Ellice Cafe
Ellice Cafe
587 Ellice Avenue
This not-for-profit cafe, founded by Reverend Harry Lehotsky of New Life Ministries, is one of the best concepts I have come across lately. The cafe, with an adjoined theatre and crisis housing up top, has been beautifully renovated (with money out of Lehotsky's pocket) and is a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. There is a cozy round booth that seats a larger group, one long booth running down the left-hand side of the small cafe, plenty of tables, and a diner-style bar.
The cafe is definitely tailored to serve the surrounding low-income residents and busy business people. You walk in and seat yourself. You can either speed up service by grabbing your own menu or they'll present you with one. When you are ready to order, grab your money (or Interac with a 35 cent charge) and go up to the cashier to place your order and pay. Then have a seat and restaurant service resumes as usual.
The menu covers a wide range from classic diner breakfast (only served until 11 am, I believe) to pizza to nachos to roast beef sandwiches to pasta dishes. It's classic diner food with some special meals thrown in. There is always a daily special. The prices on the menu already include tax because Lehotsky is against "sticker shock."
I have sampled the regular smokie (a steal at $2.50), a bowl of chili (too bland for my tastes, but very meaty), several specials that were very tasty, and your regular assortment of French fries, onion rings, etc. The food, I would say, is fairly on par with other places of the same sort. The prices, however, are a good deal better, when considering that they include taxes. As well, I like the idea that the profit is going to subsidize food costs for other folks.
I had dessert there for the first time yesterday: pumpkin cheesecake. A slice of cheesecake costs $4.00 and let me tell you, it was heavenly! The cheesecake was not dense, but light and creamy, which is wonderful to find in this world of pre-packaged frozen goods. Like most of their dishes (save French fries and onion rings, I assume), the desserts are home-made and you can tell!
This is an excellent alternative to fast food corporations that don't care who you are. The place serves blue-collar to white-collar to no-collar, as they say. The service is friendly and the cafe makes you feel like you're in a city where everyone can get along.
587 Ellice Avenue
This not-for-profit cafe, founded by Reverend Harry Lehotsky of New Life Ministries, is one of the best concepts I have come across lately. The cafe, with an adjoined theatre and crisis housing up top, has been beautifully renovated (with money out of Lehotsky's pocket) and is a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. There is a cozy round booth that seats a larger group, one long booth running down the left-hand side of the small cafe, plenty of tables, and a diner-style bar.
The cafe is definitely tailored to serve the surrounding low-income residents and busy business people. You walk in and seat yourself. You can either speed up service by grabbing your own menu or they'll present you with one. When you are ready to order, grab your money (or Interac with a 35 cent charge) and go up to the cashier to place your order and pay. Then have a seat and restaurant service resumes as usual.
The menu covers a wide range from classic diner breakfast (only served until 11 am, I believe) to pizza to nachos to roast beef sandwiches to pasta dishes. It's classic diner food with some special meals thrown in. There is always a daily special. The prices on the menu already include tax because Lehotsky is against "sticker shock."
I have sampled the regular smokie (a steal at $2.50), a bowl of chili (too bland for my tastes, but very meaty), several specials that were very tasty, and your regular assortment of French fries, onion rings, etc. The food, I would say, is fairly on par with other places of the same sort. The prices, however, are a good deal better, when considering that they include taxes. As well, I like the idea that the profit is going to subsidize food costs for other folks.
I had dessert there for the first time yesterday: pumpkin cheesecake. A slice of cheesecake costs $4.00 and let me tell you, it was heavenly! The cheesecake was not dense, but light and creamy, which is wonderful to find in this world of pre-packaged frozen goods. Like most of their dishes (save French fries and onion rings, I assume), the desserts are home-made and you can tell!
This is an excellent alternative to fast food corporations that don't care who you are. The place serves blue-collar to white-collar to no-collar, as they say. The service is friendly and the cafe makes you feel like you're in a city where everyone can get along.
posted by anny | 11:17 p.m.
2 Comments:
cool. saw the rev. on ctv news this evening. i'll be sure to check out this establishment when i'm in town this summer!
I had an interview at Ellice Café and was soon offered a job there, which unfortunately I couldn't accept. But my interview was one of the the most pleasant and inspiring interviews I have ever experienced. Rev. Lehotsky was full of passion and dreams for his new café, and from what I have heard, many of them have been accomplished. It is so much more than just a place to eat, but I'm glad to hear the food was good too!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home