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| - We've all been to old-"style" diners with fake finishes, gaudy paraphernalia-strewn restaurants that attempt to emote the days of the 1950s diner and sadly most to all fail to capture the essence. More than classic Coca-Cola glasses and a cheeseburger on the menu is required to fully capture the feel of the experience. Probably not having Bon Jovi blare through the restaurant would be a start. At least there's a few places in Toronto that are the real deal, and Mars Diner at Yonge & Eglinton is one of the better ones.
Mars was established in 1951, right at the beginning of the diner craze and the layout and feel has not changed. The look and feel is that of original fixtures, not of an archetype attempting to be recreated. There are booths that line the side of the restaurant opposite the counter were service is available from a stool as well. The menu is through-and-through diner, specializing in sandwiches, burgers, fries, and entrees that will be fried, greasy, and delicious.
As much as I love the items on the menu, the first thing I noticed was the pies in the front cooler. Honest to goodness pies. If not for a quick greasy breakfast, a fast lunch, or a retro-dinner, Mars is definitely one of the few places in the city where you can stop in the afternoon, get a cup of coffee and a slice of apple pie. Groovy, Daddy-o.
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