Breakfast in Vancouver: Roscoe's on Robson
byBreakfast, it’s the most important meal of the day, so I’m told. Around Vancouver there are a few gems, you know those places that aren’t pretentious ($8 for a slice of cantaloupe and a grape) and that have a unique, individual charm. I like establishments that serve up good food, a lot of it, for cheap, and that give me a comfortable experience. We used to head over to Hamburger Mary’s, I hear the Elbow Room is a must-visit, and John has a thing for the protein breakfast at White Spot, but by far we’ve come to love Roscoe’s the most.
When you first walk in, you’d think you were at your grandma’s house, specifically my grandma’s house. There’s an easy chair, doilies, collector plates on the walls and cuckoo clocks. Lamps, table clothes and hutches filled with books just round out the decor. It’s not your average brunch spot in the city.
Their daily special includes your choice of bacon or sausage with 2 eggs any style, and hashbrowns and toast. If John and I both order this and have a coffee each, our bill comes to $11. That’s right, $11 and we don’t walk away hungry. We’ve never been there for dinner, although it’s pretty ‘meat and potatoes’ and they serve up anything from cabbage rolls to schnitzel.
We walked over to Roscoe’s recently to grab a bite but their infamous green awning was knocked down and there were work crews milling about the outside. The sign on the door said ‘closed’ and our hearts sank to our feet. We’re looking for answers now… is Roscoe’s just closed for renovations or do they suffer a more drastic fate? We’re also very open to more suggestions for a great spot to grab a greasy, hearty, filling, cheap, wholesome breakfast in town.
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I am sad to hear this because I really wanted to check out Roscoe’s! Maybe they’ll re-open sometime and we can hit it up. In the meantime, you and John should hit up Joe’s Grill. There’s one on Denman, one on Davie and one on 4th in Kits that I’m aware of. I have been to the Elbow Room before. The food’s good but I wouldn’t classify it with the “cheap breakfast eateries.” I also enjoyed our breakfast at that place in Gastown, and PHAT! in Yaletown is also great (but also not cheap).
Oh yeah, Brioche on Water St/Cordova – it was REALLY delicious, and a big helping but rather pricey
ugh, i hate roscoe’s, good riddance
Oh man that stinks! Roscoe’s was at my old building. Spent many many hungover mornings there. 🙁
Hey Bolwitts – there’s always White Tower!
Hey…any place that serves borscht and perogies, is my kinda joint!
Hope its only temporary, for your sake. Good, independently owned and operated restaurants are becoming harder and harder to find. Everything is either TGIF, Marie Callendars, or whatever cookie cutter restaurant flavor of the month you would like. Places like Roscoe’s bring character to the experience, that you don’t get with the others.
If you are ever in Portland…Tom’s Pancake House is the place to go for breakfast (it’s actually located in Beaverton). Ohhh man…I’m dying for a country fried steak now! Back to my dim sum.
Hey Rebecca,
Hmmmm… brunch [Homer’s voice]
I have reviewed a few brunch places in my own blog:
http://hummingbird604.blogspot.com/search/label/brunch
Personal recommendations? I know this might be out of your way, but Crave on Main, Rhizome and The Nice Cafe are all fairly inexpensive (and all of them around the Main Street area). Not as inexpensive as Roscoe’s, for sure, but hey not too terribly bad. I used to be a fan of the Elbow Room and I love the owners but I find the breakfast to be expensive. As suggested by someone else, Joe’s Grill is unbelievably good.
Now, let me tell you the places I plan to test for brunch in the next little while: Kyle’s Cafe on Commercial Drive and almost 10th Avenue and a little place by Richards and Dunsmuir that serves $ 3.00 breakfast. Once I’ve been there I can tell you if they’re any good.
There was a discussion on cheapest brunch on Beyond Robson that I’ve completely lost track of. But anyhow, I hope my suggestions help.