Restaurant review: John Gilchrist tries the new Red's Diner

Red's Diner on Fourth Street S.W. has long been a favourite spot for the weekend breakfast crowd, with lineups often spilling out on to the street.

Now, the owners have expanded to a second location in Ramsay — and that's where John Gilchrist went for this week's Calgary Eyeopener restaurant review.

To hear the full column, click on the audio player below.

The new Red's Diner is located at 1101 Eighth Street S.E., in the building which used to house George's Pizza. The owners have completely renovated and rebuilt the space.

"It's a very clean-lined brick building with a high ceiling, and a patio on Eighth Street," explains Gilchrist. "They did a lot of community consultation — they wanted something that would fit in well with the neighbourhood, and I think they've managed to do that."

Red's Diner isn't just a breakfast spot — while they open at 7 a.m. each day with a breakfast menu, they also serve a dinner menu as well. The breakfast menu contains favourites such as eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, omelettes, tofu scrambles, oatmeal, and a red quinoa with almonds and pumpkin seeds.

And when it comes to breakfast at Red's, Gilchrist is a fan.

"This really is Red's strength — breakfast. They can wheel out a big plate of pancakes and hash browns, bacon and sausage, and eggs and toast, quick and hot."

However, Gilchrist was less fond of the dinner menu at Red's Diner.

"We dropped in for dinner last week, and I had a chicken club sandwich," said Gilchrist. "It was fine. Not exceptional, all the basics were there, but nothing gave it that little extra. It was just kind of middle of the road."

And as Gilchrist puts it, Red's caprese salad was "weak."

"It comes as a big plate of lettuce — which is questionable in a caprese, which doesn't typically have lettuce at all. The tomatoes — and it's supposed to be tomatoes, cheese, basil — they were pushed off to the side, almost as a garnish. And the tomatoes were hard and unripe."

"If the tomatoes aren't working — don't put the caprese on the (menu)."

While the salad may have been less than stellar, Gilchrist says he has nothing but praise for the service at Red's Diner.

"Their service has been exceptional — it's quick, it's friendly, it's that diner, sort of warm and welcoming style."

In the end, Gilchrist offers two different reviews for the two different menus.

"I think it's better for breakfast than it is for the later dishes, so I'm going to give it an 8.5 for the breakfast, but only a six for the dinner."Red's Diner, 1101 8th Street S.E., 587-353-1188