Fun fact: restaurant reviews fall under fair comment. Medialibel.org says “this common law defense guarantees the freedom of the press to express statements on matters of public interest, as long as the statements are not made with ill will, spite, or with the intent to harm the plaintiff.”

http://medialibel.org/libel/definition.html

This unusual behaviour didn’t end there, oh no.

I got my breakfast and soon as I dug in, I was interrupted by the server. Here’s the actual dialogue from this exchange.

Server-“The owner wants to talk to you.”

Me-“What?”

“I called the owner and pulled him away from his dinner. He’s mad.” (Note: it was 3pm)

“I’m eating, I don’t want to talk on the phone.”

“Well he wants to talk to you.”
“Fine.”

I picked up the phone, hearing a scared-sounding man on the other end.

Man-“What are you doing?”

“Well, I’m reviewing your breakfast.”

“For who? Why are you reviewing us?”
“I’m reviewing you for a private website.”
“I don’t want to be on a private website! Where is this going?”

I gave him the web address and assured him that there is contact information on the site.

“I don’t want to be advertised in Winnipeg!”

“This is free advertising. You don’t want advertising?”

“I don’t want advertising.”

“That is a very unique way to conduct business.”

That was the owner, Helda Isa. I thought there was something suspicious about his reluctance to be advertised. I didn’t find any validation for this feeling, but I can’t deny that I felt it. The Breakfast Connoisseurs have never encountered such resistance to being reviewed. We’ve had a few restaurants notice our picture taking before, but we’ve never had a negative reaction to it.

While I was having this conversation, my breakfast got cold. It didn’t really matter, as it wasn’t very good to begin with.

My bacon was deep fried, indicated by the fact that it was still bubbling when it hit my table (see picture). It tasted burnt and was crispy like an autumn leaf. The eggs were standard, nothing outstanding in either direction there. The potatoes were lightly seasoned but still had the consistency of cardboard. They were deep fried, most likely straight from the freezer. The toast was a standard rye.

Admittedly, I didn’t order the coffee. I was full of coffee from Saskatoon and just honestly didn’t want any more.

Even without the confounding experience with the owner and staff, this wasn’t a good place to get breakfast. I’ve heard the chain has good ribs, but I’m going to rely on others for that information.

If you’re on the road from Saskatoon, take my advice and eat in the city.

January 11 2009

Tomas the Cook Family

Restaurant & Lounge

2553 Grasswood Rd. E

(off Highway 11)

Saskatoon, SK

Hours of operation:

Monday to Sunday:

7am - 9pm

(sometimes open until 10pm)

Breakfast Special - $5.99

(includes coffee) $7.34 after tax.

This restaurant made me ask one question: What the fuck?

To preface: I was in Saskatoon for a Canadian University Press (CUP) journalism conference. I had plans to review a restaurant in town, but never got the chance until I was headed out of town, driving back to Winnipeg. I chanced upon this gas station restaurant just off Hwy 11 (south of the city) and decided that it was here or nowhere.

I placed my order at the counter and started taking pictures soon as I sat down. The server got quite upset at this. As I was photographing their menu she got angry and told me I had to delete the pictures. She said it was “against their policy” for people to take pictures. I reluctantly informed her that I was reviewing their food, and that got her even more upset. Here’s the kicker: she threatened to call the police on me for taking pictures inside the restaurant. Believe it or not, she actually did.

See Andrew’s write up in the U of Sask paper!