Round Up Cafe – Weekday Brunch in Whalley
Sometimes you just need a hearty breakfast… and a root beer float. Life has been flying by at a million miles an hour this month and I just really needed a quiet morning to gather my thoughts. So Round Up Cafe was the perfect place for us on a sunny Monday morning.
Celebrating their 60th anniversary in Surrey this year, the Round Up Cafe has all the charm and quaintness you would expect from a homegrown, greasy spoon diner. Sitting in the heart of Whalley near 104th Ave and King George Boulevard, it is no doubt that this place has seen all the ups, downs and changes that have faced that neighbourhood for years.
Bright green bar stools and walls lined with black leather booths meet you as you walk through the open door. And the staff are quick to welcome you and make you feel at home. Even with the neighbourhood’s rougher clientele, they are gracious and understanding.
Even in a developing part of town like Whalley, customers come back time and time again for big plates of comforting classics like Eggs Benedict or a big stack of Hot Cakes. And with borscht and Ukrainian sausage always on the menu, there’s always something heartwarming to try.
After running the kids around and accomplishing a few errands, I was more than ready for some coffee and a Grand Slam Breakfast… as well as the bacon off of my little guys plate.
Two over-easy eggs, pan fries to soak up the runny yokes, ham, sausage and delicious toasted rye bread, my plate was brimming with goodness. Simple, hearty and perfectly cooked. I honestly could eat like this every day – but can’t because I’m not a farmer in the 1860s and you know, health and such.
And even though we’ve discussed health and nutrition quite a bit in our house recently, sometimes you really do just need some hot, fluffy butter and syrup covered hotcakes. Paired with that was an overflowing root beer float because Mommy is a pushover and it is a diner after all.
We enjoyed the warm and welcoming vibe of the diner while we ate and chatted – and kept the little guy from sharing his fork with everyone. We witness more than one patron receive a good bye hug from the girls behind the counter. Sincere and true connections have been forged here over years and eggs.
I was more than satiated after my toast and eggs, so the many delicious and savory meats were packed up to bring home for my husband to enjoy after work. The goodness is meant to be shared!
If you need somewhere consistent, cozy and friendly to spend your time with a big plate of comfort food, Round Up cafe is the place.
Author: Erin Miller Schumann
Erin is proudly Surrey born and raised. She is the owner of The Yellow Umbrella Co. Virtual Assistant Services and loves working alongside fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Fraser Valley. She believes that a good meal is a perfect excuse to try something new - whether its a locally made wine or beer, a topic of conversation, or an entirely new culinary experience. Food, coffee, and wine keep her motivated while reading, writing and her love of music keep her grounded enough to give all her extra focus to her husband, two daughters, and son. Erin is always open to meeting new friends over said coffee or a glass of wine and will never say no to a T-Rex joke.
