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Fran's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
20 College StToronto, ON M5G 1K2
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 923-9867
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
49 reviews for Fran's Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...is really great for students studying late late at night."
(in 10 reviews)
"It's about the comfort food, and the comfort of food."
(in 5 reviews)
"I had chocolate chip banana, but I'm sure they're all good."
(in 3 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from C S.
Toronto, ON
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to Fran's last night sort of late.
I love eating breakfast at odd times of the day so I had the french toast and some homefries. It was really good. And wow, I got a lot of food for my money. I was happily surprised when the bill came.
My waitress was also really great and friendly.
AND hockey was playing on the tv. So I was a very happy camper. -
Review from Raf P.
York, ON
1/12/2012
After hearing good things a about this diner we went for dinner one night. The menu was nothing great. Although the service was good the waiter did not speak any English at all and was very hard to
communicate with.
The chocolate banana pancakes were awesome tho -
Review from Rita M.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2011
I enjoyed Fran's for the diner that it is, and I will surely be back after a night of boozing it up. I appreciate that I was finally able to find a place with a Tuna Melt going on, even if it was a little wacky with the baguette thing happening.
It was very busy and they seemed under staffed, but everything came along at the right time, and I didn't feel neglected. Cute atmosphere and solid diner food. And a great location! -
Review from Dishan W.
10/30/2011
I'm a little biased towards this location because 80% of my visits have been during late nights (when McDonalds after drinking didn't seem like an appetizing option) drawn mainly by their "adult milkshakes" and my experience then has been 2-3 stars but my breakfast trips here have definitely been at least 3 star experiences.
I must say that their location is amazing, so amazing in fact that sometimes the line up at night is annoyingly long, so if you're very hungry on a peak time, expect to wait longer or go somewhere else.
They have a full breakfast menu that will be sure to fill you up to the brim for a greasy start to your day (although you can change things around to eat healthier) and I must give it credit for totally giving off the diner vibe.
Staff experiences for me have been up and down, most of my night visits were impaired by below par service while during breakfast time it has on average been better.
For a breakfast place this is a good bet, and depending on what you want late at night they could fill that need too, don't expect very high quality or consistently great service.Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Michael L.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
First impression of this restaurant taps into my memories of old school movie diners. Definite 1 star for the trip down memory lane!
Now down to business came here on a Sunday morning around 9:30 no line moderately filled and very quick service. The service was great although due to the lack of rush made it a given. Staff gave a reasonable amount of time for the order and did not interrupt or make my morning feel rushed at all.
The order between myself and my girlfriend were the vegetarian omelet with brown toast, and the Eggs Florentine.
The vegetarian omelet was great with a generous splash of spinach, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Toast came heavily buttered which I will in the future ask to leave dry as I prefer peanut butter. The home fries that accompanied the omelet were well seasoned and worked very well with the Tabasco sauce I added on.
Total price for two massive portions of breakfast was $25 including tax and tip. Great way to start a morning!
Fran's is a welcome addition to my list of breakfast joints and earns an additional 3 stars for the service, food and price point. -
Review from Aviva S.
7/25/2011
Came here on a lazy Sunday. I walked by this place many times and decided to finally stop in.
Decor's a lazy version of a diner with tables and few bar seats (wouldn't be my scene to get my drink on).
Service is decent, though I didn't appreciate the snarky employee who decided to repeat a phrase I said when walking by me. Rude.
I had sweet potato fries with some pesto-like dip for $4.99. Nothing special and too much of it actually overwhelms the stomach.
Basically a comfort food place. Good selection of food (wraps, salads, soups, appeatizers, some pies) for snacks or a light meal. Not really for a heavy lunch or dinner.
Drinks menu is limited to long island iced tea, caesar, and a few beers.
Tip: Ask about what you're ordering before you order it. I really appreciated my server's honesty.
Examples:
- Miso soup is straight out of a packet
- Mozarella sticks (7.99) are very small
- No soup on Sunday (apparently soup isn't for everyday of the week)
- Lunch menu is only mon-fri and till 3PM. Boo.
So ask about size and how good it's made.
Also, me and my dining partner agreed this restaurant would be perfect if every item was $2 cheaper. Everything is overpriced; not a lot, but it's noticeable for a diner. -
Review from Heather B.
Scarborough, ON
7/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Calling all Drunkies!
This is the place to go for those post-clubbing nights. If you're plastered and looking for a greasy spoon - this is your place to go.
I got here at 4am on Sunday morning and I had to wait for a table - you would've thought it was broad daylight outside with the amount of people in this place.
After a night of drinking I personally like to have a full on Brekkie.
I got the 2 eggs, sausage, home fries, toast for $6.99.
Can't go wrong especially when you're paying $4 for street meat in the downtown core.
Service is fast and food comes quickly when you have your cravings and then start thinking about wanting your bed.
On a sober note - I do like this place just believe it's your classic diner with your classic comfort food.
They don't have many diners anymore in Toronto which is unfortunate.
However Frans is great and glad it's still around.
My dad remembers coming here when he was 18 which was AGES ago.
An original is bringing in the crowds... give it a try :D -
Review from Susie H.
Vancouver, BC
Fran's is amazing in every way.
They have food for any time, for whatever you're feeling like: breakfast, lunch, dinner, stumbling home from the bar looking for some food, been studying for 12 hours straight and need some food and nowhere else is open, or just grabbing a coffee. Everything is good here!
This time here was my first time having pancakes. AMAZING. I had chocolate chip banana, but I'm sure they're all good. The portions are also huge, for $7 you get 4 pancakes 20cm wide. The sandwiches are also amazing, the California wrap, BLT, chicken avocado club, western and grilled cheese are great. Another amazing thing about this restaurant: the fries! I don't think they're fresh made, but they're really nice and fluffy.
If you haven't been here yet already, stop by Fran's next time you're in the neighborhood. You won't regret it! -
Review from Grayce Y.
Calgary, AB
8/25/2011
Frans is really great for students studying late late at night.
Super greesy food and yummy milkshakes!
I always come here with friends to treat ourselves after a long night of studying! The best is the milkshakes and desserts. The food is really good too and really filling. -
Review from Raymond W.
Toronto, ON
3/13/2011
I'm sure I've been looking into this place from the outside for over ten years now whenever I pass College Street. The big furred hoods, and giant loop earring has always deterred my from Fran's.
Finally, after being drained of my mojo from a visit to the Police HQ museum, I decided to step into this restaurant, and dine where countless other police HQ visitors had lunched before.
So it looks like a diner from the early fifties, but as I discovered, Frans dates all the way back to the forties. But aside from the stretched leather seats, there wasn't much to suggest that it was a historical site.
I'm sure the people of Toronto know much already of this place, so there's no sense on telling you about it.
I debated between the shepherd's pie, and the chilli. The friendly waitress recommended both, but leaned towards the pie. I got a calamari to start. It was served in some kind of tubed 'Thai' sauce, which paired remarkably well with the squid. The pie however, was very average, dry, and didn't come with gravy.
The place is fully licensed, but I can't for the life of me imagine why anyone would want to drink here. There's a mysterious lower establishment which looked..glossier. No name, perhaps a private dining area, but they've got separated tables?
This day, I shared the restaurant with some beatnik looking people. Which wasn't unpleasant. Much better than Rocawear, and Babyphat..
My beef with this place is the price. My meal came out to be over thirty dollar Canadian. That is a very high price paid for such casual eating. I could have gone on King and had myself a better meal for that price, with drinks.
And shouldn't the service staff here be on roller blades or something? -
Review from Joanna L.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2010
Starving after a night of dancing, I made my way to Fran's with a group of friends.
In all honesty, I wasn't thrilled about hitting up this greasy spoon joint but alas I was pleasantly surprised!
The menu is actually several pages long and includes a wide range of items from breakfast to wraps, burgers, appetizers, quesadillas,sandwiches, entrées, etc.
We all found something we enjoyed and the prices are decent too.
Hmmmm...looks like Fran's has made it to my roster of places to go for late night eats. -
Review from P B.
Mississauga, ON
12/27/2010
I've been to Frans twice. The first time was awful the food was soaked in grease (yes I realize its a diner but come on - I shouldn't be able to scoop spoonfuls of grease off my food). After complaining we received no discount and no response from management.
On the second trip I had to be dragged kicking and screaming with friends. I must admit the food was *better* the second time but nothing I'd write home about. The service was mediocre so I've given them 3/5 stars.
The food was also somewhat expensive. -
Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
3/31/2011
I hadn't eaten here for many years and was a little disappointed that they had renovated. I was looking forward to the old school decor.
As for the breakfast on a Tuesday at 9:30, it was so-so. It's hard to ruin toast and eggs, but they managed to ruin the "home fries". They use the frozen, spiced, cubed version that I now consider an inexcusable short-cut. Having eaten at and reviewed over 40 breakfast places, the great majority manage to use real potatoes cooked on the grill. Surely Fran's could do the same.Listed in: Breakfast places, Diners, Greasy Spoons and…
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Review from Karen G.
Toronto, ON
3/31/2011
Fran's is simply a staple of Toronto living. If you live or work downtown, chances are this 24 hour, 365 day a year diner has become a second home for you. Fran's has been there for me from my college days of stumbling in inebriated at 2 am with a pancake craving, to early more pre-work breakfasts, to late night exam studying.
The menu is extensive - comparable to Denny's in the states, but better quality. Where else can you order surf and turf with a side order of pancakes, a smoothie and a big ol' slice of carrot cake? No matter what you're craving, Fran's will have it, 24 hours a day.
The best deal by far is the big breakfast - for $12 you get a breakfast fit for a king, or rather Noah: 2 of everything. 2 breakfast sausages, 2 eggs, 2 orders of bacon (4 slices), 2 pancakes, 2 pieces of toast, and a big portion of their horribly addictive homefries. It's the perfect portion to split between 2 people, and the beauty is with their bottomless coffees, the bill comes to just under $20.
As often as I come here, I should probably have stocks in this place. -
Review from Chantal m.
Scarborough, ON
10/23/2010 1 photo
Went here with my boyfriend after shopping at the world's biggest book store. Service was quick and friendly. I had the deep friend pickles - so yum, I'm a sucker for them though, and the open faced beef sandwich which was huge, the gravy was perfect and the fries hit the spot. My boyfriend had the broccoli soup which he said could use more chese on top but I think that's being a little picky as it is BROCCOLI soup but he said it was good. He also had the sheppards pie which was huge and he could only finish 3/4's of it. He said something lacked in the ground beef though, maybe some spice?? He got a vanilla milkshake which he lovvvveedddd and I tried and was super yummy.
Overall the price was over $50 with tip which my boyfriend (And I agree) thought was a little too steep for diner food. However we did leave feeling overly bloated and full, so I guess it's objective. -
Review from Anna K.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2010
I love Fran's.
My favorite is their Irish Coffee. They make it strong and for only $6. My last one was so strong that my waiter asked me if I was going to be driving after because he wanted to warn me that he had made it a little heavy handed, hah!
The food is a little more expensive than you would expect from a diner ($14 burgers, $10 salads) but the food is really tasty and the portions are so big I usually have to take mine home. Since it is a little pricey, I usually stick with the Irish Coffee and an starter. The starters come so large that you could eat it as a meal no problem. I've never had a meal from Fran's I didn't enjoy.
The decor is pretty cool, and it's in a great area AND it's 24 hour. -
Review from Martin W.
6/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like the Fran's restaurants, the Franschise, if you will (cheeeeeeessssee). This one, I think, is one of the original if not the very first Fran's in the city. I have eaten here many times and recently enjoyed a 9 pm breakfast with a pitcher of cold beer on their patio and was reminded of how pleasant this place really is. The ability to have breakfast at 9 pm with a cold beer out on the patio should be a requirement of every restaurant ever.
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Review from Terry P.
9/19/2010
I thought diners were supposed to be good value?
Went here with a friend. We shared a mediocre calamari appetizer. I had a cheesesteak sandwich and my friend had "sliders". I put the word sliders in quotation marks because it was actually just a long sandwich cut in to three pieces. Bizarre.
Total bill $45 including tax and tip. I'm sorry - I have no problem paying for good quality, but this was not - this should have been a $30 meal. -
Review from Lisa C.
Toronto, ON
5/4/2011
I have been going to Frans (multiple locations, but more recently this one) for YEARS and have rarely been disappointed. I work at Ryerson and live right near the College location so my staff and I frequent the location across from Massey Hall and my hubs and I frequent the location at College location.
Let's get one thing straight here - Frans isn't called a "greasy spoon" for nothing. And if you want super cheap food ($5 for a full dinner plate), there are plenty of places to find it in this area. But you pay for what you get and Frans has always been consistent for me through frequent visits over the past six years.
The menu is HUGE and I've tried a little bit of everything off of it and have found lots of gems on their menu. You can't go wrong with breakfast, the portions are large and are always fresh and taste good. The all-day breakfast is a huge plate (and I feel like a pig being a girl and ordering it) but it's always a pleaser and I never regret ordering it.
The fettuccine pasta dish is fantastic; I've yet to order it for myself because I'm partial to sandwiches but the last time I had it (a friend shared), it was amazing. The chicken parm sandwich is great too, huge portion size and always tastes great. You can't go wrong with the grilled cheese sandwich (somehow the ones I make at home never come close to measuring up to Fran's grilled cheese) and I know that the unlimited coffee is a popular choice for my sleep-deprived student coworkers.
However, all that being said, this is not the kind of place I would EVER order a steak at - if you want a good steak, go to one of the many steakhouses or pubs that line the downtown core. And anyone expecting to get an appetizer and a good-sized main for under $20 is insane (this goes for just about any sit-down restaurant I've been to). Fran's is about comfort food and an almost familiar atmosphere inside. The staff is always friendly at this location and we usually wait less than 15 minutes for our food.
If you're looking for a place where you'll be blown away by flavor and arrangement on plates and all that fancy junk, this isn't the place for you. But if you're not an elitist food snob and you like good home-style food for decent prices, you'll be happy with what you get at Frans. I also think it's pretty important not to judge a restaurant based on one food dish - the menu here is so large that it definitely deserves a few return trips to get a good sense of what food is good and what food is great. -
Review from Char C.
Toronto, ON
3/13/2011
The food isn't good. But at 3am in the morning when everything else is closed WHAT DO YOU EXPECT! It's better than Mcdonalds!
A little expensive for the lack of quality but again 3 am in the morning! The service is not bad, they are pretty attentive and quick.
To be honest the food isn't HORRIBLE but it's not amazing, its basically grease between two buns or on a fork, however you prefer, but after a night of dancing and drinking....its all you could ask for.
Cost: 1 people, 2 mains, $40.
Food quality: 2.5/5
Food quantity: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Perfect for: Late night binges
Would I Go Again: Yes, because I still plan on going out getting drunk and being hungry. -
Review from Ali H.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2011
Fran's was a goldmine when my friends and I discovered it; it was open 24/7, had a pretty big menu and really friendly service.
But when our initial euphoria of finding a 24/7 place in Toronto wore off we actually started focusing on the food. First of all, the food's good but not all the time. The consistency of their home-fries continuously vary, their pastas aren't anything special, their steak always has muscles somewhere (even in the sandwiches, which make it terribly chewy), their chicken is bland and extremely soft and their poutine was a royal disaster.
That being said, their breakfast is fantastic. It's one of the best in the city and occasionally when the other stuff in their menu is made well, it's really good. And that coupled with excellent service is probably why we still go back most of the time.
Lastly, I would most definitely recommend their floats. They are beyond spectacular! I haven't had a better one yet, they're quite essentially the pièce de résistance of the menu -
Review from Kal B.
7/10/2011
good place for a late nite post drinking night out on the town meal..
basically your denny's alternative thats open super late or 24/7.. can't remember
food was decent.. basically everything tastes good at that point but nothing was amazing
also service was incredibly slow as to be expected at that time of the nite though i guess.. -
Review from Robert K.
3/7/2011
Fran's is a very large diner that is open 24 hours a day. The food is greasy enough to be satisfying late at night, but OK enough to eat during the day time without being shocked. They are licensed. You can go here late at night and get bacon and eggs and a milkshake with booze in it. Not bad.
Listed in: Greasy Spoons
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2008
Fran's done changed.
I used to go here a lot in high school. Partly because it was cheap and you could sit for hours and drink coffee and smoke, and partly because I was addicted to their home fries (which are more like tater tots than fries or potatoes).
I just went back again today and was pleasantly surprised to find that although the old diner charm is pretty much identical to my youth, the menu has been significantly upgraded.
It's still a greasy spoon with tater tots for home fries, but what other greasy spoon offers vegetarian breakfast sausage? In fact, there's a lot of vegetarian options added to the menu and formerly banned delicacies like fruit run rampant throughout the menu. -
Review from Kate M.
Toronto, ON
10/21/2009
You know when you go out on a date with someone but you didn't know it was a date until after? And then it gets awkward?
About a year ago that happened to me here. He really liked Fran's and we good waffles. I hadn't been back since I moved into the city early Sept. and now Fran's is right around the corner from me! And I go there! Hoping not to bump into him! Naw scratch that he's a nice guy.
Oh right this is a review about Fran's! Yeah it's pretty alright! You get what you go for! Okay diner food! The waffles are decent as is the hot chocolate (you get such a big cup!) but I don't recommend the chicken qeusidellas (there's just too much going on in them, I also have no idea how to spell quesadia...)!
Recently I spent something like 5 hours here because I had to read Frankenstein - good book. I ended up getting a free tea. So yeah that was nice.
Go here if you are close by it and just looking for diner food that's nothing fancy. Also gimme I shout and I'll come visit you seeing as I'm so close by.
ps. The play the strangest mix of music. Techno remix of "Puttin' On The Ritz" back to back with Alanis Morsette. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
5/13/2010
I've experienced that same Fish & Chips before and unfortunately it was during a BAD experience with Pickle Barrel.
I thought it would be nice to get a FRAN'S Fish & Chips which is a part of Fran's Favourite category. If that was one of Fran's Favourite than I think I have to question Fran's taste.
Have you ever tasted DRY Pollock before? Simply look at McD's Fish O' Fillet and cut inside then you'll understand how dry it was. I was home around an hour after and realized that a piece of the Fish was stuck to my TEETH like floss.
GOOD side of the dish was that there was definitely enough to feed a FULL grown Adult because there's a warehouse load of Fries. I liked the Cole Slaw side which was the most flavourful part of the meal much needed to offset the BLAND Fish & Chips.
The Rice & Raisin Pudding was a better CHOICE that took the flavour of Fish & Chips meal away. I do realize this is an Eggs & Bacon place where people chat over a hot cup of JOE rather than a dinner place, but I wished that Fran's Favourite could have been one of mine as well. -
Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
3/25/2009
You may or may not have read my negative review of what I shall refer to as the "Icky Fran's" from this point onward.
I revisited the College Street location to seek out my mojo - the diner milkshake. I was hesitant to order one after my last experience, but went for it (chocolate, if you must know) & waited for the moment of truth.
It arrived. It was a true blue milkshake. & it was delicious. I was so relieved that I explained my giddyness to our server about my Icky Fran's experience.
Fran's @ College has redeemed it. From now on, I'll know where to head for my 24-hour-diner needs. While it isn't the classiest food or the most upscale joint - Fran's fills their niche perfectly. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2008 1 photo
Who puts maraschino cherries on a cheesecake?
Sure, that foul Fran incident happened almost a decade ago, but it's
clouded my journey of diner outings since then. I've consumed soups,
breakfasts, and sandwiches here, and although all of it greasy
spoon-esque, the plates do not encapsulate the raw diner soul. I'm an
open-minded gal, however, and have been converted by lesser
restaurants on many occasions; Fran's has yet to do this.
I suppose kitschiness is still attractive, though, and tourists still
clamour to this place, much to my shaking fist. Go to Mars down the
street!
Is it so hard to make my heart go pitter-patter, Fran? You can make me
swoon, I know you can. -
Review from Mike C.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2009
Always good, solid diner food, no matter when you go. 4 AM on a holiday weekend? Sure. Saturday brunch? You might wait, but the food is solid even at peak load.
Definitely better than the one on Shuter, nicer staff overall, better kitchen, etc. A late night favourite. -
Review from Maggie G.
10/4/2011
My friends and I stopped here for something to eat after seeing concerts at Massey Hall two nights in a row. The service was good, the decaf was fresh, and their pancakes were awesome--crisp on the outside but nice and fluffy in the middle. My friends liked that they could have a drink, and we were all overwhelmed by the big menu, though we all had breakfast both nights. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in Toronto.
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Review from Bijan V.
10/25/2008 1 Check-in Here
----- 3.5 Stars! -----
I've walked by Fran's at least hundreds of times and yet I had never gone in. I just thought it was a really grungy old diner that never really appealed to me. Well finally I was forced inside to meet a couple friends before starting on a quest for a good a night out and I was pleasantly surprised about this place.
First off they are open ALL THE TIME (literally) and they have a HUGE menu (that looks classier than the actual place) that serves something for everyone. Prices are okay but I didn't find any of the food that we got to be much better than late night grub.
Fran's is a great hangout place but definitely not a restaurant you should looking at planning to come to. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2011
On the pricey side, but basically the perfect diner. I love the retro, bustling atmosphere, and the food is total comfort food - perfectly hits the spot when you're in the mood for old favourites or an all-day breakfast. Nothing fancy, nothing complex in terms of flavour, but just simple ingredients and simple food done very well. The mac and cheese has a delicious blend of cheeses and keeps me coming back for more. Blueberry pancakes taste milky and are really light and fluffy. Basically, for any typical diner dish you can imagine, Fran's does a version that will always meet your expectations and satisfy your craving. Nothing innovative, but no disappointments either.
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Review from Matthew B.
Toronto, ON
3/11/2010
Not a heck of a lot to say about this place. Fast Service, huge portions, open 24hrs, right in downtown Toronto. Has the ambiance of a bus terminal, but don't hold that against good 'ol Frans. Prices are all very reasonable.
Don't expect to loose any weight by eating here, but do expect to leave full and not too broke. In terms of 24h, all-day-breakfast, Diners, Frans is the benchmark. -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2008
Fran's has a cozy spot in Toronto's history, and I'm not here to take that away from them. This is the "historic" Fran's where a couple aunts and uncles of mine went on their first dates, where I first learned the glory of late night food, and where I later learned that late night food is all too often accompanied by obnoxious people.
This location in particular, is usually filled with obnoxious 19-year-old GTA-ers, out to celebrate someone's birthday, looking for food at 3 am when the clubs close. And that's fine, it's just not my cup of tea.
The food at Fran's is decent diner food. They have the typical all-day-breakfast, tons of different sandwiches and other assortments, and none of it is bad, but none of it stands out as phenomenal, except the milkshakes. You MUST get a milkshake from Fran's to fully understand the meaning of milkshakes.
Breakfast-wise, they do a good job, but I'm not a huge fan of the home fries -- I find them low on the flavour scale but high on the grease scale. Tip the scales and I'd like them a lot more.
If you're coming to Toronto, you have to come to Fran's at least once (especially for a milkshake). If you like dingy diners, the College St location is for you, but I tend to lean towards the newer, cleaner one on Shuter, although they don't have the Banana Chocolate Chip pancakes there for some strange reason. -
Review from Charlene E.
3/12/2010
Love me some Fran's, yes I do! I am a non-fancy breakfast person for sure...just give me a good cup of coffee, 2 eggs over medium, white toast with butter, some crisp bacon and some kind of potato and I'm happy. That is why Fran's makes me so happy. My one and only complaint would be about the massive portions of fried potatoes. There is just no way to finish them and I hate leaving a big pile of leftovers on my plate when I'm staying in a hotel and can't take them with me.
We've always had excellent service, even at 3 a.m., and I love the cozy little booth compartments on the main level.
Just watch that step down out to College Street from the exit door..woah! -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
1/12/2009
I, too, have a thing for greasy food at all hours, as well as jukeboxes. The food here is good, but never quite spectacular. But that's not what it's about, right? It's about the comfort food, and the comfort of food. Items like lasagna, macaroni and cheese and burgers have, at some time, provided me with both. Although I must say that in the immediate aftermath of having the best lasagna in my life (in NYC's Little Italy), choosing here to satisfy the residual craving only bred disappointment.
Whatevs, it's a Toronto institution, y'all. You've got to go sooner or later. The two locations are quite different from each other, the College St. one being appropriate for late-night philosophizing, and the Shuter St. one being particularly awesome after a concert at Massey Hall.
This brings me to my most recent and quite memorable visit, post- Smashing Pumpkins as well as immediately post-Obama victory! I of no cable got to enjoy a side of historical television with my burger (which is far better than the relatively small salad you can subsititute for fries, for relatively too much money). Now that is what I call change we can believe in (I don't really know what that means). -
Review from Joe K.
9/30/2010
Mediocrity sums this place up nicely. I agree with Terry P. about the value lacking. I didn't taste anything other than cheddar and maybe a little jack in the mac & cheese. I thought the bowl was small for the price, maybe the burgers are the way to go? The Pina Colada was really good, but on the smaller side for $4. The waiter was good, tended to me, made sure I was happy. I tipped well for that. However, I will say I was glad there was a Tims across the street for a dessert.
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Review from allison j.
2/2/2010
This place is the bomb. My kids loved it and so did I. Giant waffles covered in strawberry whipped cream goodness, chocolate chip waffles, eggs, bacon and breakfast potatoes. . . a perfect morning.
Do it! The service was excellent, even after my daughter spilled a chocolate milk all over the table, and the coffee is delicious. -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/19/2008
24 hour diners are generally good places due to their convenience, and Fran's is not an exception. They have a good sized menu, with all the foods you would hope to get at a diner. This includes things like all day breakfast (decent), grilled cheese (meh), sandwiches (good), burgers (good) and milkshakes (excellent, even better if you add a banana!) They also have some Asian food on the menu, but this stuff is very minimal.
The staff here is pretty good, but it's obvious that they deal with a lot of annoying drunk college kids, and as such, certain waitstaff is prone to rolling the eyes and not taking you seriously.
The feel inside the restaurant is an old fashion diner feel, with lots of booths and bright overhead lights. -
Review from Minhaj H.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2010
I love the fact that these guys are open all year around. Good food, but the prices could be a bit lower.
