The Too Good To Go app has revolutionized the way we look at food waste, turning surplus restaurant items into mystery bags of potential culinary gold. However, as any seasoned user knows, the experience is a gamble. I was always curious why this specific Cora's spot in Ottawa kept selling out so fast, especially since it boasts a stellar Too Good To Go community rating of 4.7 out of 5. Driven by that high score, I decided to try it. The reality, however, was a massive letdown. At $6.99, it sounds like a great price on paper, but only if you actually get value. If you don't, it is a complete waste of money.

It seems the restaurant thinks they have captive consumers who will pay for anything if the price tag is low, regardless of quality. My final verdict for this bag is a disappointing 2.5 out of 5 stars.

For context, my typical rating for Cora's when I sit down and order my own food is a solid 4.2 out of 5. But that is when I can order a proper, balanced breakfast—like a cheese and spinach omelette, toast with strawberry jam, and home fries. This mystery haul was a far cry from that kind of food.

To start, the meal raised a fundamental question: would anyone actually order pancakes and waffles together? It was a complete starch overkill. The execution of these items made the carb overload even worse. The waffle was extremely dry and firm—honestly, barely edible. The pancakes fared only slightly better; while they were technically edible, they tasted like they were made from a stale, day-old mix rather than freshly prepared batter.

To make matters worse, there was almost no variety to break up the monotony of the carbs. The only saving grace was supposed to be the fruit, but even that fell short. The presentation lacked care, featuring unattractively sliced bananas and a sparse scattering of strawberries. There were no refined touches holding this meal together; it felt slapped into a container without a second thought.

Was this haul worth it? Heck no. Shovelling a massive pile of dry, uninspired starches into a box with a few sad pieces of fruit doesn't feel like a deal—it feels like an afterthought. While I will absolutely still go back to Cora's for a proper sit-down breakfast or brunch, I will never use the Too Good To Go app here again. Despite what that 4.7 community rating might lead you to believe, you should save your $6.99.