Last week marked my 100th New Jersey Diner Review. While I’ve been to diners in other states, New Jersey is the birthplace of the famous diners. When I first moved to the Garden State, my goal became to go every diner before we moved. Maybe I was bored or maybe it seemed like a good excuse not to cook. Whatever the reason, over two years have passed and I’ve made it to 100 diners.
Maybe I was bored or maybe it seemed like a good excuse not to cook. Whatever the reason, over two years have passed and I’ve made it to 100 diners.
With that, I decided to create the updated “Diner Paper Plate Awards.”
All Time Favorite Diner: Mastoris
Mastoris isn’t a typical diner. It’s more of a modern and upscale restaurant, but I like their food and cake.
Least Favorite Diner: Garden State Diner, Ponzios or Stafford
Both diners had long waits as well as the food was a letdown. Ponzios served me a salad with still frozen fish and canned pears.
Diner gone to the most times: Vincentown
I used to live closer to Vincentown. Sadly, the quality of the food and service has gone down hill, so I haven’t been much at all. I went from going three times a month to none.
Best cake: Mastoris (I wanted them to make my wedding cake, but they wouldn’t deliver).
Top 5 Diners:
Healthiest Diner:
Silver Diner (it’s a chain, and there are a few across the east coast)
Best Coffee: Mastoris
Worst Coffee: Princetonian: they charge for refills!
Biggest portions: Tropicana: For $24, I received all of this food. I had run 15 miles and still made a full meal out of leftovers.
Best value: Elmer Diner (cinnamon roll)
At the Elmer Diner: A Coffee, cinnamon bun, eggs, toast, and hashbrowns was $8.00. You can’t beat that!
Most expensive: Vincentown: They charge 75 cents extra per coffee with whipped cream. I’ve ordered a salad with salmon which costs $20+. Every meal is going to be at least $18.
Best Decor:
Chit Chat Diner: I love the black and white retro theme.
Tropicana Diner: It felt like a blast from the Carribean.
So where does my diner journey go next?
For those who don’t know, there are over 300+ diners in New Jersey. It has taken me over two years to get to 100. I’ll continue working my way through the state. As you can see, I’ve been to a lot of the South Jersey Diners. Instead of being able to drive 5 minutes and try a new diner, I now have to drive 45+ minutes so the next year will be more challenging.
With that, I move to Chapter 2 of the Diner book and numbers 101-200. Which diners should I go to next?
Questions for you:
Have you been to any NJ diners?
What is your all time favorite diner?
I really want to try that Mastori’s red velvet cake some day.
You need to on the way through sometime!
been a long time reader and being from NJ but living in Boston where there are little to no diners, i get so jealous reading your reviews 🙂 kenilworth diner is pretty friggin awesome!
No diners?! Oh no. Where were you from in NJ? I’ll have to check it out 🙂
I’m from Cranford! There is one there (Rustic Mill) but it’s nothing to write home about! And now I’m up in Boston where NJ-type diners are scarce 🙁 So sad!
100 diners, that’s a lot of coffee and whipped cream if you add it up. Dang.
I love me some diners. I actually went to the Menlo Park diner after reading your recommendation and fell in love. best matzo ball soup and disco fries I’ve ever had in my life. I need to get around to visiting more because I just love them so much. then again, what’s not to love with menus that literally offer everything and an environment where I don’t feel bad sitting to eat in my leggings and running shoes haha.
Hah! What a cool milestone!! I love reading your reviews 🙂 And we have a Silver Diner here in Richmond and I love it! I’m definitely impressed with their healthy/vegetarian options!
Just wanted to say Happy 100th!! That’s so awesome, I love reading your reviews! 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by as always 🙂
Next time I am in NJ, I know where I need to go!
Next time you’re in NJ, we have to meet up!
congrats on 100! 300 sounds like such a big number but you are almost half way there. good luck!
Wow 100 diners in 2 years! That’s amazing and lots of meals. Sounds like you have some adventures of driving to new diners.
I like reading your blog, but I must admit that your diner reviews are my favorites. I look forward to reading many more.
I appreciate your support Pam, that means a lot!
We have to plan our diner date at Angelo’s. My calendar is blank between 6/19-July 3rd!
Actually my schedule is pretty open from the 20-24. Let’s do it!
I went to an awful diner recently in nj but ugh, I forget the name of it now! so so terrible – it was in northern nj. One day, and I know I say this a lot, I hope you come out here to long island for the diners! I can’t even think of a bad one, they are all great. my favorites are premiere diner, landmark diner, east bay and majestic.
I live in Marlboro, NJ (Central) and I loved Seville and Colonial Diner.
I would recommend Marlboro Diner as it has a new owner and I enjoyed my meal last week! Also Gus’s Diner in Manalapan.
I can’t believe you made it to 100 diners in two years!! So exciting! I loved reading this 🙂