Downtown Diner — Restaurant in Town of North Elba

We were ignored for 20 to 30 minute periods between getting seated - 30 minute wait- drink order - 15ish minute wait - drinks arrived - 20 minute wait - offer to take food order - 15 minute for food (food was really good and came out in a reasonable amount of time - we had to wave down the servers several times before we could get a coffee refill and then we're not able to get the staffs attention again until they were ready to bring the bill at which point we pointedly asked for more coffee. Most of our 7 person party ( five adults and 2 5year olds) left instead of trying to get refills. We were the center table and unfortunately because we were a party of seven there was a mandatory 20 percent gratitude. I don't think that should have been applied to our party as our entire table was calm, we did not ask for special orders, we were not checked on often (actually actively ignored several time). The food was good. It is worth getting take out here and enjoying it on the lake or river. If your looking to sit and eat somewhere that will regularly provide the service they charge a gratitude fee for... this is not the place. Our guy seemed to be trying but he didn't seem like he was actually suppose to be the server he seemed more like he was there to assist all the other servers. It was ... disappointing.

Additionally if you don't have a certified actually trained service dog.... don't bring them into public establishments. My guide dog got a full two handed facial snuggle from one of the staff before I could stop him.... it is illegal to go REAL service...

I spent two days at the Downtown Diner while visiting in Lake Placid, and I can't think of a more memorable dining experience over the past few years in my favorite mountain town. There have been places where the food stands out, and places where value trumps all. Infrequently, I stumble across an eatery where the genuine camaraderie and welcoming atmosphere demands a repeat visit(s). The general joviality, conversation, and goodwill among staff and customers alike evokes memories of time around a table of extended family. The food is solid with few misses. One day I had the Downtown Diner's Philly cheesesteak. It was easily better than any iteration of the iconic sandwich outside of Center City, and twice as filling. With friendly banter, a good strong coffee, and plenty of local gossip, I could have been somewhere off of Broad Street. Was my impromptu lunch an anomaly or the norm? I decided to go back the next day to find out... Breakfast at the Downtown Diner proved almost as entertaining as lunch. I was pleased with the servings -- especially the extra large buttermilk biscuit (though a bit over-toasted) -- and the rich slab of French toast. It's a place where the coffee and conversation rarely stop flowing and the food is homey and hearty. On my next trip to Placid, I'll look forward to rolling out of bed a little earlier -- just to skip the hotel breakfast and enjoy a morning at Downtown...

My finance and I decided to give this place a try, because farmhouse next door was completely packed. The hostess seemed a little flustered, and at first said she did not have anything available, only large tables, but ended up seating us at a round booth in the corner. No one came over for at least fifteen minutes to take our drink order, meanwhile a six-top walked in very shortly after us, and got their drink and food order taken within just a few minutes of being sat. The server finally came over (after making eye contact multiple times prior to) and asked us if we wanted something to drink; We were ready to put our entire order since we sat there for quite some time, without waters; just felt like we were inconveniencing her. When the food arrived, (I got the BLT with eggs) the entire bottom of my plate was covered in grease, but overall the food was not bad. My fiancé got the Eggs Cornbread Arnold dish, and finished the entire plate. The service was just very disappointed especially because she kept looking over at us, and deliberately ignoring/neglecting us, until my finance was done with his plate, and she was very quick to clean up the dirty dish, and hand us the bill. Sadly, we will not...