Two years ago, my friend took me to Crumbs Cafe. I had always seen the signs around Mt. Holly for the new, booming establishment, but their unusual hours had always deterred me from eating there. However, as I sat there on an early Saturday morning eating my quiche, I was blown away by the restaurant and all it had to offer- from the unique, assorted coffees to the intricate decorations. I adored the restaurant so much, in fact, that I applied for a job there, and now I work as often as I can. As a dedicated customer and employee, I believe Crumbs is an amazing restaurant, suited for adults and kids alike.
Food
As an employee at Crumbs, I sell food, watch it being made, and occasionally help make it myself. Thus, I can say with confidence that the food is prepared in a kitchen that is cleaned daily, and made in a good environment. Bakery items like doughnuts and monkey bread are made fresh each morning, and other foods like quiche and cookies are made every two to three days, but preserved in fridges or saran wrap every day to retain their quality. As for the food itself, the taste is exemplary. While Crumbs is famous for their quiches and doughnuts, every item on the menu is of superb quality. The soups, though a little heavier, taste supreme and offer just enough kick to keep you on your toes. The salads, featuring fresh ingredients, offer enough variety to suit anyone. However, the best items served at Crumbs are definitely the paninis. The tuna panini in particular, made with fresh tuna salad, offers a magnificent blend of tuna and melted cheese and, if you choose to place the chips inside the sandwich, delivers the perfect crunch.
Drinks
Crumbs is known for the variety of drinks available to try. For only $2, you can buy an empty mug and choose from a wide variety of self-serve seasonal coffees, including favorites like Cookie Butter and Jamaican Me Crazy. Also available are an array of lattes, ranging from the seasonal Peppermint Mocha to the Chai Tea latte. While Crumbs also offers a selection of teas and sodas, their coffees are what really stands out.
Price
Crumbs’ undoing, however, is the cost. As a cashier, I have often seen the surprise on customers’ faces when I tell them the final price of their meal. While breakfasts are a little cheaper, usually averaging around $8, the lunch orders can be around $15: quite pricey for a single person. Bakery items are no different. A single chocolate chip cookie is $2, and bakery prices can be up to $5, depending on the item. That being said, the cookies are huge, and the amount of food you receive is compensation for the slightly outlandish prices.
Atmosphere
While Crumbs is known for their food and coffee, it’s the restaurant itself that truly makes the cafe special. The front room, home to a couch and fireplace, a bar table, and several dining tables, holds a television that plays kid-friendly movies like Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz. The back room is much more elaborately decorated- the walls are painted with a mural of a classic farmhouse, the corner houses a “pet shop”, which will soon hold an array of stuffed animals. The far wall displays a working watermill; water slowly cascading into a small pond of fish. Children especially love this room. Not only are they engrossed by the large fish tank along one wall, but the back corner hides a small theater, filled with movie chairs, that continuously plays old cartoons. The best decorations, however, come out in the winter. While Crumbs decorates for many major holidays, their winter and Christmas decorations are especially breathtaking- from the ivy-wrapped poles and rafters to the beautiful Christmas trees scattered around the cafe. All of the beautiful decor creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere at Crumbs that everyone can enjoy. People spend hours at Crumbs, as it is a great place to meet up with old friends and chat, and the time always flies by when I visit with my friends. The people are always open and friendly, and Crumbs always feels like a little piece of home.