Poutine or hash browns? Hard choice at Coco’s

Canada is known for its poutine but turns out their hashbrowns are just phenomenal! At least I found this so at Coco’s Cafe in Jasper. Look at it in the photo above. Good eh? Home made, it’s deliciously seasoned with perfect tenderness.

Yes, Coco’s Cafe topped our favorite breakfast place for our recent trip. Everything there–including the bread–is made at the shop by the chef. Her husband trains baristas so even the latte is perfect. For Coco’s Cafe’s website, click here.

I love breakfasts with my friends, Krista and Rose. We’re buddies from the gym and because we work out, we feel we earn the right to eat well, especially when we are on trips together.

And what better way to start than with a good breakfast. It’s a must. We need all that protein and nutrition before we set out for our hikes. We walk hard, uphill and downhill, over mountains and vales, climbing rocks and crossing streams. So I’m glad we’re always out for more than the run-of-the-mill eggs-and-bacon fare.

And Canada, wonderful Canada, did not disappoint. In Jasper, Canmore and in Waterton we had fabulous meals and definitely amazing breakfasts.

For two mornings at the start of our trip, we went to breakfast at Smitty’s twice because we were told they were one of the few places opened early, at 7 am. Krista saw the Ukrainian Skillet offering potato parogies, topped with scrambled eggs and farmer’s sausages and had to have some. As well, they sold some cute bear key chains and tiny bear souvenirs.

But on our last day in Jasper we discovered Coco’s, which opened at 6! You know a restaurant is serious about their breakfast when they are open 6-4!

The gluten-free fare won Rose’s vote. I thought their welcome sign outside was a winner. “If you don’t eat, you die”! So true. Turns out the inside of the cafe had all sorts of interesting posters and signs and even the bathroom (last photo below) had hand painted murals.

After eating their breakfast wrap, Krista wanted to run into the kitchen and kiss the chef, she said. I did seek her out to tell her the meal was wonderful. Lyn, a Red Seal chef, was very friendly. The Red Seal is a prestigious certification which has met certain standards for creativity, quality and professionalism.

I was amazed that she cooked all her meals for customers on a regular, home electric cooktop. All her professional equipment, she said, is not at the front of the store.

Here are some pancakes and waffles along the way. Krista is out to discover as many delectable pancakes and waffles as she can in her travels.

Here is one that grabbed Krista–S’mores Waffles from Waffleton, a friendly shop in Waterton.

While enjoying the waffles and coffee outside Waffleton, we chatted with a friendly guy watering flowers who told us his sons ran restaurants in the small, beautiful town. One owned Waffleton and the other owns Wieners next door. Its obvious what they serve. I also had a quick lesson on latte art from Waffleton’s friendly barista, Jacob. Nice folks.