The Frying Pan Diner — Restaurant in Grey Highlands

This was my second time at this establishment. The first was for breakfast last month. My experience at that time was not good. I did ask at that time for scramble eggs and sausage and potatoes. I did not touch my eggs because like any other restaurant who provided breakfast in the area do not know how to do scramble eggs. The eggs was served like fried eggs. Plus there was a hair in my plate. I mentioned the eggs. For that experience on the Breakfast I will rare the place with 1/5. Yesterday, I was alone and decided to try theirs lunch or regular menu. Right away, I should had step out. First I was reading the menu and I ask for the soup. (Sorry we dont have it) the from the menu I ask for the French onion soup, (so sorry we don't have it) then from the menu I ask for the chowder, ( again, very sotry we font have it). Than I ask what else that you don't have? Everything is home made including your burger? She said yes. So I order with specific requests some wings first and clearly said I want them first. I order a burger and frite. I HAVE BEEN TOLD, that their burger are made in the house. My wings and burger and frite all arrived about 30 min later all at the same time. The wings were dry, no flavors and my burger bun was cold, dry just like it that bread have been frozen more then once and the burger is for sure just like a frozen burger. This was my second time trying to help a local business. My my experience bring me to say that I will not return. I might be very specific with my expectations in restaurant business but this is not really good. The quality of the food and the price is...

The menu is more reflective of a British pub than a diner. 3/4 of the menu is just battered, deep fried seafood. The fries were awful and soggy. Greek salad was mostly iceberg lettuce with a 3 black olives and the tiniest slivers of tomatoes but with an overpowering amount of feta and dressing. No cucumber or even onions. Pathetic for one of the only vegetables on the menu. My partner had the fisherman's platter. The scallops were cooked nicely but had too much batter. The fish was good. Shrimp was ok but again no need to be so thick with batter. Would have been much tastier and cut all the grease with a crunchy popcorn shrimp type of breading. Calamari was ok, not overly breaded at all but a bit overcooked. Not licenced and no ice for any drinks. Was given lukewarm, overpriced cans of pop. The decor is also a very odd mix with pictures of wine and grapes(yet no wine served there)Van Gogh and British themed photos. The walls are half painted a hideous glaring red. Really looks tacky. I added a star just for the knife work to make those itty bitty tomato slivers....

Being their first weekend open, it was quite busy which is a good sign. Quick service, food was fresh, hot and served after a short wait. Halibut, cod and haddock on the fish n' chips menu, I tried the halibut and it was fresh and tasty. Some menu items not yet available, looking forward to coming back to try the breakfast, looks good being served. Anticipate trying all the sandwiches and wraps when they're avaliable. Prices seem fair. Glad to have a fish fry place to visit without having to drive to the city. I hope they do well!

Edited to add:

Now that they have sandwiches, I got to try a BLT with home fries and the sandwich was great! Just enough bacon, cooked the way I like it. Still impressed by the fair prices, service again was great even though they were busy. My friend got the big breakfast and said they enjoyed it. Will be a regular treat when visitors...