I’m one of those people that doesn’t make time for everyday breakfast. Even though I am a huge fan of eggs, skillet meats, and griddled grains, getting an extra hour of sleep trumps them all. But I take my weekend breakfasts seriously. When we’re not spending all morning creating monster breakfasts like the one above, you can find us at the places that we trust to do breakfast right. 

And in downtown Vancouver, my favourite place to go is Medina Cafe.

Medina is sister and neighbour to Chambar, both of which being a breath away from Stadium skytrain station and Tinseltown. From our abode in Yaletown, the foot commute is not insignificant, but it works up a decent appetite for Medina’s large portions.

My favourite of the savoury selections is the $15 Fricassé: two fried eggs on a bed of braised short rib, caramelized onion, arugula, roasted potatoes, and applewood cheddar.

If you want to veer away from the usual bacon and eggs, you’ll love Medina, which carries many a plate inspired from North Africa and the Mediterranean. A good alternative is the $14 Les Boulettes: spicy Moroccan meatballs, poached eggs, roasted veggies, and a helping of humous and cucumber salad.

Also keep an eye out for Medina’s fresh sheet offerings. On one occasion, I had the opportunity to try their bouillabaise, which surprised me with its tomato tang and its generous helping of avocado in the centre. It was a sizeable bowl even for a regular diner, but I inhaled it all.

Got a sweet tooth? Go for their daily baked waffles, ordered à la carte at $3.15 for a disc the size of a hamburger patty. You can order one to accompany the savoury dish of your choice or grab a stack, mixing and matching accoutrements for a buck apiece.

I cannot get enough of their organic apple juice, murky with what I assume to be mashed up fresh apple.

As lovely as the eats are at Medina, I’d still like to impart a few cautionary notes:

• Get there early or prepare to wait. Medina is no longer a well-kept secret, so if you arrive for lunch right at noon, don’t be surprised if you don’t get a seat for another 30-40 minutes.
• Love thy neighbour. In order to accommodate as many guests into their narrow dining space, the tables at Medina practically touch. Your server will probably pull out your table in order for your party to shimmy into the booth-side seats, tucking you in afterward like it were bedtime. If you yearn for elbow room, this place may not be for you.

Medina Cafe
556 Beatty Street | Crosstown
(604) 879-3114
www.medinacafe.com