Good Food
It was great, I really liked how the store was set up, the service was very good and the food was great.    [19 Nov 2003 18:19:02]

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Recommended Dishes: bacon Swiss burger

     ­Anonymous   

The Best
Like stepping into a fifties cafe. The food is absolutely amazing and meals include soup/salad, entree, rolls, dessert and coffee, all delicious. Homemade desserts are usually a cobbler or homemade pudding, yum and soups are to die for. I love this place and when in Penticton eat there almost every night. No need to go anywhere else. Less expensive than fast food! This place is a definite must-try, you will not be sorry.    [20 Apr 2004 02:34:26]

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Recommended Dishes: liver and onions

     ­Sylvia M   

Been Around for Years
This restaurant has been around for years. Great food, a smile, and even change back. Try the specials and you won't be disappointed.    [11 Aug 2004 21:37:46]

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Recommended Dishes: steak

     ­k..   

Very Yummy
I like this restaurant, it is very yummy. I love the food.    [24 Jan 2006 00:58:37]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken fingers

     ­Melissa   

I haven't been back ...
I've been going to the Elite for 50 years, met my husband there 40 years ago. So, I was worried about changes when it sold a few years ago. The first few visits were okay although little things were different (and not better). My fourth time happened to be during the Elvis Festival at about 11:30 a.m. I was in a rush and intended to be out in 15 minutes so I ordered a sandwich and coffee. Also, I had a backache and needed to sit down comfortably so I picked sat a booth for four. The new owner told me "I have to move you" and pointed to a table for two in the path of servers racing by and crashing around with coffee, etc. The place was close to empty but an Elvis impersonator was coming for the lunch hour so I suppose he was expecting an influx of customers. I said, "maybe I'll just cancel my order". And he said, "whatever" and walked away.

Bloody cheek! Of course, I'll never go back. I've introduced hundreds of people to the Elite over the years but never again. I really miss Gus, George, Dino and the rest. They were nice people who cared about their customers. Even the waitresses, some of whom had worked there for many, many years, seem to have been driven out.    [09 Sep 2006 17:20:03]

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     ­njoy   

Would never eat there again !
I was there this fall and the people were not as they once were. I grew up in Penticton in the 50's when it was a true small town atmosphere but the new owners don't seem to have that attitude about customers anymore and just in it for a money grab. The lights were nice to see again but that was all. I speak for a whole group of baby boomers that once loved the old cafe. Very sad. RM    [06 Dec 2007 13:19:43]

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     ­Anonymous   

Were We Discriminated Against?
I remember the Elite Cafe from the early 60's when it was owned by Gus, George and Dino. I went there with my mother when I was a very young child. We ate there regularly. I continued to frequent the Elite through the 70's, 80's and 90's bringing my own children there as they grew up. I continued to go there when the owners changed.
My husband and I brought our grandson in on Fri, Aug 1st for dinner. It was 6:30pm. The sign on the door said the cafe was open until 7:30pm. We sat at a table and a man came out of the back and saw us sitting there. We waited to be served. The waitress came over and said "I am closing." I said, "it is only 6:30." She said, "I am here by myself, me and just the cook. My boss came and told me we have a huge reservation coming in and I just can't deal with any more people." I said "fine," and we left. When we walked past the restaurant at 7pm, the restaurant was still 2/3rds empty with only a few tables with customers sitting at them. My husband and I and my grandson are Okanagan. I feel we were discriminated against based on being First Nations. I am sorry to see such a long standing restaurant have such biased attitudes when I remember the Elite as a child and the friendly service we received prior to the new owners. It's a shame that the place has this type of owners now.    [02 Aug 2008 01:50:06]

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     ­Anonymous   

Great food!
You should really try this restaurant. If you like homestyle food, this is a perfect place for you! The liver and onions was great, so the was the steak and club sandwich. Desserts are very scrumptious and homey. Must try!    [29 Nov 2008 16:44:52]

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Recommended Dishes: Club Sandwich

     ­Joey Laroo   

Blast from the past!
I hope they never change the fantastic 60's neon sign, exterior and interior decor, or the throw back menu which according to our friendly, attentive diner style server, hasn't changed in 30 years and is still great. For lunch we both had the true test: a deluxe cheese and bacon burger with fries and a pint of ale and the bill was a very reasonable $24.23. The fries were crisp and homemade and the burger as juicy and tasty as I remember from the 'good old days'. This place is a great, folksy diner experience. The Elvis kitsch in the corner is a fun touch as long as the owner, an avid fan, doesn't get any more carried away with it in the rest of the place.    [22 May 2009 22:48:48]

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Recommended Dishes: Deluxe bacon cheese burger with fries

     ­Jocko