The Lancer Family Restaurant — Restaurant in St. Catharines

I grew up in the Niagara region and I've dined at Lancer since I was young and always had good food and experiences. I decided to come back today and be nostalgic but had a terrible experience. To start off my experience, I was seated very quickly since it was Tuesday around 10am. My server Carol recommended the Eggs Benedict and it's one of my favourite dishes. When my Eggs Benedict came out the eggs were poached to the point they have become hard boil but I disregarded that because I thought it was was a new method and happily tried it. While I was eating Carol brought my bill and left I was obviously confused so I asked the first waitress I saw why I was given the bill and the response was "I don't know, I'm not your server Carol is" she offered to take it back and I was okay. Then I noticed all the tables around me were asked how their food was by Carol but she skipped me (mind you being asked that isn't significant to me but it's the fact I wasn't being given the same quality service.) I then worked up the courage to ask Carol about her behaviour.

The conversation went along the lines of me asking why she brought me the bill when I was still clearly eating and I didn't ask for it, Carol "Customers are typically given their bill mid meal because Breakfast is fast" I did say "well I have never had that done to me before" And 2 things! If that's the case why didn't the other waitress also say that since its part of the "breakfast culture" and other than me there were 5 other occupied tables; where was the rush? I did also notice no one else was just sent their bills, they were asked before hand or when they were finished they asked. I then address how I noticed Carol skipped me when she was doing her rounds and her reason is that "you were on your phone." If it matters, I wasn't speaking to anyone, I was checking an email. I don't believe that is a good enough because she asked other diners while they were talking with one another and I dined alone. I finished the conversation by saying "I felt uncomfortable with what you did and I don't appreciate it." Carol didn't apologize she said okay and walked away.

I am not a confrontational person, I know the customer service industry is not for the weak and I treat everyone with the respect and that be reciprocated through the service I get. I sat down quietly, ordered quickly, and didn't make a fuss about my food because I was being optimistic and thought they had a new method. I only addressed the personal issues I had with Carol and there was no action taken from her side, maybe she was having a hard morning. I felt embarrassed that I was treated this way and feeling the need to speak up about it.

Go to Lancer at your own risk, but for me it's time to move forth from this establishment. I wish all the best for Lancer and their business for years to come. Just disappointed the people...

My first visit to the Lancer happened a few months ago and I've been a loyal customer ever since.

My first visit, it was obvious I had chosen one of the busiest Sundays of the year; every table was full and the waiting staff were bustling about. Yet, despite their busyness, I was greeted warmly with several good mornings.

As I was only one person, I elected to sit at the bar and leave the tables for families. Despite the busyness of the brunch hour I was served within what I would consider a reasonable time given the crowd and I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee.

My order was taken and prepared and served in, again, what I would consider a reasonable time for the crowd.

Serving people is a tough job, a selfless and often thankless job. Sitting at the bar area one gets to observe pretty much everything. It's hard to maintain a cheerful attitude when it's so busy, and yet every new person that came in the door was welcomed cheerfully and everyone who was on their way out, received a cheerful "have a great day" or something of the sort ... not just a passing farewell you might get in some places... but a very personal farewell.

What also impressed me was Peter, the owner, was helping to wash dishes and bring the trays out and run the cash ... it was obviously an "all-hands-on-deck" kind of day. And everyone was part of the team and engaged.

I appreciated that on check-out I (and everyone else) am asked "was everything to your liking" and the staff are very open to receiving feedback and working to make everyone's experience better.

It is also obvious from sitting at the bar the camaraderie between the staff, both the wait staff and kitchen staff, and that also bodes well for the spirit of employees as they work together and what kind of attitude they present to customers.

Overall, it's very pleasant environment and atmosphere, where everyone works hard, which adds to the enjoyment of the meal, which for me is usually a brunch item that is always prepared exactly the way I like it. They also offer a gluten-free toast option which I was glad to find out.

The Lancer has become my favourite place for brunch whether on my own or with family. And I feel as though I have become a member of...

If welfare was a restaurant this would be it. Burnt acid coffee, very salty bacon that's dry, the 18$chicken Caesar salad was lettuce and dry flavorless chicken...and vinigary dressing...the restaurant is filthy and if you don't know what food should taste like this is your place. The only thing we could finish was the bread and eggs... Suitable for homeless people and welfare bums who waste their money. Same prices as Pelham street grill which is phenomenal in taste quality and atmosphere....go there instead! Reply: If every single aspect of the breakfast was very low quality we're not going to bother complaining about every single thing. We just unfortunately accidentally chose a low-quality restaurant. I pay the same $ for a chicken and Brie salad that is freakin amazing at Empty Bellies. Yes we were asked if "everything is to our liking? Can I see your receipt?" And our response was not "yes". I rolled my eyes and looked disgusted (😬) and my boyfriend who was closer to the cash stalled in answering looked back at me and mumbled "well I wouldn't say that". (🙄)It's not our habit to tell the wait staff that the food is all very poor quality. It wasn't a "mistake " or "error". It simply is that The Lancer is very low quality and anyone who's looking for a delicious meal shouldn't waste their $ here. It was no surprise to us that the table behind us and the table beside us we're also complaining about the low quality, weren't happy with their meal, and decided to leave. If I didn't pay the same I do elsewhere a delicious good quality restaurants even half decent restaurants I wouldn't have bothered leaving a bad review. I felt the breakfast was a total...