Circle E Diner — Restaurant in Town of Hancock

This place is having an identity crisis. The new chef is trying to do too much. Charging top dollar for food served in a diner, no matter what the food is, doesn't fly for me. I'm sitting at a worn diner table, eating from diner plates, with paper napkins, and you expect that I'm going to pay $20-$30 or more for a lobster tail or ceder plank salmon? Really? Pick what you are, do it well. If you want to change it, do it completely. If you don't have the cash to do a complete change, then you don't change. Sorry chef, if you don't like what it is, then you should've bought another restaurant. This place, when I was there, was trying to be a pizzeria, a diner, and gourmet restaurant. I had diner food, which is what the place looks like, and that food was ok.

The chef should set out to be the best diner chef he can be. Stop cooking with his ego and start cooking with his brains and heart. Good diner food is an art. It really is. Diner or American food made from scratch with great ingredients, and with occasional flourishes, where appropriate, is not only delicious, but every bit as artistic as coq qu vin, veal cheek confit, or scallops newburg. Any chef who says otherwise is either French or doesn't have enough imagination. Save the expensive stuff for fun Friday and Saturday specials. But make it at a discount. At this rate food loss and turned off customers is going to run this restaurant...

This is true Americana at its finest! It is a real American dinner of yesteryear. It has a full menu of many comfort foods and other things that many crave. I have eaten here several times and very rarely have I not enjoyed my meals. The one thing they do make that they don’t advertise enough is their “ Monster Burger.” I could describe it but I could not do it justice! Let’s just say if your a burger lover / connoisseur, this is the burger for you. But bring a big appetite as it is a big burger. But it is cooked to order. If you ask a waitress to describe what’s on it, tell her to do it slowly so it can sink in all that makes up this burger. And yes, it is a “ Challenge “ type burger. No prizes other then the feeling that you conquered it. This diner has daily specials and also has Pizza! ( it is sad that they don’t do a “ Blue Plate Special “ like days of old as that would fit in nicely with their motif. ) if your looking for reasonable priced sit down food in Hancock then this is your place for homemade comfort foods. If your in a rush, McDonald’s is on the other end of town. But, you get what you pay for. If you have a car full of people and everyone wants something different then this...

This is a little diner a stone's throw (literally) from the town square in Hancock, NY. The place isn't very impressive to look at, both the interior and exterior, but the food was good. I had over easy eggs, bacon, and hash browns. The eggs were very large and extremely tasty and it wouldn't surprise me if they were local. The hash browns were so-so. What really stood out, though, is how well the bacon was cooked. I went twice in one weekend and both times the bacon was crispy and superb. I was quite impressed. I could've just eaten a plate of their bacon and been happy. Also, I adored the hot tea. The tea bag didn't look fancy or anything, but it was really good! They also serve alcoholic beverages, which some folks will appreciate. The staff is attentive, hard working and friendly, despite the large crowd during Sunday brunch. The location of this diner is perfect if you're staying nearby for vacation, at East Branch Outfitters, for example. The one thing missing was Sriracha sauce, but that's just my own personal preference, heh. Overall, I enjoyed myself each time I've eaten at...