Currently listed as CLOSED
2300 Chapel Hill Road


Average Overall Rating:

(3 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(3 out of 5)

(3 out of 5)

Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 2/7/2006

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The owner and chef, Arthur Grayson, was arrogant and condescending to simple questions concerning our order. My suggestion is that he return to New York where his attitude is mainstream...The food was just not that great.

Award Nomination: Worst Service

Review #6739Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 1/18/2006

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I can't believe the City of Durham could give these people a license-what a joke. We had visited the place for breakfasts on a couple of occasions and never had a problem. However, recently due to a change in circumstances we started using the "Carry Our" out of convenience. Well for whatever reason, they couldn't get things right. For example, you order four meals to go, you get just one fork-why??. Or, we ordered three sausage and eggs meals and were charged for 3 Ham and eggs meals-an overcharge of $4.50. We never complained however, the final straw, came when we showed up at 2:20 to order some sandwiches "To Go". We were refused service because they had been slow that day and closed a few minutes early. I guess I can accept that, other than the fact that they posted the hours not me. But what I cannot accept, is the owner, who refused the service was perhaps the biggest assine jerk I have ever met in the restaurant business-and I have 20 years fine dining experience. Suffice it so say, I will never make myself available again to listen to a consdescending tonsoril from that frustrated fry cook. I took my business to Hardees. Although it was "Fast Food" and wasn't prepared by graduates of the C.I.A, I received prompt, courteous and most of all professional service-which is all one really needs from a restaurant of Grayson's caliber. Lack of Professionalism isn't the fault of the C.I.A., it is what this guy was lacking before he went to school. At this rate, I am sure that Hardees will be around alot longer than this spoiled child's joint.



Review #6614Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 5/27/2005

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The breakfast at this litle neighborhood diner had me thinking fonder thoughts of the food at Bob Evans. Coffee too.

Review #5083Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 5/26/2005

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Don't bother looking for this cafe, I doubt it
will be around for very long. I was disappointed
when I did find it myself. Breakfast was
nominal, coffee was so-so. I wish them luck,
it appears they need it.

Review #5075Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 5/26/2005

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Ho-hum. Not really much to say about this one
either way. Limited breakfasts (sat/sun)aren't
anything to brag on. I suppose you could do
worse, but not saying much here. Place didn't
live up to its own hype, that's for sure. Food
not bad, food not great. Not a particularly
inspired effort for a self-touted CIA graduated chef/owner. I wouldn't go out of my way for this
food.

Review #5074Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 12/1/2004

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WOW! I found my new home for breakfast on the weekends. Great food at a great price. I've been an fan of R's diner, but have now found a new home.

I highly reccomend!!! A+A+A+

Award Nomination: Best Bargin Breakfast

Review #4158Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 8/20/2004

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You won't be missing anything here, because the place no longer offers breakfasts. No loss. Not much to say, except ho-hum. Lackluster.
Boring boiled potatoes passed off as home fries --not crispy. No waffles. No french toast.
Coffee was bland. Bacon tasted stale -- like it sat too long in a steam table pan. No surprise the place shut down their breakfasts. I hear they may be serving breakfast on Sunday, but I wouldn't bother... .

Review #3748Review by: OFlea on 3/22/2004

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Grayson's Cafe is a bright new spot on the Durham restaurant scene which was opened on March 1,2004 by owner/Chef Arthur Grayson and his talented wife Elizabeth - a former Miss North Carolina whose stage career includes Broadway, musical theater and performances with the NC Symphony. Chef Grayson is a graduate of the CIA in NY, was chef at the St. Moritz Sheraton in NYC, in Key West and also was chef at the UN Plaza in NYC.

Together they have created a classy cafe (but not too upscale and definitely family-friendly) with an attractive, cozy dining room and patio dining as well. Chef Grayson provides American traditional favorites with a definite flair, and Elizabeth adds to the diners' experience with delightful live singing performances.

Full breakfasts and lunches are available six days (the cafe is closed on Sundays -- a refection of the Grayson's family philosophy), and dinners are served Wed -- Sat nights.

A full breakfast with coffee runs about $6 -- $7, which is very good for the area and especially a good value given the high quality of the food and drink.

The breakfast menu as well as the lunch, dinner and takeout menus can all be viewed at the cafe's website: graysonscafe.com.

This cafe is a welcome addition to the Durham scene, and is conveniently close to downtown Durham, Duke University and Duke Hospital.

A full takeout service features convenient fax-ordering, and Chef Grayson caters for all occasions as well.

I give this cafe the five golden eggs for its comfortable feel, for Chef Grayson's exceptional food and for the staff's warm, sincere and attentive service.

(Submitted by "OFLEA" who has resided in the Durham-Chapel Hill area for the past twenty years. As a chef myself I prefer to remain anonymous, yet I feel so strongly about this new cafe that I just had to give them a solid plug. Try 'em once and you'll be coming back for seconds!)

Review #3111


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of Durham, North Carolina - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for Grayson's Cafe.