Galaxie Diner — Restaurant in Calgary

We have been going here religiously over the last year because as you can see from my previous review below it WAS hands down the best breakfast in the city.

Over the summer the quality of food has gone from bad to worse, their delicious specials a thing of the past and the spark (and the locals) have gone.

The core team of staff who made the place incredible...from impeccable service to delicious food...have all left and so appears have the customers. You could not get a table on a Saturday morning if you didn't arrive at 8am, long queues outside, a hive of energy inside, it was the spot to be....that is all gone. We were one of only 3 tables this Saturday morning for the entire 40mins we were in. It saddens me to say that this was our last Galaxie, as I sat and ate a cold, greasy, mess of an egg white omelette, politely wiping away the missed remnants of sour cream (I have a really bad dairy allergy and their treatment of this was deplorable today) my heart broke knowing that one of the things I adored about this city was gone.

If you are looking for the Galaxie of bygone years, it is gone, and so is the heart of the business and their loyal customers.

My Old review -------‐--------------------- Hands down the only place to get Breakfast in Calgary. They have the friendliest, most accommodating staff, and consistently delicious fare that keep bringing us back again and again.

The interior is so cute and quirky, a true Americana 50s vibe. They cater to allergies with zero fuss, I am gluten intolerant and they are always super careful. All this is topped off with bottomless hash (probably the best I have ever had, soft and fluffy) and the coffee keeps pouring. No visit to Calgary is complete without a Breakfast, Brunch or lunch...

YOU NEED TO EAT HERE! Whether you’re a born and raised Calgarian, moved to Calgary recently or have lived here for years, passing through, visiting or on vacation; Galaxie Diner has the best breakfast or lunch in the city and everyone should definitely check it out (or you’re seriously missing out). It’s one of those tiny-hole-in-the-wall places, but like many unexpected places it’s phenomenal: old fashioned diner-style set up, they have booths to sit with small or semi-larger groups or you can sit at the bar, on 70s/80s bar stools and enjoy watching the cooks work their magic and the friendly servers bustling about. The food is unbelievably good, made fresh and served fast! The portions are huge (which is awesome as you certainly have the option to take leftovers home) and if you’re getting breakfast then be prepared to enjoy an endless serving of hash browns. Also, the best omelettes I’ve ever had - my all time favourite is the Pacific Omelet stuffed with smoked salmon, cream cheese, chives, and spinach. I ALWAYS order a milkshake (it’s a diner, how can you not?) and oh they are delicious and yes you get the glass and the leftovers in the silver cup! Be prepared to wait though (and trust me when I say it’s worth the wait) during their busy times (weekends/holidays), sometimes even outside if there’s lots of people, but don’t fret! They serve free hot coffee or tea while you wait and it’s an all-day breakfast spot so you never have to worry about missing out. Since it’s close to downtown and only a few blocks away from 17th Ave, you’ll most likely have to search and pay for parking as there is no parking lot specifically for the Diner. If you want to skip the rush, go early in the morning...

I had heard positive feedback about this place so decided to visit for the firs time.

At check in, I requested a table to sit down with a friend and not to sit at the bar.

Hostess confirmed a 30 minute wait and “table seating”; the owner was also present when I checked in.

40 minutes passed and the hostess came out and offered us seating at the bar contrary to table seating. She replied you will need to wait longer as I will have to seat others before you; I assumed others booked ahead or there was a large party.

Another 15 minutes (going onto 55 minutes of wait time) and the same hostess came back out and instead offered a table to 3 guests that were only waiting for 20 minutes with no prior booking.

Do trust me when I say I appreciate that space may be limited however this was not at all correct to have 2 people waiting almost 1 hour and then give priority to a table of 3 having waited only 20 minutes.

The food may be great and cannot provide feedback there but to have this sort of customer experience with the owner / manager overseeing seating with the hostess was definitely not a welcoming experience.

This would have been my first visit and possibly a decent food experience but not a restaurant I will be visiting...