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Chez Meme Baguette Bistro
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
4016 Hastings StreetBurnaby, BC V5C 2H9
Neighbourhood: Burnaby Heights
(604) 299-1141
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 3 pm
Tue-Sat 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Chez Meme Baguette Bistro
Review Highlights
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"...sweetness of the roasted garlic jam complimented the slight..." In 3 reviews -
"I decided on the braised lamb shank bagette with salad as..." In 3 reviews -
"...they are open one Saturday each month, and I marked my..." In 2 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Alison T.
Burnaby, BC
3/23/2012 2 photos
I stopped by this little cafe today around 11:30 AM for my first meal of the day. This was also my first time eating here and was recommended to try the beef short rib baguette (bourgignon). I opted for the lamb shank baguette (jarret $10.50) with fries while my boyfriend ordered the bourgignon ($10.50) with caesar salad (+$2).
When we walked in two out of seven tables had just opened up. We were lucky enough to get seating without having to wait long. Service was a tad slow but it made sense because there was not enough servers.
Our food arrived around 15 minutes after being seated and came out in good sized portions. I thoroughly enjoyed my lamb shank baguette, the bread was just crunchy enough and the lamb was soft and succulent (drool). The bourgignon was only just okay, slightly dry in comparison to the lamb and was just not as tasty.
Customers were constantly going in and out and the wait got pretty busy while we were enjoying our meal. Overall the ambiance was cozy and comfortable and service was mediocre but understandable since there wasn't enough staff. I would most likely come back just to get take out. GO FOR THE LAMB. -
Review from Vonnie C.
Burnaby, BC
5/15/2012
I've been twice and I'm not sure what people rave about. Some of the dishes I find are only ok. The lamb sandwich I find a bit gamey. The soups I've had are usually quite good. The French toast is pretty good. But this is not a place I crave. Not too keen on the owner/only waitress. She seems quite stressed as she's the only one serving (with the help of a younger man she gives orders to) and they're always quite busy. She's not the most polite of people (almost rude actually) and that's what ruins it for me.
Worth checking out once as there's a lot of love for this place. -
Review from Michael P.
Burnaby, BC
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Who says you need to travel to Paris, France to get your hands on freshly baked authentic French baguettes?!
Bienvenue à Chez Meme Baguette Bistro!
Long have I been hearing about the good things emanating from this little bistro. At last, my schedule permitted me to visit and I was far from disappointed. Its food certainly reflected its preexisting outstanding reputation. When I am faced with a menu that demands that I order everything, it's generally a very good sign.
I wanted to try something different so I settled for the ratatouille baguette with soup. Ultimately my decision was made because of the popular movie, 'Ratatouille'. That being said, it was served hot on a perfectly baked French baguette - something I can't get enough of. The contents of my sandwich were flavourful with an excellent fusion of well-seasoned and spiced vegetables. The soup (chick pea and lentil, I think?) could have been a wee bit saltier, but was still delicious and healthy nonetheless.
Chez Meme is certainly a treat if you feel like sampling Paris. The servers speak French or with a French accent, the restaurant is decorated with cute knick-knacks and paintings, and the music is ear candy to any French stereotypes you may have!
I'm awaiting my next visit. Perhaps I'll order two baguettes!Listed in: Experience Burnaby Heights!
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Review from Sundor V.
Nanaimo, BC
5/20/2012
Definitely a neighbourhood favourite! Wonderful soups, nicely priced wines. A cultural experience of France, and should be respected as such.
Note to reviewer: Vonnie - 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' - maybe you should reconsider traveling in France or Quebec ??. I love and value cultural integrity, and hope customers recognize this virtue, instead of being impatient. Try waitressing yourself sometime.
I love family restaurants and seeing as this place is always packed - its a testiment to it worth. Wholesome food, well-priced and definitely tasty! I Hope there is a table available the next time I go, and if I need to wait my turn, it will be well-rewarded with great food and a wonderfully intuitive & efficient waitress! -
Review from Peter N.
Burnaby, BC
4/27/2012
Came here for a quick bite in the afternoon. Server was very friendly and had such a lovely french accent. I started my meal with the hot cider, and it was steaming hot. Once cooled, it was very tasty. As for the baguette, i had the schnitzel baguette and it was very tasty! It's too bad they are not open later in the evening.
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Review from Deja S.
Vancouver, BC
12/28/2011
I had the French toast with maple syrup and strawberry, and I tried the dish with a brie and pear-filled baguette with tomato soup. The tomato soup was not great. But the baguette and french toast - delicious! It is pricey though.
The waitress keeps very busy -- be prepared to wait for a table, even on a Wednesday afternoon. It's cute how French it is, here my beginning French class comes in handy. -
Review from David L.
10/8/2011 3 photos
Chez Meme Baguette Bistro is a very small French bistro with small tables and limited seating. I ordered the jarret sandwich (lamb shanks, roasted garlic jam and grainy Dijon). I really enjoyed the sandwich as the French bread was nice and soft. The bread had a fresh baked taste to it. There was a generous amount of lamb in the sandwich too. I wished they added a little more Dijon mustard in the sandwich, but overall, the sandwich tasted very good. The lamb was very tender, soft, and juicy.
It came with the soup of the day which was a mushroom puree with sage. The soup had a fresh mushroom taste to it and I could definitely taste the fresh sage used in the soup.
The latte was enjoyable, though not very strong and the extra large cup makes it look like you're drinking from a soup bowl.
Interestingly, the washrooms are like the washrooms in Paris in terms of the size, maybe just a little bigger at about eighteen square feet which includes the toilet and sink. -
Review from Ramon V.
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I must be missing something hidden in amongst the French writing and accents.
I don't know what it is, but I don't find this place particularly special.
It may be a gem in Burnaby Heights, but for me, breakfast is pretty standard, and it wouldn't be difficult to concoct something myself with a few French ingredients. I tend to put the food first, before ambiance and theme. If it weren't for the small toasted piece of baguette with my breakfast, I'd say the meal would be exactly at par with most cheap greasy spoons. Those bleh little breakfast sausages, pale yellow egg yolk, home fries. All average.
There is one person running the front of the house, so it can slow down when it gets busy. And it was so even on a Friday morning, with every table filled.
A saving grace is that there are many menu items that I could try on another occasion, and they do have espresso, which is nice to have with breakfast instead of drip coffee. -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
"Parlez-vous Francais, mi amor, merci, oui oui, bon bons and all that good stuff... that good stuff"
I've always passed over on French cuisine - hell, why would I fuck with French food when I have access to such wonderful Vietnamese cuisine? As my French buddy says, "They kicked us out of their country -- but not before they took everything good about our food and fused it with everything great about Asian food." French food: it's a gun without bullets. Raekwon without Ghostface. An Ace without a kicker. Slick Rick without the gold. It's sad when the Chauchat and the Maginot Line are notorious example of your country's engineering, that's a problem... you cheese-eating surrender monkeys.
The search of a solid sammich spot in my hood forced my hand, I ventured to Chez Meme. I heard the hype, but I was still skeptical. I'm a man used to paying $3 - $6 for banh mi or sammiches and I'm impervious to quaintness and exotic accents. Sorry - you can squawk curse words in Vietnamese at me for all I care (which I'm sure happens a lot) - I just care about the sammich quality.
Ordered the Jarret baguette (lamb shanks, roasted garlic jam & grainy Dijon) & and the soup du jour (tomato soup) for ~$10. You don't make friends with salad... and I skipped the fries - however, I must say I was pretty impressed by the big serving of fries on the other tables.
The lamb shanks were juicy and tender. Well-crusted baguette and the dijon added a very nice bite. Good portion of some very tasty soup. Okay... I had to admit... this was a damned good sammich... and good value. This place is licensed as well.
The only downsides... slow service and short opening hours. Joint closes at 3PM and showing up at 2PM meant a 10 minute wait. Service is very slow since there's only one person working the front. Not a place to go if you're in a hurry.
Alright - je t'aime Chez Meme. A lot. Chez Meme in the maison. Holla. Makes me want to grow a mustache, rock a beret and pedal my velo with a baguette in the front basket - just hope I don't run into a German deli... says the Chinese-Canadian cochon. Allez racist stereotypes! -
Review from Ben C.
6/11/2011
I haven't written a review in a while but my visit to this Bistro got me back. I'm warning you it's not the glowing review this place tends to get.
First time i came here, i wasn't able to get a seat, so I left but I came back because of the consistently good reviews.
Have you guys seen the episode of Seinfeld with the Soup Nazi? Of course you have... well, i'm going to play Elaine and the rest of the reviews can be Jerry.
I know the food is good, but really, do I have to beg for it? I can get my kicks from the Elbow Room if that's what I'm after.
I get that it's French Cuisine and I get that it's authentic. The owners are Ross and Isabelle Spence, french enough I guess. What I don't get is WHY with such great food that brings in loads of patrons do you have ONE lady serving the whole restaurant during the lunch rush with one boy collecting dishes? I'm going to assume this is Isabelle - buck up and hire one more server. She is constantly running around frantically trying to keep up with the slew of incoming guests...
So I walk in and we were not greeted, understandable since Isabelle (i'm just going to stick with this assumption) is helping 3 tables at once and settling bills at the bar. We stood there for about 2 or 3 minutes until she noticed us and told us the wait would be 10 minutes. Ok that's fine, I totally understand. 5 minutes later, we ask her if we can sit at the bar, which was open this whole time. She's like "ok, sure"
That already made me scratch my head. So I sit down and ask if we can order right away since we know what we wanted (menu is on the door beside where you stand to wait for a table). She's like "no, i have to help others first who were here before you" in a pretty cheeky tone if you ask me.
Ok fair enough but then she goes to say "If you need to leave because you're in a rush, i can appreciate that"
What? really? I don't care how cute you are (not) or how sweet your French accent is (real accent from France i think), is that really what any guest wants to hear? How about, "I'm sorry, we're really busy today, thanks for waiting."
Look, we got our food, and it was good, maybe even great but I just don't understand why, with such a successfuly bistro, can't you hire one more server? -
Review from Amy T.
6/1/2011
A French bistro that surpasses my expectations in Burnaby. Yes... Burnaby!
After many attempts at getting a table here for lunch, I finally went early enough to snag a window counter seat. Chez Meme is a tiny little bistro on Hastings Street hidden between deli shops.
I decided on the braised lamb shank bagette with salad as per Marc D's review. This was the most tender, juicy and buttery tasting lamb I've ever eaten. The shredded and chunks of lamb was overflowing with juice down the side of my bagette as I bit into it. The salad had a dijon mustard dressing which was refreshing and went really well with the sandwich. That 1 hour passed by way too fast as I ate my lunch staring out the window on a sunny day. This restaurant is definitely a repeat for me.
The decor was as charming as any French bistro in Paris... well in pictures I've looked at online. Haven't had the real deal yet, but if it's anything like Chez Meme, I'll be in heaven. -
Review from Janice F.
4/22/2011
Oui, oui - I'll have one of everything! Warm baguette sandwiches with even better soups.. my idea of heaven!
This bistro is as quaint and charming as it gets - replete with black and white photos of France and waitresses with a French (not Quebecois) accent.
And, oh the food - I had a French onion soup here which rivals any I had in France so far (and I always order French onion soup if it's on the menu - it's an addiction, I know). The soup is a meal in itself, but I can't go to a baguette bistro and not order a baguette - I chose the Cordon Bleu and it was delightful. Yes, delightful - I actually used that word in conversation!
Oozing with Emmenthal, black forest ham with chunks of chicken on a perfectly toasted, toothsome but not too chewy baguette. Wrapped up half of it to take home, and it was just as satisfying after a broil in the toaster oven.
They are only open from 8-3 pm M to F. I definitely will be calling in to see which once a month Saturday they are open! -
Review from Trish R.
Wow! I'm so glad I learned about this place! Thanks Marc D.!!!
The last time I visited, it was 3:05pm on a weekday... I was so disappointed that it was already closed. On this visit, the girl was charming and apologetic and gave me a free croussant (delicious) for my trouble. She told me to come back on Saturday Jan 8 because they are open one Saturday each month, and I marked my calendar. For this event, I made a date with my girlfriend who just had a baby - I would stop and get soup and sandwiches to take out on the way to her house for lunch.
I arrived at 1pm, and there were a few people in line and all the tables were full. Everyone was intently enjoying their meals which ranged from brunch dishes like omelettes and brioche french toast (which looked fantastic!), to rustic stew on two large pieces of fresh baguette. So hard to decide!!!
I phoned my girlfriend and she wanted the baguette with Brie cheese, sauteed pears and toasted walnuts, and I opted for the baguette with schnitzel and grainy dijon, and from the choice of soup, salad or fries, we both wanted the soup du jour which was fennel.
I placed my take-out order with the girl who runs the place and she told me apologetically that it would be ready in a half hour (which was fine because it was a beautiful day and I just went for a walk up and down Hastings - you know, many interesting shops in the Heights area)...
I returned in precisely 30 minutes and my order was just ready, I took it to my friends' and the soup was still steaming hot and DELICIOUS, and the sandwiches were over-the-top SUPERB!
I've already marked my calendar for February 12, 2010, the next Saturday that they're open from 9am-2pm. And, if I am ever near Hastings and Boundary between 8am and 3pm on a weekday, guess what I'll be thinking?Listed in: Brunch & Lunch Spots (2012)
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
11/30/2010 1 photo
* 5 star soup and sandwich combo *
Do you remember the French woman who used to run La Bretagne Creperie (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) downtown?
I had wondered the last few times visiting the creperie where she was, and why the quality wasn't as good as I remembered it.
Apparently she sold that place, and has opened up this little bistro out in Burnaby which has very reasonable prices for their offerings which are a step above what you would find at a typical lunch spot around town.
I had the Jarret baguette. It is a lovely braised lamb shank paired with sweet roasted garlic jam and a nice grainy Dijon mustard served on a perfectly crusted baguette. The sweetness of the roasted garlic jam complimented the slight bite of the Dijon and paired beautifully with the soft tender braised lamb. Perfection in a sandwich!
It came with a choice of salad, soup, or fries. I had the soup, which was a VERY generous portion (the photo does not do justice to how deep that bowl was!) of mushroom celeriac puree soup with a dash of truffle oil on top. This was an earthy well balanced soup that was perfect on a cold winter day.
The combo was a very reasonable $10 for both the quality and quantity. Here is a photo of this lovely combo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
I definitely will be returning, as I want to try their Beef Bouruignon baguette and their Ratatouille baguette. -
Review from Charly S.
11/28/2011
Popped in here for breakfast on a Tuesday, luckily when we arrived around 9:30 am there was a table available and no one waiting. During our time there we witnessed the place fill right up, and at least 4 or 5 groups of people waiting, or putting their name on the waitlist. There are only about 10 tables, plus seating for 3-4 at two bar areas so it fills up quickly.
The service was very nice, polite, kind and efficient. Even though there was only one sever, she was never flustered despite the full restaurant and line up, we appreciated that and never felt rushed (besides the waiting people staring at your food).
We went here for the specialty breakfasts and we were not disappointed. The coffee was slightly above average, nothing too special. The meals however were truly fantastic. We shared the chorizo omelette and the banana maple syrup french toast. So deliciously yummy, best breakfast we have had in a very long time. We also saw some people eating items from the lunch menu and they looked just as fresh and delicious.
The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because it was quite cold in there, almost uncomfortably cold. We also felt the coffee could've been better, they need to bring it up a level to be on par with the food. The waiting leering people are not the fault of the establishment, but nonetheless our least favourite part was that.
Otherwise, food and service highly recommended and we will be back. -
Review from Debby D.
Burnaby, BC
1/13/2011
This place was in my neighborhood and, for months, I'd walk by it day after day. Finally, I decided to try it.
I did The Jarret (braised lamb shank, shredded, served in baguette) while my friend did the smoked salmon. The soup of the day was a cauliflower/coconut/curry/cream that was a very week in the curry. But the red wines we enjoyed with our meals made our lunches a little extra special. Loved the tender lamb in my Jarret sandwich as my friend enjoyed his smoked salmon sandwich.
The place is very small but often busy during the breakfast and lunch hours (the bistro is not open for dinner as it closes at 3 pm).
The service is efficient and attentive. It's a very nice place for a good quality brunch (they serve elegant French Toast) or lunch. I totally recommend it. -
Review from Eva B.
Updated - 10/17/2011
I went here recently and brought a friend. I was really disappointed with the painfully slow service. We were in a rush and it took just over an hour and a half for breakfast. I think the owners should seriously consider hiring one more person to help run the front of the restaurant. The woman serving us looked run off her feet. That and the more people you get in, fed and out the door in a timely manner then the more money you can make.
Listed in: Yelp's 30 Day Review Challenge
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2011
I'm sitting in a cafe somewhere in Montpelier France. I order a goat cheese and herb omelet. It… Read more »
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Review from Eddy N.
Coquitlam, BC
1/15/2012
A victim of their own success
We waited for a Saturday lunch opening (only every second Sat of the month) and saw there were two empty tables inside. The server- the only one - (I assume the owner) was so busy answering the phone, making coffee, taking orders and running around - ignored us for five minutes. She then told us that there are 25 tables ahead of us and it'll take it to their closing time @ 2 o'clock. The tone of her voice was so arrogant and disrespect to us; in a way she was telling us "OFF"! We pointed to the two empty tables; no one was waiting inside or outside the cafe, and said what about the two tables? The server was very angry and said don't you dare to tell me what to do!!!!!! At that point we just left the place and shake our head. Good food is important but people skill and good service are what customers coming back. A friendly advice to the owner - brush up your people skill before you open the door tomorrow! -
Review from Helen S.
Vancouver, BC
4/4/2011
On our last day off before heading back to work my partner and I decided to try out this place as we are normally unable to go due to their hours. The space is small but inviting. For an early lunch time the place was very busy. The sever was very kind and seemed to have everything under
Control. She said it would be minute to sit and we could wait at the bar where we looked at the menu. After a short wait, we were able to get a table. My partner and I had the jambon Brie and the breakfast willy. We also had a tea and a cappuccino. The food came quickly and wad very tasty! Even though busy, the server still managed to find the time to check up on us. Fantastic! After a delightful meal we very pleased to find that the place is quite inexpensive. The only downside is the hours! -
Review from Susie H.
6/14/2011
This is a cute little, very-French bistro. The food is amazing. The place is just the right size of cozy-small. It's pleasantly and cleanly decorated, and the staff (mainly the owner by herself) is really pleasant even when they're terribly busy. We were actually lucky to stumble on this place, as it was our one Saturday in town and they're only open the second Saturday of each month (besides weekdays).
We ordered and shared the brioche French toast with warm banana maple syrup and an omelette with seasonal mushrooms and fresh herbs. The brioche was plentiful and yummy, but the omelette was amazing. The mushrooms and herbs both tasted like they were just picked, and the flavor blending was just right. -
Review from Liz M.
Vancouver, BC
7/21/2011
Perfect! From the food, to the service. Excellent choice for lunch.
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Review from Sean M.
Burnaby, BC
1/6/2010
Amazing french food that most 9-5'ers will be missing out on.
Open for lunch during the week days this restaurant teased me since it's opening until I had to use up my vacation time by the end of the year.
Great food, great value and seems to be always busy when it's open. -
Review from Chicken Wing P.
New Westminster, BC
8/23/2010
I don't know...maybe it's just me...and the cold tomato soup.
I've heard good things about Chez Meme Baguette Bistro and its authentic French baguette.
Upon entering, I was greeted by a lady with French accent. I assume that she's the owner. She and another girl serve me but somehow for the entire time, the French lady never smiles. She doesn't look grumpy. She just doesn't seem too happy or friendly.
I ordered the beef brisket sandwich with onion and cheese. The baguette comes with a side of fries, salad or soup. I ordered the day's soup - there are 2 choices, I mistakenly picked the cold tomato soup. For some reason, I didn't hear the word "cold" when the French lady offers the choices. And I thought the soup was a corn chowder. The soup was actually ok. That day was quite hot so the cold soup made sense. It's just I don't do cold tomato drink (no V8...yuk!)
I tried drinking the soup but couldn't finish. As for the baguette, yes it is very fresh. I was expecting more other stuffing than pure beef. It was mostly beef.
I'm sorry, guys. The overall experience hasn't been great. I appreciate the French lady asks me if I'd have preferred a hot soup when she sees my half-finished bowl of soup. I suppose she'd have offered me another bowl if I'd said yes. -
Review from Trevor M.
Vancouver, BC
3/24/2011
Authentic French food. Busy bistro that consistently serves simple delicious food. Lunch time is always busy so come a little early and you will most likely get a seat. They close around 3 pm and they aren't open for dinner. When I spoke to the owner she said they were open for brunch on Saturdays every second weekend.
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Review from Wendy T.
Coquitlam, BC
11/27/2010
If you are lucky enough to be able to find this tiny place during their limited hours, you are in for a treat! The beef bourguignon on fresh bageutte is mouth-watering The ratatouille is also a wonderful, lighter choice. I haven't been for breakfast, but reviews on other sites have been raving. In short: High quality, well prepared food. Very highly recommended.
