Rox Diner — Restaurant in Boston

I understand times are tough but you need to fire your staff. They could care less as I've seen in other reviews about the businesses success or reputation. 9/19 - Full staffing and ignored as soon as I walked in with my friend. It is seat yourself but there are no signs indicating so, definately don't expect employees to let you know, too difficult. We sat in a section with two waitstaff covering 7 tables with no more than 3 people at each table. We continue to be ignored as we watched 4 tables sat after us and still no menu. Finally a menu comes after said 4 tables get their drinks and put their orders in. We order 4 entrees- steak, `hash, french toast and goat cheese eggs & toast. We waited again patiently as it is a Sunday, for 45 minutes with all the waitstaff avoiding eye contact, finally my guy gets up and waves to the girls at the counter. They continue seating new tables as the other tables around us left. Our waitress eventually saunters over we asked if our food was on the way as it had been a very long time (we were sat at 10:55 BTW it is now 11:40) the waitress states it will be 5 minutes for our food. 10 minutes went by and the table that sat down 40 minutes after us were served their food (two eggs bennies). Either they forgot our order completely and kept telling us it was coming or just left it in the kitchen to get cold NO IDEA HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN- I've been in the restaurant industry for 25 years...I get it but this is almost impossible to do so poorly. After about an hour of this, an empty coffee cup and with all the tables gone that came in at the same time as us it was time to get up and leave. I usually would have left in the first 10 minutes of this but I was trying to be patient. What a joke of a business. Can't say anything for the food because it never came. I can say it can't be good enough to ignore the terrible service. Will never attempt...

If you are in West Roxbury, I do recommend the Rox Diner for the food..just ignore all else. You will simply have to balance a few of your wishes about a great breakfast experience. The breakfast choice are broad, and the food is delivered quickly. There are a few "needs". Staff is friendly but falls was short of "attentive". In a very small restaurant where a breakfast staff member has maybe four tables, I don't want to chase you down to get beverage refills, or to remind you I already asked you for refills; nor do I want to remind you that one meal on a three-top still never got delivered 7 minutes after the other meals. The staff also needs to take more of a proactive approach to cleaning during the meal. Basically they are prompt at asking for remove dishes, even if you have clearly not finished the meals, but are seemingly unaware of ANYTHING that falls to the floor. I had to straddle two seats with my feet because the previous diner dropped half of their meal with loose egg yolks on the floor and the staff ignored it when turning the table over. (while waiting for our table I was witness to this so it was clear to me what was dropped on the floor is something that can wait) More debris around the restaurant like straws and napkins and food pieces that the staff observably walks over and around but no one chooses to pick up anything, while even in a busy restaurant with a waitlist, staff were engaging in long conversations with some guests while duties were ignored. I would go back for the food, knowing the service failures because sometimes I'm just looking for the food. BTW, if you are into pancakes...the Cinn Pecan...

My family has lived in West Roxbury since my great grandparents came over. It’s in my blood. And just about everything I love and hate about it is encapsulated in two cafes. On the Decelle’s side of the street (iykyk) there’s the past: a cafe where your elderly Uncle Jimmy gums his unseasoned scrambled eggs. On the other side, near the old Mobilgas, there’s Rox Diner.

I love this for us. Nothing else in Boston comes close. There might not be a better breakfast in New England. There’s probably a better breakfast joint in the US but I haven’t been there yet.

Here in West Roxbury we don’t do “elevated.” We just do it best. Best eggs benny, best omelette, best freakin home fries. Not the best coffee, but you never get good coffee and good food at the same diner - law of the universe.

And best atmosphere. It makes me so happy to see Black people, queer people and first-generation Americans relaxed, happy, and enjoying good food in a neighborhood that has historically been racist AF. (West Roxbury, I love you but you know that it’s true.)

What really stands out though, is the people. When our server noticed that I’d barely touched my meal today, she worried that I didn’t like my food. When I told her that it was delicious but that I’d just received some bad news,she gave me the most heartfelt pep talk and packed my food to go. It meant so much, and really brightened my day. That’s West Roxbury at its best, and I’m so grateful for her.

Traditional. Modern. Inclusive. Delicious....