Cora — Restaurant in Ottawa

I found myself in the area of this Cora's and decided to have breakfast on Monday, April 30, 2018. The "hostess" took me to a table as soon as I arrived at 7:50am. As I was alone, you'd think this "hostess" would have suggested one of their free newspapers (I discovered when leaving) to me, but no. The place was about 35% occupied with only couples at tables, with two waitresses serving. So I sat there....and waited....10 MINUTES until I received a coffee??? and I placed my order. I slowly drank my coffee....and waited....perhaps another coffee??? No. 20 minutes I'd been there and only one coffee halfway through!?!?!? My food arrived (by the OTHER waitress) at 8:13am and I didn't get a second coffee until 8:17am.

During this timeline, I also noticed that people arriving/seating after me were getting served before me...granted it was a different waitress. After noticing the neglect I was receiving, the two lovely ladies eating at the table beside me started asking the "hostess" on my behalf for a coffee! lol Needless to say, we started a very interesting conversation about service in restaurants. I explained that I was spoiled as my usual restaurant sits you down with a menu and you GET a coffee within 2 minutes! A few minutes after that you've ordered, within 5 minutes you're served a wonderful meal....with a smiling face....AND treated like family (the ones that you like lol) !

I don't understand the comment "eat and get out" kinda place. THIS Monday was more of a leisure brunch attitude. I have NEVER in my life, left NO TIP (I usually tip 35-40%) but I certainly did this day! The ladies beside also concurred. I thanked them for THEIR hospitality/assistance and left shaking my head....passed the rack of free newspapers! Sigh....

It might be that "regulars" get more prompt service but it IS incredibly short sighted to neglect new comers...that would NEVER become "regulars" after such sad service. Having shared my experience with plenty of people, they ask which Cora's and then they say ahhhh yeah. That Cora's!

I can only recommend that you eat breakfast here during the week, if you're already "on the clock" at work on you cell phone....or you're meeting with a friend that you haven't seen in ages....and need an hour or two to catch up. Then, you'll do fine. If you want to eat civilized and get back to your day? No chance...they take their time! The McDonalds drivethru is just over the hill...

I will start off with Des being a doll, she was great, very prompt and very polite to us, and she was very out going only had to wave her down once for coffee so no complaints there.

My food was okay, the bacon and sausages could have been cooked a bit longer and the lack of potatoes was a bit of a let down, paying 24 bucks for a meal I expect at least a decent portion.

1:However I do have a small gripe, something that really bugged me, one waitress was crying in front of everyone, the manager should have caught that and made her have a break to compose herself, I do not know if this was a result of a terrible customer or staff picking on her, but none the less it made you guys look poorly and I was worried for her, not a good sign at all.

2 Des told us " please leave a review as the manager and owner look at these and name dropping helps" this makes it seem as though it was very rehearsed and that's pretty awful, I almost did not want to leave one, I do suspect this is the managers doing to push those lines onto people, word of advice don't do that it makes the company look pretty desperate and terrible as though if we don't name drop or leave a review they can get a reprimand.

Don't do business like this, reviews are supposed to be organic and natural if it is good or bad we will do so, do not force the servers to say that it feels absolutely fake ,disingenuous and pretty abnoxious. DON'T DO THIS AND STOP!

I hope the owner and the manager read this.

Again Dez was magnificent at her job hence why I left her a 20 dollar tip.

Manager if you do read this please stop this nonsense.

I feel bad for that crying waitress that someone used her like a punching bag.

Do better.

Edit: I notice a pattern here, bad reviews do not get addressed and they leave customers without having the issue resolved.

Be warned they seem not to care that you give...

Just went there this morning. Ordered off of Doordash and went to go pick it up. Followed the arrows on the ground to the outdoor patio and asked an idle staff about where to pick up my food. She directed me inside. I go inside and there is no visible signage not anyone attentive towards guiding customers on what to do for picking up an order. So i walk towards a row of packages ready for pickup assuming I'll find mine there. An older woman deeper in the building sees me approach the area and gestures no to picking up the already made packages inside so I just wait. She comes closer and asks me for my Order number. I'm not sure what that is since I use my name to pick up food orders I've made. She repeats when I say I'm not sure what she's talking about. She then proceeds to act on the assumption that I am not the customer but instead a dasher. The male staff inside finally understands that I'm looking for my Order and starts doing the process for confirming my name and passing on my food package to me.

Bottom line, don't be a$$holes and verify your clientele. Don't automatically profile. Ask basic questions like "Did you order or is it for delivery". I don't mind you making the mistake, what i mind is the rude behavior. Without your customers you're nothing. Don't forget that.

Phase 1 is almost done and we'll shift into Phase 2 but improve your flow. Implement proper signage and train your staff to keep an eye out for customers approaching for pickups.

Anyways, disappointed with the experience and unlikely to return to any Cora's of my own volition...