Cosmo's Is Out Of This World!

This week, after much encouragement from my classmate Jeff, I decided to go with him to Cosmo’s Diner on Front St. in Thorold. If you are looking for a restaurant that feels like an authentic 60’s diner, this is the place for you.

Jeff and I at Cosmo's

The wait staff were incredibly friendly and the food arrived quickly. I took a chance and ordered the peameal bacon special which consisted of home fries, rye toast, two eggs and two pieces of peameal. I am a firm believer that the only way to serve peameal bacon is cut thick. Luckily Cosmo's delivered and it made for a delicious breakfast.

The homefries (all too often relegated to a mere aside) were also very tasty with a unique Cajun spice that added to the meal. Beyond the great breakfast taste, Cosmo's was also full of character. There were pictures of Marilyn Monroe, and classic records from Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison throughout to give a genuine diner feel.

'Genuine Diner Feel'

The high point for me was when ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T and the MG’s came on the stereo.

For a brief moment, it really felt like I was still living in an era where cars were big, Coke was in a glass bottle, and a Kennedy was in the White House. The only potential flaw is that being located on the main street has not afforded Cosmo’s a parking lot. Luckily there is ample free parking on the street right outside.

Highlight: The thick cut strips of peameal bacon.

Honourable mention: The awesome music!

Bacon Strips: Five strips!

Rozie’s Raises the Bar

With snow falling, I decided to keep my breakfast adventure closer to home this week. This led my sister and I to brave the snow and make the short trip to Port Dalhousie to give ‘Rozie’s Breakfast Café’ a try. The restaurant was packed but luckily we got one of the last open tables for two. Because of its location on Main Street in Port Dalhousie, Rozie’s has all sorts of rowing paraphernalia on the walls as well as lots of high protein breakfasts.

I was particularly intrigued by one called ‘The Coach’. Having not coached anything for a while, I felt a bit devious ordering such a breakfast, however, it was more than worth it when my scrambled eggs smothered in beans, tomato slices, and rye toast arrived. Normally I demand meat with a hot breakfast, but in this instance I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my meatless meal.

"The Coach"

To further add to the ambiance, the exposed pipes and high ceiling allowed for a very open feel even within a room that was quite full of people.

The cool exposed pipes

 I am also pleased to report that the home fries are delicious. There were none included with my meal, however when my sister carelessly knocked the syrup bottle off our table, I was able to sample a few from her plate during the ensuing confusion.

The syrup that provided the diversion

The delicious home fries

My experience at Rozie’s was truly top notch. It was clean and the servers were very friendly and attentive. I will certainly be going back.

Highlight: The entire ‘Coach’ breakfast

Honourable mention: The restaurant had an easily accessible first aid kit, which offered me peace of mind on such a slippery day.

Bacon Strip Rating: 5 Strips! 

The Blue Star

The first restaurant I chose to explore was the Blue Star in Welland. Not being a Welland resident, I asked my friend Adam to meet me there to ensure that I did not miss out on any essential details. The appearance of the Blue Star was not enormously welcoming from the outside. With drawn curtains and a relatively out of date sign, it did not scream ‘outsiders welcome’. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised upon entry to be quickly ushered to a booth with lots of space and a complete view of the entire place. 

The walls were adorned with Welland sports memorabilia and the ceilings were covered in stars. The place had a sort of Planet Hollywood meets Welland feel. Ambiance aside, our waitress quickly plied us with coffee. Adam chose to drink four cups, while I instead drank only water so as not to ruin my appetite. Following Adam’s lead, I ordered the standard two egg special for $5.95. The marquis item on the menu was something called ‘The Bushman’sSpecial’. Not being a bushman, I felt unqualified and eagerly awaited my two eggs, bacon, rye toast and home fries.

The bacon portion was extremely generous and the home fries were spiced perfectly. The blue collar feeling combined with a delicious breakfast reminded me of similar feasts that I had enjoyed in Northern Ireland years before. I would recommend that anyone try the Blue Star, if not only for the delicious and affordable breakfast, but also for the history lesson of the Welland sports community that its walls and patrons provide.

Highlight: Awesome home fries!

Honourable Mention: Very friendly staff!

Bacon Strip Rating: 4 Bacon Strips!