Jak's Downtown Diner — Restaurant in Topton

I found this restaurant through a google search. My husband and I wanted to try someplace different than where we usually eat when visiting the area. We drove past at first because I couldn't see the sign above the door from our car, but then we noticed the lit up "open" sign in the window. It doesn't look like much from the outside. One might say it just looks like someone's house. I tell you all of this, so you don't get frustrated or be deterred, this was the most pleasant breakfast experience I've had in a very long time. The food was delicious. The homefries were made from fresh cut potatoes, the bacon tasted like it was straight from the smoke house. The fresh brewed iced tea was smooth and cold. The eggs fried to perfection. From my limited experience, Topton is a quiet town on Sundays. Apparently Jak's is no secret to the locals. The door might as well have been revolving because one person after the other came and went with smooth transition. Many were greeted by name. I felt like I was a guest in a friend's home. Every single person from the wait staff to the "bus boy/dishwasher" was friendly, polite and efficient. Emphasis on efficient. The servers all worked together in every aspect of their job, from topping off drinks to picking up empty plates as they walked by. (even if it wasn't their table) The rest rooms were clean. The portions were plenty, but not excessive and the prices were a real bargain. My husband and I each had 2 eggs, bacon, homefries and a drink. We shared one nice sized pancake. Our bill was less than $20. I gave atmosphere 5 stars, not because this restaurant is fancy, but because of how it made me feel. Jak's is nostalgic in so many aspects. It reminds me of the days when people took pride in what they do and had a kind word and smile for every customer. Did I mention the food? So good. I wish we didn't live 1.5 hrs away, but regardless, we WILL be back. Good job...

All my friends keep telling me they go to Jak's for lunch often so I planned a group lunch bunch so I could go check it out. They were swamped of course but were great with reserving a couple tables for us ahead. The food was really good. Eggs, chopped sirloin, and potatoes were cooked to order and perfect. Service was a little slow but they were super busy. It's to be expected. In Topton everyone knows your name so it's a great family restaurant where even I ran into someone I knew and I'm new to the area. I can't wait to come again and try the meatloaf dinner plus a few other things. The pancakes were plate size and looked really good too. The chicken pot pie is a fav favorite and really thick with dumplings. PA Dutch style with no crust. FYI - My friends told me they only serve iceberg lettuce and the Cole slaw is shredded not chopped fine. They laughed and said it's not a...

Manager has no business working in a service job. Shames her employees loudly over patron’s breakfasts. Also rude and confrontational with customers. Talk about a total lack of small-town charm and hospitality!

Place is a dump - I watched one of the waitresses unscrew her own, dirty used water bottle and dip the container into the restaurant’s generalized ice bin. Disgusting! Then proceeded to put her water bottle lid and dirty straw on a food prep surface and put her personal water bottle under the fountain soda machine. All of these are health code violations. Didn’t see anyone wash their hands the entire time. Grease stuck to the air exchange vents - place hasn’t been cleaned in well over a decade.

I paid the bill and left before eating for fear of food poisoning. Pretty sure I dodged a bullet given what I saw after 20 min of sitting at...