Tag: brunch

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny) veggie wrap
Diners

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny)

Hollie

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny)

Recently I was in the Hackensack, Kearny, and Jersey City area. Since it was around lunchtime, I decided to stop. I was hungry but not starving. The Truck Stop Diner is unique because, as the name indicates, it’s located at a real Truck Stop. When we arrived, there were dozens of trucks parked in the massive parking lot.

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny)

The Truck Stop Diner Atmosphere: B
The Truck Stop Diner has a stereotypical diner atmosphere. The outside is relatively boring and just has the name “The Truck Stop Diner.”

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny)

The inside of The Truck Stop Diner is everything you imagine in a diner. It’s all metallic with chrome seating. There are old schools, booths, tables, and a full-length bar. At the front of The Truck Stop Diner, they sell lottery tickets and candy-like an old school gas station.

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny)

The Truck Stop Diner Coffee: C
The coffee at The Truck Stop Diner was ok but not great. It was nothing to write home about.

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny) coffee

The Truck Stop Diner Food: C
The Truck Stop Diner menu has everything you picture in a diner and more. There are plenty of breakfast and dinner options. There is a smaller menu at the top of the diner, which at first I thought we were limited too, but then the waitress brought over a full menu. The Truck Stop Diner is known for their “great food”.

When I went to order something, the waitress laughed and said: “oh, we don’t serve that anymore. They try new things and they don’t usually work’. I laughed and tried to order something else which they didn’t sell anymore either. Finally, I just asked the waitress what they did sell and ended up with a vegetable wrap with sweet potato fries.

The wrap was better than I anticipated and the sweet potato fries were nice and crispy. In all it was good food, but I do wonder how many options on The Truck Stop Diner menu they have.

The Truck Stop Diner (Kearny) veggie wrap

The Truck Stop Diner Service: B
The waitress at The Truck Stop Diner was interesting. I’m sure she’s been working there for a long time. She was quirky but nice and our food came out quickly.

The Truck Stop Diner Cost: $
For my wrap and coffee, it was $12.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to The Truck Stop Diner?
The Truck Stop Diner was a decent stop. I probably wouldn’t be back because there are other, much better places in the general area. Is it a fun spot to check out? Yes. Was the food decent? Yes. Was it a 5-star restaurant? No.

Atmosphere: B
Coffee: C
Food: C
Service: B
Cost: $6-12
Overall: C

You can see all 289 Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:

Have you ever ate at a truck stop restaurant?

What is your favorite wrap?

 

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Little Duck Diner Quacko Tacos
Diners

The Little Duck Diner (Savannah, Ga)

Hollie

The Little Duck Diner (Savannah, Ga)

While on a day trip to Savannah, Georgia, my husband and I ended up at the Little Duck Diner.  We weren’t planning on going, but the original restaurant was closed. A quick google search found the Little Duck Diner only a block down the road. Just looking at the Little Duck Diner menu, it looked like a fun and unique experience, so we thought why not.

Little Duck Diner

Little Duck Diner Atmosphere: A
The Little Duck Diner isn’t like regular diners. It’s not an old school metallic restaurant. It’s located on the main street of Savannah and looks like a fancy bistro. When you walk in, you feel like you’re in a chic and posh diner versus an old school diner.  According to the website, the Little Duck Diner is inspired by our little ducklings and known to be a vintage chic diner reminiscent of dining cars and diners in the 20’s and 30’s with a contemporary twist.

While the seating is a little closer than I prefer, it’s ok.

Little Duck Diner

Little Duck Diner Coffee: B
The coffee at the Little Duck Diner was good, but there was nothing unusual or unique. The waitress did bring a refill.

Little Duck Diner Coffee

Little Duck Diner Food: A
The Little Duck Diner menu consists of one of the most diner unique menus of any diner I’ve been too. You’ll find a few diner favorites like pancakes, grilled cheese, omelets, and eggs, but most of their menu is unique and features a lot of duck items as well as Asian fusion and bi bim bop.

Some of the items that stuck out where the Quacko Tacos (duck tacos), shrimp and grits, and flyboy tacos.

Little Duck Diner Quacko Tacos

I decided to order the Quacko Tacos and a side of grits. Grits are an item I’ve tried to find at diners up north but never been successful. Grits are just better in the south.

Little Duck Diner grits

The Quacko Tacos were delicious. I can see why Duck is the Little Duck Diner specialty.  Inside the Quacko Tacos were bbq duck, lettuce, avocado, pickled carrots, daikon, sriracha mayo, and cilantro. I appreciated the extra kick with the siracha. All of the tacos came with a side salad that tasted fresh.

The grits were delicious and I have no complaints. Definitely just as good as other grits I’ve had in the south.

Little Duck Diner Service: A
The waitress was friendly and our food came out fast. In fact, I couldn’t believe for such an upscale and posh restaurant/diner; our food came out that fast. I was more than impressed because there were several parties in the diner too.

Little Duck Diner Cost: $
For my coffee, quacko tacos, and grits, it was $15.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Little Duck Diner?
I liked the Little Duck Diner and I was happy with the meal. While it was my original intention to go to a diner in Savannah, I’m glad we did.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: A
Cost: $10-20
Overall: A

You can see all diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
Do you like Duck?
What is your favorite type of taco?

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ) toast
Diners

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ)

Hollie

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ)

Formally known as the Park 27 Diner, the Park Diner and Pancake House has recently gone through new management. After doing a short run at Warinanco Park, I noticed the Park Diner and Pancake House.  I couldn’t remember if I had been. It looked like a nice diner and I’ve been to Linden multiple times.  After searching my blog, I realized I hadn’t been to either the Park 27 Diner nor the Park Diner and Pancake House. To be fair, this has only happened one other time and I usually remember which diners I’ve been (or not).  That being said, sometimes I go to a diner at night and roads look different. No excuses though.

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ)

Park Diner and Pancake House Atmosphere: B
The Park Diner and Pancake House overlooks Warinanco Park. It’s a modern diner. It’s not shiny or metallic, but it is well kept with a large parking lot.

The inside has plenty of booths, tables, and a bar. Plus, the Park Diner and Pancake House also has a salad bar, which is increasingly more challenging to find diners with such.

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ)


Park Diner and Pancake House Coffee: A
The coffee at Park Diner and Pancake House was brewed hot and fresh and I couldn’t have asked for better coffee.

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ) coffee

Park Diner and Pancake House Food: A
The Park Diner and Pancake House menu has plenty of options. Outside there is a large sign that says new menu specials and hospitality, which I found interesting. There are all of the regular diner options from pages of breakfast specials, lunch specials, and several dinner options like steak and seafood. By the name, I would assume they are well known for pancakes.  I was between pancakes, french toast, or the avocado toast and ultimately I decided to order their avocado mash. Can you believe I’ve never had avocado toast before? A diner seemed like the perfect time to do it.

Park Diner and Pancake House (Linden, NJ) toast

The avocado mash came with two pieces of toast topped with avocado and poached eggs. It also came with a grilled tomato, which I appreciated. It was delicious and fun to try something new.

Park Diner and Pancake House Service: A
The waitress at the Park Diner and Pancake House was friendly and my food came out fast. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Park Diner and Pancake House Cost: $
For my avocado mash and coffee, the cost was $11.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Park Diner and Pancake House?
I enjoyed the Park Diner and Pancake House and I would go back. The food was excellent and there were plenty of specials I want to try. Plus, it’s right near a nice park, so I can see it being a perfect post-run spot.

Atmosphere: B
Coffee: A
Food: A
Service: A
Cost: $10-20
Overall: A

You can see all 284 Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
Have you tried avocado toast before?
What is your favorite post-run snack?

White Rose Diner (Linden) taylor ham
Diners

White Rose Diner (Linden)

Hollie

White Rose Diner (Linden)

Recently I was in Linden, New Jersey and I wanted to stop at the White Rose Diner.  It’s a quintessential diner and one of the top 10 in the state. It was a matter of time before I finally made it.

Many old diners in New Jersey have the name white in them: White Rose Diner, White Mana, White Manna, White Rose System, White Rose Burgers. There are about 20 old diners in New Jersey with the name White in them. According to Munchmobile, when diners were first starting, “white” meant cleanliness and wholesomeness.

White Rose Diner (Linden)

White Rose Diner (Linden) Atmosphere: A
The White Rose Diner is a small, shiny, stainless steel, metallic, square diner. It sits about 12 people. Most of the seating is bar seating, but there is a table in the back.  If you are looking for an older, more retro diner in New Jersey, it doesn’t exist.

White Rose Diner (Linden)

These old stainless steel diners now resemble fast-food takeout places. You can sit down and eat, but with your order ready in 5 minutes, I watched many people take it and go.

White Rose Diner (Linden) inside

White Rose Diner (Linden) Coffee: B
Like many of the small, old school diners in New Jersey, it was a small 10-ounce cup of coffee. They didn’t have whipped cream, but I was given a to-go cup, which was great. While there was nothing special about the coffee, I’m happy with the order.

White Rose Diner (Linden) coffee

White Rose Diner (Linden) Food:
The White Rose Diner menu is written at the top of the diner. There is no handheld menu, but you can read it behind the counter. You take your order at the register and sit down. The White Rose Diner is well known for their “Taylor Ham Rolls” (their words; I have no bias in the name.). Since the White Rose Diner won an award for their Taylor Ham Roll, I felt like it was the only option. There aren’t many healthy options and it’s your old school greasy spoon.

White Rose Diner (Linden) taylor ham

The Taylor Ham Roll is a breakfast sandwich with Taylor Ham (which is thinly sliced ham), egg, cheese, and condiments. The White Rose Diner adds potatoes which gave them their own jive.

White Rose Diner (Linden) taylor ham

It tasted great to me. It was a large and filling breakfast sandwich.

White Rose Diner (Linden) Service: A
The White Rose Diner had one of the best services of any diner I’ve been too. Two employees were working, which is all I assume they need. The owner noticed my New York City Marathon shirt and started talking to me about the marathon. He told me his son runs the Philadelphia Marathon and Broad Street 10 Miler. How neat is that? I’ve never had a diner owner know about those races.  It was clear he loved his job.

White Rose Diner (Linden) Cost: $
For my coffee and Taylor Ham Sandwich, the cost was $5.50. I think the only time I’ve had that cheap of a diner meal is at Angelo’s Glassboro Diner.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the White Rose Diner (Linden)?

The White Rose Diner was excellent and I think anyone visiting New Jersey should go if you’re looking for the quintessential, metallic, diner experience. Plus, it’s not far from Newark Airport.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: A
Cost: $5-10
Overall: A

You can see all 278 Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
Pork Roll or Taylor Ham?
What’s the smallest restaurant you’ve been too?

Diners

Rehoboth Diner

Hollie

Rehoboth Diner (Rehoboth Beach, De)

The Rehoboth Diner was a unique experience, to say the least.  When we arrived around 11 am, it was busy and most tables were taken.

Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De)

Rehoboth Diner Atmosphere: B
The Rehoboth Diner sticks out on the main road. It’s not a big, shiny, metallic diner, but the “24-7” can’t be missed. The inside of the Rehoboth Diner is average size. You walk in next to a bakery.  There are several booths, tables, and a bar. We were sat at a table between booths. It’s my least favorite seating, but there are minimal choices when it’s busy.

Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De)
Inside

Rehoboth Diner Coffee: B
The coffee at the Rehoboth Beach Diner was average. It wasn’t the best nor the worst, but it was decent coffee. I could have used more.

Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De)
Low-quality photo and I didn’t realize it until I left.


Rehoboth Diner Food: C
The Rehoboth Diner menu has most everything a regular diner has. Since we got to the Rehoboth Diner around 11 am, we were only given a breakfast menu. I’m sure I could have asked for a lunch menu but decided breakfast was fine.  I decided to order the steak and eggs.

Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De)
Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De) steak and eggs

When it came out, I was disappointed that my steak wasn’t that big (for a $16 breakfast meal). Interesting because the Rehobeth Beach Diner is known for its big portions and generous portions. The steak itself was cooked medium rare, but it was bland in flavor. I chose scrambled eggs and rye toast. Everything was good, but not great.  Next time I go, I’ll probably order something else.

Rehoboth Diner (Rehobeth Beach, De)

Rehoboth Diner Service: C
To preface, our waitress at the Rehoboth Beach Diner was great. She was friendly and working hard. The manager came by our table midmeal and asked us to move tables so another party could sit. It wasn’t a big deal, but weird.  As we were leaving, a man came storming in to talk about “how unhappy he was.”

Rehoboth Diner Price: $$
For my steak and eggs, plus coffee, it as $20. Which the meal wasn’t worth that.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Rehoboth Diner?
The Rehoboth Diner wasn’t the worst nor the best diner I’ve been too. I would be interested in trying something off the Rehoboth Diner lunch menu.

Atmosphere: B
Coffee: B
Food: C
Service: C
Price: $12-20
Overall Thoughts: C

You can see all the diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
Do you like steak and eggs?
Have you ever been moved midmeal?