Spinning Wheel Diner — Restaurant in Readington Township

If you're looking for a traditional American diner experience, Spinning Wheel is where to find it. With all of the expected diner fare available, such as all day breakfast, soups, burgers, sandwiches, dinner platters, daily specials, homemade deserts and more, there's something to suit everyone's tastes. Coming from out of town, we stopped by in mid-December on a snowy and rainy, cold day to get a quick bite. From the outside, it has a recognizable diner appearance, which continues onto the inside, with booths seating, a small bar-stool eating area near the front entrance, and deserts on display on glass cases. At this time of the year, there were Christmas decorations and music playing, giving a true holiday nostalgia. Looking at a multipage extensive menu, we opted for a mid-day breakfast, browsing both the "traditional" and "creative" omelettes options. The creative options included a chili-cheese omelette served with guacamole and a sweet-Italian meats omelette with a side of marinara. We ended up going with the more traditional omelettes, a bacon and cheese and a western. We also requested a bowl of the matzo ball soup to share. The soup came first and it was just right. The broth was densely chicken flavored and the the large matzo balls (slightly larger than golf balls) a consistent texture and mild dumpling-like taste. We enjoyed that for a starter. Our large, 3-egg omelettes arrived quickly after, and were served with generous helpings of home fries. The home fries were simple smashed and fried potatoes, no onions or other things added, and were moist with crispy edges, and were quite delicious. I had asked for a side of salsa with my western omelette, but was misheard and instead go a side sausage. This ended up being a happy mistake, as the 2 thick breakfast sausages were perfectly seasoned and cooked, and complemented my western omelette very well. The omelettes themselves were straight-forward diner breakfast fare, no surprises there - and that's not a bad thing! There was a small assortment of jams and jellies on each table for your toast, if you want to add a little sweetness to the meal. The food and experience was great, and the waitstaff friendly. We'll be back to try out more...

We moved to the area some months ago and started trying the diners, because we're diner people. I didn't like this one right away, because I just wanted a grilled cheese and they said I had to order two (two? really?) cups of soup with it. I said I didn't want any soup, it was 'to go' anyway and I didn't want a bunch of soup rolling around in my car, but they insisted I had to get the soup and I had to pay for it, they wouldn't reduce the price for 'no soup for you'. So that upset me somewhat, I had to pay an inflated price for extras I didn't want. Very strange of them to insist on the soup. The food wasn't good at all compared to our old digs Jefferson Diner, and others we tried in the area (Clinton Station, now that's a diner!). I said I wouldn't go back. But recently the place we wanted to go (Chelsea's, excellent bar & food) was closed, we were on a short timeline and hungry, so we tried Spinning Wheel again, for eat-in. I ordered the Caliente Cheesesteak, and guess what, comes with soup and fries. I didn't want either, they wouldn't drop them and reduce the price. I asked could I have onion rings instead of both of those, no sir, you must have the soup. WTH. My wife had to have soup with her sandwich, which she wanted anyway, and then the waitress comes over and says they are out of the soup. At this point I'm looking around for the hidden cameras and waiting for Alan Funt to jump out, or the soup guy from Seinfeld. Unreal. The cheesesteak was made out of horrible beef (stringy, fatty), cheese was nasty, and it was more an open face sandwich than a cheesesteak, a big sloppy mess laying on both sides of a hard over-toasted sub roll. So, we're done really, due to the inflexibility, quality of food, and over prices. Fool me twice... The fries weren't bad and the waitress was nice and very apologetic. I felt bad because I overheard a guy a few booths down saying he was there on a road trip because he heard "Jersey is all about the diners" and he wanted to try one. I wish he wouldn't have...

Really good food, maybe not A+, but at least a solid B+. The wait staff is exceptional: friendly, helpful, and cheerful. Even the busboys are friendly and pleasant. The ONE thing that really disappoints is the ADA restroom. The main restrooms are clean and efficient, but too small for me and my walker. That they have an ADA restroom is great, but they way they keep it is disgusting. First, getting to it is a challenge. One has to go all the way through the back room and out the door into a little alcove that connects the kitchen with the back door. On the other side of that alcove is the door to the bathroom. It was difficult enough with my walker; I can't imagine having to navigate that obstacle course with a wheelchair. Their ADA restroom also doubles as the staff bathroom (although it is so unpleasant that the wait staff seldom uses it). This room also serves as the janitor's closet because it contains mops and buckets that reek heavily of floor disinfectant. The toilet is serviceable and appeared to be reasonably clean. The sink and countertop, however are not. Various bottles of cleaning supplies occupy the counter, often left open. After washing your hands, there is no place to dry them. The hand dryer on the wall hasn't worked for years. There are no paper towels. The only option is the toilet paper which lies on the countertop next to the toilet. I opted to shake the water off my hands as best I could, grab my walker and make my way across the alcove, through the back room and up to a service area that had extra napkins. After drying my hands with napkins, I had to dry the handles on my walker and then make my way back to my table, discarding my wet napkins on a table that had not yet been cleaned. Tried to talk to an owner or manager, but there were none on site at the time. I wonder if the Health Department ever inspects that particular bathroom. Other than that, it is a great place to eat. Just do your best to avoid the Restroom For...