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    The Joy Bus Diner

    4.7 (464 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Joy Bus Diner Photos

    Business Info

    THE JOY BUS DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Joy Bus Diner

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    Plants
    Dulce G.

    Food was great, my kids loved it. I usually have pictures attached but didn't get the chance. Service is good and everyone is friendly.

    Helen M.

    Do you want a great meal, quality ingredients, homemade jam and well presented while contributing to a good cause? Then The Joy Bus diner is a perfect choice. Founded by the 2011 Good Network Chopped champion. They are using their business to feed home bound cancer patients. Cute ambiance, great service and friendly people. I'll be back when in town next!

    Tanya K.

    I've had this spot saved for a while & we finally made it. My husband & I just finished our breakfast and it completely exceeded our expectations! Food was delicious, portions are big (we have leftovers for another meal), prices are extremely reasonable and staff is genuinely friendly! Had to try the biscuit - it was AMAZING, fluffy, slightly salty with a hint of sweet! Shakshuka was very flavorful and corned beef hash was excellent! We'll definitely be back!

    The unassuming entrance
    Nick B.

    The joy bus diner was an absolute pleasure to experience. My friend and I stopped in (both for the first time) based on their not for profit, homebound cancer fighter support and their reputation for quality food. I found several things I really wanted to try but settled on the Friday special- captains super breakfast sandwich. It had delicious savory sausage balanced with arugula, cheddar, and smoothed out with a tomato and avocado aioli. Fantastic! Next time I will shoot for either the chilaquiles or the shakshuka. Both look fantastic. Service was quick with a smile. The food came out quickly and piping hot. I loved seeing all the accolades on the wall as well as the microbus right at the entrance. Can't wait to come back!

    Katie P.

    Love the food and what they do for others fighting cancer. Took my mom for brunch and sat in the bus! Fun!!

    Jamie K.

    Super glad that we stumbled upon 'The Joy Bus Diner'!!! Founded and operated by 'Chopped' champion Chef Jennifer Caraway, this place lives up to her esteemed reputation! Since 2016, this non-profit diner has been directly supporting homebound cancer patients through sponsored meals. The menu is deep, and the food is incredible! And honestly, I feel confident with all of their options. The place was packed and everyone looked satisfied. I ordered the chilaquiles which were a delightful offering of crispy tortilla chips covered in earthy red chili, topped with a velvety poached egg, on a bed of hearty pinto beans that had a hint of cumin, all which was drizzled with a rich crema and crumbled queso fresco. My dad had the Rueben and he said it was in his top-three he's ever had! Even during the Saturday brunch rush we were seated promptly, the kitchen was swift and our waitress was kindly attentive to our needs. We will definitely be adding this fine establishment to our short list, and can see why this is a community staple.

    Jennifer Caraway's published cookbook
    Natasha A.

    We are big fans and will be returning! We feel lucky that this is in our neighborhood. We had the Chicken & Waffle, Mimosa with freshly squeezed oranges, side of Rosemary Potatoes, and the Cheese burger with fries. We loved that all proceeds go to the non-profit. Amazing place and organization.

    The Camper.
    John F.

    A few years ago, we heard about The Joy Bus Diner and the amazing cause behind it. As my wife is a cancer survivor, the idea of a charitable organization that provides food to cancer patients and their caregivers was of great interest to us. We finally decided to try the diner, and oh my goodness--this is no substandard food kitchen. This is top-notch food at reasonable prices and for a great cause. You can't go wrong! We arrived on a Sunday at their new location, which is super nice, VW bus and all. :) While relatively small, it is many times larger than their old location around the corner. You can sit inside at a table, at the bar, or at one of the few patio tables on a nice day. We sat inside for this first visit, and a friendly server took our order. We chose to order from the breakfast menu, and I ordered The Camper: Crispy double-dipped fried chicken thigh smothered in savory gravy and topped with cheese, three slices of Nueske's peppered bacon, and an over-easy egg, served on a housemade butter biscuit. My wife ordered the CSA Scramble: Farm-fresh veggies from Crooked Sky Farms CSA basket scrambled with three eggs, served with fruit, sliced tomato, and 9-grain toast. Needless to say, we were both impressed. The Camper was absolutely perfect. I would not change a thing. The gravy was just special, and there was so much food, I took some home. My wife's dish was fresh and perfect for what she was looking for. Do consider donating to this worthy cause. We chose to, and you can even donate right on your bill so that it goes right on your credit card if you so choose. But even if you just pay for your meal, you are helping out, which is so great about eating at this place. Do yourself a favor and stop in to see the friendly people at The Joy Bus Diner!

    Lacy K.

    Chef Jennifer Caraway created the Joy Bus Diner after losing her friend Joy to cancer. Run mainly by volunteers, the diner has been feeding the community not only in the diner but through home delivered meals for 15 years. Thursday thru Sunday from 7-2, you can grab breakfast or lunch at the diner on 32nd and Shea. You can donate a meal for $15 when you pay for your own meal or check out their website for more donation and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers cook, serve you, and deliver meals to cancer patients in their own homes. We enjoyed a breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs benedict, and a quinoa power bowl. The food was fresh, and it felt good knowing that all profits go to such a great cause. Also, in the diner, you'll find @wildthingsbotanicals and can purchase a beautiful plant after your meal. Owner Cherry has been a part of the diner for 7 years and delivers bouquets to home bound cancer patients along with their meals. While in the bathroom, you'll overhear old tv sitcoms. And be sure to checkout articles hanging on the hallway walls that show the amazing impact that Jennifer and her Joy Bus Diner have made over 15 years.

    Andrew W.

    What an awesome concept and business! We love supporting local businesses and this one especially so because of its cause! Our waitress and all the staff were so incredibly friendly and nice! Our food portions were massive and it's a great value! Would 100% recommend and hope to come back!

    Plants inside
    Jaquay R.

    What I appreciate most about this place is that this is a non-profit business. When you dine here it is for a good cause. 100% of the revenue goes back into the charity of delivering chef-inspired meals and visitation to cancer patients in the Valley. I dined here for the first time with my sister and had invited a friend. I honestly was more impressed by the story, history, and volunteer opportunities than I was the food. The food was good, but learning about the overall mission was even greater. I ordered The Joy Bus Burger with bacon and fries. It was visually appealing and tasted good too. The inside has a fun vibe with a pac-man arcade game, the dine-in Joy bus, and many photos on the wall. The volunteer staff is amazing and our waitress took time to share details on the volunteer program when I asked. I definitely want to join in on the awesome way they are serving the community in need.

    Bathrooms
    Joy T.

    A restaurant that not only serves really good food but also gives back to the community, by providing meals to cancer patients. This space of a diner is beautifully decorated, with inside dining as well as patio seating. You can buy merchandise as well as beautiful potted plants. Our server was sweet, helpful and complimentary. The food came out pretty quickly. The presentation of all that we ordered was attractive as it was delicious. If you haven't tried this place you must put it on your list. Your stomach will be happily satisfied as well as knowing that you've helped this diner help our community of those suffering with cancer.

    Wild things botanicals plant setup - profits go to delivering flowers to the cancer patient's homes
    Robyn V.

    What a fantastic find and wonderful visit to this darling little diner. We went on a Sunday, it was busy as to be expected, sat outside on the shaded patio and had great service, fabulous food, the best biscuits I've ever had in my life with a pimento cheese spread I added on. We also ordered the avocado toast, Belgian waffle with yummy fruit topping, a side of their breakfast rosemary potatoes, and Shakshouka / Shashouka which is so very rarely on a menu. That was the highlight for me, and I plan to go get more of it when I visit later today! -- The story behind this place and that they use their profits to hand deliver meals to 240+ cancer patients that are housebound, and visit with them is just incredible. And also the plant set up by Cherry, owner of Wild things botanicals is also delightful as can be, and I left with a darling cactus family.

    Belgium waffle

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    2 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Sinai T.

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    11 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Great lunch, great food & service but best of all great cause! Just excellent all the way around!!

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    5 months ago

    Great concept of helping the community and having a delicious meal! The staff was super friendly and the decor had a great vibe!

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    Joanna M.

    Thank you for dining with us and supporting our mission!

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The Joy Bus Diner

    Are there gluten free options?

    Good morning. We do not have specific gluten free menu choices but we can definitely try to accommodate any allergies.

    Do they have soufflé pancakes here? I've seen someone post about them but haven't seen any on their website/menu.

    No,they do not

    Do they take reservations?

    No, just show up and if you do have to wait it's worth it.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Joy Bus Diner

    “This is a non profit that supports cancer patients & their families by delivering fresh healthy meals when in need.”

    Mentioned in 92 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Joy Bus Diner - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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