Written by Foodie’s husband, David
UpTown Cafe - Crestview, FL

On a good note, UpTown Cafe in Crestview, FL finally closed it’s doors this year around April 2009. Before UpTown Cafe opened back in July 2004, the location was a kidney dialysis center. We believed this location seemed strange to convert to a restaurant when you think about people having their blood pumped through machines in the same building. But thanks to their food, I usually felt like my stomach needed to be pumped after eating there. I think we went about 5x over their entire history. Each time we hoped that it would be better than before.

Each time they surprised us with how they had gotten worse.

In my research for this post I was hoping to read some additional historical info about the restaurant. Even read a few reviews about it. Guess what, only one forum entry exists on the internet about this restaurant. Here they spoke of their really good catfish, ribs, and frog legs. Most everybody that ate here wanted to forget it and move on with their life. At least the Wild Olive in Crestview, FL has been memorable enough for many to leave reviews on our site and others.

Topix was the only location that had any info about the place. Candace attempted to let others know about the restaurant with this post, before she left for Lowe’s iin April 2009:

We will be starting a nightly buffet as of this Thursday, Jan. 1st. During the week it will be $8.99 with great quality foods. All days will have 4 meats w/one as a main, Mon. frog legs, Tues. blackened tenderloin w/ mango salsa, Weds. stuffed flounder au gratin (very popular on night menu), Thurs. Shish-ka-bobs (where else can you get that!) Fri. for $14.99, Prime Rib (ours is best in county, now all you can eat!)and handbattered Shrimp, and Sat.$14.99 Babyback ribs, Shrimp, and more. Buffet includes, soup, salad, veggies, 4 meats, and bread.

George from Topix also left a review fro Uptown Cafe - the longest review I’ve seen for them:

My first impression was classy! I really liked the Foyer where you a greeted by a picture of Norma Jean (AKA Marilyn Monroe). I walked right behind of a large party and I guess the hostess assumed I was part of the ensemble, so after waiting for about 10 minutes I politely stated that I was by myself.

I was promptly seated in a two top table. This was a little disappointing, my waitress plopped the menu on the table and asked me if I was going to have the buffet or order of the menu. I told her I would try the buffet (since she didn’t recommend anything or informed me of any specials) and she left after taking my drink order.

I marched to the Buffet station; the station was clean and well organized. The amount of food choices and the quantity of food on the tray was adequate (too much food on the trays is not good for quality, is best to re-fill often). The salad bar could use some help, wish they had baby spinach and Romaine, but overall it was good.

I did not notice the soup on my first trip, when I first saw it I thought it was some sort of gravy (a label advertising it and its kind might be helpful here). I had some on my second trip and it was extremely good.

The Pork chops were very disappointing, a little dry and overly cooked, the catfish was excellent but the dish that I could not wrap my taste buds around was the stir fry. It did not have a stir fry taste or consistency. It was like a stew to be honest and rather than the salty taste you would expect from an oriental inspired dish like this one, I found it to be sweet (not oriental sweet but more like sugar sweet).

When I returned to my table from the buffet, I noticed that that I had a little gift from the previous patrons, no worries I just wiped the table clean and pressed on. My server had returned with my beverage choice, and the tea was a little too weak (if you can “clearly” see thru your tea it is too weak) and extremely sweet.

I do want to mention that my server was great!! She was polite and very attentive. I asked for her name, but did not write it down; I believe it started with a “C”. She replaced my tea with water without batting an eye. And even though she was obviously overwhelmed she made me feel like I was her only customer.

I think in a scale from 1-10 I would give them a 7 (the service really bump them up a point in my book).

I will definitely go back for dinner, with a little attention to detail and better organization I think this place has potential and it is a nice change from the regular suspects.

Another former Uptown Cafe diner hated their steaks and had this to say about it:
I will never have another steak at Uptown, unless they have changed significantly. I ordered steaks in their 2x and both times the steaks had absolutely no seasoning on them at all. They wer completely flavorless and had an odd aftertaste. I can’t really explain it. It wasn’t just me, the two tables around us all got served around the same time and they both ended up sending theirs back. Even my husband wouldn’t eat it and believe me, he isn’t particular at all when it comes to food. I’m sure it is possible that they may be better now, but I will probably never order another steak there.

I believe when it first opened it was a great restaurant. The only good experience I had there was our first vidit the first week it opened. After that, It was of the worst restaurants I have seen in Crestview so I was happy that it closed. My kids did like the big fat chef statue outside but other than that it will not be missed. They tried to attract new business by having wifi but they missed the reason people didn’t go there - inconsistent food (sometimes horrible), non stellar service, and not figuring out what their niche would be in the Crestview market.

If you still would like to eat their food go to Wings of Fire where the old owners now work. They are serving their best food of catfish, ribs, and frog legs. If you have never tried these things at uptown, I suggest you try them at Wings of Fire. They have the best catfish and frog legs you ever ate, if you try them you’ll be hooked. Unfortuantely they aren’t doing their steaks, shrimp, and pasta dishes for those that miss them. If anyone wants to open a new Crestview restaurant, but doesn’t want to run it, I’m sure you could call these people to do it!

Here was their old info for archiving purposes:



172 E Woodruff Ave
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-2880 (Phone)
Cuisine - Sushi, Italian, Seafood, Steakhouse (confusing ehh??)
Price$ ($0–$14)
Atmosphere - Kid Friendly, Fun, Romantic (how can you be kid friendly & romantic?)
Reservations - Not Required
Features - Non-smoking
Attire - casual
License held by KNIGHT EDDIE L
License # - SEA5603534

What did you think about UpTown Cafe when it was here? Do you miss it?