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    The Joy Bus Diner

    4.7 (448 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Services - The Joy Bus Diner

    Community Service/Non-Profit

    The Joy Bus Diner Photos

    Business Info

    THE JOY BUS DINER ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Reviews With Photos

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Belgium waffle
    Lisa O.

    The food is great, the service is fantastic, and the cause just makes it even more worthwhile. I hate to rave about this gem, would like to keep it all to myself but then again, they deserve high praise for a job well done. Five stars cuz I wouldn't change a thing!!!

    The "Traditional" Eggs Benedict"
    Gracie F.

    Such a cute place. Loved the decor and the vibe. Staff was very nice and inviting. It was a Sunday and they had a DJ. I thought it would be too loud like those other breakfast joints (Hash Kitchen), but it was surprisingly perfect. Was loud enough to enjoy, and yet soft enough to have conversations with your party without shouting. However the music in the ladies restroom was obnoxiously loud. I had a coffee and the Traditional Eggs Benedict. The coffee was good, but I wish they had flavored creamer or flavor pumps (I know that's a personal preference, but it's letting coffee drinkers know it's half n' half only). I added the salmon (+$2) to the meal and the salmon was a bit fishy, so might not have been as fresh as I'd hoped it would be. The "smoked ham" was a sausage patty, which was odd. Now the star of the show, the eggs, were perfectly cooked (I can't stand over cooked poached eggs). That alone was the best part! The hollandaise sauce could have used just a bit more lemon, but was still delicious. Velvety, smooth and creamy. I didn't think I'd miss the English muffin, but I stand corrected. The toast was good, but got soggy as I ate. I missed that English toast chew. Regardless, I'd go back again. More than likely try something else. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't as good as it could be. I'll give them another shot, mainly because of the ambiance and the staff!

    Classic Eggs Benedict with rich, light hollandaise, rosemary potatoes, & orange slices
    Amanda S.

    Loved this place so much! The food is AMAZING & it is all for a great cause- to help provide meals to home bound cancer patients. Although it has a beautiful sign, it is set back in a shopping center off 32nd St just south of Shea. I drove by for years without really noticing it. Plus, there's a few other great spots competing in the neighborhood. The space is cozy, staff & volunteers are great, there's a cute bus with a dining table and...did I mention the amazing food? Everything coming out of the kitchen had our mouths watering. We picked the Shakshuka and Eggs Benedict. Both great choices. I hear their smash burger is also fantastic as a lunch pick. Worth the stop, even if you have to drive a bit out of the way!

    Joan P.

    Had lunch at the fabulous Joy Bus Diner earlier this week, and the word that best describes my experience is "delightful". Everything was delightful from the moment I walked in! That includes the bright dining room filled with enthusiastic staff and volunteers, the Power Bowl salad I had along with a WOW beer, my lovely server Alena, and the happy view from my seat of the adorable Joy Bus filled with beautiful plants! It is ALWAYS delightful to dine at The Joy Bus Diner! What an incredible organization, with a noble mission, delicious food and a superb leader, Jennifer.

    Great advice from the loo.
    sandy b.

    Service was attentive. Super clean place and adorable. I liked that there was local food stuff to purchase. I found the shakshuka a bit spicy and then a volunteer said almost every dish had a kick.

    Chilaquiles

    Reviews did not disappoint. Had a great breakfast served by very nice folks (very courteous) and the money is going to a great cause. I had an Eggs Benedict that was eggsactly what I expect from an Eggs Benny. The bread was high-quality and the eggs were poached to perfection. The rosemary on the potatoes must have been freshly picked. Amazing. Highly recommend. Pictured are the Chilaquiles we also ordered.

    Keith M.

    This place have been on my list to try for a while. Today was the day! It's a tiny place, but I hear they're moving into a larger location. Very nice and quaint with good service. I guess this place is a nonprofit and they provide help for cancer patients. The food was very good and probably the most reasonably priced meal I've had in a long time. They have a suggested price and you can pay more if you would like to contribute. It's a little out of my way, but I definitely would come back here or to their larger location when they open.

    Amazing chilaquiles with smoked brisket
    Patricia B.

    It is not often that I am impressed by chilaquiles at a restaurant, but The Joy Bus Diner accomplished that. The portion was big enough for 2 meals, the tortillas were crispy, evenly covered with delicious red sauce, and the brisket add on was tender and flavorful. Overall a outstanding meal.

    Cool bus

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    2 years ago

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    Joanna M.

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    It serves an awesome cause , I don't eat very much but the biscuits and gravy was delicious

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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Good food, for a cause. Yummy eggs Benedict and more. Fresh food. Fun photo ops also.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

    The lemon ricotta pancakes are to die for! Goes great with the peppery bacon : ) And I love the new spot!

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    Sinai T.

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    4 months ago

    Amazing all around! Would definitely recommend-- we went for brunch and everything we tried was exceptional.

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Most delicious and healthy power bowl--my new go to! Also love its mission. Service is excellent.

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    Sinai T.

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    5 months ago

    Great food, great service, great cause. Joy Bus is one of my favorite places. Try the Shakshuka!

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    Joanna M.

    Thank you so much for dining with us and supporting our mission.

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing service and food!!!!! Joy bus has a great atmosphere and very friendly staff!! Highly recommend this spot!!

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    Joanna M.

    Thank you for your kind words and supporting our mission!

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    I love this place! Amazing food, great service and pleasant vibes!!! We come every Saturday!!!!!!!

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    Joanna M.

    Thank you for dining with us and supporting our mission!

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    10 months ago

    such a friendly and unique place. the service was amazing and Ashley was so attentive.

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    10 months ago

    Food was delicious and the service was great! The place is super clean and new! Devon is super sweet and helpful!

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The most amazing place with the most amazing food! I had the pancakes this morning and they were absolutely phenomenal!

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    Joanna M.

    Thank you for dining with us and supporting our mission!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great place! We had excellent service and the food was amazing! Smaller place not good for big groups but 4 or less!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Page 2 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 88 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Joy Bus Diner - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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