I know when you go to Hampden, you're supposed to hit certain restaurants and shops. We visited the cafe under the giant flamingo for a Sunday brunch and I was disappointed. Happy to see a crowded room, with families and hipsters around chowing down. We sat in the overflow room (Hon Bar) and it went downhill from there. Slow drink service (two of us: soda and coffee), slow ordering service (10 min later and 2 other couples waiting on hello), slow delivery services (45 minutes after ordering 2 omelets). The food was not warm by and two other tables seated well after we ordered, received their food and check before we could even ask about where our food was. Will I go back? Probably not. Cafe Hon had its chance, and honey, I'm not impressed.

I'll echo everyone else... the food is not that great. Burgers are dry. Crab dip is ok. I really only go to drink at the bar. It's a nice grown-up bar; well appointed with decent beers on tap. The bar staff is friendly and I find it to be a comfortable setting.

How can you live in Hampden and not give props to Cafe Hon-- that giant Flamingo on the front of the building is one of the things that gives Hampden it's identity. The food is only so-so diner fare-- certainly a few steps up from typical greasy diner food, but not much more. The dinner menu is disappointingly pricey, but the attached bar has Happy Hour Natty Boh's for a buck, and that my friends is a thing that truly gives back to the community.

Cafe Hon is a good lunch spot for anyone working in or visiting Hampden. The prices are very affordable and it is very quaint. Nothing special about the menu but the food is consistently good. Service can be hit or miss since it tends to get very crowded at lunchtime. Traffic can be a big problem as well, since the parking lot is very small. You're often forced to park blocks away on the street and pay the meter. I would recommend, as long as you can get there in time for an early lunch.