Westcliffe Grocery & Lunch

I tried Westcliffe on recommendation of a friend who declared it the best burger in town. I see this is an often repeated claim about Westcliffe, but unfortunately my experience was very far removed from that. Let me break down why.
Went during lunch rush, so it was busy, as to be expected. But after placing our orders it took an hour (that’s right, 60 minutes) to get our food!
Not only that, several people walked in and managed to order and pick up burger and leave during the time we were waiting. It seems if you’re a regular and keep own the owners you get preferential treatment.
We only got our burgers in the end when (again, after waiting for an hour) got up to leave as we were going to be late for out next engagement. Only when they realized they were going to loose a sale did our burger magically seem to be the next ones coming off the grill.
The burgers themselves were also nothing special. In fact, just mediocre. For the same price I have had far, far better burgers from many places in Halifax.
All-​in-​all, probably the worst burger experience I’ve had.
So save yourself dissapointment and instead head a couple blocks away to the TRUE best burger in Halifax at Ace Burger Co.

Seriously, Westcliffe, I how did I not know about you!
I probably drove by you 1000 times in my life and didn’t even this twice about what you were.
I am so glad some one at my man’s who suggested you, otherwise I may have drove by another 1000 times!
Obviously, being Westcliffe newbs we were surprised when a man yelled from behind the counter to come get a sheet and pencil to write down our order — okay!
This small cozy resto was packed with chatting people, all who I am guessing go here fairly regular!
We both had the burgers and added cheese, he got fries and I got onion rings.
Those onion rings knocked any onion ring I have ever had right our of the park.
My burger was suupppper nessy and hard to eat as it kept falling about (as homemade burgers often do) but it was delish!
I also had a chocolate milkshake and he had a pop… The milkshake wasn’t thick like I read in some other reviews but it was a good milkshake!
The damage… Less then $ 20!!! For both of us!!! I felt like I ripped them off!

This is a hidden gem! If you haven’t tried it, I suggest you get here and eat! Where else in the city can you go get a HOMEMADE burger and fries for something like 6 bucks! This is like a dinner and a show watching Bev & Tyler work together. Never been disappointed yet and I’m sure the food here will never disappoint me!

I’ll keep this review sort and sweet. Westcliff is my favourite restaurant in Halifax. The food is awesome, the prices can’t be beat and Bev & Tyler are the best! I think that about sums it up!

This place is a landmark. I had been told to go here for many moons, so one day I did! We went for lunch and luckily my companion had been so they knew the way to do business!
Now, the prices are great and the food is fantastic! You don’t go in for service necessarily but for me that is what was missing! There is a great couple who runs this happening spot and, because they do it all, there are some missed opportunities! (Like having one person work cash and orders only) you write out your own order and it took me a while to figure things out. I like chill and low key spots, but this takes the cake for «laid back vibe»
Don’t get me wrong, I highly suggest eating there, it is delish, just expect low interaction and writing your own order out! (Which for some could be the best part!)

I used to come here back in the 80s when I lived a block away. I loved the diner food and the friendly lady that worked there. Seeing pics again of the burger and fries and listening to the reviews has got my salivory glands kicking in. I will be visiting again soon and this time bringing my family!

I love the burgers here. No I cant eat the bun, but who needs bread anyway?
I used to go here when I lived a block up from this place, then called «SmartCart» the burgers are so good, Bev makes me just how I like em :) Great food, great prices :)

I love this place. I work right around the corner and we eat there often. You just cannot beat the price, 4.75 for a cheeseburger and fries! I can say there is something special about Westcliff, watching the 2 owners as they handle order after order it really is a fun place to go.

Cheap prices, quality food with a side of real diner charm. It’s like the Westcliffe has time traveled from 1987 in a big ass Deloren or at least the prices have. Great handmade burgers and hot and cold sandwiches. Get the grilled onions on their burgers. Their chicken sandwiches and clubs use «real» chicken. Milkshakes and onion rings are great accompaniments. The owners, Tyler and Bev will sometimes squabble in front of the customers but that, along with the cracked seats and mismatched plates, is just part of the charm. Bev might be gruff sometimes but has a heart of gold. I witnessed her offering to front lunch to someone that was locked out of their house and couldn’t cash. One heads up is that you write out your own order and leave it on the lunch counter. Yeah weird I know… but it *is* the Westcliffe.

Great little place, once you get past the dirt factor. Old and a retro it’s got a great diner feel. I had a burger and fries and they were delicious. I’ll defiantly be going back. Only «real» diner I’ve found since moving to the city.

Went to the Westcliffe for the first time a couple weeks ago. I had never been there before. But they had really good food and service for the price! My husband and I both had a cheeseburger and fries and a shake, and it was great! Definitely will return.

Great food, cheap. What more do you want?
I came here last night looking for something cheap and tasty for lunch — Westcliffe delivered! When I walked in, it didn’t look busy until I saw the giant stack of papers they had of different people’s orders. So it might be a good idea to call ahead of time to place an order. This place is simple, and old fashioned. You write down what you want on a card and hand it to the cook, and voila. You got yourself a meal for under $ 10.
I ordered a cheeseburger with the works, a cup of gravy and french fries. The works consists of ketchup, mustard, relish and fried onions. Simple but awesome! The french fries were fine, I can’t complain about them because the price is amazing ($ 1 for a small). They were plain and from a bag, but the gravy made them oh so delicious! The gravy is flavorful but not too salty.
The cheeseburger was the highlight for sure. Totally simple, type of food you’d find at a 60s diner (so says my mom). The cheeseburger was cooked to perfection and the condiments, even though they weren’t anything fancy you’d find at the works, compliment the charcoal-​y, almost burnt (in a good way), flavor of the burger patty.

It is a small «hole in the wall» place that harks back 20 or 30 years. The hamburger and fires are cheaper than MacDonalds yet tastes as good as a stove top grilled hamburger gets.
Yes you have to write down your order on a slip and hand it in and if the owners are busy you should go get your food. Most of the regulars clean up after themselves too BUT the three of us had cheeseburger, fries and milkshakes and got change back from a twenty.
Good old fashion food, nothing fancy but filling.

BEST CHEESEBURGER! so yummy, home made and not «over done» to heck with all these gourmet pop up places, $ 4 for a delicious homemade bacon cheese burger will have you coming back! They also make amazing homemade milkshakes. There is nothing fancy about the Westcliffe, but who cares! it is clean delicious and the two lovely people who run it are amazingly friendly. You really feel happy and at home. Also, the fish and chips are super yummy too.
Go! Eat! Spend less then $ 10 and be merry :)

I had to try this place based on a recommendation of a local. Halifax’s best kept secret. I think not, as this place appears to get allot of press coverage. In absence of being a local or reading a review, it is easily a place where most would walk by without a second thought.
The décor looks like a deconstructed convenience store mashed up with a diner from the 70’s. It has a casual almost family feel as locals banter with the owners. The food is on par with the location however you can’t beat the prices. It showcases all the standard fare; burgers & fries, fish & chips and all day breakfast.
Looking for a quick meal that brings you back to your childhood, pop on in and order the burger and fries.

Although not actually one of the older diners in the city, the Westcliffe has the look and feel of a simple, old school diner and not a kitschy throwback to the 60s with linoleum everywhere and junk covering the walls. I’m talking about a yellowed menu board with blue lettering on it and a TV with knobs and rabbit ears; that’s right kids, there was a point in time when buttons did not exist. Then there’s the prices — you will not find anything cheaper and such good quality anywhere in the city.
I wander in on a cold day, hungry and looking for something to eat. I actually get off the bus early because I’ve wanted to eat here for a while and didn’t feel like the post-McDonald’s shame. When I come in and sit down at the counter, there’s only two other customers, both at the counter and chatting with the the only two staff here, Bev and Tyler. One of the gentlemen at the counter asks if I’ve been here before, I respond that I haven’t, and he kindly explains the ordering process whereby you write your order on a small piece of paper and pass it to Bev. It seems a little odd, but it seems to suit the place.
I order a cheeseburger with the works and poutine. Being the epitome of a mom and pop place, I order this knowing that I’m not going to get a fancy pants poutine or even a traditional poutine. The poutine arrive first and I was right; in lieu of cheese curds, there’s shredded mozza and even some cheddar. I don’t care. I’m cold and hungry, and I want some melted cheese, gravy and fries. Speaking of the those last two, the gravy is a little thinner than I generally like, but it tastes homemade and isn’t too salty. The fries, although they’re your generic, somewhat thick, from-​frozen variety, are crisp and tasty and stand up well to the deluge of gravy and cheese.
The burger is served straight from the griddle onto my plate of fries (where else does this even happen?) and Bev, noticing that she forgot to put the cheese on my burger, opens it up in front of me and slides it on in. I couldn’t see this happening anywhere else, or accepting it anywhere else, but it’s like your grandmother is fixing your burger, and how can you argue with that? The burger itself is delicious, and is everything a diner burger should be — good tasting beef in a hand made patty that gets a little bit of a crust from the flat top. The loose, crumbly texture is a nice change from pre-​formed patties or places that grind their meat too finely which leaves you with a meat paste puck. Topped with mustard, relish and grilled onions, it’s simple and not over done. The onions especially shine with a sweet richness to them.
Forgoing getting a can of pop for myself from the cooler, I order a cup of coffee to fortify myself with caffeine and warmth before facing the cold January weather. I was happy that I finally stopped by the Westcliffe and that it was everything I wanted it to be — simple but great tasting diner food at rock bottom prices, with as a friendly environment as you could imagine.

One of the best place to get a cheeseburger in Halifax hands down, if not THE best. Hand made patties, not flippin’ machine pressed. Chicken fingers are nice an big (sadly not hand made, but delicious none the less), fish hand battered. And sides (fries and rings) quite plentiful.
The décor is not most professional, it has a great down home feeling though. Bev and Tyler are a great pair to get to know, my daughter loves visiting them just to say «hi». Sure gets busy during lunch though, but with the fry and one fry top, it can be alittle slow. Have patience and you end up with a great cheap eat.
This is the greasy spoon that beats all other ‘spoons in Halifax for cost and taste.

I guess it’s like a poorly kept secret how awesome the Westcliffe is. I head it from a friend ages ago, and today finally got to try it out. The recommendation was more than warranted. We went well after the lunch rush so it was pretty quiet when we arrived. I had heard before about the slip ordering system, so I wasn’t surprised. The owners were gracious and friendly and the service was quick for us. The diner itself isn’t fast, greasy spoon is definitely accuarate. They’ve always been a favourite of mine. Two booths (unfortunately full when we arrived) a long diner counter and some cafeteria style table are the seating options.
After dropping our order slip off we chatted while our food was prepped. The owners chatted with us and other patrons and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed. I ordered the Clubhouse and onion rings with a Strawberry milkshake and my boyfriend had a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate shake. Everything was delicious. The chicken was real, the onion rings and fries cooked perfectly. The burger was grilled nicely. It was simply food done incredibly well.
It’s not fancy food, it’s not a fancy restauarant, it’s not expensive, but it is a place we will visit again or again. Our experience couldn’t have been better.