Wonderful brunch selections, sandwiches to pancakes. It gets really busy on weekends!
(4)
Terry W.
Just found this place thru a friend. So glad we decided to take the time to try it out! Everything was wonderful! Bar tender waited on our table in the lounge. Lavender martini was fantastic! Food was excellent. Atmosphere was a 1970s chic. Will definitely be back to try more!
(5)
Carolina C.
Went there for breakfast with my family and we all loved our dishes . I had cornbeef hash and eggs, fresh natural ingredients delish! Hubby had western omelette and it was to die for! My son had chorizo and egg quesadilla and it was amazing . My youngest had pancakes and they were also good. I am dying to try this place for dinner tonight!
(5)
Ed W.
They have made some changes since our last visit and not for the better. The homey diner feel is gone and there is a cold upscale tone about the place. The prices went up add well add their noses. I prefer a regular diner over what they have turned into.
(2)
Ryan B.
A bit eccentric for a diner but the food is always very good and the wine list always pleasing. But if you're expecting typical diner fair, look out. This is the most expensive diner I've ever seen. But again, it's great.
(4)
Krs C.
Convenient for a local diner. Well, bistro. Well, cafe. Actually, I am not sure the Americana actually knows what it is. If it's a diner the food is way over priced and the quality is inconsistent. Great place to grab a drink though, however, you may want to call ahead first because then tend to close the bar at will with no notification to their regular patrons. Nice way to make one feel valued as a repeat customer. Parking is ample and atmosphere is hit or miss in terms of chaos. Great potential but expect to be disappointed.
(2)
C. C.
"OVERPRICE WARNING" Been a customer for over 10 years and find the food adequate. Service is good. Usually go for breakfast and in the last 3-4 years meals went from partially ala-carte to total ala-carte. Seriously have an omelet. Ingredients are extra. Bread is included. NO coffee. NO juice. NO homefries. Some stale bread and a tiny bit of boiled plum tomato as your ketchup. So you get a plate with an omelet and stale bread. Add your omelet ingredient, real bread, coffee homefries or sliced tomato and a small juice and with tip you are closing in at $20. REALLY, FOR BREAKFAST. "RIP-OFF ALERT"
(2)
Seth T.
Used to be a great diner but over the years, it has gotten worse. For a diner, the menu is limited. I get that they are trying to be "upscale" but if I wanted a nice restaurant I definitely wouldn't be going to a diner. The hamburger, which was sized very small took a while to come out, and when it did, it was cold, as were the fries on the side.
(1)
Chris K.
We came here expecting the Americana to be the diner we remembered from 10 years ago, when it may have had (for us, anyway) the title of 'best diner in NJ'. Instead we found a place that had lost its soul, and in some vain misguided attempt to either modernize or capture the latest foodie trend had changed its menu for the worse. Stay away if you are looking for diner food.
(1)
Matthew L.
The Americana is a "high end" diner and one of our favorite family spots. In addition to most of the diner standards you also have some gourmet options, and even the "standards" are made with better, fresher ingredients. It can be a bit pricy in comparison to its ilk, but it's usually worth it. Sometimes it seems like they are trying too hard to make their food fancy, but that's likely a product of the overall higher standard for which they aim.
(4)
Rachel K.
Just randomly happened upon this place during a business trip to the area. This place was full during lunch. The service was great and the food was fresh. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Howie L.
This has been a long staple in my home town. Place is always busy and gets packed with locals, especially during the winter holidays. There's a nice modern clean dinner look to it. However, I'd say the food/service is rather normal. I came here for a weekday lunch with a friend. Food: - Complimentary bread - coffee - endless coffee, served w/ our own canteen for refills: $2 each - Caesar Salad w/ grilled chicken: $12 bucks, normal, healthy serving of chicken - French onion soup: $6, not bad - Class Reuben: was convinced to get it after server told me they made the corn beef in house, however, was not impressed. It doesn't hold a flag to Lenny's or Katz from NY.
(3)
Jeff B.
Always had good meals here. Not what it once was and the prices have gone up lately. Went on Sunday night in the evening and was told upon ordering that they no longer serve breakfast food after 4 PM. Kind of strange for a diner to not offer the full menu all the time. I cannot review the food here since all we had were drinks and then left to find another DINER.
(3)
Karl H.
One of the best around that I have been too. Weekends are always busy busy busy. But the food is spectacular. I love the irish omlet. Great for groups meetings if need to have them there. Very kid friendly.
(5)
Yogesh P.
I went there with friends for drinks in the bar area. We were seated right away and our waiter was very cordial. The signature cocktails were excellent. I would highly recommend this to someone looking to hang out with friends/family.
(5)
Christine Y.
Americana has really gone downhill in the past few years. It seems they're doing all they can to save money. They replaced their gigantic menus with skimpy paper menus a while back. The bread now comes baguette-style in a paper bag. I ordered a baked potato and opted to get it "topped with everything" for an extra $1.50, unfortunately I neglected to ask what "everything" meant. I was given a plain baked potato with sour cream and butter. Seriously? $1.50 for a dollop of sour cream?
(2)
Scott B.
Okay, okay to all the people who poo poo The Americana, I am truly sorry that it is not the the old greasy spoon you were used to. First off let me say I have been there at least a dozen times and never ever had a bad experience with food or service. Yes yes it doesn't have a 50 page menu with tons of frozen junk on it I'm so sorry for the folks who were expecting that type of fare. And yes the price is a little higher than your average diner the breakfast for 2 is probably going to run you about 10 bucks more on average. But the juices are fresh squeezed, the artisanal breads that they bring out are delicious, even their vegan type dishes that my daughter and her boyfriend are fond of are awesome. Now I cannot say that there could possibly be a time when I may go into this establishment and may have an off putting experience but that should never warrant single star. As for those who are looking for an awesome stomach churning experience, may I suggest the Jersey Diner about 5 or 6 miles north on Route 130. There, your memories of bland meals, undercooked meats and greasy food should bring back memories of joy. P.S. They really should drop the "Diner" from the name as the connotation of such a word brings certain thought's to some. Just " The Americana" would be perfect.
(5)
Robin L.
Where have you gone, Americana Diner? With bread in a bag, an a la carte menu and overpriced and stale Danish. Sadly this was the consensus of the family. Enough said. Nice to have known you.
(2)
Melissa M.
The conveniently located Americana Diner has reinvented the basic NJ diner experience and really brings quality food to East Windsor residents and people passing through our town during their travels along Route 130. This place is a not so hidden jem offering a wonderfully delicious alternative to the poison served at places like McDonald's and Burger King just a little farther up the road.
(5)
Mike H.
The food is a bit better than your average diner, but this is not a 'diner' per se. They do not sell milkshakes (?!). Service was awful besides.
(2)
Pam M.
First and foremost: This is not a diner. I repeat -- not a diner. so if you came here for some comfort food, to stuff yourself silly, have enough leftovers for two more meals, and walk out for under $10 a person -- this is not it. I had heard that they had changed, but we forgot before walking in the door and seeing that the entire menu is a piece of paper/placemat. Their burgers and sandwiches (limited) come with nothing and are $12. However, that comes with a $3 "credit" towards a side -- where you can, indeed, get fries. They have some really interesting other sides, some $3, some $4, some $5. The veggie burger was okay; hubby got mexicali burger, son got a reuben. All just okay. The three sides were onion rings, polenta "chips" and quinoa salad. Um, okay. Everything was just okay. no leftovers, all food consumed, and we were hungry, so it was backtracking to DQ for ice cream. Bill was $50 for 3, no drinks. Sigh.
(2)
Mister T.
The restaurant gets very busy. Especially during peak hours, which is when you want to go. You will wait a few minutes before being seated. But we have never waited longer than 5 minutes. During these times the parking lot can be challenging on your nerves. As the traffic light at the outlet backs up the exiting vehicles within the lot. Wait area can get cramped. But again, you shouldn't be there for very long. Those expecting and looking for a more "diner" theme, should be cautious when entering. Although Americana calls itself a "diner", the restaurant is one white tablecloth & candle stick away from being "fine dining". There is a definite diner feel to the front, and the menu is vast, but that's about where the dining aspect ends. The restaurant will certainly have an option for everybody. As your eyes begin to wander overlooking the menu, you will be sure to notice the price. Americana sells above average food, at an expensive price. Service is always decent. Again, the food is above average in quality. Portions will be much smaller than what you would anticipate at any other "diner". And the plates are put together for more aesthetic purposes. Also attached to the restaurant is a bar. During the week nights, it is indeed a nice place to meet with somebody. But again, can add up quick. *** 1/2 *
(3)
Susan L.
I have a pleasant experience coming to this diner. The waiter was extremely friendly and welcoming to us. It had a nice and homely feel to it. I ordered a french onion soup and a pan seared salmon. My only complaints is that there were too much red quinoa on top of the salmon, it seemed to overpower the taste of everything else. Maybe they could cut the amount of red quinoas in half. Also, the decor of the diner was quite unique. They seem to have different sections for different age groups which was pretty neat.
(4)
Siroos A.
My wife & I went to Americans because it was featured on America's Best Diners show on Food Network. We were not disappointed.
(4)
Christie S.
Dropped by here for a quick lunch with my family on a Sunday afternoon. We were seated in the Lounge. The prices are a bit higher than I expected for a diner, even if it was more upscale than your average diner. Portion size wasn't too big, but also not too tiny. I was full enough without feeling stuffed or hungry after. We initially were going to all get breakfast, but opted to get burgers with fries instead (1 of us got fish tacos - which looked more like a wrap, but I think it tasted good). We were all happy with the quality of the food, everything was pretty good. The food took a tiny bit longer than I expected it to, but right when I thought that, all of it came out so we didn't wait that long for it. Loved the staff here!!! Everyone we encountered from the moment we stepped in until we left were extremely nice and warm. We were all happy with the level of service - I hope it always stays this way! Had a great server who engaged us in small bits of humorous chitchat here and there. Also, my 3-yr-old niece ordered off the children's menu and her meal came with a cookie. When our server gave her the cookie, he presented it to her in a fun way rather than just leave it on the table, so that was an extra touch we all appreciated. Note: - In the Lounge, if seated at the back area tables, I should point out that the ends of the tables tend to slope down a tiny bit (because these ends can fold under the table when not in use). This resulted in a few mishaps with a few plates and utensils sliding off our table. We felt bad for our server because we had to keep asking for new stuff - but he (as well as the bussers who were helping him) was super nice and prompt about replacing anything that fell off. - If craving breakfast in the afternoon, ask for the breakfast menu as they give you the lunch/dinner menu by default.
(4)
Ben W.
We've been coming here for the better part of 20 years, and tonight is the last time. We won't be back. I don't know what happened, but the menu is completely different, and kind of weird now. Not like a "diner" at all. The service, which used to be great, is sub par. Our waiter was very sassy, and seemed incompetent, didn't know certain basic things about the menu. They were also out of both beers that we wanted. The food, which has never been terrible before was not good. The matzo ball soup had the most flavorless matzo balls I've EVER had. And the broth had no flavor either. The chicken I had as an entree was interesting, and not in a great way. All I can say now is: "the end of an era. Goodbye Americana"
(2)
Jennifer M.
When I think of a Jersey diner, I think of a place where I only order breakfast food because really, how can you mess up eggs? This is not that. Americana has stepped their game up far past what I expected. I had an organic cheeseburger cooked perfectly medium rare and polenta fries, the newest taste explosion to hit my palate. Hopefully I can recreate them at home soon, if not, I'll just drive up the road to get them again. Thumbs up for Dogfishhead 60 minute.
(5)
Debra J.
Another great breakfast. This time I had the cinnamon French toast with fresh bananas and strawberries. Bacon on the side. Perfection. I tried some of my nephew's hash, awesome light but flavorful. Fresh squeezed oj too. Price can't be beat.
(5)
Evelyn S.
Great service and good food - better than "typical" diner fare. Just a touch more upscale. Enjoyed it and the dessert was super. Plum cobbler - yum!
(4)
Christian S.
It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to dine at the Americana Diner & Restaurant. This use to be one of the top three places for Brunch when the wife and I lived in Mercer County. The wife and I decided to make a stop at the Americana on our way home from Bayonne after just getting back from our cruise last Sunday. The place looks the same, but the menu has changed; for the better. It used to be this cumbersome novel with pages and pages and pages of items. They have now condensed it to two-sided sheet, making it much easier to read. One of the signature items here is the corned-beef hash. It is made with real corned beef and not that stuff from the can. The Americana is not a Jewish Deli, but this place serves some the best corned-beef and pastrami sandwiches. Not better than Katz, but I think it edges out some of the other Deli's throughout New Jersey. Like I stated earlier my wife and I would frequent this place for Brunch. You really can't go wrong here with anything for breakfast. Given the opportunity, stop by and try one their speciality omelets. This is probably one of the only places I would consider ordering a dinner plater like meatloaf, or a chicken parm dinner. This is not your average diner. The food served here are quite a few notches above your average diner items.
(5)
L B.
By far the best diner around. Classy upscale options as well as basic diner food. All done with style. Very good service Diners are part of living in New Jersey. Like chasing girls, when you find a good one you know it!
(4)
Dee H.
This was my 2nd time visiting. I was looking forward to a pleasant meal. First we were cut in line by a rude couple. The hostess saw and still sat them first. Our waiter was very pleasant initially. The French toast was tasty. However, my daughter ordered the Western burger. She took two bites and both were filled with hair. Looks like hair was mixed into the meat. We quietly told the waiter. His attitude changed, he grabbed all of the food off of the table and left. When he returned, he handed us the check. The manager never came over to apologize or anything. Very unprofessional.
(2)
Josimarie C.
All in all, too expensive for the food they serve. You get a small loaf of bread that you can take with you if you don't finish it there but they brought it cold. I had the seafood spaghettini which was more like a broth and not very flavorful. My husband had the americana paella and was not impressed either. Dessert was just ok.
(3)
CurryCowgirl X.
Where to start... this is a pleasure... I recently dined here with a friend who lives in the area, and we were both stunned at how great the food was. Anyone complaining about the food should be immediately suspected as a fake reviewer or someone who clearly has poor judgement and would be happier going to McDonalds. To be honest we assumed it would probably be the 'diner' food lousy, oily, blah overpriced trying to be fancy but trusted the recent reviews and went with it hoping for the best. Both the meals we had here surpassed our hopes and left us very very happy. What a find! The aged steak was immaculate, absolutely perfect. Obviously high quality meat, seared just right in a perfect pan, texture was buttery, soft, with a hint of char on outside. Served 'rare' as requested. (Nevermind expensive, over-rated steaks elsewhere- this is what you can judge those by- at least the one my friend ordered was). My risotto plate and beet salad was also equally delicious, and sangria fresh & delicious but oh, that steak... so memorable. Before the meal we had a complimentary loaf of fresh baked french bread baked with a hint of rock salt inside and outside was slightly crusty/crunchy, totally perfect. A week later we had breakfast, was wowed by delicious fresh scones (triangle shaped with raisins), succulent corned beef hash and great eggs benedict. American Diner (as others have also noticed) is not really a diner, is more restaurant, a good thing because for about the same money the food is 10x better but you can still come dressed anyway you like (cozy!). The food here is memorable and delicious- how often can you say that about any diner? It's fresh (locally sourced from nearby farms?), balanced, perfectly proportioned... and is fairly priced (affordable) which is a very rare thing. Apparently one reason the food's cooked just right is thanks to a professionally trained Australian woman chef they have on board- so said a wonderful waitress there (night shift) in a proud, slightly hushed voice. Oz's loss is our gain! This chef knows what she's doing. Don't bother comparing it to other old-school diners, it's too new, has a weird blah name, is so huge inside, not grubby enough, there's no silver sheeted lined walls, it's not small, stuffed with walls of signed pics of old movie stars and local folks that made it big, no jolly/curmudgeonly obese cook, isn't open 24/7, and most notably there's no booths in the corner full of loud or moody teenagers hanging out til 2am sharing a plate of home-fries (or cheese fries) because they're so broke. lol. (Ah, the late 80's/early 90's...) but I digress... I'd think of this place first when hungry- for any meal. Has all you casual cozyness one would want, welcoming atmosphere, warm people all very friendly. Service is outstanding, attentive, not pushy or overdone. It's clean! Affordable.! In fact the only downside is it's not near where I live (outside NYC), but good for my credit card- which I'd max out coming here for every meal when I'm not up for home cooking or what they don't have on the menu. If you live nearby A. D. enjoy it if you can!
(5)
Lisa P.
Had this diner on my list to try after seeing it listed in a food article as one of the Best Diner's in South Jersey. Drove about an hour to get here and it was worth the trip. Huge place...diner and Lounge. We were seated in the Lounge and had the same Diner menu as the main dining room Definitely not your typical diner. Lamb Koftas sharing plate were delicious and I could have made a meal of them if this was an entree on the menu. Interesting menu of non-traditional diner fare, but we opted for sandwiches, Turkey Club and Turkey Special, both freshly carved turkey breast, very tasty. I would have liked a denser "deli" style rye bread, but it was still good The bread was served in a brown bag, just like a french bakery, and we actually packed up the uneaten loaf and took it home for later. Not sure I'll be back any time soon, but I'd definitely visit here again when I get a Diner urge Would love for them to offer more Greek dishes, since this is their background.
(3)
S L.
Delish! It's not typical diner food. I would categorize it as New American. They even serve alcohol. It's just strange eating this way in a diner. (You will not see disco fries on this menu). Had the paella, bruschetta sampler, and flourless cake. Service was excellent (had glass of water refilled a few times), waiter was pleasant and you could tell he enjoyed the food just by his enthusiastic descriptions of them and he's only been there for 3+ months. Thanks, Adrian! The appetizer was so fresh. The paella was flavorful, chicken was not dry, shrimp was succulent and the rice was flavorful and not dry. (it's not easy to find this combination). Next time I would like to try the Parmesan polenta chips and the cauliflower mac and cheese. This is the first diner where I've seen brussel sprouts or quinoa on the menu. Can't wait to go back! The only downside is that the portions are not that big. It's basically half as much food as you would expect from a typical diner, but the quality and taste make up for it. There's plenty of parking and there's a convenient traffic light when you exit too.
(4)
Debbie F.
Didn't fell like having Italian food for the third time in a week so opted for something different. Not a big fan of diners in general except for breakfast or lunch. Can't remember the last time we ate at one for dinner. We were seated in the back "lounge" area which is much nicer than the front part. The new menu is very upscale and unlike typical diner options. For starters, I loved the homemade raisin sourdough bread. Greek omelettes were fluffy and obviously made in a pan and not on the griddle. My mediterranean salad and hubby's pasta dish were both very tasty. Am happy to say that we will gladly return.
(4)
Matilda L.
I've gone here a few times with my dad for breakfast and we've never had a compliant about anything before. We just went the other day and they've improved there food and menu. They want it to be more gourmet and their prices go along with that too. I would definitely go back again and recommend it.
(4)
Mike S.
Americana used to have a large diner menu, and was actually one of the better diners around in terms of food quality and service. Is there a new owner or something? At some point in the past few years, the menu completely changed, but NOT for the better. The new menu is now small and trendy, and it no longer resembles anything diner-like. (Where are the 24 hour breakfast options?) The prices are higher than you'd expect at a diner and the portions are drastically smaller. The actual taste, though? Well, it's about what you'd expect at a diner: nothing spectacular and not at all fresh. I've tried a few dishes and nothing was exceptionally good or bad except the quinoa salad, which was warm (was it supposed to be this way or was my plate under a warming tray?) and downright disgusting. If the place isn't going to offer diner fare, prices, or portions, they should change their name and redecorate. You can find better trendy options at other restaurants (and you'll need to go elsewhere for a large selection of sandwiches and omelettes, as well).
(2)
Lisa M.
Great food. A little pricey, but worth it. Fresh ingredients and high quality food. The staff is also really great. Some of the best restuarant staff I ever met.
(5)
Kevin E.
This place was once great, but since they've become more popular, their food selection has gone downhill. Simply put they have become overrated and I would not recommend much.
(2)
Manoj C.
This parking at this place is always packed every time I've driven by so we went there for dinner. Excellent "house bread", though it was annoying that the (poppy?) seeds from the bread got into our water. Apparently they cut the bread right by where the water pitchers are kept, which doesn't sound very clever. Calamari was below average, but the grass-fed burgers were excellent. Getting us seated was quick, and Service was very good, even though it was crowded.
(3)
Dan M.
I have been going to the Americana for over a decade (not as long as some folks, I know) and I feel that over the past few years they've gotten a little pricier and a little less exceptional. They still have an amazing operation (fast, professional service every time) but portions are smaller and I feel like compared to what I was used to getting I'm paying more and getting less. They do have some exceptional food and I recommend the place without hesitation but there is a reason I'm not going a few times a month the way I used to.
(4)
Chris M.
Best high-end diner in central Jersey. Food is always top notch quality. Recommend the Corn Beef Sandwich ;) One of the best diners you can stop at in NJ. Has a lot of history and they keep the experience simple and eloquent. Menus offer different specials each day, but most meals run between $8 to $30 and all offer substantial portion sizes. They've even installed a full bar so you can stay there all day & night!
(5)
Matthew S.
Eaten here several times for breakfast, brunch, and lunch (I used to eat here several times with family) and this place never lets down. Theirs always seating if you get here before noon, and the seats are very comfortable. The food backs up the service (they always offer complimentary bread which is very tasty and good). If you come here for brunch, always ALWAYS get the omelettes. All of them are big and have a ton of flavor, and you'll walk out feeling satisfied after you see the prices. If you're a burger person, the Mexicali burger is another solid option to get, as the burger is clean, and it comes with plenty of food that you'll feel great that you got it. Their matzo ball soup is also tremendous. They make it very nice and it does an amazing job holding its own in the broth, plus its vegetables and noodles compliment it to add to the experience. My only negative is that it can be dangerous to get here. The parking situation is very iffy, and I've heard stories of people getting into accidents entering and exiting the restaurant, not to mention I've heard stories of theft from their cars. But as long as you lock your car, you should be fine. Generally speaking, this is a terrific place to bring your family on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, because of amazing food and great service. Not to mention they are very kind to senior citizens and gear the restaurant towards them. There's a reason that they are so popular on these days! Go try something here!
(4)
Lana L.
This place is an institution for Hightstown locals and nearby residents. It's diner food but a bit more elevated, which is reflected in the slightly more expensive prices and modern plating. They have diverse menu ranging from greek salad to pulled pork tacos to quinoa salad to pan-seared halibut. Another plus is their kids menu is definitely kid approved, at least by my 6 and 9 year old cousins. The Americana also has a decent selection of seafood choices including paella and seafood stew. I highly recommend the latter. The seafood stew came in a bowl with large shrimp, mussels, clams, in a red sauce over pasta, with two buttery garlic toasts on the side. It's was definitely my favorite dish. The Americana Paella was alright, but just wasn't a fan of the texture of the rice..not enough liquid. The last two times I've been here, my waiter was Victor and he was friendly and very charming. When in doubt of where to eat, this place is definitely a keeper.
(4)
Al A.
What a sad restaurant after the re-launch. They went from classic NJ-style diner to lame and badly-done American-bistro. What does "American bistro" even mean? I'll tell you what it means. It means there are lame desserts! Lastly, service was excellent because everyone else agrees with me and doesn't go here anymore.
(1)
Joe P.
I continue to love this restaurant. The chef here is amazing. She total understands how to create exciting dishes for the way people eat today. It is definitely an elevated dining experience. Treat yourself to a great meal. To make your experience even better, ask for Cindy. She is amazing.
(5)
Kris S.
My cousin just moved to the area and, not having any kitchen utensils unpacked just yet, we decided to go to the Americana. SERVICE: 3/5 My cousin and I were sat at a booth immediately but waited about 4 minutes until a waiter came up to us. He told us he was not "our" waiter, but will gladly bring my coffee and my cousin's water to us. Shortly after, a young woman approached our table and asked "Did he already get your drink orders?" which we replied with a "yes". She started backing away until my cousin said, "But he said he's not our waiter". So the woman smiled and said she'll be happy to serve us. Our waitress was pleasant but absent for the most part. She came over only once between dropping off our food and dropping off the check. My cousin flagged down a busboy for a water refill a few times. IN SHORT: Pleasant, but limited service. Be prepared to ask for things "in bulk", otherwise do without them, as you may finish your meal before even getting a chance to request them. FOOD: 3/5 This was difficult to even think about reviewing. The food was, without a doubt, delicious. My cousin thoroughly enjoyed her grass-fed Kobe beef burger with bacon and a chipotle mayo spread. Being that she just moved back to Jersey from Tampa, FL, she INHALED her sweet corn salad. I opted for the veggie panini but added cajun chicken to it. It was delicious, and definitely a generous serving. I ordered the polenta chips on the side. I've never had polenta chips before, but the waitress assured me they were delicious. That they were. For $4 per side, I wish they had more than two "logs" of polenta chips per order though. So the food was great, but I think Americana should not advertise or classify itself as a "diner". It has given in to the ever-so-trendy "gluten-free" and "grass-fed" fad. The menu, while interesting and tasty, is not "diner" fare. If you think "New Jersey Diner", you think of the typical greasy spoon, and the typical greasy spoon staples. This menu was a bit fancy for what I had in mind when I had a craving for "diner food" and chose Americana in the first place. So why only the "A-OK" rating if the food was, in fact, delicious? If you're rating the Americana in comparison to other restaurants who market to the "gluten-free, grass-fed, Paleo" hipsters, then it falls short; there are definitely better places to eat than the Americana for that. If you're rating the Americana in comparison to the "stereotypical New Jersey Diner", then it also falls short, due to the absence of many "staples" that pretty much every New Jersey diner has on their menu. It's just a confusing place. I don't want to rule it out because it's worth at least one visit, but maybe not two.
(3)
Alison H.
Wow im impressed with what they got going on there. I ate here years ago but they have really turned the place around. I have never seen a local diner source food from local farms. All of the food is super fresh, the menu has some really great items. I am a huge fan and will stop in anytime I am in this area.
(5)
Fiona L.
Being a local, I feel that this diner has gone downhill! I've been eating at this restaurant since 12, so that's a good 9 years. They used to have huge portions and very crispy and delicious fries! Now, they give out small portions for their prices. In general, this diner is not that expensive, but for the quality of the food and the pirce, I think it is. Last time I got a burger with a side of fries. The burger was about $7/8, which isn't expensive, but it wasn't satisfying. The meat wasn't hot and juicy or savory. I rather go to smashburger or burgerfi, and for the same price, I can get an a lot tastier, juicier burger! I love french fries, and they used to have very fresh and crispy fries (i think they dipped the fries in a batter to give them an extra crispy texture). Now, I don't even want to eat the fries. Not crispy and just warm. However, the service is not bad. My waiter came by very often to check on us and poured water frequently. Sometimes they can have a long wait, but the last few times I went, I didn't have to wait. The place is also very spacious. It has a lounge area, bar, restaurant, and an alcove area in the back. My friends used to have their birthday dinners here, and they definitely have the space to hold large parties.
(2)
Kimberly C.
I have been coming to the Americana Diner since I was 7 years old and now I'm 26. The quality of everything has always gotten better as the months and years have gone by. I feel at home here- everyone is so kind and the staff will do whatever to accommodate you. This place has great unique plates. A constantly changing menu to keep up with the freshest ingredients. Pat is one of the best servers there so is Cindy and Lynn they've known me for years. Omelette are TO DIE FOR you will never find an omelette like these guys make- super fluffy- 3 inches thick! all fresh food! Pancakes- they are the definition of pancakes. Honestly I don't care what the price is because I know I'm eating the freshest food from any restaurant in all of NJ!
(5)
Kolleen W.
The Americana is the ultimate in diner offerings. It's sectioned into two areas-- one being a more traditional diner restaurant and a lounge, which is very 70's retro and has a full bar with great bartending staff. I always request a seat in the lounge. The menu is more limited than that of most other diners, but every item is expertly crafted and delicious. This is probably because menu items are made with quality ingredients (hence their moniker, "Eat Better Food"). Each table is served with a bag of freshly made bread and a dish of hand-salted butter. Awesome. As with any other diner, you can't go wrong with breakfast, which is served all day long, although you have to request the menu in the late afternoon. Honorable mentions include the French toast, which is rolled in rice crispies, any of their amazing burgers, and the quesadilla appetizer. Service is sometimes a bit slow, but understandably so, given the occasional high-traffic meal times and is generally friendly and personable.
(5)
James C.
What the hell happened to this place? I used to come here all the time but the difference since my last visit a few years ago is extraordinary. I arrived with my wife at around noon and we were seated fairly promptly and handed two small sheets of paper. I looked around for the real menu. You know, the giant laminated one that's several pages long with a hundred items, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Well it turned out these sheets of paper were our menus. They had no more than twenty items on them and none of them were breakfast dishes. Do they no longer serve breakfast all day or am I supposed to ask for the other menu or something? Wary of this new menu we decided on two "for two" appetizers. A taco plate and zucchini fitters. The pulled pork in one of the tacos had that overwhelming microwave meal flavor and the fish taco gushed grease everywhere. The fritters are basically zucchini tempura, five overly thick-cut slices. It cost eight dollars. Since we weren't particularly full on mediocrity yet, we decided to order desserts. Creme brulee and "warm chocolate cake". The creme brulee tasted like instant pudding and the caramelization on top was exceedingly bitter. I had two half-spoonfuls before deciding it wasn't worth it. My wife felt embarrassed ordering the "warm chocolate cake" because that's seriously what it's called on the menu. Nothing fancy, not even trying, just "warm chocolate cake". The menu was too short to also include "sweet apple pastry" and "cold lemon tart". "This tastes like Betty Crocker" she said as soon as she took a bite. I realized that's probably what it said on the box: "Betty Crocker's warm chocolate cake". The filling tasted like melted Nestle chocolate chips. Oh and our server was never around, but what else is new? The nonexistent server is a permanent feature of the modern restaurant. The sort that seats as many people as possible and then leaves you there for so long you start to wonder if you might die there. The sort that serves you thinly disguised microwave meals. Why bother complaining at all? As for the prices, it's hard to complain specifically about the exact dollar amount. The real issue is the lack of selection and quality. Makes me feel like I'm in the middle of a mob shakedown. Do you want the soup or the sandwich? Your choices don't matter, the end result is regret.
(1)
Ashley P.
I've been frequenting this place for about 12 years, and typically go at least once a week for the past several months. Yes, it's changed from your traditional open-late, multi-page menu diner...but for the better. The food is always fresh and you still get the diner vibe. There are several staff members who consistently remember my order and are very accommodating with dietary restrictions. I highly recommend any kind of omelette, French toast, the braised short rib, burgers and the chicken quesadilla. Also try the white sangria! While the price is a little higher, I believe you get what you pay for - quality food and service.
(5)
Brenda C.
Not your average diner. The staff is super friendly and the food is very good. I ordered a roasted veggie pannini. The vegetables were cut big just the way I like them. They used fresh mozzarella and the bread was not al all greasy. Hubby ordered a vegetarian burger. It had tzatziki sauce on it and the burger was made with beets. It was ok. A little sour so I question the freshness. Fresh beets aren't sour. My kid ordered a corn beef Ruben with sour kraut and it already had a white sauce on it. The mustard that was on the side was not needed. It was delicious. The sides included quinoa apple salad (crumbled feta cheeses on top), chickpeas and red bean salad and French fries. Those were good too. As I mentioned, the staff is superbly friendly. Our waitress so so friendly, she was a little too preoccupied with some of her friends at another table she didn't give us her full attention. I had to flag her down several times for water, coffee, our bread and the check. When she did give us her attention, she was super nice. But the flagging her down constantly wore us down. I would go back but I'd ask for another waitress.
(3)
Donna W.
This is a restaurant that is diner themed. I thought the food was delicious. I had the lamb chops which were perfectly cooked and flavorful, and the cauliflower mac and cheese. I thought the mac and cheese could use more cheese but it was still good.
(4)
Richard V.
Ive never had a Go To Place, until now. The quality of the food is fantastic. Food at the level of a high end restaurant with out the high price. I have NEVER had a bad meal here. Im also Gluten Free so having a place to accommodate me is another big plus. All of their Burgers are fantastic, their gluten free buns are the best i have had. They either make them themselves or they are lying to me. Their menu does change but from what i can remember that i have ordered, and some things i can't eat anymore. French onion soup.... The Best. Fried Calamari.... is the chef italian? Great. Halibut. Great. Americana Paella. Good. Slow cooked short rib. Great. Rack of lamb. Great. Salmon according to my wife. great. Oh and sign up for their loyalty card. you get buy one get one 1/2 off meals for birthdays and Anniversaries. And after spending $250 you get $20 off your next check. No i don't work there. =)
(5)
Caitlin G.
growing up in the area the Americana was a great place to grab food with friends. It has now been a year since I've been here and I have no plans to back anytime soon. My last visit was for weekend breakfast. We ordered two omelets. Instead of your normal toast as a side they came with a loaf of bread on the table with butter and orange marmalade. No other options such as strawberry or grape jelly. I overheard another costumer ask for another option which they didn't have. the omelets were good, but the total came to $30, which is about $10 more than any other "diner" in the area.
(1)
Alyssa C.
I'm a little late on this but Americana has transformed from a regular diner to nice restaurant-- take that as you will. For the most part, they offer the same type of food as a diner but with overall much better quality. (Fancier). And their omelettes are my absolute favorite. (They come with fresh bread and a roasted tomato--not potatoes like you'd expect from a regular diner). The atmosphere is relaxed, but the service is wonderful (shoutouts to Victor and Toni!). For the price I would prefer that their breakfasts particularly came with sides you'd expect. The other day, I paid $17 + tip for eggs benedict (served with a tomato) and orange juice. (Small glass of fresh squeezed OJ (very good) for $3.50 (not so good)). Great place for a special occassion breakfast or casual date night lunch or dinner.
(4)
Rick M.
This place is a classic American diner. The complimentary bread is pretty good. Although the options for vegetarians weren't great, I decided to get one of the veggie burgers. The veggie burger was pretty salty. It wasn't great and mediocre at best. I thought it was an OK place to go if you are here with another person. I don't recommend going with a group because they refuse to split checks or claim they can't at all. That is pretty ridiculous for a modern restaurant. You should accommodate all parties and not cheap-out on the credit card fees.
(3)
A B.
I've eaten here a few times and every time is better than the last. They have a really creative menu and the food is fresh and delicious. Also the service has always been great. If you are in the area you should definitely give them a try!
(5)
Denise S.
I haven't been here in years and sad to say it has gone downhill. My friend told me they changed the format of the menu. I'm fine with that, as long as the execution is on point. My friend and I looked at the menu online and picked out a couple of things and ordered to pick up. When we got there around 10pm on a Saturday night, it was dead. In their diner days, it would still be slammed in there. When we got home we were sad to see the quality of food has diminished. I ordered a salad, which as small and the dressing wasn't good. I also ordered a soft baked sweet potato with feta and pecans on it. It was mashed sweet potato not incased in the potato shell. It was flavorless. Only thing they needed to do was add some salt and all spice and it would have helped greatly. We also ordered two desserts. One was an orange cake and the other a banana creme brownie. I will spare you the horrible details but just say that they were such a huge disappointment. They should probably switch back to the diner menu since this new style they are going for isn't working.
(1)
Nicole I.
Took a friend here who was in for her father's funeral. We just wanted to sit in a diner and have some coffee and talk. Fell upon the Americana. For New Jersey, do NOT expect this to be the typical dive diners that we have peppered all over our great state. This place is more high-class and expensive. I don't even know what qualifies it as a diner, other than it's outward, general appearance. Nothing on the menu gave it a diner feel. AT ALL. Once you get over that, the place is great. Very clean, pleasant staff. I am very certain that our waitress knew we weren't there to eat a full meal, and she was very respectable and left us alone. She didn't hound us or ask us a million times if we needed anything else. Just came by to refill the water, etc. We did order a small cheese plate, which was $7. Not really sure it was worth the price in retrospect, but after sitting a while, we were a bit hungry and didn't want to go crazy. I am almost certain they have a sharing fee, too.**Edit: After reading the response from Constantine, the Owner, they DO NOT have a sharing fee. :) Thanks, Constantine, for the clarification! The coffee we drank was nice, and there is a full bar off the end of the diner itself. I would absolutely go back with more money, more time, and with my husband. If I do, I will happily update my review to reflect the real deal with this place. Frankly, I left intrigued!
(4)
Gary C.
I love this place. I grew up in the area, and as a kid this diner was nothing special, but coming back here 20 years later it is the perfect New Jersey diner. It's striking how much attention they make sheer trying to make everything about the experience excellent. The ownership has clearly put time into training the staff to I have excellent service and hospitality The food is excellent. Erica is into small details liking having high-quality bread, and using high-quality locally sourced ingredients Even small details like the quality of the coffee are also excellent. It makes me proud to come back here and see what attention to detail and love continue to make a Great diner
Americana has had its ups and downs for me over the years. I grew up in Hightstown and for a long time I enjoyed a nice Sunday breakfast with the family here, then as I grew it was the late night place to grab food with friends. It is difficult to call this place a diner because it truly is a restaurant more than a diner. I like the new menu. I enjoyed the bruschetta sampler, quinoa salad and had the Mexicali burger for my entree. I like their creative way of selecting sides. My burger came with "$3 towards my choice of sides." There is a looooong list of sides at either $3, $4 or $5. I chose the sweet potato and enjoyed every bite. Our server was excellent...attentive but not overbearing. Some customers came in and were truly happy to see the waitress. I look forward to coming back to try their breakfast.
(4)
Lauren M.
This is my go-to place for brunch and I've brought so many friends here it is now their go-to place. We often stop in after a hard Saturday morning work-out at CrossFit Nassau. The food and drinks here are great. They do great brunch cocktails. The omelets are generous and so are the burgers. You can substitute or add-on lots of different things. The servers are happy to customize your meal for you, especially if you prescribe to a certain diet. They have so many side dishes to choose from too. It's hard to make up my mind most of the time. We usually sit in the lounge area, where there is also a bar with TVs. Highly recommend this place for anytime of day!
(4)
Anton M.
Excellent food! I am not sure if you can call this a diner. Either way, the wait staff on the "diner" side is not that friendly or attentive. The staff on the lounge side is top notch. Also, the bartender plays her favorite songs from her own collection and they truly set the mood. As a music lover, there are many tunes you would not normally hear at a restaurant/diner. I frequent the lounge as much as I can.
(4)
Caleb B.
Wow, talk about having everything! Just discovered this place, even though I've been living only 15 minutes away. What a first impression when you walk in the door! If I have to say any single thing that make's me a repeat customer with any food service business, it's the smell. The second you walk it the aroma of Italian everything hits you like a ton of bricks. I didn't walk in hungry, but I can't imagine anyone's appetite holding out in this place. If the smell doesn't get you, the beautiful, eye catching display cases filled with everything from desserts, entrees and appetizers definitely will. The sandwiches we ordered for lunch were the biggest sandwiches we've ever seen. And they were under $10! Absolutely delicious, we couldn't even finish them in one sitting :-) We also ordered dinner and dessert for later and it was to die for. Wonderful Italian cooking you can bring home!
(5)
stephen s.
For several years, while I lived in Princeton, I made the trip out to Americana for brunch every other weekend. I'd generally order a savory dish, and split a sweet dish for desert -- that's a ton of food and generally sufficed as my meal for the day. The breakfast food is among the best I've ever had. I strongly recommend the Eggs Edessa, the Mediterranean Frittata, the omlettes generally, and the berry-stuffed french toast. (The latter is considerably better when the berries are fresh, so consider the season when chosing.) Having recently moved from Princeton to Manhattan, eating each weekend at Americana may be the thing I miss most. If you're sitting at the counter -- a good choice for parties of one or two, especially on Sundays when it gets crowded -- Pat can give good recommendations. Tell her we miss her.
(5)
Ted S.
I brought my wife and child in this restaurant and it was an overall great experience! The food tasted great and the atmosphere was welcoming. I had the Tuna dish which came out in a responsible amount of time. Will definitely be back
(5)
Sandi C.
Love their bread! Excellent and they give you plenty! They were out of Pumpkin vodka so couldn't try their signature cocktail. I had the Turkey BLT which was okay. The sandwich bread was the best part. Others at the table raved over their salmon burger and bananas foster waffle. I really loved their old menu not so much the new one.
(3)
Alexandra L.
Oh Americana. I feel obligated to give you three solid stars in remembrance for how you used to be. Back in high school, you were THE place to be for sneaking out to lunch and super, super late nights, and I miss that. You were perfect. A few years ago, I stopped in during a visit home and my friends and I joked that Americana was "trying to class it up". It's no longer a joke; in the past few years, Americana has changed the space, changed the menu, and changed the entire vibe. And in return for a "classier" feel, the prices have gone up, and the food quality and choices have gone down. So sad. You're just not a classy place, Americana, you're a New Jersey diner and you should be proud of that. I will always fondly remember the way you were.
(3)
Mike P.
Just love this place. Even tough menu is smaller, food and service is best in area for a dinner
(4)
Bryan L.
The menu and the food is always pretty good but the service although courteous is often slow so be prepared for that.
(3)
Stephanie B.
Don't let the name fool you, this is no diner, more like a wanna-be French restaurant. Prices are absurdly high and portions are measly. The only thing worth getting is the omelets, but even then don't expect a normal portion of home fries. Not worth going to anymore.
(2)
Harrison A.
Very classy place. Bread is incredible. Many great food options.
(5)
Diana A.
Americana has emerged as my favorite diner in the area. Western-style burger was great. I was seated near the dessert case, so I had to sample a cupcake for dessert. It was just ok. Can't wait to go back and try one of their gigantic omelets.
(4)
Dennis K.
Have been coming here for a number of years. Great breakfasts! Pancakes about the best of any commercial restaurant (if only they'd make buckwheat pancakes). Good lunches, with their Greek Salad and corned beef sandwich always a favorite. Don't eat dinner here very often, but when we have, we haven't been disappointed. Service is fast and efficient, and the wait staff always has a kind or friendly word. If you're in the neighborhood, you can't go wrong here.
(4)
David B.
Not your average dinner. Food and service is gourmet and up-scale. Great atmosphere.
(4)
Kristin P.
We recently moved into the area and were inthe mood for a quick bite to eat. SO my husband and I stopped by what we expected to be the local "diner". Definitely not what we expected. This was a much better experience than we bargained for. The meni weas really interesting and even though I was in the mood for a simple egg sandwich I was much happier with the chicken wrap with veggeis and blue cheese that I ordered. We'll be back!
(5)
A W.
Had a great, albeit slightly pricey dinner here the other night. Had family visiting from out of town and they wanted diner food. While the menu has changed a bit (again), my turkey BLT sandwich alone would be worth the trip back, and the turkey dinner ordered was delicious. However, it took a long time to get our food (they weren't terribly busy). After dinner, I went to the pastry case and purchased a double chocolate cupcake for me and a snickers cupcake for my husband. My cupcake wasn't just stale, I'm pretty sure the frosting was spoiled. The husband's cupcake was dry and stale, and he threw his out as well. Go for dinner; go elsewhere for dessert.
(3)
Steve G.
Not to be confused with the same-named Americana Diner in Tinton Falls-- one of the best in the state-- this is a pleasant and adequate typical diner. I believe that the kitchen is competent and pays attention to their cooking, but similarly, that the quality of their purchased product is no better than average. The waitstaff has always been cordial, if a bit scattered and uneven. A worthy stop when traveling the Rt. 130 corridor.
(2)
Genevieve S.
This is my favorite diner in the state so far. It has two rooms, a standard diner room and a more lounge style side. I prefer to eat on the lounge side but food is the same both places. There is a bar here which I consider a plus. I like their omelette for breakfast and there are many to choose from! For dinner I had the salmon and a seafood pasta dish. Both were excellent. The chicken linguine is mediocre so I wouldn't recommend it. Yummy brea comes with dinner also and they have an interesting beer selection which rotates(not the common stuff you find everywhere else). I would definitely recommend this place. I take most of my out of town guests here and they always love it.
(4)
Anthony V.
Food is consistently good but I wish they would go back to the "Jersey Diner" menu I loved as opposed to the current, limited "bistro-like" menu. Burgers are good (especially the turkey burgers for those of us who like to watch our diets) and are served on 'baked-in-house' rolls. Omelettes are very good too, but I do miss the diner mainstay open-faced sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, etc). My wife and I loved coming here twice-weekly but the prices seemed to have gone up quite a bit while the menu has shrunk. We still go, but maybe once a month. We now prefer to travel a bit out of our way for our 'Jersey-diner-experience' fix.
(3)
Amy S.
We love this place...sister restaurant to the Skylark Diner in Edison, we have never been disappointed by a meal. I usually get the french toast with bacon; it's my favorite. Menu is expansive...and also expensive. Seafood gaspacho (summertime menu item) is $11/bowl but quite delicious. Juices (orange or grapefruit) are freshly squeezed. Service is usually decent and helpful. Place is usually packed on weekends for breakfast but tables turnover fairly quickly.
(5)
Eddie L.
I reluctantly went back to the Americana for breakfast, with a party of 9 this time, and I'm glad I did as the place rebounded greatly from our last bad experience. This time our waiter was great and attentive. The food all came out together and as ordered, no need to repeatedly ask "where's my meat?" (That's what she said). No burnt toast, no burnt hash browns. Just delicious Cinnamon french toast and sausage. They have a liquor license but I showed restraint and had OJ minus the Vodka, tasted strange. Just kidding, I do drink fruit juices without alcohol, but I do prefer them with some Tequila, Rum or Vodka. Just improving on nature's gifts. So I'm back to being OK with the Americana and will return much less reluctantly next time.
(4)
Mike M.
Exceptional "diner". Think gourmet chef meets diner fare. Always consistent. Great, creative breakfast and lunch selections.
(5)
Fred I.
As noted in the other reviews..... the Americana is no longer a "NJ Diner". Its a restaurant, with higher prices, less to choose from. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't go there to get the previous items like "mile high meatloaf". The management has made the Americana, the Skylark in Edison and the Colonial in East Brunswick into upscale dining locations. And to repeat, these are no longer "diners" The menu selections are interesting and varied. I had Mahi Mahi, and it was excellent with a reduced balsamic glaze and apple chutney. Serving was generous, but not overwhelming like your typical diner. We entered and went to the back for the "diner" area, and there were plenty of seats available, but they walked us through the entire restaurant to seat us in the "lounge". I think they should offer a choice. The lounge has a good bar, but add a couple of drinks to the already high food prices, and you're dropping double the cash you used to be able to get away with when it was really a diner.
(3)
Thomas F.
Today's meal was indescribeable. Words cannot do justice the complex, raw emotions that i experienced as i took that very first bite at the Americana Diner and Restaurant. With the heat beating down upon my face from the hot New Jersey sun as i write these words, it is with a great sense of longing that i wish to be back where my family once broke bread, feasted on classic breakfast food, and sampled succulent chocolate cake; home. The eggs and bacon, though a staple of a classic american breakfast to be found at all diners, were a revelation. Alas, my heart flutters as i attempt to recount the true joy i felt as i devoured the Americana Diner and Restaurant's recreation of a classic down-home favorite. The chocolate cake i ordered for dessert shattered my universe. I was rocked to my very core by its moist consistency and impeccable presentation. The sweet espresso fudge sauce that served as topping for this delectable concoction changed my life in ways that i never thought possible. As i stand here in this dusty parking lot hours after the fact, i realize the world is beautiful. This notion always occured to me as meaningless until this point in my life. Years from now, i may be a different person altogether in terms of values and cherished beliefs, but i will always remember that which i hold dearest to me and closest to my heart, the Americana Diner and Restaurant.
(4)
C K.
Visited the restaurant today. Was a little skeptical because of the initial greeting- seemed they were not used to African American diners. I'm glad to say I was wrong.... The meal was excellent, waiter was very attentive. I had the Carolina Grits (with ham, sausage and cheddar cheese)..YUMMM I would definitely return and recommend to others.
(5)
Grace R.
While it's a little on the pricey side for diners, the food does not disappoint. I ordered a greek salad, and the ingredients were pleasantly fresh. The soup was also very delicious and tasted very fresh. I'd love to return and try out more of the menu!
(4)
Jamie C.
I ate here with colleagues while on a business trip in February. Two of us got the worst case of food poisoning ever. I was sick for a week. Nothing like having to fly across the country when feeling that bad. My only worse experience was after eating chicharon bulaklak purchased from a street vendor on a bus in Tarlac Tarlac, the Philippines. DON'T GO HERE!!! The "homemade" cherry pie was clearly Pillsbury pie crust with a can of Comstock cherry pie filling dumped in it. Disgusting. Too bad the survey questions don't include "Nothing" as a choice for the question "Good for."
(1)
Dana L.
Decent service. Steep prices. Nice atmosphere. Don't get the chicken Caesar wrap, skyhigh French toast, or the salmon burger.
(3)
Art F.
This is a diner that is trying to be something that it's not. Let me first say that the food is always good. Excellent sandwiches, soups, entrees. My complaint is with the service and the value. The staff there almost seens like they are doing you a favor when they wait on you. And they nickle and dime you do death. The entrees no longer come with soup or salad. If you want soup, you have to buy a bowl which is over $5.00. and the sandwiches no longer come with cole slaw or pickle. When i asked, the waitress seemed almost embarrassed to tell me that it would be $2.50 for the "side dish." Good food, fair service, poor value.
(2)
Linda L.
This used to be a destination diner for me, didn't mind the 20 mile drive because the food was that good! It's now a diner with pretensions of being fine dining - which is OK if you back that up with great food. We were there today for lunch and I have to say the service was great, and the atmosphere is very nice, although the bathroom could use a good cleaning. The prices are very high and there isn't much selection . My friend really liked her burger and fries. She also liked the bread they serve before the food comes, it was way too sweet for me. I got a roast beef sandwich with gorgonzola and arugala, it was pretty tasteless and the semolina bread was so hard it scratched up the roof of my mouth. We also had our 2 kids with us and ordered them meals from the Children's Menu that were totally inedible, we had to give them our french fries for lunch. I think it is admirable that the restaurant is promoting healthy meals for kids, but we didn't realize that "roast chicken pasta" meant some macaroni with broccoli and dried out chicken breast with barely any sauce was what healthy means. My friend's daughter got the grilled chicken strips, which was the same gross chicken (plus grill marks) with two big hunks of sweet potato on the side. It came with a big cup of ranch dressing so she just dunked our french fries in that and left the rest. They did like their cookies at the end though. I'll bet this is really a fun place if you are into jazz and a good martini, just don't expect it to be a diner, and if you bring the kids, stick with burgers or grilled cheese, Healthy food is only healthy if its edible.
(2)
Erin P.
I am definitely a fan of this place. Sometimes the service can be s-l-o-w and the wait is l-o-n-g but that is because it is popular. If the wait is long you can always choose to have your meal at the bar. I like coming here because there are a good number of vegetarian (eggs and cheese permitting) options. I love their omelets but they also have a veggie burger that is made with lentils. It falls apart easily but it has a great taste (if you like lentils). Another entree I've had is the Portabello sandwich. All very good.
(4)
Tina L.
As far as brunch goes, Americana is amazing. My boyfriend and I had showed up at 7am (after pulling an all nighter doing work), looking for a place to splurge for breakfast. We decided to go out of our way to head to Americana because the food has always been consistently wonderful. We ordered the goat cheese and beet salad (asked for the goat cheese not to be friend, an farmer's omelette and an Italian omelette (both came with two slices of buttered toast), and fish tacos. The food, all of it, was delish. Unsurprisingly, by the time we finished (8am-ish), there was a line out the door. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.
(5)
Michael Z.
Take one look at the menu and you'll quickly realize this is not your typical NJ diner. Gorgonzola-stuffed Angus beef burgers? Wine by the bottle? A selection of micro brews? Yet, they still manage to keep to diner tradition and offer fresh-baked pastries at the counter. 5 stars for effort! I've been here roughly 3 times in the past 3 years, around the winter holidays when I visit my mother. This is a popular choice for families (and old people -- lots of retirement communities around here), and I've seen the line outside get very long. We've usually eaten early, and never had a wait, but expect one if you come around 7PM for dinner, especially on a weekend night. I dig the bar area, they have plenty of alcohol to choose from. I always go with the Yuengling on draft.. yes.. I know, it's a cheap beer, but it's only found in PA/NY/NJ/DE/MD/DC/VA/WV/TN/NC/SC/GA/FL/AL. Gotta get it when I can.. Food: 3.5 stars, as I said 5 for effort, but the quality of the food isn't amazing for the price. I've had the tuna melt (OK), buffalo chicken wrap (better), seared tuna bites (overcooked -- asked for "as rare as possible"), fennel salmon (pretty good, interesting), and gorgonzola-stuffed burger (love gorgonzola). Irish Coffee: very Irish. I tried some of the specialty chocolates off of the desert menu (blood orange & raspberry dark chocolates), and I'm a fan. I didn't try some of the more adventurous flavors, such as Olive Oil and Sea Salt chocolate, but they have 'em. The menu is so huge, I doubt I'll ever get to try everything at the rate at which I visit. I've also noticed the menu changes up quite frequently; never know what will be on the dinner menu the next year. Not your typical diner, although oddly enough, there is one of those about a mile down the road.
(4)
James A.
I used to enjoy going to this diner, until my experience just this past weekend. The waitress was ruder that rude. She did not service my family at all. It was like 11PM on a Saturday and it took nearly an hour to get our meal. The girl never even asked me if I wanted a drink. She did not pay attention to our table and we had to consistently chase her down for everything we wanted from her. If we asked her for a refill, she would take the cup and then forget to bring it back. She was rude to a group of elderly customers, who didn't give her the right amount of money to pay their bill. The order didn't come out right, but I didn't complain. I wanted broccoli instead of a plateful of fries and was nickel and dimed for $4.00. Who does the math on this? You forgo a plateful of fries and they give you 6 small pieces of broccoli and they charge you an extra $4? The wrap that I ordered, clearly stated that it came with pickle and coleslaw, but that never came out either. Ok so my meal experience wasn't so great, but I was looking forward to dessert. I am on a special diet and was looking forward to having any type of sugar free dessert. Now if you have ever been to this diner, you know that they have a really attractive dessert section. I asked the waitress what they had that was sugar free and she said they have nothing. DAMN was I upset!!!!!! What does she offer me as a sugar free alternative? A FRUIT CUP!!! Since when is a fruit cup sugar free? What could have made this situation better? Maybe if the manager was not busy bussing tables and was going around doing the job that he was hired for, customer service. This is the first time I was ever in any diner, where I was not asked if everything was okay or if I needed anything. So in reality, the waitress and the manager are equally as guilty for making this experience suck. Whoever is in charge of ordering desserts, they need to step their game up, too. In the end, I left a $1.00 credit card tip. Why? I wanted to make the waitress feel exactly how I felt. I also wrote on the receipt, "horrible experience", in hopes that the manager saw the note and more so in hopes that they stepped their game up and actually cared about servicing the customer. Before you all criticize me and think that I am cheap, I eat out a lot and always leave between a 20-30% gratuity. My wife often gets mad at me for doing so, but I feel that everyone deserves a fair wage. Just not when you take advantage of a situation and expect that the money will be there anyway. For the record, I have never done anything like this before and this alone speaks volumes on how this Diner sucks. I will never go back here again. The Seville Diner in East Brunswick, they are really on top of their game. I go there all the time and never have I had a gripe there.
(2)
Natesha F.
I used to LOVE Americana, but honestly they fell off. The service and atmosphere is still good- but the menu has changed and is lacking. The breakfast used to be out of this world, now it is just ok, the steak bland, and they took the shrimp alfredo (which was the best!) off the menu- I live down the block and I am not happy. I will try it a few more times, but as of now- I am NOT a happy camper when it comes to the menu. They are trying to be too fancy, the place is called "Americana Diner" for God's sake- keep it simple and yummy the way it used to be! Or change the name LOL...
(3)
Caroline S.
I have been going to Americana Diner since I first moved to the area 18 years ago. I have seen it through various owners, upgrades and menu changes and never have been disappointed. The menu the past few years has been wonderful - great quality food with a diner feel. Although their wraps and BLT's are top notch, these days I am always lured in by the Skylark Salad with grilled chicken...HIGHLY recommended delicious salad with walnuts, blue cheese, spinach, craisins and an amazing dressing that they must put an addicting-forming substance in because I can't stop eating them! So good! If you are in the area, don't miss this Jersey landmark...just wonderful!
(5)
Andrew R.
I have been going to the Americana for many years. The last few times we have been there we left saying we won't return. This time we really won't. The portions have continued to get smaller. Entrees come with vegetables but no starch. For $18-$28 entrees you expect much more. The quality has decreased along with the portions. My wife had overcooked bland salmon. I had a vegetarian pasta dish that was tasteless and severely overpriced for what it was. Even the kid's meals have gotten smaller. The salad with entree is a long ago thing of the past. The $4 side salad is an overdressed bowl of iceberg lettuce. They have a decent craft beer list, but it is a list only. They did not have the first 3 beers I tried to order so I gave up and tried a glass of wine. Wines by the glass are $7-$9 for wines that cost that by the bottle at bottle king next door. Atrocious. Service is attentive, but at times unprofessional. This is no longer a diner and no longer a decent restaurant.
(2)
Chris A.
It's a diner. A good one too! The wait can be a little long and the service can be slow if you catch them right after a typical rush such as breakfast or lunch. Other than the that.. typical diner food, Get anything and everything and it is good. I think they may have had a bigger menu but there was a big gap in between my visits so I'm not sure if after they changed the physical size of the menus they also remove items. Maybe i'm just losing it.
(3)
Erik N.
I love the breakfast food and the lunch sandwiches. You can not go wrong with a Choizo omlette and a side of guac! it's the best way to start a day. It's really the best diner I've ever been to and that's a lot.
(5)
Lynette L.
Americana is a great place to go when either you don't know what you want to eat (because they have an extensive menu) or you're with a group (and their menu is large enough to accommodate all of the individuals). I liked everything I've ordered from here, but I never get a craving to actually go back for anything in particular. I've never walked out feeling like it was a waste of money, though. The food is solid, and the desserts are also very good. Service is decent. The place gets very busy and seems understaffed during peak hours.
(3)
Michelle E.
After being in Montclair for a meeting, Dan and I needed to find late night dining. We hadn't been to Americana Diner in a while and decided to stop there. Aside from a few bar patrons, the lounge was mostly empty which was fine with us. The bartender was doing double duty as master drink maker and server for the evening. I began the meal with a Mark West Pinot Noir (delicious and I would highly recommend) and Dan had a gin martini. A favorite sandwich of Dan's has become a smoked salmon BLT. He was thrilled he was able to get it at Americana. The sandwich was a little heavy on the salmon but otherwise a delicious choice along with crispy fries. I've been trying to eat healthier (re: no fried foods) and momentarily thought about the options available to me on the menu but was sucked in by the chicken fingers. The five chicken fingers and fries arrived hot. The menu said they would come with honey mustard and the serve brought along two other sauces as well. The chicken fingers were a good size. I was full after 2 1/2 of them and decided to take the rest home for lunch the next day. No dessert for me tonight. All told, with 2 drinks each and dinner, we spent around $75 with tip. Don't let the name fool you. Americana Diner is more a restaurant with attached "lounge" than a diner. We prefer to eat in the lounge area because of the music and the close proximity to the bar. The place has changed ownership over the years but I always a consistently good meal there. This a great late night, fun place to go with friends or just the two of you. They always have good dance music playing in the lounge. P.S. The chicken fingers were quite tasty reheated the next day. Unfortunately, the server didn't include any of the honey mustard. I'll have to be sure to ask for sauce as well.
(4)
J B.
Wonderful!!! The food is wonderful, fresh and the menu is updated often. The prices are affordable. They have online ordering that is easy to use. I have yet to find a place that cares for not only their customers but the quality of food that they serve.
(5)
Bryan Y.
I have been coming here for years, great place for breakfast & lunch. Service and food quality is good, but I do miss the Mom & Pop quality back in the day.....talking about 15 years ago
(4)
La L.
This is a solid NJ diner. We were in the area for one random reason or another and someone recommended this place to us. It's clean and has a huge menu of breakfast foods and sandwiches that you know you shouldn't be eating. Just the way I like my diners. Turkey burgers were good and the waitress was sweet. I'd return if I'm in the area again. I may have to find another reason to go all the way to this side of Jersey again!
(4)
Greg Y.
Don't get me wrong, Americana used to be my (and my family's) go-to restaurant for get-togethers. But it's just not the same anymore.... has more of a wannabe-restaurant feel than a diner vibe. Management's been changed along with the all the good stuff: -Prices. Used to be that Americana could get you great food at a great price (typical diner workings). Food's still decent, but prices have climbed to the point where it's just not worth it anymore. -THE FRIES. They used to have THE BEST fries here. No questions asked. Just enough potato in them but had this incredible crispiness in every bite. Now they're just some generic potatoes that are only average. Bawww, I want the Americana that I know and (used to) love back.
(2)
Danielle W.
No, no, no, no! My husband and I love to eat out...We go out on Saturday nights for date night and put aside money to celebrate our time together and enjoy good food. We heard about this place from The Skylark Diner, another restaurant owned by this man. We waited almost an hour to get in, once we were seated it took 20 minutes to get a drink. The people seated next to us warned us about the waitress but there were no other areas available. The food was okay but delivered cold! We never saw our waitress. People that came after our meal were complaining too. They did not receive the meals the actually ordered. What a disaster...
(1)
Anthony B.
I absolutely love the Americana. They offer you a rewards card, so every time you spend money, there's a give back. The service is great! Servers offer great recommendations, the owner appears to hire managers for their personality, so if there is ever a problem managers seem to never forget that you are the customer. Finally, the food is plentiful and delicious. I've worked the Americana into my budget, as I am there at least 2X a week.
(5)
Catherine S.
Definitely not your typical diner! Been coming here for a few months now and have never been disappointed. For breakfast, have tried several of the eggs dishes and all were excellent. For lunch, I love the grilled cheese, it is absolutely divine! Service is always good, even when busy. Also love the wide variety of sides.
(4)
Doug M.
What an amazing restaurant in an amazing town! I saw on my phone that their menu included good vegetables & house made onion rings, so off we went. We had a light dinner. I got 4 sides: onion rings, broccolini, beets & a quinoa-apples-chick peas salad. My spouse had veggie soup. We loved it. Everything was beautifully served on rectangular plates. And all that was only $26! The next morning we ended up there again, when the restaurant we searched for was out of business, and it was excellent again! It was brunch & I got onion rings again, tasty home fries, & a little pile of tasty greens, gluten-free toast w/many slices of avocado & crushed red pepper flakes. My spouse had eggs & toast. We had a wonderful time. When we left, we asked for a menu to keep in the car so we'd remember to stop there again!
(5)
Tara M.
Ok so it's been too long to remember the last time I've been here. I do however remember how insanely busy this place "used to be." With that said..let's get down to food. We stared at menu trying to figure it out. My friend knew what they wanted me on the other hand, had to be choosey due to dietary restrictions so it took longer. Server was right on point. We ordered n picked our sides. I was trying something interesting. I do love the fresh organic meals and the fact that the menu has a wide range buy also limits you if you have dietary issues. Now let's get down to the food.. My company ordered a grilled Ruben which looked heavily meaty and grilled perfectly. They said it was best they had in a long time and an order of homemade onion rings. I ordered the grilled salmon open face taco with a side of polenta chips. Salmon was a small piece of fish grilled perfectly seasonings were spot on. It was open face with pickled cucumber slivers, jalapenos, avocado and lemon yogurt and a flavorful rice, with a thin pita. It was awesome but when I was done I was looking for more. I do not believe it was worth the price, maybe if they're was more than one. The polenta chips came with a fresh marinara sauce that was really tasty. The homemade onion rings were delicious with the spicy horseradish sauce, very light and yummy. They also charge for sides $3.00. Which didnt Make Any sense. I do miss the old place menu. It was over priced for what it is and seems to be a special occasion/ lunch place. Not a every week kinda place, which is a shame. I would go back to try other things but not often. The salads looked really good as for burgers not worth what they charge for size of burger, the cow better poop gold. Like I said better off for breakfast/brunch n lunch.
(3)
Allison S.
My favorite breakfast place. We moved to the area in late winter and I went there with my uncle who already knew about it ( he's from north jersey) and now I can't get enough of their pancakes... Best I have had in a long time!! I am trying to not eat carbs right now but once and awhile I will cheat for their pancakes. Hostess staff is always friendly. Almost all of the severs we've had were great, last time the guy was not great at customer service, but of course we will go back. I wish when you ask for water and a lemon that you would get ice water in a regular size glass.
(5)
Laura H.
The Americana changed their menu awhile back. Don't get me wrong, the food is still very good.... But don't expect typical diner food with a huge menu. The Americana has definitely cut back on the items, only offering a large 2 page menu, not the typical 8 page diner menus. They offer nice fresh baked bread and butter while you wait for your meal. They have nice specials at a reasonable price, however, I find it a little pricey overall. The food is always very good, and the staff is friendly. They have a nice lounge area that offers a happy hour. Definitely worth a trip as long as you are not looking for a typical Jersey diner.
(4)
Gary B.
We have lunch at the Americana 3 or 4 times a week. Food is very consistent and we get GREAT service. Cindy is the best server in the place, professional, no nonsense, just a very attentive server. When Cindy is not there, we request Erin who is also very attentive and gets high marks. The only issue beyond that is that after those two, you probably get average service, we've been spoiled though, average just doesn't cut it.
(4)
Paul L.
Haven't been to the Americana in over a year. Moved back to town and couldn't wait to revisit this great diner. Sadly things have changed. The western burger had no flavor, most likely b/c it had no sauce, and was cooked super well done even tho we asked medium. They now put a small handful of fries on the side which is half what they use to. Only thing that hasn't changed was the price. $25 for 2 bad burgers and a handful of fries. I can get this type of food at the Wendy's down the road for half the price.
(2)
L S.
Don't get me wrong the food here is good. The only problem I see is this place has no idea what it wants to be. Sometimes its a diner,somtime a restaurant. You can't be both in New Jersey. You stop in and decide for yourself, you will have a good meal while you do...but it won't be diner food.
(3)
Rona L.
Americana Rounded up from 3.5 Overall okay Pretentious menu Save the scallops for Ramsey Smaller menu = win Good eggs Benedict Secret menu does exist Very pleasant staff
(4)
John-Henry K.
Great place to come and eat at any hour. Solid breakfast and equally good lunch and dinner which is rare at a diner, however this place has become ludicrous with their prices. I think the burger was 12 bucks and they cut the portions to make it more artsy. You are a diner not a cafe, I want tons of food for a decent price not smoked salmon on rain bread for 35 dollars.
(4)
Ben P.
Haven't had anything less than a very good meal but the newer reduced menu hasn't produced the excellent few that they were trying to achieve by concentrating on a core set of menu items. The much more extensive old menu seemed to produce superlative creative fare that seemed always fresh. Still this is gourmet diner fare. I'd rather go here than eat Mastoris' tired old dishes. Excellent service always.
(5)
Beth L.
Used to be regular but stopped going over the last couple of years when the changed their menu. Just went back recently and can say it will be the last time. The menu is on a big piece of paper, regular "diner food " is not listed, instead they list "specially dishes like they are cafe. The food was ok, the service was bad, and we felt like we were on one big conveyor belt. Americana is a diner, Invest in real menus instead if the cheap paper that you guys hand out. Stop resting on your reputation, there are other places to eat around East Windsor that are better and cheaper than you guys are and the atmosphere is nicer. We won't be back any time soon.
(1)
Carolyn I.
Fun diner to go to experience the diner feel. Very crowded and somewhat disorganized check-in process. The food was average and the waitress was not familiar with the menu. They gave us a fresh baked bread roll to take home with us which was delicious.
(3)
Mike S.
Not a fan of this place, don't like the dinner or lunch. breakfast is so and so. Menu is so blah now, prices are higher. not worth it.
(1)
Lucy L.
After the redecoration, this place had changed their menu trying to go chic ... But truthfully it's a nice try but somewhat of failed attempt. I had ordered the crepe, side of home fries and pork roll. Under cook crepe with overcooked strawberry filling... Best part of the dish is the banana bread and fresh fruits. Waiter is great so is the coffee.
(2)
Penny T.
This restaurant is trying very hard not to be a diner. We hadn't eaten here in a year or two, and the new menu took us by surprise. Our waiter came over with a strange, arrogant attitude, which made us want to leave. We stayed, however, and hoped for the best. I ordered the soup of the day, split pea, and the fish and chips but asked them to substitute mashed potatoes for the fries. Split pea is my favorite soup, and this one was heavenly--not completely smooth, which was good, and not salty. It was served in a beautiful bowl with a serving plate and doily. I was impressed. We were also served a nice loaf of bread in an individual bag. Delicious, although if it had been served warm, that would have been a treat. My fish was luscious, hot, and crisp, and served with malt vinegar and homemade tartar sauce. The mashed potatoes were a little strange and tasteless. Maybe I should have accepted the fries. There was also a delicious salad on my plate, and it was perfection==not over dressed, and full of sliced cherry tomatoes, excellent lettuce, red onions, and diced cucumber. Husband ordered the veggie burger, which was made of beets and other ingredients. He loved it. He also agreed with me about the excellent soup. Our waiter disappeared for a while and returned with a new personality. He started making jokes and attempted to be very friendly. He gave us our check, which surprised me, since he didn't bother to ask if we wanted dessert, etc. I did want to try a dessert and told him so, and he promptly brought over a display tray of their desserts of the day. They all looked fabulous, and I finally chose the carrot cake. This is where they have made a brilliant decision... the dessert is an individual, cupcake size portion, which is a great idea if you would prefer a small treat. The carrot cake was tasty and moist, and we enjoyed sharing it. And, it was only $3. This is not your typical diner food or experience. We will be pleased to return.
(3)
Christopher L.
Can't lose here! An excellent establishment that is flawlessly run and the menu changes very often. Always fresh ingredients, bakery on premises, ad pricing that is very reasonable.
(5)
Nic H.
I love this place. It's like an American diner with a modern twist. Decor is neat, menu is creative and everything I've ordered off of here has been good. I've been here 4-5 times and will definitely be going back. Service is great and super-attentive. Can't believe this place doesn't have 5 stars!! I've had the french toast, seared ahi-tuna, and ham sandwich - all of which were good. Definitely one of the best lunch places in East Windsor. If you're looking for a $5 meal, don't go here, but otherwise, it's a fantastic spot. Prices average about $10 for lunch.
(5)
Eva W.
My favorite brunch spot, but great any day of the week at any time. Their Bloody Mary's are top notch, and I highly recommend the poached eggs florentine. Can get very busy on Sundays after 11, but the wait is never more than 15 minutes. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
(5)
Pete D.
Three out of five stars, yes. I would have rated it higher if there were combo options for breakfast. e.g. I wanted eggs and pancakes. The prices are a little high so I didn't want to pay $8 for one pancake. Who would? Regardless, the food was very good, the place is nice and the staff was quite attentive. I had the huevos rancheros but wanted a little more on the plate for $11.
(3)
Robert S.
I gave it another try but the Americana Diner is way overpriced and the food doesn't do it for me. Since when does an omelette not come with home fries? I guess it's on the breakfast menu and my fault for not noticing but couldn't you include something other than 2 tired looking roasted tomatoes? Will not be going back.
(2)
Jim P.
Expect an experience very different than that of a traditional American diner. In a good way! Sure, the physical layout is diner inspired, but similarities stop there. The atmosphere is a nice mix of pleasantly casual and mildly formal, several notches up from roadside chow wagon. The staff are friendly and service oriented. And the food is always fantastic. High quality ingredients, nice dishes meticulously prepared. Someone is definitely watching the quality, as they turn out consistently good food. All considered, the place is a bargain as well. We always look forward to a meal at Americana, and really have never been disappointed.
(5)
A L.
We went here for Sunday brunch. I had the Cinnamon French Toast and it was good. Hubs had the Vegetable omelet and thought it was good, too. Daughter had Poached Eggs Florentine and loved it. She also ordered Hot Apple Cider which came along with a cinnamon stick on the side and loved it. This place is a fancy diner. Prices are a little high but worth it! Service was great too! Only sticking point was when I tried adding points to the loyalty card, it said my account was frozen. I asked why and I was told it was because I haven't been there for 3 months. Glad I caught that because our waitress didn't tell me that!
(4)
Nadia B.
Great ambiance and nice service! Latte was decent and not spectacular, but we ordered a decently priced fudge brownie that was delicious. They also have the "designer special" chocolates with unique flavors and we ordered four different ones... at 1.50 a piece we were not overly pleased.. The napoleon was nice as well.... I will try coming back for actual food but we enjoyed our desserts and ambiance and is a great spot (especially the back lounge portion) for just hanging out.
(4)
Jason E.
Sometimes I forget to Yelp about the places I go to all the time, of which I'm a huge fan. This is one of those circumstances. This particular review was prompted by the fact that I just left a sister property, The Skylark in Edison, NJ. What a disappointment. Take a look at that review here: yelp.com/biz/skylark-din… In direct contrast, the Americana Diner gets it right nearly every time, with one exception: the hollandaise sauce isn't really hollandaise sauce. I can guarantee that the first three ingredients are not clarified butter, egg yolks and lemon juice. But I digress... Their corned beef hash is one of the best in the area. Their frittatas are phenomenal. The Mediterranean salad is killer. In fact, I can't think of a time where I ever had a bad meal here. And I have had MANY. Oh, and don't forget the bloody Marys. Excellent. I always ask for some extra horseradish on the side, though. I'm a fan. For a local diner, it's excellent. The service is great, every time. The people are nice, attentive and friendly. If you're looking for a diner in Mercer County, it's truly the only destination worthy of a person with a discerning palate. Oh! There's one exception to that: Teddy's in Cranbury, if you like more of a local feel, and LOVE corned beef hash. I'll be Yelping about Teddy's next :-). UPDATE: Here's the link to my Teddy's review: yelp.com/biz/teddys-lunc…
(5)
Dee L.
We love to stop here after work to unwind at their lounge. The mixed drinks are yummy, but lethal! Their bartenders know what they're doing! The food is awesome, the servers are always attentive and know the menu.
(5)
Tom S.
My normal stop after podiatrist visit with mom. Food & service are always top notch. I went with the veggie pannini which was delicious. A little smaller it appeared to me from last year when the Mrs ordered it. Love the loaf of bread & butter given when seated. Bread is so good I bought 5 loaves to take home & share with loved ones. Pricey but you have to treat yourself sometimes. 30+ beans for above, omelette, coffee, soda,OJ & tip.
(4)
F. C.
We have lived in East Windsor for about 20 years so we have frequented this diner many, many times. Over the past 3 years or so we keep commenting how disappointed we are. Their takeout portions are getting smaller and smaller and they seem to be charging extra for every little thing. Today I visited for breakfast with a friend and our waitress was very lacking. She had a disinterested attitude, would forget things, and when she couldn't be found, we looked over and she was reading a magazine at the counter. When we asked for more jelly, she literally rolled her eyes. She brought out more homemade marmalade and pear jelly? I just wanted a little smear of Smuckers! We were informed they don't carry that anymore. They are not a diner any more. If you're looking for something more, I guess this is it, but give me back the old Americana
(2)
Paul C.
The Americana is my favorite place to eat in East Windsor. As far as diners go it's great. The menu is almost too big and they cook most of their items without too much oil. Hash browns taste like potatoes, not olive oil. And sure, the eggs suffer from diluting down with water, but that's pretty standard for diners. They also have a good salad selection with a gorgonzola-cranberry-mixed greens combo that hits the spot.
(4)
Camaron A.
This place is in the Top 10 of my favorite New Jersey diners. I was here recently after nearly 10 years and it was just as good. I have eaten dinner here a few times and have tried a few items. My favorite dinner items would be the Lobster Mac n Cheese and the Gorgonzola Stuffed Burger. My favorite course here is breakfast, their omelettes are nothing short of amazing and they are HUGE! The Monte Bianco and Irish Omelettes are my favorites. They are fresh , full of flavor and extremely filling. Staff is always helpful and attentive. Prices are reasonable considering the huge portions. If you find yourself on Route 130 , stop in for a bite, you won't be disappointed day or night.
(4)
Howard K.
Went here last night and will never go back! They should take DINER off their name. They are now trying to be an upscale bistro. The typical diner menu has been replaced by a limited selection menu with offerings like carpaccio, ahi tuna etc. oh they still have hamburgers and sandwiches for $11-$12 each. The last straw was when I asked the waitress for a slice if cheesecake and she said ,"we don't make cheesecake anymore, it's sad". Good thing there are a myriad of diners left to try in NJ.
(1)
Laurie L.
Stopped in for a quick lunch on the way home from VA. Heard about the place from a dinners drive-ins and dives site. It was very good. For us, the standout was the bread. I had a veggie panini. It was as good as I think it could be. The cheese was flavorful and salty, with roasted peppers, basil, and garlic spread. It came with a side and I asked for home fries which were really super crispy hash browns. Husband had grilled chicken Caesar. It looked standard and he enjoyed it as did our daughter. She had a breakfast sandwich; egg, cheese, pork roll (looked like Canadian bacon) and it came with fruit. None of us were in the mood for pancakes, etc. but they looked really good. The desserts looked very good as well, but we were too full.
(4)
Steve M.
Ok, short and sweet. I still love thid place. Service remains freindly, attentitive and fast. Qualiry of food is quite good. So, what are my complaints? They have become too fancy schmancy for their own good. Selectio n has been cut and dides tat you can add, are priced to aggressively. This restaurant has an identity crisis. Too fancy to be a diner, and too diner to be a restaurant. I always loved the cliche that only wet babies like change. They need to learn that lesson. Too many changes too often. Fair warning: stop with all the damn changes, and be oroud of who you are. The new dinner up the street has a wayy to go quality wise, but more and more people have been stepping down in quality in ordervto get what they want. Americana no longer caters to what people want. Fix yourself before its too late.
(3)
Mar P.
What can I say? I have been a "regular" here for the past 12 years...I have never been unhappy with anything that I have ordered. The new Friday night/lounge/jazz is phenomenal....these artists are so talented, and make good 'ol East Windsor look good on a Friday night!
(5)
Hihihi h.
I am only leaving a 3 star review in hopes that the management sees this and re-evaluates their staff. The food is 5 star in my opinion, but the service is more like 2 stars. My boyfriend and I used to have a "tradition" of going there once every other week since, but in the past 5 months or so we have been there once. I can honestly say it's because the thought of the service really puts us off and we end up not making the trip. Every visit since the beginning of 2014 our orders come out completely wrong. The waiter or waitresses who take the order never deliver the food, so you have to sit there and looking around trying to find where your server is hiding. They must hang out in the kitchen a lot because it usually takes a solid 5 minutes (sometimes longer) to flag them down or even grab a busboy and ask them to get the server. Once after having to ask someone to get my waiter, he came over and when I explained I did not order the chicken sandwich (I have been vegetarian for 5 years, so I am 100% positive it was not what i ordered) he went on to tell me that that was, in fact, what I ordered. I had to convince him it wasn't what I ordered before he switched it. By the time the dish I actually ordered came out, my boyfriend was done eating and I was pretty pissed off. This is has happened 4-5 times (no exaggeration!) since February 2014 -- I will either get the wrong thing, the wrong side, or it will have toppings on it I specifically asked for them to leave off. I also don't know if this part comes from management or just poor service - waiting for your check is a 15 minute process. This is another huge reason we stopped going. The fact half of the visit our drinks sit empty and we have to physically get up and ask for our server and then get stuck having to leave a decent tip because this place has New York prices. THAT SAID, the food is really great. The bread they give you is always so good and I can't say I have ever had an issue with the food, it's consistently good. They also change their menu a lot which is really nice since there is a nice selection. The drinks are also pretty cheap and made pretty strong. I can honestly say and I tell this to a lot of people I think this is one of the best restaurants in the area, it's really food that compares to more of a restaurant in NYC in terms of quality and variety.
(3)
Chris H.
I've been coming to Americana Diner for several years. I always ordered the usual pancakes, or French toast. I have many good memories at this diner. However, for the past few years I have been avoiding this food hub. Americana Diner gets ridiculously crowded Especially on weekends. The noise level is so bad, I wasn't able to communicate with my friend who was sitting all of 2ft away from me. I just wanted to eat and leave! The waitress I had recently was a doll she was very friendly and had a strong voice. I recommend going on a week day before 3pm, Other wise pick the metallic textured diner up Route 130, the food is good there too!
(3)
Sam S.
I was very excited to try the new menu and I have to say the food was just subpar. The koftas lamb app was extremely over salty and was promptly returned. The bean soup supposedly had meat balls I never found one. Barely finished it.. Ordered the pasta with shrimp, Mussels, clams and fish.. Very tiny portion of pasta.. Pasta is cheap unless perhaps it was homemade but I'm pretty sure it wasn't but the big bummer was the the seafood portion 3 clams 2 were missing 2 mussels 2 shrimp and no fish to be found at all. When I brought this to the waitresses attention all she did was shrug and apologize. I asked if she spoke to the manager, she said yes but apparently they couldn't be bothered to come to the table to rectify the situation.. The dish was $19 and I would have paid more if I could have received a substantial plate with the correct seafood..Totally ridiculous.... The polenta sticks are good but thats about it. The free dessert thing is lame, confusing and the portion is tiny. I did call the manager after we left apparently she never even knew of an issue.. Poor communication among staff.. She was nice enough to ask what she could do but I've yet to decide if I want a refund or will i give the place another try.. we were missing soup spoons, no bread plates. etc The service is fine, but not great considering this really isn't a diner anymore.. The place seemed pretty empty to me it was once a bustling fun place... They need a major staff, food overhaul if their going to make it.. I definitely like the idea of the juice bar and grass fed meats but if its not executed correctly whats the point...
(1)
Tom R.
This place has gone down hill over the years. It used to be my favorite diner. Now they're trying to become too fancy. They now offer delivery, but don't bother... The delivery fees are outrageous! On my most recent visit there was an issue with moldy bread. They were quick to resolve the issue, stated they would check the rest of the bread and were kind enough to comp the entire meal - hence the reason this is not a 1 star review. I understand that mistakes happen, but that makes you wonder about the quality of the rest of the food that they serve.
(3)
danielle G.
What a great diner! Clean, great food and service. Also, while diners usually have literally anything you want, this place has more of a "build your own" type menu which I absolutely love since I usually amend menu items!
(5)
Anj P.
So surprised! Food is so much better here than I remembered from a few years ago. The grilled lamb was superb. I ate almost everything on the plate (I stopped myself from gnawing on the bone). Appetizer sampler was delicious too. I will definitely come back one of these days.
(5)
Robyn Z.
oh Americana! you and i go way back....back so far i'm not actually sure when the first time i went was. but this place has been there for everything, family meals, brunch on senior cut day, post musical late night food, late night marching band snacks, and the long standing favourite for breakfast with family and friends alike. in fact this is the first place i brought my boyfriend when he came to meet my family a year ago (and yes he loved it!) there are so many things to say about Americana, i actually don't know how to write a proper review of this place. i love all their options, eggs with bacon and huge pancakes that are literally the size of the entire place, omelettes that are loaded up with tasty ingredients served with a huge side of delicious hash browns and big thick pieces of french toast drenched in maple syrup. oh, breakfast isn't your thing? that's ok, you can have a burger with literally any topping you can think of, or what about a club sandwich with hand carved turkey and crispy bacon on thick fresh white bread, or a huge fresh salad with lots of grilled chicken and chopped veggies and blue cheese. make your own sandwich if you want choosing that awesome turkey, or lean pastrami and corned beef, add some cheese and toppings and put it all on toasted rye bread. this place has proper meals as well, i don't think i've acutally ever ordered one though. there are also awesome starters like quesadillas or mozarella sticks or bruschetta or nachos and some fancier items now that this place has decided to go all upper crust. actually, the only reason that Americana isn't getting my five star review is that over recent years it's started getting a bit of a big head and has tried to run away form its diner roots. prices have gone up and portions have gone down and fancier items have found their way onto the menu. you can still ask for your old favourites ever if they don't feature, but i don't like the new uppity atmopshere. this place is a diner, you go here for good food served quick at a good price. no need to change a system that works. i still love Americana though i can't help it i can get breakfast there at any time of day! and any place that serves me pancakes for dinner at 8pm holds a very special spot in my heart.
(4)
J D.
Best diner in the TRI state area. My son, a cheeseburger nut, says they are the best anywhere. I may have to agree. Pretty much everything is absolutely amazing. And the atmosphere is high end. I really love this place.
(5)
Sal V.
This use to be a real diner now it's a want-to-be upscale city restaurant. Over priced small portions. To be fair the food was very good, just not a lot of it , none of the perks that come with a diner meal. Another place to cross off the list
(2)
Massimo C.
Pros: quality of food was good and decor was very nice. The place is very clean and quite busy. Cons: price is on a high side (higher than the usual Diner) and the menu is limited to 1 page. Not much choice.
(3)
Phil G.
If your in the area you have to stop and check this place out. This Diner is on my 5 top Diner's List for sure. The MENU is only one page.... for a Diner that's odd the Diner Menu is usually 5 miles long. However only having one page is nice because they change it to put on specials and other seasonal dish. They give you this crusty bread to start that is out of this world. As I sat there looking at all the food that was coming out and was thinking to my self That looks good I'll order that next time. I had Pork Chop Special it was Super !!!!! Out of bounds!!!!!!! ALL VERY FRESH and All Sides Home Made not out of a Box or Can. Also had the Fish Taco special SUPER Fresh Very good!!! If your local to this place get a reward card. TRY it and let me know what you think!
(5)
Michael M.
Warning! Not a diner! A very good restaurant. But $11 for a ham sandwich, as tasty as it may be, is not why I go to a diner. The word restaurant only appears on the menu, nowhere on the building! Serve what you like Americana, but be yourself.
(3)
Rikke B.
Went on a Sunday early dinner. Food was great and staff was friendly and attentive. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Rajiv H.
I am giving 2 stars only because the staff is very courteous. I read another reviewer saying that they are trying hard not to be a diner ... not sure why? When you are named as a diner, one expects diner food! The Paella was nothing like a Paella. This is a typical case of fusion gone wrong.
(2)
Allie L.
Better than average diner. I was impressed by the waitstaff as they were genuinely nice & seemed happy to be working there. The space is big with several dining rooms & they have outdoor seating as well! The menu is big with lots of choices...we got the Huevos Rancheros, Belgian Waffles & Filet Mignon Benedict. The portions were filling & big...we ended up packing doggy bags for 2 of our orders. We also ordered tea & I liked the little tea pot/holder the tea was brewed in.
(4)
Jim M.
This place is not your average diner, which I like! The offerings are very eclectic, with tons of organic grass fed options that you would never think of at a diner. The idea is there, but the execution wasn't. Had soup, which was decent, a greek salad, which they forgot the cheese and Ordered the grass fed ribeye mid rare came out well. Definitely has a great deal of potential, I'll have to come back for breakfast.
(3)
Matt K.
I've been coming to the Americana for nearly 25 years. It's changed quite a bit in that time, from a frumpy old diner to a retro-styled diner with high-end bistro flair. Yet, with the exception of one change (downsizing portions and eliminating dinner salads, though they dropped prices too), this diner has been consistently excellent. In recent years, sure the menu has shrunk, but the menu options have improved in creativity and quality. The flavor palette has grown more exotic, and the menu shorter, while still maintaining the essence of a diner. Though its not for everyone, diner "purists" take heart - you can still have breakfast all day. Oh, and they start by bringing their house-made bread, cloaked in a brown paper bag. It's delicious, and the bag makes it convenient to take along with your leftovers. It's a great touch.
(4)
Jymi H.
Back in the day, Americana was awesome. It was like your everyday normal diner. It was cheap, gave big portions and tasty. Now i feel like it's changed so much and unfortunately not for the better. As a local and many other locals, we don't go here anymore. It almost feels like a chain restaurant rather then a diner. The menu selection is very confusing and very pricey! It tries to be fancy (pairing wine?!) yet it's suppose to be a diner...hmmm =\ It's just not the same.
(2)
Zulay V.
I always enjoy this diner. Very clean, lovely menus, great service, tasty food More of an upscale diner (part of the same group as the Skylark), so the prices are a little higher than a standard jersey diner, but its nice for going out with co-workers or to a nice meal versus a quick diner stop. The bread they bring to the table is SOOO good.. it's usually a raising baguette served with salted butter. Really tasty. I usually get their salads... the Mexican salad is very hearty, especially with the chorizo.
(4)
Tom D.
My wife doesn't go to diners. Tonight my wife suggested we go to the Americana Diner...and I was glad that she did. She only recently came here with her mom, an appeasement, and with co-workers, she was out voted, and now with me. Let's start like we did, this diner has drinks, alcohol! My wife started with her usual wine, me with my usual Margarita. They serve their $7 Margarita in a water glass and it's not all mixer and ice. My wife also tried the white Sangria, she liked her wine better. She got a salad with chicken, her favorite. Tonight I tried the Russian Turkey Club that also had corned beef, pastrami, bacon and cole slaw on it. Alright, I didn't find it in the healthy suggestion column but it was just as good as I had figured it would be. On an earlier visit I had the boneless pork chop with coleslaw and a blueberry salsa...oh yeah, that was excellent! Like many diners baking is done on premises, their bread is also excellent. Not noisy at all, it does get crowded but it's a large diner with plenty of tables and booths. Very reasonably priced, those pork chops I mentioned $16! Their deserts are good too but usually we're too full.
(4)
Marc L.
This is my go-to restaurant when driving the New Jersey turnpike to NYC (or elsewhere) from DC. It's 5-10 minutes off the highway and worth the small detour.Good service, clean, friendly, professional. Menu has some innovative items that one wouldn't expect at a typical diner. I tend to get the same thing each time (lox-egg-onion omelette) because it's so great, and when I've departed from my 'usual' and try something new, it's always good.
(4)
Lucy C.
Haven't come here in a while and were surprised Americana got rid of their huge fold-up menus. The new menu seemed to have a lot less choices, which may or may not be a bad thing. It was late but we were in the mood for breakfast. We ordered some sandwiches and omelettes. Everything was good but nothing was spectacular--typical diner food. I remember their milkshakes to be pretty good though/
(3)
Jay R.
I have found my new favorite local diner. For those of you looking for a diner to go to with quality food beyond late night bar fare---this is your place. Management makes an attempt to really adjust the menu based upon the availability of ingredients and to spice things up. The menu has something for everyone. During my visits I have had both breakfast and lunch items. My favorite so far has been the stuffed french toast with blue berries and mascarpone cheese. It was delicious--not too sweet and I didn't need to add any syrup. Also, I am not one who focuses on presentation, but the presentation at Americana is excellent. In my visits I can tell that this is something that they focus on.
(4)
Rita R.
Never disappoints! Not a true diner, you won't find your basic diner items but you will enjoy the food.
(4)
M D.
Went here for a quick bite for lunch one day. I would describe it as a more upscale diner, rather than the more divey Jersey diner. They have freshly baked bread, which is really quite tasty. The menu is your typical diner fare. Had a plate of onions rings for an appetizer, which were homemade and crispy, although a bit too oily. I had a French Dip for an entree that was very good. Overall, its on the pricier side of diners, but the food was good, as was the service. Would recommend.
(4)
Steve N.
it's atypical diner fare but it's pretty good
(3)
Bruce S.
We have been going to Americana for many years and I regret to say it has gone downhill. The menu used to be many pages with lots of choices as is typical of most Jersey diners. Now the menu is just one large sheet of paper with limited choices. Salads used to come with most meals at no extra charge. Now if you want a house salad, you have to pay extra no matter what you order. The portions have also been reduced on the few remaining entree choices. On our visit this week, my wife had the chicken francaise. It was only two small pieces of chicken, so she ended up ordering (and paying extra for) a Skylark salad. The salad was OK. I had a Mexicali burger, which is a hamburger topped with jack cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo. The toppings were small portions and the guacamole not very tasty. And the pico topping was almost non-existent. The hamburger bun was nothing special. I have much better hamburgers at other places and even here in the past. We are not sure we will be going back anymore.
(2)
Bruce S.
Great food. I try to come here when visitng friends over this way.
(4)
Seth C.
It's NOT a typical diner (although they can make most things that a diner would have on a menu) they have gone "upscale" quite a bit (the effects of the Craig Shelton influence a while back). They have great breakfasts, and really good dinner entrees which are nicely plated like a more formal restaurant (don't expect the standard diner soup-salad-dessert-with-entree type deal).
(4)
Jaime G.
The name of the Americana is very misleading. The name say diner and the outside decor screams diner, but in realty, this is not a diner. It is much more expensive than any diner I have ever been to and the food is OK at best. Service is hit or miss. I wouldn't recommend if you are looking for a diner. That being said, the brunch here is alright. Be careful with the way items are priced, you can pay $8 or $10 for the same omelette depending on how it is ordered.
(2)
Erin P.
The rich grits is one of the best dishes I've eaten. Seafood spaghetti was perfection... just enough to fill me with an incredible buttery garlic sauce.
(4)
Brian C.
I had the sea salt crusted rib eye and while it tasted ok I thought could have had a little more marbling. I was also a little surprised at how thinly it was sliced. I like my steaks on the medium to rare side and with the steak sliced so thin I don't know how they couldn't have over cooked it. Overall it was just and average meal with an above average price tag.
(3)
Linda A.
This used to be a 5 star diner. I used to eat here at least once a week. It was great. I don't know what happened. They changed the menu and the service and the food. It is not the same. I am no longer a regular customer. They removed many of my favorites from the menu.
(2)
Sam T.
Amazing food for a diner. Great for quick, good food. I have been eating there for over 5 years, and I have always had good experiences. As good as it gets when it comes to diners. I guess the only knock is that during busy times there is a long wait. I guess that can be considered a good thing since it's that popular.
(5)
Gregg B.
Ate here before heading the the Halloween attraction "Field of Terror." Food was great. We got a mix of breakfast like French toast (crunchy and plain) omelettes and I got the Gorgonzola roast beef sandwhich, which I highly recommend. Bread was delicious. Definitely more of a gourmet type dinner. Priced reasonably and even had some craft brews on the menu. We all agreed we would definitely go back if in the area again.
(4)
Jarett C.
The is no better diner in NJ....
(5)
Lisa H.
I just ate there yesterday and something was off. I noticed they changed their menu on June 24th so maybe they sold it or got a new chef? Anyway, I wasn't giving me that "comfort food", "great diner feel" anymore. All I wanted was a hot, open-faced turkey sandwich and I didn't like what I got. I got some sweet potato hash which had way too much sage in it, the turkey meat was good but there was no gravy on the mashed potatoes. When I got the gravy, it tasted like it was out of a jar. My friends had breakfast items and complained about their meals too. They need to go back to the basics and do old school diner food. BTW, I was here for breakfast a couple of weeks ago and the corned beef hash was awful. It had some terrible spice in it, yuck. They need to go back to the basics and do old school diner food.
(2)
Steve V.
This place deserves 4 1/2 Stars. This is not you everyday average Diner. This place is Gourmet without a doubt. Came here with a customer for lunch while I was in town. I was impressed when we first walked in the have a great bar, and the decor was nice. You just know your getting a good meal when you sit down. I had a salad to start with blue cheese, it was killer. I also had Grilled Salmon it was done perfect and was really good. Frank suggested we get a Tiramisu... he said it was the best around, and I have to agree with him. If your in the area and want to eat at a diner that offers you more... Americana is the way to go.
(4)
Gina W.
This place has REALLY gone downhill in the past few years...I've been frequenting Americana for about 8-10 years now, and over the past couple of years, the price has gone way up while the taste of the food and the quality of service has gone down, which is really sad, because I grew up with this place... The only things worth paying for on the menu right now, that have stayed consistently delicious, are the matzos ball soup and the key lime pie(I've always hated key lime pie, except for the one at Americana--served with rich raspberry sauce, it's incredible!)
(2)
Steven T.
As someone who was spoiled on Chicago breakfast joints, it is nice to find a decent breakfast place.....even if it is a diner.
(3)
Mitch L.
I was not as impressed with this place as I was with Prestige Diner. The prices were high. The service was good. My food was good. The salad was not so good. Just field greens..would have enjoyed more in my salad. Pork chops were okay but a little chewy. I have made better at home. This cost me more than 20 dollars so I will be going back to Prestige. May try here for breakfast as I work in the area. It seems like they are trying to be gourmet and they are not !!!
(3)
Adam M.
I went to this place with a few friends after a "daycation" to six flags. For a diner, the Americana is very good. The menu has the basic diner essentials like burgers and stuff.....and some very good looking specialty eclectic foods like Italian specialties. The decor in the place is very nice and clean and up to date, altho the outside still has a campish feel (which I love). I had a plain bacon cheddar burger, which for a diner...was very good. clearly very fresh and not frozen mean with a good flavor. One of my friends ordered a French toast dish with a lot of whipped cream and bananas, I'm not big on bananas but I tasted it and the French toast itself was to DIE for. I wish I lived closer to this place, I'd frequent there if I could.
(4)
Bryant R.
Great, eclectic menu. Lots of stuff you would not find at your usual diner. Cool decor, nice bar. Servers are attentive and polite. Cute waitresses. A bit pricey though.
(4)
Charles W.
I started going to this diner a few months back. Usually I go once a week after my late work nights for a martini or two and dinner. Their martinis are decent, and it's usually bustling, but not so much that there's a long wait. I've had various items from their regular menu and the specials, some of which changes on a weekly basis. I gotta say the quality of this diner in terms of ingredients is a lot higher than your average diner. The sauces are flavorful, such as a whiskey glazed scallop I ordered, and the vegetables and salads are always fresh. The chef must have gone to culinary school or something, because in addition to standard diner fare, such as burgers (which are excellent), they have more inventive dishes such as the aforementioned scallops, braised Argentinian style short ribs, and inventive wraps and salads. The only thing I will say that is negative is that for some dishes the portions seem small for the price, while other dishes seem like better values. But everything is delicious. One time I did order something which they called a sloppy joe, but it was more like corned beef/roasted beef/turkey sandwich with some sort of mustard and mayonnaise, but not at all a sloppy joe in any way, shape or form. Still good though. Definitely a place one must try, and if you live in the area, it's worth signing for their free member card to earn bonuses and stuff.
(4)
Carriellen A.
Excellent service, fresh and tasty food, very clean. Homemade marmalade - delicious!
(5)
katie p.
this is the best diner i have ever been to in my life. i almost feel like a dick calling it a diner, because it far surpasses that. my only problem with this joint is that it's not open 24 hours. other than that, it can do no wrong in my eyes. every salad i have had there is incredibly awesome, and i've had most of them. they are huge and fill you up. they make a killer greek salad especially. the lounge area in the back is BANANAS, guys!! if you go there, you've gotta sit in the lounge!!! it makes you feel like you are in the bar in "the shining". it's all orange and dark green, dimly lit, and looks very sixties. nice and swanky! i love the atmosphere! not only that, but they make EXCELLENT girl drinks! nice strong ones with festive fruit in them. i know some people on here have somewhat complained about it being a little too fancy, or expensive, but the truth is that you get what you pay for, and i feel like the pricing is definitely up to par with the food. what diner can you get seared ahi tuna bites at? THAT ARE ACTUALLY EXCELLENT? nowhere! go here all the time, as much as you can. it's the best!
(5)
S M.
As far as diners go, the Americana is the best in the area. Plus it has a liquor license, healthy meal choices, and a "lounge" area that sometimes plays live music. . I get the matzoh ball soup every time I go for lunch or dinner, and they have filling, interesting salads as well as many other items you may not see on your typical diner menu. My husband and I have been going there for years, and the service and food are always good. While perhaps not as inexpensive as a traditional diner, it is still reasonable and I feel that the food is of better quality rather than that of a "greasy spoon."
(4)
Robyn H.
Grew up eating here. Not bad, as diners go. I've heard they've upgraded, but I haven't been there in a while and haven't seen it. Good breakfast, and a nice comfy atmosphere, as I recall.
(3)
Janelle M.
Overall, I give the Americana Diner three stars - but their omelets are worth four stars. This isn't a typical Jersey diner, as they try to be a bit more restaurant-ish. Also, it's a bit too clean and brightly lit for the full Jersey diner experience - oh, and there's a martini bar attached to it - which really throws off the diner thing. Anyway, if you're from Jersey, you know what I'm saying - if not, and you really want to see why Jersey is called "The Diner State" (this is one of the nicer names), then you need to be hitting some diners up North anyway to have an authentic diner experience. Ok, back to Americana - the food is average. They try to get a little fancy here offering more than the staple diner menu items. I will say, however, that the quality and the presentation of the food is of a much higher class than the typical late-night grease pit. I frequent Americana for breakfast only, as I am obsessed with their omelets. I order the same thing, each and every time - Egg White Farmer's Omelet (califlower, broccoli, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, and mushrooms) with well-done home fries and seven-grain toast. So good! They use several eggs and create this perfectly done, 3-inch high, non-greasy omelet. Well done, Americana! So, I'm vouching for this place for breakfast - or at least for omelets - if you're ordering anything else, you're on your own ;)
(3)
Scott W.
I grew up going to this place and hadn't been there in a few years, I ordered a pork roll egg and cheese and asked for it on a hard roll which is typically what you eat them on in diners, the waiter looked at me like he'd never heard of a hard roll so I told him to give it to me on a burger bun which was a hard roll, it still came out on the wrong roll and he took it back and was gone for ten minutes replacing the roll, my home fries were cold when he finally came back. The pork roll was some off brand they never used to use and there was only 2 thin pieces on the entire sandwich. It was pretty terrible, I don't know of they've changed ownership recently but the food there now sucks, the bathroom was disgusting and there was puke all over the seat and floor to which I added my own since I was hungover from new years, you know if food doesn't taste good when you're hungover then you've got a serious problem, I won't be going back to this place ever again
(1)
Deborah H.
This was one of my HS hangout joints, but it's changed a lot since then. First off, the menu is now very wannabe Cheesecake Factory-ish. They added a couple dining rooms that are kinda chic and on the nicer end. The diner fare is generally very good (burgers, sandwiches, breakfast foods), and they've tried branching out to higher class food, as I discovered last weekend. Results are a little mixed there, but I enjoyed the avocado-crab appetizer (which was rather expensive at 12$. At a diner!). And my heart broke when I'd discovered they changed the Chinese Chicken Salad. Gone are the buckwheat noodles, mushrooms, and subtly tart salad dressing. In are the crispy fried taco shells (?!?!?), pineapples, and creamy dressing. I almost cried. And a little part of me died when I found out they no longer serve coconut cream pie. Alas. Woe is me.
(3)
Mary R.
This place is great. My husband and I have been there for breaksfast. My mom, son and I went for lunch last week. The food is always delicious, hot and comes fast. The give huge portions. There are people there with babies, young, old, kids everyone. I would recommend to anyone for a great meal. The staff is friendly and very courteous.
(5)
Francesca C.
Everything I have ever ordered here has been fabulous. I would suggest checking out the Lounge Dining, totally different experience. It has a romantic atmosphere and bring you warm home-cooked bread with every meal...They also have specials with wine.
(5)
L H.
Americana is really a restaurant that has a few diner booths, big desserts, and bfast all day. It is supercrowded dinners & weekend bfast. At diners I stick to diner food, but here I've tried some veggie entree, crepes, etc. Some tables for two are jammed in so if you get a loudtalker next to you, yuk. Has a martini bar. I just had bananas foster waffles, really good. Waiter did not really speak to us or smile.
(3)
B D.
I will admit that after not going to a few months, I tend to go back one more time, and then not again for a while. I like the omelets and the pancakes, and my favorite is the OJ - fresh. I have been to many places, where the price is quite high, and this place is no step behind. However, the service isn't always the best. I think that my experience has depended on the service. Recently I went and ordered an omelet that wasn't quite what I expected, so I told the server; he was like "that is ...!!!", where ... is the type of meat I expected in the omelet. When it comes to food, you know that we have certain expectations, and this guy was trying to convince me that I was wrong, that the omelet was fine! Heck no! Anyways, I asked the server for eggs over easy, but I did notice he was not too happy about it. Why? I don't know. I was a server once, and served at much better places and know that if the costumer doesn't like something, and is nice about it, it usually is because they had other expectations - no big deal, it was just an omelet. But this particular server was like taking it personal - I will not eat something that takes different that I expected. I think that because they have been in business for so long, they no longer care to have superb service and food. It was definitely better about 5 years ago.
(3)
J J.
The good: inexpensive, big portions, choices that go beyond the usual diner fare, large menu, lots of cocktails, lots of tables. The bad: way too cold inside, not particularly kid-friendly, darkly lit, service friendly and generally good but also on the slow side, the cake we ordered was very dry, limited tea and coffee options---not even listed on the menu.
(3)
Jim M.
I've been going here for decades and love it. I think they made a big mistake letting Craig Shelton mess with their classic diner menu. I haven't been back to see if it's returned, but have to say that you cannot go wrong with breakfast anytime of day.
(4)
Daria C.
Until about a year ago, I would have given Americana five stars. Sadly, they've decreased the size of their menu AND increased the prices. They're more of a fusion restaurant now, really, with lots of Asian inspired dishes peppered with the American ones, rather than a true diner. When I ate meat, I'd always get the omelettes or the turkey burger. The portions are HUGE; be prepared to take something home! I'm not a fan of the fries; they're battered and kind of strange. Lots of people like them, though. If you become a regular here, the wait staff will get to know you. Most of them are really sweet; very fast and efficient. A few duds, but again if you're a regular you know who to avoid. Desserts are excellent and available either to eat in or take away from the counter. Bathrooms are usually clean. If the one in the main restaurant area is closed for cleaning, there's another set in the back, by the martini lounge. The drinks are large and well-made. Nothing here is as cheap as it is at a regular Jersey diner, but I don't mind paying a little extra when it's a special occasion (and breakfast is always cheaper if you're on a strict budget). Be forewarned that there can be a VERY packed crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. I don't know if they take phone reservations, but I'd recommend it if you have to eat here during those times.
(4)
Rafael Q.
Not your typical diner and the menu constantly changes which is great for those of us locals. I have been going to Americana for well over 15 years and they are constantly reinventing themselves. How many diners you know have a frequent diner club card. Once you go to Americana this will be your benchmark as to how other diners should be run. Ample parking, fairly priced most of the time you get seated right away. The longest I have had to wait even on holidays is 20 minutes.
(4)
Matthew D.
We are semi-regulars here -- family lives nearby -- and it's a pretty good example of that (unique to New Jersey?) institution of the mega-diner. It is huge, often packed, and offers a big, interesting and well-executed combination of both diner staples and what you would probably consider to be "standards" of new(ish) American, Tex-Mex, family-style Italian, Americanized Greek, and a couple of other cuisines I can't recall off-hand. No complaints.
(3)
andrew h.
good food all around. have enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at this diner. good, reliable breakfast, soups, sandwiches and burgers.
(4)
Gareth d.
Fantastic place for breakfast. Food and service is excellent with reasonable prices - what more could you ask for? This place deserves a better rating.
(5)
Heather C.
has a great menu for a diner - not your generic fare. everything is freshly made and the service is always friendly. i've only been here for breakfast, but i plan on coming back for lunch. great for those mornings when you just feel like pancakes...
(3)
Dorian G.
The menu seems smaller than your typical Jersey diner, but they had the necessities: burgers, wraps, breakfast all day, dinenr specials.... What else do you need? I had the turkey burger, which was a little dry (and there was too much bun) but the fries were extra crispy and the pickle was nice and sour. Yum. The matza ball soup was OK. The broth was def not homemade, but the balls were right consistency.
(3)
Dora P.
so on a lazy saturday morning during my vacation to visit an old friend from high school and see some historical cities in the northeast we stopped at this diner. it was about 1pm, so maybe i should say lazy afternoon. we ordered some calamari, french toast and a beef gyro (yee-ro). yes i know....what a combo, but i will say my stomach did not suffer and my tongue thanked me for the many flavors thrown at it all at once. along with the gyro came their mashed potatoes which, though lacking in some salt, was pretty satisfying. i mainly have to rave about their calamari. in many places i've experienced this weird food, it's always been CHEWY of sorts. this was the first place where i found this not be true. it was refreshing. of course i dont think i can enjoy calamari elsewhere now that i've been spoiled, but i'll deal. if you are ever in the vicinity of Princeton or Hightstown, you should check this diner out. their deserts looked pretty awesome but i was waaaaaayyyy full to try any. i know SHOCKER! hehe Happy Eating!
(4)
Sir-ahh L.
This place used to be really great, but in the past few years it has really gone down hill. The quality of the food has decreased tremendously. I used to love going for breakfast, but an omelette with a side of sausage (no potatoes or anything else) cost me $16. Not worth it at all!
(2)
Cambria K.
So I didn't read closely enough when I chose to come here, but to another reviewer's point that was my own fault. I was expecting a typical diner and was gearing up for diner chili and fries for dinner. Instead I got a really lovely meal with wonderful service. It is a bit more pricey and the menu is more fine dining (translate a more limited selection), but I really loved it.
(4)
Alex B.
The Americana Diner was recommended by the front desk staff at the nearby Hampton Inn. I was hungry after a long drive down from Vermont on my way to DC. I decided to take up the recommendation for dinner and drove on by. At first amusement...I thought I might be seated amongst the local retirement community...but this soon gave way to a pleasant and attentive staff that greeted me kindly and showed me to my table. My server (Mona) was friendly and attentive and proceeded with my beverage order while I looked over the menu. I have been to my fair share of diners with encyclopedias masquerading as menus...not the case at the Americana. The menu is well addressed with starters, salads, main dishes and desserts. I ordered the Manhattan clam chowder and the swordfish main dish. The chowder held its own and was served hot and ready. The swordfish with spinach and mashed potatoes worked well...the spinach cooked well and on point...the mashed potatoes were creamy and consistent. I did like the dish but I would have preferred a larger piece of swordfish. I wondered if the restaurant was running out or coming down to the tail end. Overall, the dish was tasty and seasoned well. I would easily order it again if only for a minor adjustment. I am giving this review four stars after only one visit...the staff and service were prompt, polite and caring. I cannot speak for other guests...for me the food was tasty and made with care. I would easily recommend dining at the Americana.
(4)
Heather M.
I have been going to this diner for 15 years (since I was 4 and ordered grilled cheese every time) It has changed so much but is still so delicious. Let me just say the service is always great and the food is always great. I have NEVER been disappointed. They are far more expensive than ever which is why I don't give them 5 stars. They are not the typical cheap diner. Prepare to spend as much as $23 an entree.
(4)
Voodoo M.
I lived in East Windsor for a number of years and was a frequent guest of the Americana. 20 years ago, the place looked like a neglected underbelly of a pirate ship, but they delivered solid diner fare. Loved it. After the renovations, they made major changes, but the food was still delicious. Skip forward to a few years ago: someone decided that they wanted to bill the joint as a restaurant, as opposed to a diner. They slashed their huge menu and replaced it with a specialized seasonal menu with limited options. Understandable in the business, unless you specialize in garbage water-soaked meat, dairy and vegetables described as delectable items on the menu. I accompanied some friends there a few times when I was in town, and tolerated it. I had all but written the place off, but had a craving for a classic pork roll sandwich with egg and cheese. I made the asinine assumption that any diner in NJ would still be able to deliver. Fools tried to class up the thing by calling it the "Trentonian" and serving it on Ciabatta bread. After a drawn-out negotiation with the server, one of my fellow guests pointed out that the hamburger roll was the closest to a hard roll that I was going to get. Ordered it. Pork roll: two pathetic, Jenny Craig slices that would probably get NJ kicked out of the union. Roll: Delivered by the food runner with the Ciabatta, the offensive bread that I had no business dealing with for a hangover sandwich. The runner tried to argue with the server that we had ordered it in that manner. Call your patrons and server a liar at the table, only to be proven wrong by the notes on the ticket, that makes for a 5 star establishment. Eggs and Cheese: Would have been good if it hadn't taken the staff 10 minutes to switch rolls and return our sandwiches at room temperature. Water: No ice. Would have felt at home if I lived in Europe. Table Bread: Served well after order was placed, same temp as the service (stone cold) Coffee: Should have grabbed the Dunkin Donuts coffee that had been sitting in my cup holder for 20 minutes for a warmer cup. Server: Friendly (being generous) Atmosphere: It was the first day of New Year, so I'll accept the fact that they didn't ask the white trash train seated in our section that was babbling in outdoor voice to leave. I would give 1 star, but our server was somewhat attentive and seemed to be overextended.
(2)
Ira o.
I figured I would re-visit this Diner after many years of self imposed exile. All I could say is I am starting up another round of self imposed exile. This place calls itself Diner? It is nothing of the sort. In a state that is known for its Diners Americana should be ashamed of itself. The menu is weak. Everything is Ala carte. The food is just ok. The service is slow. If you want good diner food go a few miles north or a few miles south on Rte 130. You will be happy that you did.
(2)
Ali H.
In spite of some of the service issues at this Diner my wife and I frequented it 2x week but after 8-15-15, we will never be back again. We were both deathly ill after sharing some spinach dip appetizers and some shrimp entree. We ordered some additional items but nothing else had been shared. I always thought the chef did an excellent job with the food but after that evening we will be looking elsewhere to dine.
(1)
Ling L.
I've visited American Diner for a few time. Drink has been great but a bit pricey.. I don't like their entree because it's inconsistent. It's either a hit or miss. Instead, I would get 1-2 appetizers.
(3)
Joe W.
There have been times I have been to the Americana and have had almost no desire to eat anything on the menu. Other times I want a half dozen items. The menu changed frequently. I think they reinvented themselves at some point because diner isn't really something I would use to describe this place. It's more like a continental cuisine or lighter fare/healthy fare sometimes. It has had some really good items over the last year I have eaten here, although I have had nothing that is remotely resembling a diner item. We love the fact that they have good drinks. It's nice to get a good creative drink of some kind. New Jersey has the dumbest laws about restaurants serving any. Nice to be able to get one here. I expect they will iron out what they want to be/do and it will improve significantly. The food while not bad in any of my experiences is sometimes a little less than inspired (seasoning was light). The quality was always good. There are scant few diners I can even stand and I get the feeling that if this place were a diner it would be a darn good one.
(3)
Steven S.
The Americana Diner has "rebranded" itself as a "Fine Diner," along with "Eat Better Food"....so these low reviews for what it "ain't" are stupid! Go enjoy a diverse menu and some good eats!
(5)
David B.
Waited 20 minutes during off peak hours and NO WAITER/WAITRESS. Will NEVER set foot in the Americana diner again. Food is average and overpriced. One star out of four..
(1)
Brian S.
Unlike the other reviewer here that is longing for a regular diner menu along with it's mediocre food selection, I think the Americana Dinner's limited menu is a big plus and to their credit a novel idea. We went for breakfast and both dishes, a plain omelet and eggs benedict were delicious. What other diner can you order a fresh, healthy blended vegetable drink? The price for breakfast for two at $22 was a fair price considering the quality of food and level of service received. If you go for lunch or dinner you can indulge in their cocktail lounge as well. All things considered - we will return again.
(4)
Joe S.
Americana done stepped its game up. I've been coming here for many years, since back when it was a lot smaller and there was a Jamesway and a $1 movie theater across the street. For much of that time, it was a run-of-the-mill diner, and nothing much to write home about. Now this place has a full service bar with craft beer, really high quality menu, and a very well done redesign. It's still got the diner favorites, but on top of that you can get some legitimate vegetables and high quality proteins. I usually get the burger or some other sandwich, but I think the sides are where these guys are really starting to shine: the quinoa salad and polenta chips are very, very good. Really glad to see a place realize there is an underserved market for a higher-end experience and then realize there is no reason they cannot be the ones to serve that market.
(4)
Pom Pom L.
2 stars just for the food quality. The service staff are not honest at all. We went for lunch and ordered from lunch menu, the check shows the diner price. The Waitress argued there are Diner potion until the Manager ask the KITCHEN to correct our bill. There are 2 more issues for breakfast and lunch about the over charged. Watch the bill for every items and ask the price before you order any thing!! We like the food and hate the service staff!!
(2)
Cristin s.
Absolutely the best restaurant within 20 mines. Don't let the fact that it's a diner fool you. I was given a tour once and I was so surprised to learn that they have a full bakery, a full butcher shop and their kitchen was spotless! I have yet to be disappointed. The bartender who's name I think is Cosmo was fantastic but is only there Friday and Saturday :( Erin Is also really good! All juice for their drinks (even the lime juice) is all fresh squeezed! I am always impressed! 5+*******.
(5)
Greg D.
Went to this diner for the first time and had a fantastic breakfast. The service was outstanding. I was greeted by the server, a woman with short black hair. I was dinning by myself and she went out of her way to take care of what ever I wanted. She even brought me a newspaper to read. I would recommend this diner to everyone.
(5)
Robert C.
The best diner in NJ! Their Green Garden Grilled Cheese sandwich is the best I've ever had. Been there 4 times now, and the food has never disappointed. Great service and reasonable prices.
(5)
Jessica L.
Nothing special or standout about this place. They do have interesting options but the service and food quality is pretty standard, like most diners.
(3)
Violet G.
Our table shared the Table Sampler, which was fine, but not impressive. I had the Mexi-Cali burger, which arrived as ordered; this was good. My husband had the St. Louis burger, which was good. Overall, this was a good dinner, but was not something I'd go out of my way to eat again.
(3)
Steven H.
First time back in years! Americana has always had a soft place in my heart as I have been coming here since I was very young. I however am not a fan of their new dinner menus manny of their "classics" have been removed from the menu and it now has Mediterranean feel to it. I am not opposed to trying new things but the menu seems to have an identity crisis. I would still recommend the Americana as a best spot or a nice place to get a drink.
(3)
Bree F.
We had a fantastic 1st experience at Americana last weekend. We discovered them when I googled "good Greek salad" + my area code. Their whole menu was such an appealing surprise that I was very tempted to try something different, but ultimately stuck to my salad craving. My guy ordered the fresh shucked oysters for us to split (which admittedly set off a little red flag in my head since oysters from an inland "diner" isn't something I would normally trust) & their Chimichurri Rib Eye. But as our server explained, they are a nice restaurant disguised as a diner, and she was so right- the oysters really were fresh & the presentation was lovely. He fell MADLY in love with his steak, he even raved about the peppers that accompanied it, which shocked me. He hates peppers! I can't cook with them unless I want him to sulk. :-) The Greek salad was plated beautifully with very high quality feta & a sprinkle of capers, which I love. The downside was the lettuce was all iceberg, a bit too oily, the tomatoes were bland & I wish it came with all the traditional fixing's like grape leaves, anchovies, & pepperoncini peppers (clearly I'm a bit of an "American style" Greek salad snob).. so maybe it wasn't worth the $11. That said I still enjoyed it. We also ordered drinks & were blown away! I got the cucumber collins per the server's recommendation, he got the bloody mary which is made with delicious fresh roasted tomatoes, & we split the blueberry mojito (OK, he ordered the mojito & I stole half). I can't rave enough about the drinks- so fresh, eclectic ingredients, not too sweet- turns out you don't have to go to The City to get a perfect cocktail, what an unexpected treat. The service was also so impressive that I actually asked to speak to a manager just to praise our server. We can't wait to go back! If this keeps up I definitely won't be able to help myself from changing my rating to 5 stars, although I'll be trying different salads.
(4)
J M.
Sad to say this place is not what it used to be. I have gone here, as a regular, for DECADES but the last couple years the food was over salted, over sauced, over priced and portions small and menu cut down by 80%! I think it changed owners but not sure. I am just sure it is not the Americana we all used to love and frequent. Sorry to say.
(2)
Edward R.
Typical Jersey diner but with delusions of grandeur....separate salon/bar with waiter service and cocktail menu but solid diner food is what you come here for so dump the" wanna be NYC" menu and order what you want and they'll accommodate you Service can be uneven at times but management is quick on recovery and quite professional.
(3)
N H.
I think the owners of Americana Diner pay to have these positive reviews posted. Here is a synopsis of my most recent visit for breakfast: Dirty coffee mug Salt and pepper in the shakers was hard as a rock and wouldn't shake out. Small portions. Bacon tasted really strange ( not good) High prices Waiter that was not attentive
(1)
Paulie E.
This is the best diner I've gone to in central to south jersey. Its breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are seriously all banging. Like everything. A Little Bit of Everything, that is!--off the breakfast menu! Their sausage is just ridiculously good as well! Be sure to get bite!
(4)
Priscilla S.
Delicious! However, I will say it is a bit misleading it is not a typical dinner. If that is what you are looking for I would go down the street to the Town Diner. Breakfast is still a nice large portion just like a diner. If you get anything other than breakfast it is a small portion more like a fine dinning restaurant not a place to stuff your face. Everything is very fresh including the orange juice which is fresh squeezed. The menu has shrunk considerable it still has a few typical diner items but has mostly transformed into a fine dinning restaurant menu. I still visit this place for a good fresh breakfast every once in a while. But I am upset to see that they recently stopped serving Breakfast all day! :-( This place is good but not a diner. I do also like all the new fresh locally sourced food but they need to change their name and look so people don't go there thinking they are going to a typical Jersey diner.
(4)
Max A.
Interesting, when you walk in, take a right and go through the doors, this ain't no diner, its a martini bar. Very elegant and nice. The place was packed on the diner and martini side, this is always a good sign. I took a client there for lunch on his recommendation. I started with a great cup on onion soup.... Very tasty and had a sweet flavor. I then had a killer southwestern salad. The chipolte ranch was sweet and spicy. I ordered shrimp on top, they were eight giant grilled shrimp. The service was outstanding, the food was excellent. The bad news - pricey! My salad was $14+$8(shrimp). I am not sure that it was a $22 salad. It was great food, and great on an expense account, but I would probably head somewhere else if it was on my dime.
(4)
Christine K.
If you are looking for your typical diner food than you are at the wrong place. This is more like a diner themed restaurant. I have been several times and find the food to be good but I honestly don't feel it is worth the price. They have some good fresh squeezed apple juice and lemonade (when lemons are in season).
(3)
Wendy W.
The restaurant was terrific! Everyone enjoyed their meals and there is something for everyone. Service was excellent and everyone was very friendly. Ozzy was top notch! The complimentary bread was awesome as well! I recommend this place to everyone!
(5)
Stu F.
The Americana isn't a diner, but a wonderful eclectic, nouveau American Restaurant serving freshly created food. The kitchen is spotless when I had the opportunity to peek inside. The waitstaff are attentive, professional, and friendly. Separate service staff bring your food to the table. All sandwiches and burgers come with several side dishes that you select, some with a small price upgrade. I love their traditional Ruben, Turkey Ruben, Tuna Melt, Salmon, Sunday Brunch to name only a few. Please remember this isn't a traditional & simple diner, but a superb restaurant in suburban New Jersey.
(5)
Liza K.
This place has changed significantly in recent years, but I'm happy with the outcome. On a recent Friday night my husband and I were seated immediately. We each had a cocktail and matzah ball soup. I enjoyed the Green Garden Grilled Cheese, which was rye bread with cheddar, goat cheese, spinach and avocado, with a side of mashed potatoes. All sandwiches come with a $3 credit toward a soup or side. The mashed potatoes used up the $3 and the soup was $4. My cocktail was a lavender martini. Kudos to the waiter who said "I'll be right back with your change," instead of the dreaded "Do you want change?" He also rounded up our change to $1 instead of giving us 76 cents.
(4)
Sean F.
By far, the best diner in the area! The parking lot is huge and they even have a nice shaded area in the back of the restaurant for outdoor dining. Best of all, this diner is clean and very up to date. The food and prices are great. Unfortunately, they're not your typical diner with over sized portions, but the portions are just fine... They have a newer addition, called the lounge and the bar in it is quite large. There's also plenty of tv's. I think they even play music in the lounge after a certain time at night. And just like most other diners, they have a bakery. Though I haven't tried anything from the bakery, it all looks very delicious.
(5)
Kathleen M.
Our cousins the Gervasi's come here regularly. We were able to join them 2 weeks ago. Very nice menu. Not your average diner fare. I was so happy to see they had organic chicken on the menu. It was very tasty. Wine was good. Server was very helpful. Will definitely return when in the area again.
(5)
Lisa O.
Arrived at just after 2:00 on a Sunday, and discovered use of "diner" in name is a misnomer. SInce we really did want diner fare (breakfast options, etc), it was somewhat disappointing to discover this was a limited menu restaurant that only served brunch till 2 Sundays (no idea about other days). That said, food (when it arrived, more than 30 minutes after we sat down, again not "diner" standard timing) was good but overpriced. Vegetable panini at $11 delicious but small and pricey; comes with nothing but entitles you to $3 credit toward a $4 or $5 side or soup. Good burger and house made-onion rings (basically a $2 additional side). So lunch for 2 with one soda was $30. Bread in bag (idea being that you take leftovers home) was cold, and placed on table with butter but no plates. Seated in the Lounge, a lower lighting area with large bar, tvs, fifties decor (like main room); might be nice at night. So, despite good food, if it was called just "Americana" I probably wouldn't have been disappointed. To call it a "Diner" in NJ implies something about menu, pricing and portion size that left expectations unmet if you walk in as we did off the highway without reading reviews.
(3)
Lara F.
Not your typical New Jersey diner but the food is worth it. They source local/organic ingredients and have a menu set for the season we're in. The burgers are great and the breakfast is bonkers. It's set up like three restaurant decors in one location. My only reason for not giving them 5 stars is I wish they had a more classic diner menu maybe for night owls..when you get those pork roll or disco fries cravings...and it's fancier then your average diner so the prices are a bit more. But there is a full bar and the food is always delicious. Definately come by if you're in the area.
(4)
Amora C.
I loved my visit to the Americana.. Our server was very polite and extra friendly (not fake friendly) I had the "little bit of everything" and it was so good!! It came with 2 pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.. The maple syrup was warm and awesome!!! You must go there!! I will visit again when back in NJ!!!
(5)
Amanda H.
This has become a popular breakfast meeting spot for my friend and I as they're in a great central Jersey location. The service is always great and the menu is small and inventive. There's enough diners in this state with 10 page menus, huge portions, and cheap prices. If you like quality food for what it is supposed to cost, this is your place. When I was there yesterday I got the coffee (nice dark roast, refills were offered multiple times), home fries which were satisfying, and the steel cut oatmeal. They were kind to make it with hot water instead of milk upon request, and then brought cinnamon, sugar, and diced fruit to go inside. Delicious! I'd love to give 5 stars, but I need to see at least one hearty vegan breakfast option first. They are vegetarian friendly without a doubt, but for those of us avoiding eggs or dairy for allergy or ethical reasons there isn't much beyond oatmeal, potatoes, fruit, and dry toast. For now though, the fresh juices do serve as a nice comfort! Try the one with cucumber.
(4)
Sherri M.
If you have never been here before, you will probably think it's a great place. However, after coming here for many years, I agree with others that it has gone down hill! We used to come because the food was great and the portions were good. However, they have recently changed the menu so the customer now has to pay for many things that used to accompany the meal. Kids drinks used to come with the meal and home fries used to come with the omelets, which is common practice in other diners. We now leave paying much more than we used to for the same amount of food. It is not worth it to go here anymore when we can get the same food for less elsewhere. It seems greed has taken over the place of good customer service.
(2)
Justin P.
This place is delicious! The artisan bread is complementary and is delicious. The beet salad, and goat cheese salad are the best salads I have ever had. The chicken soup is great and perfect with any meal. The omelets are the best breakfast food I have ever experienced. They are made in a pan and then cooked in the oven and get this flavor that can not be matched or compared too. I would recommend this to anyone! 1. Fast service 2. Friendly people 3. Good prices 4. Outstanding food 5. Very accommodating service
(5)
Scott S.
My buddy and I currently have an ongoing tradition where we get our hair cut in Philly and spend the rest of the day beer hunting every other Saturday. I was a little tired of hitting up the usual spots (Foodery, Bottle Bar East) so I decided to drive us to Cranbury's once-hallowed Buy-Rite and Bottle King, who were disappointingly out of the elusive Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, but I digress. My friend and I drove past Americana Diner on our way to Cranbury and noticed the unusual amount of cars parked outside, and thought it might be a good idea to give the place a try some time. As we were driving back from Cranbury to Bottle King, passing Americana one more time and seeing how there were still cars parked outside, we figured it couldn't hurt since we were already here and starving. Upon entrance to the diner, we quickly realized that the name "Americana Diner" is somewhat of a misnomer, as the establishment was neither very Americana nor very much a diner; in fact it's more of a classy sports jacket type of place dressed up as a diner. I think someone accused this place of having pretentious food--good for you, kettle calling the pot black and so forth ;) Now that the (un)pleasantries have been dismissed to the side, on to the actual food. I gave real hard thought about ordering the 20 day dry-aged rib eye, until I found out that they charge 27 dollars for 12 ounces. Whereas I appreciate Americana Diner taking their time and pledging commitment to excellence by dry aging their own steak, there were no real indicators that this steak was going to be as every bit awesome as the Niman Ranch 45-day Dry Aged Sirloins that I cook sous vide at home--there wasn't much information about what kind of beef is used, what makes their in-house dry-aging more favorable to some of the more conventional brands/methods, how they intend on cooking this exquisite piece of meat and etc. Long story short, I ordered the Mexicali burger (which also uses dry-aged beef) and I was glad that I didn't pay mid-dollar for the Rib-eye/Sirloin. Whereas Americana is somewhat questionable on steak, they really shine when it comes to their attention to detail on everything else: their home-made bread was absolutely heavenly; the sampler platter is an absolute steal for two people (I can't believe one of the best lamb koftas I've had in the states came from a diner. That's right. A freakin' DINER), and the "bowl" of soup comes in an absolutely huge soup saucer that could probably be weaponized à la Oddjob in Goldfinger. The service was very attentive, as expected; I do want to say I'm disappointed in their beer selection, but then again, the fact that they even serve beer as a "diner" is probably going above and beyond the call of duty. Great "diner," somewhat questionable "restaurant."
(4)
Caitlin S.
It pains me to write this review. I've lived in this town my entire life and my last visit was...weird. I understand the rebranding and all of that jazz but when it comes down to it this was always a diner, with excellent food. Emphasis on the diner part. To me, this was a place to meet with friends and chat and have some good food. I've been a server; if you take up a table and order a pot of coffee tip your server accordingly! While on my last visit, my friend was ordering food. I wasn't really too hungry so I decided I'd start with a coffee and see how it went. The waitress would NOT let me order a coffee, but never straight out said that. When I ordered my coffee she responded with "No food? Do you want a breakfast menu? I'll get you a breakfast menu." and before I could respond, she'd left the table. Upon return I told her I was just going to go with the coffee - her response? "Soup? How about soup?" So to shut up her, I ordered the god damn soup. If there was some sort of new rule about having to order food I would have rather she flat out said that to me. I was so annoyed and just wanted to get out of there. I didn't touch the soup. ALSO. The buffalo chicken tenders are gone and I am beyond heart broken. True tragedy. The new menu is interesting. The burgers are really delicious (if they're even still on the menu). I really can't comment on much more except for the wildly rude waitress and the uncomfortable feeling she gave me the entire time. Bummer.
(2)
P B.
Pretty bad food. Sloppy service. Dull place, disinterested staff. Most expensive diner around. Tried the lamb kabab, insipid. Shrimp with grit, so-so, 3 Shrimp & a load of grits for $21. Brought home a rib sandwich, went straight to trash, that awful. It's a shame in the name of a Jersey Diner.
(1)
Jennifer N.
I love this place. I've been eating here for years-I have never had a bad meal here. My fav dishes are -the Bacon Dijon Turkey Burger, their Salmon has always been the freshest and best I've ever had, I love their fabulous Mediterranean Salad....great breakfasts as well. Bakery and desserts are wonderful. I always tell people it's "restaurant food" not diner food. I prefer sitting in the Lounge Section of the Americana, & they happily accommodate that request everytime. This is one of my favorite places to eat. Hope to be eating here soon!
(5)
Gary D.
Ok. this is SO not a diner. It may be a fine dining establishment. The food may be great. I wouldn't know, I went there at 11PM sunday night looking for a greasy cheese covered chicken salad sandwich with fries and got a snobby waitress with a farm to table menu. As I said, this may be a great place to eat. But it is not a freakin diner!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tamara B.
This is NOT your Taylor Pork roll and egg kind of NJ Diner. This is a VERY good restaurant that pretends to look like a diner on the outside. Business dinner with managers and they had the corn tortilla soup, beet salad and the pulled pork with polenta fries. I had the chicken almond salad. Delicious and full portions and we had coffee, the honey orange almond cake, creame brûlée and the brownie cream dessert. All fantastic - less expensive than going all the way to dinner in Princeton. Have to go back!
(5)Jr K.
Wonderful brunch selections, sandwiches to pancakes. It gets really busy on weekends!
(4)Terry W.
Just found this place thru a friend. So glad we decided to take the time to try it out! Everything was wonderful! Bar tender waited on our table in the lounge. Lavender martini was fantastic! Food was excellent. Atmosphere was a 1970s chic. Will definitely be back to try more!
(5)Carolina C.
Went there for breakfast with my family and we all loved our dishes . I had cornbeef hash and eggs, fresh natural ingredients delish! Hubby had western omelette and it was to die for! My son had chorizo and egg quesadilla and it was amazing . My youngest had pancakes and they were also good. I am dying to try this place for dinner tonight!
(5)Ed W.
They have made some changes since our last visit and not for the better. The homey diner feel is gone and there is a cold upscale tone about the place. The prices went up add well add their noses. I prefer a regular diner over what they have turned into.
(2)Ryan B.
A bit eccentric for a diner but the food is always very good and the wine list always pleasing. But if you're expecting typical diner fair, look out. This is the most expensive diner I've ever seen. But again, it's great.
(4)Krs C.
Convenient for a local diner. Well, bistro. Well, cafe. Actually, I am not sure the Americana actually knows what it is. If it's a diner the food is way over priced and the quality is inconsistent. Great place to grab a drink though, however, you may want to call ahead first because then tend to close the bar at will with no notification to their regular patrons. Nice way to make one feel valued as a repeat customer. Parking is ample and atmosphere is hit or miss in terms of chaos. Great potential but expect to be disappointed.
(2)C. C.
"OVERPRICE WARNING" Been a customer for over 10 years and find the food adequate. Service is good. Usually go for breakfast and in the last 3-4 years meals went from partially ala-carte to total ala-carte. Seriously have an omelet. Ingredients are extra. Bread is included. NO coffee. NO juice. NO homefries. Some stale bread and a tiny bit of boiled plum tomato as your ketchup. So you get a plate with an omelet and stale bread. Add your omelet ingredient, real bread, coffee homefries or sliced tomato and a small juice and with tip you are closing in at $20. REALLY, FOR BREAKFAST. "RIP-OFF ALERT"
(2)Seth T.
Used to be a great diner but over the years, it has gotten worse. For a diner, the menu is limited. I get that they are trying to be "upscale" but if I wanted a nice restaurant I definitely wouldn't be going to a diner. The hamburger, which was sized very small took a while to come out, and when it did, it was cold, as were the fries on the side.
(1)Chris K.
We came here expecting the Americana to be the diner we remembered from 10 years ago, when it may have had (for us, anyway) the title of 'best diner in NJ'. Instead we found a place that had lost its soul, and in some vain misguided attempt to either modernize or capture the latest foodie trend had changed its menu for the worse. Stay away if you are looking for diner food.
(1)Matthew L.
The Americana is a "high end" diner and one of our favorite family spots. In addition to most of the diner standards you also have some gourmet options, and even the "standards" are made with better, fresher ingredients. It can be a bit pricy in comparison to its ilk, but it's usually worth it. Sometimes it seems like they are trying too hard to make their food fancy, but that's likely a product of the overall higher standard for which they aim.
(4)Rachel K.
Just randomly happened upon this place during a business trip to the area. This place was full during lunch. The service was great and the food was fresh. Definitely recommend!
(5)Howie L.
This has been a long staple in my home town. Place is always busy and gets packed with locals, especially during the winter holidays. There's a nice modern clean dinner look to it. However, I'd say the food/service is rather normal. I came here for a weekday lunch with a friend. Food: - Complimentary bread - coffee - endless coffee, served w/ our own canteen for refills: $2 each - Caesar Salad w/ grilled chicken: $12 bucks, normal, healthy serving of chicken - French onion soup: $6, not bad - Class Reuben: was convinced to get it after server told me they made the corn beef in house, however, was not impressed. It doesn't hold a flag to Lenny's or Katz from NY.
(3)Jeff B.
Always had good meals here. Not what it once was and the prices have gone up lately. Went on Sunday night in the evening and was told upon ordering that they no longer serve breakfast food after 4 PM. Kind of strange for a diner to not offer the full menu all the time. I cannot review the food here since all we had were drinks and then left to find another DINER.
(3)Karl H.
One of the best around that I have been too. Weekends are always busy busy busy. But the food is spectacular. I love the irish omlet. Great for groups meetings if need to have them there. Very kid friendly.
(5)Yogesh P.
I went there with friends for drinks in the bar area. We were seated right away and our waiter was very cordial. The signature cocktails were excellent. I would highly recommend this to someone looking to hang out with friends/family.
(5)Christine Y.
Americana has really gone downhill in the past few years. It seems they're doing all they can to save money. They replaced their gigantic menus with skimpy paper menus a while back. The bread now comes baguette-style in a paper bag. I ordered a baked potato and opted to get it "topped with everything" for an extra $1.50, unfortunately I neglected to ask what "everything" meant. I was given a plain baked potato with sour cream and butter. Seriously? $1.50 for a dollop of sour cream?
(2)Scott B.
Okay, okay to all the people who poo poo The Americana, I am truly sorry that it is not the the old greasy spoon you were used to. First off let me say I have been there at least a dozen times and never ever had a bad experience with food or service. Yes yes it doesn't have a 50 page menu with tons of frozen junk on it I'm so sorry for the folks who were expecting that type of fare. And yes the price is a little higher than your average diner the breakfast for 2 is probably going to run you about 10 bucks more on average. But the juices are fresh squeezed, the artisanal breads that they bring out are delicious, even their vegan type dishes that my daughter and her boyfriend are fond of are awesome. Now I cannot say that there could possibly be a time when I may go into this establishment and may have an off putting experience but that should never warrant single star. As for those who are looking for an awesome stomach churning experience, may I suggest the Jersey Diner about 5 or 6 miles north on Route 130. There, your memories of bland meals, undercooked meats and greasy food should bring back memories of joy. P.S. They really should drop the "Diner" from the name as the connotation of such a word brings certain thought's to some. Just " The Americana" would be perfect.
(5)Robin L.
Where have you gone, Americana Diner? With bread in a bag, an a la carte menu and overpriced and stale Danish. Sadly this was the consensus of the family. Enough said. Nice to have known you.
(2)Melissa M.
The conveniently located Americana Diner has reinvented the basic NJ diner experience and really brings quality food to East Windsor residents and people passing through our town during their travels along Route 130. This place is a not so hidden jem offering a wonderfully delicious alternative to the poison served at places like McDonald's and Burger King just a little farther up the road.
(5)Mike H.
The food is a bit better than your average diner, but this is not a 'diner' per se. They do not sell milkshakes (?!). Service was awful besides.
(2)Pam M.
First and foremost: This is not a diner. I repeat -- not a diner. so if you came here for some comfort food, to stuff yourself silly, have enough leftovers for two more meals, and walk out for under $10 a person -- this is not it. I had heard that they had changed, but we forgot before walking in the door and seeing that the entire menu is a piece of paper/placemat. Their burgers and sandwiches (limited) come with nothing and are $12. However, that comes with a $3 "credit" towards a side -- where you can, indeed, get fries. They have some really interesting other sides, some $3, some $4, some $5. The veggie burger was okay; hubby got mexicali burger, son got a reuben. All just okay. The three sides were onion rings, polenta "chips" and quinoa salad. Um, okay. Everything was just okay. no leftovers, all food consumed, and we were hungry, so it was backtracking to DQ for ice cream. Bill was $50 for 3, no drinks. Sigh.
(2)Mister T.
The restaurant gets very busy. Especially during peak hours, which is when you want to go. You will wait a few minutes before being seated. But we have never waited longer than 5 minutes. During these times the parking lot can be challenging on your nerves. As the traffic light at the outlet backs up the exiting vehicles within the lot. Wait area can get cramped. But again, you shouldn't be there for very long. Those expecting and looking for a more "diner" theme, should be cautious when entering. Although Americana calls itself a "diner", the restaurant is one white tablecloth & candle stick away from being "fine dining". There is a definite diner feel to the front, and the menu is vast, but that's about where the dining aspect ends. The restaurant will certainly have an option for everybody. As your eyes begin to wander overlooking the menu, you will be sure to notice the price. Americana sells above average food, at an expensive price. Service is always decent. Again, the food is above average in quality. Portions will be much smaller than what you would anticipate at any other "diner". And the plates are put together for more aesthetic purposes. Also attached to the restaurant is a bar. During the week nights, it is indeed a nice place to meet with somebody. But again, can add up quick. *** 1/2 *
(3)Susan L.
I have a pleasant experience coming to this diner. The waiter was extremely friendly and welcoming to us. It had a nice and homely feel to it. I ordered a french onion soup and a pan seared salmon. My only complaints is that there were too much red quinoa on top of the salmon, it seemed to overpower the taste of everything else. Maybe they could cut the amount of red quinoas in half. Also, the decor of the diner was quite unique. They seem to have different sections for different age groups which was pretty neat.
(4)Siroos A.
My wife & I went to Americans because it was featured on America's Best Diners show on Food Network. We were not disappointed.
(4)Christie S.
Dropped by here for a quick lunch with my family on a Sunday afternoon. We were seated in the Lounge. The prices are a bit higher than I expected for a diner, even if it was more upscale than your average diner. Portion size wasn't too big, but also not too tiny. I was full enough without feeling stuffed or hungry after. We initially were going to all get breakfast, but opted to get burgers with fries instead (1 of us got fish tacos - which looked more like a wrap, but I think it tasted good). We were all happy with the quality of the food, everything was pretty good. The food took a tiny bit longer than I expected it to, but right when I thought that, all of it came out so we didn't wait that long for it. Loved the staff here!!! Everyone we encountered from the moment we stepped in until we left were extremely nice and warm. We were all happy with the level of service - I hope it always stays this way! Had a great server who engaged us in small bits of humorous chitchat here and there. Also, my 3-yr-old niece ordered off the children's menu and her meal came with a cookie. When our server gave her the cookie, he presented it to her in a fun way rather than just leave it on the table, so that was an extra touch we all appreciated. Note: - In the Lounge, if seated at the back area tables, I should point out that the ends of the tables tend to slope down a tiny bit (because these ends can fold under the table when not in use). This resulted in a few mishaps with a few plates and utensils sliding off our table. We felt bad for our server because we had to keep asking for new stuff - but he (as well as the bussers who were helping him) was super nice and prompt about replacing anything that fell off. - If craving breakfast in the afternoon, ask for the breakfast menu as they give you the lunch/dinner menu by default.
(4)Ben W.
We've been coming here for the better part of 20 years, and tonight is the last time. We won't be back. I don't know what happened, but the menu is completely different, and kind of weird now. Not like a "diner" at all. The service, which used to be great, is sub par. Our waiter was very sassy, and seemed incompetent, didn't know certain basic things about the menu. They were also out of both beers that we wanted. The food, which has never been terrible before was not good. The matzo ball soup had the most flavorless matzo balls I've EVER had. And the broth had no flavor either. The chicken I had as an entree was interesting, and not in a great way. All I can say now is: "the end of an era. Goodbye Americana"
(2)Jennifer M.
When I think of a Jersey diner, I think of a place where I only order breakfast food because really, how can you mess up eggs? This is not that. Americana has stepped their game up far past what I expected. I had an organic cheeseburger cooked perfectly medium rare and polenta fries, the newest taste explosion to hit my palate. Hopefully I can recreate them at home soon, if not, I'll just drive up the road to get them again. Thumbs up for Dogfishhead 60 minute.
(5)Debra J.
Another great breakfast. This time I had the cinnamon French toast with fresh bananas and strawberries. Bacon on the side. Perfection. I tried some of my nephew's hash, awesome light but flavorful. Fresh squeezed oj too. Price can't be beat.
(5)Evelyn S.
Great service and good food - better than "typical" diner fare. Just a touch more upscale. Enjoyed it and the dessert was super. Plum cobbler - yum!
(4)Christian S.
It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to dine at the Americana Diner & Restaurant. This use to be one of the top three places for Brunch when the wife and I lived in Mercer County. The wife and I decided to make a stop at the Americana on our way home from Bayonne after just getting back from our cruise last Sunday. The place looks the same, but the menu has changed; for the better. It used to be this cumbersome novel with pages and pages and pages of items. They have now condensed it to two-sided sheet, making it much easier to read. One of the signature items here is the corned-beef hash. It is made with real corned beef and not that stuff from the can. The Americana is not a Jewish Deli, but this place serves some the best corned-beef and pastrami sandwiches. Not better than Katz, but I think it edges out some of the other Deli's throughout New Jersey. Like I stated earlier my wife and I would frequent this place for Brunch. You really can't go wrong here with anything for breakfast. Given the opportunity, stop by and try one their speciality omelets. This is probably one of the only places I would consider ordering a dinner plater like meatloaf, or a chicken parm dinner. This is not your average diner. The food served here are quite a few notches above your average diner items.
(5)L B.
By far the best diner around. Classy upscale options as well as basic diner food. All done with style. Very good service Diners are part of living in New Jersey. Like chasing girls, when you find a good one you know it!
(4)Dee H.
This was my 2nd time visiting. I was looking forward to a pleasant meal. First we were cut in line by a rude couple. The hostess saw and still sat them first. Our waiter was very pleasant initially. The French toast was tasty. However, my daughter ordered the Western burger. She took two bites and both were filled with hair. Looks like hair was mixed into the meat. We quietly told the waiter. His attitude changed, he grabbed all of the food off of the table and left. When he returned, he handed us the check. The manager never came over to apologize or anything. Very unprofessional.
(2)Josimarie C.
All in all, too expensive for the food they serve. You get a small loaf of bread that you can take with you if you don't finish it there but they brought it cold. I had the seafood spaghettini which was more like a broth and not very flavorful. My husband had the americana paella and was not impressed either. Dessert was just ok.
(3)CurryCowgirl X.
Where to start... this is a pleasure... I recently dined here with a friend who lives in the area, and we were both stunned at how great the food was. Anyone complaining about the food should be immediately suspected as a fake reviewer or someone who clearly has poor judgement and would be happier going to McDonalds. To be honest we assumed it would probably be the 'diner' food lousy, oily, blah overpriced trying to be fancy but trusted the recent reviews and went with it hoping for the best. Both the meals we had here surpassed our hopes and left us very very happy. What a find! The aged steak was immaculate, absolutely perfect. Obviously high quality meat, seared just right in a perfect pan, texture was buttery, soft, with a hint of char on outside. Served 'rare' as requested. (Nevermind expensive, over-rated steaks elsewhere- this is what you can judge those by- at least the one my friend ordered was). My risotto plate and beet salad was also equally delicious, and sangria fresh & delicious but oh, that steak... so memorable. Before the meal we had a complimentary loaf of fresh baked french bread baked with a hint of rock salt inside and outside was slightly crusty/crunchy, totally perfect. A week later we had breakfast, was wowed by delicious fresh scones (triangle shaped with raisins), succulent corned beef hash and great eggs benedict. American Diner (as others have also noticed) is not really a diner, is more restaurant, a good thing because for about the same money the food is 10x better but you can still come dressed anyway you like (cozy!). The food here is memorable and delicious- how often can you say that about any diner? It's fresh (locally sourced from nearby farms?), balanced, perfectly proportioned... and is fairly priced (affordable) which is a very rare thing. Apparently one reason the food's cooked just right is thanks to a professionally trained Australian woman chef they have on board- so said a wonderful waitress there (night shift) in a proud, slightly hushed voice. Oz's loss is our gain! This chef knows what she's doing. Don't bother comparing it to other old-school diners, it's too new, has a weird blah name, is so huge inside, not grubby enough, there's no silver sheeted lined walls, it's not small, stuffed with walls of signed pics of old movie stars and local folks that made it big, no jolly/curmudgeonly obese cook, isn't open 24/7, and most notably there's no booths in the corner full of loud or moody teenagers hanging out til 2am sharing a plate of home-fries (or cheese fries) because they're so broke. lol. (Ah, the late 80's/early 90's...) but I digress... I'd think of this place first when hungry- for any meal. Has all you casual cozyness one would want, welcoming atmosphere, warm people all very friendly. Service is outstanding, attentive, not pushy or overdone. It's clean! Affordable.! In fact the only downside is it's not near where I live (outside NYC), but good for my credit card- which I'd max out coming here for every meal when I'm not up for home cooking or what they don't have on the menu. If you live nearby A. D. enjoy it if you can!
(5)Lisa P.
Had this diner on my list to try after seeing it listed in a food article as one of the Best Diner's in South Jersey. Drove about an hour to get here and it was worth the trip. Huge place...diner and Lounge. We were seated in the Lounge and had the same Diner menu as the main dining room Definitely not your typical diner. Lamb Koftas sharing plate were delicious and I could have made a meal of them if this was an entree on the menu. Interesting menu of non-traditional diner fare, but we opted for sandwiches, Turkey Club and Turkey Special, both freshly carved turkey breast, very tasty. I would have liked a denser "deli" style rye bread, but it was still good The bread was served in a brown bag, just like a french bakery, and we actually packed up the uneaten loaf and took it home for later. Not sure I'll be back any time soon, but I'd definitely visit here again when I get a Diner urge Would love for them to offer more Greek dishes, since this is their background.
(3)S L.
Delish! It's not typical diner food. I would categorize it as New American. They even serve alcohol. It's just strange eating this way in a diner. (You will not see disco fries on this menu). Had the paella, bruschetta sampler, and flourless cake. Service was excellent (had glass of water refilled a few times), waiter was pleasant and you could tell he enjoyed the food just by his enthusiastic descriptions of them and he's only been there for 3+ months. Thanks, Adrian! The appetizer was so fresh. The paella was flavorful, chicken was not dry, shrimp was succulent and the rice was flavorful and not dry. (it's not easy to find this combination). Next time I would like to try the Parmesan polenta chips and the cauliflower mac and cheese. This is the first diner where I've seen brussel sprouts or quinoa on the menu. Can't wait to go back! The only downside is that the portions are not that big. It's basically half as much food as you would expect from a typical diner, but the quality and taste make up for it. There's plenty of parking and there's a convenient traffic light when you exit too.
(4)Debbie F.
Didn't fell like having Italian food for the third time in a week so opted for something different. Not a big fan of diners in general except for breakfast or lunch. Can't remember the last time we ate at one for dinner. We were seated in the back "lounge" area which is much nicer than the front part. The new menu is very upscale and unlike typical diner options. For starters, I loved the homemade raisin sourdough bread. Greek omelettes were fluffy and obviously made in a pan and not on the griddle. My mediterranean salad and hubby's pasta dish were both very tasty. Am happy to say that we will gladly return.
(4)Matilda L.
I've gone here a few times with my dad for breakfast and we've never had a compliant about anything before. We just went the other day and they've improved there food and menu. They want it to be more gourmet and their prices go along with that too. I would definitely go back again and recommend it.
(4)Mike S.
Americana used to have a large diner menu, and was actually one of the better diners around in terms of food quality and service. Is there a new owner or something? At some point in the past few years, the menu completely changed, but NOT for the better. The new menu is now small and trendy, and it no longer resembles anything diner-like. (Where are the 24 hour breakfast options?) The prices are higher than you'd expect at a diner and the portions are drastically smaller. The actual taste, though? Well, it's about what you'd expect at a diner: nothing spectacular and not at all fresh. I've tried a few dishes and nothing was exceptionally good or bad except the quinoa salad, which was warm (was it supposed to be this way or was my plate under a warming tray?) and downright disgusting. If the place isn't going to offer diner fare, prices, or portions, they should change their name and redecorate. You can find better trendy options at other restaurants (and you'll need to go elsewhere for a large selection of sandwiches and omelettes, as well).
(2)Lisa M.
Great food. A little pricey, but worth it. Fresh ingredients and high quality food. The staff is also really great. Some of the best restuarant staff I ever met.
(5)Kevin E.
This place was once great, but since they've become more popular, their food selection has gone downhill. Simply put they have become overrated and I would not recommend much.
(2)Manoj C.
This parking at this place is always packed every time I've driven by so we went there for dinner. Excellent "house bread", though it was annoying that the (poppy?) seeds from the bread got into our water. Apparently they cut the bread right by where the water pitchers are kept, which doesn't sound very clever. Calamari was below average, but the grass-fed burgers were excellent. Getting us seated was quick, and Service was very good, even though it was crowded.
(3)Dan M.
I have been going to the Americana for over a decade (not as long as some folks, I know) and I feel that over the past few years they've gotten a little pricier and a little less exceptional. They still have an amazing operation (fast, professional service every time) but portions are smaller and I feel like compared to what I was used to getting I'm paying more and getting less. They do have some exceptional food and I recommend the place without hesitation but there is a reason I'm not going a few times a month the way I used to.
(4)Chris M.
Best high-end diner in central Jersey. Food is always top notch quality. Recommend the Corn Beef Sandwich ;) One of the best diners you can stop at in NJ. Has a lot of history and they keep the experience simple and eloquent. Menus offer different specials each day, but most meals run between $8 to $30 and all offer substantial portion sizes. They've even installed a full bar so you can stay there all day & night!
(5)Matthew S.
Eaten here several times for breakfast, brunch, and lunch (I used to eat here several times with family) and this place never lets down. Theirs always seating if you get here before noon, and the seats are very comfortable. The food backs up the service (they always offer complimentary bread which is very tasty and good). If you come here for brunch, always ALWAYS get the omelettes. All of them are big and have a ton of flavor, and you'll walk out feeling satisfied after you see the prices. If you're a burger person, the Mexicali burger is another solid option to get, as the burger is clean, and it comes with plenty of food that you'll feel great that you got it. Their matzo ball soup is also tremendous. They make it very nice and it does an amazing job holding its own in the broth, plus its vegetables and noodles compliment it to add to the experience. My only negative is that it can be dangerous to get here. The parking situation is very iffy, and I've heard stories of people getting into accidents entering and exiting the restaurant, not to mention I've heard stories of theft from their cars. But as long as you lock your car, you should be fine. Generally speaking, this is a terrific place to bring your family on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, because of amazing food and great service. Not to mention they are very kind to senior citizens and gear the restaurant towards them. There's a reason that they are so popular on these days! Go try something here!
(4)Lana L.
This place is an institution for Hightstown locals and nearby residents. It's diner food but a bit more elevated, which is reflected in the slightly more expensive prices and modern plating. They have diverse menu ranging from greek salad to pulled pork tacos to quinoa salad to pan-seared halibut. Another plus is their kids menu is definitely kid approved, at least by my 6 and 9 year old cousins. The Americana also has a decent selection of seafood choices including paella and seafood stew. I highly recommend the latter. The seafood stew came in a bowl with large shrimp, mussels, clams, in a red sauce over pasta, with two buttery garlic toasts on the side. It's was definitely my favorite dish. The Americana Paella was alright, but just wasn't a fan of the texture of the rice..not enough liquid. The last two times I've been here, my waiter was Victor and he was friendly and very charming. When in doubt of where to eat, this place is definitely a keeper.
(4)Al A.
What a sad restaurant after the re-launch. They went from classic NJ-style diner to lame and badly-done American-bistro. What does "American bistro" even mean? I'll tell you what it means. It means there are lame desserts! Lastly, service was excellent because everyone else agrees with me and doesn't go here anymore.
(1)Joe P.
I continue to love this restaurant. The chef here is amazing. She total understands how to create exciting dishes for the way people eat today. It is definitely an elevated dining experience. Treat yourself to a great meal. To make your experience even better, ask for Cindy. She is amazing.
(5)Kris S.
My cousin just moved to the area and, not having any kitchen utensils unpacked just yet, we decided to go to the Americana. SERVICE: 3/5 My cousin and I were sat at a booth immediately but waited about 4 minutes until a waiter came up to us. He told us he was not "our" waiter, but will gladly bring my coffee and my cousin's water to us. Shortly after, a young woman approached our table and asked "Did he already get your drink orders?" which we replied with a "yes". She started backing away until my cousin said, "But he said he's not our waiter". So the woman smiled and said she'll be happy to serve us. Our waitress was pleasant but absent for the most part. She came over only once between dropping off our food and dropping off the check. My cousin flagged down a busboy for a water refill a few times. IN SHORT: Pleasant, but limited service. Be prepared to ask for things "in bulk", otherwise do without them, as you may finish your meal before even getting a chance to request them. FOOD: 3/5 This was difficult to even think about reviewing. The food was, without a doubt, delicious. My cousin thoroughly enjoyed her grass-fed Kobe beef burger with bacon and a chipotle mayo spread. Being that she just moved back to Jersey from Tampa, FL, she INHALED her sweet corn salad. I opted for the veggie panini but added cajun chicken to it. It was delicious, and definitely a generous serving. I ordered the polenta chips on the side. I've never had polenta chips before, but the waitress assured me they were delicious. That they were. For $4 per side, I wish they had more than two "logs" of polenta chips per order though. So the food was great, but I think Americana should not advertise or classify itself as a "diner". It has given in to the ever-so-trendy "gluten-free" and "grass-fed" fad. The menu, while interesting and tasty, is not "diner" fare. If you think "New Jersey Diner", you think of the typical greasy spoon, and the typical greasy spoon staples. This menu was a bit fancy for what I had in mind when I had a craving for "diner food" and chose Americana in the first place. So why only the "A-OK" rating if the food was, in fact, delicious? If you're rating the Americana in comparison to other restaurants who market to the "gluten-free, grass-fed, Paleo" hipsters, then it falls short; there are definitely better places to eat than the Americana for that. If you're rating the Americana in comparison to the "stereotypical New Jersey Diner", then it also falls short, due to the absence of many "staples" that pretty much every New Jersey diner has on their menu. It's just a confusing place. I don't want to rule it out because it's worth at least one visit, but maybe not two.
(3)Alison H.
Wow im impressed with what they got going on there. I ate here years ago but they have really turned the place around. I have never seen a local diner source food from local farms. All of the food is super fresh, the menu has some really great items. I am a huge fan and will stop in anytime I am in this area.
(5)Fiona L.
Being a local, I feel that this diner has gone downhill! I've been eating at this restaurant since 12, so that's a good 9 years. They used to have huge portions and very crispy and delicious fries! Now, they give out small portions for their prices. In general, this diner is not that expensive, but for the quality of the food and the pirce, I think it is. Last time I got a burger with a side of fries. The burger was about $7/8, which isn't expensive, but it wasn't satisfying. The meat wasn't hot and juicy or savory. I rather go to smashburger or burgerfi, and for the same price, I can get an a lot tastier, juicier burger! I love french fries, and they used to have very fresh and crispy fries (i think they dipped the fries in a batter to give them an extra crispy texture). Now, I don't even want to eat the fries. Not crispy and just warm. However, the service is not bad. My waiter came by very often to check on us and poured water frequently. Sometimes they can have a long wait, but the last few times I went, I didn't have to wait. The place is also very spacious. It has a lounge area, bar, restaurant, and an alcove area in the back. My friends used to have their birthday dinners here, and they definitely have the space to hold large parties.
(2)Kimberly C.
I have been coming to the Americana Diner since I was 7 years old and now I'm 26. The quality of everything has always gotten better as the months and years have gone by. I feel at home here- everyone is so kind and the staff will do whatever to accommodate you. This place has great unique plates. A constantly changing menu to keep up with the freshest ingredients. Pat is one of the best servers there so is Cindy and Lynn they've known me for years. Omelette are TO DIE FOR you will never find an omelette like these guys make- super fluffy- 3 inches thick! all fresh food! Pancakes- they are the definition of pancakes. Honestly I don't care what the price is because I know I'm eating the freshest food from any restaurant in all of NJ!
(5)Kolleen W.
The Americana is the ultimate in diner offerings. It's sectioned into two areas-- one being a more traditional diner restaurant and a lounge, which is very 70's retro and has a full bar with great bartending staff. I always request a seat in the lounge. The menu is more limited than that of most other diners, but every item is expertly crafted and delicious. This is probably because menu items are made with quality ingredients (hence their moniker, "Eat Better Food"). Each table is served with a bag of freshly made bread and a dish of hand-salted butter. Awesome. As with any other diner, you can't go wrong with breakfast, which is served all day long, although you have to request the menu in the late afternoon. Honorable mentions include the French toast, which is rolled in rice crispies, any of their amazing burgers, and the quesadilla appetizer. Service is sometimes a bit slow, but understandably so, given the occasional high-traffic meal times and is generally friendly and personable.
(5)James C.
What the hell happened to this place? I used to come here all the time but the difference since my last visit a few years ago is extraordinary. I arrived with my wife at around noon and we were seated fairly promptly and handed two small sheets of paper. I looked around for the real menu. You know, the giant laminated one that's several pages long with a hundred items, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Well it turned out these sheets of paper were our menus. They had no more than twenty items on them and none of them were breakfast dishes. Do they no longer serve breakfast all day or am I supposed to ask for the other menu or something? Wary of this new menu we decided on two "for two" appetizers. A taco plate and zucchini fitters. The pulled pork in one of the tacos had that overwhelming microwave meal flavor and the fish taco gushed grease everywhere. The fritters are basically zucchini tempura, five overly thick-cut slices. It cost eight dollars. Since we weren't particularly full on mediocrity yet, we decided to order desserts. Creme brulee and "warm chocolate cake". The creme brulee tasted like instant pudding and the caramelization on top was exceedingly bitter. I had two half-spoonfuls before deciding it wasn't worth it. My wife felt embarrassed ordering the "warm chocolate cake" because that's seriously what it's called on the menu. Nothing fancy, not even trying, just "warm chocolate cake". The menu was too short to also include "sweet apple pastry" and "cold lemon tart". "This tastes like Betty Crocker" she said as soon as she took a bite. I realized that's probably what it said on the box: "Betty Crocker's warm chocolate cake". The filling tasted like melted Nestle chocolate chips. Oh and our server was never around, but what else is new? The nonexistent server is a permanent feature of the modern restaurant. The sort that seats as many people as possible and then leaves you there for so long you start to wonder if you might die there. The sort that serves you thinly disguised microwave meals. Why bother complaining at all? As for the prices, it's hard to complain specifically about the exact dollar amount. The real issue is the lack of selection and quality. Makes me feel like I'm in the middle of a mob shakedown. Do you want the soup or the sandwich? Your choices don't matter, the end result is regret.
(1)Ashley P.
I've been frequenting this place for about 12 years, and typically go at least once a week for the past several months. Yes, it's changed from your traditional open-late, multi-page menu diner...but for the better. The food is always fresh and you still get the diner vibe. There are several staff members who consistently remember my order and are very accommodating with dietary restrictions. I highly recommend any kind of omelette, French toast, the braised short rib, burgers and the chicken quesadilla. Also try the white sangria! While the price is a little higher, I believe you get what you pay for - quality food and service.
(5)Brenda C.
Not your average diner. The staff is super friendly and the food is very good. I ordered a roasted veggie pannini. The vegetables were cut big just the way I like them. They used fresh mozzarella and the bread was not al all greasy. Hubby ordered a vegetarian burger. It had tzatziki sauce on it and the burger was made with beets. It was ok. A little sour so I question the freshness. Fresh beets aren't sour. My kid ordered a corn beef Ruben with sour kraut and it already had a white sauce on it. The mustard that was on the side was not needed. It was delicious. The sides included quinoa apple salad (crumbled feta cheeses on top), chickpeas and red bean salad and French fries. Those were good too. As I mentioned, the staff is superbly friendly. Our waitress so so friendly, she was a little too preoccupied with some of her friends at another table she didn't give us her full attention. I had to flag her down several times for water, coffee, our bread and the check. When she did give us her attention, she was super nice. But the flagging her down constantly wore us down. I would go back but I'd ask for another waitress.
(3)Donna W.
This is a restaurant that is diner themed. I thought the food was delicious. I had the lamb chops which were perfectly cooked and flavorful, and the cauliflower mac and cheese. I thought the mac and cheese could use more cheese but it was still good.
(4)Richard V.
Ive never had a Go To Place, until now. The quality of the food is fantastic. Food at the level of a high end restaurant with out the high price. I have NEVER had a bad meal here. Im also Gluten Free so having a place to accommodate me is another big plus. All of their Burgers are fantastic, their gluten free buns are the best i have had. They either make them themselves or they are lying to me. Their menu does change but from what i can remember that i have ordered, and some things i can't eat anymore. French onion soup.... The Best. Fried Calamari.... is the chef italian? Great. Halibut. Great. Americana Paella. Good. Slow cooked short rib. Great. Rack of lamb. Great. Salmon according to my wife. great. Oh and sign up for their loyalty card. you get buy one get one 1/2 off meals for birthdays and Anniversaries. And after spending $250 you get $20 off your next check. No i don't work there. =)
(5)Caitlin G.
growing up in the area the Americana was a great place to grab food with friends. It has now been a year since I've been here and I have no plans to back anytime soon. My last visit was for weekend breakfast. We ordered two omelets. Instead of your normal toast as a side they came with a loaf of bread on the table with butter and orange marmalade. No other options such as strawberry or grape jelly. I overheard another costumer ask for another option which they didn't have. the omelets were good, but the total came to $30, which is about $10 more than any other "diner" in the area.
(1)Alyssa C.
I'm a little late on this but Americana has transformed from a regular diner to nice restaurant-- take that as you will. For the most part, they offer the same type of food as a diner but with overall much better quality. (Fancier). And their omelettes are my absolute favorite. (They come with fresh bread and a roasted tomato--not potatoes like you'd expect from a regular diner). The atmosphere is relaxed, but the service is wonderful (shoutouts to Victor and Toni!). For the price I would prefer that their breakfasts particularly came with sides you'd expect. The other day, I paid $17 + tip for eggs benedict (served with a tomato) and orange juice. (Small glass of fresh squeezed OJ (very good) for $3.50 (not so good)). Great place for a special occassion breakfast or casual date night lunch or dinner.
(4)Rick M.
This place is a classic American diner. The complimentary bread is pretty good. Although the options for vegetarians weren't great, I decided to get one of the veggie burgers. The veggie burger was pretty salty. It wasn't great and mediocre at best. I thought it was an OK place to go if you are here with another person. I don't recommend going with a group because they refuse to split checks or claim they can't at all. That is pretty ridiculous for a modern restaurant. You should accommodate all parties and not cheap-out on the credit card fees.
(3)A B.
I've eaten here a few times and every time is better than the last. They have a really creative menu and the food is fresh and delicious. Also the service has always been great. If you are in the area you should definitely give them a try!
(5)Denise S.
I haven't been here in years and sad to say it has gone downhill. My friend told me they changed the format of the menu. I'm fine with that, as long as the execution is on point. My friend and I looked at the menu online and picked out a couple of things and ordered to pick up. When we got there around 10pm on a Saturday night, it was dead. In their diner days, it would still be slammed in there. When we got home we were sad to see the quality of food has diminished. I ordered a salad, which as small and the dressing wasn't good. I also ordered a soft baked sweet potato with feta and pecans on it. It was mashed sweet potato not incased in the potato shell. It was flavorless. Only thing they needed to do was add some salt and all spice and it would have helped greatly. We also ordered two desserts. One was an orange cake and the other a banana creme brownie. I will spare you the horrible details but just say that they were such a huge disappointment. They should probably switch back to the diner menu since this new style they are going for isn't working.
(1)Nicole I.
Took a friend here who was in for her father's funeral. We just wanted to sit in a diner and have some coffee and talk. Fell upon the Americana. For New Jersey, do NOT expect this to be the typical dive diners that we have peppered all over our great state. This place is more high-class and expensive. I don't even know what qualifies it as a diner, other than it's outward, general appearance. Nothing on the menu gave it a diner feel. AT ALL. Once you get over that, the place is great. Very clean, pleasant staff. I am very certain that our waitress knew we weren't there to eat a full meal, and she was very respectable and left us alone. She didn't hound us or ask us a million times if we needed anything else. Just came by to refill the water, etc. We did order a small cheese plate, which was $7. Not really sure it was worth the price in retrospect, but after sitting a while, we were a bit hungry and didn't want to go crazy. I am almost certain they have a sharing fee, too.**Edit: After reading the response from Constantine, the Owner, they DO NOT have a sharing fee. :) Thanks, Constantine, for the clarification! The coffee we drank was nice, and there is a full bar off the end of the diner itself. I would absolutely go back with more money, more time, and with my husband. If I do, I will happily update my review to reflect the real deal with this place. Frankly, I left intrigued!
(4)Gary C.
I love this place. I grew up in the area, and as a kid this diner was nothing special, but coming back here 20 years later it is the perfect New Jersey diner. It's striking how much attention they make sheer trying to make everything about the experience excellent. The ownership has clearly put time into training the staff to I have excellent service and hospitality The food is excellent. Erica is into small details liking having high-quality bread, and using high-quality locally sourced ingredients Even small details like the quality of the coffee are also excellent. It makes me proud to come back here and see what attention to detail and love continue to make a Great diner
(5)Nicholas J.
I've been going here with a close friend who frequents this establishment for about 4 years and eat here when I'm up from NC. The food has changed over the past two years in particular and it can be a bit pricey depending on what you order. I think it's worth it though, at least on the dinner side. My friend keeps complaining about how the food is becoming too "esoteric" for Hightstown(Americana is in East Windsor...). They had $10 squid stuffed with chorizo the last time I was there. Either way, I still like the food and the new items they serve. I had their matzo ball soup last week which was very good followed by swordfish with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes. Bit on the pricey side, but the portions were fair and the potatoes were very creamy. Service is better than most claim it to be though my friend is there so often that everyone knows him and we usually sit in the lounge to eat.
(4)Linda M.
Americana has had its ups and downs for me over the years. I grew up in Hightstown and for a long time I enjoyed a nice Sunday breakfast with the family here, then as I grew it was the late night place to grab food with friends. It is difficult to call this place a diner because it truly is a restaurant more than a diner. I like the new menu. I enjoyed the bruschetta sampler, quinoa salad and had the Mexicali burger for my entree. I like their creative way of selecting sides. My burger came with "$3 towards my choice of sides." There is a looooong list of sides at either $3, $4 or $5. I chose the sweet potato and enjoyed every bite. Our server was excellent...attentive but not overbearing. Some customers came in and were truly happy to see the waitress. I look forward to coming back to try their breakfast.
(4)Lauren M.
This is my go-to place for brunch and I've brought so many friends here it is now their go-to place. We often stop in after a hard Saturday morning work-out at CrossFit Nassau. The food and drinks here are great. They do great brunch cocktails. The omelets are generous and so are the burgers. You can substitute or add-on lots of different things. The servers are happy to customize your meal for you, especially if you prescribe to a certain diet. They have so many side dishes to choose from too. It's hard to make up my mind most of the time. We usually sit in the lounge area, where there is also a bar with TVs. Highly recommend this place for anytime of day!
(4)Anton M.
Excellent food! I am not sure if you can call this a diner. Either way, the wait staff on the "diner" side is not that friendly or attentive. The staff on the lounge side is top notch. Also, the bartender plays her favorite songs from her own collection and they truly set the mood. As a music lover, there are many tunes you would not normally hear at a restaurant/diner. I frequent the lounge as much as I can.
(4)Caleb B.
Wow, talk about having everything! Just discovered this place, even though I've been living only 15 minutes away. What a first impression when you walk in the door! If I have to say any single thing that make's me a repeat customer with any food service business, it's the smell. The second you walk it the aroma of Italian everything hits you like a ton of bricks. I didn't walk in hungry, but I can't imagine anyone's appetite holding out in this place. If the smell doesn't get you, the beautiful, eye catching display cases filled with everything from desserts, entrees and appetizers definitely will. The sandwiches we ordered for lunch were the biggest sandwiches we've ever seen. And they were under $10! Absolutely delicious, we couldn't even finish them in one sitting :-) We also ordered dinner and dessert for later and it was to die for. Wonderful Italian cooking you can bring home!
(5)stephen s.
For several years, while I lived in Princeton, I made the trip out to Americana for brunch every other weekend. I'd generally order a savory dish, and split a sweet dish for desert -- that's a ton of food and generally sufficed as my meal for the day. The breakfast food is among the best I've ever had. I strongly recommend the Eggs Edessa, the Mediterranean Frittata, the omlettes generally, and the berry-stuffed french toast. (The latter is considerably better when the berries are fresh, so consider the season when chosing.) Having recently moved from Princeton to Manhattan, eating each weekend at Americana may be the thing I miss most. If you're sitting at the counter -- a good choice for parties of one or two, especially on Sundays when it gets crowded -- Pat can give good recommendations. Tell her we miss her.
(5)Ted S.
I brought my wife and child in this restaurant and it was an overall great experience! The food tasted great and the atmosphere was welcoming. I had the Tuna dish which came out in a responsible amount of time. Will definitely be back
(5)Sandi C.
Love their bread! Excellent and they give you plenty! They were out of Pumpkin vodka so couldn't try their signature cocktail. I had the Turkey BLT which was okay. The sandwich bread was the best part. Others at the table raved over their salmon burger and bananas foster waffle. I really loved their old menu not so much the new one.
(3)Alexandra L.
Oh Americana. I feel obligated to give you three solid stars in remembrance for how you used to be. Back in high school, you were THE place to be for sneaking out to lunch and super, super late nights, and I miss that. You were perfect. A few years ago, I stopped in during a visit home and my friends and I joked that Americana was "trying to class it up". It's no longer a joke; in the past few years, Americana has changed the space, changed the menu, and changed the entire vibe. And in return for a "classier" feel, the prices have gone up, and the food quality and choices have gone down. So sad. You're just not a classy place, Americana, you're a New Jersey diner and you should be proud of that. I will always fondly remember the way you were.
(3)Mike P.
Just love this place. Even tough menu is smaller, food and service is best in area for a dinner
(4)Bryan L.
The menu and the food is always pretty good but the service although courteous is often slow so be prepared for that.
(3)Stephanie B.
Don't let the name fool you, this is no diner, more like a wanna-be French restaurant. Prices are absurdly high and portions are measly. The only thing worth getting is the omelets, but even then don't expect a normal portion of home fries. Not worth going to anymore.
(2)Harrison A.
Very classy place. Bread is incredible. Many great food options.
(5)Diana A.
Americana has emerged as my favorite diner in the area. Western-style burger was great. I was seated near the dessert case, so I had to sample a cupcake for dessert. It was just ok. Can't wait to go back and try one of their gigantic omelets.
(4)Dennis K.
Have been coming here for a number of years. Great breakfasts! Pancakes about the best of any commercial restaurant (if only they'd make buckwheat pancakes). Good lunches, with their Greek Salad and corned beef sandwich always a favorite. Don't eat dinner here very often, but when we have, we haven't been disappointed. Service is fast and efficient, and the wait staff always has a kind or friendly word. If you're in the neighborhood, you can't go wrong here.
(4)David B.
Not your average dinner. Food and service is gourmet and up-scale. Great atmosphere.
(4)Kristin P.
We recently moved into the area and were inthe mood for a quick bite to eat. SO my husband and I stopped by what we expected to be the local "diner". Definitely not what we expected. This was a much better experience than we bargained for. The meni weas really interesting and even though I was in the mood for a simple egg sandwich I was much happier with the chicken wrap with veggeis and blue cheese that I ordered. We'll be back!
(5)A W.
Had a great, albeit slightly pricey dinner here the other night. Had family visiting from out of town and they wanted diner food. While the menu has changed a bit (again), my turkey BLT sandwich alone would be worth the trip back, and the turkey dinner ordered was delicious. However, it took a long time to get our food (they weren't terribly busy). After dinner, I went to the pastry case and purchased a double chocolate cupcake for me and a snickers cupcake for my husband. My cupcake wasn't just stale, I'm pretty sure the frosting was spoiled. The husband's cupcake was dry and stale, and he threw his out as well. Go for dinner; go elsewhere for dessert.
(3)Steve G.
Not to be confused with the same-named Americana Diner in Tinton Falls-- one of the best in the state-- this is a pleasant and adequate typical diner. I believe that the kitchen is competent and pays attention to their cooking, but similarly, that the quality of their purchased product is no better than average. The waitstaff has always been cordial, if a bit scattered and uneven. A worthy stop when traveling the Rt. 130 corridor.
(2)Genevieve S.
This is my favorite diner in the state so far. It has two rooms, a standard diner room and a more lounge style side. I prefer to eat on the lounge side but food is the same both places. There is a bar here which I consider a plus. I like their omelette for breakfast and there are many to choose from! For dinner I had the salmon and a seafood pasta dish. Both were excellent. The chicken linguine is mediocre so I wouldn't recommend it. Yummy brea comes with dinner also and they have an interesting beer selection which rotates(not the common stuff you find everywhere else). I would definitely recommend this place. I take most of my out of town guests here and they always love it.
(4)Anthony V.
Food is consistently good but I wish they would go back to the "Jersey Diner" menu I loved as opposed to the current, limited "bistro-like" menu. Burgers are good (especially the turkey burgers for those of us who like to watch our diets) and are served on 'baked-in-house' rolls. Omelettes are very good too, but I do miss the diner mainstay open-faced sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, etc). My wife and I loved coming here twice-weekly but the prices seemed to have gone up quite a bit while the menu has shrunk. We still go, but maybe once a month. We now prefer to travel a bit out of our way for our 'Jersey-diner-experience' fix.
(3)Amy S.
We love this place...sister restaurant to the Skylark Diner in Edison, we have never been disappointed by a meal. I usually get the french toast with bacon; it's my favorite. Menu is expansive...and also expensive. Seafood gaspacho (summertime menu item) is $11/bowl but quite delicious. Juices (orange or grapefruit) are freshly squeezed. Service is usually decent and helpful. Place is usually packed on weekends for breakfast but tables turnover fairly quickly.
(5)Eddie L.
I reluctantly went back to the Americana for breakfast, with a party of 9 this time, and I'm glad I did as the place rebounded greatly from our last bad experience. This time our waiter was great and attentive. The food all came out together and as ordered, no need to repeatedly ask "where's my meat?" (That's what she said). No burnt toast, no burnt hash browns. Just delicious Cinnamon french toast and sausage. They have a liquor license but I showed restraint and had OJ minus the Vodka, tasted strange. Just kidding, I do drink fruit juices without alcohol, but I do prefer them with some Tequila, Rum or Vodka. Just improving on nature's gifts. So I'm back to being OK with the Americana and will return much less reluctantly next time.
(4)Mike M.
Exceptional "diner". Think gourmet chef meets diner fare. Always consistent. Great, creative breakfast and lunch selections.
(5)Fred I.
As noted in the other reviews..... the Americana is no longer a "NJ Diner". Its a restaurant, with higher prices, less to choose from. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't go there to get the previous items like "mile high meatloaf". The management has made the Americana, the Skylark in Edison and the Colonial in East Brunswick into upscale dining locations. And to repeat, these are no longer "diners" The menu selections are interesting and varied. I had Mahi Mahi, and it was excellent with a reduced balsamic glaze and apple chutney. Serving was generous, but not overwhelming like your typical diner. We entered and went to the back for the "diner" area, and there were plenty of seats available, but they walked us through the entire restaurant to seat us in the "lounge". I think they should offer a choice. The lounge has a good bar, but add a couple of drinks to the already high food prices, and you're dropping double the cash you used to be able to get away with when it was really a diner.
(3)Thomas F.
Today's meal was indescribeable. Words cannot do justice the complex, raw emotions that i experienced as i took that very first bite at the Americana Diner and Restaurant. With the heat beating down upon my face from the hot New Jersey sun as i write these words, it is with a great sense of longing that i wish to be back where my family once broke bread, feasted on classic breakfast food, and sampled succulent chocolate cake; home. The eggs and bacon, though a staple of a classic american breakfast to be found at all diners, were a revelation. Alas, my heart flutters as i attempt to recount the true joy i felt as i devoured the Americana Diner and Restaurant's recreation of a classic down-home favorite. The chocolate cake i ordered for dessert shattered my universe. I was rocked to my very core by its moist consistency and impeccable presentation. The sweet espresso fudge sauce that served as topping for this delectable concoction changed my life in ways that i never thought possible. As i stand here in this dusty parking lot hours after the fact, i realize the world is beautiful. This notion always occured to me as meaningless until this point in my life. Years from now, i may be a different person altogether in terms of values and cherished beliefs, but i will always remember that which i hold dearest to me and closest to my heart, the Americana Diner and Restaurant.
(4)C K.
Visited the restaurant today. Was a little skeptical because of the initial greeting- seemed they were not used to African American diners. I'm glad to say I was wrong.... The meal was excellent, waiter was very attentive. I had the Carolina Grits (with ham, sausage and cheddar cheese)..YUMMM I would definitely return and recommend to others.
(5)Grace R.
While it's a little on the pricey side for diners, the food does not disappoint. I ordered a greek salad, and the ingredients were pleasantly fresh. The soup was also very delicious and tasted very fresh. I'd love to return and try out more of the menu!
(4)Jamie C.
I ate here with colleagues while on a business trip in February. Two of us got the worst case of food poisoning ever. I was sick for a week. Nothing like having to fly across the country when feeling that bad. My only worse experience was after eating chicharon bulaklak purchased from a street vendor on a bus in Tarlac Tarlac, the Philippines. DON'T GO HERE!!! The "homemade" cherry pie was clearly Pillsbury pie crust with a can of Comstock cherry pie filling dumped in it. Disgusting. Too bad the survey questions don't include "Nothing" as a choice for the question "Good for."
(1)Dana L.
Decent service. Steep prices. Nice atmosphere. Don't get the chicken Caesar wrap, skyhigh French toast, or the salmon burger.
(3)Art F.
This is a diner that is trying to be something that it's not. Let me first say that the food is always good. Excellent sandwiches, soups, entrees. My complaint is with the service and the value. The staff there almost seens like they are doing you a favor when they wait on you. And they nickle and dime you do death. The entrees no longer come with soup or salad. If you want soup, you have to buy a bowl which is over $5.00. and the sandwiches no longer come with cole slaw or pickle. When i asked, the waitress seemed almost embarrassed to tell me that it would be $2.50 for the "side dish." Good food, fair service, poor value.
(2)Linda L.
This used to be a destination diner for me, didn't mind the 20 mile drive because the food was that good! It's now a diner with pretensions of being fine dining - which is OK if you back that up with great food. We were there today for lunch and I have to say the service was great, and the atmosphere is very nice, although the bathroom could use a good cleaning. The prices are very high and there isn't much selection . My friend really liked her burger and fries. She also liked the bread they serve before the food comes, it was way too sweet for me. I got a roast beef sandwich with gorgonzola and arugala, it was pretty tasteless and the semolina bread was so hard it scratched up the roof of my mouth. We also had our 2 kids with us and ordered them meals from the Children's Menu that were totally inedible, we had to give them our french fries for lunch. I think it is admirable that the restaurant is promoting healthy meals for kids, but we didn't realize that "roast chicken pasta" meant some macaroni with broccoli and dried out chicken breast with barely any sauce was what healthy means. My friend's daughter got the grilled chicken strips, which was the same gross chicken (plus grill marks) with two big hunks of sweet potato on the side. It came with a big cup of ranch dressing so she just dunked our french fries in that and left the rest. They did like their cookies at the end though. I'll bet this is really a fun place if you are into jazz and a good martini, just don't expect it to be a diner, and if you bring the kids, stick with burgers or grilled cheese, Healthy food is only healthy if its edible.
(2)Erin P.
I am definitely a fan of this place. Sometimes the service can be s-l-o-w and the wait is l-o-n-g but that is because it is popular. If the wait is long you can always choose to have your meal at the bar. I like coming here because there are a good number of vegetarian (eggs and cheese permitting) options. I love their omelets but they also have a veggie burger that is made with lentils. It falls apart easily but it has a great taste (if you like lentils). Another entree I've had is the Portabello sandwich. All very good.
(4)Tina L.
As far as brunch goes, Americana is amazing. My boyfriend and I had showed up at 7am (after pulling an all nighter doing work), looking for a place to splurge for breakfast. We decided to go out of our way to head to Americana because the food has always been consistently wonderful. We ordered the goat cheese and beet salad (asked for the goat cheese not to be friend, an farmer's omelette and an Italian omelette (both came with two slices of buttered toast), and fish tacos. The food, all of it, was delish. Unsurprisingly, by the time we finished (8am-ish), there was a line out the door. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.
(5)Michael Z.
Take one look at the menu and you'll quickly realize this is not your typical NJ diner. Gorgonzola-stuffed Angus beef burgers? Wine by the bottle? A selection of micro brews? Yet, they still manage to keep to diner tradition and offer fresh-baked pastries at the counter. 5 stars for effort! I've been here roughly 3 times in the past 3 years, around the winter holidays when I visit my mother. This is a popular choice for families (and old people -- lots of retirement communities around here), and I've seen the line outside get very long. We've usually eaten early, and never had a wait, but expect one if you come around 7PM for dinner, especially on a weekend night. I dig the bar area, they have plenty of alcohol to choose from. I always go with the Yuengling on draft.. yes.. I know, it's a cheap beer, but it's only found in PA/NY/NJ/DE/MD/DC/VA/WV/TN/NC/SC/GA/FL/AL. Gotta get it when I can.. Food: 3.5 stars, as I said 5 for effort, but the quality of the food isn't amazing for the price. I've had the tuna melt (OK), buffalo chicken wrap (better), seared tuna bites (overcooked -- asked for "as rare as possible"), fennel salmon (pretty good, interesting), and gorgonzola-stuffed burger (love gorgonzola). Irish Coffee: very Irish. I tried some of the specialty chocolates off of the desert menu (blood orange & raspberry dark chocolates), and I'm a fan. I didn't try some of the more adventurous flavors, such as Olive Oil and Sea Salt chocolate, but they have 'em. The menu is so huge, I doubt I'll ever get to try everything at the rate at which I visit. I've also noticed the menu changes up quite frequently; never know what will be on the dinner menu the next year. Not your typical diner, although oddly enough, there is one of those about a mile down the road.
(4)James A.
I used to enjoy going to this diner, until my experience just this past weekend. The waitress was ruder that rude. She did not service my family at all. It was like 11PM on a Saturday and it took nearly an hour to get our meal. The girl never even asked me if I wanted a drink. She did not pay attention to our table and we had to consistently chase her down for everything we wanted from her. If we asked her for a refill, she would take the cup and then forget to bring it back. She was rude to a group of elderly customers, who didn't give her the right amount of money to pay their bill. The order didn't come out right, but I didn't complain. I wanted broccoli instead of a plateful of fries and was nickel and dimed for $4.00. Who does the math on this? You forgo a plateful of fries and they give you 6 small pieces of broccoli and they charge you an extra $4? The wrap that I ordered, clearly stated that it came with pickle and coleslaw, but that never came out either. Ok so my meal experience wasn't so great, but I was looking forward to dessert. I am on a special diet and was looking forward to having any type of sugar free dessert. Now if you have ever been to this diner, you know that they have a really attractive dessert section. I asked the waitress what they had that was sugar free and she said they have nothing. DAMN was I upset!!!!!! What does she offer me as a sugar free alternative? A FRUIT CUP!!! Since when is a fruit cup sugar free? What could have made this situation better? Maybe if the manager was not busy bussing tables and was going around doing the job that he was hired for, customer service. This is the first time I was ever in any diner, where I was not asked if everything was okay or if I needed anything. So in reality, the waitress and the manager are equally as guilty for making this experience suck. Whoever is in charge of ordering desserts, they need to step their game up, too. In the end, I left a $1.00 credit card tip. Why? I wanted to make the waitress feel exactly how I felt. I also wrote on the receipt, "horrible experience", in hopes that the manager saw the note and more so in hopes that they stepped their game up and actually cared about servicing the customer. Before you all criticize me and think that I am cheap, I eat out a lot and always leave between a 20-30% gratuity. My wife often gets mad at me for doing so, but I feel that everyone deserves a fair wage. Just not when you take advantage of a situation and expect that the money will be there anyway. For the record, I have never done anything like this before and this alone speaks volumes on how this Diner sucks. I will never go back here again. The Seville Diner in East Brunswick, they are really on top of their game. I go there all the time and never have I had a gripe there.
(2)Natesha F.
I used to LOVE Americana, but honestly they fell off. The service and atmosphere is still good- but the menu has changed and is lacking. The breakfast used to be out of this world, now it is just ok, the steak bland, and they took the shrimp alfredo (which was the best!) off the menu- I live down the block and I am not happy. I will try it a few more times, but as of now- I am NOT a happy camper when it comes to the menu. They are trying to be too fancy, the place is called "Americana Diner" for God's sake- keep it simple and yummy the way it used to be! Or change the name LOL...
(3)Caroline S.
I have been going to Americana Diner since I first moved to the area 18 years ago. I have seen it through various owners, upgrades and menu changes and never have been disappointed. The menu the past few years has been wonderful - great quality food with a diner feel. Although their wraps and BLT's are top notch, these days I am always lured in by the Skylark Salad with grilled chicken...HIGHLY recommended delicious salad with walnuts, blue cheese, spinach, craisins and an amazing dressing that they must put an addicting-forming substance in because I can't stop eating them! So good! If you are in the area, don't miss this Jersey landmark...just wonderful!
(5)Andrew R.
I have been going to the Americana for many years. The last few times we have been there we left saying we won't return. This time we really won't. The portions have continued to get smaller. Entrees come with vegetables but no starch. For $18-$28 entrees you expect much more. The quality has decreased along with the portions. My wife had overcooked bland salmon. I had a vegetarian pasta dish that was tasteless and severely overpriced for what it was. Even the kid's meals have gotten smaller. The salad with entree is a long ago thing of the past. The $4 side salad is an overdressed bowl of iceberg lettuce. They have a decent craft beer list, but it is a list only. They did not have the first 3 beers I tried to order so I gave up and tried a glass of wine. Wines by the glass are $7-$9 for wines that cost that by the bottle at bottle king next door. Atrocious. Service is attentive, but at times unprofessional. This is no longer a diner and no longer a decent restaurant.
(2)Chris A.
It's a diner. A good one too! The wait can be a little long and the service can be slow if you catch them right after a typical rush such as breakfast or lunch. Other than the that.. typical diner food, Get anything and everything and it is good. I think they may have had a bigger menu but there was a big gap in between my visits so I'm not sure if after they changed the physical size of the menus they also remove items. Maybe i'm just losing it.
(3)Erik N.
I love the breakfast food and the lunch sandwiches. You can not go wrong with a Choizo omlette and a side of guac! it's the best way to start a day. It's really the best diner I've ever been to and that's a lot.
(5)Lynette L.
Americana is a great place to go when either you don't know what you want to eat (because they have an extensive menu) or you're with a group (and their menu is large enough to accommodate all of the individuals). I liked everything I've ordered from here, but I never get a craving to actually go back for anything in particular. I've never walked out feeling like it was a waste of money, though. The food is solid, and the desserts are also very good. Service is decent. The place gets very busy and seems understaffed during peak hours.
(3)Michelle E.
After being in Montclair for a meeting, Dan and I needed to find late night dining. We hadn't been to Americana Diner in a while and decided to stop there. Aside from a few bar patrons, the lounge was mostly empty which was fine with us. The bartender was doing double duty as master drink maker and server for the evening. I began the meal with a Mark West Pinot Noir (delicious and I would highly recommend) and Dan had a gin martini. A favorite sandwich of Dan's has become a smoked salmon BLT. He was thrilled he was able to get it at Americana. The sandwich was a little heavy on the salmon but otherwise a delicious choice along with crispy fries. I've been trying to eat healthier (re: no fried foods) and momentarily thought about the options available to me on the menu but was sucked in by the chicken fingers. The five chicken fingers and fries arrived hot. The menu said they would come with honey mustard and the serve brought along two other sauces as well. The chicken fingers were a good size. I was full after 2 1/2 of them and decided to take the rest home for lunch the next day. No dessert for me tonight. All told, with 2 drinks each and dinner, we spent around $75 with tip. Don't let the name fool you. Americana Diner is more a restaurant with attached "lounge" than a diner. We prefer to eat in the lounge area because of the music and the close proximity to the bar. The place has changed ownership over the years but I always a consistently good meal there. This a great late night, fun place to go with friends or just the two of you. They always have good dance music playing in the lounge. P.S. The chicken fingers were quite tasty reheated the next day. Unfortunately, the server didn't include any of the honey mustard. I'll have to be sure to ask for sauce as well.
(4)J B.
Wonderful!!! The food is wonderful, fresh and the menu is updated often. The prices are affordable. They have online ordering that is easy to use. I have yet to find a place that cares for not only their customers but the quality of food that they serve.
(5)Bryan Y.
I have been coming here for years, great place for breakfast & lunch. Service and food quality is good, but I do miss the Mom & Pop quality back in the day.....talking about 15 years ago
(4)La L.
This is a solid NJ diner. We were in the area for one random reason or another and someone recommended this place to us. It's clean and has a huge menu of breakfast foods and sandwiches that you know you shouldn't be eating. Just the way I like my diners. Turkey burgers were good and the waitress was sweet. I'd return if I'm in the area again. I may have to find another reason to go all the way to this side of Jersey again!
(4)Greg Y.
Don't get me wrong, Americana used to be my (and my family's) go-to restaurant for get-togethers. But it's just not the same anymore.... has more of a wannabe-restaurant feel than a diner vibe. Management's been changed along with the all the good stuff: -Prices. Used to be that Americana could get you great food at a great price (typical diner workings). Food's still decent, but prices have climbed to the point where it's just not worth it anymore. -THE FRIES. They used to have THE BEST fries here. No questions asked. Just enough potato in them but had this incredible crispiness in every bite. Now they're just some generic potatoes that are only average. Bawww, I want the Americana that I know and (used to) love back.
(2)Danielle W.
No, no, no, no! My husband and I love to eat out...We go out on Saturday nights for date night and put aside money to celebrate our time together and enjoy good food. We heard about this place from The Skylark Diner, another restaurant owned by this man. We waited almost an hour to get in, once we were seated it took 20 minutes to get a drink. The people seated next to us warned us about the waitress but there were no other areas available. The food was okay but delivered cold! We never saw our waitress. People that came after our meal were complaining too. They did not receive the meals the actually ordered. What a disaster...
(1)Anthony B.
I absolutely love the Americana. They offer you a rewards card, so every time you spend money, there's a give back. The service is great! Servers offer great recommendations, the owner appears to hire managers for their personality, so if there is ever a problem managers seem to never forget that you are the customer. Finally, the food is plentiful and delicious. I've worked the Americana into my budget, as I am there at least 2X a week.
(5)Catherine S.
Definitely not your typical diner! Been coming here for a few months now and have never been disappointed. For breakfast, have tried several of the eggs dishes and all were excellent. For lunch, I love the grilled cheese, it is absolutely divine! Service is always good, even when busy. Also love the wide variety of sides.
(4)Doug M.
What an amazing restaurant in an amazing town! I saw on my phone that their menu included good vegetables & house made onion rings, so off we went. We had a light dinner. I got 4 sides: onion rings, broccolini, beets & a quinoa-apples-chick peas salad. My spouse had veggie soup. We loved it. Everything was beautifully served on rectangular plates. And all that was only $26! The next morning we ended up there again, when the restaurant we searched for was out of business, and it was excellent again! It was brunch & I got onion rings again, tasty home fries, & a little pile of tasty greens, gluten-free toast w/many slices of avocado & crushed red pepper flakes. My spouse had eggs & toast. We had a wonderful time. When we left, we asked for a menu to keep in the car so we'd remember to stop there again!
(5)Tara M.
Ok so it's been too long to remember the last time I've been here. I do however remember how insanely busy this place "used to be." With that said..let's get down to food. We stared at menu trying to figure it out. My friend knew what they wanted me on the other hand, had to be choosey due to dietary restrictions so it took longer. Server was right on point. We ordered n picked our sides. I was trying something interesting. I do love the fresh organic meals and the fact that the menu has a wide range buy also limits you if you have dietary issues. Now let's get down to the food.. My company ordered a grilled Ruben which looked heavily meaty and grilled perfectly. They said it was best they had in a long time and an order of homemade onion rings. I ordered the grilled salmon open face taco with a side of polenta chips. Salmon was a small piece of fish grilled perfectly seasonings were spot on. It was open face with pickled cucumber slivers, jalapenos, avocado and lemon yogurt and a flavorful rice, with a thin pita. It was awesome but when I was done I was looking for more. I do not believe it was worth the price, maybe if they're was more than one. The polenta chips came with a fresh marinara sauce that was really tasty. The homemade onion rings were delicious with the spicy horseradish sauce, very light and yummy. They also charge for sides $3.00. Which didnt Make Any sense. I do miss the old place menu. It was over priced for what it is and seems to be a special occasion/ lunch place. Not a every week kinda place, which is a shame. I would go back to try other things but not often. The salads looked really good as for burgers not worth what they charge for size of burger, the cow better poop gold. Like I said better off for breakfast/brunch n lunch.
(3)Allison S.
My favorite breakfast place. We moved to the area in late winter and I went there with my uncle who already knew about it ( he's from north jersey) and now I can't get enough of their pancakes... Best I have had in a long time!! I am trying to not eat carbs right now but once and awhile I will cheat for their pancakes. Hostess staff is always friendly. Almost all of the severs we've had were great, last time the guy was not great at customer service, but of course we will go back. I wish when you ask for water and a lemon that you would get ice water in a regular size glass.
(5)Laura H.
The Americana changed their menu awhile back. Don't get me wrong, the food is still very good.... But don't expect typical diner food with a huge menu. The Americana has definitely cut back on the items, only offering a large 2 page menu, not the typical 8 page diner menus. They offer nice fresh baked bread and butter while you wait for your meal. They have nice specials at a reasonable price, however, I find it a little pricey overall. The food is always very good, and the staff is friendly. They have a nice lounge area that offers a happy hour. Definitely worth a trip as long as you are not looking for a typical Jersey diner.
(4)Gary B.
We have lunch at the Americana 3 or 4 times a week. Food is very consistent and we get GREAT service. Cindy is the best server in the place, professional, no nonsense, just a very attentive server. When Cindy is not there, we request Erin who is also very attentive and gets high marks. The only issue beyond that is that after those two, you probably get average service, we've been spoiled though, average just doesn't cut it.
(4)Paul L.
Haven't been to the Americana in over a year. Moved back to town and couldn't wait to revisit this great diner. Sadly things have changed. The western burger had no flavor, most likely b/c it had no sauce, and was cooked super well done even tho we asked medium. They now put a small handful of fries on the side which is half what they use to. Only thing that hasn't changed was the price. $25 for 2 bad burgers and a handful of fries. I can get this type of food at the Wendy's down the road for half the price.
(2)L S.
Don't get me wrong the food here is good. The only problem I see is this place has no idea what it wants to be. Sometimes its a diner,somtime a restaurant. You can't be both in New Jersey. You stop in and decide for yourself, you will have a good meal while you do...but it won't be diner food.
(3)Rona L.
Americana Rounded up from 3.5 Overall okay Pretentious menu Save the scallops for Ramsey Smaller menu = win Good eggs Benedict Secret menu does exist Very pleasant staff
(4)John-Henry K.
Great place to come and eat at any hour. Solid breakfast and equally good lunch and dinner which is rare at a diner, however this place has become ludicrous with their prices. I think the burger was 12 bucks and they cut the portions to make it more artsy. You are a diner not a cafe, I want tons of food for a decent price not smoked salmon on rain bread for 35 dollars.
(4)Ben P.
Haven't had anything less than a very good meal but the newer reduced menu hasn't produced the excellent few that they were trying to achieve by concentrating on a core set of menu items. The much more extensive old menu seemed to produce superlative creative fare that seemed always fresh. Still this is gourmet diner fare. I'd rather go here than eat Mastoris' tired old dishes. Excellent service always.
(5)Beth L.
Used to be regular but stopped going over the last couple of years when the changed their menu. Just went back recently and can say it will be the last time. The menu is on a big piece of paper, regular "diner food " is not listed, instead they list "specially dishes like they are cafe. The food was ok, the service was bad, and we felt like we were on one big conveyor belt. Americana is a diner, Invest in real menus instead if the cheap paper that you guys hand out. Stop resting on your reputation, there are other places to eat around East Windsor that are better and cheaper than you guys are and the atmosphere is nicer. We won't be back any time soon.
(1)Carolyn I.
Fun diner to go to experience the diner feel. Very crowded and somewhat disorganized check-in process. The food was average and the waitress was not familiar with the menu. They gave us a fresh baked bread roll to take home with us which was delicious.
(3)Mike S.
Not a fan of this place, don't like the dinner or lunch. breakfast is so and so. Menu is so blah now, prices are higher. not worth it.
(1)Lucy L.
After the redecoration, this place had changed their menu trying to go chic ... But truthfully it's a nice try but somewhat of failed attempt. I had ordered the crepe, side of home fries and pork roll. Under cook crepe with overcooked strawberry filling... Best part of the dish is the banana bread and fresh fruits. Waiter is great so is the coffee.
(2)Penny T.
This restaurant is trying very hard not to be a diner. We hadn't eaten here in a year or two, and the new menu took us by surprise. Our waiter came over with a strange, arrogant attitude, which made us want to leave. We stayed, however, and hoped for the best. I ordered the soup of the day, split pea, and the fish and chips but asked them to substitute mashed potatoes for the fries. Split pea is my favorite soup, and this one was heavenly--not completely smooth, which was good, and not salty. It was served in a beautiful bowl with a serving plate and doily. I was impressed. We were also served a nice loaf of bread in an individual bag. Delicious, although if it had been served warm, that would have been a treat. My fish was luscious, hot, and crisp, and served with malt vinegar and homemade tartar sauce. The mashed potatoes were a little strange and tasteless. Maybe I should have accepted the fries. There was also a delicious salad on my plate, and it was perfection==not over dressed, and full of sliced cherry tomatoes, excellent lettuce, red onions, and diced cucumber. Husband ordered the veggie burger, which was made of beets and other ingredients. He loved it. He also agreed with me about the excellent soup. Our waiter disappeared for a while and returned with a new personality. He started making jokes and attempted to be very friendly. He gave us our check, which surprised me, since he didn't bother to ask if we wanted dessert, etc. I did want to try a dessert and told him so, and he promptly brought over a display tray of their desserts of the day. They all looked fabulous, and I finally chose the carrot cake. This is where they have made a brilliant decision... the dessert is an individual, cupcake size portion, which is a great idea if you would prefer a small treat. The carrot cake was tasty and moist, and we enjoyed sharing it. And, it was only $3. This is not your typical diner food or experience. We will be pleased to return.
(3)Christopher L.
Can't lose here! An excellent establishment that is flawlessly run and the menu changes very often. Always fresh ingredients, bakery on premises, ad pricing that is very reasonable.
(5)Nic H.
I love this place. It's like an American diner with a modern twist. Decor is neat, menu is creative and everything I've ordered off of here has been good. I've been here 4-5 times and will definitely be going back. Service is great and super-attentive. Can't believe this place doesn't have 5 stars!! I've had the french toast, seared ahi-tuna, and ham sandwich - all of which were good. Definitely one of the best lunch places in East Windsor. If you're looking for a $5 meal, don't go here, but otherwise, it's a fantastic spot. Prices average about $10 for lunch.
(5)Eva W.
My favorite brunch spot, but great any day of the week at any time. Their Bloody Mary's are top notch, and I highly recommend the poached eggs florentine. Can get very busy on Sundays after 11, but the wait is never more than 15 minutes. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
(5)Pete D.
Three out of five stars, yes. I would have rated it higher if there were combo options for breakfast. e.g. I wanted eggs and pancakes. The prices are a little high so I didn't want to pay $8 for one pancake. Who would? Regardless, the food was very good, the place is nice and the staff was quite attentive. I had the huevos rancheros but wanted a little more on the plate for $11.
(3)Robert S.
I gave it another try but the Americana Diner is way overpriced and the food doesn't do it for me. Since when does an omelette not come with home fries? I guess it's on the breakfast menu and my fault for not noticing but couldn't you include something other than 2 tired looking roasted tomatoes? Will not be going back.
(2)Jim P.
Expect an experience very different than that of a traditional American diner. In a good way! Sure, the physical layout is diner inspired, but similarities stop there. The atmosphere is a nice mix of pleasantly casual and mildly formal, several notches up from roadside chow wagon. The staff are friendly and service oriented. And the food is always fantastic. High quality ingredients, nice dishes meticulously prepared. Someone is definitely watching the quality, as they turn out consistently good food. All considered, the place is a bargain as well. We always look forward to a meal at Americana, and really have never been disappointed.
(5)A L.
We went here for Sunday brunch. I had the Cinnamon French Toast and it was good. Hubs had the Vegetable omelet and thought it was good, too. Daughter had Poached Eggs Florentine and loved it. She also ordered Hot Apple Cider which came along with a cinnamon stick on the side and loved it. This place is a fancy diner. Prices are a little high but worth it! Service was great too! Only sticking point was when I tried adding points to the loyalty card, it said my account was frozen. I asked why and I was told it was because I haven't been there for 3 months. Glad I caught that because our waitress didn't tell me that!
(4)Nadia B.
Great ambiance and nice service! Latte was decent and not spectacular, but we ordered a decently priced fudge brownie that was delicious. They also have the "designer special" chocolates with unique flavors and we ordered four different ones... at 1.50 a piece we were not overly pleased.. The napoleon was nice as well.... I will try coming back for actual food but we enjoyed our desserts and ambiance and is a great spot (especially the back lounge portion) for just hanging out.
(4)Jason E.
Sometimes I forget to Yelp about the places I go to all the time, of which I'm a huge fan. This is one of those circumstances. This particular review was prompted by the fact that I just left a sister property, The Skylark in Edison, NJ. What a disappointment. Take a look at that review here: yelp.com/biz/skylark-din… In direct contrast, the Americana Diner gets it right nearly every time, with one exception: the hollandaise sauce isn't really hollandaise sauce. I can guarantee that the first three ingredients are not clarified butter, egg yolks and lemon juice. But I digress... Their corned beef hash is one of the best in the area. Their frittatas are phenomenal. The Mediterranean salad is killer. In fact, I can't think of a time where I ever had a bad meal here. And I have had MANY. Oh, and don't forget the bloody Marys. Excellent. I always ask for some extra horseradish on the side, though. I'm a fan. For a local diner, it's excellent. The service is great, every time. The people are nice, attentive and friendly. If you're looking for a diner in Mercer County, it's truly the only destination worthy of a person with a discerning palate. Oh! There's one exception to that: Teddy's in Cranbury, if you like more of a local feel, and LOVE corned beef hash. I'll be Yelping about Teddy's next :-). UPDATE: Here's the link to my Teddy's review: yelp.com/biz/teddys-lunc…
(5)Dee L.
We love to stop here after work to unwind at their lounge. The mixed drinks are yummy, but lethal! Their bartenders know what they're doing! The food is awesome, the servers are always attentive and know the menu.
(5)Tom S.
My normal stop after podiatrist visit with mom. Food & service are always top notch. I went with the veggie pannini which was delicious. A little smaller it appeared to me from last year when the Mrs ordered it. Love the loaf of bread & butter given when seated. Bread is so good I bought 5 loaves to take home & share with loved ones. Pricey but you have to treat yourself sometimes. 30+ beans for above, omelette, coffee, soda,OJ & tip.
(4)F. C.
We have lived in East Windsor for about 20 years so we have frequented this diner many, many times. Over the past 3 years or so we keep commenting how disappointed we are. Their takeout portions are getting smaller and smaller and they seem to be charging extra for every little thing. Today I visited for breakfast with a friend and our waitress was very lacking. She had a disinterested attitude, would forget things, and when she couldn't be found, we looked over and she was reading a magazine at the counter. When we asked for more jelly, she literally rolled her eyes. She brought out more homemade marmalade and pear jelly? I just wanted a little smear of Smuckers! We were informed they don't carry that anymore. They are not a diner any more. If you're looking for something more, I guess this is it, but give me back the old Americana
(2)Paul C.
The Americana is my favorite place to eat in East Windsor. As far as diners go it's great. The menu is almost too big and they cook most of their items without too much oil. Hash browns taste like potatoes, not olive oil. And sure, the eggs suffer from diluting down with water, but that's pretty standard for diners. They also have a good salad selection with a gorgonzola-cranberry-mixed greens combo that hits the spot.
(4)Camaron A.
This place is in the Top 10 of my favorite New Jersey diners. I was here recently after nearly 10 years and it was just as good. I have eaten dinner here a few times and have tried a few items. My favorite dinner items would be the Lobster Mac n Cheese and the Gorgonzola Stuffed Burger. My favorite course here is breakfast, their omelettes are nothing short of amazing and they are HUGE! The Monte Bianco and Irish Omelettes are my favorites. They are fresh , full of flavor and extremely filling. Staff is always helpful and attentive. Prices are reasonable considering the huge portions. If you find yourself on Route 130 , stop in for a bite, you won't be disappointed day or night.
(4)Howard K.
Went here last night and will never go back! They should take DINER off their name. They are now trying to be an upscale bistro. The typical diner menu has been replaced by a limited selection menu with offerings like carpaccio, ahi tuna etc. oh they still have hamburgers and sandwiches for $11-$12 each. The last straw was when I asked the waitress for a slice if cheesecake and she said ,"we don't make cheesecake anymore, it's sad". Good thing there are a myriad of diners left to try in NJ.
(1)Laurie L.
Stopped in for a quick lunch on the way home from VA. Heard about the place from a dinners drive-ins and dives site. It was very good. For us, the standout was the bread. I had a veggie panini. It was as good as I think it could be. The cheese was flavorful and salty, with roasted peppers, basil, and garlic spread. It came with a side and I asked for home fries which were really super crispy hash browns. Husband had grilled chicken Caesar. It looked standard and he enjoyed it as did our daughter. She had a breakfast sandwich; egg, cheese, pork roll (looked like Canadian bacon) and it came with fruit. None of us were in the mood for pancakes, etc. but they looked really good. The desserts looked very good as well, but we were too full.
(4)Steve M.
Ok, short and sweet. I still love thid place. Service remains freindly, attentitive and fast. Qualiry of food is quite good. So, what are my complaints? They have become too fancy schmancy for their own good. Selectio n has been cut and dides tat you can add, are priced to aggressively. This restaurant has an identity crisis. Too fancy to be a diner, and too diner to be a restaurant. I always loved the cliche that only wet babies like change. They need to learn that lesson. Too many changes too often. Fair warning: stop with all the damn changes, and be oroud of who you are. The new dinner up the street has a wayy to go quality wise, but more and more people have been stepping down in quality in ordervto get what they want. Americana no longer caters to what people want. Fix yourself before its too late.
(3)Mar P.
What can I say? I have been a "regular" here for the past 12 years...I have never been unhappy with anything that I have ordered. The new Friday night/lounge/jazz is phenomenal....these artists are so talented, and make good 'ol East Windsor look good on a Friday night!
(5)Hihihi h.
I am only leaving a 3 star review in hopes that the management sees this and re-evaluates their staff. The food is 5 star in my opinion, but the service is more like 2 stars. My boyfriend and I used to have a "tradition" of going there once every other week since, but in the past 5 months or so we have been there once. I can honestly say it's because the thought of the service really puts us off and we end up not making the trip. Every visit since the beginning of 2014 our orders come out completely wrong. The waiter or waitresses who take the order never deliver the food, so you have to sit there and looking around trying to find where your server is hiding. They must hang out in the kitchen a lot because it usually takes a solid 5 minutes (sometimes longer) to flag them down or even grab a busboy and ask them to get the server. Once after having to ask someone to get my waiter, he came over and when I explained I did not order the chicken sandwich (I have been vegetarian for 5 years, so I am 100% positive it was not what i ordered) he went on to tell me that that was, in fact, what I ordered. I had to convince him it wasn't what I ordered before he switched it. By the time the dish I actually ordered came out, my boyfriend was done eating and I was pretty pissed off. This is has happened 4-5 times (no exaggeration!) since February 2014 -- I will either get the wrong thing, the wrong side, or it will have toppings on it I specifically asked for them to leave off. I also don't know if this part comes from management or just poor service - waiting for your check is a 15 minute process. This is another huge reason we stopped going. The fact half of the visit our drinks sit empty and we have to physically get up and ask for our server and then get stuck having to leave a decent tip because this place has New York prices. THAT SAID, the food is really great. The bread they give you is always so good and I can't say I have ever had an issue with the food, it's consistently good. They also change their menu a lot which is really nice since there is a nice selection. The drinks are also pretty cheap and made pretty strong. I can honestly say and I tell this to a lot of people I think this is one of the best restaurants in the area, it's really food that compares to more of a restaurant in NYC in terms of quality and variety.
(3)Chris H.
I've been coming to Americana Diner for several years. I always ordered the usual pancakes, or French toast. I have many good memories at this diner. However, for the past few years I have been avoiding this food hub. Americana Diner gets ridiculously crowded Especially on weekends. The noise level is so bad, I wasn't able to communicate with my friend who was sitting all of 2ft away from me. I just wanted to eat and leave! The waitress I had recently was a doll she was very friendly and had a strong voice. I recommend going on a week day before 3pm, Other wise pick the metallic textured diner up Route 130, the food is good there too!
(3)Sam S.
I was very excited to try the new menu and I have to say the food was just subpar. The koftas lamb app was extremely over salty and was promptly returned. The bean soup supposedly had meat balls I never found one. Barely finished it.. Ordered the pasta with shrimp, Mussels, clams and fish.. Very tiny portion of pasta.. Pasta is cheap unless perhaps it was homemade but I'm pretty sure it wasn't but the big bummer was the the seafood portion 3 clams 2 were missing 2 mussels 2 shrimp and no fish to be found at all. When I brought this to the waitresses attention all she did was shrug and apologize. I asked if she spoke to the manager, she said yes but apparently they couldn't be bothered to come to the table to rectify the situation.. The dish was $19 and I would have paid more if I could have received a substantial plate with the correct seafood..Totally ridiculous.... The polenta sticks are good but thats about it. The free dessert thing is lame, confusing and the portion is tiny. I did call the manager after we left apparently she never even knew of an issue.. Poor communication among staff.. She was nice enough to ask what she could do but I've yet to decide if I want a refund or will i give the place another try.. we were missing soup spoons, no bread plates. etc The service is fine, but not great considering this really isn't a diner anymore.. The place seemed pretty empty to me it was once a bustling fun place... They need a major staff, food overhaul if their going to make it.. I definitely like the idea of the juice bar and grass fed meats but if its not executed correctly whats the point...
(1)Tom R.
This place has gone down hill over the years. It used to be my favorite diner. Now they're trying to become too fancy. They now offer delivery, but don't bother... The delivery fees are outrageous! On my most recent visit there was an issue with moldy bread. They were quick to resolve the issue, stated they would check the rest of the bread and were kind enough to comp the entire meal - hence the reason this is not a 1 star review. I understand that mistakes happen, but that makes you wonder about the quality of the rest of the food that they serve.
(3)danielle G.
What a great diner! Clean, great food and service. Also, while diners usually have literally anything you want, this place has more of a "build your own" type menu which I absolutely love since I usually amend menu items!
(5)Anj P.
So surprised! Food is so much better here than I remembered from a few years ago. The grilled lamb was superb. I ate almost everything on the plate (I stopped myself from gnawing on the bone). Appetizer sampler was delicious too. I will definitely come back one of these days.
(5)Robyn Z.
oh Americana! you and i go way back....back so far i'm not actually sure when the first time i went was. but this place has been there for everything, family meals, brunch on senior cut day, post musical late night food, late night marching band snacks, and the long standing favourite for breakfast with family and friends alike. in fact this is the first place i brought my boyfriend when he came to meet my family a year ago (and yes he loved it!) there are so many things to say about Americana, i actually don't know how to write a proper review of this place. i love all their options, eggs with bacon and huge pancakes that are literally the size of the entire place, omelettes that are loaded up with tasty ingredients served with a huge side of delicious hash browns and big thick pieces of french toast drenched in maple syrup. oh, breakfast isn't your thing? that's ok, you can have a burger with literally any topping you can think of, or what about a club sandwich with hand carved turkey and crispy bacon on thick fresh white bread, or a huge fresh salad with lots of grilled chicken and chopped veggies and blue cheese. make your own sandwich if you want choosing that awesome turkey, or lean pastrami and corned beef, add some cheese and toppings and put it all on toasted rye bread. this place has proper meals as well, i don't think i've acutally ever ordered one though. there are also awesome starters like quesadillas or mozarella sticks or bruschetta or nachos and some fancier items now that this place has decided to go all upper crust. actually, the only reason that Americana isn't getting my five star review is that over recent years it's started getting a bit of a big head and has tried to run away form its diner roots. prices have gone up and portions have gone down and fancier items have found their way onto the menu. you can still ask for your old favourites ever if they don't feature, but i don't like the new uppity atmopshere. this place is a diner, you go here for good food served quick at a good price. no need to change a system that works. i still love Americana though i can't help it i can get breakfast there at any time of day! and any place that serves me pancakes for dinner at 8pm holds a very special spot in my heart.
(4)J D.
Best diner in the TRI state area. My son, a cheeseburger nut, says they are the best anywhere. I may have to agree. Pretty much everything is absolutely amazing. And the atmosphere is high end. I really love this place.
(5)Sal V.
This use to be a real diner now it's a want-to-be upscale city restaurant. Over priced small portions. To be fair the food was very good, just not a lot of it , none of the perks that come with a diner meal. Another place to cross off the list
(2)Massimo C.
Pros: quality of food was good and decor was very nice. The place is very clean and quite busy. Cons: price is on a high side (higher than the usual Diner) and the menu is limited to 1 page. Not much choice.
(3)Phil G.
If your in the area you have to stop and check this place out. This Diner is on my 5 top Diner's List for sure. The MENU is only one page.... for a Diner that's odd the Diner Menu is usually 5 miles long. However only having one page is nice because they change it to put on specials and other seasonal dish. They give you this crusty bread to start that is out of this world. As I sat there looking at all the food that was coming out and was thinking to my self That looks good I'll order that next time. I had Pork Chop Special it was Super !!!!! Out of bounds!!!!!!! ALL VERY FRESH and All Sides Home Made not out of a Box or Can. Also had the Fish Taco special SUPER Fresh Very good!!! If your local to this place get a reward card. TRY it and let me know what you think!
(5)Michael M.
Warning! Not a diner! A very good restaurant. But $11 for a ham sandwich, as tasty as it may be, is not why I go to a diner. The word restaurant only appears on the menu, nowhere on the building! Serve what you like Americana, but be yourself.
(3)Rikke B.
Went on a Sunday early dinner. Food was great and staff was friendly and attentive. Overall a great experience.
(4)Rajiv H.
I am giving 2 stars only because the staff is very courteous. I read another reviewer saying that they are trying hard not to be a diner ... not sure why? When you are named as a diner, one expects diner food! The Paella was nothing like a Paella. This is a typical case of fusion gone wrong.
(2)Allie L.
Better than average diner. I was impressed by the waitstaff as they were genuinely nice & seemed happy to be working there. The space is big with several dining rooms & they have outdoor seating as well! The menu is big with lots of choices...we got the Huevos Rancheros, Belgian Waffles & Filet Mignon Benedict. The portions were filling & big...we ended up packing doggy bags for 2 of our orders. We also ordered tea & I liked the little tea pot/holder the tea was brewed in.
(4)Jim M.
This place is not your average diner, which I like! The offerings are very eclectic, with tons of organic grass fed options that you would never think of at a diner. The idea is there, but the execution wasn't. Had soup, which was decent, a greek salad, which they forgot the cheese and Ordered the grass fed ribeye mid rare came out well. Definitely has a great deal of potential, I'll have to come back for breakfast.
(3)Matt K.
I've been coming to the Americana for nearly 25 years. It's changed quite a bit in that time, from a frumpy old diner to a retro-styled diner with high-end bistro flair. Yet, with the exception of one change (downsizing portions and eliminating dinner salads, though they dropped prices too), this diner has been consistently excellent. In recent years, sure the menu has shrunk, but the menu options have improved in creativity and quality. The flavor palette has grown more exotic, and the menu shorter, while still maintaining the essence of a diner. Though its not for everyone, diner "purists" take heart - you can still have breakfast all day. Oh, and they start by bringing their house-made bread, cloaked in a brown paper bag. It's delicious, and the bag makes it convenient to take along with your leftovers. It's a great touch.
(4)Jymi H.
Back in the day, Americana was awesome. It was like your everyday normal diner. It was cheap, gave big portions and tasty. Now i feel like it's changed so much and unfortunately not for the better. As a local and many other locals, we don't go here anymore. It almost feels like a chain restaurant rather then a diner. The menu selection is very confusing and very pricey! It tries to be fancy (pairing wine?!) yet it's suppose to be a diner...hmmm =\ It's just not the same.
(2)Zulay V.
I always enjoy this diner. Very clean, lovely menus, great service, tasty food More of an upscale diner (part of the same group as the Skylark), so the prices are a little higher than a standard jersey diner, but its nice for going out with co-workers or to a nice meal versus a quick diner stop. The bread they bring to the table is SOOO good.. it's usually a raising baguette served with salted butter. Really tasty. I usually get their salads... the Mexican salad is very hearty, especially with the chorizo.
(4)Tom D.
My wife doesn't go to diners. Tonight my wife suggested we go to the Americana Diner...and I was glad that she did. She only recently came here with her mom, an appeasement, and with co-workers, she was out voted, and now with me. Let's start like we did, this diner has drinks, alcohol! My wife started with her usual wine, me with my usual Margarita. They serve their $7 Margarita in a water glass and it's not all mixer and ice. My wife also tried the white Sangria, she liked her wine better. She got a salad with chicken, her favorite. Tonight I tried the Russian Turkey Club that also had corned beef, pastrami, bacon and cole slaw on it. Alright, I didn't find it in the healthy suggestion column but it was just as good as I had figured it would be. On an earlier visit I had the boneless pork chop with coleslaw and a blueberry salsa...oh yeah, that was excellent! Like many diners baking is done on premises, their bread is also excellent. Not noisy at all, it does get crowded but it's a large diner with plenty of tables and booths. Very reasonably priced, those pork chops I mentioned $16! Their deserts are good too but usually we're too full.
(4)Marc L.
This is my go-to restaurant when driving the New Jersey turnpike to NYC (or elsewhere) from DC. It's 5-10 minutes off the highway and worth the small detour.Good service, clean, friendly, professional. Menu has some innovative items that one wouldn't expect at a typical diner. I tend to get the same thing each time (lox-egg-onion omelette) because it's so great, and when I've departed from my 'usual' and try something new, it's always good.
(4)Lucy C.
Haven't come here in a while and were surprised Americana got rid of their huge fold-up menus. The new menu seemed to have a lot less choices, which may or may not be a bad thing. It was late but we were in the mood for breakfast. We ordered some sandwiches and omelettes. Everything was good but nothing was spectacular--typical diner food. I remember their milkshakes to be pretty good though/
(3)Jay R.
I have found my new favorite local diner. For those of you looking for a diner to go to with quality food beyond late night bar fare---this is your place. Management makes an attempt to really adjust the menu based upon the availability of ingredients and to spice things up. The menu has something for everyone. During my visits I have had both breakfast and lunch items. My favorite so far has been the stuffed french toast with blue berries and mascarpone cheese. It was delicious--not too sweet and I didn't need to add any syrup. Also, I am not one who focuses on presentation, but the presentation at Americana is excellent. In my visits I can tell that this is something that they focus on.
(4)Rita R.
Never disappoints! Not a true diner, you won't find your basic diner items but you will enjoy the food.
(4)M D.
Went here for a quick bite for lunch one day. I would describe it as a more upscale diner, rather than the more divey Jersey diner. They have freshly baked bread, which is really quite tasty. The menu is your typical diner fare. Had a plate of onions rings for an appetizer, which were homemade and crispy, although a bit too oily. I had a French Dip for an entree that was very good. Overall, its on the pricier side of diners, but the food was good, as was the service. Would recommend.
(4)Steve N.
it's atypical diner fare but it's pretty good
(3)Bruce S.
We have been going to Americana for many years and I regret to say it has gone downhill. The menu used to be many pages with lots of choices as is typical of most Jersey diners. Now the menu is just one large sheet of paper with limited choices. Salads used to come with most meals at no extra charge. Now if you want a house salad, you have to pay extra no matter what you order. The portions have also been reduced on the few remaining entree choices. On our visit this week, my wife had the chicken francaise. It was only two small pieces of chicken, so she ended up ordering (and paying extra for) a Skylark salad. The salad was OK. I had a Mexicali burger, which is a hamburger topped with jack cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo. The toppings were small portions and the guacamole not very tasty. And the pico topping was almost non-existent. The hamburger bun was nothing special. I have much better hamburgers at other places and even here in the past. We are not sure we will be going back anymore.
(2)Bruce S.
Great food. I try to come here when visitng friends over this way.
(4)Seth C.
It's NOT a typical diner (although they can make most things that a diner would have on a menu) they have gone "upscale" quite a bit (the effects of the Craig Shelton influence a while back). They have great breakfasts, and really good dinner entrees which are nicely plated like a more formal restaurant (don't expect the standard diner soup-salad-dessert-with-entree type deal).
(4)Jaime G.
The name of the Americana is very misleading. The name say diner and the outside decor screams diner, but in realty, this is not a diner. It is much more expensive than any diner I have ever been to and the food is OK at best. Service is hit or miss. I wouldn't recommend if you are looking for a diner. That being said, the brunch here is alright. Be careful with the way items are priced, you can pay $8 or $10 for the same omelette depending on how it is ordered.
(2)Erin P.
The rich grits is one of the best dishes I've eaten. Seafood spaghetti was perfection... just enough to fill me with an incredible buttery garlic sauce.
(4)Brian C.
I had the sea salt crusted rib eye and while it tasted ok I thought could have had a little more marbling. I was also a little surprised at how thinly it was sliced. I like my steaks on the medium to rare side and with the steak sliced so thin I don't know how they couldn't have over cooked it. Overall it was just and average meal with an above average price tag.
(3)Linda A.
This used to be a 5 star diner. I used to eat here at least once a week. It was great. I don't know what happened. They changed the menu and the service and the food. It is not the same. I am no longer a regular customer. They removed many of my favorites from the menu.
(2)Sam T.
Amazing food for a diner. Great for quick, good food. I have been eating there for over 5 years, and I have always had good experiences. As good as it gets when it comes to diners. I guess the only knock is that during busy times there is a long wait. I guess that can be considered a good thing since it's that popular.
(5)Gregg B.
Ate here before heading the the Halloween attraction "Field of Terror." Food was great. We got a mix of breakfast like French toast (crunchy and plain) omelettes and I got the Gorgonzola roast beef sandwhich, which I highly recommend. Bread was delicious. Definitely more of a gourmet type dinner. Priced reasonably and even had some craft brews on the menu. We all agreed we would definitely go back if in the area again.
(4)Jarett C.
The is no better diner in NJ....
(5)Lisa H.
I just ate there yesterday and something was off. I noticed they changed their menu on June 24th so maybe they sold it or got a new chef? Anyway, I wasn't giving me that "comfort food", "great diner feel" anymore. All I wanted was a hot, open-faced turkey sandwich and I didn't like what I got. I got some sweet potato hash which had way too much sage in it, the turkey meat was good but there was no gravy on the mashed potatoes. When I got the gravy, it tasted like it was out of a jar. My friends had breakfast items and complained about their meals too. They need to go back to the basics and do old school diner food. BTW, I was here for breakfast a couple of weeks ago and the corned beef hash was awful. It had some terrible spice in it, yuck. They need to go back to the basics and do old school diner food.
(2)Steve V.
This place deserves 4 1/2 Stars. This is not you everyday average Diner. This place is Gourmet without a doubt. Came here with a customer for lunch while I was in town. I was impressed when we first walked in the have a great bar, and the decor was nice. You just know your getting a good meal when you sit down. I had a salad to start with blue cheese, it was killer. I also had Grilled Salmon it was done perfect and was really good. Frank suggested we get a Tiramisu... he said it was the best around, and I have to agree with him. If your in the area and want to eat at a diner that offers you more... Americana is the way to go.
(4)Gina W.
This place has REALLY gone downhill in the past few years...I've been frequenting Americana for about 8-10 years now, and over the past couple of years, the price has gone way up while the taste of the food and the quality of service has gone down, which is really sad, because I grew up with this place... The only things worth paying for on the menu right now, that have stayed consistently delicious, are the matzos ball soup and the key lime pie(I've always hated key lime pie, except for the one at Americana--served with rich raspberry sauce, it's incredible!)
(2)Steven T.
As someone who was spoiled on Chicago breakfast joints, it is nice to find a decent breakfast place.....even if it is a diner.
(3)Mitch L.
I was not as impressed with this place as I was with Prestige Diner. The prices were high. The service was good. My food was good. The salad was not so good. Just field greens..would have enjoyed more in my salad. Pork chops were okay but a little chewy. I have made better at home. This cost me more than 20 dollars so I will be going back to Prestige. May try here for breakfast as I work in the area. It seems like they are trying to be gourmet and they are not !!!
(3)Adam M.
I went to this place with a few friends after a "daycation" to six flags. For a diner, the Americana is very good. The menu has the basic diner essentials like burgers and stuff.....and some very good looking specialty eclectic foods like Italian specialties. The decor in the place is very nice and clean and up to date, altho the outside still has a campish feel (which I love). I had a plain bacon cheddar burger, which for a diner...was very good. clearly very fresh and not frozen mean with a good flavor. One of my friends ordered a French toast dish with a lot of whipped cream and bananas, I'm not big on bananas but I tasted it and the French toast itself was to DIE for. I wish I lived closer to this place, I'd frequent there if I could.
(4)Bryant R.
Great, eclectic menu. Lots of stuff you would not find at your usual diner. Cool decor, nice bar. Servers are attentive and polite. Cute waitresses. A bit pricey though.
(4)Charles W.
I started going to this diner a few months back. Usually I go once a week after my late work nights for a martini or two and dinner. Their martinis are decent, and it's usually bustling, but not so much that there's a long wait. I've had various items from their regular menu and the specials, some of which changes on a weekly basis. I gotta say the quality of this diner in terms of ingredients is a lot higher than your average diner. The sauces are flavorful, such as a whiskey glazed scallop I ordered, and the vegetables and salads are always fresh. The chef must have gone to culinary school or something, because in addition to standard diner fare, such as burgers (which are excellent), they have more inventive dishes such as the aforementioned scallops, braised Argentinian style short ribs, and inventive wraps and salads. The only thing I will say that is negative is that for some dishes the portions seem small for the price, while other dishes seem like better values. But everything is delicious. One time I did order something which they called a sloppy joe, but it was more like corned beef/roasted beef/turkey sandwich with some sort of mustard and mayonnaise, but not at all a sloppy joe in any way, shape or form. Still good though. Definitely a place one must try, and if you live in the area, it's worth signing for their free member card to earn bonuses and stuff.
(4)Carriellen A.
Excellent service, fresh and tasty food, very clean. Homemade marmalade - delicious!
(5)katie p.
this is the best diner i have ever been to in my life. i almost feel like a dick calling it a diner, because it far surpasses that. my only problem with this joint is that it's not open 24 hours. other than that, it can do no wrong in my eyes. every salad i have had there is incredibly awesome, and i've had most of them. they are huge and fill you up. they make a killer greek salad especially. the lounge area in the back is BANANAS, guys!! if you go there, you've gotta sit in the lounge!!! it makes you feel like you are in the bar in "the shining". it's all orange and dark green, dimly lit, and looks very sixties. nice and swanky! i love the atmosphere! not only that, but they make EXCELLENT girl drinks! nice strong ones with festive fruit in them. i know some people on here have somewhat complained about it being a little too fancy, or expensive, but the truth is that you get what you pay for, and i feel like the pricing is definitely up to par with the food. what diner can you get seared ahi tuna bites at? THAT ARE ACTUALLY EXCELLENT? nowhere! go here all the time, as much as you can. it's the best!
(5)S M.
As far as diners go, the Americana is the best in the area. Plus it has a liquor license, healthy meal choices, and a "lounge" area that sometimes plays live music. . I get the matzoh ball soup every time I go for lunch or dinner, and they have filling, interesting salads as well as many other items you may not see on your typical diner menu. My husband and I have been going there for years, and the service and food are always good. While perhaps not as inexpensive as a traditional diner, it is still reasonable and I feel that the food is of better quality rather than that of a "greasy spoon."
(4)Robyn H.
Grew up eating here. Not bad, as diners go. I've heard they've upgraded, but I haven't been there in a while and haven't seen it. Good breakfast, and a nice comfy atmosphere, as I recall.
(3)Janelle M.
Overall, I give the Americana Diner three stars - but their omelets are worth four stars. This isn't a typical Jersey diner, as they try to be a bit more restaurant-ish. Also, it's a bit too clean and brightly lit for the full Jersey diner experience - oh, and there's a martini bar attached to it - which really throws off the diner thing. Anyway, if you're from Jersey, you know what I'm saying - if not, and you really want to see why Jersey is called "The Diner State" (this is one of the nicer names), then you need to be hitting some diners up North anyway to have an authentic diner experience. Ok, back to Americana - the food is average. They try to get a little fancy here offering more than the staple diner menu items. I will say, however, that the quality and the presentation of the food is of a much higher class than the typical late-night grease pit. I frequent Americana for breakfast only, as I am obsessed with their omelets. I order the same thing, each and every time - Egg White Farmer's Omelet (califlower, broccoli, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, and mushrooms) with well-done home fries and seven-grain toast. So good! They use several eggs and create this perfectly done, 3-inch high, non-greasy omelet. Well done, Americana! So, I'm vouching for this place for breakfast - or at least for omelets - if you're ordering anything else, you're on your own ;)
(3)Scott W.
I grew up going to this place and hadn't been there in a few years, I ordered a pork roll egg and cheese and asked for it on a hard roll which is typically what you eat them on in diners, the waiter looked at me like he'd never heard of a hard roll so I told him to give it to me on a burger bun which was a hard roll, it still came out on the wrong roll and he took it back and was gone for ten minutes replacing the roll, my home fries were cold when he finally came back. The pork roll was some off brand they never used to use and there was only 2 thin pieces on the entire sandwich. It was pretty terrible, I don't know of they've changed ownership recently but the food there now sucks, the bathroom was disgusting and there was puke all over the seat and floor to which I added my own since I was hungover from new years, you know if food doesn't taste good when you're hungover then you've got a serious problem, I won't be going back to this place ever again
(1)Deborah H.
This was one of my HS hangout joints, but it's changed a lot since then. First off, the menu is now very wannabe Cheesecake Factory-ish. They added a couple dining rooms that are kinda chic and on the nicer end. The diner fare is generally very good (burgers, sandwiches, breakfast foods), and they've tried branching out to higher class food, as I discovered last weekend. Results are a little mixed there, but I enjoyed the avocado-crab appetizer (which was rather expensive at 12$. At a diner!). And my heart broke when I'd discovered they changed the Chinese Chicken Salad. Gone are the buckwheat noodles, mushrooms, and subtly tart salad dressing. In are the crispy fried taco shells (?!?!?), pineapples, and creamy dressing. I almost cried. And a little part of me died when I found out they no longer serve coconut cream pie. Alas. Woe is me.
(3)Mary R.
This place is great. My husband and I have been there for breaksfast. My mom, son and I went for lunch last week. The food is always delicious, hot and comes fast. The give huge portions. There are people there with babies, young, old, kids everyone. I would recommend to anyone for a great meal. The staff is friendly and very courteous.
(5)Francesca C.
Everything I have ever ordered here has been fabulous. I would suggest checking out the Lounge Dining, totally different experience. It has a romantic atmosphere and bring you warm home-cooked bread with every meal...They also have specials with wine.
(5)L H.
Americana is really a restaurant that has a few diner booths, big desserts, and bfast all day. It is supercrowded dinners & weekend bfast. At diners I stick to diner food, but here I've tried some veggie entree, crepes, etc. Some tables for two are jammed in so if you get a loudtalker next to you, yuk. Has a martini bar. I just had bananas foster waffles, really good. Waiter did not really speak to us or smile.
(3)B D.
I will admit that after not going to a few months, I tend to go back one more time, and then not again for a while. I like the omelets and the pancakes, and my favorite is the OJ - fresh. I have been to many places, where the price is quite high, and this place is no step behind. However, the service isn't always the best. I think that my experience has depended on the service. Recently I went and ordered an omelet that wasn't quite what I expected, so I told the server; he was like "that is ...!!!", where ... is the type of meat I expected in the omelet. When it comes to food, you know that we have certain expectations, and this guy was trying to convince me that I was wrong, that the omelet was fine! Heck no! Anyways, I asked the server for eggs over easy, but I did notice he was not too happy about it. Why? I don't know. I was a server once, and served at much better places and know that if the costumer doesn't like something, and is nice about it, it usually is because they had other expectations - no big deal, it was just an omelet. But this particular server was like taking it personal - I will not eat something that takes different that I expected. I think that because they have been in business for so long, they no longer care to have superb service and food. It was definitely better about 5 years ago.
(3)J J.
The good: inexpensive, big portions, choices that go beyond the usual diner fare, large menu, lots of cocktails, lots of tables. The bad: way too cold inside, not particularly kid-friendly, darkly lit, service friendly and generally good but also on the slow side, the cake we ordered was very dry, limited tea and coffee options---not even listed on the menu.
(3)Jim M.
I've been going here for decades and love it. I think they made a big mistake letting Craig Shelton mess with their classic diner menu. I haven't been back to see if it's returned, but have to say that you cannot go wrong with breakfast anytime of day.
(4)Daria C.
Until about a year ago, I would have given Americana five stars. Sadly, they've decreased the size of their menu AND increased the prices. They're more of a fusion restaurant now, really, with lots of Asian inspired dishes peppered with the American ones, rather than a true diner. When I ate meat, I'd always get the omelettes or the turkey burger. The portions are HUGE; be prepared to take something home! I'm not a fan of the fries; they're battered and kind of strange. Lots of people like them, though. If you become a regular here, the wait staff will get to know you. Most of them are really sweet; very fast and efficient. A few duds, but again if you're a regular you know who to avoid. Desserts are excellent and available either to eat in or take away from the counter. Bathrooms are usually clean. If the one in the main restaurant area is closed for cleaning, there's another set in the back, by the martini lounge. The drinks are large and well-made. Nothing here is as cheap as it is at a regular Jersey diner, but I don't mind paying a little extra when it's a special occasion (and breakfast is always cheaper if you're on a strict budget). Be forewarned that there can be a VERY packed crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. I don't know if they take phone reservations, but I'd recommend it if you have to eat here during those times.
(4)Rafael Q.
Not your typical diner and the menu constantly changes which is great for those of us locals. I have been going to Americana for well over 15 years and they are constantly reinventing themselves. How many diners you know have a frequent diner club card. Once you go to Americana this will be your benchmark as to how other diners should be run. Ample parking, fairly priced most of the time you get seated right away. The longest I have had to wait even on holidays is 20 minutes.
(4)Matthew D.
We are semi-regulars here -- family lives nearby -- and it's a pretty good example of that (unique to New Jersey?) institution of the mega-diner. It is huge, often packed, and offers a big, interesting and well-executed combination of both diner staples and what you would probably consider to be "standards" of new(ish) American, Tex-Mex, family-style Italian, Americanized Greek, and a couple of other cuisines I can't recall off-hand. No complaints.
(3)andrew h.
good food all around. have enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at this diner. good, reliable breakfast, soups, sandwiches and burgers.
(4)Gareth d.
Fantastic place for breakfast. Food and service is excellent with reasonable prices - what more could you ask for? This place deserves a better rating.
(5)Heather C.
has a great menu for a diner - not your generic fare. everything is freshly made and the service is always friendly. i've only been here for breakfast, but i plan on coming back for lunch. great for those mornings when you just feel like pancakes...
(3)Dorian G.
The menu seems smaller than your typical Jersey diner, but they had the necessities: burgers, wraps, breakfast all day, dinenr specials.... What else do you need? I had the turkey burger, which was a little dry (and there was too much bun) but the fries were extra crispy and the pickle was nice and sour. Yum. The matza ball soup was OK. The broth was def not homemade, but the balls were right consistency.
(3)Dora P.
so on a lazy saturday morning during my vacation to visit an old friend from high school and see some historical cities in the northeast we stopped at this diner. it was about 1pm, so maybe i should say lazy afternoon. we ordered some calamari, french toast and a beef gyro (yee-ro). yes i know....what a combo, but i will say my stomach did not suffer and my tongue thanked me for the many flavors thrown at it all at once. along with the gyro came their mashed potatoes which, though lacking in some salt, was pretty satisfying. i mainly have to rave about their calamari. in many places i've experienced this weird food, it's always been CHEWY of sorts. this was the first place where i found this not be true. it was refreshing. of course i dont think i can enjoy calamari elsewhere now that i've been spoiled, but i'll deal. if you are ever in the vicinity of Princeton or Hightstown, you should check this diner out. their deserts looked pretty awesome but i was waaaaaayyyy full to try any. i know SHOCKER! hehe Happy Eating!
(4)Sir-ahh L.
This place used to be really great, but in the past few years it has really gone down hill. The quality of the food has decreased tremendously. I used to love going for breakfast, but an omelette with a side of sausage (no potatoes or anything else) cost me $16. Not worth it at all!
(2)Cambria K.
So I didn't read closely enough when I chose to come here, but to another reviewer's point that was my own fault. I was expecting a typical diner and was gearing up for diner chili and fries for dinner. Instead I got a really lovely meal with wonderful service. It is a bit more pricey and the menu is more fine dining (translate a more limited selection), but I really loved it.
(4)Alex B.
The Americana Diner was recommended by the front desk staff at the nearby Hampton Inn. I was hungry after a long drive down from Vermont on my way to DC. I decided to take up the recommendation for dinner and drove on by. At first amusement...I thought I might be seated amongst the local retirement community...but this soon gave way to a pleasant and attentive staff that greeted me kindly and showed me to my table. My server (Mona) was friendly and attentive and proceeded with my beverage order while I looked over the menu. I have been to my fair share of diners with encyclopedias masquerading as menus...not the case at the Americana. The menu is well addressed with starters, salads, main dishes and desserts. I ordered the Manhattan clam chowder and the swordfish main dish. The chowder held its own and was served hot and ready. The swordfish with spinach and mashed potatoes worked well...the spinach cooked well and on point...the mashed potatoes were creamy and consistent. I did like the dish but I would have preferred a larger piece of swordfish. I wondered if the restaurant was running out or coming down to the tail end. Overall, the dish was tasty and seasoned well. I would easily order it again if only for a minor adjustment. I am giving this review four stars after only one visit...the staff and service were prompt, polite and caring. I cannot speak for other guests...for me the food was tasty and made with care. I would easily recommend dining at the Americana.
(4)Heather M.
I have been going to this diner for 15 years (since I was 4 and ordered grilled cheese every time) It has changed so much but is still so delicious. Let me just say the service is always great and the food is always great. I have NEVER been disappointed. They are far more expensive than ever which is why I don't give them 5 stars. They are not the typical cheap diner. Prepare to spend as much as $23 an entree.
(4)Voodoo M.
I lived in East Windsor for a number of years and was a frequent guest of the Americana. 20 years ago, the place looked like a neglected underbelly of a pirate ship, but they delivered solid diner fare. Loved it. After the renovations, they made major changes, but the food was still delicious. Skip forward to a few years ago: someone decided that they wanted to bill the joint as a restaurant, as opposed to a diner. They slashed their huge menu and replaced it with a specialized seasonal menu with limited options. Understandable in the business, unless you specialize in garbage water-soaked meat, dairy and vegetables described as delectable items on the menu. I accompanied some friends there a few times when I was in town, and tolerated it. I had all but written the place off, but had a craving for a classic pork roll sandwich with egg and cheese. I made the asinine assumption that any diner in NJ would still be able to deliver. Fools tried to class up the thing by calling it the "Trentonian" and serving it on Ciabatta bread. After a drawn-out negotiation with the server, one of my fellow guests pointed out that the hamburger roll was the closest to a hard roll that I was going to get. Ordered it. Pork roll: two pathetic, Jenny Craig slices that would probably get NJ kicked out of the union. Roll: Delivered by the food runner with the Ciabatta, the offensive bread that I had no business dealing with for a hangover sandwich. The runner tried to argue with the server that we had ordered it in that manner. Call your patrons and server a liar at the table, only to be proven wrong by the notes on the ticket, that makes for a 5 star establishment. Eggs and Cheese: Would have been good if it hadn't taken the staff 10 minutes to switch rolls and return our sandwiches at room temperature. Water: No ice. Would have felt at home if I lived in Europe. Table Bread: Served well after order was placed, same temp as the service (stone cold) Coffee: Should have grabbed the Dunkin Donuts coffee that had been sitting in my cup holder for 20 minutes for a warmer cup. Server: Friendly (being generous) Atmosphere: It was the first day of New Year, so I'll accept the fact that they didn't ask the white trash train seated in our section that was babbling in outdoor voice to leave. I would give 1 star, but our server was somewhat attentive and seemed to be overextended.
(2)Ira o.
I figured I would re-visit this Diner after many years of self imposed exile. All I could say is I am starting up another round of self imposed exile. This place calls itself Diner? It is nothing of the sort. In a state that is known for its Diners Americana should be ashamed of itself. The menu is weak. Everything is Ala carte. The food is just ok. The service is slow. If you want good diner food go a few miles north or a few miles south on Rte 130. You will be happy that you did.
(2)Ali H.
In spite of some of the service issues at this Diner my wife and I frequented it 2x week but after 8-15-15, we will never be back again. We were both deathly ill after sharing some spinach dip appetizers and some shrimp entree. We ordered some additional items but nothing else had been shared. I always thought the chef did an excellent job with the food but after that evening we will be looking elsewhere to dine.
(1)Ling L.
I've visited American Diner for a few time. Drink has been great but a bit pricey.. I don't like their entree because it's inconsistent. It's either a hit or miss. Instead, I would get 1-2 appetizers.
(3)Joe W.
There have been times I have been to the Americana and have had almost no desire to eat anything on the menu. Other times I want a half dozen items. The menu changed frequently. I think they reinvented themselves at some point because diner isn't really something I would use to describe this place. It's more like a continental cuisine or lighter fare/healthy fare sometimes. It has had some really good items over the last year I have eaten here, although I have had nothing that is remotely resembling a diner item. We love the fact that they have good drinks. It's nice to get a good creative drink of some kind. New Jersey has the dumbest laws about restaurants serving any. Nice to be able to get one here. I expect they will iron out what they want to be/do and it will improve significantly. The food while not bad in any of my experiences is sometimes a little less than inspired (seasoning was light). The quality was always good. There are scant few diners I can even stand and I get the feeling that if this place were a diner it would be a darn good one.
(3)Steven S.
The Americana Diner has "rebranded" itself as a "Fine Diner," along with "Eat Better Food"....so these low reviews for what it "ain't" are stupid! Go enjoy a diverse menu and some good eats!
(5)David B.
Waited 20 minutes during off peak hours and NO WAITER/WAITRESS. Will NEVER set foot in the Americana diner again. Food is average and overpriced. One star out of four..
(1)Brian S.
Unlike the other reviewer here that is longing for a regular diner menu along with it's mediocre food selection, I think the Americana Dinner's limited menu is a big plus and to their credit a novel idea. We went for breakfast and both dishes, a plain omelet and eggs benedict were delicious. What other diner can you order a fresh, healthy blended vegetable drink? The price for breakfast for two at $22 was a fair price considering the quality of food and level of service received. If you go for lunch or dinner you can indulge in their cocktail lounge as well. All things considered - we will return again.
(4)Joe S.
Americana done stepped its game up. I've been coming here for many years, since back when it was a lot smaller and there was a Jamesway and a $1 movie theater across the street. For much of that time, it was a run-of-the-mill diner, and nothing much to write home about. Now this place has a full service bar with craft beer, really high quality menu, and a very well done redesign. It's still got the diner favorites, but on top of that you can get some legitimate vegetables and high quality proteins. I usually get the burger or some other sandwich, but I think the sides are where these guys are really starting to shine: the quinoa salad and polenta chips are very, very good. Really glad to see a place realize there is an underserved market for a higher-end experience and then realize there is no reason they cannot be the ones to serve that market.
(4)Pom Pom L.
2 stars just for the food quality. The service staff are not honest at all. We went for lunch and ordered from lunch menu, the check shows the diner price. The Waitress argued there are Diner potion until the Manager ask the KITCHEN to correct our bill. There are 2 more issues for breakfast and lunch about the over charged. Watch the bill for every items and ask the price before you order any thing!! We like the food and hate the service staff!!
(2)Cristin s.
Absolutely the best restaurant within 20 mines. Don't let the fact that it's a diner fool you. I was given a tour once and I was so surprised to learn that they have a full bakery, a full butcher shop and their kitchen was spotless! I have yet to be disappointed. The bartender who's name I think is Cosmo was fantastic but is only there Friday and Saturday :( Erin Is also really good! All juice for their drinks (even the lime juice) is all fresh squeezed! I am always impressed! 5+*******.
(5)Greg D.
Went to this diner for the first time and had a fantastic breakfast. The service was outstanding. I was greeted by the server, a woman with short black hair. I was dinning by myself and she went out of her way to take care of what ever I wanted. She even brought me a newspaper to read. I would recommend this diner to everyone.
(5)Robert C.
The best diner in NJ! Their Green Garden Grilled Cheese sandwich is the best I've ever had. Been there 4 times now, and the food has never disappointed. Great service and reasonable prices.
(5)Jessica L.
Nothing special or standout about this place. They do have interesting options but the service and food quality is pretty standard, like most diners.
(3)Violet G.
Our table shared the Table Sampler, which was fine, but not impressive. I had the Mexi-Cali burger, which arrived as ordered; this was good. My husband had the St. Louis burger, which was good. Overall, this was a good dinner, but was not something I'd go out of my way to eat again.
(3)Steven H.
First time back in years! Americana has always had a soft place in my heart as I have been coming here since I was very young. I however am not a fan of their new dinner menus manny of their "classics" have been removed from the menu and it now has Mediterranean feel to it. I am not opposed to trying new things but the menu seems to have an identity crisis. I would still recommend the Americana as a best spot or a nice place to get a drink.
(3)Bree F.
We had a fantastic 1st experience at Americana last weekend. We discovered them when I googled "good Greek salad" + my area code. Their whole menu was such an appealing surprise that I was very tempted to try something different, but ultimately stuck to my salad craving. My guy ordered the fresh shucked oysters for us to split (which admittedly set off a little red flag in my head since oysters from an inland "diner" isn't something I would normally trust) & their Chimichurri Rib Eye. But as our server explained, they are a nice restaurant disguised as a diner, and she was so right- the oysters really were fresh & the presentation was lovely. He fell MADLY in love with his steak, he even raved about the peppers that accompanied it, which shocked me. He hates peppers! I can't cook with them unless I want him to sulk. :-) The Greek salad was plated beautifully with very high quality feta & a sprinkle of capers, which I love. The downside was the lettuce was all iceberg, a bit too oily, the tomatoes were bland & I wish it came with all the traditional fixing's like grape leaves, anchovies, & pepperoncini peppers (clearly I'm a bit of an "American style" Greek salad snob).. so maybe it wasn't worth the $11. That said I still enjoyed it. We also ordered drinks & were blown away! I got the cucumber collins per the server's recommendation, he got the bloody mary which is made with delicious fresh roasted tomatoes, & we split the blueberry mojito (OK, he ordered the mojito & I stole half). I can't rave enough about the drinks- so fresh, eclectic ingredients, not too sweet- turns out you don't have to go to The City to get a perfect cocktail, what an unexpected treat. The service was also so impressive that I actually asked to speak to a manager just to praise our server. We can't wait to go back! If this keeps up I definitely won't be able to help myself from changing my rating to 5 stars, although I'll be trying different salads.
(4)J M.
Sad to say this place is not what it used to be. I have gone here, as a regular, for DECADES but the last couple years the food was over salted, over sauced, over priced and portions small and menu cut down by 80%! I think it changed owners but not sure. I am just sure it is not the Americana we all used to love and frequent. Sorry to say.
(2)Edward R.
Typical Jersey diner but with delusions of grandeur....separate salon/bar with waiter service and cocktail menu but solid diner food is what you come here for so dump the" wanna be NYC" menu and order what you want and they'll accommodate you Service can be uneven at times but management is quick on recovery and quite professional.
(3)N H.
I think the owners of Americana Diner pay to have these positive reviews posted. Here is a synopsis of my most recent visit for breakfast: Dirty coffee mug Salt and pepper in the shakers was hard as a rock and wouldn't shake out. Small portions. Bacon tasted really strange ( not good) High prices Waiter that was not attentive
(1)Paulie E.
This is the best diner I've gone to in central to south jersey. Its breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are seriously all banging. Like everything. A Little Bit of Everything, that is!--off the breakfast menu! Their sausage is just ridiculously good as well! Be sure to get bite!
(4)Priscilla S.
Delicious! However, I will say it is a bit misleading it is not a typical dinner. If that is what you are looking for I would go down the street to the Town Diner. Breakfast is still a nice large portion just like a diner. If you get anything other than breakfast it is a small portion more like a fine dinning restaurant not a place to stuff your face. Everything is very fresh including the orange juice which is fresh squeezed. The menu has shrunk considerable it still has a few typical diner items but has mostly transformed into a fine dinning restaurant menu. I still visit this place for a good fresh breakfast every once in a while. But I am upset to see that they recently stopped serving Breakfast all day! :-( This place is good but not a diner. I do also like all the new fresh locally sourced food but they need to change their name and look so people don't go there thinking they are going to a typical Jersey diner.
(4)Max A.
Interesting, when you walk in, take a right and go through the doors, this ain't no diner, its a martini bar. Very elegant and nice. The place was packed on the diner and martini side, this is always a good sign. I took a client there for lunch on his recommendation. I started with a great cup on onion soup.... Very tasty and had a sweet flavor. I then had a killer southwestern salad. The chipolte ranch was sweet and spicy. I ordered shrimp on top, they were eight giant grilled shrimp. The service was outstanding, the food was excellent. The bad news - pricey! My salad was $14+$8(shrimp). I am not sure that it was a $22 salad. It was great food, and great on an expense account, but I would probably head somewhere else if it was on my dime.
(4)Christine K.
If you are looking for your typical diner food than you are at the wrong place. This is more like a diner themed restaurant. I have been several times and find the food to be good but I honestly don't feel it is worth the price. They have some good fresh squeezed apple juice and lemonade (when lemons are in season).
(3)Wendy W.
The restaurant was terrific! Everyone enjoyed their meals and there is something for everyone. Service was excellent and everyone was very friendly. Ozzy was top notch! The complimentary bread was awesome as well! I recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Stu F.
The Americana isn't a diner, but a wonderful eclectic, nouveau American Restaurant serving freshly created food. The kitchen is spotless when I had the opportunity to peek inside. The waitstaff are attentive, professional, and friendly. Separate service staff bring your food to the table. All sandwiches and burgers come with several side dishes that you select, some with a small price upgrade. I love their traditional Ruben, Turkey Ruben, Tuna Melt, Salmon, Sunday Brunch to name only a few. Please remember this isn't a traditional & simple diner, but a superb restaurant in suburban New Jersey.
(5)Liza K.
This place has changed significantly in recent years, but I'm happy with the outcome. On a recent Friday night my husband and I were seated immediately. We each had a cocktail and matzah ball soup. I enjoyed the Green Garden Grilled Cheese, which was rye bread with cheddar, goat cheese, spinach and avocado, with a side of mashed potatoes. All sandwiches come with a $3 credit toward a soup or side. The mashed potatoes used up the $3 and the soup was $4. My cocktail was a lavender martini. Kudos to the waiter who said "I'll be right back with your change," instead of the dreaded "Do you want change?" He also rounded up our change to $1 instead of giving us 76 cents.
(4)Sean F.
By far, the best diner in the area! The parking lot is huge and they even have a nice shaded area in the back of the restaurant for outdoor dining. Best of all, this diner is clean and very up to date. The food and prices are great. Unfortunately, they're not your typical diner with over sized portions, but the portions are just fine... They have a newer addition, called the lounge and the bar in it is quite large. There's also plenty of tv's. I think they even play music in the lounge after a certain time at night. And just like most other diners, they have a bakery. Though I haven't tried anything from the bakery, it all looks very delicious.
(5)Kathleen M.
Our cousins the Gervasi's come here regularly. We were able to join them 2 weeks ago. Very nice menu. Not your average diner fare. I was so happy to see they had organic chicken on the menu. It was very tasty. Wine was good. Server was very helpful. Will definitely return when in the area again.
(5)Lisa O.
Arrived at just after 2:00 on a Sunday, and discovered use of "diner" in name is a misnomer. SInce we really did want diner fare (breakfast options, etc), it was somewhat disappointing to discover this was a limited menu restaurant that only served brunch till 2 Sundays (no idea about other days). That said, food (when it arrived, more than 30 minutes after we sat down, again not "diner" standard timing) was good but overpriced. Vegetable panini at $11 delicious but small and pricey; comes with nothing but entitles you to $3 credit toward a $4 or $5 side or soup. Good burger and house made-onion rings (basically a $2 additional side). So lunch for 2 with one soda was $30. Bread in bag (idea being that you take leftovers home) was cold, and placed on table with butter but no plates. Seated in the Lounge, a lower lighting area with large bar, tvs, fifties decor (like main room); might be nice at night. So, despite good food, if it was called just "Americana" I probably wouldn't have been disappointed. To call it a "Diner" in NJ implies something about menu, pricing and portion size that left expectations unmet if you walk in as we did off the highway without reading reviews.
(3)Lara F.
Not your typical New Jersey diner but the food is worth it. They source local/organic ingredients and have a menu set for the season we're in. The burgers are great and the breakfast is bonkers. It's set up like three restaurant decors in one location. My only reason for not giving them 5 stars is I wish they had a more classic diner menu maybe for night owls..when you get those pork roll or disco fries cravings...and it's fancier then your average diner so the prices are a bit more. But there is a full bar and the food is always delicious. Definately come by if you're in the area.
(4)Amora C.
I loved my visit to the Americana.. Our server was very polite and extra friendly (not fake friendly) I had the "little bit of everything" and it was so good!! It came with 2 pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.. The maple syrup was warm and awesome!!! You must go there!! I will visit again when back in NJ!!!
(5)Amanda H.
This has become a popular breakfast meeting spot for my friend and I as they're in a great central Jersey location. The service is always great and the menu is small and inventive. There's enough diners in this state with 10 page menus, huge portions, and cheap prices. If you like quality food for what it is supposed to cost, this is your place. When I was there yesterday I got the coffee (nice dark roast, refills were offered multiple times), home fries which were satisfying, and the steel cut oatmeal. They were kind to make it with hot water instead of milk upon request, and then brought cinnamon, sugar, and diced fruit to go inside. Delicious! I'd love to give 5 stars, but I need to see at least one hearty vegan breakfast option first. They are vegetarian friendly without a doubt, but for those of us avoiding eggs or dairy for allergy or ethical reasons there isn't much beyond oatmeal, potatoes, fruit, and dry toast. For now though, the fresh juices do serve as a nice comfort! Try the one with cucumber.
(4)Sherri M.
If you have never been here before, you will probably think it's a great place. However, after coming here for many years, I agree with others that it has gone down hill! We used to come because the food was great and the portions were good. However, they have recently changed the menu so the customer now has to pay for many things that used to accompany the meal. Kids drinks used to come with the meal and home fries used to come with the omelets, which is common practice in other diners. We now leave paying much more than we used to for the same amount of food. It is not worth it to go here anymore when we can get the same food for less elsewhere. It seems greed has taken over the place of good customer service.
(2)Justin P.
This place is delicious! The artisan bread is complementary and is delicious. The beet salad, and goat cheese salad are the best salads I have ever had. The chicken soup is great and perfect with any meal. The omelets are the best breakfast food I have ever experienced. They are made in a pan and then cooked in the oven and get this flavor that can not be matched or compared too. I would recommend this to anyone! 1. Fast service 2. Friendly people 3. Good prices 4. Outstanding food 5. Very accommodating service
(5)Scott S.
My buddy and I currently have an ongoing tradition where we get our hair cut in Philly and spend the rest of the day beer hunting every other Saturday. I was a little tired of hitting up the usual spots (Foodery, Bottle Bar East) so I decided to drive us to Cranbury's once-hallowed Buy-Rite and Bottle King, who were disappointingly out of the elusive Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, but I digress. My friend and I drove past Americana Diner on our way to Cranbury and noticed the unusual amount of cars parked outside, and thought it might be a good idea to give the place a try some time. As we were driving back from Cranbury to Bottle King, passing Americana one more time and seeing how there were still cars parked outside, we figured it couldn't hurt since we were already here and starving. Upon entrance to the diner, we quickly realized that the name "Americana Diner" is somewhat of a misnomer, as the establishment was neither very Americana nor very much a diner; in fact it's more of a classy sports jacket type of place dressed up as a diner. I think someone accused this place of having pretentious food--good for you, kettle calling the pot black and so forth ;) Now that the (un)pleasantries have been dismissed to the side, on to the actual food. I gave real hard thought about ordering the 20 day dry-aged rib eye, until I found out that they charge 27 dollars for 12 ounces. Whereas I appreciate Americana Diner taking their time and pledging commitment to excellence by dry aging their own steak, there were no real indicators that this steak was going to be as every bit awesome as the Niman Ranch 45-day Dry Aged Sirloins that I cook sous vide at home--there wasn't much information about what kind of beef is used, what makes their in-house dry-aging more favorable to some of the more conventional brands/methods, how they intend on cooking this exquisite piece of meat and etc. Long story short, I ordered the Mexicali burger (which also uses dry-aged beef) and I was glad that I didn't pay mid-dollar for the Rib-eye/Sirloin. Whereas Americana is somewhat questionable on steak, they really shine when it comes to their attention to detail on everything else: their home-made bread was absolutely heavenly; the sampler platter is an absolute steal for two people (I can't believe one of the best lamb koftas I've had in the states came from a diner. That's right. A freakin' DINER), and the "bowl" of soup comes in an absolutely huge soup saucer that could probably be weaponized à la Oddjob in Goldfinger. The service was very attentive, as expected; I do want to say I'm disappointed in their beer selection, but then again, the fact that they even serve beer as a "diner" is probably going above and beyond the call of duty. Great "diner," somewhat questionable "restaurant."
(4)Caitlin S.
It pains me to write this review. I've lived in this town my entire life and my last visit was...weird. I understand the rebranding and all of that jazz but when it comes down to it this was always a diner, with excellent food. Emphasis on the diner part. To me, this was a place to meet with friends and chat and have some good food. I've been a server; if you take up a table and order a pot of coffee tip your server accordingly! While on my last visit, my friend was ordering food. I wasn't really too hungry so I decided I'd start with a coffee and see how it went. The waitress would NOT let me order a coffee, but never straight out said that. When I ordered my coffee she responded with "No food? Do you want a breakfast menu? I'll get you a breakfast menu." and before I could respond, she'd left the table. Upon return I told her I was just going to go with the coffee - her response? "Soup? How about soup?" So to shut up her, I ordered the god damn soup. If there was some sort of new rule about having to order food I would have rather she flat out said that to me. I was so annoyed and just wanted to get out of there. I didn't touch the soup. ALSO. The buffalo chicken tenders are gone and I am beyond heart broken. True tragedy. The new menu is interesting. The burgers are really delicious (if they're even still on the menu). I really can't comment on much more except for the wildly rude waitress and the uncomfortable feeling she gave me the entire time. Bummer.
(2)P B.
Pretty bad food. Sloppy service. Dull place, disinterested staff. Most expensive diner around. Tried the lamb kabab, insipid. Shrimp with grit, so-so, 3 Shrimp & a load of grits for $21. Brought home a rib sandwich, went straight to trash, that awful. It's a shame in the name of a Jersey Diner.
(1)Jennifer N.
I love this place. I've been eating here for years-I have never had a bad meal here. My fav dishes are -the Bacon Dijon Turkey Burger, their Salmon has always been the freshest and best I've ever had, I love their fabulous Mediterranean Salad....great breakfasts as well. Bakery and desserts are wonderful. I always tell people it's "restaurant food" not diner food. I prefer sitting in the Lounge Section of the Americana, & they happily accommodate that request everytime. This is one of my favorite places to eat. Hope to be eating here soon!
(5)Gary D.
Ok. this is SO not a diner. It may be a fine dining establishment. The food may be great. I wouldn't know, I went there at 11PM sunday night looking for a greasy cheese covered chicken salad sandwich with fries and got a snobby waitress with a farm to table menu. As I said, this may be a great place to eat. But it is not a freakin diner!
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