Route 1 Diner — Restaurant in Lawrence Township

This building has a lot of history and served many hungry customers over the years. My visit today was for sentimental reasons and I planned to soak it all in and tip my server well for the time I took up the space. I arrived and was greeted by some of the tastiest looking desserts in a very clean glass case at the door. As the manager finished ringing up the customers at the register I had plenty of time to make a mental list of which ones I wanted to take home and share with my family. I was seated at a booth that had just finished being cleaned and I quickly glanced at the menu to confirm what I wanted was still on the menu as the server grabbed me a place setting. As he put the placemat and rolled silverware in front of me I had a brief flashback of doing side work while my shifts were slow, back in my server days. He asked me if I would like a beverage and we briefly discussed options. I was not in the mood for raspberry tea and that's the only sweetened option. I asked for a coffee and let him know I knew what I wanted to order. He told me what the soup of the day is and I order; A patty melt, medium, no mushroom and substitute the swiss cheese with provolone (I expressed this was important as I am allergic to swiss cheese) and Chicken noodle soup.

The coffee: exactly as I expected diner coffee to be. It was fresh brewed, hot, and came in a cup with saucer. The first sip was just perfect.

The soup: big pieces of chicken, diced celery, carrots, onions, in fresh broth, and just like home made. I let it cool a minute and savored every spoonful.

The patty melt: All beef patty, cooked the way I asked, piled with onions and topped with provolone cheese, grilled on rye bread. Came with steak fries, coleslaw, and a crisp pickle half. The burger was juicy and tasted fresh, albeit an obvious premade patty. I usually do not like coleslaw but this was pretty decent too.

The Service: I was only about a third done eating when the server brought me my check and told me to have a nice day. I had not finished my first cup of coffee yet, intended to have another, and planned to order desserts to take home; but now I am feeling rushed out. I finished my coffee and put the cup at the end of the table to signal that I'd like a refill. Sadly, my server never came back to my table. The busboy was on point and brought me a refill. The manager came over and asked me how everything was today. I finished eating and had my second cup of coffee. The bill was about $16. I brought it and a $20 bill to the register.

The Transaction: I asked the manager if my server was new and he confirmed that he was. I smiled and explained how I've worked in the industry for almost 30 years with the last place I served being this diner when the previous owner still had it. I told him about my experience today and just offered the advice that the server be a little more attentive to the guests. He smiled, nodded and agreed, and wished me well. I paid and told them to give the change to the server. He got less than $4.

What they Lost: Typically I tip the bill. Meaning this time I'd have paid with two $20 and the server would have had a $24 tip on a $16 check, but he never came back to check on me and rushed me out by giving me the check so early. The diner also lost out on the dessert sales I intended to take home with me.

All in all the food was great, the service could have been better but he was new so I think my advice is more valuable than anything I could have left monetarily, (Paying attention to your guests will yield much higher tips all around), and the parking lot...

Recently we had mold in our crawlspace and lived in a hotel while mitigation was done. Route 1 Diner became our go-to for breakfast and occasional dinner. Review based on 6 or 8 meals.

The food quality is consistently good and uses quality ingredients. Breakfast servings are ample but dinner provides too much food so plan to take home.

Service is prompt, wait staff is generally attentive, and the check is pay as you leave. Dinner includes dessert but we were full. Our server insisted on packing fruit cups in soup containers as part of our leftovers. This insistence on the customer receiving full value is typical of this diner.

Collectively we have enjoyed eggs over easy and hard, with potatoes and sausage links. Steak and eggs. Yankee pot roast with baked potato and salad. Tenderloin tips over rice with salad.

The pot roast is an example of too much food. A normal serving of beef is 4 to 8 oz. We got between 16 and 20 oz on a large oval platter, baked potato on a second plate, salad on a dinner plate, and broccoli on a saucer.

As a test of portion size I'll take my fireman neighbor who still eats like food will be outlawed tomorrow and see if he finishes.

All together we are well pleased and have added Route 1 Diner to our go to list.

Dinner was about 45 for 2, breakfast just...

Wow. How Sad. I really enjoyed this place as a 24 hour diner. The host/manager is rather vengeful. I am used to him coming to the table and pressuring me to leave, even when it's 4am and the place is empty. He went a bit too far when I asked for my entre to be held until I finished my salad. The server was kind enough to let me know my food was waiting for me. Please don't take it out on her, if you read this. I have been a server so I am always aware when I am taking up time in someone's station. The portion was about half of what it normally is and it was semi warm at best. I made sure to pass on to my server that her care was appreciated. People like him in the food business are scary. If you have ever gotten the runs after a dining experience, just hope you did not get some eye drops in your food. I am not saying in any way that he did or does this but his behavior will make me go elsewhere. Just a week ago I had such a pleasant experience with the alternative host. The servers could not be more pleasant. The shorter younger guy with brown hair and a mustache is someone you may not want to cross! For the employees who have to deal with him, quit. This person is operating on a level below you. If you don't pay for it directly, you will in other ways. I wish you and...