Review: Donna's Restaurant in East Boston

Donna's Restaurant in East Boston has the best chocolate chip pancakes ever. It's no secret I love all things breakfast, so let's start things out right:

I usually wait until I take a photo to eat. Clearly, I couldn't wait. These bad boys came with my two eggs, bacon, home fries and toast ($9.79) - Breakfast Special 7B.

I love these pancakes because at Donna's they use the small chocolate chips. These are awesome because the chocolate gets a thin crispy crust on the outside but maintains its gooey center. And, the chocolate to pancake ratio is spot on. Best. Pancakes. Ever. #awesome

Here is the rest of my breakfast that day:

Breakfast Special 7B (comes with chocolate chip pancakes above).

Donna's is absolutely one of my favorite breakfast places ever. I will drive 45 minutes from my home in Rhode Island for this place. I can't remember all the prices but everything is basically under $10. 

The atmosphere of this place is also amazing. It's a diner geared towards families. Every time I go, the place is packed with families. Plus, there are murals on the walls running the gamut from kids movies to dinosaurs. Check it out:

This place is a family affair. Here is Donna (on the right) with her mother (left):

And this is what the joint looks like from the outside:

Now, let's get back to the food. Everything is very basic, nothing fancy. Just well made comfort food in great atmosphere. The eggs are always on point, the breads are always fresh and everything is made to order. I did find it a bit odd though that the waffles were made with pancake batter. It wasn't bad, just more dense than fluffy - something I look forward to in a waffle. 

Same thing with the Eggs Benedict: simple with no frills. Good Benedict sauce, nice thick piece of Canadian bacon, eggs perfectly poached and the English muffin nicely grilled. A bit too much Benedict sauce, but I would rather have more than less. 

You know what was really good? The corned beef hash. I love a good hash and I loved this one because it is exactly what you want and expect when having a hash craving. Simple and to the point with exactly the right texture: crispy bits with soft bits mixed in.

I now make sure to give Donna a hug every time I leave. I've been going here for over five years and I can say that every time I eat here, I leave satisfied. I've never had a bad meal. I've never been served by someone with a bad attitude. And every time I come to Donna's, Donna comes to my table, asks me how I am and makes sure that I am taken care of. This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I am taken care of in every way I can think of here, and I can't wait to come back.

Me and Donna. I love this woman so hard!