Metro Diner

My wife and I had been to another Metro Diner in Florida. It was new, so when we saw this Diner, we wondered if Google Maps led us astray. NOT SO!! This is the ORIGINAL Metro Diner. What a treat!! The freshly prepared food was served HOT, was fast in coming out, the entire staff seemed to work together in one unit, and the vibe in the Diner was nothing but positive. The two meals shown in the photos were less than $13 each, and neither of us was able to finish what was brought to us. This was such an enjoyable breakfast/lunch that we will be including it on our “don’t miss” restaurants in Florida. (Amy is an excellent server!). See y’all in November!

The chicken and waffles are sooooo good. Coming from Oregon this southern comfort food just hit the spot! The Bissell breakfast was also yummy!

We stopped in for breakfast after it was recommended we go there. We are very glad we did. It was awesome. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly! Our server, Ebony, was extremely attentive and very friendly. It was extremely busy due to it being signing day for the high school and she handled all her tables with the utmost care! Congratulations to all the players!! Highly recommend!

My server was amazing. She gave great recommendations. The food was delicious. Had no idea this was The Original Metro Diner. Thank You Bridgette 😊

In town with pro pool event. Thanks Jacksonville!! What a great city!! Now Metro: -Quick service. -Outstanding food. -Was splitting with wife and got separate plates without asking. (THANKS TO OUR SERVER CHAMIL!!) -Used incredibly good coupon they have for first timers but would pay full price again in a heartbeat. Thanks to your whole team for a great experience!

Love this location. It actually has a diner vibe to it. It is ran like a fine oiled machine. We sat at the bar and got to experience the orders coming in and being made…very impressed. The food was great. Nina, our server was spot on with the service she provided even with being extremely busy with other customers.

Another great breakfast at Metro Diner. Thank you Chamil for a great meal! You can’t go wrong with their pancakes, especially when you add blueberries or chocolate chips. Make sure to meet Kim too. Everyone gets treated like a regular here. You won’t be disappointed.

This place was awesome. We found it on diners drive in dives, as we were driving through. It is a little off the path about 10 minutes but it is worth it.

Metro is a cozy spot in San Marco. The hubs got the Fried Chicken Benedict. Chicken is spot on being crunchy, juicy, flavorful. Hollandaise made in house and delicious too. Bacon is thick and crunchy. Hash-browns made with onions and cheese or any way you like it. I had the chicken salad. The chicken tenders are cut up and love how they mix it with the salad. Dressings are good too. Everyone is always busy taking care of customers. Thank you Hannah, Rocky, and Trevor for the great experiences and who work so hard all the time. There are more people, I'm sorry, but can't remember their names.

Description This is a breakfast spot in Jacksonville that had good reviews and since we're not from here we were like let's give it a try. It's a small diner nothing compared to the big chains like dennys or ihop which are larger in size but the place is definitely worth a try in my opinion. What I ordered Chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, tea, waffles, eggs Benedict with fried chicken and hash browns, huevos rancheros, and waffles. Everything was delicious. Everyone was very satisfied with the ordered items. The shocker was the chick and waffles. It's not like the chicken I'm used to seeing there was actual chicken wings and chicken breast which was breaded and fried and delicious. Value Everything was a decent price it wasn't pricey and the food was filling enough. One plate per person had everyone full for a while. Ambiance/Crowd It is kid friendly, there were people of all ages here and it was a casual style such as jeans and leggings. Service The service was really good no complaints about this the waitress was super kind and helpful in explaining things on the menu and knowing what the pictures items on the menu are. Parking There is a small parking area right in front of the restaurant that was full when we got there but there's a sign that says more parking available at the church but we parallel parked and walked. All the parking seems to be free. 4 year olds thought corner He gave a thumbs up to the waffles which he drenched in syrup and even liked the chicken from the chicken and waffles that were ordered.

I came in this past holiday weekend with my wife, daughter, and in-laws. It was fairly busy but we were seated quickly. A little later on I did see folks showing up and having to wait. My wife went back the following day and said it wasn't as busy, so it can be hit or miss how busy it gets. The parking lot is almost non-existent. Maybe 8 cars fit next to the diner, but there is ample street parking, so don't let that deter you. Service was almost perfect. Our server was friendly, quick, and only forgot one thing during our visit. I had the steal and hash brown bowl. It was solid, albeit I do wish they had different sauces to choose from besides hollandaise. I also tasted the pancakes, biscuit, and some scrambled eggs. Everything was pretty good with solid portions for the size. I was expecting the atmosphere to be a bit bougie due to the location but it seems a lot of regular folks stop in. I would come back here again and try some other items.

I got the croissant French toast and a side of cheesy grits. The French toast was sooooo good and you were able to get 2 or 4 slices. I also love their avocado toast.

Rated it before many years ago, (right after Diners. Drive ins & etc on National TV) ; yes food is still great as well as service, price, Also knowing this Metro Diner was the first one (Hendricks near San Marco) needs a complete rehab inside.; I mean everything including tables, chairs, floors, etc. They cannot change parking challenges; and I can live with that knowing there food etc. is superb, & will still go there due to that and convince where I live, Your Mandarin location in comparison is much better in that way, but too far for me to go round trip for breakfast. I have been selling restaurants, diners in NY & Florida as a commercial RE broker for 54 years, and because I like this place so much I just wish it was up to date in every way financially possible.

Food is always great and service is incredibly fast for how busy this place always is. Paige was our server today. She was very sweet and attentive. I have yet to have a bad experience here. Our go to spot !!

This places truly lives up to the hype. We went one morning for breakfast and sat outside under the comfortable awning. Our server was very friendly and our food was fantastic. I had the avocado toast and my wife had the cinnamon roll pancakes. All of it was so good. Highly recommend! ‍

When craving comfort food for lunch we usually head to this location of Metro Diner. To me it's one of the best locations in town as far as service, food quality, and speed. Be warned that parking is street parking, so be prepared to park a little ways and walk. Some of my favorites I've had at this location include the meatloaf, country fried steak, and breakfast platter. They also have really good soup which can warm the soul in the harsh winters we experience in Jacksonville.

Always the best breakfast in San Marco. Service is always fast and friendly. The place really feels like you are at your mom's kitchen table. The food, what can I say? Whatever you order you will be pleased.

We have eaten at a few of the locations, first time at this one after an appointment with my daughter. We came closer to 12:30, and after circling once, even able to find a spot in the lot (super small, so be prepared to park on the street). Smaller inside, didn't notice the back section (also small) until we were using the restroom before leaving. We were able to grab a two person booth and were greeted immediately. Open cooking, and they were hard at it. Service: Great- drinks full, knowledgeable, managing many tables, didn't miss a beat. She was a 5 (I forgot her name- dark blonde hair, petite). Food: I don't think all the morning options were available, but still a good selection with a lunch menu and breakfast in the back side. Good- basic breakfasts food, but it was served quickly and did the job. I had the Bacon avocado scramble bowl (sub over easy eggs). My only mistake was that I forgot to say no hollandaise sauce. It was okay, but def would have enjoyed with this removed or in the side. Avocado was fresh. Also tried the sausage- super flavorful. Half came home. Daughter had the eggs and short stack meal, with hash browns and grits (instead of toast) and sausage links. For $1 more she added cheese for an omelette. Super good, half came home. Simple drinks: Shirley temple for her, a couple cups of coffee and one to go for me. Definitely recommend for traditional breakfast items.

I have heard about this place from my cousin and sister. The food was worth every penny and the service was great. The atmosphere was good it made me feel like a mom and pop place every one was friendly . We were seated immediately. Our food came out in a timely manner because we knew what we wanted when we got there. I will say that happened because we were able to see the menu before we got there and looked at the reviews too. It was enough for us to take home and eat later. I would definitely tell people while visiting in Jacksonville, Florida go there but watch the time because it does close about 2or 3:00 pm .

yall call this poutine? come on now. Do better. Ive been many times have always loved it haven't been in a while decided to order to go. very disappointed. smh.

This is the original location for the Metro Diner and they are in many locations as of 2023. My dining companion's favorite meal bar none is the 1/4 chicken and waffles with strawberry butter. The meal is also served with a combination of maple syrup and hot sauce. The chicken is generously sized and could probably serve two people. My dining companion finishes every last piece. On this visit, I ordered an omlette with hash browns and a biscuit. The hash browns are wonderful. They have a great taste as does the warm biscuit and omlette. It's a filling meal. Service is always on point at this location and they're almost always on a wait on most weekend days. If you don't mind, you can always find a seat at the counter and avoid a wait for a table. This is a great location with good hearty food and we will surely return!

This is our go to close by breakfast and lunch place even though they have removed the Yo Hala - a stuffed French toast with a hot fruit compote - a dish that brought them to prominence on Guy Fieri's DD&D show. ( Note to management: what possessed you to do this?) The menu shrank during Covid times but it is always is possible to customize your order. If they have mushrooms and Swiss cheese then they can make a Swiss Mushroom Burger even if it is not on the menu. Omelets too. Today's visit was noteworthy we had as our server, Mary - a Metro Diner star. Her energy and attentiveness was off the charts. She could tell a Dr Pepper from a Coke when she brought the drinks - no mean feat. She really reminded us of the old days at Metro when the host came by to check in with you and the servers were on the top of their game. Clone Mary. She is great. Noticed I was wearing my Metro shirt which gives you a 10% discount on the bill. Usually I have to point it out. When we asked if the Yo Hala was ever back in rotation, she suggested signing up for Metro's email so we could be notified when it made an appearance. (Note to management: Trying having it as a special on a set day). Yes we love the Yo Hala. Mary is a terrific ambassador for Metro! A really good experience! P.S. Can you post Mary's schedule?

Metro Diner never ceases to deliver. This brunch was no different. My son and I decided to stop by after baseball practice because he was craving the chicken and waffles. I was a bit reluctant because metro diner on a Saturday morning? At the OG location? I just knew there would be no parking and a 30 min wait at best. We literally lucked up and got a park in the parking lot, and walked in and got seated right away. This place is old fashioned but gives a charming ambiance of a legit breakfast spot from back in the day. Where everyone from the town comes in and eats breakfast then go about their day. The staff are nice, and personable and are very efficient in what they do. I ordered the 3 egg breakfast, with hash browns(add peppers and onions), bacon, toast and a side of cheese grits. And my son, of course ordered the chicken and waffles. Believe it or not, we MAY have waited 10 mins before we were chowing down on some great , flavorful food. Not only because I live not too far away, but because metro is amazing...I will always visit this place. There's no better way to compliment your Saturday morning.

Metro is mostly good if you eat in the restaurant but if you order delivery it's awful. There is something always left out of the order or food is not fresh. Their business model desperately needs provement. Even if the one eats at the restaurant there can be issues but are easily taken care of thru your waitress. I cant always eat in person because of transportation issues . Please improve your service because it needs improvement for sure. I only eat at the Roosevelt Metro.

Quaint little breakfast place! I had the Western omelette & cheesy hash browns. Hash browns were super crispy & delicious. The homemade biscuit was so so good! Wait staff were attentive & nice.

Party of six + baby and service, food, and experience wonderful on Sunday morning. You'd expect noise, but the ambiance was comfortably calm and quiet at our back room spot. Service was speedy and friendly. From oatmeal , to chicken eggs Benedict, to the avocado bowl, our party gave everything a big thumbs up. Cinnamon pancakes also delish. Fresh, tasty, hot and loved options like onions, mushrooms and peppers for dishes. There's a reason it's a Jacksonville favorite.

Love the food, as close to home made as you can get. Food always arrives hot and delicious. I had the turkey dinner 2x and loved it each time.

Charleston Shrimp & Grits was the best thing! Fried Chicken Plate was amazing too. The kids loved the Kid's Mac & Cheese. Good Chicken Pot Pie Great service and fast!

Yum! Went last Sunday. Very busy place and that's a great sign! A quick greeting when we walked in from a server.."to seat ourselves in the back where there was plenty of room". our presence was acknowledged, perfect. Don't get in the way of productivity, and I'm so ok with that! We sat ourselves and within seconds our server Kim was over to ask about beverages. She was friendly and made suggestions to help us decide as we told her it was our first time in. I had the chicken and carrot cake waffle! Amazeballz! So yummy. My husband had the traditional 2by2 breakfast with grits. Mentioned that the grits needed a little more help, but overall everything was good. Kim came frequently to check on us and our coffee refills. We will most definitely return soon!

Got in just before the rush on Saturday morning. They have a very small parking lot so be prepared to park on the street. Very cute building and inside interior. We sat at the bar area and had a great view of the kitchen staff cooking away. Really enjoyed the french vanilla coffee. Fruity waffle was so fresh and delicious, but my husband's chicken eggs benedict was very tasty. Hollandaise was very well done and biscuit was tasty. Service was okay, but we weren't in a rush and they were quite busy so no complaints. Overall, will definitely return and maybe try lunch because that menu also looked tasty.

Visiting Jacksonville & always rely on Yelp for the greatest food. Yelp did not let us down at the Metro Diner!! The cutest little local diner where the staff is so very friendly (we had Amy) and the smell of chicken & waffles makes your mouth water the minute you walk in. I had eggs, bacon, grits & a biscuit PLUS the greatest pumpkin pancakes I've ever had in my life! (Don't tell my kids someone makes better pumpkin pancakes that I do!). We loved every bite of this delicious food- clearly made with southern charm & love. This was our favorite breakfast place our whole time in JAX. Be prepared to park on the street (in an adorable San Marcos preservation neighborhood) & walk a little. Highly highly recommend.

I have been a longtime Metro Diner customer and went to the St. Augustine FL location on Monday June 17th 2024. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich with crispy hash-browns. It was somewhat bland to say the least. I also went to the original location, San Marco Jacksonville location today June 18th, 2024. This was the visit where I decided it was time to part ways with the corporate version of Metro Diner. The Julington Creek location is the closest to me. It is closest to John's home and he appears occasionally to see his old patrons. I am sure the next time I run into him out and about, I will surely provide him with this feedback. The first two locations, I will no longer be participating in the future. I know both John and Mark, the original Owners prior to them franchising out their store/brand, Metro Diner. There is no way ever a Corporation can match that of the original Owners, Mark and John. They cut so many corners and the atmosphere is so depleted since they sold out to Big Corporate. I am sorry but the little guys always win and Corporations ruin the "little guy" or family owned businesses. Corporations can never run these businesses like the original owners. They don't even come close. The 17th visit, my breakfast order was so bland and lacked flavor. Bacon is no longer thick and you can practically see through the bacon. The 18th visit was even worst. I ordered the chicken salad on a croissant with crispy fries. I asked for provolone cheese and it came out with shredded cheese and not the slice. It had one slice of tomato that was pathetic looking. Is this establishment so conscience about saving a buck that you could not afford two or three slices to fit the croissant breading? The recipe stated that it had grapes and nuts in it but they must have missed those items. I had to pop two tums immediately getting into my car togo home. We all need to remember the famous words passed down to us from our forefathers, "KISS", "keep it simple, stupid". Never let the corporate world takeover the mom and pop businesses, that is when all of the personal touch goes out of the window.

I've waited awhile to post this because our last visit to this location wasn't ideal and I wanted to give them another chance before reviewing. Our last visit, we left disappointed because of how over-cooked my partner's eggs were for their eggs Benedict. Instead of poached, they were practically hard boiled and while my food was okay, I wouldn't say I was in love with it either. We did have a better experience this visit, but I'm still not sure the food was much better. This time around, we shared an egg's Benedict and split another breakfast entree as well. This time, we had perfectly poached eggs (though we did have to request for them to be cooked "less"). And the pumpkin pancakes I ordered were a very good seasonal treat. My problem was that I was left wanting more out of my food. Our hash browns and bacon were underdone. The promotional photo for the pumpkin pancakes looked so good and covered in toppings... as you can tell from my photos, my pancakes looked nothing like that. We were even craving more hollandaise for on top of our eggs Benedict. This metro diner is, overall, an average breakfast spot. It's a nice chain to go to and sip some coffee or eat some bacon and eggs, but I wouldn't say it really stands out amongst any of the other great breakfast spots in the area.

Greeted upon arrival. Great customer service. Great food. Phenomenal peach tea but flavor changes daily. Outside seating.

Food is always delicious and consistent. Today, I ate the Turkey plate. The cornbread stuffing is deliciously enjoyable, and everything else is fresh. Nina, our server, is charming and has the gift of hospitality.

At least one breathing soul is happy today...Christmas dinner was a disaster. We ordered from Metro diner near us. We had Thanksgiving dinner and that was a success. This dinner was ham and I believe I was given half fresh and half frozen (Maybe from Thanksgiving, the suff they didn't sell) Anyhoo some beans looked fresh and some looked like they were from another day. The ham was so mushy it needed to be scooped up with a spoon, you couldn't fork . The dinner was binned!! Sorry Metro...It was disappointing.

The diner is consistantly good. I always have excellent service from Kiim with delicious food and the perfect diner atmosphere!

Everytime I come to the Metro Diner the food is always delicious and hot. I really like the service and the neighborhood vibe. I love when I visit jax and can get breakfast here. Yum!!

Had a traditional turkey dinner, stuffing, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. Everything was homemade and tested like thanksgiving. Excellent! Sorry no photos couldn't wait to eat.

A mainstay here in San Marco or so I've been told. I finally convinced my family to come try this place out when they visited Jacksonville. The place was packed! From what information I gathered, you will likely have a wait time unless you come here early. I ordered a burger and fries which was immediately sent back due to being well done and aggressively salted fries. I did not order something else because if you make a burger and fries poorly, how much better will the rest of the menu be? My fiancé gave me a piece of fried chicken to try; it wasn't very crispy and the taste was okay. My mother got the avocado toast and almost broke a tooth twice! Someone in the kitchen did not remove the stems! My fiancés remark when leaving metro diner described the place really well, "the place was nothing special."

I heard so many good things about Metro Diner, but I was told by a hotel employee to check out this specific location because it's the original. I'm so glad I did! It was 20 minutes from where I was staying but the drive was well worth it. I enjoyed the Fried Chicken & Waffles with a glass of water. I never thought I'd find the perfect Fried Chicken, but I thought wrong. CCCCCCRISPY on the outside and juicy on the inside! I'll definitely be coming back !

THE PANCAKES ARE AMAZING! The staff is super sweet and the service is great along with the prices. You get a lot of food for what you pay for. The place is super cute and quaint and original experience. I'm gonna come back.

Always love coming here. It's busy on the weekends so come early. Service was great. My coffee was never empty. Had the eggs and pancakes with bacon. The parking lot is a bit on the small side. Just a bit of a warning.

Im a little bummed out. Usually we have a great experience here and food is always good. Today it was the opposite. We ordered cranberry juice then they come back to tell us they have none. So we order a mimosa, then they come back after leaving to tell us they don't have the juice for it. We never got the salad that was ordered, I had to ask for it to go at the end since we had paid for it. I had to ask out server for refills because she was not attentive of our soda and waters. My food was bland and the chicken had no flavor. My mother in Law's biscuits and gravy did not taste the way they usually do. (We order that a lot because we come here a lot so we know what to expect). When our bill was brought there were things on there we did not order. I'm pretty frustrated with my experience today. I had asked for a Togo cup to put my soda then I was told they didn't have any and the only available one was the kid cups. We have came on days when it's extremely busy and packed and we get exceptional food and service. Today it was no where near that busy. They fell short today.

The service was very good. Paige was our waitress. The food really gave me the southern experience! Chicken & waffles were great. Lemonade was ok, the home fries were ok, hash browns were ok as well.

Hands down, an excellent place to go to for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. They have a very wide variety of food on their menu. It's not just eggs and pancakes. The food is fresh and hot. The servers are very kind and very attentive to your needs, I like sitting outside. It's a good place to spend a Sunday morning or afternoon in San Marco parking is also good for the most part. You can park on the side street and just walk up to the metro diner

When I'm craving crispy southern fried chicken or crisp on the outside, pillowy on the inside waffles, this is my go to place for breakfast or brunch. There's not much in the way of a parking lot, but ample parking on the neighbourhood street alongside it. I have never had a bad meal here. The chicken and waffles (that even out-of-towners want whenever they're in town), are the best that I've had in Jax. The buttermilk waffle, while delicious in their own right, is just the vehicle for the amazing strawberry butter. Their take on that Cajun classic, shrimp and grits, is another must try as well. The fried polenta cakes (stand in for grits) provides contrasting textures to their large shrimp and perfectly seasoned gravy. Out of all the Metro Diners in Jax, the original is still the best.

Great breakfast! Service was happy, quick and helpful! Super cute little diner. There are two rooms and a small outdoor seating area. Portions are BIG! I had a Belgian waffle with strawberry butter and regular butter. Crispy on the outside soft on the inside. The strawberry butter was tasty! I had a great side of hash Browns & cheesy grits. I love both so I like to try them every chance I get! The hash-browns were cooked perfectly! The grits were flavorful! My husband had the huevos rancheros bowl. It was good! The layers of flavors was fun! The cheese wasn't quiet melted so it cooled off the dish, but it was still tasty! The chips were delicious! We also had the fresh blueberry waffle topped with strawberries & blueberries! So good! The blueberries were whole and tasty baked in the waffle! The fruit on top was beautifully fresh! The coffee was perfect! I added a little cream, no sugar needed! Thanks y'all for a great breakfast while visiting from Texas!

3/15 online order close to closing didn't go thru but staff made sure I was taken care of . Cook and waitress spoke in friendly tone. Order fresh and delicious.

This is a traditional diner, no frills type of place. Don't expect a novel twist, rather diner food done well. One of their claims to fame is Guy Fieri from Diners, drive-ins and dive has visited this restaurant - they have a signed poster of it on the wall. My mom and sister tried to order healthy dishes like the southwest bowl and avocado bowl and they were both pretty bad. So just a heads up, if you come here, save your weight watchers points and get staple, greasy, yummy diner food. We had the chicken and waffles with the strawberry butter and croissant French toast and they were both good.

What a find! Thank you Yelp! This is a great diner. Small, clean and with friendly service . The food delicious and the prices very reasonable . If you're in the area, stop by and eat! You won't be disappointed.

Makenna our server was pleasant and attentive. Everything we ordered was hot, fresh and delicious. We love authentic non-chain restaurants and this one did not disappoint! 10/10 would recommend!

Gotta love the OG Metro Diner. It's a must stop for us when we travel to FL! The menu has changed since our last visit (please bring back the monte cristo!) but lots of tasty options were available! I got the avocado toast and it was a generous and tasty treat. I've had only one better and it was on a delicious sourdough, this was on wheat bread which made it feel healthy. Hubs has the carnitas bowl that he seemed to enjoy immensely. Service is always friendly and quick. Delicious as always!

I haven't had anything that wasn't deliciously wonderful. Roast Beef, meatloaf, fish but especially the omelettes. Oh also the soups. I highly recommend.

We had the best service today. Paige was our waitress and gave us the best service ever. Pleasant, personable, attentive, you couldn't ask for more. I hope to see her again at the Hendricks Avenue location.

I haven't been there in at least 15 years. So I went to the original and got the fried chicken. Still fantastically cooked! And the service is also still great.

It was a nice restaurant the service was quick and the servers were friendly. Food was OK, I only tried one dish (waffle and chicken) , the coffee was great. I probably will not return.

We came here for breakfast before the Bears vs Jaguars game. I honestly didn't think that this place was full, but certainly was. This place was tiny inside so we just opted to eat outside in the cold. My only real complaint was that they weren't really prepared with the heaters for outside dining. One of them didn't really work, so it was little uncomfortable. Then again it was northern Florida, so it wasn't as cold as it is in Chicago. So I can't really complain that much, other wise I will lose my street cred of being a Chicagoan. Can't be complaining about northern Florida winters. The wife and I both ordered their Chicken & Waffles. For $15 you get a half chicken, perfectly fried with a waffle topped with powder sugar, strawberry butter and served with their sweet and spicy sauce. It was absolutely tasty and I wouldn't hesitate to order it again. I also ordered their Cheesy grits. These were also tasty as well. Overall I wasn't a big fan of the city of Jacksonville, and don't know if I would ever return, but if I ever happen to return, I would definitely return to Metro Diner.