An Ode To Greasy Spoons
Brunch is nice, but...
Brunch spots are great, but today, I want to talk about the greasy spoons. These are the dives that never get Instagram love because they’re deemed irrelevant and unaesthetic. These places update their menus once every decade or so, just to update the prices, but never the dishes. You’re not gonna find smoked salmon bennies or lamb shakshuka here.
What we do have are neighbourhood institutions for the rest of us. The booths do not need to be replaced because they still work. The spots on this table tell a story of decades of elbows who came here for breakfast or lunch and a server who remembers what everyone wants to eat. There is a reason places like this stand the test of time, and I hope they never go away.
Deerhead Cafe - Greenview Industrial.
There’s nothing fancy here, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. But for what this place lacks in terms of modern decor, a kitschy theme, gourmet coffee, or a slew of PR-fuelled influencer posts, it makes up for in its ability to stay resilient, serve good food, and keep the coffee full.
The menu offers all of the classic diner fare you can cook on a flattop, and today I got a breakfast consisting of 2 sunny side-up eggs, crispy hash browns, sausage, toast, and a slightly charred burger steak.
Blackfoot Diner - Inglewood
When Edna Taylor opened the Royalite in 1956, she was just 23 years old. Her hard work, persistence, and pay-it-forward attitude became the hallmarks of this Calgary institution known today as Blackfoot Diner. Sadly, Edna passed away in 2011, but her legacy lives on in this amazing eatery which has been in its current location since 1983.
Just walk through the dining room and see how many elbows have rubbed the tabletops. Jukeboxes, artwork, collectibles, and even a model train decorate this space, and if it could talk, it could tell you a million stories.
Breakfast here always starts for me with a fresh cup of coffee. The menu features a huge selection of classics for any level of hunger.
Everything is cooked beautifully to order, and there’s nothing better than taking time to enjoy my favourite part of the day. And did I mention the legendary pie? Yes, Blackfoot Diner has these incredible towering lemon meringue and Flapper pies, so be sure to save room.
I could flood my Instagram feed with colour-coordinated photos of carefully laden spreads from the latest brunch spot. I could show you slow-motion close-ups of popping egg yolks spilling their golden jizz on toasted English muffins. Or, I can show you how the rest of us eat breakfast.