Running and Laughing through the Golden State
Running and Laughing through the Golden State
Located in the heart of downtown Napa, I decided to take a trip to Jax Diner. Unlike many diners, Jax Diner is located in high traffic, walkable area, next to a couple of other restaurants. It’s rare to find a diner on the main street so that is always fun.
The Jax Diner is also called the “Jax White Mule Diner.” It took me a few weeks to realize it is the same diner.
While staying in Minnesota, I knew I wanted to go to a diner. The timing worked out, so after some research, I found the Hi-Lo Diner in Minneapolis. I’ve never been to Minneapolis or the Twin Cities, so it was a nice stop. I ordered online, and by the time we got to the Hi-Lo Diner, the food was ready.
Driving through Minneapolis, evoked emotion, I didn’t know it would. Signs remembering George Floyd and Justice for Goerge Floyd are everywhere.
Recently I was at the Andover Diner in Andover, NJ. It’s close to one of my favorite airports: Aeroflex-Andover Airport. Anyway, since I was in the area, I decided to stop at the Andover Diner. Which, for now, seems to be my last New Jersey Diner for a while.
Like all of New Jersey restaurants, the Andover Diner is only open for outdoor seating and takeout. We chose to do takeout.
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 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 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 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 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 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
Questions for you:
Have you ever ate at a truck stop restaurant?
What is your favorite wrap?
While in Hackensack, I drove by the “Coach House Diner.” I swear I’ve been to the Coach House Diner before, but after spending too much time looking into it, I realized I went to the Coach House Diner in North Bergen. Even when I was sitting inside, The Coach House Diner in Hackensack looked almost identical to the Coach House Diner in North Bergen.
Ironically, I went in to wait out the traffic, but while I was eating, there was an accident on Route 4, which caused about a 30-minute delay. I could have been home much faster if I hadn’t eaten at the Coach House. No regrets.
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) Atmosphere: A
The Coach House Diner in Hackensack looks like an old coach house. Inside is mid-evil with plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar. There is also a salad bar.
You won’t find a bright shiny diner, but I always appreciate a diner that stays with it’s theme.
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) Coffee: A
The coffee tasted good. The waitress brought plenty of refills. I guess I forgot to take a photo, which is unfornate because the coffee was great.
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) Food: C
The Coach House Diner menu has everything you expect in a diner. There is an all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was surprised that there weren’t any specials at all. I was between a salad with grilled chicken and the greek but decided for the greek.
I wasn’t too hungry, so I decided to order their greek salad with salmon. It’s a staple meal for when I’m not hungry but don’t want to wait (2 hours) to drive home. The salad itself was on the smaller side and there wasn’t a lot of lettuce. I was disappointed with it. The salmon was ok and I was happy it came with anchovies, but no bread like it stated on the menu.
In all, it was ok. It was edible, but by no means great.
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) Service: A
The waitress at the Coach House Diner was friendly and the food came out fast. I couldn’t have asked for better staff.
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) Cost: $$
For my coffee and salad, it was $22, which was pricy for what I got.
Overall Thoughts/Would I go back to The Coach House Diner (Hackensack)?
The Coach House Diner (Hackensack) was a decent stop. It wasn’t the best or the worst diner I’ve been too. I do appreciate the atmosphere of the Coach House, though.
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: C
Service: A
Cost: $15-20
Overall: B
You can see all 288 Diner Reviews here.
Questions for you:
Have you been in a Coach House?
What is your favorite type of salad?
