This is one of the smaller Wimpy's locations that we have been to. Sometimes there is a bit of a lineup, waiting for a table. This location is also the closest to our house, so when we are in the mood for diner food, this is a fairly easy choice. The staff are always friendly, and the food is well prepared. One of my favourite dishes there is the Junior Burger (6 oz) with Onion Rings. SWMBO likes the Patty Melt.

A Time Warp On Yonge Street. E: Wimpy’s Diner is the archetypal place for old time’s diner all-day breakfast, burger and French fries. It is a unique chain, but is it a decent unique chain? After almost ten years of not dining at Wimpy’s I walk in again and glance at the menu. The signature item is the Five Star Combo, which is $10.29 and for those who are “only if really hungry” according to the waitress. The day’s specials were Beef Brisket for $13 (they call it $12.99), oven baked Fried chicken dinner for $11, Turkey Salad Wrap for $9 and Hot Turkey Dark Meat for $12. Since there were three of us I ended up having a bite of the wrap and the brisket, as well as my own steak. All three were well prepared and delicious lunches. Customers are offered a choice of whole wheat or white bread. The coffee is bottomless. The specials included a soup, which on the day was Tomato Basil. It happened to be tasty despite not being oily. The waitress affirmed that it is home-made and not from a can.
I opted for the smaller 6 oz. New York Steak. When specifying that I would like the side egg as hard possible, the waitress wondered if they should scramble it. I declined and the eggs were exactly as requested. The whole wheat toasts were served already buttered and accompanied by two strawberry jam packs. The potato was cut up and crispy. I asked for and received a medium steak. It was well marinated and peppered. The cut was indeed fatty and on the rough side. It was pink in centre as requested and the seasoning just right. The waitress wondered if I would like HP sauce and quickly delivered it.
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A: The food is good, but the real differentiator here is Wimpy’s 1960s’ style diner decoration scheme. Too bad they have a television hanging on the wall for the flair and decidedly low-tech look is successfully vintage.
Betty Boop sits near the entrance and is also on one of the many decals that line the walls. The decals, signs, pop history references and witticisms are everywhere. The square floor tiles, yellow panels, red benches and coat hangers which are attached to the benches all scream 1962! The same goes for the counter seats.
Pop music is on the radio, but each booth is equipped with a jukebox. One song costs $0.25 or two quarters gets one three plays. Corny notices abound and one proclaims that, “For toilet pay 10 cents.” The washroom (with the big red door) was semi-clean only.
It is friendly and welcoming. The largely older crowd is familiar and acquainted with the cooks and the waitresses. Apparently, most customers are regulars. The diner is still as packed as I remember it was eight years ago.
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T: The cook and the waitress were quick to acknowledge us upon entry. We were quickly seated and handed menus. The bill too came promptly. They are indeed friendly, but also need to turn tables as there is a consistent stream of customers walking into the location. Almost all the tables and counter seats were taken. The food came in staggered fashion. The soups arrived first. Then came the specials. Then came the steak, which was finally followed by the toasts’ plate. The cold water had arrived almost immediately.
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S: The servers and cooks are friendly and jovial. It is part of their shtick. The waitresses greet regulars, joke and sometimes horse around. Regulars chitchat with the cooks. After placing my order I wondered whether I could keep the menu to further peruse it. The waitress was quick to say no before bursting into laughter. Otherwise, the waitresses roam the small room with a jug of coffee providing refills.
The waitress conducted a boisterous quality check, wondered whether I am a first-timer and asked a couple of trivial questions too.
The older clientele get a kick out of the service – and likely identify with the atmosphere and furniture! Wimpy’s Diner is a chain. Do the other locations do as well as this one?