Recently I was at the newly opened Monarch Diner. The Monarch Diner was updated from PB’s Diner and Taproom. Both the Monarch Diner and the Red Lion Diner are now under a new ownership and brand new look. It’s still in Gloucester Township on Delsea Drive in South Jersey.
Typically I’m confused about whether an updated or new ownership diner should be considered, “new,” but I’ve come to terms with if it has a new name and new owner, it’s new. The Red Lion Diner has new ownership as well, but still the same name. Should I go back and rereview it? TBD.
Atmosphere: A
I arrived at the Monarch Diner (Glassboro) on a Friday for dinner, and it was busy. There was already a wait. The outside is a cobblestone building with a touch of modern flair, while the inside has plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar.
There is a bright diner counter, bar area, high top tables, a diner area too. The Monarch Diner is much brighter than PB’s Diner and Taproom, and it’s much more “diner.”
Coffee: B
The Monarch Diner serve local Lacas coffee which was excellent. I could have used more refills, but other than that, it was good. It also has it’s liquor license.
Food: B
The menu at the Monarch Diner is vast. It’s also one of the most unique diner menus I’ve ever seen. It includes menu choices that are both vegan or vegetarian. The Monarch Diner also has the ability to sub regular bread for cauliflower bread. I’ve never seen that a restaurant, let alone diner, so I had to try it.
For my appetizer at the Monarch Diner, I decided to order the grilled Meditteranean platter. It came with grilled squash, eggplant, cauliflower pita points, hummus, and tzatziki sauce. It was good. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. I didn’t know what to expect from the cauliflower pita but it was delicious, and I have no complaints.
For my entree, I ordered the BLT on cauliflower bread. It was a $3 upcharge, but I was so fascinated by it, that I decided I had too. The BLT was stuffed with plenty of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and even avocado. The cauliflower bread was good, and truthfully I couldn’t taste much of a difference.
I asked to substitute the fries for a side salad, but they said that wasn’t an option, so I just chose one of the side vegetables. I was surprised I couldn’t but not the end of the world.
Dessert: A
I chose a chocolate pie to go. The chocolate pie was delicious. It had plenty of whipped cream and pudding, and I have no complaints. While not cake, and not usually something I would order, the whipped cream called my name. We all know if it has whipped cream, I will probably like it.
Service: A
The waitress at the Monarch Diner was nice, and our food came out quickly. In all, it was a great diner. I always appreciate it when the manager (or maybe owner) walks around to see how the meal was.
Cost: $$
For the appetizer, meal, coffee, and dessert, it was $40. This isn’t an inexpensive diner, but the food is good.
Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Monarch Diner?
I liked the Monarch Diner (Glassboro, NJ), dare I say it, better than PB’s? I would go back, and it’s one of my favorite in the area.
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: B
Service: A
Dessert: A
Cost: $15-30
Overall: A
You Can See All 237 Diner Reviews Here.
Close by diners: The Lamp Post Diner,The Metro Diner
Questions for you:
What is your favorite dessert?
Have you tried cauliflower crust? I don’t love or hate cauliflower crust. To me, it’s not a substitution for bread (and I don’t need it), but I do like the flavor and having it once in a while.