What makes The Bus Terminal Diner a Danforth Landmark?

By Venetia Bodanis

The Bus Terminal Diner is no new kid on the block; the diner has been a Danforth landmark since 1948. Despite boasting a resume of being a set for several major Hollywood films like Get Rich or Die Tryin’, the diner doesn’t let any of its screen fame interfere with their great prices and friendly service. The reasonably priced breakfast menu runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and includes coffee, “taters,” and toast with each of its meals.

The quirky decor (metallic green booths, a dragon’s head protruding from the back entrance, and celebrity-picture plastered walls) adds to The Bus Terminal Diner’s overall quirkiness, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a psychedelic flashback from Twin Peaks.

My meal, for only $5.95, consisted of three eggs, toast, fruit, coffee, and taters and was the epitome of greasy spoon goodness.

Being a self-professed breakfast foodie, I found the meal to be satisfying overall. Golden and crunchy taters, passable coffee, plenty of butter on the toast, and tasty (but as expected, not very fluffy) scrambled eggs made for a decent meal.

As for the portion size, when compared to their prices, the serving quantity was fair—I left satisfied but not overly full. If you’re looking for overstuffed plates, the three egg option might not be your best pick; you’re better off going with the option that includes a side of meat and two pancakes.

The lunch and dinner menu runs fairly typical diner-type food—burgers, sandwiches, and soups. If you’re looking for something along those lines, the chicken club sandwich with fries looked absolutely delicious.

Overall, The Bus Terminal Diner is definitely a place to go back to, if not for the food then for the eccentric decor and quick service.

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