Yeah, I know diner food isn’t exactly ethnic food (Greek?), but diners are uniquely New Jersey and deserve a category all their own.
Tick Tock Diner - Clifton, NJ
Books have been written about Jersey diner history and culture. For me, a great diner is equal parts looks, atmosphere, and food. From the outside, a diner should make you say, “Cool, look at that diner.” Lots of chrome and neon. Inside, I need booths and a counter with stools. Big plus for working jukeboxes. The best diners are open 24 hours. Service is fast. Coffee should hit the table before you’re settled in your seat.
Diner food is rarely spectacular – how could it be with all those items on the menu? – but it needs to be solid and satisfying. Club sandwiches, grilled cheese with bacon, and disco fries. Breakfast served all day of course.
Summit Diner
Don’t see your favorite diner? Share yours. I’ll add the most popular to the list, and to the map.
My Favorites
- Tick Tock Diner, Clifton
- Summit Diner, Summit
- Mastori’s, Bordentown
Disco Fries at the Jefferson Diner
Worth a Visit
- The Chicken or the Egg, Beach Haven
- Eagle Rock Diner, West Orange
- The Fine Diner, Clinton
- Gamburgers, West Orange
- Hightstown Diner, guess?
- Huck Finn Diner, Union
- Jefferson Diner, Lake Hopatcong
- Key City Diner, Phillipsburg
- Nautilus Diner, Madison
- The Ritz Diner, Livingston
- Skylark, Edison
On My List to Try
There are so many . . .
- Alexis Diner, Denville
- Americana Diner, East Windsor
- Amwell Valley Diner, Ringoes
- Bayway Diner, Linden
- Brownstone Diner, Jersey City
- Burger Deluxe, Wayne
- Butler Family Restaurant & Diner, Butler
- Central Diner, Newark
- Edison Diner, Edison
- Edison Family Restaurant, Edison
- Ewing Diner, Ewing
- Felix No. 9 Diner, Bridgewater
- Harris Diner, East Orange
- Liberty Diner, North Brunswick
- Mark Twain Diner, Union
- Mustache Bill’s, Barnegat Light
- Park West, Little Falls
- Pat’s Diner, Trenton
- Rainbow Diner, Brick
- Scotchwood Diner, Scotch Plains
- Somerset Diner, Somerset
- Time To Eat Diner, Bridegewater
- Top’s Diner, East Newark
- Vincentown Diner, Vincentown
- White Manna Hamburgers, Hackensack
- Skylark Diner – Edison
(Photo: www.skylarkdiner.com)
Links
Best Diners in NJ
New Jersey Diner Tour
New Jersey Diners
New Jersey Diners.com
meade
on Feb 9th, 2011
@ 4:56 pm:
I would skip the Nautilus Diner in Madison. Last time I left the parking lot I saw rats running around. The food is OK but the Rainbow Diner in Brick is better and Zagat rated
meade
on Feb 9th, 2011
@ 5:00 pm:
The Jackson Dinner in Jackson is the best dinner in Ocean County. They won the Asbury Park Reader’s Choice Award and have many specials. I noticed that they have a good senior special. I would recommend.
Anthony
on Feb 10th, 2011
@ 10:30 am:
My grandfather used to take me to the Nautilus. It’s on my list for the food and atmosphere, plus good memories.
Mike
on Mar 20th, 2011
@ 2:28 am:
Hey does anybody remember the down neck diner in Newark? I don’t remember if the changed the name or not, it was a good little joint, not much room for dining in but still, good place to grab a pork roll egg and cheese to go!
gina
on Jul 19th, 2011
@ 1:25 pm:
edison family restaurant on oak tree road. great soup and fresh food served fast.
Anthony
on Jul 20th, 2011
@ 9:08 pm:
Just added Edison Family Restaurant to the map. Looks good.