Review John's Place Restaurant - Victoria

Food is honestly amazing, it comes in big portions so don’t b surprised with an excess of food. I will be back and would recommend anyone contemplating it. The vegan and gluten free options are very very good. Pricey but I did eat a ton and added extras

Local favorite for classic brunch! John’s Place has quite the reputation around town - a recommendation by so many locals! We tried a variety of things here. The Eggs Benny was amazing - eggs poached perfectly and a unique twist of cornbread base. Though the ham and the cornbread were somewhat dry, this still hit 💯 and the potatoes were cooked so well! A friend got the Veggie Omelette and mentioned it was a bit overcooked/dry. The “Odd Couple” is their take on Chicken and Waffles - creative cream cheese syrup option but to be honest I also found it to be quite dry/bland. The coffee blend is great though and the free bread is a perk! Our server here was lovely and it’s clearly a local favorite! At this price point I might choose to go elsewhere for my preferred Brunch items or something more “trendy,” but if classic plates are what you’re looking for this is your spot!

I cannot say enough great things about this place. A definite must visit in Victoria, and we will be back! The food was beyond amazing and the service was beyond incredible. From the greeting, to the timely (but not overwhelming) checkins, the well prepared food, down to the good bye and thank you. I don’t know if I am more impressed by the food or the service! I asked for an armless chair for comfort and was promptly assisted. I am normally not a fan of cornbread but this one just hit different! The Yankee Corned Beef Hash was definitely the winning order (topped with some hollandaise). Oh and the mimosa tower was fun! This also was our stop before a surprise engagement. Thank you for setting the tone for an amazing day!

Trust me, if you’re looking for an amazing breakfast or brunch in Victoria, enjoy the atmosphere, with great edible options to choose from, you should definitely try John’s place! I, myself, suggest Classic Benny and Polish Fritata🥰. Bon Appétit!

A must visit whenever your in Victoria! The service here is fantastic, Debora is super warm and friendly!! The waffle, meatloaf and cheesecake are amazing … The decorations are also super cool and tasteful!! Hands down the best in Vic :)

My first time in Victoria and I was greeted with delicious brunch at John's Place. I searched for places to eat for lunch and this appeared. Highly recommended if you are looking for a brunch/lunch restaurant in Victoria downtown. Chicken and waffles were sooo so good!! Excellent customer service as well. ❤️ Edited: I was the one wearing the barbie shirt and barbie necklace that was appreciated by the friendly servers😍

This is an absolute staple of the downtown Victoria core. The food is amazing, the building and the vibe is historic and eclectic. The staff is friendly, the portions are large, and you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this place. Most days, you should expect a wait. We got really lucky today but it was lucky timing. The totally worth the wait.

One of the best breakfast I've been to. The portion was huge and delicious. Service is amazing. I love the real apple juice and not the store bought one. They even have oat milk option for my coffee. The best part was the homemade pie they gave for free after the meal. It was absolutely amazing and the best berry pie every. I can't wait to come back next time.

I absolutely LOVE this place. Came back for breakfast during my whole stay in Victoria. The decoration is awesome, all the people are incredibly helpful and nice and the food is DELICIOUS. One of my favourite breakfast places ever.

This is an amazing place with a lot of pictures of the famous people from there. The service was excellent even though it was around lunch time and very crowded. The pancakes were delicious 😋 as well as the waffles and the egg bens.

Had to take the hubby for a great breakfast date. Staff remembered me even though it was only my second time there, even remembered what I like to drink. Their signature Meatloaf was fantastic. There was even a little Asian lady who was Vlogging the restaurant and food. Hugs

Great place. Delicious food. Great price as well. Had the classic bennys and they were yum. Home made bread was also super delicious, served warm.

The best egg benedict is out of the world!! Great place and amazing vibe! The wait time is usually 10-15 mins or more depending on the rush hours. But the wait is worth it Customer Service is great too, friendly staff and serving with a smile. Must visit places for anyone visiting Victoria.

We had a pleasant brunch with my wife and my friends. The service is excellent and they even helped us in choosing the menu. We ordered Meat lovers hash, Odd couple, valdys frittata and turkey sausage. The chicken strips and the turkey sausage were really good. We will be visiting here for our next trip to Victoria hopefully.

This is a city wide favourite for brunch. We had a bit of a wait because there were many people there, but they are quite organized. The service was quick and we all enjoyed our meals. As the crowds dissipated, we had time to enjoy lingering over coffee without being rushed out. We are looking forward to another visit.

Took a little while to get a seat but I understand why. Food was delicious, and the place was packed. Quite a solid meal - large portions. They served bread at the beginning. Fresh baked with whipped butter. It was great too.

One of the easier recommendations for brunch Big menu, friendly staff and tasty food My only complaints would bee regarding the potatoes not being cooked all the way through But they were very tasty and crispy

Excellent place for breakfast and lunch in Victoria. Interesting environment with iconic photos of great personalities all over the walls. Their homestyle potatoes were perfectly seasoned. I would definitely recommend to try this restaurant if you are close by.

4 of us went for brunch in the holiday times... There was a 20 min wait, but it went by fast. Once seated there was a no nonsense 'get it done'feeling as far as ordering. Food came out pretty quickly, but it was tasty! Niece ordered a pancake with bananas... She was going to make it to pancakes, but the server talked her out of it and into a single pancake (good call). My wife ordered the corned beef hash, and the friend and I ordered the meat lovers hash. Everyone was happy with their choice, and as rushed as the ordering went... We were not rushed at all through the meal. Definitely would come back!

John’s place has all ingredients to be your favourite: decor, great staff, awesome food. I honestly adore the style of this place. It’s totally vintage chic. Staff is friendly. Food is great, we liked it, but I want to add that desserts are phenomenal too! We tried lemon meringue and apple pie, they were delicious! Definitely coming back. And yes, place is popular! Might be some waiting involved.

We had a long wait but the food was worth it! Our server Liz was awesome! Unique place with really good food, totally recommend you try it!

This is a great place for a home style meal with incredible service. I’ve always felt “at home” when I visit and I must recommend to anybody in Victoria

My wife wanted some Eggs Benedict, so I did a Google search and we agreed on John’s Place. Took a walk to the cafe and had a little wait to get seated as the place was super busy! A good sign in my book. Once we were seated and looking at menus, we discovered not only Eggs Benedict, but numerous options. I don’t recall the exact count but I’d say 10 or so. We ordered two different options so we could swap. Both were amazing! The atmosphere is busy. The wait staff were all awesome. Very attentive to not only their table, but other tables as well. The decor was of past sports, movie, and music icons. We will definitely be back on our next trip to beautiful Victoria. I highly recommend everyone give this place a visit!

We got there pretty much when it opened on Saturday and had lots of seats to choose from. All of the servers were super nice but the one that served us was over the top. She brought out hollandaise sauce for my daughters' to try and took them to the kitchen to talk to the chef. The menu is pretty impressive and the food was tasty and had large portions. When we left after ten the place started to fill up so I would suggest getting there early. One of the highlights of our trip to Victoria.

We went for lunch Sunday July 9. I ordered classic eggs benny. The food was amazing, everyone at our table loved our meal. I just wanted everyone to know we had a server named Deborah and she was so wonderful. I have never had such great service. She kept stopping by to see if we loved our meal and checking if there was anything else we needed. Deborah is amazing and such an asset to the restaurant. We will definitely be coming back.�

The staff was amazing! The fresh bread was a nice touch we weren’t expecting. Food is good quality and the prices are really great! Wish I wasn’t just visiting from out of town because this would become a regular hang out spot.

Food is always great,service is fun and the staff are the best. Some of the best homemade soups and bread for a quick lunch.

The best breakfast. - Los mejores desayunos. A place you must visit in Victoria - Un lugar que debes visitar en Victoria.

We queued for almost one hour but the food did not disappoint us. Food is uniquely good! The waitresses were friendly and very approachable.

A friend took us for brunch on our last day in Victoria. The food was perfect and our server was a delight. That cream cheese/Maple syrup is magical!

Love this place so much after an excellent dinner we went back for breakfast. I don’t think I ever saw the bottom of my first cup of coffee and the Belgian waffle with raspberries and cream cheese syrup had me humming “Oh, Canada,” out the door.

Everything looked amazing. It was a bit tight spaced, but that comes with the territory of a good restaurant. My Belgian Waffle wasn't the best because I got the wrong syrup (some weird spicy cream stuff that wouldn't even move when held upside down), but everything everyone else had looked phenomenal. Service was great. I definitely would go there again.

Hot damn what a joint! Brunched on the Chicken Burrito Ole, my new No. 1! 12yr old had the Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie which was served in an actual pineapple, his mind was blown 👍🏻 Get there early, as by the time we left, 10ish, there was quite the crowd assembled outside waiting for their turn 😁

The breakfast was great. The pictures, paintings had me curious and I found out the owner is a home town boy.

It did not disappoint!!! We had a party of 27 and every single one was extremely happy with their meals!! Thank you for the great services !!

This is an excellent gem in Victoria for breakfast!!! I had the AMAZING classic Eggs Benedict... A local institution that's been around for almost 35 years; the staff is super friendly & efficient! You won't be sorry!!

Vic has some of the best breakfast places I've ever been to. If you liked Jam Cafe or Blue Fox, this place should be on your list of places to try. Exciting menu, lovely, unique decor. This has to be a place you stop by if you're visiting Vic.

The first time I’ve been here and Rodney suggested the Bat of of Hell, meatloaf and eggs. It was great! Super friendly staff, good service and good food!

Have to say it’s been a while since I’ve been to Johns Place and I’m thinking why? There’s usually a small line at peak times but for me is worth the wait. The inside is really interesting with celebrity photos, concert posters and a typical booth style setup and takes you away to another place and time. The staff are always polite and helpful, the selection for breakfast is huge from Polish breakfasts to bennies and my favourite the Huervo Rancheros which is outstanding complete with a vegetarian option and with an espresso a perfect delicious breakfast.

Not sure about breakfast but tried twice for lunch and not good. First time, chicken in salad undercooked -gross! And, although server was really good about apologizing and providing gift card, it stilltook almost an hour and a half to have lunch. <br/>Went again with gift card and food was cooked but I still wasn't v. good. No need to go back.

Very pleasant ambience to begin with. Kind service makes you feel good about yourself and the best part is the food which is amazing as well.<br/>Ordered Meatloaf and Poutine and both we amazing dishes that are recommended as well<br/><br/>Definitely try this place

This restaurant was recommended to us from the staff at our hotel for a good breakfast spot. Great service! I had the French Toast Erotica and it was delicious. Would definitely recommend for a good breakfast.

Haven't been here in over a decade. I should be ashamed because it was great! Servers and atmosphere was very homey. Lots of choices even for the vegetarians! Can't wait to come back and try other food items.

Came here for breakfast under the recommendation of husbands coworker. Was very busy for 11am on Monday morning. Husband ordered the eggs Benedict on corn bread - said it was good but heavy. I ordered the French toast stuffed with Nutella and banana with whipped cream on the side. Was very good but very rich and heavy. Good overall experience.

We visited John's Place mid week and were able to walk right in and get a table quick. We were dining with our 1 year old, and he had fallen asleep in his stroller, but the staff were so great about accommodating and letting us keep his stroller at our table so he could continue napping. The restaurant has a really cool atmosphere and vibe. It feels very local and loved by the owner and staff who work there! The food was excellent! I had the catch 22, and loved my benny and waffle. It was debatably the best waffle I've ever had! I was a little skeptical of their cream cheese syrup so I asked for regular syrup too, and didn't end up touching it bc their in house special syrup was SO good! My husband had the meatloaf breakfast, and everything on his plate was also amazing! Very flavourful meatloaf! The staff were all very friendly, and food was quick and delicious! I would highly recommend this place!

A great Sunday brunch place- went last Sunday with a friend - there was a long line up with about a 30-minute wait around 10amish. Many tables in a space that really packs people in but there's enough noise so you feel you have some privacy of conversation. I had the Salmon eggs Benny with fruit which was delicious. Fruit was a bit on the sorry side but I imagine it's hard to keep totally fresh with so many people going through there. Avoid the corn beef hash which is pulverized corn beef and looks gross and unappetizing. Extensive menu with lots of benny choices. I will be going back.

Thought I would see what all the rave is about. With this place being on Food Networks, You Gotta Eat Here.... It was ok. Beat the rush, so only waited about 10 - 12 minutes to get a seat. So that was nice. Food came quickly. Friend had problem with her plate and they quickly corrected it. But the second plate that came out was not that much better. I realize they wanted to rush order it out but the Bennie portion was not cooked enough and they gave her half the amount of potatoes than the first plate. My food was pretty good. I'd order it again. Bathroom could use some love....overflowing garbage onto the floor, not sure if there was pee on the floor in front of the toilet but there was toilet paper there in attempt to soak it up. And a sink that doesn't work....and it could use an air freshener....reeks of urine. Some other minor hiccups but nothing worth ranting about. I'll just assume she didn't hear, over all the noise. Cool decor, and the service staff were friendly and up beat with the customers. Overall my first experience here was good. Will I be back? Probably not. Food is mediocre. But it's got a nice diner vibe and busy as heck, if that's what you're into.

This place is pretty good. They have good food and good service. It's always a good time! The prices are great too, specially for their signature drinks!

Ordered in for 7:30, they kept passing the buck on the delivery guys, and offered nothing. Learn to appreciate customer support. "we got slammed" is hardly an excuse. The gentleman on the phone admitted to pushing our order back and back to serve people who kept coming in. Oh, and we placed our order at 5:30. As of 9:00 Pm we still have yet to receive our food. Beware.

The wait wasn't too long ! 15 minutes to be seated on a Sunday morning. Interesting decor. It's crowded, but nothing too unordinary for a busy diner. The French toast erotica was amazing - stuffed with Nutella and bananas. Plus they brought a sample of the cream cheese syrup. Seriously amazing. Plus great service.

Oh my goodness is the food ever good here especially the brunch. It is a rather tight place since they've tried to squeeze as many seats as they can in there though. But it is popular for a good reason. The servings are filling, the staff is nice, the decor is quirky and interesting, and the breakfast is great.<br/>Try their maple syrup cream cheese mix!

John's place has been one of my favourite breakfast restaurants for years. They make great bennies with lots of options (the chorizo and chicken sausage bennies are my faves). While Eggs Benedict is my standard, their French toast and standard bacon and eggs are yummy also. Excellent burgers too.

BEST EGGS BENEDICT IN TOWN! John makes their hollandaise sauce with real butter. It is super rich and creamy. I usually get my eggs benny on bagel and its NO extra charge! <br/><br/>Busy lineups during weekends so make sure you go there early as it is first come first serve. <br/><br/>If you love bread, you must go during the weekday to try it. Rosemary sea-salt baked daily!

That bread you get during the weekdays when you order your food is amazing! I love bread so maybe this only applies to bread lovers. Rosemary sea salt baked fresh and warm. I'll take a loaf to go, please.

John’s Place is an institution in the Victoria food scene. They have been open since 1984. John has done a great job at creating a homey feel to go with his comfort food. The atmosphere is eclectic and fun. There is lots of sports memorabilia and I loved the jukebox!. They have been featured on my favourite show, You Gotta Eat Here.

Absolutely delicious breakfast! Had the Catch 22 which is a waffle and an eggs Benedict breakfast. I love a salty and sweet breakfast. Their cream cheese syrup is awesome. Plus it's a fun quirky place to go.

After all the hype (and feature on YGEH), we were looking forward to the highly regarded eggs benny, and to experience this so-called Victoria institution.<br/><br/>For a Monday morning at 10am, the place was packed, but we got a table fairly quickly. The menu was full of tempting options, but after all we had heard, eggs Benedict was on order for our full group. Our server asked for our patience as the kitchen was working at full speed to keep up with the orders. <br/><br/>The first disappointing moment was a drink order of chocolate milk; it looked grey, and was nothing but a squirt of chocolate sauce or the like. <br/><br/>Then the food came out. Well, almost. The first of the orders of eggs arrived, along with our side orders of bacon, but only 1/3 of the mains. Personally, I like bacon to be a little on the softer side, but I'll usually take what I get; its bacon after all! Regrettably, the strips that arrived were so overdone they crumbled into a greasy, salty mess as soon as you picked them up. Never left a slice of bacon behind before today...that broke my heart. <br/><br/>When the rest of the meals arrived about 5 minutes later, we dug in with renewed excitement; the dish looks fabulous, and is dripping with hollandaise. As a benny lover, I was ready to dive in and forget my troubles and that bacon.<br/><br/>I have to say, the eggs were cooked well. Good, soft, runny yolk, the kitchen has those down to a science. The home fries were a little over done, and maybe a little over seasoned, but still tasty.<br/><br/>The biggest let down turned out to be the hollandaise. Unlike your usual light, creamy, citrusy glaze, this one was just heavy, more like a mayonnaise than what I was expecting. The hot sauce mixed in was an odd addition; not to my taste but I can see where they're heading with it. At the end of the day though, we all just got stuck on that hollandaise, and left with a heavy gut that lasted a number of hours after. <br/><br/>For all we heard, I'm afraid this just didn't live up to the hype for us. The atmosphere and staff redeem where the kitchen drops the ball, but if you're really craving a breakfast or brunch that will leave you licking your plate clean, maybe give this one a pass.

John's Place is an absolute monument in Victoria - and I had never been, even though I was born and raised here! Coming back home after moving away I really appreciate how great a city Victoria is and I revel in all of its wonder and am enjoying it much like a tourist would. So I'm on a mission to do all of the amazing things that Victoria has to offer. So day one had to start with Eggs Benny at John's Place. They have 10 different options and you can have them on the traditional English Muffin, on a bagel or on corn bread. I had recently had Eggs Benny on cornbread at the SugarBowl in Edmonton and it really elevates the taste - it's amazing. So I knew I would have mine on corn bread here - and it was even better! Their corn bread is just delicious with a little bit of a kick and the hollandaise is probably the best I've ever had. My eggs were cooked perfectly and were just delicious. The side potatoes were probably the best I've had as well. And our server was so pleasant and efficient - she was a real joy! Overall, an excellent breakfast and now I can say that I've eaten here cuz "You Gotta Eat Here"!

Came at 7 when they opened to avoid the queues but I think at this time of the year, there's less of a queue. I ordered the 222 headache - their Belgian waffle as featured on the Food Network with maple syrup, two eggs and two strips of bacon for around $12. The waffle was crispy and light. The bacon was thick and well grilled. The scrambled eggs were overcooked which was disappointing. The place itself has character and the service had a homely touch but I thought my breakfast was pretty average. Perhaps I ordered the wrong dish but I wasn't wow-ed.

Sorry to say John's is getting inconsistent. at least at early breakfast. Wait staff is always friendly but often long delays and food quality is inconsistent. Portions are large but quality issues come up regularly. Today the holandaise sauce was inedible.  Eggs seemed flat, not fresh. Seems to be some chaos with staff and organization. Maybe leadership?

John's Place is an absolute monument in Victoria - and I had never been, even though I was born and raised here! Coming back home after moving away I really appreciate how great a city Victoria is and I revel in all of its wonder and am enjoying it much like a tourist would. So I'm on a mission to do all of the amazing things that Victoria has to offer. So day one had to start with Eggs Benny at John's Place. They have 10 different options and you can have them on the traditional English Muffin, on a bagel or on corn bread. I had recently had Eggs Benny on cornbread at the SugarBowl in Edmonton and it really elevates the taste - it's amazing. So I knew I would have mine on corn bread here - and it was even better! Their corn bread is just delicious with a little bit of a kick and the hollandaise is probably the best I've ever had. My eggs were cooked perfectly and were just delicious. The side potatoes were probably the best I've had as well. And our server was so pleasant and efficient - she was a real joy! Overall, an excellent breakfast and now I can say that I've eaten here cuz "You Gotta Eat Here"!

Were we surprised to find this little gem in downtown Victoria! John’s Place seems to have been there forever (at least judging from the decor) and yet, I have never heard about this place. I must have been the only one though as the restaurant was packed. John’s Place is a very nice breakfast place...I found the place to have a very warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu is extensive. You can literally create your own omelet out of 31 different fillings. There are also 10 different types of bennys and for those with a sweet tooth, 5 dishes with french toast, waffles or pancakes. There is everything for everyone.

Great breakfast. Had the opportunity to eat here while visiting relatives in Victoria. I had read the reviews both on Urbanspoon and Trip Advisor. Was pleasantly relieved that it was as good, if not better that what I had read. John's place definitely has an historical presence, and it's walls are full of photos of family and celebs that have visited the place over the years. The menu has a huge selection, something for everyone. The portions were quite generous and delicious. The staff, some of which own the restaurant were super friendly and quick. We wished we were staying another night, so we could eat here the next morning. What a fantastic place!

Can't beat them for breakfast. We have eaten here numerous times for breakfast and the food is always good and consistent..this place is always busy and you are lucky to not have to wait for a table..so it's understandable that service does take a little longer but it's worth the wait..

Poor service, mediocre food. I went here with my boyfriend recently since our regular spots were way too packed. As soon as we stepped into the establishment we were ignored by the hostess. There were other people waiting that had already been put on the list, and the hostess saw us but she just kept ducking away and not greeting us or asking for our names to be added to the list. Once we were seated I decided to still keep an open mind because they were sort of busy. Halfway through our meal one of the servers asked us to move tables. We thought it was strange but obeyed because the table we were attached to was a detachable table from a larger table. We had been moved from a pretty decent table that we had to wait for to another table crammed against a wall right beside a family with small children. Nearly ten minutes later, to our dismay, the table we were sitting at wasn't even given to a group of people, it was just another group of two. The food was mediocre as well, my benny that I ordered was warm at best. I will not be returning to John's and I'm disappointed that I wasted my time giving it a try.

AAAA-MAZING. We've been planning on coming here for a while. Very glad we finally did! Best in Vic, in my opinion. Friendly staff and amazing food! If you have a chance to come to Johns, you NEED to try the meatloaf!

Nah. Too packed. birthday singing was shrill and ingratiating. cornbread is good though. pies are nice, prices are alright. but not the best experience overall. been a few times. servers were nice though.

Dinner was good. We got poutine and the oriental salad portions were good prices were decent. <br/>servers were attentive and friendly.<br/><br/>was overall good experience best servers we had in Victoria so far.

Bad experience. I took my little brother here for his favourite - egg's benny, and the hollandaise was pretty atrocious, it tasted like pure butter, it was much too sickly for us both to eat which is surprising because the reviews I read seemed to be very positive on the benny. My brother also found an eggshell in his, as well as the home fries served as a side tasted gritty and cold. We were seated right next to the door which was crafty. The service was very mediocre - the hostess seemed unpleasant and rushed to get us in and out, as well as the server was much to concerned with talking to her friends than helping her customers. We waited an hour for our food, and wasted the morning on a sub par breakfast. Definitely blue fox or jam every time from now on.

Meh..... My group was seated next to the entrance, it was a bit of a colder day, and people continuously stood in the door way causing cold air to blow in over us. I don't mind a little chill from people coming in and out but it was getting out of hand. When i received my eggs they were over cooked to the point where I (a hungry young man) left them untouched. Upon receiving the bill, we found an extra $4 was added for the strawberry and whip cream on the waffles. Which I though was a little much, but the server and the menu failing to mention this extra charge is what really bothered us. I've been here before for lunch and it was fine, but with all the other options for breakfast in Victoria I doubt I'll be back.

GOOD VALUE - GOOD FOOD. Thank goodness for the BLUEFOX. Now all the @#%*$ line up there it's slightly easier to get a breakfast table at JOHN'S PLACE. Only slightly. Always good food and good service. Always busiest place in town but never disappoints. If you only visit Victoria once you should pop in here.

Attentive service and neat food. Very considerate and caring waiting staff. Calling in the morning to reserve a table for the day was smooth and staff was very accommodating. We were offered super soft complimentary herb bread with butter. I ordered falafel with fries on the side because salad side as extra 2$ and I didn't think it was worth paying the extra $2. Fries were tasty so was the doughy pita bread wrap falafel.

Over rated.. I have a few friends that frequent this place, its there favourite breakfast spot in town. I always go with an open mind and high hopes because they love it so much, but haven't had a meal that is good here yet. Service at least is quite good.

Bleh. Service was terrible, we had to wait awhile for everything. I had to ask twice to get milk for my coffee. It was cold because someone left the door open for some reason. <br/>Not enough servers, they were all running around and stuff was super slow. We did get our coffee refilled three times which was awesome. Food was pretty decent. The hollondaise sauce was the worst I'd ever had, and they wanted to charge me extra for real maple syrup. The menu almost had too many options and it was hard to decide but that's really just a personal problem.<br/>The Christmas decorations were pretty. I'd come back here for lunch or dinner, but not breakfast. There's better and cheaper places.

Good food.. Long lunch line ups, good food, great service, crowded, interesting atmosphere. Had the well reviewed meatloaf and was not disappointed.

First Christmas in 30 years!. We're from Washington and eat @ John's Place every time we come to Victoria! So excited they decided to be open for Christmas dinner! Even though we had a late reservation the generous serving of turkey with all the trimmings was hot and plentiful! And they actually had a choice of 3 holiday main courses: the turkey, roasted lamb shank, or veggitarian lasagna. They always offer a gluten free selection. We usually eat breakfast there (yummy eggs benedict) so a late in the day dinner was a new experience. The added bonus @ John's is his stellar service...Deborah & Hillary were so cheerful and attentive. A totally worthwhile holiday feast for only $16.95/person...including our chocolate sticky cake for dessert!

Not impressed. I will give credit for the shepherds pie and the homemade bread(they are both delicious), but I was less than impressed with other dishes I've tried here. <br/>My eggs Benedict was a disaster before it even began. Served on a stale English muffin which was near impossible to cut through, the poached eggs which I requested medium were runny and slimey, was looking forward to the infamous "real butter hollandaise" which was extremely lemony and luke warm at best.<br/>The waffle I had another time was dry and dissapointing.<br/>I won't be back.

We love John's Place! It's comfortable to bring the whole family here, the kids love it - the service is always fast and friendly..... And I can not get enough of the cream cheese maple syrup! Yum

Best eggs benny in Victoria hands down. John's is my hands-down favourite breakfast place in Victoria. I've only ever had the classic eggs benny. That's probably all I ever will have as it's so delicious I have no desire to try anything else!

Had The shepherds pie! It was freaking awesome!

Mediocre at best. Visiting from up island and had seen the spot on 'You gotta eat here', what a disappointment. Eggs over cooked, potatoes hard as rocks, server was more interested in attending to her 'regulars' than looking after the other tables she had. I had the Eggs Benedict, english muffin was rock hard, not sure what type of ham it was, but mostly gristle. My wife had the 222 with the pancakes that had obviously sat on the grill for twenty minutes. The only item we enjoyed was the coffee. "ya gotta eat somewhere else"

Best Benny in Victoria. Never tried anything but the Benny there but it's the best I've ever had in Victoria.

Pure heaven after 1 hour. I ordered a poutine for take out we waited 7 mins for it it came in a really nice container but I could not eat it for an hour as my lunch break was not ready yet when I finally got to eat it it was so good they used real cheese curds and they gravy was just like my mom makes in Saskatchewan. In fact it was so good I could have licked out my container unreal

Meh. I have eaten here twice. Both times we waited forever to get a table, and both times I wasn't really impressed with my food. The first time I ordered a burger and fries- it was okay, but I don't think it was worth the wait. The second time I had pancakes, bacon and eggs from brunch. Nothing special, and I was actually still hungry when I left!

Best Benny's ever. Went with a group of 6 people and we all thoroughly enjoyed everything about the place. Great servers, great food and great atmosphere! We each had something different and the granola was really tasty. The eggs benedicts were perfectly done with the most incredible lush hollandaise with great colour from the fresh free range eggs. Will be back!

Went here for breakfast while visiting Victoria yesterday. My spouse saw this place on You Gotta Eat Here and wanted to check it out. I had the waffles with the cream cheese syrup and my spouse had the eggs benny. They were both very delicious! I'm glad our waitress insisted I get the cream cheese syrup instead of the maple syrup as it was heavenly! The hollandaise sauce on the benny was rich, buttery, & possibly the best hollandaise sauce I've ever had. The resto itself is very kitschy with lots of interesting decor to look at while waiting for our food. <br/><br/>Seating is a bit tight but still comfortable. Our server switched out a chair on our table for my spouse to make it more comfortable for him without asking (he's a bigger guy). The place was packed when we got there around 9ish. We were greeted immediately as we walked in and seated within minutes. Our server was friendly, helpful with the menu, & service was efficient. We will be back again next time we're in Victoria!

Great food and awesome staff!. I don't know what some of these people are complaining about because I found the staff to be warm, very attentive and kind. Some of course stand out more than others, but overall I would return.<br/><br/>I had the chocolate strawberry waffle with cream cheese syrup. It was moist, cakey (as promised) and a great portion size for the $9.99 special. The waitress was an absolute doll and extremely welcoming, so much so that I asked if she was the owner - she said no, she's just worked there for 29 years. Loved her! I think I'd talk about her more than the food. The other staff members that I interacted with were very happy as well.<br/><br/>It was a bit of a wait, yes, but worth it. Those complaining about the wait are (in my opinion) a little unreasonable. A lot of popular places in a big city like Victoria are of course going to have a line - but the atmosphere is so fun once you get in. My date and I scarcely spoke while waiting for our meals because we were busy staring at all the photographs on the walls!<br/><br/>I will definitely return here to try the dinner menu next.

Easter Turkey Dinner March 29 2013. My husband and I decided to find a restaurant for turkey dinner. John's Place came up on the web and we were excited to try it. Great breakfast, always busy, sounded like a great idea.We received our dinner and all the brussel sprouts were raw. Hardly cooked and we were unable to eat them. The potatoes were cold and very little gravy to cover it all. We sent back the sprouts and new ones came. The centers were cut out and they were still barely steamed, but they were hot. Of course they came plain. No butter,no gravy, just steamed hard brussel sprouts. I couldn't believe it. Even the pumpin pie you received with the dinner was inedible.The whipped cream was unsweetened so with the awful pie I walked out of there knowing I would never be back. Even with the $10.00 voucher for the raw sprouts on my plate, I won't be back even for breakfast.

The breakfast wasn't bad, definitely a lot better then Floyd's, wasn't to impressed with their famous waffle and cream cheese icing, but the eggs and hash browns were good. Don't like how tight the seating it ..

Best eggs benny breakfast I have ever had.... Period! The hollandaise sauce is to die for:)

Went for dinner and the food was awesome! Had the meatloaf and it was the best I ever had. Service was great, food was awesome. Will definitely go back.

When I buy food i figure if the price is average then I will be getting at least either a large serving of greasy ok food or I will be getting a smaller serving of quality food. Unfortunatly I found my serving to be not great and I was still hungry after. Johns place is okay, but there are so many other good places around there is no reason to return back here.

Took my mum here for breakfast and we had a marvelous experience. We each ordered the waffle and were blown away by its fluffiness. The service was sweet and attentive and we were treated like family. Thank you John's Place!

Debra is Terrific!. We went to John's Place the day after our wedding in December! Debra served us and she was such a delight! We were tired after the wedding and she brought us back to life! Great food too! So impressed I returned with my maid on honor a week later and again great food and service! Much appreciated! <br/><br/>Note: No I don't know (am friends with) anyone at the restaurant. I asked Debra for her name for this review!

They made it right. Oh man my girlfriend wanted to go out for breakfast late on a Saturday. Not the best idea considering how crowded and popular good joints get on the weekends. We chose this spot due to the reviews and were excited for a good meal. We drank 3 cups of coffee watching at least one table order and get there food before us. Oh man it finally comes out. Nothing too special at all and over priced. Whatever the customer service saved the day when she asked how everything was. I told the waitress nicely it just took longer than expected. She looked at the computer and checked the time it actually took and it was 45minutes! Ya for simple breakfast. Kinda sad. So they comped our meal and threw in a killer brownie. Prob won't go back

Every time I have been here the food has been pretty gross. People who like this place must be on quaaludes.

Foods always good. The food is always good when i take the family here...the benny is just great...reasonably priced too

I feel embarrassed for these people, but especially the owner. Worst breakfast in town BY FAR! <br/>Please shut down already, just give up.

A hang out. Owners great, staff is great, food is great, music is great, decor is great...<br/>I think I've made my point.

Why wait. If you ever get a chance to see the kitchen you should, cause then you would know not to eat anything from it. Why wait in line for a table where someone else elbow is in your food.

Great, Time & Time Again!. I've already written a review for John's Place but thought I'd do an update. Was here a few days ago with a couple girl friends of mine, one who was from out of town and she wanted to come here. We agreed. It was around 1pm and I ordered the Perogies & Ukranian Sausage (10 potato cheddar perogies sautéed with bacon, onions and Cajun spice. Served with grilled Ukrainian<br/>sausage and sour cream on the side.). It was fantastic. I'm not sure if the perogies are made in restaurant (as they look like Cheemo's, not homemade cause I've made a lot of homemade Perogies) but it was tasty and with the sausage, bacon and spices, it was delish! My girl friends ordered a Belgian Waffle and Eggs Benny, they liked them a lot and they looked good. So overall, we were all happy! The service was great, but they did forget about my tea since it was packed in there. That's okay however because once she realized, she quickly made it up and apologized and was NOT rude about a thing. Every time I go to John's place, I never have a service or food problem, so I don't quite understand why so many are saying it's bad service... Hmm, oh well. All I can say is John's Place is great and accommodating! Love them!<br/><br/><br/>-----11 Oct, 2012-----<br/><br/>AWESOME before the TV show AND after. I have been to John's Place lots of times with friends, family and my boyfriend (who's fathers art it posted on the walls - JackWise) and I've loved everything every time I go in there. I must say, out of the probably 50 or so times I've been there, only a couple of those had sour moments with staff.... I guess we just all have bad days?? But other than that, great food, great price, great artwork and 99.9% of the time, super awesome friendly staff!

Quirky decor, friendly staff, good food.. Quirky decor, friendly staff, and food that never dissapoints. My partner and I always go to John's for their bottomless soups and mind blowingly awesome lamb chilli.

Can't go wrong with John's!. I'm a regular customer here and for good reason; the food quality to price ratio is amazing (where else in town can you get a high quality meal for two for ~$25. all in?), and the interior decor is great. All the staff are really awesome; friendly and attentive. I generally stop in once a week for dinner. There are a few bad reviews here, which surprise me, but I guess people don't usually go to review sites to post their good experiences. I usually don't, but happened to think about it while posting my bad review of another restaurant so here I am writing up John's Place!<br/><br/>The meal starts with a fresh basket of bread (comes with, or shortly after, the menus), that tastes like it just came from the oven and is great after a long day, if you're hungry and want something delicious to nibble on while you wait for your dinner.<br/><br/>Entrees change over time (slight menu changes about once a year I think, which is good), but a few long standing favourites seem to remain (or go into a rotation). There's always a varied menu including things like falafel, pastas, stews, thai, lasagna, breakfast burritos, eggs benedict, sandwiches and burgers, meal-sized salads, beef wellington, etc. I've sampled a lot of the menu over time and have never been disappointed - ingredients are fresh, dishes are varied and cooked by skilled chefs, and are typically pretty healthy too (even the heavier diner dishes like burgers have fresh ingredients and good vegetables, etc). I usually return for the simple favourites like a cheeseburger or a mediterranean combo plate with a greek salad, but the Sultan of Swat pasta is great, the Falafel is excellent, and Eggs Benedict is delicious. They have a breakfast menu with a lot of different choices, though I have only been once for that.<br/><br/>Specials are often very good, as well, and you can get a great deal on a beer or a glass of wine from time to time.<br/><br/>Often, when I try a new restaurant and feel like it cost too much and didn't provide very good food, I'm left thinking (or saying to my wife) "We should have just gone to John's!"<br/><br/>Can't recommend this place enough.<br/><br/>Oh, and the deserts are amazing. I just usually don't have room for them as they're huge! I'd recommend sharing an apple pie slice with someone at least once. It's amazing.

25 Year Customer. I have been eating at John Place since the days of "The Coffee Kids" and I still love the place.. The Falafel is my go to item. John Place is a true destination eatery in Victoria.

WonderWaffles!!!. I saw the TV episode when John's Place was featured on "You Gotta Eat Here". I was really intrigued about the yeast-raised Belgian waffles, so I took my wife for breakfast there.<br/>We LOVE this place! The classic decor was eye-catching, the ambience was casual and relaxing, and the staff was very friendly. We felt so at home, we didn't want to leave. Everything on the menu and in the display counter looked delicious. I wish I could taste them all. Needless to say, we'll be back. <br/>They serve proper coffee there. What can I say? Lavazza - I "Lav" ya!<br/>I ordered the Belgian waffle (of course) with Virginia ham. Our server recommended the special cream cheese syrup. Just hearing the description made me drool.<br/>OMG that cream cheese syrup was delicious! (and gone in no time, because I shared with my wife, lol)<br/>The waffles were cooked perfectly - crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, with just enough stretchiness (and great flavor) from the yeast action. Big, delicious portions. Prices are very reasonable.<br/>I can still imagine the taste and wonderful flavors from our breakfast experience. Did I mention we'll be back?<br/>Congratulations John and the entire staff!

Consistently awesome.. I personally don't see what there isn't to like about this place. They have a variety of servers but every server that I have had has been great. I love Johns place. I've had just about everything on the menu. I could be having the worst day, go in to Johns place and come out feeling great. Comfort food at its finest. I love it.

Twice disappointed. Have been here twice for dinner with my husband and two daughters and we will not be back. The first time we went, only 1 out of our 4 meals was palatable. My meatballs were tasty but the pasta was sitting in a bed of water. My daughter's fries were cold. The Beef Wellington was the only good meal. The second time we went, hoping we just had bad luck the first time, was even more disappointing. My Chicken Madonna's filo pastry was raw. My husband's burger bun was dry and stale. My daughter's egg's benedict bagel was too hard to even cut. The Hollandaise sauce was tasteless. We went both times thinking the Food Networks "You Gotta Eat Here" show couldn't be wrong. But they were. Or things have gone downhill since then...not sure which.

What happened?. This place was an institution, and I grew up having their fudge brownie banana splits once a year for a treat, and a band would be playing in the front window and we could dance. Now they've cut all of our favourites from the menu, the staff seems to have changed over every couple months, and it just isn't the same...at all. So sadly, we will not be spending our 'hard earned' here anymore.

Asked for a sinple eggs benny with medium cooked eggs. Eggs like pucks, "home fries" anything but, they were deep fried and not pan-fired, food was cold. I could go on, AVOID!

Breakfast at its finest! The eggs are the best around and the fries look like baked. Totally worth the cost and the wait.

For quality vs price, there's no better place to eat. I've been going to John's for over 15 years, and there is simply no more reliable a restaurant in town. Not to mention, one where everything is from scratch with that kind of price point. Everything they serve is made in house, and to order. I can't remember, out of the hundreds of meals I've had there, any time I've ever had to send anything back. The big test is where can I bring my grandparents to eat, that they will enjoy. They aren't picky, but they don't appreciate any lack of care. So naturally they loved John's, and always look forward to returning.<br/>And the new menu is terrific. Awesome that he put a Wellington on there. Very cool to see that kind of thing in a diner. He's known for his breakfasts, but John's is hugely underrated for dinner. I always bug him to bring back his Egyptian Chicken.<br/>Much of his serve staff have been there for as long, or near as long, as he's been open, and they are fantastic professional servers. <br/>This is a great diner and a mainstay, year in year out, of downtown Victoria. Once you eat there you understand why there's been a line up outside John's Place for almost 30 years.

Not Good.. I don't really understand the hype of this place. The service is not friendly, not welcoming, which is very important to me. I left over half of my meal and was never asked if everything was okay with it, I think they have a great place going, but need to fine tune a few things to live up to their apparently high standards.

Omg. The hollandaise is like PURE butter, which is amazing. The eggs were cooked perfectly and I loved the cornbread option. My husband had the nutella French toast and we both enjoyed the cream cheese maple syrup, which tasted like a layer of icing. Mmmm. Great atmosphere and service too!

Not worth the drive . . .. I don't know what the big deal is about this place, they get a bit of TV time and all of a sudden it's a hit ??<br/><br/>Went for breakfast on a Tuesday morning, the place was not busy.<br/>Two breakfast orders cost $21<br/>The eggs were not cooked properly, nothing was special at all . . any greasy spoon serves better food for less<br/><br/>The waitress was far from polite, we had no thank you or even a smile<br/><br/>We will not be back

Over-rated. Overpriced. Over crowded. You can do better. Why wait 45 min for something you can get anywhere in 5 mins

A Simple Review from VanFoody - Overall: POSITIVE. I had the THE 222 HEADACHE. I chose the Belgian Waffle w/ Fresh Strawberries and Bananas and Cream Cheese Syrup, Scrambled Eggs w/ cheese, and the Italian Chicken Sausage<br/><br/>The Bads:<br/>-It's a small place, considering how busy it gets<br/>-Usually has at least a 15 minute wait<br/>-Can get pricey depending on what toppings you put on the waffle<br/><br/>The Goods:<br/>-Great "Cream Cheese Syrup"<br/>-Great Breakfast<br/>-Decently Priced<br/>-Good Coffee<br/>-High quality food<br/><br/>Overall:<br/>The best scrambled eggs w/ cheese I've had at a restaurant. The waffle was delicious. The Italian chicken sausage patty was great, had the right amount of spices. The Cream Cheese Syrup is a must!<br/>I would definitely eat here again.

Best Benny. Got to go have eggs benny here. Everytime I am in Vic I go back! Love it, great homemade hollandaise sauce. Huge portions and a fun laid back ambience. Good people watching spot.

LOVE IT. I saw Johns place on the food network and i thought i would give it a try! <br/>we went when it wasn't to busy, so no wait to get a seat! when we got there, we were welcomed like we were family! they started a conversation with us right away to know us! they even entertained my 5 month old son! <br/>I ordered there famous Eggs Benny with home fries! and when i received the meal; it was huge! the home fries were basically a whole potatoes cut in huge pieces and the Eggs benny were cooked perfectly and the sauce-- sooooo yummy but very rich! I also ordered a lemonade, and they were right on top with refills! - they give you a straw and when you get a refill they get you to reuse the straw- pretty smart!! <br/>anyhoo, we got dessert as well! and i got the 2$ cheesecake and this wasnt any small piece. for 2 dollars it was huge! VERY good but again very rich! <br/>The price is very reasonable. I would recommend everyone to try it out!

Found this place online and decided to give it a try, based on reviews. The line outside for breakfast was an immediate good sign. :) The cream cheese syrup for the Belgian wafle was incredible and the Baja Burrito was excellent. We'll definitely eat here again on our next visit!

Amazing breakfast. Perfect service . And the the pictures of celebrities is great a perfect place to eat

Cool atmosphere, good staff and yummy comfort food.

The most disgusting food I have ever eaten. Good service but horrible food had their famous classic eggs benedict and let me tell you the eggs were very over cooked and the holandais sause was revolting!

How Do You Screw Up Breakfast?. I had the English breakfast which was clearly cooked by someone who never had an English breakfast before...or cooked one. The scrambled eggs had not been whipped enough as the end result was inconsistent: hard yellow chunks with white threads. The sausage was hard like gristle. The tomatoes were doused in cumin(?) (not appetizing at all). No fried bread, no black sausage, no bacon. While the potatoes were good, some were not cooked and were raw. Overpriced, too. Sad state of affairs. Are food standards in Victoria so low that this place passes for good?

An old fave, great most of the time. I've been going to John's place since the 80's and I love it for the decor and my own nostalgia. I recently went there with my kids for dinner and the service was excellent. The complementary herb bread was super yummy and I loved that they had organic wine on the menu. The food was so so, however, maybe it was just an off night? It was a friday night just before Christmas but the restaurant was only 1/4 full, which really made me wonder. My daughter had fish and chips and the batter was not completely cooked so we asked for a replacement. The replacement fish was very fresh and delicious, and the restaurant comped her meal. My son said his burger was a little bland and I'd have to say my chicken souvlaki was also a little bland. I've had many great meals there so I'm sure we'll be back to give it another try.

We flip, We flop. We have been coming here to Johns Place for the 5+ years that we have been together. I have been coming here considerably longer than that.... since the 80's If I can remember that far back.<br/><br/>I like the chiang mai soup. Always have. Love the bread too. More places need to give you bread or something to nibble while you wait for you meal. John's Place seems to be updating their menu more times than I've notice in the past. Maybe that's a good thing, I guess we'll see.<br/><br/>Now, it's not been all roses here. I can recall some pretty crummy nights where we had been forgotten about, or the food was terribly slow.... one of my least favourite things is when you get there and you wait and another table seats well after we have and they get their food first... yeah, that's happened too. So why do we keep going back?<br/><br/>Well, It's like family here.... and sometimes I don't like my family as much... but ya still love them, right? The food is homey. The staff are usually very friendly and will stop and chat with ya,.... if it's not terribly busy. The atmosphere is like that of a teenagers bedroom. I don;t mean messy, I mean loaded... the walls are absolutely covered with photos, and posters and art and concert hangings and whatever else I missed. They show off their desserts as you walk in you can't help but notice the huge pies. AND, They have a jukebox too! What a nice touch! <br/><br/>Really, this place is a go-to for us. We like it. Try the soup, if there is any left.<br/><br/>Will we return? Sure, Next time I want to try a piece of that wonderful looking pie!

Students' delight: good food, big portions, fun atmosphere, and CHEAP!. Recently had the chance to eat here with some fellow Young Liberals for the Liberal Party of Canada in BC's biennial convention this weekend. A couple UVic students recommended the place, so off we went!<br/><br/>There was a bit of a wait (what you'd expect for a busy place, voted #1 brunches in Victoria, on a Saturday morning), but the servers were all running their butts off and working very hard! The woman who served us was very warm and charming.<br/><br/>I ordered a massive three-egg omelette with cheese, green onions, and peppers. It came with arguably the best hashbrowns I've had (chopped potatoes deep fried to perfection), and two slices of multigrain toast. The total came to about $8 with HST, which is not bad at all! <br/><br/>The decor is delightfully tacky; definitely a funky place to eat :) <br/><br/>I usually judge the quality of a restaurant by by the variety of its clientele, and was pleased to see people of every age and walk of life sitting in the packed little brunch place. Clearly lots of people can agree this place is top-notch!<br/><br/>I come to Victoria a few times a year from Nanaimo, and so the next time my family does Victoria's Tourist in Your Own Hometown, I will be sure to make this one of our brunch stops!

Great Staff, Blue Fox killer?. A friend and I enjoyed our brunch here, the food was good and plentiful,...we both had the Hevos Rancheros.<br/>*is it just me, or when you say "Hevos Rancheros" do you alway sing it to the Elvis tune "Viva Las Vegas"?!*<br/>Despite being there on a very busy weekend morning, the staff there was EXEMPLARY, efficient, warm, and funny,...really, good people made the difference here.<br/>I wrote the owner an email later that day to give him the same feedback. <br/><br/>I consider this the dining antithesis of the Blue Fox,...similar food, way better experience.<br/><br/>Cheers.

Awesome bennies. As new Victoria residents, my roommate and I decided we should probably check out John's Place to see what all the fuss was about. Sure enough when we arrived there was a bit of a lineup (even though it was around 1:00pm in the middle of the week), but we were seated in less than ten minutes by a very friendly server/hostess. The staff was very efficient and everyone seemed to help everyone else, ensuring all customers were taken care of at all times. As for the food..awesome! I've only been twice now, but I'm starting to crave John's egg benny on cornbread. The hollandaise is light and flavourful and the cornbread adds a bit of sweetness to the dish. The hashbrowns were also good...some may find them a bit crunchy, but I will take crunchy hashbrowns over mushy undercooked ones any day. Overall I would definitely recommend John's Place, but of course expect to wait if you go during peak breakfast/brunch hours.

Love this place. It is a must when I visit. You will not be disappointed.

My server, a woman I think who may be the owner, was fantastic!! So friendly and engaging, was a great way to start my day :) Yummy food too

Compassionate atmosphere.... I've had great experiences at John's Place repeatedly. And now they've added a Gluten Free Eggs Benny section to the menu. WEEEH!!!<br/><br/>Service is compassionate and servers are real people who seem to really enjoy their workplace. Great atmosphere, great food, FAST! I'm a fan for life, likely....

John's Blah. Blah is a very good word for this place. I mean the place is a Victoria landmark and I have spent many hungover mornings in there trying to relieve my state through consumption of breaky, but the food has never been better than good enough. Sad but true. I have ventured in for lunch and dinner and the same thing occurs. Nothing special. I think its time Johns ups its game.

Fantastic and cheap!. Great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. My favourite so far is eggs benny for breakfast and the falafel wrap for dinner.<br/>The service is good, and their bread is phenomenal! Definitely recommend it!

Great service and solid but not exceptional food. A nice place to meet friends for brunch