KellyBear Market & Kelly's Cafe

Listen up, folks! This isn't your everyday burger joint! Its self-description is the first clue: "Kelly's Café: Delightful Atmosphere Since the 1930's." But first, a little history. All on the same patch of ground, Kelly's progenitors (fancy word for a down-home place) were ... The Waterloo Chalet (1930-73); the Pacific Village (1974-88); the Land's Shell Station (1988-94); the Pepperland Shell Station (1994-2004); the Fanny Bay Service Station (2005-15); and today's Kelly Bear Market, a portion of which is Kelly's Café.The Waterloo Chalet was pretty swish. Believe me, I've seen the write-ups. From far and wide they came, swanning around in all their finery just as the early concept of "tourism" set imaginations on fire. Were it not for the BugaBoo Burger, things might have gone down hill since then.Colin Kelly runs the whole she-bang - the market, the gas station, and the Kelly Bear Café. Kelly wasn't around the day we showed up for lunch, so wasn't able to explain the "bear" in the Kelly Bear Cafe. Never mind that longtime server Carrie thinks Colin added the "Bear" because he liked the sound of it; what we REALLY wanted to know was why and how the BugaBoo Burger gained its legendary status. Carrie shrugged. So did server Allison. Apparently Colin liked the name BugaBoo. End of story. We gradually got the feeling that Colin Kelly is some kind of marketing genius - an entrepreneur who also sells his Bugaboo Burgers from a mobile cart up the road, a-ways.So what, exactly, is a Bugaboo Burger? You take your basic burger bun, slapping down a circle of beef. And then you add the ultra-secret ingredients that make the BugaBoo legendary. Tomatoes! Lettuce! Caramelized onions! Havarti cheese! Fries on the side! Charge 9 bucks for the thing and ... Voilà! Magic. Where once the Waterloo Chalet boasted red carpets and tablecloths, Kelly's has your basic "Land of Plenty" Bennys with exotic names. He has a whole slew of interesting breakfasts. He has more types of burgers than anyone except Carrie and Allison could possibly remember or recite. Someone should make a movie about this place, teaching the clueless how to succeed in (the restaurant, and market, and gas station) business where others have failed.Our meal? Very, very good. Carrie and Allison's patter? Delightful. Colin? MIA, but probably peddling BugaBoo Burgers up the road from his mobile cart. The Kelly Bear Café offers what it advertises: Good Food and Good Service. Who could ask for anything more?

Just a quick stop for a bite to eat. Had an outside area where we sat. A fairly good menu and the service was friendly but a bit slow. Food was good. It suited us for what we wanted.

Stopped to fuel up on our trip north on the old Island Highway, and our menfolk noticed that there was a restaurant attached, so we stayed for breakfast. Older restaurant with not a lot of updates, but very friendly staff. Benny selection was larger than normal, as were the portions. Unfortunately were out of salmon for the pacific option, but the other choices were very good. Large portion, over done but flavourful hashed potatoes, endless coffee. A good meal!

This was an unexpected pleasant surprise. it is one of those "hole in the wall" places with a booths, table and chairs and a tv in the corner (you may be given the remote to select the channel). It reminded me of the restaurants in India with mismatched furniture pieces and a little disorder but enjoyable if you don't expect a trendy cafe. We tried their eggs benedict , they have a variety of choices and we had the smoked salmon, avocado and monterey jack. It was excellent with a real hollandaise sauce and great pan fries. Service was friendly and the coffee was pretty good and I am a coffee snob. We tried the breakfast another time and still delicious.They have some fresh baking and there are also some take out dinners and pies in the freezer. We have tried the pies and they are very good.This is a down to earth local type restaurant and it works.

Surprised this was not listed on TA. What an awesome find. Out for a Saturday drive and stopped by Kelly's for lunch. They closed at 2PM and we arrived just after 1 PM. Super friendly service. Home made pies!! Bought as whole pie to take home. Asked the waitress what she would recommend. She suggested an Oyster Burger. Well never had one of those and afterall we were in Fanny Bay so why not!!. Fantastic is how it's best described. Great value too. We had a hoot in this place. Wish it was closer but next time we are on the Island we'll be sure to go back.