Quaint little place. Small menu with reasonable prices. I REALLY like this diner. It is as unpretentious as you can get and they make their French toast from scratch. That's right, you read that properly. They make every order of French toast from scratch and to order. It is not taken out of the freezer like so many other places. Coupled with the fact that it actually tastes good, I have found my new favorite breakfast place. They don't do poached eggs, but the fried eggs are not greasy and always cooked properly -- so I can let this slide. Items that we have ordered here:
French Toast
Eggs, over easy
Bacon
Sausage
Ham
Pancakes
Steak and Cheese sandwich
Homefries
Hot Sausage patty
There are only two things that really haven't been that great here (in my opinion): the hot sausage patty and the steak and cheese sandwich. I am not a fan of fennel, which is why I don't care for the sausage patty. As for the steak and cheese, I can get a better tasting one at other Pittsburgh locales; doesn't taste bad, though.
Do not expect to go in on a weekend and have a long conversation with the people working behind the counter; they are slammed and it shows in their no-nonsense attitude toward everyone. They are congenial but always straight to the point. Not once did I see this mother-daughter duo stop to rest. They were cooking machines.
This is one of the big draws for me. Watching these two ladies work seamlessly as they create a little dish of deliciousness for everyone. From making the French toast, to the fresh home fries, to the freshly baked and carved ham that they use. You can see that love that goes into what they cook.
The only downside is the parking situation. It is the standard Carson Street quandry: finding that coveted parking space on the main drag or on one of the side streets. It is well worth it, especially if you like French toast. I will be returning and returning and returning....