The Downtown Diner

I come to Fort Sask often for work and usually end up at the same bloody place — OJs. Until a colleague told me one day about Downtown Diner.
Well, the problem is, it’s SO good, and SO sinful, you kind of have to prep for it with a salad and fruit day. BUT, if you’re up for it, it’s incredible.
I’ve been here twice, and sadly, I’ve gotten the same thing twice. I’m lame. The first time the owner/​chef dude served me and he was so wonderful. I ordered the bacon in mac n cheese (GET THIS.)
The next time I came my mac n cheese was still a little cold in the centre, they were so kind about it. They immediately rectified the situation and while I waited they brought me yummy homemade potato chips and dip. The restaurant is super cool, it’s old school diner style with 1940’s/50’s music, red booths, and black and white checkered tile floor. They always have a special of the day that’s yummy and their menu even has a full turkey dinner. I BELIEVE You Gotta Eat Here! featured Downtown Diner AS THEY SHOULD. I’m stoked I found it. But not stoked because the mac n cheese is going to put me in an early grave. Oh jesus, I didn’t even describe it to you. The top is crusted with this panko-​y layer of crusty yum yum. The mac n cheese itself is bubbly bubbly hot with creamy 4 cheeses. Ouuey, gooey, delicious heaven. This diner is my favourite thing about work travel. Keep up the great work Downtown Diner!!!

First time at The Downtown Diner. Love the atmosphere and the costumer service is second to none. The food is fresh and homemade. You can taste the love that goes into the food. You have to try the milkshakes there to die for.

After being served my Monte Cristo sandwich, my server asked me how I liked it. I mentioned I thought that it was tasty. But that was before I encountered several giant dollops of mayonnaise on it, both on the top and the bottom of the sandwich.
I don’t like mayonnaise all that much. I’ve never had a Monte Cristo Sandwich with mayonnaise before (or at least not with mayonnaise that I’ve noticed. The Monte Cristo served at the Downtown Diner is actually sandwiched between puff pastry instead of bread. And not only was there mayonnaise on the sandwich, but it overpowered the sandwich.
The freshly cut roasted turkey actually tasted pretty good, and so did the ham. But the mayo, combined with the puff pastry was way too rich and heavy. And I like rich and heavy foods.
Also, the potatoes in my warm potato salad were a little undercooked for my tastes. And as you could have guessed, it was a mayonnaise-​based potato salad, rather than a vinegar-​based one.
Also, portion sizes are huge, and prices are high. If you are dining with a companion, one dish can be shared by two people with healthy appetites. Also, I don’t think there was a single vegetarian item on the menu.
Perhaps I just visted on an off day. I’ll return sometime and try a burger.

I know so so many people love this place, but I just cant give it a higher rating. This is my 2^nd visit, my first only being a visit long enough to see the place was packed, no one had food, everyone had menus and there was a long line up. We left and found an amazing little place close by.
Ok, so 2^nd visit, As a request from my daughter for her birthday, this was THE place she wanted to go, she heard they had amazing milkshakes.
We arrived early to ensure we could get seating this time, sadly one of our group was late (by a lot) and that lead to people being pissy with us being there for a while… Sorry folks, wasnt intentional.
So when we finally ordered we ordered a bunch of their burgers, what we got I hate to say was far from desirable. Our burgers came, between overcooked, burnt and greasy as heck, it left us wondering why do people say this is so good.
The milk shakes — Well, one rolo milkshake was SOOOOO strong /​sickly sweet that Im surprised one of our group did not go into a diabetic coma. Another had a strawberry shake, and sadly it didn’t have a single strawberry in it (good milkshakes arent make with syrup). And the last milkshake, well it was a bit of both. For me, I opted just for water, seems I may of chosen correctly.
The atmosphere was obviously designed to be reminiscent of the old school dinners, and that was ok, but I was left feeling it wasn’t a place I really want to go and have a nice dinner with friends (maybe that’s expecting to much for the concept?).
The last thing that I was left with was the price… For a «Diner» I would of expected pricing that would of left me feeling I had a full wallet instead of a full tummy… Sadly thats NOT the case. A group of 4, no alcohol, apts or dessert and it was over $ 80. Ive had other meals that the atmosphere, the food and the service were worth the $ 80 and I dont have issue, but not at all with the Downtown Diner.
Sorry, but NOT a loved spot for me.

Amazing but crowded because of the cramped space. I love the food though!

Came here while I was in town for a wedding. Hard to describe how good it was. Loved the turkey dinner. Great service. I will be back!

So, so good. Everything is homemade and fantastic. Had the downtown burger which was amazing and I never order burgers anywhere. Had it with the potato salad which was unique because it’s warm — with chunks of fried potatoes bacon and corn in it — but was stealing the hubby’s fries because their gravy is so yummy too! Will def be making this place a regular stop. Would like to try pretty much everything on the menu. Excited to take my burger loving son here!

We had supper here and it was everything that we had hoped for. The décor, service and food were all five star. We had watch the «You gotta eat here» episode that showcased it and just had to try it. We will be definitely be going back often.

I grew up in the era where it was still possible to pull up to the Drive In restaurant and have your server come out on roller skates to take your order. When your food came, it was on a tray that clipped to your window glass. The burgers were always a tasty treat and the root beer so frosty and delicious. Those were the days!
The Downtown Diner is not a Drive In, nor do the servers come to your table in roller skates… but it is the 50’s style décor, and the food will send you home with fond memories. There are no reservations here, and the Diner is very busy so be patient and be prepared for a little bit of a wait.
Keith is the mastermind behind the creative dishes that appear on the menu. He likes for everything to be made from scratch, and he is very particular about the quality of the food that gets to the customer.
The passion in the food and the «made from scratch» mantra sure show. The place was busy when we arrived and the only seats they had left were up at the bar. We got to get up close and personal with Keith and the kitchen, it is very fast paced and Keith is very focused. He makes sure every plate is right before it goes out.
After the rush was done, Keith came out to see how we were enjoying our food. He was met with smiles. We shared the deep fried pickled beets to start. I had the Shepherd’s Pie Burger and my husband had the Chicken Burger (the Buffalo version).
The deep fried pickled beets were a wonderful way to wake up the taste buds. It is a large portion which is perfect for sharing.
The Shepherd’s Pie Burger is served with the burger on the bottom and topped with a panko crusted mound of mashed potatoes. This is all covered with gravy, peas, carrots and corn. It is all topped off with hand made crispy onion straws. The burger was obviously hand made; very tender and juicy. The panko crusted mashed potatoes were amazing. Keith is able to get just the right blend of spices and flavors in both the burger and the potatoes. The gravy… Oh the gravy! Just perfect. He was fussing a bit because mine was the last plate out for the night that needed gravy and they were almost out. It was more than enough! I was only able to finish half of my burger and I gave it my best.
Hubby’s Chicken Burger was the same idea. Chicken breasts so tender and moist, absolutely delicious. His burger came with hand made potato chips. Again, a perfect blend of spices on the chips and they are cooked to light, crispy perfection. He needs to bag these and sell them on their own. I gushed about the chips so much that Keith was gracious enough to send me home with a batch all of my own.
Unfortunately we were so full that we didn’t have room for dessert. We watched some really great ice cream desserts being assembled and going out to customers. We may have to go back just for dessert some Saturday afternoon.

Fort Saskatchewan has improved a lot over the last few decades when it comes to food options and this restaurant is a huge part of this improvement. Not only does it have the classic diner feel and décor, but the milkshakes are amazingly good (and they’ll even split one into two glasses if you’re sharing it – normally you get the traditional milkshake glass plus the metal cup to refill your glass with after). And the food — I’ve never had anything quite like it! Not only do they make their sauces from scratch but it’s truly unique! My monte cristo was on a pastry, my fried chicken had maple cornflake coating, and my chips had an interesting secret dipping sauce.
Ample portions, great lighting, fun seating, and the atmosphere of a hole-​in-​the-​wall diner mixed with excellent food and beverage! I definitely recommend this place and hope to frequent it again in the future!

Pretty good restaurant. Looks like a 50’s style diner inside, which is pretty cool and very clean as well. Food is mostly comfort food but very good food indeed.

If a recent visit is anything by which to judge the place, then standards seem to be slipping at The Downtown Diner. Some staff members are friendly, but they seem to be completely overwhelmed when the place is busy. As well, the dessert that I sampled was a real disappointment. Don’t bother with the desserts there.

Best milkshake EVER. great homemade diner comfort food. Even ketchup is made in house!

Amazing service and the owners are warm and inviting… Great atmosphere. I have had their food a couple times now and it never fails to impress. The DBLT and hot potato salad are to die for. Highly recommend.

Surprised to have a dinner! Very delicious fried chicken and roasted beef, pineapple milkshake also very good, it’s environment feels warned very much.

This place needs to be featured on every diner, drive in and you gotta eat here show there is. Over-​the-​top looking food, friendly staff and an owner that seems to have everyone running on all cylinders. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in making every customer’s experience great.
I normally have a Club Sandwich when trying out new places since it’s hard to screw one up. It’s also hard to make them spectacular but The Downtown Diner has done it. And the fries with that Diner Sauce, wow!
My only regret is that I sat near the kitchen and had to watch everyone else’s orders go by, making me second guess my order about ten times. From the prime rib special to real ice cream milk shakes, everything I saw looked really good. However, I only live 3.5 hours away so I can probably get here once or twice a week!

I almost don’t want to tell everyone about this little gem and keep it all to myself. That said, I can’t be selfish and have to write about it. The first time we went was with Phil below and the place didn’t disappoint. We traveled back today for another go at the menu and this time I tackled the Downtowner Burger, one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long, long time. My son had the Breakfast Hash — amazing. My husband tried the roast beef meal, shaved roast beef with mashed potatoes and the most amazing garlic gravy.
All in all it’s the type of diner food that we have been waiting for in the Edmonton Area, bar none. The other diners in town, while good, are NOT as good as this.
It’s worth the drive for amazing food!

This place is pretty darn impressive. Its a small, family owned and operated diner that is pumping out some seriously yummy comfort food.
If you close your eyes and picture the quintessential diner, this is it — red vinyl booths, counter stools, black and white checkered floor, and some seriously yummy comfort food. Did I already say that? I just wanted to make sure you are picking up what I’m putting down.
You know what I’m not putting down? The fried chicken at Downtown Diner as soon as I dig into it! It is perfectly crunchy and moist with a hint of honey to give you just a taste of sweetness. We have tried a pretty large portion of the menu and I can say that it was all delicious — you cannot go wrong with the monte cristo or the burger, and make sure you get a side of the warm potato salad, because it is an easily overlooked standout.
My only complaint is that the service can be a bit slow, but everyone is really friendly and attentive while you wait for your food. Its the price you pay when everything is made fresh to order. Oh, and the drive to Fort Saskatchewan is a long one, depending on where you are in Edmonton so, coupled with the possible wait at the diner, maybe plan to make a day out of it.

You know when you go to the U.S. and find all these cool, retro diners that make things the right way? Great homemade food at a reasonable price? You know, the kind of place we just don’t seem to have any of here at home?
Wait a minute… we DO have one of those great places here! It’s The Downtown Diner!
We’ve been twice now, and all the food we’ve had has been very good. The burger was really good, and big enough to satisfy any hunger. The fried chicken, coated with corn flakes and honey, was beautifully moist, with the perfect touch of sweetness from the honey. Probably the best fried chicken I’ve had in the Edmonton area.
We also had the Monte Cristo, the ribs, and the turkey dinner– all very good as well. What I really like about The Downtown Diner, is that a lot of dishes have just a slight twist to them that makes them not only interesting, but gives them an extra level of delicious that makes a big difference.
If you’re a fan of well done comfort food and family run diners, do yourself a favour and head out to Fort Saskatchewan and check out The Downtown Diner.

We were in Fort Saskatchewan tonight and a friend told us about a new place that had just opened, The Downtown Diner. I’m not typically a diner fan, but dang, I’m a fan of THIS diner! Everything was great from the atmosphere, to the food, to the service.
Atmosphere: perfectly dinerish (if that’s a word). It’s super cute, clean, and looks exactly how you’d imagine a diner to look. Music was 50’s. Perfect. I’ll add some photos.
Food: SO GOOD. We had:
Monte Cristo with fries: this was the best monte cristo I have ever had. They bake it in puff pastry. It was croissant-​like, but more substantial than a croissant. The turkey and ham inside were top quality. No cheap cold cuts. They freshly roast their own turkey. Fries were excellent as well. They were delicious fresh cut potatoes, and get this, they make their own ketchup in-​house, and it’s really good. I mean come on, who makes their own ketchup? It really shows how much the owners of this restaurant care.
Fried Chicken: Wow. Some kind of cornflake and honey crispy fried chicken. Crunchy and tasty with just a hint of sweetness. Perfectly cooked, moist and delicious chicken. Served with some tasty potatoes, green beans, and cauliflower. Now, they don’t just heat up some frozen veggies. They’re using fresh vegetables and actually put some effort into the preparation and seasoning of them. A very well put together dish.
Ol’ Time Turkey: It’s seriously thanksgiving or Easter dinner, served all year long, and it’s as good as your mom makes it. Perfect moist and juicy turkey, very nice gravy, cranberry sauce, and TRUFFLED stuffing. Yeah, they use truffles in the stuffing, and it’s bonkers good. This dish is only $ 13. I think if you went there every day to eat this you’d eventually bankrupt the business. I don’t know how they can put together a dish this good for that price.
Mac and Cheese: best I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Saucy and cheesy with a tasty crispy panko crust on top. Really well done.
Strawberry Milkshake: delicious. It was exactly how a milkshake should be. It’s about the most perfect setting for sharing a single milkshake with three straws as I could imagine.
Service: Friendly and fast, but not too invasive. What more could you ask for?
This is amazing, home cooked, professionally cooked, food. For cheaper than what you’d pay at Boston Pizza. I assume they’ll have to raise their prices in the near future because it has to be hard to make a living serving food of this quality at those prices. Comparing this place to Route 99 diner in Edmonton, it’s night and day. It’s like the Route 99 has teenagers being paid minimum wage cooking frozen food, and The Downtown Diner has professional chefs.
We don’t get to Fort Saskatchewan very often, but I think we’ll start making trips out just to go eat here.