Welcome to Ernie's Cafe & Steak House
At Ernie's Cafe & Steak House, located at 1005 E Walnut St in Columbia, MO, tradition meets comfort in a classic American diner setting. Established with a passion for hearty meals and warm hospitality, Ernie's invites patrons to indulge in delicious breakfast options like fluffy biscuits and gravy or the ever-popular breakfast combos. The cozy, retro atmosphere enhances the dining experience, making it feel like a nostalgic trip. Customers rave about the attentive service and the enticing flavors in every dish. Whether you're craving a classic omelet or a mouthwatering club sandwich, Ernie’s serves up a slice of Americana that keeps you coming back for more.
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1005 E Walnut St, Columbia, MO 65201 Hotline: (573) 874-7804
Welcome to Ernie's Cafe & Steak House, where classic American diner charm meets hearty, satisfying meals. Nestled at 1005 E Walnut St, Columbia, MO 65201, Ernie's stands out as a beloved local gem, effortlessly blending a warm atmosphere with delicious, no-frills comfort food. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, this small yet cozy establishment captures the essence of an old-school diner, making every visit feel like a special occasion.
As you step inside, the retro decor envelops you in nostalgia. With a counter that lets you witness the culinary magic take place, Ernie’s fosters a friendly vibe, making it the perfect spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a quiet meal alone. The staff is known for their attentiveness and friendliness, consistently striving to ensure that every customer feels at home.
Ernie's menu is a true tribute to classic diner fare, featuring a range of breakfast and lunch options that cater to all appetites:
- Breakfast Combos: Start your day off right with selections like the Two Pork Chops with Eggs for just $7.99, or indulge in the hearty Sampler, which comes with everything from eggs to bacon, all for $7.99.
- Signature Biscuits and Gravy: A highlight among patrons, these fluffy biscuits smothered in rich gravy make for a comforting dish that's hard to resist.
- Steaks and More: For those craving something more substantial, the KC Strip and Filet Mignon bring a steakhouse touch to the menu, perfect for lunch or a late breakfast.
Review after review praises the deliciousness of Ernie's offerings. Customers rave about the variety of flavors and the comfort of each dish. One highlighted dish is the French Toast—crispy on the outside, soft inside, it is a sweet delight that guests recommend trying. The Omelets are also a crowd favorite, made with fresh ingredients and seasoned to perfection, often receiving accolades for their taste and texture.
Beyond the food, the service at Ernie's is consistently described as top-notch. Customers frequently mention how the staff keeps coffee cups filled and remains attentive without being intrusive. This high level of service complements the already fantastic food, creating an inviting experience that keeps diners coming back.
With many diners reporting wait times in peak hours, it’s clear that Ernie’s has captured the hearts (and appetites) of Columbia residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re here for a quick breakfast to fuel your day or a leisurely brunch to kick back and relax, Ernie's Cafe & Steak House makes sure your meal is not just food, but an experience worth savoring.
Next time you find yourself in Columbia, don’t miss out on this culinary treasure that embodies the best of American diner tradition. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere — and when you leave, you might just find yourself planning your next visit before you've even stepped outside!
Delicious food, friendly service, great atmosphere. Small location but we got lucky and got right in without a wait.
We were in town for a weekend and stopped here for breakfast and loved this little cafe! The atmosphere is super cozy and retro, plus the food and service were great!
Good food. Quick service. Unlimited coffee for sure. Girls are so attentive. A lot of people at all times.
Ernie's Cafe is THE diner you absolutely must visit in Columbia! Stepping into Ernie's feels like stepping back in time. It's got that classic diner vibe, complete with a counter where you can watch the magic happen. It's warm, welcoming, and full of character--a true local gem. This cozy, classic spot has everything you want in a breakfast joint--amazing food, friendly service, and an authentic charm that keeps you coming back for more. The biscuits and gravy are out of this world! Perfectly fluffy biscuits smothered in rich, flavorful gravy that always hits the spot. The French toast is equally incredible--crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, and served with just the right amount of sweetness. Whether you're in the mood for hearty comfort food or something a little lighter, Ernie's has you covered. The staff is fantastic--friendly, attentive, and genuinely happy to see you. They make sure your coffee cup is never empty and your food is served hot and fresh. If you're in Columbia, do yourself a favor and stop by Ernie's Cafe.
Ernie's Cafe & Steak House, is a true classic diner. I was in town for a wedding and they gave a list of restaurant recommendations. Ernie's was not on the list, but once in town both the bride and groom verbally recommended it for breakfast. The wedding was Saturday, so before I left town on Sunday, I filled my tummy with a classic breakfast. It's a popular diner, so there was a line out the door. I will say, the manager/hostess kept it moving. A Karen, cut past several of waiting a went inside and went to take an open stool. She was quickly sent back outside and to the end of the line. The hostess, then came out and told another single diner and myself to come and take which stool we wanted at the counter. Ernie offers 12 different combos for breakfast, I picked one that I thought I wanted. When I ordered and said to hold the buttered toast and give me an half order of Biscuits and Gravy. My waitress was so sweet, she said, nope. She said she was going to save me money by ordering me the #11 and replacing the French Toast with the B&G. That's excellent customer service. My Combo #11 was delicious. Had my eggs scrambled and they were super fluffy and simply seasoned. The three slices of bacon were crispy and the Hash Browns had crispy edges. However, the true star of my breakfast was the Biscuit and Gravy. The biscuit wasn't as fluffy as I'd like, but the gravy was top notch. I love pepper and it was extremely peppery which made me happy. If anyone is going to Columbia, I'd tell them to stop by Ernie's for breakfast. When I come back to COMO, I'm going to stop by for lunch and enjoy a burger. Dick Tracy, thinks about them all the time.
We came in for brunch on a weekday, and our party of 5 was seated right away. Ambiance is a typical casual breakfast diner. Menu is basic but lots of options. Service was good. - Omelet (4.5/5): I was impressed how tasty the omelet was! I got sausage, pepper jack, mushrooms, onion, peppers. Plus hash browns on the side, which were very crispy which I love. - Biscuits and sausage gravy (4/5): Good portion size. Biscuits were fluffy, lots of gravy and super flavorful.
Very good priced breakfast. The coffee was not charged for refills which was great, each item of my meal was fantastic. The decorations were very cool and retro. Everyone at the table was satisfied, I will return.
A MUST if you are in CoMo! Traditional style breakfast food from breakfast sandwiches to omelets to plates. The grilled cheese was also phenomenal. The servers and staff were extremely nice and had exceptional service. The inside is small but gives that old school feel.
Had the Breakfast Combos. Waffles were large and fluffy. Eggs and sausage were delicious and the hash brown crisp. The staff was nice and friendly making the whole experience enjoyable. Will definitely swing by again when I'm in town
I stopped here for lunch on a Tuesday at 12:30 pm and it was not that busy. This is an old diner that has a lot of character. I was greeted right away by a very friendly and upbeat server. He gave me my menu and took my drink order. The menu is not that large, but it is in the diner tradition, 1/3 is for breakfast and 2/3 is for lunch. I was very happy with the selections. My server brought me my coke and took my order. I ordered the #1 Bacon & Turkey "World Famous Pyramid Club" with American cheese on white bread along with the house chips. The meal was served within 5 mins, and it looked fantastic. It was two layers high like a traditional club, but it was only cut in half, which was nice, the sandwich doesn't fall apart when you eat it. This is an "upscale" classic club sandwich. The lettuce is not iceberg, it is a fancy type of lettuce. Normally I find these types to be bitter, but this was really good. The tomatoes were very fresh, and the meat was outstanding. This is the best club sandwich I have ever had... But wait, there's more... The house made potato chips are fantastic. Everything about this place was good. From the décor to the overall atmosphere to FANTASTIC service... You cannot go wrong trying this place, it is truly a special diner. I wish this was in my hometown.