Manville Diner — Restaurant in Manville

While up at the Garden State Expo Center for a school competition the others in the group wanted to go to the shopping center with the Walmart to find something to eat but me not being too fond of the chain restaurants decided instead to take a chance at a local diner since I have usually done quite well at others. Prior to coming I did check out the Google reviews and decided to give the Manville Diner a chance. The first potential problem I saw however was that since I was driving the school bus I had to find a spot to park it and while driving through town I realized that might not be a possibility but then when I took a left turn to turn around and head back to the shopping center I noticed a street behind the stores on the main road that appeared to be offering plenty of areas to park a bus and so I did. It was only about a half block walk to the diner which was of course not much further than what I would have walked in the shopping center since the bus would have needed to be parked a little further out than what you would do with your car. When I entered the restaurant I noticed that just as I had expected it was a bit on the small side seating maybe 40 or so people but I kind of like diners like that so it was good. Looking over the menu I had no idea what to order since it was my first time but I saw the Chicken Parmesan, a dish I often order at local diners and decided to give it a try. The dinner included soup or salad of which I chose the Manhattan Clam Chowder which was a good choice, the 2 sides I got or pasta and then to top it off a desert which I chose the cheesecake which was also very good, not dry like some are elsewhere. My only complaint about the meal was that the chicken appeared to be frozen patties rather than fresh that were basically just heated up but when I went to eat it the taste of the sauce was so good that if they were frozen patties I did not notice it. If I am in the area again and looking for a place to eat or if asked by someone else where to go I will not hestitate to recommend the Manville Diner. The folks working here were excellent in their ability to have the food out at just the right time and oh I almost forgot they had some really good "home made" bread that came with the meal that I think was actually made there and not in...

I knew it would happen!! This place is really going downhill with the new owners ALREADY!!! EVERY one of my take out orders have been either made incorrectly, missing something etc. , and today my hamburger bun was stale! ROCK HARD! Couldn't bite through it! NO WAY the cook didn't notice it! I'm disabled so taking it back is not always an option. It's sad because it's the only diner in town. I'm done hoping things will get better. I was even left on hold for 45 minutes one day. I actually drove there and placed the order and suggested that they take me off hold! Lol

UPDATE: 11/19/22 I was a very regular customer right up until the restaurant was recently sold. Under the old owners, I would have given it 5 stars. NEVER had a problem with staff or my food. I really enjoyed the food and friendly service. I am disabled so much of my dining is takeout/delivery.

Since the new owners have taken over, I have not had a single takeout/delivery order that was correct. Tonight was the final straw when my Pizza Burger arrived with NO SAUCE! Are you serious?! This is about the 5th incident where my takeout order was incorrect or just plain BAD!

When I called about 2 weeks ago to place an order, I was told to hold on a sec. The girl put the phone down and never picked it back up. I got in my car and drove there and their phone was STILL sitting face down on the counter and I was still on it!! 45 minutes total. How do they not realize the phone is off the hook for 45 minutes?!

When my son said he wanted to order from the Manville Diner tonight I tried to talk him out of it and told him something ALWAYS goes wrong and as history would have it, they messed up my food. He felt horrible! Tonight I got fed up and drove back to the restaurant and asked for a refund. They treated me as if I did something wrong and were nasty and unapologetic. They did ultimately give me back my money but not without me having to demand the 50 cents in tax I paid. Don't even get me started about the tip. Should have demanded that back too! I am done.

Time to Eat Diner in Bridgewater is a little further but service is good, food is great and I've never had any issues. I was in the restaurant business for 45 years. It's all about the customer service. I predict they will be a faded Main Street memory in...

Best prices of typical Jersey diner food in central Jersey, plus large portions, and for me, excellent central location in Somerset County. Also, owners very friendly and cozy atmosphere. Free parking in small lot in back, or free parking on Main Street or side street that diner is on the corner of. A prosperous, bustling atmosphere. Only negatives are small spaces and 1 aloof waitress (all others cordial, if not outright friendly, as well as friendly owners and other workers). I accept the small spaces knowing that in return, I get the most affordable prices in the whole area-not too mention large portions and good food. I love the vast amount of food that comes with the $10.95+tax (plus tip, if you choose) pot roast meal, which I frequently take home part of because I can't finish it all! And the roast turkey is also huge for maybe a dollar more. I did splurge for the salmon stuffed with crabmeat at $14.95+ tax once, and it was so good I ate all the salmon before I even touched the salad or vegetables. As you can see, you get a lot of good stuff for relatively low cost, and I can always find somewhere close to park. Love the place (and they also now own The Franklin Park Diner, too.) Well, now it's over a year since I wrote the paragraph above, my initial review of this diner. We've had to deal with the pandemic, etc, and, of course, due to inflation and the passage of time, some prices have gone up. But, I'm happy to say that I was there last Friday night around dinnertime, on 1/15/21, and for only $14.95, I had quite an excellent meal (the short rib entree), with plenty of delicious and well-seasoned meat, and lots of potatoes, and vegetables, and the split pea soup was to die for (it was so good!) Also, the waitresses (we had several because one was in training) were quite excellent, constantly coming back to ask if we needed anything--and even that grumpy old waitress was friendly! I couldn't have asked for anything better (from the diner, that is, my main squeeze was another story, however!) I recommend this diner with TEN stars, not just FIVE (although I might bring another woman with me, on my date, next time...ha...