The Empire Diner

[Kathy_Baratta]

For those of you who may not already know, the Empire Diner (still Trotters and Pacers to me  ) has been bought by the owners of the All Seasons Diner in Tinton Falls or is it Shrewsbury. Anyway All Seasons is the diner off Route 35 near the Monmouth Mall. It is hands down the best diner and we always took the ride out there because the quality was top-notch. They have an on-premises bakery that could qualify for the lofty title of Patisserie.

Well now we have their quality right here in our own backyard. We were going for a while to the Manalapan Diner which is slowly descending in service and quality. We went there for a late brunch and someone in the booth behind us ordered some sort of seafood dish. We had to pack our remaining food to go because all of a sudden the room smelled like low tide after a fish kill.

Now the Empire Diner is the gold standard. As restaurateur Anthony Bourdain says, if it ain't clean at the front of the house, you don't even want to know what's going on in the kitchen!    Well the bathrooms are as clean as the ones in your home - you can tell they send people in there periodically throughout the day to keep it pristine.

And the food! Delicioso! I ordered a seafood medley that was almost as fresh as the fish I get from George. The portions are so large I got two dinners and one lunch from the leftovers. Blame that on a buffet salad bar that is a meal in and of itself.

So ,if you haven't been there since the new owners took over, you owe it to yourself to go. Watch now, I'll be lucky to get a parking space.   

KB 

[Curtis_Vislocky]

Kathy,

When did the new owners take over? My wife and I were there several months ago and were disappointed at how poor the service and quality of the food had become. This was my wife's favorite diner. Hopefully, the new owners will turn things around.

[Kathy_Baratta]

Curt,

I'm not certain but I do know it's fairly recent. You won't be disappointed.

Bon appetit! 

KB

[Steve Morlino, LEED AP]

I was there last night...food is every bit as good as the one in Eatontown.  Even saw some of the staff from Eatontown.  As usual, had to take some food home.

[Joe Parente]

Kathy,

When did the new owners take over? My wife and I were there several months ago and were disappointed at how poor the service and quality of the food had become. This was my wife's favorite diner. Hopefully, the new owners will turn things around.

I've been there several times now and the food and service are excellent. I stopped going to Empire about 3 years ago because the quality of the food was declining. Now, the quality is back!

Visit and I think you'll agree the new owners made a 180 degree turn. 

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

KB, Are you an Anthony Bourdain fan?

If so, want to borrow his books? I have Kitchen Confidential and also a novel that he wrote. Email me. I can drop them off and return your books and Henry VIII CD.