Ponzio's Diner-Bakery-Bar — Restaurant in Cherry Hill Township

TL/DR: After a long hiatus, I was recently here for dinner. Had a good, tasty meal with excellent service. Bakery remains outstanding, best diner bakery in South Jersey since Olga's closed.

Background: Through the 90s and early 2000s, I was a super regular at Ponzios. Like at least once a week, and usually 2 - 3 times a week. By 2010, food quality had slipped, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't as good as it had been. Also, I had become a little miffed with the managers. They were always a bit disengaged, never wandered around talking with diners and kind of obnoxious and rude to the servers (who were always excellent). I knew all their names, and if I happened to walk by one of them, I would greet them by name. They invariably would look at me with absolutely no recognition, and usually just a mumbled reply. Now I get that they have a lot of regulars, but I'm in there one to three times a week, I have drinks with my meals, so I'm spending a minimum of $75 to north of $300 a week. I think that rates at least being recognized, even if you don't my name.

I was also living down in Gloucester County by then, so it was kind of a long trip for diner food. I still went once a week after my volunteer organization meeting in Cherry Hill. When my meeting location changed at the end of 2013. I hardly ever went anymore, and before my most recent visit, it had probably been 3 or 4 years since I'd eaten there.

OK, with all of that out of the way, my most recent experience was good. Food was well prepared with quality ingredients. Service was exceptional, as always. The friends I was having dinner with all enjoyed their meals too. As I said at the top, absolutely the BEST diner bakery in S. Jersey. I resumed an old tradition, bought a full loaf of their cinnamon bread, took it home, cut in thirds and vacuum sealed for the freezer. Makes the BEST...

This experience was... Unique. Our server really seemed like she didn't want to be there (Multiple other tables felt the same). The menus on the table when we arrived showed breakfast (around 12:30pm on a Sunday) which sounded awesome. Once I tried to order I was told breakfast stops at 11:30. Back to the opposite side of the placemat menu I went. One thing I noticed was this was not typical diner food. I ended up ordering the grilled Reuben with fries and my wife ordered a grilled cheese and fries. The Reuben was very bland. The kraut had no flavor and I'd I'd probably enjoy McDonald's secret Mac sauce better than their 1000 island. The fries were good, not great but no complaints. My wife's grilled cheese was where the problem came. They put 1 slice of American cheese on ½ of the sandwich and no cheese on the other. Our server stood 5ft from the table and blatantly ignored multiple "excuse me's" before another server got her attention. She took it back and brought a toasted cheese sandwich. I changed the phrasing because 6 slices of American on lightly toasted bread doesn't melt. Upon getting the bill the "grilled cheese" was listed for $10.49 while only being $8.99 on the menu. We were explained this was because we requested more cheese on the sandwich. I'm not sure asking for cheese on the whole grilled cheese means we were asking for extra but I'm not management. The heavy set manager in a white shirt and the woman at the pay counter seemed bothered they had to deal with an issue. Not with the server but with me. It was a sad trip because it had come highly recommended but that was a trainwreck and I more than likely would...

From the moment we stepped into Ponzio's, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality. The ambiance was inviting, with a cozy yet bustling atmosphere that immediately put us at ease. Our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional, and it's safe to say that Ponzio's has become our new favorite spot.

First and foremost, the food was outstanding. Each dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, showcasing the freshness and quality of the ingredients. From the savory appetizers to the mouthwatering main courses and decadent desserts, every bite was a delight. The menu offers a wide variety of options, catering to diverse tastes and preferences, and each dish we tried exceeded our expectations.

Not only was the food delicious, but the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and friendly, always ready to offer recommendations and ensure that we had everything we needed. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and took the time to make our dining experience truly memorable. Overall, our experience at Ponzio's was nothing short of delightful. From the delicious food to the impeccable service and inviting atmosphere, every aspect of our dining experience exceeded our expectations. We can't wait to return to Ponzio's and indulge in their culinary delights once again. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience, look no further than Ponzio's. Highly...