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    John's Place

    4.3 (535 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

    John's Place Photos

    JOHN'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    You can see where the pancake is raw

    I was not impressed with the food. I ordered a frittata of some kind and it smelled like actual garbage. I was told it was the chorizo and the garlic that made it smell like that, but I like both of those things and it just did not smell good. I sent it back and they let me pick out something else from the menu and I went for a singular pancake. The pancake was huge, which was cool and all, but it was RAW in the middle and I felt like throwing up. Unfortunately my stomach is a bit sensitive in the mornings and this was not the place for me. But, the staff were understanding, the latte was fine and the food came with a goldenberry which is a cute addition. My sister and dad said their meals were fine. I guess YMMV

    Veggie Benedict
    Lauren P.

    We went for an early breakfast at John's Place, which was already busy at 8:30am on a Sunday morning! The interior decor is welcoming with a mix of sports team flags & shirts hanging from the ceilings as well as signed celebrity photos on the wall. We chose this restaurant because I saw they had lots of gluten free offerings. I went with the Veggie Benedict, which came on a potato pancake topped with gluten free hollandaise sauce. Delicious! The potatoes on the side were good as well, but I was pretty full from the benedict. We also shared their Belgian Waffle (gluten-free batter at no extra charge!!) with their house-made cream cheese syrup. Oh my gosh, this was incredible. The waffle had great chew, and the cream cheese syrup, which I've never tried before, added a sweet and creamy layer. I recommend coming early on a weekend to secure a booth. This is a locals spot for sure. Portions are large and definitely share-able. Go for one savory and one sweet to share, or go crazy and bring leftovers home like I did.

    Max W.

    Some things don't need any comments. It's simply delicious and definitely recommended.

    The veggie (1/2 portion)
    Michealea F.

    Great decor and had a diner vibe. Our server today is Liz. She was energetic and funny. I got the egg benny with the veggie option with grilled tomatoes. The hollandaise sauce is great, it's creamy and thick. The egg yolk was nicely done as well since it was slightly runny. Great combination for a light breakfast

    Joyce D.

    Victoria is known as the brunch capital of Canada. We were able to squeeze in some brunch here. Street parking is available. We went on a late morning Monday weekday and there was no wait. Inside the walls are lined with pictures and memorabilia. It really gives you that casual diner vibe that's comforting for a homey meal. The servers are nice and in good spirits. They're engaging and do a great job of checking on you. We ordered the "BAT OUT OF HELL" MEATLOAF 'N' EGGS That order alone was enough to feed the two of USA Two slices of Southwestern meatloaf made from ground beef and pork with mushroom Marsala gravy and two FREE RUN eggs any style. Served with your choice of toast, English muffin, sesame bagel or house made savoury cornbread and your choice of seasoned home fries or fresh tomato, or grilled tomatoes

    Lucy C.

    We came on New Year's Day expecting there would be a line at 9am because every time we pass by this place it's packed and ppl are waiting. I guess New Year's morning people were sleeping in... but while we were finishing our meal, the tables got pretty packed quickly. Ordered a full salmon Bennie and also the senior portion of the meatloaf. It's soooooo juicy and with the gravy it tastes like the comfort of home. The eggs Benedict was so good. As a protip we ordered all the sauces on the side (mushroom gravy for meatloaf, hollandaise sauce for eggs). I like to control the amount of sauce I have with each bite and it made my meal very pleasant. Overall would for sure dine in again! Great fun vibe and we got to see John's collection close up - we sat next to the autographed photo of the friends cast! Even gave us fancy cups with lemon when we wanted hot water. service was amazing especially for a diner! Would gladly dine here again!!!

    Bread 12/24
    Sheri H.

    Visited this location again this month to find that the food quality has gone down, but still had a pleasant experience here. Came in for a milestone birthday breakfast and was told by the host we could order breakfast or lunch. I got the Polish breakfast which was a mix of eggs with pierogies, sausage and green onion with fried potatoes and choice of a bread - got the sesame bagel. The eggs were all right, half of the potatoes were hard as a rock and the bagel seemed like it was toward the end of its life. Fresh cream cheese was good. Friend had an omelet with the same rock hard potatoes and an English muffin. Everyone but us was served bread, so we asked for some. It never arrived. When the server came with the check, I asked if I could buy a loaf of bread. I was given a loaf for free, which was really kind, and they wouldn't let me pay for it. I told them that I had strong memories of how good it was when I was here before in 2011. Welp, we were both so sad to see that it was hard and plain white bread without much taste. Still appreciate the gesture for sure.

    Pierogie and sausage lunch.
    Gina S.

    The staff are amazing. Greeting was friendly smiles. It was our first time here. There are pictures all of the walls of celebrities that have visited here. We ordered the pierogies and sausage plate with the sour cream. It came out enough for two people totally for like lunch the best part The bread, soft pillow from the oven squishy, love. Pierogies are soft and pillow clouds with the potato cheddar filling perfect dish for two if you're eating your way through town. P.s. my hubby couldn't resist getting the peanut butter pie before leaving. Silky, pb/chocolate spa texture. I closed my eyes and was instantly transported to heaven after my first bite. Well done I could live here!!!! Thank you for the food hug! Addition: We were supposed to go toBlue Fox Cafe the next morning for breakfast BUT, take note they are closed on Wednesdays the day that we are here. So we walked probably 2.5 miles back to John's place since we had lunch there the previous day. He waited for our favorite booth, the place was a little bit busier than yesterday. But we asked to have the same server, Hillary with a single L in her name best server I've had in years so sweet, personable, recommendations, add-ons you name it she knows it you gotta have her as a server !!!!! I ordered the catch 22 which is combination of their famous regular eggs Benedict and a Belgium waffle. I added fresh strawberries that were just picked. It tasted like and it comes with a side of cream cheese syrup, which they make homemade in house. The waffle was hot fluffy inside crisp on the outside and the eggs. Benedict with the homemade gluten-free hollandaise sauce was indescribable. You could taste the lemon that was in it, but it was so buttery, smooth, and rich that I told Hillary, our server, that she should recommend to get a side of hollandaise sauce with everything. My husband got the corn beef hash, it came with toast. Hillary suggested get a side of hollandaise for that as well. The poached eggs were spot on runny on both dishes. Both of them were poached. In fact I added a video of my egg and I broke into it off my Benny coffee is hot fresh frequent atmosphere is perfect with community members that repeat coming here every day if you're gonna have breakfast in Victoria or in the surrounding area I would make it a point to make this one of your number one stop here for any of your meals. You can thank me later.!

    Kid's menu as of May 2024.
    Jack W.

    Review Template === 1. VERDICT/VALUE So John's may not have the top food quality of other establishments, but it's not competing on that front. As far as greasy spoons go: this is one of the joints that was featured on TV (Food Network) and it does not disappoint with value and decor! === 2. FOOD "Bat Out of Hell" Meatloaf & Eggs ($20): Beef and pork meatloaf covered with mushroom sauce with two eggs your way and a choice of starch - great option! Blueberry Lemon Zinger Pancakes ($18): Only available during special or holiday weekends - you get two of these with cream cheese or maple syrup - a delight! Vlady's Frittata ($19): It looks more like a personal-sized thin crust pizza: eggs, tomatoes, onions, sausage, and cheese, along with a choice of starch - not bad! Coffee seemed to be included (or they missed billing us). === 3. SERVICE A lady who seemed to be in charge served us and she was great. We could tell she was pressed for time to get tables (including ours) turned over for a the many waiting guests; however, she was always patient with us and our little one, answering all of our questions (including the history of the place - look for John in some of the pictures!). === 4. ENVIRONMENT It's older, a little dimmer, and really meant to feel like an old cozy spot to enjoy heart-warming (or heart-stopping?! ;) ) meals - the walls are adorned with sports memorabilia / photos. Groups of 4 or less are ideal; you could get a larger group up to 6 perhaps. Not sure I would want to bring Mom in her wheelchair or our baby stroller in here - not much space. Parking is also a crap shoot - it's either metered street parking or a parking garage nearby for your chariot!

    Dining room
    Ryan M.

    Service was great: the food came out hot and quick. Typical old diner food as you would expect. Filling and good coffee refilled consistently.

    Drink menu
    Jonny M.

    We decided to try John's Place for brunch. It's a few doors down from Nubo Japanese Tapas and ENe Raw Food and Sake Bar. We dropped in on a packed Monday (11:00am). Go inside to put your name on the waitlist. We waited about 25 minutes for a table. Service was terrible; we had the unfortunate luck of getting a server in trainee. We waited 20 minutes to order and another 30 minutes to pay, after asking for the bill twice. The servers don't work together, instead ignoring customers that aren't part of their section. We were given the lunch menu (on weekdays, the brunch menu switches out at 11:30am). We had to ask if we could order off the brunch menu. - Bread - they brought out a basket on the house for the wait. - Café latte ($5.50 double) - at least they don't charge extra for oat milk. Standard latte. - Catch 22 ($18.00) - B opted for the gluten free waffle and half classic benny. She subbed for a gluten free bun ($1.50). They charged full price for the bun, even though it was a half order. Waffle was excellent; fluffy inside, crispy outside. The house made cheese syrup was okay. Benny was standard. - Cloudy with a chance of meatloaf ($19.00) - carrots weren't cooked enough. Grilled onions didn't have any flavour. Mashed potatoes were bland. Meatloaf was tasty and the sauce wasn't too rich. Can't get over how brutal the service was at JP. Never coming back.

    Mary L.

    good cozy place, servers actually talk to you i liked that. me and boyfriend got the 222 headache and natures granola, was super good very satisfied!

    Inside

    food was yummy. the crew was so nice and loves their local customers and new visitors. talk ceilings a place for jackets and your typical diner with signed posters all over the wall.

    Storefront.

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    26 days ago

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    Cantin J.

    Thank you Troy, appreciate that

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    4 months ago

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    John C.

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    5 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much

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    1 month ago

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    7 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you, we try our best to please everyone

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    2 months ago

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    Cantin J.

    Thx Max, truly appreciate

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    6 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you, Liz has been with us 40 years.

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    11 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you, we appreciate it.

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    1 year ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much, truly appreciated.

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    1 year ago

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    1 month ago

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    Cantin J.

    Thanks Kevan, we appreciate it

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    8 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much. I love the peanut butter pie as well.

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    3 months ago

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    John C.

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    2 years ago

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    John C.

    Todd, That makes us so happy.

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    2 years ago

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    John C.

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    7 months ago

    Food service ambience everything you want for a great diner breakfast! And bonus choose between medium or dark roast coffee.

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    John C.

    Thank you so much and Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1 year ago

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    John C.

    Thank you, appreciated

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

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    7 months ago

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    John C.

    Thx Mary, appreciated

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    7 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much. We really appreciate it.

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    5 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much, truly appreciated

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    10 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much. We love Shayne too!

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    4 years ago

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    John C.

    Thx Ben. I’m glad you enjoyed the food.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    John C.

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    9 months ago

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    John C.

    Thank you, truly appreciated

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    2 years ago

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    John C.

    After 40 years, thank you so much Joanne, we really appreciate that.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much for your patience. Truly appreciated.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

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    4 years ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much, our family appreciates it.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    Thx Priya, I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves.

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    1 year ago

    Great community feeling, busy but worth the wait. We loved it so much we ate 5 of 7 mornings during our vacation.

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    John C.

    Thank you so much, makes me feel good.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    Thx Johnny, appreciated.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the food.

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    Thank you Teya, it has been a labour of love. Starting our 40th year.

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    2 years ago

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    John C.

    Thanks Auriella, see ya next time.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    John C.

    Thank you so much, truly appreciated.

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    4 years ago

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    John C.

    Thx Toby, we appreciate that.

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    Page 1 of 14

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