and those who prefer veggie only. The food is delicious, portions are satisfying, and the presentation is impressive. More importantly, the waitstaff is attentive. Everytime we've gone our coffee is re-filled and we're asked if we're enjoying it and if there's anything else needed. We notice the waitstaff walk by and eyes look over to see if we are in need of anything. They'll even stop and chat for a second if you ask how they are doing. The wait is as expected for a brand-new breath of fresh air to the Dallas breakfast/lunch scene. Sometimes told 30-40 minutes, but honestly we've never waited longer than about 25-30 min on busy mornings. Eventually that may slowdown. But part of it is owned to the fact that you're not felt like you're being rushed out of there like other places.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for other breakfast places in Dallas. As for Barbec's...well, that place is awful. We have given them several opportunities to get things right as we have lived near the White Rock/Casa Linda area all my life. The service is subpar, not so attentive. The food is nothing better than you can prepare at home. Except for at home you would probably not prepare your omelette with canned mushrooms and browning avocados which we have experienced more than once. Biscuits? Wow, they're tasty but that's just biscuits! It's pretty difficult to mess up something as simple as eggs, but...

So visit Another Broken Egg. That place there is awesome. Now we can alternate between Lucky's and ABE. Thank you Dallas!

MollieBGood, says:

Not impressed. ABE has the feel of a Cracker Barrel without the gift shop and "country blue" ducks hanging on the wall.

While most people seemed to be getting the speciality plates my pancakes were So So at best. Coffee, at least decaf, tastes like a low end version of Folgers.

East Dallas hipsters should stick with Barbec's, John's Cafe or Gold Rush!

CWhit, says:

Barbec's is just another greasy spoon -- we stopped going there a couple of years ago. For the best breakfasts in Dallas, try Cindi's -- a wide variety of egg dishes, many omelettes, served with grits, home fries, hash browns, biscuits, toasted English, bagels, plain toast, waffles, pancakes, link and patty sausage, bacon, ham, canadian bacon, corned beef hash, lox -- you name it, you can get it, all perfectly prepared and amazingly inexpensive. Or the Oasis on Greenville -- not up to Cindi's standards, but okay (cash only). The Metro Diner across from Baylor is another great breakfast spot (also in Preston Center) with a special spicy sausage you can't find anywhere else. Lucky's is terrific too, if you don't mind the long, long wait.

clindac, says:

Market Diner is great! ABE is a joke!