Why has our beloved cafe brekky turned into a fancy food rip off?

Cafe breakfasts were once big plates, strong coffee, and grease you could feel in your soul. Now they’re sourdough, smoked garlic aioli foam and vegan ‘facon’. Where did we go wrong?

Remember when a Big Breakfast was a Big Breakfast? Picture: Lachie Millard

The once cheap and hearty cafe breakfast has officially been given the last rites.

A humorous obituary on a South East Queensland community Facebook page has sounded the death knell on the traditional slap-up, dine-out brekky.

“RIP Breakfast,” the post began.

“Somewhere between the years 2015 and now, a wholesome breakfast in a cafe was taken from us.

“What was once a humble weekend ritual...shared between friends, nursing hangovers over $9 bacon-and-eggs - is now a full-blown financial trap.

“This morning, I paid $27 for two poached eggs, one slice of sourdough (singular, no butter), a decorative smear of “smoked garlic aioli foam”, and something described as dehydrated tomato essence. The menu offered no prices. Prices were displayed in size 8 font on a menu glued to the counter.

“I asked for a side of bacon. They asked, “Streaky, heritage-cured, or vegan ‘facon’?” I asked for salt. They brought out pink volcanic flakes I imagine were hand-mined from a mountain in Peru.

These were the glory days.

“I miss when breakfast was about big plates, strong coffee, and grease you could feel in your soul. Now it’s all micro herbs, $8 matcha, and chairs that look good but feel like sitting on a fence post.

“And don’t get me started on the staff calling me “champ” or “legend” or “bro” while I pay $82 for two people to eat breakfast and drink a juice that tastes like garlic & beetroot.

“It’s too late.

“Cafes have become a crime scene.

“The victims? Good wholesome, old fashioned breakfasts and our wallets.

“The suspect? A man with a top knot, an apron and a dream.”

The post attracted almost 700 comments, with most concurring that cafe breakfasts have become overpriced and unaffordable.

Some commenters said their local cafes still offered good-value breakfasts for as little as $12, while dishing up a side-serve of humour.

“Come to Logan, you can still get wholesome breakfasts for a good price … with a side of entertainment depending on which cafe you attend,” one woman posted.

Another person wrote: Bunnings $3.50 Sausage and onions starting to look good on a weekend morning. $7 for two. A saving of $75. Oh I forgot about the chair. Always a pallet of pool salt there for your comfort.”

Originally published as Why has our beloved cafe brekky turned into a fancy food rip off?