Red Top is kid friendly and offers a great children's menu, including this crispy grilled cheese with fresh-cut fries and house-made coleslaw. High chairs and booster seats are readily available to pull up to the red vinyl booths.
Red Top Diner
Address: 219 St. Mary's Road
Phone: 204-233-7943
Neighbourhood: St. Boniface
Built on big plates, homestyle food and no fear of the deep fryer, Red Top serves classic greasy spoon fare that hits the spot. And it’s been dishing up the guilty pleasure goods in its same St. Boniface location since it opened in 1960.
An enormous mug of Coca Cola, which doubles as Red Top's sign, is a beacon for diners looking for the popular eatery.
Burgers and fries, grilled sandwiches, salads and chili-smothered burgers are front and centre on the lunch menu.
It is also open early and serves breakfast fare. Insider’s tip: Breakfast foods are automatically served with its famous fresh-cut fries unless you specify hashbrowns.
The lunch menu also includes gyros and crackling crispy fried chicken that are both hard to beat.
The gyros is a nice alternative to a burger. Grilled chicken, tomato, onion and lettuce are loaded with tangy garlic-spiked tzatziki and stuffed inside a warm pita. You will need many napkins at the ready to dab the drips on your face and fingers from this juicy wrap.
Whatever you order at whatever time of the day, expect very generous portions. Red Top isn't stingy with its food. For restaurant goers looking for a food challenge, order the monster burger. It's, as billed, a monster. Six patties are piled high in this architectural wonder.
Red Top is a popular locale for families, high-school students, casual business meetings, seniors and construction crews who need some serious fuel to finish their days.
Families and kids are welcome. There are booster seats and highchairs available and a kids menu features smaller portions of menu favourites.
All the red vinyl booths seat four comfortably. Larger parties have to split up as there are no free-standing tables and chairs at the Red Top.
Service is friendly without being too familiar. On my visit, two plain-clothed waitresses worked the room with astounding efficiency, scooting between tables, handling the cash register and posting orders on the kitchen line.
Red Top was also recently featured on an episode of You Gotta Eat Here on the Food Network.
What’s your favourite Winnipeg diner? Leave a comment, email goodeats@pegcitygrub.com or tweet @PegCityGrub with suggestions.