Elgin Street Diner — Restaurant in Ottawa

I am told that, I may be too detailed so sorry for the length. I went to Elgin Street Diner with my husband and daughter, and honestly, everyone was super content with their meals. The star for me was the burger — absolutely amazing. I ordered it with no onions, and it was still juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just right with a beautiful char that added a smoky flavor without overpowering the beef. The bun was soft but sturdy, toasted just enough to give a nice crunch, and the fresh toppings — crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and melty cheese — all came together perfectly. The house sauce gave it a subtle kick that really tied the whole thing together. It wasn’t just a burger; it was a full flavor experience.

Our waitress was a standout part of the visit. She was incredibly accommodating right from the start, making sure to ask about any allergies or preferences like mine for no onions, and double-checking with the kitchen. It felt so thoughtful and reassuring, especially with my daughter’s food preferences. She made pleasant small talk throughout the meal, which made the experience feel personal and welcoming without being intrusive. She was attentive without hovering — always there when we needed something but giving us space to enjoy our time.

Even my husband and daughter were happy with their meals, which is always a win in my book! The whole staff seemed efficient and genuinely friendly, making the atmosphere warm and relaxed. It felt like they cared about our experience, not just serving food but making sure we had a great time.

We definitely need to come back soon to try their breakfast — everything looked so good when other tables were served, and I’m already excited for another visit!

All in all, Elgin Street Diner was a wonderful spot for a family meal — great food, especially that incredible burger, and a staff who really know how to take care of...

I love diners, a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. This one may have ruined that, as nothing will ever be able to compare with how great it was.

The food was very tasty and the staff were friendly, but not that overly friendly that you can find at some diners. The ordering process was quick, they allowed us to customize a meal without trouble, and the food hit our table fast and hot.

The El Diablo was tasty and a bit warm with pickled jalapenos, but I would not call it hot. The meat was tasty, and fully cooked. The Classic Burger was tasty, and the Chicken Fingers were exactly what you would expect. We ordered side salads instead of fries, and they were good healthy sized salads, not those tiny bowls you often get.

Additionally we shared an order of their famous Poutine, with caramelized onion and bacon. It was huge. I regretted ordering the other food, because this portion was enough to feed a small family. The gravy was wonderful, the cheese completely melted, it was exactly what you want in a Poutine.

We also ordered shakes and found them to me served right in the metal cups, with another huge portion. The flavour options were unique, I have never had an espresso milkshake before, but completely recommend it.

If you found yourself in the area, go here, bit make sure you are hungry. I wanted to try the chocolate peanut butter pie, but was risking a Monty Python type...

What is up with the hype around this place? The food was really bad, and the service was equally bad (except the younger host at the front, he was a pretty nice guy).

While the milkshake was wonderful (only reason it wasn't 1 star across the board), every other dish such as their poutine (which they're supposedly known for? Really?), omelette, signature breakfast, etc. were all just so subpar that I was floored that this place is highly recommended. Were my expectations too high for a diner? The price wasn't even cheap, so the value for money is zero, if not negative.

The service? Wow. Our server...I couldn't really tell if he was being passive-aggressive because while his words were mostly polite, his actions were rude (such as suggesting it was our fault that he didn't get the drink order for a breakfast combo that comes with a drink), so it felt a bit weird. The worst was the unfriendly older man at the front near the cash register who can't be bothered to crack a smile to save someone's life. I get that it's not your job to be friendly, but you could at least try not to look like you were staring down the scum of the Earth or something?

This is probably the worst overrated establishment in all of Canada that I've personally been to. I highly doubt I will find another place as bad...