Williams Fresh Cafe - Cambridge

The most recent changes to the menu at this Williams franchise were disappointing, to say the least. Although this location has had cleanliness issues in the past, our experience today was no exception. We struggled to find a clean table and noticed dirty dishes piling up on the front counter, possibly due to a broken dishwasher. The California salad, a signature dish, has been removed from the menu. The Caesar salad I ordered was served in a small cup without dressing and came with a large portion of canned beets for $6. The quiche had a soggy, bland crust instead of the crispy one it used to have. The chicken Caesar wrap had very little chicken, and the potato wedges were undercooked and soggy. Even the strawberry banana smoothies were lacking in flavor. Overall, for a $30 lunch, we received very little and have no reason to return. Lesson learned.

During a rushed morning in the city, I decided to stop by William's for a quick cup of coffee without breaking the bank. I stumbled upon this spot on the west side of the street in Cambridge and decided to give it a try. Surprisingly, it wasn't too busy just before 11:00, so service was quick. The coffee was satisfying and the fresh croissant was a pleasant surprise. I managed to grab a quick bite before heading out. The washroom was clean and well-maintained on the main level, with a ramp at the front door. However, I was unable to locate an automatic door opener.

While driving a long distance, we were craving something healthy and were pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available at this restaurant. They offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, and light dinner choices. We ordered a delicious roasted vegetable and goat cheese panini, a turkey apple sandwich with cranberry sauce, and a chicken shawarma quesadilla. All of our dishes were hot, fresh, and flavorful. The service was quick and the dining area and restrooms were clean.

I was surprised by the size of the café... it was huge inside. The menu had a variety of options for this type of branch that is good for the Picky customer like me. The classic breakfast was perfect... not sure I would get it back. The coffee was delicious and the service was decent. It is worth checking at least once.

Went through the drive-thru and ordered a chicken pesto sandwich. There was so much pesto that the bread was a soggy mushy mess. There was very little chicken and the chicken that was there was not white meat and there was a bit of fat...and gristle on it. After three bites I threw the entire sandwich in the garbage.