Breakfast in America

Greetings from Vancouver, BC

Totem Family Dining

This post is the beginning of a series of posts from Western Canada where my family and I are traveling. This is the beginning of a two-week road trip and with only one day in – a very full day at that, I must ask your forgiveness in advance as I’m barely awake as I write and any grammar or spelling mistakes you see…well, let’s just forget they ever happened. Actually, if you just drop me a line, I’ll make the changes and send cyber hugs to all my editors out there. Shall we get started? Yes. Lets!

First stop on this two-week breakfast adventure (with a few national parks along the way) was at Totem Family Dining in Everett, Washington. Based on what I read about the place, I got the sense that it was a local favorite and upon arriving, the crowded dining room was a clear message – Eat Here. Apparently, it’s “Everett’s only family-owned and operated diner since 1953.” The old photos on the walls indicate that it was a drive-in, in the 50’s and I kind of wished I could go back in time to its origin.

Biscuit Barge

From the totem pole sign to the log cabin look of the place, I was expecting something windswept and interesting on the menu. Well I wouldn’t say I got that, but what I did get was a huge plate-full of home style vittles of the usual nature hidden behind clever names.

I ordered the Biscuit Barge (#34 – order by the number. They prefer it that way). It comes with two large homemade biscuits topped with two sausage patties, country gravy and two eggs made my way – scrambled. It also comes with a generous portion of crispy hash browns. It was good and hot, and generally I enjoyed my meal. The peppery taste of the gravy was a bit overwhelming, but that that didn’t stop me from eating two-thirds of it – Yikes! Guess I was hungry.

European French Toast

My husband, Tony, ordered a small portion of their European French Toast which is thick slices of French Bread flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg and sprinkled with sliced almonds. It’s looked great, but it looked dry. Tony confirmed that while it tasted good, it could have used an extra second or two in the egg mixture before cooking. We should have gone with the pancakes as recommended by our server. Hm…guess we weren’t the best listeners this morning.

Spendy Scale: $

Coffee Rating: 2 (Boyd’s)

Other Offerings

• Breakfast all day
• Jr. sized portions for kids and seniors

Contact Information

Hours

Mon-Fri 6 am – 7:30 pm

Sat-Sun 7 am – 1 pm

Local Attractions

• Forest Park and Swim Center
• Howarth Park with off-leash dog area
• Langus Riverfront Park