Flo’s Diner is a semi-hidden upper floor Yorkville hangout with a quirky retro vibe and even quirkier deals.

Open for just a couple decades despite its old school look, Flo’s is named for the mother of an ex-partner.

Accessible via an elevator, the diner has a capacity of 80 inside and out, a patio overlooking the neighbourhood in summer.

“Extra Large Eggs” meals run from $7 to $14 on a sort of grid system for all-day breakfast, served with home fries and lightly buttered multigrain toast. Two eggs with bacon or ham go for $10, nothing mind-blowing though the potatoes have a nicely nostalgic herby seasoning.

A peameal benedict with two eggs is a bit basic for $14 and the English muffins are a bit stiff, but the eggs are perfectly poached and just the right amount of hollandaise is velvety and bright. Fries subbed in for home fries soak up the rich sauce.

If pricey, I do like the option to go with up to three eggs for your benny, and there are lots of options for different types of classic benedicts including Madelaine (spinach and smoked salmon) and Blackstone (grilled tomatoes and bacon).

A side order of a plain waffle ($5.50) is small, but there is something I love about its eccentric oblong shape. With just a little syrup and butter the waffle is fluffy, sweet, malty and spongy. 

A grilled chicken sandwich ($16) lays thick pieces of chicken between floury focaccia with roasted tomato, mushrooms, basil and sauteed onions that provide most of the flavour.

Shakes are $5 for a small size, $9 for a large, in varieties like banana and Oreo. The vanilla is thick and addictive, totally no-frills but completely following through on expectations like pretty much everything in here.

Daily drink specials include $5 caesars on weekends ($9 for doubles) and select pints for $5 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The quirkiest deal is arguably the “worst seat in the house,” a table for two right near the door that automatically gets 10 per cent off their bill. It’s no booth or stool, but I’ve been asked to sit at worse tables in nicer restaurants, so this is certainly one way to save a buck.