Best stopby place for a quick warm bite while making long road trip. The chef is super friendly and you can tell he takes pride into his work! We ordered a fried chicken waffle and pork loin sandwich both came out fantastic. The fried chicken was juicy and crunch on the cinnamon flavored waffle. The homemade cherry flavored hot sauce was the "cherry" on top. I want to buy it from them once they sell it. Highly recommended.

This was our first stop arriving to Lake Seneca for the first time and it did not disappoint! First of all, I love that they allow dogs! Such a chill atmosphere and the staff was so nice and welcoming you can really tell how much they love this place. The food was fresh and honestly so good. This was a great find and we’d recommend it to anyone!!

Amazing food and drinks. Really delicious, fast and a lot of food. Nikki was an amazing hostess. Would 100% recommend, and will come again if I'm up this way.

Awesome place, food was great and the drinks also. We did the pork schnitzel and cuban sandwiches

Wow, if I lived locally I’d be here every darn day! Delicious, fresh and local ingredients with an amazing open kitchen, friendly chef and attentive bartender and an incredible view surrounded by flowers and well kept outdoor seating — what more could you ask for?! Get here now.

The clam po-boy was AMAZING and The bourbon smash was soo good! Can’t wait to come back! Best lunch on Seneca Lake!

Very good breakfast, a lot of selections! The view so pretty. Must try fried chicken waffle!

+3

Awesome breakfast sandwiches, friendly staff,

Small and cozy, but serious on the food side. The Cuban sandwich was top notch and the Ruben was probably one of the best, if not THE best, I ever had. Keep up the good work!

Great food The staff was first rate great service. You got to get the waffle sausage sammi you won’t regret it.

Why visit The Elf in the Oak? 1) For their mouth watering sandwiches 2) Their cozy Seneca lake view location 3) Location on the Seneca wine trail makes it easier to visit 4) Very happy vibe 5) Quick service with 😊 smile 6) Parking available easily

+6

Great location with a beautiful view. The staff is friendly and the food is great. Take a cinnamon bun home or make a meal of it. I've enjoyed breakfast and lunch this week. Fantastic. The chicken schnitzel is amazing.

What a find! We were looking for a lunch spot that wasn't at a vineyard because we find that food to be subpar and overpriced. My boyfriend found this place on google and I am so glad we gave it a go, even after we accidentally passed it on the road. These sandwiches were ridiculously good and the back porch looking out at the lake was such a nice touch. We had the Roasted Pork Loin and the Jerk Chicken. The Jerk Chicken was my favorite, though my boyfriend thought it was a little spicy. Don't worry, it wasn't. Definitely add this as a stop along your way to a wine tasting.

The food here was very delicious. My husband and I left another spot and found The Elf In The Oak and were so happy we did. Not only was the food great, the view from the balcony was spectacular and the service was by far how it should be done. The lady taking our order was upbeat and happy to help us and the chef came out to make sure our food was good. As a business owner this makes me so happy to see.

Delicious! Stopped on our way back from hiking the gorge trail at Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca (beautiful and well worth it!) and thoroughly enjoyed our sandwiches. We got the vege panini and turkey panini. Best part was the view of Lake Seneca and the atmosphere of the laid back restaurant. Thank you!

My family and I stopped by for a beer because I loved the name "The Elf in the Oak." The owner waited on us and provided each their own different IPA beer from a wide selection. While talking with him, he stated they serve breakfast. We went back the next morning and had a delicious breakfast. Definitely glad we stopped in!

We've perhaps never had a better sandwich. I tried the pastrami Reuben and my husband had the Cuban. The portion size is perfect, prices are reasonable, the people are very friendly. Taste... Every tastebud was singing! Sweet, savory, sour, salty! Juicy! Crunchy bread! Melty cheese!! I can't wait to go back!!

Breakfast with a view :) great outdoor dining space with a fun atmosphere and view of the lake. We visited for breakfast and enjoyed our meals (which came out quickly) as well as the top notch friendly service. I recommend stopping by for breakfast or lunch if you're in the area!

Great place. Top notch. Great food, great service, great view. DOG FRIENDLY. what more can you ask for. This place is a must visit if you are hungry and want to relax as well.

+6

Great place to stop for lunch. We got the turkey with caramelized onions and the roast beef sandwich. Both were delicious! Lunch with a view ☀️

Good hearty meal perfect for a quick stop on the wine tour. Need a sign out front to attract such a hidden gem. Don’t skimp on the meat and quality.

Great cafe, delicious sandwiches with vegetarian and vegan options. The chickpea shawarma wrap is amazing. Stopped by multiple times during my one week trip, it was all so good!

Boyfriend and I stopped here for a quick lunch before doing some tastings next door. Cuban sandwich was delicious. Their house pickles are sweet which is not my thing, but still yummy. Service was quick and efficient.

Great food with awesome options including for vegans/vegetarians. Amazing view and a really great host/owner who makes it more fun! The sandwiches were delicious and really hit the spot. Definitely stop by for a bite

Amazing find and just a short drive away from the main town. The chicken schnitzel is what everyone talks about but I would say the pastrami on rye is really the real winner. The chicken schnitzel is delicious don’t get me wrong and I would get it again in a heart beat. But the salty pastrami, crunchy pickles, coarse grain mustard and fresh rye bread all pressed together in a panini press really hits the spot. Also get the fries, large portions and fried perfectly.

Nicky was awesome! The food was unique and delicious. We ended up here twice on our short visit.

+1

Can't say enough good things about this little Eatery. Fantastic food and out-of-this-world homemade jalapeno sauce. A quirky little place was top-notch food. Couldn't wait to eat the chicken and waffles before the photo

I visited here on a rainy day in October 2022. Despite the chilly weather, the deck was warm, the service was welcoming and the dishes hit the spot. So delicious! You must come visit for lunch.

Stopped in for a bloody mary on the way out of town and it was quite good. The breakfast looks great here, I will definitely be returning the next time I'm in the area

First time here and it was an amazing experience. The staff are very present for any help, and are extremely welcoming and happy, even first thing in the morning! Great spread of options, and nice cozy area. COVID seating is all outside, but very comfortable on a covered deck area. Absolutely delicious food.

Absolutely delicious food! I got the fried chicken sandwich and made it buffalo and it was incredible and huge. Took home the leftovers and ate them later and they were just as good as when I first got the sandwich. Definitely the best buffalo chicken sandwich I ever had. Staff and cooks were friendly and helpful. I highly recommend and we are going to try to make it back here again before we leave the area.

When visiting Watkins Glenn and asking around for the locals’ favorite place for lunch, it seemed unanimous the folks love The Elf in the Oak. Just the name invokes curiosity and humor. We learned firsthand that it is a unique gem that overlooks Seneca Lake with its lush and expansive lawns. Dining is outside either under their covered back deck or out on the lawn. The service is top notch. Staff are super upbeat and generate “happiness” with their big smiles and eagerness to make customers’ day great. Maybe it was just the day we were there, but the lady who brought our food to our table made it extra fun and pleasant. The music in the background is super and ideal for the setting. The bread was fresh, flavorful, and bursting with heartiness. What makes their sandwiches exceptional is that both sides of the bread are generously buttered and grilled. The freshly made garlic mayonnaise sauce made the wrap. For breakfast, I recommend the bacon, egg, and cheese on a biscuit sandwich; the biscuit if baked to perfection and comes served nice and hot. The coffee is great good; they have a nice serve-yourself station. Also, they have Italian Seltzers – I love mine with mint and basil. It’s nice that they are open till 9 PM on Friday and Saturdays. We did fine with parking – but then we arrived just after a rain. Within a short time, the place was packed. Advice: come prepared as there are only outdoor porta potties. Prices are a little more than we expected but the ambiance and scenery are worth it! This is a dining out in the Finger Lakes environment you don’t want to miss.

+6

What a great little find! Totally forgot to take pictures of our sandwiches before we demolished them, but you can see we were (mostly) members of the clean plate club! The Brie bird was just an OUTSTANDING sandwich- it was really a great surprise. The staff were incredible, the vibe relaxed and sunny, and the view is beautiful. Thank you elf in the oak crew!

We had lunch at The Elf in the Oak while staying in the area for a wedding. The food was fantastic. It was a beautiful day so eating on the deck was nice. The view was picture perfect from there.

+2

The Reuben was AMAZING! My mom loved her bloody Mary and I had a margarita. It was outdoor seating which had a nice view of the lake. And they also had outdoor heaters for those chilly days. Service was great!

Finally checked this place out. Pretty decent. Food was good. A little confusing picking up the food but overall they seemed to put a lot of thought into the menu. We will definitely be back. We had the Italian sub. Bread was fantastic and ice tea was really good. Nice to have an option that’s not overloaded with booze.

I've been here a couple of times before, so I decided to bring my friends. I really talked the food up, but it didn't backfire because my friends also loved it! Two of us had the chickpea shawarma salad, but as a wrap: highly recommended if you like exotic flavors. One of us had the vegan Greek salad, but she added Feta. My friend had the PMT with grilled chicken, and he was very impressed because both sides of the bread were buttered and toasted. This local kombucha was delicious. The view is gorgeous.

+2

Delicious food and great bloody Mary's.

My favorite place on my trip so far💜💜💜 sandwiches were amazing, the girl taking our order was so sweet and personable. The woman handing us our food had a great sense of humor and I just felt at home from the second I walked around the corner. Do not skip this place if you're in the area. I wish I could give it 6 stars.

Our experience was enjoyable. Delicious gourmet sandwiches, crafted with care and precision. The price is reflective of the quality, relatively high but not outrageous ($15-16 for each, be mindful of extra charge for additions INCLUDING side replacements). There is a window where you can watch the workers craft your sandwich as you wait— you can see the magic happen! The staff were kind enough to bring a water bowl outside for our dogs while we waited for our orders, without us asking.

Great place for sandwiches and/or lunch. Everything was terrific. The service was very good despite it being pretty busy. The from the dining room and outside are exactly what you’re looking for in the area. I’d go back over and over again.

This place to me is a delicious stop on the finger Lakes wine trail. Tho shortstaffed the time I was there I could tell the waitress was doing her best. The service was excellent. The view is immaculate. I ordered the Cuban sandwich and it was very delicious. All the staff are friendly and welcoming.

The food was great, with a nice view of the lake and vineyard. The clam poboy sandwich had garlic mayo and fresh locally grown veggies.. so good ! And Nikki was so friendly and nice. Would highly recommend !

We love Elf in the Oak. We make a point of visiting each time we are in the area and are never disappointed. Wish they had a location near us!

Our best meal of our three day weekend in the Finger Lakes was at The Elf in the Oak. My lobster roll was fantastic, and combined with the picnic tables and views out back, I felt like I was in Maine. Everyone’s else in my family had great meals as well - very fresh, and you could tell it was made more from scratch than other places we experienced there. Loved shopping in the Vintage Shop out back as I waited for my food!

Small cozy place with great good. Visited for lunch. Order and pick up food at the counter. Fireplace was running when we visited in the fall to keep the space nice and warm. Food is rather pricey but the portion size and taste makes it worth it. Very friendly staff. Has a small bar area too.

Fast, fun, friendly and fantastic. We had the chicken and waffles and the spicy. They were both great and the customer service was great. Not fussy.

I literally love The Elf In the Oak so much. I think about it daily and have to talk myself out of eating it for lunch every day. The staff is so great every time. The food is high quality and delicious. Bonus points for it being dog friendly. They even bring out a water bowl for my dog. The Elf in the Oak is a community staple and a can't miss for visitors.

Walk in, order, get delicious food! Service is exceptionally quick (given you walk in and order at a window). The breakfast sandwich I got here was as perfect as I could have asked. My one note is if you're looking for somewhere entirely indoors and warm year round this is not that place (yet) as their main seating is not entirely sealed off from the outdoors but it's got some heating! "Atmosphere" of being right on the lake makes up for it (for me at least, to each their own)

Heard about this place in an article about Watkins Glen, cute little sandwich shop you would not even know it’s there. Slightly passed hector falls. Simple sandwich menu, able to accommodate. Able to upgrade from kettle chips to fries for $4: Sandwiches reasonable priced and sized. Locally sourced “Fizz” soda. No wait service. Order at the window, then pick up. Able to sit on deck or grass overlooking the lake. It’s a must try, especially after a day at the wineries near by

It's a sandwich place and the sandwiches are very good. Breakfast is only served sometimes and only until 11, and they sometimes open at 11 and do not serve breakfast (which was a sad realization for me because I was hoping to have some of the breakfast food as sandwiches aren't really my thing). With that said, let me reiterate that the sandwiches are very good and if you go with the mindset of looking forward to having sandwiches, you will not be disappointed! The view is also lovely and sitting on the patio is great. I enjoyed the record player adding to the ambiance. I'm not sure if the window setup made it hard to hear but two items we ordered were missed (not added to the order) and I was really disappointed about it but the huge line of people that had appeared since we had ordered made it a big deterrent to go to the window and order anything more. Was also slightly concerned that the bathroom was a port-a-pottie. And although it did have the foot pump water, I guess I'm not well versed enough to know about whether the hand washing water is recycled but it makes me nervous considering that sandwiches are all eaten using hands, but maybe I'm paranoid. The staff was super nice (if hard of hearing) and deserves bonus kudos.

This place is so worth the drive. You can totally tell someone who loves to eat runs this place. Honestly with the views they could sell hot dogs but the food and coffee is out of this world! Also the owner gave is a great recommendation for a quick trip to a place we're really glad we didn't miss. Highly recommend this place. Too bad they don't stay open for dinner!

+6

If I could give this place 100 stars, I would! Ate breakfast there Sunday with a Mimosa and lunch there Monday with coffee before leaving the Finger Lakes. Nikki is a gem! She was welcoming, enthusiastic and a perfect hostess! We knew we were someplace special the moment we met her! Then we got the food and it blew our minds. Carl is a genius in the kitchen! Chicken and Waffles is to die for and the raspberry scones were amazing! Thank you both for making our stay an extremely memorable one!

+1

This sandwich shop at the front it will hard to tell. Once you walk back of their building, that the sandwich. So many unique choice. We got the Reuben and Chicken Schnitzel with upgraded to onion ring and sweet potato fries. It did take some time to get your order and worth the wait. The sandwiches are tasty and you get to enjoy the lake view. Feel so relaxing.. the only thing I would mention is the chicken Schnitzel, the bun, doesn't taste pretzel enough. I had it in the city the pretzel bun, the pretzel taste is very strong. Otherwise both sandwiches are awesome good ad worth the upgrade as well.

mara titus

There was plenty of parking. Good for a small group. Friendly dogs allowed inside. Food was excellent and the house bloody mary was pretty good too. Speedy.

Amy Montondo

We stopped here for lunch and so glad we did. I got the turkey Panini which was really good and enjoyed the apple slices in it! My husband got the Reuben which he also liked. You order at the counter window. There is no table service and beer can selection is minimal (no draft) They also have wine and specialty cocktails. There's a nice view, if you can get a window table seat. We liked it here and will be going back.

+7

Nick Jacobini

The Elf in the Oak has THE best sandwiches! Their Cuban is SO delicious. Cheers!

Izzi Nejedlik

The sandwiches are SO tasty!!!! I love the fried chicken, turkey ruben, fish (a special), but every sandwich looks delicious! The curly and sweet potato fries are also so tasty. They have amazing garlic aioli that goes so well with them. I highly recommend!! Also- DOG FRIENDLY inside!!

Toni Sterling

I came by for a friday fish fry and it was delicious! The fish is juicy inside with a nice batter on the outside, the curly fries are tasty and the slaw had a ton of flavor! You order at the counter and bust your own table. Overall the vibe is pretty laid back.

+2

Daniel Simrak

This place is a gem. The staff is friendly. The food is delectable. The sausage gravy was really good. The sugared waffles are tasty. The cinnamon buns were big and enjoyable. And the coffee was good.

Jamie Siegel Nunery

Great food and perfect portions, very pleasant and friendly staff, good vibes, and dog friendly! (Outdoor seating and views are a bonus!!)

T H

We ordered The Spicy and The Rodeo (?) breakfast sandwiches. The rodeo was so good we had to order another to go, and that’s all I need to say about that. We didn’t get our server’s name but she had really good nail art and was incredibly sweet. We also had a Bloody Mary with jalapeño popper skewer, and my jalapeño popper snob partner approved. Also, they are dog-friendly and you know I love that.

Bella Uzdenova

Such a cute place. It’s house built with such a cute view from windows. The guys are so welcoming and friendly with nice and fast service. The food is high quality and amazing home made bread. The place is made with heart and keep very clean.

Ron Healy

Wonderful little food joint tucked out of the way. The menu was incredible and the staff was super friendly. It was a little stuffy inside with the windows closed. We chose to sit outside and we're not disappointed with the amazing views of the lake. Prices were quite friendly and the food was delicious. I really liked that they offer half sized appetizers. Something that more restaurants should do. Great selections of beverages, soft drinks as well as alcoholic options. Lots of different beers, wines and mixed drinks. I highly recommend the elf in the oak for anyone looking for a great spot for a delicious meal.

Jonathan Sheldon

Food came out quick and fresh (very hot!) The fried chicken was thinner than you'd usually see, but the breading and seasoning was superb. Very good sandwich, much better than I was expecting. Curly fries were made fresh as well. I will most definitely be returning.

John Kanarr

Awesome sandwich shop by Lake Seneca. The chicken schnitzel sandwich was delicious. Chicken was perfectly breaded and crispy with loads of sauerkraut, stone ground mustard, and great pickles. The BLT was fantastic as well. Great bread, lots of perfectly cooked bacon, not too crisp not too chewy. Sat by the window with a great view of the lake.

Neha Vl

The location of the restaurant is so pretty (it is in the middle of Seneca's wine trail) and you get amazing views of Seneca lake. We had heard a lot about this restaurant in blogs related to the finger lakes region and we were not disappointed. We ordered the veggie panini and fried tofu submarine. They were served with a side of potato chips. Both tasted great and it was a generous portion size as well. Good food and great vibes tempt you to visit this restaurant.

+1

Bill M

The breakfast here was excellent! We ordered the Spicy, the Sausage Gravy, and two cinnamon rolls. The sausage gravy was so good, very hearty. The Spicy was just right with a mild and enjoyable heat. The cinnamon rolls were incredible! They were so flaky and moist and not too sweet. Perfect with a cup of coffee. Highly recommend!

Raymond Calcagno

Once you park, walk to back that's where you place your order and pick your spot. Had the Cuban, which was fantastic. Bread was especially good. Has sweet potato fries they give you honey to go with it. FYI, try the fries with hot sauce. Also, I had a Turkey sandwich with added bacon. Excellent food. Nice Winery a bit further up..

+2

Michele Edington

What a great little find! Fantastic views. The food was delicious. The Italian soda was a game changer. Would highly recommend the Italian sodas! The biscuit sandwich was really delicious but it fell apart when eating (possibly my own fault holding it too hard) tehe but still really yummy!

+2

The breading on he chicken schnitzel had great crunch, sandwich was really good! Fun place to eat!

+1

We stopped for breakfast in March. It was pretty chilly in the restaurant, but the views of Seneca lake were incredible. Cinnamon roll was fresh and delicious. I got the chicken and waffles with sausage gravy. It was very good and filling. The other three people in our group all got breakfast sandwiches and said they were good as well. The croissants were flaky and excellent. We will definitely be returning on our next trip to the finger lakes!

Had lunch here for the 1st time. Ruben was excellent! Only slight downside is it's self service.. nice views of the lake

Good food and fast service. It is a self service restaurant that was a bit pricey for what we got. And it is cold outside! Come well dressed.

Really good food and drinks and the view was one of my favorite The fry chicken sandwich is a most try

+3

Casual counter service restaurant with a great selection of sandwiches.

+1

Another hidden gem pitstop!! We're on our way to Ithaca then passing by Watkins Glen surroundings and found this cute lunch spot with a view of Seneca lake. The front door was for staff only, so we got to walk into the backside of the house which is the porch. It has several tables on the sheltered porch and a few on the lower level with umbrellas – the best view would be seen by the porch because it is on the higher level. We ordered through the small window and there is also another window for your orders to be picked up as we would be called by our names. The menu was written on board and the printed one was placed near the order window. I guess there were only 2-3 printed ones, so when it's getting crowded you either want to wait for a while or take a look at their menu online (I mean on Google Review). However, they don't provide restrooms for customers as they only have two porta-potties beside the house. So better be more prepared! We ordered Lemonade and Italian Soda with Vanilla for the drinks and PMT with grilled chicken (for an additional $2) and Chicken Schnitzel for the meals. The lemonade tasted unique, not that sour but there was a little hint of sweetness. The Italian soda was a game changer for me because it was refreshing and the fizziness of the carbonated soda was thick which I'd prefer that way. The food was great as they came with chips and the schnitzel had a few slices of tofu which was surprisingly good. The pesto was the champion for us! The schnitzel actually tasted amazing with very tender buns but the sourness came from the red sauerkrauts and a few seeds which I wasn't sure what those were. When we tried the chicken schnitzel solely, it tasted soooo good. Maybe considering offering chicken schnitzel as a single menu would be a good idea? Overall, it was so nice spending our lunch here with a beautiful view of the lake. Such a great experience and recommended when you're around Watkins Glen and its surroundings!

+6

Very cute and beautiful place to grab food near Seneca Lake. The view is amazing but i think it’s a bit pricey. Also, they have very limited menu, only regular hot or iced coffee. Also no fresh juice available, only from the pack. 9$ for just plain croissant is bit pricey I guess but this place has good view and vibe. Parking is free.

+6

This was a great find during our trip! Very cozy restaurant with great views from the windows. Everything is clean, the bathroom is lovely. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The best part is the food, which was flavorful and served in big portions. The only room for improvement I could find was the calamari strips: the calamari is cut so thin than it feels like you’re eating fried bread crumbs; and the lemonade: tasted like they just added powder mix to water.

Great quality food. You have to order at the kitchen window, then they call your name when ready, so you get your own utensils, napkins, etc. You have to bus your table as well. Again, the food is exceptional and we have been there twice even though we live in Ithaca.

We found this place on the way to the finger lakes. Not a lot of eateries around and we had to take some quick bite. Not a big restaurant, as you can expect but more of a makeshift one and is a self service one as well. The order taking staff was friendly initially but ended up being sarcastic. Veg sandwiches were really good, the chicken sandwich we got was a little weird and whoever ordered ate only half of it. They don't have clean restrooms just some not so well maintained portable ones they had. Sitting is only outdoors (with a roof, more so on the deck of a house) and they do have some heaters. It has got a scenic lake background view.

Had tomato mozzarella sandwich and it was really good. Just way too heavy on the butter. It was dripping and soaking wet with it. Husband had buffalo fried chicken sandwich and he enjoyed his.

Elnaz E

Great little spot! The sandwiches are delicious—fresh, well made, and definitely the highlight here. The place used to have an amazing porch, but now it’s covered up. Still, the best part is heading out back. The backyard opens onto a valley that rolls into a lake, and the view is absolutely stunning—like looking at a living painting. I recommend grabbing a sandwich and sitting outside to enjoy the scenery. Simple food, unforgettable setting.

+9

Michele Austin

Cute friendly place. My other half did chicken and waffles and loved it i did a croissant sandwich with double meat and hashbrown. The hasbrowns were a little oil like but everything else was just perfect. Well worth the price

Shai Chu

Low key sandwich shop. I got the Mufalini panini..bread was so good and meat was also fresh and authentic. The olive paste kinda overpowered it but overall very tasty.

Holly Wilson

I loved sitting outside on the covered deck eating our lunch. Very nice atmosphere with gorgeous views of Seneca lake. Theirs is a strictly outside restaurant, no inside seating. You order at a window then then they call your name when your order is ready. Everyone was super nice and answered any questions. Lots of variety to choose from. It was a bit pricey for sandwiches, two sandwiches and 2 colas were $40. I would be back to try their breakfast menu. Dog friendly. No bathroom, just a port-a-potty.

+4

While our food was good, the service was terrible. My partner and I walked into this establishment shortly after opening and ordered coffee with our food. We then watched everyone who came in after us be served fresh coffee while we waited for over 30 minutes for ours. It is a shame to think that people wouldn’t serve you because of your race/if you’re a mixed couple/etc. however, it was very clear to us that this is exactly why we weren’t served our coffee this morning. This was not an honest mistake. We will never be back.

We came here for lunch because of all the excellent reviews during a road trip. We ordered the the mozzarella/tomato sandwich, the Cuban sandwich, and the Robb salad. Most of it was not eatable, and we were starving. Probably some of the worst food we have had. The salad was made with rotten/old veggies/leaves, which I returned and they did give me a refund. Everything ended up in the trash. On the plus side, it’s a beautiful spot with a view. Wish we would have had some more accurate reviews, we would not have stopped here.

I want to share the overall very negative experience I had at the Elf in the Oak this morning. I was visiting the Finger Lakes with my wife, infant daughter, and in-laws, and we wanted to go out for breakfast on a Saturday morning — the final morning of our trip. We chose Elf in the Oak and drove 30 minutes from the Waneta Lake area to get there. Upon arriving, we had a table readied for us and waited for it to be cleaned. However, we were left standing there, thinking we'd be seated, but didn't again see the woman who cleaned our table. After about five minutes of waiting, we found the woman; she was around the cash register area taking orders. We asked if we could sit, and she said, "Yes, go ahead." I'm not sure why we were left standing there for so long and not told we could sit down at our table, as that could have been quickly and easily communicated to us right after it was cleaned. So we sat down and began to look at the menu. We noticed on the menu that breakfast was served until 11am. At this point, it was 10:50am, so the group of us four adults quickly chose something. We all selected breakfast options. Then I began to wait in line to place everyone's order. It was about 10:55am at this point, and there were about four parties ahead of me also waiting to order. Everyone was standing there gathered in front of the closed order window, apparently waiting for someone to begin taking everyone's orders. I figured, however, that since I was already in line and still had five minutes to spare, then it would be no problem ordering breakfast by the 11am deadline. Boy, was I wrong. The woman finally opened the window to take everyone's orders several minutes later. By the time I got to the front of the line and it was my turn to order, it was 11:04am and I had waited in line about 10 minutes. I placed my order of breakfast choices, but the woman said, "Sorry, we are now serving lunch." At this point, I had already waited in line for so long and figured we could be accommodated since I was already waiting in line before 11am. I replied, "I understand, but I was already waiting in line with my party's orders all ready to go. Is it possible to still order breakfast for my group?" And the answer was still "no." So I said, "Look, I just want you to understand my side of things, that we already chose our meals and waited in line for over 10 minutes, so now I have to get back out of line and everyone has to pick something different, and then I have to wait in this line again." (At this point the line had easily doubled in length.) The woman remained completely unsympathetic, replying, "Well, my side of things is that we have to get the kitchen ready for lunch, and we have a business to run," or something to that extent. Wow. I was shocked at her reply, frustrated by all of the waiting every step of the way in this restaurant, starving for something to eat, and just ready to leave. So I simply ordered three coffees (we hadn't had our morning coffees yet; otherwise I wouldn't have bothered), and we went somewhere else for what turned out to be an awesome lunch. (If anyone is wondering, we went to the Oar House. The food, staff, owner, and atmosphere were amazing and we'll be returning there again.) I am 37 years old and have eaten at countless restaurants nationally and internationally. I can truly say that I have never been spoken to and treated so disrespectfully by restaurant staff the way I was today. I suppose they're okay with leaving customers to stand around waiting for seating and food, being rude to customers, and turning down present and future business. I, however, am not okay with any of those things. In such a popular tourist area with so many options, nobody has time or energy for all of that negativity just to get a meal. Needless to say I will never even think about returning to Elf in the Oak, and I will let friends and family know about my awful experience here today. If you're looking for a good meal in the Finger Lakes area, simply look elsewhere where you'll be treated with some respect.

The Elf in The Oak and their staff were a huge disappointment.  They have no consideration for children, and they are VERY firm on their menu rules. We arrived at roughly 10:35 am.  We tried to search their menu online on their site, but it currently says, “There are currently no menus to display.” I went inside to place an order for 2 adults, 1 child.  The menu had handwritten on it “Breakfast till 11AM.”  I was unaware that they are so firm on their policy of breakfast, which is served from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and lunch from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Had I known this, I would have been more prepared and would have not wasted the gas, money, or time on this terrible place. When I got to the front counter, I was met by a hostess who asked if she could help me.  I said that I would like to place an order.  I was then directed to step through a doorway and into the dining area (which is very confusingly backwards). At this time, it was exactly 10:44 am.  I attempted to order the chicken and waffles sandwich, then a PB&J from the KIDS’ MENU, which is on the same page as the lunch side. The kids’ menu consists of Chicken fingers, or PB&J, or Grilled Cheese. That’s all. The hostess said, “I’m sorry, we serve lunch AFTER 11:00.”  Puzzled, I said, “Even for a kid’s peanut butter sandwich?”  She said, “Yes. I’m sorry. We are only serving breakfast right now.”  I said, “Okay. I suppose I will return at 11:00”, (which was now 14 minutes away) to which she nodded her head and smiled. I had to go back outside and instead gather our breakfast orders together, then return at 10:48 am to place them.  We made our child a homemade sandwich (which spared us $5, plus annoyance).  While I waited near the cook’s station, I heard perverted comments to the female servers directed by the cook.  He made comments such as, “Ya ever have a hot dog and tuna at the same time?”, and “Would ya like some?”  I can handle this humor, but you must know your audience.  There are people and small children around, so he should have some respect and class in that environment, all while being paid for work.  Their cook has the spare time to make these ignorant comments, but not put two slices of bread, spread peanut butter and jelly on them, then possibly cut it into pieces. The location is right next to the highway. The parking is crowded and narrow. The breakfast was okay.  The female staff were polite and called me "Sir", which is was polite. The main issue that we had with this business is that they cannot make a simple PB&J sandwich for a child, nevertheless, within MINUTES of the menu changeover.  I find that to be absolutely disappointing, inconsiderate, and pathetic.  They would rather make you wait until “lunch time” at 11:00 am, and make your child go hungry, versus selling a sandwich, making some money, and making customers happy. Unfortunately, this was the first and will be the LAST time that we ever give money to this business.