Smitty's Family Restaurant is one of those London landmarks that you've probably passed but never thought about. Housed as part of the Lamplighter Inn on 591 Wellington Road South (just south of Commissioners), the restaurant has been operating for decades serving up good eats.

Normally I don't like chain restaurants because they follow a certain form, and are every where you look. Most chain restaurants follow a certain formula and their menus aren't all that different if you slide away from the feature of the month. Maybe I'm naive, but I find Smitty's, with it's single London location to be different from the norm.

The chains website boasts that Smitty's is “Canada's largest family restaurant chain - Since 1960...with more than 115 restaurants currently open, and several more in development. Smitty's is truly a national chain, operating from coast to coast. We provide great variety and value to our customers in a comfortable environment for the whole family.” Let's step inside and find out.

The first thing that you notice once inside is that the restaurant is circular with a ton of windows for great natural lighting. If your lucky enough, especially on a weekend morning when you can expect a line-up for breakfast, you'll get one of these coveted seats. If not don't fret, the service is still good anywhere you'll sit.

My usual excursion to Smitty's is for breakfast. While I can expect to pay more than the my normal diner haunts, Smitty's diverse menu gives you a lot to think about. From awesome tasting pancakes, to French toast and waffles, a variety of skillets, a number of omelettes and the usual eggs benedict et al. My normal order is the Big Country Breakfast, which includes three eggs, ham, bacon, sausage and back bacon. It comes with a choice of three pancakes (usually huge), or muffin, or fruit cup or toast and hash browns. Against my better judgment I normally get the toast and hash browns. I love my toast with my sunny side up eggs, but the hash browns I always find myself disappointed with. Not because they aren't tasty, but because they're the square cut potato deep fried that you know came fresh out of the freezer.

If I'm not chowing down on the Big Country Breakfast I'm having a skillet. Again the serving is plentiful and usually smothered in cheese. The only drawback is the potato which I mentioned previously. I've sampled on occasion the waffles which are good, and I've tried a variety of omelettes without a complaint.

While it's been sometime since I've been to Smitty's for lunch, their menu remains diverse. There are quesadillas, wraps, soups, salads, burgers, chicken burgers, and a number of sandwiches. I normally order the Beef Dip, a noted signature Smitty's item that is a noted healthy choice as well. Again, I say why change something when they continually get it right.

The dinner menu features a variety of steaks, chicken, and stir-frys. There is also an all inclusive al la carte dinner menu, which includes one of five entrees, a salad buffet, soup, beverage and desert. Despite this Smitty's by far and large remains one of London's more popular breakfast places.

A couple things to note, it doesn't matter what time of day you visit, you can order anything off of their menu as it's all your favourites all day long. I've been with someone who's ordered chicken wings at 9am...ughhh. I do suggest though that breakfast is better earlier in the day than later...but that's common with any place I've ever been at. The service is friendly, and normally quick despite the fact that the place is usually bursting at the seams when I've been. One bonus if you're a breakfast lover is that you should request their rewards card, and every time you order breakfast you earn a stamp. Once your card is full you get a free al la carte dinner which I have previously described...I like the turkey dinner meal option.

To find out more about Smitty's and their menu visit them on the web at http://www.smittys.ca, better yet stop in for a bite to eat.