Brooklyn Diner USA — Restaurant in New York

Walking around midtown, my sister and I were hungry-and we needed a place to eat. “I know of a diner on 57th!” I said. We entered and were quickly seated at The Brooklyn Diner. What a funny name, we are in Manhattan! I felt like we had been transported via time travel into a bustling good old fashioned diner like in Happy Days. Certainly, the black and white image of a roller coaster from Coney Island took me back to my delightful childhood summers with my family. Kerv, our lovely server from Ethiopia was attentive with his enchanting smile and menu ideas. The huge bowl of chicken soup that my sister ordered was loaded with chicken and veggies. No complaints from my very picky sibling. My turkey club with avocado slices was delicious and the fries were also tasty but I was unable to eat the whole thing. Moreover and by far my favorite item was their hot spicy apple cider drink topped with whip cream! Yummie. Just what the doctor ordered for the chill in my bones on this 30 something degree afternoon. As we were getting ready to return to the cement jungle, I overheard the host, a well dressed man with a charming disposition speaking to another guest that was being seated. He was astonished that they had never visited the diner which had been in business for 30 years. He was holding the door for another guest leaving with a large stroller as we were exiting, I told him that we are also native New Yorkers that had walked past the diner countless times and never entered. Yesterday was our first time and I told him that this spot is a treasure. We chatted a bit and he shook our hands, introduced himself as Guy. My sister and I walked away happy. Our bellies were full and warm and so were our hearts. When we were 3/4 up the block to Broadway, we hear someone screaming, “My new friends, MY NEW FRIENDS!!!!” When we look back, it was Guy running towards us with the white bag that safely held the other half of my sandwich. He was out of breath when he handed me the bag and we hugged each other really BIG as we laughed. Can you believe he did that? He ran and found us through the crowd of people walking midday in midtown! He did that. HE DID THAT. Unbelievable.

As I recall the sparkle in his eyes, I say that this was a magical moment that belongs in a film. Guy represents excellence. He is deliciousness, NYC style, generosity, nobility, warmth & loving kindness wrapped up into one. He is a reminder to us all that goodness still exists. Stay open to miracles, people. Needless to say that I will be returning to this spot and you should also give it a try. You may...

Absolutely, Talima. Here's a polished and impactful review that conveys your story with warmth, clarity, and high praise for the team who stepped up:

As a professional tour director, I know the importance of reliability and grace under pressure—especially when managing a group of 36 travelers. Recently, our original dinner venue fell through without warning, leaving me with the urgent task of finding a last-minute solution to feed and accommodate a large, hungry group. What could have been a chaotic and disappointing evening was instead transformed into one of the most memorable highlights of our trip, thanks to the exceptional team at this diner.

From the moment I walked in and explained the situation, the manager, Atta, responded not with hesitation, but calm assurance: “I believe we can accommodate you.” That simple statement, delivered with kindness and professionalism, set the tone for what became a truly outstanding experience.

Atta suggested using their outdoor space, which was not only available but turned out to be beautiful and welcoming. What followed was service beyond expectation: the food came out faster than anyone anticipated, every order was accurate, and the quality left us speechless. From savory pot pies and flavorful taco bowls to juicy burgers, thick shakes, and cheesecake so rich and velvety it gives Junior’s a run for its money—everything was exceptional.

Our servers, Jodie and Josh, handled our large group with patience, warmth, and genuine hospitality. Despite the unexpected circumstances, they smiled through it all and made our group feel like VIPs.

Courtesy matters. Professionalism matters. And this team exemplified both. For stepping up without hesitation, delivering excellence with humility, and reminding us what true hospitality looks like—this diner deserves five stars, every day.

Hats off to Atta and the entire staff for turning a stressful moment into something magical.

I wish our tip matched the quality of the exceptional service...

As I already mentioned, in NYC, any tourist looks for the "Diner experience"... We all want to go to a diner that looks like the ones we see in the movies. But it turns out there are very few of them in the city. So we had to ask around and we were sent to Brooklyn Diner USA. From the outside it is what we expect from a diner. From the inside too, even though it's probably more chic than what we were looking for. We went for brunch and we were told that we didn't need to book in advance. I don't know if they take bookings anyway... but we had to wait in the cold for 30 minutes, which is not so pleasant. Once inside, the service was diligent. Each one of us had a different dish but all of them looked very austere (except maybe the French toasts): the pancakes, for instance, felt really alone in the middle of the plate... Everything was good but nothing was memorable... until we got the check: $120 for 3 dishes for brunch! I know NYC is expensive but this is another level! 😤 I said before the diner looked chic but it still was chaotic and very noisy. At some point, they even turned the music up so that any conversation became impossible. At that point we just asked for the check and left. That was not a pleasant experience... 😥

Quality & taste: 7/10 Quantities: 8/10 Atmosphere: 5/10 Originality: 4/10 Ratio price / quality: 3/10 Service: 7/10 How I felt afterwards: 4/10

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