Osteen Diner — Restaurant in Florida

I've driven past the Osteen Diner many times over the years, always deterred by its crowded parking lot. Last night, my wife and I decided to arrive just after the breakfast rush. The lot was once again full, but we managed to find a space after a short wait. We got out of the car at 10:45.

As we approached the diner, we saw groups waiting under the loquat trees at the entrance. I added our names to the waitlist and, after about 10-15 minutes, we were seated in the back dining room. The rustic decor included murals and eclectic pictures, though the tables and chairs showed some wear. The room felt warm with the ceiling fans off.

Our server, Kaley, was friendly and attentive. I ordered the Sirloin Steak and Eggs, cooked medium-rare, with my wife and mother-in-law choosing similar dishes but with different preferences for their eggs and steak doneness. Our drinks arrived promptly, and I was pleased with the sweet tea.

We waited about 35-40 minutes for our meals. When they arrived, my steak was overcooked to medium, while my wife’s medium-rare steak was rare in the middle. We swapped plates, but my mother-in-law’s medium-well steak was too tough to eat. The hashbrowns were undercooked and the home fries were overcooked.

Despite noting live music on their website, there was none during our visit, but nearby diners began singing “Wimoweh” loudly, much to the annoyance of others.

My wife brought up the issue with her steak, which Kaley offered to replace, but since we were almost done, she declined. Kaley then suggested a 20% discount, which my wife also declined, simply wanting to explain the overcooking. Later at 12:30, Kaley brought our bill and said it included a 10% discount on our bill, which we accepted. When we finally got back to the car it was 12:45, two hours since we arrived.

Despite this unfortunate experience, I believe it was likely an...

The Asian Catfish (??) is not the only thing that stinks at the Diner, so does the Owners customer service and social skills.

Just as part of our dinner was being served, The Owner walks up and puts a reserved sign on our table, which makes my 12 year old grandson question, what is that?? The response, " I have a large party that just came in and the LOCALS come in and sit wherever they want." ( How Ironic, when you walk in they yell, sit wherever you want.). I just found it rude to put a reserved sign on a table for a group that just walked in, when the Present customers are just receiving their order. Nothing says hurry and get out any louder....

This Local has been spending their hard earned money at the Osteen Diner for the last 15+ years since originally opened by Terry.

Our waitress was good, But that is where it stops..... 3 out of 4 dinners came, 2 BLT w/ fries, a bacon cheese burger w/fries. The chicken strip w/ fries were not ready. There was not 1 whole piece of bacon on either BLT, more like bacon bits and pieces, mostly lettuce. The chicken strips arrived with no fries, still cooking, when the fries finally arrive they are pale, limp and inedible, sent back..

The owners comment and the poor quality of food definitely did not justify a $54+ check...... We assured our waitress she did a good job and left her tip. Osteen Diner is over priced for food that is 80 % prepackaged...

Some of the worst food I've had and it's depressing because I was so looking forward to trying this place cause their parking lot is always fairly crowded.

The service was alright, she did the minimum Wait staff is trained to do; take the drink order, take the food order, check in half way, check in on parties done eating when table mates are still eating. Can't complain, she did her job.

The food was delivered WAY TO QUICK!!! There is no way anything was fresh cooked besides my eggs. The bacon was limp, fatty and covered in grease, my fingers literally glistened with grease. The hotcakes were so dense that syrup didn't soak in like it normally does and the syrup was also super thick. The orange juice was absolutely from concentrate and tasted gross.

My partner got the chicken and waffles with a sweet tea. There was nothing sweet about the tea, I could only taste the bitter of it. The chicken breading was overly salty and dry but the chicken was moist. The waffle was dense and had no crisp to it. The powdered sugar was actually in clumpy lil rocks. My partner said it was like eating a school breakfast.

I believe the only reason this place stays open with a well packed parking lot is they're the only show in Osteen.

The service as trained and the chicken being moist are the only reasons I'm leaving a 2;...