Running and Laughing through the Garden State
For the longest time, I thought Squirrel’s Nut Butter was a type of peanut butter. I saw people promoting it and that’s what I thought it was. I didn’t research it and didn’t hear much about it.
But it’s not…
It’s hard to believe I’m now four weeks deep into a calcaneus stress fracture. Everything else in the world seems more important. Even if I was healthy, like any runner, all my races are canceled or postponed. I get to start a slow return to running in another two weeks. So I guess I’ll begin counting down to that.
Recently my good friend Cyd (who owns the website New Jersey Isn’t Boring) and I went to the Maple Valley Diner in Clifton, NJ. She heard it was good so we decided to give a shot. We’ve been to over 30 diners together now so it’s becoming harder and harder to find new ones that we both haven’t been too.
Maple Valley Diner (Clifton, NJ) Atmosphere: A
The Maple Valley Diner looks modern and well kept. It sticks out on the highway. The interior of The Maple Valley Diner looks fairly modern with plenty of booths, tables, a full-length bar, and a dessert case. I always appreciate a diner with a dessert case, although it makes me want to order dessert more (not a problem though).
The Maple Valley Diner Coffee: A
The Maple Valley Diner coffee was brewed hot and fresh and the waitress brought plenty of refills. I could haven’t asked for a better experience.
The Maple Valley Diner Food: B
The Maple Valley Diner menu has most things you expect in a diner. There is an all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I expected there to be more specials as well as seafood options, but there weren’t as many. The Maple Valley Diner is known for their sweet potatoes, french fries, french toast, egg platters, and cake.
I decided to order the steak kabob (I think I’ve ordered it once at the Galaxy Diner). It came with grilled steak, grilled vegetables, on top of rice, as well as a side greek salad. I was happy with the steak kabob, although I asked for the steak for medium-rare, and it was much closer to medium or even done. Other than that, the meal was excellent.
The Maple Valley Diner Dessert: B
We heard the Rainbow Cake was excellent (also known as Italian cake) so we decided to order that. I like a good rainbow cake and I have no complaints. It also had a hint of raspberry, which was tasted great. I did think it was a small piece for the cost ($6).
The Maple Valley Diner Service: A
Our waitress at The Maple Valley Diner was friendly and our food came out fast. Plus, the manager came to check on us. In all, it was a great experience.
The Maple Valley Diner Cost: $$
For the steak kabob, coffee, and cake it was $30, which I did think the cake was much pricer for the size.
Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to The Maple Valley Diner?
I liked The Maple Valley Diner and I would go back if I’m in Clifton again. It’s slightly more expensive but worth the price. It was a great diner and experience. I would go back just for the rainbow cake.
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: B
Dessert: B
Service: A
Cost: $15-25
Overall: A
Questions for you:
Do you like rainbow cake?
Have you ever tried a steak kabob?
Ocean Bay Diner (South Amboy, NJ)
Recently I was in South Amboy and I decided to make a stop at the Ocean Bay Diner in South Amboy.
When I arrived to the Ocean Bay Diner, I was the only one there. I was surprised and I wasn’t sure the Ocean Bay Diner was open.
Ocean Bay Diner Atmosphere: A
The Ocean Bay Diner looks like a stereotypical diner. The outside is inviting with the name Ocean Bay Diner.
The inside of the Ocean Bay Diner is clean, modern, and has plenty of booths and tables. There is even a big salad bar too.
Ocean Bay Diner Coffee: A
The Ocean Bay Diner coffee was served hot and fresh and the waitress brought plenty of refills. It was good coffee.
Ocean Bay Diner Food: B
The Ocean Bay Diner menu has everything you can imagine in a diner. There is all day breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I didn’t notice any specials at the Ocean Bay Diner which was the only surprising.
I decided to order the broiled salmon which came with soup, the salad bar, 2 sides, and the salmon. It was a lot of food which is why I chose it.
I decided to forgo the soup because it was just a lot of food.
The salad bar at the Ocean Bay Diner is one of the best diner salad bars yet. There were all of the regular salad bar options including 2 types of greens, olives, tomatoes, onions, and tomatoes. It also had plenty of options that not many sale bars do including beets, peppers, and bean salad. In all, I was extremely pleased.
The salmon came with two sides and I chose corn and rice. The corn was bland and the rice tasted like regular rice. Nothing unique or unusual about the sides.
The salmon tasted good. Instead of a filet of salmon, they plated salmon steak. It came with skin (my favorite) but also had bones. In all, it was one of the better diner salmons I’ve had.
I was happy with my meal and the Ocean Bay Diner salad bar is one of the best I’ve been too.
Ocean Bay Diner Service: A
The waitress at the Ocean Bay Diner was great and I couldn’t have asked for better service. Our food also came out quickly.
Ocean Bay Diner Cost: $$
For my meal and coffee, it was $23. It was a lot of food but the Ocean Bay Diner has a few meals that cost over $30!
Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Ocean Bay Diner in Sayreville?
I liked the Ocean Bay Diner and it’s one of the better diners I’ve been to up that way. Plus, the salad bar was great.
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: B
Service: A
Cost: $15-30
Overall: A
You can see all 295 Diner Reviews Here.
Questions for you:
What’s your favorite salad bar item?
Do you prefer salmon steak or filet?
The Hoka Elevon is one of the very few Hoka shoes I haven’t tried. It’s part of the Hoka Fly collection, which includes the Hoka Elevon 2, the Hoka Mach 2, and the Hoka Cavu 3. The Hoka One One Elevon 2 is a lightweight running shoe with plenty of cushion.