The Dish on Diners

A review of signature meals from your local greasy spoons.

By Brendan Flattery

The Danforth area of Toronto features a great selection of restaurants, particularly Greek, Thai, and Japanese, but there are also a few quirky diners unique to this community. If you want a meal for $10 or less, these places offer some hidden gems without comparison.

Detroit Eatery: 389 Danforth Ave
Dish: Detroit burger

This Detroit-themed diner is definitely intriguing. The Detroit burger stood out on the menu but didn’t quite meet my expectations. The patty tasted like cheap frozen meat, and the processed cheese wasn’t great either. The large piece of onion and small piece of lettuce were disproportionate, and though the service was good, the fries were dry. However, the décor still makes this place stand out and it’s a great hangout to watch the game — just be careful if you’re a Leafs fan.
Return visit: Maybe to watch some hockey.

New York Cafe Restaurant: 757 Broadview Ave
Dish: New York pizza

This place offers a wide array of choices, but the best dish is the New York pizza. It comes in two sizes – medium and large, but the medium was enough for just me. The pizza had a thin crust, real mozzarella cheese, and with green olives and mushrooms, it was definitely the best pizza I’ve had on Danforth Avenue.
Return visit: Definitely.

The Bus Terminal Family Restaurant: 1606 Danforth Ave
Dish: Lamb curry

Situated in front of Coxwell station, the Bus Terminal lives up to its name. With ’50s records lining the walls and a vintage menu board with decades-old prices, this place has diner written all over it. The restaurant is famous for its breakfast, but once I saw lamb curry on the menu I had to try it.

The sauce was aromatic and spicy; the lamb was tender and plentiful; and the basmati rice was a great complement. The garden salad on the side was fresh, but the ranch dressing tasted store-bought. Regardless, the Bus Terminal is now my favourite curry spot in the city.
Return visit: Absolutely!