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“It’s stuff your mom would have made, but how lucky would you have been if your mom made cassoulet?” says co-owner Brendan Bankowski with a chuckle, when he describes The Beltliner’s menu. “We want to elevate the diner game by using better techniques and quality products made by people who care and who went to school for it.”

By that, he means sourcing the food locally, buying fresh ingredients and knowing the local farmers who produce the meats and vegetables they serve rather than cooking with processed ingredients.

A look at the menu shows just how The Beltiner puts this spin on diner staples and takes the flavour up multiple notches. Bored with sausage and eggs? Then start the day with the zing of merguez lamb sausage, soft-boiled eggs and spicy tomato sauce served in a hot skillet. Or choose the sensory overload of French toast stuffed with fresh homemade, fruit “space jam” and ricotta. The diner's meatloaf sandwich features a mix of pork and bison produced in the Cremona, Alberta area. Keeping up with health-conscious customers, there are also many vegetarian and gluten-free entree options on the menu.