THE PEOPLE:
Sonja The Owner (albeit part owner,) is very nice and approachable. Also the co-owner of Peace Country Meats. Although the menu claims local supplies the term "local" doesn't necessarily mean organic or antibiotic-free.
Amber The Server was very nice and prompt with table-side service. I didn't quite trust her to give me a knowledgable item description or suggestion. I wouldn't be surprised if wait staff was simply hired and not educated regarding menu items. When I was hired as a waitress my training was at least two weeks, requiring to know every menu item, how it was prepared, knowing every ingredient in every item and guess what else? I tasted everything. My previous employer took hiring very seriously. Turnover was very low. The outcome? A well educated seller. I represented the food, the company, the entire place. I was part of the experience for the guest. Pretty important aspect.
Both ladies were dressed in business attire, definitely not what I expected for a laid-back diner place. I felt the staff was overdressed for the type of restaurant. 'Diner' does not denote dress pants. Diner means khakis. Denim. Sneakers. Maybe a little flannel if you're feeling adventerous. While they looked nice and put together, the clothing seemed out of place. I felt underdressed as the guest.
This restaurant is very clean. Bonus!
THE PLACE:
More seating, less walls than previous Fish Place. No drop-in TOGO but there is call ahead. No take out menu. "We're on Facebook." Ah, but people like to take something home with them. Maybe I'm not always connecting my hip to the internet. Paper isn't going out of style anytime soon. Create a take home menu.
Fresh potted flowers in window sills. Pictures of old style diners. Ambience is a combination of Garden and Diner. Slightly odd.
I can still see the kitchen. Cover it up. I don't want to see bucket of silverware or cups of children's crayons. Those sights are for the staff, not the guest. Unless the kitchen is part of the restaurant's "look" (i.e. open concept…which Diner on 93rd definitely is not…) make sure it's not seen. It is an eyesore.
Menu size: Perfect! Finally a place that GETS the concept "Less is More."
THE FOOD:
My favorite food things:
Bucket of fries is served in an actual bucket. Very nice touch. Cut from giant potatoes, a generous sized fry for the bite. Unless you scarf the fries down, the morsels on the bucket bottom will be slightly soggy.
Battered fish. Light. Excellent crisp. Flaky.
Homemade tartar sauce. Diced pickles. Light. Lemony. Herby. While my spouse consumes condiments for the sake of eating, I only enjoy them with something. I made an exception for the remainder of D93's tartar sauce. I finished it off and even dipped some fries in it. It was that good. I hate coleslaw. Hate! However, I enjoyed d93rds. Light. Not overbearing. Enjoyable. I'd order this again and again.
Chewy homemade burger bun. Distinct flavours throughout burger. Wholeness. A burger that you'd make yourself at home. Nothing frozen or preserved here. Absolutely worth a repeat experience.
**You won't get that "I'm eating a frozen slash premade meal sick feeling" at this joint. Portions are nice. Not giant, but not puny either. You'll feel like you're eating a restaurant meal and paying decent restaurant prices. I didn't feel ripped off.
Onion soup looked and tasted like there was a hint of BBQ sauce lingering. Not my favorite. Onion soup should be salty and onioney and cheesey and beefy. Not bbqey.
Southern Fried Chicken has a nice crisp, dipped in buttermillk before frying and the aftertaste is a slight hint of cayenne pepper. Nothing to make you sweat, just to cause you to remember the chicken. All dark meat.
Chicken Pot Pie was an interesting visual presentation. Rubbery chicken, yet an overall complimentary dish. Nothing special. House dressing is light, not burdened with oils and preservatives. Hints of lemon and freshness. Delicious.
OVERALL: Somewhere between B+ and A-
Would I recommend this place? Yup. Homemade is the main characteristic Diner has in its favor. Lose that and it's game over.
Would Diner on 93rd be the first in mind should I desire a night out? Not sure.
Diner on 93rd (near Blockbuster)
9508 93 Ave
Fort St. John
Hours: 11-8pm M-TH(possibly later in the summer)
11-9 F/S
250.785.7344
4 comments:
So were you only a waitress for two weeks, your review on ship to shore was way better and look where that got rick an ass who could could talk the talk but could'nt walk the walk. Like to know to who gave you your degree or whatever it is you claim to have, seems to me you're just another person for mystery shopper and poorly hired as can tell by your review
@ Anonymous:
To satisfy your rude curiosity, I was a waitress for three years, a manager for two years and was in the process of starting my proprietorship when I opted for a different path in life. My full-service restaurant prepared nearly everything from scratch, entrees were made to order and seats were packed for a few hours every night (we could easily accomodate 150+ guests.) No pre-frozen or refrigerated garbage or microwaves were in the building.
As a restaurant reviewer it's not my fault or problem if a business fails. I review local places simply out of culinary boredom. No one said I could do it or gave me a piece of paper inked with credentials.
By your ill-educated writing I can probably surmise you yourself are located somewhere within a restaurant review and didn't like what was said (offended much?) It's all about constructive criticism here. Take it and improve or continue to fail and be a part of the long line of failed FSJ restaurants.
FSJ FC
I found your review interesting and informative.
I do wonder what you have against seeing the kitchen? In old school diner's the kitchen was very visable and open, this way the guests could see what the cooks were doing at all times. it Also allows for a guests comments at the till to be heard by the cooks, which in my opinion can only help the restaurant rather than harm it.
I do agreen with the comment on the way the staff is dressed, it is a bit formal for the atmosphere but I also see where they are coming from as they want ot look professional rather than like some restaurants in town where the servers dress like they are going out clubbing after work.
I appreciate your reviews and will have to recommend your site to others.
I ate at Diner on 93rd the other night, and it was the worst food I have ever had at a restaurant.
I ordered a meal, which had a human hair deep-fried into the meat. It was absoluetly repolsive. I was told it was "just a feather" but I know what a feather looks like, and it doesn't look like that!
The waitress was ok, she wasn't the greatest. She could have picked her feet up instead of "scuffling" her way around. It was dead in there, which didn't surprise me.
The menu is very tiny & didn't have much to chose from. I wouldn't recommend the restaurant to anyone, nor will I be going back.
What a waste of a night & money on shitty food.
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