Nestled in Hespeler Village, Ernie's Roadhouse promises a Sunday brunch experience that beckons families and food enthusiasts alike.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the warmth of the decor. It was like stepping into a grandmother's kitchen, where white paneling lines the walls and wrought iron chairs complement sturdy wood tables. The ambiance is homey and inviting.

The buffet is moderately priced at $28.99 for adults, $19.99 for seniors, and $12.99 for kids aged four to twelve, with those three and under eating for free. Advertisements had whetted our appetites with mentions of scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, waffles, pancakes, hashbrowns, French toast, and more. Mimosas and Caesars are available for those seeking a boozy brunch experience.

Our hostess led us to a brightly lit room at the back of the restaurant with large windows. Here, wooden tables and chairs, mismatched in a way that evoked a bygone era, greeted us. One member of our party nostalgically remarked that it felt like sitting at his childhood dinner table—a sentiment that resonated with all of us.

I wasn't sure I could eat enough to justify a $28.99 meal, so I asked for a menu to explore other options. Several others in our party, not interested in breakfast, did the same.

To my surprise, there were no à la carte breakfast items available, so I reluctantly opted for the breakfast buffet. Two other adults chose the buffet, two adults chose burgers, and two children opted for pizza.

Although we arrived later in the morning, I was still surprised by the sparse buffet offerings. There was a small smattering of scrambled eggs, a couple of eggs benedict, and broken pieces of overcooked bacon—leftovers from what was served earlier. However, there were plenty of hashbrowns, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and cabbage rolls. Yogurt with berries, individual no-bake cherry cheesecakes, and a few pastries rounded out the buffet.

I chose an eggs benedict, bacon 'crumble,' a piece of French toast, yogurt with berries, and some fruit. The other two adults who opted for the buffet had scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, and assorted items. One of our party members, who is gluten-free, was kindly provided with gluten-free toast by our attentive waitress.

Despite the anticipation, my breakfast fell short of expectations. The eggs benedict were hard poached, the bacon was overcooked and crumbly, and the French toast lacked distinction. Surprisingly, one adult praised the cabbage roll as one of the best she’d ever had but my companions who chose the buffet were equally disappointed with the overall food quality.

On the other hand, the two adults who ordered the Famous Ernie's Burger and fries ($23.75) were very satisfied. The crispy cheese ring was a hit with everyone at the table, the patties were well-cooked, the cheese was delightfully crunchy and salty, and the fries were perfectly golden and crispy.

The children's pizzas ($9.75) were cheesy and saucy, leaving both kids quite happy with their choice.

The entire staff was cheerful and genuinely happy to see their customers, interacting with many guests as if they were regulars, which speaks to how often people return for breakfast on a Sunday morning.

We will likely return another time to give Ernie's Roadhouse another try, primarily because of the warm, welcoming, and attentive staff. Although we arrived later in the morning, which may have affected the buffet offerings, I was disappointed that there were no other breakfast items available on the menu; this would have made a significant difference.

Perhaps our experience is, in large part, due to growing pains. Ernie's Roadhouse recently came under new management. Mike Napier and Joel Cook, who previously owned The Old Marina in Puslinch before it was ravaged by fire in the summer of 2022, have taken the helm. The Old Marina was a much-loved establishment, and given time, I suspect Ernie's Roadhouse will also showcase the talent that Mike and Joel demonstrated there.