Ernie's Coffee Shop — Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie

Honeymooning with my husband (we're from the States), asked my cousin for some dinner suggestions in the Soo and Ernie's was on the list. We gave it a go and truly I wish I could import it back home with us.

We didn't have a reservation so were seated at the bar which ended up being delightful. The bartender? A gem. He is constitutionally unable to miss. The drinks were maybe the best I've had anywhere? I don't know, I'm shook. He, himself? 1000% charm, a treat to chat with, and makes the best espresso martini I've ever had.

The drinks, outstanding. The food? Stunning! We "shared" the asparagus lyonnaise and I had the meatballs which like...if you like meatballs you will be in meatball heaven. I like meatballs and I was transported. The lil crispy bread that comes with them...are they joking with this? It's so good. The asparagus, by the way, also gorgeous. I ate it all when my husband got up to go to the washroom.

Dessert--he had the chocolate mousse and I had the Spanish cheesecake. Actually he had one bite of the mousse and I had the chocolate mousse and the Spanish cheesecake by myself because they made me feral.

Anyway 5/5 can't wait to be back next year so I can eat here again and beg them for a St Louis outpost...

Used to love this place (under the new ownership) but due to their massive popularity I think a lot more negatives are showing up. I understand it's a small restaurant but these issues are now creating such an unpleasant dining experience that I think we won't be coming back, sadly.

Prices have gone way up. From Sept 2024 to now, the price of the chicken sandwich has changed from $16 to $25?? Jeez.

Walk-ins are nearly impossible, with many empty tables around presumably waiting for reservations. Sitting at the bar sucks quite frankly, it's cramped and loud and there's an AC unit pointed directly at it that blows freezing cold air directly against the back of your head.

Charging $40 per person for people who can't come to your reserved booking is insane. We had a group booking of 7, 2 were unable to attend due to last minute sickness. We informed the server and she shuffled the table so they freed up an extra table for two. Now my friend is being charged $80??? More than two entrees? For the two who couldn't join us. Absolutely insane.

Very unimpressed and probably won't be back which is very sad considering I've been singing Ernie's praises...

My family and i have ALWAYS loved Ernies It breaks my heart to leave a bad review but i was there 2 days ago with my father and still have a bad taste in my mouth from what happened. He had asked for his supper to come out first and didnt understand how long wings took to cook n such so i got her annoyance. We were there before closing so she decided to make the order to go saying that he had said to go. Which he didnt. Our things were already in take outs so why she kept clearing the table was beyond me. She cleared my almost full soup that i was gonna ask to get a take out, i didnt complain. Then she cleared colesaw that he wasnt finished with. So he asked for it back. THIS is what got such a bad taste. She went to go get some more colesaw that she threw away in the first plaace, went into the kitchen and starting visibly complaining about him. She must have noticed me watching because she stood behind the wall.

Now i dont go there often but i 100% probably wont go back. That was...