FAMOUS (AND UNIFORMED) FRIENDS OF BLOOR JANE

Over the years, Bloor Jane has seen quite a few famous people drop by and enjoy the fare. Some of them include, Frank Stronach, Mayor David Miller, Borje Salming, Greg and Jim from Blue Rodeo, Tie Domi, John Nunziata and Jeff Healy among others.



Police officers in uniform need not be reminded that the coffee at Bloor Jane is absolutely FREE to them. Just a way of saying thank you for protecting our fine city.

WHAT TO EXPECT INSIDE BLOOR JANE

The Bloor Jane diner isn't exactly the biggest place you will ever enter, but as many of our customers will attest, it is very intimate. There are about 35 seats waiting for friends like you. There are booths, regular tables and the ever popular 50s style counter which seats about 7-8. The kitchen is totally open so if you sit on the counter you can be a witness to all the action that surrounds the grill.

When it comes to the food we serve at Bloor Jane you can expect to feast on nothing but a rich, fresh and quickly prepared meal. The coffee is great and very popular...we have been serving the same coffee brand for nearly 30 years. Coffee refills are FREE with every meal.

The staff at Bloor Jane are fantastic, extremely experienced and professional, they are very friendly and they go a long way in making your Bloor Jane dining experience a treat.

The breakfast specials aren't listed in the Diner's menu but they are very prominently displayed in the front window and the back wall.



The walls are covered with all sorts of mementos and pictures of the Maple Leafs, hockey, Johnny and the Stanley Cup, personalities who have visited Bloor Jane, horses etc. Johnny even included a number of Maple Leaf logos on the main sign above the front entrance of the Diner...how he did it I don't know but it all goes back to promoting his lovable Maple Leafs.

As we have written previously, newspapers like the Sun are at the back of the Diner, near the dishwasher. If you want to go to the washroom, watch your head going down the stairs...the subway runs right under the Diner so ceiling space is a little limited.

We are very proud of our Diner and we welcome new and old friends alike.

There is nothing like the Diner Experience at Bloor Jane!!!

A CASH REGISTER DATING BACK TO THE 50S

One thing you will notice about Bloor Jane's cash register is that it is...well...it's really old. Johnny says it dates back to the 50s. It still works really well but the odd time Johnny acts as "Macgyver" and uses elastics to keep the register drawer working properly.

Oh by the way for newcomers, no bills given at the table....just pay at the cash!

JOHNNY AND HIS HORSES

Johnny, the owner of Bloor Jane, loves his horses. He makes it to Woodbine a few times a month and enjoys trying to figure out what his favourites will do. He has been a big fan of horseracing for a long time. I always thought, this guy needs an outlet....afterall he works 7 days a week 363 days out of the year (Bloor Jane closes Christmas and New Year's only and Johnny works ALL the other days). You can see some of his favourite horses in pictures on the Bloor Jane walls. You can usually have a great conversation with Johnny if you talk to him about the Leafs, soccer or horses.

NEWSPAPERS TUCKED IN THE BACK

The regulars at Bloor Jane know that we keep a handy number of newspapers, usually the Sun, at the back, right next to the kitchen. You kinda walk towards the back of the Diner, hang a right at the end of the counter and you will see the papers stacked for your use. Great food, great reading...what more could you ask for!

GREAT SPECIALS ON MEALS DURING THE WEEK

Being true to a Diner, Bloor Jane offers daily specials for a great price ($8.50-$11.00). The one meal you can find every weekday is the Corned Beef Special, which includes homemade soup or juice, Bloor Jane's famous corned beef sandwich on a fresh kaiser or rye, french fries, coleslaw, choice of drink (coffee, tea, milk or pop) and dessert (rice pudding - my favourite(!) pie, ice cream or jello). All this for $11.00 including taxes. True Diner Eating!!!

BLOOR WEST VILLAGE HISTORY

In the 1850's, the area now known as Bloor West Village was the property of Lieutenant Colonel William Smith Durie, the first commanding officer of the Queens Own Rifles. The street that ran through his estate is now known as Durie Street.

The present day neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909 when this district became part of the City of Toronto. Soon after amalgamation with Toronto, Bloor West's roads were paved and city services were made available.

Bloor West's first residents were immigrants of Eastern European background. These are the residents who helped found the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, the first of its kind in Canada. This shopping district has helped make Bloor West Village one of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods.

STANLEY CUP VISITS BLOOR JANE

It wasn't a Leaf win that brought the Stanley Cup to Bloor Jane last year but instead a friend of a friend of the Red Wings owner. Johnny had some great pictures taken of himself and the Cup. Now we can only hope that the Buds will come through sometime soon.

JOHNNY BREEDS ENTREPRENEUR IN FAMILY

Johnny's daughter Tina is following in her dad's entrepreneurial footsteps by owning and operating a bridal store in Oakville under the name Saratina Bridal Boutique. Business is good, prices are reasonable and most of all the service is fantastic.

If you are in the market for some bridal wear call Tina at (905)618-0238 or email at info@saratina.com

SOME ONLINE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT BLOOR JANE

Here are some customer reviews about Bloor Jane.

And here is one more from Kaori.

We are always keen to hear your stories about our Diner so keep them coming!

NOTHING LIKE A THICK, BLOOR JANE MILKSHAKE

One of the Bloor Jane specialties is our thick and tasty milkshakes. It's usually left up to Johnny to concoct the right mix of fresh ice cream, milk and syrup that go into our ever popular shakes. Not only do you get a tall glass full of your favourite flavour (chocolate, strawberry or vanilla) but you also get about an extra half glass of milkshake that's usually leftover in the milkshake container. Now that's a treat!!!

PORTUGAL ,WITH CRISTIANO RONALDO IN THE LEAD, ALL THE WAY

Johnny is going to kill me because his countrymen from Greece are in the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. Personally I would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo, who I think is the best player in world soccer, win it all with Portugal. He has all sorts of honours team and personal and a World Cup victory would assure him the label of best player of his generation. You can rest assured that the games will be on at Bloor Jane this summer, there will be all sorts of opinions offered and lots of friendly jabbing. Maybe we should have a pool. Any comments?

Thanks

Costas

BLOOR JANE IS SO BUSY, JOHNNY HAD TO GO TO THE FARM TEAM

It was so busy today at Bloor Jane, that my mom Toula (Johnny the owner's sister) and I had to pitch in with the busboy duties while we were at Bloor Jane having breakfast with my kids. It has been 30 years since I first started working at the Diner part time as a busboy and then waiter. Johnny is a great guy to learn from and he makes every day at Bloor Jane a treat. He is a true professional who really cares about his customers.

Johnny is nursing a sprained wrist and he is still working away making sure the Diner is working like a charm. He works 7 days a week to accomplish this. They sure don't make them like they used to.

As usual, the $7.00 breakfast is by far and away the most popular item ordered.