Victoria's Cafe — Restaurant in Vancouver

Had an unpleasant experience at breakfast this morning. We have been coming here since last year, and I personally liked it because it was quiet, the food was good, and the people were nice and quick. As I as my wife and I walked in, we were greeted by a young woman at the door as she was just finishing up busting a table. She wore glasses with reddish hair in a ponytail and matching eyebrows and said to us that we could take either of the two tables in the back. The back area is off to the left of the building, a house that was converted to a restaurant, and had four 4-tops in that section, with two being occupied. With both my wife and I being plus-sized, I asked if we could sit at the table she was just finished cleaning which was situated in a more open area. She didn't seem to have a problem with it. There was another empty table immediately to the right of that table, and it seemed fine, or so I thought. She brought us coffee, water and menus and then left. A few minutes later, a couple came in and they sat in the back section where we were originally asked to sit, and a second couple came in and sat directly behind us. As my wife and sat and waited for probably about 5 to 10 minutes, with no one checking on us, both couples that came in after had their orders taken by an older woman, who I had met when I ate there before. I began to get frustrated and angry because I had a felt we was being mistreated and I was unsure why. Was it because I asked for a different table? My wife observed the two women talking, behind the counter and the older woman pointed and gestured to us. The younger woman responded with a shrug and moved on. The older women then moved to take the order of a third group that came in after us. By this time, after my wife was watching all of this happening, she urged us to leave. We got up, moved to the register to pay for our coffee. We paid total of $8.67 for those two coffees that tasted burnt, and we never had our order taken. As my wife was paying for the coffee, I saw the young woman looking in our general direction with a nasty grimace as she turned away. The cashier, a man who we have generally had some rapport with, was non phased and gave the standard “I’m sorry that happened,” after my wife explained. It really means nothing when there is no feeling behind it. As we were leaving, my wife was overheard the couple behind us as the older woman was taking their order. That woman was the owner of the restaurant. It seemed she realised she hadn't gone to our table and taken our order and it seemed was redirected by the young woman to go to a different table. That tells me is that the action was intentional. What kind of person does that? I am really curious to go back as ask them why they were unwilling to serve us, but I also know that people like that will hardly ever own up to their discrimination. Instead, they do petty things like withhold service. To me, serving food is one of the simplest ways to show love and compassion, and at Victoria's, all I felt was racism, homophobia and fat shaming.

I do want to thank the servers for encouraging me to spend my time, money and energy with and on businesses that actually want...

These are the places you expect to be exceptional. These rustic, comfortable places that look for all the world like the owners have just stepped out for a moment and some entrepreneur is using their house as a restaurant. It is the very definition of charming, the home away from home, a venue that drips with sincerity and domesticity. I did not feel like the server was particularly welcoming, but I also feel they were not actively chasing me away. He was just kind of there. Perhaps he was not thrilled to be working, or he’s being underpaid, or he just doesn’t really seem to care all that much. Not bad, but certainly not what you’d expect from the down home atmosphere.

But really, it’s about the food. I don’t recall being terribly impressed with the previous ownership and name and I was hoping for something more. Maybe a little spark, a little creativity, a place that could be that perfect, safe neighborhood spot where you can be proud to bring your visitors from the big city. I got the bacon and Swiss cheeseburger with fries and before I go further I will say the fries were excellent. Lightly breaded and crunchy, soft in the middle. They are exactly the treasure you seek in these mom and pop places, right down to the Golden brown color. But as the meal arrived, even as the plate touched the table, I could smell something but put me off a little, that gave me a little warning about what was to come. Like a preview of a generic chick flick where are you know what is coming, so why bother? And what was that smell? It was the smell of Costco, it was that smell you get when you open a large bag of generic hamburger buns, It was the smell of laziness and complacency.

As I bit into the burger, that theme continued, the meat was unseasoned and bland, The lettuce barely noticeable, the tomato flavorless and uninteresting, the Swiss cheese the worst kind of generic American pablum.

It was a burger with no soul, a stock uninteresting and uninspired shadow of what a real burger should be. In an area like this, there are so many wonderful burger places to choose from, burgers with character, that have earned distinctive names, that are made with panache and flare. How hard is it to put a little seasoning on the meat, to find a real genuine tomato, to use a bun with character and flavor? To add some lettuce with a little texture and crunch? The fries were good, but they are supposed to be on the side, not the only interest in the meal. They do not counterbalance the hum drum office cubicle of a hamburger.

Someone, is just going through the motions. They have no aspirations, no culinary dream struggling into the light. Someone, is bored and because of that so am I. It’s a little bit like picking fresh peas off the vine, and you get a pod that looks wonderful but perhaps is a little too old and the peas have lost their flavor. What should be a sweet and popping surprise becomes a hard and mealy bit of protein. Two roads diverged in a yellow house, and I, I took the one with better burgers and doubted I should ever return. Life is Too short for...

My son and I came in on a Saturday morning. We had been regulars at the previous owners place and we’re excited to see a new restaurant going

Expectations far exceeded.

Victoria’s retains some of the “old home” aesthetic of the previous establishment, but they have taken it to a new level. I could describe it best by saying they elevate the classics and excel in the details. We had crêpes that were delicate and flavorful, basic eggs, bacon, and toast that were exceptional. They do everything extremely well, Sunny side up eggs were meticulously correct. The potatoes weren’t starchy, crispy on the outside, buttery and fluffy on the inside, and plentiful. The bacon was done perfectly and plenty of it. Cindy, the owner, came by to visit and was freely refilling coffees while visiting and greeting new people as they came in.

The menu isn’t deep but offers a variety of selections, including some lunch options, including sandwiches and salads. They’re open 7:30 -2:30 and have options on both sides of the clock. Omelets, crepes, French toast and pancakes, and the basics that frame out most breakfast menus. Classic and thoughtful, with an occasional twist that will surprise you.

As someone who knows about breakfast and written about the breakfast community in the Portland metro area, excellence lies in the details. Potatoes that aren’t starchy. Eggs that are done simply, but perfectly! Toast that is buttered, and selection of bread that is complementary to a classic breakfast.

Good coffee, great juice, the entire experience was wonderful. Price is right for the meal and the portions are ample. American style home cooking, executed with talented staff and delivered by friendly faces.

We all have our breakfast “moods”, sometimes you want fancy, sometimes you want classic. If you feel like going to your grandmas for a hearty breakfast with lots of love… go to Victoria’s.

Cindy and her husband bring elegance to the classic breakfast world, they have a strong interest and dedication to community and to making their customers happy.

Go there. Often. Well done to Cindy...