Callister's Country Kitchen — Restaurant in Coldbrook

Normally Callister’s is our #1 choice when travelling to the valley, we have always had wonderful experiences from the atmosphere to the service. The food had never disappointed! On July 23rd my mind was changed. We entered and were seated in the front room of the building, we sat for a few minutes and 2-3 servers made eye contact but did not come over. 20 minutes passed (which was my first mistake) and finally a server came to take our drink order… at this time we had made up our minds on food so we ordered all of it together (Newfie poutine and a Mozza Burger). We sat, scrolling through our phones, reading the little newspaper provided and people watched. We watched all the booths around us fill up with people who would order and receive their food, one lady beside us ordered, sent her food back and received it back to her table again all before our food came. After another 25 minutes I had finally reached my breaking point, I walked to the counter and waited for assistance. Finally some servers came listened to my situation and my observation of everyone else who came after us had all ordered and eaten. They looked up in the system that our order had been placed 18 minutes prior but we knew that it was much more than that. They walked out back to the cooks and discussed our order which I overheard the cook say “I just got that order!” The servers returned and said our meal was just going on and would be up in 5 minutes. At this point we had already waited an hour, I told the server we would not be waiting any longer and left the establishment. Normally I am a very understanding person, I know the restaurant business is busy, mistakes happen and things get missed however, not once was there any responsibility for this mistake, they shrugged their shoulders and never offered an apology if any sort. Needless to say the great food in the past does not make up for the terrible service we received and we will not choose Callister’s in the future because of...

March break is over and all 3 kids are in school! We survived! Big Daddy T and I went on a celebratory breakfast date before his work day began. We decided to go to Callister's Country Kitchen. There is nothing pretentious about this restaurant. They sell country style home decor in the front. Country music plays in the background. In fact, I kept telling Tim that I felt like I was in Missouri. The huge windows with lovely views of the countryside especially reminded me of my youth in the Midwest. The only thing missing on the menu, was biscuits and gravy! That is quintessential Missouri!

I digress, Callister's did have other classic old Skool dishes like liver and onions, hot hamburger sandwiches, burgers of course, but also I saw Asian, Italian and Mexican influenced dishes. I'll definitely have to come back for dinner sometime... With the kids.

The menu has lots of regional dishes as well. For instance, I chose the fisherman's breakfast! The coffee was hot and fresh! When the breakfast arrived, the waitress proudly explained that the bread, the hash browns, the fishcake and the beans are all homemade! It even came with a side of chow! It was all delicious! The fishcake had big chunks of fish. The potatoes were crispy. The bread was fresh, toasted and buttered.

I must admit, I was ready for a greasy spoon. I thought it would be fried frozen hash browns, toasted Wonder bread, etc. Don't get me wrong, There's a time and place for a good greasy spoon. ;) However, that's not what Callister's is. No, Callister's feels like going to grandma's house. What are you in the mood for? Grandma will make it for you... from scratch. My grandmas have been gone for a long time. After a week of taking care of children, home for March break, it was nice to be fed a home cooked meal... cooked by someone else! Lol

As we walked out the door, I drooled over the homemade desserts! Homemade cheesecake?! What is that ridiculously tall pie?!

I'll...

2025 Review Update: Our last few experiences there have not been good. Used to be our favourite place to eat and we hope things turn back around. Maybe just staffing issues but both the food and customer service has not been great lately as others have noted.

----------/ I have eaten there three times so far once by myself twice with my spouse. We have enjoyed the food every time and the service has always been good. I love diner style restaurants that have classic country home cooked style food on the menu and actually serve it. I'd have to say Callister's does the best job of that of any restaurant I've eaten at thus far. The extra touches such as homemade bread with Hot Turkey Sandwich meal or the carrets that you can tell were chopped up fresh and not from a frozen bag. My spouse ordered the Eggs Benny and the traditional breakfast another time both of which came with a ham that was clearly sliced from an actual ham and not the highly processed stuff most restaurants use. Eggs have been done to perfection everytime whether fried or pouched. Blueberry pancakes were fantastic! The view from the back window of a farmers field is a great view for the country style restaurant and the music played when we were there was a playlist made by someone with a similar great taste in great older country music. Overall we have really enjoyed our meals there and plan to be regulars. Also as a bonus there have a ice cream booth just outside the restaurant with a great selection...