Sophie's Cosmic Cafe — Restaurant in Vancouver

Cute place! Sometimes I like kitschy decor and sometimes I hate it, but this place, despite being really cheesy, didn’t feel over the top. I didn’t get as good a look at all of it as I would’ve liked to, but I thought the shelf of sports trophies was particularly funny. Also the placement with the kid’s drawing was so cute! Anyway, I’d never seen a reason to visit this restaurant because I’d had a few friends describe it as “hangover food”, which is not something I have much use for, but another friend suggested it for lunch and I actually thought it was pretty good! The food came out amazingly fast after we ordered, yet everything tasted freshly prepared. I had the Jimmy’s Greek Benedicts. I’d definitely say the flavours skewed more Spanish than Greek, and it was lighter on the feta than I was expecting, but nonetheless I really liked the sauce. The eggs were poached perfectly (the menu says that soft is the default if you don’t specify, but the waitress still checked with me). I don’t consider myself much of a potato fan, but I loved the breakfast potatoes! I liked that they weren’t deep fried so they weren’t greasy, dry, or crunchy, the green onions on top were a nice touch, and the house hot sauce was great. The portion size was generous, and I finished the whole thing but felt super full after - if it had been any larger I would’ve taken some home, but it was right in that sweet spot where I was just able to finish. I also got a crème brûlée shake. I asked if I could get the milk replaced with almond milk and they said yes and didn’t charge extra. They serve it in a glass but give you the “overflow” in a metal cup, and there was about as much extra in the cup as there was milkshake in the glass, so although I finished the whole thing by myself (to my own surprise), you could easily split one. I would probably go for one of the many more distinct flavours next time since the crème brûlée just tasted like a slightly custardy vanilla, but it was a really good shake and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sprinkles and cherry on top were a nice touch. I will say I think it’s a little overpriced. Despite the generous portions, it is just diner food, and paying almost $30 (more with the tax and tip) for a benny ($19) and milkshake ($7.5) was a little disheartening. I would expect even really good diner food to be at a more affordable price, like maybe $16 max for the benny? The milkshake price was more justifiable because it was basically 2 milkshakes, but still I’d hope to pay ~$6 for this at a diner? But realistically, their rent in this neighbourhood might be high enough that this is what they actually have to charge to make ends meet so I don’t want to judge them too harshly - I was just surprised that I ended up spending as much as I would’ve spent at one of Vancouver’s bougie brunch spots at what looks like a diner. Our waitress was nice and perfectly attentive until we were done eating, where we sat around for a while after we were done waiting for her to take my friend’s plate. My friend did have some salad left which I guess the waitress might’ve just been waiting for her to finish, but it was quite a long wait without her touching the salad that I was a little surprised we had to sit around for. After finally trying this place, I see why it remains so popular! It’s not the place I’d chose to bring people visiting from out of town or recommend to tourists - I’d chose something a little more unique for that - but for people who live around here it’s definitely a fun place to check out, and I’d be happy to...

Dear Sophie's Cosmic Cafe,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my disappointment with the recent experience I had at your establishment. I have always enjoyed dining at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe for its unique ambiance and delicious food. However, during my last visit, I encountered some concerning issues that I believe need addressing.

From the moment my party and I arrived, we noticed that our waitress had a negative attitude. She appeared disinterested and didn't greet us warmly, which made us feel unwelcome. Throughout the meal, we struggled to get her attention, and when we finally managed to do so, she seemed irritated by our requests for assistance.

What was even more disheartening was when it came time to pay the bill. Instead of leaving the tipping decision to us, the waitress unilaterally chose the tip percentage and asked us to pay accordingly. This made us, as local residents who are familiar with tipping customs, feel like we were being treated as if we had no knowledge about how to tip appropriately.

I believe that customers should have the freedom to decide on the tip amount based on the quality of service they receive. Forcing a specific tip percentage can be uncomfortable and even disrespectful, especially when the service provided did not meet our expectations.

I genuinely hope that this feedback will be taken constructively, and that steps will be taken to improve the overall dining experience at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe. A friendly and attentive staff can make a significant difference in how customers perceive a restaurant, and I trust that you will address this matter promptly.

Thank you for taking the time to read this comment. I remain hopeful that my next visit will be more pleasant and in line with the positive experiences I have had at your establishment...

We returned to Sophie’s for the 4th time as we find the price and portions reasonable and it’s generally a good diner. Our waiter was insincere, the service was rushed (restaurant not at capacity) and we had a hard time grabbing their attention for the bill or a to go container. Unfortunately one of the menu items was disappointing as it was an omelet with salsa - no other vegetables as promised on the menu (Spanish Omelet).

When it came to paying, there was no 10% tip option on the machine (started at 15% - nothing under “other”) and we couldn’t leave a tip on the machine. To my surprise, the waiter, after seeing the lack of tip on the receipt (and not considering the tip that could be left in cash) dropped the receipt on the table and left without a simple “have a good day” or “goodbye”. Additionally, the individual said to a colleague “they didn’t tip because the bill was a second late” loudly and intentionally for our party to hear. I found their attitude quite unprofessional and appalling!

Having worked in the food industry, I’m aware that the serving wage in this city is insufficient, and I have been disappointed at lack of or low tip percentages. However, I always continued to maintain a professional attitude and not bash a customer before they leave the establishment (sure, vent to your colleagues after-we all do it).

This unfortunate experience has left a sour taste with me. P.S. I edited this review from two years ago. FYI it...