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David "Yay! I'm a fan" M.'s Profile
Diners, Greasy Spoons and Dives in Toronto
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1. The Senator
My favourite place in Toronto for breakfast, and I've been to a lot! A disclaimer, though...I only ever have the same thing...Eggs and Onions! Comes with beans, home fries and challah toast like the other brekkies.
People have referred to this place…More »
2. KOS Cafe
Toronto, ON M5R 3G9
(416) 516-6495
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Seaton Village
Don't be discouraged by the lack of curb appeal. This place looks like it was a drive up burger place at one time, but not in a good way.
I was early and arrived alone, but was welcomed by the bubbly server/owner(?). She seemed to know all her…More »
3. KOS Restaurant
Toronto, ON M5T 1M7
(416) 597-6912
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
This was my fourth visit, and it's been consistently good. The ambiance leaves a bit to be desired, and the tables are kind of tight, but the food is good and plentiful here at KOS.
I had the "Veggie Eggspress" which was "3 eggs any style with choice…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/19/2011
This was my third visit, and it's been consistently good. The ambiance leaves a bit to be desired,… Read more »
4. Hazel's Diner
This was a tough one. I was inclined to give 3 stars, but two of my breakfast mates talked me out of it. Here's why;
My initial 3-star appraisal was based solely my the food, which was average. I had my typical "breakfast special", eggs over easy,…More »
5. Sunset Grill
Toronto, ON M6S 1N4
(416) 763-1444
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: Bloor-West Village, Swansea
I met three friends here this a.m., and we all had typical, solid, Sunset Grill breakfasts. Well prepared and plenty of it. The standard breakfast included 3 eggs, thick-cut toast, voluminous home fries and tons of bacon (for those who's ordered…More »
6. Le Petit Déjeuner
Toronto, ON M5A 1J5
(416) 703-1560
Categories:
Breakfast & Brunch,
Belgian
Neighbourhood: Corktown
3.75 Stars. (I don't know...I just can't pull the trigger on 4 stars.)
I had the spinach omelet, which was quite good, and my wife and cousin both had the Toast Champignon with a Poached Egg. They both quite enjoyed it.
Highlights
- friendly,…More »
7. Morning Glory Cafe
Toronto, ON M5A 1L6
(416) 703-4728
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Corktown
"Please wait to be seated". Now there's a sign we haven't seen to often in our current breakfast tour (see my list, "breakfast places"). Fan-cee!
This place was a step up from our usual greasy spoon/diner preference, but the price fit the bill.…More »
8. Boom Breakfast & Company
Toronto, ON M6G 1C8
(416) 534-3447
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: Little Italy, Bickford Park
Geez, I shouldn't have let this go 3 days before reviewing...memory...fading.
Met 3 friends here, we all enjoyed it. I had the omelet with spinach, roasted red peppers and some kind of cheese. It was very good. The "frites" were somewhere…More »
9. Quarry Cafe
Scarborough, ON M1N 1W8
(416) 690-2098
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Scarborough
Still very good, and I wanted to add that a couple of my friends, who are connoisseurs of corned beef hash thought it was excellent, including the perfectly poached eggs to put on top.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/24/2010
Very good ingredients for an inexpensive breakfast. I had the cheddar and broccoli omelet, and the… Read more »
10. Bloor-Jane Restaurant
Toronto, ON M6S 1P9
(416) 766-5383
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: Bloor-West Village, Swansea
I've been to a lot of greasy spoons, but when I walked in here this morning, around 9:30 with friends in tow, there was something different about the vibe. It was very comfortable and welcoming.
The waitress was very friendly, without being too…More »
11. Sunset Grill
Toronto, ON M4L 1J3
(416) 690-9985
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: The Beach
I think I take this place for granted. We've lived in the Beach for almost 20 years, and I've only been there half a dozen times. Always figure, "why wait in line when there are always other options"?
I met a friend there today (Saturday) at 9-ish,…More »
12. Peoples Food
Toronto, ON M5R 2E6
(416) 972-0195
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: The Annex
Cool little place, perfect eggs 'n onions, great home fries. What else can I say? (Wife's "over easy" were perfect.)
Saturday at 9:15 am, no crowd at all.
Edit; Back with friends on a Monday at 9:15. Still good. D.O. decided to have onion rings…More »
13. Mars Beach
Second visit, great service again. My eggs 'n onions, not found on many diner menus in town, was a welcome surprise. The coffee was a step above typical diner fare.
Read my previous review for decor and vibe.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/27/2011
Judging from previous reviews, it's all about the service. We got great service this day, and a… Read more »
14. Beachside Grill
Toronto, ON M4L 1H5
(416) 686-7153
Categories:
Breakfast & Brunch,
Diners,
Burgers
Neighbourhood: The Beach
This bright (seated in the window) friendly establishment is no secret in the beach. It has good food, generous portions and reasonable prices. The service is friendly, too.
Breakfast was well prepared and tasty, and their whole wheat toast is above…More »
15. Aunties & Uncles
Don't want to wait? Go on a Monday at 9:30 a.m. It's not busy then!
Anyway, I liked the 50's kitchen vibe of this place, and the food is definitely a step above the regular diner fare we've been sampling for the last many months. To be fair, this…More »
16. Mitzi's Café
Toronto, ON M6R 2E2
(416) 588-1234
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Roncesvalles
Oy, try the french toast. Today's version included pomegranate seeds and syrup, fresh whipped cream and maple syrup. It was accompanied by a generous garnish of assorted fruits and chunky "home fries" (more like roasted potatoes). The coffee too,…More »
17. Mars Uptown
Toronto, ON M4P 2C8
(416) 322-7111
Category:
Diners
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
My eggs 'n onions were excellent and the home fries good. Standard toast and coffee.
My breakky-mates corned beef hash was "VERY good", perhaps better than the Quarry Cafe's, which they proclaimed "excellent". (Only complaint was that their…More »
18. Motorama Restaurant
Toronto, ON M4J 1L7
(416) 461-6968
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: The Danforth, Greektown, Riverdale
This is an authentic diner that has been here "forever". You've gotta go just to say you ate in a restaurant called "Motorama" and to see their sign that is probably older than your dad.
Breakfast was solid, and the efficient waitress was loud and…More »
19. Collegiate Lunch
Met my usual "colleagues" for our weekly Monday breakfast this Tuesday, and we were all taken by this neighborhood 'spoon. Minnie, the current proprietress, tells us that this establishment is ~70 years old, and she's been here for the past 10.…More »
20. New Town Family Restaurant
Toronto, ON M4L 3B6
(416) 465-0836
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Upper Beach
3.5 stars
We had a big turnout today, and had to keep adding chairs and tables to accommodate our group of 9. The number seemed to "scare" our waitress a bit, but she handled it with good humour and efficiency.
I believe we all had some version of the…More »
21. The Church Street Diner
Toronto, ON M4Y 2E2
(416) 324-8463
Category:
Diners
Neighbourhoods: Church-Wellesley Village, Downtown Core
3.75 stars
This "diner", though self-identified as a "diner" isn't really a diner, at least in my mind. It does have a diner-like menu, but the vibe and décor makes it more of a café...or a bistro...or a café.
I had the "Molly Wood's Breakfast", but…More »
22. Dunn's Famous
Toronto, ON M5V 1J2
(416) 849-3414
Categories:
Delis,
Sandwiches,
Caterers
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core
3.5 stars
I snoozed and loozed my memory. It's been a couple weeks since 2 friends and I ate breakfast here, but I do remember that I had the "Jackie Mason", which was eggs and onions, home fries, toasted bagel and coffee. It was very good.
One friend…More »
23. Sunset Grill
Toronto, ON M4P 2C6
(416) 482-4229
Category:
Restaurants
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
I've been to this, my 5th location of this iconic Toronto institution, a number of times but keep forgetting to review it.
I had the 3-egg breakfast special, and it was just above average. 3 fairly large eggs, accompanied by a large helping of real…More »
24. Ritz Restaurant
This tiny restaurant has the look and feel of a typical diner...with a difference. It has a Filipino flavour.
We scheduled this into our "Spoon Tour" because it has a standard diner breakfast...which most of us had. The adventurous one in our group…More »
25. UFO Restaurant
3.5 stars.
Ever want to enjoy your breakfast special adjacent to the Windex aisle? Now's your chance!
This is an odd place for a diner, though the concept of a lunch counter inside a "5 and Dime" (like Kresge's or Woolworths) is quite traditional. This…More »
26. Over Easy
Toronto, ON M5S 3B4
(416) 922-2345
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: The Annex, University of Toronto, Downtown Core
I cannot pull the trigger on 4 stars for this place. Let's say 3.5.
Admittedly, our food was above average. That would have earned them a four, but there's something about the vibe of this place that won't put it in the category of other breakfast…More »
27. Cafe On the Square
Toronto, ON M5H 2N1
(416) 861-0101
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
We figured, "hey, we want to eat where Rob Ford eats!", so we scheduled the City Hall cafeteria into our breakfast tour. It may have a fancy name, but it's basically the CIty Hall cafeteria.
At 9:30 on a Monday, the short order cook wasn't very busy,…More »
28. Zupa's Restaurant & Deli
Toronto, ON M5V 1R7
(416) 593-2775
Categories:
Delis,
Sandwiches
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core
I met 3 friends here for breakfast this morning, but if I tell you about the food or decor, I'm afraid I'd be "burying the lead". This place has snails, and I don't mean as a menu item! My friend came back from the ladies room and told us there was a…More »
29. Sunnybrook Restaurant & Tavern
This old school restaurant (in the first plaza built in Canada) serves typical breakfast fare. My breakfast special (eggs, home fries and toast) were all quite tasty and well prepared, but they were room temperature. The potatoes could even be…More »
30. Zeller's Family Diner
Toronto, ON M4C 1M7
Neighbourhood: East York
My friends and I are on the lookout for lunch counters inside department stores. Remember them? (Know any???) Kresge's and Woolworth's used to have them. "What's 'Kresge's' and 'Woolworth's'?" you ask? Sigh. I'm quite elderly.
Anyway, we found…More »
31. Burger Palace Restaurant
Toronto, ON M4E 1T2
(416) 693-1687
Categories:
Burgers,
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Upper Beach
I wouldn't call this place a "Palace", per se. It's a typical neighbourhood greasy spoon with menu items such as "Breakfast Special", "Grilled Cheese and Fries", "Special Homemade Hamburger" and..."Tandoori Chicken"? Yup, it's the Thursday…More »
32. Smiley's Restaurant & Deli
Toronto, ON M4C 1L1
(416) 698-7716
Categories:
Delis,
Sandwiches
Neighbourhood: The Danforth
3.25 Stars.
Voula has owned this restaurant since 1991, but it sounds like there's been a restaurant at this location for decades. Get her talking...she's friendly.
My friends and I all had the standard breakfasts, which were just slightly above…More »
33. Johnny G's
I joined my two regular diner-mates and a surprise first-timer here this a.m., and on a beautiful day with the huge "garage door" windows open, it's a great space with the morning sun washing in. It looks hip and trendy from the outside, but don't…More »
34. Avenue Diner
(3.5 stars)
Went for breakfast, 9:30 on a Tuesday, with 3 friends. Service was friendly and attentive, and we all enjoyed our assorted breakfasts. Fried eggs, and my veggie omelet were all good. Home fries slightly above average. Coffee was…More »
35. Rosie's Kitchen
3.5 stars.
Comfortable, unhurried atmosphere, with friendly servers and good breakfasts. It's been a few weeks, so I don't remember the details, but remember thinking it would be worth a return visit.
edit; Just went back (a few months later) and…More »
36. Garden Gate
Wow, only 2 reviews for this Beach institution. I guess it's a bit too far east.
Anyway, my breakfast of eggs over easy, home fries, toast and coffee was about average. Eggs were good, home fries a bit tasteless, toast was that brown Wonder stuff…More »
37. Bus Terminal Diner
Toronto, ON M4C
(416) 463-4680
Categories:
Diners,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: The Danforth
With great anticipation (avg of 4.5 stars!), I took my wife here this morn.
Pros:
-cheap (under $17 for 2)
-authentic
-fast!
-Lisa (bubbly waitress)
-greenP parking at door
Cons:
-omelettes made on grill, rather than pan
-homefries were par-boiled (too much)…More »
38. Easy Restaurant
Toronto, ON M6R 1A9
(416) 537-4893
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: Parkdale, Roncesvalles
I had the basic breakfast - 2 eggs over easy, home fries, toast (baguette slices) and coffee. 8.95 plus 2.95 for coffee. I think the baguette may have been from yesterday...it was a tad chewy.
2 of my friends had the Huevos Divorciados and enjoyed…More »
39. The George Street Diner
We'd been driving by this place for years, so finally decided to check it out. We like old diners, greasy spoons and breakfast!
We both had the Canadian Breakfast, mine without bacon, my wife's with. It included 2 Omega-3 eggs, home fries, baked…More »
40. Donlands Restaurant
East York, ON M4J 3S2
(416) 421-1944
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: East York
3.5 stars.
Hard to find anything wrong with this place. We all had good, standard breakfasts served by an attentive waitress who looks like she's been there a while. The weak link was the standard, boring "Wonder" brown toast.
If most diner coffee is…More »
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Recently updated lists from David M.
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Toronto, ON
Yelping SinceJanuary 2010
Things I Love Find Me Inconsolable
My HometownToronto, ON
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