76 Diner Byron Center — Restaurant in Byron Township

I had to try the truck stop even though I've lived here for over 20 years. It's supposed to have excellent food. The gf wanted French toast I wanted vegetable omelette. They get 4 stars. On a scale of 1 to 10, food is a 9. Service is about 5. Prices are slightly on the high side. Here's how it went down. Coffee took 5 mins. Then I had to go to the store to buy French vanilla creamer because the owner refuses to get French vanilla creamer for the restaurant. The truck stop even wishes they would buy flavored creamer. Then it took another 5 mins to get regular creamer for her coffee. Don't waitress know people want sugar and creamer? The sugar is in the giant salt shaker. Okay let's get to the food. They take your order right away. Her Oreo waffle $11.49 comes with ice cream was good but they didn't bring her syrup, she had to ask. Don't waitress know people want syrup with waffles or pancakes? My Gardner omelette was good 12.99 (comes with hash browns and toast) +1.98 for extra cheese. I'd give it a 7.5. I ordered heavy cheese and paid $2 (1.98) and it barely had cheese on it. I let it go. I also got biscuits and gravy 8.49 + 2.99 extra gravy. They get a 7. I usually put salt and pepper but already had pepper. Seasoning was good but not great. I also got extra gravy because most places are skimpy. This place covers them in gravy so $3 extra gravy was a waste. Small Orange juice was 1.99 coffee was 4.72 ($2.36 ea.). The truck stop; It's a little better than decent . The booths are too small if you weigh more than 200 lbs. They have tables and chairs. Only outlets for charging are in the middle between the two sections. It was a little busy so waitress got a little flustered. Also had to ask for napkins a few times. I think if you sit closer to the kitchen you get better service but I prefer being closer to a window. Owner needs to buy flavored coffee creamer!! Waitresses should know to bring reg creamer or ask when people order cofee, and bring syrup with pancakes and waffles. That reminds me she forgot to bring jelly for toast and ten minutes later brought it and gave it to the gf. It was my toast. Also don't waitresses know jelly goes with toast when they bring it. maybe they should have jelly, syrup, and creamer on the table? Just a thought. If I go back when I do I will ask the waitress for everything up that should be on the table upfront. Then I would order when she brings the stuff to the table. Its annoying to have to ask creamer, syrup, napkins, straws. Oh they act like straws are gold (very stingy). Oh the water or theirs isn't worth drinking. Ill put it this way scale 1 to 10 grand rapids water is 5 Wyoming water is 8 that water there is a 3. Nasty water. Want water better buy some at the gas station. So anyways they get 3.75 so 4 stars. The owner deserves a 1 for refusing to buy flavored coffee creamer for customers knowing 40 percent customers request it. If it's a cost issue charge for it. There's an honest review for the truck stop. The cook gets a 9 his food gets a 9 the waitress gets a 6.5. but I'm said I missed the...

The 76th Street Truck Stop Diner was the perfect way to start our first morning in Michigan! Jet-lagged, confused and tired, and hungry, I GPS'd my way to a nearby bastion of working truckers, home contractors, and sleepy locals.

The menu is deep and wide, with hearty sweet and savory choices to be had. After some deliberating I went with the country-fried steak, eggs, hash browns with cheese and onions, and, instead of toast, the biscuits and gravy.

Waiting for the food - through conversations about the proper way to hook up truck batteries for jumping and to generators - I got a few moments to check out the decor and ambiançe: the dinner side is exactly out of Central Casting, and the truck stop side is all your best memories of places glimpsed during fault vacations.

The food was hot, tasty, flavorful, and just the right quantity for a hungry guy. The coffee was full-bodies, hot, and constantly refilled. Connie, the server at the counter knew their offerings, had helpful opinions, and had such good cheer that my whole day is better for having met her.

The Belgian waffle I brought back for the still-sleeping SO went over well, so that was another win.

Summary: visually pleasant, tasty fare, sweet staff - this was a fabulous choice; highly recommended!

UPDATE:

A few evenings later we returned from a road trip to try a few new dishes.

The Cinnamon Sugar Breadsticks - a Michigan churro - was crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and satisfyingly spiced. Even better was doing it on the supplied melted butter! Damn!

The Ultimate Meatloaf Sandwich was tasty but there's too much grilled bun for free amount of meat. If the bin had been much crispier it might've saved the day.

The SO loved her BLT, especially the amount of crispy bacon.

The coffee was once again very tasty, hot, and frequently refilled. Lexy, our server, was on it throughout the meal - attentive, helpful, and yet another reason...

I have gone to many diners in my life, and the 76th Street Diner is one of the best diners in Michigan, hands down.

Starting off with the food: you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu here. No matter what time of day (or night, since 76th is open 24 hours a day) you arrive, you can get some delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner offerings. The whole menu is available all day long! On top of that, the serving sizes are incredibly generous for the price; a visit that doesn't have me leaving with a to-go box is a rare occasion.

Regarding the service: I've never had a bad experience. All of the servers are pleasant and attentive. Understandably, when it gets busy, you're going to need to wait a little bit longer than usual. If you're the kind of person who complains about this inevitable phenomenon, grow up. You aren't the center of the universe, and I promise that the people who work here are trying their best to be able to help you, as well as ALL of the other customers, as soon as possible.

Shout out to our server earlier today, Madisyn. You did a great job. Very fast service and a very pleasant demeanor. Plus, your rainbow tie-dye waist pouch was super cool :)

The only reason the atmosphere only gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because there's nothing special to set it apart from other diners. The restaurant is clean, the seats are comfortable, but overall it is a sort of generic truck stop diner atmosphere. A five star diner atmosphere would be a place like the Fleetwood Diner in Lansing, which has maintained that cool, unique 50's feel to this day. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the atmosphere of 76th Street Diner, but there is also nothing special about it. It's completely fine.

Overall, this is probably the best diner I've ever eaten at, and I will continue to eat here for as long as I live...