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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

This property has identified as Women-owned.
PRICE RANGE
$6 - $13
CUISINES
American, Cafe, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
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meals, features, about
Reviews (126)
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126 results
Traveler rating
75
35
7
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3
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveler rating
75
35
7
6
3
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All reviews fried chicken pie ham breakfast buffet home cooking hot bar order off the menu regular menu small town restaurant the food is great shoneys items cashier
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Reviewed January 22, 2023 via mobile

Overall a good small town restaurant that specializes in a buffet. We were in town after a day just driving around and decided to try this cafe. Parking was easy and easy to see the cafe on the corner. Once inside we couldn’t figure out...the system. No one greeted us, so we had to ask a local if had to wait or just sit. She said sit anywhere. There are steps that lead up to a banquet hall and on your left the cashier where you check out. When you head to the back room, there are more tables and a buffet/hot bar. My husband got the buffet while I chose to order off the menu. There wasn’t enough non-ham items. Let’s just say, if you go into a buffet it is best to eat at the buffet. Ordering off the menu wasn’t my best decision. The food, once I got it was excellent. It’s just the time I had to sit there and wait that wasn’t acceptable. My husband refused to go back to the buffet until I had my food in front of me. 30+ minutes later I got my food. It was very good and the waitress apologized. I did get a discount (I didn’t want it free). But, for me, next time I’ll focus on the main product which is the buffet. Regarding the buffet, my husband enjoyed everything he ate. It is definitely a hangout where the locals eat. It’s cute inside and the staff is very friendly.More

Date of visit: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Reviewed January 19, 2023 via mobile

This is a wonderful place to eat! The buffet lunch was really delicious, reasonably priced, good variety, and fully stocked. All of the staff was pleasant and helpful in every way.

Date of visit: January 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Reviewed January 1, 2023

i was looking for home cooking and found this place ,the staff was great,service wonderful,food was ok we ate breakfast so was hard to mess up ,we ate off the hot bar, they had a good selection to choose from,going to give it another shot...but go at lunch or dinner really nice bistroMore

Date of visit: January 2023
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Reviewed October 18, 2022 via mobile

The food is great. The staff is awesome and the atmosphere is wonderful. How nice to sit and eat with family. From breakfast to dessert you won’t be disappointed.

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed April 24, 2022 via mobile

My husband and I were passing through from touring “The Lost Cave” and this was a gem!!! Everyone was so friendly, the food was delicious! We had the buffet and it was a great southern variety!

Date of visit: April 2022
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Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded April 27, 2022

Thank you!!

Reviewed October 29, 2021

My huband and I just stopped here for the lunch buffet with our inlaws after we all visited the nearby Amish Farmer's Market. Excellent chicken, fish, fried green tomatoes, chili, amazing pie and much more on their buffet! Excellent! Only $11. per person- great value...and super cute little Bistro!More

Date of visit: October 2021
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Reviewed October 11, 2021

We were so excited to try this place and have a good country buffet so close to home. Getting there at noon, we thought we would have a nice lunch however, They had their breakfast buffet still going. They told us it would be until...12:45pm. Their regular menu is pretty disappointing- sandwiches and salads mostly. I have a hard time paying $10 for something I can whip up at home. My kids and I decided to do the breakfast which was pretty typical, nothing overly exciting. My husband ordered fried fish off the menu which was just average. However, the lunch buffet started early, just after his food arrived. Fried fish was on the buffet and the buffet was $1 cheaper than his meal off the menu. I know times are hard and everywhere is short staffed, but this kinda just stunk to be honest with you. Overall the food was below mediocre. Sides weren’t very flavorful but the fried chicken was amazing. The pies were great! It just wasn’t the experience you typically have at a southern buffet. I’d stick with Shoney’s next time.More

Date of visit: October 2021
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Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded April 27, 2022

Oh my! So sorry!! Most of our guests LOVE coming in the middle of breakfast lunch but Saturday can be a little confusing and I apologize. We hope you come back and try us again soon as we are for excellence food and service. Thank...More

Reviewed May 30, 2021

If your hungry after hiking or driving the back roads and your in the rea give this place a try. their buffet for $10 bucks is fantastic. Everything is fresh, with salad bar, hot foods including fried fish, and chicken (excellent) some meats and hot...vegetables, plus biscuits and bread and dessert! All very good at a great price.More

Date of visit: May 2021
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Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded April 27, 2022

Thank you!

Reviewed February 14, 2021

Good variety of food on the buffet and you can also order off of the menu. I had chickemnand so did my wife. The deserts are included and we got pie.

Date of visit: January 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 16, 2021

Thank You!!

Reviewed January 27, 2021 via mobile

Oh boy was everything delicious!!!! From start to finish everything was great. I told my husband that I am embarrassed that I can’t cook this well! ( and I’m a pretty darn cook!) we plan on going back for the breakfast buffet while we are...still in town!More

Date of visit: January 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 18, 2021

Thank you!!

Reviewed January 10, 2021 via mobile

Quite the surprise! We were staying up the mountain in a cabin about 5 miles away and decided to try this little small town cafe one morning. By far one of the best breakfast buffets we’ve ever had (besides Disney). The Little omelettes and pancakes...were my favorite. The best chocolate gravy we’ve had at a restaurant. We dipped the French toast sticks in the chocolate gravy and it was quite the treat!More

Date of visit: January 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 18, 2021

THANK YOU!!!

Reviewed January 2, 2021 via mobile

Donna's Old Town Cafe has the best food in the county the best and friendliest staff Melissa the owner and Donna wonderful godly people we love them thank you

Date of visit: December 2020
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 18, 2021

Thank you Jeff!! You just made our week!

Reviewed December 11, 2020

we drove over an hour for there lunch buffet for our anniversary. everything was hot, fresh and homemade and the hospitality was wonderful. we will be back

Date of visit: December 2020
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Reviewed October 23, 2020 via mobile

Awesome food and great service and very friendly staff. The food was hot, the buffet was very clean and a staff member was constantly cleaning

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 18, 2021

Thank you!!

Reviewed October 23, 2020 via mobile

This was an amazing find! Food was great and so was hospitality!!! Will definitely make this a stop next time we travel near!

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G, Owner at Donna's Old Town Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded February 18, 2021

Thank you Anita

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Questions & Answers
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prissysue07
February 12, 2021|
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Response from Melissa G | Property representative |
So sorry for some reason I just received this alert. I hope you made it out to see us! We go all out every year for Valentine’s!
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Connie S
February 3, 2019|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from Melissa G | Property representative |
I’m so sorry to hear this. We strive for excellent food and service. I’m sorry you didn’t like the hamburger steak it was in Aujus instead of gravy today( we have a lot of gluten intolerant customers as well so we do try... More
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DONNA'S OLD TOWN CAFE, Madisonville - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Donna's Old Town Cafe

Yes, Donna's Old Town Cafe offers takeout services.

Yes, Donna's Old Town Cafe offers delivery services.

Donna's Old Town Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4