Donna's Eatery — Restaurant in Northwest Industrial

A delightful surprise in a really odd location. Donna's is one of those places that you want to try everything on the menu. All day breakfasts, burgers, fries, sandwiches, pizza, daily soup. We walked in mid-afternoon on a Saturday and the dining area was at least half full. This says loads about the food, since they're located on the outskirts of an industrial area, which is itself on the outskirts of the city.

It's a diner-type atmosphere, mixed with self-service. The menu is front and centre, up on the wall over the kitchen, and there was only one waitress/hostess. This is fine because you order at the counter and she brings you your food when it's ready. Looking around at what folks' food looked like, we saw the portions were, well, huge.

After a few minutes deliberation, we opted for sandwiches with soup. Hubby had a clubhouse with mushroom soup, and I went for a reuben with beef barley. Our food arrived maybe five minutes later. The sandwiches were massive. I was eager to see how hubby was going to eat his. I started with my soup.

It was clearly made by magical beings who somehow got my mother's recipe. I couldn't eat it fast enough, or slow enough. Hubby's mushroom soup was equally heavenly. The reuben had the perfect ratio of meat-saurkraut-dijon on lovely marble rye. I expect I didn't look at all ladylike eating it but I didn't care. That said, I could only finish half. Hubby couldn't manage his entire clubhouse either, but happily there were recycle-ready clamshells to pack up the rest.

So, prices. At first glance, prices are slightly above the median if you are just looking at the menu to judge. Sides are separate from the burgers and sandwiches, so it came in just under $25 for each of us, with beverage. However - the food is fantastic. Really. I have paid more for smaller portions of just 'meh' food in a less comfortable atmosphere.

If only we lived on Donna's side...

We last ordered two baked spaghetti's in late Aug, 2024 and we had no complaints. On Nov 19/24 we decided to buy the same order for $33.60.

The orders were plentiful with lots of cheese, however, there was next to nothing for any sauce which would have been nice to dip the garlic toast in. If anything, the food was dry with little flavor. Being a cook myself, I decided to add some spaghetti cause and garlic for flavor.

We arrived that evening around 7:00 pm and apparently they were just closing. The female at the counter said she would check with the cook who gave the green light for our order. She explained when it's quiet they sometimes close early.

The owner should know that when you're a popular restaurant and you choose to close your doors at random, (when you have hours posted) it's a real inconvenience to your customers and you may risk losing a few if you continue those bad habits.

We were grateful for being served after the drive there, however, when I called them after we got home and mentioned there was barely any sauce, the lady just apologized and that was it. I almost forgot, when she answered the phone she immeidately said they were closed.

I wasn't expecting a free meal because we ate both orders, (after I doctored them up) but a discount on our next order would have been appreciated.

So having said that, will we return? We'll think on it.

I suggest to the owner to talk with the cook. I think he was in too much of a hurry to go home because they were closing early.

No customer should have to add to their food to make it edible, especially after paying $33.60.

I hate leaving negative reviews, but I couldn't let this one slide. My wife and I worked hard all day and if I would have known this, I would have cooked...

My wife and I decided that we would finally try Donna's Eatery on Saturday. Before heading over I called the restaurant and asked if they had any gluten free options as my wife is a celiac. Marty offered me quite a few suggestions and said we would be right over. Upon walking in the door, a lovely young girl by the name of Ryan seated us at our table and explained to us in pretty great detail how you order your food and even offered some personal favorites as we had never been there before. We reviewed the menu and then Marty came over and helped us with out choices. We decided on an Egg Salad Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread and Marty suggested that I order a Pizza Loaf and also chose one of their soups of the day, Beef Barley. After a short wait, our drinks arrived and my bowl of soup which was delicious I might add. Marty brought over our sandwiches and we were both speechless at how amazing they looked. We proceeded to eat our sandwiches and they were as good as they looked and all I had the energy to say was "Wow!". Marty came over one more time to let us know we could have desert but sadly he had no gluten free desert options at this time. It's ok we were both pretty full anyway and I even have half of my sandwich in the fridge for lunch today!

Thank you to Marty, and Ryan, and the rest of the staff that we didn't fully meet for the friendly customer service and great homestyle food. We both went home fully satisfied that we tried your restaurant today and look forward to our next visit!!

Have a nice...