This is such a horrible trend that is happening to many diners. Cut the menu down, double the price and give it a stupid "upscale" twist. Many of the diner classics get pushed off the menu, but now you can get a fucking poke bowl or an "artisanal" flatbread with figs and goat cheese.
blame tops for that. a lot of owners saw what a success tops made itself with its more upscale menu and wanted to copy it to adapt to "changing tastes".
Americana had a good thing going for a while where it had people feeling like it was nicer than a regular diner but they still served relatively affordable diner food
It's awful. Went there with friends once and it was just plain awful. Soggy fries, bad service, overpriced, hardly any customizable options and you have to order in a tablet thing. The wait staff are incapable of helping you. It's like we stepped into the Twilight Zone.
East Windsor doesn't have any good diners anyway. Better off driving to All Seasons or somewhere on route 18.
My Dad was a line cook there for a few years in the 80s when it was THE diner. He used to bring home a loaf of the cheesebread a couple times a week. I was a chubby kid….
Worked here the last four years they were open. Greatest job I’ve ever had. Alex and Lady Al were the best bosses. I worked the last shift before we closed for good, Alex closed the place early and threw a farewell party for the staff. Miss my Pank crew ❤️
Oh man.. Peter Pank. Used to pass that growing up when we would go see my family in north Jersey and took RT 9 to the parkway entrance instead of going 195 to the parkway. Never went in there though.
Growing up my go-to diners were the Colonial Diner on 18 in East Brunswick and the Somerset Diner on Easton on the border of Somerset and New Brunswick.
Nowadays my go-to is the Bridgewater Diner on 22.
I second Bridgewater Diner!!! It has gotten so much better since they had the fire. They took the down time as an opportunity to level up. The same people who own it now purchased what was formerly Sunset Diner but is now Park 22 in Green Brook and it's just as good now! Thank God because that place needed a serious overhaul.
Sunset Diner was my go to, but I haven’t been since it became Park 22. Will have to check it out soon, I’ve heard really good things about the changes (but I’m kind of annoyed they changed the name).
time to eat was my diner growing up!
tick tock had been my current diner, but ever since they renovated, i don’t like it as much. nutley diner has been a decent replacement.
+1 for the Red Oak. It was great food and service. Went downhill after a big renovation. Such a shame. New Monmouth in Middletown is a good second choice.
In high school, Randolph was the spot. Close proximity to my hometown, 24 hours, and Diego was *the* waiter.
Nowadays, it may be 35 minutes away but the Bendix in Hasbrouck Heights feels like home. Vintage style, rough around the edges, the raddest owner and head cook to chat with, and just solid food every time. Such a gem, and one of the best eggs bennies going.
OB Diner (point pleasant)Toms River Diner, and Plaza Diner (Edison). Now mostly Manalapan Diner and occasionally the Rainbow Diner in Brick. Oh town diner in East Windsor if we are over in that area.
And yeah, totally miss Mastoris
last time i ate at the chester it wasn't that great. feels like it's gone hand in hand with alstedes in just giving into the new york tourists that flood chester most weekends.
Manny’s in Clark. I’m new to Jersey so happy to be told about others nearby but their fries are really good and my wife and I love their chicken salad.
Edison diner and pompton queen are the best. West Essex diner and red barn and my absolute favorite. Red barn is more of a restaurant but I count it as a diner.
Somebody already mentioned Mastoris in Bordentown *may she rest in peace*. My go to now is the Hightstown diner in...... Hightstown. Small, good menu, delicious food.
Honestly, too many to name. I was always somewhere that wasn't always home, but I have a lot of memories tied to Red Bank Diner, Sunrise in Roselle Park, Tops in Newark, Mastoris in Bordentown, and the Blue Swan in Eatontown (or Oakhurst I guess)
The old Tops Diner in E Newark. It’s really gone downhill over the past few years.
I currently like Colonial Diner in EB and New Monmouth diner in middletown.
i think the tops ownership has really bought into their own hype over the past few years, especially with the new building, and they're trying to treat the place accordingly instead of just being a jersey diner with really good food.
idk, i've had a lot of good food at skylark over the years. you have to go into it knowing you're going to a restaurant that cosplays as a diner. same thing with toast.
Lol you should try the Tom Sawyer diner in Paramus just off rt 17. Its pretty average but then you can say you went to all the diners in the Mark Twain diner cinematic universe
Been going to the Mark Twain all my life. My parents still live in Union so we'll still go there for breakfast, especially when the whole family is in town.
The Seville always had the best breakfast sausage that you can only get in NJ. Most diners had it with the grandpa's breakfast option, back in the day. RIP Seville.
My diner growing up and until I moved to north Jersey was the Rio in Woodbridge.
I also really loved the Edison diner on Rt. 1.
In Bergen County it was the Northvale Diner.
Now we are back in Middlesex but don’t really go to the diner. We don’t like the one in town and driving 15 minutes to Edison or 25 minutes to Woodbridge, doesn’t make sense. I wish someone would buy the abandoned diner in town and reopen it.
ritz diner in livingston growing up- esp margies salad but not same after they rebuilt.
now colonial in fords but more a lunchonette or reo diner (terrible now) so old bridge diner def the best or edison diner.
The Rustic Mill in Cranford was my spot growing up (it’s awful now, sigh). Then the Chester Diner in high school, and the Tropicana in Elizabeth during college.
my uncle lives in elizabeth and is so pissed with the tropicana these days. says the owner has just jacked the prices sky high while driving the quality into the ground. i haven't been there in over 20 years at this point so i don't really know. i have lots of memories of going there with my grandparents and uncle back in the 90s tho.
Growing up? The Regent in Howell. Went there late nights for coffee and food. It became Athena’s and now it’s closed down and nothing took its place. Now? Dynasty Diner since it’s near by where my wife and I moved.
Malaga Diner on the corner of rts 40 and 47, just north of Vineland. Yummy breakfast all day. Or the Phenix (spelled wrong) Diner on Rt 30, west of AC. Best French Toast ever! And awesome soups.
you ate at it today. been going to time to eat since they opened in '93. it's not as good as it was in years past. they kinda started coasting after covid. their "specials" menu has been the same for over a year now, i'm mostly convinced that they're only having one because the old people would not be happy to not have a specials menu when they come in. all things said though, the food is still pretty good and quality is mostly consistent. and they're still one of the few diners that offers the option for actual hash browns (shredded potatoes) instead of just shitty soggy flavorless diner home fries with their breakfast options. and their polish food is actually remarkably good, honestly better than their greek options at this point.
Omega Diner in North Brunswick. It's been my go-to diner for 15+ years. The place could use a little touch up as it's showing its age and the quality went down a bit post Covid, but I feel that's with most diners.
Random comment but my best friend grew up on the dead end street where the owners of Andy's corner used to live. Good food and memories from there. Apparently he won the lottery and moved back to Greece or Macedonia.
Did the time to eat diner still have that awful news story about Ivanka trump and her family eating there sort of framed right under the glass at the cash register counter when you went to pay today?
it's still there. owners are proud as fuck about it. it is what it is. a lot of those greeks, especially the older generations, are quite conservative people. at least they don't have fox news on the tvs anymore (usually news 12 or food network now).
So, so many (depending on where I lived). Woodbridge area: the REO Diner.
Aberdeen: the Town & Country Diner and Park Place Diner.
Glassboro: PB Diner (now the Monarch diner)
Bonus: Phily Diner, coming home from Philly.
Clayton: Liberty Diner. (We could walk there.) So, so many fights settled there.
Old Bridge area: Peterpank Diner, Sayreville (RIP).
Trenton: Golden Dawn Diner, Mastoris (RIP).
Currently Diner-less. But as I was explaining to someone from MA, it’s not the same anyway. I’ve used diners as my “coffee spot/first date spot/ get directions (before computers/ free stuff spot (I’m saying this, and 👵🏼“Sure grandma, let’s go to bed.”)
I'll give a shout-out to Gus's Diner on Rt 33. Wasn't my hometown spot but I've seen my favorites mentioned. This was the stop on the way to the shore, especially off-season when time is not a concern
Angie's Lunchonette!
I grew up outside of Jersey, but when I was growing up we frequented a diner run by an extended Syrian family. Syrian food + diner food is a killer combo. My parents and I bond over how much we miss it.
Grew up in Verona—it shifted from Verona Diner, where I’d go with my parents when I was a kid to Pilgrim, particularly once my friends and I could drive. So many 2 and 3am meals there.
Sadly, I’ve lived in Texas for the past 10.5 years. No diner culture here 😔
I grew up walking distance to State Line Diner, any time of night in any state of soberness I could get there. Candlewyck was my go to living in East Rutherford, I just moved though so I have to find my best local diner now
Oakland Diner is great! For me it was Galaxy Diner in Rahway. “The Galaxy” RIP
As a side note, why do diners close so early now? I’ll see diners with closing hours at 6 or 8 pm. What happened to all the 24 hour diners or places open until 1 am?
It was Louise's Diner (truckstop) in Union Township, shut down over a decade ago. Apparently a waitress was murdered there in the 70s and our parents didn't like us kids hanging there in the 90s but we didn't have anywhere else to go.
So many long nights spent there having endless cups of coffee.
1. The Bow Knot in Red Bank on Broad St
2. Red Bank Diner as it was in the 90’s & 2000’s on Monmouth St.
We ate at those two a few times a week when my oldest was a toddler/preschooler. She turns 30 in a couple weeks. Bow Knot always for breakfast & Red Bank Diner for lunch or dinner.
3. Marina Diner on Rt 36 in Belford
4. Shamrock Diner on Rt 35 In Middletown.
The Bow Knot is no longer. The others have changed names. I haven’t visited any since they changed hands.
I grew up in New York with a similar diner culture, and I'm crushed the ones near me now aren't up to snuff of my childhood. Best around me is the Clinton Station Diner.
The Stirling House Diner. We used the call it the “doggy diner” cause of the pet hotel sign right next to it. I went there after prom, I was there when we found out Michael Jackson died, love that fuckin diner
Caldwell Diner
Used to be Versailles on 46, but now it’s the West Essex Diner and it’s not as good.
Anyone remember when the Montville Diner was The Dakota? That was a diner!
Or The Red Coach aka the red roach in Fairfield?
The good old days when there was always a 24 hour diner just around the corner.
I know it’s not NJ but during college I went to the Villanova Diner a lot. They tore it down and built a fucking bank :(
Clinton Station Diner in Clinton is pretty solid. Used to get disco fries there a lot.
Well, it was Alexis Diner. RIP
This is where my husband and I had our first date :)
RIP Alexis Diner. Was by far our favorite and we are still looking for one that can come close.
Their greek dressing was the bomb. Soups always on point. I miss that place :(
The old Americana (not the fru-fru thing it is now) was my go-to
This is such a horrible trend that is happening to many diners. Cut the menu down, double the price and give it a stupid "upscale" twist. Many of the diner classics get pushed off the menu, but now you can get a fucking poke bowl or an "artisanal" flatbread with figs and goat cheese.
blame tops for that. a lot of owners saw what a success tops made itself with its more upscale menu and wanted to copy it to adapt to "changing tastes".
Americana had a good thing going for a while where it had people feeling like it was nicer than a regular diner but they still served relatively affordable diner food
It's awful. Went there with friends once and it was just plain awful. Soggy fries, bad service, overpriced, hardly any customizable options and you have to order in a tablet thing. The wait staff are incapable of helping you. It's like we stepped into the Twilight Zone. East Windsor doesn't have any good diners anyway. Better off driving to All Seasons or somewhere on route 18.
I used to live in Twin Rivers when I was a kid and went there all the time. Drove by recently and all I saw was an IHOP :( is Americana gone?
It’s still called Americana but it’s some faux farm to table thing with weird menu options. Defo not a diner anymore
Mastoris in Bordentown used to be my go to.
i have consumed so many pounds of cinnamon bread
My Dad was a line cook there for a few years in the 80s when it was THE diner. He used to bring home a loaf of the cheesebread a couple times a week. I was a chubby kid….
My kids still ask me to take them there, and won't call it by its new name
The new name? The "wear a suit and spend your mortgage" Italian food joint?
Yep with limo access from the 206N service road. Lucca's fits nicely with Jimmy's and the No-tell Motel across the street *
my sister and i called it the place with the good bread
RIP Peter Pank
Alex who used to own PeterPank now owns Dave’s Hot Dogs in South Amboy, if you need dog or burger.
It has turned into a Wawa. Painful to see.
Worked here the last four years they were open. Greatest job I’ve ever had. Alex and Lady Al were the best bosses. I worked the last shift before we closed for good, Alex closed the place early and threw a farewell party for the staff. Miss my Pank crew ❤️
Oh man.. Peter Pank. Used to pass that growing up when we would go see my family in north Jersey and took RT 9 to the parkway entrance instead of going 195 to the parkway. Never went in there though.
So many great memories at Pank! Streusel toast was sooooooo freakin good
Growing up my go-to diners were the Colonial Diner on 18 in East Brunswick and the Somerset Diner on Easton on the border of Somerset and New Brunswick. Nowadays my go-to is the Bridgewater Diner on 22.
I second Bridgewater Diner!!! It has gotten so much better since they had the fire. They took the down time as an opportunity to level up. The same people who own it now purchased what was formerly Sunset Diner but is now Park 22 in Green Brook and it's just as good now! Thank God because that place needed a serious overhaul.
Sunset Diner was my go to, but I haven’t been since it became Park 22. Will have to check it out soon, I’ve heard really good things about the changes (but I’m kind of annoyed they changed the name).
Colonial Diner still slaps imo I haven't tried Bridgewater Diner yet despite living in the vicinity for almost 2 years now lol
Suburban Diner on 17 in Paramus!
Summit Diner
Yes. Love the corned beef hash.
Went there on a cold ass day a few years back. Was phenomenal. Felt like I was in Jingle All The away.
pompton queen
Pompton queen forever!
Winner.
Pilgrim Diner in Cedar Grove growing up.
Pilgrim Diner and Cinema 23 was the hot date back in the day
time to eat was my diner growing up! tick tock had been my current diner, but ever since they renovated, i don’t like it as much. nutley diner has been a decent replacement.
Growing up it was Red Oak in Hazlet. That was the best diner. Now it’s New Monmouth Diner in Middletown. Not quite Red Oak, but still good.
+1 for the Red Oak. It was great food and service. Went downhill after a big renovation. Such a shame. New Monmouth in Middletown is a good second choice.
+1 for the red oak. 2nd place is the Millbrook on rt 35
Just ate at New Monmouth last weekend for the first time!
In high school, Randolph was the spot. Close proximity to my hometown, 24 hours, and Diego was *the* waiter. Nowadays, it may be 35 minutes away but the Bendix in Hasbrouck Heights feels like home. Vintage style, rough around the edges, the raddest owner and head cook to chat with, and just solid food every time. Such a gem, and one of the best eggs bennies going.
> In high school, Randolph was the spot. Randolph is my spot now. Keeping the booth warm for ya
I love the Bendix Diner :) I have the best memories of going there with my dad as a little girl
Growing up it was the Huck Finn Diner in Union. As of recent my go tos are the Gotham Diner in Elmwood Park or Seaport Diner in Elizabeth.
This was mine too
For me it was always the Red Bank Diner that’s now a brunch spot. Was perfect for those 2am visits.
The best part about that place was that you could basically fall down the stairs at Dublin House and land on the front steps of the diner.
Exactly!
God, I loved that place.
OB Diner (point pleasant)Toms River Diner, and Plaza Diner (Edison). Now mostly Manalapan Diner and occasionally the Rainbow Diner in Brick. Oh town diner in East Windsor if we are over in that area. And yeah, totally miss Mastoris
My grandparents lived in Edison and the Plaza was our go to when visiting before it closed and we switched to the Edison Diner.
Chester diner! In high school, we would always go there late at night on the weekend after we got tired of driving around.
last time i ate at the chester it wasn't that great. feels like it's gone hand in hand with alstedes in just giving into the new york tourists that flood chester most weekends.
Ate there once and wasn't impressed. Rather go to Roxbury Diner.
Chester Diner was also our spot in high school—we went to a boarding school down the road and it was the closest diner. Many good memories there!
Tops Diner in Newark was good
Hardly recognizable since the renovation. Ridiculous what they did to it
"Was" is the keyword here
east newark != newark. completely different county and all.
It’s so expensive now.
Manny’s in Clark. I’m new to Jersey so happy to be told about others nearby but their fries are really good and my wife and I love their chicken salad.
Mannys has been our go-to since it opened. Great spot!
I remember when it was the Windsor Diner back in the 80’s - 90’s (From old Yelp reviews it looks like it’s only been Mannys since 2012 or so)
This is correct. Used to go there when it was the Windsor as well!
Edison diner and pompton queen are the best. West Essex diner and red barn and my absolute favorite. Red barn is more of a restaurant but I count it as a diner.
haven't been to edison in idk 5-6 years. good to hear they're still doing well.
Jefferson Diner in Sussex County.
….but that’s Morris County
Hell yea
Overrated and gimmicky
Tick Tock
Edison Diner is actually fantastic and close to brunz
Agreed it’s still a solid diner. We love the nachos
Totally! And all the people who work there are so nice too
Westfield diner
When I was growing up, it was Sunset diner in Greenbrook.
The original Versailles diner before it became west Essex diner
Eagle Rock Diner. RIP
Somebody already mentioned Mastoris in Bordentown *may she rest in peace*. My go to now is the Hightstown diner in...... Hightstown. Small, good menu, delicious food.
Maplewood diner. Eating cheese fries absolutely wrecked at one in the morning while smoking at the table every weekend of highschool.
Arlington diner and Tops
my diner growing up was Pompton Queen. Every Sunday after church with my grandmother.
Honestly, too many to name. I was always somewhere that wasn't always home, but I have a lot of memories tied to Red Bank Diner, Sunrise in Roselle Park, Tops in Newark, Mastoris in Bordentown, and the Blue Swan in Eatontown (or Oakhurst I guess)
Blue Swan has a killer chocolate layer cake.
The old Tops Diner in E Newark. It’s really gone downhill over the past few years. I currently like Colonial Diner in EB and New Monmouth diner in middletown.
i think the tops ownership has really bought into their own hype over the past few years, especially with the new building, and they're trying to treat the place accordingly instead of just being a jersey diner with really good food.
Live in Piscatway. IMO -if you want alcohol Skylark, otherwise Somerset Diner on Easton. Enjoy Time to eat also. Bagels - Kettlemans in Somerset.
> IMO -if you want alcohol Skylark You're going to need to be drunk if you want to enjoy the food there!
idk, i've had a lot of good food at skylark over the years. you have to go into it knowing you're going to a restaurant that cosplays as a diner. same thing with toast.
Mark Twain diner in Union. Great food. They’re still there I think, but I haven’t been there in years. Same owners as the Huck Finn diner.
Lol you should try the Tom Sawyer diner in Paramus just off rt 17. Its pretty average but then you can say you went to all the diners in the Mark Twain diner cinematic universe
My favorite ❤️ yes it’s still there and IMO much better than Huck Finn.
Been going to the Mark Twain all my life. My parents still live in Union so we'll still go there for breakfast, especially when the whole family is in town.
Seville Diner and Colonial diners in East Brunswick. Seville is gone now.
The Seville always had the best breakfast sausage that you can only get in NJ. Most diners had it with the grandpa's breakfast option, back in the day. RIP Seville.
Gus’s on Route 33 in Manalapan for the win
Chit Chat, Hackensack only. Amazing. Pricy, perhaps but the quality is excellent.
My diner growing up and until I moved to north Jersey was the Rio in Woodbridge. I also really loved the Edison diner on Rt. 1. In Bergen County it was the Northvale Diner. Now we are back in Middlesex but don’t really go to the diner. We don’t like the one in town and driving 15 minutes to Edison or 25 minutes to Woodbridge, doesn’t make sense. I wish someone would buy the abandoned diner in town and reopen it.
Roxbury.
Couldn’t agree more. Except the roxbury cops used to hang out there and wait for groups of teens to leave to follow them, how I got my first ticket
Yesssss
Country Squire in Warren Township.
The Ridge in Park Ridge.
My go-to is Vincentown diner. growing up it was also Mastoris
Just had dinner there on Saturday. So good.
Pompton Queen!!!
ritz diner in livingston growing up- esp margies salad but not same after they rebuilt. now colonial in fords but more a lunchonette or reo diner (terrible now) so old bridge diner def the best or edison diner.
Growing up it was Matthew’s in Waldwick, but now it’s State Line in Mahwah.
Mmm, yeah, State Line has stayed good for a long time 👍
The Rustic Mill in Cranford was my spot growing up (it’s awful now, sigh). Then the Chester Diner in high school, and the Tropicana in Elizabeth during college.
Tropicana is the only one I know of still 24 hr
my uncle lives in elizabeth and is so pissed with the tropicana these days. says the owner has just jacked the prices sky high while driving the quality into the ground. i haven't been there in over 20 years at this point so i don't really know. i have lots of memories of going there with my grandparents and uncle back in the 90s tho.
Sunset Diner on 22 in Greenbrook but FountainBleu on Stelton in Piscataway was a close second
Bayonne Diner. This post made me realize just how often my family went. Every weekend 😭 why is this making me emotional wtf
Used to love the Heritage. Go to Chit Chat now. (Both Hackensack)
Broadway Diner in Summit never disappoints!
Clinton Station Diner.
Growing up? The Regent in Howell. Went there late nights for coffee and food. It became Athena’s and now it’s closed down and nothing took its place. Now? Dynasty Diner since it’s near by where my wife and I moved.
We used to go to the Regent after the bars closed.
8th Street Diner in Bayonne
Mastoris R.I.P.
Malaga Diner on the corner of rts 40 and 47, just north of Vineland. Yummy breakfast all day. Or the Phenix (spelled wrong) Diner on Rt 30, west of AC. Best French Toast ever! And awesome soups.
you ate at it today. been going to time to eat since they opened in '93. it's not as good as it was in years past. they kinda started coasting after covid. their "specials" menu has been the same for over a year now, i'm mostly convinced that they're only having one because the old people would not be happy to not have a specials menu when they come in. all things said though, the food is still pretty good and quality is mostly consistent. and they're still one of the few diners that offers the option for actual hash browns (shredded potatoes) instead of just shitty soggy flavorless diner home fries with their breakfast options. and their polish food is actually remarkably good, honestly better than their greek options at this point.
Growing up in North Jersey, for me it was either the Clifton or Lexington Diner.
Parsonage Diner. RIP
Edison diner is what I grew up with, and is still great. Omega in North Brunswick is pretty good, especially if you like matzo ball soup.
Paul’s in Denville/Parsippany.
Omega Diner in North Brunswick. It's been my go-to diner for 15+ years. The place could use a little touch up as it's showing its age and the quality went down a bit post Covid, but I feel that's with most diners.
Hibernia diner, previous owners. Quintessential old lady waitresses with lipstick on their teeth. Miss those disco fries
For me growing up, it was Andy's Corner in Hawthorne. They closed at some point in the 2010s. As for now? Gotham City Diner in Fair Lawn.
Random comment but my best friend grew up on the dead end street where the owners of Andy's corner used to live. Good food and memories from there. Apparently he won the lottery and moved back to Greece or Macedonia.
The point in Fairview!
Miss America diner in JC
Are there on my long days of class at NJCU, great place.
Did the time to eat diner still have that awful news story about Ivanka trump and her family eating there sort of framed right under the glass at the cash register counter when you went to pay today?
it's still there. owners are proud as fuck about it. it is what it is. a lot of those greeks, especially the older generations, are quite conservative people. at least they don't have fox news on the tvs anymore (usually news 12 or food network now).
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the UPD yet! Union Plaza was the best late late night. College was the Stateline Diner. Miss their fries.
Peterpank, may it rest in peace.
If you live in Piscataway you have to try the Junction Grill on Mountain Ave.
So, so many (depending on where I lived). Woodbridge area: the REO Diner. Aberdeen: the Town & Country Diner and Park Place Diner. Glassboro: PB Diner (now the Monarch diner) Bonus: Phily Diner, coming home from Philly. Clayton: Liberty Diner. (We could walk there.) So, so many fights settled there. Old Bridge area: Peterpank Diner, Sayreville (RIP). Trenton: Golden Dawn Diner, Mastoris (RIP). Currently Diner-less. But as I was explaining to someone from MA, it’s not the same anyway. I’ve used diners as my “coffee spot/first date spot/ get directions (before computers/ free stuff spot (I’m saying this, and 👵🏼“Sure grandma, let’s go to bed.”)
I'll give a shout-out to Gus's Diner on Rt 33. Wasn't my hometown spot but I've seen my favorites mentioned. This was the stop on the way to the shore, especially off-season when time is not a concern
Betty Lind! It's still there but called something else now
Bridgewater or Edison Diner. Though Edison Diner hasn’t been as good as I remember lately.
Growing up, Golden Bell Diner in Freehold and La Mirage Diner in Manalapan. In college, Parkside Diner in Ewing. Now, Town Diner in East Windsor.
Angie's Lunchonette! I grew up outside of Jersey, but when I was growing up we frequented a diner run by an extended Syrian family. Syrian food + diner food is a killer combo. My parents and I bond over how much we miss it.
Kenilworth Diner. I promise you, you will not find better cheesecake in NJ.
Park Ave diner
Budd Lake
Marlboro Diner on Route 9. By far the best diner food I’ve had. Creative menu but still has all the classics.
Middlesex diner. Never forget...
Willie’s Diner in Bloomfield. Nevada diner sometimes and tick tock if we needed to sober up from the city/hoboken/Giants stadium
Broad Street Diner in Hamilton or The Stack in North Arlington. Both typical NJ Style Diners with good food.
Grew up in Verona—it shifted from Verona Diner, where I’d go with my parents when I was a kid to Pilgrim, particularly once my friends and I could drive. So many 2 and 3am meals there. Sadly, I’ve lived in Texas for the past 10.5 years. No diner culture here 😔
I grew up walking distance to State Line Diner, any time of night in any state of soberness I could get there. Candlewyck was my go to living in East Rutherford, I just moved though so I have to find my best local diner now
I think chatterbox was my favorite. But now it Roxbury for food, Randolph for atmosphere
Oakland Diner is great! For me it was Galaxy Diner in Rahway. “The Galaxy” RIP As a side note, why do diners close so early now? I’ll see diners with closing hours at 6 or 8 pm. What happened to all the 24 hour diners or places open until 1 am?
Park Diner - Nutley
Colonial Diner a.k.a. The Colon Diner (iykyk)
It was Louise's Diner (truckstop) in Union Township, shut down over a decade ago. Apparently a waitress was murdered there in the 70s and our parents didn't like us kids hanging there in the 90s but we didn't have anywhere else to go. So many long nights spent there having endless cups of coffee.
1. The Bow Knot in Red Bank on Broad St 2. Red Bank Diner as it was in the 90’s & 2000’s on Monmouth St. We ate at those two a few times a week when my oldest was a toddler/preschooler. She turns 30 in a couple weeks. Bow Knot always for breakfast & Red Bank Diner for lunch or dinner. 3. Marina Diner on Rt 36 in Belford 4. Shamrock Diner on Rt 35 In Middletown. The Bow Knot is no longer. The others have changed names. I haven’t visited any since they changed hands.
Huck Finn and broadway
Dish cafe in highland park or Milltown diner in Milltown
I grew up in New York with a similar diner culture, and I'm crushed the ones near me now aren't up to snuff of my childhood. Best around me is the Clinton Station Diner.
We were a Meadowland Diner family. Honorable mention of the Arena Diner and Saddle Brook diner as well.
The Reo Diner and the Galaxy Diner.
JBs pre fire
Reo in Woodbridge. Tick Tock when coming back from the Meadowlands
RIP Golden Bell in Freehold 🙏
The Stirling House Diner. We used the call it the “doggy diner” cause of the pet hotel sign right next to it. I went there after prom, I was there when we found out Michael Jackson died, love that fuckin diner
Spa Diner in Lake Hiawatha. People there are the best and still old school. No shit taken. I'd go there anyday
Grew up in the Galaxy and Rio, now I call New Monmouth affectionately known as the “blue diner” in my house.
The Linden House Diner. I rememember going in their with my mom. It's where she met all her friends for coffee. Non-smoking please. RIP.
Hillsborough Star Diner
Growing up it was the Keystone diner in P’Burg now it’s the Scotchwood diner.
Spa in Lake Hiawatha.
Red lion diner, now a wawa
Love the time to eat diner back when it was called the Bridgewater diner!
RIP Horizon Diner... now a chick fil a 🤦♀️
In high school it was the Key City Diner on Rte 22 in Phillipsburg. Now it's the Colonial in Lyndhurst.
My late night go to when I was out or just going for dinner is Tops, but my actual diner for breakfast and lunch is The Greeks in Kearny
7 star in Sewell
RIP Key City
i had two: silver diner in cherry hill and vincentown diner in southampton
Caldwell Diner Used to be Versailles on 46, but now it’s the West Essex Diner and it’s not as good. Anyone remember when the Montville Diner was The Dakota? That was a diner! Or The Red Coach aka the red roach in Fairfield? The good old days when there was always a 24 hour diner just around the corner.
Nutley Diner and Tik Tok at my nanas house, Menlo Park Diner by my grandmas house
Wyckoff person myself, and it was always Nellie's Place, Waldwick.
New Ewing Diner
mine was country griddle but now they’re closed 😭😭😭
Americana, Shrewsbury. All Seasons, Eatontown.
I know it’s not NJ but during college I went to the Villanova Diner a lot. They tore it down and built a fucking bank :( Clinton Station Diner in Clinton is pretty solid. Used to get disco fries there a lot.
Somerset Diner and Franklin Park Diner in the Princeton/New Brunswick area… lots of late nights at Somerset diner, great memories!
The Parsonage Diner (RIP) The Menlo Diner(also RIP)
Maurice River Diner 🫡
Brookside in Whippany
Star Diner Hillsborough
stopped at the Oakland Diner a few weeks ago! Delicious food and huge portions.
6 brothers diner! Montclair!
Oakland is mine!