The food is 4 stars but the owner is one of the rudest people I’ve met in a while. I made a comment about feeding some of my homeless friends I’ve made as a bus driver for the county and his response was “they are not welcome here, I’ll ask them to leave” he said he was “making a joke” but it was obvious he meant every word. If you want to support a businessman with zero compassion for those less fortunate than him. Go ahead. I for one will never give him another red cent of my hard earned money. Jesus said “Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them."
Rod K
The proprietor, Earl wants to be seen as a grumpy old man with short answers to only two questions, but don't let him fool ya. He's been here for many years along with his trusty cook and they serve up delicious food and lots of it. Most of his customers are local regulars that happily put up with his verbal antics for the great meals. If you want a dining experience to remember, hunt for little mom n' pop restaurants with personality. There are far too few of these jewels left in the US except in small towns. Try this, you'll like it :)
MaryEllen Sichtermann
I felt like I was eating breakfast with my uncle...simply put Earl tells you like it is...no sugar coating but usually a chuckle afterwards! Food was great, and the place is clean ( I'm sure that's all Paul's doing...) Have been there half a dozen times...always the same...keep up the great job fellows!!
Bob Decker
It was our first time there, no signs aboutseating or ordering, the owner saw us enter and never said anything until we sat down, he was very rude and sarcastic.
Stan P Boby
Dr OYAKHIRE is real I was suffering from HERPES Simplex Virus, i was totally depressed due to my predicament , until i meet Dr.OYAKHIRE the great Traditional healer who cured me. you can also contact him now on whats app +2347084100646 via email:[email protected] for more information. The medicine has NO SIDE EFFECT, there's no special diet when taking the medicine. He also has cure for SHINGLES ECZEMA, URETHRA, WART, HIV AIDS ALS, HEPATITIS B, CANCER, HERPES, DIABETES ULCER , fibroid, Asthma ,HIV and lots more..oyakhire.
Michelle Brennecke
We stopped in for breakfast and coffee this morning. It was so much fun! The “grumpy old man” was charming and wonderful! It’s a small place with maybe a dozen tables. Everyone was friendly and chatty. The “grumpy old man” is sarcastic and fun! I can see how some may get their panties in a twist if they don’t appreciate his humour. The hours may be inconsistent and they may or may not have the kind of toast you would like. Many “regulars” were coming in for breakfast. We enjoyed it tremendously! Don’t expect anything fancy because it certainly isn’t. The food was very good and if we could stay in town longer, we would become regulars ourselves! When we left Earl (Grumpy old man) said “you probably won’t come back, huh?” We will definitely come back!! ?
Debbie Burke
We had breakfast at the Diner for the first time this morning! We enjoyed the food and the wonderful people there. Looking forward to going again soon!☺️☺️
Mark Nichols
Downtown diner is the definition of family dining and good ol homemade polk county food.
Alexandra Restrepo
I’ve tried to eat here 3 different times. The first time they were not open when the hours on the door said they should be. The second time I learned that breakfast ended at 10am. The miserable old man said, “Well you should wake up a little earlier then.” I turned around and walked away. The THIRD time I tried having breakfast there was on a Saturday. The hours of operation on the door say they close at 11am… ON A SATURDAY! Luckily I called around 9:50am to see if they would definitely be open. The old man said they CLOSED AT 10:15am! I rush over there to see if I can finally get some service there and the old man turns me away because I had a cup of hot coffee in my hand from the market happening in downtown. The old man, who seems miserable to be working there, was INCREDIBLY rude to me. I told him I would take my business elsewhere. I honestly have no idea how they stay open if they are frequently turning away customers and making it impossible to eat there with their unpredictable hours of operation. They close at 10:15am on a SATURDAY! How do they make any money?! This place obviously caters to the old retired folk. They don’t care for young, new customers. This business is doomed.
Sean Dawkins
Great experience. Funny owner and experienced cook. Good food. Great atmosphere.
As a truck driver traveling the US and Canada doing Entertainment shows, I eat at many different places. I have to say the Downtown Diner here is at the top of my list now. Had the 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy with 2 eggs and order of home fries and everything was excellent. Service was great the guy who I think is the owner was a hoot. Just have to know how to take him I'm guessing. This was my first time and if I'm ever back here in Lakeland doing a show at the RP Center I'll definitely be back.
Amanda Wright
Food was great. Love the location. Owner was hilarious. Will definitely be back
Andrew Pokrivnak
Excellent lunch menu on the specials board. Great food, service and atmosphere.
John S
Visited at noon on a Thursday. Only 2 other customers. One of the owners said Monday - Wednesday are much busier. Bacon Cheeseburger with fries and iced tea. $10.45. Food was hot and fresh. Im going back for breakfast!
The food is 4 stars but the owner is one of the rudest people I’ve met in a while. I made a comment about feeding some of my homeless friends I’ve made as a bus driver for the county and his response was “they are not welcome here, I’ll ask them to leave” he said he was “making a joke” but it was obvious he meant every word. If you want to support a businessman with zero compassion for those less fortunate than him. Go ahead. I for one will never give him another red cent of my hard earned money. Jesus said “Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them."
The proprietor, Earl wants to be seen as a grumpy old man with short answers to only two questions, but don't let him fool ya. He's been here for many years along with his trusty cook and they serve up delicious food and lots of it. Most of his customers are local regulars that happily put up with his verbal antics for the great meals. If you want a dining experience to remember, hunt for little mom n' pop restaurants with personality. There are far too few of these jewels left in the US except in small towns. Try this, you'll like it :)
I felt like I was eating breakfast with my uncle...simply put Earl tells you like it is...no sugar coating but usually a chuckle afterwards! Food was great, and the place is clean ( I'm sure that's all Paul's doing...) Have been there half a dozen times...always the same...keep up the great job fellows!!
It was our first time there, no signs aboutseating or ordering, the owner saw us enter and never said anything until we sat down, he was very rude and sarcastic.
Dr OYAKHIRE is real I was suffering from HERPES Simplex Virus, i was totally depressed due to my predicament , until i meet Dr.OYAKHIRE the great Traditional healer who cured me. you can also contact him now on whats app +2347084100646 via email:[email protected] for more information. The medicine has NO SIDE EFFECT, there's no special diet when taking the medicine. He also has cure for SHINGLES ECZEMA, URETHRA, WART, HIV AIDS ALS, HEPATITIS B, CANCER, HERPES, DIABETES ULCER , fibroid, Asthma ,HIV and lots more..oyakhire.
We stopped in for breakfast and coffee this morning. It was so much fun! The “grumpy old man” was charming and wonderful! It’s a small place with maybe a dozen tables. Everyone was friendly and chatty. The “grumpy old man” is sarcastic and fun! I can see how some may get their panties in a twist if they don’t appreciate his humour. The hours may be inconsistent and they may or may not have the kind of toast you would like. Many “regulars” were coming in for breakfast. We enjoyed it tremendously! Don’t expect anything fancy because it certainly isn’t. The food was very good and if we could stay in town longer, we would become regulars ourselves! When we left Earl (Grumpy old man) said “you probably won’t come back, huh?” We will definitely come back!! ?
We had breakfast at the Diner for the first time this morning! We enjoyed the food and the wonderful people there. Looking forward to going again soon!☺️☺️
Downtown diner is the definition of family dining and good ol homemade polk county food.
I’ve tried to eat here 3 different times. The first time they were not open when the hours on the door said they should be. The second time I learned that breakfast ended at 10am. The miserable old man said, “Well you should wake up a little earlier then.” I turned around and walked away. The THIRD time I tried having breakfast there was on a Saturday. The hours of operation on the door say they close at 11am… ON A SATURDAY! Luckily I called around 9:50am to see if they would definitely be open. The old man said they CLOSED AT 10:15am! I rush over there to see if I can finally get some service there and the old man turns me away because I had a cup of hot coffee in my hand from the market happening in downtown. The old man, who seems miserable to be working there, was INCREDIBLY rude to me. I told him I would take my business elsewhere. I honestly have no idea how they stay open if they are frequently turning away customers and making it impossible to eat there with their unpredictable hours of operation. They close at 10:15am on a SATURDAY! How do they make any money?! This place obviously caters to the old retired folk. They don’t care for young, new customers. This business is doomed.
Great experience. Funny owner and experienced cook. Good food. Great atmosphere.
Restaurantji Recommends
As a truck driver traveling the US and Canada doing Entertainment shows, I eat at many different places. I have to say the Downtown Diner here is at the top of my list now. Had the 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy with 2 eggs and order of home fries and everything was excellent. Service was great the guy who I think is the owner was a hoot. Just have to know how to take him I'm guessing. This was my first time and if I'm ever back here in Lakeland doing a show at the RP Center I'll definitely be back.
Food was great. Love the location. Owner was hilarious. Will definitely be back
Excellent lunch menu on the specials board. Great food, service and atmosphere.
Visited at noon on a Thursday. Only 2 other customers. One of the owners said Monday - Wednesday are much busier. Bacon Cheeseburger with fries and iced tea. $10.45. Food was hot and fresh. Im going back for breakfast!
Good food interesting employees/owner