This past Sunday, my husband and I decided to check out Eggscetra located on the corner of Victoria and York Street. We had driven past this place many times, on our way back to Caledon, however we usually picked up coffee at the Tim Hortens for the drive.
This time we were doing errands, and I mentioned that we should try it out as I had heard from many people that it was worth the visit.
We arrived at 10:30 am, and immediately realized that we should have arrived at opening time 8:00am. The place was PACKED, with a lineup directly outside. Normally, this is reason for us to find another place to go, (There are lots of selections here in Guelph) but after being told it would be a 15 minute wait, we decided to give it a try.
The front area was packed with people, and it was difficult to find a location to stand and lounge… hence the fact that many go outside to to wait. The noise level was a little crazy, but understandable due to the layout. It is an open cafeteria style, with every table filled with hungry patrons, talking, laughing, and sharing breakfast. There was representation for every demographic – all ages, and groups. Young families with small children, to multi-generation families, young couples, older couples, and friends just gathering.
We got our table in the middle of the space, and while I generally feel claustrophobic in these settings, I was immediately taken with the menu selections. I can’t recall the last time I was overwhelmed with a menu, and the selections. Typically, this would have been a place that I would have check the menu out online FIRST before going in, OR I would have asked for one while I was waiting.
For those of you who are like me – you can view the Breakfast or Lunch Menu HERE .
Generally places that offer this much selection, are your typical greasy spoons, with food slapped on the plate and served with coffee. The focus is on quantity not quality, however this is NOT the case here.
The waitress introduced herself within minutes and got our beverages, coffee for me and coffee with grapefruit juice for my husband. This arrived in minutes and our waitress just knew that we were still trying to determine our order. She was fully loaded with tables, and had a smile for everyone, and moved in a smooth, friendly, organized and efficient manner caring for her customers.
My husband ordered:
Chorizo Skillet:
Picante chorizo, mushrooms, green peppers, onions sauteed with homefries, and topped with melted cheese and any style eggs.
I ordered
Crab Cake Benedict:
Made in house, topped with baby spinach, poached eggs and creamy hollandaise sauce. *no eng. muffin.
I was no longer overwhelmed with the sound, or the activity of the place, in fact it was fascinating to view how this was really a community hub. People coming from places, or going to places… this was a celebrated part of their day. Children were savouring their pancakes or waffles, and parents were enjoying their breakfast, while staff chatted to kids and kept them engaged.
Our food arrived and was plated beautifully. This was NOT a greasy spoon restaurant. The Skillet was the perfect balance of gorgeous eggs with crispy potatoes… golden and waiting to dive in. The taste did not disappoint. The Chorizo Sausage was HOT and SPICY which is what Chorizo sausage is supposed to be. Those who water it down to be less hot are making it for people like myself, who are not fond of spicy food, therefore ruining it for those who love spicy. A Good spicy Chorizo done properly is worth it’s weight in gold. My husband LOVES spicy, and enthusiastically tucked in.
My Crab Cakes Benedict was plated with equal attention. The spinach was fresh, (not a wilted leaf on the plate – which tells me they actually go through it to make sure) the homefries were crispy and golden. I could not tell if the Hollandaise sauce was made from scratch or not, but it certainly did not have the out of the packet taste… however, it also did not have that instantly recognizable sweetness of butter… but it was creamy and lovely.
The poached eggs were perfect, oozing onto the crab cake below, which was made with real crab meat – as there was a piece of shell in it. This is not a complaint, as it was for me confirmation that real crab was used. It was the perfect blend of crispy and flavour. I believe that I have found my new favourite.. what a brilliant breakfast without gluten… and full of protein.
We will be going again, and exploring other options… this is a place that you can go to over and over again, and depending on your mood offers the perfect breakfast for whatever you are craving. We would however, go around opening time… to prevent the wait.
We are also looking forward to the Lunch Menu… next time.
You NEED to check this place out if you haven’t already!