Sunrise Diner — Restaurant in Allentown

It's been a while since I've been to the Sunrise Diner. It's been a south side staple for decades, was one of my favorite haunts. Our recent move took us away from Allentown but, we had a little trip today which brought us back to the area, and to the Sunrise Diner.

We are on the road a great deal, find ourselves eating out several times a week, trying new places as often as possible, returning to favorites when we can. How lovely to see the Sunrise still taking a corner spot on 4th Street.

I was happy to see the soup and salad bar remain. The salad bar not only still exists but, has expanded to include several accompanying salads like a seafood salad choice, and many topping choices. All options at the bar looked fresh. It was impressive, especially for a diner. The three large soup tureens still remain next to the salad bar.

Our host took us to our seats, and shortly thereafter, our server came to our table to take our drink orders. Our server was cheery and very pleasant. I ordered an entree that came with a bowl of soup, and a trip to the salad. It's interesting to note that, the salad plates are wisely no longer located at the salad bar. The server brings a salad plate to the table. Located at the salad bar is a sign requesting to wear gloves, and a box of them placed where the plates were formerly located. The soup bowls and spoons are still located at the soup tureens.

We all chose the potato soup, which was very tasty; mildly seasoned and more like a chowder rich with potatoes. My salad and toppings I chose were as fresh as they appeared, and the dressings were clearly labeled, bonus points! Often it's a guessing game. For those who enjoy a good salad bar, it would be well worth the $11.99 for the soup/salad bar.

My order, a veal cutlet and mashed potatoes were both very tasty. My one friend had the haddock, the other a gyro. Both of their entrees looked delicious and both my friends reported that they were.

When we lived in Allentown, I used to order the Sunrise Diner's strawberry cheesecake for my annual festivus. I spotted a cheesecake when we came in the door, wondered if it was the same? I ordered a slice. I was thrilled that it is that same delicious cheesecake I remember, best in Allentown, and best I have ever had. As we left the diner, my one friend commented that, our food was "restaurant quality " not standard diner food and I agree. From beginning to end it was an exceptional experience!

One note, the diner is no longer open 24 hours as it had...

My experience at Sunrise Diner was absolutely horrendous from start to end. We stood patiently to be barked at by the hostess that she would be with us when she could. We were greeted by our waitress whose demeanor was lackluster and that is being more generous than I should. My boyfriend asked about the daily special which was macaroni and cheese with scallops. The waitress quickly rendered as little info on the topic as inhumanly possible and proceeded to recommend the shrimp/scallop stir-fry over angel hair pasta. My boyfriend took her advice and ordered the stir fry and an order of fried breaded pork chop. Upon receiving the most tasteless food ever known to man, our waitress was no where to be found during the torture of having to ingest said "food". She "magically" reappeared when we decided in concert that the suffering had to end. She asked if everything was alright and I answered honestly that it was not only not alright but absolutely horrible. She asked for details which I meticulously cited, only for her to become agitated as if SHE was offended. She callously pointed out that it was pork as if we were suddenly unaware of what we ordered and asked what else could be done to it? My boyfriend and I answered in unison "seasoned!!!!". She shrugged this of as if that were absurd and walked away mentioning that she would send over the owner.

The owner was understanding and removed the offensive entrees off the bill while our waitress scowled noticeably from the distance and shared her distain with a co-worker.

I will NEVER EVER frequent nor recommend this diner to...

I wish I could put negative stars.....we wanted to get some food and looked at reviews and seen this was just a little better than the places near us so we took a chance. I wanted the turkey club panini but apparently the machine wasn't on? They don't turn it on till 10 or 11? How is this a 24 hour diner if I can't get basic things early in the morning (7am). I'm a cook myself so u could of easily put it on the griddle u make pancakes on it's sad you need a whole nother machine just to toast the outside of the bread.....I paid an extra 1.65 for fries and that was the sadest excuse for fries I've ever seen in my life. Nothing had flavor at all the fries tasted like literally nothing how do you not put salt or anything on it at all? Maybe because your only business is senior citizens. My girlfriend got breakfast some french toast and an omelette. The home fries tasted like air, IDK how you mess up on homefries that's just sad. Wanted some soup but they didn't have that either because it was "too early". I truly don't know how you can call yourself 24 hour service if I can't even get some soup.....I promise I will never step foot in this place again, the worst! Just wasted $20 on the worst food ever and the worst part is I'm still hungry. Don't come here if your under 50 and especially don't order take out cuz they will straight up screw you over. I really don't know how people are saying the food is good I don't think we had the same thing or they just don't know good food if it hit em...