We were a table of eight and everyone enjoyed their meals. Sam was our waiter and he was excellent tending to seven women and one guy. One commented that the coffee was so so. People ordered dishes like Eggs Benedict, the roast beef dip, breakfast, which they allowed us to order 20 minutes past the time, and everyone was very pleased with the portions and the food itself. We sat at a table beside the bar, and it was nice and secluded from the rest of the restaurant. Very pleased that I booked here at this restaurant for our reunion get together. We had a great time! Thanks again, Sam! You're truly a professional! read more

I stopped by Chances R on my way to Montreal because I was looking for a breakfast restaurant. Looking at their menu it seems like they're more lunch and dinner oriented with about 5 breakfast options. I got the breakfast with meat and pancakes. Everything was good. Service was fast. It was a week before Christmas on a Thursday and the restaurant was packed. They gave us the last seat without a reservation. Overall a pleasant experience, my only complaint is that they only gave me 2 slices of bacon. I feel like that's not a lot. Everything else was great. read more

Chances R Restaurant - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Loved that the wait wasn't too long and they were able to accommodate a stroller as well as a high chair. The food was great, love that they could do one pancake AND one French toast rather than having to choose two of the same kind (I like the French toast but get pancakes for my daughter)! The hostess was amazing but the server seemed kind of rude with some of her responses. They are great with celiac, making sure their potatoes are made separately, but when asked if any of the hashbrowns or French toast can be made gluten free, she responded "well they're made of flour.... So no" as if we were wild for asking if they have gluten free flour as well when they have gluten free toast and other options. Otherwise, great visit! read more

Chances R Restaurant - Combo plate with fruit - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

The Hangover $18.99 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, served with bacon poutine. And an extra side of home fries $3.99 Great sized meal for yourself but in my case to share. Had I known the bacon poutine was with the hollandaise, I would have asked if that could be an extra side instead of just extra home fries because it was delicious. The cheese in it was gooey and with the right amount of sauce. Potatoes well done - a must for potatoes in my books. I'd totally go back. I always stop into this place when I'm in Ottawa. Staff are nice and my coffee is always topped up. read more

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After reading all the good reviews I was really excited to try this restaurant, but it was lacking. First, the coffee does not come with breakfast and it was awful, I paid $3 For super strong gross coffee. The eggs and toast were good, but the potatoes which are advertised as grilled were actually deep fried and incredibly greasy. The beans were okay, definitely canned beans, wouldn't order them again. The bacon was incredibly salty, not sure which brand they use but they should be buying reduced salt versions. The service was fantastic though, and that's where they gained some points. Overall not a bad breakfast, but not really great either. read more

Chances R Restaurant - Beans - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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August 10, 2025 - Safety Concern & Poor Handling I ordered a chicken wrap with a Diet Pepsi at Chances R - East and bit into a large, rock-hard object that appeared to be a bone (at first I even thought it might be a tooth). This could have caused serious injury or choking. When I told my server, he later said it was a "potato" that must have been left in the deep fryer, which is why it was so hard, and also claimed that cross-contamination in food is "normal." No apology, replacement, or compensation was offered, even though I couldn't finish my meal. What bothered me most was how dismissive this was handled. Food safety concerns should be taken seriously, not brushed off as normal. I hope management addresses this issue to prevent harm to other customers. read more

I quite often go here to eat , 1 or twice a month. I usually have breakfast of some sort . Yesterday May17, I stopped in for a quick breakfast , and I have to say I was very disappointed in general . The food was not warm at all , bacon very under-cooked , and only 2 pieces of toast in stead of 4 . My server never came and asked if I needed anything or refilled my water I was on my phone (texting) when he came with the bill , and he stood there until I paid , normally , they let U take ur time I was going to say something when I had to leave ( I was still working ) I won't be back again for some time , I was very disappointed read more

I don't think I've ever had food so bad in a restaurant. The fries were stale - as if they came off a plate that was sitting on a table discarded for two hours. The chicken was rubber. It was disgusting. Service was poor - uninformed lazy staff. Absolute shit hole. read more

I had the Greek Style Haddock for an early dinner, great service. Super quick with taking our orders as well as bringing the food out. Generous portions as well. The fries were on the soggy side, not very crispy... But the Greek salad was very authentic, same with pitted olives and full pieces of feta. The Greek salad dressing tasted homemade. It feels like a family style dinner with a big Greek-influenced menu. You wouldn't be able to tell by the name of the restaurant though! I would say, if you're looking for some simple comfort food with a twist, this would be a good place to try. read more

Had a great meal here a few months ago, the first time since the pandemic. I ordered the 12oz prime rib with a side of horseradish and a pint of Keith's Red. The prime rib was a little cooler than I would've liked, but cooked just right and with all the delicious fattiness that I like. People tend to comment on how pink and fatty it is, but that's how it's supposed to be, in my opinion. The vegetables and mashed potatoes were nice and hot, not really seasoned, but that was okay since the potatoes came with butter and the saltier au jus was great with all of it, same with the horseradish. I wish there were a little less onions in the veggie skewers, but there was plenty of food, so I didn't finish all the veggies or potatoes anyway. The 12oz is probably better for dinner in terms of portion, but I'm a pretty big eater and went all in on the meat sweats for lunch. My mom always if you can't finish everything, eat the meat (i.e. the expensive stuff) haha. Alexander Keith's Red went really well with the prime rib and for some reason made it feel more lunch-y than dinner-y like a glass of red wine would. Great meal, great service. If I didn't have to run off, I would've stayed longer to have a piece of house-made banana cream pie! read more

Chances R Restaurant - 12oz. prime rib with horseradish - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The place is nice, the waiter was friendly and delightful. Food came super fast. We had the artichoke & spinach dip, it was delicious with their yummy homemade pita bread. Fish & chips were also good and flavorful. The beef napoleon melt was vrery disappointing unfortunately, I ate couple of bites and I had to stop, it lacked flavor and it smelled weird, I couldn't eat it. We paid $68 plus tip. Lots of parking spaces available. read more

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I am soooo disappointed in their breakfast. Potatoes and bacon were stone cold. it has gone downhill since the original owners sold out. read more

Great food and good service. Very busy and we were lucky to get in without a reservation! Glad we did! read more

My Husband decided to take me to Chances R for my birthday. He was so disappointed that we walked out . We sat there for 20 minutes no wine or beverage list 2 other tables came in sat down and served right away us still hanging dry. I will not returned to this restaurant again if that's the service they provide. if I could give 0 as a rating I would instead of 1 read more

The restaurant was packed when we were there for breakfast but it's set up so you don't feel crowded. The food was delish, quick and hot and our waitress was super friendly. read more

This place is super special to me, has been in my life along time. Food is classic, atmosphere is comfy and service is top notch

Very causal but great food. Our service was excellent and the accommodation was terrific, we were 14 people. Roadhouse with a big !

I don't write review ever so this should tell you a little about me. Add diner at Chances R off St-Laurent on Saturday and we were extremely disappointed with everything. We ordered the Spinach dip to start and when it arrived it looked like the dish was warmed up in a microwave and someone mixed the dip with a spoon and it was sent to our table, secondly the chips were stale and had not crunch to them at all. At this point we should have left but we had ordered in the meantime so... We ordered a burger, Souvlaki and a Flatbread. The burger and Souvlaki arrived and the waitress advised me that the Flatbread was done with mushroom and i had asked for no mushroom, honest mistake it happens but it took a good 20 min to get my correct order ( the restaurant was empty at this point) , by that time my family had finished eating. The waitress advised my that my meal would be comped. When my flatbread arrived it looked like a McCain frozen pizza that was cooked in a microwave, soggy and the cheese half melted. I took a few bits and that was it. It tasted like a frozen pizza cooked in a microwave! My meal was comped but we paid 80$ for a disappointed meal and a ruined Saturday night! I will not be back sorry. read more

I recently went and had the chicken Parmesan. It was delicious! The service was great, the food was hot and the bolognese sauce was outstanding. The portion size was generous. I'm not sure when, but I'll be back!! read more

It was a great birthday party ! Served on time and enjoyable. Will come back the next year.

Our most recent visit was June 20, 2021 on the patio for breakfast. I currently live with my parents in downtown Ottawa. So it's a bit of a drive to Nepean, but we love heading over there. It's a relaxed, casual environment. Which works well for my family. My sister Diana has learning challenges, she also has Parkinson's, and she is celiac. The restaurant always accommodates her gluten-free needs. And I like having a filling breakfast and their meals satisfy me. read more

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The food is usually very good and so is the service and this visit was no exception. The décore is a bit tired and could use a refresh. The restaurant is often quite busy, so a reso is a good idea (which we had made). Definitely a great casual dining spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. read more

Great breakfast, had a selection of breakfast served all day. We were glad to find breakfast available at 2pm in the afternoon. Service was quick. read more

Chances R Restaurant - Breakfast platter - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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10 of us got seated outside in the cover patio... it was awesome.... enough space to put the baby stroller and kids have enough space to run around... French toast was good but the butter melted before it came. The combo has eggs, bacon and pancake, the eggs and bacon were good but the pancake was not up to par. The Canadien has eggs and Montreal smoked meat with Hollandaise sauce. The overall dish was ok except the eggs were over cooked. read more

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It's a nice, comfortable restaurant. Ive been twice. The first time - I had a beef dip sandwich that was good. I've had more generous amounts of beef before but it was still decent. The au jus though, I've got to say, was very bland. My husband had a breakfast dish that he really enjoyed. The second time I went I had the chicken brochette that was absolutely fabulous. Got to be one of the best I've ever had. Everything on that plate from the Greek salad, the tzatki to the roast potatoes was delicious. They have a junior and a senior menu which features the old standard 'liver and onions' that many seniors, including my mother, seem to like for some reason. Service was excellent both times. read more

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This was one of my favourite spots to hit up as a college student- their all day breakfasts always hit the spot! I have most recently ordered the meatball sub and it was quite tasty! If you're into meat and cheese, like I am, this is a good choice. Especially if you like sauce! The sub is quite saucy. I, personally could have done with a bit less sauce since I'm more of a fan of the meat and cheese, and tomato sauce isn't usually my thing...but it was good! The best part? I finished my meal with banana cream pie. I don't know what it is about their banana cream pie, but it has been my favourite for as long as I can remember. And I don't even like pie! I'm happy that the atmosphere hasn't changed much over the years. It doesn't feel old or dated- just cozy and classic, though I keep on forgetting that it seems they tend to cater to an older crowd. Nothing wrong with that! But it always surprises me since it's so close to a college and I'm always expecting much younger folks to be around. In any case, I'm really glad that I visited again and will likely continue to do so. read more

Chances R Restaurant - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Always had great service and good food! They do a nice classic breakfast for a good price. Would recommend as a good breakfast spot

Chances are you'll like it. Wow that's a lame opening comment eh? A little more upscale sort of place. Somewhat a bit of everything. My co-worker loved his salmon burger, I found my chicken pita was excellent except the chicken was really dry. My favorite part was the toasted pita bread -go figure. Service was outstanding the place was busy and upbeat. All things concidered it's a good place but a touch pricier than I was thinking it was. I'd come back if in the area. read more

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Booked for 9 including 2 elderly parents. Food was good and was having a good time. Until after 1 hour the waitress asked if we needed anything else? I responded, just the bill please. As soon as we paid we were getting ready to leave and the waitress approached to say we need to leave. They needed the table for others. I did not ask to be seated in this section that had a time limit. Spoke to the manager on duty and they apologized they do not have any time limits on visits. Had I known this before the 20% tip would have been 0%. Not returning because some staff are not bright. Terrible to be asked to leave since we were packing to go. I would not go back to this low level thinking business. read more

Atmosphere is warm and very friendly. Loved the simplistic and not-to-flashy holiday decor! It's very easy to maintain conversation here. There isn't blaring music or distracting decor. It is very unique but home-y and I totally love it! Staff was very professional, friendly, and clearly well-trained and experienced. Our server even remembered who got each meal without having to ask. I was also delighted to see how abundant the staff was. I hate to see small business stretching out their workers in order to have one less person to pay that night! Waiting time was perfect: long enough that we weren't bombarded by our food right away and short enough that we didn't go starving. I tried a little bit of my sister and mother's meals (beef dipper and chicken caesar wrap) and each were absolutely delicious! So delicious, in fact, that my family hardly even spoke to each other because we were so focused on eating our delicious meals haha! Also, I adored that the fries came unsalted, because usually restaurants basically serve you heart attacks with the amount of salt on fries. You can choose this way! If I could give 6 stars, I would, simply because on my way out, I heard none other than "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire (arguably, one of my all time favourites) playing on the outdoor speaker. Good music will always give you a higher ranking in my books! :) read more

Chances R Restaurant - I ordered the Prime Rib Wrap with fries as a side. Absolutely delicious and dripping with flavour! - American Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Had an opportunity to pop in here recently with a group of about 30. Nice atmosphere, great wait staff. We had a beer and split a plate of nachos. Nachos were good, but fairly standard (no surprises). Good selection of beer, which is always appreciated. Would love to go back when the covered patio is running - and to try out a few more things. (The zucchini sticks looked fabulous!) Location is in a strip mall - have to say without having it pointed out to me, not sure I would have noticed it. Larger than it looks from outside. Right by Algonquin College, it's a great destination for people going there, or to Centrepoint theatre. Would I return? Yes Would I recommend: Yes, no problem. Everything was fine. read more

I had dinner here yesterday with my husband and father-in-law before seeing a show at Centrepointe Theatre. It was ok. I'm glad that we had made reservations because when we arrived, the lobby was full of people waiting, and people were waiting outside too. The restaurant was packed! Tables are fairly close to each other. I over heard many people at other tables saying they were also going to see the show at Centrepointe. So if there's a show at Centrepointe, I recommend making reservations ahead of time. Chances R is very much a family restaurant. Lots of kids and lots of seniors. Menu choices are pretty benign and I'm sure even the pickiest eater could find something that they'd like. The last time I was at Chances R was over a decade ago, and my opinion of the restaurant is pretty much unchanged. The service is excellent and the food is ok. I had the Grilled Chicken Salad ($13.99). It was romaine lettuce and baby mixed greens with tiny chopped up pieces of red peppers, raw sliced mushrooms and a grilled chicken breast. The dressing is a house balsamic vinaigrette, which I asked for on the side and it arrived as requested. The chicken breast was really thin. It looked like it was grilled in a George Foreman Grill or in a panini press. Ingredients were fresh, and while I was not wowed by the salad, I was satisfied. My husband had the roast chicken special ($12.99). He got his choice of dark or white meat and he chose dark. So he got a roasted chicken leg and thigh, some mashed potatoes and a skewer of grilled vegetables. He was not overly impressed with his meal. He said that the grilled vegetables tasted vinegary, the mashed potatoes were nothing special and the roast chicken was not even as good as the roasted chicken at Loblaws (ouch!). I did not taste any of his meal, so I cannot comment personally. My father-in-law had the Prime Rib (between $18.99-$26.99 depending on the size you get 6oz-12oz). He also had a grilled vegetable skewer and got fries. He enjoyed his meal, but did comment that he asked for the beef medium rare and it was more medium well. He gave me a few of his fries and they were delicious. So crispy and flavourful, I didn't even need ketchup. I think they were twice fried and that's why they were so crispy :) Service was excellent. Everyone I interacted with was pleasant, from the person who took my reservations over the phone, to the greeter, to our server. Our server was very efficient. The restaurant was busy but she was attentive, refilled our waters appropriately and did it all with a smile. The food also came out quickly. My father-in-law commented that the serving staff were older and so likely more stable (i.e. less staff turnover). I hadn't noticed until he pointed it out, but it was true, while the serving staff were by no means old, they were not teenagers or the age of typical college/university students. The place is rather loud. Decor is pleasant enough and the restaurant looks clean. It's in the College Square Plaza, so there's lots of free parking. Chances R is a good family restaurant. It's good if you are with a mixed group with different levels of culinary adventurousness. The menu is inoffensive and will please the most conservative meat and potatoes kind of eater. However, the more adventurous may look at the menu with a twinge of ennui. I think the most creative/exotic dish is the Brie Chicken Sandwich, which has Brie and Granny Smith apples in it. I personally would like to see some menu items with more of a creative twist or more exotic flair. However, Chances R has been around for almost 40 years, so I guess there is a place for tried and true. read more

Outstanding service during breakfast today at Chances R. Arrived at 8:00 am, and was seated promptly. All the staff were friendly, smiling, and happy. This was the first time that I had been here for breakfast, I am usually a dinner kind of girl, and I have to say, I cannot wait to be back! We had a wonderful waitress, who was just so pleasant and attentive. She knew what she was doing!! We ordered: -2 eggs and pancakes. -Mexican omelet with home fries and whole wheat toast. I have to say, it was scrumptious! The home fries are amazing. I love how they are grilled with onions. YUM! The pancakes were delicious as well. If you have not checked out Chances R for breakfast, I totally recommend it! I have been there for dinner and lunch and no complaints. Great spot for business meetings too; saw quiet a few there this morning. read more

Pleasantly surprised. I've always heard of Chances R, but had never actually visited. Our group was there for a funeral reception ~ the service was excellent (thanks George!), everyone enjoyed the food, the patio was very nicely decorated (I loved fern plants), and it was perfectly covered for the windy day. Would definitely go back. Nice meal, good prices, low key vibe, definitely family friendly. read more

I take my teenage kids here whenever we are in the area. We all love it! Tasty food, good variety of options, friendly service. Almost anything on the menu can be made gluten free just ask. read more

Just ate at a safe distance in their patio. Service, cleanliness and food were second to none and all at a very reasonable price. Cannot recommend more highly. Excellent. Looking forward to taking my family back again soon read more

Placed an order at 5:05 for pickup at 6:30... they didn't put in the order until 6:20 and it wasn't ready until 6:50/6:55. Girl on desk didn't even check for it until we asked Even though it was late. Pretty unacceptable honestly. We went an hour from home (Perth) just to get their food since it's usually great. Really disappointed with that staff. Sept 08/21. She wasn't busy either. Just standing there. read more

After being away for more than 13 years, things have changed so much including Chances R. Brand new place- nice a clean. Tried it for breakfast this past Saturday. Service was great and food selection was good. No real complaints except for the high prices Canadians have to pay. $43 breakfast for 2? Ouch--even with the exchange, it was $32us. Not their fault. So give them a try. read more

Went for a 65th wedding anniversary. My prime rib and sweet potato fries were cold. My husband ordered " cod". He's pretty sure he was served Tilapia. Desert was Ok. Service was ok. Asked for more water a few times and never got a refill read more

The ambience is always pleasant and the food delicious, but my husband and I were a bit disappointed. We both ordered dinner salads as our entrees. Not much goat cheese on my goat cheese salad and only 1/2 slice of toast! Seemed a bit chinzy for $18.00. Our server was very pleasant but approached us 3 times to see how we were enjoying our food. The salads were delivered 5 minutes after we ordered and with all the attention from our server, we felt rushed. So what was meant to be a pleasant experience was not. read more