Q Street Diner

This place is a nice little spot in the Mill Creek area of South Portland. I met a friend there for breakfast and want to go back to try lunch.
I had a breakfast tortilla, which is really more like a burrito. I wasn’t super impressed by this, although it tasted fine, I felt as though I could have made this at home. The hash browns are really those McDonalds style hash browns. Again fine, but not exciting. I would get home fries next time.
This is a cash only establishment, but they do run debit cards for an ATM fee.
They kept the coffee refilled and the prices are inexpensive. The atmosphere is diner-​esque and cute. They have a counter and many booths.
I wouldn’t travel out of my way to come here, but if I was in the area I would stop by again and try a lunch item.

I’m just not feeling the breakfast anymore. My last three visits have been at the insistence of traveling family, and I’ve felt the food has been inconsistent and off. The service, as always, is stellar.
Anyone who’s reading my past reviews, know that the current quality isn’t the same (whether they changed or I did is another question).

I have been to this diner a countless amount of times just waiting to find something significantly wrong with it. Gladly to say, all attempts have been foiled due to this delicious, welcoming establishment.
The service never fails to make conversation, and put a smile on your face while taking down your order. The friendly employees never seem stressed or upset even when the restaurant is overflowing with hungry customers; and that’s a lot of the time. However, even when busy, my food is always brought out at a decent time. Being born and raised in New England, and a die hard Patriots fan, I especially enjoy when the waiters and waitresses wear team jerseys on a game day.
As far as the food goes; how can you be disappointed? I venture into a large variety of breakfast and lunch choices they offer which all are very decently priced. The cuisine selections almost seem endless as you are eagerly browsing their menu. The last time I visited was at 10:30 a. m on a Saturday morning, I splurged a little and got a combination plate containing two chocolate chip pancakes, 2 scrambled eggs, and 2 hash browns. The pancakes were greatly sized, and were not overpowered with the amount of chocolate chips like some other diners. The scrambled eggs were cooked to perfection, and seasoned delicately. I always worry about the amount of grease and salt on the hash browns, but those worries are put to rest as little amounts of both are ever detected. This meal left me somehow stuffed but wanting more at the same time.
I especially enjoy how a trip to the diner is like a trip to the 1980’s. It has a very old fashion feeling once you step inside, and that applies to the payment situation as well. They don’t take credit cards so you must pay in cash. They have an ATM inside the establishment, but I just save myself the trouble and bring money. I truly don’t mind the no cards rule they have. It really fits the whole old fashion, warm environment they have to offer.
Overall, if you are hungry and looking to experience a delectable meal with grade A service, pop into Q Street. You won’t be disappointed.

Awesome restaurant in Mill Creek Village. It’s so cute and the service was great. We went on a pretty busy morning (the day after halloween) so it was full of hungover people… it was great! Their breakfast burrito is a unique twist on the classic breakfast menu item. There’s is more like a quesadilla but who cares it delicious and I want more and more of it! Great menu options as well! :)

What happened???
This has been a five star joint (as far as divey diners go) for a few years now. I haven’t been by in over six months. I met a friend for breakfast this week.
My scrambled eggs were overcooked into little yellow pebbles.
My homefries, usually the jewels of this place, were awful. How can this be? Instead of the usually appropriately greasy, golden brown, well-​seasoned salty goodness they were bland, unseasoned, not browned in any way and had an off taste.
My friend ordered hash browns with her eggs and they served a heated frozen potato patty thing.
I will go back soon to see if this was a one-​off. I hope it is!

I went there just over a year ago. It is seriously like stepping back in to the 80’s — Place hasn’t been updated or kept up with. The prices are on par with most dives (Blast from the Past, Friendly’s, etc) BUT nothing that makes it stand out, noting original and unique. If I can make it at home, why go out? The bathrooms were gross a year ago and still gross now. BIGGEST gripe. It’s 2015. why not take a credit cards? (total cost on a $ 20 bill is $ 0.55. The ATM is a hoax. The owner gets money per transaction for you using it to pay your bill, so in essence making more money off you. I would love to have a place that we can go as a family for the next 20 years, but the way it is now, I don’t see this as the place. Maybe Marcy’s? :p

Q Street is a very nice local diner. We ate there a few weeks ago for breakfast and the food was fresh and the service was friendly. It is pretty typical of a lot of diners so you need to set your expectations accordingly. The overhead fluorescents are a bit of a shock in the morning and the salmon colored walls are somewhat off-​putting, but overall it is a quality restaurant that we will return to again.

I may have been the youngest person in this place at age 28. It had an old school diner feel and was the greasy spoon I was looking for. I ordered a simple breakfast (omelet with toast) and some OJ which were quickly served to me. I paid around $ 10. Perfect place to stop for breakfast during a road trip or weekend hangover.

Good food at even better prices. Q Street doesn’t skimp on filling up your plate — the crabmeat sandwich is one of my favorites, and at 7.99 with HEAPS of crabmeat, fresh avocado and delicious waffle fries, I think it’s one of the better seafood deals in the Portland area! Breakfast menu is great — favorite is the Cajun scramble but lots of typical diner options. Servers are always friendly and food comes out quickly. It’s definitely a diner atmosphere and remember to bring cash, as they don’t take credit cards, but it’s one of my regular stops every time I come home to Maine to visit.

Love me a good diner! And found this gem hidden on a side street in Mill Creek area. Clean, roomy and comfortable with quick friendly service and loaded with standard diner comfort foods and more. Only thing missing was no baked goods under cover on counters. Otherwise the breakfast club (egg, bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce on wheat stacked like a club sandwich) very tasty, along with good diner coffee. Will definitely be back to this gem in SoPo.

My boyfriend and I went in for breakfast this Saturday at noon. We were looking for breakfast and believed we could still get some at the Q Street Diner. We were very happy that this was indeed the case.
He had four eggs over medium with bacon, sausage, home fries and toast. ($ 8.00)
His eggs were a perfect version of what he had requested with the exception of one being ever so slightly overdone. The giant yolks were perfect for dipping into with the extra-​thick slices of wheat toast. The whites were also perfect, firm but not burnt.
The toast was a surprise and delicious as he was expecting thin store bread and instead got extra thick wheat bread toasted just right and with the perfect amount of butter. The bacon was delicious, thick hickory smoked, and cooked exactly the way he likes it. He also had the home fries with his order and they were crispy and delicious.
I ordered the sausage gravy with a biscuit and two eggs and home fries came with this order. ($ 7.95)
The sausage gravy (while I believe it not to be homemade) was consistent with just the right amount of sausage so as not to be overpowering. The biscuits were unbelievable. I could have eaten more but restrained myself due to current diet. Mine came with home fries as well and while I tried to limit myself I ended up eating most of them.
The servers are exceptional, as my coffee never ran dry and I never had to ask. While at the same time, they didn’t disturb our relaxing meal. They were smiling and very kind to their patrons.
I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a diner experience with consistent quality of food. We have eaten there several times and have never been disappointed in the quality, the service or the price.
Tami & Tom

Q Street hits the spot for a greasy spoon diner breakfast. Yes, would I love some froofy pecan crusted bacon laden french waffled toast shooters or whatever is cool from across the bridge… yes, I would at times. But, sometimes, you just want a stick to your ribs diner breakfast. The dark rye I get for my toast is great — thick cuts just right for an eggy breakfast. The homefries can be a little salty and greasy — I want to try the hashbrowns next time to compare.
It is not fancy, but it is good. When I am in that part of SoPo, it is a go to, especially in the winter. Service is friendly and good.
Bring cash! They do have an ATM — but save yourself the hassle and bring cash.

I grew up loving diners, and eating at ones all across the state. There’s a sense of community and safety that diners inherently seem to have. Like you’re stepping back in time to a slower era when kids could be kids, food was reasonably priced, and the only people that needed to contact you were the ones you were eating with in the same booth. Q Street Diner is no exception — the décor won’t wow you (you might actually be taken aback by the sparsity of it), the clientele is much older than you’re probably used to, and the food isn’t going to win any awards. But I hear it’s consistent and, yes, it’s far cheaper than most of the other breakfast spots in and around town.
But when I came, nothing on the menu sang to me. Then again, full disclosure, I’m a vegetarian and stopped frequenting diners long ago because of the lack of options for my diet and concern over what surfaces in the kitchen are shared with meat products. So, I ordered two poached eggs, dark rye bread, and hashbrowns. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t thrilled with what was brought to me specifically the two poached eggs which were swimming in an inch of water in a bowl, and the two small oval hashbrown patties — the likes of which I’m used to seeing at fast food places or the frozen food section. They went mostly untouched, while the poached eggs smashed up on the toast was fine after some serious self-​seasoning. Was it good? Sure. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have made at home myself.
The service was great, the place was clean, but I think the cash-​only policy is an inconvenience and outdated in the non-​charming way.
In the end, would I come back? Maybe — but I wouldn’t necessarily think of this place first when I’m craving breakfast foods, because there are just too many other places in town that hit the right spot every time. However, I do think part of my lackluster experience was due to what I ordered. I hear the grilled muffins are AMAZING, so next time I would grab one of those and maybe order the Veggie Scramble, Spinach and Feta Scramble, Broccoli Scramble, Breakfast Bagel, or Veggie Homefries.

My review shall reflect two different visits I made to the Q Street Diner in a matter of 24 hours.
On my first visit I had a cajun chicken sandwich topped with mushroom, Swiss cheese, veggies, and garlic mayo. The sandwich was well sized, well priced and very flavorful. The bun tasted as though it had been buttered and toasted prior to assembly. The sandwich came with seasoned waffle fries and cost less than $ 9. My wife had a tuna melt sandwich, which we both wish would have been buttered and toasted, as the sandwich is usually prepared and served.
On day two, my wife and I went back for a quick lunch. While leaving after our first visit we noticed the size and visual appeal of their burgers, so we came back. I ordered a jalapeño cheddar burger with bacon, veggies and garlic mayo. The burger was FANTASTIC! My wife had the cajun burger with cheddar, and bacon… and she loved it. Both of us very much enjoyed our meals.
Overall impressions: This diner feels a little bit more like an old automotive garage than a diner (no mile high pies, stainless steel trim or overly cushioned booths). The best parts are the quality of food and the prices!

I think I may have had really high expecatations from my friends who have raved about this place. I have stopped many times to find no parking and long lines of people waiting.
This weekend we were running on the late side of breakfast and drove by to find open spots and took advantage of it and stopped. It is a seat yourself, and I managed to not notice everyone warning you of a cash only set up; luckily we had cash.
The menu looked great for diner fare and we were excited.
The waitstaff was very friendly. We placed our orders and waited… and waited. it took almost ½ hr. to get our food and my companion’s had a slight «skin» over his sausage gravy and biscuits from cooling too much. The place was almost full and there were a group of high schoolers over two tables so I understand that the kitchen may have been hit at once.
The food was good and I have no complaints. I would recommend it as a breakfast place for sure. It is definately a solid choice and an affordable one.

Great place for cheap breakfast sandwiches… The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and know all of the regulars by name, but make newbies feel right at home. A favorite weekend breakfast with friends.

First time here… came for a late breakfast around noontime and the place was packed… we ordered a standard breakfast and the food was awesome, especially the home fries… the only issue was how long it took to get our food, almost a half hour.

I am hesitant to write a positive review as this place is busy enough that I don’t want more people in my way! This is a fantastic breakfast place. The food is amazing every time I have come. It’s all homemade style food. They have no idea what a microwave or instant egg is. The home fries for me can make or break a place and these are crispy and well seasoned. The muffins taste like they grow their own wheat to make them. Yes, that good.
The only thing that stops a 5 star rating is the service. One waitress is always on top of everything and is excellent, however there’s another one that will never check on your coffee status, I need my coffee! and I have this thing where I cannot eat without some sort of drink. Another waitress just never checks on you, you have to wave her down to ask for the check, does she not want my money?
Don’t miss out, and don’t go Saturday or Sunday around 8:30 — 9:30 as that is my time and I don’t want you in my way!

It’s hard not to love Q Street. Maybe it’s the off-​the-​beaten-​path characteristic, maybe it’s the delicious food, maybe it’s the super friendly and chill service. I would say it’s a combination of all these things as well as the fact that they nail the diner persona. Q street has a very happy and casual atmosphere. It’s welcoming, unpretentious, and on top of that serve up some delicious food with great prices. The fact that it is away from the foodie scene of Portland which, as wonderful as it is can sometimes feel overdone and expensive, is definitely a plus for me. Their lunch is equally as good as their breakfast… the cheeseburger is a FEAST! Q Street is a solid diner where you will be a very happy camper if you are looking for tasty grub and a laid back meal.
Q Street is cash only– but they do have an ATM inside.
My recommendation: The veggie scramble with hot chocolate and a side of bacon.

We went here yesterday for breakfast after not having been in a long time, and it requires an update of my review, including a bump from 3 to 4 stars.
They’ve updated the lighting! It’s still fluorescent, but it’s less-​harsh and much nicer to be in there.
The food was pretty much perfect. I went with a party of four, and every single one of us was completely happy with our meals. They give you junk food syrup on the table, but they have real maple syrup if you ask for it. The coffee left something to be desired, but was fine.
They are great with kids. We went with my toddler, and the waitress was kind, patient, and upbeat with us about her.
This place continues to grow on me, and if keeps it up, my affections may just boil over into 5 stars despite its flaws.