Running and Laughing through the Garden State
Recently I ordered takeout from the Sparta Classic Diner in Sparta, New Jersey. The same people own the Sparta Classic Diner as the Orangetown Classic Diner in Orangetown, NY (seriously a must go), Northvale Classic Diner and the Tenafly Classic Diner. All of these “classic diners” have been good and I had high hopes for the Sparta Classic Diner.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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
Questions for you:
Do you like Duck?
What is your favorite type of taco?
Recently I was in Ramsey, NJ near New York State. I’ve been to a lot of the diners near the NY border so finding a diner near the top I haven’t been too has been increasingly difficult. Even though I live nearly 90 miles from Ramsey and route 17, I’m actually very familiar with the area now from road races as well as hiking. I’ve passed the Majestic Diner a few times but never stopped.
Atmosphere: A
The Majestic Diner looks like many North Jersey Diners. The outside is clean, modern, and open. When you walk in, you face the bakery and dessert case.
Coffee: B
I enjoyed the personalized coffee mug that says: “Majestic Diner”. The coffee itself wasn’t the best or worst. It tasted decent. I do wish I could have more refills.
Food: A
The Majestic Diner has a lot more upscale options. While they do have “traditional” diner items, they all have an upscale feel to it. The Majestic Diner is known for their Gluten Free options as well as their in house pastry chef.
Due to traffic, I got up much later than I wanted so I arrived hungry. I ordered the Mezze platter which came out quickly. It had plenty of grape leaves, olives, pita, and hummus. I ate it all embarrassingly fast.
There are breakfast options like chicken and waffles and dinner options like fish tacos.
I’ve had a craving for fish tacos lately, so I decided to order those. It came out with a side salad, which I had hoped would come out beforehand but came with the meal. The tacos themselves were good. It could have used another side like french fries, They were a lot spicier than I anticipated but I enjoyed them. They satisfied the random taco craving I was having!
Service: C
Even though it was quiet that particular evening, the service was slow. The food came out quickly, but I could barely understand what our waiter was saying. The manager did seem nice though!
Cost: $$
The Majestic Diner (Ramsey) is more expensive than most diners because it is a more upscale restaurant. The cost of my meal was about $20.The quality of food is good, and I think it’s worth it.
Overall Summary/Would I Come Back to the Majestic Diner (NJ)?
I liked the Majestic Diner and thought it was a good diner. They have a look of unique and upscale “diner: items that I would like to try.
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: C
Price: $15-25
Overall: B
Questions for you:
Do you like fish tacos?
Where has been your favorite taco?
While in Denver, somewhere that came highly recommended to me (thanks, Danielle) was Sam’s No. 3 Diner… It’s been on the Food Network and one of the few diners in Denver. Since I was traveling, I did want to go at least one “out of state” diner. Not that it matters.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner has three locations in downtown Denver, Glendale, and Aurora. We happened to be near the Aurora location so opted to go there.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner Atmosphere: B
Sam’s No. 3 Diner is a half bar and half diner. There is a massive bar in the center, which is cool and the rest has plenty of booths and tables. It’s a very different atmosphere than anything in NJ (maybe closest to PBs Tap Room and Diner). Not in the wrong way, just different.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner Service: B
Our waitress took a while to get to us and only came back a couple of times. Even though the waitress didn’t come to our table as often, our food came out fast.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner Coffee: B
The coffee out west is different than back east. At Sam’s No. 3 Diner, it was stronger, which wasn’t a bad thing. They also have a full espresso bar and espresso drinks. I enjoyed the coffee.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner Food: A
Sam’s No. 3 Diner menu has many different options from breakfast to lunch and dinner. They all have of the regular diner favorites like scrambled eggs, tater tots, and gyro meat. One unique aspect of Sam’s No. 3 Diner menu is the multiple different Spanish dishes. You don’t see that often at a diner!
A few unique Sam’s No. 3 Diner menu choices:
I started with a Caesar salad which was good. It was well dressed and I have no complaints.
Since it was unique, I decided to order the Carne Tacos (as indicated by the menu: “yumm”) with refried beans. The tacos were good, and the refried beans were spicy. I didn’t realize how big of a Spanish influence Denver had, but the food was excellent.
Sam’s No. 3 Diner Cost:: $
For the tacos plus coffee, the cost was $15.
Overall Summary/Would I Come Back Sam’s No. 3 Diner (Denver)?
I enjoyed Sam’s No. 3 Diner, and I would love to check out their other locations as well.
Atmosphere: B
Service: B
Coffee: B
Food: A
Cost: $
Overall: B
Questions for you:
Do you like soft or hard tacos?
What is your favorite type of coffee?
Tenafly Classic Diner (Tenafly, NJ)
Recently, I found myself in Northern New Jersey. I was hungry and have heard nothing but positive things about the Tenafly diner, so I decided to stop.
It finally worked out that I was able to stop by the Tenafly Classic Diner. When I arrived around 5 pm on a weekday, it wasn’t too crowded, but by 6 pm, it was packed and there was a wait.
Tenafly Classic Diner Atmosphere: A
The atmosphere of the Tenafly Classic Diner is a picture-perfect diner. The outside is a big, shiny metallic building and the inside has plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar.
Tenafly Classic Diner Coffee: A
The Tenafly Classic Diner brews Lacas coffee which has been a common theme of diners I’ve been too. Lacas Coffee is located in Pennsauken, NJ. I always enjoy the coffee, and it’s hard to make it badly. Tenafly Diners coffee was great, and I have nothing but positive things to say. Unforatenly, I forgot to take a photo! I know, crazy!
Tenafly Classic Diner Service: C
The service at Tenafly Diner was kind of strange. Midway through our meal, the server changed. There must have been miscommunication because it took a long time for the milkshake to come out and then all of the food came out together. Both servers were friendly, and I don’t have anything negative to say about them, it was just awkward.
Tenafly Classic Diner Food: A
The Tenafly Classic Diner menu has all of the classic diner entrees plus more. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but their meats are from a Northern Cattle Company: “Montana Meat Company,” so I decided to order a burger and fries. All of the Tenafly Classic Diner burgers are black angus, organic grass fed, beef burgers served with lettuce, tomatoes. Since the Tenafly Classic Diner offers grass fed burgers. I knew that’s what I had to get.
Being indecisive, I decided I wanted seafood as well and ordered fish tacos as an appetizer. Honestly, it was enough for an entire meal. The tacos themselves were stuffed with avocado and cod. They were delicious. It was by far one of my favorite diner appetizers!
The burger came topped with cheese and onion ring. It was one of the biggest and most messy burgers to date. It was next to impossible to eat, and I felt like it was flying off onto other people’s plates. The French fries were topped with gravy and melted cheddar cheese. I joked it was probably one of the most unhealthy ways to eat fries, but they were good. By the time I got to the fries, I was so full, though.
Tenafly Classic Diner Dessert: B
At the start of the meal, I ordered a brownie milkshake. Interestingly enough, the milkshake didn’t come with one of my favorite toppings: a cherry. That being said, it was a good milkshake. I like super sweet hard ice cream milkshakes, and that is precisely what it was.
Tenafly Classic Diner Cost: $$
For the burger, appetizer, coffee and milkshake it was $30. The quality of food was there, and it was worth it. In fact, it was a lot of food for that price.
Overall thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Tenafly Classic Diner?
I liked the Tenafly Classic Diner, and I would go back whenever I was in the area.
Summary:
Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Service: C
Food: A
Dessert: B
Cost: $15-20
Overall: A
Questions for you:
Do you like fish tacos?
What is your favorite type of milkshake?