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I've loved railroads all of my life, and I'm a lifelong member of the strange species that inhabit the planet know as "railfans."  What is a railfan?  Someone how is a "fan" or railroad action, which very well describes me.  Driving along the dirt roads of San Bernardino County, enjoy all of the railroad action that BNSF's Cajon Subdivision has to offer is hungery work, so there is no better way to start your morning at tony's Diner, located in Devore.

As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.

Photo:  Papa Tony's Diner, also known as Tony's Diner, is located along old Route 66 - locally known as Cajon Blvd. - east of San Bernardino, in the small unincorporated community as Devore.  The address is a little "tricky," as the restaurant is actually located on Cajon Court, just off of Cajon Blvd., facing the busy I-15/210 freeway.  Basically, just turn onto Cajon Court from the CalFire station and you're there.  It's just after 11 in the morning, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, and I'm hungry and ready for breakfast.

Photo:  This sign, posted outside the restaurant, pretty much echoes my opinion, although I'd love to know the entity that voted this fine restaurant as the "Best Old School Restaurant and Diner in the High Desert."  I'd love to return to enjoy an entree from their smoker, or a burger or three.

Photo:  As you walk in the front door, there is no doubt that you're entering an "old school, Route 66-era" diner.  If the checkered tile wasn't enough to convince you, all you'd need to do is to take a listen to the 1950's/'60's pop music playing in the background, or look at the menu, which features classic diner cuisine.

Photo:  Looking from the far side of the dining room toward the counter.  When I dine alone, I prefer to sit at the counter, as it gives me a great chance to chit-chat with the staff and observe them doing their jobs.  The dining room is filled with lots of memorabilia from the bygone days of Route 66, which is very fitting.

Photo:  A small portion of the menu featuring the daily specials.  Note the Sirloin steak and eggs special on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for $4.99, and the two eggs, potatoes and toast special for only $2.99.  Really... is this 2018?  You can't eat fast food at that price!

As in interesting aside, I arrived around 11:15 in the morning, past the breakfast special time frame, as I got up early, and wasn't hungry, and spent my morning on BNSF's Cajon Subdivision, taking photos of the ample railroad action.  By the time I arrived at Tony's Diner, I was "mind swinging" between breakfast or lunch, but breakfast won out. The steak and eggs special for $4.99 sounded I was in business, but it was past 11:00 in the morning. When I asked; no dice, as it was past 11 and the price jumped up three dollars, which was still an excellent value.  OK, I'll "go for it..."

Whenever I visit a restaurant that I propose to post on this web site, or my FB page, I present my business card to the server, and tell them that I'll be taking a few photos and ultimately everything will be published on this web site.  My friendly server, Rebecca was more than happy to have me take photos, and after chatting with the manager on duty, they agreed to give me the bargain-basement price of $4.99 for steak and eggs, past the 11 o'clock cut-off time.  Thanks!!

Photo:  Looking toward the front door from the far back corner of the dining room.

Photo:  I love open kitchens, and Tony's Diner is no exception, as you can watch the chefs at work as they prepare your meal.

Photo:  My amazing friendly server, Rebecca, brings my order to me with a smile.  We enjoyed pleasant conversation during my visit, mostly about diner cuisine, and the history of Route 66.  Such a pleasant hostess!

Photo:  Thanks, Rebecca, for snapping my photo as I prepare to enjoy an amazing breakfast at Tony's Diner, located north of San Bernardino, in the small community of Devore.

Photo:  How can you beat a breakfast of steak, potatoes, eggs and toast for $4.99?  Actually, the price was bumped up a dollar, as I requested a side bowl of breakfast gravy, but after everything was added up, including tax, the price of this delicious breakfast was $6.50 and a little change.  How can you beat that?

The 5-oz sirloin steak was cooked to order, medium in my case, and it was perfect.  Check out the eggs over easy, also perfectly cooked.  Hash brown potatoes were crispy golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, like the rest of the breakfast; perfect.  Check out the chunks of sausage in the gravy! One interesting note is when I placed my order, I was asked if I wanted one or two slices of toast.  Two, naturally...

Tony's Diner upholds the restaurant tradition established long ago on Route 66, where restaurants serve a great breakfast, at a fair price, and serve your meal to you with a smile.  After enjoying the "Steak and Eggs Special," you'll leave with a full stomach, and smile on your face.

Tony's Diner is an "old school," Route 66-era diner, which is just the way I like it.  They definitely serve MY favorite variety of food - Mexican comes up as a very, very close second - and Papa Tony's Diner servers their amazing cuisine the way it's meant to be enjoyed; in a vintage dining room, with 1950's and '60's music playing in the background, and served by some of the friendliest staff in San Bernardino County.  Tony's Diner is MY kind of restaurant!

Tony's Diner
18291 Cajon Blvd.
Devore, CA 92407
909 473-0111
www.richiesandtonysdiner.com


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