November 17, 2002: Diet Coke, cup of cream of turkey soup, turkey burger deluxe at the Tiffany Diner, 1045 State Hwy No. 17, Ramsey, NJ. The morning after my friends the Scotts got married, we went to a traditional chromed exterior diner (the inside was clean but not as pretty... lots of mirrors). On the front of their menu, the Tiffany Diner calls themselves "New Jersey's Favorite Family Restaurant". They, of course, don't mention who named them that (NJ Monthly's Reader's Choice Awards had actually named a Tiffany Diner in Pine Brook "Best Family Restaurant-North" in 1999 but we were in Ramsey).
The soup was non-descript. The kind of soup you get at the college dining hall. And the satisfactory burger did not come with any pickle or slaw. The fries weren't bad but the gravy that I got was flavorless except for the flour aftertaste. On the bright side, the scrambled eggs that Lucky got was with a real slice of ham, not those slivers you usually get in a diner and there was a cute little baby sleeping by the table next to me.
Monday, November 18, 2002
Friday, October 25, 2002
October 23, 2002 : Hot chocolate with whipped cream, gyro with a greek salad, fries with gravy at the RAINBOW DINER, Rt. 70, Brick NJ.
Yesterday after my friend's mother's wake, we went to the Rainbow Diner in Brick. It was my request since it had been voted "NJ Monthly's Readers Choice for Best Diner (South)." And considering it was in the area of the funeral home, I thought this would be an ideal time to pursue the Turkey Burger Quest.
Well, I was wrong.
First off... they didn't have a turkey burger available on the menu. Considering that this was not a small diner like the Roadside, there was no excuse... If you can have scallops and spanakopita, you can have turkey burgers. So instead, I had the gyro. Now according to the menu, it comes with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. It CAME with a greek salad. I guess it was a nice idea that the feta cheese was cut into bricked slices rather than crumbled so that you could meter the amount of cheese that was on your salad. But I DIDN'T ORDER A GREEK SALAD. I asked for the fries and did get that, I was in such a crabby mood that I didn't ask for the slaw and pickle. Lucky had the fried chicken which looked adequate and his onion rings were "straight out of the freezer bag into the fryer" standard. He didn't get any slaw or pickle either. PS: The "vegetable barley soup" barely had barley. It was like a leftover melange (whatever veggies/noodles on hand thrown together).
On the good side, the cocoa had real whipped cream and the place was clean. The decor was similar to the All Seasons in that it had oak wood walls but instead of having those tacky Bob Ross-esque paintings, the walls were decorated with whatever poster/painting they could find. Instead of the mirrors which Lucky said they originally put in when they rebuilt after the fire (the traditional diner story), they now have glass with Mucha style girls.
Yesterday after my friend's mother's wake, we went to the Rainbow Diner in Brick. It was my request since it had been voted "NJ Monthly's Readers Choice for Best Diner (South)." And considering it was in the area of the funeral home, I thought this would be an ideal time to pursue the Turkey Burger Quest.
Well, I was wrong.
First off... they didn't have a turkey burger available on the menu. Considering that this was not a small diner like the Roadside, there was no excuse... If you can have scallops and spanakopita, you can have turkey burgers. So instead, I had the gyro. Now according to the menu, it comes with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. It CAME with a greek salad. I guess it was a nice idea that the feta cheese was cut into bricked slices rather than crumbled so that you could meter the amount of cheese that was on your salad. But I DIDN'T ORDER A GREEK SALAD. I asked for the fries and did get that, I was in such a crabby mood that I didn't ask for the slaw and pickle. Lucky had the fried chicken which looked adequate and his onion rings were "straight out of the freezer bag into the fryer" standard. He didn't get any slaw or pickle either. PS: The "vegetable barley soup" barely had barley. It was like a leftover melange (whatever veggies/noodles on hand thrown together).
On the good side, the cocoa had real whipped cream and the place was clean. The decor was similar to the All Seasons in that it had oak wood walls but instead of having those tacky Bob Ross-esque paintings, the walls were decorated with whatever poster/painting they could find. Instead of the mirrors which Lucky said they originally put in when they rebuilt after the fire (the traditional diner story), they now have glass with Mucha style girls.
September 2 , 2002: Turkeyburger deluxe and a cup of cream of turkey soup at the SUNSET DINER, Route 22 E, Green Brook, NJ.
Eh. Burger was juicy enough and Lucky celebrated Labor Day with a pretty big tuna melt (I know, we are exciting people). But the coleslaw, as good and crunchy as it was, came with the cap still on the little plastic container and I was sticking to the table. Atmosphere: white trash with some middle class families.
Eh. Burger was juicy enough and Lucky celebrated Labor Day with a pretty big tuna melt (I know, we are exciting people). But the coleslaw, as good and crunchy as it was, came with the cap still on the little plastic container and I was sticking to the table. Atmosphere: white trash with some middle class families.
August 27, 2002: Turkeyburger deluxe, Heineken, and red jello at the EMPIRE DINER, Route 46, Parsippany, NJ.
Peter Genovese is right... diners with bars are wonderful. Sometimes you just want something to quench your thirst that isn't a diet coke. Anyways, went there with my future sister after learning how to bustle her gown (15 friggen mini buttons). The waiter was very attentive (ok, so he was a bit flirtacious but that's not why we tipped well). beer glasses were provided but we down-to-earth gals just slugged from the cold bottles. The burgers were very good and juicy, having a cumin spicey bite. I didn't have to add mayo on it. The lettuce was from the middle of the head and was getting a bit on crunchy white side; however, the tomatoes were red and juicy, the coleslaw pretty good, eh on the pickle... and did I mention the beer?! Anyways, finished up with some cherry jello with whipped cream and a cherry (sis asked for one for her chocolate ice cream and he didn't want to play favorites). the jello was nice and fresh like how you make it at home... not that jiggler stuff that looks pretty in pictures but is yickily chewy. All in all, a pleasant experience.
Peter Genovese is right... diners with bars are wonderful. Sometimes you just want something to quench your thirst that isn't a diet coke. Anyways, went there with my future sister after learning how to bustle her gown (15 friggen mini buttons). The waiter was very attentive (ok, so he was a bit flirtacious but that's not why we tipped well). beer glasses were provided but we down-to-earth gals just slugged from the cold bottles. The burgers were very good and juicy, having a cumin spicey bite. I didn't have to add mayo on it. The lettuce was from the middle of the head and was getting a bit on crunchy white side; however, the tomatoes were red and juicy, the coleslaw pretty good, eh on the pickle... and did I mention the beer?! Anyways, finished up with some cherry jello with whipped cream and a cherry (sis asked for one for her chocolate ice cream and he didn't want to play favorites). the jello was nice and fresh like how you make it at home... not that jiggler stuff that looks pretty in pictures but is yickily chewy. All in all, a pleasant experience.
May 17, 2002: Chicken and rice soup, turkeyburger deluxe and soda at the ALL SEASONS DINER, Eatontown, NJ (conveniently located across from the Monmouth Mall).
Stopped off at a frequent haunt of Lucky's ( he generally hangs there after seeing a film at the mall with his buds).The decor is a bit of a mishmash: clean and bright, and decorated with care. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you like looking at things a bit differently), that doesn't mean class. The walls are panelled with a light oak (real wood) and on them are hung "Bob Ross" landscapes and elaborate white ceramic sconces. It was the first time I had the turkeyburger there; I usually get their soups since they are good. The soup was good (risotto rice was used) and the burger was freshly made although just adequate. The coleslaw was a bit too sweet and you could make a moustache with the pickle. But oh, the french fries... fried to perfectioned crispness and the gravy that I requested with it had an interesting added flavor (allspice?) which made it seem a step up from the brown coagulated stuff I usually get. The service was prompt and most of the waitstaff is Eastern European (not like that's the reason for the good service... just an observation!) Even though the turkeyburger wasn't what I was hoping for... I would go again. There's a whole bunch of desserts in the front display case that are begging for me to try them.
Stopped off at a frequent haunt of Lucky's ( he generally hangs there after seeing a film at the mall with his buds).The decor is a bit of a mishmash: clean and bright, and decorated with care. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you like looking at things a bit differently), that doesn't mean class. The walls are panelled with a light oak (real wood) and on them are hung "Bob Ross" landscapes and elaborate white ceramic sconces. It was the first time I had the turkeyburger there; I usually get their soups since they are good. The soup was good (risotto rice was used) and the burger was freshly made although just adequate. The coleslaw was a bit too sweet and you could make a moustache with the pickle. But oh, the french fries... fried to perfectioned crispness and the gravy that I requested with it had an interesting added flavor (allspice?) which made it seem a step up from the brown coagulated stuff I usually get. The service was prompt and most of the waitstaff is Eastern European (not like that's the reason for the good service... just an observation!) Even though the turkeyburger wasn't what I was hoping for... I would go again. There's a whole bunch of desserts in the front display case that are begging for me to try them.
February 11, 2002: Turkeyburger deluxe and soda at the LIDO DINER, Rt. 22 center island, Springfield, NJ.
Went with Lucky after massage class because we were starved. Burger was pretty good and the coleslaw was fantastic. Diner had that 70s, where did I put my corduroy pants, feel. Lucky had the tuna melt which didn't look that great (what tuna melt does?) but was very big and one of the best he's had.
Went with Lucky after massage class because we were starved. Burger was pretty good and the coleslaw was fantastic. Diner had that 70s, where did I put my corduroy pants, feel. Lucky had the tuna melt which didn't look that great (what tuna melt does?) but was very big and one of the best he's had.
January 25, 2002: Turkeyburger deluxe and rootbeer float at the ECHO QUEEN DINER, Route 22 E, Mountainside, NJ.
Ok, so this was after going to a wake so maybe that kind of affected my review (But the wake was for my friend's 94 year old grandmother who led a kick-ass life so it wasn't that depressing). The burger and fries were terribly ordinary. No coleslaw. However, the ice cream in the rootbeer float was delish! Very creamy and melted and bubbled great in the soda. Since it's on the way to the Mountainside Loews, maybe I'll return but not for the burger.
Ok, so this was after going to a wake so maybe that kind of affected my review (But the wake was for my friend's 94 year old grandmother who led a kick-ass life so it wasn't that depressing). The burger and fries were terribly ordinary. No coleslaw. However, the ice cream in the rootbeer float was delish! Very creamy and melted and bubbled great in the soda. Since it's on the way to the Mountainside Loews, maybe I'll return but not for the burger.
November 18, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe and hot chocolate at the SEVILLE DINER, State Hwy No 18 & Hillsdale Rd, East Brunswick, NJ.
After watching Harry Potter at the Regal Cinemas, a group of us stayed up to watch the meteor showers. It wasn't that easy since everywhere in metro Jersey is affected but light pollution but we did get to see many meteors. Lots of oohing and ahhing. And then we realized that we were really, really cold. So we caravaned it to the Seville at 4 a.m. The turkeyburger was good; the pickle firm; the coleslaw a bit sweet but crunchy. And the fun, young waitress gave me a whole can of whipped cream so that I could have as much of it as I wanted on my hot chocolate! Oh, happy day. Was this the end of my quest? Perhaps. I will need to return in a more awake mode to truly evaluate.
After watching Harry Potter at the Regal Cinemas, a group of us stayed up to watch the meteor showers. It wasn't that easy since everywhere in metro Jersey is affected but light pollution but we did get to see many meteors. Lots of oohing and ahhing. And then we realized that we were really, really cold. So we caravaned it to the Seville at 4 a.m. The turkeyburger was good; the pickle firm; the coleslaw a bit sweet but crunchy. And the fun, young waitress gave me a whole can of whipped cream so that I could have as much of it as I wanted on my hot chocolate! Oh, happy day. Was this the end of my quest? Perhaps. I will need to return in a more awake mode to truly evaluate.
November 4, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe and hot chocolate at the SOMERSET DINER, Somerset, NJ.
Considering that this turned out to be a two-diner day (That night, I went to Union Plaza Diner after seeing Monsters, Inc. and had a lovely matzo ball soup and the most gigantic slice of tiramisu, served by a waitress who was superfriendly and knew her stuff. (Even called my 30-something friend: "young man" which scored her tipping points).), I DEFINITELY chose the wrong diner for my quest.
The patty itself was fresh (at least the ragged edges led me to believe this) but it was served on a lame sesame seed bun. The watery cole slaw was in a sealed plastic cup and the pickle, although firm, looked like it had been out of the brine a bit too long. The lettuce was so limp that I was able to create a bib bra out of the leaves because they stuck so well to my t shirt. The fries were average (no salt on them at all!) and the burger was tasteless. I tried adding mayo, but it didn't help (Maybe it was because it took three askings and fifteen minutes to get to me). Hell, I even had to grab a ketchup bottle from the serving area because it wasn't provided. If you haven't figured out by now, our service SUCKED. There's no other way to say it. All in all, not the most pleasant of meals.
The reflection of the black exterior on the diner's chrome accents makes the diner look like it burned down again. Maybe it's the building's way of warning us.
Considering that this turned out to be a two-diner day (That night, I went to Union Plaza Diner after seeing Monsters, Inc. and had a lovely matzo ball soup and the most gigantic slice of tiramisu, served by a waitress who was superfriendly and knew her stuff. (Even called my 30-something friend: "young man" which scored her tipping points).), I DEFINITELY chose the wrong diner for my quest.
The patty itself was fresh (at least the ragged edges led me to believe this) but it was served on a lame sesame seed bun. The watery cole slaw was in a sealed plastic cup and the pickle, although firm, looked like it had been out of the brine a bit too long. The lettuce was so limp that I was able to create a bib bra out of the leaves because they stuck so well to my t shirt. The fries were average (no salt on them at all!) and the burger was tasteless. I tried adding mayo, but it didn't help (Maybe it was because it took three askings and fifteen minutes to get to me). Hell, I even had to grab a ketchup bottle from the serving area because it wasn't provided. If you haven't figured out by now, our service SUCKED. There's no other way to say it. All in all, not the most pleasant of meals.
The reflection of the black exterior on the diner's chrome accents makes the diner look like it burned down again. Maybe it's the building's way of warning us.
August 30, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe at the PARKSIDE DINER, Trenton, NJ.
After seeing David Cross ("Donnie" on Just Shoot Me) perform at TCNJ and seeing about 50 college kids walk out on him (maybe I have a high tolerance on religious and political humor, but I thought he was pretty funny), my friends and I headed to da diner, a typical dirty, timeforgotten place with table jukes. The waitresses were also timeforgotten but knew their stuff and were pretty chipper. Granted the turkey burger and pickle were basic and the coleslaw was too sweet, but the bun was toasted and the gravy for the fries was delish.
After seeing David Cross ("Donnie" on Just Shoot Me) perform at TCNJ and seeing about 50 college kids walk out on him (maybe I have a high tolerance on religious and political humor, but I thought he was pretty funny), my friends and I headed to da diner, a typical dirty, timeforgotten place with table jukes. The waitresses were also timeforgotten but knew their stuff and were pretty chipper. Granted the turkey burger and pickle were basic and the coleslaw was too sweet, but the bun was toasted and the gravy for the fries was delish.
August 17, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe, coke, red jello with whipped cream at the TOWN AND COUNTRY DINER, Matawan, NJ.
I was real excited to be going here. Not only was this another step closer to the Holy Turkey Burger but it was the wedding rehearsal dinner for one of my best friends. Well, thank god for those witty conversations we're noted for, because that was the only highlight. Topics included the bride trying to convince someone that Malibu Bay Breeze went with pancakes, and what sort of things would require a naturalist to wear clothing. About twenty of us were in the back party room which was set up nicely. However, the gas fireplace smelled like it was leaking. And only one tired waitress was serving us. She was nice but she didn't know anything about the menu: simple things like what milkshake flavors were available, and the types of pie. The service was slow and unorganized. Food was served a few plates at a time. By the time the burgers were served, the omelette eaters had finished. My turkeyburger was spectacularly average, served on an average bun, with fries (the gravy was too condensed), a relatively crispy pickle, and a surprisingly good coleslaw. I received the mayo when I had finished 3/4 of the meal. Since they didn't have the bread pudding I ordered (and waited 10 minutes to find out they didn't have), I had the jello. Bad mistake, the jello's only saving grace was the puny whippedcream topping. The jello itself was metallic rubber tasting. Or maybe that was just my tastebuds being warped by the gas fumes. Would I go to the Town and Country again? Hell no. But I'm glad that I went so that I could share some lasting memories with dear friends.
I was real excited to be going here. Not only was this another step closer to the Holy Turkey Burger but it was the wedding rehearsal dinner for one of my best friends. Well, thank god for those witty conversations we're noted for, because that was the only highlight. Topics included the bride trying to convince someone that Malibu Bay Breeze went with pancakes, and what sort of things would require a naturalist to wear clothing. About twenty of us were in the back party room which was set up nicely. However, the gas fireplace smelled like it was leaking. And only one tired waitress was serving us. She was nice but she didn't know anything about the menu: simple things like what milkshake flavors were available, and the types of pie. The service was slow and unorganized. Food was served a few plates at a time. By the time the burgers were served, the omelette eaters had finished. My turkeyburger was spectacularly average, served on an average bun, with fries (the gravy was too condensed), a relatively crispy pickle, and a surprisingly good coleslaw. I received the mayo when I had finished 3/4 of the meal. Since they didn't have the bread pudding I ordered (and waited 10 minutes to find out they didn't have), I had the jello. Bad mistake, the jello's only saving grace was the puny whippedcream topping. The jello itself was metallic rubber tasting. Or maybe that was just my tastebuds being warped by the gas fumes. Would I go to the Town and Country again? Hell no. But I'm glad that I went so that I could share some lasting memories with dear friends.
The Quest Begins:
August 10, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe at PAT'S RIVERVIEW DINER, Belmar, NJ.
On the way to see The Nerds, one of Jersey's hardest working cover bands, I officially started my quest. Although a bit more ritzy than the average diner (it also serves alcohol), the food is still traditional fare and the waitresses very friendly and helpful. Our waitress, Heather, three days away from going back to college, regaled us with customer horror stories.The turkey burger came on a sourdough roll which had been toasted, and the burger itself was quite juicy and tasty. The fries were crunchy but had a distinct "we fry our fish in the same oil" taste. It did not come with coleslaw, but the pickle was a bit more crunchy than at Vicki's, and the tomato slices were generous.
August 10, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe at PAT'S RIVERVIEW DINER, Belmar, NJ.
On the way to see The Nerds, one of Jersey's hardest working cover bands, I officially started my quest. Although a bit more ritzy than the average diner (it also serves alcohol), the food is still traditional fare and the waitresses very friendly and helpful. Our waitress, Heather, three days away from going back to college, regaled us with customer horror stories.The turkey burger came on a sourdough roll which had been toasted, and the burger itself was quite juicy and tasty. The fries were crunchy but had a distinct "we fry our fish in the same oil" taste. It did not come with coleslaw, but the pickle was a bit more crunchy than at Vicki's, and the tomato slices were generous.
The Prelude:
August 7, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe at Vicki's Diner, Westfield, NJ.
Burger was very flavorful but the pickle was a bit rubbery and the coleslaw was more mayo than slaw. Fries were average and not very salty. This does not count as an official entry since Vicki's is a faux diner, not being open 24/7.
August 7, 2001: Turkeyburger deluxe at Vicki's Diner, Westfield, NJ.
Burger was very flavorful but the pickle was a bit rubbery and the coleslaw was more mayo than slaw. Fries were average and not very salty. This does not count as an official entry since Vicki's is a faux diner, not being open 24/7.
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