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John's Lunch
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Pizza Seafood, Pizza [Edit]
352 Pleasant StDartmouth, NS B2Y 3S5
(902) 469-3074
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
16 reviews for John's Lunch
Review Highlights
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"They also have the best fried clams in the city." In 6 reviews -
"...that this is one of the most discussed eateries in Halifax." In 3 reviews -
"I have written extensively about fish & chips in Toronto." In 5 reviews
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16 reviews in English
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Review from Bryn J.
Dartmouth, NS
12/28/2011
My fiance and I have been to John's Lunch several times since the Spring of this year. It is close to our house, and within walking distance. All the times we have been there, the food has always been very good. The restaurant itself is a bet dated in its seat decor, a typical North American diner style.. However, do not let this fool you. The owners are very passionate about what they do, and care about the food and their customers. I enjoy the fact how one of the cooks, who I assume is also one of the owners will come by your table and ask how the meal was. That has happened to us every time we are there.
The service is excellent, fast and the portions are very healthy for the price you are paying. Giving the price you pay for a plate, you would expect it be a greasy spoon place. It is quite the opposite, yes it was fried food but they do have other options than seafood. Nearly everything they have on the menu, is classical to modern comfort food and no one I know has every complained at John's Lunch.. It is a well known place in Dartmouth, and people recommend them highly to friends and family.
Sometimes in the summer, you might have a small wait for a table. Even with the small wait of at most 20 - 30 minutes, it is worth the wait. Also, they do take out.. In the summer, you could just get take out and go eat on the trail behind John's Lunch. I recommend this restaurant to seafood lovers and non seafood lovers alike, as there is variety in their menu. It is certainly, a piece of Dartmouth that people love! -
Review from Travis N.
Portland - East Woodlawn, NS
5/17/2012
Everybody know John's lunch, it has become an icon in Nova Scotia. It has never fully let me down. This place is not a fancy restaurant where you would want to take your first date, you might want to wait for the second date before taking somebody here.
It is an only house where the lower lever was converted into a little diner where great deep fried seafood is made. If you were not from here and didn't know anything about the place you probably wouldn't set foot in here. But it is a local gem.
Today's lunch was not too bad. I feel like the oil might need to be changed because my meal was a little darker than normal, and was just not the quality that it normally is.
However, the service today was great, you really feel like it was an old friend who jokes around. The cost I feel is fair, not overpriced because they do not skimp on the portions, and like other places John's Lunch does not overcompensate with a mass amount of fries.
I do not feel the place deserves 3 stars, but because I was not fully happy with the food on today's visit, I would give it 3.5 stars. -
Review from Breen Y.
Halifax, NS
1/3/2012
I've been here many times in the past with family but since I don't really like seafood I never really saw a point of writing a review about it. I was back there over the holidays and decided to write a review from a 'no seafood' point of view.
As far as the seafood goes, I can only say that the rest of my family raves about everything from the fish, scallops and clams. What I can personally comment on tho is the 'land' fare of which I've tried their hamburgers (this visit past), their fried chicken and chips and grilled cheese (was getting over being sick and wasn't very hungry :-) )
The chicken was really good and not too greasy which is much appreciated. From what I remember about the grill cheese sandwich, well its a grill cheese, nuff' said.
Their burgers are actually very tasty. Although I wouldn't go so far as to say they top some of my local favs (Johnny's and Westcliffe) they are decently sized, flavorful and thick.
Really my only real beef with the place is the size of it. I realize there is a certain coolness to keeping things 'the way they were', but when its busy there (like it was when we got there) you're in for a wait. On the topic of waiting, there isn't really even a 'waiting area' to speak of and the day we chose to go over there was when it was pouring smashing rain. We really couldn't just wait outside for a seat to free up. The booths themselves once you actually acquire one are decently sized (not like the mini's at Johnny's) but they could really use some more room. If you go there at peak times, expect to wait.
If you love seafood, I'd recommend it (based solely off people I know). If you're a non seafood person like me and aren't being asked / forced to go over there with your family, I'd say there are better burgers on this side of the harbor. -
Review from Tarah F.
12/28/2011
My boyfriend and I go to Johns lunch at least once a month, as it is a short walk from our place. We both love it, and the prices.
I have ordered a variety of items, but my boyfriend usually sticks with fish and chips or the hot turkey burger. He LOVES the turkey burger, and the coleslaw. I usually give him my coleslaw because I am not a fan of any vinegar based coleslaw. I typically get the seafood platter or the fish and chips, and both are quite good, especially for the price. The only complaint I have is that the fries are not hand cut, and taste like typical frozen fries.
The service here is fast and although sometimes it seems like you will have to wait forever for a seat, people are usually in and out within 20-30minutes. The servers are friendly and recognize you. One of the servers pretty much knows what my boyfriend is going to order whenever we are there. The owners are always there and come around to talk to you. We were at the mall last month and saw them shopping and my boyfriend was like "oh wow they are not at the restaurant today, weird!" haha
John's lunch has much more than seafood and I would urge you to try something other than fish and chips atleast once, as everything is good! We have yet to get takeout here but many people prefer that over dining inside. Overall, John's lunch is a hidden gem in Dartmouth and is worth going to - don't judge a book by its cover!Listed in: Nova Scotia Gem's - Must Try…
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Review from Alex K.
Toronto, ON
8/22/2011
I can't eat shellfish. It's a kind of weakness that I don't usually tell people until I've gotten to know them a bit better. Then I mention that my teeth are fake, and finally that I'm afraid of snakes. Typically in that order, depending on what we're up to (teeth first if playing baseball, snakes first if we're playing baseball with snakes). The point is that as a Haligonian I always feel a bit left out when the family drops tons of lobster into the big pot. I just sit there with a hamburger and hate stupid genetics.
Which is all to say that John's Lunch Fish & Chips is my only window into sea food, and I suspect that its brilliance is what makes me so bitter about not being able to partake in more. I have written extensively about fish & chips in Toronto. generally the motto is this: it's fine, but it's no NS fish & chips. John's Lunch IS Halifax fish & chips. Sure, it's not technically in the city (Dartmouth REPRESENT!!) but it's what I think of whenever I think of this delicious meal.
The batter is perfect - hearty breading that is golden and crispy with the softer breadiness amongst the delicious fresh fish. The fries are also amazing. But mostly it's this place which is so quintessentially Nova Scotian. Presidential pictures adorn the walls, though hockey players take more prominent spots. It's pretty much world famous so writing about the food is a waste. let me just say that if you're ever in that neck of the woods, you're wasting your goddam time if you don't go here.Listed in: Best Fish & Chips
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Review from Mike C.
Dartmouth, NS
2/11/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Very fast service, called in orders ready in 10 min. The haddock tips are the best I've ever had & the fish is as good as any! The staff has never changed, making things very consistent.
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Review from Bessy N.
Halifax, NS
3/12/2011 ROTD 8/14/2011
This hole in the wall diner in Dartmouth (I have no idea where I was in Dartmouth - I just know i was on the darkside) truly lived up to it's reputation.
I had only heard about this place a few years ago, on a flight back to Halifax on Porter Airlines. In their in flight magazine they reviewed a few local haunts that were a must try while in Halifax - and this place was one of them.. I've been wanting to go ever since.
Typical diner menu, only heavily peppered with seafood options. Clams, halibut tips (YUM), scallops, fish & chips - plus some burger options.
The line cooks are all working out in the open, and their 'kitchen' was spotless. A +++ for me. Uber friendly staff.. so far so good.
My mate ordered the halibut tips. The portion was massive - so def a dish that could be shared between two people (if you're not hungry). The coleslaw is freshly made and good. I had a burger w/ cheese (wasn't in the mood for fried fish) - which was diner-delicious.
I suspect this place is packed on weekends around lunch time so try and go during off-ish hours.
So overall, if you're a fish lover - it appears this is the place to go. So long as you're ok with the deep or flash fried variety. -
Review from Roger P.
1/14/2012 1 photo
Miss you guys! Believe the reviews, wait in line & enjoy a Dartmouth landmark!
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Review from Jennifer W.
Waverley, NS
5/2/2011
I actually dont eat seafood, but i love this place! They are clearly known for their amazing fish and chips as well as clams and platter meals, however seeing as how i do not eat seafood, and everyone else in my family does i was left with choosing a "not known for" meal. Let me tell you, even the food that isnt famous, is great!
I have had everything from the hamburgers, salads, pizza, club sandwiches and chicken fingers and it has all been great!
I have been here more times that i can count, and I seem to have stuck with the Club sandwich and fries.
The chicken is real, the lettuce and tomatoe are fresh and the bacon is perfectly cooked. The fries are fresh out of the fryer and have never been under or over cooked.
The kitchen is wide open to the clientelle and it is Grade A clean and the staff very curtious. It seems that no matter how many people walk throught that restraurant, they always seem to know what i am going to order.
It definitely isnt anything amazing in regards to appearance, however in the last few years they have upgraded the vinyl on the benches. Thhey just recently got a debit maching at the cash register which is quite convenient. There are pictures all over the walls of the owners and people who have visited from afar and you can never have any issues with parking because the Woodside ferry terminal sits right next door and parking is plentiful there!
I enjoy myself every time i go! -
Review from Elizabeth W.
1/5/2011
This place was delicious! I like the small "hole in the wall" setting it provides and It's definitely worth the wait in line for your meal. I was hesitant to eat here being vegetarian, but their pizza, french fries and milkshake was just as splendid as any fish and chips could be!
I enjoyed it here and the staff was so friendly and made it a nice environment to eat in. -
Review from Scott M.
Dartmouth, NS
10/12/2011
If you are feeling adventurous have the pizza. Used to come with hotdogs (still might). I love it there. They also have the best fried clams in the city.
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Review from Rob M.
Fall River, NS
8/13/2009
Worth taking a few weeks off your life.
Amazing portion, fantastic clams. -
Review from Laura P.
7/14/2010
My Dartmouth habits have been in full bloom lately- there must be something in the air. And in following some friends into John's Lunch for a bite, it is becoming more and more evident that the overall palate of preference is just not doing it for me.
Heavy on the grease. John's is about the frivolous indulgence of deep fried, battered fish and fry type meals. Nothing quite "light" about it, your healthiest option is the amateur salad... which isn't exactly enough for me to embrace.
That being said, all other signs point to "great 'lil resto". My visit fell on a day when I wasn't really feeling the greasy times, and more just wanted a quality meal; thus, so I am left a bit unsorted with my experience. But if up for the girth of breaded batter, John's will serve you right. With emphasis on the fish, and side-notes for pizza, hamburgers, and platter experiences, you're sure to get all filled up.
The atmosphere and service doesn't seem to be anything strategic, but the vibes are old school cafe. Friendly enough, I'd say its a worthy frequent for those wanting to delve into deep 'n' delicious. -
Review from Bethany J.
Halifax, NS
3/15/2010
Conveniently located on one of "the" beaten paths in Dartmouth is John's Lunch. From the outside, you'd never think that this is one of the most discussed eateries in Halifax. Folks from afar sing the praises of John's Lunch with the zeal of the converted. Visitors make special treks just to dine with John and the crew. Parking is easily available in the adjacent lot for the Woodside Ferry.
We ate at John's one Saturday evening, right at dinner time. For another time, we'll definitely know better. The line-up was out the door and once we finally stalked a table, we felt as though we were getting the stink-eye for taking so long over our food.
The prices are very good for seafood and the portions are generous. There can be a variance in quality, though; it would seem that John's Lunch pre-breads the fish in anticipation of the rush and this can make it seem heavy and overly greasy as a result. However, the fish itself is delicious - tender and flaky. The clams are fresh and perfectly cooked, and the scallops are to die for.
Apparently John's Lunch also does pizza; I wouldn't know, as we always go for the seafood.
If you decide to try John's Lunch, go at a non-peak time - and bring your appetite! -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
2/22/2010
It is sometimes a hit or miss at John's lunch located at 352 Pleasant Street. What I mean is I find the time of day will determine the heaviness of the fish batter. Right at lunch or at suppertime when is it hopping I find is the best time to go. When I was first introduced to John's Lunch I was like are you serious? The atmosphere is deceiving when you drive by and nothing really over the top when you enter but people do not go there for the decor let me tell you. The walls are covered with pictues of oh lets say the Trailor Park Boys is just one of the many visitors over the years at John's and all the others that have taken pictures of their visits.
The service at John's is one of the best , they seat you as soon as they can clear out the many people that are normally eating or waiting at the front counter for a booth.
Just a simple menu from the famous fish and chips, hamburgers, salads, pizza and evern breakfast. Normally when I go there I do get the fish and chip which you can see cooking from your table so you know it is nice and clean. The French fries are ALWAYS hot on your plate within 5 minutes.
One of the best things about john Lunch is the friendly staff are there to service and wait on you encase you ever need anything from tartar sauce to a cold drink from the cooler.
Big portion and great prices makes John's Lunch opened sicne 1969 a must try in my books. -
Review from Larry L.
Vancouver, BC
7/13/2010
The best greasy spoon in Canada. Friendly service, outstanding deep fried seafood. You can actually see them loading the big bags of fresh scallops, clams etc. through the back door right from the boat's truck. If I lived close-by for an extended period, I would be 25 lbs heavier than I am now.
