541 is a unique "business". It serves as a gathering place for all Hamiltonians, housed or not, employed or not, young, old and those whose family's time in Canada can be measured by generations or those who measure their own time here in days. It is an inspiring place, and offers a good meal, particularly breakfast. While there, purchase buttons for a dollar, which you then throw into a jar where those to whom life hasn't been as kind can use up to six per day to be fed without cost to them. You'll leave well-fed and feeling good about our community. I don't like leaving only a four star review, but in the interest of transparency, our orders were mistakenly filled a couple of times. It didn't bother us a bit, but I suppose it could bother some on here. read more

541 Eatery & Exchange - Cafes Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

All amazing food; service & ambiance. Hard working God blessed people! Thank you! How would you like a few big Palm plants in a pot to keep 541 Eatery a Tropical easy look cool ambiance? read more

Excellent pricing and staff great food . Very clean place . Good tasting coffee . All friendly staff and customers.

This is a win/win restaurant situation... everybody wins! The menu brings value and great flavours to your table. The staff get hands on kitchen and customer service skills as well as an opportunity to pay it forward to those that are less fortunate or simply down on their luck. The button exchange, 5 for 1... 5 buttons for a dollar go into jar that can be used by those in need to provide them with a coffee or a meal at no cost. I love the concept . read more

541 Eatery and Exchange is a great hub for the community which is a mix of everyone of all ages plus the 'typical' Barton Street underprivileged. Button Ups sit alongside Tattooed and Screwed living on the fringe types eating comfort food at great prices in this Pay It Forward cafe. Arts and Crafts adorn the brick walls and wooden tables to give it that 'kitchy' feel. The service staff revolves as it is a 'teaching kitchen' where eager twenty-something's learn valuable cooking, kitchen prep and customer service skills. The comfort food is the best at any price. Simple clean and satisfying. Aside from the occasional person 'off their meds' I recommend you venture out and see what your neighborhood is all about while munching on some rustic cooking or just down home baked goods and a coffee. #Recommend read more

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Worth the drive to Hamilton.. The breakfast, brunch selection is excellent, refreshing to see reasonable prices and no push for tips. The opportunity to buy buttons which in turn buys homeless a meal; hard to not like that notion. The eating experience honestly can be a unique one; a woman was barking for her order, a gentleman was sleeping with his bicycle tire a few tables over. To say it's a DIVERSE crowd is probably an understatement. The fact this isn't more common is also an understatement; you don't see this too often; respect to the owners, you are doing a very good thing... In this day and time of a lot of bad news and stress; nice to see something positive occurring. read more

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I get the idea is good, serve the needy in the community with healthy and delicious food that everyone can eat. Unfortunately it's hamilton, and I felt completely u comfortable in the resteraunt as the guy next to me was wearing a sleeveless leather jacket and a machete sling around his waste. read more

Possibly the best breakfast I've ever had! Apple strudel pancakes with cheesecake icing and a side bacon was incredible. The regular breakfast was great too, super crispy potatoes and good bread. Better than my go to spot in Toronto! read more

I went here for lunch with my husband and a friend. It sure is a hoping place. Atmosphere- There are quite a few wooden long tables and chairs and benches ( bring a cushion for comfort if this is an issue). It is an open airy space with lots of light from large windows on 2 sides of room. today 2 tables looked to be filled with young people using laptops ( I guess free wifi is more important than comfort) This is a non profit place with volunteers and a button program. When you order your meal you can buy a button for $1 to allow someone without $ to use it for anything on the menu. What a great idea! when you go in please note the button jar is not to be confused with the tip jar for the servers here. There is also and endless supply of glasses and water at a self sere area at counter- I love it! I drink a lot of water and sometimes i dont want to ask the waitress for my 3rd fill up. Food- Today it was simple.1) A home baked granola bar- Really tasty and moist. 2) Grilled cheese with carmelized onions- very nice and they are not stingy with the cheese. 4) roast beef sandwich- this had arugula, cheese, and pickled onions on it to add to the flavour. Really nice 5) ham and Swiss cheese with a unique mustard- tasty. All sandwiches came with a slice of dill pickle. Service- This place was very busy but the staff behind the counter kept up with the flow.They looked to be a happy group as they processed everyone through. Tables are cleared quickly and your food is delivered to you in a very reasonable time. Impression- I like the place for a quick stop for breakfast or lunch. The seats here are not for a leisurely stay ( unless wifi is your goal) The only thing I would love added is carbonated drinks. I happen to like diet coke with my sandwich and tea or juice just wont cut it. I will be back with friends for sure. read more

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The food, the service and the atmosphere were all really great. I had the Breakfast sandwich with bacon, and the tomato jam on that was to die for. I really admire the 'button program' they have running. The only thing that stopped it from being a 5 star was the fact we had to wait for our food outside in the cold. Will come again, but hopefully we won't have to wait for our food outside even in the depths of winter. read more

I really enjoy the idea of 541 Eatery & Exchange! They are a safe place in the community - they even have a jar with buttons in it, and if you are short some money you can use a button as $1! They also sell merchandise from local artists. They have lots of breakfast options, treats and coffee options. My husband and I ordered two different breakfasts and a latte and Americano coffee. My latte was really tasty! My husband liked his also well. I got the breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast and potatoes. My potatoes were a little dry but everything else was quite good! Prices are very affordable for the amount of food you receive. It was a Saturday morning and the place was packed and still was lined up when we sat down. My husband got a BLT sandwich and it wasn't anything extraordinary but he said it was tasty. He ate a few pieces of my toast as well. Although in a not so nice part of town, I think this place is a good addition to the community and very affordable. I will definitely return to try some of the treats (cookies, muffins, etc.). Overall I'm leaving off one star due to the dry potatoes! Service was very polite and quick though! read more

Great food, great business logic and compassion in a nice space! Can't go wrong with this. The staff was friendly and efficient. The tables and chairs were unique and communal which was a breath of fresh air. Stopped in for breakfast here and it was great for value! read more

The tuna melt was retarded good, man! The price was very cheap, I felt like I had to eat quick and get out of there because I was committing a crime. All and all it was a pleasant neighbourhood feeling kind of vibe and I enjoyed my experience there. read more

It's nice food for cheap, and the button system makes it great destination. Parking is another matter though... read more

We wanted to have breakfast in the "Brooklyn of Toronto". It was a great choice! The food was delicious! Staff was courteous and friendly. Prices were great. Highly recommended! Our only regret is not trying out some of the baked goods. They looked yummy! read more

541 Eatery & Exchange - Breakfast! - Cafes Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Fantastic food, amazing environment , friendly staff and excellent quality all around. You can't ask for better little coffee shop, dinner or get away in Hamilton. Did I mention just about everything is made fresh in house daily. Oh and they have a pay it forward program so you can buy a hot coffee or a meal for someone in need. read more

What more is there to say about this place? The food is incredible, prices are awesome, and the cause is heart-warming. If I had a complaint it would be that there aren't more of these across every city. read more

541 Eatery & Exchange - Cafes Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Limited menu, but great for breakfast or lunch. Food was great (mmmmm pancakes) and the prices really affordable. You can buy buttons for $1.00 a piece, they go into a jar for others to use towards or for a meal... up to 5 buttons ($5.00) per person! Love the concept! read more

Excellent food and a humbling experience. Visited on a Saturday for lunch. The wait in line was significant but our food came fast. There was a special brunch menu we found out about once we got to the front of the line. Enjoyed the bacon grilled cheese and the pulled pork. Highly recommend the ice tea which tastes better than any ice tea I've ever had. Communal style eating in a bright comfortable environment. read more

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Great place to chat and eat. I had the grilled cheese pulled pork with marble rye bread it was filled with tons of cheese. I'm going back for the breakfast can't go wrong paying $5. The deserts in the window display look amazing. This place is very clean, fresh, classy and trendy. I'm definitely going back. read more

541 Eatery & Exchange - Beautiful (one word) - Cafes Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

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I didn't know what to expect but I was intrigued by what I have heard about it. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was incredible especially for the price. The tuna melt was cheesy and well toasted with local bread. The pulled pork sandwich was delicious and the turkey goat cheese sandwich was perfectly flavoured with mustard and veggies. The lattes ( maple and vanilla) were yummy and decorated sweetly. Our dessert included the ginger spice cookie which was huge and delicious. What a great concept for the greater good of Hamilton. We bought some "buttons" and saw a few people coming in to get a great meal with these buttons as payment. Unique idea giving dignity to all. Thumbs up! Will come back just to support the cause. read more

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This place is incredible. The way that they encourage community while also reaching out to the community is incredible. Their food is well priced and tasty, their button system is inspirational, and their decor is hip. read more

Decent place, fairly crowded and the food is priced at an affordable rate. Not too much seating however and only 1 outlet so not a good place to do work during the day. The washrooms are a little scary and gross, probably wait to use the bathroom at home. The volunteers behind the counter are very nice! read more

This place is fantastic on so many levels. First of all, doesn't matter what you get to eat it's delicious. The people that work and volunteer here are great. Someone else reviewed regarding the public-spirit of the place, they offer a lot to the community that I believe deserves the support of Hamiltonians. A great meal at a reasonable price. read more

Let's be honest, no one can fault 541. With their community-minded button system and large tables they've captured our hearts and been a part of real change. And while their serving sizes may be small, you're paying 3 or 4 bucks for a meal. The coffee here is excellent. What a great place. Worth supporting. I'll come here as often as I'm in the city. read more

Closer to 3.5 stars. I came here with high hopes given the amazing reviews. I was not disappointed. If you are wondering why they lost 1.5 stars with me, it was the organization/service that was a little disappointing. The venue, cleanliness, food, and cost were all great! Parking is available on the street around the building. It is in a semi-rough area on Barton St. Completely comfortable to visit during the day. Inside the Eatery is a beautiful open space feel, with large windows and comfortably spaced out seating. It was somewhat busy when we arrived around 1130am, but we easily found a table and seated ourselves. The concern about service occurred when we tried to order food. There was three people at the cash (one a trainee?). We started ordering breakfast, halfway through ordered, we were told it was not available. We then changed our order, but it seemed to create confusion and a lengthy process changing our order over. After ordering and paying we sat down. The front order staff came and explained the wrap I ordered was no longer available, and would I like the same meal but served on a bun. Sure, sure, whatever, I was left wondering why they didn't say this while we were ordering. And then another staff came over and said the sandwich would be closer to the chicken salad sandwich and was that ok? Again I just agreed, wondering why they had something up on their menu if it was not available. In fact the second person stated the way it was described on the menu was not correct and they needed to change it. Which they did a couple minutes after we ordered...so confusing, right? A few minutes later our food arrived (service is fast) and the sandwich was not as described on the menu board. On the menu it was a turkey wrap with cranberries and cheddar. What I received was a turkey salad on a bun with radishes? I was rather confused but wolfed down my sandwich regardless. It tasted great. As did my partners Pulled pork sandwich I had a bite of. And we both enjoyed the soup. Total cost of our meal was $14. I was pretty surprised by the reasonable prices given the food is good! I also had a tea biscuit, ugh I just love those things. And then took a couple baked goods home for later. Incredibly reasonable prices and I recommend this place for its affordable but delicious menu. My only concern was the service. I could hear one of the staff trying to redirect the others. And there were a lot of people working there! At least 3 up-front. 2 cleaning tables. A bunch in the kitchen area. I would go back here to try their breakfast. And to eat more of their baked good, they are really delicious! read more

This is a wonderful place to sit and have something delicious to eat. I highly suggest that everyone goes and checks out 541. The staff are terrific...and the food.....nomnomnomnom. read more

Super cool atmosphere, tasty food and very affordable. The best part about it is the exchange - you can help others who cant afford food out! read more

This place is fantastic. It was busy when I went, and it took a long time before it was possible to place an order, but the prices are great and the servers are friendly. The food came quickly and was delicious. Not huge portions, but a lot for the money. Even the $1 coffee was great. Nice building, too. Its also awesome that you can buy buttons to help pay for someone else's meal. I'll definitely be returning. :) read more

I absolutely enjoyed my breakfast at this restaurant. I loved the button idea ... you can purchase buttons along with your meal and these buttons can be used by less fortunate people who come in to purchase a warm cup of coffee or a meal. read more

The location of the restaurant is convenient. The prices for the food id fair-certainly ot a bargain..its basic food, not a fine restaurant. Tables are communal which can be a problem as some people take advantage of this to move property of other patrons if it suits them. The noise level can be unbearable at times( some of patrons have mental health issues or simply do not understand that shouting at friends in a restaurant is unacceptable. The food is basic, not necessarily a bargain..one must remember this restaurant has few employees, so little spend on salaries and the restaurant receives various grants from community groups. there should be one or two cashiers..it is very frustrating to watch people struggle with the cash register m.mulder read more

The mission here is absolutely incredible. This is a diamond in the rough of Barton street. The food is fantastic , and the staff are wonderful. They use a button system for the less fortunate where they can exchange buttons for food, and people have the option to purchase buttons, as a "pass it forward" option. We need more places like this in our wonderful city. read more

541 is an amazing place full of wonderful caring people. The food is outstanding. It's great value for what you get. The twist is that you can also purchase buttons, and the buttons are used by people less fortunate to buy meals for themselves. It's a great community spot. read more

I love this place! Their mission is wonderful and their food and drinks are lovely and dreamy. The button exchange is beautiful, we need more places like this. It's mostly volunteer run, and everyone working there and volunteering there is really sweet. The button system is kinda like a "suspended meal" system. At 541 you can purchase a button or many buttons, and a person who isn't able to afford their food or drinks can pay with the buttons. 541's drinks are perfect, and their baked goods have me dreaming. I usually buy a couple extra cookies to go...which normally don't even make it home. It can be quite a long wait (particularly around noon-ish) if you order food that needs to be prepared, even if it's ordered "to go" still seems to be a wait. But, it's worth the wait if you have the time. read more

It's a cool place to stop in for a treat. I like the button donation to treat someone to a meal idea and have participated each time I stopped in. The last occasion, I happened to be meeting with someone who the people behind the counter seemed uncomfortable with and while we waited at the table and did state that it was for here, the food came wrapped in a to go bag and she stood and handed it to me. We left. Won't be back. read more

Great food, great prices and nice place to eat. Kid friendly. Everybody friendly. Sandwiches, salads, coffee and treats.

Great food and drinks, great environment. This is a for-benefit endeavour, so people come before profits. It is primarily operated by volunteers. With such low prices, it is easy to purchase buttons for the pay-it-forward system that 541 has set up. I would like to see more vegan options. read more

Amazingly good food, the chance to help out the less fortunate... Great place all around!!!

541 is awesome and even caters to the needs of us celiac a it's an amazing invironment and my wife Kandi and I really enjoy it

The food here was very good and the prices are very reasonable. I had the curry leek soup and a salad and both were very good. The building was an old bank and is nicely decorated. read more