1st visit last July 2015. Value for money is the 1st priority for me for a place, so this review im afraid, will not be kind. The girly wanted to try it, as she likes waffles, so thought what the heck. Nice enough inside, obviously spent a pretty penny refitting whatever it was before, fresh and clean, airy without being too overly lit. Staff are nice. Place is clean and comfy.
I order for the girly and I, I pick the ham and waffle savory thing (over $10 IIRC), the girly plumps for the blueberry thingy. I look at the menu board, inwardly im thinking "Holy crap? $8 for waffles?" and assumed I would be getting a good 4 chunky waffles, for the plain waffles option (Waffle batter can be bought for pennies) or a 'dennys' style portion.
Total including pop and coffee was inwardly eye watering, but didn't want to make a scene so just paid.
Trays arrive. They do this cute thing where ones 'plates' are waffles served on parchment paper on a lovely ultra clean baking tray. My portion is....2. Two tiny waffles and a sliver or 2 of ham that looks like it was warmed over from a resealable bulk pack. The girly's was the same but with blueberries.
2....waffles? Inwardly i'm annoyed for being reeled in. I rationalise and think that surely the girl will come over with another 2 when we are almost finished. Nope. Too bad. One just gets 2 measly waffles. One can practically inhale them in a few mouthfuls. Honestly, the last time I was this inwardly incredulous at the miserly portions was at 'Sultans Tent' (see seperate review)- the current reigning champ of the 'You gotta be kidding me right?' - school of value, type reaction when the plate is put in front you.
We leave, my stomach still grumbling, girly seems happy as tiny ladies eat less I guess. I speculate to myself that perhaps the ground rent is sky high or the refit costs are crazy and the ownder needs to recoup costs, but this isnt the way to go about it. Yes, a biz needs to make a profit, but come on, 8 bucks for 2 plain tiny average tasting waffles and a blink inducing THREE dollars for a small cup of coffee, isnt the way to go. One can go a km or so away and have a gut busting 'Cowboy Breakfast' at Humpty's for a few bucks more, AND bottomless coffee! (which doesnt taste like boiled road tar a'la Starbucks)
Lower the prices or UP the portion sizes, watch footfall increase, yes its a lower margin, but better keeping it constantly busy than having the place with tumbleweeds running through.
Wasnt busy when we went in last year, and it wasnt busy when I went in on Sat evening tonight. 2 other folk inside. Coffee is still $3 bucks, and still burnt tasting, extremely bitter and lukewarm.
I have no idea what it is with new catering businesses opening along 17th ave being totally at odds on pricing models to what is happening in the economy. AB is undergoing a recession as the tar sands collapse, and theres businesses going bust along 17th ave so fast I lose track. La Villa, Corbeaux Bakery, Tilted Kilt, Resto 901 bar. All (I suspect) casualties of too trendy pricing and not enough money to serve their fantasy market. The political logo at the rear of this restaurant is a little bizarre too.
Waffle house folks, sincerely, its a lovely place, but unless you adjust to the reality of your market, I cant see you surviving, and I want you to, as I like to support local biz - unless - I cant afford them. Don't be another La Villa.
Without a change of course, I give this waffle house 2 years.