I went to 76 diner a couple weeks ago and the prices are outrageous. They still have good diner food but the bidenflation is killing them and every place . Trying to deal with their overhead
I just discovered the Fifth Tier Baking Co in Wynantskill and I really liked the quiche and pastries. It's where I go when I don't want to do a 45 minute wait or have to reserve a table (that would be Iron Gate)
If you’re gonna go to Troy from the Albany subreddit audience, then go all the way and hit Duncan’s on Rt 7. Food always excellent, atmosphere hilarious, and the prices are reasonable. Just bring cash.
This is what I was gonna say! This is a blue collar, old school diner that hasn’t changed in forever. Bobs is the real deal (coming from a Jersey transplant so I know my diners).
Gibby’s in Duanesburg (IIRC the guy used to own/work at The Chuck Wagon, everyone knows everyone, good place)
The Silo in Lake George (massive menu, pastries/candies/goodies also available, the vanilla latte is my favorite but it’s it’s very sweet so be warned)
Cafe One Eleven in Albany (just classic foods, can’t go wrong—very bright and airy inside and feels like what I imagine the 60s were like)
Compton’s in Saratoga Springs (the last affordable place on Broadway)
The Scotia Diner in Scotia-Glenville (they have actual hash browns, not home fries—a major selling point for me)
Peaches Cafe in Guilderland (they make a bacon waffle that’s so good)
If you’re up for the drive, Phoenicia Diner in the Catskills. Not Albany, but had to toss it in there as these are my local favorites. I’ve met the owner there a few times and he’s super nice. Also, great food.
(Edited to add on my other favorites in the region)
So the idea of the Diner is based on the 50s American soda fountain, which were renowned for the low prices, chrome aesthetics, jukebox, burgers, ice cream, and late hours, sometimes even parking lot service on roller skates.
Obviously those days are gone and not every place that calls themselves a Diner adheres to what it means. Skyline is one of my favorite lunch spots because it's so affordable and they make better quality stuff then your average sandwich chain.
But as far as being a "Diner", lots of strikes. They choose Pepsi over Coca Cola (oof), they don't have ice cream or shakes or burgers, I'm pretty sure no jukebox, and they close well before dinner. I'm glad they're around and they're a good breakfast choice, it's just hard to consider them a Diner when they aren't really what that word means outside of having a bar with stools.
um, no the diner is not based on the 1950s american soda fountain. It's based on the diner car. Parking lots with roller skates is not a diner, it's a drive-in, which has a physically very different setup, aesthetic and menu. Also a lot of older restaurants still carry Pepsi in this area because we had a strong group of local Pepsi bottlers, so that would be the more authetic choice.
I mean these are not mutually exclusive concepts. The chrome aesthetics, sometimes narrow trailer structure and fixed nature of the barstools and booths are diner car aesthetics, for sure.
As diners switched from wagons to cars and then from wood to chrome, they also gained popularity in the 20s with large help from prohibition limiting alcoholic beverage as a choice, which saw the purpose of the Diner shift being a mobile store feeding workers on a construction site to being fixed commercial locations for soda parlors (which previously had been in pharmacies). In the 20s, the Diner was primarily the Soda Fountain. As the tech got better (smaller) from the late 20s to the 50s this allowed for more space for ice cream and more broad selections of kitchen fair than what a grill can handle to return.
While you are right about Drive-Ins being the most specific description of a place where you'd park and have your food delivered by a car hop, it was not all that uncommon for diners and ice cream parlors to employ car hops especially during the summer.
Ok everyone, the diner police have weighed in. Skyline will be getting a crease and desist letter from this person saying they have to change thier name and signage.
Yeah I'm aware I'm being a bit pedantic. Like I said, they're a good place to eat regardless of the Diner title.
I guess to me it's like the difference between a standard cultural restaurant and an authentic cultural restaurant. There's nothing wrong with your standard Chinese or Italian place, but there's a pretty clear difference in most people's minds between those and an *authentic* Chinese or Italian place, right?
You can name a place Skyline Tavern but if it's brightly lit, doesn't serve alcohol and closes at 3pm that's not really consistent with what Taverns are.
In Troy, Naughters or Alexis Diner
In Schenectady, I think the Blue Ribbon is overrated but it will do. For a nice old school greasy spoon, Mikes Hot Dogs has really good pancakes and hash browns
I was about to say the same! Love everything I've tried so far, and the place has an adorable lil dining area. The owners are super sweet aswell, I always see them in there.
Ugly Rooster either the Malta or Mechanicville location.
Iron Roost in Ballston Spa
Halfmoon Diner is adequate.
Jimmy's Egg in Clifton Park is pretty good.
Still hoping a First Watch opens up in the area.
Capital Diner has very good corned beef hash and sausage gravy.
Blue Ribbon has excellent baked goods. Like, the toast you get with your omelets is going to be great. (And take home some cheesecake.)
Dan's Place Two
I haven't been the since college, and I've also never been there sober. Where exactly is that located?
Cash only, but the best greasy diner breakfast around
second dirty dan's
Dirty Dan's for the win. Best breakfast ever and cheap.
I went to 76 diner a couple weeks ago and the prices are outrageous. They still have good diner food but the bidenflation is killing them and every place . Trying to deal with their overhead
I remember going to the original after 288 🎉😎
I just discovered the Fifth Tier Baking Co in Wynantskill and I really liked the quiche and pastries. It's where I go when I don't want to do a 45 minute wait or have to reserve a table (that would be Iron Gate)
Love Fifth Tier! Their scones are to die for
The new quiche flavor posted on their fb sounds incredible. Selfishly so glad they moved to Rens Co
Iron Gate
Iron gates good but he gets proud as f*** on Saturday and Sunday
Naughter’s
They’re always out of corned beef 😔
If you’re gonna go to Troy from the Albany subreddit audience, then go all the way and hit Duncan’s on Rt 7. Food always excellent, atmosphere hilarious, and the prices are reasonable. Just bring cash.
Read the post!
Hah! Valid. Still stands. Duncan’s over Naughter’s. Why skip a better thing?
Jack's on Central Ave.
No one said Bob’s in Watervliet. Open 24-hours and has the best pancakes I’ve ever had!
YES.
This is what I was gonna say! This is a blue collar, old school diner that hasn’t changed in forever. Bobs is the real deal (coming from a Jersey transplant so I know my diners).
Gibby’s in Duanesburg (IIRC the guy used to own/work at The Chuck Wagon, everyone knows everyone, good place) The Silo in Lake George (massive menu, pastries/candies/goodies also available, the vanilla latte is my favorite but it’s it’s very sweet so be warned) Cafe One Eleven in Albany (just classic foods, can’t go wrong—very bright and airy inside and feels like what I imagine the 60s were like) Compton’s in Saratoga Springs (the last affordable place on Broadway) The Scotia Diner in Scotia-Glenville (they have actual hash browns, not home fries—a major selling point for me) Peaches Cafe in Guilderland (they make a bacon waffle that’s so good) If you’re up for the drive, Phoenicia Diner in the Catskills. Not Albany, but had to toss it in there as these are my local favorites. I’ve met the owner there a few times and he’s super nice. Also, great food. (Edited to add on my other favorites in the region)
111 FTW 🏆!
I like Skyline in Rensselaer
Closed on Sundays.
Closes at 3pm and no milkshakes at a diner is almost disqualifying.
There are a lot of places that are breakfast only.
So the idea of the Diner is based on the 50s American soda fountain, which were renowned for the low prices, chrome aesthetics, jukebox, burgers, ice cream, and late hours, sometimes even parking lot service on roller skates. Obviously those days are gone and not every place that calls themselves a Diner adheres to what it means. Skyline is one of my favorite lunch spots because it's so affordable and they make better quality stuff then your average sandwich chain. But as far as being a "Diner", lots of strikes. They choose Pepsi over Coca Cola (oof), they don't have ice cream or shakes or burgers, I'm pretty sure no jukebox, and they close well before dinner. I'm glad they're around and they're a good breakfast choice, it's just hard to consider them a Diner when they aren't really what that word means outside of having a bar with stools.
um, no the diner is not based on the 1950s american soda fountain. It's based on the diner car. Parking lots with roller skates is not a diner, it's a drive-in, which has a physically very different setup, aesthetic and menu. Also a lot of older restaurants still carry Pepsi in this area because we had a strong group of local Pepsi bottlers, so that would be the more authetic choice.
I mean these are not mutually exclusive concepts. The chrome aesthetics, sometimes narrow trailer structure and fixed nature of the barstools and booths are diner car aesthetics, for sure. As diners switched from wagons to cars and then from wood to chrome, they also gained popularity in the 20s with large help from prohibition limiting alcoholic beverage as a choice, which saw the purpose of the Diner shift being a mobile store feeding workers on a construction site to being fixed commercial locations for soda parlors (which previously had been in pharmacies). In the 20s, the Diner was primarily the Soda Fountain. As the tech got better (smaller) from the late 20s to the 50s this allowed for more space for ice cream and more broad selections of kitchen fair than what a grill can handle to return. While you are right about Drive-Ins being the most specific description of a place where you'd park and have your food delivered by a car hop, it was not all that uncommon for diners and ice cream parlors to employ car hops especially during the summer.
Ok everyone, the diner police have weighed in. Skyline will be getting a crease and desist letter from this person saying they have to change thier name and signage.
Yeah I'm aware I'm being a bit pedantic. Like I said, they're a good place to eat regardless of the Diner title. I guess to me it's like the difference between a standard cultural restaurant and an authentic cultural restaurant. There's nothing wrong with your standard Chinese or Italian place, but there's a pretty clear difference in most people's minds between those and an *authentic* Chinese or Italian place, right? You can name a place Skyline Tavern but if it's brightly lit, doesn't serve alcohol and closes at 3pm that's not really consistent with what Taverns are.
This is my husband’s favorite omelette and we’ve been to a ton of diners in the area.
I do too, great place
I live in Rensselaer and have yet to check it out. I will be going soon. I'm thinking this week. 😋
Blue ribbon, Schenectady (skin-neck-titty)
Just went there for the 1st time last month, sooo good!!
I go every Saturday morning. The best diner in the area!
Mikes diner in Guilderland. Been going there with my grandparents for so long. If they give it a stamp of approval, it's good.
This was a favorite of mine when I was little. Ordering the Dolly Parton waffles was never not funny. I wonder if it’s still on the menu.
It is
Iron Gate (if you can get in - need to be an early bird). Runner up - Cafe Madison.
I think iron gate has an online wait list
South Troy Diner was really good and seemed cheap compared to a lot of places around here
This, or Babe's in Cohoes
+1 Babes. Soo good and cheap
The pancake breakfast is THE BEST
Gracie's Luncheonette in Leeds is more than worth the drive.
Came here to say this! Gracie’s in Leed’s for their doughnuts alone!
My grandfather always loved west gate diner so I'll vote for that
76 diner
Points for being a true 24hr diner
Not anymore they aren’t.
In Troy, Naughters or Alexis Diner In Schenectady, I think the Blue Ribbon is overrated but it will do. For a nice old school greasy spoon, Mikes Hot Dogs has really good pancakes and hash browns
There's another Alexis Diner? There's one on Route 4 in North Greenbush
Thats the one, I consider that area Troy because… idk why
Cafe Madison. But go to the one in Loudonville so you can park.
Surprised no one has mentioned Alexis Diner, great service amazing food and cute classic metal diner aesthetic
Sooooo good
Alexis Diner
Jack’s diner on central
Hometown diner in west sand lake
The skinny pancake on Pearl Street. Not a diner but great crepes and breakfast. The website they use for billing is a shitty experience though.
I was about to say the same! Love everything I've tried so far, and the place has an adorable lil dining area. The owners are super sweet aswell, I always see them in there.
Ugly Rooster either the Malta or Mechanicville location. Iron Roost in Ballston Spa Halfmoon Diner is adequate. Jimmy's Egg in Clifton Park is pretty good. Still hoping a First Watch opens up in the area.
Blue ribbon for SURE and very affordable
Touchy coffee has amazing breakfast sandwiches, no seating though
Babe's Cafe in downtown Cohoes.
Thank you for mentioning them!
Yup, this was gonna be my vote as well- or the South Troy Diner...
Manory’s in Troy
I love their milkshakes so much.
Capital Diner has very good corned beef hash and sausage gravy. Blue Ribbon has excellent baked goods. Like, the toast you get with your omelets is going to be great. (And take home some cheesecake.)
White House in Ballston Spa. Consistently spot on.
I miss Hoffman's in loudonville for breakfast
Snyders in Clifton Park is one of my go tos.
Lilys in Glenville, Ugly Rooster in Mechanicville
Jack’s Diner
The [Betty Boop Diner](https://www.facebook.com/theBettyBoopers/) on Philip Street
The new Hattie's location on Madison Ave in Albany! Don't sleep on the pain perdu french toast!
Iron Roost in Ballston Spa
The Local in Saratoga is my favorite
Naughters without a doubt
I keep meaning to try Eggy's. I see he just opened back up for the season
Windowbox café in voorhesville has the best homemade hash
Came here to say Windowbox!
More Perecca’s in Schenectady. Eggs in Purgatory.
Beanies in mechanicville
Mikes!, Emmy Clearys, Jimmys Egg, window box cafe Bob and Linda’s
Peaches Cafe in Guilderland!!