Going out for breakfast usually means spending copious amounts of time, even hours, waiting in line at an over-populated brunch place, before waiting for what seems like an eternity for the meal to arrive. Such experiences can make going out for breakfast seem daunting, a time-consuming chore which anyone who has a remotely hectic schedule will avoid like the plague on Sunday, let alone other days of the week.
Luckily, it turns out that going out for breakfast in Calgary does not have to be the big production one might think it would be; Calgary hosts a range of cafes that offers a variety of breakfast foods along with their other fare. One such café, and the winner of Krups Kup of Excellence for two years running, is Bumpy’s Café. Situated downtown on 8 St. SE, Bumpy’s is “a place to feel at home,” where customers can stop by for a quick breakfast, lunch, snack, or a simply delicious cuppa throughout the day. In short, Bumpy’s is a quaint little “grab-and-go” breakfast stop for those on the go downtown.
That being said, Bumpy’s is worth seeking out if one is in the area. Their coffee is exceptional; Bumpy’s offers both brewed coffee and a variety of specialty coffees. For those non-coffee drinkers, Bumpy’s offers an extensive selection of loose-leafed teas from Tea Affair, a locally-owned operation. If customers simply cannot get enough of Bumpy’s tea or coffee selection, they can take the taste of Bumpy’s home with them; all of Bumpy’s teas and coffees are offered for wholesale.
Bumpy’s café fare is also quite phenomenal; the baked goods are fresh-made daily, and are very tasty, yet not too sweet. The berry muffin, for example, has a very crunchy top, without the sugar-coating that many commercial bakeries rely on to add flavour. Bumpy’s muffin selection is to say the least, extensive, with a great variety baked fresh, including a
savory breakfast muffin for those who lack a sweet tooth. Bumpy’s even goes the extra mile with their muffins, offering seasonal varieties; for example, in light of the Christmas season Bumpy’s has been baking up such festive treats as the rum and eggnog muffin.
Everything at Bumpy’s is homemade, right down to the café’s granola, which is bran-based with almonds, pumpkin seeds, and cranberries. The granola comes with milk; however, the waitress suggested yogurt, as this adds additional flavour and punch. The granola was delicious, the cranberries and other toppings adding wonderful chewiness and crunch. The meal as a whole was not overtly sweet, just enough to compliment the other flavours of the granola. That being said, Bumpy’s is a tad bit expensive, the granola was $5, for more-or-less glorified cereal.
Other breakfast selections offered at Bumpy’s include oatmeal (which can come with a plethora of toppings to fit any taste), homemade quiches, bagels, and other baked goods, as well as the breakfast panini or sandwich topped with bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and lettuce. In the sandwich area Bumpy’s showed its only weakness; the sandwich was a little cold, and on the whole, disappointing; Bumpy’s true forte is café snacks and light meals.
One thing to note about Bumpy’s in particular is that it is quite small, and while the staff may ask patrons whether they will be eating in or taking their food out, oftentimes at peak hours it may be difficult to find good seating, as Bumpy’s can become easily crowded. Bumpy’s is known for a quick meal though, so if there are not any tables upon arrival, it is quite likely one will soon open up.
Overall Bumpy’s is a great little café boasting fast, tasty meals on the go, a homely and casual atmosphere, and a friendly staff. At Bumpy’s, it is easy to feel that they truly want their customers to feel at home.
Bumpy’s is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
