Danville’s FastLane Diner serves up classic specials

Cheeseburger specials flew out the kitchen during the new FastLane Diner’s lunch rush on Tuesday.

The classic-style diner — where customers can order Coke floats, milkshakes, plate specials and apple cobbler — opened in the former Country Girls Cookin space at 621 Main St. about two weeks ago, manager Ryan Bryson said.

Business started out slow, but picks up every day, he added. The diner employs six people, but is looking into adding another cook and expanding hours early next year.

“Quality is our main concern,” Ryan Bryson said. “We try to make sure everybody leaves happy.”

CEO Ralph Bryson of CarVaGa Industries personally owns the restaurant. Through CarVaGa Industries, area residents can receive training at the diner.

With that experience, trained employees would then be in a better position to go into the community and find employment, Ryan Bryson said.

CarVaGa is primarily a vocational training facility that offers work adjustment training for residents with disabilities and at-risk teenagers. The company also contracts to process and recycle plastics on Industrial Avenue.

Travis Lewis, a 19-year-old of Hurt, travels to Danville twice a week to serve as a prep cook through CarVaGa.

“It’s been busy, but I like it,” Lewis said.

CarVaGa employees and residents who work downtown said they liked the addition of an affordable place to eat nearby.

“It’s closer to all the businesses,” said Kevin Hopkins, a 36-year-old warehouse supervisor of Chatham.

Hopkins joined warehouse supervisor Joe Duke and other workers from CarVaGa Industries for lunch on Tuesday.

Jack Pruitt, an 18-year-old assistant machine operator of Pittsylvania County, spent about $5 and felt full.

“It’s pretty much better food,” added co-worker Joshua Hutson, a 19-year-old assistant machine operator of Axton.

First-time customer and Danville resident David Hendricks, a quality assurance employee of Comcast, tasted the cheeseburger special. He said the diner is conveniently located near the office. He’ll probably be back again.

“It’s good,” Hendricks said. “I can’t complain.”

If You Go
The FastLane Diner
621 Main St.
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more info, call (434) 797-FAST or (434) 797-3278.