Smitty's Family Restaurant - Port Alberni in Port Alberni

3426 3rd Ave, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 4E5, Canada

★★★★☆
(470 reviews)
Categories: Family restaurant

About

Smitty's™ is an all-day gathering hub for families, friends, teams, and colleagues. Our menu will appeal to everyone at the table! From our famous Smitty's™ buttermilk pancakes, waffles, skillets, and omelettes to garden fresh salads, burgers, steaks, and pasta. We even have a popular kid's menu for the smallest Smitty's™ guest! We can't wait to see you!

Website
smittys.ca
Address
3426 3rd Ave, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 4E5, Canada
Plus Code
65QR+PR Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Time Zone
America/Vancouver

Business Hours

Sunday
8 AM–7 PM
Monday
8 AM–7 PM
Tuesday
8 AM–7 PM
Wednesday
8 AM–7 PM
Thursday
8 AM–7 PM
Friday
8 AM–7 PM
Saturday
8 AM–7 PM

Services

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Coffee Healthy options Small plates Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Reviews

4.1
★★★★☆
470 reviews

Most Mentioned

breakfast (48) prices (17) food and service (10) eggs benny (9) bacon (7) room (5) hash browns (5) cold (5) plates (5) server (3)
5 stars
221
4 stars
143
3 stars
55
2 stars
29
1 stars
22
★★
December 11, 2024

Forgive me for the poor review, but Smitty's just isn't that good... It's not just this location, it's every location. Smitty's doesn't do anything remarkable. I forget if the price is right for that or not. I remember I was happy to see they offered shredded hashbrowns, but there was no crisp to them... it was just soft shredded hashbrowns. The sausages remind you that these things probably got pulled out of a giant frozen bag... The whipped cream they use for their waffles is just store bought canned crap, nothing real about it. The service was good, I'm just not a fan of this chain of restaurant. Sorry to the owner of this place. Maybe if I can't say something nice I just shouldn't say anything at all.

★★★★★
October 4, 2024

Service was amazing! For a meal we were sharing, they offered to split it for us and kept checking in on us :)

August 23, 2024

The wait staff were pleasant and kind….but the first thing you notice when you walk in this place is the intense odour of urine. It’s like a very strong scent of uric acid and ammonia that comes from one source and one source alone, the evacuations of a human bladder. Just absolutely revolting. Maybe a bunch of drunken patrons had peed on the seats over the years and they just refused to properly clean or replace soiled seats. Who knows. I can say that when I used the restroom (which was in a state of utter disrepair and grotesque putrefaction) it was a pleasant respite from the horrid bouquet in the main dining room. The lemony scent of expelled bowels was the highlight of the experience for my nose, besides the moment I walked out into the fresh air afterwards. The food is very lazily made and corners are cut in such an obvious manner that it could only be due to apathy. Frozen veggies, really? Really? You can get the dishwasher to prep veggies in the morning. It’s not that big a deal. But again, I say, the wait staff was very kind and welcoming.

July 13, 2024

Went in for dinner Friday. I had a burger( nothing to write home about) my wife ordered breakfast plate, the ham looked like it was left over from the morning and the sourdough toast never came out. Our waitress never came back to make sure everything was OK. Might have got the toast if she did. Instead of hiring window candy, maybe hire experienced waitresses that know how to treat customers. She did remove the breakfast plate from the bill, but still had to stop at Macdonalds on the way home.

April 25, 2024

Terrible food, painfully slow service, and unreasonable prices. I did not feel welcomed into the restaurant. Waited over an hour just for an eggs Benedict that tasted like something a toddler could do better at. Not to mention it took over half an hour for my order to be taken??? The restaurant was EMPTY. Get better, this sucked.

April 25, 2024

I came in today with a group of five. We were seated, got our drinks and menus immediately only to sit around waiting for almost an hour without a single person coming back to take our order. The restaurant was dead, there was no reason for all 3 of the waitresses to remain huddled in the back for the entirety of our stay. It was bad to the point our group decided to walk out. Not to mention the waitresses standing in the back were laughing at us when I was trying to get the bill for our drinks. They have some serious staff problems that need to be addressed. Clearly these girls are either being paid too little or too much. I’ve also been here once before and the breakfast food was terrible. Easy to say Smittys did not make a redemption. Genuinely the worst experiences I’ve ever had.

April 24, 2024

Service was absolutely terrible. We sat in the EMPTY restaurant for 20 minutes without anyone asking if we want to put any food in. I understand if it was busy but there was us and one other table with 2 servers and a manager walking around.

★★★★
September 22, 2022

Good diner food, large portions, friendly atmosphere, quick service. Sanitize at door, all/most tables are wheelchair friendly, change table in the (women's) bathroom. Happy eating!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

The service was excellent.

★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Service is iffy at best these days the waitresses when the boss isnt in like to ignore us. Food is always great though.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Fantastic!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

You get exactly what you expect!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

It is always delicious and the staff is very attentive, there is always awesome patrons when we dine there

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Great breakfast,great service....

★★★
July 22, 2024

Average cooking skills, food is cooked up to crisp just short of being burnt. Servers are very polite and attentive

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Our familys favorite go-to with kids. Welcoming and warm atmosphere. Service is great, food is good. Vegetarian options: They are really good with substitutions and dietary needs. Kid-friendliness: They have a kids club that kids get rewarded after so many meals. They have coloring sheets and crayons for kids. Wheelchair accessibility: There are no stairs, and tables which can accommodate wheelchairs

★★★★
July 22, 2024

Food was great service excellent, staff friendly

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

The service here is so wonderful!! The other day i came in by myself and this beautiful young waitress named Irene was serving me, not once did she let my coffee get low and she even took her time to talk to me that s what a good waitress should do!!! I will be coming back for sure because of this young lady:)

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Thank you Smitty s for allowing us to use your side room for my mom s 80th birthday. Your staff did an amazing job of dealing with all the people. The food was great as always and a good selection for everyone from the younger kids to the adults. Thank you again we will be back.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Its Smittys. Its awesome. We have a great meal every time we stop in. Breakfast lunch or dinner.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

The food was delicious and the service was amazing definitely recommend .

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Always a reliable restaurant.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Going through Port Alberni we stopped for breakfast. The cook is fabulous & the staff were amazing!! Best omelet Ive had in a long time. Great Job to all.

★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Same old boring ambience. Server was great, food predictably good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The food is so Fresh and service is great I love to eat here

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A traditional breakfast restaurant. Nothing fancy but great for families or group get together. You go here because you know what youre getting. Tried and true.

December 22, 2023

Greasy spoon , wouldnt recommend it.

December 22, 2023

Waited 15 minutes at the door before being greeted, then another 20 before a waitress came to our table. Plates were missing items, had to ask for coffee refills. Overall the worst experience I ve ever had.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Best food I ever had from a restaurant

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Awesome breakfast

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Couldnt believe we ran into a Smittys in Port Alberni. Great service, great coffee and super food. Loved it !!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Mmmmm breaky

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Do not go for supper at this restaurant!! We had 2 separate senior suppers and I didnt get the one I ordered. It came with a starter salad, from a bag, lettuce was all bad, really really bad. I did mention it to the waitress who apologized, big whoop! Nope, nope, never again!!

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Blueberry cheesecake was great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Cod fish and chips are awesome

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

First time at Smittys, loved that it was open later in this town as many restaurants are closed by 530, 6pm. A little more attention to cleanliness of mugs/dishes coming out of the dishwasher as our coffee mug still had lipstick stains. Food was great, we had the onions rings, fries, and beef dip sandwhich. Service was excellent, our waitress was friendly and did a great job!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Been coming here since I was a kid. Theyve really cheaped out on food quality and its quite disappointing now. Highly suggest they figure out how to cook the easiest meal of the day. Wont be back until their food improves. Which is highly unlikely. Food : 1/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Stopped by with the kids and family, our waitress was amazing and the food delicious.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Good times at Smittys

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great staff, good food and coffee!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Clean and friendly

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Food was good, service was was good, the bathroom needs a major cleaning!

★★
December 22, 2023

Just ordered Salisbury steak, mashed potato, and vegetables, for pickup. never again, Bearpaw hamburger patty for 17.95 togo. Nope never again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Reccomend

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Its a great family friendly place with excellent service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great place to have food. I recommend to visit everyone.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

So delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fast, very good service & delicious

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Its a busy little chain restoration like going to dennys or rickys or one of those spots. I only ever go for breakfast and its always good. The eggs are cooked properly, lots of good choices. The shredded hash browns are not Good but the home fry style ones are good. The waffles are great, pancakes are great, steak and eggs is always good. Parking: Big lot easy to park in and easy to get in and out of Kid-friendliness: Great options for kids

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Reliable family restaurant with that nice old school feeling,

★★★
December 22, 2023

Rude waitresses that shouldnt be working in customer service! Treating our local First Nations like they mean nothing and making them wait for nearly 40 minutes just to get served. Regardless of how many customers are in there at that time and how busy the place is, theres absolutely no excuse for poor treatment towards our elders. Id fire the Biotch!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Cob salad was delicious ! Staff were friendly !

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Staff is always pleasant and fast. They are very helpful. Wheelchair accessibility: Yes Food : 4/5 |

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Port Alberni breakfast staple for me. Been going here 35 plus years. Always great food and service.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great food. Just the service is a little dull, went for the first time a few days ago and my orange juice was watered down took 15 minutes for a replacement drink after I had to remind my server when I seen her talking to her co workers at the till and on their phones. So needless to say I didnt give a tip. Hope next visit will be better

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Delicious!!!!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Tried their Southwest eggs benny and thought it was gross. Flimsy silverwear litterly bent when I tried to cut my benny. Wont be going back there again. Server was good though.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

The waitress were just in the corner chatting n we kept having to go up n ask for what we were wanting need the nice ones that kept checking in but food was good

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Food and service were good

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Staff was very attentive But chicken sandwich on a lettuce wrap well that doesnt mean open face You need good size leafs of lettuce to actually WRAP But feel good cause that was the only bad thing I could find

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great service and accommodating

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Fast, pleasant, and polite.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great homestyle cooking. Excellent service

★★
December 22, 2022

The food was terrible! Never again. Some staff here were friendly though and comped out meal, thankfully.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Service was great let us in 30 minutes before opening and still accommodated us with fresh brewed coffee and a great eggs Benedict. When other book accommodations fell through and need a place to regroup and work on solutions. Thanks

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

We always get good service and good food here.

December 22, 2022

Amazing as always

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Nice family style restaurant. Good food, reasonable prices.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Mom and I had a great lunch and service was great too. Love it there.

Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I dont normally like to write negative reviews, as it seems like a first world problem and there is enough negativity out there these days. However...this was the worst food experience in memorable history. Nice, polite service. Our table was clean. Food was AWFUL. As in inedible. Steak and eggs. Eggs were pale yellow, half cooked and served in a side bowl sitting in water. Steakwas tiny, overcooked on the outside and blue rare inside. If I had to guess what part of the cow it came from, I might guess...the hoof ? Even the toast was inedible. Dry and took one bite. Tasted like old stale bread. Save your money, eat elsewhere. Sorry!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Delicious hamburger and perfect French fries

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great breakfest great service

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Good staff. Good food. Works for me!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Everything else in Port Alberni seemed close but Smittys was open. We had a burger and the wife had a pierogi dinner. Both were great and the service was fantastic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Always a good experience here, we love going down for breakfast or lunch :) Kid-friendliness: My boy loves pancakes, so he absolutely loves the happy cakes he gets there all the time!

Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Im not sure how a server can confuse herself on a drink order such as 3 glasses of water, and one cup of coffee. The three who wanted water had to hold our arms up like children. The coffee was horrible, and was served in a cup that nobody realized was caked in chunks of crud inside. The silverware also, needed a rewash(if they even wash dishes?!). One of our party waited for his food while the rest of us were served. He could see his order, getting cold, on the landing. We were seated right by the doors to the kitchen(his meal was complimentary AFTER he entered the kitchen threshold to ask kitchen staff if someone was going to bring it to our table) These are only some of the issues that caught my attention at this restaurant. I wasnt the only one at our table that had complaints either. I had avoided this restaurant for years because of similar issues, and on a whim thought it cant be as bad as I remember?! Yes. Yes it can. 0/5 - will never go back

December 22, 2022

I do not relish posting negative reviews, but try another restaurant for breakfast. The food here was not delicious, I ate only 1/3 of what I was served.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Food was excellent and so was the staff

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Came in during a softball tournament, staff was all very helpful. Huge order the girl didnt even have to write it down, got everything right. Food was decent. Real winners were the girls they were great! Good job ladies, keep it up!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Decent food, dinner specials, and friendly staff means you should enjoy your meal here.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great friendly service

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Amazing! So much food for such a great cost!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Friendly staff. The salsburry steak is really good. Kids love the sandwiches too. Parking: Convinient parking Kid-friendliness: They have kids menu

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Inside was clean and the services was quick and friendly.

December 22, 2022

Stale nachos. Everything is basically frozen to cook for the kids menu.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Good meal and prices

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The service wasnt the greatest . There was a waitress , she brought us some cutlery. When she brought it to us,she just tossed it onto the table and then walked off. And the waitress we had ( who took our order ) didnt check on us as much.... Kid-friendliness: Kids menu.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Good food prices are ok.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Food was decent burger was mad greasy

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Really enjoyed our meals - prepared exactly as ordered. Lovely fruit bowl with a good variety of fresh fruit. I had chocolate milkshake that was made from chocolate ice-cream so it was perfect - not too sweet. Very good service overall.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Best homemade food !!! We go there for lunch and breakfast a lot!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great breakfast and service,

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Nice food, nice place, nice people ... recommended

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great service friendly staff

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Good food fast friendly service

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Was great

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The food is great and the staff is super friendly

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The staff is always willing to help us. The food is good and the price is the best

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

It s open and serving pancakes!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Best omelette in town !

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food was so delicious, would recommend this place to anyone. Very friendly staff and amazing service

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Good food great service

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Friendly staff, clean

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great as usual

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food similar to Dennys. Good, basic food.

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great food. Service

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Service was like, the waitress kinda was abrupt with us, French fries were definitely frozen bought from local big box store

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Place is dirty they really need to clean a peice of dusty spider web fell in my coffee We went to smittys at 12:15 pm on a week day with only two other tables the waitress made our order and gave us our coffee she only came back when our food was ready and we were trying to track her down but nowhere to be found finally at 2 pm we have gotten our order of two and all it was just eggs pancakes and hashbrowns when we left at 2:30 pm I was about to just walk out because we couldnt find the waitress to pay our bill and when I only gave her a 1 doller tip she looked very offended It is better to go somewhere else

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Good

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Very friendly staff great breakfast nice and clean will go back nexted time i am in town

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great food. Im glad we found this place. We loved it. . . ;-}

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The very best chicken wings, on Vancouver Island.

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Food and service was good. Just as I always expect from Smittys.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Good value, good food, good service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best breakfast place,quick tasty and fresh hot coffee.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Reallllly good breakfast foods!! I havent tried any entrees but, Ill bet theyre just as amazing! Only thing I didnt like was, my lemonade seemed rather expensive for such a small glass. Plus, you dont get free refills. So, next time, think Ill get water with lemon.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

We visited Smittys in Port Alberni Saturday 21st August. Everything about the service and food exceeded our expectations Service was friendly and prompt. Food came out quickly, was hot and tasty. Well done Smittys.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Had the steak and eggs. I have always loved the shredded hash browns the steak was to fatty hard to chew.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Always consistent quality and service.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Good food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Eggs benny is amazing here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Delicious, friendly staff. Prices are fair.

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Would be 5 stars cause Ive always loved smittys breakfast FOR DINNER. Waited and waited for places to finally open and they open till 3pm. Come on this is ridiculous. Almost bad enuff to want Dave back. They tell us 7 pm 1st time we go 630pm next day sorry closed at 630pm so we go at 5 today and it closed at 3pm. This a darn joke or what. Shame on you. Must have plenty of cash laying around to not be open till 9pm like it used to be. 3pm ridiculous

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Because of companies like this one we Canadians are losing our freedom it is against our freedom of rights what they are dooing

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Awesome Mozza burger, great service!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best place for me to go for breakfast, and great services, menu, prices

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great Eggs Benny!

★★★★
December 22, 2021

gr8 food...

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Nice spot, great breakfasts...friendly staff.....like most places out in BC, .....BC stands for Bring Cash and Be Calm......cause every dish about 4 bucks more than Ontario!!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Love smittys food good service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

My day three and I went there for breakfast and it was very good. The server who took our order was very nice and kind.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Very friendly staff. Great food. My scrambled eggs where very dry.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

subpar food

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Excellent food and service. Price is very reasonable also

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Very nice team. Correct food.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Good food, friendly staff, covid passport required, nice atmosphere

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Best staff and owners in town ;)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Nice sit down family restaurant with friendly staff

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Servers were nice, food was quick and tasted good

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Good service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Smittys is so good I love there pancakes and there assistants and they are so polite and there bathrooms are nice and clean and they are just good, thats my opinion.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Love the service . Staff are exceptionally friendly and the food is fantastic ... Smittys is my favorite place for breakfast entrees...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Love breakfast, oatmeal or ,pancakes, or omlette. BACON

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Slow service. Waited almost half hour to be acknowledged by server. I was literally one minute away from walking out. Unsure why I come back, other then I keep hoping things will be different. Same issues different day

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Decent place. Service was good. Burgers were ok. My kid had pasta which was overcooked and tasted horrible. Only reason for the -2 stars.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Lunch with Dad ... Good food , great service and an owner who took time to chat with her long time customer ( Dad )

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Best hashbrowns ever, crispy bacon i really enjoyed it here!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great Food !

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Very nicer place yo eat .friendly people

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Food is good

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

We went to check out Smitty s today if they had take out orders. Yes! We ordered our fav......senior BLT and onion rings. In less than 10 minutes, it was ready and I was about to go back in the restaurant from our van, and there was owner Katina, right at our van window, with our delicious order! Thank you Katina and we certainly will visit you again. Sally and Bonnie PS. Our lunch was as delicious as ever!!!!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Enjoyed the chicken burger. It was juicy and had a good crunch. Prices are a bit high but you get consistent food.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Good service. Good food. Good value.