Though breakfast is one of the simplest meals to whip up at home, a stroll past Noon Rizers Cafe on the weekend tells a very different story.
The busy, blue, bright and welcoming breakfast and brunch joint has been doing a brisk business on Barrydowne Road near The Kingsway for the past couple of years.
In fact, owners Jennifer Neville and Jerry Pate celebrate the Noon Rizers Cafe’s two-year anniversary this month. Before that, they were part of a breakfast business chain for several years in the same location.
Known for delicate crepes, hearty sampler buffet plates and the classic two-egg breakfast, Jennifer says they have always been fortunate to draw a large and committed crowd of hungry morning people including families, friends and shift workers.
The Rizers menu is extensive with eight pages of Rizers wraps, sandwiches, salads, poutines and a brunch menu that includes items like their son Ian’s Rizers Top Choice, which includes two eggs, three slices of bacon and one slice of ham served with a pancake, potatoes and toast.
There are six “Egglettas” on the menu, otherwise known as omelettes. including a feta and spicy italian version along with pancakes, waffles and crepes. This sweet and savoury portion of the menu is where Pate gravitates towards when he orders for himself.
They even have a seniors, 60-plus or Golden Rizer menu. which includes fruit, toast, strawberries and yogurt and good ol’ fashion oatmeal.
Neville and Pate said they are also very committed to minor sports and the community.
They donate meals to playground league sports associations like Sudbury Minor Hockey, Sudbury Minor Baseball and the Sudburnia Soccer Club.
“We’ve sponsored dance schools, New Sudbury Days and our boardroom meeting room in the basement and 150 chairs in the dining room have accommodated teams like the Sudbury Wolves and the Sudbury Five,’ said Pate.
“My grandmother was very community minded and taught me early about the importance of giving back,” Neville added.
She has worked in the service industry for much of her adult life. In her younger years, Neville used to work at both Simon’s Cafe and Deli in the Travelway Lodge and at Alexandria’s. She also owned a pizza place in Canmore, Alta., at one time
The couple met while driving buses for Sudbury Transit.
“We found the shift work hard and eventually decided to open a breakfast restaurant,” Pate said.
“Now we wake up super early,” his partner quips, but admits she wouldn’t want it another way.
Noon Rizers Cafe employs 16 staff members who are like family.
“We care about these employees,” Neville said. “We even helped one gain permanent residency because they mean so much to our business.”
The duo admits they are very much a team, but also rely very heavily on Jennifer Doucet, their floor manager, who they said is masterful when it comes to details and accommodations.
Neville and Pate have a 14-year-old son, who they said will be joining the staff in the coming years.
Reflecting on their business and the relationships they have made, Neville’s commitment to customer service shines through
“When you look at what we serve, it is simple: eggs, potatoes, bacon and bread,” she said. “It’s not much but it is all done with love and that’s what makes all the difference.”
Noon Rizers is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday with early bird breakfast being cheaper than the rest of the day.
Saturday and Sunday are busy days with hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can also check out the menu online NoonRizersCafe.ca.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.