Affton Diner Hangs In There With Competition Next Door

Not long after the Affton Diner opened its doors for business in February, Breakfast & Burgers did the same in March right next door.

The menus are similar, but Breakfast & Burgers sells burgers to the lunch crowd.

Affton Diner owner Jonathan Aka had to make adjustments when Breakfast & Burgers opened.

Get all the local news with the Patch newsletter!

"We slowed down a lot when they next door opened," Aka said. "Then I did the necessary actions, switched some stuff, added some stuff in the menu, then we picked it up again, but not as much as we used to, because now we’re dividing those people, and he does identical to what I do."

Several tables were full on a rainy morning last week, but that's not what Aka calls busy.

"A busy day for me means like non-stop," he said. "Most of the days I’m by myself here, and I serve and cook everything."

He said a group of Shriners often come in, and anyone with a uniform gets free coffee. One day a group came in after mass at Seven Holy Founders.

He does what he can to keep his seats full.

For now he's staying open until 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"It’s going to be an ongoing hassle," he said. "I guess that’s what I have to deal with."

Also in Patch:

• Affton Diner Now Open
• New Affton Business is Welcomed to the Community