Jam Cafe (Vancouver) – Charlie Bowls As Big As Your Face
The eclectic and famous Jam Cafe Victoria has finally landed in Vancouver last Monday (1o days ago) and foodies all around are going crazy over this little brunch spot. They took over the Cafe Medina space next to Chambar and are open everyday from 8am-3pm.
Without a grandiose restaurant opening or media event, it has already garnered enough attention on Vancity Buzz and Instagram that line ups are currently 30 mins to an hour long (did I mention they are less than two weeks into their business?!). Luckily, I came on a weekday at 11am because there was no wait.
Their interior decor is worth a second look as it features witty breakfast elements on a periodic table and vintage looking pieces all over the restaurant.
The Canadian culture is strong as well at this restaurant. Look at the moose antlers!
Everything on the menu is worth salivating for… Maple Pan Fried Oatmeal, Huevos Rancheros, The Charlie Bowl… I don’t know about you but I want to personally try everything on this menu.
If you’re not up for something savoury, you can also get Red Velvet pancakes or Brioche French Toast! Though I always say brunch should always include something savoury. And an egg. A yolky egg. And maybe avocado. Mmmm.
My foodie wingman Neiwar went for the monstrosity that is the Charlie Bowl ($15). You can always get the Small Charlie Bowl for twelve bucks but why would you when you can eat this and have the leftovers for lunch and dinner the next day?
The Charlie Bowl is probably their most famous dish and comes with crumbled housemade biscuit, hashbrowns, two sunny side up eggs, sausage gravy, diced ham, cheddar cheese, and green onion. If you use the two eggs for scale you can tell how incredibly large the bowl is. Neiwar joked with the waitress that if Vancouver passed a law where calories had to be disclosed, it would probably shut the place down. I 100% agree LOL. With much determination and a full hour of nothing but meat sweats, Neiwar actually finished it! #noregrets.
I got the Gravy Coop ($15) which consists of a buttermilk biscuit topped with a buttermilk fried chicken breast, two sunny side up eggs, green onions, sausage gravy, and hashbrowns.
The dish was magical in every sense and I was in #yolkporn heaven. Even with the fried chicken and sausage gravy, I was pleasantly surprised that nothing was too salty which is a true test of a great chef. The liquidy yolk inevitably added another dimension to the dish and created an extra layer of sauce for my buttermilk biscuit to soak up. Needless to say, this is a breakfast of champions type of dish and I would definitely order this again.
Jam Cafe exceeded my expectations indeed and I can see why this brunch spot is seen as a local favourite in Victoria. Come early and on a weekday to avoid the lineups but either way it’s worth the wait. I am not joking when I say I want to try everything on their menu… so I’ll see you guys in line tomorrow!
Service Rating: 4/5
Food Rating: 4.5/5
Price: $$
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Happy Eating!
