When Senator manager Allen Gottschalk started working at the famed diner in 1985, he never imagined it would turn into his lifelong career. Having just graduated with a degree in architecture, Allen intended to work at the diner until his career was in order. While he did work at a firm for a time, the direction in his life shifted when he realized how happy he was working at the Senator.
“I didn’t know it would be like this,” he says. “As time went on it was just amazing. It’s like one big family here. And that’s the key.”
It seems the historic diner has that effect on people—both for those who work there and the generations of returning customers. The landmark building has been on Victoria Street since 1860, and has been a diner since 1929.
Originally called Busy Bee Diner, which featured an open kitchen and a simple dining counter, it transformed into the Senator when George Nicolau took over in 1948. Since then, the restaurant has kept the original design and fixtures, which adds to its timeless feel. It’s most recent owner, Bob Sniderman, took ownership of the restaurant in 1984.
Senater Breakfast
Bacon and Eggs with Challah Teast, lv'laple Baked Beans and Hume FriesTea er Cettee with 0rganic Milk
3 Farm Fresh timega 3 Eggs served with Hemernede Chili
Saucer Heme Fries and Feast
Senatar 0rnelette
Sauteed ditushreems, Peppers and Unicas
Heuse Smcked Salmcn 0rnelette
Brie Cheese and Fresh Herhs
Farmer’s Omelette
Heme Fries, Fried tinierrs arid Cemte Cheese
Fresh Pressed Spirit Tree Apple Cider
Tomate Juice
Cranberry Juice
Sliced Banana and yogurt
Seasanal Berries and Yogurt
Fruit Smoothie
Milk, Yogurt, juice, Berries, Banana
Fresh Fruit Salad
Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal
Served with Oragnic Milk and honey almonds and Raisins
Almonds and Raisins
Homemade Granola
Served With Milk and Berries
Homemade Muffin
Homemade Loaves
Organic Peanut Butter and Toast
Cinnamon Toast
Montreal Bagel
Bagel with cream cheese
Cold Cereal With Milk
All egg dishes made with farm Fresh Omega 3 eggs and served with Home Fries, maple baked beans and toast
Two Eggs any style
Berkshire Bacon and Eggs
Peameal Bacon and Eggs
Ham and Eggs
Breakfast Sausage and Eggs
Chorizo and Eggs
Eggs and Onions (3 eggs)
Salami and eggs (3 eggs)
Smoked Salmon and Eggs (3 eggs)
Egg White Substitution
Eggs Benedict
2 Poached Eggs on Peameal Bacon with Hollandaise on a Homemade Biscuit Served with Salad or home Fries
Salmon Eggs Benedict
2 Poached Eggs, house Smoked Salmon with Hollandaise on a Homemade Biscuit Served with Salad or home Fries
Benedict Popeye
2 Poached Eggs, Sauteed Spinach with Hollandaise on a homemade BIscuit served with salad or HOme fries
Huevos Rancheros (Served until Dinner)
2 Eggs any Style, Chorizo, Black Beans, Tomato, Salsa, Avocado and Homemade Cornbread
Smoked Salmon Platter(Served Until Dinner)
House-Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Cream Cheese, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber and a Montreal Bagel
Yoghurt Surprise (Served Until Dinner)
a Serving of fresh Fruit, Yoghurt, Granola and Oragnic Honey
Steak and eggs (served all day)
A 6oz sirloin served with 2 eggs any style, home fries and toast
Made From Scratch Batters, Served with 100% Pure Ontario maple Syrup and Homemade Compote
Three Buttermilk Pancakes
Nantucket Blueberry Pancakes
Caramelized Banana Pancakes
Fluffy French Toast
Challah Dipped in Vanilla Egg Batter
Homemade Dressings made with Virgin olive oil
Wedge Salad
With Iceberg Lettuce, Toamto, Chopped Bacon and Blue Cheese Dressing
Turna Nicoise
Solid White Tuna Salad with Sliced Egg, Lettuce and Tomatoes on whole Wheat
Caesar
with Homemade Croutons
With Balckened Chicken
Salad Nicoise
With Solid White Tuna
Cobb Salad
Sliced Chicken Breast, egg, Cucumber, Blue Cheese, Avocado, Toamtoes and Bacon on Greens
Greek Salad
Feta Cheese, Onions, Cucumber, Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives on Greens
with Roasted Chicken
Veggie Surprise
A Daily Seasonal Selection of Market Greens, Vegetables and Grains
Nuts and Seeds Optional
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Choice of Canadian Cheddar or Swiss Served with Coleslaw
Additional Toppings Ham, Tomatoes, bacon, Sauted Mushrooms or onions
Fish and Chips
Beer Battered Cod Served With Cole Slaw, tartar sauce and hand cut Fries
Homemade Chili
Slow Simmered Beef Topped with Melted Cheddar, Sour Cream and Homemade corn Bread
Grab Cakes
Creamy Mixed seafood, Deep Fried and Served with Tartar Sauce and Guacamole
Macaroni and Cheese
A Mixture of Aged Cheddar Premium Cheeses and Pasta, Topped with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan; Served with a side Salad
Kobe Beef Chili-Cheese Dog
100% Kobe Beef With Our Homemade Chili, Fresh Cheddar on an Egg Bun, with Fries
Homemade Meatloaf
our own Blend of Meats and Seasonings served with Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy
Liver on onions
Satueed provimi calves liver served with chice of potato and daily vegetables
Toppings
Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Blue Cheese, Sauteed Mushrooms, Bacon, Chili, Guacamole
Rose's Preserves
Maple Baked Beans
Yoghurt
Sliced Tomatoes
Bacon
Ham
Sausage
Chorizo
Sauteed Onions
Home Fries
Peameal Bacon
Homemade Gravy
Hand cut Fries
Cole Slaw
Kosher Dill Pickle
Maple Syrup
Glutton Free Bread
Seasonally Available
Desserts
Seasonally Available
Chocolate Cake
Carrot Cake
Banana Split
Lemon Tart
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Homemade Apple Crumble
Strawberry Shortcake
Ice Cream Sundae
Affogato
Fresh Fruit Salad
A La Mode
On our selection or freshly baked breads and daily gamish
Peameal B.L.T
The St, Lawrence Market Special Served all week with Ripe Tomatoes and honeycup mustard on a Crusty roll
A Classic Turkey
Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce and Tomato with Cranberry Mayonnaise on Seven Grain Bread
French Dip
Roasted Beef Brisket on a Crusty Roll Served with Horseradish sauce and dipping Gravy
Senator Club House
Fresh Roasted Chicken Breast with Sliced Tomatoes, Lettuce and Bacon on Challah, served with Cole slaw
Roasted Western(Served all day)
Roasted Red Onions and peppers, Black Forest Ham Scrambled with Omega 3 Eggs on whole wheat Toast
Squash Soup with Maple Cream
Macaroni and Cheese Gratinee
Corn Fried Shrimp with Blue Cheese Dip
Whole leaf caesar salad with shaved parmesan
Maryland Blue Crab Cakes with Guacamole and Tartar Sauce
House-Smoked Salmon Tartare with avocado and Dikon Radish and Toast Points
Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Country Gravy
Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon on Roasted Fennel with a Tarragon Beurre Blanc
Baked Pork Chop with an Organic Apple Cider Jus and Mashed Potato
Steak Frites with Peppercorn Sauce
Provimi Veal Liver with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Bacon
Braised Boneless Beef Shortrib with Carrot and Parsnip Ribbons and Red Wine Jus
8 oz Cumbrae’s Naturally Raised Beef Burger
Quinoa Parmesan Polenta with Tomato Jam and Veg
Merguez Sausages on Ratatouille, with Celeriac Mash
Greek Salad
Feta Cheese, Onions, Cucumber, Tomatoes and
Black Olives on Greens
Roasted Western
Roasted Red Onions and Peppers, Black Forest Ham
scrambled with Omega 3 Eggs on Whole Wheat Toast.
Senator Club House
Fresh Roasted Chicken Breast, with Sliced Tomatoes,
Lettuce and Bacon on Challah; served with Cole Slaw
A Classic Turkey
Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce and
Tomato with Cranberry Sauce on Seven Grain Bread
Macaroni And Cheese
A Mixture of Aged Cheddar Premium Cheeses and
Pasta, Topped with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan,
served with a Side Salad
Crab Cakes
Creamy Mixed Seafood, Deep Fried and served with
Tartar Sauce and Guacamole
Fish And Chips
Beer Battered Cod served with Cole Slaw,
Tartar Sauce and Hand Cut Fries
Cumbrae Farm Beef served with Tomato, Caramelized Onions, Lettuce and Homemade Corn Relish on a Sesame Seed Eggbun
Served with a handful of Fries or Salad
Cheddar cheese, Swiss Cheese, Blue Cheese, Sautéed Mushrooms, Bacon, Chili, Guacamole
Rose’s Preserves
Maple Baked Beans
Yoghurt
Sliced Tomatoes
Bacon
Ham
Sausage
Chorizo
Maple Syrup
Sauteed Onions
Mushrooms
Home Fries
Peameal Bacon
Hand Cut Fries
Cole Slaw
Kosher Dill Pickle
Sliced Cheese
Glutton Free Bread
Drinks
Cold Drinks, Hot Coffees and Teas(Organic)
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The inside of this restaurant is quintessential diner. The lady behind the bar was very friendly as was our server. The food came out quickly, hot, and fresh even though it was a busy time of the day. For the price, the sandwich was a little small but given the location so near to Yonge & Dundas I suppose higher prices should be expected. The huevos rancheros came with 2 eggs, a generous amount of black beans, avocado, and chorizo sausage as well as a delicious corn muffin. A very nice experience overall and a very convenient location!
this is not the restaurant it used to be. we had been there about 2 years ago and were blown away at the superb atmosphere and delectable food. this time around we thought we were in the wrong restaurant. the wait staff were wearing jeans and sweatshirts, the decor was that of a diner and; miraculously, our food was cooked and on our table not ten minutes after ordering... fresh? our meals were very disappointing, extremely overpriced and the bathrooms were hideous. good thing the food did arrive so fast because we couldn't leave soon enough! we will never go back.
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With suppertime mains like hot meatloaf and mashed potatoes, reservations may be necessary to enjoy this 1940s-style diner after dark. Located in a 19th century home on Victoria Street, The Senator is one of Toronto’s oldest restaurants. By day, the menu features a relaxing atmosphere and home-cooked fare.
View this Smart ListThis Victoria Street eatery is home to the notorious Senator burger, eight ounces of beefy goodness and a slew of vegetables that complement each other beautifully. The Senator’s low-key vibe and low-cost chow draws hungry university students and downtown-dwellers alike. The vinyl seats and checkered floors also give the popular place a retro feel that adds to your dining experience.
View this Smart List