Three of us decided to give John's City Diner a try for dinner on a Thursday. The dimly lit interior is retro modern 70s and roomy. The wait staff was balanced and quick. The entree selection is all over the board with salmon, grouper, and trout, mac n cheese, meatloaf, and chicken quarters but at prices ranging 12.95 to 23.95, this location is far out of range for the Trussville area. We started with a generous serving of hummus served with warm, toasted pita points that were sweet like Bahamian Johnny cake - the best so far in the Birmingham area. We were not so satisfied with our entree selections. My husband found the meat loaf visually appealig but processed tasting and spongy like it contained unflavored gelatin. The demiglaze looked and tasted as if from a jar, too perfect. My daughter questioned if the herb crusted chicken was dry. Convinced by our server that it was not, she ordered and found it DRY and requested some demiglaze to soften it up. I took a chance on the "not your mama's macaroni and cheese" because I read a child's raving review in a local mag last month. A generous portion of rigatoni was smothered in a three cheese sauce that was smoky with the bite of sharp cheddar. Browned prosciutto ham infused more interest into trying to finish the entree portion, but the richness ruled and I boxed the rest for lunch on Friday. Perhaps I will venture back in the fall for the more palatable lunch prices and the smaller serving of mac n cheese, but I will not return for mediocre dinner at big city prices.
(July 2006)

This writer had a martini and a meatloaf dinner. The dinner would have been OK at $6.95 but not at the prevailing price. The original John's slaw was the highpoint of the meal. Management should find ways to add value. John's is a venerable Birmingham brand among Baby Boomers. They could do more with it.

My wife and I ate at John's on Friday, Jan 12, 2008. We got there right at 5pm when they opened. No one else was there but by 6 pm it was filling quickly. I had the prime rib with roasted corn grits and slaw. Wonderful meal. My wife had the Mahi-Mahi special. She felt it wasn't seasoned enough, her sweet potatoes were luke warm, We had the best waiter, "David",he brought out extra seasoning and a side dish of hot sweet poatatoes and all was well. This place has really changed since the original John's, certainly more upscale. I thought the prices were in range with the food served. Overall it was a good experience.

I've been behind the scenes at John's. The demi-glace is powder-mix, like mccormic's brown gravy packets, the mushrooms aren't wild, the cheese isn't imported OR aged...& get this! often they'll serve burnett's when you ordered (& paid for) kettle-1. Shannon Gober is a narcissistic control-freak. He opened a restaurant in order to boss people around, not for any interest in good food. He cuts a lot of corners. Spend your money on a good meal. Don't waste your it @ John's City Diner.

I disagree with the hateful idiot who posted the comment above this one. The chef who cut corners with processed convenience foods was fired a long time ago by Shannon Gober, a passionate culinary superman who has the conviction to run the best goddamn business he can. If everyone followed their dreams the way he does the world would be a better place... At least he doesnt waste his time talking smack like mr or mrs "former employee"... If they could muster the gumption to live up to JCD standards they wouldn't be unemployed now, surfing the internet, looking for trouble.