The Goofie Newfie — Restaurant in Centre Wellington

Went here today and had a bad experience.

I have an obvious non-canadian accent and was confused by some options so was asked by the waitress where I was from. So it was clear I'm from a different culture (English/Australian).

The beef patty I had tasted nice but otherwise the meal was very average. Chips not great (though a large serve), etc. I thought the drinks were expensive for what you got.  My frozen Marguerite was fairly tasteless.

Paid the bill, which i thought was quite expensive (about $160) by card. There was an option to tip on the eftpos machine. I didn't. Tipping is not a thing in my home countries and frankly it's bizzare. The staff aren't there for fun. They're paid to do a particular job. Ontario serving staff have to get the government mandated minimum wage (I think around $16/hr). It's not like the U.S. where waiting staff can be paid 3 or 4 dollars an hour. I presumed tipping was perhaps for exceptional service or a great meal. Neither of which we had.

As we left the waitress followed me and said "Not cool buddy. Not cool" before walking away.  In consultation with my Canadian friends they confirmed that would have been directed to me as I didn't tip.

I found it really bizzare and rude. I was going to walk back in to have a conversation about it but my friends wanted to leave.

So I'm expected to give you free money, for doing the basics of your job that you're already being paid for? We had to wait for a while and specifically ask for water on a super hot day, where I would presume water was automatically brought out as soon as you took a seat. We were given options with the meal when ordering without being told that some options cost extra (eg poutine with curds whereas I thought curds was what made it poutine rather than just chips and gravy. Turns out the curds cost an extra 2.50. I'm sure it's listed on the menu somewhere but it wasn't spelt out whilst it was being offered during ordering). The native Canadians were also surprised that we weren't checked on during our meal. That happened at the very end.

The service was the minimum I would have expected of someone being paid to write down orders and then deliver those orders (which someone else actually cooks). The service wasn't anything above and beyond what I'd receive, on average, in Australia. Neither was the food.  In fact on both counts it was a bit worse.

(Edit: my Canadian friends say an 18% tip is now expected. 18% of $160 is 28.80. According to the Canadian government data, the median hourly rate in Ontario is $27. So I have to give her a gift of OVER AN HOURS PAY for the 3 minutes of contact we had with her?!?! Which she was already being paid to do.....make it make sense.)

So for the foreigner, what are the boundaries? Do I tip the bus driver for saying hello to me and then driving the bus without crashing? Should I be leaving money for the garbage collectors if they take everything away without spilling anything? Am I expected to tip the front counter person if they're still able to greet me with a polite smile even though they're clearly busy? And you don't tip fast food workers? Now they really work for their money, dealing with you, someone over their earpiece and also cooking all at the same time. But nothing for them?

What is the justification for giving free money to someone doing the basics of their job? The basics they agreed to provide for the monies offered in the contract they signed.

It seems like I was considered an arse for not giving free money to someone earning at least minimum wage. That my actions were somehow immoral, that i was "not cool". I find this appalling. If I choose to give my money away to someone outside of an agreed work contract I'll give it charity. I'll give it to the homeless guy who needs dinner. The young kid who'se been kicked out of home. An angry old lady who's doing what her job contract requires her to do???...

Goofie Newfie Restaurant - A Hidden Gem in Fergus!

If you’re looking for a restaurant that combines a cozy atmosphere with authentic, hearty food, Goofie Newfie in Fergus is an absolute must-visit! This place is more than just a dining experience – it’s a slice of Newfoundland culture brought to life in the heart of Ontario.

From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with friendly smiles and the warm, inviting charm of a true “East Coast” vibe. The décor is quirky and fun, filled with nods to Newfoundland’s heritage, making it a perfect backdrop for a relaxed meal.

The menu is nothing short of fantastic. Whether you’re craving traditional comfort food or curious to try something new, there’s something for everyone. Their cod dishes, a true Newfoundland staple, are fresh and cooked to perfection. And don’t miss their toutons or Jiggs Dinner – they’re as authentic as it gets! The portions are generous, and the flavors are homey and rich.

The service deserves a shoutout, too. The staff are attentive, personable, and make you feel like family. It’s clear they take pride in the food they serve and the experience they provide.

And if you’re lucky, you might catch some live music or special events that add to the fun, community-centered atmosphere.

Goofie Newfie isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an experience. Whether you’re a Fergus local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and make a stop here. You’ll leave with a full belly, a happy heart, and likely a new appreciation for Newfoundland’s unique culture...

Spent a beautiful evening on the patio, thankful it wasn't a super hot day. Looking forward to the restaurant opening up their in restaurant dining (not sure the reason it's not open). The patio was a lovely experience, the sound of the falls in background made for the best ambiance. Overall food was good but just a bit on the pricey side for the quality in our opinion. The seafood chowder was awesome so well worth the $13, I just wished there was more to be honest. The Lobster roll lacked flavour and too heavy on the onions. The fries were really yummy! The meatballs, gravy and mashed was just ok... meatballs and mashed potatoes were average, gravy was very tasty. The fish and chips were quite good and crispy not soggy, heavily battered if you like that for me a real negative was their water... lol, I know but I really enjoy water with lemon with my dinner and their tap water was awful... if I owned a restaurant I would never serve unfiltered water. My mixed drink was good though and my husband appreciated the Dad's root beer. Our waitress was not great but might have been new or overwhelmed so we'd give that the benefit of the doubt... the other staff we encountered were very nice and welcoming. In conclusion, we would definitely try this place again; to give it another shot and try some of their other menu items... I might have to have that chowder...