The Porch was a welcomed addition to the space near the Cathedral of Learning for going out after academic talks or taking visiting scholars to a nice lunch in a good-looking place nearby. The food was good enough although limited (as many other reviewers have pointed out), and the drinks are excellent and they have a variety of beers available. \n\nThis place has gone downhill since it first opened, however -- particularly the service. I have only had one server in this place do even a halfway decent job, and I think he was actually a dishwasher or cook filling in for a server during a desolate lunch shift. Every other time, the server takes upwards of 20 minutes to bring drinks, it's like pulling teeth to get a pitcher of water delivered to the table, and forget about asking for refills or silverware or condiments -- they'll stop by the table and only take one person's request, then disappear for another 20 minutes, after which you'll need to remind them of your request. \n\nThe most disappointing thing happened just yesterday, when one server who was working a dinner/happy hour service announced that she was sick with the flu that's been going around as she delivered my colleague's salad to the table. I feel bad for the woman for being sick and working through it, of course, but perhaps management should allow their sick employees to take nights off so they don't feel the need to announce their misery to their customers. \n\nIn short, the service in this place is so bad that the food doesn't even make it worth going. However, it remains the closest and most viable option for many academics in the area, and I think that is the sole reason this place will continue to survive.