(jamcafes.com/victoria) – Old Town Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

How I heard of this place: When we planned our trip to Victoria, I contacted a friend of ours who was once a local. He recommended a handful of things to do and places to eat, among them Jam Cafe.

Type of cuisine: “We are an all-day breakfast and lunch restaurant located in Old Town Victoria. Created by Union Pacific Coffee owners Jim and Candy Walmsley, Jam offers incredible homemade fare in a rustic-city atmosphere. The unique menu tempts you to broaden your breakfast horizons with selections including Huevos Rancheros, Green Eggs and Ham, Brioche French Toast and Red Velvet Pancakes. Adding to the ‘comfort food’ theme are favorites such as house made cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, and creamy sausage gravy. Needless to say, there are options to satisfy any craving.

To top off your meal, try one of our innovative drinks such as old-fashioned milkshakes or bacon-garnished Caesars. For those of you whose appetites come alive a bit later in the day check out our lunch menu. The classic Reuben Sandwich with matchstick French fries or the B.E.L.T.C.H. (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ham) sandwich are both hot tickets. Daily features for both food and drinks keep even the most regular of regulars coming back for more.

The friendly, enthusiastic staff adds the finishing touch to the welcoming atmosphere in this family-owned eatery.”

Ambiance: A hipster’s dream, the space is sleek and clean, streamlined with a air of rustic chic.

Everything short of mason jars as water glasses can be found in this hipster haven,

including the “unique” (every-new-establishment-catering-to-the-young-and-wealthy) decor.

What I ordered: Thrown off by a couple of distinct menu items, we simply had to order some of everything. To start, The Three Pigs (CAD$14): three cooked maple sausages dipped in pancake batter and fried and served with maple butter syrup and fruit.

The inside, just for show:

And a strawberry milkshake, yes at 9:00 in the morning.

For my husband, The Charlie Bowl (CAD$15): “Our version of a hash with crumbled biscuit, hash browns, diced ham, green onions, cheddar and sausage gravy topped with two sunny side eggs.”

 

One of our dining companions, vacillating between the Fried Chicken & Waffles and the Pulled Pork Pancakes, “took one for the team” and went with the latter (CAD$16): a double stack layered with pulled pork & topped with maple bbq glaze, jalapeno sour cream & pickled cabbage.

For myself and one of my dining companions, the special Rosemary, Bacon & Mushroom Omelette (CAD$14): a four-egg omelette filled with rosemary roasted mushrooms, bacon, and goat chèvre served with a huge, house-made biscuit.

What I loved: The creamy chèvre inside the omelette,

the intriguing, but altogether rich and strange combination of the pulled pork pancakes,

and the fried pancake batter, smothered in melted maple butter surrounding the fancy corndog.

Why I loved it: While they take no reservations, have hour-long (plus) lines outside of the establishment, and overrated menu, the ambiance and the meal were enjoyable, once we were finally seated and able to indulge.

Cost: Average to high (CAD$12 – CAD$16 per breakfast entrée)

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